The Yankees lean into a tight platoon at first base for the postseason, with Goldschmidt facing lefties and Rice handling righties. Goldschmidt leads off in Game 1 while Rice sits, a matchup plan Boone says will stay in effect across the series.

Goldschmidt hit .336 with a .981 OPS vs lefties in the regular season, though his production cooled after June 1; Rice posted a September surge (.316/.932 OPS) and brings catcher versatility to the roster. Boone’s roster builds depth with Warren on the 26-man roster and Escarra’s flexibility behind the plate, while Slater misses the cut.

With only one left-hander in the bullpen (Tim Hill) after Blackburn over Yarbrough and Headrick, the club leans on flexible matchups and bench options. Boston’s potential Game 3 lefties—Early or Harrison—keep the door open for additional depth. Fantasy managers should track daily lineup shifts and late-inning leverage opportunities tied to starter assignments.

Cleveland calls up Chase DeLauter for the wild-card against Detroit, hoping the injured rookie’s left-handed bat can inject life off the bench. He hit .278 with 5 homers in Columbus before injuries limited him to brief Triple-A stints, and his availability could tilt late-game matchups as Cleveland leans on 11 pitchers in the series.

Rosters across the league highlight depth, speed, and cross-team familiarity. New York carries 12 pitchers and 14 position players; Boston boosts speed with Eaton, Hamilton, Early, and Tolle while Giolito is sidelined; San Diego stacks catchers; Chicago adds Alcántara and Ballesteros while others are cut. These moves shape playoff lineups and fantasy upside in a tight best-of-three.

Yankees open a three-game set in Houston to kick off a pivotal September, with a potential postseason rematch looming. Judge's pursuit of history adds fantasy intrigue as he sits within reach of joining the Yankee elite, while Max Fried faces Framber Valdez in the opener. Alvarez is back for Houston, and Garcia has re-entered the rotation, tightening the Astros’ rotation. New York adds J.C. Escarra and Ryan Yarbrough to the September roster as Judge's DH status remains in flux and Stanton returns to a regular DH role for now.

The Yanks sit in a top wild-card slot, but their schedule through Sept. 14 is grittier, featuring Toronto, Detroit and Boston. With closer uncertainty and a few September callups, savvy fantasy managers will watch Judge’s defensive usage, Alvarez’s health impact, and the bullpen moves as they plan streaming options and daily lineup bets.

The New York Yankees are actively seeking starting pitchers as the trade deadline approaches. With key players like Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt sidelined, the Yankees are exploring options to bolster their rotation, particularly targeting Dylan Cease, who may be available. Despite a challenging season, Cease boasts a solid track record, having finished in the top five of the Cy Young voting twice since 2021. A potential trade involving catcher J.C. Escarra could address both teams' needs; the Padres require an upgrade at catcher, while Escarra's opportunities with the Yankees are limited.

Even with recent struggles, Cease could provide a reliable option behind frontline starters Max Fried and Carlos Rodón. This move would alleviate reliance on less experienced pitchers in pivotal October games. The Yankees' pursuit highlights their commitment to contending this season, balancing the immediate need for starting pitching with the long-term potential of their young players.

The New York Yankees are facing a surplus of hitters, with one or two talented bats often benched during games. This situation might catalyze a trade before the deadline, despite the Yankees being seen as buyers. A potential trade candidate is catcher J.C. Escarra, whose impressive journey from driving an Uber to the big leagues has caught the attention of several teams. Known for his elite pitch framing and defensive skills, Escarra is valuable even as a backup catcher. With Austin Wells and Ben Rice also capable of filling the catcher role, the Yankees may opt to trade Escarra, leveraging his feel-good story and defensive prowess to enhance their roster.