Dodgers’ Game 1 win in Philly exposes a blueprint for October: deep, multi-faceted depth, development of Sasaki into a trusted weapon, and aggressive bullpen management that capitalizes on rest days. Otani and Snell anchor a rotation with room for Glasnow, while the lineup—Betts, Freeman, Kik—keeps generating for a flexible attack. The off day resets the bullpen, elevating Sasaki and the other arms for a potential quick series finish.

Roberts’ willingness to push late-game moves and the maturation of young talent form the core narrative. Will Smith’s status adds an extra variable, but the Dodgers’ depth and starting-pitching edge give them a clear path toward a brisk series sweep if their stars stay hot and the bullpen stays sharp.

Dodgers and Phillies collide in a marquee NLDS, anchored by Otani’s first playoff start as leadoff against Christopher Sanchez. Philly counters with a lefty trio (Sanchez, Lazardo, Suarez) while LA leans on Yamamoto and Glasnow, with rest days shaping the rotation and bullpen depth. The off-days could tilt leverage starts and force unusual bullpen alignments, making every decision magnified for fantasy managers.

Beyond this series, Cubs-Brewers heat up as a second NL spotlight, with Freddy Peralta opening for Milwaukee, Kate Horton looming for Chicago, and a bullpen-centric grind that could spark upsets. Even if LA looks strongest on paper, the Phillies’ lineup and late-game depth keep October unpredictable and ripe for fantasy value on both sides.

Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez anchor a decisive final-week cull as health and upside collide with win-now urgency. The episode maps out reddraft cuts and keeper moves, highlighting Westburg, Vientos, Nola, Woodruff, Mizorowski, Ober, and Kelly as targets to drop or bench while weighing long-term value against short-term viability. It’s a sharp, numbers-forward guide for champions chasing last-week scoring and dynasty upside alike.

Beyond the obvious name drops, the discussion dives into pitcher risk, upside relievers, and the value of chasing younger talent in keeper leagues. The crew balances countdowns, matchups, and injury recency to map a clear path through the season’s finale, helping fantasy managers maximize returns in a week that can define titles.