Toronto Blue Jays omit Max Scherzer, Bo Bichette and Chris Bassitt from their ALDS roster as they face the Yankees, citing Scherzer’s 9.00 ERA over six recent starts and Bichette’s left-knee sprain. Bieber and Gausman anchor Toronto’s rotation with Trey Yesavage in reserve, while four left-handers bolster a depth-heavy staff. New York adds Luis Gil to start the opener, trimming Mark Leiter Jr. Dodgers bring Clayton Kershaw in relief for a likely farewell, Phillies keep Kemp and Wilson but drop Romano and Trivino, Cubs add Ben Brown, and Brewers promote Misiorowski and Gasser while Rhys Hoskins sits out.

With Bichette out, Toronto’s lineup turns to bench and depth options for sustained run production; Scherzer’s absence is a sharp reminder that even veteran names aren’t immune to late-season fade. Dodgers’ setup role for Kershaw will shape NLDS strategy, while Brewers’ rookie pair injects upside into a rotation-heavy playoff path. The rosters highlight the strategic pivots teams make in October to optimize short-series odds.

Phillies clinch a playoff berth on a delayed flight, as Giants fall to Dodgers to seal the spot. With the magic number at one, Philly eyes an NL East clinch and a favorable postseason path in a high-stakes Dodgers series. Injury returns loom: Bohm could rejoin Friday, Sosa back soon, Turner rehabbing with a late-season return possible, Stott covering at short, and Romano receiving treatment. Nola earns a 2025 Roberto Clemente Award nod; Sánchez slated to start Tuesday vs Ohtani, a high-profile matchup.

Four key notes shape the fantasy lens: clinch timing and tiebreaker leverage, late-season lineup reinforcement, health tracking for core players, and a unique pitching duel with Ohtani on deck. Managers should weigh rest vs role clarity as the Phils push toward seeding and the Dodgers series becomes a de facto playoff preview.

Philadelphia faces a rotation hole after Wheeler's blood-clot procedure and Thoracic Outlet surgery. With Nola asked to reclaim ace-form and Painter still mired in the minors, waivers present a path to add another arm and Boston's Walker Buehler was released, making him a prime target. If Buehler can reclaim even partial form, he could stabilize a stressed staff and buy time for Painter to develop. The decision hinges on medicals, velocity rebound and whether the cost is worth the risk in a pennant race.

Philly’s calculus also considers alternatives like Joe Ross and Jordan Romano, two reclamation bets mentioned as depth pieces. In fantasy terms, a healthy Buehler offers upside with playoff pedigree, but rust and innings limits complicate expectations. The outcome could redefine how the Phillies structure their rotation down the stretch and into the postseason.