Six MLB athletes emerge as fantasy X factors in the final sprint: Anthony Volpe anchors the Yankees, Shohei Ohtani retools as a postseason pitcher for the Dodgers, Orion Kerkering powers Philadelphia’s bullpen, Riley Greene drives Detroit’s lineup with power, Dylan Cease seeks a Padres revival, and Andrew Vaughn fuels Milwaukee’s finish. Each player carries a clear path to impact in October, from lineup leverage to bullpen depth and rotation order.

Volpe’s continued development, Ohtani’s two way capability, Kerkering’s late inning upside, Greene’s explosive bursts, Cease’s command shifts, and Vaughn’s swing balance will shape rosters, rotations, and playoff seeding. The final ~30 games could redefine fantasy value for these six and the teams chasing byes and division titles.

These six players are framed as catalysts whose performances may tilt rosters and fantasy standings as the postseason approaches, with Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Tigers, Padres, and Brewers all weighing heavily on their contributions.

The Mets staged a dramatic 6-5 walk-off at Citi Field, narrowing the NL East gap behind the Phillies. Brandon Nimmo delivered the game-ending RBI single after a bases-loaded rally, marking the Mets’ fourth straight hit against Jhoan Duran in the ninth. New York clawed back from a 5-2 deficit after a five-run fifth, with Mark Vientos driving in runs and Nimmo lifting a spark-plug offense that could matter for fantasy rosters as the Mets chase the division.

The Phillies’ late-inning bullpen woes continued as Ryan Helsley blew another lead, extending his shaky stretch since the trade, while the Mets leaned on hot hitters like Nimmo and Vientos. Helsley’s rough form and Duran’s rough night create notable bullpen volatility to track for late-game volume and saves in fantasy lineups, especially with the Mets’ timely offense and the Phillies’ closer instability.

Wheeler’s season-ending surgery forces the Phillies to lean on Aaron Nola as the true ace-two punch, and Nola answered with a quality start after Wheeler’s diagnosis, flashing 94.1 mph on the fastball and six strikeouts over six innings. Philadelphia’s lineup fed off Harper, Realmuto and Bohm as Sosa’s stance adjustment sparked a big early outburst, including a three-run homer from Sosa and Trea Turner’s solo shot later. The bullpen locked it down with Robertson, Strahm, Kerkering and Duran closing the door in a tighter finish.

Josh Hader's shoulder strain sidelines him from the ninth for now, forcing Bryan Abreu into Houston's closer role and shifting the Closer Rankings in a meaningful way for fantasy managers.

The Closer Report still highlights Muñoz, Díaz, Duran, Suárez, and Chapman as the top tier across MLB, with megastars juggling saves in a season defined by bullpen volatility. Orion Kerkering's late-week save for Philadelphia adds a compelling element for Phillies saves and deeper formats.

Fantasy takeaways: Abreu's proven track record (1.64 ERA, 55 IP, 81 K, 25 BB) supports a temporary elite role, but monitor Hader's timeline and bullpen usage. Expect committee possibilities elsewhere and opportunistic saves as teams navigate rest days and late-season schedules.

The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for a strong postseason run, with Orion Kerkering emerging as a pivotal late-inning option for manager Rob Thomson. The 24-year-old has already notched two saves, showcasing his composure under pressure. Kerkering reflects on his nerves during games, especially contrasting a high-stakes postseason appearance against his first major league save. He reveals that the adrenaline is palpable when stepping into the closer's role, often thinking about the entrances that iconic closers like Edwin Díaz have made.

Kerkering's journey has been influenced by Roy Halladay, who coached him in his youth, emphasizing a focus on sticking to personal strengths. This mindset has helped develop his unique sweeper pitch, which he recognized as a game-changer during his teenage years. He aims to balance fun with professionalism in the bullpen, channeling a youthful energy to engage his older teammates, further enhancing the camaraderie as they prepare for a potentially thrilling postseason.