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.

Jacob Lopez kept the momentum rolling with another strong showing, gutting Tampa Bay for seven shutout innings while piling up nine strikeouts. The altered slider usage—lower velocity but sharper chase metrics—has him throwing a pitch that whiffs more often, making him a viable two-start option for next week for 61% rostering. The slider’s movement is a conscious shift, and while the home park limits homers, Lopez has flashed enough upside to be in the mix.

Roman Anthony’s breakout continues, as the 21-year-old the leadoff experiment and four walks in one game fuel a high on-base profile and potential for more power and speed as the season winds down. Mets-Brewers slugfests highlighted Pete Alonso’s surge and Francisco Alvarez’s recall, a reminder that big-name bats and top catching prospects can reshape fantasy rosters in a tight stretch run.

Spencer Strider’s struggles grew with the Mets hammering him for eight earned over four, prompting Warometer debates about benching or taxing starts and a broader look at his internal brace recovery. Ranger Suárez also faced velocity dips, a looming question mark for a pitcher who’s historically built on precision and command. Across the board, the mix of hot hitters (Judge, Yordan, Ramirez) and up-and-coming talents (Anthony, Vaughn) is driving a volatile but upside-filled fantasy landscape.

Warometer Wednesday underscored the ongoing calculus: stay aggressive on risers like Vaughn and Alvarez while charting paths around names showing strain or changing velocity. The next week promises a live-test of midseason rhythm and postseason readiness for fantasy rosters.

Chase Burns made an impressive Major League debut, striking out eight batters in five innings while showing off his powerful fastball and effective slider. This performance sets him up as a must-start fantasy option moving forward, especially with his ability to generate swings and misses (26% whiff rate). Similarly, rookie Christian Moore had a breakout moment with two home runs, including a dramatic walk-off, suggesting he could be a valuable asset in deeper leagues.

The podcast also covers the continued success of pitchers like Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez, both of whom have been solid in recent outings. Valdez has demonstrated the ability to navigate through lineups effectively without his best stuff, making him a reliable starter for fantasy owners.

For those in deep leagues, the hosts highlight potential waiver wire pickups, including Rockies hitters like Jordan Beck and Michael Tolia, who are producing strong results at Coors Field. The podcast offers actionable insights for savvy fantasy managers looking to capitalize on emerging talent and navigate injuries impacting players like Bryce Harper and Yordan Alvarez.