Philadelphia clinches the NL East with an extra-innings win over the Dodgers, widening their lead to 12.5 games over the Mets and locking in another division title vibe for fantasy managers. Expect bullpen depth and strategic rest to shape late-season wins and holds as the calendar turns.

Paul Skenes stands as the focal point beyond the standings—the Pirates’ ace has expanded to a seven-pitch mix, with a glow-up changeup that now stands as his top weapon. The piece also threads Heisman chatter, Brady’s flag-football cameo, and cross-sport headlines into a compact preview for fantasy and betting readers eyeing late-season value.

Dodgers bullpen collapse alarms fantasy managers as Los Angeles stumbles toward a possible wild-card path. A 6-5 loss to Philadelphia exposed an overtaxed relief corps, derailed by early homer exposure and late miscues, jeopardizing the bye that could reset their rotation and rest their arms. The plan to lean on Shohei Ohtani and a healthier Will Smith is urgent, while the front office’ inactivity at the deadline adds fear of deeper instability.

With only a dozen games left and a six-game gap to the Phillies, the postseason landscape tightens. The Dodgers must salvage the next series to avoid a brutal three-game wild-card sprint, especially given ongoing questions about bullpen solidity, catcher health, and rotation depth. Fantasy managers should watch bullpen roles, rotation tweaks, and the impact of this stretch on rest versus routine.

Philadelphia outlasted the Dodgers 6-5 in 10 innings, with Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper delivering homers and Weston Wilson adding a clinching blast as the Phillies secured the NL East. The 90th win locks up home-field for October and ends the Mets’ postseason hopes, signaling a potential deep run on the strength of a repeat division title.

Schwarber’s 53 long balls and 128 RBIs anchor a lineup that also features Harper’s steady power. A deep pitching corps — Sanchez, Suarez, Luzardo and Wheeler — has produced a 3.81 ERA, top strikeout numbers, and limited walks, while a 51-24 home record at Citizens Bank Park fuels confidence headed into October. Philly’s pace puts them squarely in the NL MVP vs. Ohtani conversation and sets the stage for a postseason grind.