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 tune up for the NLDS with Luzardo and Nola tossing three scoreless innings in a seven-inning intrasquad at Citizens Bank Park, a rare public showcase that featured real umpires, walk-up music, and 31,000-plus fans. Rob Thomson lined up Turner and Stott in the middle infield, checked Turner’s hamstring, and projected a rotation anchored by Cristopher Sánchez for Game 1, while Suárez was held back but declared ready. The session also aimed to clean up defensive miscues and sharpen fundamentals after a September with 12 errors.

The event underscored depth and strategy: a quick hook for starters, a bullpen-ready posture, and a strong emphasis on defense and execution. It also highlighted the club’s postseason energy, the public’s enthusiasm, and the sense that Philadelphia is treating this as a full playoff environment, building confidence for a deep run.

Arizona faces Philadelphia in Phoenix as Diamondbacks shake up their late-season plan. A MLB debut call-up, a 10-man bullpen, and a four-man rotation for the final nine games shape the arms map while Abner gets his first big-league outing. The D-backs lean on Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll to spark the lineup, with Adrian Del Castillo and Alek Thomas providing depth as the prospect narrative grows. Expect bullpen-heavy late outs and careful usage with an off day shaping weekend rest dynamics.

Lineup notes tilt toward power and speed from the Phillies with Bader in CF, Harper at 1B, and Schwarber as DH, backed by Realmuto and Stott. The D-backs counter with a mix of power and contact from Bohm and Del Castillo, plus Tawa and Wilson pieces in the middle. Stranger Things Night adds a local buzz, but the on-field focus remains on bullpen strategy, rotation timing, and the evolving late-season grind for both clubs.