Dodgers face a pivotal end to the season, weighing the value of a five-day bye against the momentum of three crucial Phillies games. The plan could rest Will Smith and tune the rotation for October, but it also risks timing disruption for hitters. A Padres surge adds urgency as NL West standings tighten and wild-card implications loom, with past finales offering a cautionary tale about scheduling and playoff paths.

Beyond the Dodgers, the Phillies hold a lead in their division, while the Padres loom 2.5 games back. If the West shifts on the final days, the path to the NLCS could hinge on who earns home-field in the wild-card round and how best to deploy top arms. Historical echoes from 1996 underscore the tension of final-day decisions and postseason exposure.

Will Smith lands on the 10-day IL with a bruised right hand, retroactive to Wednesday, prompting a catcher shuffle for the Dodgers. Chuckie Robinson is recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City as the Dodgers' immediate backup behind the plate.

Smith has slashed .296/.361/.540 with 17 homers and 61 RBIs in 110 games this season, his first IL stint. Robinson's recall re-stacks Dodgers' catching depth while they maintain a 2.5-game NL West edge over San Diego. Fantasy managers should watch Smith's timeline and Robinson's playing time closely.

Sunday’s MLB home-run props feature four strong value plays: Riley Greene, Christian Yelich, Iván Herrera, and Jackson Merrill. Each over 0.5 HR carries appealing odds and fits a round-robin approach, with favorable lefty-righty splits, park factors, and recent form backing the bets. Price-shopping across FanDuel and DraftKings can bolster ROI as odds move through the day.

Greene targets Mazur’s inexperience, Yelich faces Mikolas’s righty-heavy tendencies, Herrera jacquards lefty advantage against Quintana, and Merrill confronts Marquez with a hot bat. Pair these with weather and lineup context to maximize upside, keeping the focus on value rather than obvious plays.