Michael King of the San Diego Padres landed on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation after a push to ramp back from a thoracic nerve injury. An MRI showed no structural damage, and the Padres plan a cautious return with the minimum IL stint, targeting Seattle as the likely comeback site. The move is about preserving health for the final two-plus months and a possible postseason run, not a long-term setback. King’s lone start since his return saw him throw 57 pitches over two innings, allowing two hits, two walks and two earned runs with one strikeout.

King has been productive when healthy, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 11 starts and 57.2 innings with 57 strikeouts. That baseline makes him a high-upside fantasy depth piece if he returns fully healthy and is handled conservatively. The Padres’ priority is health and a measured ramp, so investors should temper expectations for immediate workload but remain hopeful for late-season contribution and possible postseason relevance.

Manager Mike Shildt and San Diego are navigating a tight roster path as they push toward a playoff push, with the knee issue offering a prudent reason to protect King’s health while the rotation stabilizes. The upcoming slate against the Dodgers and a return trip to Seattle will shape King’s late-season ceiling and the Padres’ rotation plans for October, making his status a key watch for fantasy managers in the final months.

Padres at Dodgers in Los Angeles kicks off a pivotal NL West weekend as San Diego sits a half-game back. Clayton Kershaw will toe the rubber for LA, while San Diego will name its starter later as Michael King lands on the injured list, forcing a bullpen-reliant approach. The Padres have surged, riding a five-game win streak and 14-3 over their last 17, while the Dodgers stumble through four straight losses, including a troubling run of head-to-head results against the Angels that left that series feeling washout-like for LA.

Odds tilt toward LA ( Dodgers -138 on the moneyline; Padres +118), with the spread at Dodgers -1.5 and an 8.0 total. Rotoworld’s model leans to the over, weighing in on park and matchup data as it balances Kershaw’s ceiling against San Diego’s bullpen depth. The narrative centers on LA’s recent skid and King’s IL stint, setting the stage for a tense, high-stakes NL West clash that could redefine momentum for both teams down the stretch.

Fantasy and betting angles center on Kershaw’s effectiveness versus a hot Padres squad and how the Padres bullpen will maneuver without King. The series could hinge on run prevention from LA and timely hitting from SD’s lineup, making this a must-watch for daily fantasy and sportsbook line movement as tonight’s first pitch nears.

Cal Raleigh supplied Seattle with the clutch power, delivering MLB-leading 43rd homer in the eighth to erase a deficit and push the Mariners to a 3-2 win that stretched their streak to five. The note-for-d fantasy angle centers on Raleigh’s ongoing home-run ceiling, paired with a slate of Saturday props from SportsLine’s model: Raleigh over 0.5 HR at +285, Oneil Cruz over 0.5 SB at +370, and Michael King over 5.5 Ks at +100. The model treats these as value plays, citing a track record of strong HR and strikeout projections and a disciplined simulating approach (10,000 runs). It also flags Braves-Marlins and Phillies-Rangers as other spots to watch, with promos and sportsbooks offering sign-up bets and bonus bets. This piece is crafted for fantasy players and bettors seeking edge via prop markets and lineup context.

Max Muncy and Aaron Judge have rejoined their respective teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, providing much-needed boosts as the season nears its end. Their returns come at a critical juncture, with teams eyeing playoff positions amid a competitive landscape.

The Houston Astros await the return of Yordan Álvarez, whose power bat could seamlessly integrate into their lineup, bolstering a team already strong on the mound. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs look to the returns of Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon to strengthen their rotation after a lackluster pitching performance this season.

In the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays hope for Shane Bieber's resurgence after surgery, aiming to solidify their rotation alongside established stars. The Philadelphia Phillies are also eager for Alec Bohm and Aaron Nola to return, as both have been pivotal to the team's success. The Texas Rangers expect Jake Burger and Evan Carter to deliver much-needed offensive firepower as they seek a playoff spot.