Chicago Cubs clinch a postseason berth, their first since 2020, and set the stage for a potential top Wild Card seed as the NL field tightens around them. Milwaukee and Philadelphia already locked in, with Dodgers and Padres in the mix for byes and seeds as the Mets and others jockey for the last wild-card spots. Cubs rotation likely features Imanaga, Horton, and Boyd as playoff anchors, while the lineup combines solid runs with strong defense. Injuries to Kyle Tucker and Daniel Palencia could shift late-season usage as Chicago plans October rest and postseasons auditions. Blue Jays loom as the next likely clincher in the NL-wide race.

Hoyer’s Cubs, rebuilt since Theo Epstein’s exit, balance offense and pitching with a +129 run differential and a run-scoring edge near the league's top. The Cubs sit eight and a half games clear of the Padres for the top wild-card, with a potentially favorable path through a Wild Card Series at home. Rested veterans and emergent youngsters will share responsibilities as October approaches, while the broader NL picture—Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, and Mets—points toward a compressed, high-stakes finish.

Ohtani dazzled again as Dodgers fell 9-6 to Philadelphia, tossing five no-hit innings and swatting his 50th homer. LA’s season-long bullpen woes collide with a healthy six-man rotation (Ohtani, Glasnow, Kershaw, Sheehan, Snell, Yamamoto) as October looms. The club weighs using Ohtani in relief or even the outfield, but the DH rule complicates rosters. The MVP chatter intensifies as he maintains elite slash lines and elite two-way impact.

With the postseason rotation in flux and bullpen depth under the microscope, LA must balance maximizing Ohtani’s bat with leveraging his arm. The staff’s decisions will influence late-season wins, playoff outcomes, and how fantasy managers gauge his multi-category value in the final sprint.

As the 2025 season fades, MLB faces a busy offseason with about a dozen managers under serious pressure. Baldelli of Minnesota, Cairo of Washington, Marmol of St. Louis and Snitker of Atlanta are among the names discussed for potential changes, while Boone remains cautiously secure in New York. The piece flags front-office churn, interim labels turning permanent, and the reality that a missed playoff push can upend even established leaders.

For fantasy managers, the clarity is in the ripple effects: managerial shifts can redraw lineups, alter bullpen usage, and reframe player development paths. The hot-seat dynamic adds a layer of uncertainty to offseason planning, making the 2026 season a calendar to watch closely for changes that could unlock value in certain rosters and pin down roles for emerging talents.

In short, this offseason hinges on leadership as much as rosters. Expect a flurry of decisions that could tilt player ceilings and alter risk profiles across the fantasy landscape, especially for teams already flirting with postseason disappointment.

Five bargain-hunter hitters are fueling late-season surges and could carry fantasy teams through Week 25. Jose Caballero adds speed and positional flexibility for the New York Yankees, thriving since the trade and offering stolen-base upside even while contributing across the infield and outfield.

Kyle Manzardo provides power from cleanup, with a recent burst of production that has him driving runs for Cleveland. Romy Gonzalez brings contact and infield versatility, especially strong against left-handers, making him a practical daily-start.

Patrick Bailey anchors catcher depth for the Giants with a late push, while Parker Meadows has rekindled his prospect glow, carving out a leadoff role for Detroit and a path to multi-category production. All are affordable, flexible plug-ins that can help you squeeze every last win from the season.