Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos came up huge in Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday, hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to send the Phillies to a 7-6 win. Castellanos also homered in the sixth to tie the game at three and ended the day finished the day 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. It was a fantastic performance for the 32-year-old, who is looking to turn around his postseason fortune after slashing .199/.252/.382 in 136 postseason at-bats before this game. It was certainly a terrific start, and Castellanos will look to keep his momentum in Game 3 on Tuesday.

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (hamstring) left Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning due to hamstring cramping. Bogaerts felt the discomfort earlier in the game, but was able to play through it and actually homered in the eighth before leaving. It is most likely a precautionary measure, as the Padres were up 7-1 when Bogaerts was removed. He said he thinks he will be fine, so expect to see him back in the lineup for Game 3 barring a setback.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 1-for-5 with a two-run shot in their loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. Machado put the Padres up early as he hit a two-run homer in the opening frame off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, which scored Fernando Tatis Jr. Machado tallied two RBI in the Wild Card series against the Atlanta Braves and is continuing to serve as a focal point of the offense in the NLDS. DFS players should always consider putting Machado in their lineup, given his upside for power and scoring opportunities batting in the heart of a potent lineup. Machado held a solid .275 AVG this season with 29 long balls and 11 stolen bases. He will face Dodger right-hander Jack Flaherty on Sunday evening in Game 2 and will likely bat in the cleanup spot as he has done through most of the summer.

New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker is not in the starting nine as the Mets look to go up two games in the NLDS on Sunday afternoon. Winker got the nod in the opening game but went 0-for-1 with two walks. Instead, J.D. Martinez will start at DH and bat in the six-hole. Winker is likely sitting because the Phillies are sending out left-hand Cristopher Sanchez, as Winker typically sits against southpaws during the final months of the season. DFS players should expect Winker to return to the starting nine for Game 3 when the Phillies send out Aaron Nola. Martinez is worth a look in DFS this afternoon, as he tallied two hits and three RBI during the Wild Card Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Grove was named to the NLDS roster, while right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly (shoulder) was left off as he suffered a shoulder injury during a simulated game earlier this week. Grove has typically been deployed out of the bullpen this summer and has logged just two starts. Across 51 frames, Grove held a 5.12 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, with a 16:54 BB:K ratio. Grove could be deployed in long relief or even in a spot start during the series. Joe Kelly operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season and posted a 4.78 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Kelly was typically given set-up duties during the 2024 campaign but battled a shoulder injury late into the season. As a result, DFS players should expect Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Alex Vesia to be called upon in high-leverage situations during their tilt against the San Diego Padres.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Martin Perez is on the NLDS roster after being left off the Wild Card roster last week. Perez is rejoining the roster because Joe Musgrove (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. As a result, the Padres will enter the NLDS with four potential starters, including Dylan Cease, Yu Darvish, Michael King, and Perez. Since joining San Diego at the trade deadline, the southpaw has held a modest 3.46 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, with a 17:44 BB:K ratio across 52 frames. However, he struggled with Pittsburgh in the first half, holding a hefty 5.20 ERA and 1.65 WHIP. Perez could start Game 4, but it is best to leave him off your DFS lineup as he sits with an underwhelming 18.1% K rate and a poor 41.5% hard-hit rate.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman was left off the ALDS roster, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Instead, the Yankees opted to add pinch-runner Duke Ellis to their roster in favor of the starting pitcher. As a result, the Yankees will enter their series against the Kansas City Royals, with their rotation consisting of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. The 33-year-old should have a good chance of returning to the mound if the Yankees reach the ALCS. The right-hander enjoyed a modest debut season in the Bronx as he held a 4.31 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across 154 2/3 innings. DFS players should consider adding Gerrit Cole to their lineup this afternoon as he will take the mound in Game 1 for the Yankees as he is coming off an impressive six 2/3 shoutout performance in his final start of the regular season.

The Cleveland Guardians chose to include veteran right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) on the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with right-hander Ben Lively being the odd man out. Injuries were the story for Cobb in 2024, as he opened the year on the injured list with the San Francisco Giants and then finished the season with the Guardians on the IL due to a blister issue on his right finger. The 36-year-old is apparently doing better now, but he'll most likely be used in a long-relief role out of the bullpen in the postseason. He only made three starts for Cleveland this year, posting a 2.76 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, 10 K's and three walks in 16 1/3 innings. In two career postseason games back in 2013 with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cobb gave up only two earned runs with 10 K's and three walks over 11 2/3 innings in his two starts.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) threw a side session on Friday and felt great. President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos told Sale earlier this week that he would have been on the roster for the National League Division Series had the Braves advanced past the San Diego Padres in the Wild-Card Series. Sale had to be scratched from Game 2 of Monday's divisional doubleheader against the New York Mets and then was unavailable to pitch in either of the two games of the Wild-Card Series in San Diego on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a disappointing end of the season for the 35-year-old veteran, who is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young this year after going 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with the Braves. The eight-time All-Star obviously still has lots of upside, but he's also a big injury risk at his age.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish is listed as the probable starter for the Friars for Game 2 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. SD will go with ace Dylan Cease in Game 1 of the series on Saturday. Darvish will be opposed by fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Padres will be hoping Darvish can step up with Joe Musgrove (elbow) potentially done for the remainder of the postseason. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler missed time due to injury and was away from the team for a while in 2024 due to personal issues, so he only started 16 games during the regular season, going 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. In his three starts versus the Dodgers this year, Darvish allowed four runs (three earned) while striking out 12 and walking six in 15 2/3 innings. He had a 3.55 ERA, 25 K's and seven walks in five starts to close out the year after.

Houston Astros veteran right-hander Justin Verlander said he plans to continue his career and pitch in 2025. Verlander, who dealt with injuries in 2024 and pitched in only 17 games, wasn't even included on the team's playoff roster for the Wild-Card Series versus the Detroit Tigers, which the Astros lost in two games to get eliminated. In his 17 starts during the regular season, the three-time Cy Young winner had a bloated 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP) and a 1.38 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 27 walks in 90 1/3 innings pitched. His strikeout rate dropped to 18.7%, the first time it has been under 20% since 2014. The future Hall of Famer began the year on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury and was later sidelined due to a neck injury. Verlander could bounce back with better health in 2025, but he'll also turn 42 before the season, and Father Time isn't on his side. Obviously, Verlander is no longer the fantasy ace he was for so many years.

New York Mets veteran left-hander Jose Quintana will start Game 3 of the Wild-Card series versus the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Thursday. In a win-or-go-home game, just about everyone will be available to pitch for the Mets. Quintana certainly lacks high velocity and strikeout stuff, but the 35-year-old southpaw was decent for the Mets in 2024 in his 13th MLB season, going 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA (4.56 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP and a 135:63 K:BB in 170 1/3 innings over 31 starts. He faced the Brewers twice this year, ironically in his very first start of the year on March 29 and his last start on Sept. 18. He lost both contests but didn't pitch all that poorly, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits (one homer) while striking out 13 and walking four. Quintana gave up two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings with nine K's his last time out against Milwaukee last Saturday. If things go south early, Quintana will have a short leash in a must-win game to advance to the NLDS this weekend.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth for the Mets for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday at American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Frankie Montas. The left-handed-hitting Jesse Winker made the start in the Game 1 win on Tuesday at DH for New York. Even though Martinez didn't start in Game 1, he entered as a pinch-hitter later in the game and drove in two with a single in the 8-4 win. The Mets will be hoping that Martinez can turn the page in the playoffs after wrapping up his 14th big league season in October in a rut. The 37-year-old veteran right-handed slugger finished off September with a .109 average (6-for-55) with two doubles, four RBI, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 games played over 63 plate appearances.

Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton and outfielder Jake Meyers are on the bench for Game 2 of the wild-card series on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers at Minute Maid Park. Victor Caratini is making the start at first base and will bat sixth, while Chas McCormick is starting in center field and in the nine-hole in a must-win game against Tigers left-handed opener Tyler Holton. Both Singleton and Meyers could enter Wednesday's contest later on once the lefty is out of the game. Neither Caratini nor McCormick bring a ton of DFS appeal to the table on Wednesday. Caratini hit .269 (66-for-245) on the year with eight home runs and 30 RBI, while McCormick had the worst season of his four-year career with a .211/.271/.306 slash line and five home runs in 94 games. McCormick was just activated from the injured list after fracturing his right hand in mid-September.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back), the favorite to win the National League Cy Young award in 2024, is officially out for the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park this week, as he was left off the team's playoff roster. Sale was scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets in a must-win game on Monday. If the Braves pull the upset over the Padres in the wild-card series and advance to the NLDS to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, it's unknown if Sale would be able to make a return. Atlanta is going with AJ Smith-Shawver to start Game 1 against SD on Tuesday evening. Losing the NL's best pitcher at the most important time of the year is obviously really bad news for the Braves. Sale went 18-3 in 2024 with a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 225 strikeouts and only 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings over his 29 starts in his first year with Atlanta.

The Houston Astros have left right-hander Justin Verlander off the roster for the wild-card series this week at Minute Maid Park against the Detroit Tigers. It's crazy to think that a three-time Cy Young winner won't be on the Astros' playoff roster, but considering what the 41-year-old has done this year, it doesn't come as that big of a surprise. Verlander battled injuries in his 19th MLB season and was only able to make 17 starts (90 1/3 innings), going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA (4.78 FIP), a 1.38 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and 27 walks. The nine-time All-Star was not good in the second half of the season in his seven starts, allowing 30 earned runs on 46 hits (four home runs) while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 33 1/3 innings of work. Houston is rolling with left-hander Framber Valdez in Game 1 and will likely use Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi the rest of the series. If Houston advances to the ALDS to face Cleveland, Verlander could be added to the playoff roster.

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that "everything is on the table" when asked if the team has any untradeable players heading into the 2025 season, per The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. The Red Sox finished the 2024 season with an 81-81 record, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Rafael Devers has anchored the team's lineup, but they also have young talent in Triston Casas as well as intriguing outfielders Jarren Duran and Tyler O'Neill. The team also had a breakout season from starter Tanner Houck and have several other pitchers who could draw interest, such as Kutter Crawford and Nick Pivetta. From a fantasy perspective, Devers will carry high fantasy value regardless of the lineup he hits in. Other players would likely be affected more depending on their new homes and team context. Fantasy managers will have some downtime before the hot stove gets fired up, but they should keep an ear out for any rumblings from the Red Sox.

The San Diego Padres will roll with right-handers Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Dylan Cease as their starting pitchers for the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park, which starts on Tuesday. Right-handed veteran Yu Darvish will head to the bullpen for the three-game set. It doesn't come as a huge surprise, as Darvish didn't exactly look sharp in his last outing in Arizona, allowing three earned runs on three walks and four K's in 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The 38-year-old Japanese hurler only made 16 starts for the Friars in 2024 due to injuries and a personal issue that kept him away from the club for an extended period of time. Since returning on Sept. 4, Darvish went 3-0 with a 3.55 ERA, seven walks and 25 K's in 25 1/3 innings over five starts. If the Padres advance to the National League Division Series, Darvish could return to a starting role.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said he doesn't expect left-hander Chris Sale (back) to be available for the wild-card series in San Diego this week against the Padres. It comes after the Braves had to scratch Sale from a must-win game in a doubleheader at Truist Park on Monday versus the division-rival New York Mets due to back spasms. It's a massive blow for the Braves, as the 35-year-old veteran southpaw is the front-runner to win the National League Cy Young award in 2024 after going 18-3 with a league-leading 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, a league-leading 225 strikeouts and 39 walks in 177 2/3 innings over 29 starts in his 14th year in the majors. It's unclear if Sale will be available for the Braves if they advance to the NL Division Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sale last started on Sept. 19 against the Cincinnati Reds, so if he does return and pitch in the postseason, you'd have to wonder if he'd be on some sort of pitch count. The Braves will move forward with Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Reynaldo Lopez for now against SD.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) has been scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park on Monday as the Braves attempt to punch their ticket to the postseason after losing a dramatic back-and-forth affair in Game 1. Right-handed rookie Grant Holmes will instead start the must-win contest in Game 2. It's a huge blow for the Braves as the 35-year-old Sale is a National League Cy Young front-runner this year. If the Braves do win Game 2 and advance to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, starting on Tuesday at Petco Park, it's unknown if he'd be available at all to pitch in that series. The Braves are calling Sale's situation day-to-day for now. Holmes, 28, made his big-league debut in 2024 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 25 outings (six starts). Holmes had a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP as a starter.