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Parker Messick Will Take the Hill Against the White Sox In Game 1 of ALDS
Left-handed pitcher Parker Messick will take the ball for Game 1 for the Cleveland Guardians as they take on the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS. Messick was 12-9 during the regular season with a 2.56 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 193 strikeouts in 186 1/3 innings. Messick will look to shut down a talented White Sox lineup that is very deep and can do damage from all thirds of the lineup. Messick will take the ball as the Guardians' ace and face an opener in Hagen Smith. The Guardians will hope to get some length from Messick to set up what is a good bullpen backed by quality closer in Cade Smith. Messick has good career numbers against the White Sox and will look to get settled in right from the start in Game 1 on Saturday afternoon.
Source: Zack Meisel, The Athletic
Source: Zack Meisel, The Athletic
Hagen Smith Will Start Game 1 For White Sox in ALDS
Left-handed pitcher Hagen Smith will get the ball in Game 1 for the Chicago White Sox as they open their series against he Cleveland Guardians. Smith started a game in the opening series at Houston and pitched three quality innings with two hits allowed, no walks, and one strikeout. That's just about the perfect scenario for the White Sox as they are counting on Smith as an opener. Three strong inning would help get to the White Sox' bullpen and allow them to bridge the gap to the late innings. Smith was used mostly as a reliever during the regular season and only started one game. He pitched 28 innings and allowed 11 hits, walking 16 for a 0.96 WHIP to go with his 1.29 ERA during the regular season. Smith looks like a bonafide weapon for the White Sox in the postseason and they could vary how they use him. As the opener they will most likely look for 3+ strong innings once again in Game 1.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Dodgers Don't Name Closer For NLDS Vs. Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers managers Dave Roberts named a list of pitchers when asked about his closer situation which included Tanner Scott, Edwin Diaz, Evan Phillips and Roki Sazaki. Roberts said he would feel comfortable with each of those mentioned as the closer but according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Scott is at the top of that list. Scott led the team in the regular season with 25 saves, Edwin Diaz had seven saves and Alex Vesia had three saves. The Dodgers could play the matchups in using their bullpen in closing situations against the Braves but Scott is the safest bet to close out games. He had the most success during the regular season and with DIaz's injuries and struggles, Scott looks like the most dominant option.
Source: The Athletic, Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic, Fabian Ardaya
Tarik Skubal Will Pitch Game 1 For Dodgers Against Braves
Trade deadline acquisition Tarik Skubal will get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves today in L.A. Skubal, who was traded over to the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline, will be the starter in the first playoff game for the Dodgers this postseason. In 10 starts since coming over to Los Angeles this season, the left-handed ace is 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 70 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched. Skubal will get the nod in Game 1 and lead the postseason effort for the Dodgers. It doesn't come as much of a surprise. This is what the Dodgers made their trade for and gave up their quality prospects for. Skubal faces a good Braves lineup that can really hit with the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olsen to name just a few. Look for Skubal to turn in a quality outing to get his postseason efforts underway with the Dodgers.
Source: The Athletic
Source: The Athletic
Aaron Nola Struggles in Wild Card Series Defeat on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola took the loss in his team's 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Thursday. The 33-year-old lasted just 1 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one. It's the end of a frustrating year overall for Nola, who recorded a 7-12 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 177 strikeouts across 175 1/3 innings (33 starts). The veteran righty was better in the second half, logging a 3.33 ERA across 78 1/3 innings after the All-Star break. Still, Nola has now logged consecutive seasons with an ERA north of 4.60, an HR/9 above 1.70, and a WHIP of exactly 1.35. With four years and nearly $100 million remaining on the seven-year contract he signed with the Phillies ahead of the 2024 season, Nola will likely get a chance to bounce back in 2027. However, his viability as a fantasy starter is questionable.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Byron Buxton Expected to Be Ready for the Start of 2027
"All signs point" to Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) being ready for the start of the 2027 season, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. After battling a recurring hip issue for much of 2026, Buxton underwent season-ending surgery in mid-September. The 32-year-old was his usual productive self when healthy this past season, hitting .254/.319/.511 with 25 home runs, 46 RBI, 65 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. With a 15.8% barrel rate and a 46.7% hard-hit rate, Buxton remains a high-end power threat on a per-plate-appearance basis. However, health remains the obvious red flag in the veteran center fielder's profile. Buxton has reached just 450 plate appearances only once in the last nine years. Any potential lingering effects from the hip surgery could also impact Buxton's speed, which was once an appealing part of his fantasy skill set but may now be waining. Still, Buxton's power potential makes him an intriguing mid-round outfielder for fantasy managers to target in drafts going into 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Ozzie Albies Hits Key Home Run in Series-Clinching Win on Thursday
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies helped power his team to a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday. The 29-year-old hit a two-run home run off of Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler in the fourth inning, extending Atlanta's lead at the time from 3-0 to 5-0. Albies had a strong series overall for the Braves, logging three hits, three walks, a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored across 13 plate appearances. Albies hit 22 home runs and scored 80 runs while appearing in all 162 games for Atlanta in the regular season, but his production cratered in the second half. Across 273 plate appearances after the All-Star break, the veteran switch-hitter hit just .194 with a .575 OPS. If Albies can kick it back into gear in the postseason, he could help the Braves pull off an upset of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Ray Kerr Helps Pitch Braves Past the Phillies on Thursday
Atlanta Braves left-hander Ray Kerr helped pitch his team to a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday. The 32-year-old was Atlanta's opener ahead of right-hander Grant Holmes and pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts while allowing just one hit and one walk. Kerr was effective in a limited sample size for the Braves during the regular season, recording a 1.47 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with 11 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings (nine games). Atlanta is piecing together its playoff rotation behind ace Chris Sale and veteran Tyler Mahle. With Kerr's ability to work multiple innings, he could continue to see usage as an opener in the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chris Sale Shuts the Door in Bullpen Appearance on Thursday
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale put the finishing touches on his team's Wild Card Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, coming out of the bullpen to get the final four outs in his team's 6-2 victory. With just one day of rest after starting Game 1 on Tuesday, Sale worked a scoreless 1 1/3 innings while allowing one hit and recording three strikeouts. The 37-year-old has some experience coming out of the bullpen, as he worked exclusively as a reliever in the 2010 and 2011 seasons while pitching for the Chicago White Sox. Sale will obviously shift back to the starting rotation for Atlanta's National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, although it's not yet clear whether this appearance will impact his availability. If Sale operates on regular rest from his start on Tuesday, he would likely be in line to start Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Michael Harris II Sparks Braves' Wild Card Series Win on Thursday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II threw the first punch in his team's 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. Harris II had an excellent series overall, logging five hits in 13 plate appearances to go along with three RBI and three runs scored. The 25-year-old's hot start to the postseason is a continuation of his strong close to the regular season. Across 93 plate appearances in September, Harris II hit .281 with three home runs, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. If Harris II can continue to produce at a high level, he could be an X-factor for the Braves in their upcoming National League Division Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Chase Meidroth Powers White Sox to Wild Card Series Win on Wednesday
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the stars of his team's 7-3 closeout victory over the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series on Wednesday, going two-for-three with a home run, a walk, and three RBI. Meidroth was one of the drivers of Chicago's two-game sweep, logging four hits and four RBI in eight plate appearances in the series. The 25-year-old was a steady presence in the White Sox lineup all season long in 2026, slashing .276/.350/.415 with 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 90 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 643 plate appearances. With his 9.5% walk rate and elite defense at second base, Meidroth profiles as the type of under-the-radar contributor who could help power a deeper-than-expected postseason run for Chicago.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Andrew Painter Steps Up in Key Relief Appearance on Wednesday
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter helped save his team's season on Wednesday, shutting the door out of the bullpen in Philadelphia's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. Painter entered the game in the eighth inning and pitched three scoreless frames, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out three. The 23-year-old had an up-and-down season as a member of the Phillies rotation in 2026, recording a 3-10 record with a 5.40 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 115 strikeouts across 126 2/3 innings. However, the hard-throwing right-hander was better in the second half of the year, pitching to a 3.65 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 24.5% strikeout rate across 61 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. If Painter can emerge as a reliable relief option for the Phillies in October, he could help spark a postseason run.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Ernie Clement Not Assured of Blue Jays Second Base Job Entering 2027
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that infielder Ernie Clement "will have to earn" the team's starting second base job in 2027, per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. After being one of the heroes of Toronto's run to a World Series appearance in 2025, Clement's numbers regressed in 2026. Across 621 plate appearances this past season, the 30-year-old hit .259/.285/.364 with nine home runs, 48 RBI, 60 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Perhaps most concerningly for Toronto, his defensive metrics plummeted after he graded out as a plus defender in 2025. Clement rarely strikes out (9.3% strikeout rate) and can line up all over the diamond, which makes him a valuable piece for the Blue Jays. However, the 30-year-old may be best suited for a utility role in Toronto going forward.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Daulton Varsho Undergoes Left Wrist Surgery
Houston Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Varsho hit the 10-day injured list in mid-September due to the wrist issue and wound up missing the remainder of the regular season and Houston's brief playoff run. Across 526 plate appearances split between the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, the 30-year-old hit .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Varsho is now set to hit free agency, so the health of his wrist is crucial for his earning potential this offseason. Varsho is one of the better defensive outfielders in baseball and hit 20 home runs across just 271 plate appearances with Toronto in 2025. However, he's never reached 600 plate appearances in any of his seven seasons in the big leagues. Depending on where he lands in free agency and his health status, Varsho could be a decent bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers to target going into 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Phillies Likely to Start Aaron Nola in Game 3 of National League Wild Card Series
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to start right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series matchup against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Philadelphia had the option of throwing ace right-hander Zack Wheeler on three days' rest, but it appears as though they will opt for Nola instead. Across 175 1/3 innings (33 starts) in the regular season, Nola recorded a 7-12 record with a 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 177 strikeouts. While the 33-year-old's overall line is not pretty, he was a significantly better pitcher in the second half of the season. Across 78 1/3 innings after the All-Star break, Nola recorded a 3.33 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while logging 75 strikeouts. Philadelphia will likely operate with an all-hands-on-deck approach in a do-or-die matchup against Atlanta, so Wheeler could still make an appearance out of the bullpen on Thursday night.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Jim Salisbury
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Jim Salisbury
