Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty will get the starting nod in Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday evening, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Flaherty got the nod in Game 2 of the NLDS and struggled, as he allowed five hits, a walk, and four earned runs across 5 1/3 frames of work. Since joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline, the 28-year-old held a 3.58 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 19:61 BB:K. Through 162 total innings this summer, the right-hander posted a solid 3.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Flaherty will face a tough Mets lineup but will likely be the pitcher to target in DFS given that he will face Kodai Senga, who made only one regular-season start in 2024 due to injuries.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run in their series-clinching victory over the San Diego Padres on Friday evening. Hernandez extended the Dodger lead in the seventh frame with solo shot off Yu Darvish. Hernandez tallied at least one hit in every game of the NLDS and boasted a .333/.400/.667 line. He hit two home runs and brough in seven RBI. The 31-year-old hit a career-high 31 long balls this summer and carried his power surge into October. DFS players should always consider adding Hernandez to their lineup as he should be penciled into the top-half of the Dodger lineup every game and have prime scoring opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kike Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a solo shot in their Game 5 victory over the San Diego Padres. Hernandez broke the stalemate in the second frame by hitting a solo home run off Yu Darvish. This was the eventual game-winning run. Through the playoffs, the 33-year-old has gone 3-for-9 at the plate. Hernandez appeared in three games during the NLDS. DFS players should expect Hernandez to split time in center field through the remainder of the postseason with Chris Taylor and Tommy Edman and could be worth a look as a value option when he is in the starting nine.

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. Kim has been sidelined since Aug. 20 with shoulder inflammation. He attempted to return in time for October but was ultimately shut down late into September after facing several setbacks. Through 121 games this summer, the 28-year-old posted a .233/.330/.370 slash line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He held a stellar 12.3% walk rate and 16.4% strikeout rate, which gave him a significant boost in points leagues. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression over the winter, but he should be ready to return in time for spring training. Kim remains a solid low-end shortstop in rotisserie leagues given his ability to steal bases and hit for decent power.

San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) underwent his Tommy John surgery on Friday with Dr. Keith Meister. Musgrove felt tightness in his elbow in his start in Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against the Atlanta Braves on Oct. 2 and needed TJ surgery, which will keep him out for the entire 2025 season. Elbow issues -- he also dealt with a bone spur in his right elbow -- sent the 31-year-old to the injured twice in 2024, but this elbow issue is obviously much more serious. Musgrove looked off early on in 2024 but bounced back to finish with a decent 3.88 ERA (3.96 FIP), a 1.17 WHIP and a 101:23 K:BB in 99 2/3 innings over his 19 starts. It's now back-to-back injury-plagued seasons for the veteran right-hander, and his fantasy stock will surely be depressed when he returns to the mound in 2026 after a year off. The good news is his strikeout rate was basically the same this year as it was in his All-Star season of 2022.

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that left-handed reliever Alex Vesia's back flared up on him, which is why he was pulled during the Game 5 win over the division-rival San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. Vesia will be further evaluated, but at this time it's uncertain if he'll be healthy enough to be included on the roster for the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, which begins on Sunday in LA. The 28-year-old came in to get the final out of the seventh inning on Friday but was then pulled while warming up to pitch the eighth inning. Vesia has been a key late-inning setup main out of the Dodgers' bullpen this year, so not having him in the NLCS would be notable. In his three appearances in the NLDS against SD, Vesia tossed three shutout frames with one walk and four strikeouts.

New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea will make the start for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Monday at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Right-hander Kodai Senga, who made all of one start during the regular season due to injuries, will make the start in Game 1 on Sunday. The 32-year-old Manaea has allowed three earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 10 in 12 innings over his two starts against the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies this postseason. It's been a nice change from his previous three playoff appearances, when he gave up 13 earned runs in just 7 2/3 frames. Manaea's lone appearance against the Dodgers in 2024 came way back on April 19 in his fourth start of the year. He took a no-decision on that day, allowing two earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings pitched at Dodger Stadium.

Cleveland Guardians rookie first baseman/designated hitter Kyle Manzardo and outfielder Will Brennan are both on the bench for Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday at Progressive Field against the division-rival Detroit Tigers with left-hander Tarik Skubal on the mound. Skubal will most likely win the AL Cy Young award this year, so it makes sense for Cleveland to sit the lefty-hitting Manzardo and Brennan. David Fry is the DH and will hit second, while rookie Jhonkensy Noel will start in right field and bat sixth. It's tough to recommend any Guardians hitter against the dominant Skubal in DFS, but Fry certainly has more appeal than Noel. The 28-year-old was the hero in the Game 4 win on Thursday and has gone 3-for-11 with a homer, a double, five RBI, a walk, a steal and two runs scored in four postseason games for the Guards this year.

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (wrist) is behind the dish and is batting eighth for the Tigers in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday at Progressive Field against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Matthew Boyd. Rogers left the Game 4 loss early on Thursday with a wrist injury, but he's good to go after an off day on Friday and after X-rays on his wrist came back negative. The 29-year-old backstop hit under .200 in 310 regular-season bats in 2024 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI, so he's not much of an offensive force. However, he's been hot during the playoffs for the upstart Tigers, going 5-for-18 (.278) with a double, RBI, three walks and three runs scored in his first six playoff games. Rogers has only faced Boyd twice in his career and is hitless with a strikeout. He hit just .169 (14-for-83) with one of his 10 homers against lefties during the regular season.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is not in the team's starting lineup for the pivotal Game 5 against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians on Saturday in the American League Division Series at Progressive Field. Carpenter injured his left hamstring running the bases in the Game 4 loss on Thursday, but there's a chance he would have been on the bench anyway on Saturday with left-hander Matthew Boyd going for Cleveland. It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old left-handed hitter will be available to pinch hit later in the game. With Carpenter out, Justyn-Henry Malloy is the designated hitter on Saturday and will bat leadoff for Detroit. The 24-year-old hit just over .200 with eight homers and 21 RBI in 71 games in his rookie season in 2024 but has been better in October, going 5-for-7 with a double and two walks in his first six postseason games. Malloy also has two hits in his three career at-bats versus Boyd.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) will be a game time decision on Saturday in their ALDS finale against the Cleveland Guardians, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Carpenter was removed from Game 4 in the sixth inning with a hamstring injury he obtained running the bases. He will continue to be evaluated into Saturday to determine if he'll be able to go against Guardians' scheduled starter Matthew Boyd. The lefty's status for Saturday could be consequential for the Tigers' ALCS hopes. If he needs to be replaced on the roster, he would not be eligible for Detroit in the ALCS. If Carpenter must be replaced, Bligh Madris would likely take his spot as a contingency plan. Madris hit for a 95 OPS+ in 67 at-bats during the 2024 season but saw minimal chances against lefties, as will be the case Saturday against Boyd. Carpenter similarly saw lefties a minimal amount in the regular season, taking away much of the value either may have for DFS managers. Both should be avoided in DFS formats, as their impact on the game will only happen against a right-hander coming out of the bullpen.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (elbow) was diagnosed with a left elbow impingement on Friday. Garrett had been undergoing further evaluation last week after suffering a setback during a bullpen session in mid-September. He will be continuing a throwing progression program at the Marlins' player development complex in Jupiter, FL. The lefty's last start was on June 17th and he only made seven starts in 2024. He started the season on the IL with a shoulder impingement that held him out of major league action until May and then experienced elbow discomfort prior to his scheduled start on June 23rd. The 27-year-old has shown promise when healthy, posting a 3.58 ERA in 2022 and a 3.66 ERA in 2023. But with injuries piling up, fantasy managers may start to wonder how much value he can have going forward. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his progress going into spring training and take caution if he's on their roster in 2025.

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (hand, wrist) told reporters on Friday that he should be good to go Saturday for their pivotal Game 5 against the Cleveland Guardians. Rogers took a few foul balls off his left hand during Game 4 and was pinch hit for in the bottom of the ninth. X-rays came back clean, and he received treatment Friday morning. Rogers said his hand is a little sore but is doing better than expected. His presence won't be much of a boon from a fantasy perspective, as his bat isn't the greatest, but it will be great news for Tigers fans overall, as Rogers has been the only catcher that Game 5 starter Tarik Skubal has pitched to all season. Any change to the presumptive AL Cy Young winner's secret sauce in a series finale may not be the smartest move. DFS managers shouldn't expect much value out of Rogers at the plate, though his value behind the plate will be much greater to Skubal and Tigers fans alike.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd will make the start for Cleveland on Saturday in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field, according to manager Stephen Vogt. The 33-year-old southpaw will be going on regular rest in the winner-take-all contest after going 4 2/3 shutout frames with five strikeouts in the team's Game 2 loss on Monday. Boyd will be opposed by Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who is the overwhelming favorite to win the AL Cy Young this year after winning the AL pitching Triple Crown. He'll be hoping to replicate his performance his last time out against his former team. Boyd only made eight starts during the regular season for the Guardians but was on point with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in his 39 2/3 innings while walking 13 and striking out 46. He certainly doesn't have the type of upside as Skubal, though.

Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez will get the start in center field and will bat seventh on Friday for the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival San Diego Padres and right-hander Yu Darvish. Tommy Edman is making another start at shortstop in place of the injured Miguel Rojas (groin). It will be Hernandez's second straight start in the series after he played third base and went 2-for-4 with a run scored in the Game 4 victory. He also appeared in the Game 2 loss on Sunday and went 0-for-2 at the plate. Hernandez only has two hits (one triple) in 11 career at-bats against Darvish with an RBI, one walk and four strikeouts. In his extensive postseason career covering 208 plate appearances, the Puerto Rican native has hit a nice .276 (51-for-185) with 13 home runs, 29 RBI and 27 runs scored.

As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is back at first base and is hitting third against San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Friday. Freeman aggravated an ankle injury in Game 3 of the NLDS that has been bothering him since the last week of the regular season, and he was scratched from the lineup for the Game 4 win as a result. The 35-year-old All-Star slugger will try to give it a go in the winner-take-all showdown against the Friars despite being well below 100%. He's gone 3-for-11 with a stolen base and two strikeouts in three games played in the NLDS and has hit .250 (10-for-40) in his career off Darvish with three home runs, three doubles, four RBI, four walks and 10 strikeouts. DFS gamers will probably be looking to avoid Freeman because he's basically playing on one leg right now.

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) underwent an ablation procedure on his back last week and has started a hitting progression. Carter managed to play in only 45 games in 2024 due to a lower-back stress reaction. The Rangers are hoping that his recent procedure will clear the way for the 22-year-old to put his back injury in the rearview mirror as he prepares for spring training early in 2025. If healthy next year, the former second-round selection in 2020 should have a big role in the Rangers' outfield, at least on the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitching. In his 45 games (162 trips to the plate) this year, he slashed a weak .188/.272/.361 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 23 runs scored. However, with better health, could bounce back nicely and become a nice late-round value pick in fantasy drafts. We'll continue to keep an eye on his progress this offseason.

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) underwent tendon-release surgery on Tuesday and will start a normal offseason program in three to four weeks. Jung fractured his right wrist back in early April when he was hit by a pitch and missed four months as a result. When the 26-year-old right-handed-hitting third baseman returned late in the year, he eventually went back on the injured list in the final month of the regular season when his wrist started bothering him again. Hopefully, this latest surgery clears it up and he'll be a full-go heading into the start of the 2025 season. The former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech has developed a reputation early in his career as being injury-prone and he managed only seven home runs and 16 RBI with 48 strikeouts and eight walks in only 46 games in 2024 after he was a first-time All-Star in 2023.

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia (knee) has a sprained left patellar tendon and will rehab for eight weeks before starting his offseason workouts. Despite dealing with a knee injury for the final few weeks of the 2024 regular season, Garcia will not need surgery for his knee injury and should be good to go for the start of spring training next February, barring a setback with his knee this offseason. After helping the Rangers win their first-ever World Series title last fall, the 31-year-old Cuban slugger regressed in 2024, slashing .224/.284/.400 with a below-average .684 OPS, 25 home runs, 85 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 68 runs scored in 154 games. It was a disappointment after he made his second All-Star appearance in 2023 by hitting a career-high 39 home runs and driving in a career-high 107 runs in 148 regular-season games. If Garcia can put his knee injury in the rearview mirror to start next season, he'll be hoping to bounce back as a more consistent power bat.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) will test out his hamstring injury on Friday and Saturday before the team decides his status for Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians on Saturday at Progressive Field. "We're gonna take as much time as we can to see what he can and can't handle," manager A.J. Hinch said. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter injured his left hamstring running the bases in the Game 4 loss on Thursday and had to be removed from the game. Even if Carpenter's hamstring checks out fine, he could start on the bench on Saturday for the winner-take-all game against Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd. In his first six playoff games this year, Carpenter has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with a homer, three RBI, a walk and five strikeouts in his 17 plate appearances.