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.

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.

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.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas and infielder Edmundo Sosa will both start on the bench for the Phillies in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the division-rival New York Mets. Brandon Marsh is starting in center field and will hit ninth, while Bryson Stott will return to second-base duties and hit seventh against Mets left-hander Jose Quintana. Marsh and Stott won't be all that attractive in DFS lineups on Wednesday in the lefty-on-lefty matchup. Marsh has gone 0-for-2 with a strikeout in his career against Quintana, with Stott going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Rojas started the first three games of the series in center field but had just one hit. The Phillies sat both Marsh and Stott in Game 3 against a lefty, but they're opting for more offense in this one in a must-win game to keep the series alive and sent it back to Philly for a Game 5.

Houston Astros utility man Mauricio Dubon (thumb) played the final month of the 2024 season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, according to a person with knowledge of the injury. Dubon will need surgery to fix the ligament damage, which will be performed by renowned hand surgeon Dr. Thomas Graham. The typical recovery time for the injury is six to eight weeks, meaning Dubon should be at full strength for the start of spring training next February. He initially injured his thumb sliding into first base on Sept. 6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, although X-rays showed no damage at the time. Dubon played well despite the injury in 18 games, hitting .291/.322/.346 over 59 plate appearances. MLBTradeRumors projects Dubon to earn $4.6 million this winter in his third time through the salary arbitration process. The 30-year-old hit .269/.296/.361 with four homers and three steals in 137 games in 2024.

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro announced on Tuesday that veteran right-hander Michael Wacha will start Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday at Kauffman Stadium against the New York Yankees. Wacha will be hoping to bounce back against the Yankees at home this time after allowing three earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out three in four innings in Game 1 on Saturday in the Bronx in a no-decision. The 33-year-old veteran was better at home in 2024 with the Royals, sporting a 2.89 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 14 innings at Kauffman Stadium, as opposed to a 3.78 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 15 starts on the road. Wacha has struggled in the playoffs in his career, though, posting a 5.36 ERA with nine home runs allowed in nine appearances (seven starts).

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced on Monday that left-hander Ranger Suarez will start Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival New York Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field. Suarez was among the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of the season, but the second half wasn't as kind with him as he dealt with a back injury and wasn't as effective down the stretch. It makes the 29-year-old southpaw a bit more risky in DFS action this week on the road at Citi Field. The Venezuelan hurler faced the Mets three times this year, with two of his outings against them coming in the first half, when he allowed a combined four runs (two earned) in 10 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out nine. In his last start against the Mets on Sept. 21 at Citi Field, Suarez picked up a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in five innings while walking three and striking out four. He had a 5.74 ERA with 29 K's and 14 walks in his final seven starts.

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo went 2-for-3 with two singles, two runs, and a walk in their Game 1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Verdugo tallied his two runs off a Gleyber Torres home run in the third inning and an Austin Wells single in the sixth. In the seventh inning, Verdugo knocked a single to left field, which scored Jazz Chisholm Jr. to put the Yankees in the lead. Rookie Jasson Dominguez was in danger of taking Verdugo's starting role in left field, but given this performance, he should continue to see most of the opportunities there throughout the playoffs. Despite the strong outing, the 28-year-old is best to fade in DFS on Monday when he will face Kansas City southpaw Cole Ragans.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas went 1-for-4 with a three-run shot in Game 1 of the ALDS. Thomas broke the game open early by hitting a three-run blast in the first inning to score third baseman Jose Ramirez and first baseman Josh Naylor to cap off an impressive five-run inning. The 29-year-old was able to carry his power surge into the postseason after tallying seven round-trippers with a .560 SLG during the final month of the regular season. Thomas should continue to bat in the five-hole of a deep Guardians lineup, which should present him with several RBI opportunities. However, Thomas is best to fade in DFS on Monday as he will face Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, who is coming off a six-inning shutout in the AL Wild Card Series.

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo will start in left field for the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the Kansas City Royals and right-hander Michael Wacha, according to league sources. There was some question as to whether it would be Verdugo or young outfielder Jasson Dominguez starting in left field to open the playoffs for the Bombers. Verdugo hit .233/.291/.356 with a below-average .647 OPS, 13 homers, 61 RBI and 74 runs in 559 at-bats in his first year in the Bronx. He hit .234 (15-for-64) with two homers, seven RBI, four walks and eight strikeouts in 19 games in September to close out the regular season. Verdugo has faced Wacha 11 times in his career, picking up three hits (one double) with a walk and a strikeout. He'll likely be slotted near the bottom of the Yankees' batting order on Saturday.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Cole Ragans, who dealt with cramping in his calf in his outing against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday, is lined up to start in Game 2 on Monday. Wacha will be opposed by Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. The 33-year-old veteran was solid for the third straight season in his first year with the Royals in 2024, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 145:45 K:BB in 166 2/3 innings and 29 starts. He's not overpowering but continues to limit hard contact and pitch deep into games. Wacha did not face the Yankees at all this season but wasn't as good on the road, with a 3.78 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings over 15 starts away from Kauffman Stadium. Wacha won't be a priority DFS sleeper for Saturday's Division Series slate.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman (neck) didn't pitched during the team's intrasquad at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday because he came in with a "little stiff neck." However, manager Rob Thomson said the team held him back out of precaution and said "he'll be fine" for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against either the Milwaukee Brewers or division-rival New York Mets. The 31-year-old should be ready to roll out of the bullpen for the Phillies as they look to get back to the World Series for the second straight season. Hoffman is a key member of the team's bullpen as a late-inning, high-leverage arm after making his first All-Star appearance in 2024. He has gone 3-3 this season with a career-best 2.17 ERA (2.52 FIP), a 0.96 WHIP, a career-high 10 saves, a career-high 89 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 66 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was hit in the hip with a comebacker in the second inning of Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, with manager Brian Snitker stating during the broadcast that the impacted area was bothering Fried and that was why he ultimately decided to take him out. Fried was masterful his last time out against the Royals at the end of the regular season but did not fare as well Wednesday, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, then being held responsible for five earned runs in the second inning. The southpaw allowed eight hits and no walks while striking out two in two innings of work. With the Braves eliminated, the 30-year-old will be good to go next season, although at this point it's not certain whether or not it will be with Atlanta.

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia (knee) is undergoing an MRI exam on his left knee, and the Rangers are hopeful he can avoid offseason surgery. A year after leading the Rangers to their first-ever World Series, Adolis is out of the postseason altogether and is now managing a knee ailment heading into the offseason. If the 31-year-old veteran were to go under the knife, it's unknown if it would affect his availability for the start of spring training in February or the beginning of the 2025 regular season. Garcia suffered his knee injury in the final week of the regular season. The two-time All-Star wasn't quite as impressive in 2024 in his fifth year in Texas, slashing .224/.284/.400 with a below-average .684 OPS. After setting career-highs in home runs (39) and RBI (107) in 2023, Garcia produced 25 home runs, 85 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 154 games for the Rangers. He'll be hoping to bounce back in 2025.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Max Fried has been tabbed to take the ball in Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the San Diego Padres on Wednesday at Petco Park. The Braves decided to go with right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, who has made just one start in 2024, for Game 1 on Tuesday night. It will be a full-circle moment for Fried, as he was drafted seventh overall in 2012 by the Padres. The 30-year-old southpaw is now the team's ace with fellow left-hander Chris Sale (back) out for the wild-card series due to back spasms that cropped up on Sunday. Fried made his second All-Star team in 2024 and was solid for Atlanta, going 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 166 strikeouts and 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings over 29 starts. He led the league with two complete games, including one shutout. Fried faced SD once, back on May 17, taking the loss while allowing three earned runs with three walks and two K's in 4 1/3 innings.

The San Francisco Giants replaced president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi on Monday after six underwhelming seasons with the organization. Franchise legend and part owner Buster Posey has been named as Zaidi's replacement, with Bob Melvin expected to return as the manager in 2025. Zaidi fell short of the playoffs for the third straight year as the Giants finished fourth in the National League West with an 80-82 record in 2024. San Fran went 453-417 overall during Zaidi's tenure from 2019-24 with just one winning season and one playoff appearance, both of which came during the team's franchise-record 107-win campaign in 2021. 2024 was a pretty big disappointment after the Giants committed over $320 million in free agency on Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, Jorge Soler, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes picked up his first save of September on Sunday, finishing off the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6-4 win. Holmes struck out one in his inning of work and didn't allow a baserunner. The veteran righty was removed from the closer's role in mid-September after blowing multiple saves (13 on the year) and has been working in lower-leverage roles since. In this one, the Yanks used new closer Luke Weaver in the eighth inning in a tie game. The Yankees then took the lead in the bottom of the inning and went with Holmes for the save in the ninth. This could mark a return to high leverage for Holmes, who has been good since being removed from the closer's role. They have no reason to move away from Weaver as the closer, but Holmes could make for a good setup man in the postseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen is out of the starting lineup on Saturday against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. With McCutchen out, Bryan Reynolds is serving as the DH and batting second, while Billy Cook makes the start in left field and is hitting in the nine-hole against Yankees right-hander Luis Gil. McCutchen could use a day off with the season about to wrap up, as he's gone hitless in his last 11 at-bats with four strikeouts in three games played. The five-time All-Star and former MVP is batting only .232 (104-for-448) in his 16th year in the league, but he has reached the 20-homer mark for the first time since 2021 and has provided 50 RBI in his 120 games played for the Bucs. Reynolds clubbed two homers at Yankee Stadium on Friday night and will be a popular DFS pick against Gil, even though he has never faced him in his career. Cook has gone 9-for-41 (.220) with two homers in his first 14 MLB games this year.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried was dominant on Friday night, coming just one out short of a complete-game shutout in the Braves' 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. Fried gave up just three hits en route to recording his 11th win of the season. With the Braves fighting hard for a wild-card spot, Fried's performance gives them a ton of flexibility in the bullpen over the weekend. The lefty and his 3.25 ERA were a massive help to an ailing roster, providing consistency for the Braves throughout all of 2024. Fantasy managers are thrilled with his performance this season, and Fried will be a very important piece to the Braves if they make it into October.

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo launched a pinch-hit homer in a blowout victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Verdugo didn't start the game, but came in as a pinch-hitter for Jasson Dominguez late in the game and took advantage of the opportunity. The lefty has seen his playing time dwindle lately due to poor performance and the depth of the Yankees outfield. Verdugo will have a hard time cracking the lineup for the postseason and will likely be a bench option. The same can be said for the 2025 season, causing his fantasy value to tank.