What happened: San Diego is lined up to start Robbie Ray in Milwaukee, while Los Angeles is set to open at home with Tarik Skubal. The reported plan gives both clubs a trade acquisition for the first turn of their postseason rotation.

Why it matters: Those calls lock in each club's initial pitching order before first pitch. Handing the opener to acquired arms shows how central each newcomer has become to October plans.

What to watch: Watch for San Diego and Los Angeles to fill in the rest of the rotation behind Ray and Skubal once their openers get underway.