Some arms are made for October. Others are made to ruin it for someone else. The Dodgers, patched up and praying for a healthy rotation, might want to look east before the Cubs go full villain. Chicago’s front office isn’t just shopping—they’re circling like sharks in a bullpen full of blood. And if L.A. doesn’t act soon, they might find themselves eliminated by someone they could’ve owned.

We all knew Sandy Alcantara would be one of the center of attraction with the deadline day approaching. There were many teams in the race for him, and there still might be, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are the front-runners to get Alcantara. It looks like they can’t waste any more time because the Chicago Cubs are not very far behind in the race and could steal him from under their nose.

At least that is what they are telling on the YouTube Channel, Dodgers Nation. In the recent episode, they talked about Sandy Alcantara and updates on his rumors. The host said, “The news on Sandy Alcantara isn’t necessarily about the Dodgers showing interest in him, but a team that could impact the Dodgers if they acquire him, and that is the Chicago Cubs… The Cubs, they’re on the hunt to make additions to their rotation.”

The race for Sandy Alcantara is heating up, and it’s no surprise who’s chasing. The Cubs, with a strong 47–33 record, are hunting top-tier arms for October. Jed Hoyer hasn’t hidden his desire to land a frontline starter. And Alcantara, after a shaky start, is looking more and more like the Cy Young version.

But while the Cubs want Alcantara, the Dodgers need him. Their rotation is held together by ice, tape, and hope. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin—all sidelined or recovering. The Dodgers can’t afford to trust timelines when the NL is this competitive.

Letting Alcantara go to Chicago isn’t just risky—it’s postseason Russian roulette. If the Cubs get him, L.A. might face him in October with regrets, not run support. The Dodgers could stockpile pitching depth now, or suffer watching Alcantara dominate against them. In October, missed chances become elimination games.

The hook isn’t just who lands Alcantara—it’s who avoids getting buried by him in October. The Cubs are hunting trophies; the Dodgers are trying to keep their rotation from becoming a group therapy session. Waiting might feel patient, but in this market, it’s reckless. L.A. has the prospects, the payroll, and the postseason scars. Time to act like it—before Chicago turns patience into regret.

If not Alcantara, the Dodgers have another Cy Young winner on the cards

Some teams rebuild. Others reload. The Dodgers? They just rearranged the trophy shelf before going shopping again. While the Cubs circle Sandy Alcantara like it’s Shark Week at Wrigley, L.A. might already be flipping to the next chapter—one with even more credentials and just as much bite. The Dodgers don’t panic when Plan A limps to the IL. They pivot, and somehow make you wonder if Plan B was the plan all along.

The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t just battling injuries—they’re battling inconsistency and innings limits. Even healthy arms like Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller have shown flashes, but not dominance. Relying on rookies in October isn’t a strategy; it’s a prayer with pine tar. With depth unraveling, the Dodgers’ pitching puzzle feels more like Jenga in a wind tunnel.

That’s why Chris Sale suddenly makes a lot of sense for Los Angeles. He’s not a project or a maybe—he’s a proven menace with postseason scars and strikeout swagger. Sale’s 2.79 ERA and top-five strikeout count scream October-ready. If Atlanta sells, the Dodgers might not just knock—they might kick the door down.

Landing Sale would turn the Dodgers’ rotation from duct-taped to deadly. Pair him with the others, and suddenly the October script flips. The bullpen breathes, the innings distribute, and the panic button slides back into the drawer. In L.A., one ace can make all the difference—and Sale might be that difference.

The Dodgers didn’t spend half a billion on Shohei just to babysit a bruised rotation. If Alcantara becomes a Cub and Atlanta opens the gate, L.A. knows what to do. Chris Sale isn’t just a fallback—he’s a flamethrower disguised as a solution. October doesn’t wait for arms to heal; it crowns the ones that never flinch. And if Sale walks through that clubhouse door, the NL might want to start stretching.