Samwise MLB Newsletter
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Braves Clinch Playoff Berth as Harris, Acuña and Olson Hit Two-Run Homers in 6-2 Win
Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each launched two-run home runs Friday night as the Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Harris gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead with his fourth-inning blast, Acuña extended the advantage with a seventh-inning shot to make it 4-1, and Olson closed the scoring with his 40th home run of the season in the ninth. The Braves are headed to the postseason for the eighth time in nine years, and reduced their magic number to three for the National League East division title.
Aaron Judge Placed on IL With Right Calf Strain, Postseason Status Uncertain
The New York Yankees placed two-time defending AL MVP Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list Friday with a right calf strain, casting significant doubt over his postseason availability with New York’s playoff run approaching. Judge had returned from a right rib stress fracture on September 8, playing in only seven games before suffering this new setback. He has appeared in just 66 games this season. Manager Aaron Boone said he is uncertain whether Judge can return for the playoffs. New York has already clinched a postseason berth with 10 games left in the regular season.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Ramírez Reaches 1,000 Career RBIs as Guardians Win Third Straight
Cleveland Guardians star José Ramírez marked a historic milestone Friday, hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning for his 1,000th career RBI, one day after celebrating his 34th birthday. His blast powered Cleveland to a 5-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. Ramírez joined Earl Averill as the only players in franchise history to record at least 1,000 career RBIs, and became the 12th active major leaguer to reach the plateau. The Guardians improved to 79-75 with their third consecutive win, moving a half-game ahead of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
Meckler’s Walk-Off Single Lifts Angels Over Twins in 10th Inning
Los Angeles Angels newcomer Wade Meckler singled through a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday for the first walk-off hit of his career, lifting the Angels to a 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Walbert Ureña was dominant in his start, striking out nine over seven scoreless innings. The Twins rallied dramatically when Minnesota rookie Walker Jenkins hit a two-out two-run homer in the ninth to tie the score, and took a 4-3 lead on Brooks Lee’s RBI single in the 10th. Mike Trout then tied it before Meckler delivered the winner.
Sources: CBS Sports
Mets End Losing Streak with 6-3 Win Over Phillies in Wild Card Battle
The last-place New York Mets ended a five-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, dealing a blow to Philadelphia’s National League wild card hopes. Rookie left-hander Zac Thornton held the Phillies to two runs over six innings, improving to 5-5, while Dedniel Núñez closed it out for his second career save. A.J. Ewing’s two-run single capped a three-run first inning for New York. Edmundo Sosa went 3-for-3 with a home run and a double for Philadelphia, but the loss dropped the Phillies to 85-70 in the NL wild card standings.
Reds Rally in Seventh to Defeat Cubs 6-4 and Tighten Wild Card Race
The Cincinnati Reds rallied for a 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday at Great American Ball Park, dealing a significant blow to Chicago’s wild card chances with the season nearing its end. Jose Trevino delivered the go-ahead hit, lining a two-run single to right field with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. Chicago’s Clay Holmes had walked the bases loaded, and Javier Assad could not escape the jam. Elly De La Cruz was perfect at the plate for Cincinnati, while Michael Conforto had three hits in a losing effort. The Cubs fell to 85-70 in the wild card race.
Frelick’s 10th-Inning RBI Sends Brewers Past Orioles in Series Opener
Sal Frelick’s RBI single in the top of the 10th inning lifted the visiting Milwaukee Brewers to a 6-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday to open a three-game series at Camden Yards. Jackson Chourio hit a three-run homer for the Brewers, and Pete Alonso launched a three-run shot for Baltimore as the teams traded punches in the early innings. Milwaukee took a two-run lead in the top of the ninth on a William Contreras RBI double and Christian Yelich’s two-out RBI single against Grant Wolfram, but Baltimore tied it before Frelick delivered in extras.
Sources: Field Level Media
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 89 | 59 | — |
| New York Yankees | 85 | 63 | 4.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 81 | 68 | 8.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 74 | 75 | 15.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 72 | 77 | 17.5 |
| AL Central | |||
| Cleveland Guardians | 79 | 75 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 78 | 75 | 0.5 |
| Minnesota Twins | 72 | 82 | 7.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 71 | 83 | 8.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 65 | 89 | 14.0 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 75 | 74 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 73 | 76 | 2.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 70 | 79 | 5.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 67 | 82 | 8.0 |
| Oakland Athletics | 62 | 87 | 13.0 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 89 | 62 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 85 | 70 | 6.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 73 | 76 | 16.0 |
| New York Mets | 70 | 79 | 18.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 69 | 81 | 19.5 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 95 | 56 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 85 | 70 | 12.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 74 | 75 | 21.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 74 | 76 | 21.5 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 71 | 79 | 23.5 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 91 | 59 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 81 | 68 | 9.5 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 79 | 70 | 11.5 |
| San Francisco Giants | 73 | 77 | 18.0 |
| Colorado Rockies | 55 | 95 | 36.0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency