Samwise MLB Newsletter
Monday, September 28, 2026
Houston Astros Win AL West with Historic 81-81 Record in 162-Game Season
The Houston Astros clinched the American League West title on Sunday, finishing with an 81-81 record — the first time in MLB history that a team with a non-winning record won a division in a full 162-game season. Houston secured the title when the Texas Rangers fell to the Minnesota Twins 6-4, while the Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 9-0 earlier in the day. The 81-81 record is the fewest wins by a playoff team in a full MLB season. The Astros will host the Chicago White Sox in the AL Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, September 29, marking Houston’s ninth postseason appearance in ten seasons.
Sources: CBS Sports
Phillies Clinch Fifth Straight Playoff Appearance with 7-3 Victory Over Rays
The Philadelphia Phillies secured the third National League Wild Card spot Sunday with a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, clinching their fifth consecutive playoff appearance — tying the franchise record set from 2007 to 2011. Zack Wheeler started on the mound as Philadelphia held off a late charge from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who were eliminated from contention. The Phillies had led the Diamondbacks by 6.5 games in the wild card race on September 1 before a prolonged slump made the final stretch tense. Philadelphia will face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, September 29.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Cubs Beat Red Sox 6-2 in Season Finale Relocated to Florida Due to Nor’easter
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-2 in a regular-season finale relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, after a nor’easter threatened to batter Boston. Alex Bregman went 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in his second game back after being struck in the face by a foul ball. Braxton Garrett pitched five innings in relief for his first win since May 29, 2024, and Colin Rea earned the save. Shota Imanaga was lifted after one inning with playoff seeding already decided. Chicago will face the Padres in the NL Wild Card Series, while Boston travels to New York to face the Yankees.
White Sox Become First MLB Team to Reach Playoffs After Three Straight 100-Loss Seasons
The Chicago White Sox made baseball history by clinching a playoff berth, becoming the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after three consecutive seasons with 100 or more losses. Chicago beat the Kansas City Royals 9-1 to secure one of the three AL wild-card spots. The White Sox finished 84-78 and will face the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, September 29, in Houston — Chicago’s first playoff series since 2021. The White Sox clinched earlier in the week and held off the competition to secure the sixth and final spot in the American League.
Sources: CBS Sports
2026 MLB Postseason Field Complete: Wild Card Series Begin Tuesday
The 2026 Major League Baseball postseason field is set, with Wild Card Series scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 29. In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians receive first-round byes, while the Houston Astros host the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox in best-of-three Wild Card Series. In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers receive byes. The Atlanta Braves host the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres host the Chicago Cubs. The four Wild Card Series will conclude no later than Thursday, October 1.
Sources: CBS Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks Eliminated, Playoff Drought Extends to Three Consecutive Seasons
The Arizona Diamondbacks were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the 2026 regular season, with the Philadelphia Phillies’ win over the Tampa Bay Rays sealing their fate. Arizona’s postseason drought extends to three consecutive seasons. The Diamondbacks had held a 6.5-game lead over the Phillies for the third NL wild card as recently as September 1, but a prolonged collapse allowed Philadelphia to close the gap and ultimately claim the spot. Corbin Burnes was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on September 25, further complicating what became a disappointing September for Arizona.
Sources: CBS Sports
Diamondbacks Place Corbin Burnes on IL with Right Shoulder Inflammation
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Corbin Burnes on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to September 22, ruling him out of the team’s season finale. Burnes was set to make one final regular-season start before the IL placement was announced. He has made three starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, posting a 7.84 ERA over 10 1/3 innings, and will seek a second opinion before determining next steps. The Diamondbacks subsequently missed the playoffs, making the IL move a moot point for the postseason but leaving questions about Burnes’ shoulder health entering the offseason.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Yankees-Orioles Season Finale Canceled by Rain, New York Finishes 93-67
The final regular-season game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday was canceled due to sustained rain and never rescheduled, as the game had no bearing on the playoff picture. It marked the first time since 2002 the Yankees did not play all 162 games in a non-shortened season. New York finished 93-67 and secured the fourth seed in the American League, where they will host the fifth-seeded Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, September 29. Baltimore ended the season 79-82 under first-year manager Craig Albernaz, up from 75-87 the previous year.
Sources: CBS Sports
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays ★ | 98 | 64 | — |
| New York Yankees | 93 | 67 | 5.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 87 | 75 | 11.0 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 79 | 82 | 19.0 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 71 | 91 | 27.0 |
| AL Central | |||
| Cleveland Guardians ★ | 85 | 77 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 84 | 78 | 1.0 |
| Minnesota Twins | 78 | 84 | 7.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 73 | 89 | 12.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 69 | 93 | 16.0 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros ★ | 81 | 81 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 80 | 82 | 1.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 76 | 86 | 5.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 66 | 96 | 15.0 |
| Oakland Athletics | 62 | 100 | 19.0 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves ★ | 94 | 68 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 88 | 74 | 6.0 |
| New York Mets | 74 | 88 | 20.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 70 | 92 | 24.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 67 | 95 | 27.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers ★ | 103 | 59 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 89 | 73 | 14.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 82 | 80 | 21.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 77 | 85 | 26.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 75 | 87 | 28.0 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers ★ | 100 | 62 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 91 | 71 | 9.0 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 83 | 79 | 17.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 65 | 97 | 35.0 |
| Colorado Rockies | 58 | 104 | 42.0 |
★ = Division champion | Final 2026 regular season standings
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