Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Cubs Complete Third Straight Walk-Off Win, Extend Streak to Eight Games
Chicago’s Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie the game, then Michael Busch drew a bases-loaded walk in the 10th to lift the Cubs past the Reds 7-6 on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. The victory extended Chicago’s winning streak to eight games and marked their third consecutive walk-off win. Ian Happ homered and finished with three hits while scoring twice. The NL Central-leading Cubs have won 18 of their last 21 games and own a 21-12 record, best in the division. Chicago also stretched its Wrigley home winning streak to 14 games, the longest at the ballpark since 2008.
Sources: CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated
Mariners Hand Braves Their First Series Loss of 2026, Woo Strikes Out Nine
Bryan Woo struck out nine over six shutout innings, and Julio Rodriguez hit a solo home run as Seattle defeated Atlanta 3-1 on Wednesday, handing the Braves their first series loss of 2026. Woo allowed just one hit and walked two in 98 pitches. Cole Young went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. The Braves had gone 10-0-1 in series play entering Wednesday with a 25-10 record and the best mark in baseball. Jose Ferrer closed it with a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save. Seattle’s pitching was dominant throughout the week as the Mariners took two of three from the NL’s best team.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Dodgers Rout Astros 12-2 as Pages Homers Twice, Ohtani Ends 0-for-18 Skid
Andy Pages hit two home runs and drove in six runs, while Shohei Ohtani snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a double and an RBI single as Los Angeles beat Houston 12-2 on Wednesday. Starter Tyler Glasnow exited after one inning with lower back pain, but six relievers held the Astros to one run. Jack Dreyer earned the win. The Dodgers improved to 22-9. Houston, struggling near the bottom of the AL West at 13-21, managed just two runs. Glasnow is expected to undergo an MRI to assess the recurring back issue. The Dodgers’ offense more than compensated for the rotation concerns, generating runs in six of nine innings.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Rangers Beat Yankees 6-1 as Josh Jung Extends Hitting Streak to 13 Games
Josh Jung collected three hits and extended his hitting streak to 13 games as Texas defeated New York 6-1 on Wednesday night in the Bronx. The Rangers scored three first-inning runs and held the lead despite stranding 12 baserunners and going 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Jung is batting .400 during the streak. Corey Seager went hitless in four at-bats and is now 4-for-31 in his past eight games, dropping his average to .206. The loss moved the Yankees to 25-12. New York had entered the series on a five-game winning streak after sweeping Baltimore, but the bullpen’s struggles in stranding opportunities have been a concern for manager Aaron Boone.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Tigers’ Tarik Skubal to Undergo Elbow Surgery, Sidelined 2-3 Months
Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will undergo surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow, sidelining the Detroit ace for an estimated two to three months. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure. Skubal had dealt with the elbow issue intermittently since before spring training. The surgery compounds a significant injury pile-up in Detroit’s rotation — Casey Mize has a groin strain, Justin Verlander has hip inflammation, and Reese Olson is out for the season after shoulder surgery. Skubal, who was projected to command a record contract as a free agent this winter, is expected back before season’s end if recovery proceeds without complication.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, CBS Sports, NBC Sports
Glasnow Placed on IL with Back Tightness After Early Exit in Houston
Tyler Glasnow has been placed on the injured list with back tightness after exiting Wednesday’s start in Houston in the first inning. He allowed a solo home run, then was removed following a trainer’s visit on the mound. An MRI has been scheduled. Manager Dave Roberts was cautiously optimistic, noting the injury is a recurring condition Glasnow has managed in past seasons. The Dodgers had already been limiting Shohei Ohtani’s workload as a pitcher; losing Glasnow further strains a rotation that lacked depth. Glasnow recorded his 1,000th career strikeout before departing. Los Angeles will need reinforcements from the minor leagues or a trade to fill the void.
Sources: CBS Sports, MLB.com
Braves Trade Catcher Jonah Heim to Athletics as Sean Murphy Returns from IL
Atlanta traded catcher Jonah Heim to Oakland for cash considerations Wednesday, one week after designating him for assignment. The move cleared space for starting catcher Sean Murphy, reinstated from the injured list after hip labrum surgery. The Braves had signed Heim to a $1.5 million deal during spring training specifically to cover Murphy’s anticipated absence. Heim returns to the Athletics organization where he made his major league debut six years ago. Atlanta also designated relievers Jose Suarez and Joel Payamps for assignment and recalled right-handers Hunter Stratton and Anthony Molina from Triple-A Gwinnett to refresh the bullpen with Murphy’s return restoring roster stability.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, CBS Sports
NL Central Stands Alone as Only MLB Division With All Five Teams Above .500
The National League Central is the most dominant division in baseball through five-plus weeks of 2026, with all five clubs carrying winning records — an achievement no other division has matched. The Cubs lead at 21-12, with the Cardinals, Reds, Brewers, and Pirates all above .500 behind them. The division has a collective winning percentage above .600 against the rest of baseball. Chicago has been the standout, winning 18 of 21 games and extending their Wrigley Field home winning streak to 14 games, the longest since 2008. The division figures to send multiple teams to the postseason if trends continue through summer.
Sources: MLB.com, Sports Illustrated
American League
AL East
1. New York Yankees — 25–12, —
2. Tampa Bay Rays — 19–16, 5.0
3. Baltimore Orioles — 20–15, 4.5
4. Boston Red Sox — 15–21, 9.5
5. Toronto Blue Jays — 15–20, 9.5
AL Central
1. Cleveland Guardians — 20–17, —
2. Chicago White Sox — 17–18, 2.5
3. Detroit Tigers — 18–19, 2.5
4. Minnesota Twins — 16–20, 3.5
5. Kansas City Royals — 15–20, 4.0
AL West
1. Oakland Athletics — 18–17, —
2. Texas Rangers — 18–18, 0.5
3. Seattle Mariners — 18–19, 1.0
4. Los Angeles Angels — 13–22, 5.0
5. Houston Astros — 13–21, 5.0
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 25–12, —
2. Washington Nationals — 15–17, 7.5
3. Miami Marlins — 15–18, 8.0
4. New York Mets — 13–19, 9.5
5. Philadelphia Phillies — 12–21, 11.0
NL Central
1. Chicago Cubs — 21–12, —
2. Cincinnati Reds — 18–13, 2.5
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 16–14, 3.5
4. Milwaukee Brewers — 17–13, 2.5
5. Pittsburgh Pirates — 17–14, 3.0
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 22–9, —
2. San Diego Padres — 21–11, 1.5
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 16–14, 5.5
4. San Francisco Giants — 14–17, 8.0
5. Colorado Rockies — 13–18, 9.0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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