Samwise MLB Newsletter
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Tolle Fans Career-High 14 as Red Sox Rout Athletics 13–1 for 9th Straight Win
Payton Tolle struck out a career-high 14 over six innings as the Boston Red Sox routed the Athletics 13–1, extending their winning streak to nine games. Tolle (7–6) was the first Red Sox pitcher to fan 14 since Chris Sale on May 8, 2019. His 14 strikeouts are tied for the second-most in a game by an American League rookie over the last 50 years, trailing only Roger Clemens’s 15 in August 1984. Jarren Duran’s two-run homer sparked a five-run second inning, while Wilyer Abreu drove in three runs. Boston is just the seventh team since 1920 to win 27 or more games in a 30-game span.
Sources: ESPN · NBC Sports
Waldschmidt’s Walk-Off Two-Run Blast Sinks Dodgers 4–3 as L.A. Skid Hits Seven Straight
Ryan Waldschmidt crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning off Edwin Diaz, lifting Arizona to a 4–3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers and dropping L.A. to a season-high seven-game losing streak. Waldschmidt’s second career home run left the bat at 105.5 mph and traveled 411 feet. The rookie had studied video on the dugout tablet between at-bats, looking for an adjustment against Diaz’s slider. He sprinted out of the box not knowing the ball had cleared the fence until he rounded first. The loss continued a stunning slide for the Dodgers, who added Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline.
Sources: MLB.com · Sports Illustrated
Gausman Delivers 7 Sharp Innings in Cubs Debut, Beats Royals 6–4
Kevin Gausman delivered exactly what the Cubs expected in his first start for Chicago, pitching seven sharp innings in a 6–4 win over the Kansas City Royals. Acquired from Toronto in a trade-deadline deal, the 35-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, retiring 12 of 13 batters at one stretch. Gausman gave up an RBI single to Isaac Collins in the first inning and a homer to Carter Jensen in the fifth but held Kansas City in check otherwise. Seiya Suzuki contributed a two-run single for Chicago. Gausman improves to 6–10 on the season.
Sources: NBC Sports · CBS Sports
Twins Erase Four-Run Deficit, Beat Brewers 8–6 as Bell Goes 4-for-5 and Culpepper Homers in Debut
The Minnesota Twins erased a four-run deficit and beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8–6, dealing the Brewers their biggest blown lead of the season. Josh Bell went 4-for-5 with a home run and drove in three runs. Kaelen Culpepper also homered in his major league debut. The Twins trailed 4–0 after two innings before scoring two runs in each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth. With two outs in the sixth, Ryan Jeffers and Royce Lewis hit consecutive doubles, and Bell singled home Lewis with the go-ahead run to break a 6–6 tie.
Yankees Edge Braves 3–2 in 10 Innings at Yankee Stadium
The New York Yankees held off the Atlanta Braves for a 3–2 victory in 10 innings at Yankee Stadium on Friday night. The Braves, one of the hottest teams in the National League, collected seven hits including two home runs but could not complete the comeback. New York also tallied seven hits across 10 innings. The result keeps the Yankees 4.5 games behind the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Atlanta, entering the game in the midst of one of the NL’s best stretches, falls to 70–45 despite the productive offensive night.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Tigers Activate Jackson Jobe Ahead of Saturday Start, Ending 14-Month Absence
The Detroit Tigers activated right-hander Jackson Jobe from the 60-day injured list on Friday, setting up the 24-year-old’s return to the major leagues for the first time in 14 months. Jobe, the third overall pick in the 2021 draft, underwent Tommy John surgery last June. He struck out 17 batters over 15⅓ innings across five minor league rehab outings before the activation. Reliever Brenan Hanifee was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to open a roster spot. Jobe is set to make his 2026 season debut Saturday against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors · CBS Sports
Cardinals Edge Rockies 3–2 as Jordan Walker Returns from Knee Injury
The St. Louis Cardinals edged the Colorado Rockies 3–2 at Busch Stadium on Friday, with Jordan Walker returning to the lineup after missing two games in New York with right knee inflammation. Walker went 1-for-4 in his return. With the win, St. Louis improved to 49–19 all time against the Rockies at Busch Stadium, their best home record against any franchise since the ballpark opened in 2006. The loss extended Colorado’s road losing streak to five games. St. Louis scored twice in the second inning and held on from there.
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 68–46, —
2. New York Yankees — 64–51, 4.5
3. Boston Red Sox — 63–51, 5.0
4. Baltimore Orioles — 56–59, 12.5
5. Toronto Blue Jays — 54–62, 15.0
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 59–55, —
2. Minnesota Twins — 57–59, 3.0
3. Cleveland Guardians — 57–59, 3.0
4. Detroit Tigers — 56–59, 3.5
5. Kansas City Royals — 48–68, 12.0
AL West
1. Houston Astros — 59–57, —
2. Texas Rangers — 57–58, 1.5
3. Seattle Mariners — 56–60, 3.0
4. Athletics — 45–70, 13.5
5. Los Angeles Angels — 44–71, 14.5
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 70–45, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 62–54, 8.5
3. Miami Marlins — 58–58, 12.5
4. Washington Nationals — 56–61, 15.0
5. New York Mets — 50–66, 20.5
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 72–43, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 67–49, 5.5
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 57–58, 15.0
4. Cincinnati Reds — 56–58, 15.5
5. Pittsburgh Pirates — 57–60, 16.0
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 69–46, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 61–55, 8.5
3. San Diego Padres — 60–56, 9.5
4. San Francisco Giants — 48–67, 21.0
5. Colorado Rockies — 45–70, 24.0
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency