Samwise MLB Newsletter
Monday, August 24, 2026
Schwarber Walk-Off Homer Caps Phillies' Nine-Game Win Streak, Sweeps Cardinals
Kyle Schwarber's MLB-leading 39th homer of the season — a two-run walk-off blast in the bottom of the ninth — lifted the Philadelphia Phillies past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep and extending their winning streak to nine games. The Phillies erased a four-run deficit with six runs in the ninth. Bryce Harper led off with a double, and after two outs, J.T. Realmuto singled and Justin Crawford walked to load the bases before Edmundo Sosa cleared them with a bases-clearing double down the left-field line. Schwarber then ended it by driving a 2-2 sinker 459 feet to deep center field.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
Cubs Explode for 19-2 Win Over Mariners; Happ and Ramirez Each Hit Grand Slams
Ian Happ and Pedro Ramirez each hit grand slams and drove in five runs as the Chicago Cubs routed the Seattle Mariners 19-2 at T-Mobile Park on Sunday. The Cubs trailed 2-0 after three innings before Happ blasted a bases-loaded ball off the right-field foul pole to cap a five-run fourth inning. Ramirez hit the second grand slam in the eighth as the Cubs erupted for nine runs that frame. Chicago added three more in the ninth to finish with 17 hits. Mariners starter Bryce Miller issued three straight two-out walks before Happ's slam ended his outing. Seattle fell three games behind Houston in the AL West.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports
Braves Edge Brewers 4-2 in Little League Classic at Williamsport
Michael Harris II hit a solo home run in the ninth inning and Tyler Mahle worked five strong innings as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 in the Little League Classic on Sunday night in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Harris hit an 0-2 slider from Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby over the right-field fence for his 21st homer of the season. Mauricio Dubon added an RBI ground-rule double in the second inning, and Sean Murphy drove in another run on an infield single in the fourth. The Braves also scored on a Milwaukee fielding error in the sixth. Atlanta improved to 76-55 atop the NL East.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN
Ohtani Nears Pitching Return, Could Start Against Tigers as Soon as Next Week
Shohei Ohtani is nearing a return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the two-way star potentially scheduled to pitch against the Detroit Tigers as soon as next week. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of persistent knee inflammation and a biceps issue. He threw a 30-pitch live bullpen session Saturday, facing fellow rehabber Will Smith in six simulated plate appearances. The Dodgers have yet to set a formal date but, given the boxes Ohtani needs to check, a return to the big league mound in the first half of September appears realistic. Nothing will be finalized until after his next scheduled bullpen session.
Sources: CBS Sports, NBC Sports
Royals Win Eighth Straight, Beat Tigers 11-7 in Longest Home Win Streak in Franchise History
Nick Loftin and John Rave homered, Kyle Isbel drove in three runs and the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to eight games with an 11-7 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The Royals have won seven straight at home, only the fourth time in franchise history the team has completed an undefeated homestand of seven or more games. Kansas City's winning streak is the longest since May 2024. The surging Royals entered the day at 58-74 and remain 7.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, but the run gives them late-season momentum. Detroit has lost five straight and fell to 61-69.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Yankees Beat Blue Jays 8-3 as Chisholm Homers and Rodón Returns from IL
Ben Rice's two-run single capped a three-run sixth inning and Jazz Chisholm Jr. added a two-run homer as the New York Yankees beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 on Sunday. Chisholm laid down a bunt single to begin the sixth-inning rally that knocked out starter José Soriano, and Trent Grisham drew a go-ahead walk before Rice lined a slider to right field for a 5-2 lead. Grisham also homered in the eighth. Starter Carlos Rodón, in his second start back from the injured list, allowed two runs — one earned — and two hits over four innings. Paul Blackburn earned the win in relief.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Red Sox Complete Sweep of Giants, Win 5-4 Behind Bennett's Seven Strong Innings
Jake Bennett struck out six in seven innings and Nick Sogard hit his second career homer as the Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants with a 5-4 win on Sunday at Fenway Park. The Giants led 3-0 before Sogard launched a 3-2 fastball 415 feet over the Green Monster to cut into the deficit. Ceddanne Rafaela drove in another run in the third, and Connor Wong tied the game with an RBI double. Mickey Gasper's double gave Boston the lead, and Rafaela added an insurance single. Aroldis Chapman earned his 29th save. The Red Sox improved to 71-59 and have won three straight.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Yamamoto Dominates in Shutout Effort as Dodgers Blank Pirates 4-0, Complete Series Sweep
Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched six innings of two-hit shutout ball, striking out six, as the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Yamamoto allowed no earned runs on two hits and walked three. The Dodgers, who have won six straight and improved to 80-51, sit one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League. The win completed a three-game series sweep of Pittsburgh, which fell to 63-69 and continued to struggle in NL Wild Card contention. Los Angeles awaits the possible pitching return of Shohei Ohtani as September approaches.
Rangers DFA Kelenic, D-Backs Put Soroka on IL Among Sunday Roster Moves
The Texas Rangers designated outfielder Jarred Kelenic for assignment on Sunday in a busy day of roster moves around the league. The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Michael Soroka on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, also designating Zack Littell for assignment and recalling Gerardo Carrillo. The Detroit Tigers selected outfielder Andrew Sears' contract for his major league debut and designated James Outman. The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated right-hander Manuel Rodríguez from the 60-day injured list and designated Chris Roycroft for assignment. The Miami Marlins recalled Jack Ralston from Triple-A Jacksonville and designated left-hander John King for assignment.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 77–53, —
2. New York Yankees — 74–56, 3.0
3. Boston Red Sox — 71–59, 6.0
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 64–68, 14.0
5. Baltimore Orioles — 63–68, 14.5
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 68–62, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 65–66, 3.5
3. Minnesota Twins — 63–68, 5.5
4. Detroit Tigers — 61–69, 7.0
5. Kansas City Royals — 58–74, 11.0
AL West
1. Houston Astros — 65–66, —
2. Texas Rangers — 65–66, —
3. Seattle Mariners — 62–69, 3.0
4. Los Angeles Angels — 52–79, 13.0
5. Athletics — 51–80, 14.0
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 76–55, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 73–58, 3.0
3. Miami Marlins — 67–64, 9.0
4. Washington Nationals — 61–71, 15.5
5. New York Mets — 59–72, 17.0
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 81–50, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 75–56, 6.0
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 66–66, 15.5
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 63–69, 18.5
5. Cincinnati Reds — 62–69, 19.0
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 80–51, —
2. San Diego Padres — 71–60, 9.0
3. Arizona Diamondbacks — 69–62, 11.0
4. San Francisco Giants — 52–78, 27.5
5. Colorado Rockies — 50–80, 29.5
Every newsletter preserved and searchable
Curated by JD · samwise.agency