Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Angels Agree to Record $4 Billion Sale to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
The Los Angeles Angels are set for new ownership as Arte Moreno agreed to sell the franchise to Stan Kroenke’s Kroenke Sports & Entertainment for a record $4 billion. The deal, announced Tuesday, would transfer the Angels to Kroenke, who also owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, and the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. MLB approval is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027. Moreno, who has owned the Angels since 2003, will retain a minority stake. The sale closes the book on a franchise that posted its 11th consecutive losing season, currently sitting at 53–87 in the American League West.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Cease Dominant, Guerrero Jr. Drives In Five as Blue Jays Blank Guardians 11-0
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. slugged a three-run homer in the second inning and drove in a season-high five runs as the Toronto Blue Jays shut out the Cleveland Guardians 11–0 on Wednesday night. Dylan Cease was dominant, scattering four hits over six innings with four strikeouts, no walks, and no runner advancing past second base. The right-hander has gone 4–0 with a 1.38 ERA in eight starts since July 20 and remains one of the top American League Cy Young Award candidates. Josh Smith added a solo home run in the eighth. The victory sliced Cleveland’s lead for the third AL wild-card spot to 1.5 games over Toronto, Baltimore, and Texas.
Baty, Morabito Power Mets to 10-4 Win Over Rays; Soto Clubs 23rd Homer
Brett Baty lashed a three-run double in the third inning that ended Griffin Jax’s outing, and the New York Mets went on to rout the Tampa Bay Rays 10–4 on Wednesday. The Mets struck first in the opening frame: Jared Young’s RBI single scored the first run, a throwing error by Rays catcher Liam Hicks allowed a second, and Marcus Semien doubled to bring in a third. Baty’s hit in the third pushed the lead to 6–0. Nick Morabito added his first major league hit, a three-run double in the seventh, and Juan Soto closed the scoring with his 23rd home run of the season.
Torkelson Homer, Báez Double Fuel Tigers’ 11-6 Win Over Twins in 12 Innings
Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run home run off Twins reliever Tommy Nance to open the 12th inning, and Javier Báez laced a three-run, two-out double that fell in shallow right field as the Detroit Tigers rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 11–6 in 12 innings, avoiding a three-game sweep. Max Clark collected three doubles and scored three runs for Detroit. The Twins twice battled back — erasing a three-run deficit in the eighth and a one-run deficit in the 11th — before the Tigers erupted for five runs in the 12th to escape Target Field with the win.
Musgrove’s Comeback in Doubt After Elbow Fatigue Derails 2026 Return
Joe Musgrove’s return from Tommy John surgery has stalled again, with the San Diego Padres acknowledging the right-hander may not appear in 2026 at all. Musgrove underwent Tommy John surgery and a flexor tendon repair in October 2024 and missed the entire 2025 season. He began a rehabilitation assignment on August 4, pitching 2⅔ innings in a Single-A game, but elbow fatigue has since slowed his progress significantly. The Padres have offered no certainty he will pitch again this season. San Diego holds the third NL wild-card spot at 73–67, nine and a half games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Reds Score Twice in Eighth to Sink Padres 4-3; Pagan Earns 20th Save
The Cincinnati Reds scored twice in the eighth inning to break a 2–2 tie and beat the San Diego Padres 4–3 on Wednesday night. The Reds came from behind twice during the game before finally taking the lead for good against San Diego’s struggling bullpen in the eighth. Emilio Pagan earned his 20th save by holding the Padres at bay in the ninth inning. The win improved Cincinnati to 67–73, while the defeat dropped the Padres to 73–67 — a damaging result for a club fighting to maintain its hold in the National League wild-card race.
Nationals Rout Braves 9-5 as Smith-Shawver Falters, Burkhalter Makes Debut
AJ Smith-Shawver managed just four innings for Atlanta before departing with a 5–2 deficit as the Washington Nationals rolled to a 9–5 win over the Braves on Wednesday. Reliever Blake Burkhalter, making his major league debut, surrendered a sacrifice fly to Brady House, while Brent Suter allowed three more runs that stretched the lead to 8–2. Atlanta scored three times in the eighth inning but could not complete the comeback. The defeat was a tough loss for the Braves, who lead the National League East at 83–57 but are trying to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies, four games back.
Sources: CBS Sports
Pereda, Rodríguez Lead Mariners Past Red Sox 8-3 to Win Series
Jhonny Pereda delivered a two-run single as part of Seattle’s second four-run inning on the afternoon as the Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 8–3 on Wednesday, winning two of the three-game series. The Mariners jumped in front 4–0 in the third inning on a Patrick Sandoval wild pitch and RBI singles by Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor, then added four more later. Bryce Miller started and lasted 4⅔ innings, allowing just one run. Roman Anthony homered for Boston in a losing effort. The Mariners improved to 66–74, while the Red Sox slipped to 75–65.
Sources: FOX Sports
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL EAST | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 83 | 56 | — |
| New York Yankees | 80 | 60 | 3.5 |
| Boston Red Sox | 75 | 65 | 8.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 69 | 71 | 14.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 69 | 71 | 14.5 |
| AL CENTRAL | |||
| Chicago White Sox | 73 | 66 | — |
| Cleveland Guardians | 70 | 69 | 3.0 |
| Minnesota Twins | 67 | 73 | 6.5 |
| Detroit Tigers | 64 | 75 | 9.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 62 | 78 | 11.5 |
| AL WEST | |||
| Houston Astros | 71 | 69 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 69 | 71 | 2.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 66 | 74 | 5.0 |
| Oakland Athletics | 54 | 86 | 17.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 53 | 87 | 18.0 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL EAST | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 83 | 57 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 79 | 61 | 4.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 71 | 69 | 12.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 67 | 75 | 17.0 |
| New York Mets | 63 | 77 | 20.0 |
| NL CENTRAL | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 87 | 53 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 78 | 62 | 9.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 70 | 70 | 17.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 68 | 72 | 19.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 67 | 73 | 20.0 |
| NL WEST | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 82 | 57 | — |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 74 | 67 | 9.0 |
| San Diego Padres | 73 | 67 | 9.5 |
| San Francisco Giants | 58 | 82 | 24.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 54 | 86 | 28.5 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency