Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Red Sox Win Fifth Straight, Top Angels 5-2 at Fenway
The Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 at Fenway Park, extending their winning streak to five games. Adley Rutschman, acquired from Baltimore, hit a three-run homer off the Pesky Pole to fuel a four-run second inning. Jarren Duran added his 20th home run with a solo shot. Brayan Bello pitched five shutout innings in his first start since early June. The Red Sox, who own the best record in baseball since the All-Star break at 34-17, closed to within two games of the Yankees for the AL's top wild-card spot. The Angels have lost 12 of their last 14 games.
Sheehan Fans 10 in Return as Dodgers Beat Reds 6-3
Right-hander Emmet Sheehan made a compelling case for a permanent spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, striking out 10 batters across 5⅔ innings in his first major league start since August 2 as the Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds 6-3. Sheehan had been pitching at Triple-A Oklahoma City after being squeezed out of the rotation when Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow returned from the injured list. Teoscar Hernández supplied the signature hit, a three-run homer in the sixth inning that broke the game open. The Dodgers remained one of the National League's top contenders as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Nootbaar Ignites Five-Run 10th, D-backs Outlast Royals 5-4
Lars Nootbaar's pinch-hit sacrifice fly scored automatic runner Corbin Carroll to break a scoreless tie in the top of the 10th inning, sparking a five-run rally as the Arizona Diamondbacks outlasted the Kansas City Royals 5-4. Gabriel Moreno, Nolan Arenado, and Ildemaro Vargas each had two hits for Arizona, which improved to 77-68. Justin Martinez earned the win with a scoreless ninth, and Dennis Santana recorded the save. Salvador Perez went 3-for-5 with three RBIs for Kansas City, drawing the Royals to within 5-4 in the bottom half, but the tying run was stranded at third. The Royals fell to 64-81.
Acuña Powers Braves Past Phillies 5-4 on Labor Day
Ronald Acuña Jr. was the catalyst as the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Labor Day to close out their four-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Acuña went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs, keeping Atlanta in command of the National League East. The Braves left Philadelphia holding a 4.5-game lead over the Phillies in the division race following the series. The win was part of Atlanta's continued push toward a strong postseason position as the final three weeks of the regular season begin. The Phillies, still holding a National League wild card spot, will need to recover quickly.
Sources: NBC Sports
Tigers Top Twins 5-4 as Joe Ryan Strikes Out Seven in Return
Joe Ryan struck out seven in four innings in his return from the 15-day injured list, but the Minnesota Twins still fell to the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on Labor Day. Ryan, who missed a month with a left glute strain, allowed three runs on three hits in his first start back. Riley Greene went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and Kevin McGonigle also went deep for Detroit. Troy Melton earned the win, allowing four runs in 5⅔ innings, and Kenley Jansen closed it out for his 18th save of the season. The Twins dropped to 4.5 games out of a playoff spot with 18 games remaining.
Sources: CBS Sports
NL Wild Card Race: Cubs, Phillies, D-backs Hold Spots as Padres Loom
The National League wild card race enters a crucial stretch with three weeks left in the regular season, as four teams remain in serious contention for two available spots. The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies both hold wild card positions, while the Arizona Diamondbacks sit third after their Labor Day win over Kansas City. The San Diego Padres trail the Diamondbacks by just half a game for the final berth. All six National League playoff spots appear set, with the Wild Card Series scheduled to begin September 29. The Brewers, Dodgers, and Braves have locked up their division leads and await the playoff bracket.
Sources: CBS Sports
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 85 | 57 | — |
| New York Yankees | 81 | 61 | 4.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 78 | 65 | 7.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 72 | 71 | 13.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 69 | 74 | 16.5 |
| AL Central | |||
| Chicago White Sox | 74 | 68 | — |
| Cleveland Guardians | 72 | 71 | 2.5 |
| Minnesota Twins | 68 | 74 | 6.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 65 | 77 | 9.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 63 | 80 | 11.5 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 73 | 70 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 70 | 73 | 3.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 66 | 77 | 7.0 |
| Athletics | 57 | 86 | 16.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 54 | 88 | 18.5 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 84 | 58 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 80 | 62 | 4.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 71 | 72 | 13.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 67 | 77 | 18.0 |
| New York Mets | 64 | 78 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 88 | 55 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 81 | 62 | 7.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 71 | 72 | 17.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 70 | 73 | 18.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 68 | 74 | 19.5 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 85 | 57 | — |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 75 | 68 | 10.5 |
| San Diego Padres | 74 | 68 | 11.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 59 | 84 | 26.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 55 | 87 | 30.0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency