Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, September 18, 2026
Nola gems, Phillies record MLB-leading 19th shutout in 3-0 win over Mets
Aaron Nola scattered three hits over seven dominant innings, and Jhoan Duran nailed down his 32nd save as the Philadelphia Phillies blanked the New York Mets 3-0 Wednesday night. The shutout was Philadelphia’s 19th of the season — the most in the major leagues in 2026 and the most by any team since 2011’s 21. Bryce Harper drove in one run, and Philadelphia manufactured two additional runs via sacrifice flies. The Phillies moved into a tie with the Chicago Cubs for the top National League wild-card spot. The game was marred by a frightening injury to Mets first baseman Jared Young in the sixth inning.
Sources: CBS Sports
Mets 1B Jared Young hospitalized after head collision; CT scan negative, concussion evaluated
Mets first baseman Jared Young was carted off the field and rushed to a nearby hospital Wednesday night after a chilling collision in the sixth inning of New York’s loss to Philadelphia. Young was struck in the head when pitcher Nolan McLean’s knee made contact as McLean ran through first base on a groundout. Medical personnel responded immediately, and Young was taken by ambulance. The team reported Wednesday night that a CT scan came back negative, though Young is being evaluated for concussion symptoms. The 31-year-old was hitting .266 with nine home runs and 39 RBI across 103 games this season.
Griffin, Davis power Pirates past Brewers 7-4; Milwaukee drops to 95-58
A five-run second inning sparked the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night, snapping Milwaukee’s momentum. Shortstop Oneil Cruz and prospect Konnor Griffin each connected for two-run singles in the big frame, chasing starter Kyle Harrison before he could record a single out in the second inning. Catcher Henry Davis added a two-run home run off Luke Weaver in the eighth to seal it. The loss dropped Milwaukee to 95-58, though the Brewers still hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League’s coveted top postseason seed.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Rays rout Athletics 10-1, maintaining AL top-seed push heading into October
The Tampa Bay Rays stayed scorching Wednesday night, routing the Oakland Athletics 10-1 to reinforce their stranglehold on the American League’s top playoff seed. Already having clinched the AL East division title, the Rays used the lopsided victory to continue sharpening their lineup and rotation depth ahead of the postseason. Tampa Bay scored in multiple innings and held Oakland to a single run while the pitching staff worked efficiently. The Athletics, one of the AL’s weaker clubs in 2026, offered minimal resistance. The Rays have positioned themselves as the American League’s most complete team entering the final stretch of the regular season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Phillies claim Urquidy off waivers; Luzardo placed on IL with shoulder inflammation
The Philadelphia Phillies claimed right-hander José Urquidy off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, adding pitching depth as starter Jesús Luzardo was placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation. To clear a 40-man roster spot, Philadelphia transferred right-hander Caleb Kilian to the 60-day IL. Urquidy, who posted a 5.28 ERA in limited work in 2026, is not eligible for the postseason. The move is a depth addition for a Phillies club locked in the NL wild-card race, with the front office indicating their established rotation arms will carry the load come October.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Guardians seize AL Central lead; Astros-Rangers locked in AL West tie with 10 games left
The Cleveland Guardians wrested the American League Central division lead from the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, bringing new urgency to the AL’s most competitive division race. In the AL West, the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers remain deadlocked for the division crown with fewer than two weeks remaining. The AL wild-card chase is similarly chaotic: the White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles are all vying for spots behind whichever of the Astros and Rangers falls short in the West. At least one of the Rangers or Astros will end up in the wild-card bracket, deepening the logjam.
Sources: CBS Sports
Brewers (95-58) hold 2-game NL top-seed edge on Dodgers; Phillies-Cubs in WC1 battle
Milwaukee’s loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday kept the Brewers’ lead for the National League’s top postseason seed at two games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Brewers (95-58) have clinched their fourth consecutive NL Central title, while the Dodgers have already secured the NL West crown. In the NL East, the Atlanta Braves (89-64) hold off a charging Philadelphia squad. The Phillies are simultaneously battling the Chicago Cubs for the NL’s top wild-card position — both fighting for first-round home-field advantage. Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks are locked in a fierce contest for the sixth and final NL postseason berth.
Sources: CBS Sports
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays * | 99 | 55 | — |
| New York Yankees * | 82 | 71 | 17.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 81 | 72 | 18.0 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 79 | 74 | 20.0 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 77 | 76 | 22.0 |
| ★ AL Central | |||
| Cleveland Guardians | 82 | 71 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 81 | 72 | 1.0 |
| Minnesota Twins | 75 | 78 | 7.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 73 | 81 | 9.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 70 | 84 | 12.5 |
| ★ AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 81 | 73 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 81 | 73 | — |
| Seattle Mariners | 74 | 80 | 7.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 62 | 92 | 19.0 |
| Oakland Athletics | 62 | 91 | 19.0 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 89 | 64 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 87 | 66 | 2.0 |
| New York Mets | 73 | 80 | 16.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 77 | 76 | 12.0 |
| Washington Nationals | 72 | 81 | 17.0 |
| ★ NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers * | 95 | 58 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 88 | 65 | 7.0 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 79 | 74 | 16.0 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 76 | 77 | 19.0 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 72 | 81 | 23.0 |
| ★ NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers * | 93 | 60 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 85 | 68 | 8.0 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 83 | 70 | 10.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 66 | 87 | 27.0 |
| Colorado Rockies | 59 | 94 | 34.0 |
* clinched postseason. Records through Sept. 16, 2026.
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency