Samwise MLB Newsletter
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Alonso Reaches 40 Home Runs as Orioles Rally Past Blue Jays 4-3
Pete Alonso hit his 39th and 40th home runs of the season Monday night, including a two-run blast in the eighth inning that capped a Baltimore Orioles rally for a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Alonso's eighth-inning shot erased a 3-2 deficit and lifted Baltimore, pushing the Blue Jays three games closer to playoff elimination with one week remaining. The Orioles first baseman reached 40 home runs, the fourth time he has accomplished the feat in his career. Toronto now trails the third American League wild card spot by three games with six games remaining in the regular season.
River Ryan Shines in Detroit Debut as Tigers Rout Nationals 9-2
Right-hander River Ryan made an impressive debut for the Detroit Tigers on Monday, pitching three shutout innings in a 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park. Ryan, acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the Tarik Skubal trade, allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two. Javier Báez and Spencer Torkelson each belted two-run home runs, and Ben Malgeri added a three-run shot in the fifth. The Tigers, eliminated from AL playoff contention Sunday, close the season with Justin Verlander's planned final career start Saturday, followed by Ryan on Sunday.
Sources: Fox Sports
Gilbert's Three RBI Lead Giants Past Twins 5-2; Davidson Dazzles in Debut
Drew Gilbert homered and drove in three runs to lead the San Francisco Giants past the Minnesota Twins 5-2 Monday, snapping a three-game skid. Gilbert singled in a run in the second inning and hit his 11th homer in the fifth, while Brett Harris singled in two runs to help stake an early lead. Rookie outfielder Bo Davidson notched a hit and a stolen base in his MLB debut — the first Giant to accomplish that in a big-league debut since Red Tramback on September 15, 1940. San Francisco starter Blade Tidwell exited after 1⅓ innings with elbow discomfort and will undergo tests Tuesday.
Sources: NBC Sports Bay Area
Cubs' Bregman Suffers Multiple Facial Fractures from On-Deck Foul Ball
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures Sunday when a checked-swing foul ball by teammate Michael Busch struck him in the on-deck circle during a 9-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The ball hit Bregman in the left cheekbone beneath the eye, drawing visible blood and ending his regular season. Imaging confirmed the fractures Monday; surgery will not be required. Bregman is out for the remainder of the regular season but the Cubs remain hopeful he can return for postseason play. Chicago needs just one more win to clinch a postseason berth with six games remaining.
Sources: NBC Sports
Blue Jays' Cease Diagnosed with Shoulder Inflammation, Return in 2026 Unlikely
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation following an MRI on Monday, and a return to the mound this season “feels unlikely,” the team announced. Cease lasted just 2.2 innings in Friday's start against the Texas Rangers, his velocity dropping to an average of 93.6 mph — more than three ticks below his seasonal norm. Surgery is not required. The Blue Jays expect a full recovery in time for 2027 spring training. Toronto remains three games behind the third American League wild card position entering the final week of the regular season.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
Cubs One Win Away from Clinching as NL Wild Card Race Enters Final Week
The National League wild card race heads into the final week with the Chicago Cubs on the verge of clinching, needing just one win or a San Diego Padres loss to secure a postseason berth. Both clubs sit at 87-69, but Chicago owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Philadelphia Phillies trail by one game at 86-70, with a magic number of three. Six teams have already locked up playoff spots: the Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Boston Red Sox. The final wild card spot in both leagues remains unsettled with the season concluding Sunday.
Sources: CBS Sports
White Sox Hold Third AL Wild Card Spot Entering Final Week, Magic Number Four
The Chicago White Sox enter the final week at 80-76, holding the third American League wild card spot and needing four more wins to clinch. Chicago leads both the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros by three games, with six games remaining. The White Sox close the season against the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies — two of the weakest schedules left on anyone's docket. Chicago has gone 5-8 over its last 13 games but that closing schedule should provide a cushion. The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have already clinched the top two American League wild card positions.
Brewers Set Franchise Record with 98th Win, Sweep Orioles to Close Regular Season
The Milwaukee Brewers posted the 98th victory in franchise history Sunday, completing a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 3-0 shutout and surpassing their previous club record of 97 wins. The milestone cemented Milwaukee's status as the winningest team in baseball this season. The Brewers, who clinched their fourth consecutive NL Central title earlier this month, enter the final week at 98-58 — the best record in the majors. Milwaukee will make its eighth postseason appearance in nine years and heads into October as one of the National League's top contenders, with the No. 1 seed still in reach.
Sources: Spectrum News 1
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 95 | 60 | — |
| New York Yankees | 89 | 66 | 6 |
| Boston Red Sox | 84 | 72 | 11.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 77 | 80 | 19 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 76 | 81 | 20 |
| AL Central | |||
| Cleveland Guardians | 81 | 75 | — |
| Chicago White Sox | 80 | 76 | 1 |
| Detroit Tigers | 74 | 83 | 7.5 |
| Minnesota Twins | 73 | 84 | 8.5 |
| Kansas City Royals | 67 | 89 | 14 |
| AL West | |||
| Texas Rangers | 78 | 78 | — |
| Houston Astros | 77 | 79 | 1 |
| Seattle Mariners | 73 | 83 | 5 |
| Athletics | 61 | 95 | 17 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 60 | 96 | 18 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 92 | 64 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 86 | 70 | 6 |
| Miami Marlins | 76 | 80 | 16 |
| Washington Nationals | 73 | 84 | 19.5 |
| New York Mets | 71 | 85 | 21 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 98 | 58 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 87 | 69 | 11 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 79 | 77 | 19 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 76 | 80 | 22 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 72 | 84 | 26 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 96 | 60 | — |
| San Diego Padres | 87 | 69 | 9 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 82 | 74 | 14 |
| San Francisco Giants | 65 | 92 | 31.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 57 | 99 | 39 |
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