Samwise MLB Newsletter
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Rays Clinch Fifth AL East Title on Rasmussen Near No-Hitter
Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, striking out a career-high 11 batters on 114 pitches, as the Tampa Bay Rays clinched their fifth American League East title with a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday. Rasmussen allowed one hit in 6 2/3 innings, and Yandy Diaz drove in four runs on a pair of two-run singles. Tampa Bay, now 96-61, took the AL East for the first time since 2021 and secured the No. 1 seed in the American League postseason field. It is the earliest division clincher in franchise history.
Alvarez Powers Astros Past Seattle, Houston Ties Rangers Atop AL West
Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his 41st of the season tying Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays for the American League lead, as the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 7-0 on Tuesday to pull even with the Texas Rangers atop the AL West. Alvarez, who leads the AL with a .314 batting average and 102 RBIs, is deep in the Triple Crown chase. Houston and Texas are deadlocked at 78-79 with five games remaining, and the Astros hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Seattle, at 73-84, has been effectively eliminated from contention.
Sources: CBS Sports
Parker Messick Shines as Guardians Hold Off Red Sox 3-2 in AL Central Race
Parker Messick, one of the leading AL Rookie of the Year candidates, limited the Boston Red Sox to one run over five innings as the Cleveland Guardians held on to beat Boston 3-2 on Tuesday and maintain a one-game lead atop the AL Central. The left-hander is now 12-9 with a 2.55 ERA, on pace to become the fourth rookie starting pitcher in MLB history with an ERA below 2.60 and averaging at least 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. Hunter Gaddis surrendered a home run in the eighth inning to tie the game before Cleveland scored the winning run in the ninth.
Sources: CBS Sports
Dodgers Rout Padres 7-0 in Series Opener as Edman, Smith, Freeman Shine
Tommy Edman and Will Smith homered, and Freddie Freeman drove in three runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers blanked the San Diego Padres 7-0 on Tuesday in the opener of a high-stakes series between rivals who boast the two best records in baseball this month. Brock Stewart served as the opener for Los Angeles, giving way to Justin Wrobleski, while Michael King, who entered the night 12-9 with a 3.03 ERA, started for San Diego. The Padres had entered the game with a chance to clinch a National League Wild Card berth but were shut out by the Dodgers pitching combination.
Sources: CBS Sports
De La Cruz Reaches 29-29 as Williamson Blanks Braves 4-0 for Reds
Brandon Williamson pitched six scoreless innings on just 68 pitches, allowing no walks and striking out two, as the Cincinnati Reds blanked the Atlanta Braves 4-0 at Truist Park on Tuesday. Shortstop Elly De La Cruz stole his 29th base of the season on a headfirst slide in the first inning, then hit a two-out solo home run in the third, his 29th of the year, to open the scoring against Braves starter JR Ritchie. De La Cruz is now one home run and one stolen base away from becoming only the fourth player in Reds history to record a 30-30 season, joining Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, and Brandon Phillips.
Sources: NBC Sports
Meidroth Career-High 5 RBI Powers White Sox Past Royals 14-11
Chase Meidroth hit a three-run home run and finished with a career-high five RBIs, and Randal Grichuk added a three-run shot among his four hits as the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 14-11 on Tuesday night to remain one game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central race. Brenton Doyle and Munetaka Murakami also homered for Chicago. Anthony Kay allowed four runs in four innings and received a no-decision, while Kansas City starter Daniel Lynch IV allowed nine runs in four innings before departing. The Royals, at 67-90, have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Taj Bradley Notches 200th Strikeout in Twins 3-2 Win Over Giants
Taj Bradley struck out Drew Gilbert leading off the first inning for his 200th strikeout of the season, then finished with six strikeouts and 205 on the year as the Minnesota Twins beat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Tuesday night. Bradley, now 12-6, allowed one run on three hits in six innings. Walker Jenkins hit his fourth home run of the season in the seventh inning off reliever Duncan Davitt to extend the Twins lead to 3-1. San Francisco scored in the ninth to pull within one before Jeff Hoffman earned his sixth save, striking out Victor Bericoto on a 3-2 slider with the tying run at second base.
Cubs Bregman Out for Regular Season With Facial Fractures, Eyes Postseason Return
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman, struck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle on September 20, has been diagnosed with multiple facial fractures and will miss the remainder of the regular season. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Bregman will not be placed on the injured list, preserving his postseason eligibility. No surgery is required and his vision is unaffected. The organization expects Bregman to be available for the postseason, which begins September 29. The Cubs, at 87-70, have clinched a playoff berth and remain in second place in the NL Central behind the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay (x) | 96 | 61 | — |
| NY Yankees (y) | 90 | 67 | 6.0 |
| Boston (y) | 84 | 73 | 12.0 |
| Toronto | 77 | 80 | 19.0 |
| Baltimore | 76 | 81 | 20.0 |
| AL Central | |||
| Cleveland | 82 | 75 | — |
| Chicago WSox | 81 | 76 | 1.0 |
| Minnesota (e) | 74 | 84 | 8.5 |
| Detroit (e) | 74 | 84 | 8.5 |
| Kansas City (e) | 67 | 90 | 15.0 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston | 78 | 79 | — |
| Texas | 78 | 79 | — |
| Seattle (e) | 73 | 84 | 5.0 |
| Athletics (e) | 62 | 95 | 16.0 |
| LA Angels (e) | 60 | 97 | 18.0 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta (x) | 92 | 65 | — |
| Philadelphia | 87 | 70 | 5.0 |
| Miami (e) | 77 | 80 | 15.0 |
| Washington (e) | 74 | 84 | 18.5 |
| NY Mets (e) | 72 | 85 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee (x) | 98 | 59 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 87 | 70 | 11.0 |
| Pittsburgh (e) | 80 | 77 | 18.0 |
| St. Louis (e) | 76 | 81 | 22.0 |
| Cincinnati (e) | 73 | 84 | 25.0 |
| NL West | |||
| LA Dodgers (x) | 97 | 60 | — |
| San Diego | 87 | 70 | 10.0 |
| Arizona | 83 | 74 | 14.0 |
| SF Giants (e) | 65 | 93 | 32.5 |
| Colorado (e) | 57 | 100 | 40.0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency