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Andrew Morris has allowed some ugly runs lately, but hitters aren't exactly teeing off against him. A combination of soft contact and defensive mistakes has made his results look much worse than his actual performance. View the full article

In a move that suddenly gives the San Diego Padres a ton of outfield depth, infielder Sung-Mun Song was optioned to Triple-A El Paso, while outfielder Dustin Harris had his contract selected from the Chihuahuas. While solid defensively and having played everywhere but first base on the infield, Song has not contributed much offensively in his rookie season. The 29-year-old, who came over to the U.S. from the Korea Baseball Organization, has a slash line of .202/.305/.263 with one homer, 15 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 62 games. Song did not play at all over the weekend against the Minnesota Twins and is just 2-for-15 with two walks in August. Harris is with his third franchise this season, having been in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros as well. He started the season at Triple-A for the White Sox, then called up for a week in early April before being designated for assignment. The Astros claimed Harris off waivers a few days later and spent three weeks on the major-league roster before being DFA'd again May 5. He was outrighted to Triple-A, but chose to become a free agent, re-signing with the White Sox on a minor-league deal May 12. The White Sox released Harris July 2 and he latched on with the Padres on July 8 on a minor-league contract, going to El Paso. Due to roster shuffling, the Padres released Harris on Aug. 5 and signed him again Aug. 7. Harris has compiled a slash line of .350/.422/.617 in 29 games for the Chihuahuas and .329/.407/.545 in 74 Triple-A games this year. In his two MLB stints this year, he has a .233/.333/.302 slash line in 17 games. He also played in 21 games over the 2024-25 seasons with the Texas Rangers, with a .217/.280/.435 slash line. Harris had two of his 12 Triple-A homers last week. View the full article

October baseball isn't far away, and the Brewers are likely to be in the thick of it again. One thing fueling their MLB-best record of 81-50 after their series victory over visitors from the South this weekend: their shutdown defense. They always catch the ball well; this year is no exception. Yet, the team isn't elite in the field this season, as they've been in the past. Their .710 Defensive Efficiency (outs per ball in play) ranks eighth in the big leagues. How can the Brewers double down on this strength in October and become their most suffocating selves on defense? It’s not so hard, when you think about it. Let’s go over each of the positions in question. Catcher: William Contreras Contreras was a bat-first catcher when he was acquired by the Brewers, after David Stearns inserted himself into negotiations between Atlanta and Oakland. That's no longer the case. Contreras (like Jonathan Lucroy, Omar Narvaez and Victor Caratini before him) has emerged as a very solid defensive backstop. This year, he’s thrown out 39% of would-be basestealers. This was an easy choice. First Base: Jake Bauers Bauers has gotten attention for his massive offensive breakout in 2026, but in his two previous seasons with Milwaukee, he also provided above-average defense at first base with his athleticism, giving him a clear edge over Andrew Vaughn on the defensive side of the ledger. He's not a defensive ace there, at this point, but he doesn't hurt you. Second Base: Brice Turang He’s got a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove from 2024, and is still arguably the best defender among Brewers infielders. This one doesn't take much hand-wringing or worrying. Turang anchors this defense at its best. Shortstop: Cooper Pratt The rookie has hardware from the minors (a Minor League Gold Glove for the 2024 season), but he’s also made only two errors in 46 games. Any ball hit in his vicinity is pretty much a guaranteed out. The smoothness of his transition to the majors at a young age and a demanding position has been profoundly impressive. Third Base: Joey Ortiz Ortiz has come alive since he began platooning with David Hamilton at the hot corner. He’s got a slight edge in terms of defense, although he and Hamilton are tied for the team lead in errors at eight apiece. As we all know, defense is about much more than error rates; Ortiz shows good range and a strong arm at the hot corner. Left Field: Jackson Chourio Chourio has improved at tracking and getting jumps on fly balls, and his arm has become more of a weapon this season, to boot. Considering that he competently held down center field for the Brewers in 2025, he’s likely the best choice for left field, particularly given whom they have in center and right. Center Field: Luis Lara The Brewers obviously see Lara as a key part of the future. They committed $31 million over seven years, and could end up paying him more than double that amount. His rookie season has already delivered some highlight-reel catches, and he’s also shown quite the arm in just 34 games, gunning down two runners with no errors. Pitchers can feel very good knowing Lara has their back. Right Field: Sal Frelick Frelick won a Gold Glove in 2024, and if he proves he's fully healthy again before the start of the postseason, he should be that caliber of defender once more. This year, playing through a shoulder malady, he was both more tentative in pursuit of difficult fly balls and much less able to control the running game with his arm. If a prolonged stint on the IL fixes that, though, he's the best right fielder on the team. Overview This lineup maximizes the Brewers defense, but have no fear, none of these guys are automatic outs at the plate, either. This exact lineup could take the field a few times, but it's more likely that Garrett Mitchell holds onto the bulk of the playing time in center. Lara might soak up Frelick's time in right, unless and until the older of the two diminutive stars proves his shoulder trouble is behind him. In any case, this is how the team can best stifle offense when opponents put the ball in play. Of course, they also benefit hugely when Jacob Misiorowski or Kyle Harrison is on the mound, because then, they don't have as many balls in play to worry about, anyway. View the full article

It’s fair to say that Jaxon Wiggins’s 2026 campaign hasn’t been what the Chicago Cubs or Wiggins himself expected. Having entered the year as the organization's top pitching prospect, he’s since been surpassed by the team’s most recent first-round pick, right-hander Cade Townsend. While while Wiggins still ranks as a top-three prospect in the organization according to North Side Baseball, I think you could argue that he should’ve fallen even further. Across 26 innings at Triple-A Iowa, he's sporting a gross 8.31 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. He’s walking more than a batter per inning, and while his 5.55 FIP is significantly lower than his ERA, that’s still nowhere near where you want it to be. There’s no way around it: This has been a disappointing year for Wiggins. For a guy who a lot of people, myself included, assumed would have an impact on the Cubs’ rotation this season, that has never come close to fruition. Yet, despite a campaign that has been dominated by injury and frustration, Wiggins might still have a chance to change the perception surrounding his 2026 campaign. Come September 1, teams will be able to increase their active roster size from 26 players to 28. I think there are a couple of reasons the Cubs might want to use one of those spots on Wiggins, with the first just being that this would be a good chance to let him get his feet wet. The upside here hasn’t changed. The goal is still for Wiggins to become a quality pitcher for the Cubs over the next several years, and a September call-up wouldn’t need to change that. In fact, giving Wiggins more of a long-relief or spot-start role could be a good opportunity to get him some major-league reps without putting a ton of pressure on him. His fastball and slider, particularly in two-to-four inning bursts, could be legitimate weapons, and getting him some lower-leverage opportunities feels like a pretty reasonable way to start his major-league career. The Cubs also have the luxury of being firmly in control of their own destiny. They’re hovering around 20 games above .500 and have put themselves in a strong position in the playoff picture, so what’s the worst that could happen by giving Wiggins a shot? It’s not like he’s being thrust into a situation where Chicago needs him to be a star. This would be a “let’s see what we’ve got” situation, and Wiggins might unlock something over the final month of the season. Look at Trey Yesavage last year. He was another high-profile prospect who got a shot late in the regular season and wound up dominating in October. Now, granted, Yesavage had more success in the minors than Wiggins has this season. But I’d still want to see what I have in this high-upside, hard-throwing right-hander, even if the conclusion ends up being that he’s simply not there yet. At the very least, the Cubs would have a better idea of where Wiggins stands heading into the offseason. And considering how highly the organization thought of him coming into the year, getting some additional information about what he can do against major-league hitters would be valuable. There’s also another factor to consider here: Wiggins’ roster status. In order for him to get called up, the Cubs would have to add him to their 40-man roster. Because he’s not currently on it, that means they’d have to remove someone else to clear a spot, barring another player landing on the 60-day injured list. That’s obviously not an insignificant decision, but Wiggins is Rule 5 eligible this winter. So, if the Cubs don’t want to risk losing him, they’re going to have to add him to the 40-man roster in the near future anyway. In that case, why not do it now? If Chicago believes Wiggins is still part of their long-term plans—and given his talent, it would be surprising if they didn’t—there’s an argument for accelerating that timeline. Add him to the 40-man, call him up and let him throw. There’s no guarantee that it works. Maybe the walks continue to pile up, maybe his stuff doesn’t play well against MLB competition, or maybe he struggles and goes into the offseason with even more questions surrounding him. But those questions are already there. The difference is that a September opportunity could give the Cubs actual information to work with, while also giving Wiggins a chance to build some confidence after a frustrating season. View the full article

Chicago Cubs Minor League Report Affiliate Overview Triple-A Iowa Cubs Series at Toledo MudHens (Detroit Tigers): Cubs win, 4-2 Season Record: 52–71-1 Double-A Knoxville Smokies Series at Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Miami Marlins): Blue Wahoos win, 4-1 Season Record: 64–55 High-A South Bend Cubs Series vs. West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit Tigers): Cubs win, 4-2 Season Record: 69–47 Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans Series vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros): Woodpeckers win, 6-0 Season Record: 45–72 Triple-A: Iowa Cubs Season Record: 52–71-1 Series Opponent: Toledo Mud Hens (58-67) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Aug. 23: The Iowa Cubs earned a series win by winning their fourth-straight contest over the Toledo Mud Hens, a 4-2 triumph on Sunday at Fifth Third Field. Both teams were held scoreless through the first four innings of the ballgame before Justin Dean (1-for-5) broke the deadlock with an RBI-single in the fifth. Matt Shaw (1-for-3) made it 2-0 on an RBI-double in the seventh, which was followed by a two-run shot from Chas McCormick (2-for-4) to make it 4-0. The Mud Hens cut the lead in half by scoring twice in the eighth but Eduarniel Núñez was able to convert the four-out save, his third save of the season, to seal the win. Braxton Garrett got the start on the mound for Iowa and earned the win to improve to 5-5 on the year. Garrett twirled five scoreless frames, allowed just two hits to go along with one walk and seven strikeouts. Jaxon Wiggins turned in a scoreless inning in relief, walking one and whiffing two. Wiggins has now turned in four-straight scoreless frames over his last four relief appearances and has yet to allow a hit during that span. The Cubs’ No. 3 prospect (North Side Baseball) has whiffed two batters in three of those outings. Double-A: Knoxville Smokies Season Record: 64–55 Series Opponent: Pensacola Blue Wahoos (69–50) Series Standing: Lose, 4-1 Aug. 23: The Knoxville Smokies dropped their series finale to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 4-3, on Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Blue Wahoos opened the scoring with two runs in the second and would make it 3-0 after scoring another in the third. Miguel Useche (1-for-4) got the Smokies on the board in the fourth with a solo shot, his fifth of the season, and Andy Garriola (1-for-4) brought Knoxville within one on an RBI-groundout in the sixth. Pensacola made it 4-2 with a run in the sixth but Alex Ramírez (0-for-4) made it a one-run game again by drawing a walk with the bases loaded. The Smokies would get the tying run to third base in the ninth but were unable to come up with the decisive hit. Dawson Netz got the start on the mound for Knoxville and was handed the loss, falling to 6-4 on the season. Netz allowed three runs on three hits over three innings of work, walked two and struck out two. High-A: South Bend Cubs Season Record: 69–47 Series Opponent: West Michigan Whitecaps (55–63) Series Standing: Win, 4-2 Aug. 23: The South Bend Cubs earned a series win over the West Michigan Whitecaps with a 3-2 walk-off victory on Sunday at Four Winds Field. The Cubs broke the deadlock in the third when Michael Hallquist (0-for-2) brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. The Whitecaps got that run back in the fourth but South Bend grabbed the lead right back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Geuri Lubo (0-for-3). West Michigan tied it again with a run in the seventh to make it 2-2. Cubs starter Anhuar Garcia would take no decision in the ballgame after allowing one run on three hits over five innings of work, striking out four without issuing a walk. Noah Edders spun three innings of one-run ball in relief, keeping the contest tied heading into the ninth. Luis Rujano worked a perfect ninth inning to set up South Bend’s walk off. Jose Escobar earned a pinch-hit walk to start the frame and headed to third on Josiah Hartshorn’s (1-for-3) single. Angel Cepeda (2-for-5) followed by driving a 2-0 pitch into left field, bringing home Escobar to earn the win. Single-A: Myrtle Beach Pelicans Season Record: 45–72 Series Opponent: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (64–53) Series Standing: Lose, 6-0 Aug. 23: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans were swept in their six-game series vs. the Fayetteville Woodpeckers after dropping both contests in Sunday’s doubleheader at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans fell in the opener, 6-2, before suffering a 6-1 defeat in the nightcap. Game 1: Myrtle Beach dropped the opening contest of its twinbill, 6-2, to Fayetteville on Sunday at Pelicans Ballpark. The Pelicans got on the board in the second on a wild pitch but the Woodpeckers would take a 4-1 lead after scoring twice in both the fourth and fifth innings. Juan Cabada (1-for-4) pulled a run back in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI-single but Fayetteville would put the game away with two runs in the seventh to make it 6-2. Riely Hunsaker got the start on the mound for Myrtle Beach and took the loss, falling to 4-4 on the season. Hunsaker allowed four runs on three hits over four innings of work, walked two and struck out five. Game 2: The Pelicans dropped the doubleheader nightcap, 6-1, seeing their losing streak extend to six games. The Woodpeckers took a 1-0 lead in the first and made it 2-0 with a run in the fourth. Myrtle Beach picked up their lone tally of the contest in the fourth, on a solo blast from Caden Sorrell (1-for-3), but Fayetteville would score four times in the sixth to make it 6-1 and put the ballgame out of reach. Fredd Rodriguez got the start on the mound for the Pelicans and took the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season. Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits over five innings of work and whiffed four batters without a walk being issued. View the full article

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels and the Cedar Rapids Kernels have announced that catcher Vahn Lackey has been promoted to the High-A Kernels. He certainly didn't put up the kind of numbers some might expect in his 15 games with the Mussels. He hit just .204 with a .370 slugging percentage, but he did get on base 39% of the time. The actual numbers are not important. 15 games is a small sample, and Lackey had not played competitive baseball in about two months. Lackey showed some of his talent and the tools that make him such an intriguing catching prospect. Behind the plate, he has several caught stealing videos showing a quick transfer, quick release, good feet, and a strong and accurate arm. That said, he got just six out of 26 would-be base stealers (23%). Lackey showed really good speed with the two doubles and two triples. He was also successful in five out of six stolen base attempts. Regardless of the statistics themselves, it is time to push the top pick up to High-A Cedar Rapids for the final couple of weeks. I am a bit surprised that second round draft pick and fellow catcher Carson Tinney did not take the same flight up to Iowa. Tinney has played in 16 games for Fort Myers. The Texas alum hit .222/.409/.593 (1.001) with two doubles and six home runs. After going 3-for-27 in his first nine professional ballgames. He was hitting .111/.385/.222 (.607) with one home run. He had 11 walks to 13 strikeouts. In his past eight games, Tinney has gone 9-for-27. He has hit .333/.438/.963 (1.401) with two doubles and five home runs. He's been much more aggressive with four walks and eight strikeouts. The Rest of the 2026 Draft Picks (Hitters): 11th round Aidan Teel: 16 G, 14-for-53, .264/.385/.396 (.781) with 5 doubles, 1 triple. 12th round Colby Turner: 16 G, 20-for-62, .323/.403/.452 (.854) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run. 13th round Isaiah Lane: 14 G, 16-for-47, .340/.418/.617 (1.035), 4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run. 15th round Charlie Scholvin: 14 G, 8-for-45, .178/.362/.200 (.562), 1 double. 17th round Hideki Prather: 7 G, 3-for-23, .130/.214/.174 (.388), 1 double. 19th round PJ Moutzouridis: Remains on the FCL Twins roster. View the full article

Fish On First LIVE discusses the Marlins' treatment of Deyvison De Los Santos, who's been called up three separate times this season, but appeared in only four total games.View the full article

The Cubs have a stealth relief ace. Trent Thornton has a 2.38 ERA in 40 appearances. He's saved three games, despite only being called upon for that duty in emergencies. He has a 1.3 Win Probability Added, so even adjusting for leverage and situation, he's been solidly above-average. This season, only two Cubs pitchers (Ben Brown and Javier Assad) have a higher WPA than Thornton's. The Cubs also have a ghastly liability. One of their most important middle relievers is unable to avoid running into barrels, walks almost 10% of opposing batters, and has fanned only 14.9% of them. He doesn't miss bats; he doesn't fill up the strike zone. When opponents get the ball in the air, they usually hit it hard, so he's vulnerable to homers. He's only given up four of them this season, but that number could easily be twice as high. A bunch of fly balls have come down just on the right side of deep fences. bGJ3WldfWGw0TUFRPT1fQXdaVFVRVUNYZ01BRDFNRFZBQUhVdzRIQUFCUUFsVUFBRkVHQ1FjQ1VBSUFWUUFD.mp4 Which player is real: the stud or the dud? It's hard to tell for sure. Thornton doesn't throw so many strikes that he should be able to get away with the ball being in play as often as he does. Yet, there's something real in the way he's doing it—just enough to give one pause before casting him aside as an option for a team bound for the postseason. Here's Thornton's spin profile by pitch type this season. The left-hand array shows the spin direction of the ball out of his hand; those are the directions the batter expects the ball to move based on the way Thornton releases the ball. The right-hand graphic, however, shows the actual direction of movement. Most pitchers get at least a little unexpected movement on one of their pitches, utilizing seam effects to change the way air moves over the ball. Hardly anyone gets such significant differences on so many offerings, though. Most of Thornton's pitches achieve what's called spin mirroring, where if the hitter reads the spin axis, they'll be unable to tell whether he's throwing a fastball (his sinker and four-seamer spin almost identically out of the hand) or a breaking ball (his curve and sweeper spin similarly, too, and almost precisely the opposite direction of the fastballs). The curve moves mostly as you'd expect, but the hitter can't fully commit to it, because of that spin mirroring. The sweeper, though, has much more lift and glove-side movement than the spin direction would imply. Thornton's four-seamer is similarly faithful to its spin direction: it's a cut-ride offering. His sinker, however, runs more to the arm side than the hitter would expect. His cutter, meanwhile, mostly has backspin out of his hand, but veers to the glove side. Because Thornton neither throws especially hard nor achieves exceptional movement, he doesn't rack up many swings and misses, and that does mean running into barrels sometimes. It's not quite right to say that it's hard to square him up. It's more correct, in a strange way, to say that it's easy to mishit him. He can, when he executes and the hitter isn't in a position to outguess him, induce a lot of low-value contact, even if that's not precisely soft contact. He runs a high ground ball rate, by crawling out to the end of opponents' bats and up the handle. He gets a fair number of fly balls that are well-struck, but which die on or around the warning track. That's not the profile you'd sketch for a high-value, high-leverage October relief arm. I have Thornton high on the list of arms the Cubs should try to replace, as some of their currently injured relievers get healthy in the coming weeks. So far, though, he's been quite effective, and it's not all smoke and mirrors—or, more correctly, it's mostly smoke and mirrors, but not necessarily the kind that lose all effect once they're spotted. View the full article

New York Mets Weekly Snapshot Record Last Week: 3-3 Runs Scored Last Week: 23 Runs Surrendered Last Week: 21 Standings 5th in NL East (59-72) 16.5 GB of 1st Place, 12.0 GB of a Wild Card Transactions August 17: New York Mets designated 3B Gabriel Arias for assignment. August 17: New York Mets selected the contract of 1B Christopher Morel from Triple-A Syracuse. August 18: New York Mets activated RHP Austin Warren from the 15-day injured list. August 18: New York Mets optioned RHP Chayce McDermott to Triple-A Syracuse. August 18: New York Mets sent RHP Justin Hagenman on a rehab assignment to St. Lucie. August 19: New York Mets placed DH Jorge Polanco on the 10-day injured list with left ankle bursitis. August 19: New York Mets recalled RHP Chayce McDermott from Triple-A Syracuse. August 19: New York Mets recalled 1B Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse. August 19: New York Mets optioned RHP Jack Weisenburger to Triple-A Syracuse. August 19: Chicago Cubs claimed 3B Gabriel Arias off waivers from the Mets. August 20: New York Mets sent 1B Mark Vientos on a rehab assignment to Double-A Binghamton. August 23: New York Mets transferred RHP Justin Hagenman's rehab assignment to Double-A Binghamton. Scores Game 126: NYM 2, SD 1 Game 127: SD 5, NYM 2 Game 128: NYM 4, SD 2 Game 129: CWS 6, NYM 4 Game 130: NYM 10, CWS 5 Game 131: CWS 2, NYM 1 Series Breakdown/Highlights Padres Series: Coming off a sweep of the Nationals and a 4-2 week, the Mets stayed home to face a much tougher opponent in the Padres. New York continued its strong post-deadline play by taking two of three from San Diego. The series opener was all about pitching and defense. Nolan McLean gave the Mets six innings of one-run baseball, but the biggest story was what happened behind him. Carson Benge threw out two runners at home plate in the first inning, becoming the first outfielder in Mets history to record two assists to the catcher in the same inning. A.J. Ewing later added another outfield assist at the plate. Bo Bichette gave New York the lead with an RBI single in the first before Luis Robert Jr. brought home another run with a sacrifice fly. Daniel Duarte handled the ninth, and the Mets escaped with a 2-1 victory. Game two belonged to Fernando Tatis Jr. The Padres star opened the game with a home run off Zac Thornton and added another blast in the fifth as San Diego built an early advantage. Tatis also robbed Francisco Lindor of what would have been a grand slam, making his stamp on both sides of the ball. Luis Torrens continued his hot stretch with a solo homer, and Luis Robert Jr. went deep in the eighth, but the Mets never fully recovered. Manny Machado added a ninth-inning homer before Mason Miller closed out a 5-2 Padres win. The Mets responded in the rubber match behind another big moment from Benge. With two outs in the fourth inning, Benge launched a two-run homer off Michael King to give the Mets the lead. It was his 15th home run of the season, making him just the second Mets rookie with at least 15 homers and 15 stolen bases in a season, joining Darryl Strawberry. Robert Stock carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed only one run over 4.1 innings. New York added two insurance runs in the eighth, while Nate Lavender earned his first MLB victory and Kodai Senga picked up his fourth save in the 4-2 win. White Sox Series: Following Thursday's off day, the Mets traveled to Chicago for a three-game set against the AL Central-leading White Sox. It also marked Luis Robert Jr.'s first trip back to Chicago as a visitor after spending the first six seasons of his career with the White Sox. Friday's opener looked like it was going to belong to the Mets. Marcus Semien opened the scoring with an RBI single, Brett Baty added a two-run double, and Bo Bichette homered as New York took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth. Sean Manaea had cruised through five scoreless innings, but the game entirely changed the third time through Chicago's lineup. Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk, and Colson Montgomery hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to tie the game at four. The score remained tied until the bottom of the ninth, when Jake Rogers hit a two-run walk-off homer against Jefry Yan to hand the Mets a crushing 6-4 loss. The Mets responded Saturday with their biggest offensive performance of the week, and Luis Robert Jr. made his former team pay. Robert homered twice, including a two-run shot in the third inning and a solo homer in the seventh, finishing with three RBIs. Bo Bichette, Carson Benge, and Luis Torrens also went deep as the Mets tied their season high with five home runs. Benge finished 3-for-5, while Bichette, Semien, and Jared Young also recorded multiple hits. Christian Scott allowed four runs over 4.2 innings, but Austin Warren provided 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen as New York rolled to a 10-5 victory. The finale turned into another painful walk-off defeat. Nolan McLean continued his impressive August with six strong innings, keeping Chicago off the scoreboard while working out of several jams. The game remained scoreless until Andrew Benintendi doubled home the first run in the bottom of the eighth. The Mets responded in the ninth when Jared Young delivered a game-tying RBI single, but New York left the bases loaded and failed to take the lead. In the bottom half, Tristan Peters drove a Kodai Senga pitch to the outfield, where it glanced off A.J. Ewing's glove and went over the wall for a walk-off home run. Chicago's 2-1 victory gave the White Sox the series and handed the Mets their second walk-off loss in three days. Website Highlights Bo Bichette Is, At Long Last, In Peak Form With the Mets Christian Scott Is Mets' Greatest 2026 Success Story, Because He's Learned How To Cut Up Lefties Mets Farm System Updates: Draft, Trade Deadline Additions Flood New Top 20 List Looking Ahead August 24: OFF August 25: vs. Milwaukee Brewers — 7:10 p.m. August 26: vs. Milwaukee Brewers — 7:10 p.m. August 27: vs. Milwaukee Brewers — 7:10 p.m. August 28: vs. Houston Astros — 7:10 p.m. August 29: vs. Houston Astros — 4:10 p.m. August 30: vs. Houston Astros — 3:10 p.m. View the full article

Boston Red Sox Weekly Snapshot Record Last Week: 5-1 Runs Scored Last Week: 40 Runs Surrendered Last Week: 22 Standings 3rd Place AL East 6 GB First Place 2nd place AL Wild Card 3 GB First Place Transactions 08/17/26: Boston Red Sox selected the contract of RHP Wyatt Olds from Worcester Red Sox. 08/17/26: Boston Red Sox optioned LHP Raymond Burgos to Worcester Red Sox. 08/17/26: Boston Red Sox placed LHP Eduardo Rivera on the restricted list. 08/18/26: Boston Red Sox sent LF Roman Anthony on a rehab assignment to Portland Sea Dogs. 08/19/26: Boston Red Sox sent 2B Isiah Kiner-Falefa on a rehab assignment to Worcester Red Sox. Scores Game 125: BOS 11, AZ 1 Game 126: BOS 9, AZ 4 Game 127: BOS 6, AZ 7 Game 128: BOS 6, SF 4 Game 129: BOS 3, SF 2 Game 130: BOS 5, SF 4 Series Breakdown/Highlights Diamondbacks Series: The Red Sox went into the series against the Diamondbacks after hitting a week-long skid. Luckily for the Sox, almost everything went their way during the homestand. Game one was a scheduled bullpen game with Alec Gamboa being asked to kick off the series. He struck out one over 1.1 innings of work before giving way to the best reliever in baseball, Brayan Bello. Bello went 4.2 innings, striking out three, allowing one earned run, one walk, and three hits. He managed to escape major damage when a pretty clear home run clanked off the foul pole but the Diamondbacks didn’t challenge the call of a foul ball on the field. Finally, Greg Weissert, Jovani Moran, and Wyatt Olds all worked clean innings to close out the game. On offense, both Willson Contreras and Mickey Gasper knocked home runs for the Sox. Instead of listing every RBI here, just know that the entire starting lineup each contributed at least one RBI to the win and none of them struck out. In game two, Ranger Suarez worked the deepest into a game he’s gone since returning from the injured list by tossing 5.1 innings of four-hit, four-run baseball. He struck out three while managing to keep the damage to a minimum. Tyron Guerrero, Erik Miller, and Wyatt Olds all came in out of the pen to shut the game down. Adley Rutschman and Mickey Gasper both homered for the offense in the win. Contreras, Caleb Durbin, and Andruw Monasterio all contributed RBIs as well. Game three was the lone loss on the week, but it really seemed like the Red Sox would pull off the come-from-behind win late. Payton Tolle looked to turn in his third consecutive impressive outing but ran out of gas in the fifth inning. He struck out six while allowing six hits, three earned runs, and two walks. Weissert, Miller, Guerrero, Moran, and Aroldis Chapman all came out of the bullpen to try and get the Sox over the hump, but it was clear when Moran came in in the 10th inning that he didn’t anywhere close to his best stuff on the mound. Offensively, Nick Sogard knocked his first major-league home run off Brandon Pfaadt. Gasper and Jarren Duran also got in on the home run action, but ultimately the offense came up just a bit too short to complete the sweep. Giants Series: The Giants came to Boston for the first time since Rafael Devers was traded last season and he was met by the Fenway Faithful with an overwhelming chorus of boos during each plate appearance. Like clockwork, he did go deep to straight center in the first game, but he was mostly unimportant for the series. In game one, the Sox got to the best pitcher the Giants have, Logan Webb, and chased him out of the game by the end of the third inning. Contreras hit the furthest hit ball at Fenway Park this season, clocking in at 450 feet. Wilyer Abreu, Monasterio, and Gasper all contributed RBIs in the win as well. On the pitching side, Sonny Gray was a little shaky to start but settled in nicely and tossed a solid six innings of four-run ball. Miller, Gamboa, and Chapman all featured out of the bullpen with Gamboa working the first high-leverage eighth inning of his big league career. He handled it beautifully and has likely earned more trust from Chad Tracy as the team awaits some bullpen reinforcements in the near future. Game two was a low-scoring affair, but it takes all kinds of victories to get through a 162-game season. Patrick Sandoval, like Gray the night before, struggled early in the outing but managed to turn in 5.2 innings of effective pitching. He struck out six, gave up five hits, and allowed two earned runs. Weissert, Moran, and Olds all contributed out of the 'pen and allowed the high-leverage guys to get a night of rest just two days after an off day so they’d be fresh for the team to hit the road after Sunday. Offensively, Sogard, Abreu, and pinch hitter Eli White were responsible for the RBIs, with Abreu’s walk-off single being the moment of the game. In game three, Jake Bennett followed the same script as the previous two starters. He started slow, allowing three earned runs in quick fashion. He settled though, and eventually turned in seven innings of six-strikeout baseball. He gave way to Guerrero and Chapman out of the 'pen and the rest, as they say, was history. Offensively, Sogard hit his second big-league home run in three days, this one coming from the right-hand side of the plate. Gasper, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Connor Wong all contributed RBIs in the win. Most notably, Rafaela went three-for-four with a huge play in center field to keep the game close. He looks to be breaking out of the slump he found himself in during the middle of the month. Website Highlights The Red Sox’s Core Four Era is Over. Did the 2026 Trade Deadline Give Us a Glimpse into a Philosophy Shift in Boston? by Ryan Salvaggio Meet Chad Tracy’s Circle of Trust: Ranking Red Sox’s Most Reliable Bullpen Options Ahead of Playoff Push by Alex Mayes Jarren Duran Might be Turning the Corner at the Plate in August by Alex Mayes Calvin Bickerstaff’s Unique Path to Professional Baseball has him Ready to Succeed with Red Sox [Exclusive] by Nick John Looking Ahead 08/24/26: Red Sox (Ranger Suarez) @ Marlins (Sandy Alcantara): 6:40 PM EDT 08/25/26: Red Sox (Payton Tolle) @ Marlins (TBD): 6:40 PM EDT 08/26/26: Red Sox (Sonny Gray) @ Marlins (Ryan Gusto): 6:40 PM EDT 08/27/26: Off Day 08/28/26: Red Sox @ Yankees: 7:15 PM EDT 08/29/26: Red Sox @ Yankees: 1:35 PM EDT | Red Sox @ Yankees 7:15pm EDT 8/30/26: Red Sox @ Yankees 1:35pm EDT View the full article

After dropping two of three against the Red Sox in late July, the Blue Jays fell to 10 games below .500. Only three teams in the American League had a worse record. Even the most optimistic of fans must have started wondering if this team had more in common with the Royals, A's, and Angels than the clubs vying for a postseason berth. Then, the Jays went on their best run of the season. They won seven consecutive series against the Nationals, Cardinals, Astros, Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays. Once again, they looked like real contenders for the AL's final Wild Card spot. Unfortunately, Toronto's great run came to an end this past weekend. The Blue Jays lost the series opener to the Yankees on Friday (the first time they lost a series Opener since that Red Sox series in July). Two days later, they lost the series itself. Their pitchers gave up eight runs on Sunday – the most they've allowed in a game since July 28 in Washington – and their bats came up short. After scoring 21 runs in three games against the Rays (at The Trop!), the Jays only drove eight across the plate in their series in the Bronx. Toronto Blue Jays Week in Review (August 18-23) Tuesday, August 18: TOR 10, TBR 5 Blue Jays score double-digit runs for the first time in the second half. Alejandro Kirk remains red hot with three hits, two runs, and three RBI. Kazuma Okamoto breaks the Blue Jays' rookie home run record. Wednesday, August 19: TBR 7, T0R 6 Kirk homers for the second day in a row. A rough day on defense for Jesús Sánchez. A three-hit day for Charles McAdoo Thursday, August 20: TOR 5, TBR 1 Shane Bieber delivers a gem (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 7 K). Daz Cameron hits a big home run. Nathan Lukes shines with the bat and the glove. Friday, August 21: NYY 3, TOR 1 Spencer Arrighetti debuts for Toronto, takes the loss. Another big game for Brett Bateman. Cam Schlittler earns the win; Blue Jays can't help Dylan Cease's Cy Young case. Saturday, August 22: TOR 4, NYY 3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returns with two hits. Cease takes a no-hitter into the seventh. Tyler Rogers briefly looks mortal, still earns the hold. Sunday, August 23: NYY 8, TOR 3 Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty give up inherited runs from José Soriano. Two doubles for Myles Straw. Guerrero goes 0-for-4 with three groundouts. While the series loss was disappointing, there is a silver lining: The hard part is over. The Blue Jays just played 20 straight games with teams that would make the playoffs if the season ended today. They went 12-8. Now, they have 30 games remaining against a much easier slate of opponents. That includes six matchups with the Royals, three with the A's, and three at home against the Reds to end the season. Teams like the Mariners, Guardians, Orioles, Tigers, and Rangers could pose a bigger threat, but none of them is above .500 right now. To be fair, the Blue Jays are below .500 themselves, but the point stands. Twenty games against the Astros, Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays is a gauntlet. What's left should feel like a cakewalk by comparison. Of course, it's easy to say the Blue Jays should win these games on paper, but they have their work cut out for them. It still feels like almost every series is a must-win. The games against the Royals, A's, and Reds are the gimmes that they can't afford to lose. The rest of the Jays' remaining contests are against opponents they're either trying to fend off or jump ahead of in the Wild Card race. Beating the Mariners, Guardians, Orioles, and Tigers will help the Jays in case the final Wild Card spot comes down to a tiebreaker. Beating the Rangers will be especially important because the Jays have already lost their season series with Texas. So, the competition might be easier, but the stakes are so much higher. Hopefully, we'll get to watch some highly exciting – and rewarding – baseball down the stretch. Toronto Blue Jays Transactions of the Week Blue Jays outright Lazaro Estrada and Lenyn Sosa to Triple-A Buffalo. Brendan Cellucci selected and subsequently optioned (did not debut). Davis Schneider recalled and subsequently optioned (played two innings as a defensive replacement). Matt Waldron DFA'd, claimed by Nationals. Toronto Blue Jays Injury Updates of the Week Joe Mantiply began his rehab assignment. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned from concussion IL. Spencer Arrighetti activated, made his Blue Jays debut. Josh Smith placed on 10-day IL with left hamstring inflammation. Andrés Giménez sat out Yankees series, hoping to avoid IL stint. Jameson Taillon is throwing bullpens. Trey Yesavage has started playing catch. View the full article

Byron Buxton was one of the biggest reasons for the Twins' success in the first half of the season. He earned his third career All-Star selection and entered the break leading Minnesota with a .904 OPS, 25 home runs and 3.0 fWAR. Since then, however, everything has changed. Buxton has been one of the worst players on the roster while dealing with a lingering hip injury. Now, the Twins have a decision to make about whether continuing to play him is actually helping the team. Injuries have played a major role in Buxton's season. He began dealing with intermittent right hip soreness in May, which eventually forced him to miss the All-Star Game and spend time on the injured list in July. After a brief return to the lineup on July 20, Buxton reaggravated the hip on July 28 and received an injection. He returned for the Field of Dreams game on August 13 and has been in the lineup ever since, but the results since the break have been anything but encouraging. In the 16 games Buxton has played since the All-Star break (with a two-week IL stint in the middle of that stretch), he's posted a .411 OPS with just one extra-base hit. He's also produced a team-worst -0.4 fWAR during that time. For a Twins team already struggling to consistently produce offensively, having one of its biggest stars performing at that level is a significant problem. His struggles go back even further than the IL stints. Since June 15, Buxton has a .585 OPS with just seven extra-base hits in 125 plate appearances. The difficult part is figuring out exactly what's causing the struggles. Buxton has always been a streaky hitter, so it's hardly unprecedented for him to go through an extended cold stretch. He's also been one of the more injury-prone players in baseball, which makes it difficult to determine whether a struggling Buxton is simply in one of his slumps or whether something physical is preventing him from being himself. In this case, it appears to be a combination of the two, but there are enough signs to make it clear that his hip is still bothering him. First, Buxton has not attempted a stolen base since the break, after attempting eight before the break. For a player whose speed is such an important part of his game, the complete absence of stolen base attempts is notable. He has also grounded into two double plays in his 16 games since the break. To put that in perspective, Buxton did not ground into a double play all last season. Neither statistic proves by itself that Buxton is injured, but when combined with his struggles at the plate, the eye test, and all that we know of his hip injury, it's pretty easy to connect the dots. If this were simply a slump, the Twins would be wise to wait it out. Buxton has earned that patience; everyone knows what can happen when he gets hot. He's one of those players who can flip a switch and become one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. A hot Buxton can carry an offense for weeks, and the Twins would be foolish to take that possibility away from themselves. But this isn't a simple slump. If Buxton is playing through an injury, the Twins can't afford to assume that continuing to play him every day will eventually fix the problem. They don't know how long the hip will bother him; they could spend the rest of the season waiting for the healthy version of Buxton to return. As admirable as it is that Buxton continues to play through the injury because he wants to help his team, there comes a point where playing through it starts hurting them. The Twins' offense is struggling, and right now no player is hurting the team more than their center fielder. That is not a criticism of Buxton's effort or his desire to play. It's the reality of what's happening on the field. The Twins are trying to win games with Buxton in the lineup, but they're not getting the production they need from him, and there's little evidence that his situation is improving. What makes this decision more palatable is that the Twins have a natural replacement waiting at Triple-A. Walker Jenkins is doing everything possible to knock the door to the majors off its hinges. He's slashing .387/.457/.694 with a 1.151 OPS in 15 games in August in St. Paul. There's very little left for him to prove in Triple-A—although that has been said for the past three weeks. If the Twins had no capable replacement for Buxton in center field, continuing to play him would be much easier to defend. Instead, they have one of the best prospects in baseball playing at Triple-A and putting together one of the hottest stretches of his season. Making the swap with Buxton and handing center field to Jenkins full-time down the stretch would give Buxton an opportunity to properly recover, while giving the Twins another dynamic offensive player. The timing makes the decision even more important. The Twins are currently two games back in the American League Wild Card race, and beginning this weekend, they're scheduled to play 15 consecutive games against division opponents. This is the part of the season where every game matters, and the Twins can't afford to sit around and hope that an injured player eventually gets healthy enough to start producing again. They need to play the players who give them the best chance to win right now. Usually, that player is Buxton. The first half of this season, that player was Buxton. Unfortunately, Buxton isn't healthy right now, and the Twins aren't getting that version of him. The Twins don't need to give up on Buxton. They just need to give him time to get healthy. At the same time, they need to take advantage of the opportunity sitting in Triple-A. Walker Jenkins is ready, Buxton is not himself, and the Twins are running out of time to wait for that to change. What do you think the Twins should do with Byron Buxton? Leave a comment below and start the conversation! View the full article

San Diego Padres Weekly Snapshot Record last week: 4-2 (67-58) Runs scored last week: 29 Runs allowed last week: 16 (season run differential: plus-16) Scores Game 126 (Monday): Mets 2, Padres 1 Game 127 (Tuesday): Padres 5, Mets 2 Game 128 (Wednesday): Mets 4, Padres 2 Thursday: Off Game 129 (Friday): Padres 6, Twins 2 Game 130 (Saturday): Padres 7, Twins 5 Game 131 (Sunday): Padres 8, Twins 1 Week in Review and Highlights Mets series Game 1: Manager Craig Stammen has emphasized being aggressive on the basepaths in his first season. That trait likely cost the Padres a victory in their series opener against the New York Mets. The Padres had four runners thrown out at the plate in the first two innings, three by outfielders, in what would wind up being a 2-1 loss to the Mets. The loss didn't hurt in the standings as the Padres remained in the third and final NL wild-card spot, one game behind the Philadelphia Phillies and one ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. To amplify the outs at the plate, all the runs in this game were scored in the first two innings, the Mets getting two in the bottom of the first and the Friars their lone run in the top of the second. The Padres had four consecutive hits after Fernando Tatis Jr.'s game-opening lineout to the pitcher yet didn't score. How? Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado had soft singles to left and right to put runners on first and second. Ty France then hit a single to right-center that right fielder Carson Benge, who had outfield assists in the previous two games, fielded and fired home to easily nail Cronenworth, who tried jumping over the tag and tumbled past the plate. That was the second out. Jackson Merrill then lined a single to right that was right at Benge, who came in and threw out Machado trying to score from second by several steps. Four hits, no runs. In the second inning, now trailing 2-0, walks to Luis Campusano and Xander Bogaerts sandwiched Gavin Sheets getting hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Luis Rengifo hit a chopper back to the mound that pitcher Nolan McLean fielded and threw a bit high to home, getting the forceout of Campusano. Tatis just missed a grand slam when he flew out to the warning track in left to bring in Sheets, but leaving Bogaerts at second and Rengifo at first. With two outs, Cronenworth grounded a single to shallow left that left fielder A.J. Ewing charged and got Bogaerts at the plate in a close play. Five baserunners, one run. After that, things were normal. Padres right-handed starter Walker Buehler gave up a single and a walk before Bo Bichette's seeing-eye single grounded between France at first and Cronenworth at second to bring in the first run. After a groundout moved runners to second and third, Luis Robert Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to center for a 2-0 Mets lead. Buehler finished strong, going six innings, allowing no more hits, one more walk and striking out four. Left-hander Kyle Hart finished the final two innings without allowing a run and striking out three. Game 2: This was a Nando game. Tatis had his most dynamic game of the season, flashing the skills that make him one of the game's most electric players. The superstar right fielder hit the first pitch of the game for a homer, dramatically robbed a grand slam, then bashed another homer to carry the Padres to a 5-2 victory over the Mets. The win kept the Padres in the No. 3 NL wild-card position, one game behind the Phillies, but now two games ahead of the D'backs, who lost. Tatis' curious season has gone from no power production at all to now one of a reliable source of homers. The pair he hit Tuesday gave him 15 for the year, with seven coming in the first 18 days of August. His 452-foot first-pitch ambush gave him four homers of 450 feet or better this year, more than any other player in MLB, including all those players with at least 30 homers. He went oppo taco for a two-run shot in the fifth inning for a 3-0 Friars advantage. But the game turned on his defensive play. The two-time Platinum Glove winner as the NL's best overall defender stole four runs from the Mets when fellow superstar Francisco Lindor launched a 1-0 Robbie Ray sinker down the right-field line. Tatis raced back to the wall and timed his leap one step from the wall perfectly, then played showman as he landed and his hat flew off, waiting a couple beats while staring straight-ahead before flipping the ball from his glove to his barehand, signifying he made the dramatic catch to end the bottom of the second inning. It kept the Mets scoreless instead of putting New York up 4-1. From there, Ray, the left-hander who likes to dance in and out of trouble, kept things in relative control. Although he did give up a solo homer among his three hits allowed, he kept a lifeless Mets lineup in check, earning his first win with the Friars. With some well-rested arms in the bullpen, two hitters reached against right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez, one on a Bogaerts error and another on a hit, before left-hander Adrian Morejon came on to face the switch-hitting Lindor, getting him to pop out and striking out Bichette. Robert tagged Morejon's first pitch of the eight for a home run before finishing the inning. After Machado homered in the top of the ninth to make it 5-2, that brought in right-handed closer Mason Miller, who hadn't pitched in nearly a week. The superstar didn't show any rust, retiring all three batters he faced, striking out Lindor and Bichette to wrap up his 31st save this year. The punchout of Bichette was fairly comical after Miller threw the first pitch back to the screen, then had Bichette flailing. Game 3: Losing a series to the Mets is not optimal for a team with postseason aspirations. But the way the Padres have played over the last month afforded them a blip. The only question is whether this blip will come back to haunt them. With right-handed starter Michael King turning in a nice 6⅔ innings but the offense not firing on all cylinders, the Padres dropped a 4-2 decision to the Mets and two of three games in the series. The Friars ended a six-game road trip against the Mets and Cleveland Guardians 3-3, still remaining in the No. 3 NL wild-card position, but now two games behind the No. 2 wild card Phillies and a game up on the D'backs. Another former Friars pitcher had a hand in this one. Mets right-handed starter Robert Stock, who was designated for assignment by the Padres after the 2019 season and been a journeyman since, struck out six over 4⅓ innings, giving up a run on two hits. Five Mets relievers held the Padres down until a run in the ninth. King was good, although he gave up a two-run homer to Benge in the fourth, finishing an out shy of seven innings but trailing 2-1. Right-hander Jeremiah Estrada got out of a two-on jam when Tatis threw out Francisco Alvarez at the plate. Estrada got into trouble in the eighth with a one-out walk, a stolen base and a single putting runners on the corners. Estrada induced Bichette into what could have been an inning-ending double play, but Sung-Mun Song, who moved from third base to shortstop due to a cramp to Bogaerts, charged and threw wildly to second, allowing a run to score to make it 3-1. Left-hander Yuki Matsui came in to face the switch-hitting Benge, who hit a grounder to second and Cronenworth threw out the runner at home for the second out. But with runners on the corners, Jared Young singled off Matsui to put the Mets up 4-1. The Padres would quickly bring the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth against beleaguered starter-turned-reliever Kodai Sengai. With one out, Rengifo singled and Campusano walked. Sheets pinch-hit for Jase Bowen and delivered an RBI single to pull the Padres within 4-2. Austin Hays pinch-hit for Song, but hit into a double play to end the game. The Padres rank second in MLB in hitting into the most double plays. Bogaerts left due to a cramp in his right hamstring, something to monitor, even though Stammen said "he's fine." Twins series Game 1: How the Padres figure out their rotation from here will be interesting, but in a good way. Just three weeks prior, two of their rotation spots were filled with the chaos plan of short starts, would-be starters in relief and then the bullpen. Following the trade-deadline acquisitions of two starters and the impending return of Joe Musgrove after another turn (or two?) through the rotation, right-hander Randy Vasquez is complicating that discussion and suddenly giving the Padres six reliable starters. That is a result of his surprising seven innings in a 6-2 series-opening victory over the Minnesota Twins, who could manage just two hits. The Friars maintained their No. 3 spot in the NL wild-card standings, remaining two games behind the Phillies and holding a two-game lead over D'backs for the final spot. It was a good combination of pitching and offense. France and Tatis led the way at the plate. France smashed his 18th homer of the season, a two-run shot, into the second deck in left field in the bottom of the first and adding a fifth-inning sacrifice fly. He also walked twice. Tatis went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. His hit in the fifth was the first of three straight RBI singles, with Rengifo and Machado following suit before France capped the four-run outburst. But this was Vasquez's game, although that was briefly in doubt. It is widely expected that Vasquez is on the rotation chopping block when Musgrove, who will have one more rehab start this week, comes off the injured list. But he has had three very good outings in his four starts since the deadline, perhaps feeling a bit underappreciated and wanting to make sure no one forgot what he can do. Vasquez went seven innings for the second time this season and turned in the Friars' fifth straight quality start, something that hasn't been done in two seasons. Before this stretch, the Padres hadn't had more than two in a row. He allowed both of the Twins' hits and runs, while not issuing a walk and striking out three. Vasquez got into trouble once. After retiring the first nine hitters of the game, he allowed a leadoff single to Luke Keaschall in the fourth, then a forceout grounder to Byron Buxton. After hitting former Padre Josh Bell and getting Ryan Jeffers to line out to right, Kody Clemens rocketed a triple off the wall in right that tied the game 2-2. There might have been a time where manager Craig Stammen would have removed Vasquez from the game, but the vibes are good with the rotation and his patience paid off. Clemens was stranded at third as Vasquez retired the final 10 Twins he faced. Rodriguez pitched a perfect eighth and Miller came on in a nonsave situation and punched out all three batters he faced. Vasquez is now tied with Morejon for the team lead with nine wins. Game 2: Things didn't start well for Casey Mize, then they got worse for the Padres' right-handed starter. But thankfully for the Friars, the bottom line was exactly what they were looking for. After Mize gave up three early homers and then left after slipping on the dugout steps, the Padres rallied for a four-run seventh inning to pull out a 7-5 victory over the Twins. The victory was due as much to an unsung hero as it was someone who has come through all season. Right-hander Griffin Canning, relegated to the bullpen after failing to produce as a starter, pitched 3⅓ scoreless innings to give the offense a chance to come back. The rally in the seventh was capped by France, who singled home the go-ahead run. Mize had already given up three solo homers when he left the mound after the top of the second. As he went down the dugout steps, he caught a cleat and twisted his right ankle. He went out for the top of the third under the watchful eye of the training staff and got two outs before giving up a double with his velocity down a couple ticks, prompting his exit from the game. It is not known whether he will make his next start. For a moment, it rekindled the chaos pitching plan as Hart got the next three outs, allowing that inherited runner to score, then one of his own as the Padres were suddenly in a 5-1 hole. That one run came on a Merrill homer in the second, his 20th of the season. Merrill drove in another run in the sixth to make it 5-2 before the Padres used some more of their late-inning magic in the seventh. With one out, Fermin reached on catcher's interference, Tatis singled and Cronenworth drove both home with a double to left, trimming the deficit to 5-4. Machado hit a grounder to shortstop and Cronenworth broke to third and would have been out except the third baseman whiffed on the catch. Cronenworth sped home with the tying run, with Machado taking second. France then sent an opposite-field single down the right-field line, bringing home Machado with the go-ahead run. The Friars would add another in the eighth on singles by Campusano, Fermin and Tatis. After Canning's big effort and now with the lead, Morejon mowed down the Twins in the eighth and Miller came on for a perfect ninth, including a nice running catch in the right-field corner by Tatis, notching his 32nd save. Game 3: For the second time this week, Tatis took over a game. Only this time, it was just his bat. The Padres' superstar had his second two-homer game of the week to back a strong performance from Buehler in an 8-1 victory over the Twins, completing a three-game sweep. The Phillies and D'backs also won, keeping the Friars in the No. 3 and final position in the NL wild-card chase, two games behind Philadelphia and two games in front of Arizona. The Padres swept a Twins team that entered the weekend tied for the third AL wild-card spot, but below .500. This game was not as dramatic for Tatis as his game Monday vs. the Mets was, but it may have been more impressive. Tatis went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and his 29th steal of the season, hitting solo homers in the third and eighth innings. The 10 total bases were his most this year, while it was his second four-RBI game in 2026. Tatis' 12 homers since the All-Star break are the most in MLB, giving him 17 for the season. Merrill also homered, his 11th since the break, second in as many days and 21st of the season. It was a 1-1 game entering the sixth, when the Padres put up a four-spot. Rengifo snapped that tie with a two-run double, then Tatis followed with a two-RBI single. Merrill's two-run blast came in the seventh. Tatis' performance overshadowed what Buehler did, but was equally as important. Buehler turned in the Padres' sixth quality start in seven games, going six innings, allowing a run on four hits with no walks and four punchouts. It was his third straight six-inning start after having three in his previous 23 games. Peralta and Matsui took care of business after that. The Padres now welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates to Petco Park, a team that is slipping in the NL wild-card standings. Marvelous Mason Miller Some of the amazing stats for the Padres' closer: Season stats: 4-1, 0.83 ERA, 52 games, 32 saves (33 chances), 54⅓ IP, 24 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 19 BB, 99 K, .131 opponent average Ranks second in the NL and fourth in MLB with 32 saves. Struck out the side Friday, the eighth time he has done that, twice as many as any other reliever in MLB. He has struck out three in an inning 14 times. Has finished 43 of the Padres' 71 victories this year. Has a 47.1% whiff rate, which leads MLB. Random Stats Manny Machado's ninth-inning homer Tuesday snapped a 20-game homerless Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin have combined to reach base at least once in 34 of 36 games since the All-Star break. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jake Cronenworth joined an exclusive group this week. The duo each surpassed 200 total bases and already had 20 steals, making them the first teammates with 200-20 this season and two of nine in all of MLB. Ty France's three RBIs Friday gave him a team-high of eight games with at least three RBIs, while playing in about one-third fewer games than the other big offensive contributors. In Sunday's game, Gavin Sheets and Austin Hays split the designated hitter duties, with each going 0-for-0 with two walks. Hays scored twice. The Padres had their 53rd sellout Sunday in 66 games at Petco Park this season. Transactions Tuesday: Sent LF Samad Taylor on a rehab assignment to El Paso Chihuahuas. Website Highlights Feliciano, Jones approved as Padres' new owners — Steve Drumwright Tatis is, once again, one of the best players in baseball — Randy Holt Tatis, Merrill anchoring Padres' defensive turnaround — Randy Holt Clarifying Padres' options for adding Salas to the postseason roster — Steve Drumwright Rengifo has been a spark plug to the Padres' second-half success — Cade Lalim Morgan belongs in the Padres' bullpen — Randy Holt Elite-as-advertised bullpen is Padres' great equalized entering stretch run — Sam Caulder Padres have been hit hard by injuries, but it could be worse — Steve Drumwright Looking Ahead Monday: Pirates (Braxton Ashcraft) at Padres (Robbie Ray), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday: Pirates (Paul Skenes) at Padres (Michael King), 6:40 p.m. Wednesday: Pirates (Bubba Chandler) at Padres (Randy Vasquez), 1:10 p.m. Thursday: Off Friday: Padres (Casey Mize) at Rays, 4:10 p.m. Saturday: Padres (Walker Buehler) at Rays, 1:10 p.m. Sunday: Padres (Robbie Ray) at Rays, 10:40 a.m. View the full article

Let’s see how the Red Sox farm did in Sunday’s series finales (spoiler alert: not great). Triple-A Worcester Red Sox Series @ Syracuse Mets (New York Mets): 1-5 Season Record: 63-58 Worcester was scoreless for the second straight contest as their losing streak reached four. Raymond Burgos, who found success with the big league club last week, turned in an excellent five-inning start on Sunday afternoon. Throughout his outing he allowed four hits and walked three but shutout the Mets. He struck out four before Seth Martinez took over in the sixth inning. Martinez turned in a solid two innings but earned the loss in the low-scoring affair. He allowed two runs (one unearned) on one hit, issued one walk, and struck out another. His afternoon ended when he was replaced by Sam McWilliams in the eighth inning. McWilliams took the final inning of the afternoon, turning in a shutout, one-hit appearance. He walked one and struck out another in the loss. Worcester’s bats were downright lifeless on Sunday, notching just two hits and drawing only two walks. Mikey Romero and Franklin Arias were the only WooSox to reach base, each with a single and a walk. Double-A Portland Sea Dogs Series vs. Reading Fighting Phils (Philadelphia Phillies): 2-4 Season Record: 60-59 Portland was blown out in a game that was abbreviated due to rain in the seventh inning. Morgan McSweeney took the mound to begin Sunday’s series finale, turning in a four-inning start. He was okay, allowing three hits on four runs and striking out six batters. Steven Brooks took over in the fifth, earning the loss as Reading got to him quickly. He allowed two runs on no hits, instead issuing five walks and striking out just one. Brooks’ night came to a quick close as Caleb Bolden entered to finish the inning. Bolden was just as unsuccessful, allowing five runs on five hits in just an inning and ⅔. He walked one and struck out a pair before Cooper Adams entered. Adams walked one and struck out another in ⅔ of an inning before the game was called due to rain. Roman Anthony was hitless in three tries, striking out once on Sunday as offensive struggles plagued the whole lineup. Two of the Sea Dogs' three runs came in the second inning as Henry Godbout and Miguel Bleis launched a pair of back-to-back solo home runs, giving Portland an early two-run lead. The Sea Dogs’ final run would come in the fourth inning, when Tyler McDonough hit a bases-loaded groundout to first base as Bleis crossed home. High-A Greenville Drive Series vs. Winston-Salem Dash (Chicago White Sox): 2-4 Season Record: 52-65 Greenville lost for the third time in two days as Winston-Salem exploded for ten runs in the seventh. Alex Bouchard started the game for Greenville, turning in a respectable three and ⅔ innings of work. He allowed one run on three hits and issued one walk. He struck out six before Adam Bates took over to close out the fourth inning. Bates hurled two and ⅓ innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits, walking three and striking out one. Things fell apart when Aaron Nixon took the mound. In his third appearance with Greenville, Nixon allowed seven runs on five hits in just ⅓ of an inning. Nixon walked two and struck out one as the Dash jumped out to a large lead. Luis Cohen managed to finish the seventh inning and pitched through the eighth. He allowed three runs on three hits and issued a pair of walks. He struck out four before catcher Hudson White made his second appearance in as many days. He allowed one more run on three hits and struck out one as he closed out a night to forget for the Drive’s staff. The Drive was solid on the other side of the ball, going 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position and putting up a fight early in the game. Nazzan Zanetello led the way with three RBIs as Carlos Gutierrez was the only Greenville batter with a multi-hit game. Down one in the fifth, Antonio Anderson tied the game for Greenville with a single to center field, scoring Gutierrez. Later in the inning, Zanetello crushed a three-run homer to center field, scoring Anderson and Ronny Hernandez. The Drive’s final run came in the eighth as Owen Hull scored on a Gerardo Rodriguez groundout. Low-A Salem RidgeYaks Series vs. Wilson Warbirds (Milwaukee Brewers): 3-3 Season Record: 52-66 After putting up 15 runs on Saturday, Salem was on the other side of the scoreboard on Sunday, losing 17-8. Jose Bello’s struggles continued on Sunday as he turned in a disastrous start. The only piece of the Rafael Devers return still in the Red Sox organization, the young starter had a 2.55 ERA through the end of July. However, the month of August brought around persistent struggles for Bello, who limped through a four and ⅓-inning start on Sunday. His ERA rose to 4.34 after he let up five runs on nine hits. Bello allowed two walks as he struck out five. Caden Vire took over in the fifth and promptly let up four more runs as he issued four walks. He struck out just one as he closed the inning. Nicolas Judice took the mound next, but the struggles didn’t end with him. He allowed five more runs on two hits and issued three more walks in just ⅔ of an inning. Harry Blum entered to finish the frame and turned in Salem’s strongest appearance of the day. He issued three walks and allowed three hits in a shutout two and ⅓-inning outing. He struck out five before Anderson Fermin closed the game for the second day in a row. Fermin allowed three runs on four hits and issued one walk as Wilson won with ease. The Yaks put up a fight on offense, but couldn’t contend with the 17-run onslaught by Wilson. Down by five in the fifth, Adonys Guzman got the Yaks on the board with a ground ball single as Louis Andujar scored. In the sixth, down a whopping 13 runs, Andujar drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Kleyver Salazar. Andrews Opata drew another walk later in the inning as Colton Coates scored. In the ninth, Andruw Musett scored Starlyn Nunez on a double to left field before Coates reached on a fielding error, scoring Musett and Wills Maginnis. Salem showed flashes of life in the ninth as Salazar and Coates both scored on wild pitches, cutting the deficit to nine. Unfortunately for Salem, they were unable to pull off the miraculous comeback, losing 17-8. View the full article

The Brooklyn Cyclones left Western North Carolina on Sunday with their offensive stats looking a lot fatter. They plated 64 runs in the six-game set against the Asheville Tourists, with 43 scoring over the final three games. The series finale was a 12-1 triumph. Brooklyn scored 16, 15 and 12 runs in consecutive wins as it took the series 4-2. Sunday's game was a pitchers' duel until the Cyclones scored three runs in the eighth, aided by sloppy Asheville defense, and six runs in the ninth, capped by Eddinson Paulino's grand slam, his first homer since last September. Yonatan Henriquez opened the scoring Sunday with a solo homer in the fourth. He had four homers, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored, while batting .360 (9-for-25), in the series. Collins has a .960 OPS in 28 games for Binghamton. Voit added insurance in the seventh with a two-run single. Hagenman was in Binghamton to continue his rehab. He is coming back from a rib fracture that has kept him out all season. The right-hander gave up two runs (one earned) and four hits, with a walk and two strikeouts. He threw 38 strikes in 51 pitches, Davis followed with a big effort in long relief. He allowed one hit and struck out seven. The only blemish was a sloppy fifth inning marked by a walk, a balk and a wild pitch. The run he allowed in the inning was unearned thanks to two passed balls by Suero. Mark Vientos (hand fracture) continued his own rehab assignment Sunday, He played five innings at first base and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout from the leadoff spot. Binghamton Batting Player AB R H RBI BB K Mark Vientos 3 0 0 0 0 1 Jamari Baylor 1 1 1 0 0 0 Mitch Voit 4 1 2 2 0 1 Marco Vargas 3 0 1 0 1 0 Jefferson Rojas 4 1 1 2 0 1 Jacob Reimer 3 0 0 0 1 1 Chris Suero 4 1 1 0 0 1 John Bay 3 1 2 0 1 1 Corey Collins 3 2 2 3 1 1 JT Benson 4 0 0 0 0 2 Binghamton Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Justin Hagenman 3 4 2 1 0 2 1 Gabe Davis 4 1 1 0 2 7 0 Douglas Orellana 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Saul Garcia 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 Brooklyn Caps Scoring Spree With Huge Final Two Innings The Cyclones led 3-1 after seven innings on the strength of Henriquez's homer, an Asheville error, Chase Meggers' RBI single, and strong starting pitching by Daviel Hurtado. Then came the closing kick. John Spikerman led off the eighth with a double and moved to third on a flyout by Colin Houck. Antonio Jimenez reached on a fielder's choice, and Spikerman scored as Asheville's catcher dropped the throw to the plate. Jimenez was caught stealing, but Meggers and Paulino walked to get the line moving again, They scored when Sammy Stafura reached on an error. John Smith III and Henriquez singled to start the ninth. Spikerman walked to load the bases with no outs. Houck singled to left field to score Smith and Henriquez. After a strikeout, Meggers walked to reload the bases. Paulino followed with his first Brooklyn home run, a shot to right, Hurtado allowed an unearned run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five. Relievers Elwis Mijares, Calvin Ziegler, Luis R. Rodriguez and Juan Arnaud combined to throw 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball, Brooklyn Batting Player AB R H RBI BB K Sammy Stafura 6 0 3 0 0 0 Elian Peña 4 0 0 0 2 1 John Smith III 6 1 1 0 0 3 Yonatan Henriquez 5 2 2 1 1 1 John Spikerman 4 3 1 0 2 1 Colin Houck 4 1 1 2 1 1 Antonio Jimenez 4 0 0 0 1 2 Chase Meggers 3 3 2 1 2 0 Eddinson Paulino 3 2 1 4 2 0 Brooklyn Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Daviel Hurtado 5 2/3 4 1 0 2 5 0 Elwis Mijares 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Calvin Ziegler 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 Luis R. Rodriguez 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Juan Arnaud 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 St. Lucie Completes 1-5 Series With Middle-Inning Meltdown The Mets allowed a home run. three walks and three stolen bases and committed two passed balls in the decisive sixth. The homer, off reliever Caden Wooster, was a three-run shot that put Lakeland up 7-2. Wooster came on for starter Jose Lopez, who loaded the bases with a single and two walks before getting a strikeout prior to exiting. Yovanny Rodriguez's first passed ball of the inning tied the game 2-2. A two-run single followed to make it 4-2. After another Rodriguez passed ball, a walk and a flyout, Wooster served up the game-breaking home run. St. Lucie took a 1-0 lead in the third on Adderley's RBI single. The hit brought in Vincent, who led off the inning with a double. After Lakeland tied the game 1-1 in the fourth, Vincent singled in Jake Ogden in the bottom half for a 2-1 lead. Lopez was charged with four runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings. He allowed just two hits, struck out seven and walked three. St. Lucie Batting Player AB R H RBI BB K Jeremy Rodriguez 4 0 1 0 1 0 Bohan Adderley 4 0 2 1 0 1 Aiden Robbins 5 0 1 0 0 1 Ryan Tayman 5 0 0 0 0 3 Yovanny Rodriguez 4 0 0 0 0 2 Julio Zayas 3 0 1 0 1 1 Vladi Gomez 4 0 0 0 0 3 Jake Ogden 4 1 2 0 0 1 Wyatt Vincent 3 1 2 1 1 0 St. Lucie Pitching Player IP H R ER BB K HR Jose Lopez 5 1/3 2 4 3 3 7 0 Caden Wooster 2/3 3 3 3 2 0 1 Tyler McLoughlin 1 2/3 4 4 4 1 1 0 Miguel Mejias 1 1/3 1 1 0 1 2 0 Top-20 Prospect Performance Jonah Tong: DNP Jack Wenninger: DNP Elian Pena: 0-for-4, 2 BB, K Mitch Voit: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, K Ryan Clifford: DNP Nick Morabito: 2-for-4 Jonathan Santucci: DNP Carson Wiggins: DNP Jacob Reimer: 0-for-3, BB, K Aiden Robbins: 1-for-5, K Randy Guzman: DNP Wandy Asigen: DNP Chris Suero: 1-for-4, 2B, K Jefferson Rojas: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, K Will Watson: DNP Shane Sdao: DNP Eli Serrano III: DNP Antonio Jimenez: 0-for-4, BB, 2 K Emilien Pitre: 1-for-3, BB, K Dylan Ross: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, S View the full article

Javier Assad has maybe been the most flexible pitcher for the Chicago Cubs all season. Whether he starts, comes out of the bullpen, or is fresh from Triple-A, Assad has posted a 3.59 ERA with a 6-1 record this season. He could be a key contributor for this team down the stretch and into October! View the full article

There are plenty of ways to evaluate a prospect. Rankings, scouting reports, tools, projections and statistics can all tell us something about a player's future. But every once in a while, a prospect puts together a stretch that makes you stop looking at the long-term projection and simply appreciate what is happening right now. That's where Walker Jenkins finds himself. The Twins' top prospect has been downright otherworldly in August, turning every trip to the plate into must-see baseball. Jenkins isn't alone on this week's Prospect Hot Sheet, either. A pair of young players are also making plenty of noise, with Carson Tinney beginning to find his power stroke in Fort Myers and Adrian Bohorquez dominating opposing hitters for Cedar Rapids. Here's a look at three prospects who are turning up the heat. OF Walker Jenkins — St. Paul Saints How He Got Here: Since the Twins selected Jenkins with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, he's largely been as advertised, when he's been able to stay on the field. The North Carolina high school product reached the highest level of the minor leagues last season at just 20 years old, carrying a career .863 OPS into this season. The only real knock against Jenkins has been his inability to stay healthy for extended stretches. He's played just 192 games in his first two-plus professional seasons, missing significant time because of a quad strain and hamstring injury in 2024 before an ankle sprain cost him more time last season. Even with those absences, Jenkins still finished third in the organization among players with at least 350 plate appearances in 2025 with a 135 wRC+. The 2026 season brought another frustrating setback. Jenkins suffered a shoulder joint sprain after crashing into the outfield fence, forcing him to miss more than a month in his first full season at Triple-A. The good news? He appears to be making up for lost time. Hitting the Hot Button: Jenkins is doing things right now that are becoming increasingly difficult to explain. On Sunday, Jenkins led off the sixth inning with a solo home run to left field, his 10th homer of the season. He launched another two-run homer to right field later in the game, his 11th of the season. It marked the second time in three games in which Jenkins had recorded a multi-homer performance. He finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI, a stolen base, two runs scored and two walks. That's a ridiculous stat line. It's also part of a ridiculous month. In 16 August games, Jenkins is hitting .415/.493/.800 for a 1.293 OPS. He's added seven home runs, two doubles, a triple and six stolen bases in eight attempts. At this point, there's little left for Jenkins to prove in Triple-A. The question isn't whether he's ready. It's when the Twins are going to put him in a major-league uniform. C Carson Tinney — Fort Myers Mighty Mussels How He Got Here: Tinney entered the 2026 MLB Draft as one of the more intriguing college catching prospects in the country. The Notre Dame product earned All-America honors as a sophomore after hitting .348/.498/.753 with 17 home runs. That season established him as one of the top catchers available in the draft, but his stock took a hit after a difficult summer in the Cape Cod League. Tinney hit just .165 with a 40% strikeout rate in the wood-bat league and also struggled during fall practice after transferring to Texas. Tinney put together a monster junior season, showcasing the combination of raw power and arm strength that made him so intriguing in the first place. He hit 22 home runs and posted a 1.171 OPS, earning a second-round selection from Minnesota. The Twins signed him for $1.9 million, and now they're getting their first extended look at what that investment could become. Hitting the Hot Button: Tinney is beginning to look comfortable in his first taste of professional baseball. On Saturday, he homered for the second consecutive game and the third time in the same week. That's a pretty good way for a second-round pick to introduce himself to the organization. Through 14 games in August, Tinney is slugging .627 with a 1.008 OPS and six home runs. There is, however, still some swing-and-miss in his game. Tinney has struck out 18 times in 51 at-bats this month, but he's also shown an ability to counter those strikeouts by controlling the strike zone. He's drawn 11 walks during that same stretch. That's an encouraging combination for a young hitter making the transition from college baseball to the professional game. The power was one of the reasons the Twins invested heavily in Tinney. He's starting to show exactly why. RHP Adrian Bohorquez — Cedar Rapids Kernels How He Got Here: When a player signs for just $10,000 as an 18-year-old international free agent, there aren't exactly sky-high expectations attached. That's where Bohorquez started. After a lackluster debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2023, the right-hander began showing that he might be able to provide a pretty significant return on the Twins' modest investment with a solid first season in the United States in 2024. Bohorquez entered 2025 with low expectations, and his performance suffered early. But as the season progressed, so did the results. Beginning July 1, he posted a 2.47 ERA while holding opponents to a .185 batting average. He carried that momentum into a late promotion to High-A Cedar Rapids, giving the Twins another reason to keep an eye on the young right-hander. Hitting the Hot Button: Bohorquez took the mound Thursday night for Cedar Rapids and once again made life miserable for opposing hitters. He allowed just one run on one hit across five innings, walking two and striking out seven. The seven strikeouts were a season high, although the Kernels ultimately fell 2-1. The bigger story is what Bohorquez has done over his last four starts. He's allowed just one earned run on four hits across 19 innings, striking out 23 while walking seven. Opposing hitters are batting just .068/.179/.119 during that stretch. That's a .298 OPS. When a pitcher holds opposing hitters to that kind of production over four starts, it's time to start paying attention. Bohorquez went from a $10,000 international signing with little fanfare to one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in the lower levels of the Twins' system. And he's doing it by missing bats. Prospect development is rarely linear. Players get injured, struggle at new levels and sometimes need time to adjust to the professional game. That's what makes stretches like these so exciting. Jenkins is the obvious headliner. His August numbers are borderline absurd, and at this point, the biggest question isn't whether he can handle Triple-A pitching. It's whether the Twins can find a reason to keep him there. Tinney is beginning to show the power that made him a second-round pick, while Bohorquez is dominating hitters after steadily climbing the organizational ladder. Three prospects. Three different stages of development. All three are giving the Twins plenty to be excited about. What stands out about this trio? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View the full article

Owen and Jesse are disappointed by the Jays losing two of three to the Yankees, but remain positive about the bigger picture and how the process has looked. There are questions about Spencer Arrighetti, José Soriano, the lack of production with runners in scoring position, and the serious power outage, but the overall vibe remains positive as the Blue Jays compete for a playoff spot. The guys touch on everything Jays from a tough series in the Bronx. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jays-centre-podcast/id1846108462 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Bi7SzfpcqMo5xYWnbCeoL Listen on iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-jays-centre-podcast-300304824/ Listen on Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/2qk9wqxd Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayscentre View the full article

Walker Jenkins has done everything he possibly could for the St. Paul Saints. Yet, he's still there. What's it going to take to get him to the big leagues?View the full article

Jake McKibbin and Jason Wang go over another strong week for the Brewers, which included a historic display of offense. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brewer-fanatic-podcast/id1740648724 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CY8mWsQayqjDXqw9OT2Td iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-brewer-fanatic-podcast-166534588/ Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ommzz627 Watch On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brewerfanatic View the full article

Ty France's arrival over the offseason wasn't meant to signal a paradigm shift at first base for the San Diego Padres. Yet, with the 2026 campaign nearly over, that's exactly what he's done. Within the context of defensive performance in baseball, first base is a particularly difficult position to evaluate. Every position has nuance, but first base is reliant on other performers in a way that every other position in the sport (besides catcher) is not. While a first baseman can obviously maintain some semblance of control with quality footwork and the ability to read a throw from the hand of an infield comrade, the general lack of individual qualities have long made it a position less loved by defensive metrics. France's offensive contributions have been an essential part of the team's success in 2026, but the most significant aspect of his skill set has come as the result of what he can do with the glove. The American League's reigning Gold Glove winner at the cold corner has helped to stabilize the performance of his fellow infielders while sitting atop the position in Fielding Run Value (7) and Defensive Runs Saved (12) while ranking second in Outs Above Average (6). Now, though, we have new ways in which France's defensive acumen can be measured. Earlier this month, Statcast released their new first base receiving leaderboard. Measured as Receiving OAA, the new metric takes myriad factors into account including the throw itself (on-target, high & low, wide, bounce, and scoop), the speed of the baserunner, and the position of the baserunner when the ball contacts the glove. Each position (second base, third base, and shortstop) also carries its own out probability. Within the throw itself, the differentiator between bounces & scoops (the latter of which was already a measured statistic for first basemen) is in where the ball hits the ground; bounces hit the ball at least 15 feet in front of the bag while scoops are between five and 15 feet. Any other that doesn't fit that criteria is simply considered a low throw, with high throws considered to be at least seven feet off the ground. Here's a handy visual: That is an absolutely wild amount of information to be consumed to measure a position, and that doesn't even take into account the runner component of it all. But that's too much math for any one person to worry about whose responsibility it is to merely look at the output. Which means we can get back to Ty France. France's Receiving OAA in 2026 is +3. That ranks him sixth among full-time first baseman and third among those in the National League. On five of the six types of throws (on-target, low, side, scoop, and bounce) France has recorded a higher rate of outs than the average expected out rate. The only one where he isn't above average is on the high throws, where France has an out rate four percent lower than the expected one and is at -0.4 Receiving OAA. At 5'10", though, France is shorter than your average first baseman. That part is not at all surprising, and perhaps one of the clearest signs we have yet that height does give first basemen a distinct advantage. In other words, the high throws are always going to serve as a literal shortcoming for him. The important thing is that there isn't anything else in this new data to suggest anything other than what we've already been able to observe in 2026: that France has been a crucial part of helping the Padres' defense to ascend to near-elite status. View the full article

Brandon Sproat, Tate Kuehner and Tyson Hardin dominated in Nashville’s doubleheader sweep. Eric Binonti’s homers drove Wisconsin to comeback win. Wilson won big, but Biloxi was blown out. For the week, Nashville (3-2) was a series winner, while Wilson (3-3) earned a draw. Wisconsin (2-4) and Biloxi (1-5) both came up short. Transactions: N/A Game Action: Nashville Pre-Game Media Notes Game One Final: Nashville 2, Norfolk (Orioles) 0 (in 7 innings) Box Score Game Two Final: Nashville 7, Norfolk (Orioles) 1 (in 7 innings) Box Score Via the Sounds’ website, game details and we encourage readers to review affiliate write-ups as part of their Link Report routine: Sounds First No-Hitter Since 2017 Highlights Twin-Bill Sweep - Nashville's Pitching Staff Goes 27.0 Innings Between Runs Allowed Since Wednesday After Friday’s game was canceled and Saturday’s doubleheader was postponed with the first game’s opening batter OF Sal Frelick in a 3-1 count, the Sounds and Tides resumed play without issue on Sunday. The linked game report by Nishant Brahme covers the two victories in detail, including video highlights of the no-hitter tossed by RHP Brandon Sproat (3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks) and LHP Tate Kuehner (4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 Ks) in the opening contest and the team’s series-clinching win in the second game. Sproat delivered his second straight shutout, combining with Kuehner to retire the first 20 Tides in consecutive order. Kuehner was also ahead of the 21st batter 1-and-2, but conceded a walk, then hit the next batter to suddenly bring the potential game-winning batter to the plate for Norfolk. In a 1-0 count, Tides’ shortstop Jose Barrero smacked a fly ball 343 feet to left field, which left fielder Tyler Black was able to corral as he crashed into the wall to preserve the win. After failing to convert a two-on, one-out opportunity in the first inning of Game 1, Nashville didn’t record its next hit until SS Ethan Murray’s solo blast with one out in the top of the 5th inning. That was Murray’s second homer in a three-game stretch. Frelick (1-for-4) followed two batters later with a double before 1B Blake Burke (1-for-3, RBI) produced an RBI groundout for the game’s final margin. Nashville was able to show off some newfound (but short-lived?) depth in the second contest, with recently-outrighted 2B Jihwan Bae and recently-optioned OF Brandon Lockridge sitting atop the lineup. Starting RHP Tyson Hardin (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 7 Ks) was making his second start of the week, conceding a double in the first inning before retiring 10 of the next 11 batters in order (sole exception: harmless infield error in the 3rd inning). Murray once again drove in the first run of the second game (RBI single to score 3B Brock Wilken, who’d doubled), with Bae following with a three-run homer three batters later for a 5-0 advantage. From there, Hardin, rehabbing RHP Joel Kuhnel (1 IP, 0 R, 1 K), LHP Jared Koenig (1 IP, 1 R, 0 Ks) and RHP Brett Wichrowski (1 IP, 0 R, 1 K) had minimal difficultly closing it out. Sounds’ Extras: Bae (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBIs) exited alongside an “injury delay” note after singling in the top of the 4th inning, so we’ll have to monitor his status going forward. If he’s unavailable, then Murray and INF/OF Eric Brown Jr. will presumably continue handling the vast majority of the middle infield work. The first game of the doubleheader marked a return from injury by 3B Luke Adams (0-for-1, 2 walks), who had last played on August 9. Over the two games, Wilken (3-for-7, 2 doubles, RBI) and Black (2-for-5, 2 walks, RBI, SB) joined Murray (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs, SB) and Bae as offensive leaders. Next week’s outlook: Nashville (68-57) remains on the road, travelling down to Jacksonville (63-61) for six battles against the Marlins’ affiliate. Biloxi Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Rocket City (Angels) 8, Biloxi 1 Box Score Via the Shuckers’ website, game details: Thompson Strikes Out Seven, Shuckers Fall in Series Finale to Trash Pandas - Biloxi Drops Five of Six Games in Rocket City Starting LHP JD Thompson (5 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 7 Ks) faced two-on, one-out jams in the first and fourth innings, as well as two-on, nobody out in the fifth inning, largely minimizing damage via strikeouts and ground ball double plays. However, two RBI singles in that first inning were already too much for the struggling Shuckers, who’ve now dropped 16 of their last 17 contests. The first 15 Biloxi batters were retired in order before Rocket City starting pitcher Eybersson Polanco exited and OF Mark Coley II greeted the new hurler with a double to open the sixth inning, scoring via 3B Jheremy Vargas: OF Braylon Payne added a single to give the Shuckers a two-on, one-out opportunity of their own while trailing 2-1, but SS Luis Pena popped out and OF Josh Adamczewski struck out to strand the baserunners. RHP Travis Smith (1 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 Ks) retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the 6th inning, but the next six reached base via hits or walks to blow open the game at 6-1. Shuckers’ Extras: The last 14 Biloxi batters were retired in order, though that includes Pena’s 9th inning single where he was thrown out trying for second base. This was Pena’s first start at shortstop at the AA level, following his recent promotion. RHP Stiven Cruz covered the final two frames, but allowed a double and two-run homer within the first three batters. Though the offense undoubtedly struggled, Shuckers’ batters were only fanned five times. Of course, they also drew zero walks, as they’re perhaps pressing to make something happen. Next week’s outlook: Biloxi (56-60) return home to face Cubs’ affiliate Knoxville (64-55), with the first of six games scheduled for Tuesday. Wisconsin Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wisconsin 7, Lake County (Guardians) 5 Box Score Via the Timber Rattlers’ website, game details: Bitonti Blasts Two Homers in Rattlers Comeback Win - Rattler slugger has 22 home runs this season We’re grateful to Wisconsin’s media team for compiling video highlights of their victory: Be sure to also listen to the 18-minute Chris Mehring-Jonathan Timm post-game podcast, featuring 1B Eric Bitonti (4-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBIs), RHP Jacob Morrison and Manager Nick Stanley. As you’ve read, seen and heard, Bitonti was the catalyst behind Wisconsin’s stellar comeback, tying the game with a single in the first inning, sparking a four-run fourth inning with a solo homer, then smacking another one over the fence for the Timber Rattlers’ first lead at 6-5 in the fifth inning. While Morrison (4 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 6 Ks) dominated over the middle innings, C Edgardo Ordonez (2-for-4) doubled and 2B Daniel Dickinson (1-for-4, walk, RBI, SB) provided an important insurance run in the sixth inning, but two outs on the basepaths prevented more runs from coming across. With the bases loaded and two out in the top of the 8th inning, RHP Michael Fowler (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 K) entered to register a swinging strikeout as part of his four-out, well-earned save. Timber Rattlers’ Extras: SS Brady Ebel game-tying, two-run double in the fourth inning came in a full count with two outs. 1B Tayden Hall (1-for-3, double, walk; .876 OPS) also continues his solid season. LHP Andrew Healy’s second start (third appearance) at the High-A level was a struggle this time out (3 IP, 5 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks), partly due to two walks issued and a run-scoring wild pitch in Lake County’s four-run second inning. RHP Jose Nova (2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 K; 14.91 ERA) was called upon as an eighth inning bridge with Wisconsin leading 7-5, sandwiching a double between a strikeout and flyout, but then issued two walks to load the bases and make 5,769 home fans nervous. Next week’s outlook: Wisconsin (62-53) remain home this week, taking on Cubs’ affiliate South Bend (69-47), with the first of six games taking place on Tuesday. Wilson Pre-Game Media Notes Final: Wilson 17, Salem (Red Sox) 8 Box Score Via the Warbirds’ website, game details: Warbirds Demolish RidgeYaks in Series Finale Starting LHP Enderson Mercado (5 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 Ks) got his revenge on the RidgeYaks after a difficult Tuesday outing, while nine different Wilson batters each collected at least one hit and one RBI in their dominant road victory. DH Carsten Sabathia (2-for-4, HR, 2 walks, RBI, SB) homered on the second pitch he saw, while C Kevin Garcia (3-for-5, walk, RBI) delivered a two-out RBI single to double the lead in the second inning. Garcia also singled to ignite the team’s three-run fourth inning, then earned an inning-opening walk in their nine-run sixth inning which saw 13 Wilson batters come to the plate. OF Brailyn Antunez 2-run single OF Handelfry Encarnacion 2-run single 2026 first round pick SS Trey Ebel delivered an RBI single, then recorded his first professional extra base hit, a double to extend the advantage to 13-1. Unsurprisingly when scoring 17 runs, OF Brailyn Antunez had a big day: 3-for-6, triple, walk, 4 RBIs, SB). In all, seven different Wilson batters had multi-hit days, including INF Juan Ortuno (2-for-4, 2 walks, HBP, 2 RBIs, SB) and OF Jose Anderson (2-for-5, HR, walk, 2 RBIs). Though they committed two fielding errors which contributed to five unearned runs, the Wilson defense also came through with five double plays converted. Warbirds’ Extras: Ebel (2-for-4, double, walk, 3 RBIs, SB) exited in the bottom of the 7th inning, but hopefully this was just to spread around some offensive fun, with the team already leading 15-3. Substitute 1B Pedro Ibarguen went 2-for-2 with an RBI. LHP Joan Pena (3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 1 H, 4 BB, 3 Ks), RHP Andrew Gaines (2/3 IP, 5 R (1 ER), 0 Ks) and RHP Cesar Espinal (1/3 IP, 1 BB, 3 WP, 1 K) all struggled with control in relief, though two fielding errors didn’t help. Next week’s outlook: Wilson (63-54) hosts their final regular season series, this time against Rangers’ affiliate Hickory (71-46) for seven games, commencing with a doubleheader at 3:00pm CST on Tuesday. We hope that you enjoy the Minor League Link Report. Monday is a day off for the Milwaukee Brewers and their affiliates, with all returning to action on Tuesday. The Brewers play at the Mets at 6:10pm CST on Tuesday evening. Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Batting Stats and Depth Current Milwaukee Brewers Organization Pitching Stats and Depth View the full article

For much of the year, the Twins’ bullpen has kept fans up at night. There have been plenty of blown leads and (perhaps most frustratingly) plenty of innings where it felt like no lead was truly safe. But since the trade deadline, that hasn’t really been the case. After adding Tommy Nance, A.J. Minter and Jeff Hoffman, the bullpen has looked stronger. By and large, later innings have been much cleaner and Derek Shelton has had more trustworthy options to turn to. As a result, Twins fans have had far fewer stressful innings to sit through—although this weekend was an ugly reminder that things are far from perfect. In the wake of that setback, there’s someone else who quietly had a productive stretch with the Twins earlier this season, and who could make a nice addition to the back end of the bullpen. Right-hander Garrett Acton has already shown that he can get major league hitters out. Acton was acquired from the Marlins all the way back on April 2, and while his time in the majors was brief, he made the most of it. In 6 2/3 innings, he allowed just two earned runs, while giving up four hits and three walks and striking out nine hitters. Unfortunately, Acton landed on the injured list later in April with a strain in his throwing shoulder, putting a halt to what had been a promising start. He ultimately missed about two and a half months, but after a rehab assignment that stretched across most of July, he was finally reinstated. With September right around the corner, this could be a great time for the Twins to bring him back to the majors. The biggest reason is pretty simple: Acton’s fastball can play at the major-league level. It sits around 94 MPH, which certainly isn’t overwhelming velocity, but the pitch gets a crazy amount of run up in the zone and has proven capable of missing bats. His slider, meanwhile, doesn’t stand out when it comes to its movement profile, but it gives hitters a dramatically different look. It comes in roughly 8 MPH slower than his four-seam fastball, and during Acton’s brief major-league stint, it generated whiffs on 41% of swings against it. That combination has allowed Acton to succeed with just two pitches. Obviously, it would be unwise to look too deeply into advanced metrics after just 20 outs in the majors, but his 2.59 expected ERA backs up the idea that his results weren’t fluky. There’s no reason to expect Acton to suddenly become one of Shelton’s primary high-leverage options, especially with the additions the Twins made at the trade deadline. Minter, Hoffman and Nance should all be ahead of him on the pecking order, and there’s no need to force Acton into a role he hasn’t earned. But that doesn’t mean he can’t help. At the very least, Acton gives the Twins another arm who can eat a couple of innings and keep the club in a game they trail by a run or two. If the swing-and-miss stuff he showed back in April is still there, he could turn into something more than that—and the timing might line up perfectly for him. On September 1, MLB teams will be able to expand their active rosters from 26 players to 28. That allows the Twins to add another player to their pitching staff, and considering where this team is in the standings, there’s a pretty obvious argument for using that spot on someone they already know can get major-league hitters out. The Twins are in the hunt for a playoff spot, and at this point of the season, they need their best arms available. That doesn’t mean every pitcher needs to be used in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings, but it does mean the organization should be looking for every possible way to strengthen its pitching depth. Acton deserves to be part of that conversation. It doesn’t need to be a high-leverage role. If Acton can come into a game in the middle innings, get a few outs and give Shelton another reliable option to bridge the gap to the more established relievers, that would be valuable. If the fastball is still moving the way it was earlier this season and the slider is still generating swings and misses, the Twins might have something even better. For a team trying to find every possible advantage down the stretch, there’s little reason not to find out. View the full article

Weekly Snapshot: Record Last Week: 4-2 (Overall: 81-50) Runs Scored Last Week: 42 Runs Surrendered Last Week: 17 Standing: 1st in NL Central *** Game 126 (8/18) | MIL 22, SEA 0 Game 127 (8/19) | SEA 7, MIL 5 Game 128 (8/20) | MIL 7, SEA 4 Game 129 (8/21) | MIL 2, ATL 1 Game 130 (8/22) | MIL 4, ATL 1 Game 131 (8/23) | ATL 4, MIL 2 *** Game 126 | Brewers 22, Mariners 0 MIL Starter: Kyle Harrison (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 8 K) Top Performers: Jake Bauers (3 H, BB, HR, 2 RBI) David Hamilton (3 H, HR, 4 RBI) Luis Lara (3 H, HR, 4 RBI) No, you didn’t read that incorrectly. Tuesday’s thrashing of the Mariners was a historic one, with the Brewers tying their franchise record for the largest margin of victory, as well as matching a handful of other historic offensive records as well. Lost in the shuffle was a strong outing from Kyle Harrison, who went five innings of scoreless innings and struck out eight. Luis Lara’s first career home run (+0.1 WP%) Game 127 | Mariners 7, Brewers 5 MIL Starter: Dustin May (2.0 IP, 7 H, 2 BB, K) Top Performers: Joey Ortiz (2 H, HR, 4 RBI) DL Hall (3.0 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 3 K) Jackson Chourio (3 H) There would be no encore on Wednesday, however. The Mariners bounced back and victimized Dustin May, chasing him after just 2 innings of work and tagging the newest Brewer for seven runs along the way. That deficit was too much to overcome, despite a 4-RBI day from Joey Ortiz, as the Mariners evened the series at one with a 7-5 victory. Joey Ortiz’s 2-run shot (+5.4 WP%) Game 128 | Brewers 7, Mariners 4 MIL Starter: Robert Gasser (3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 ER, 4 K) Top Performers: Aaron Ashby (2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 4 K) Chad Patrick (2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 4 K) Garett Mitchell (3 H, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI) The Brewers jumped all over George Kirby in the series finale, scoring 6 runs in the first inning and never looking back. It was the exact cushion Robert Gasser needed, as he walked a season-high four batters while battling command before being unceremoniously pulled from the game in the middle of an at-bat by Pat Murphy. Still, the bullpen held behind him, and the Brewers took the rubber match 7-4. Gary Sánchez drives in a pair (+16.0 WP%) Game 129 | Brewers 2, Braves 1 MIL Starter: Jacob Misiorowski (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 6 K) Top Performers: William Contreras (4 H, RBI) The two leading favorites for the NL Cy Young matched up on Friday, as Jacob Misiorowski and Chris Sale faced off at American Family Field to kick off a series between two division-leading ballclubs. The Miz would win the marquee matchup, besting Sale with six scoreless innings, while on the offensive side, William Contreras drove the offense with a 4-hit day against his former team. William Contreras’ monster day Game 130 | Brewers 4, Braves 1 MIL Starter: Logan Henderson (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, ER,4 K) Top Performers: Jake Bauers (H, BB, HR, RBI) William Contreras (2 H, RBI) Logan Henderson and the Brewers captured game two in similar fashion, but this time it was Jake Bauers who was the hero with the bat, with his 2-run homer off of Martín Pérez being the difference in the 4-1 Brewers win. Game 131 | Braves 4, Brewers 2 MIL Starter: Shane Drohan (5.0 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 5 K) Top Performers: Christian Yelich (2 H, BB, 2B) DL Hall (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 2 K) The action shifted to Williamsport for the 2026 Little League Classic, with Shane Drohan taking the ball for the Brewers against Tyler Mahle of the Braves. Atlanta would win on the special occasion, chipping away at Shane Drohan and getting an add-on run against Aaron Ashby, while Mahle and the Braves pen held the Brewers to just two runs. Transactions: 08/23/26 - Recalled C Bo Naylor from AAA Nashville. 08/19/26 - Activated SS Cooper Pratt from the 10-day injured list. 08/19/26 - Sent CF Jihwan Bae outright to AAA Nashville. 08/19/26 - Optioned LF Brandon Lockridge to AAA Nashville. 08/18/26 - Sent SS Cooper Pratt on a rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin. Looking Ahead: Tuesday, 8/25 - Brewers @ Mets - 6:10 PM CDT Wednesday, 8/26 - Brewers @ Mets - 6:10 PM CDT Thursday, 8/27 - Brewers @ Mets - 6:10 PM CDT Friday, 8/28 - Rangers @ Brewers - 6:40 PM CDT Saturday, 8/29 - Rangers @ Brewers - 6:15 PM CDT Sunday, 8/30 - Rangers @ Brewers - 1:10 PM CDT View the full article

There have been plenty of moments at which the 2026 Cubs felt like something truly special. From clutch pitches on the mound to even more clutch swings from NL MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong, the team has delivered ample thrills. Their wins this week neatly encapsulated the flavors of brilliance they deliver. In the team's three losses, however, they offered plenty of reminders that they've been inconsistent and enigmatic. Only five weeks remain in the season, and it's still not clear that this team knows who they are. The week began with history in the air. The White Sox rode up the Red Line to tussle with the Cubs at Wrigley Field, with both teams in playoff position, for once. In the first game of the series, Shota Imanaga outlasted Luis Castillo with six full innings of work, striking out 10 Sox and allowing three earned runs. While the offense put the home team out in front early, the bullpen put them behind the 8-ball late. Luckily, Nico Hoerner drove a one-out, game-tying single into center field in the bottom of the 9th. That act of heroism set the stage for Crow-Armstrong to deliver his 30th home run of the year in the most cinematic way conceivable. Leading off the bottom of the 10th inning, Crow-Armstrong hammered a walk-off homer to deep right field, becoming the first player in 16 years to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run in the same game. The superstar center fielder raced around the bases, emphatically pounding the Cubs logo on his chest while proceeding to celebrate with his teammates—an astonishing 7-5 win for the North Siders. The Cubs followed up their most enthralling victory of the season with a series-clinching epilogue worthy of its own place in this rivalry's history. When a player sparks a hot streak akin to what Alex Bregman has enjoyed the past few weeks, even the best-laid plans from managers of the caliber of Will Venable fall short of expectations. Finding themselves immersed in yet another contest requiring extra frames, Bregman (1-for-4 at that point) laced a first-pitch, two-out single into center field, allowing the courtesy runner at second to sprint home, notching the club's 13th walk-off triumph of the year in style. Unfortunately, the good vibes didn't last. New-arriving ace Clay Holmes turned in his most pedestrian start since joining the squad Wednesday, with 5 2/3 innings of six-hit ball. Meanwhle, the Cubs offense was limited to just two hits on the day, thanks in large part to long reliever José Urquidy, whose six innings of work got the Sox into the 8th unscathed after opener Sean Newcomb got through the first two innings. It was a demoralizing 3-0 loss, and it felt like a missed opportunity to create greater momentum. After a travel day, the team touched down in Seattle to do battle with the struggling Mariners in a three-game weekend tilt. M's starter Emerson Hancock was anything but dominant, allowing three earned runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings, but lousy sequencing did in the visitors. Chicago went a staggering 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position, stranding 11 runners. They fell behind, then came back to tie it in the ninth, but they dropped the contest 6-5 in extras. Over the course of this year, Chicago's North Side club has faced off with some of MLB's most heralded pitching prospects. Such was the case in the middle game of this series, with Chicago running into the debut of top prospect Kade Anderson. The rookie put forth a respectable effort, spinning 5 2/3 innings of his own. Meanwhile, David Peterson lasted six full innings, surrendering two earned runs. That was hardly his worst outing as a Cub, but it proved not to be enough. A bullpen collapse—and a Randy Arozarena performance to match the one Crow-Armstrong inflicted on the White Sox at the beginning of the week—turned the game into a third straight Cubs loss. Sunday threatened to be more of the same, especially after an Arozarena leadoff homer. (Again.) Then, in the third inning with the bases loaded, Ian Happ uncorked a towering grand slam off the foul pole in right field, putting his team up 5-2. From there, it became the type of boat race this Chicago team can often lure their opponents into. A stout overall day from Counsell's lineup made the game a cathartic blowout win, even after Imanaga left early. It ended 19-2, as Seattle gave up in the wake of a back-breaking Crow-Armstrong homer. The team needs to do more than go .500 the rest of the way, if they want to finish the season in position to host October baseball at Wrigley Field again. Throughout the week, though, there was plenty to provide optimism that they'll do just that. View the full article