Baseball's playoffs begin Tuesday, September 30 at four cities across America. The wild card series format is very simple: best-of-three, all games played at the home team's site, with games Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, if necessary.

The winners of the wild card series move on to the respective divisional series, all of which - weather permitting - begin on Saturday, October 4.

Host teams for the first two games of the best-of-five series are already known. Toronto, which had the best record in the AL, will host the winner of the Yankees-Red Sox wild card series. Seattle hosts the winner of Detroit vs. Cleveland.

In the National League, Milwaukee, which had the best record, hosts the winner of the Padres-Cubs series. Philadelphia will host the winner of the Reds-Dodgers series.

Winners of the division series meet in best-of-seven championship series which begin on Sunday, October 12 (American League, ALCS) and Monday, October 13 (National League, NLCS). The higher remaining seed hosts games 1, 2, 6 and 7 and the lower seed will host games 3, 4 and 5.

The World Series, matching the league champions, begins on Friday, October 24. The World Series gives the team with the better regular-season record home-field advantage for Games 1, 2, 6, and 7. Games 3, 4, and 5 are hosted by the team with the worse regular season record.

FOX will televise every World Series game. While the contestants are not yet known, the schedule is as follows:

Game one: Friday, October 24
Game two: Saturday, October 25
Game three: Monday, October 27
Game four: Tuesday, October 28
Game five (if necessary): Wednesday, October 29
Game six (if necessary): Friday, October 31
Game seven (if necessary): Saturday, November 1

According to reliable sources, these are the odds for each team to win the World Series. There are any number of oddsmakers, from the likes of DraftKings, Oddsshark, MGM, ESPN Bets, and others.

Philadelphia Phillies: +425
Seattle Mariners: +450
LA Dodgers: +500
Toronto Blue Jays: +750
Milwaukee Brewers: +750
NY Yankees: +800
San Diego Padres: +1400
Chicago Cubs: +1500
Detroit Tigers: +1800
Boston Red Sox: +2200
Guardians: +3000
Reds: +3500

Here's today's schedule with starting pitchers and odds.

MLB Post-season coverage continues Wednesday, October 1, on the Sports Extra page of IdleGuy.com October 2025 with game results, and American and National League Players of the Day.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

American League Wild Card (ALWC) - Game 1
Detroit Tigers @ Cleveland Guardians 1:00 PM
Matchup: Tarik Skubal vs Gavin Williams
Line: DET -160; O/U: 5.5

National League Wild Card (NLWC) - Game 1
San Diego Padres @ Chicago Cubs 3:00 PM
Nick Pivetta vs Matthew Boyd
Line: CHC -130; O/U: 6.5

American League Wild Card (ALWC) - Game 1
Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees 6:00 PM
Matchup: Garrett Crochet vs Max Fried
Line: NYY -135; O/U: 6.5

National League Wild Card (NLWC) - Game 1
Cincinnati Reds @ Los Angeles Dodgers 9:00 PM
Hunter Greene vs Blake Snell
Line: LAD -210; O/U: 7.5

September 28, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Alejandro Kirk smoked a 1st-inning grand slam and followed up with a two-run homer in the 5th, leading the Blue Jays to a 13-4 romp over visiting Tampa Bay in the season finale, securing the AL East crown via tiebreaker over the NY Yankees. Kirk also doubled, finishing 3-for-5 with six RBI.

Both the Blue Jays and Yankees finished the season with identical 94-68 records, but the Blue Jays won the tiebreaker by beating the Yankees head-to-head during the regular season, eight games to five. This is the seventh division crown for Toronto, their first since 2016. The Blue Jays were last in the AL East in 2024, finishing with a record of 74-88.

Toronto has the best record in the AL, so has home field advantage through the playoffs. The Jays will get a first round bye, along with Seattle (90-72), winners of the AL West. The Yankees host a three-game series with the Red Sox, starting Tuesday. The winner goes on to meet Toronto in the ALDS best-of-five series which begins on Saturday, October 4.

The other wild card series also starts Tuesday in Cleveland, featuring the top two teams from the Central division. Detroit gave up a huge mid-season lead, surrendering first place to the Guardians down the stretch. Cleveland will host all three games in the wild card.

Complete MLB post-season schedules are available on the idleguy.com calendar.

AL Streaks: Yankees, won 8; Rays, lost 4.

National League

Sunday in Milwaukee, Danny Jansen, playing catcher and batting ninth in Milwaukee’s final regular season game, socked a 4th-inning, two-run homer that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead, as the Brewers downed the Reds, 4-2, finishing with the best record in the National League, earning a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Though the Brewers had already clinched the top NL spot the day before, the win cemented their position at 97-65, a game better than the Phillies (96-66), without the need for a tiebreaker. The Brewers will play the winner of the wild card series between the Cubs and Padres, which begins Tuesday in Chicago, the Cubs hosting all games in the best-of-three series. The winner meets the Brewers in Milwaukee, starting Satuday, October 4.

The other wild card series will be played in Los Angeles with the Dodgers hosting the Reds, starting Tuesday. Cincinnati, despite losing their final regular season game, finished tied with the Mets, but owned the tiebreaker thanks to winning their head-to-head encounters with New York, 4-2.

The Mets completely melted down during the stretch run, going 7-14 from September 6th through the end of the season, fittingly losing their final game at Miami Sunday, 4-0.

Complete MLB post-season schedules are available on the idleguy.com calendar.

NL Streaks: Dodgers, won 5; Rockies, lost 6.

September 27, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Aaron Judge smashed his 53rd home run of the season in the 1st inning and singled in two more runs in the 5th, as the Yankees won their seventh straight with a 6-1 win over the visiting Orioles Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Judge’s three RBI gave him 114 on the season, third best in the AL behind Seattle’s Cal Raleigh (124) and Eugenio Suarez (118). He is second in home runs to Raleigh, who leads the majors with 60. Judge will win the L batting title by a wide margin. His .331 batting average is 20 points better than Toronto’s Bo Bichette and the A’s Jacob Wilson.

The win kept New York tied with Toronto in the AL East, though the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker should both teams win or lose on Sunday. The Yankees could take the division title and the best record in the league only if Toronto loses their season finale to the Rays on Sunday. The first place finisher in the division will get a first round bye and home field throughout the playoffs. Second place will be the top wild card and host the second wild card in a best-of-three series starting Tuesday, September 30.

Both the Tigers and Guardians secured playoff spots Saturday. Detroit won, 2-1, at Boston, while Cleveland took a 3-2 decision over the Rangers on a walk-off hit batsman with the bases loaded in the 9th inning. The two Central division teams remain tied for first place, though Cleveland holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Whichever team finishes first gets the division crown, the second place finisher becomes the third wild card. One way or another, he two will meet on Tuesday in a best-of-three series. The division winner will have home field advantage. All games in the wild card round are played at the home team’s venue.

AL Streaks: Yankees, won 7; Rays, lost 3.

National League

Pete Alonso homered and doubled in four at-bats, driving in two runs and scoring twice as the Mets won at Miami, 5-0, over the Marlins Saturday.

New York remained tied with the Reds - 7-4 winners at Milwaukee - for the third wild card in the NL, but would lose the tiebreaker to Cincinnati as the Reds took the season series, 4-2. If Cincinnati wins on Sunday, the mets would be out. Cincinnati had fortune fall their way with the Phillies losing to Minnesota. That loss meant Milwaukee secured the best record in the league, home field throughout the playoffs, and makes Sunday’s meeting with the Reds academic.

Milwaukee is likely to rest some players and has no incentive to win the game, so the Reds may waltz into the playoffs. Game time Sunday in Milwaukee is 3:10 pm, the same time the Mets take the field in Miami. Milwaukee’s ace, Freddy Peralta, is slated to start Sunday for the Brewers, though it’s almost a certainty that he will sit the game out and rest for an expected opening game start on Saturday.

NL Streaks: Dodgers, won 4; Rockies, lost 5.

September 26, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Keeping their hopes for the AL East pennant alive, Giancarlo Stanton mashed a pair of two-run homers and drove in another run with a bases-loaded ground out in the 7th inning, powering New York to a 8-4 win over Baltimore, Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Stanton, who missed most of the first half of the season, has given the Yankees a huge boost since his return to the lineup June 16, batting .267 with 23 home runs and 64 RBI in 243 at-bats, a home run nearly ever 10 at-bats.

The win kept the Yankees tied with Toronto, 4-2 winners over Tampa Bay. Both teams have clinched playoff spots, and the difference between winning the division or being the #1 wild card will come down to the final two games of the season. Toronto holds the tiebreaker, so, if the two teams remained tied as of Sunday night, the Blue Jays would win the division and the Yankees the wild card.

Boston downed Detroit, 4-3, claiming a wild card, currently the second spot. They lead Cleveland and Detroit by two games, one of which will be the AL Central champ. Both lost on Friday, but so did Houston, falling a game behind both. Detroit has two more games at Boston. Cleveland, who holds the tiebreaker over the Tigers, hosts Texas Saturday and Sunday. Houston has two left in LA against the Angels.

Either Toronto or New York would appear to have the edge for the league’s best record and home field through the playoffs. They both lead Seattle by two games, so a single win by either of them eliminates the Mariners, already champions of the AL West.

AL Streaks: Yankees, won 6; Rays, Guardians, lost 2

National League

The Marlins aren’t going to the playoffs, but they’re making life miserable for the Mets, scoring six runs in the 6th inning en route to a 6-2 win Friday in Miami. Left fielder, Heriberto Hernandez struck the key blow, legging out a triple with two on base to tie the game at 2-2. The Marlins piled on for four more runs in the frame, finishing with a two-run homer by Connor Norby.

The result, along with Cincinnati’s 3-1 win at Milwaukee, left the Mets tied with the Reds for the final wild card. Arizona was eliminated when they lost at San Deigo, 7-4. Making the Mets’ plight even more dire is the fact that the Reds own the tiebreaker, having won the head-to-head season series, 4-2.

The Mets have been their own worst enemy. Since the All-Star break they are 27-36. Since June 12, when they held first place in the NL East at 45-24, they’ve gone 37-54.

The Brewers lead the Phillies for the best record in the league by one game and hold the tiebreaker over Philadelphia. One more Brewers win or one loss by the Phillies gives Milwaukee a first round bye and home field through the playoffs.

NL Streaks: Phillies, Dodgers, won 3; Rockies, lost 4.

September 25, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Daulton Varsho walloped a 6th inning grand slam that broke up a scoreless struggle as the Blue Jays downed the Red Sox, 6-1, Thursday in Toronto.

Toronto held onto first place in the AL East by virtue of owning the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Yankees, 5-3 winners over the White Sox. Toronto emptied their bullpen for the winning effort, taking a perfect game into the seventh inning before Boston broke through with its only run. Seven pitchers took the mound for Toronto.

The Blue Jays host Tampa Bay for the final three games of the regular season, while the Yankees are home for three with Baltimore. The Yankees would need to win one more game than Toronto to capture the division flag and get a first round bye; otherwise they would own the top wild card and play a three-game series beginning Tuesday, September 30.

With Seattle taking the AL West, the Central division remains up for grabs, with Cleveland holding - via tiebreaker - the lead after dropping a 4-2 decision to the Tigers Thursday. Detroit plays three at Boston over the weekend. Cleveland host the Texas Rangers.

Houston kept its wild card hopes alive with an 11-5 win over the A’s in Sacramento. They continue to be the odd team out, trailing both Cleveland and Detroit by a game in the wild card and down two to the Red Sox. The Astros end the regular season in Los Angeles with the Angels.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 7; White Sox, lost 5.

National League

Freddie Freeman smacked a solo homer in the 2nd inning and a two-run shot in the 4th and Shohei Ohtani belted his 54th home run of the season, leading the Dodgers to an 8-0 whitewash at Arizona to clinch the NL West division title for the fifth straight season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49) tossed six innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits and two walks while fanning seven. The Dodgers will be home against the third wild card - as yet undetermined - on Tuesday, September 30.

The Cubs and Padres have locked up the top two wild cards. The Mets clung to the third spot with an 8-5 win over the Cubs in Chicago. New York is a game up on Cincinnati and two games better than the Diamondbacks as they begin a three game series in Miami Friday to close out the Regular season.

Arizona plays three at San Diego and the Reds have three weekend games at Milwaukee. In case of a three-way tie, the Mets would lose to both the Reds and Diamondbacks. If the Mets tie with Arizona only, they would win in that scenario. The Reds win tiebreakers over both the D-backs and Mets.

NL Streaks: Phillies, Dodgers, won 2; Rockies, lost 3.

September 24, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

The Yankees, Red Sox, Guardians, and Mariners all won games on Wednesday, advancing their post-season prospects, but none more than the Mariners, who clinched the AL West division on the back of two homers by Cal Raleigh, who tied Babe Ruth’s former record from 1927 with 60 home runs.

Raleigh’s two homers were solo shots, in the 1st and 8th innings, sandwiching a 2nd-inning, two-run double that gave Seattle a 5-0 lead en route to a 9-2 romp over the visiting Rockies.

Raleigh joins an elite group who have hit 60 or more home runs in a season. Along with the Bambino, Roger Maris, Aaron Judge, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds all hit more than sixty. While Sosa, McGwire, and Bonds all played in the National League and their marks are tainted forever by their use of steroids, Raleigh stands tied for third-best with Ruth. Maris hit 61 in 1961, and Judge holds the AL mark of 62, which he set in 2022.

Raleigh has four games remaining to try to tie or break Judge’s AL mark, including one more against Colorado before closing out the season at home over the weekend with the Dodgers.

Elsewhere, there was stumbling and rallying. The Tigers lost their eighth straight, downed at Cleveland, 5-1. The Tigers now trail the Guardians by a game in the Central division and are tied with Houston - losers of five straight - for the final wild card.

The Yankees tied the Blue Jays for first place in the East, topping the White Sox, 8-1, while the Red Sox took their second straight in Toronto, 7-1. Because of Toronto’s tiebreaker edge, the Yankees are in line for the first wild card, with Boston all but assured of the second spot, whether it’s the Yankees or Blue Jays in the top slot. The Red Sox lead Detroit and Houston by two games.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 6; Tigers, lost 8.

National League

In five at-bats, Tommy Edman singled three times, scored a run and drove in the game-winner in the 11th inning, plating Freddie Freeman as the Dodgers outlasted the Diamondbacks, 5-4, Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

The win left the Dodgers 2 1/2 ahead of the Padres in the NL West. They need just one more victory to claim the division title as they hold the tiebreaker over San Diego, having gone 9-4 head-to-head with the Padres this season.

All three of the contenders for the final wild card lost on Wednesday. The Mets were overwhelmed by the Cubs, 10-3. Cincinnati fell to Pittsburgh, 4-3, in 11. Arizona, as mentioned above, lost to the Dodgers. The Mets remain a game up on both the Reds and Diamondbacks with four games remaining.

Who goes to the playoffs and who goes home could come down to the last games Sunday. After finishing off their current series Thursday, the Mets have three in Miami, the Diamondbacks play three at San Diego, and the Reds have three at Milwaukee.

The schedules may be most favorable to the Reds and D-Backs. Milwaukee only needs one more win to attain the #1 seed with the best league record. They won the season series with the Phillies, 4-2, so hold the tiebreaker. The Padres are probably locked into the second wild card. They trail the Cubs by 2 1/2 and the Dodgers by the same amount in the division race. Thus, the Brewers and Padres may be resting some players in those weekend games.

As for the Mets, the Marlins are a dangerous team with nothing to lose. They may take some pleasure in being a spoiler. Looks like a fun weekend developing.

NL Streaks: Pirates, won 4; Reds, Rockies, lost 2.

September 23, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Josh Naylor’s 8th-inning, bases-loaded double plated three Mariners, leading to a 4-3 win over visiting Colorado, clinching a playoff spot while closing in on the AL West title Tuesday night.

Naylor went 2-for-4, improving to .292 and driving in his 89th, 90th and 91st runs of the year. Seattle’s win and Houston’s 5-1 road loss to the A’s left them four games up on the Astros, reducing their magic number to clinch the division down to two.

With five games left to play, the Mariners are in position to capture their first division crown since 2001. Since their inaugural season in 1977, the Mariners are 17-22 in playoff appearances and have never been to the World Series, losing the ALCS to the Indians in 1995 (4-2) and to the Yankees in 200 (4-2) and 2001 (4-1).

Elsewhere in the AL, Cleveland tied Detroit for first place in the Central with a 5-2 win in the opener of a three-game series at Cleveland and hold the tiebreaker in head-to-head meetings. The Yankees closed to within one game of the Blue Jays in the East, winning, 3-2, over the White Sox in New York while the Red Sox defeated the Jays, 4-1. Currently configured, Houston would be the odd team out, with New York, Boston and Detroit earning wild cards.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 5; Rangers, lost 8.

National League

After Francisco Alvarez put the Mets up by two with a two-run homer in the 8th, Edwin Diaz made the lead stand, pitching two perfect innings, striking out five as the Mets downed the Cubs, 9-7, Tuesday in Chicago.

Earning his 27th save, Diaz fanned the first two batters in the 8th and got Seiya Suzuki on a liner to left to end the inning, then struck out the side in the 9th to finish the game, leaving the Mets one game ahead of Arizona in the race for the final wild card. The Cubs and Padres have already secured the first two.

Arizona topped the Dodgers, 5-4, to keep pace with New York, while San Diego closed the gap in the NL West to 1 1/2 games behind Los Angeles with a 7-0 win over the Brewers, highlighted by Ryan O’Hearn’s 1st inning grand slam and seven shutout innings on one hit by Padres’ starter, Ramon Vasquez. San Diego closes out their series with Milwaukee Wednesday, takes Thursday off, and closes the regular season hosting three with Arizona.

The Braves, Nationals, Brewers, Cardinals, Padres, and Giants have four games left to play, all with Thursday off. The remaining teams in the NL have five games left.

NL Streaks: Marlins, won 7; Cubs, lost 5.

September 22, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

There were no American League teams in action on Monday, September 22.

Here’s how the remainder of the regular season shapes up in the American League. All teams have six games left on the schedule. MLB provides a guide to tiebreakers and playoff seedings and rules.

No team has clinched either a division title or a wild card spot, though Toronto has at least clinched a playoff spot. The Blue Jays lead the Yankees by two games in the AL East and Boston by five. Toronto’s magic number is five.

In the Central, the Tigers, losers of six straight, have squandered a lead that was once 11 1/2 games. Cleveland has closed to within one game in the division race.

The AL West is Seattle’s for the taking with a three game lead over Houston after sweeping the Astros over the weekend. Seattle’s magic number is four.

The Yankees lead the wild card by three games over Boston and four over Houston and Cleveland. The Yankees close out at home with three games each against the White Sox and Baltimore. They appear to be a safe bet to grab the #1 wild card, if not win the division. Boston has three at Toronto and then three at home against Detroit.

The Tigers play three at Detroit before heading to Boston, so they could be looking at anything from the division crown to a wild card or being eliminated. After Cleveland hosts the Tigers, the finish at home against Texas. The Guardians have won 15 of their last 17 heading into Tuesday.

Seattle closes out at home, with three each against the Rockies and Dodgers. Houston ends on the road with three at the A’s and three at the Angels.

With the regular season officially ending on Sunday, all six playoff spots are up for grabs with seven teams contending. One of them will be eliminated.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 4; Tigers, lost 6.

National League

It took 11 innings, but the San Diego Padres clinched a berth in the Playoffs when Freddy Fermin stroked a single to center, scoring Bryce Johnson from third, walking off the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4.

Fermin entered the game at catcher in the 8th inning when Elias Diaz was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the 7th. He grounded out in the 9th, but delivered the decisive blow two innings later.

With two wild card spots secured by the Cubs and Padres, and the NL East and Central clinched by the Phillies and Brewers, respectively, the remaining playoff spots are one wild card and the NL West, where the Dodgers hold a 2 1/2 game edge on San Diego with six games left to play. Since the Padres only have five games remaining, the Dodgers’ magic number is three,

The final wild card is up for grabs as the Mets and Reds are tied, with Arizona a game behind. St. Louis and San Francisco have long shot odds to reach, but they are each 3 1/2 games out.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 9; Cubs, lost 4

September 21, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

As part of a seven-run, second-inning uprising, Cal Raleigh socked his major league-leading 58th home run and J.P. Crawford smashed a grand slam, leading Seattle past Houston, 7-3, sweeping the three-game series and takin a commanding three-game lead in the AL West with six games to play.

Crawford, batting ninth and playing shortstop, had just the one hit in four at-bats, though it proved to supply the winning margin. He’s hit 12 homers and driven in 58 runs this season.

Raleigh’s home run was a two-run bomb. He has set major league marks for most home runs in a season by a catcher and by a switch-hitter, as well as setting a franchise record for homers, surpassing that of Ken Griffey Jr.

Seattle heads home to meet the Colorado Rockies for three games starting Tuesday, then ends the regular season hosting three with the Dodgers. Houston hits the road for three with the A’s and three in L.A. with the Angels.

The Astros face the prospect of being a wild card as they are now tied with Cleveland for the final spot, a game behind the Red Sox in the second slot. The Yankees lead the wild card chase by three games and are only two behind Toronto in the AL East.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 4; Tigers, lost 6.

National League

Gavin Lux drove in the winning run with a second-inning double that plated Matt McLain, as the Reds topped the Cubs, 1-0, Sunday in Cincinnati.

Lux, a .267 hitter, was playing DH and also singled in four at-bats as four Cincinnati pitchers out-dueled Cubs’ hurlers for a win that tied the Reds with the slumping Mets for the final wild card in the National League. Arizona, 9-2 winners over the Phillies Sunday, is a game behind the Mets and Reds. Cincinnati swept the four-game series with the Cubs, which included two 1-0 games.

The top two wild cards are held by Chicago and San Diego. The Cubs are three games up on the Padres, who, in turn are three up on the Reds and Mets. With the Cubs losing, Milwaukee clinched the NL Central division.

Each of the wild card contenders has six games left to play and all have Monday off. The Reds host the Pirates for three, then finish at Milwaukee. The Mets close out on the road with three games each against the Cubs and Marlins. Arizona hosts the Dodgers before hitting the road for three at San Diego.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 8; Cubs, lost 4.

September 20, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

The Tigers have lost five straight while the Guardians have won 10 in a row and 15 of their last 16, narrowing Detroit’s lead in the AL Central to just one game. On Saturday, Slade Cecconi (left) threw seven innings of shutout ball and Logan Allen (right) tossed eight scoreless as the Guardians took both ends of a double-header from the Twins in shutout style, the first time Cleveland has done that since 1964. Cleveland won the first game, 6-0 as Cecconi allowed just two hits, walked one and fanned eight. In the second game an 8-0 victory, Allen allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out seven.

With eyes on the division crown, Cleveland also tied Houston for the final wild card spot. The Astros fell to Seattle, 6-4. Cleveland looks for the series sweep Sunday in Minneapolis.

In the Al East, the Yankees crept to within two games of the Blue Jays with a 6-1 win at Baltimore while Toronto lost its fourth straight, a 2-1 defeat at Kansas City.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 10; Rangers, lost 6.

National League

San Diego took another step forward in their quest for the post-season as Jackson Merrill socked a solo homer, doubled, walked, and scored three runs in four at-bats, leading the Padres to a 7-3 win over the White Sox, Saturday in Chicago.

The win left the Padres four games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, but also kept their hold on the second wild card intact. They are four games behind the Cubs, who hold the top wild card and four games above the Mets, who have a tenuous grip on the third and final wild card. Any combination of five wins or five Mets’ losses over the remaining seven regular season games would secure a spot in the playoffs.

Lurking ominously behind the Mets are the Reds, just one back, and the Diamondbacks, two behind. San Diego completes the series in Chiacago Sunday.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 7; Giants, Cubs, lost 3. Magic numbers to clinch divisions: Brewers, 1; Dodgers, 4; Blue Jays, 6; Mariners, 6; Tigers, 7

September 19, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Bryan Woo blanked the Astros on one hit over five innings as Seattle batters supported him with four solo home runs and three relievers finished the job in a 4-0 Mariners’ win at Houston, taking first place in the AL West.

Woo (15-7, 2.94) walked one and fanned seven, leaving after just 67 pitches without explanation, though it appeared he was having some kind of physical issue.

Seattle emerged with a one-game lead over the Astros in the division. The two have swapped first place repeatedly over the past few months. Both teams have solid post-season prospects, as Houston is now tied with Boston for the second and third wild card spots, though surging Cleveland lurks just 1 1/2 games behind. The Guardians have won eight straight. The series continues over the weekend.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 8; Rangers, lost 5.

National League

Francisco Lindor (left) and Juan Soto (right) led the Mets to a 12-6 win over Washington, Friday at Citi Field in New York.

The 1-2 hitters in the lineup, Lindor went 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, walked, drove in a run and scored four times while Soto sacked a three-run homer and singled in three at-bats, walked twice, scored twice and stole a base. Soto has a career high 42 home runs and 34 steals on the season. His three RBI upped his total to 103.

The win came in the first of a three game series with the Nationals which continues Saturday and Sunday. The Mets continue to cling to the third wild card, just two games up on the Reds with eight games left.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 6; Pirates, Nationals, lost 5.

Magic numbers to clinch divisions: Brewers, 3; Dodgers, 5; Blue Jays, 6; Tigers, 7.

September 18, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

If Max Fried hadn’t already made his case for the AL Cy Young award, he certainly cemented himself as one of the favorites, tossing seven innings of scoreless ball in a 7-0 Yankees win at Baltimore in the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards.

Fried allowed three harmless singles while striking out 13 would-be Oriole hitters, equaling his career high. On top of every aspect of his game, Fried needed just 87 pitches to secure his AL-leading 18th win against a mere five losses, while dropping his ERA to a very solid 2.92.

Coupled with a second straight loss by the Blue Jays, the Yankees moved to within three games of Toronto with just nine games remaining in the regular season. New York is in a comfortable position with the top wild card (two up on either Seattle or Houston and three up on Boston) but could run down the Blue Jays over the final week of play.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 7; Angels, lost 7.

National League

Hunter Greene came as close as possible to a no-hitter as anyone this season, but fell short of the only no-no in the majors, hurling a one-hit, complete game shutout as the Reds blanked the Cubs, 1-0, Thursday in Cincinnati.

Greene (7-4, 2.74) took the no-hit bid into the 7th inning, undone by Seiya Suzuki’s two-out double. Getting the next batter on a ground out, Greene retired the Cubs in order in the 8th and 9th, including two whiffs to finish the job. Other than Suzuki, the only other baserunners the Cubs had were Moises Balesteros, who reached on an error in the 5th and Michael Busch, walked in the 6th.

With the Reds’ taking the opener of this crucial four-game series with the Cubs they kept their wild card hopes alive. Cincinnati remained two games behind the Mets for the final wild card, tied with the Diamondbacks with fewer than ten games left in the regular season.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 5; Rockies, lost 5.

Magic Numbers to clinch divisions: Brewers, 4; Dodgers, 7; Tigers, 7; Blue Jays, 7.

September 17, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Trent Grisham smacked a pair of home runs - a solo shot in the 3rd and a three-run blast n the 4th - to lead the Yankees to a 10-5 win at Minnesota Wednesday.

Grisham’s first homer tied the game at 2-2, his second putting the Yanks up 6-2. The center fielder has 33 home runs this season, many coming from the leadoff spot, as did last night’s long balls.

With Toronto losing, the Yankees improved to just four down to the AL East-leading Blue Jays and control the #1 wild card spot with a two-game bulge over Boston and Seattle.

The Yankees seem assured of at least a wild card, given that their remaining schedule consists of seven games against the Orioles (at Baltimore, 9/18-21; at home, 9/26-28) sandwiching three home games against the White Sox.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 6; White Sox, Angels, lost 6.

National League

As there have been no no-hitters thrown this season, Wednesday’s effort by Brandon Pfaadt, even though it did not result in a decision, ranks as one of the best this year.

Pfaadt allowed one lonely hit, fanned seven and walked another over nine innings, dueling with Justin Verlander (9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER) for much of the contest, resulting in a 5-1 win for the Giants in 11 innings over Arizona.

The game concluded the series between the two NL West teams trying to catch the Mets for the third wild card spot. They did each other no favors, with Arizona winning two of three, leaving then 1 1/2 behind New York, the Giants two back.

With the season winding down to the last ten games, the Diamondbacks have a tough schedule ahead starting with three at home against the Phillies, followed by three with the Dodgers and ending on the road in San Diego for three.

The Giants may have it easier if they can earn a split in four games at the Dodgers beginning Thursday, because after that they host the Cardinals and Rockies for three apiece to close out the regular season.

NL Streaks: Braves, won 5; Rockies, Pirates, Nationals, lost 4.

September 16, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Dominic Canzone (left) smashed three home runs and Cal Raleigh socked two, breaking Mickey Mantle’s MLB record for switch hits home runs in a season and tying Ken Griffey Jr. for the franchise single season home run mark with his 55th and 56th dingers of the year. The Mariners crushed the Royals, 12-5, Tuesday night in Kansas City, continuing their quest for a post-season berth.

Batting as DH, Canzone also knocked two singles to go 5-for-5 with four runs and four RBI. Raleigh was 3-for-5, doubling and scoring in the 1st inning. Raleigh launched a solo shot in the 3rd and mashed a two-run homer in the 4th. Canzone belted solo homers in the 2nd and 5th innings and a two-run belt in the 9th.

The win was the 10th straight for the Mariners, keeping them a half-game ahead of Houston in the AL West while also in the thick of the wild card contest, just a game behind the Yankees for the top spot. Currently, the Yankees are 1 1/2 up on the Astros and two better than the Red Sox. Further back are Cleveland and Texas.

The series at Kansas City continues Wednesday and Thursday.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 10; Angels, White Sox, lost 5.

National League

Even though the Phillies already clinched the NL East, they are still in the hunt for the best record in the league, trailing the Brewers by 1 1/2 games, so, despite Shohei Ohtani tossing five hitless innings and blasting his 50th home run of the season, it was Philly catcher, Rafael Marchan who delivered a game-winning three-run homer in the top of the 9th, as the Phillies stunned the Dodgers, 9-6, Tuesday in Los Angeles.

After Ohtani’s solo homer in the 8th, Teoscar Hernandez scored on an Alex Call sac fly to tie the game, but Marchan, who had earlier singled and scored in the 6th inning, surprised everyone in the 9th with his second home run of the year, clearing the wall in right field with two men aboard.

The Phillies have taken two straight from the Dodgers in this three game series which concludes Wednesday. Despite the loss, Los Angeles remains two games up on the Padres in the NL West. San Diego fell to the Mets Wednesday, 8-3.

NL Streaks: Braves, Diamondbacks, won 4; Giants, lost 4.

September 15, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

National League

The game was hardly meaningful, as both teams have been out of post-season contention for some time, but Atlanta’s Matt Olson delivered a playoff-worthy performance Monday as the Braves pounded the Nationals, 11-3, in Washington, D.C.

Olson went 4-for-5, smacking a pair of doubles and his 26th home run - a three-run, 5th inning blast - driving in four runs and scoring twice. The first baseman upped his RBI total to 87.

In more consequential action, the Phillies became the first team to clinch a division, as they took out the Dodgers, 6-5, in 11 innings to capture the NL East with a 12 1/2-game lead over the New York Mets.

NL Streaks: Diamondbacks, won 3; Giants, lost 3

American League

Minnesota hurler, Simeon Woods Richardson, dealt a serious blow to the Yankees’ hopes of winning the AL East, shutting out the bombers over six innings in the opener of a three-game series in Minneapolis Monday as the Twins downed the Yankees, 7-0.

Woods Richardson (7-4, 4.31) allowed just two hits, walked three, but struck out 11, including Giancarlo Stanton three times and the side in order in the 4th inning.

While the Twins are out of contention for the post-season, the blow to the Yankees put them five games behind AL East leader Toronto, with just 12 games left in the regular season. New York continues to hold the top wild card, but Boston is just one game behind while Seattle, Houston, Texas, and Cleveland vie for the third, and possibly all, wild card spots.

The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 9; Angels, White Sox, lost 4.

Magic Numbers to clinch divisions: Brewers: 8; Blue Jays: 8; Tigers: 7

September 14, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Very likely to be named AL MVP, Cal Raleigh smashed his major league-leading 54th home run as the Seattle Mariners surged into first place in the AL West with an 11-2 triumph over the visiting Los Angeles Angels, sweeping the four-game series.

Raleigh was the catalyst for Seattle’s 16-hit barrage, socking his two-run homer in the 1st inning, tying Mickey Mantle for the most home runs in a season by a switch hitter. Raleigh also singled and scored in the 3rd inning and walked and scored again in the 4th. Raleigh leads the AL in RBI, with 115.

The Mariners scored three more in the 3rd and plated six in the 4th inning, turning the game into a laugher. The win left them a game up on Houston, the Astros dropping an 8-3 decision in Atlanta. Seattle’s quest for the division title is far from over. They’re in Kansas City on Tuesday for a three-game series before three at Houston. They close out the season at home with three each against Colorado and the Angels.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 9; Angels, lost 4

National League

In a losing effort, Mickey Moniac went 4-for-5, belted a pair of home runs, singled twice, stole two bases and drove in five runs, as the last place Rockies lost at San Diego, 9-6, Sunday afternoon.

Moniak socked a solo homer in the 4th inning and a three-run shot in the 6th, but his efforts were not quite enough to prevent the Padres from taking three of four in the series, as they continued their pursuit of the Dodgers in the NL West. San Diego trails LA by 2 1/2 games, but also has a firm hold on the second wild card, 3 1/2 behind the Cubs and five up on the Mets.

The Padres probably have the toughest schedule of the remaining post-season contenders, consisting of four three-game series at the Mets and Cubs before returning home to meet the Brewers and Diamondbacks. Their series in New York begins Tuesday.

NL Streaks: Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks, won 2; Reds, lost 3.

Magic Numbers to clinch division: Phillies, 1; Tigers, 7; Brewers, 8.

September 13, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Jazz Chisholm provided most of the offense in the Yankees’ 5-3 win at Boston Saturday, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, putting New York 2 1/2 games ahead of the Red Sox for the top wild card spot.

Chisholm beat out an infield hit in the 1st inning, plating Ben Rice, singled home Aaron Judge in the 3rd and socked a solo homer - his 29th - in the 5th. A solid performer all season, Chisholm has driven in 75 runs.

The win left the Yankees with a secure grip in the wild card and kept them three behind Toronto in the AL East. New York has taken the first two games in Boston and will be seeking the sweep Sunday night.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 8; Angels, Tigers, Red Sox, Royals, lost 3.

National League

Teoscar Hernandez mashed a pair of doubles and a single in five at-bats, drove in three runs and scored twice as the Dodgers beat up the Giants, 13-7 Saturday in San Francisco.

Hernandez doubled in a run in the 3rd and plated two more with another double in the 5th inning, scoring in the frame as the Dodgers pushed across six runs to take a commanding lead.

The win kept Los Angels in control in the NL West with a 2 1/2-game lead on the Padres. The Giants remain a half game behind the struggling Mets for the third wild card spot. The Mets have lost eight straight.

NL Streaks: Phillies, won 6; Mets, lost 8.

September 12, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Tanner Bibee tossed a complete game, two-hit shutout in the opener of a three-game series in Cleveland, the Guardians bleaching the White Sox, 4-0 Friday.

Bibee (10-11, 4.44) allowed consecutive one-out singles in the 3rd inning, but escaped any damage by inducing a double play. After that, Bibee dominated. Only two White Sox batters reached base, one on an error in the 6th and another hit by pitch in the 9th, the two-hit shutout one of the strongest mound feats of the season. Bibee struck out 10 and walked none.

With the win, Cleveland kept pace with the Mariners, Astros, and Rangers in the race for the final wild card spot. While the three AL West squads vie for the division, with Houston and Seattle locked in a tie for first with Texas two games back, Cleveland is 3 1/2 removed from the potential wild card with 17 games to go.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 7; Rays, lost 3.

National League

Justin Verlander and Yoshinobo Yamamoto each allowed just one run over seven innings and the relievers kept the game tied until Patrick Bailey abruptly ended the Giants’ 5-1 win over the Dodgers with a 10th-inning grand slam Friday at San Francisco.

Baily’s sixth dinger of the season was a walk-off winner as the Giants moved to within a half game of the Mets for the final wild card spot. While the Mets have lost seven straight, the Giants have taken advantage, winning seven of their last 10.

The Giants and Dodgers meet again Saturday and Sunday and then play four games in Los Angeles next week. The Dodgers hold a 2 1/2-game lead over the Padres in the NL West and are up seven on the Giants.

NL Streaks: Phillies, won 5; Pirates, lost 7.

September 11, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Kevin Gausman tossed a 2-hit, complete game gem to lead the Blue Jays to a 6-0 win over the Astros Thursday in Toronto.

It was the fourth career complete game for Gausman who threw exactly 100 pitches to complete the win. Since there has been no no-hitters this season in the majors, Gausman’s performance ranks as possibly the best of the year. He fanned nine and walked one.

Gausman was perfect through the first three innings, but gave up a pair of singles in the third. Jeremy Pena singled to lead off the inning and Carlos Correa put runners on first and third with his one-out single to right. Gausman got Jose Altuve on a foul fly to first and struck out Jesus Sanchez to end the threat. After that, he set down 15 straight Houston hitters before walking Pena with one out in the 9th.

The win kept the Blue Jays atop the AL East, three better than the Yankees and 3 1/2 up on the Red Sox. Houston fell into a flat-footed tie with Seattle in the West division, both teams locked in at 79-68. Seattle’s won six straight. Texas lurks ominously in third place just two games behind.

The Astros start a three-game series in Atlanta Friday while the Jays remain home for three with the Orioles. Things will really heat up in the AL West and wild card races next week. Houston hosts three-game series against both Texas and Seattle.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 6; Twins, Rays, lost 2.

National League

After allowing five hits and four runs in the first inning, escaping further damage by getting out of the inning on a line-out double play, Jesus Luzardo trusted his teammates to get themselves back into the game while he hurled a perfect seven innings for a 6-4 Philadelphia triumph and a four-game sweep of the visiting Mets.

Luzardo (14-6, 4.03) was untouchable from the 2nd through 8th innings, fanning 10 while throwing 68 of 97 pitches for strikes. Jhoan Duran came on in the 9th, striking out the side for his 29th save.

The defeat was the sixth straight for the Mets, who continue to cling onto the third wild card spot. The Reds and Giants are in hot pursuit, both 1 1/2 games back. Winning their fourth straight, the Phillies have opened up a commanding 11-game lead over the Mets in the NL East, their magic number of clinching the division now down to five (5).

The Phillies host a three-game set with Kansas City beginning Friday before heading out to the West Coast for three each with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, starting Monday. The earliest they could clinch the division would be this Sunday, but it’s more likely that they’ll claim the division title while on the road next week.

The Mets open a nine-game home stand Friday with the Texas Rangers in town for a weekend series. After that, it’s the Padres and Nationals for three apiece.

NL Streaks: Phillies, Dodgers, won 4; Mets, Pirates, Rockies, lost 6.

September 10, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Keeping the Rangers’ post-season hopes alive in a 6-3 win over Milwaukee, Texas first basemanJake Burger crushed a pair of homers, drove in three runs and scored three times Wednesday in Arlington.

Burger drove a solo shot 432 feet in the 2nd inning, then mashed another 420-footer with a man aboard in the 5th, his 16th of the season. Reaching in the ninth, Burger scored on a Rowdy Telez ground out to seal the deal.

The win completed a three-game sweep for Texas over the visiting Brewers, who remain in first place in the NL Central, though their lead over the Cubs has shrunk to 5 1/2 games. Texas remains in third place in the AL West, 2 1/2 games behind Houston with Seattle sandwiched in between, a game back of the Astros. The Rangers are also 1 1/2 behind the Mariners for the last wild card. Texas travels to New York for a three-game series with the Mets starting Friday. Milwaukee hosts St. Louis over the weekend.

AL Streaks: Mariners, won 5; Twins, Yankees, lost 2.

National League

Mookie Betts went 4-for-5, including a grand slam Wednesday as the Dodgers scalded the Rockies, 9-0, completing a three-game sweep in LA and finishing the season series with last place Colorado with an 11-2 mark.

Betts doubled in Shohei Ohtani in the second inning, putting the Dodgers up 4-0 and doubled the score with his slam in the 8th. He added a pair of singles but was left stranded on both occasions.

The Dodgers continue to lead the NL West by three games over San Diego as they seek their fourth straight NL West title and 12th in the last 13 years. San Francisco is the next stop for the Dodgers. They play three with the Giants beginning Friday.

NL Streaks: Dodgers, won 4; Mets, Pirates, Rockies, lost 5.

September 9, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

With wild card races heating up, the Guardians turned to Joey Cantillo for a key start against the visiting Royals and the 25-year-old responded with a superb outing, twirling eight innings of shutout ball for a 2-0 Cleveland victory.

Cantillo (5-3, 3.36) allowed four singles, did not walk a batter and fanned five, Consistently in the strike zone, he threw 72 of 92 pitches for strikes, getting first-pitch strikes on 24 of the 27 batters he faced.

The win improved Cleveland’s position in the wild card to just 2 1/2 games behind Seattle for the final spot. The Guardians have won five straight to put themselves into contention. Texas, winners of three straight, is just in front of them, 1 1/2 behind the Mariners, who have won four in a row. Kansas City dropped to four back, with the Rays still hopeful, though 4 1/2 behind Seattle.

The four-game series between Cleveland and Kansas City continues through Thursday.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 5; Royals, A’s, lost 3

National League

Teoscar Hernandez mashed a pair of solo homers and added a single in four at-bats, helping the Dodgers to a 7-2 win over Colorado Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Hernandez homered in the 4th and 8th innings, backing Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 3.32), who worked seven innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run.

The victory was the Dodgers’ second straight over the Rockies and third straight overall. The Dodgers lead the NL West by two games over San Diego and will be seeking the series sweep Wednesday against Colorado.

NL Streaks: Nationals, won 4; Mets, Pirates, Rockies, lost 4.

September 8, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Slade Cecconi took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but gave up a single to Michael Massey, leading off the frame. Cecconi induced a double play after that and finished the inning with a ground out before retiring in the Guardians’ 10-2 victory over Kansas City Monday in Cleveland.

Cecconi finished with an eight-inning one-hitter, striking out three with three walks. There has not been a no-hitter thrown in the majors this season. Unless there’s a no-hitter thrown within the last 20 or so games of the season, this would be the first year without a no-hitter since 2005 and just the fifth year without one since 1969.

Cleveland’s win came in the first of a four game series between the Guardians and the Royals, both teams trying to catch Seattle for the final wild card spot. Cleveland, which has won four straight, trails the Mariners by 2 1/2 games; Kansas City is four back, but Texas is ahead of both, only 1 1/2 behind Seattle.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 4; Rays, lost 3.

National League

Josh Bell opened the series between the Marlins and Nationals in Miami Monday with a bang, going 4-for-6, with two home runs and six RBI as Washington blasted Miami, 15-7 Monday.

Bell singled in a run in the 5th inning, then walloped the first of two two-run homers in the 6th, following with the second in the 7th. He finished up with another RBI single in the 9th, completing Washington’s scoring. Bell has 19 home runs and 54 RBI this year.

Neither the Marlins or Nationals have any chance of making the post-season. Miami is 18 games behind NL East leader Philadelphia. Washington is 24 1/2 back, in last place.

NL Streaks: Nationals, Padres, won 3; Cubs, Mets, Rockies, Pirates, lost 3.

September 7, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

National League

With fewer then 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Cincinnati Reds continue to chase the Mets in pursuit of the third wNational League wild card.

On Sunday, Hunter Greene forged a path to victory with seven innings of one-hit ball, leading the Reds to a 3-2 win over the Mets in Cincinnati.

The only hit off Greene was a 3rd inning home run by Brett Baty. Otherwise, the 6’5” righty dominated, striking out 12 with two walks. Greene (6-4, 2.59) struck out the first five batters he faced and six of the first seven before Baty’s one-out solo shot. He finished strong as well, fanning the side in the 7th after issuing a leadoff walk to Pete Alonso.

Juan Soto cut into the Reds’ lead with a 9th inning solo shot, but Cincinnati prevailed, taking two of three to pull to within four games of the Mets for the final wild card.

Both teams face crucial series this week. The Reds open a three-game set in San Diego Monday while the Mets start a four-game series with the Phillies, who lead the Mets by seven games in NL East

NL Streaks: Brewers, won 3; Pirates, lost 3.

American League

Eugenio Suarez cranked his 44th and 45th home runs of the season, as Seattle clubbed the Braves, 18-2, taking two of three over the weekend in Atlanta.

Cal Raleigh socked his 53rd and the Mariners went yard five times in their 20-hit assault on Atlanta pitching.

Seattle trails Houston by 2 1/2 games in the AL West as the Astros dropped a 4-2 decision at Texas. The Mariners host St. Louis in the first of three, Monday. They continue to cling to the third wild card in the AL, 1 1/2 games up on Texas and two better than Kansas City.

AL Streaks: Guardians, won 3; Rays, lost 3. September 6, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Ending a six-game White Sox winning streak, Tarik Skubal shut down Chicago batters on two hits in seven scoreless innings as the Tigers took a 6-0 decision saturday in Detroit.

Skubal (13-4, 2.10), last season’s AL Cy Young award winner, fanned six and walked one, evening the series which concludes Sunday.

Detroit leads Kansas City by 8 1/2 games in the AL Central, the largest lead in any division. Their magic number to clinch is 12.

AL Streaks: Orioles, won 5, Twins, lost 6.

National League

Brandon Woodruff threw six scoreless innings as the Milwaukee Brewers knocked off the Pirates, 4-1, Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Woodruff held Pittsburgh to two singles, didn’t allow a runner past first base and struck out eight without issuing any walks. After a 1st inning single, Woodruff (6-2, 3.32) set down 15 in a row, before allowing another single in the 6th. He threw 61 of 85 pitches for strikes before handing the ball to the bullpen with a 2-0 lead.

The win was the second straight for Milwaukee against the last place Pirates. They will be looking for the series sweep Sunday. The Brewers lead the Cubs by 6 1/2 games in the NL Central and have the best record in the majors, at 88-55.

NL Streaks: Diamondbacks, won 4; Marlins, lost 5.

September 5, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Staked with a 4-0 lead, Kevin Gausman gave up a solo home run to Giancarlo Stanton in the 2nd inning and little else after that, shutting down the Yankees over eight innings in a 7-1 Blue Jays win Friday night in New York.

Gausman (9-10, 3.63) allowed just three singles and a walk, fanning five in the opener of a three-game weekend series with the Yankees. New York trails Toronto by four games in the AL East, and also holds the top wild card spot, 1/2-game better than Boston.

With Seattle 4 1/2 behind the Red Sox in the wild card race, it appears that the AL East will send three teams to the playoffs; Toronto, New York, and Boston.

AL Streaks: White Sox, won 6; Twins, lost 5.

National League

Kyle Freeland tossed eight scoreless innings, allowing nothing other than a 5th inning double and a harmless single in the 8th, struck out 10 without a walk, leading the Rockies to a 3-0 win over the struggling Padres Friday in Denver.

Freeland (4-14, 5.10) was facing San Diego’s Nick Pivetta (13-5, 2.85) and on this night proved to have the better stuff. Freeland threw only 88 pitches and struck out eight of the first 12 batters he faced, including the side in order in the 4th.

The Padres dropped their 5th in a row, failing to take advantage of the Dodgers’ four-game losing streak. San Diego remains two games behind LA in the NL West. The Rockies won their 40th game of the season, against 101 losses, the worst record in the majors. Friday’s contest was the first in a three-game series that continues over the weekend.

NL Streaks: Giants, won 5; Padres, lost 5

September 4, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Even though the White Sox are still in last place with no hope of making the playoffs, they are vastly improved from last year, when they set the record for losses (122) in a full season.

The Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Twins on Thursday, with catcher Kyle Teel driving in four runs with a single, double and home run in five at-bats, leading to an 11-8 victory at Minnesota.

Teel also stole a base, scored three times and threw out a runner attempting to steal. It was an excellent showing for the rookie, who is batting .293 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 191 at-bats.

The White Sox have won five straight and open a three-game series at Cleveland Friday.

AL Streaks: Rays, won 7; Twins, lost 4.

National League

Paul Skenes appears to be cruising toward the National League Cy Young award after blanking the Dodgers over six innings in a 5-3 win over LA in Pittsburgh Thursday night, completing a three-game sweep of the NL West leaders.

Skenes improved to 10-9, dropping his league-leading ERA to 1.98, allowing two hits, one walk, while striking out 8. He’s fanned 195 batters in 173 innings this season, tying him for the NL lead with Philly’s Zack Wheeler, though Wheeler is out for the remainder of the season. Skenes is one ahead of San Francisco’s Logan Webb and five up on the Padres’ Dylan Cease.

Pittsburgh hosts the Brewers in a three-game weekend series starting Friday. The Dodgers play three at Baltimore this weekend.

NL Streaks: Giants, won 4; Padres, lost 4.

September 3, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Addison Barger’s 5th-inning, two-run homer tied the game, as the Blue Jays rallied from a 5-0 deficit for a 13-9 win at Cincinnati Wednesday.

Barger’s 19th homer was one of five swatted by Toronto, as they out-slugged the Reds and improved their lead to 3 1/2 games in the AL East over Boston and New York, both losers on the night.

Barger finished 2-for-4 with four RBI, delivering a sac fly for a run in the 6th and a run-scoring single in the 8th. The Blue Jays took two of three from the Reds and head to the Big Apple for a weekend series with the Yankees, starting Friday night. The Reds, five games behind the Mets in the wild card hunt, host the Mets for three beginning Friday.

AL Streaks: Rays, won 6; Mariners, Royals, Twins, lost 3.

National League

Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants are keeping their post-season hopes alive with a 10-8 victory at Colorado Wednesday in Denver, winning their fourth straight and 10th in their last 11 games.

Chapman went 3-for-4, with a double and a pair of home runs - his 19th and 20th - belting a solo shot in the 2nd inning and a two-out, three-run blast in the 6th, driving in four runs for the surging Giants, who are closing in on the Mets, now just four games behind in the race for the last wild card spot. They are also five back of San Diego, losers of four straight, for the second wild card.

With the sweep of last place Colorado complete, the Giants head to St, Louis to open a three-game series Friday.

NL Streaks: Giants, won 4; Marlins, Rockies, lost 3.

September 2, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

National League

Pete Alonso socked a pair of solo homers, helping the Mets defeat the Tigers, 12-5, Tuesday at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

Alsono’s home runs were his 32nd and 33rd of the year, and the two RBI gave him 112, second in the National League. The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber has 118.

The Mets have taken two straight from the Tigers, who lead the AL Central by nine games over Kansas City. The Mets pulled to within 5 1/2 of the idle Phillies in the NL East and continue to hold onto the third wild card spot, five games ahead of San Francisco and Cincinnati. The series concludes Wednesday.

NL Streaks: Giants, won 3; Padres, lost 3.

American League

George Springer belted his 25th nd 26th homers of the season, drove in three runs and scored three as the Blue Jays evened their series at Cincinnati with a 12-9 victory.

Springer led off the game with his first home run and followed up with a two-run shot in the fourth. In between long balls, he singled and scored in the 2nd. Springer, 35, is having a solid year, batting .305 with 26 home runs and 71 RBI.

Toronto holds a 2 1/2-game lead over Boston and New York in the AL East, while the Reds hope to catch the Mets in the wild card, though they remain five games back and are now tied with the Giants, who have won three straight and nine of their last 10. The three-game series concludes Wednesday.

AL Streaks: Rays, won 5; Guardians, lost 3.

September 1, 2025 MLB Players of the Day

American League

Journeyman catcher, Nick Fortes, socked a three-run homer in the 4th inning and singled in four at-bats, scoring three times as the Rays took the opener of a three-game series with a 10-2 victory over Seattle, Monday in Tampa.

The Rays won their fourth straight, cloning to faint hopes of making the playoffs, truing the Mariners by 4 1/2 games for the third wild card, making this series crucial for both teams. The Mariners trail Houston by three games in the AL West.

The series continues Tuesday in Tampa.

AL Streaks: Rangers, won 6; Guardians, lost 2.

National League

Though the Tigers tried to pitch around Juan Soto, walking him twice, they were unsuccessful in two of his three official at-bats in Monday’s 10-8 Mets’ win at Detroit.

Down 3-2, Soto came to the plate for the Mets with the bases full in the 4th inning and delivered his 36th home run of the year, the grand slam putting New York up 6-3.

In the 6th, Soto connected again, this time tripling to right field with two on base, giving him six RBI for the game. He scored moments later on Brandon Nimmo’s single up the middle.

Winning the opener of their three-game series with the Tigers, the Mets remained six games behind Philly in the NL East. The Phillies won by the same 10-8 score in Milwaukee Monday night. The Mets remain in line for the third wild card, their closest pursuer, Cincinnati, is four games back. Detroit continued to hold a nine-game lead in the AL Central over Kansas City.

NL Streaks: Reds, Giants, won 2; Diamondbacks, Padres, Brewers, Cardinals, lost 2.

Fearless Rick & Coin Flip Week 2 College Football Picks

Week 1 Results: Rick: 5-11; Flip: 7-9

Saturday, September 6

San Jose State at 7 Texas (-36.5, 52.5) 12:00 pm (ABC) - Judging by the ineffective Texas offense in their loss to Ohio State last week, and especially the performance of former Heisman hopeful Arch Manning, it would not be out of the question to take that big spread and hope that Manning is actually not as good as the preseason hype.

So why not? San Jose State missed two late field goal attempts and lost at home to Central Michigan, a score that gives the impression that the Spartan defense is OK, but their offense isn’t very productive and will have a hard time cracking the Texas defense, which is pretty darn good. The Longhorns may have a bumpy road ahead, and this game should quiet some of the critics, but they still won’t cover.

Coin Flip: Texas

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Longhorns 42 Spartans 10

Baylor at 17 SMU (-2.5, 64.5) 12:00 pm (CW) - The Bears got mauled by the Auburn Tigers, last week, 38-24, and show up as mere 2.5-point dogs on the road against the Mustangs, who pounded East Texas A&M, 42-13 and went 11-3 in 2024.

SMU has an experienced QB in Kevin Jennings, but didn’t run the ball well in their opener, which explains why Baylor may have a shot here. Auburn rushed for 307 yards against the Bears and just 108 yards through the air.

Look for SMU to try to establish a rushing attack, which shouldn’t be that difficult against Baylor.

Coin Flip: Baylor

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Mustangs 34 Bears 27

11 Illinois (-3, 49.5) at Duke 12:00 pm (ESPN) - All the Fighting Illini did last week was demolish Western Illinois, 52-3 while Duke was dancing over defenders of Elon college, so not much can be made from either result.

Duke’s quarterback, sophomore Darian Mensah, was 27-for-34, 389 yards and 3 TDs in the opener. He transferred to Duke from Tulane and was ESPN’s top-ranked portal player during the off-season.

The way ranked teams were falling in week 1, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Blue Devils - who were 9-4 last season - pull off the upset.

Coin Flip: Duke

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Blue Devils 34 Fighting Illini 24

Iowa at 16 Iowa State (-3, 41.5) 12:00 pm (FOX) - Iowa tamed the Great Danes of Albany last week, 34-7, indicating that they are going to be similar to last year’s team, i.e., all defense, little offense.

The Hawkeyes will have trouble handling QB Rocco Becht and the Cyclones’ offense, and the Iowa State defense may be better than Iowa’s. They went to Ireland and upended Kansas State in Week 0, and last week demolished South Dakota State, 55-7. They are a team on a mission.

Coin Flip: Iowa

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 24 Hawkeyes 10

20 Ole Miss (-10, 50) at Kentucky 3:30 pm (ABC) - Kentucky took care of business in Week 1, getting past Toledo, out of the Mid-American conference, 24-16, which augers well for the Wildcats. While the score wasn’t all that impressive, a win is still a win and the team appears to be better than last year’s squad (4-8, 1-7 SEC). They’ll be relying on RB Dante Dowdell as their primary offensive weapon.

The Rebels plan on making life miserable for the Kentucky defense after rolling to a 63-7 blowout over Georgia State last week. Sophomore QB, Austin Simmons, threw for 341 yards and 3 scores, though he did throw two interceptions. He should be more careful against the Wildcats and help them roll to a nice conference win.

Coin Flip: Kentucky

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rebels 35 Wildcats 17

South Florida at 13 Florida (-17.5, 56.5) 4:15 pm (SECN) - The Gators chomped on Long Island U last week (they have a football team? Who knew?) 55-0, so they’re tuned up for their visit by the Bulls.

South Florida roughed up Boise State in a big way last week, 34-7, and they appear to be a team on the rise. Senior QB Byrum Brown was unstoppable on the ground and through the air and the Bulls’ defense was downright nasty. The Gators surely have plenty of talent, but the Bulls may pull off a stunner.

Coin Flip: South Florida

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Bulls 27 Gators 20

Arizona State (-6.5, 59) at Mississippi State 7:00 pm (ESPN2) - After making the playoffs last season by winning the Big 12, the Sun devils are expected to make another run this season, and they got off to a good start, dispatching Northern Arizona last week, 38-19. Sam Leavitt returns at QB.

This is a return engagement from last season, when AZ State won, 30-23, at home. The Bulldogs won at Southern Miss last weekend, 34-17, and hope to improve from last season’s dreadful 2-10 mark, though this is a tough spot.

Coin Flip: Mississippi State

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sun Devils 38 Bulldogs 26

15 Michigan at 18 Oklahoma (-5, 45) 7:30 pm (ABC) - Big prime time game for both teams in a Big 10-SEC showdown, The Sooners mangled Illinois State last week, 35-3, and are looking to get back into the national spotlight after a disappointing 6-7 campaign in 2024.

Junior QB John Mateer transferred from Washington State and has all the skills to make the Michigan defense earn their keep.

The Wolverines appear to be still seeking the right mix on offense, though Justice Haynes rushed for 159 yards in their 34-17 Week 1 win over New Mexico.

Coin Flip: Oklahoma

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sooners 33 Wolverines 20

UCLA (-2.5, 54) at UNLV 8:00 pm (CBSSN) - UCLA got burned in Week 1 by Utah, 43-10, QB Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee was just 11 for 22 for 136 yards with one TD and one pick. No wonder the Vols let him go.

UNLV is already 2-0, and, while their defense may not be as good as Utah’s, it is likely good enough to stuff the punchless Bruins.

Coin Flip: UCLA

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rebels 31 Bruins 21

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