DETROIT, MI - MAY 12: Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Monica Bradburn/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With Greenville and Salem being done for the year, all eyes are on the teams closest to the Major Leagues as the Red Sox make a mad dash towards October. This year played out a bit differently, as many of the guys that may be able to make a difference on this team offensively have already sniffed the bigs for at least part of the season. Even in a bullpen game, the arms kept it close with 13 Iron Pigs (Phillies AAA) strikeouts. A lot of the commotion on the box score was courtesy of Braiden Ward and Mikey Romero, who each tallied three hits. Ward finished a home run shy of the cycle on a night where the only home run of the game came from Lehigh Valley’s Otto Ward, a birthday boy today.
However, even more than the blown save and subsequent walk off the WooSox suffered in Allentown, the most eyebrow-raising thing on the box score was both Kristian Campbell and Romy Gonzalez being replaced (they were both hitless, but Hickey’s pinch for Gonzalez came after just one at-bat.) Romy has been tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A, and a move may be coming in several different directions. Connor Wong may see his time with the team coming to a close with Willson Contreras about to return to the team and Mickey Gasper swinging to catcher with a promotion of a defensively capable Gonzalez, or there may be some smoke to the rumors of a struggling Andruw Monasterio packing his locker up, though that report was days ago now. Nevertheless, it’s that time of year to make sweeping conclusions of a footnote in a box score and speculate the implications upon a team trying to make an October run.
Speaking of guys that might make an appearance in some capacity on a team rolling through their magic number before a playoff birth, Tanner Houck made his first pitching appearance since a 2025 Tommy John surgery. It was pretty apparent through his uphill battle to be seen as a decent rotation piece to begin last season, he was playing through an injury. He was very serviceable in 2024 and was a borderline ace in a season where this team lacked one, or at the very least a reliable front of the rotation guy worthy of his first All-Star selection, and it’s really good to see him on the mound again.
These well wishes didn’t fare Houck very well as he allowed a run by walking two to start the fifth inning, but Dalton Rogers also got tripped up by this Binghamton (Mets AA) lineup and he’s been pitching all year. Joe Vogatsky came in and gave the offense enough time to get back on track, and boy did they, as the team had seven different hitters record an extra-base hit including a key one in the 8th inning from Ronald Rosario as his 14th of the season put the Sea Dogs up for good.
Tuesday’s game was named “Anything Can Happen Day” by the team, and even with this team continuing to hit and winning despite three offensive errors, nothing too crazy over a run-of-the-mill game occurred. But there’s plenty to celebrate in a late go-ahead home run to start the last series of 2026.
Sep 8, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Hao-Yu Lee (50) hits during an at bat in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (66-79) vs. Minnesota Twins (69-76)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (9-8, 3.52 ERA) vs. RHP Zebby Matthews (9-9, 4.69 ERA)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 08: Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Blake Walston #48 after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Corbin Burnes Makes 2026 Debut Against Royals Three pesky at-bats really put a damper on just how far the pitch-limited Burnes could go in the game, but he still turned in three shutout innings en route to the Diamondbacks going 10 games over .500.
The Good and Not So Good from Burnes’ Return Hopefully, by the next time Burnes makes an appearance, he will have found the feel for his curve, which was largely an entirely uncompetitive pitch for him on Tuesday night.
Per @nickpiecoro Corbin Carroll will remain out of the lineup today with low back discomfort and receive imaging on Thursday in Phoenix. https://t.co/VwLe4rETjk
The 2026 MLB Number Tracker Tracking the magic and tragic numbers as the season heads into the final stretch. The Diamondacks and Padres both currently have a magic number of 17.
Both Leagues Have Plenty to Untie There are still numerous outcomes for the playoff picture, but at lest the teams involved are coming into focus. Might this expanded playoff format and new schedule format result in two wild card teams from the NL having a better record than two of the division winners in the AL? Possibly. Will this be a season where a tea (or teams) with a losing record make the postseason?
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a chance to etch his name in history as he pursues a Triple Crown, the rare feat in which a player leads his league in average, home runs and runs batted in.
Entering Wednesday, Sept. 9, Alvarez leads the AL in batting average (.311) and ranks second in homers (38) and RBIs (95), as the Astros cling to first place in the AL West. His 38 home runs are already a career high and he's sure to smash his career-best 104 RBIs.
There have been fewer than 20 Triple Crown winners in MLB history, most recently the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera in 2012. Prior to Cabrera, it had been 45 years since a player had accomplished the feat, the Boston Red Sox's Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
Alvarez faces stiff competition in all three categories, with the Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson (.307) and Yandy Diaz (.306) also in contention for the batting title. Alvarez trails the Rays' Junior Caminero (39) by one home run entering Wednesday's games, and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (97) by two RBIs for the AL lead.
Can Alvarez finish strong to join the exclusive club? Here's where the 29-year-old stands:
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Joey Hamilton #50 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitching during a MLB game against the Chicago White Sox on September 17, 2000 in Chicago, illinois. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today marks Joey Hamilton’s 56th birthday. Coincidentally, it’s also my middle son’s birthday—happy birthday, Tommy!
Joey arrived in Toronto as part of one of the worst trades of the Gord Ash era. The Jays sent Woody Williams, Carlos Almanzar, and Peter Tucci to San Diego in exchange for him. Dave Stewart, who had just joined the Jays as assistant GM after serving as the Padres’ pitching coach, strongly recommended Joey. Stewart had played with him, saw something special in his demeanor, and believed he was destined to be a star.
In his four full seasons with the Padres, Joey averaged over 200 innings a season, posting a 55-44 record and a 3.83 ERA.
However, Joey led the NL in walks the season before the trade and was never a high strikeout pitcher. Ash should have recognized that a pitcher with a 1.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio was unlikely to thrive in the AL East.
In his first year as a Jay, he went 7-8 with a 6.52 ERA in 18 starts. The following season, 2000, he spent most of the year on the DL, making only six starts for the team. 2001, Joey was 5-8 with a 5.89 ERA when the team released him on August 3rd. It is tough to let go of a guy you are paying $7.25 million to, but JP Riccardi had no trouble admitting Gord Ash’s mistakes.
All in all, the Jays paid $17 million for just 14 wins—not exactly what you’d hope for from someone expected to replace Roger Clemens.
“I think he’s just coming into his own,” Stewart said. “What I like about Joey is that he is a real, real strong competitor. And, I still think there’s room for growth.”
“We have in Joey Hamilton a pitcher who can go in the front end of our rotation,” Toronto general manager Gord Ash said.
Woody Williams went on to win 104 more games in his career. Almanzar had a few decent, though inconsistent, seasons, while Tucci never made it to the big leagues. Gord Ash, meanwhile, was eventually fired.
The Reds picked up Joey, and he pitched for them during the remainder of the 2001 season, all of 2002, and made three appearances in 2003 before being released. As a Red, he went 5-12 with a 5.90 ERA over 46 games (21 starts).
He finished his career 74-73 with a 4.44 ERA in 242 games (209 starts). It was a solid career, though the best years came before his time with the Jays.
Anyway, happy birthday, Joey—I hope it’s a great one.
It’s also Edwin Jackson’s 43rd birthday.
Edwin was a Jay for about 10 minutes back in 2011. He arrived from the White Sox along with Mark Teahen, Jason Frasor, and Zach Stewart.
But he was quickly traded to the Cardinals, along with Octavio Dotel, Corey Patterson, and Marc Rzepczynski, in exchange for Trever Miller, Colby Rasmus, Brian Tallet, and P.J. Walters.
The Jays picked him up again from the A’s off waivers in May 2019. He made eight appearances (five starts), posting an 11.12 ERA (and people complain about Mitch White). The Jays released him at the end of July. The Tigers then signed him, and he had an 8.47 ERA over 39.1 innings, which marked the end of his career.
He finished with a record of 107-133 and a 4.78 ERA in 412 games (318 starts).
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Ty France #25 and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on September 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres turned back the clock, making a signature comeback that they haven’t in quite some time. The Friars were down 4-1 against the Washington Nationals heading into the eighth inning. They were issued three consecutive walks before Manny Machado tied the game with a two-run single. Then, Luis Campusano hit a bloop single to right field for the winning run. Adrian Morejon nailed down the save immediately after, slamming the door on the Nats.
They’ll go for the sweep this afternoon for the first time since they did so against the Minnesota Twins over two weeks ago. Despite that, the Arizona Diamondbacks remain a half game ahead of the Friars. San Diego will need to keep their momentum going in order to best the division rivals.
Taking the mound
Jackson Kent (WAS) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Kent has made five starts this season for Washington. It’s his first season in the big leagues, to poor results. Kent owns a 5.55 ERA through 24 1/3 innings pitched. That being said, his last 12 innings have been good, surrendering just four runs.
His biggest problem has been command. Kent has yet to walk less than three batters in a game, walking a total of 19 in five starts. Those command struggles have led to massive run prevention issues. If the Padres can stay patient in the box, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to get runners on base.
Buehler has been one of the best pitchers for the Padres this season. His stat line wouldn’t tell you it (4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), but he’s been the most valuable pitcher on San Diego’s staff behind Michael King. It is reflected in the stat line from his last seven games. In Buehler’s last 36 1/3 innings, he owns a 2.97 ERA.
The veteran righty has revitalized his game down the stretch. Buehler had a tough blip in the middle of the season, but has rebounded in a big way. If Buehler can continue that successful streak, it’ll mean one more weapon for the San Diego starting rotation.
Batter up!
The offense was incredibly quiet for the first half of Game 2, but they made use of their biggest opportunity. After receiving three consecutive walks to lead off the eighth inning, the Padres scratched a run across with a sacrifice fly before Machado tied the game. They’ll need to continue that level of situational hitting in order to make the playoffs.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, 3B
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Luis Campusano, C
Dustin Harris, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ethan Salas, DH
Salas is likely to be in the lineup today after Freddy Fermin started yesterday’s game. He’s yet to record his first hit, but reached base in the series opener for the first time in his young career. If he can contribute anything to the Padres during their stretch run, it will be a huge help for the Friars.
Relief corps
The bullpen locked it down, for the most part, with Randy Vásquez, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan and Adrian Morejon combining to pitch 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball. That said, Vásquez gave up a crucial double upon entering the game, but those runs were charged to Mize.
The Friars have options for the series finale today, with Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart, Mason Miller, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez available for this afternoon. San Diego has a wealth of arms, along with an off day on Thursday. That should give them enough arms to pitch a win versus Washington.
(Original Caption) Eighth Game Of The World Series. Waite Hoyt.
Brooklyn-born Waite Hoyt, aka the Schoolboy Wonder, did not have to wait long for his stardom to be born. With a story that feels like it was written by Walt Disney himself, Hoyt pitched his way into the Hall of Fame and broadcast his way into the hearts of the Midwest.
Waite Charles Hoyt Born: September 9, 1899 (Brooklyn, NY) Died: August 25, 1984 (Cincinnati, OH) Yankees Tenure: 1921-1930
The legend begins when Hoyt was just 15 years old and still at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. It was then that, for a whopping $5 bonus, the New York Giants signed the teenager to a professional baseball contract. This signing earned him the aforementioned nickname “the Schoolboy Wonder.” Hoyt’s professional journey would really kick off in the spring of 1916, as he played at various levels of the minor leagues.
The following year, Hoyt participated in spring training with the Giants and earned his first big league call-up at just 18 years old in July of 1918. He struck out a pair, pitching a 1-2-3 inning. The Giants tried to send the young pitcher back to the farm, but the teenager refused and quit baseball outright.
After his contract expired with the Giants, Hoyt signed with the Red Sox and got in writing that the team would allow him to start a game within days of him reporting to the club. Hoyt spent the rest of the 1919 and the 1920 season pitching for Boston. In December of 1920, the Red Sox traded Hoyt along with Harry Harper, Mike McNally, and Wally Schang to the New York Yankees for Del Pratt, Muddy Ruel, Herb Thormahlen, and Sammy Vick. It was yet another in a string of masterful moves made by former Red Sox manager-turned-Yankees GM Ed Barrow to build up an eventual champion (even beyond the famous Babe Ruth deal).
The Roaring Twenties were not ready for a 20-year-old Hoyt in pinstripes.
The 1921 campaign was a good one for Hoyt. On his new team, he went 19-13 with a 3.09 ERA and completed 21 of his 32 starts. The Yankees made it to their very first World Series that year and played Hoyt’s former team, the National League rival Giants — their Polo Grounds landlords. Hoyt was sensational, tossing three complete games and not allowing a single earned run. However, the team fell to the Giants 5 games to 3; Hoyt got hit with a hard-luck 1-0 loss in Game 8 with the one unearned run on a first-inning error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
Hoyt and the team had similar success in 1922. Although most of his numbers regressed slightly, Hoyt still impressed with a 19-12 record and a 3.43 ERA. The Giants again beat the Bombers in an all-Polo Grounds Fall Classic, this time with a sweep in all but name (Game 2 was called a tie after 10 innings due to darkness) as the World Series shifted back to the seven-game format after the best-of-nine format that was used from 1919-21.
The stars finally aligned for the Yankees as a team in 1923, their first at Yankee Stadium. Hoyt continued to be a solid pitcher, going 17-9 with a 3.02 ERA. For the third straight season, though, his inning totals declined, as did his strikeouts. The Yankees made the World Series and faced the Giants for the third consecutive year. Hoyt got the ball for Game 1 but gave up four earned runs in just 2.1 innings in his only appearance. Despite the tough start, the Yankees ultimately won the series in six games, giving the franchise its first championship.
Suffering perhaps from a World Series hangover, Hoyt and the team did not fare as well in the 1924 or the 1925 seasons. 1925 was possibly Hoyt’s worst in pinstripes. In his down year, Hoyt went 11-14 with a 4.00 ERA. The team failed to reach the World Series in either season, and with Ruth ailing, the ’25 campaign was their only year under .500 between 1919 and 1964.
Hoyt had a solid season in 1926, and the team bounced back to win the AL pennant. In what can only be called entering the zone, Hoyt went 15 innings over two starts and only gave up two earned runs in the World Series. However, the Cardinals prevailed over the Yankees in seven games. Little did anyone know, but Hoyt’s performance would be a precursor for his best two seasons in the big leagues.
Now 27 years old, Hoyt finally took the step from Schoolboy Wonder to ace in 1927. That season, he posted a career-best and league-leading 22 wins and 2.63 ERA across 256.1 innings. Hoyt completed 23 of his 32 starts on the year. The Yankees’ Murderers’ Row finished with a record of 110-44 and went on to completely dominate the Pirates to sweep the World Series. Hoyt got the win in the Fall Classic opener with 7.1 innings of workmanlike ball in a 5-4 victory.
The good times kept on rolling in 1928. Hoyt set a career-high with 23 wins and had a 3.36 ERA across 273 innings. After another great season, the team was back in the World Series, this time facing the Cardinals. Hoyt tossed a three-hit gem in Game 1, earning the win, and worked another complete-game victory in Game 4 to complete the club’s second consecutive World Series sweep and avenge the 1926 loss to St. Louis.
After two brilliant seasons, Hoyt took a step back in 1929. He posted an ERA of 4.24 in just over 200 innings of work. Hoyt was not much better to start the ‘30 season. Amid the declining performance, he was traded to the Tigers mid-season.
In 10 seasons with the club, Hoyt posted a 157-98 record with a 3.48 ERA in 2,272.1 innings. Hoyt logged over 200 innings in nine different seasons as a Yankee. The team won six pennants and three World Series with him as one of the staples of the rotation.
Hoyt played in the majors until 1938. Over that time, he bounced between the Tigers, Athletics, Dodgers, Giants, and Pirates. In 1931, while with the Athletics, Hoyt appeared in another World Series, but the Cards got the better of him again, toppling Philly in seven games. Outside of pinstripes, his best season came in 1934 with the Pirates. That season, he went 15-6 with a 2.93 ERA.
When he finally hung up his cleats, Hoyt finished his career with a 237-182 record and a 3.59 ERA. At the time of his retirement, Hoyt held the record for the most World Series appearances by a pitcher with 12 and shared the record for the most World Series wins with 6.
Even though he was not playing anymore, Hoyt could not stay away from baseball for long. Famed for his storytelling ability with teammates, Hoyt immediately sought work in radio in New York and started hosting short sports commentary and post-game shows in 1938. His big break in broadcasting came in 1942. That year, Hoyt landed the play-by-play voice of the Cincinnati Reds, and he held this position continuously for 24 seasons until his retirement from full-time broadcasting in 1965.
On August 16, 1948, the news broke on-air that Babe Ruth had passed away. In what has become legendary, Hoyt proceeded to deliver an unscripted, two-hour-long eulogy for his friend and former teammate. Later that year, Hoyt’s “Babe Ruth As I Knew Him” was published.
After pitching for 21 seasons and spending 24 years in the booth as a broadcaster, Hoyt was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. A vaudeville performer, funeral director, painter, and writer, Hoyt lived a full life while spending most of it battling alcoholism. Hoyt passed away in 1984.
Happy birthday, Schoolboy, and thank you for the stories!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Quatraro #33 of the Kansas City Royals argues with umpire Chris Guccione #68 during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Kauffman Stadium on September 01, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Royals fans and fans across the country.
We are fewer than three weeks from the end of the season. Despite the crummy ball the Royals have played, this summer has really flown by. The Royals have guaranteed they will go a third straight season without losing 100 games, but precious little else in the positives column.
Any team that fails to earn a playoff berth is naturally considered ripe for a potential change at the managerial level. The Royals are no exception to this.
According to @BetOnline_ag, the odds are 3/1 that Matt Quatraro is the next manager fired, the second-highest odds in baseball after Kurt Suzuki of the Angels.
I find these odds a bit laughable. If for no other reason than Kurt Suzuki is on a one-year deal. There’s no reason to fire him; you can just not offer him another contract. I also have a hard time believing the Royals would want to fire their manager two seasons after he led the squad to one of the greatest bounceback seasons in MLB history, taking 2023’s 106-loss squad and managing them to 86 wins and a playoff berth. To say nothing of the fact that the Royals chose to extend him this past offseason and he hasn’t even technically started that new contract, yet.
But, well, the odds tell me someone thinks he’s getting fired. Are you that someone? I set up this poll with four possible answers so we can discern between whether the Royals should fire him and whether the Royals will fire him. Sound off in the poll and in the comments!
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 08: Lazaro Montes #99 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on September 08, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the 2026 Mariners continue to insist on burying themselves at the bottom of the massive pit they dug for themselves in the AL West, joy has been in short supply.
Lazaro Montes decided to do something about that upon being called up to the big leagues.
For years, those of us sick enough to follow the Mariners minor leagues had heard tales of the potential power in Montes’s swing, even before he ended up at 6’5” and 210 pounds. Every scouting report on Laz went something like “he will strike out a lot, his fielding will resemble young Nelson Cruz, but if he uncorks that swing on the right pitch at the right moment, that ball will be sent to Jupiter.” Something like that.
Jupiter or the center field concourse at T-Mobile Park on the fly, something that no one has ever done in a game in its 27 seasons of existence. 474 feet with an exit velocity of 116 MPH.
Frankly, this team and this season has done nothing but disappoint me and piss me off. But this home run, man. This ball deserves its due. Similar to especially huge Vogelbach and Zunino upper deck blasts of yore; if your season is gonna be a lost one, you might as well go yard.
Pitcher Cal Quantrill already knows he f*cked up here.
Everyone in the stadium knows it now, especially the large human strolling across the plate.
Nothing to be done but watch it fly.
Spiritually, somewhere, Nelson Cruz surely made this face again.
I like to think so anyway. This showing of pure power deserved it.
Moments like this remind me that you truly never know what you might see at a baseball game, no matter what the stakes are. Sometimes it might be a n0-hitter, or a rare triple play, or maybe simply the longest home run anyone has ever hit in a particular stadium. Even in a team’s disappointing season, the sport of baseball never fails to surprise and strike awe into even the most cynical hearts (mine).
Looking forward to more moon shots, Laz. Thanks for this one, especially.
Young British rider squeezes out Meeus and Cort Nielsen
Mas moves step closer to landing first Grand Tour victory
Matthew Brennan claimed a fifth Vuelta a España stage victory on Wednesday as the young British rider edged a bunch sprint in Seville to win the 17th stage. The 21-year-old Grand Tour debutant crossed the finish line ahead of Jordi Meeus and Magnus Cort Nielsen.
The general classification leader, Enric Mas, moved one step closer to claiming a first Grand Tour victory as he maintained his 2min 6sec lead on Felix Gall, with four-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic a further four seconds behind.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 21: Reynaldo Lopez #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park on July 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of Wednesday’s middle game between the Atlanta Braves and the Tampa Bay Rays, the Braves made official one move that had already been known ahead of time and made another move that could add a very interesting wrinkle to their bullpen here in the home stretch.
We all knew that Reynaldo López was going to be activated in time for his start today since he’s the one replacing Bryce Elder, so that’s the obvious move. The interesting one is that Elieser Hernández has once again been designated for assignment but his replacement on the roster will be Bailey Falter.
The #Braves today selected LHP Bailey Falter to the major league roster and designated RHP Elieser Hernández for assignment. The club also returned RHP Reynaldo López from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the injured list, and placed RHP Bryce Elder on the…
Reynaldo López has gone down an interesting path here in 2026. He’s been in both the rotation and the bullpen and he’ll be returning to the rotation upon activation. He’s currently sitting on an ERA of 3.64 (87 ERA-) and a FIP of 4.32 (105 FIP-) across 24 appearances (11 start) and 71.2 innings pitched, which is a perfectly fine line of work in the time where he’s been healthy and/or fully functional.
That’s just been the problem, though — he’s either been dealing with stuff like this or mechanical issues that have kept him from being out there as often as he’d like. With that being said, he’s certainly going to get an opportunity to prove that the rotation is the place for him and he could very well be a valuable piece for the Braves down the home stretch.
Meanwhile, Bailey Falter is getting the call-up after Elieser Hernández’s (relatively) extended time with the big league Braves has come to an end. The Braves acquired Falter from the Royals in one of their deadline deals and they immediately stashed him at Triple-A once acquiring him. He’s been doing quite well with the Gwinnett Stripers and as this Feed post from clmj1 indicates, this could end up being a very astute move on the part of the Braves to have Falter in the bullpen for this upcoming stretch of games.
We’ll see if Falter does end up getting some big innings of work once those situations come calling but he’ll at least be a very interesting option for Walt Weiss to utilize out of the bullpen with such crucial games ahead. We’ll see what happens, folks!
The Colorado Rockies and New York Yankees continue a series this evening, and the Yankees are sizable favorites again.
That shouldn't be much of a surprise either. New York hurler Will Warren has been vulnerable this season, but he gets a favorable matchup against a strikeout-heavy team. Meanwhile, the Rockies' Tomoyuki Sugano looks tailor-made for a pummeling from the Yankees.
Here are my Rockies vs Yankees predictions and MLB picks for Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Who will win Rockies vs Yankees today: Yankees -1.5 (51%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Colorado Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano is one of MLB's worst pitchers this season, and it's hard to see how he'll succeed against the New York Yankees. I'm therefore taking the Yankees' run-line for two units up to 55%.
You can pick which stat you want to isolate, but what really stands out in this matchup is the bottom 1% barrel rate and an expected ERA of 6.80. The expected ERA is particularly concerning because it suggests Sugano has been pitching poorly, and he should be putting up even worse results. New York's offense has had spurts of lifelessness, but through it all, the Yankees almost always maintained the league's top barrel rate. I expect New York to score early and often.
COVERS INTEL: Batters have posted an expected slugging percentage of .621 against Sugano's fastball, and the Yankees are one the league's best fastball-hitting teams.
Rockies vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 9.5 (44%)
The Yankees' Will Warren should miss his fair share of bats against a Rockies lineup that chases and whiffs, and his changeup has been a real weapon this year (68th percentile offspeed run value). But strikeouts alone won't keep the scoring low.
Warren sits in the bottom 8% in hard-hit rate and bottom 3% in average exit velocity allowed, so the Rockies' hitters who do connect will connect hard. Pair that with all of the previously mentioned issues for Sugano on the other side, a short porch to right field at Yankee Stadium, and a New York lineup full of left-handed pull power, and I'm playing the Over for two units as well up to 10 runs.
Rockies vs Yankees home run prediction: Aaron Judge (29%)
It's time.
After looking like his old self yesterday, this is the kind of matchup that could get Aaron Judge rolling. You really couldn't ask for a better pitcher matchup for Judge, who produced the highest hard-hit rate among Yankees hitters a season ago against Sugano's two primary pitches.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 51-47, +8.00 units
Over/Under bets: 57-40, +20.44 units
Rockies vs Yankees weather
Conditions at Yankee Stadium will be warm with winds up to 15 mph blowing out, which could increase run production.
Rockies vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Rockies 32% | Yankees 69%
Run line: Rockies +1.5 | Yankees -1.5
Over/Under: Over 9 | Under 9
Rockies vs Yankees trend
The New York Yankees have covered the run line in 28 of their last 50 games (+10.55 Units / 18% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Yankees.
How to watch Rockies vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
Prime Video
Rockies starting pitcher
Tomoyuki Sugano (12-8, 5.20 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Max Fried (4-4, 2.73 ERA)
Rockies vs Yankees latest injuries
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The Houston Astros (74-71) and the Philadelphia Phillies (81-64) take the field tonight for the second game of their three-game series.
Houston opened the series with a hard-fought 6-5 victory last night, building an early lead and then holding off a late Philadelphia rally. The Astros seized control in the second inning with a four-run outburst. Christian Walker delivered the biggest blow, crushing a three-run homer after Daulton Varsho and Yainer Diaz reached base. Later in the inning, Jeremy Peña doubled home Cam Smith to extend the lead to 4-0. Houston added another run in the fourth when Cam Smith launched a solo homer. The Phillies finally broke through in the sixth inning when Kyle Schwarber singled home Justin Crawford, setting up a two-run homer by Trea Turner that cut the deficit to 5-3. The Astros answered immediately in the seventh when Varsho homered to right-center field, providing a crucial insurance run. Philadelphia continued to fight back, getting an RBI double from Brandon Marsh in the seventh and another RBI double from Edmundo Sosa in the ninth. The Phillies brought the tying run to the plate, but closer Josh Hader escaped to earn his 24th save. Houston starter Hayden Wesneski earned the win after allowing three runs over six innings without issuing a walk. Phillies rookie Andrew Painter took the loss after surrendering five runs on 10 hits in five innings.
The win kept Houston atop the AL West by two games over the Rangers. The Braves also lost and so Philly remains four games behind Atlanta in the NL East.
A treat for fans tonight as each team’s ace takes the mound.
Houston sends right-hander Hunter Brown (5-3, 3.31) to the mound against Cristopher Sanchez (16-5, 2.58 ERA). For the season, Brown has actually been better on the road sporting a 2.67 ERA on the road and a 3.71 ERA at Daikin Park. In his last five starts overall, Brown has generated a 2.86 ERA. Philadelphia counters with one of the National League's most dependable starters in Cristopher Sánchez (16-5, 2.58 ERA). The left-hander has been outstanding all season but especially at home where he owns a 1.83 ERA. His last five starts overall have been elite. Sanchez has allowed eight runs over 31.2 innings.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Astros vs. Phillies
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: Citizens Bank Park
City: Philadelphia, PA
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, SCHN, NBC Sports Philadelphia
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The Latest Odds: Astros vs. Phillies
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Houston Astros (+129), Philadelphia Phillies (-156)
Spread: Astros +1.5 (-163), Phillies -1.5 (+135)
Total: 8.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Astros vs. Phillies for September 9
Astros: Hunter Brown Season Totals: 87.0 IP, 5-3, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 93K, 46 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Astros vs. Phillies
Brandon Marsh has struck out in each of his 3 ABs against Hunter Brown
Isaac Paredes is 4-8 including 1 HR in his career against Cristopher Sanchez
Cristopher Sanchez has allowed just 4 HRs in 17 starts at Citizens Bank this season
Sanchez struck out 5 in his last start snapping a string of 8 straight starts with 6+ Ks
Christian Walker has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games (6-17)
Jeremy Pena is just 3-29 (.103) in September
Kyle Schwarber has hit safely in 4 straight games (6-15)
Bryson Stott is 2-20 (.100) in September
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Astros vs. Phillies
The Astors are 75-70 on the Run Line this season
The Phillies are 60-85 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 72 times in Houston’s 145 games this season (72-65-8)
The OVER has cashed 65 times in the Phillies’ 145 games this season (65-71-9)
Expert picks & predictions: Astros vs. Phillies
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s game between the Phillies and the Astros:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Astros on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 8.0.
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CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Foster Griffin #22 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the first inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 04, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Foster Griffin has been hit or miss as a starter for the Guardians, but, tonight, he has a chance to be a hero.
The Guardians will play the Orioles tonight, the Twins, the White Sox, the Athletics, the Red Sox and the Royals to conclude the season. Tonight is their last chance to impact a team in (somewhat) competition with them for the third wildcard and a chance to steal a road series while the White Sox play a spunky Pirates’ team. Getting this series would be crucial to giving the Guardians a boost going into the final leg of their road trip.
Griffin’s best pitch this year is his cutter. The Orioles are ranked 27th against cutters this season (don’t look at who is ranked 28th). Of course, the competing issue in this realm is that the Orioles are tenth against LHP this season with a 102 wRC+. Coby Mayo has a 212 wRC+ and Christian Encarnacion-Strand has a 196 wRC+ vs. LHP this season, and, of course, Pete Alonso is one of the best right-handed sluggers in the game; he has only a 117 wRC+ vs. southpaws this season but this include nine homers. Griffin is going to need to navigate these three hitters effectively to survive five-six innings and give the bullpen (which had to pitch four and a third innings yesterday) a chance to do their part. Though the Orioles, as a whole, hit sinkers well, Alonso, Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand have struggled vs. sinkers and cutters this year, all below average. If Griffin can locate those two offerings well, he will give himself a chance to neutralize these three biggest threats to his ability to deliver a good performance.
With that said, a word to Stephen Vogt – if Griffin can get through four innings with the lead, don’t be afraid to have a quick hook ready for him if he runs into trouble in the fifth. Griffin has been a LOT worse in the fifth and suffers a good bit with the third-time-through-the-order-penalty (5.47 ERA compared to 2.77 ERA in innings 1-4). Tim Herrin and Craig Yoho both threw 17 pitches yesterday so should be available if needed for a limited appearance, and Cade Smith should be fine with the off-day approaching tomorrow. Hunter Gaddis threw over 20 pitches, so it’s likely Erik Sabrowski should be seen as the eighth inning guy. With the expanded roster, giving Daniel Espino, Franco Aleman or even Matt Festa a clean inning in the fifth and then bridging the next two innings with whoever is not chosen for that task and having Yoho and Herrin available to finish off a handedness-based matchup in the sixth or seventh should be feasible if the team even makes a predetermination to remove Griffin in the fifth with a lead or tie.
Griffin reportedly turned down an extension offer from the Nationals to see if he can land a bigger payday in free agency. Good for him, it’s likely his only shot for a payday. This kind of game tonight – in a tight playoff hunt against a solid offensive foe – is a chance for him to demonstrate to all prospective teams in the offseason that he’s a reliable option who deserves to get a multi-year, lucrative deal. Last start, Griffin was demonstrative toward Angel Genao after a groundball got through the infield. Tonight, he needs to worry about his own darn self. This is your chance to show why Cleveland acquired you and why you should be considered one of the top free agent starting pitchers in November. The ball’s in your glove.
The Milwaukee Brewers are a modest home favorite to sweep their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 7:40 p.m. ET first pitch at American Family Field on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
My top Cubs vs. Brewers predictions and MLB picks anticipate the two offenses sending this total Over the number in a Cubs win tonight.
Who will win Cubs vs Brewers today: Cubs moneyline (45.9%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
The Chicago Cubs have taken consecutive tough-luck losses, and I’m anticipating veteran righty Kevin Gausman building off his statement start against the Milwaukee Brewers last time out to lead the North Siders to victory tonight.
Chicago has stranded 17 runners through the first two games of the series, and it’ll see Milwaukee righty Logan Henderson for the second time in less than a week.
The Cubbies are fifth in wOBA and third in ISO against righties for the campaign, and they also pace the majors in xwOBA and wRC+ over the past 30 days, so I’m expecting them to plate more base runners in the series finale.
Finally, with a travel day ahead, I expect the Cubbies to leave it all on the field to avoid a series sweep, and I'd back the Chicago moneyline at 48.8%.
COVERS INTEL: The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers respectively rank first and fourth in wOBA and second and first in on-base percentage this season.
Cubs vs Brewers Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (51.2%)
In addition to the highlighted success of the Chicago offense, the Brewers have also been rolling at the dish.
Milwaukee paces the majors in wOBA against right-handed pitchers for the year, and they also rank second in wOBA and eighth in xwOBA over the past 30 days.
The Cubbies have played to the Over in 23 of their last 40 games (+6.70 Units / 15% ROI), too, so I’d recommend the Over 7.5 to 53.5%.
Cubs vs Brewers home run prediction: Pete Crow-Armstrong (23.9%)
Additionally, Crow-Armstrong paces the league with 20 homers and a .395 ISO in the second half.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 55-28, +29.26 units
Over/Under bets: 28-26, +0.62 units
Cubs vs Brewers weather
The roof is expected to be closed at American Family Field tonight because of lingering cloudy conditions and a 20-35% chance of scattered morning or early-evening showers, with the climate-controlled indoor temperature set to a perfect 72°F.
Run line: Cubs +1.5 (64.3%) | Brewers -1.5 (39.2%)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (52.5%) | Under 7.5 (52.5%)
Cubs vs Brewers trend
The Chicago Cubs have won 25 of their past 40 road games (+8.85 Units / 18% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Brewers.
How to watch Cubs vs Brewers and game info
Location
American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
MARQ, Brewers.TV
Cubs starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman (9-11, 4.38 ERA)
Brewers starting pitcher
Logan Henderson (9-3, 2.48 ERA)
Cubs vs Brewers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL: Batters have posted an expected 