PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: A general view of the exterior of Chase field is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
MARLINS
DIAMONDBACKS
Kyle Stowers – DH
Lars Nootbaar – LF
Heriberto Hernandez – LF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Otto Lopez – SS
Gabriel Moreno – C
Griffin Conine – RF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Javier Sanoja – 2B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Jakob Marsee – CF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Agustin Ramirez – C
Jesus Sanchez – DH
Graham Pauley – 3B
Pavin Smith – 1B
Deyvison De Los Santos – 1B
Jordan Lawlar – CF
Janson Junk – RHP
Zac Gallen – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ active roster is at 28 and the 40-man roster is at 40.
Reported to the Major League roster: OF Jesús Sánchez (No. 18)
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: OF Tommy Troy
The team’s efforts to improve against right-handed pitching go on. That’s why we saw Pavin Smith come up the other day, and now another left-handed bat joins them. Sánchez (I wonder how long it’ll be before I can’t be bothered with the acute over the a?) comes right into the starting line-up tonight, facing another right-handed starter. He bats seventh and plays DH. Arizona are a mediocre 53-58 in games where the opposition start a right-hander, and looks like they will be seeing a few more over the remaining eleven games, so ramping that up is going to be very helpful.
DH is another area where the team could use more production. I don’t know how much Sánchez will be able to move the needle, with less than two weeks to go. But currently the D-backs rank 27th by OPS at the position, at only .644. [Hey, still better than 1B, where they are 30th at .635, 46 points below anybody else. Although that is up 75 points from the mid-June figure] It’d be lower, except for the time Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno have spent at the position this year. They are the only occupants of it to have hit more than one home-run. It likely says a lot that we have had seventeen different players take bats as the Arizona DH.
Michael Soroka starts for the team tonight at Chase, and we’ll see if Zac Gallen follows him, flip-flopping their roles from Soroka’s last start. I imagine Michael will be on a similar pitch-count as Corbin Burnes was last night, somewhere around 75. Get him twice through the order, and then turn it over to Gallen for a bit? I think we would all feel more comfortable if the Diamondbacks had a healthy lead by the time that came to pass. Be nice if the Padres would lose too, but the Rockies are about as useful as a chocolate teapot in this situation. Just keep winning, D-backs…
The Lake Elsinore Storm, the San Diego Padres’ Single-A minor league affiliate, finished their season with a 66-65 record, 4.5 games behind the Ontario Tower Buzzers (LAD) in the South Division. After winning the first-half crown, the Storm floundered during the second half and finished with a 27-35 record in the last half of the year.
The last week of their season ended on a high note with a series win versus the Inland Empire 66’ers. For the start of the division playoffs, the Storm went up against the Ontario Tower Buzzers for the South Division title. In a best-of-three series, the Storm captured the first two games, beating Ontario 10-9 on Sept. 8. Lake Elsinore out-hit Ontario while starter Jesus Castro pitched six innings of one run ball. Despite the bullpen relinquishing nine runs, the offense scored ten runs on twelve hits.
LF Alex Conover and DH Nu’u Contrades, both 2026 draftees who joined the team in August, excelled for the Storm.
After an off day, the Storm scored six runs on six hits while LHP Kruz Schoolcraft and 2026 No. 1 draft pick Coleman Borthwick combined to throw seven innings with only one run allowed. Schoolcraft allowed two hits and no runs, striking out eight in five innings, while Borthwick, promoted just for the playoffs and making his professional debut, pitched two innings with two hits and one run, striking out four.
Taiwanese righty Lan-Hong Su also came in as a reliever, throwing two innings with no hits and three strikeouts. It was an overwhelming performance for three of the top four best-ranked pitchers in the system. Combined, they allowed four hits, and the three gave a glimpse of what the future could hold for the Padres.
On Sept. 13, the Storm took on the winners of the North Division of the California League for the Cal League Championship series. The San Jose Giants (SF) dominated their division with an 80-52 record, 11 games up on the next team (Fresno).
The Storm had their only home playoff game of the championship series and took full advantage of their home-field advantage. It was never a contest, with Lake Elsinore scoring early and often while their starter, RHP Tyler Schmitt, pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and no runs.
Undrafted free agent RHP Jack Pineau finished the fifth with no hits allowed. Then LHP Adler Cecil pitched three innings, with two hits and no runs allowed.
By the end of the third inning, Lake Elsinore had scored six runs, and they added six more before finishing with 12 runs on 13 hits while their pitchers allowed one run on eight hits. The game was closed out by another undrafted free agent, RHP Ben Stubbs, who allowed the only run on two hits.
The Storm hurlers combined for nine strikeouts. The two UDFA pitchers were added to the Storm roster just for the playoffs. Both had been pitching in the Bridge League after signing in July.
The best-of-three series continues in San Jose today with a third game, if needed, on Wednesday.
El Paso Chihuahuas (58-86 record, last in PCL East)
El Paso lost their week-long series to Tacoma, two games to four. LHP Luis Gutierrez made his El Paso debut, throwing four innings with three hits, a run, and four strikeouts to two walks. After missing most of the season, Gutierrez is finishing strong but is a free agent after this year unless the organization re-signs him by Oct. 15.
Two Padres players were on rehab assignments with the Chihuahuas over the week. Miguel Andujar started off as the DH but then progressed to playing first base and left field. In his five games and 21 at-bats, Andujar has four doubles and an RBI while hitting .286/.286/.476 for El Paso.
RHP Jason Adam began his rehab on Sunday with one inning and 11 pitches. His fastball topped out at 93 mph, and he struck out one hitter without allowing a hit.
Infielder Rosman Verdugo was promoted to El Paso for the last two weeks of the season.
The Chihuahuas have one more week left in their season.
San Antonio Missions (59-79 record, last in the Texas League South)
In their final series of the season, the Missions lost all but the last game of their six-game set. RHP Carson Montgomery made his Double-A debut with San Antonio and was roughed up for 10 runs in 2.2 innings pitched with three walks and one strikeout. In his first season back after Tommy John surgery, Montgomery was inconsistent, with command issues plaguing his performances.
Outfielder Alex McCoy, 24, has hit at all levels in his pro career. An undrafted free agent out of Maryland, McCoy started the season with Fort Wayne and was promoted to San Antonio in the last month of the year. Combined over two levels, McCoy hit .278/.355/.467 with 31 doubles, a triple, and 19 home runs for 71 RBI. He also stole 24 bases in 33 attempts. His pattern in his two seasons in the Padres system has been consistent. There are some initial struggles when he begins a level, but he adjusts and starts hitting again. Although he has slumps, he adjusts again and comes back strong.
There is significant swing-and-miss in his game; his 26% K rate is too high, with most of that chasing, but his power is significant. He registered 119.7 mph max Exit Velocity during the season.
As a side note, MadFriars.com posted an interview with McCoy, and he reported that he is actually 6-6 and 275 pounds. He is listed at 6-5, 260 pounds.
McCoy currently sits as the No. 26 prospect in the Padres system per MLB Pipeline. I would expect that to change going forward.
First baseman Romeo Sanabria had a puzzling year in his age 24 season. Promoted to El Paso from San Antonio for his improved hitting, Sanabria floundered in Triple-A. A hitting haven for almost everyone, Sanabria played in 21 games for the Chihuahuas and hit .200 with a .575 OPS. Sent back to the Missions, Sanabria picked up where he left off and finished the season hitting .295/.389/.442 in a much more difficult league to hit. Limited defensively to first base, Sanabria will need to hit for power to maintain his status as a prospect in the system. He hit 12 homers in the last two seasons and 64 RBI combined over the two levels this year.
AFL starts in October
Next week will be the final affiliate report for this year and the Arizona Fall League will get started on Oct. 3. Rosters will be forthcoming and the schedule is available on the website. All games are also streamed on the website.
Though he's not currently with the team for their three-game series in Cincinnati, Ohtani began his hitting progression in LA and "felt good" after hitting off a tee, manager Dave Roberts told reporters before the Dodgers played the Reds on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
"I don't know what's in store for tomorrow, but I know there's gonna be a consistent build up," Roberts told reporters. "Don't know when the time of return to play is, but today was positive. Hopefully we can keep building towards that."
It was the first time Ohtani swung a bat since landing on the 15-day injured list after nagging injuries in his left knee and right bicep have led to a prolonged slump at the plate for the back-to-back National League MVP. He's already ruled out the possibility of returning to the mound as a pitcher this season, opting instead to focus solely on being a hitter for the rest of 2026.
The soonest Ohtani could see a return to action would be the final series of the regular season against the San Francisco Giants starting on Sept. 25, and though Roberts was noncommittal on a firm timeline, he expressed hope that Ohtani could be back in the lineup at some point before the postseason.
"Whether it happens or not is to be determined," Roberts said. "But I do expect him to be back to play in some regular season games. Don't know how many, though."
Rookie Josue De Paula shows promise in Ohtani's absence
In the meantime, rookie Josue De Paula has thrived in his first crack at the big leagues. He's only hitting .182, but the No. 6 prospect in baseball has drawn five walks with zero strikeouts in his first five games for an on-base percentage of .438. His first major league hit came on a towering 416-foot home run to right field in Miami on Sunday.
It's been a very small sample size, but he's been so effective that Roberts moved the 21-year-old from ninth in the order to the leadoff spot for Tuesday's game.
"I like the at-bats," Roberts said. "I like the at-bat quality. I understand it's a small sample, but that's kind of who he is as a hitter and for me, it'll be a good opportunity for him to get five at-bats tonight."
Though Roberts has emphasized that De Paula's on a "no promises" trial run, but he hasn't ruled out the possibility of his top prospect staying on after Ohtani returns and making the postseason roster as a lefty bat off the bench, or more.
"It's still very early as far as however many at-bats or plate appearances he's taken but in this small sample, it's been good. It's certainly a much different level of focus with the postseason, but baseball is still baseball," he said. "I hope he makes our decision hard."
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with Colt Keith #33 after hitting a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Comerica Park on September 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers (71-79) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (75-76)
Time/Place: 7:07 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Bluebird Banter Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Drew Anderson (4-6, 3.80 ERA) vs. RHP Braydon Fisher (3-4, 3.22 ERA)
BILOXI, MS - AUGUST 27: Braylon Payne #2 of the Biloxi Shuckers high fives teammates after defeating the Knoxville Smokies at Keesler Federal Park on Thursday, August 27, 2026 in Biloxi, Mississippi. (Photo by Sierra Gatz/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Seven Brewers prospects are Arizona-bound after Major League Baseball released its 2026 Arizona Fall League rosters this week.
Headlining that group are two of the system’s most talked-about names this year, OF Braylon Payne and 1B/3B Eric Bitonti. Payne, a speedy outfielder who the Brewers drafted with their first-round selection in 2024, is a serious contender for breakout prospect of the year. Drafted with the hopes that he would eventually develop power, Payne did just that, going from eight home runs in Low-A last year to 28 between High-A and Double-A this season. He hit exactly .277 at both levels with a combined OPS north of .900.
Braylon Payne delivers his third multihomer game of the year 💪
Bitonti also had himself somewhat of a breakout this year. Unlike Payne, he’s always shown monstrous power that’s translated to games, but with that power has come a ton of swing-and-miss. Bitonti’s 32.9% strikeout rate is actually roughly the same as last year’s (33.5%), but he’s managed to raise his walk rate from 13% to nearly 17%.
Hitters like Bitonti, who can hit the cover off the ball, benefit from making pitchers throw them pitches in the zone, and that’s been reflected in massive jumps in OPS (.761 → .916) and batting average (.238 → .270) from last year to this year. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that he’s made legitimate strides defensively and is now seen as someone who could potentially be a viable third baseman at the major league level — making him an even more valuable prospect.
Eric Bitonti continues to punish pitchers, reaching 20+ HR and 20+ SB this season at 20 years old for the High-A @TimberRattlers 💥
Bitonti has hit 6 HR since the middle of August including two multi-HR games while playing smooth defense and more than half of his games at Third… pic.twitter.com/FxJ0fNfLay
The other five names on the roster are a little less heralded, but the Brewers clearly see something in each of them worth continuing to develop. Here’s what you need to know about each one:
Ryan Birchard, RHP — This isn’t his first time in the desert; he made the 2024 Arizona Fall League as a Peoria Javelina and was named to the AFL Rising Stars team. This season, Birchard posted a 4.68 ERA through 34 appearances (two starts) with Double-A Biloxi.
Miqueas Mercedes, RHP — The 20-year-old Dominican righty, who put up a 2.81 ERA in 73.2 innings in Low-A this year, has what it takes to eventually become a major-league pitcher. However, he hasn’t generated much buzz outside the system because he walks way too many batters (45 in 73.2 innings). If he can figure out how to command his stuff, watch out.
Jose Meneses, LHP — Meneses, a lefty out of Venezuela, is a really interesting prospect. For starters, he’s been used as a high-leverage, multi-inning reliever in his time with the organization. He also has a slightly unconventional physical profile: he’s listed at 6-foot-1, but just 150 pounds. For context, Tim Lincecum was listed at 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds during his Cy Young seasons.
Size hasn’t stopped Meneses, though — he’s recorded a 2.21 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season in 37 appearances between Low-A and High-A, striking out a whopping 72 batters in 57 innings.
Josh Quezada, RHP — Originally a Yankees signee out of Nicaragua, Quezada spent most of the season in Low-A Wilson, where he posted a 5.40 ERA in 45 innings.
Matthew Wood, C — A 2022 fourth-round pick out of Penn State who just posted his best season at the plate, breaking out with an .898 OPS and 18 home runs in his first full season with Double-A Biloxi. At 25, he’s the most experienced player in this group and a good bet to help steady a young pitching staff behind the plate.
You can catch all seven Brewers prospects playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions when the season kicks off on October 3rd. Games will stream here on MLB’s Arizona Fall League website.
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14: Dustin Harris #29 of the San Diego Padres celebrates scoring in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 14, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (82-68) at Colorado Rockies (55-95), September 15, 2026, 5:40 p.m. PST
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 14: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Friday, August 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies (55-95) have lost eight consecutive games.
Tonight, they will look to break this skid when they meet the San Diego Padres (82-68) in the second of a four-game stand. In Game 1, the Rockies fell short in their comeback attempt, but it’s a new day.
Starting for the Rockies is Kyle Freeland, just off the Injured List. This will be his 24th start for the Rockies this season.
The lefty has a 6.37 ERA in 124.1 IP. He’s struck out 103, walked 28, and given up 24 home runs. Freeland has a 1.46 WHIP.
Taking the mound for the Padres will be RHP Walker Buehler.
Currently, he has an ERA of 4.61 in 138.2 IP. He’s struck out 121 while giving up 53 walks and 19 home runs with a 1.36 WHIP.
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros will open their final homestand of the regular season tonight as they welcome in the Royals for an important three-game series in Houston, TX.
Astros ace RHP Hunter Brown (5-3) will try to pitch the Astros back into the win column tonight as he starts opposite RHP Michael Wacha (9-8) and the Royals.
BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown has posted a 3.12 ERA (18ER/52IP) in his last eight starts (since July 25), pitching through the 5th inning in all eight outings.
Brown, who finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting last season, has been limited this season, missing over two months due to a lengthy stint on the Injured List (April 1-June 15) with a right shoulder strain.
ASTROS-ROYALS: The Astros and Royals have a memorable history, with the two clubs meeting each other in the 2015 ALDS, won by the Royals in five games.
11 years later, 2B Jose Altuve and C Salvador Perez remain on their respective team’s active rosters, while SS Carlos Correa, currently on the IL, also played in the series.
More recently, the Astros are 9-4 in their last 13 games against the Royals, including a 2-1 record this season.
CLEMENTE DAY: Today is Roberto Clemente Day presented by Capital One.
As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases, on the official dugout lineup cards and on a special uniform patch.
In honor of Clemente, seven different Astros players and Manager Joe Espada will wear Clemente’s #21 for tonight’s game.
HADER NAMED CLEMENTE NOMINEE: For the second straight season, LHP Josh Hader has been named the Astros nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, baseball’s most prestigious individual honor for MLB players.
The Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One, is the annual recognition of an MLB player who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.
FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT: Tonight is First Responders Night at the ballpark as the Astros will proudly honor the courageous men and women who serve the city of Houston.
There will be a pregame ceremony and ceremonial first pitch for First Responders Night presented by Budweiser.
THE SUNDAY SCARIES: The Astros finished their six-game road trip on Sunday in Tampa with a 14-4 loss to the Rays.
The Astros hit three homers in the loss, one each by 3B Isaac Paredes (1×3), SS Nick Allen (1×2) and DH Nelson Velázquez (1×2).
CHALLENGING STRETCH: On Sunday, the Astros completed a stretch of playing 13 consecutive games against opponents with winning records (CWS, ARI, PHI, TB), going 6-7 in those contests.
On the season, the Astros are 29-23 against teams with .500 or better records.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have placed OF Taylor Trammell on the Paternity List and have recalled OF Joey Loperfido from Triple A Sugar Land.
TRIPLE THREAT: DH Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently ranks first or second in the AL in all three Triple Crown categories.
He enters today leading the AL in batting avg. (.310), while ranking second in RBI (96) and tied for second in HR (38)…Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.016), SLG (.589) and OBP (.427).
Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
ISAAC’S FABLES: 3B Isaac Paredes has posted a 20-game on-base streak, which is the second-longest on-base streak of his career (22g in 2025) and the second-longest active on-base streak in the Majors (Elly De La Cruz, 21g).
During the streak, which dates back to Aug. 23, Paredes has 14 walks, a .395 OBP and a .917 OPS.
NOTHING FINER THAN YAINER: C Yainer Diaz is hitting .378 (14×37) in the month of September with a .924 OPS.
Prior to going 0x3 on Sunday, Diaz had tallied multiple hits in six straight starts, going 13×23 (.565) in that span.
STALKING 200: 1B Christian Walker is currently sitting on 199 career home runs and needs just one homer to become the 35th active Major League player to reach 200 career long balls.
Walker has hit 25 homers this year for his fifth consecutive 25-plus homer season (2022-26).
FIREMEN: LHP Josh Hader ranks tied for 40th in Major League history with 252 career saves, along with LHP Dave Righetti.
Among lefties, Hader and Righetti rank tied for fifth in saves in MLB history.
ONE WIN AWAY!: The Class A Fayetteville Woodpeckers won Game 1 of the Carolina League Championship Series over Charleston on Sunday by a score of 14-4.
The three-game series shifts to Fayetteville tonight with the Woodpeckers needing just one more win to take home their first championship in franchise history.
ASTROS MILB PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: The Astros player development department has named C Jason Schiavone the Astros 2026 Minor League Player of the Year, RHP Bryce Mayer the Astros 2026 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, OF Anthony Huezo the Astros 2026 Minor League Baserunner of the Year, IF Max Holy the Astros 2026 Minor League Defender of the Year and IF Yamal Encarnacion the Astros 2026 Standard Award recipient.
All five players will be recognized in a pregame ceremony at Daikin Park on Sunday.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Tuesday, September 15, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 05: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kairi Mano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Apparently all the work and all the hope was for naught.
Carlos Correa will not return this season, Astros manager, Joe Espada said
It’s yet another kick in the teeth for the Astros, who have been beset by injuries for the third straight season.
There was hope that a return for Correa would inject some life into an offense that has been scuffling with Jeremy Pena slumping and Yordan Alvarez experiencing a power outage. The bottom two-thirds of the lineup has been shaky at best over the last month and a half.
It is a complete 180 degree turn from the optimism that has been exuded from both Correa and the reports that had Correa ramping up and starting rehab games this week with Triple-A Sugar Land.
Correa had been scheduled to meet with doctors before going on the rehab assignment, and as of right now we can only presume that the reports were not good enough to allow him to start playing.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 11: Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning at Busch Stadium on August 11, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will meet again Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. Andre Pallante is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals while the Giants will send RHP Blade Tidwell to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time while the game broadcast will be handled by Cardinals.tv.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 9: Blade Tidwell #46 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park on September 9, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants continue this three-game road series against the St. Louis Cardinals this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Blade Tidwell, who enters today’s game with a 4.82 ERA, 4.75 FIP, with 38 strikeouts to 20 walks in 46.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 7-6 win over the Cardinals last Wednesday, in which he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks in four innings.
He’ll be facing off against Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante, who enters today’s game with a 3.45 ERA, 3.65 FIP, with 102 strikeouts to 45 walks in 146 innings pitched. His last start was also in last Wednesday’s game, in which he allowed just one run on five hits with four strikeouts in five innings.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 04, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are heading to the playoffs. In a season of uncertainty (particularly around injuries), that much is certain after last night’s series-opening comeback victory officially punched their ticket for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons. Everything beyond that, though, is still unknown.
While their playoff spot (and likely the top wild card based on the standings) is secure, the team has made it clear that their aspirations are still to win the AL East, which they trail by 3.5 games with 12 to go. Until they get their hands on the Tampa Bay Rays next week in the Bronx, their playoff journey won’t be set in stone, but games like these are important to ensure that what they do that week can directly control their fate.
Looking to lock up another series win in Minnesota will be Max Fried, who’s probably hoping to go deeper than his last start against Colorado. He labored through 3.1 innings of work and was removed due to pitch count, but should be pretty close to full-go tonight as he continues to build up. Entering play, he has a 2.73 ERA (155 ERA+) and 2.73 FIP across 99 innings in 18 starts. He did not face the Twins in early July at Yankee Stadium, having been on the injured list with the bone bruise in his elbow.
Making the start for Minnesota will be Bailey Ober, who will be toeing the slab for the 23rd time this season. The 31-year-old has been one of their most consistent starters for half a decade now, despite becoming a completely different pitcher as he’s aged. He went from someone who had a very good strikeout rate to one of the lowest among starting pitchers, currently sitting with just 85 strikeouts in 117.2 innings with a 4.28 ERA (98 ERA+). Impressively, he’s only managed to make one career start against the Yankees, allowing three runs in five innings in 2024.
Finesse has always been the way he’s gotten batters out, but it’s particularly true as his fastball velocity and, subsequently, usage have cratered over the years, now sitting at just 88.1 mph on average. He has good command and limits hard contact, but has a big issue with allowing barrels due to middling stuff. Against lefties, it’s changeups and four-seamers with a few sliders mixed in, while he throws them much more evenly against righties alongside a sweeper and sinker.
How to watch
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
First pitch: 7:40 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Twins.TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), TIBN, The Wolf 102.9 FM, LosTwins.com (MIN)
Jul 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) throws to the plate against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Sep 14, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Braves left fielder Mauricio Dubon (14) forces out Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) at second base during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Atlanta Braves enter Tuesday night with a magic number of four to clinch a postseason spot and a magic number of seven to clinch the NL East.
They’ll look to cut into those respective numbers when they continue their series against the Chicago Cubs with a 7:40 p.m. EDT game at Wrigley Field which will be broadcast both nationally on TBS, locally on Atlanta News First and on BravesVision.
The Diamondbacks losing against the Marlins or the Phillies losing to the Nationals would also help those respective magic numbers drop regardless of the outcome of the Braves game.
Martín Pérez (8-9, 3.08 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta against one-time Brave Kevin Gausman (9-12, 4.60), who was acquired by the Cubs ahead of the trade deadline.
Follow along and share your thoughts below as the Braves look to even the series and set up a Wednesday evening rubber match.
