“I’d like to be back by the postseason, so we’ll see," Judge said. “That’s definitely the plan. I got really no answers for you on any timeline or anything like that.’’
Judge, who missed three months with a fractured rib, is eligible to come off the injured list for the regular-season finale on Sept. 27. He injured his calf in his first at-bat Wednesday playing against the Minnesota Twins. The injury is in the soleus muscle of the calf, which makes it difficult to participate in any baseball activities, he said, except throwing to keep his arm in shape.
“Definitely frustrated,’’ Judge, the three-time MVP, said. “I’ve dealt with strains before, and kind of played through them, but this was kind of in a different spot where it made it a little bit more difficult. But definitely frustrated because, you know, the ultimate goal was to try to come back to get a couple of games before the postseason, so it changes it a little bit.’’
While Judge opted to resume playing with the Yankees instead of having a traditional minor-league rehab stint after such a lengthy absence, he isn’t second-guessing his decision, nor for coming out of Wednesday’s game when he first felt his calf strain.
“You know, you feel things every single year,’’ Judge said. “I usually deal with calf stuff all year long, and it usually gets to you, and usually don’t miss any games. So that was kind of the same thing I was feeling.
“I was feeling it. I was working my way back, and then something kind of grabs you at a strange time. So if this would have happened in the rehab game, I would have been probably a little bit more pissed than I was now.
“So, it is what it is.’’
The Yankees, who are in the No. 1 wild-card spot, are expected to host the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three series beginning Sept. 29 in the wild-card round at Yankee Stadium. The winner would play the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 13: Jose Quintana #62 of the Colorado Rockies gets a new ball after giving up a walk in the second inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, the Colorado Rockies announced the following roster moves:
Reinstated LHP José Quintana from the 60-day IL.
Optioned RHP Gabriel Hughes to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Designated INF Vimael Machín for assignment.
The Rockies announced today the following transactions: – Reinstated LHP Jose Quintana from the 60-day IL. – Optioned RHP Gabriel Hughes to Triple-A Albuquerque. – Designated INF Vimael Machín for assignment.
Quintana will make his 10th start of the season tonight against the…
Quintana had been on the Injured List since May 24 when he left a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was subsequently diagnosed with a left elbow strain.
Prior to his injury, Quintana logged 41.0 innings across nine starts, posting a 5.27 ERA. He will make his 10th start of the season tonight against the Seattle Mariners.
As a corresponding move, rookie RHP Gabriel Hughes (No. 7 PuRP) was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. The former 10th-overall pick has had an up-and-down season, also throwing 41.0 IP for the Rockies across 14 appearances (13 starts) and earning a 6.33 ERA.
Finally, infielder Vimael Machín was designated for assignment. Although he had seen some success with the Isotopes — slashing .288/.367/.438 — Machín had difficulty adjusting to MLB pitching during the three games he played for the Rockies.
KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 07: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) throws a warm up pitch before a MLB game on September 07, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It’s the penultimate road game for the Royals on the final weekend of 2026 baseball for the good guys, and they’re still looking for their first series victory in September. If they don’t win today, they’ll have to wait for next week’s homestand against the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians, who are in a dogfight for the AL Central crown, so the odds don’t feel great for figuring it out then.
The bad news for the Royals is that they’ll be facing Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler. The rookie righthander debuted last year for the Pirates but didn’t pitch enough innings or spend enough time on the roster to lose his eligibility. He’s unlikely to win the award while in the same league as Nolan McLean, J.J. Wetherholt, and Carson Benge, but he’s having a more-than-solid campaign all the same.
He ostensibly features a six-pitch mix, but he throws his four-seam fastball nearly half the time. You’ll notice from the graphic above that, generally speaking, he doesn’t get an inordinate amount of chase, and he gets below-average whiffs. But his fastball does get chase and at least gets average whiffs. He also has positive xwOBACons across the board. You’ll also note a lot of orange in the velocity, extension, tjStuff+, and Grade columns, indicating that all of his pitches are nasty and they’re on you fast. It’s not going to be a fun day at the plate for the Royals.
The good news for the Royals is that Noah Cameron is pitching for probably the second-to-last time this year. One of the saddest parts about the end of the 2026 MLB season will be going more than five days without watching him put on a clinic as a pitcher after taking over pitch-calling duties for himself. Fingers crossed we get to really enjoy that today and one final time for this season next week.
Lineups
Jac Caglianone is back in the lineup tonight after getting last night off for seeming disciplinary reasons. Carter Jensen will get a shot to extend his Royals’ records for lead off home runs and rookie home runs. The Royals will bat three lefties in a row from 3-4-5, so I guess that means Matt Quatraro is cured of the curse many seem to believe he is under to create lineups that flip handedness regardless of any other factors?
Sep 3, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill (44) throws during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Miguel Vargas lets it loose as he celebrates his 33rd homer of the season, giving the White Sox some much-needed breathing room. | (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Sean Burke gave the White Sox a chance to win Saturday afternoon. His offense didn’t give him much support, but it gave him just enough.
The righthander came out firing, mowing through the first with a fly out and back-to-back punchouts. The knuckle curve had bite, and he breezed through the first three innings on just 28 pitches.
The Sox gave him a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Miguel Vargas drew a two-out walk and promptly swiped second with Munetaka Murakami at the plate. With the stolen base, Vargas became the first player in franchise history to record at least 30 doubles, 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored. Congratulations to Miggy!
The stolen bag also proved pivotal when Mune dunked a blooper into left field, allowing Vargas to race home. Small ball, but it counts.
It wasn’t exactly a fireworks show, but lately, you take the runs wherever you can find them.
Jackson Jobe was every bit as stingy on the other side. The righty pounded the strike zone, fanned the side in the fourth and made the Sox look lost — except for Colson Montgomery, who at least forced a nine-pitch battle before whiffing — four innings in, still just one lonely hit for Chicago.
Burke encountered his first real bit of trouble in the fourth when Hao-Yu Lee and Riley Greene singled to put runners on first and second with two outs. He escaped with help from Vargas, who made a fantastic play at third on Dillon Dingler’s grounder to end it. Vargas has endured his share of defensive struggles at the hot corner this season, recording -2 Defensive Runs Saved, but that was a gem.
A 28-pitch fifth ended Burke’s efficiency. After plunking Ben Malgeri and allowing a single to Brett Callahan, he walked John Peck to pack the sacks. The breaking pitches that danced early began missing, and Kevin McGonigle lifted a sacrifice fly to left to knot things up. Burke limited the damage by striking out Lee and stranding a pair to end the frame.
The White Sox immediately gave him the lead back. Braden Montgomery ripped a one-out ground-rule double and advanced to third on Brenton Doyle’s single. Sam Antonacci followed with a deep sac fly to left, putting Chicago back in front, 2-1.
Would more runs be nice? Sure. But at this point, you take what you can get and say thank you.
Burke returned for the sixth because, frankly, manager Will Venable didn’t have much choice. The bullpen is taxed, and asking it to nurse a one-run lead for four innings didn’t sound particularly appealing.
That move nearly blew up in his face.
A single and back-to-back two-out walks suddenly loaded the bases for Callahan. Burke spun a 79 mph knuckle curve that Callahan swung at, but the ball squirted away from Teel and Greene slid home with what appeared to be the tying run.
Chicago challenged the call, arguing that the pitch clipped Callahan, making it a dead ball and killing the play. The challenge was successful, sending Greene back to third and keeping the Good Guys in front. Burke finished it himself, snapping off a gorgeous 80 mph curve for the punchout. He roared off the mound, and honestly, who could blame him? The righthander gutted it out, worked through the mess and became the first Sox starter to complete six innings since Aug. 21. Final line: one run, five hits, three walks, five Ks and a quality start.
Miggy gave the South Siders some cushion in the bottom half, blasting the first pitch he saw for a solo home run. The 102 mph rocket was his 33rd homer of the season and extended Chicago’s lead to 3-1. The dinger also kept the White Sox on pace to reach 200 home runs for the first time since 2012
Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor combined to handle the rest. Schultz struck out five over 1 2/3 innings, and Taylor recorded the final four outs, and that’s your ballgame.
Detroit outhit Chicago, 8-4, but went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11. Meanwhile, the White Sox went 2-for-2 with RISP.
Clutch hitting. Who knew?
Burke picked up win No. 10, the first Sox starter to hit double digits since 2022, while Schultz earned his first hold and Taylor got his 10th save.
It wasn’t the prettiest victory, but style points stopped mattering a long time ago. With their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the White Sox needed a win, and they found a way to get one.
The Guardians are still a half-game up and get the A’s tonight.
Time to scoreboard watch, friends.
MVP Sean Burke: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K, HBP, W
Runners-Up Miguel Vargas: 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, HR, SB Munetaka Murakami: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K Sam Antonacci: 0-for-3, RBI, SAC Braden Montgomery: 1-for-3, R, 2B Noah Schultz: 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K, HBP, H Grant Taylor: 1 1/3 IP, 1 H, S
Cold Cat Kyle Teel: 0-for-4, 2 K
Runners-Up Andrew Benintendi: 0-for-3, 3 K Colson Montgomery: 0-for-3, 3 K
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 11: Adam Macko #71 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 11, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have placed Michel Otanez on the 15 day injured list with a viral illness, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled lefthanded pitcher Adam Macko.
Otanez was called up yesterday in place of the optioned Robbie Ahlstrom, and hopefully he didn’t give anyone in the clubhouse his virus the one day he was here. Ahlstrom could have been recalled, since he would be replacing a player who is going on the injured list, but apparently the Rangers have seen enough of Ahlstrom in the bigs for now.
Macko was acquired from the Jays for Josh Smith and Josh Stephan at the trade deadline. He has only seven appearances covering 6.2 innings for the Rangers since the trade, and allowed four runs in his previous two major league appearances, the last one of which was eight days ago.
Maybe the Rangers just wanted Macko to get to see his old teammates, and he’ll be sent back down for someone else on Monday.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Bubba Chandler #36 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 13, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Isaac Wasserman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kansas City Royals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, September 19, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle match of a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals this weekend inside PNC Park.
The Royals are starting Noah Cameron, who is in his second MLB season with the Royals. The left-hander is 9-8 this season with a 3.4 ERA. He is coming off a no-decision in his most recent appearance on September 13 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Cameron went six innings, giving up four hits and one earned run, but the Kansas City offense could not generate enough. They tied the game 1-1 in the seventh inning, but Boston scored four runs late to escape with a 5-1 win.
The Pirates are handing the ball to Bubba Chandler, who is hoping to continue the winning streak he built in Chicago last week. Chandler has won his last two starts against the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs, but he’s hoping he can match that energy at home against the Royals. In his last start against the Cubs on September 13, he went 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and three runs in a 4-3 victory.
The season is winding down, so Chandler has to make it count to warrant consideration for next year’s rotation.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 01: BJ Murray Jr. #83 of the Chicago Cubs hits a single, his first MLB hit, against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field on September 01, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Iowa activated right-hander Tyler Santana from the Development list and placed right-hander Grant Kipp on it.
Strong start for Andrew Wentz, who got the win after going five innings and giving up just one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out four.
Gavin Hollowell pitched 1.1 innings in a rehab appearance. Hollowell faced five batters and struck out four of them. He walked the other one.
Jaxon Wiggins relieved Hollowell with one on and one out in the ninth. He threw one pitch and got a game-ending double play.
The I-Cubs scored four runs in the first inning and never trailed afterwards. Left fielder Chas McCormick hit a two-run double in the first and later in the inning scored on a ground out. McCormick went 3 for 5 with the double.
DH BJ Murray hit a two-run single in the fourth inning. Murray went 2 for 5 and also scored on McCormick’s double in the first inning.
Shortstop Owen Miller was 2 for 5 and also scored on McCormick’s double.
First baseman Owen Ayers was 1 for 3 with two walks.
McCormick’s double went high off the center field wall.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Miguel Vargas #20 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field on September 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jackson Jobe threw a fairly good game on Saturday, matching his career high strikeouts. Unfortunately, the White Sox capitalized on their opportunities, while the Tigers had traffic all game long but couldn’t cash in their chances. They dropped the third of four on the south side by a 3-1 margin, and will look to split the series on Sunday.
Saturday’s matchup featured RHP Sean Burke against RHP Jackson Jobe. The game was originally a night game, but fears of rain this evening prompted them to move the game up to a 2:10 p.m. ET start.
Burke struck out Hao-Yu Lee and Colt Keith in a 1-2-3 top of the first. Jobe locked up Kyle Teel with a sinker that dropped just into the top of the zone for the second out in the bottom of the first. However, he walked Miguel Vargas, who promptly stole second pretty easily. Facing the dangerous Munetaka Murakami, Jobe got weak contact with a breaking ball, but the slugger blooped one in just in front of Brett Callahan in left, and Vargas scored to make it 1-0. A perfect back foot slider whiffed Andrew Benintendi to end the inning.
A sharp one-out single from Dillon Dingler in the top of the second gave the Tigers an opportunity to develop. That came to an abrupt end instead when Max Clark grounded one up the middle and into a double play ball to end the frame.
Jobe blew away Colson Montgomery with high heat and then whiffed Chase Meidroth with a good changeup. Braden Montgomery grounded out to end the second inning. Still 1-0 White Sox.
Burke was still cruising in the top of the third. Ben Malgeri struck out and Callahan and John Peck both made routine outs on the balls in play. Jobe was spotting his stuff pretty well, and he got the first two outs of the bottom half quickly, but Kyle Teel pulled a pretty routine grounder to first and Keith booted it. Fortunately, that only extended the inning for one pitch as Vargas flew out just short of the warning track in left. On to the fourth inning.
Kevin McGonigle was up first in the top of the fourth, and in a 1-1 count, Burke drew a pitch clock violation call. Will Venable wanted some clarification on that one, delaying the at-bat for a minute, but it stuck. McGonigle grounded out to Vargas at third, making that a moot point. Hao-Yu Lee, fresh off his monster four-hit performance on Friday night, lined a first pitch slider into center field for a single. Keith flew out to left, but Riley Greene pulled a single into right. Lee was caught dancing off first and hesitated a moment on the ball in play, so he only got to second base. Dingler ripped a ground ball to the pull side, but Vargas made a nice forehand pick on the one-hopper and retired him to end the threat.
Jobe whiffed Benintendi and Murakami with good back foot sliders to start the bottom half. The breaking stuff is really coming along, and he threw some good changeups as well early on. Montgomery battled through a nine-pitch at-bat but Jobe got him on a curveball fouled tipped into the glove for his seventh strikeout. This is looking very promising folks. A surprising lack of whiffs has dogged Jobe’s early major league work, but he’s racking them up now with a really nasty six-pitch mix.
With one out in the top of the fifth, Burke clipped Malgeri in the wrist on a 3-2 pitch. Callahan ripped a sharp single to center field, and the Tigers were in business with one out. Teel missed a 2-2 challenge on a high fastball, making it 3-2, and Burke walked him to load the bases. That brought McGonigle to the dish in a key spot.
Burke was nibbling a bit and fell behind 2-1, but McGonigle got a mashable heater and fouled it off. Another curveball missed to drive the count full and there was nowhere to put him. McGonigle lifted a 3-2 pitch to left for a sacrifice fly to score Malgeri and tie the game 1-1. Burke’s pitch count had been in excellent shape, but was now suddenly spiraling, and he had to face Hao-Yu Lee with runners on first and second. Burke fell behind, but Lee fouled off a pair of high fastballs and a good curveball got the whiff to turn the Tigers away. But, the ballgame was now tied up 1-1.
So we had ourselves a tie game, and Jobe started the bottom of the fifth at 66 pitches. Meidroth flew out, but Montgomery fouled off some tough pitches. He eventually got himself a sinker and banged it off the left field wall for a double. Brenton Doyle flicked a single to left off the end of the bat, and it was first and third with one out. Sam Antonacci flew out to left, but deep enough to get Montgomery home as Callahan threw in to second to hold Doyle at first. 2-1 White Sox. Teel flew out to Clark in center to end the inning on Jobe’s 80th pitch.
Riley Greene singled with one out in the top of the sixth. Dingler flew out, and Burke fell behind Clark 3-0. The right-hander spotted a fastball at the top of the zone to make it 3-1, and a good cutter got a whiff to push the count full. Another cutter missed away to walk him. Teel wasted the White Sox last challenge on a pitch that wasn’t very close, and so Malgeri dug in with two on and two out. The Sox had lefty Noah Schultz just starting to warm up while Burke fell behind again 3-0. Malgeri took a fastball to make it 3-1, and fouled the next one back, but Burke missed again, walking him to load the bases.
Venable and company were late to get the bullpen cooking, and so Burke stayed in to face Callahan. A 2-1 breaking ball drew a big whiff, but bounced away from Teel and Greene read it perfectly and scored from third. The White Sox challenged the play, and we saw that the ball had nicked Callahan’s back foot, and so the run didn’t count and it was 2-2 to Callahan. He fouled off another big curveball out of the zone, and the Tigers rookie took the next one and it dropped into the top of the zone to strand the bases loaded. Callahan’s aggressiveness got him there, as both curveballs he fouled off were balls inside.
Jobe had a long break in that inning, and the first pitch he threw was a slider to Vargas that got punished to left field for a solo shot. 3-1 White Sox.
Jacob Waguespack and Tyler Holton got up and warming in the Tigers’ pen as Jobe’s 86th pitch got a ground out from Murakami. He whiffed Benintendi again on a good slider for his eighth punch out and got Montgomery with a changeup to wrap up the inning.
6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, BB, 9 K isn’t the greatest line of all-time, but all through the minor leagues and the beginning of his major league career, Jobe was still feeling for the optimal shapes for his breaking stuff. The whiffs were always a little light considering his velocity and spin rates. They’ve made excellent progress in both shape and command, and now Jobe looks more likely to reach his frontline starter ceiling than not. His 16 whiffs in this one tied his career high.
Schultz took over in the top of the seventh, facing Peck, who struck out. The big lefty was pumping high 90’s heat with a nasty sweeper-cutter combo away from lefties. McGonigle was unphased, lining a single to right field. That was 256 times reaching base for McGonigle, one of the all-time best marks for a rookie.
Hao-Yu Lee bit on a cutter and struck out, and AJ Hinch turned to Spencer Torkelson hitting for Keith and taking over at first. Schultz tied him up with a good cutter and then spun in another one for strike three to end that at-bat, and we were on to the bottom of the seventh.
Waguespack took over from Jobe, and quickly hit Chase Meidroth. He bounced right back to coax a double play ball from Montgomery, and locked up Doyle with a high curveball for a pretty snappy inning. The strikeouts aren’t really there for Waguespack, and he has been hit hard at times, but outing for outing, he continues to give the Tigers quality innings.
Schultz missed 2-2 to Riley Greene to start the eighth, but it was a strike and the White Sox couldn’t challenge. The next pitch was a heater that sailed inside and clipped the Tigers’ outfielder to put the leadoff man on. Schultz punched out Dingler on three pitches. Max Clark wanded a 2-2 breaking ball and dumped a single into right field to amplify the threat, while closer Grant Taylor was warming in the Sox bullpen. Schultz jammed Malgeri with a cutter first pitch, and he popped out on the infield. Eduardo Valencia entered to pinch-hit for Callahan, and this felt like the whole ballgame right here as Venable countered with Taylor to get a right-on-right matchup. He did the job, jamming Valencia and getting a bouncer to first. The Tigers had now left 10 men on base in this one.
Waguespack tied up Antonacci with a changeup for a ground out to first, starting the bottom of the eighth. Zach McKinstry took over for Valenica, playing right field. Another good changeup whiffed Kyle Teel as the veteran right-hander continued to make his case for a return engagement with the Tigers in 2027. They avoided Vargas entirely, walking him on four straight, but now faced Murakami, who whiffed on another good changeup to strike out and send this to the ninth.
Peck was up first against the White Sox’s closer, and grounded out to shortstop. McGonigle grounded out as well, and that left it up to Lee. He fought off some triple digit heat from Taylor and then grounded a curveball for a single to keep the game alive for Torkelson. Taylor fell behind 2-0, but dropped in a curve and then got a whiff with the slider to even the count. Another slider was lifted out to Doyle in left center field, and that was that.
The White Sox creep back a half game behind the Cleveland Guardians, who play later tonight. The Tigers? Well, let’s just enjoy the final week of baseball. The story of the series so far has been trouble driving runners in, as the Tigers have 32 hits to the White Sox 16. They just haven’t made enough of them count.
Ichiro did not take it easy in what was supposed to be a fun exhibition against the Japanese top high school girl’s baseball team earlier this week. Apparently girl’s hardball is rapidly becoming more popular in the land of the rising sun, and I approve. Anyway, we needed some levity after this one.
Highlight package of a 52-year old Ichiro striking out Japan’s top high school girl baseball players wild. He legit does not give AF. Uses every pitch in his arsenal. https://t.co/InhFmQfTLWpic.twitter.com/NOe9DPCqpV
When the Los Angeles Dodgers were in Cincinnati on the second leg of their most recent road trip, manager Dave Roberts approached Josue De Paula.
"Just wait until we get back to LA," he recalled Roberts telling him. "It's different."
Sure enough, the raucous 48,000 fans -- a light crowd by Dodger Stadium standards -- packed inside Chavez Ravine for his home debut on Friday, Sept. 18 surpassed whatever the rookie's expectations were. Everything, from the environment to the deafening cheers that only seemed to grow louder as the Dodgers slugged their way to an 8-2 win over the hated rival San Francisco Giants, to the air itself, felt different.
"It's like a movie, man," De Paula told USA TODAY Sports.
De Paula, 21, has played his role perfectly through his first week in the big leagues.
The No. 6 prospect in baseball carries himself with a confidence that's rarely seen in someone as young as him. He's played in only eight games since being called up straight from Double-A Tulsa after Shohei Ohtani was placed on the injured list, or "just thrown into it" as he put it, but De Paula has relied on the skillset that got him here. He controls the strike zone, seeing the ball extremely well and is selective with what pitches he swings at, rarely chasing. That part of his game has transitioned seamlessly.
When De Paula does see a pitch he likes, his calm demeanor at the plate helps him stay centered and keeps him from jumping out ahead of the ball.
"I feel the adrenaline, but I feel like I just know how to pinpoint it and focus it," he said. "I'm so locked in, but I know how to calm myself down."
And when he does make contact, it's loud. So is De Paula.
That was seen in the bottom of the sixth inning on Friday. De Paula walked up to "Ima Boss" by Meek Mill (his third different walk-up song of the night by the way, this one was chosen by his mom). The triumphant horns on the 2011 anthem produced by Jahlil Beats had barely subsided over the loudspeakers when De Paula slapped a first-pitch slider from Giants reliever Jason Foley 107 mph into the gap in the right field for an RBI double that scored the go-ahead run from first.
Once he got to second base standing up, De Paula threw his hands in the air and hit the Dodgers' on-base celebration, swiveling his hips around before putting his own twist on it: pounding his chest and flexing toward his teammates in the dugout.
"He loves playing the game," Mookie Betts said. "He's full of life. When he gets on the field, it's like a quiet focus, but when he's off the field he likes joking ... and whatnot. He's a good kid."
"We got some swag in Brooklyn. We got some swag in the Dominican Republic. I just feel like I got a chip on my shoulder," De Paula said. "And it just comes out naturally."
That came out again in the bottom of the eighth when Giants reliever Philip Abner threw a first-pitch fastball up that was called a strike by umpire Louie Krupa. De Paula immediately tapped his helmet to challenge, and ABS showed the ball had missed the top of the zone 0.1 inches. The Dodger Stadium crowd got fired up as they watched the replay unfold on the jumbotron and the call was overturned to ball one, and De Paula nodded his head toward his teammates before working a two-out walk on four pitches.
Betts homered in the very next at-bat to break open a five-run lead. Will Smith then followed that up with the Dodgers' fourth long ball of the inning.
"Love De Paula," Roberts said. "I just love his at-bats. It's one of those things that we knew that coming up to the big leagues, he wasn't going to get overwhelmed, and it just helps when you control the strike zone. He takes his walks, when the ball is in the hitting zone, he can slug you, but he also knows how to get a base hit. It's been very professional."
De Paula finished his Dodger Stadium debut 2-for-3 with two runs, and RBI and a walk to bring his OPS up to .924. It's been a very small sample size, and baseball has a way of humbling even the most skilled hitters. It is, after all, a game of failure. But what he has been able to do in his first "trial run", filling in for the back-to-back National League MVP no less, might be indicative of something larger.
At the very least, he's played himself into the postseason roster conversation.
"To have (Roberts) believe in me so much," De Paula said. "I always have confidence in myself but to have someone like that believe in you, it just puts another oomph on your shoulder. It feels amazing."
For now, De Paula's just working. The weakest area of his game is his defense, and while the vast majority of this first stint in the majors will be as a designated hitter, he's using the opportunity get better. De Paula's taking advice from Roberts and the entire coaching staff. He's asking his teammates questions. He's shagging fly balls every day.
"I'm gonna shut a lot of people up with my defense very soon," he said. "It's gonna take some time."
That opportunity likely won't come for a while; Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker are both getting hot and settling into their rhythms in the corner outfield spots in the final two weeks of the regular season. If De Paula does make the postseason roster after Ohtani comes back, it would probably be as a lefty bat off the bench.
Whatever happens over the next two weeks before October, De Paula's focused on the now, enjoying every moment he can. He got the ball back from his first Dodger Stadium hit – a leadoff single to right field in the fifth inning – and he knows exactly where to put it.
"I'm gonna give it to my parents," De Paula said. "I might give it to them right now."
Prior to his induction into the Mets Hall of Fame and number retirement ceremony on Saturday, Carlos Beltrán spoke with reporters about his legendary career, time in New York, and future working for the team...
Decision to go into HOF as a Met
Earlier in the summer, Beltrán became the third player to enter the Hall of Fame with a Mets cap on his plaque. He opted to represent New York over the six other teams he played for during his 20-year career, having spent the most time (seven seasons) with the Mets.
When asked about that decision and what his time with the team meant to him, the nine-time All-Star called it his "best years" playing baseball.
"I would say it was my best years in baseball," Beltrán said. "Even though at times it felt difficult and it felt different. Meaning my relationship [with the fans], and sometimes how things went down. I don't know the message that was sent out about me as a person or about me as a player. It's hard to connect with a fanbase when the message out there is always negative.
"But being honest and having the experience to play for the Mets, I felt like playing in this organization, I kept saying this in my speech for the Hall of Fame, I grew the most as a person, as a leader. I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for the relationships I was able to build in the clubhouse with the players... Keeping those relationships has really been incredible and amazing for us."
Learning how to play in New York
After six-plus seasons with the Kansas City Royals and a half season with the Houston Astros, Beltrán signed a seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets ahead of the 2005 season. He discussed why he chose the Mets that offseason and how it took some time to adjust to playing in a big market.
"Being a free agent, I was really looking closely what Omar Minaya at the time was doing for the Mets organization," Beltrán said. "He was trying to put a consistent team for the city. I think adding Pedro Martinez was a huge sign. Pedro choosing to come to New York, no doubt that him being one of the best pitchers in the game, you start considering the Mets as a team, probably I could be a good fit in for the organization. When they were able to visit me in Puerto Rico... I told my wife this could be a possibility and a legitimate one. And it happened.
"Coming from a small market team and all of a sudden being in New York, there were things I needed to learn that I didn't have those tools in Kansas City. Dealing with the media, dealing with the responsibilities, dealing with the expectations, dealing with the ups-and-downs of baseball in a city like New York is the real deal. I'm grateful. I'm grateful that when I look at my career, out of 20 years, I played 10 in New York. I think I did OK."
Beltrán was then asked if there was any lessons he learned to adapting to playing in New York, saying it helped make him a better person on and off the field. He added that he feels it's important to help new players become adjusted to playing in the city because of all that comes with it.
"I think my skin got thicker playing in this city, which is good," Beltrán said. "I'm grateful for everything, my friend. When you look back, there are moments that need to happen in life for you to grow. That's life. Because of the moments that I experienced here, I'm better, I'm better in every aspect. I want to use the experience to continue to share it with the next generation, share it with all of the people that might be feeling the same shoes I felt when I first came here."
Now, with the team expecting to have interim manager Andy Green return to the front office, Beltrán could potentially have another chance to manage his former club. Of course, Beltrán was originally hired as manager on Nov. 1, 2019, but later mutually agreed to leave the position in January 2020 before ever managing a game due to his involvement in the Astros sign-stealing scandal.
When asked about the possibility of becoming the next manager, Beltrán, who is currently a special assistant to David Stearns, said he is enjoying his current role and helping around the organization.
"Right now I love what I'm doing," Beltrán said. "I believe that the opportunity the Mets are giving me to be part of the organization and be able to comment on the things I experienced as a baseball player to hopefully continue to add value to the decisions they are making and bring perspective on how I see things from a baseball standpoint.
"... With that being said, I love what I do. Being a manager in Major League Baseball is a huge commitment. And I'm not saying I'm not willing to take that commitment. But right now, at the position where I am in life, I love to be a dad, I love to be a husband, I love to be involved with the Carlos Beltran Academy in Puerto Rico. And being a manager, you would not be able to do that full-time.
"With that being said, I will let the Mets go through the process. I think David understands that, probably, there's going to be a search. I hope with that being said that with whatever step forward we do, I know it's going to be for the benefit of the organization. Being honest, I think Andy has done a good job. He has done an incredible job for the Mets since he joined the team."
Beltrán was asked directly if he will try to interview, but again said he's comfortable with his current role, while leaving the door slightly open to managing in the future.
"Right now, I don't have an answer for that honestly speaking," Beltrán said. "I think today I'm more worried about the speech and what to say out there. I always say, in my heart, if I stay relevant in the game and hopefully I continue to be around baseball teams, I could think about that later on. Right now, I'm happy what I'm doing with the Mets and having this job where I get to connect with the baseball players, connect with the coaches... I try to learn as much as I can from that."
They were charged last November with wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy for a scheme alleging they shared information about the location and velocity of pitches in advance with bettors.
Clase and the others have pleaded not guilty to all counts, and jury selection for the trial is slated to begin in November.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz arrives at federal court for a status hearing on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Gregory P. Mango for NY Post
“The government will only seek to prove that for one or more of approximately 18 of Clase’s pitches, and for two of Ortiz’s pitches, the defendants provided advance inside information about their pitches to others who bet on them,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella wrote.
Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 in 10 innings in game two of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium in New York, Friday, October 14, 2022. Getty Images
The filing did not specify the pitches allegedly thrown by Ortiz, but two of his outings last year were flagged by sportsbooks for irregular betting activity on specific pitches.
Both Clase and Ortiz have been on leave since June 2025.
There’s a chance of storms in the Cincinnati area this evening (forecast link below). Here’s the area radar for you to keep handy.
Saturday notes…
LEADS, BLOWN CATEGORY: The Cubs let a 4-3 lead slip away last night. They have blown 67 leads this season, in 56 different games. They are 24-32 in those games and have lost three straight and 12 of 13 starting on Aug. 21. Before blowing their lead, the Cubs had erased two deficits, raising their season total to 70, in 62 different games. They have lost the last two, five of six and seven of nine starting Aug. 21. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
POWER OUTAGE: On Aug. 31, the Cubs set a team record by hitting nine homers against the Brewers. They have hit a total of 16 in their 16 games since then. Last night’s was the ninth game with one. They hit two twice and three once. They hit none in four games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
HAPP’S HOMER DIDN’T HELP: Ian Happ’s third-inning drive was the only homer by either team last night. The Cubs are 37-11 when they have hit more homers than they have allowed and 23-10 when they have not allowed a homer. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Kerry Wood throws seven shutout innings, striking out nine, and Rondell White homers and drives in four to lead the Cubs to an 11-0 win over the Reds. It happened 25 years ago today, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001.
Matthew Boyd’s ERA is a victim of the Cubs bullpen.
In each of his last three starts, relievers allowed two inherited runners left by Boyd to score. So his pitching has been better than the numbers show, in my view.
Boyd’s only start against the Reds this year was July 12 in Cincinnati. He allowed four runs in 6.1 innings, two of which were on the traditional Eugenio Suárez homer off Cubs pitching. Keep Eugenio in the ballpark and good things should follow.
Nick Lodolo was the Reds’ first-round pick (seventh overall) out of TCU in 2019, and was a Top 100 prospect two years in a row.
Injuries and ineffectiveness have hurt him and he’s having the worst year of his career.
For him, that’s bad. For Cubs hitters, maybe it’s good. He did hold the Cubs to two runs in five innings July 11 in Cincinnati, then missed a few weeks with a blister issue. (Sound familiar?) Since his return last month he has a 6.09 ERA and 1.529 WHIP in seven starts, with 10 (!) home runs allowed in 34 innings.
Please visit our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter. If you do go there to interact with Reds fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor understands how momentous Saturday at Citi Field is.
The organization is honoring Carlos Beltrán by inducting him into the Mets Hall of Fame and retiring his No. 15. Beltrán is a player who not only represented the franchise as one of its best players, but as a fellow Puerto Rican, the honor hits close to home for Lindor.
"It’s very inspiring. Someone that was close to me and to every Puerto Rican. Anybody that’s Puerto Rican that makes it big, us Puerto Ricans feel like we made it as well," Lindor said in the clubhouse prior to Saturday's game. "To be on the biggest stages, playoffs, All-Star games and to see him come back to the island is very special. We always talk about guys like that, like the Beltráns, [Roberto] Alomar,[Carlos] Delgado, [Ivan]Rodriguez. Guys that set the path for a guy like me today."
Lindor looked up to Beltrán because he was also a switch-hitter from the island, who played hard and "had swag," but he wouldn't get a chance to build a relationship with one of his idols until 2016.
Lindor, playing with Cleveland at the time, just wrapped up a series with the Beltrán's Yankees right before the All-Star break. The young shortstop was heading to San Diego for his first All-Star Game and shared a plane with the outfielder and a few other Yankees who also made the Midsummer Classic. That's when he had an opportunity to speak with the future Hall of Famer.
"Anybody that's from Puerto Rico and makes it big, us Puerto Ricans feel like we made it, as well."
Francisco Lindor says it was "very inspiring" to see Carlos Beltrán's success in Major League Baseball: pic.twitter.com/5QX8pUuM4n
"He’s a mentor. Someone you can have a conversation with him, tell him the stuff I’m going through because he probably already went through it. He’s helped me for sure," Lindor said of Beltrán. "I look up to him growing up and to have an opportunity to share the field with him. To have moments to talk to him. It’s something I don’t take for granted."
That relationship came in handy when Lindor was traded to the Mets in 2021. It was an adjustment period for Lindor, who struggled on and off the field. Going from a small market to New York City was tough for Lindor, but he had Beltrán to help him.
Beltran got Lindor in touch with a realtor and helped him with the off-the-field transition, but also offered a shoulder when the on-the-field production wasn't there.
"When I first got traded here, I called him and I talked to him," Lindor said. "I didn’t play well. I sucked in the beginning and having him there to comfort me and say, ‘Hey, this stuff is going to happen. It’s ok. You’re going to go through stuff like this, but you’re going to come out on the other side. Stay true to yourself and play the game the right way.'
"Stuff like that early on was huge for me today."
Five years later, and Lindor has become an important part of the team on the field and as a locker room leader.
"I love Francisco. I admire him. I love the way he plays. I always watch the switch-hitters in the game," Beltrán said prior to his number retirement ceremony. "He will be in this position at some point in life. I’m grateful for the friendship that we have...We have a good relationship. We talk about baseball, we talk about hitting, life, family, we talk about kids, we talk about everything.
"The relationship I was able to build with him is a friendship more than anything else."
Could that relationship-building help Beltrán get a managerial job with the Mets or elsewhere? Lindor was asked and the shortstop is convinced the Hall of Famer will succeed in that realm if that's his desire.
"If he wants it. I believe he’ll succeed whenever he becomes a manager," Lindor said. "If the organization feels that’s the right fit for us…. If he decides to pursue, and if they feel he’s the best fit, he’ll succeed at it.
"To be a manager is not about respect, it’s about knowing the game, making the right moves at the right time and connecting with players. And I think he can do all those."
"I love Francisco. I admire him. I love the way he plays. Being a switch-hitter, I'm always watching the switch-hitters in the game. He will be in this position at some point in life."
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Matt Olson #28 after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on September 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s still work to do after last night’s tasteful champagne toast to celebrate a return to the postseason. Walt Weiss, no stranger to tinkering with a lineup formula, has maybe found what he likes most to face RHPs. He will run with the exact same lineup from last night’s 6-2 win versus the Astros, where three two-run homers to the Crawford Boxes in left field secured the series opener.
Designated hitter Drake Baldwin leads off, followed by Ronald Acuña Jr. playing right field and aiming for home run number 20 on the season. Hitting third again, Matt Olson’s 3-for-5 evening with a home run yesterday was a sight for sore eyes. His lefty bestie Michael Harris II (with his own 3-for-5 night with a homer night) will hit cleanup and patrol center field. Houston’s beloved Mauricio Dubón will play shortstop and hit fifth. Ozzie Albies is penciled in to hit sixth and play second base. Left fielder Mike Yastrzemski, third baseman Austin Riley, and catcher Sean Murphy round out the bottom of Atlanta’s order.
The lineup for Houston has the same 1-4 as last night: shortstop Jeremy Pena, DH Yordan Alvarez, third baseman Isaac Paredes, and second baseman Jose Altuve. Catcher Yainer Diaz gets the start today in place of Christian Vázquez and will hit fifth and catch for starter Hayden Wesneski. Center fielder Daulton Varsho drops a spot to sixth, followed by first baseman Christian Walker. Cam Smith gets the start today in right field, and left fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. will once again bat ninth.
The Braves are looking to score early and often / avoid seeing Josh Hader in order to secure a series win at Daikin Park tonight. First pitch is at 7:10 pm ET.
