Orioles can’t support ace-worthy Trevor Rogers in narrow loss to Brewers, 1-0

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 19, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Today’s 1-0 loss should be a reminder to all of us Orioles sickos out there: much as we love this team, the 2026 version just ain’t it. Despite Trevor Rogers turning in one of the greatest starts of his season (even, perhaps, of his career), with eight one-run innings on just three hits and ten strikeouts, the Birds did absolutely zilch on offense, getting shut out by a relative neophyte in Milwaukee’s Robert Glasser (who had just twenty-plus starts to his name before today). They managed four hits all game, and went 0-for-7 with RISP. The O’s postseason chances, already slim after last night, have taken another critical hit. I’m getting tired of the watchful waiting.

Instead, let’s let today stand as a reminder to look back with gratitude on better teams of Orioles past (Trey Mancini’s heroic career), and to think ahead to better teams of the future (imagine a day where Trevor Rogers and Shane Baz could get some run support!).

Today, prior to the game, the O’s held a moving on-field ceremony for Trey Mancini, who in six seasons as an Oriole (2016-22) racked up a .270 average and 117 home runs while also winning MVO in 2019 and AL Comeback Player in 2021 after beating cancer. After being out of baseball in ’24 and ‘25, he returned to MLB this season with the Angels before signing a one-day contract with Baltimore to retire an Oriole. Reminiscing in the MASN booth during the game, Mancini sounded as decent a guy as ever. The longtime O’s first baseman talked about homering in his MLB debut, hitting an inside-the-park home run off Josh Lowe’s face on the one-year anniversary of superfan Mo Gaba’s passing, meeting up with current O’s first baseman Pete Alonso in the 2021 Home Run Derby, and ending his career on his own terms. Kudos to Mancini. It was so great to see him.

Meanwhile, thinking ahead to next season, I can’t wait to see more of lefty Trevor Rogers. Making his final home start of 2026, Rogers made sure it would go down as his best. He threw a career-high-tying eight innings, striking out ten and allowing just three hits and one run. (That run, by the way, came because of a sun-assisted blooper by Rece Hinds that any sunglasses-wearing outfielder should have had.) It was a completely magisterial performance. Even in a comparative down year after his unreal 2025 (9-3, 1.81 ERA in 18 starts), the lefty has a 69.2% first-pitch strike rate, first in MLB this season and the highest of any Orioles starter since they started keeping track.

Here are some of the Rogers highlights, which are well worth watching when you get the chance. Rogers whizzed through the first inning in just ten pitches. He landed a third-strike fastball on the corner to freeze Brewers centerfielder Garrett Mitchell, prompting MASN’s Big Ben McDonald to say, “You can’t throw a four-seamer, folks, any better than that.”

What could beat Trevor Rogers, looking like this? Answer: Rece Hinds’ accessorizing choices. The right fielder lost a routine fly ball in the sun off the bat of former Orioles Joey Ortiz in the second inning, letting the ball roll right by him as Ortiz made it to third. The official scorekeepers counted this a triple—which felt gravely wrong. A weak squibber to third scored Ortiz, giving the Brewers the game’s first and only run. As MASN’s Kevin Brown later put it, “[Rogers is] a pair of Oakleys away from having a no-hitter!”

Rogers kept rolling. After he sewed up the fourth inning, Big Ben exclaimed, “It’s Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood!” Corny, but I liked it.

Rogers was inevitable in the fifth inning, too. You could start to see it in the face of Milwaukee backstop Gary Sanchez’s face as he rolled fruitlessly over a changeup—the face of a team that’s got nothing going against a starter. The same expression could be seen on Cooper Platt, swinging through a fastball. And Luis Lara, caught looking. (A group of hitters looking as demoralized as this shouldn’t win games.)

Come the sixth, the strike-throwing Rogers was still at just 60 pitches! It, too, was another three-up, three-down affair, and Rogers had retired nine in a row.

In the seventh, Rogers allowed a real single to William Contreras—I say “real,” because it was the first well-hit ball off Rogers all game. But it amounted to zilch in the box score, because Andrew Vaughn bounced a ball off the mound and Jeremiah Jackson, at second, played it perfectly, stepping on second and firing to first in time for the twin killing. Joey Ortiz popped out, and MASN’s Kevin Brown announced, “seven magnificent innings for Trevor Rogers.” I was so thrilled.

Then, the eighth was even more magnificent. Rogers allowed a leadoff single to Gary Sanchez, and the bullpen got to warming (gulp). But they might have just stayed seated. Rogers strung together two consecutive strikeouts. Second baseman David Hamilton tried to bunt… with two outs! Didn’t matter. Hamilton got rung up, too. Rogers had struck out the side in the eighth.

“It’s been an absolute love affair between Trevor Rogers and Orioles fans,” said Kevin Brown. Deservedly. What a performance by the Orioles lefty in his final home appearance of 2026.

And yet—somehow, ridiculously, the Brewers were still leading this game. That’s because the O’s’ efforts against Milwaukee lefty Robert Gasser, sorry to say it, were again flat, pointless, and stupid. The lefty seems just okay, stuff-wise, and at several points in the game, he lost control of his fastball. But the O’s couldn’t take advantage. They managed just two hits off Glasser and were terrible, once again, with RISP.

Is part of the trouble the platooning thing again? Clearly, this O’s lineup was built for handedness, not average—what else can explain Jeremiah Jackson at leadoff, and Rece Hinds, Christian Franklin, and Leody Taveras in the six, seven and nine spots? In fairness, Jackson was OK—he led off the O’s first inning with a single, and started that crucial double play that helped Rogers get through the seventh inning. And Rece Hinds did hit the ball hard, with one 109-mph double and a walk. But Franklin was deadweight, and Samuel Basallo, in the eight spot, looks really lost right now. Both turned in 0-fers, as did Pete Alonso, Coby Mayo (albeit one BB), and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. You need more than that from your 2-3-4 hitters.

I’ll spare you much more salt on the wound, but for the second day in a row, the Orioles wasted crucial RISP situations against Milwaukee, downing the pitching’s heroic efforts to snatch a win from the MLB’s best team with hitters going down like lambs to slaughter.

In the third, Baltimore had Gunnar Henderson and Hinds aboard with no outs before Christian Franklin, averaging .147, hit into a double play. Boo. Basallo, following him, grounded out.

They wasted a huge chance in the sixth, too, loading the bases on two walks and a HBP, but with one out, Christian Encarnacion-Strand hit into an uncharacteristic double play and the bases stayed loaded.

Alex Hoppe pitched a fine ninth, despite my nerves about seeing him out there. Actually, he’s got an incredible sinker, with like ten inches of movement on it. If he can find the plate next season, I’ll be glad to see more of him.

Anyway, that’s it. The O’s postseason chances, already slim after last night, just faded again. October baseball seems, well, close, but no cigar, like a win today. Today, instead, felt like a reminder to fans who love this team: let’s look back on nicer Orioles teams past, including the good old years of Trey Mancini’s heroics at first, and look ahead to the future, where a starting rotation that features Trevor Rogers might also get some goddamn run support.

Never a doubt! Rays 2 Red Sox 1

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 19: Richie Palacios #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with teammates after hitting an RBI single to walk-off the Boston Red Sox 2-1 at Tropicana Field on September 19, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Rays handed the Red Sox a win and allowed them to celebrate a postseason spot and I just can’t.

Freddie Peralta got off to a great start, but stumbled in the third inning, giving up two doubles that allowed the Red Sox to take a 1-0 lead.

But things were looking up in the bottom of the inning. Cedric Mullins bunted for a hit, and the Red Sox third baseman threw the ball away, allowing Mullins to advance to second with none out.

Mullins, however, got picked off trying to steal third, erasing that runner. And then Jorge “why are you still on this team?” Mateo and Jake “missed half the season and very rusty” Fraley both struck out to end that inning with the Rays failing to score. Oh and the chef’s kiss, Mateo blew through a challenge on a clear strike in the process.

Peralta faced difficulties again in the fourth inning. After being up 1-2, he walked Wilyer Abreu, burning through the Rays second challenge along the way, and then gave up a single to Nick Sogard, to put two men on base. The inning ended, thankfully, with a strike out and a pop up.

Then, praise be, Jonathan Aranda jumped on a fastball and drove it opposite field over the fence, and the game was tied 1-1

And then we just kept going with the score 1-1. Both teams had a lot of scoring opportunities, but couldn’t capitalize. Two players (one on each team) got caught stealing third. One player (Johnny DeLuca) got thrown out at home.

The Rays could not figure out Brayan Bello. The Red Sox seemed more comfortable against Freddie Peralta, especially since his command was meh, but they still only scored one run. The Red Sox managed to get two extra base hits against Bryan Baker in the top of the ninth, a double and a triple. You’d think that would be a run, except Caleb Durbin, who hit the double, had gotten caught stealing third so the triple came with no one on base.

This entire game felt, if you’ll allow me to get a little Greek mythology on you, a bit Sisyphean. Push the boulder up the hill, watch it roll down, but in this case it was get a couple of guys on base, watch the next guys strike out and pop up. Red Sox struck out 9 times, Rays struck out 12 times.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the ninth that the Rays were able to take a final lead. With the very effective Garrett Whitlock on the mound, Caminero and Simpson singled, and moved to second and third on a passed ball with just one out. But Victor Mesa Jr was unable to get the winning run in (he struck out). And then Richie Palacios came up, got down 1-2, dinked a flare into right field, and the Rays had walked it off.

This victory is sweet for many reasons. First, of course, Rays magic number to win the division is now down to 5.

Next, they kept the Red Sox from clinching a postseason slot for at least one more day.

Finally, all those red-clad interlopers taking up space in our stadium had to go home disappointed.

Back at it tomorrow. Griffin Jax tries to build on his recent strong starts, and the Rays will face Patrick Sandoval.

Colorado Rockies vs. Seattle Mariners game discussion: José Quintana vs. Bryce Miller

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 7: Jose Quintana #62 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the first inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field on May 7, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last night the Colorado Rockies lost the first game of their series against the Seattle Mariners on a ninth inning home run by Lazaro Montes. It was the latest 4-12 start to the month of September that has all but extinguished their hopes of avoiding a fourth straight 100 loss season.

With 98 losses on the season and eight games remaining it seems inevitable that they will reach that ignominious mark soon, however, they can still strive to delay it until after this weekend while they are celebrating a franchise legend.

Before the game the Rockies unveiled Todd Helton’s statue outside of Coors Field.

Helton’s statue resides alongside the Larry Walker statue that was installed earlier this season. The first 15,000 fans in the ballpark tonight will take home a replica Helton statue.

On the mound for the Rockies will be José Quintana making his first start for the Major League since suffering an elbow injury during a start on May 24th. Before going on the injured list, the veteran lefty had thrown 41 innings for the Rockies with a 5.27 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over nine starts. Quintana made two minor league rehab starts, in which he threw a total of four and a third innings, before being recalled from the injured list earlier today.

Opposing Quintana for the Mariners will be 28 year old right-handed pitcher Bryce Miller. Over 107.1 innings to this point in the season, Miller has amassed a middling 4.19 ERA alongside a 4.55 FIP but his expected stats tell a different story. His 3.70 xERA is fueled primarily by his ability to induce chase (89th percentile) and limit hard contact (87th percentile) but his heavy fly ball tendencies could play poorly in Coors Field.

Whether Quintana and is able to lead the Rockies to a win on this special night for the franchise remains to be seen. To see it for yourself simply refer to the details below!

First Pitch: 6:10 pm MDT

TV: Rockies TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

SB Nation site:Lookout Landing

Lineups:


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Caglianone returns to lineup, apologizes for punching wall

Jac Caglianone looks at the camera and squints a little as the sun is a little in his eyes. He is wearing a blue Royals hat.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals speaks to the media during the 2026 American League Media Availability at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Jac Caglianone returned to the lineup Saturday against the Pirates after missing Friday night’s game for punching a dugout wall and cutting his hand. Caglianone addressed the media Saturday before the game, calling it a “very selfish and immature move on my part.”

“These guys hold me to a higher standard,” said Caglianone. “I hold myself to a higher standard. It’s definitely a learning experience, something that I want to grow from.”

Caglianone punched the dugout wall after Thursday’s loss in Houston. He went 0-for-2 and was removed for right-handed pinch hitter Nick Loftin in the ninth inning to face Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader.

“It was in the dugout after one of the at-bats,” said manager Matt Quatraro on Friday. “It was my decision to not play him.”

“It just kind of boiled over in Houston,” Caglianone told reporters in Pittsburgh. He had gone hitless in his previous ten at-bats.

“I cut my hand, and fortunately it was nothing too serious. But I was very selfish and immature, and I put the team in a bad spot. That’s something I don’t want to do again.”

Caglianone is coming off a red hot August in which he was named American League Player of the Month. He has gone into a slump in September, going 4-for-27 (.148) with 11 strikeouts in 10 games and no home runs. Overall, the 23-year-old is enjoying a terrific season, hitting .277/.328/.483 with 23 home runs. His 123 wRC+ is 17th-best among qualified hitters in the American League.

Caglianone is not the only young Royals hitter to apologize this season. Earlier this year, rookie catcher Carter Jensen apologized for missing pregame after sleeping through an alarm.

St. Louis Cardinals vs Washington Nationals Game Discussion Saturday Night

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 13: Michael McGreevy #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 13, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Only two more games for the Cardinals season at Busch Stadium. Saturday night, it’s game 2 of the weekend homestand vs the Washington Nationals. Michael McGreevy is the starter for the Cardinals while it’s LHP Andrew Alvarez for the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15pm and the game broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.

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As Carlos Beltran's past is honored, if Mets manager is his future many believe he's capable

The New York Mets etched Carlos Beltran into their history Saturday when they retired his number and inducted them into their Hall of Fame. But even as he and they reckoned with their sometimes uncomfortable past, their future together felt more pressing.

The Mets will need a manager next season, at least as things stand now, and they have hired Beltran for that role once before. They tried to hire him again this summer, at least according to Beltran, who said the Mets asked if he would be willing to take over as interim manager should they need to part ways with Carlos Mendoza. David Stearns would neither confirm nor deny that conversation happened, though no one has disputed that it did.

So as he met with media Saturday, Beltran — currently Special Advisor to Stearns — answered multiple questions about whether he might be sitting in that press conference room more often next season as a manager.

“I love what I do because being a manager in Major League Baseball is a huge commitment. A very, very huge commitment. And I’m not saying I’m not willing to take that commitment,” Beltran said. “But right now, at the position where I am today in life, I love to be a dad. I love to be a husband. I love to be involved into the Carlos Beltran Academy in Puerto Rico. And being a manager, you will not be able to do that full time.”

Beltran was unwilling to say whether he would interview for the job if asked, and he is not the only person to suggest that spending time with his family might prevent him from seeking the manager’s job, of course: Interim manager Andy Green has said he is reluctant to seek the permanent manager’s job for the same reason, though Beltran offered an unsolicited endorsement.

“Being honest, I think Andy has done a good job,” Beltran said. “He has done a very good job for the Mets since he joined the team.”

Green has built widespread respect in the clubhouse, and he would probably be the instant frontrunner for the job if he decides he can juggle the job and still make time for his family. Many people in and around the Mets organization have speculated that Green could still change his mind, though Green – relentless in his commitment to the moment – has not given any indication of that to players or ownership. Cohen and Stearns have both said publicly they still plan to conduct a search.

So it was in his job as the still-interim manager while holding his usual pregame media session when Beltran entered. As if on cue, he was asked whether he thought Beltran would be a good manager if he wanted the chance.

“I don’t think there’s a thing in the world he couldn’t do if he decided that’s what he wanted to do. I think he has proven Time and time again he’s going to be successful. But I say that with the understanding that it’s really his character that would make him successful,” said Green, who went on to heap praise on Beltran’s commitment and trustworthiness before wrapping with a smile. “… and at this point in time I have sufficiently sucked up to the guy in the back of the room.”

The legacy of that guy in the back of the room is complicated. That his induction happened days after an impromptu celebration of Pete Alonso and a day before a much-anticipated celebration of Howie Rose illuminates his unique place in this franchise’s history. With Alonso, and over months of Rose’s farewell tour, Mets fans offered support best described as unequivocal.

But Beltran’s legacy is more complex. He will be the first member of the Mets Hall of Fame to win the Rookie of the Year Award and his World Series championship elsewhere and be an All-Star with three other teams. He was never beloved here in the same way Mets fans loved homegrown star David Wright, never given the same benefit of the doubt received by Jose Reyes.

“I would say it was my best years in baseball, even though at times it felt difficult and it felt different – meaning my relationship, and sometimes how things went down on, I don’t know, the message that was sent out about me as a person or me as a player,” Beltran said. “It’s hard to connect with a fan base when the message out there is always negative.”

Beltran said he understands now that the angst is a sign of respect, that fans here do not boo players for whom they have no expectations. When he signed here, joining an Omar Minaya-led group trying to become a powerhouse. They never quite transformed, and he was remembered as much for what he could not do at the end of the 2006 National League Championship Series as the season’s worth of work he did to get them there.

“The passion of the Mets organization and the Mets fans is a legitimate one. It’s one you can feel. You can ask any player that have come from different organizations and have played for the Mets – it’s the real deal. And there is a process you have to go through,” Beltran said. “I was lucky enough to have a wife that is a life coach. And she used to say to me, ‘hey Carlos, don’t worry. It’s not personal.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, but it feels personal. They’re pointing at me.’”

Beltran would have been the Mets manager in 2020 were it not for his central role in the sign-stealing plan that eventually disgraced the 2017 Houston Astros and the discipline that followed. Steve Cohen and his Mets brought Beltran back as a special advisor to Stearns in February 2023.

In that role, Beltran has stopped by regularly to talk to players, joined spring training and other planning meetings, and established himself as what Francisco Lindor referred to as “a big brother” for him and other Mets stars.

“When I say something to him, it’s almost like he’s seen it. That is good to have someone who went through it and talk to him — even things like parenthood. We both have two girls and a boy. He’s a great mentor,” Lindor said. “Stuff he went through, I’ve gone through it. It’s an advice role.”

Juan Soto said the same, that he and Beltran have gotten to know each other during his two years as a Met, that he understands the challenges of being a star here in ways few people can.

“He’s been big on me, helping me how to learn the Mets way, how things work here, how to handle New York. I only played one year in New York before I came here, and everything went well,” Soto said. “He was like, yeah, when everything is good, everyone is good. Everybody loves you. But you have to be prepared for when things are going bad. And he’s helped me with that.”

Soto said he thinks Beltran could “absolutely” be a manager for the Mets or elsewhere, but “it’s all dependent on him if he wants to do it.” Lindor, who said he lives on the Upper East Side because of advice Beltran gave him when he first came to the Mets, said the same.

“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.”

Everyone asked about Beltran’s managerial future included the same caveat in their answer: “If he wants it.” Saturday, he did not speak like a man desperate to take the job again.

“I always say, in my heart, that if I stay relevant in the game — and hopefully I continue to be around baseball teams — I can think about [managing] later on,” Beltran said. “Right now, I’m happy with what I’m doing with the Mets….I try to learn as much as I can from that.”

Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals Game Thread

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 18: Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals slides safely into third base against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Yesterday went about as well as possible for the Nats. They beat up the Cardinals, Cade Cavalli got extended and Josiah Gray returned to action. Now they will look to clinch a series win against the Red Birds. If they win tonight, they will avoid a 90 loss season for the first time since 2020.

James Wood is back in right field for this one. That moves Dylan Crews to center and Abimelec Ortiz will be the DH. Andres Chaparro replaces Yohandy Morales at first base as well. Jorbit Vivas plays third base, which slides CJ Abrams to second and Nasim Nunez to short. Andrew Alvarez is on the mound in this contest.

With a lefty on the mound, the Cardinals will change some things up. Pedro Pages is behind the plate which moves Leo Bernal to first base. Jose Fermin will make his first start of the series as well. The speedy Victor Scott will be in left field. Michael McGreevy is on the bump for the Cards. 

Game Info:

Stadium: Busch Stadium

Time: 7:15 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

The Nats had a big day yesterday. Now they will look to keep that momentum rolling on this road trip. Finishing the season strong would help make this a season we look back on fondly. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Jays @ Rangers Game Thread

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 11: A general view of a baseball on the mound before the game between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros at Globe Life Field on July 11, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I’m going to post this early. I was out all afternoon at a birthday party, which was very nice, but, as a devote introvert, that was a long time to be social. I need to lay out for a bit.

Welcome to today’s must win game.

There was a little bit of news this afternoon. The team announced that Trey Yesavage will pitch on Monday vs. the Orioles. He’ll be starting they say. And tomorrow is a bullpen day.

On the Rangers’ side, they are bringing Adam Macko back up to the majors.

Tonight’s lineup. No Clement today.

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYSRANGERS
Brett Bateman – CFEzequiel Duran – SS
Vladimir Guerrero – 1BCorey Seager – DH
Alejandro Kirk – CJosh Jung – 3B
George Springer – DHBrandon Nimmo – RF
Nathan Lukes – RFWyatt Langford – LF
Kazuma Okamoto – 3BJake Burger – 1B
Josh Smith – 2BNicky Lopez – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SSDanny Jansen – C
Myles Straw – LFEvan Carter – CF
Jose Soriano – RHPCal Quantrill – RHP

In other team news. The Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is under investigation over 18 pitches he threw in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Gambling and sports are way too close together these days.

It is hard to understand how players who could make millions of dollars would willing to risk it all for gamblers. Maybe Eight Men Out should be mandatory viewing for all MLB players?

Go Jays Go.

Astros vs. Braves Game Discussion 9/19/2026

TONIGHT’S GAME: With just eight games remaining on their schedule, the first-place Houston Astros will welcome in the Atlanta Braves for their final home series of the 2026 regular season.

RHP Hayden Wesneski (5-2, 3.70 ERA) will make his penultimate start of the season for the Astros tonight opposite RHP Grant Holmes (9-5, 3.49 ERA) and the Braves.

THE POSTSEASON CHASE: The Astros and Rangers are locked in a tight race down the stretch for the AL West with the two teams entering play today deadlocked at 77-77. The Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers with a season series victory (9-4 record).

AL WEST NEXT GAME

1. Houston: 77-77 vs. ATL (90-64)

2. Texas: 77-77 vs. TOR (76-78)

3. Seattle: 72-82 5.0 GB at COL (56-98)

GOIN’ DEEP

The Astros have hit 206 homers as a team this year and have hit 200-plus homers in a single season for the 10th time in franchise history (last, 222 HR in 2023)…the Astros rank second in the AL in home runs this season behind only the Yankees (209).

THE FIREMAN

LHP Josh Hader has converted 26 consecutive save opportunities to open his season, which is the Astros club record…should Hader finish the season without a blown save, he would become the seventh pitcher in MLB history to post 26-plus saves without a blown save and the first to do so since RHP Ken Giles in 2018 (26 SV).

Roster Moves

The Houston Astros have reinstated OF/IF Brice Mathews from the injured list and have designated OF Jorge Barrosa for assignment.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, September 19, 6:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: SCHN, SCHN2 (Spanish), Peacock (subject to blackout)

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish), ESPN Radio (subject to blackout)

Houston Astros lineup

SS Jeremy Pena

DH Yordan Alvarez

3B Isaac Paredes

2B Jose Altuve

C Yainer Diaz

CF Daulton Varsho

1B Christian Walker

RF Cam Smith

LF Lamont Wade Jr.

Atlanta Braves lineup

DH Drake Baldwin

RF Ronald Acuna Jr.

1B Matt Olson

CF Michael Harris II

SS Mauricio Dubon

2B Ozzie Albies

LF Mike Yastrzemski

3B Austin Riley

C Sean Murphy

Brewers win 1-0 pitchers’ duel in Baltimore thanks to Ortiz’s “sun-triple”

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Robert Gasser #54 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 19, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Box Score

Robert Gasser and Trevor Rogers matched each other blow for blow in a good old-fashioned pitcher’s duel, but the Brewers won on an RBI groundout from Gary Sánchez in the second inning. With today’s win — the first 1-0 win of the season for the Brewers — they have tied their franchise record with 97 wins and have seven games remaining to break it.

With one out in the top of the second, Joey Ortiz hit what should have been a can of corn for Orioles right fielder Rece Hinds, but Hinds lost the ball in the sun and couldn’t make the catch. The ball rolled all the way to the wall, and Ortiz, hauling it around the bases, dove safely into third with what broadcaster Brian Anderson called a “sun-triple.” The next batter, Sánchez, hit a chopper to third that scored Ortiz without a throw, giving the Brewers a quick 1-0 lead.

That would be all the run support the Brewers would need, as starter Robert Gasser was dealing. Since being pulled in the middle of an at-bat in late August, he’s been great, but today was probably his best performance of the season. Gasser allowed just two hits through six innings, a leadoff single in the first and a double off the bat of Gunnar Henderson in the second. He didn’t rack up strikeouts, but he kept Baltimore’s hitters off balance and off base all afternoon.

Gasser finally got into trouble in the sixth after walking Leody Tavares and hitting Pete Alonso, then walking Coby Mayo to load the bases with only one out. With cleanup hitter Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who hit the sacrifice fly that sent yesterday’s game to extra innings, coming to the plate, it looked like the Orioles would at least tie the game. Gasser had other plans, getting Encarnacion-Strand to roll over a cutter for an inning-ending double play.

Gasser came back out for the seventh inning, almost certainly because the Brewers’ bullpen has been overworked. Kyle Harrison and Dustin May, the Brewers’ previous two starters, combined for just four innings, forcing the bullpen to cover a lot of ground over the last two days. Gasser was beginning to look tired, but Murphy left him in to face the dangerous Gunnar Henderson, who popped out for the first out.

Up next for Baltimore was Hinds (.476 OPS entering today), who worked a seven-pitch at-bat that he punctuated by smoking a double into left field. Conventional wisdom would say this was the time to pull Gasser, but Murphy again showed faith in his starting pitcher, and his faith was rewarded. Gasser got both Christian Franklin and Samuel Basallo to pop up, stranding Hinds at second and keeping the Brewers’ lead intact.

Gasser’s final line: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K. Gutsy performance from the left-hander, who stepped up just when the Brewers needed it.

While Gasser was blanking the Orioles, Baltimore starter Trevor Rogers matched him pitch-for-pitch. Rogers went eight innings, allowed just three hits himself, and struck out nine. Other than the Ortiz triple, the Brewers couldn’t really get anything going on offense, but it ultimately wouldn’t matter. Abner Uribe worked around a leadoff single in the eighth to keep Baltimore scoreless, and Aaron Ashby pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to give the Brewers the series victory.

With today’s 97th win, this Brewers team has tied the franchise record for wins in a season, which they set last year. They’ll need to go 3-4 over their final seven games to finish with 100 wins for the first time in franchise history. Jacob Misiorowski will go in tomorrow’s season finale opposite Brandon Young (9-4, 3.65 ERA). First pitch is set for 6:20 p.m. on Peacock’s Sunday Night Baseball.

Braves at Astros Chat and Discussion: Grant Holmes vs. Hayden Wesneski

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 18: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with Matt Olson #28 after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Friday, September 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kairi Mano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

An important contest for the relatively-normal NL East and the crab bucket that is the AL West begins at 7:10 pm ET. Whether you’re on the SB Nation app (avail on iOS or Android) or are cracking open your web browser to join us, thanks for being a part of the game thread <3

Game Notes

Pitching preview

Lineups

ICYMI

Robert Suarez set for rehab assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett

A quick look at the Postseason picture for the Braves

Five Braves prospects make A-Ball All-Star Teams

Aaron Judge would 'like to be back by the postseason' but has no timeline for Yankees return

PHOENIX — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, speaking for the first time since going on the injured list with a strained right calf, provided no timeline Saturday for when he could possibly return to the lineup.

“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.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Judge would 'like to be back by the postseason' but has no timeline for Yankees return

Rockies reinstate José Quintana, make other roster moves

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.

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.

In February, the Rockies signed him to a one-year, $4.25 million contract.

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.


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Royals at Pirates, September 19 live game discussion

Noah Cameron throws a pitch
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.

Bubba Chandler TJ Stats Summary

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?

Game 155 Game Day Thread – Toronto Blue Jays @ Texas Rangers

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

Toronto Blue Jays @ Texas Rangers

Saturday, September 19, 2026, 6:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Jose Soriano vs. RHP Cal Quantrill

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYSRANGERS
Brett Bateman – CFEzequiel Duran – SS
Vladimir Guerrero – 1BCorey Seager – DH
Alejandro Kirk – CJosh Jung – 3B
George Springer – DHBrandon Nimmo – RF
Nathan Lukes – RFWyatt Langford – LF
Kazuma Okamoto – 3BJake Burger – 1B
Josh Smith – 2BNicky Lopez – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SSDanny Jansen – C
Myles Straw – LFEvan Carter – CF
Jose Soriano – RHPCal Quantrill – RHP

Go Rangers!