BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Adley Rutschman #31 of the Boston Red Sox walks to the dugout before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 04, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Red Sox enter tonight with a record of 82-68. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers enter tonight with a record of 74-76. However, thanks to a combination of MLB’s far too bloated playoff system and a wretched AL West, this game has much, MUCH higher playoff implications for the Rangers than it does for the Red Sox.
Texas finds itself just a game off their division lead (and 1.5 out of the third Wild Card spot) while the Red Sox are virtually locked into the second Wild Card spot (unless something historical happens). There’s something about this entire dynamic that just doesn’t sit well with me as the daylight grows shorter and we approach the playoffs, but alas, it’s what we’ve got.
As far as a tune up is concerned though, this game still means something to the Red Sox in terms of getter guys hot and the lineup clicking all at once. So on that note, here’s the lineup that will be facing Jacob deGrom this evening, and outside of missing Ceddanne Rafaela (who is still on the IL), it’s starting to look closer and closer to what the Sox might roll out there for Game 1 of the Wild Card series two weeks from tonight.
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 26: General view ahead of the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Game Two against the Tigers. The latest in a series of what we’ll be told are ‘must win’ games. This one is a bullpen game. I don’t know what the plan is after Fisher.
So the bad news is that Trey Yesavage had a rough time throwing tonight in for Buffalo. He got just two outs on 34 pitches. The Jays are listing him to pitch against the Orioles on Sunday. I don’t know if that will change with this news. They figured on him for two ‘starts’ or bulk guy games. They weren’t worried about results, but then there is results you don’t worry about and there is not getting out of the first inning.
Getting the feel of the slider will take a bit I guess.
And Jameson Taillon is saying his season is over, with an elbow issue. He’s hoping there isn’t surgery in his future.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - AUGUST 09: Boston Smith #40 of the Arkansas Travelers celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the second inning during the game between the Amarillo Sod Poodles and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Sunday, August 9, 2026 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Caton Marsh/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
With the Mariners winding towards the end of another disappointing season, there’s some fun on the horizon with the promise of the Arizona Fall League, a unique monthlong league that’s often called “prospect graduate school.” The AFL is an opportunity for teams to get extra reps in for prospects who have missed regular-season time due to injury, are undergoing a position change, or for whom they just want to accelerate the developmental timetable. This year’s league starts on October 3 and runs all the way through November 14; you can see the complete schedule here.
This year the Mariners will be sending eight players to the AFL: C/OF Boston Smith,RHPTy Cummings; LHP Reid Easterly; 1B/3B Brandon Eike; C/1B Matthew Ellis; RHP Jose Geraldo; LHP Calvin Schapira; RHP Adam Smith
What’s unique about the Fall League is every team participates, meaning if you only ever go to Cactus League spring training, this is a rare opportunity to see players from Grapefruit League teams. The Mariners play as part of the Peoria Javelinas, along with their complex-mates the Padres; they’re joined by the Reds, Orioles, and Cardinals, the latter two of whom don’t usually play in Arizona.
If you have the ability to go, I highly recommend it; a trip to the Fall League is a unique experience. Smaller and less crowded than spring training (and therefore significantly less expensive), I’ve heard the AFL described as “what spring training used to be” – meaning there’s a real opportunity to meet players and interact with them. Exposure to players isn’t limited to those selected for the Fall League, either; the Mariners run various camps during this time in-between the end of the minor-league season and the ramp up to spring training, so there’s a good chance you’ll see other prospects from the farm system around on the backfields or in attendance at the games. If you can’t make it down, the games will be streamed on MLB.com.
And obviously, you’ll have a chance to see non-Mariners top prospects, as well. This year the highest-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline is Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero (19), followed by former Dodger prospect now Tigers prospect (traded in the Tarik Skubal deal) outfielder Zyhir Hope (27). If you want to scout some AL West competition, the Angels are sending shortstop Arjun Nimmala (37), acquired in the Jose Soriano deal. The only top-100 prospect playing for Peoria will come from the Orioles, OF/1B Ike Irish, who just sneaks in at number 99.
The highest-ranked prospect the Mariners will be sending is catching prospect Boston Smith, who just misses Top 100 consideration, but should be in it after a strong season at Double-A split between Birmingham in the Southern League and Arkansas in the Texas League. Smith has posted some impressive power numbers and barrel rates, but there are also concerns about the amount of swing-and-miss in his game. But the main thing the Mariners are likely interested in is getting him more reps behind the dish to see if he can stick at catcher. He’ll also have the opportunity to spend time around his new organization and gain comfort with the staff and facilities before spring training (whenever that might be).
Now into some deeper cuts to round out the rest of the Mariners contingent. Besides Smith, the Mariners are only sending two other position players: 1B/3B Brandon Eike, and C/1B Matthew Ellis. Eike is a 2024 13th-rounder out of VCU who has been jokingly described as “Tyler Locklear Lite” as the two share an alma mater. After striking out over 30% of the time at High-A in 2025, the organization sent him to repeat the level to see if his aggressive style at the plate could be married with some better plate discipline, and he responded by cutting down his strikeouts and winning Northwest Player of the Month for August. Eike was likely due a promotion to Double-A at some time this season after smashing 24 homers in the bandboxes of the Northwest League, but instead he’ll get a chance to show off his power on a national stage. Eike is primarily a first baseman but did see about 200 innings at the hot corner this year for Everett. Similarly, Ellis split time between two positions, catcher and first base for the AquaSox this year, primarily because of a Luke Stevenson-shaped boulder at the catching position; expect him to get more reps at catcher in the AFL.
Everyone else the Mariners are sending will be throwing baseballs. The name you might be most familiar with is righty Ty Cummings, drafted by the Mariners and sent to the Rays for Randy Arozarena, and then re-acquired for Casey Legumina because the Mariners simply must possess every former Campbell Camel in professional baseball. The name I’m most interested in is lefty Reid Easterly, a Duke product signed as an UDFA last July, who came out of nowhere this year and shoved at High-A as a 24-year-old, winning the organization’s MiLB Reliever of the Month award in July. If his stuff plays against the advanced bats in the Fall League, I’m prepared to label him a spring training dark horse candidate for a fringe bullpen role.
Spokane had no chance vs Reid Easterly tonight. Final line: 3IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 5K, 39 pitches, 25 strikes. pic.twitter.com/nTWlX1XUgo
Another lefty, Calvin Schapira, had a big uptick in his strikeouts this year at Everett, but an attendant uptick in his walks. Similarly, righty José Geraldo has been grinding in the low minors since being signed as an international free agent in 2021; he’s got strikeout stuff but command issues. Adam Smith is a former indy ball player who is probably the best professional baseball player who also shares his name with an 18th century Scottish father of economics.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: First baseman Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles acknowledges the crowd in his first at-bat during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 14, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s night two of the Pete Alonso Reunion Tour at CitiField, where Mets fans will continue to cheer on their team’s favorite former slugger. Expect their signs and camera phones to be held high every time Alonso steps to the plate as he seeks to mash his 300th career home run at his longtime home ballpark. And he’s not the only one — on the other side of the field, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor is also sitting on 299 career dingers. It’d be pretty neat if they both hit #300 in the same game, especially if the Orioles go on to win.
But yikes, the O’s are going to have their work cut out for them, if tonight’s starting lineup is any indication. Take a peek below. There’s Rece Hinds, leadoff hitter. There’s an entirely useless bottom four of the lineup (arguably bottom five, if you’re feeling particularly cranky about Gunnar Henderson). Rarely seen third catcher Yohel Pozo will make his first start since Aug. 16, almost a month ago. And lefty swingers Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers, Heston Kjerstad, and Jackson Holliday are all on the bench against Mets southpaw Sean Manaea.
I just don’t get it. The Orioles are out of contention and the season is winding down, so why not let your young left-handers get some starts against lefties? How are they ever going to get better with their platoon splits if you don’t give them the opportunity? Why are you giving starts to guys with no future with the Orioles, like Hinds, Pozo, and Leody Taveras, instead of homegrown guys who might have a chance at being part of the future? The Orioles, as usual, make no sense.
Poor Shane Baz already never gets run support, and now this is the lineup that’s tasked with trying to help him out. Well, uh…good luck.
Orioles lineup:
LF Rece Hinds 1B Pete Alonso DH Coby Mayo 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand SS Gunnar Henderson 2B Jeremiah Jackson C Yohel Pozo RF Leody Taveras CF Colton Cowser
RHP Shane Baz
Mets lineup:
SS Francisco Lindor LF Juan Soto 3B Bo Bichette RF Carson Benge 1B Jared Young 2B Marcus Semien CF A.J. Ewing DH Brett Baty C Francisco Alvarez
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 06: Bailey Ober #17 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox on September 6, 2026 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch: 6:40 PM CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy App, LosTwins.com
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 9: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 9, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sep 14, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers are four for four against the Reds this year, all in the previous eight days. On Tuesday night they try a drive for five.
Randal Grichuk is batting second tonight, and is slashing .339/.383/.677 in 133 PAs against left-handed pitchers. | (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Leave it to the White Sox to save all of the dramatics for the end of the season. The South Side offense finally came back to life in Monday’s series opener against the Guardians, allowing Chicago to not only secure a win when it severely needed, but give it the tiebreaker against Cleveland on the season series as the rivals battle through an AL Central division race that is way too close for comfort.
Of course, we as Sox fans can continue to relish even getting to play meaningful baseball games after three (four, really) disappointing seasons, but I’m sure many can agree that coming up short after such an exciting, magical season would be a gut-punch. Thankfully, the South Siders have put themselves in a great position to close out the division race with the tiebreaker, but defeating the Guardians outright is the best way to ensure they can snag a spot in the postseason.
Before we dive into the lineups for tonight’s game, let’s check in on some roster updates. After Monday’s game, the White Sox announced that righthander Tyler Davis was reinstated from the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency list, but was optioned back to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. The righty has been mostly solid out of the bullpen despite a rough few outings in June, and in 29 games (30 2/3 innings) with the big league club, Davis has posted a 3.52 ERA and a 1.174 WHIP alongside a .190 opponent batting average. He’s also scoreless in his last eight outings (eight IP) dating back to June 20, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we see Davis again this season.
The biggest news of the day is that the South Siders have recalled left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz from Triple-A and designated José Urquidy for assignment as the corresponding move. In six games (22 1/3 frames) for the White Sox the righty posted a 2-1 record and a 4.37 ERA, which looks much better on paper than the performance in real life. Despite a couple decent outings, and one incredible performance at Wrigley Field during the Crosstown Classic, Urquidy has been a bit of a loose cannon both as a starter and out of the bullpen. It’s unclear if Urquidy will clear waivers or what the next steps are there, but bringing Schultz up could be key with a struggling starting rotation.
In 15 outings with the White Sox, Schultz had accumulated a 6.06 ERA prior to being demoted to Triple-A, but in his last five starts for the Knights, he’s surrendered just three earned across his 21 2/3 innings with 10 Ks.
As for tonight’s game, lefthander Chris Murphy will be the opener in the second game of the series in Cleveland. The Good Guys are leveraging an opener in back-to-back games, as Davis Martin will own the bulk role on Tuesday. Using an opener while running a rough right-handed heavy lineup in a playoff race feels entirely unserious, but to Will Venable’s credit the White Sox absolutely suck at pitching in the first inning. As a team, the White Sox pitching staff ranks as the fourth-worst ERA (5.58), third-highest opponent SLG (.492) in baseball, and have surrendered the second-most home runs in the first inning of games.
When looking at every other inning, the White Sox hold the 10th-best ERA (3.92), opponent batting average (.237), and opponent SLG (.383). We can’t be sure what causes them to implode so much early, but perhaps we should just stop questioning the opener at this point, especially considering how great Sean Burke was in Monday’s matchup after a horrific outing in the start prior.
Murphy holds a 3.94 ERA in his 31 appearances (32 innings), and has worked as an opener two other times this season. Unlike the dominance that Sean Newcomb has displayed in pretty much every situation, Murphy hasn’t been as strong when used as an opener. While it’s a small, two-inning sample size, Murphy has posted a 13.50 ERA and surrendered three earned runs on three hits, including a home run and a double.
Righthander Davis Martin has solely pitched as a starter this season, holding a 4.05 ERA in 26 outings and 135 2/3 innings. Davis had started to struggled in July, and those struggles persisted into August, posting a 14.63 ERA in three outings before landing on the IL. Since being reactivated this month though, Martin holds a 0.84 ERA in his last pair of starts, tossing for at least five frames both times (10 2/3 total) and letting up just one run, on a solo homer against the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.
Given the left-handed Foster Griffin is making the start for the Guardians, the South Siders are rolling with their right-handed lineup — not their strongest. Chase Meidroth slots into the leadoff spot, essentially swapping places in the lineup with Sam Antonacci, who is batting sixth. Meidroth does hold the highest OPS (.859) among White Sox leadoff hitters, however, and is slashing .273/.359/.500 in 170 PAs.
The lefty-mashing Randal Grichuk will slide into the 2-hole, which is very apt considering his 1.061 OPS in 133 PAs against them, along with nine homers and 21 RBIs. After a bit of a rough week defensively, Colson Montgomery is getting a needed game off, and Luisangel Acuña will take over at shortstop and bat eighth. My one real gripe with tonight’s batting order is that Brenton Doyle is batting fifth in a playoff race, and he should really never bat higher than eighth, if at all, considering how he’s been at the plate.
Griffin will make his 29th start of the season, posting a 3.65 cumulative ERA across 162 2/3 innings this season. Prior to getting traded to the Guardians, Griffin held a 3.06 ERA in 22 outings with the Washington Nationals. However, he’s not been as strong since being dealt to Cleveland. In his last seven outings with the Guardians, the lefty owns a 5.94 ERA in 33 1/3 innings with a 1.59 WHIP and elevated .299 opponent BA. Griffin is coming off a brutal outing against the Baltimore Orioles in which he yielded eight earned runs, so it would be fabulous if the South Siders could attack early and pile up some runs behind their pitchers.
For the most part, Cleveland’s batting order is similar to Monday’s series opener, though Travis Bazzana will DH today while Angel Genao takes over at second base. Chase DeLauter is also getting a night off after a tough offensive performance yesterday where he grounded into not one, but two identical double plays to bail the White Sox out of some jams. The Good Guys were able to hold off the top of the order quite a bit yesterday, but both Steven Kwan and José Ramírez are known to beat up on the Sox, so it’s still going to be a challenge to keep them from mashing the ball.
It looks like it should be a beautiful evening for an AL Central battle, with temperatures in the low-80s and clear skies. We have another earlier game lined up, with first pitch taking place at 5:40 p.m. CT at Progressive Field. Tune into CHSN for the TV broadcast, or listen in on the radio at ESPN Chicago AM 1000. Time to snag a series W.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Jacob Young #30 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with teammates after scoring in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Nationals Park on September 13, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats get a chance to play spoiler in a midweek showdown with the Phillies. After a sweep of the Angels, the boys are riding high. However, they will be facing tougher opposition this week. The Nats will need to avoid some of the mistakes and tighten things up if they want another sweep.
For some reason both James Wood and CJ Abrams are out of the lineup today. The Phillies do have a lefty on the mound, but those two have been everyday players all season long. Daylen Lile is also out of the lineup. That means the outfield is Andrew Pinckney, Jacob Young and Dylan Crews. Nasim Nunez is back in the fold as the starting shortstop. Jackson Kent will be on the mound tonight.
reminder: your lineup club membership auto-renews on september 27
We know most of the big names in this Phillies lineup. The top 3 of Schwarber, Turner and Harper is well established. Luis Arraez has been a good fit in the cleanup spot as well. Nationals killer Derek Hill is at the bottom of the order and in center field. Ace Cristopher Sanchez will be on the bump.
Without Abrams or Wood, offense will be tough to come by. However, if we can keep the game close early on, those two and Lile can be threats off the bench. Being a spoiler should be a role we embrace and it starts tonight. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 14: Brayan Rocchio #4 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after being caught stealing second base during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 14, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have reinstated LHP Kyle Freeland from the 15-day injured list ahead of this evening’s game against the San Diego Padres.
Freeland was originally placed on the IL on August 24 after suffering from cervical radiculopathy (a pinched nerve in his neck). The injury occurred on August 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, after Freeland threw just 3.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits with two homers, a walk and two strikeouts. He will start tonight’s game and should be able to pitch two more games in 2026 — one at home and one on the road.
To make room for Freeland, RHP Blas Castaño has been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Castaño was recalled from the Isotopes when the rosters expanded on September 1, and made five appearances in September. Across 6.2 innings, he allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
In addition, the Rockies did some shuffling in the field.
Catcher/DH Braxton Fulford was recalled and infielder Vimael Machín was optioned. Machín was brought up on September 5 and played in three games for the Rockies. In those three games, he went 3-for-6 with two strikeouts.
Fulford returns to the majors after being optioned on August 25. In 13 games with the Isotopes in that span, Fulford has gone 10-for-49 (.204) with two doubles, three home runs, six RBI, two walks and 17 strikeouts. In 43 games with the Rockies this year, Fulford has slashed just .174/.253/.275 with four doubles, one home run, 12 runs scored, seven RBI, seven walks and 31 strikeouts.
Francisco Lindor – SS Juan Soto – LF Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Jared Young – 1B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Brett Baty – DH Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Sean Manaea (LHP)
Orioles lineup
Rece Hinds – LF Pete Alonso – 1B Coby Mayo – DH Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B Gunnar Henderson – SS Jeremiah Jackson – 2B Yohel Pozo – C Leody Taveras – RF Colton Cowser – CF
SP: Shane Baz (RHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:10 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
The Astros are heading into the stretch run of the AL West race with the infield they already have, not the one they hoped they would. Manager Joe Espada told reporters Tuesday that Carlos Correa will not return this season, closing the door on a comeback that four days earlier had Houston's front office mapping out where to play him.
Espada told reporters that Correa did not have a setback, but the workload to get back into game shape was too much for a season that has less than two weeks left.
Correa tore the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle in May, a tendon that helps stabilize the outside of the ankle, and needed surgery. He had played just 32 games, with three home runs, 16 RBI and a .369 on-base percentage. He was told then that his season was over, but he chose not to believe it.
He kept working his way back: running the bases, taking live batting practice and fielding ground balls through the summer. On Sept. 12, a report had the Astros planning to bring him back at second base rather than third, a move that would have pushed Jose Altuve to DH and left Jeremy Pena at shortstop and Isaac Paredes at third.
That plan is dead now.
Houston leads the American League West with a 75-75 record heading into Tuesday night's games, clinging to a division lead more than running away with it. Correa's second half was supposed to help them hold on. Instead, the infield that's gotten them this far is the infield they will go into October with.
Correa is still owed $31.5 million this season on the six-year, $200 million deal he originally signed with the Twins, though Minnesota is covering roughly $10 million of it annually as part of the trade that sent him back to Houston. The man who made the trade to bring back Correa won't be around this October, either.
Owner Jim Crane pushed out Dana Brown on Aug. 24, weeks after Crane reportedly killed a deadline deal Brown wanted for outfielder Trevor Larnach. Crane is running baseball operation himself now, the job split across three assistant GMs and senior advisor Jeff Bagwell.
Aug 26, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Brewer Hicklen (53) rounds second base against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Braves have managed Ronald Acuña Jr. carefully since his return from a second injured list stint this season due to a left hamstring strain
That plan has included mixing in days for Acuña as designated hitter, a role he will fill for the second time in three days when the Braves continue their three-game series at the Chicago Cubs Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. EDT.
Mauricio Dubón is also back at shortstop and hitting fifth, while Brewer Hicklen makes a somewhat rare start, hitting ninth and playing right field for Game 2 of the series.
Also of note, Ozzie Albies is down to the eighth spot in the batting order against a right-handed starting pitcher for Chicago.
The Cubs waited until nearly 6 p.m. EDT (over two hours after the Braves’ lineup was posted) to release their lineup.
No major surprises in there. Michael Busch drops from third to sixth against a left-handed starter. Tyrone Taylor, acquired from the Mets in the David Peterson trade, is batting cleanup and playing left field. Matt Shaw replaces Michael Conforto as DH in the seven-hole, and Miguele Amaya replaces at the bottom of the lineup and behind the plate.
Another night of baseball at the Friendly Confines!
The active Braves have a combined 100 career at-bats against Cubs starter Kevin Gausman, hitting .240 against him with just three walks and 22 strikeouts. The slugging percentage, though, is a more respectable. 450.
Of Atlanta’s six all-time homers against the right-hander, Matt Olson (6-for-19) has three of them, making this a possible night for him to hit homer No. 40. Austin Riley (4-for-9, one homer), Dubón (3-for-9, one homer) and Mike Yastrzemski (3-for-9, one homer) have all had success against Gausman as well, while Albies (1-for-7), Michael Harris II (2-for-9) and Ha-Seong Kim (0-for-6) have had less.
Of the Cubs’ hitters 77 all-time at-bats against Braves starter Martín Pérez, Alex Bregman has over half of them (42, to be exact). He’s 10-for-42 (.238) against Pérez with just one extra-base hit (a double) and one RBI. However, he does have a 373 on-base percentage behind nearly twice as many walks (nine) as strikeouts (five).
Overall, Chicago’s hitters are 15-for-77 (.195) against Perez. No one has had much success against him, with Taylor (2-for-7) posting the best batting average against him at .286. The current Cubs have never hit a homer off Pérez and have just four RBIs against him.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 14: Elly De La Cruz #44 of the Cincinnati Reds gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Great American Ball Park on September 14, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Elly De La Cruz is truly ascending into Tungsten Arm O’Doyle territory of late.
Monday night saw him completely destroy a baseball, one that was conservatively estimated at 457 feet as it buzzed past the power stacks in left-center field in Great American Ball Park en route to exiting the stadium altogether. It was reminiscent of the superblast he hit from the other side of the plate off Los Angeles Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal just a week ago, feats of strength irreplicable by just about any other sole on the planet.
The Cincinnati Reds lost last night, though. Elly’s homer was their lone run in a 4-1 loss to those very same Dodgers, a loss that officially eliminated the Reds from any miracle chance at a spot in the postseason. It also sunk them to 10 full games under .500 at 70-80, and this season is rapidly deteriorating into yet another one to forget and chuck onto the scrap-heap of memories of this once proud franchise.
I digress.
Rhett Lowder has a lot to improve upon as he heads into a vital offseason for his overall development. Anything short of a rapid change of form means the Reds need to build in even more redundancy in their starting depth plans for 2027, and there’s been precious little in the way of advancement from their former 1st round pick so far in his own disappointing 2026. He’ll get the start tonight, while the Dodgers will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
First pitch in GABP is set for 6:40 PM ET. Here’s how both teams will line up:
