Mets allow six home runs to Giants in 9-5 loss

The Mets lost Saturday's game to the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field by a score of 9-5.

Here are the key takeaways...

-- After a string of strong starts by Zac Thornton, the rookie left-hander had his first clunker after giving up six earned runs on seven hits in five innings. Four of the seven hits he allowed were home runs – the first Met pitcher to give up four long balls in an outing since Jose Quintana in 2024.

The first homer Thornton allowed came in the first inning when Rafael Devers took him deep as the second batter of the game to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Thornton struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

In the third inning, No. 9 hitter Christian Koss, a much less likely candidate, hit a two-run shot off Thornton that put San Francisco ahead, 3-2. Once again, the lefty retired the side in order from there to limit the damage. Thornton even struck out the side in the fourth and struck out seven on the day.

However, things unraveled for the youngster when he went back out in the fifth. After retiring the first two, Koss ambushed Thornton on the first pitch and hit a solo shot for his second home run of the game and just his third of the season (sixth of his career). 

A single by Jonah Cox brought up the red-hot Devers who entered the game with four home runs over his last five games, including a home run on Friday night, and the lefty slugger took Thornton deep for a second time, this one a two-run smash that extended the Giants’ lead to 6-2.

Thornton finished the inning and then his day was done. He threw 82 pitches (59 strikes) and saw his ERA climb more than half a run from 2.93 to 3.53.

-- The Giants went on to hit two more home runs against New York’s bullpen. Osleivis Basabe hit a two-run homer against Jefry Yan in the eighth and Grant McCray hit a solo home run off Justin Hagenman in the ninth for a total of six on the day, returning the favor after the Mets hit five on Friday.

-- Offensively, New York got on the board in the second inning on A.J. Ewing’s two-run home which gave the team a brief 2-1 lead. That was the Mets’ only hit for much of the game until the seventh inning where they loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Francisco Alvarez struck out for the second out and after Brett Baty walked to force in a run, Francisco Lindor grounded out to first base to end the threat.

New York finished with five hits, two off the bat of Jared Young.

Game MVP: Christian Koss

We'll give the nod here to Koss over Devers simply because his performance was much more unlikely.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Giants close out their three-game series on Sunday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 1:40 p.m. on SNY.

RHP Christian Scott (4-4, 3.80 ERA) goes against LHP Cesar Perdomo (0-0, 2.25 ERA).

New York Yankees @ San Diego Padres: Carlos Rodón vs. Robbie Ray

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees pitches during game one of a doubleheader in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Friday night was a tough pill for the Yankees to swallow, losing to the Padres in extra innings after managing to take the lead against arguably the game’s most dominant reliever. With the Rays marching onward atop the AL East, knotting up this series is crucial, and the team will need to quickly move on from that hard loss yesterday. They face yet another left-handed pitcher in Robbie Ray, and counter with a southpaw of their own in a national-broadcast faceoff from San Diego.

Because it’s me, and the Baseball Gods (or just my editors) have it out for me personally, I am once again doomed to cover a Carlos Rodón start. I must once again attempt to reconcile his actual performance on the field, which has been quite good as long as he’s been healthy in 2026, with how unpleasant I find watching him pitch. He’d be on pace for a three-win season if he didn’t have those two IL stints, with a 3.20 ERA and 3.74 FIP that both go just fine with being the No. 4 pitcher in a rotation this deep.

Rodón has gone just 12.2 innings in his three starts since that most recent IL trip, as the team seems committed to making sure recovery is permanent, at least for 2026. In those three outings though, he’s been dynamite from an ERA basis with a 2.84, even if the walks have been a problem. Command is often the last thing to return after injury, and getting the ball in the strike zone will need to be a priority for Carlos today.

Ray, meanwhile, has had a weird year split between the Giants and Padres. He’s suppressed runs well, with a Pi ERA, but he’s put up the second-lowest strikeout rate in a full season of his career as well as a walk rate a point and a half above his career baseline. There’s a bit of a Robbie Ray bubble, and the Yankees could turn around some of their LHP misfortune this year by popping it.

Paul Goldschmidt returns to the top of the lineup and starts at first base today, while Ben Rice moves down to cleanup after his big night on Friday. So-called lefty specialist Amed Rosario will be at second base, but the Yankees have clearly seen the writing on the wall with righty-hitting Ali Sánchez, and will start Austin Wells behind the plate. The hometown(-ish) kid Spencer Jones is back in center as well, with Trent Grisham going on the IL and Jasson Domínguez taking Grisham’s roster spot.

It’s a Yankee game on a weekend, so there’s gotta be one national broadcast in the mix. Tonight’s contest is on FOX.

How to watch

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, CA

First pitch: 7:15 pm ET

TV/Streaming: FOX

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 – NYY | KWFN 97.3, XEMO 860 – SD

For updates, follow us on BlueSkyTwitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.

Game Thread: Wake Up, Dead Bats

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 03: Yandy Diaz #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates with first base coach Corey Dickerson after hitting a single in the third inning during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kelcee Skoug/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Go Rays!

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android

Jays @ Royals

Jul 7, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, United States; A general view of Kauffman Stadium during the Kansas City Royals workouts. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Game Two with the Royals. Another blowout would be a good thing. Blowout in favour of the Jays, of course.

Tiedemann is back, Taillon is on the DL.

And the team is admitting that Patrick Corbin and Cody Ponce won’t be back this season.

They need someone to start next Wednesday in Taillon’s spot against the A’s. If you want the job, send in a tape of your latest start to the Jays’ front office.

Lineups. I would like to see Keys in the lineup sometime soon.

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYSROYALS
Brett Bateman – CFCarter Jensen – C
George Springer – DHBobby Witt – SS
Vladimir Guerrero – 1BJac Caglianone – RF
Alejandro Kirk – CSalvador Perez – DH
Nathan Lukes – RFVinnie Pasquantino – 1B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3BMichael Massey – 2B
Andres Gimenez – SSJohn Rave – CF
Ernie Clement – 2BJosh Rojas – 3B
Myles Straw – LFIsaac Collins – LF
Max Scherzer – RHPSeth Lugo – RHP

Go Jays Go.

Royals vs Blue Jays, September 5 live discussion

Jac Caglianone celebrates a home run with Bobby Witt Jr. Salvador Perez is in the background
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 4: Jac Caglianone #14 of the Kansas City Royals greets Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals after Witt hit a home run aToronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 4, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Royals have lost three of four games since September started. After a hot couple of weeks to finish August, some of us were dreaming about the playoffs, but their odds are back down to 0% after a recent peak of 0.2%, so it’s hard to even dream. Tonight’s game promises to make things that much harder.

Seth Lugo is pitching for the Royals. Through the first half of the season, he had a serviceable, if not particularly good, ERA of 4.56. Since the All-Star Break, though, he has allowed 33 runs in only 49.1 innings for a 6.02 ERA. That number includes a career-worst nine runs allowed in his start earlier this week against Cleveland, and has raised his season ERA to an unsightly 5.03. This mirrors his 2025, though not to the same extreme, when he allowed a 2.67 ERA in the first half and a 7.51 ERA in the second half before going on the IL. His second halves were worse, though still good, in 2024 and 2023 as well. At this point, it must be taken as a given that Lugo wears down as the season continues. That alone would be a problem, though the pattern of extremes in the past two years makes it even worse for a team counting on him to anchor a competitive team next season while currently being set for the highest salary in 2027.

In good(?) news, the Blue Jays will start Max Scherzer. Scherzer took the loss while facing Lugo last week in Toronto; both struggled, but limited runs, though Lugo just did it a bit better. However, while Lugo was having a career-worst outing against the Guardians, Scherzer was pitching his best game of the season against the Mariners. He pitched seven shutout innings, allowed only two baserunners, and struck out ten. Overall, Scherzer has been trending up as the season has gone along, with a 3.62 ERA and 2.88 xERA over his past six starts, even with a dud against the Rays mixed in there.

Lineups

Kyle Isbel gets a rare day off. Nick Loftin also gets the day off. That forces Isaac Collins to the nine-hole and sees the Royals bat four lefties in a row with six total in the lineup. Might be a sneaky good choice, knowing that the Blue Jays leaned heavily on both of their lefty relievers yesterday and might be unable or unwilling to use them today.

Orioles vs Red Sox discussion

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 30: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the first inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on August 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This is the type of game where, if you look at it on the surface, the Orioles don’t stand a chance. Suddenly, they are on a four-game skid that could turn into a downward death spiral as the schedule gets tougher. Their opponent has been one of the best team’s in the league since the start of July, and they have their ace on the mound coming off yet another fine month (2.40 ERA in August) as part of a Cy Young-worthy season.

But if you dig deeper…well, it doesn’t get much better. The Orioles have a .588 OPS so far in September, and they are averaging three runs per game, which is all bad. Good luck with that!

Heston Kjerstad will be getting his first big league start of the season, an attempt to add another lefty and some power to an Orioles lineup that could use it. But he won’t be in the DH spot. That belongs to Jackson Holliday, who is batting .203/.238/.301 since the start of August. Yikes. He was good in the Colorado series, but that has not carried over to this weekend just yet. Maybe something changes here.

Chris Bassitt is coming off of a tough outing in Sacramento, where he allowed five runs across 5.2 innings. The Orioles won anyway, and credit to Bassitt for batling after some early struggles. The veteran still knows how to pitch, but don’t expect him to shutdown the opposition. The Orioles lineup will need to provide some support. That has been hard to come by lately.

Other games to keep an eye on:

  • Tigers at Guardians, first pitch 6:10
  • Rays at Rangers, first pitch 7:05
  • Blue Jays at Royals, first pitch 7:10

Orioles lineup

  1. Jackson Holliday (L), DH
  2. Blaze Alexander (R), 2B
  3. Gunnar Henderson (L), SS
  4. Pete Alonso (R), 1B
  5. Samuel Basallo (L), C
  6. Heston Kjerstad (L), RF
  7. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R), 3B
  8. Dylan Beavers (L), LF
  9. Colton Cowser (L), CF

RHP Chris Bassitt (6-4, 4.97 ERA)

Red Sox lineup

  1. Roman Anthony (L), DH
  2. Mickey Gasper (S), 1B
  3. Wilyer Abreu (L), RF
  4. Trevor Story (R), SS
  5. Nick Sogard (S), 3B
  6. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R), 2B
  7. Jarren Duran (L), LF
  8. Eli White (R), CF
  9. Connor Wong (R), C

RHP Sonny Gray (16-4, 2.82 ERA)

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android

Rockies select the contract of Vimael Machín, outright Tyler Freeman to Albuquerque

TACOMA, WA - JUNE 09: Infielder Vimael Machín #12 of the Albuquerque Isotopes hits the ball foul during a game between the Albuquerque Isotopes and Tacoma Rainiers on June 9, 2026 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. (Photo by Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have selected the contract of infielder Vimael Machín and outrighted Tyler Freeman to Triple-A Albuquerque after he cleared waivers.

Machín has had a successful season for Triple-A Albuquerque. Currently, he is slashing .290/.317/.445 with a .816 OPS. Machín has 190 total bases that include 12 home runs and 22 triples in 427 at-bats.

The native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He has also played for the Oakland Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles.

In other moves, the Rockies are placing utility player Willi Castro on the Injured List. Castro is suffering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot in addition to some discomfort in his right knee.

Castro has played third base almost exclusively since third baseman Kyle Karros went on the IL under concussion protocol.

As a reminder, yesterday the Rockies claimed LHP Hayden Harris off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. He is currently in Albuquerque, which required the Rockies to make the roster move that removed Freeman from the 40-man.

It has been a difficult season for utility player Tyler Freeman, who has had two stints on the IL. After he completed his most recent rehab assignment, he stayed with the Isotopes. Currently, he is slashing .289/.365/.422 with a .787 OPS. This likely points towards the Rockies hoping to get extended looks at their young position players as the season wraps up.


Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android


Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

D-backs @ Astros Discussion

Houston, Texas, High rise buildings in Houston cityscape from Glenwood Cemetery. (Photo by: Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Today’s Lineups

DIAMONDBACKSASTROS
Lars Nootbaar – DHJeremy Pena – SS
Geraldo Perdomo – SSYordan Alvarez – DH
Gabriel Moreno – CIsaac Paredes – 3B
Ketel Marte – 2BJose Altuve – 2B
Corbin Carroll – RFDaulton Varsho – CF
Nolan Arenado – 3BChristian Walker – 1B
Max Kepler – LFYainer Diaz – C
Tim Tawa – 1BTaylor Trammell – LF
Ryan Waldschmidt – CFCam Smith – RF
Brandon Pfaadt – RHPEthan Pecko – RHP

Hey, we’re on national television! Though the way the offense has been playing over the past week or so, it feels like it’s more likely to be national humiliation. The D-backs have now scored one run in four consecutive games. It’s actually the fifth time in franchise history the hitters have managed that unwanted feat. The last time was perhaps more recently than you’d think: the end of last July, when Arizona scored just two runs over four games in Pittsburgh and Detroit. That was part of a streak of seven games where they failed to score more than two, and plated a total of just seven runs. Over that time, they had 246 PA with a slash of .179/.241/.256 for a .496 OPS.

You can throw in the night-cap of the double-header in San Francisco, and you currently get five games in a row where Arizona has scored two runs or fewer. The hitting has been marginally better, mostly through a few more walks. The D-backs over the last five contests and 171 PA, are batting .174/.251/.258 for an OPS which at least starts with a five, at .510. They haven’t been helped by a BABIP in that time of .229. While some of that is down to the recent flailings (sic) of Corbin ‘Infield Pop-up’ Carroll, they have had some bad luck with balls in play. But in September of a post-season chase, there are no such things as moral victories, only real ones.

If the offense continue its recent pattern, Brandon Pfaadt will need to be on top form. He has had four starts this year where he has not allowed a run, and another where the sole tally was unearned. Those include seven innings of two-hit shutout ball against division leaders in the Braves and Dodgers, so we know he can do it on occasion. But it sure would be helpful if he would get a little more to work with than the paltry single run we’ve seen from the Diamondbacks of late. I’d not mind tacos, and if the Yankees co-operate, taking back the third wild-card spot from the Padres by the end of the night.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android

Astros vs. Diamondbacks Game Discussion: 9/5/2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 04: Yainer Diaz #21 of the Houston Astros reacts after hitting a home run in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Daikin Park on September 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (73-69) will play the middle game of their three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (74-68) tonight in a nationally televised game at Daikin Park.

Rookie RHP Ethan Pecko (1-0, 6.23 ERA) will get the start for the Astros, the fourth of his Major League career, opposite RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.49 ERA) and the Snakes.

TONIGHT’S BROADCASTS: Tonight’s game will be nationally televised by FOX with Wayne Randazzo and John Smoltz on the call. For tonight’s game only, the English radio broadcast will be on KTRH 740 AM with Robert Ford and Josh Reddick behind the mic. As always, the Astros Spanish radio broadcast features Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño on TUDN 102.9 FM.

SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 53-38 (.582) in their last 91 games (since May 22). That is the second-best record in the AL in that span, behind the Red Sox (55-38).

ABOUT THE RECORD: At 73-69, the Astros are a season-high four games over .500 and have tied their season-high with a 3.0-game division lead. The Astros are 8-3 over their last 11 games.

YOUNG ETHAN: RHP Ethan Pecko, 24, is coming off his first Major League win, which he earned on Aug. 30 at NYY (2ER/5IP). Pecko, the Astros #3 pitching prospect per MLB.com, combined to post a 4.57 ERA (42ER/82.2IP) with 86 strikeouts in 20 games (18 starts) in the minors this season, including 17 games at Triple A. He was originally a sixth-round pick by the Astros in 2023.

STARTING BLOCKS: Astros starters have a 1.69 ERA (5ER/26.2IP) with 29 strikeouts, a .151 opponent average (14×93) and a 1.09 WHIP in the first five games of this homestand. Stretching back over the Astros last 11 games, in which they’ve gone 8-3, Astros starters own a 2.83 ERA (17ER/54IP).

MEASURING UP: The Astros are within a streak of playing four straight teams with winning records (CWS, ARI, PHI, TB). The Astros are an American League-best 32-21 (.604) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that the Astros have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (5-2), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1).

VS. THE D-BACKS: The Astros have won nine of their last 10 games against the Diamondbacks, a streak that dates back to Sept. 29, 2023. This run includes a three-game sweep of the D-backs in Arizona last season from July 21-23, 2025.

RELIEVER OF THE MONTH: Announced earlier this week, LHP Josh Hader was named the AL Reliever of the Month for August. It is Hader’s ninth career Reliever of the Month Award and his third as an Astro. In the month, Hader converted all seven of his save opportunities, while going scoreless in his 13 total appearances and 14.1 innings pitched.

STREAKING: LHP Josh Hader has worked 20 consecutive scoreless appearances, spanning 21.0 innings (since July 21). This is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the second-longest active streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 5×68 (.074) vs. Hader during the streak.

THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Hader recorded his 250th career save last night, becoming the 41st player in modern MLB history to reach 250 career saves. Hader has 23 of those saves this season, in 23 save chances, giving him the most save chances in the Majors this season without a blown save.

YOU’RE MY BOY BLU!: RHP A.J. Blubaugh, who’s tossed 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings, has taken a huge Major League lead in innings pitched as a reliever with 86.1, far ahead of second-place RHP Adrian Morejon (75.2IP) and LHP Aaron Ashby (75.2IP). The Astros have not had a reliever lead the Majors in innings pitched since RHP Doug Jones (111.2IP) in 1992.

TRIPLE THREAT: DH Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently owns at least a share of the lead in all three Triple Crown categories. He enters tonight leading the AL in batting avg. (.317), while ranking tied for first in HR (37) and RBI (94).

Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).

THE HIT MAN: 2B Jose Altuve has 2,495 career hits, needing just five hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, Altuve ranks second in hits, trailing only 1B Freddie Freeman (2,586).

OUCH!: 3B Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch for the 18th time of the season last night, which ranks sixth in the Majors. His 18 HBP are the most by an Astro in a single season since 2B Craig Biggio recorded 27 HBP in 2003.

BEHIND THE DISH: C Christian Vázquez has played in 999 career games as a catcher and is looking to become just the third active catcher to reach 1,000 career games behind the dish. He would join C Salvador Perez (1,427) and C J.T. Realmuto (1,382) in that exclusive group.

DOWN ON THE FARM: Astros prospect OF Caden Powell went 3×5 with two homers and five RBI for Class A Asheville in their 10-6 win over Greensboro last night. Powell, the Astros sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft, is having a strong minor league season, hitting .279 (114×408) with 18 doubles, 18 homers, 69 RBI, 30 stolen bases and an .823 OPS in 105 games for the Tourists.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1971 – The late RHP J.R. Richard records 15 strikeouts in his Major League debut, which is a franchise record and ties an MLB record for a players debut. He makes this debut in the second game of a doubleheader in San Francisco, which ends as an Astros 5-3 win.

Game Info

Game Date/Time:  Saturday, September 5, 6:15 p.m. CT

Location:  Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: FOX

Radio: KTRH 740 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Game Thread: Twins (67-74) at White Sox (74-67)

Look out, it’s a finance bro! Don’t touch his vest or muss his hair! | Chicago White Sox

It’s just unfortunate luck that several South Side Sox writers chose this game — BRO VEST NIGHT or some such silliness — as 2026’s game to attend. I was, in fact, scheduled to join them, but instead I am taking on coverage for tonight. Probably for the best, as our crew will have more fun without me telling them tall tales of how things used to be.

HOWEVER, in tribute to our half-dozen at the park, I will be pulling an old trick back out from the past (maybe it’s just happened twice, for a 10-2 loss to the Guardians in 2018 and a 5-4 win over Detroit in 2021), where I will write tonight’s recap in the voices of my writers. In the past, I have taken on many staffers, in order:

Year of the Hamster
Michael Kenny
Danks for Nothin
Lurker Laura
KenWo4LiFe
larry
Darren Black
mechanical turk
Hannah LaMotta
Leigh Allan
Ashley Sanders
Celeste Radogno
Chrystal O’Keefe
Colleen Sullivan
Di Billick
Joe Kiang-Resis
Jacki Krestel
Robby the Recapper

Tonight, I’ll be incorporating our attendees, including Dante Jones, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach, Chrystal, Malachi Hayes, Leonard Gore, Kristina Airdo and Allie Wesel. I hope I can do them justice.


If the Twins have any heart, the are going to make this weekend tough on the White Sox. After all, they are now seven games behind the White Sox and all but dead in the playoff race, and that’s thanks to us taking three of four from them over the past week or so.

And that said, they may have the advantage tonight, with Taj Bradley on the mound against Anthony Kay:

Something tells me a big offensive output will finally rear its head, and Bradley is going to catch the brunt. But on paper, this one looks like the game Minny will steal on the road.

If so, perhaps this is a game where both of the ALC hopefuls struggle, as Cleveland is already down, 1-0, taking on the Tigers as of this typing.

Game time is 6:10 p.m. Central, with the usual suspects on the broadcast. Game note for tomorrow, though, the finale is being pushed to a Peacock broadcast, which not only means it’ll be harder to watch but will have first pitch pushed back to 5:20 p.m. Central.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android

New York Yankees at San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Yuki Matsui #1 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the sixth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Petco Park on September 04, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

New York Yankees (80-61) at San Diego Padres (74-67), September 5, 2026, 4:15 p.m. PST

Watch: FOX

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan



Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.

  • Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
  • Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
  • Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our thread

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android

Shohei Ohtani scratched from Dodgers' lineup for third consecutive game

Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani reacts after taking a strike against the Cardinals on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani reacts after taking a strike against the Cardinals on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has not played since Wednesday, when he struck out four times and winced noticeably at the plate.

On Saturday, the Dodgers held him out of the lineup for the third consecutive game because of pain in his right biceps.

Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s path back to the field is predicated on how he responds to hitting in the cage, which he planned to do before Saturday night’s game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium.

“My expectation is that he’s going to hit today in the cage,” Roberts told reporters. “Once he hits and how he comes out of it, that’ll be telling for tomorrow.”

Read more:Before Mark Walter's companies faced inquiries, he kept a low profile and built loyalty

The injured list becomes a consideration if Ohtani is not trending in a positive direction Sunday, Roberts said.

Ohtani falls under the 15-day category for the IL, which covers pitchers and two-way players, as opposed to the 10-day list for position players. The Dodgers can backdate the move up to three days, akin to time served. So a 15-day window would be reduced to 12 days.

Although Roberts said he has not spoken to Ohtani about how he feels physically, the manager said he can get a hint from the player’s demeanor.

“When he doesn’t feel well physically, he gets more short and he’s not the same personality,” Roberts said, adding that Ohtani has seemed looser and more easygoing the past couple of days.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Game 142: Twins at White Sox

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 15: Anthony Kay #18 of the Chicago White Sox tosses a warm-up pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Comerica Park on August 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

First Pitch: 6:10 pm CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy

What we will call The Math is finally catching up with what we have been calling The Vibe. The Twins, with two September series against the Chicago White Sox loosely circled on the calendar, watched those games progress from “significant” to “crucial” to “literally have to double-sweep to have a shot.” Now losers of three of the first four, it’s clear the 2026 season will not end with a miraculous 6-0 run against the division leaders, catapulting the team back into contention; instead, Minnesota’s performance against a playoff contender is confirming most criticisms against the team, and is calling into question whether a .500 record is still even a reasonable goal.

On that delightful note, there is still baseball to be played! Today, even. And the Minnesota Twins, for all their flaws, will be competing. Moreover, we’ve reached the point in the season where game previews devolve into the purest form of fact. Baseball, today! Your team, involved. Surely you needed this confirmation despite the schedule remaining mostly the same for over a hundred years

The Twins are chucking Taj Bradley out there, whose last few starts and final 2026 line will be one of the more interesting storylines to close out the campaign. A three-headed monster of a healthy Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Bradley could transform next year’s starting rotation, but the health hypothetical feels like a Twins trademark at this point. For now, it’s a healthy Bradley alone on the mound and practically alone in the rotation, tasked with evening the series on the South Side.

Chicago turns to lefty Anthony Kay, who’s been in Japan for the last two years and is in the AL Central for the first time in his pro career. He held the Twins to one run across six innings in a 3-1 White Sox victory back in May, the only time he’s faced Minnesota in his professional career.

GO TWINS GO!

Game 143 Game Day Thread – Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers

Sep 4, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (21) runs the bases on his grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tampa Bay Rays @ Texas Rangers

Saturday, September 5, 2026, 6:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Jacob deGrom

Today’s Lineups

RAYSRANGERS
Yandy Diaz – DHJoc Pederson – DH
Jonathan Aranda – 1BCorey Seager – SS
Junior Caminero – 3BWyatt Langford – LF
Liam Hicks – CBrandon Nimmo – RF
Chandler Simpson – LFEzequiel Duran – 2B
Victor Mesa – RFJake Burger – 1B
Cedric Mullins – CFEvan Carter – CF
Richie Palacios – 2BCody Freeman – 3B
Taylor Walls – SSDanny Jansen – C
Drew Rasmussen – RHPJacob deGrom – RHP

Go Rangers!

TIGERS AT GUARDIANS: Messick vs. Valdez, discussion

CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians singles on a ground ball to second base in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field on August 19, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here’s the Tigers’ lineup:

Here’s the Guardians lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!