ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Noah Cameron #65 of the Kansas City Royals throws a pitch in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 16, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals will finish their series in Boston at some point today, in a rubber match contest. The Royals won the Friday night contest 3-2, but dropped the late afternoon game on Saturday 5-1.
The Royals are currently 66-83 and are on the brink of finally being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this season.
Lefty Noah Cameron starts today for the Royals. Here is the Royals starting lineup behind him.
The Red Sox are 81-68 on the season, and very close to securing a playoff berth as the second wild card team, which means like last season, they’d head to the Bronx to take on the Yankees in a best of 3 in the Wild Card round.
It’s rather remarkable that they are in this position considering their horrific start, before they fired almost every coach in the dugout and then didn’t lose for like a month.
Anyways, Payton Tolle, another left hander starts for the Red Sox today. Former Royal, Nate Eaton bats ninth and plays center today for Boston.
After this game, which was pushed back due to rain and is currently in a delay from the pushed back start, is over, the Royals travel to Houston for a three-game series. Whenever this game is started, you can watch it on Royals.TV. Until then, watch the NFL!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 04: Alejandro Osuna #19 of the Texas Rangers bats against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field on August 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers have recalled outfielder Alejandro Osuna from AAA Round Rock, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have optioned infielder Cam Cauley to AAA Round Rock.
The move to bring up Osuna — who was just a two hour flight away from Phoenix, in Sacramento — was not unexpected. Joc Pederson left yesterday’s game after being hit in the hand with a pitch, and Osuna was lifted from Round Rock’s game soon thereafter, and likely booked on the first available Southwest Airlines flight from SMF to PHX. Osuna gives the Rangers a lefthanded bat to DH and come off the bench while Pederson is sidelined.
Cauley, meanwhile, will likely be on the team flight back to D/FW tonight rather than heading to Round Rock. Pederson is, per the beats, going to see a hand specialist, and there would seem to be a pretty good chance he lands on the 10 day injured list, in which case Cauley could be back up, although Kyle Higashioka, who has been on a rehab assignment with Round Rock, would also be an option.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Gabriel Hughes #43 of the Colorado Rockies gestures after throwing a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Comerica Park on September 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies really needed a win, in part to break a nine-game road losing streak and a six-game overall losing streak; in part to get them back on track to stay under 100 losses; and in part of salve their wounded spirits.
Unfortunately, today was not their day to get that win as the Rockies lost to the Detroit Tigers 8-1.
An early Adael Amador homer was easily the game’s highlight while the pitching continues to struggle.
With this loss, the Rockies have lost seven consecutive games in addition to their last 10 on the road. Their second-half record is 16-35.
“Sometimes, it’s just a bad stretch,” said manager Warren Schaeffer after the game.
The offense started strong — and quickly sputtered
Adael Amador got things off to a quick start when he hit a home run (4) in the second at-bat of the game.
“He’s making an impact every game,” Schaeffer said. “He’s starting to show up this year at the big-league level, which is fantastic.”
The lead would be short-lived, however, when Gabriel Hughes — after getting two quick outs — allowed a two-run homer to Riley Greene in the Tigers half of the first.
Already, the Rockies found themselves with a one-run deficit.
The Rockies got two quick outs before third baseman Vimael Machín hit a single. All was for naught, however, since he was quickly thrown out at first by Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler to end the inning.
In the second inning, the Tigers continued to make progress.
The Rockies lost the opportunity to erase a Max Clark stolen base because the coaching staff waited too long to issue a challenge. With just one out recorded, Josh Peck hit an RBI single to score Clark and leave runners at the corners. Kevin McGonigle then hit a two-RBI triple, and the score was 5-1 with one out and Hughes at 55 pitches.
Fifteen pitches and five batters later, the Rockies tallied the third out with the score still at 5-1.
Both the Rockies and Tigers failed to get a hit in the third inning with Zach Agnos entering the game for Hughes.
In the fourth inning, TJ Rumfield walked again, extending his on-base streak to 19 games. Given that Mickey Moniak and Troy Johnston struck out in his wake, it did not matter, and the score remained 5-1.
Agnos kicked off the fourth inning by issuing back-to-back-to-back walks. Hao-Yu Lee hit a sacrifice fly to expand the Tigers lead, 6-1. Greene added his own RBI single, and the score was 7-1.
Again, the Rockies were retired in order in the fifth.
Nick Frasso entered the game to pitch the bottom of the fifth. After striking out the first batter he faced, Spencer Torkelson hit a home run, making the score 8-1.
The Rockies could not manage annother hit until the seventh inning when Rumfield knocked a single. Following that, Moniak notched his third K of the day, and Jackson Jobe’s day was over — his first time as a professional to get an out in the seventh inning.
Jobe’s final line was 6.1 IP with one run (earned) on three hits. He walked one and struck out eight.
Brant Hurter entered the game in relief and promptly gave up a single to Machín, but the Rockies were unable to capitalize, and the score remained 8-1.
After a disastrous Saturday, Jaden Hill entered the game to pitch the eighth. After getting the first two batters quickly, he issued a walk. He got the third out without allowing a run.
With two outs, Moniak hit a double.
The final line for the Rockies offense was one run on five hits. They walked once and struck out 11 times.
Gabriel Hughes had a (really) short day
The quest for his first MLB win continues.
Gabriel Hughes continues to struggle in finding a put-away pitch. He was already at 29 pitches at the end of the first inning after putting away the first two batters he faced relatively easily. (To provide a contrast, though two innings, Tigers starter Jackson Jobe threw 25 pitches.)
To be fair, not all of Hughes’ struggles stemmed from the ability to get outs. The Rockies failure to issue a timely challenge to the Max Clark steal kept Hughes with just one out longer than might have been necessary. Still, Hughes was unable to get outs.
By the end of the second inning, Hughes was at 70 pitches, the second-most by any player in MLB this season.
He was not helped, either, by an offense that could not figure out Jackson Jobe and too often had short at-bats.
He relied most heavily on his four-seamer (37%) followed by his changeup (21%), then his sinker (16%) followed by his curveball (14%).
The final line: 2.0 IP allowing five runs (earned) on five hits. He walked two and struck out two.
Currently, Hughes has a 6.37 ERA.
“I just think Gabe didn’t have his best stuff today,” Schaeffer said, noting especially Hughes’ lack of control of his breaking pitches.
The bullpen slogged through another long game
Schaeffer went to his already exhausted bullpen in the third inning.
Agnos had a brisk seven-pitch third inning that saw him retiring the batters in order. However, his luck did not extend into the fourth. His final line was 2.o IP with two runs (earned) on one hit. He walked three and struck out one on 36 pitches.
The fifth inning went to Frasso who struck out two and allowed one home run. He threw 17 pitches.
Jimmy Herget took the sixth for a quick three-up, three-down inning and was back for a longer seventh inning. His final line was 2.0 IP with one hit, one walk, and one strike out on 30 pitches. He did not allow a run.
As for Hill, he went 1.0 IP with issuing no hits, but one strike out and one walk on 24 pitches.
In total, Rockies pitching allowed eight runs on eight hits. They also issued seven walks and seven strikeouts on 177 pitches.
Up next
Tomorrow, the Rockies will — mercifully — return to Coors Field for the final home stand of 2026.
They will welcome the postseason-contending San Diego Padres with Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) schedule to face a pitcher to be named later.
Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill (44) throws against Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 2, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Sep 7, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Let’s…. not talk about last night. Today is a new day! And thanks to their walk off win on Friday night the A’s have a golden chance at another series win. Over a division rival. Who is fighting to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Perfect time for another W, my friends.
Taking the ball for the home team will be Jacob Lopez. The southpaw has turned his season fully around and has been one of the better pitchers in the American League since rejoining the A’s rotation. Can he keep that up today in Sacramento against a hungry Mariners lineup that is on desperation and panic mode?
Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for the series finale:
The Mariners meanwhile have right-hander Bryce Miller taking the ball for them in the finale. Miller has been so-so overall but has been struggling of late. That’s perfect news for the A’s, who are ready for the chance at the young righty.
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Jackson Jobe #21 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning at Comerica Park on September 13, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Sunday afternoon the Tigers went for the home sweep of the Colorado Rockies in the finale of a three-game weekend series. They accomplished said feat in convincing fashion, on the back of some nice power hitting and excellent starting pitching, winning 8-1 to broom the visitors out of town. Come back anytime, Rockies.
Getting the start for the Tigers was Jackson Jobe, who looked sharper in his previous outing, a five-inning, two-run start in Cleveland. He struck out a then-season-high seven batters, against a Guardians lineup that doesn’t strike out a whole lot.
Gabriel Hughes started for Colorado, and it’s been a rough go of it so far for him in his rookie year. But here’s a weird one: his ERA at that kooky altitude is 3.81, but is almost 8 away from Colorado. Maybe he really likes something in Denver? I think they sell a product in that state that people enjoy.
Both teams traded home runs in the first inning: Adael Amador hit a solo shot for Colorado, but Riley Greene countered with a two-run tater after Colt Keith had hit a ground-rule double to put the Tigers up 2-1:
With two out in the top of the second, Dillon Dingler back-picked Vimael Machín for the final out of the inning. It took a review, but the call was (eventually) out.
In the bottom of the inning Max Clark, who had three hits in Saturday’s game, singled and stole second; Zach McKinstry walked, and Clark scored on John Peck’s single. Both McKinstry and Peck then came around to score on Kevin McGonigle’s triple off the very top of the right-centrefield wall, just below the yellow line (which was confirmed on review); when the dust settled the Tigers were up 5-1.
Colt Keith walked with two out to put runners on the corners, but Greene grounded out and the inning was over.
That was going to be it for Hughes, with Zach Agnos taking over and retiring the Tigers in short order in the third. Jobe, on the other hand, was looking good: aside from the early home run, and a hit-by-pitch in the second, he was hitting 99 mph with his fastball, throwing plenty of strikes, and his breaking stuff was sharp.
In the bottom of the fourth, Agnos walked the first three batters of the inning; Hao-Yu Lee hit a shallow fly ball to right field and McKinstry aggressively scored on the play to make it 6-1. Greene followed with a single to plate McGonigle to make it 7-1, his third RBI of the game.
Spencer Torkelson made it 8-1 in the fifth with a solo home run to left-centre:
That fastball couldn’t be more middle-middle if you’d walked right up to the plate and placed it in the catcher’s mitt yourself. But hey, you gotta punish mistakes like that, right?
Jobe, on the other hand, didn’t make too many mistakes in his 6 1/3-inning outing: in the seventh he gave up a leadoff single but then struck out Mickey Moniak for his eighth whiff of the day, a career high. Jobe’s final line was 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K, and he threw 56 of his 87 pitches for strikes. Brant Hurter took over and got a flyout to right, but a blooper to centre put two runners on. A soft line drive to shortstop took care of the third out, though.
Hurter carried on into the eighth and got the first out, giving way to Yilber Díaz who got a pair of groundnuts to finish the frame. Since it wasn’t a particularly close game he finished it up, surrendering a double with two out in the ninth which was of no consequence, and punching out two with some good sliders. Hooray!
Colt Keith has some interesting batting splits, based on where he is (or isn’t) in the field. As a third baseman (182 plate appearances), his OPS is a robust .824; as a DH (156 PA), it’s .677; as a first baseman (50 PA) it’s .602.
Justin Verlander’s been working hard to make at least one more start before his season-ending retirement. You have to admire that: he could very easily just coast along until the end of the season, but he certainly hasn’t.
Congratulations to Keider Montero and his family who just had a baby girl. He made it back to Venezuela just in time.
On this day in 1848, a railroad worker in Vermont named Phineas Gage was involved in an accident in which a 1 1/4” (32 mm) steel rod went completely through his head, destroying a part of his brain. Gage somehow survived the accident, but the brain injury altered his personality in several ways, allowing doctors to study him in great detail. (If you’ve ever taken an introductory psychology course, you’ve definitely studied Gage’s case.)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 14: Kyle Lewis #1 of the Seattle Mariners robs Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics of a home run during the first inning in the second game of a doubleheader at T-Mobile Park on September 14, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The beauty of baseball is that there’s always another game tomorrow. Lose in a blowout or a heartbreaking walk-off? You can flush it away with another game tomorrow. But the opposite is also true. Win in historic fashion? Well, there’s another game tomorrow. And so after winning 19-1 last night on the back of Michael Arroyo’s first hit and first home run, Weston Wilson’s first five-hit game, and about a thousand other good things, the Mariners have to play again today. How to follow it up in a way that doesn’t feel disappointing will be the challenge.
Lineups
Uh, yeah, Michael Arroyo and Weston Wilson get starts again today. Duh.
Bryce Miller takes the mound in Sacramento for the second time this year. Back in May, he gave up two runs over five innings. Kate profiled Miller earlier today, including some great quotes from the sneaky smart Texan.
The lineups from this iteration of the A’s will never look normal to me, even if it has Butler, Gelof, and Muncy as mainstays.
Game Info
First pitch: 1:05 PDT TV: Mariners TV Radio: Old Reliable
Today in baseball history
September 13, 1983: Rickey Henderson steals three bases in Oakland’s win over Texas. Those take him to 101 for the year, making him the first player to steal 100 bases in three consecutive seasons.
Yankees RHP Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery recovery) is close to his 2026 season debut.
"Probably this week, potentially in Minnesota, but we'll see over the next couple days," New York manager Aaron Boone said Sunday morning, ahead of the Yankees' three-game series at the Twins -- starting Monday at 7:40 p.m.
Schmidt has been on a rehab assignment since Aug. 29 with the Yankees' Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliates.
"I think he could be huge," Boone said of Schmidt. "I think he's throwing the ball really well. His stuff's really good right now -- I feel like it has been for the last month. So, I think he definitely could be an interesting guy for us down there and, hopefully, that's the case."
New York plans to use Schmidt in the bullpen, and he embraces the opportunity.
"I think it will shake itself out as far as what the role is and, obviously, I'm a reliever," Schmidt said. "So, I think that how they use me in leverage or whatever the case may be -- I think it's going to shake itself out.
"I don't think I need to be throwing a bunch of innings -- three, four ups, stuff like that. And I probably don't see myself going back-to-back, but I want to work myself into leverage and pitch in big scenarios and try to pitch as much as I can and help guys in big situations."
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 12: Elias Diaz #35 of the Texas Rangers bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Julia Jacome/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 13, 2026 against the Arizona Diamondbacks: starting pitchers are Cal Quantrill for the Rangers and Eduardo Rodriguez for the D-Backs.
It is the final game of the road trip, and an opportunity for the Rangers to finish the road trip with a series win in Arizona and a .500 record on the trip overall. No Joc Pederson or Nicky Lopez in the lineup after they were lifted from the game yesterday, though there’s a lefty on the mound so you wouldn’t figure on them starting anyway.
The lineup:
Foscue — 2B
Seager — SS
Jung — 3B
Burger — 1B
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Duran — CF
Diaz — C
Jansen — DH
3:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +110 underdogs.
Boston, MA - May 9: A Boston Red Sox fan in a poncho looks out at Fenway Park as the night's scheduled game is postponed due to rain. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
David Sandlin returns to the majors for a start this Sunday | Getty Images
Another Sunday, another critical rubber match in what I think we can safely say is the most rear-end-clenching division race we’ve had in nearly 15 years. Perhaps 20, depending on how you feel about Robin Ventura’s debut 2012 that produced a bizarre 85 wins and a missed playoff berth after leading the division most of the year.
That ending doesn’t make me feel great about saying this, but of all the all-too-rare fun and competitive Sox teams since 2005, that 2012 squad is where I see shades of 2026. We didn’t know quite how bland as a manager Ventura was at that point, and while that team’s young, breakout talent was concentrating on the pitching side, it was a mix of up-and-coming youth who appeared to be cornerstones for years to come, aided by highly unexpected bounceback efforts from veterans like Jake Peavy and Andrew Benintendi. It’s not a perfect analog, but if they are similar at all, I also think the talent of this team ultimately wins out in a way that 2012 group couldn’t.
Here’s Will Venable’s lineup this afternoon as they try to get that magic number closer and closer to single digits:
After seemingly more months at sea than an aircraft carrier halfway around the world, the White Sox starting pitching staff FINALLY has relief, as David Sandlin gets the call from Charlotte for his first appearance in the bigs since early August. He’s been dominant against Triple-A pitching his last two starts, allowing just a single run over 12 2/3 innings along with 20 strikeouts.
Here’s the lineup he’ll get a look at, courtesy of Oli Marmol’s crooked-capped Cardinals:
McGreevey is a former first rounder of the Cards who has firmly established himself in their rotation this summer, making 28 starts to the tune of a 3.92 ERA, exactly league average for a starter. With just 106 punchouts in 154 innings, though, he could be the type of pitcher the offense needs to jolt itself awake for the home stretch.
First pitch will be broadcast on CHSN and 1:15 pm C.T., and Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson will be there with their usual radio broadcast on WMVP AM 1000. See you in the comments!
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 15: Michael McGreevy #36 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field on August 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s game 3 of the Cardinals weekend series against the White Sox Sunday as Michael McGreevy takes the mound for the Cardinals. The White Sox will start RHP David Sandlin. First pitch scheduled for 1:15pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 08: Starting pitcher Tanner Bibee #28 of the Cleveland Guardians walks back to the dugout after being pulled from the game in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 08, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 11: Members of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after the Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Friday, September 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Owen Gupta/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
One last rubber game in Miami to decide the weekend series. First major league outfield start for Josue De Paula. Turf days off for Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Jackson Merrill #3 and Austin Hays #15 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after Merrill hit a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the third inning at Oracle Park on September 12, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have been close to blowing some perfect leads. But, this is the time to do that. In both Games 1 and 2, the Friars have scored seven runs. In both games, the Friars have allowed the San Francisco Giants to come back within at least two runs as last as the eighth inning. That has forced the Padres to dip into their high-leverage relievers despite their potent offense.
With Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez all having pitched on back-to-back days, they’ll be unavailable in the series finale. The onus will be on the offense and the Padres’ lower-leverage relievers to finish out the sweep over San Francisco. With how San Diego’s been swinging the bat, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Taking the mound
Logan Webb (SF) v. Nick Pivetta (SD)
Webb, despite some flashes of elite pitching, has struggled this season. He currently sits at a 4.10 ERA. If he finishes the season with an ERA over 4.00, it will be the first time he’s done so in six years. The last time he did so was in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
He hasn’t pitched much better down the stretch (4.66 ERA in last seven starts), but Webb is coming off of six innings of one-run ball versus the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s also done a pretty good job of limiting the Padres historically. Only Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill have batting averages over .240 (15-plus at-bats).
Pivetta had just about the closest thing to a perfect return to the mound on Monday. He hurled five scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals, one of the most potent offense in the league. Still, Pivetta is mostly untested since returning back from his three-month IL trip.
He’s faced most of the San Francisco lineup, and has limited them well. That said, Jung Hoo Lee has had his number for quite some time. In 13 career at-bats, Lee owns a .462 batting average and 1.577 OPS when facing Pivetta. Hopefully the righty will be able to limit the Giants’ bats in the series finale.
Batter up!
The lineup has returned to its incredible potent ways, scoring 14 runs in the first two games of this series. The Friars have gotten some incredible production from their stars, as well as their contributors. San Diego needs to keep that rolling in order to hold onto their postseason spot.
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Dustin Harris, RF
Manny Machado, 3B
Luis Campusano, DH
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jake Cronenworth, 1B
Freddy Fermin, C
Samad Taylor, LF
Harris made his first appearance batting second in the order yesterday. He did not disappoint. He ended the game 1-for-4 with three RBIs after going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk in the series opener. Harris could very well remain in that two-spot going forward.
Relief corps
Despite some struggles in the first few innings, Michael King locked the game down from there on. The starter pitched seven innings before Rodriguez entered the game. Rodriguez made it interesting, giving up a three-run shot to make it a one-run ballgame. After that, Morejon and Miller were used to finish out the last two innings.
That gives San Diego some options for the series finale. Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan, Wandy Peralta and Randy Vásquez will be available once Pivetta departs form the game. That said, if Pivetta isn’t as dominant as he was on Monday, Vásquez will likely enter to pitch in bulk relief.
