PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 29: JJ Wetherholt #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on after hitting an RBI double in the third inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rayni Shiring/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
I don’t know about you, but I already miss baseball even though there are still two series to go. For the St. Louis Cardinals, those final 6 games of the 2026 campaign will be completed on the road with the first stop being in Pittsburgh starting Tuesday night. There’s little at stake other than pride, but there are some individual player achievements that are possible for St. Louis.
Scheduled Starting Pitchers
Tuesday night – Andre Pallante (RHP 12-7, 3.70 ERA, 104 SO) vs Jared Jones (RHP 4-6, 4.17 ERA, 109 SO)
Wednesday night – Matthew Liberatore (LHP 5-14, 5.36 ERA, 148 SO) vs TBD
Thursday – Kyle Leahy (RHP 10-5, 3.65 ERA, 129 SO) vs Paul Skenes (RHP 10-11, 3.91 ERA, 192 SO)
Pittsburgh Pirates Jared Jones has won 2 of his last 3 starts, but his most recent outing on September 16 was a no-decision against the Brewers as he threw 5 innings allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs. Paul Skenes has only won 1 of his last 3 starts and his most recent was not memorable as he allowed 6 hits and 5 earned runs on September 18 as he threw 6 innings and got no decision.
Second baseman Brandon Lowe leads the Pirates with 33 home runs and 93 RBI’s.
Centerfielder Oneil Cruz has 20 homers and 67 RBI’s with a .280 batting average.
First baseman Ryan O’Hearn has 18 homers, 73 RBI’s and a .264 average.
Left fielder Bryan Reynolds has 17 home runs, 71 RBI’s and a .262 average.
Right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez has 17 homers, 47 RBI’s and a .247 average.
It’s not breaking news that the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals will not be bothered with playoff baseball in October, but there are individual achievements still within reach. As of this writing, Alec Burleson leads the National League in RBI’s with 111, but Sal Stewart is right on his heels with 110. Pete Crow-Armstrong trails both of them with 105. Jordan Walker has been stuck at 28 home runs and hasn’t launched a long ball since September 1 against the Dodgers. I would love to see him get a couple more to make the 30 home run plateau, but even more would like to see him return to the swing decisions of early 2026 Jordan Walker and not 2025 Jordan Walker. JJ Wetherholt has 17 home runs, but Pittsburgh is his hometown area and he loves hitting at PNC Park. It’s not crazy to think he could reach the 20 home run mark before this season is over next weekend.
As we enter the final 6 games of the season, the St. Louis Cardinals are 3 games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates and have the same record as the Miami Marlins. The Washington Nationals only trail St. Louis by 3 games. The Cardinals need to win 5 of the final 6 games to end the season with a .500 record. That seems unlikely with a weekend trip to Milwaukee waiting for the Cardinals, but dominating the Pittsburgh Pirates in their own park would at least give them a fighting chance. We’ll see how that goes starting Tuesday night.
The Rays are bringing back their road grays after shelving them in 2022 and are putting "Tampa Bay" and the ray logo back on the front of a primary jersey for the first time since 2007. That year was when the franchise rebranded and dropped "Devil" from their team name. There's a blue to yellow ombré that brings a sunshine feel to the uniform and pays further tribute to their history.
Team representatives said they want to be intentional about representing the Florida city they've called home since joining the MLB in 1998. The Rays came under new ownership last summer when a group led by Patrick Zalupski bought the team from Stuart Sternberg for a reported $1.7 billion. There has been an emphasis on commitment to Tampa Bay, including plans for a new stadium in the city.
"These uniforms celebrate our long-term commitment to Tampa Bay," Ken Babby, Rays Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement. "As our team travels the country, we do so with tremendous admiration for our home. Tampa Bay is always in our hearts and that's why we will wear it across our chest."
In March, the Rays asked fans for input on what they hope for in new uniforms and they listened to the feedback.
"We are particularly proud that our fans helped choose this design, and we love the fact they want the baseball world to see 'Tampa Bay' when we play on the road," Babby continued.
The road grays replace the Rays' current road uniforms, which are a navy jersey with "Rays" on the front.
Besides on the jerseys, the ombré, which harkens back to the Devil Rays days, also appears on "TB," which originated in 1998, on the team's hats and batting helmets. The original black backdrop is swapped for the team's current navy base.
Shohei Ohtani’s swing is among the most dangerous in baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers will have only five games to get it ready for the playoffs, barring any setbacks.
There have been many of them for Ohtani, who’s missed the past 12 games while dealing with issues to his left knee and right biceps. He’s expected to be back in the Dodgers' lineup in the team's upcoming series against the San Diego Padres. There will be only five games left in the regular season.
Because of Ohtani’s lingering knee issues, the Dodgers have shut him down from pitching. But they’d still like him to bat – and a swing that has generated a team-leading 30 home runs this season and 263 over the last six seasons.
In his last 24 games before going on the injured reserve list, however, Ohtani hit .198 (19-for-96) with 34 strikeouts.
It raises a premature, although not outrageous, question involving the four-time MVP: At some point, in some cases, might the Dodgers be better off with Ohtani out of the lineup?
Precious at-bats
The Dodgers haven’t had enough pitchers to throw him live batting practice, and so he’s been hitting off the Trajekt, a machine that simulates real pitchers. And so those final five regular-season games – two against the Padres and three against the San Francisco Giants – because even more critical.
"I do think that when he's activated, it's going to be the best physical place he's been in in quite some time,’’ said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
So we’ll see if feeling good translates into swinging well for Ohtani.
The Dodgers have managed to win despite missing their MVP designated hitter. Ohtani’s missed 15 of the Dodgers’ last 16 games, and the team has gone 13-3 without him. In six of those games, the Dodgers won by two or fewer runs.
His daughter Alyssa took to social media on Monday to thank “everyone who made yesterday the most special day of the Rose family’s life,” while also sharing the surprise significance of Francisco Lindor being the final Mets player to bat in Rose’s broadcast career.
“One thing about the Mets that is indisputable is that they’re a family organization. If you love the Mets, it’s because of a connection to someone special in your family. That came so full circle for me yesterday,” Alyssa wrote on X. “I was born in July, obviously, during baseball season. At some point on the day I was born, my dad called into the station to tell them his daughter was born. During the game, they played ‘My Girl’ on the air.
Mets broadcaster Howie Rose answers questions during a news conference, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Noah K. Murray
“Of all of the final At Bats my dad could have called, for it to be Lindor, whose walk up song is, as well know, ‘My Girl’, it was clear that wasn’t a coincidence. That was the universe’s way of reminding me that for my dad and me, it all starts and ends with me being his girl and it all starts and ends with the New York Mets.”
She ended the post by saying, “See you in 2027, Citi Field,” alluding to the planned ceremony to honor her father that will take place next season after inclement weather on Sunday forced it to be postponed.
New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor reacts after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, September 18, 2026, in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Rose announced prior to the start of the 2026 MLB season that he would be stepping away from the microphone in September, ending a Mets tenure that started in 1996 when he began calling the team’s games on television.
During the course of his broadcast career, he had also served as a Rangers radio broadcaster and the TV voice of the Islanders.
Sep 11, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (73-83) vs. Washington Nationals (73-83)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Federal Baseball Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP River Ryan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP DJ Herz (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
SAN FRANCISCO — Before his MLB debut, Bo Davidson put his own twist on Bo Knows.
While sitting in the dugout after the Giants took batting practice, Davidson said he was just eager to show everyone “who Bo is.” A reporter followed up with an obvious question: “What is Bo?”
He seemed to know what was coming, and he wasn’t wrong.
Davidson had a hit, stolen base and run in his first inning in the big leagues, showing off the skills that have made him a top 100 prospect. He is a fascinating blend of power and speed, and that first at-bat showed off an approach at the plate that should allow him to tap into his natural gifts.
Oh, and there’s also quite a bit of confidence. That will help at this level.
Davidson said after the 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins that it felt “just like another day in the office” and was “what I expected.” He looked right at home, and it was that way from the start.
Davidson didn’t look to be feeling any nerves before the game, but if they were there, it didn’t take long to knock them loose. The first two balls in the top of the first were hit his way, and he got to settle in with two routine catches.
In the bottom of the first, he got an early opportunity to show why he’s such an exciting prospect at the plate. Davidson hit 29 homers in 125 games in Double-A and Triple-A this year, and he took some huge cuts in his first taste of big league life.
Zebby Matthews threw the kitchen sink at Davidson in his first at-bat, and he fouled off three two-strike pitches — a slider, cutter and fastball — before roping a cutter into right for a single. The first hit came on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, making Davidson just the fourth player since 2000 to see that many pitches before getting a hit his first time up in the big leagues.
“Someone pointed that out in the dugout, that he was adjusting to different pitches,” manager Tony Vitello said. “He does adjust a bit with two (strikes) but it’s always going to be an aggressive hack. It’s one of the reasons he hits the ball hard. I mean, it’s a different version of Rafi (Devers).
“I just thought the way he walked into the box, the way he stood in there, the way he acted today … (with) some guys, it takes a minute to adjust to whatever situation or you need reps in the ninth inning with the game on the line. I think he’s dying for that.”
Davidson put it more succinctly.
“Just in there competing,” he said. “Just competing.”
The Giants promoted Davidson on Monday when they put Bryce Eldridge and Jung Hoo Lee on the IL. For Eldridge, there’s no doubt about his stature heading into 2027. He’ll be in the heart of the lineup every night, either at first base or DH.
Lee, though, might all of a sudden find himself in a crowd. Drew Gilbert had three more hits Monday and crushed his 11th homer, and Jonah Cox played a nice second base, continuing to show off the versatility that should easily put him on the 2027 roster.
Vitello wants to see more of Turner Hill this last week, and Victor Bericoto is coming off a strong weekend and has had some real highs this year. Scott Bandura and Grant McCray have gotten reps, and Marcelo Mayer’s return was a reminder that Casey Schmitt might end up back in left field next season.
It’s a puzzle, but it’s a good one for the organization. After decades of failing to develop outfielders, they all of a sudden have a pretty big collection, and this group at the big leagues doesn’t even include Dakota Jordan, who finished his season in Double-A and will participate in the Fall League, or the possibility that one of the young middle infielders might have to move to the outfield in the next year or two.
Davidson is as physically gifted as any of them, and if he hits his ceiling, he should emerge from the pack at some point next year. That’s far from his mind at the end of 2026, though.
“It’s amazing just to be in the clubhouse with some of the guys that I’ve been with all year, and we’ve all touched the final stage together,” he said. “It’s going to be pretty cool and very special here soon.”
We know where the regular season will end. In front of roughly 10,000 at sleepy Sutter Health Park, home to the Sacramento River Cats and their joint tenants, the A’s. The question is whether or not the Astros will be playing beyond this Sunday. Many (myself included) thought the divisional crown would come down to the final week but never in a million years did anyone foresee only 77 wins this late in the season.
Perhaps the warning signs were there all along. On April 1st, Houston was riding high, winners of five straight, a sweep of the Red Sox in which they outscored Boston by a margin of 23-7. One week later, that very same squad was swept out of Coors Field to the lowly Rockies. That wouldn’t be the only club to accomplish that feat. Sadly, the Cardinals, O’s, Rays and Braves also took out the brooms at various stages.
I can remember expressing concern to fellow colleagues at The Crawfish Boxes how the health of Josh Hader would be the key determining factor. Hader has been the most consistent player on the entire roster. Turns out, no one could’ve seen the Astros future rotation woes. Tatsuya Imai was as pleasant to watch at times as a canker-sore. Mike Burrows is on a milk carton. Peter Lambert last won a game when LeBron was still debating where he wanted to play, and remember Spencer Arrighetti? That guy just beat the Rangers, one of multiple games he’s won this month for the Blue Jays.
As great as Altuve’s 2,500 hits feat and Yordan’s flirtation with the Triple Crown have been, it comes down to six games.
As the Real Slim Shady once encouraged, “Please Stand Up, Please Stand Up.” Let’s open a series next week and play meaningful baseball in October once again.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 02: A view of the stadium after the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Baltimore Orioles is called in the sixth inning due to rain at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Philadelphia Phillies won 8-0. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight’s game is already listed as delayed even though it isn’t to start for another 45 minutes (as I type this). I like how they say it: “Tonight’s game will start in delay”. They will wait as long as they can before calling the game.
When it does start, it will be Trey Yesavage will be starting.
Spencer Arrighetti was optioned to make room for Yesavage. Also Joe Mantiply was optioned to Buffalo and Chad Dallas makes his return to Dallas (well Arlington).
And the team has said that Dylan Cease doesn’t need surgery. He says the shoulder is ‘heavy and achy’. I think someone should take that as their screen name. I would bet that he won’t be pitching again this year, but I guess, until they are officially eliminated, they won’t say that out loud.
Baseball America has name Sean Keys as the Jays minor league player of the year. 28 home runs and 1.019 OPS. He’s in tonight’s lineup. Or tomorrow morning’s lineup, depending on when they the game going.
Here’s the lineups in case they do start.
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
ORIOLES
Brett Bateman – CF
Dylan Beavers – LF
Alejandro Kirk – C
Pete Alonso – 1B
Nathan Lukes – RF
Gunnar Henderson – SS
George Springer – DH
Coby Mayo – DH
Sean Keys – 1B
Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Samuel Basallo – C
Josh Smith – LF
Rece Hinds – RF
Andres Gimenez – SS
Colton Cowser – CF
Ernie Clement – 2B
Jose Barrero – 2B
Trey Yesavage – RHP
Shane Baz – RHP
Go Jays Go (if you play).
Detroit’s Comerica Park is now going to be Fifth Third Park (the dumbest sounding name in baseball).
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 19: Daylen Lile #4 of the Washington Nationals celebrates with CJ Abrams #5 after hitting a home run in the first inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
We are in the last week of the season. The Nats only have six more games until the 2026 season is over. This road series in Detroit will be the last one of the season. It is crazy that it is almost over. Spring Training still feels like yesterday but here we are.
With a righty on the mound, the Nats have a lot of lefties at the top of the lineup. Abimelec Ortiz will be hitting third at first base. Daylen Lile will be the DH today which means James Wood is in left, Jacob Young is in center and Dylan Crews is in right. Jorbit Vivas plays second which moves CJ Abrams to short. DJ Herz will be on the mound for the first time since 2024 in this contest. Welcome back DJ!
The Tigers are loading up on right handed bats tonight. Riley Greene will be the only lefty in the lineup for AJ Hinch. Javier Baez will actually be playing center field in this one. The long time infielder has been playing more outfield the past couple of years. River Ryan was a major piece in the Tarik Skubal trade at the deadline. The 28 year old prospect has nasty stuff but has struggled to stay healthy. He is on the mound in this one.
This pitching matchup should be an exciting one. Both of these guys have good stuff but have not been available much. They are on the mound tonight though. Each of them are making their season debut. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Interim Manager Chad Tracy #17 of the Boston Red Sox walks through the tunnel before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 18, 2026 at at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On June 25, the Red Sox were 32-46. The season looked over. Most people had stopped paying attention, and that was a reasonable call.
They ended up becoming the first team in MLB history to lose 46 of their first 78 games and still finish above .500. The 15-game win streak in July—which tied the all-time franchise record—was the moment that flipped it, but it wasn’t just that. Then came August. Then came September. Even with all the ups and downs. They went from 14 games under .500 to 14 games above .500 in 62 days. The only team in MLB history to do it faster was the 1914 Miracle Boston Braves, who got there in 60 days and then swept the World Series.
That’s the company this team is keeping. That’s the thing you just watched.
They clinched it Sunday despite losing 5-1 to Tampa, thanks to the Astros losing to Atlanta. The magic number hit zero in a visiting clubhouse, against a team that seemingly has the division all wrapped up. Back-to-back postseason berths for the first time since the 2016-2018 run. 85-72. Wild card.
How vindicated must Craig Breslow feel? After firing Alex Cora and crew in late April, NO ONE had any hope this team could do anything. They changed the entire ethos around this ballclub in one fell swoop and are actually starting to accomplish the mission Breslow came to Boston to achieve: sustained success.
The October questions are coming—lineup depth, roster decisions, whether this group can actually win a series when it matters. All of it. But that’s not what today is. This week is for the people who were still watching in June when this looked done.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 14: Dylan Beavers #12 of the Baltimore Orioles makes a catch during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Monday, September 14, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Phebe Grosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Update: The Orioles announced that tonight’s game willstart in a delay. The team said it would announce updates as they become available.
The Orioles postseason hopes have all but vanished, but they’ll still play the remainder of their schedule. Nobody can blame you if you’ve checked out on this disappointing season. But if you’re reading this now, you’re probably down to watch a few more baseball games while you still can.
Shane Baz will take the mound hoping for some late season run support. He’ll need to get it from a lineup that features Rece Hinds in right field and José Barrero at second base. Barrero is a career .182 hitter over five seasons (161 games). Tonight will mark his Orioles debut.
Dylan Beavers will leadoff and play left field. Pete Alonso (first base) and Gunnar Henderson (shortstop) will follow. Coby Mayo will bat fourth and DH against Toronto starter Trey Yesavage.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand will hit fifth and play third base. Samuel Basallo will catch Baz, and center fielder Colton Cowser will round out the lineup with Hinds and Barrero.
The Orioles (75-81) can only finish .500 this year. They would clinch a second-consecutive losing season with a loss today.
BALTIMORE – Dylan Cease will not require surgery on his balky right shoulder, leaving the Toronto starting pitcher free to build back up over the off-season and follow up his Cy Young-caliber campaign with another good season in 2027.
The bad news is that Cease likely won’t have a reason to return in 2026.
Cease said Monday, Sept. 21 that an MRI and other examinations determined inflammation in his shoulder, a relief to pitcher and club after he left his last start in the third inning with shoulder discomfort amid diminished velocity.
Cease, in the first season of a seven-year, $210 million contract, said his shoulder first felt funny as he warmed up for a July 25 start against Boston. He threw a one-hit shutout, striking out 12 that night, part of a 10-start run in which he posted a 1.89 ERA, struck out 89 in 62 innings and posted a 5-0 record.
But all the while, his velocity was diminishing. During his Friday start at Texas, the discomfort proved untenable. He walked six in 2 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, one earned, in an 11-6 loss at Texas.
“The velocity being down has been a little concerning but at the same time, I was getting outs,” says Cease. “It wasn’t anything too scary. Nothing about it feels like I need surgery. I was never really panicked or worried. Just more of an inconvenience that I couldn’t maximize my best self.
“The last couple starts, velo kept going down and down and then command – that last one, it almost felt like I was hurting the team.”
The Blue Jays lost both Cease’s start and the next night at Texas, two defeats that were likely the fatal blows to their wild card hopes. Manager John Schneider said Monday that the club will assess both Cease’s health and the relevance of their final three games against Cincinnati at Rogers Centre to determine if he’ll pitch.
“Him feeling better, with this time down, and feeling like himself and obviously the game meaning a lot,” says Schneider of the necessary conditions for a Cease return. “If those two things line up, hopefully he’ll be good to go.”
Toronto enters a three-game series at Baltimore with a 77-79 record, three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final wild card, though the White Sox hold the tiebreaker so the deficit is effectively four games.
The Blue Jays do hold the tiebreaker over the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, who lead them by 3 1/2 games, but their elimination number is three entering Monday.
Cease, 30, is enjoying the first All-Star season of his career. His 239 strikeouts in 169 innings have boosted him to atop the AL leaderboard in strikeouts per nine innings, at 12.7. His 2.40 ERA ranks second to Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler and he leads the AL in fielding independent pitching (2.55).
SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants’ final homestand of the 2026 MLB season started with positive feelings on the position player side, but another injury on the pitching side.
Behind a top prospect and an outfielder who has made a second-half statement, they got a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. The victory was the 65th of the season and guaranteed that the Giants would come up short of their 98 losses in 2017, their most since moving to Third and King.
A debut always brings some buzz, and Bo Davidson’s brought a little extra to Oracle Park. The organization’s top outfield prospect singled in his first at-bat and got a standing ovation. That hit helped ignite an early two-run rally, and Drew Gilbert tacked on two more in the second with a single. Gilbert’s homer in the fifth made it 5-1 and continued a breakout second half for the young outfielder.
The good vibes dissipated quite a bit in the fourth when Blade Tidwell became the latest Giants starter to come out of the game with an injury, but the bullpen continued his good work, with Tristan Beck, Sam Hentges and Jason Foley getting the lead to Trent Harris, who picked up his second save.
Not Again …
Tidwell’s 57th pitch was a sweeper, and he grimaced as it left his hand. He immediately waved his glove at the dugout, and a minute later he was headed back to the clubhouse with a member of the training staff.
Blade Tidwell came out of the game with a trainer after appearing to suffer an injury pic.twitter.com/UcRkHUOQsq
The injury came at a time when Tidwell was continuing to show that he should get an opportunity to be in the mix next season. He had four strikeouts and had allowed just one run over 3 1/3 innings, continuing the progress he made last week in St. Louis, when he allowed two earned over 6 2/3 innings.
If that was the end of his season — and it certainly looked like it was — Tidwell made 16 appearances, including eight starts in the second half. He posted a 4.45 ERA and 4.74 FIP, with 46 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings.
The Giants already have lost young starters Hayden Birdsong, Carson Whisenhunt and Trevor McDonald to elbow injuries this season. Birdsong is the only one who is considered an option for 2027.
The Debut
Davidson joined a pretty cool list before he ever swung the bat. He became the first Giant since Dan Gladden in 1983 to bat third in his MLB debut, and just the sixth over the past 75 years. Two of the others are Willie Mays and Willie McCovey.
When Davidson did swing the bat, it was ferocious. He took a huge cut at a 95 mph fastball from right-hander Zebby Matthews and then battled for several minutes before driving the ninth pitch of the at-bat into right field. Davidson immediately stole second, which allowed him to score on Brett Harris’ single.
With that sequence, Davidson became the first Giant since Johnny Vergez to get a hit, a stolen base and a run in his big league debut. He grounded out in his next two at-bats and then struck out.
The Debut, Part II
The Giants and Marcelo Mayer wanted the infielder to get on the field before the end of the year, but the calendar didn’t help. The Triple-A season ended on Sunday while Mayer was finishing his rehab from a foot injury. He went in the lineup — and the cleanup spot — Monday without a rehab assignment, and he had not taken live at-bats since Aug. 18 with the River Cats.
Mayer looked predictably rusty, striking out in all four of his at-bats. The plan is to get him a few games this week at DH so he feels a bit more comfortable heading into the offseason. At the moment, the Giants envision him as a strong option to start at second base in 2027.
Entering the final week of the regular season, the Dodgers more or less know their postseason fate.
They’ve locked up the National League West. They are a seemingly safe four games clear of the Atlanta Braves for a first-round bye. And, unless they can close a two-game gap on the Milwaukee Brewers without holding the tiebreaker, they will finish as the NL’s No. 2 seed, getting home-field advantage at least for the NL Division Series.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a 10-4 win over the San Francisco Giants with Mookie Betts at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. Getty ImagesLos Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, left, pitcher Tarik Skubal, middle, and manager Dave Roberts celebrate after clinching the National League West title after a game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Thus, the real intrigue for now is who might be on the Dodgers’ postseason roster when the playoffs begin next month.
This year, injuries and fluctuating performances have forced them to cycle 53 different players through their clubhouse.
And while the core of the group is clear, many questions remain about how the club will construct its lineup and pitching staff for this fall’s pursuit of a third-straight World Series.
Here is the California Post’s best guess about how it will all shake out.
Lineup locks
Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, Tommy Edman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, Shohei Ohtani, Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, Hunter Feduccia
Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker have cemented their place as everyday hitters thanks to late-season surges. Andy Pages is due back on Tuesday from a fractured hand. Freddie Freeman still seems somewhat limited by his right knee injury, but has nonetheless been able to manage it well enough to this point. And while Tommy Edman has been slumping lately, he doesn’t seem to be in immediate danger of losing at-bats.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers works out before a game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Getty Images
On the bench, Hunter Feduccia has locked up the back-up catching job, and could be a left-handed hitting option as a pinch-hitter. Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas, meanwhile, each provide versatile defensive depth, as well as extensive track records for postseason heroics when called upon.
Entering the final week of the regular season, the core of the Dodgers’ position player group looks as they expected.
Dodgers Lineup questions
Bubble candidates: Josue De Paula, Dalton Rushing, Alex Call, Alex Freeland, Hyeseong Kim
The Dodgers will still have one, if not two, position player spots to fill depending on how they construct their roster (i.e. an even 13 pitchers/13 hitters, or a 12/14 split like they used last year?)
And for those, they could have a number of difficult decisions.
Josue de Paula (95) of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting a double during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Getty Images
If he does, it will likely be as a left-handed bench bat; though if there is any lingering uncertainty with Ohtani, he could also provide insurance as a backup DH option. His main competition right now figures to be Alex Call (who might be redundant to Rojas and Hernández as a right-handed bench bat) or Dalton Rushing (who is an intriguing alternative as a left-handed bat, but remains sidelined from the setback he suffered with his elbow injury earlier this month).
In just 10 MLB games, De Paula has quickly built a strong case, showing supreme plate discipline (10 walks to only four strikeouts) and the potential for power (three doubles, one home run, seven RBIs). At this point, it might be more of a surprise if he doesn’t make it.
If the Dodgers elect to carry an extra position player on top of that, the choices are even more varied.
Last year, they rostered two base-running/defensive specialists throughout the playoffs in infielder Hyeseong Kim and outfielder Justin Dean. Dean is now gone, and Hernández could serve as a late-game defensive outfield replacement anyway. But Kim remains in consideration, manager Dave Roberts said, thanks to his speed and infield glove. Alex Freeland could also factor in here, as someone capable of providing more at the plate.
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Hyeseong Kim (6) hits a sacrifice fly for center fielder Andy Pages (44) to score during the bottom of the fifth inning of a game against the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Friday, April 10, 2026. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
Lineup projection for Los Angeles
C: Will Smith
1B: Freddie Freeman
2B: Tommy Edman
SS: Mookie Betts
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Teoscar Hernández
CF: Andy Pages
RF: Kyle Tucker
DH: Shohei Ohtani
Bench: Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, Hunter Feduccia, Josue De Paula, Hyeseong Kim*
The Dodgers’ starting rotation is set, assuming no further setbacks with Blake Snell’s groin injury. The back end of the bullpen has come into focus, too, with Tanner Scott and/or Roki Sasaki the most logical candidates to serve as closer, and Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips separating themselves as the team’s next most-trusted high-leverage relief options.
Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. Getty Images
The only real question here is how the Dodgers will line up the rotation. Yamamoto-Skubal would make sense for Games 1 and 2 of a division series (keeping them both on-line for a potential Game 5). But could Tyler Glasnow’s potential issues with traveling tempt the Dodgers to use him primarily at home, if they can? All factors to consider in the coming weeks.
Pitching staff questions
Roster bubble candidates: Brock Stewart, Edwin Díaz, Blake Treinen, Kris Bubic, Jack Dreyer, Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, Edgardo Henriquez, Will Klein, Eric Lauer
The first thing the Dodgers need to figure out here is health.
Edgardo Henriquez will almost certainly be on the playoff roster, and pitching in a high-leverage role, if he can make a full recovery from his recent back strain. Will Klein and Eric Lauer might also be available health-wise, though lack clear roles to step immediately back into.
Otherwise, the Dodgers will effectively have at least four open spots for six to seven other pitchers.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Edwin Diaz (3) celebrates the third out and an 8-2 win over the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Friday, September 18, 2026. Getty Images
For added right-handed depth, they might be deciding between Brock Stewart (who has been a go-to weapon against right-handed hitters recently), Edwin Díaz (who is trying to salvage his dismal debut season, and did throw a pair of scoreless outings this weekend) and Blake Treinen (who has curiously pitched only five times in three weeks since being activated from the injured list, and not in the highest of leverage).
For another left-handed option, they could go with Kris Bubic (the trade deadline acquisition who has impressed with three scoreless appearances since returning from an injury) or Jack Dreyer (who was one of the Dodgers’ best relievers from June to August, but has given up five runs in his last seven outings).
There are many permutations that the Dodgers could employ depending on opponent. They’re still figuring out the exact hierarchy of all their bullpen arms, too.
But as long as their rotation is dominant, everything else should take care of itself.
TULSA, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 19: Josue de Paula #55 of the Tulsa Drillers swings the bat during a game against the Arkansas Travelers at ONEOK Field on April 19, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula has become major league stretch-run contributor over the last week and a half. But that followed a wonderful season in Double-A Tulsa, and on Monday he was named Texas League MVP.
De Paula with the Drillers hit .303/.401/.547 with a 145 wRC+, 27 home runs, 37 doubles, 106 runs scored, 104 RBI, and 31 stolen bases in 124 games. He set career highs across the board, including more than doubling his previous marks for home runs (previous high of 12) and extra-base hits (66, up from 30).
He led the league in runs scored, RBI, hits, doubles, and was in top five in the league in OPS, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, batting average, home runs, stolen bases, total bases (274), and extra-base hits.
De Paula hasn’t stopped producing since getting his first call-up to the majors, reaching base 18 times in 38 trips to the plate with his 10 walks more than doubling his four strikeouts, hitting .286/.474/.500 with three doubles and a home run in his first 10 games in the majors.
Eric Wedge was named Texas League manager of the year, the fifth Tulsa Drillers manager to capture the award, and the first since Tim Ireland in 2002 when Tulsa was a Texas Rangers affiliate. This honor comes 19 years after Wedge won American League manager of the year with Cleveland in 2007.
