SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers looks on between innings of a baseball game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning.
Kennedi Landry writes about Jack Leiter hoping to bounce back from a flukish injury that started what became a lost season for the young righty.
In today’s Sebastian Walcott update, FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen checks out the prospects at the Arizona Fall League where Walcott has looked like the cream of the crop in the desert.
And, after a victory last night to go up 3-0, Thad Levine’s Brewers will have four shots at winning one more game against Jon Daniels’ Rays to join most recently the Rangers in winning the first World Series in franchise history.
When ranking the Mets' offseason needs, finding an ace to front a promising young rotation is right at the top. Beyond that, New York still has a glaring hole at first base, which they should aim to fill with a legitimate offensive upgrade to their in-house options.
But while the rotation and first base might be 1A and 1B on the Mets' checklist, rebuilding the bullpen isn't far behind.
The Mets' relief corps was a strength in 2026, both before and after the trade deadline sell-off that saw four late-inning arms (two pending free agents, two players under team control beyond 2026) shipped off.
Overall in 2026, New York's bullpen ERA was 3.76, which ranked 10th in MLB and was just a tick below the Dodgers (3.74 ERA).
Of the nine teams who finished with a better bullpen ERA than the Mets, eight of them reached the postseason, with the Brewers (No. 3) making it all the way to the World Series.
So New York clearly has something to build on. And for all of David Stearns' missteps in 2026, he deserves credit for building a strong bullpen ahead of the season and pressing the right buttons to keep it humming even after so many key members were traded.
Still, there are big questions when it comes to who will be closing games in 2027, whether Kodai Senga will be a factor in relief, and which relievers who shined down the stretch can be counted on.
Who are the Mets' bullpen options for 2027, and how should they proceed? Let's break it down...
The Internal Options
If you had to list pitchers who are guaranteed to be in the bullpen -- assuming everyone is healthy -- on Opening Day of 2027, there would probably just be one name on the list: Devin Williams.
There are other likely members, including Daniel Duarte and Austin Warren (who are both out of minor league options).
Left-hander Nate Lavender, who excelled down the stretch this season in what was his first taste of the majors, also feels like close to a lock.
Senga acclimated well when he was shifted to a late-inning relief role this past season, and his fastball/forkball combination played up. But his preference is to start. Beyond that, it is fair to wonder whether his health would hold up over a full season of short-relief usage, and whether he's suited for the role given his meticulous routines.
Reed Garrett could be a key cog if he's back healthy, which is the expectation after he spent the last year-plus recovering from Tommy John surgery. But he hasn't pitched in a big league game since September of 2025.
Dedniel Núñez, who emerged as a late-game arm in 2024 and missed 2025 after having TJS, rounded into form after returning last season and was very impressive -- posting a 3.32 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 19 innings. While he figures to be a key part of the bullpen next season, he has minor league options remaining, meaning New York could possibly start him in the minors if there's a roster crunch.
Lefty Cionel Perez is an interesting case, since he's arbitration-eligible and out of minor league options. During a nine-year career with the Orioles, Astros, Reds, Nationals, and Mets, Perez has shown enough to keep getting chances. He had a terrific season for Baltimore in 2022 (1.40 ERA in 57.2 innings) and was also good for the O's in 2023 (3.54 ERA in 53.1 innings), but it's been tough sledding since then. Over the last three years, Perez has a 5.30 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 120.2 innings.
However, Perez was solid for the Mets in 24 appearances over 29.1 innings in 2026, with a 3.99 ERA (3.75 FIP) and 1.33 WHIP while walking just 2.5 per nine and striking out 10.7 per nine.
Perez also has a fastball that can touch close to 99 mph, so perhaps the Mets roll the dice and see if they can unlock what made him a key cog for the Orioles a few years ago.
Then there's Tobias Myers, who had an up-and-down season in 2026, but could be an option as a long reliever.
Elsewhere on the 40-man roster are depth options such as Jonathan Pintaro, Justin Hagenman, and Jefry Yan -- a hard-throwing lefty whom Stearns spoke highly of after the season.
Minor leaguers who could possibly contribute in 2027 include hard throwers Dylan Ross and Ryan Lambert.
Adrian Morejon / Imagn Images via Reuters Connect/Envato Elements/SNY Treated Image
The External Options
The Mets have enough intriguing bullpen depth on the roster that wholesale changes aren't needed. But it can be argued that they should be targeting a closer.
That's because as dominant as Williams can be at times, he is coming off back-to-back subpar seasons.
Spanning 2025 (with the Yankees) and 2026, Williams has posted a 4.65 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 102.2 innings. In 2026, Williams' WHIP was an unsightly 1.57 as his hits per nine (9.5) and walks per nine (4.6) shot up, while his strikeout rate (11.4 per nine) dropped to its lowest level since his rookie season.
That Williams' FIP over the last two seasons is 2.83 suggests he has also been unlucky. But even with that being the case, he is about to be four years removed from his last full season of dominance, which came with the Brewers in 2023.
Over the last three years, Morejon has a 2.58 ERA (2.46 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP in 223.1 innings while striking out 248 (a rate of 10.0 per nine). A glance at Morejon's advanced stats via Baseball Savant suggests that his dominance should be sustainable. Meanwhile, his stuff -- primarily a two-seam fastball and four-seamer that both average a tick under 100 mph, and a changeup -- graded out near the top of the league.
If the Padres place the qualifying offer on Morejon, however, things could get complicated.
If New York turns to the free agent market for a reliever who profiles in the late innings but might not unseat Williams as the closer, Jonathan Loaisiga and Bryan Abreu stand out.
The Mets should also be on the lookout for an established left-hander, with Alex Vesia being among the best options.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: Francisco Lindor and Katia Reguero Lindor pose for a photo during the Roberto Clemente Award presentation prior to game three of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Francisco Lindor was named the recipient of the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, “the annual recognition of a Major League player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field” according to Major League Baseball. It is considered to be the league’s “most prestigious individual player honor.”
This was Lindor’s fourth time being nominated for the honor, and he becomes the fifth Met since 1971 to be recognized for the honor, and the first since Curtis Granderson in 2016.
Lindor reflected on what it meant to receive the Roberto Clemente Award.
Anthony DiComo looked at some Mets players who made their case for individual awards this season.
In their hunt to improve the team, the Mets should target pitching depth, argued Chelsea Janes.
In her piece, Janes revealed that Clay Holmes is open to a return to the Mets if the contract is right.
Kevin Long spoke to the Mets about a role on the coaching staff but is no longer being considered, as there was not a match between the two sides.
Cubs’ hitting coach John Mallee has also withdrawn his name from consideration for a role in New York, opting instead to stay in the Windy City.
The Mets did reportedly hire Mariano Duncan to the newly-created role of “Major League Coach”, which will Duncan most recently served as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies’ bench coach.
The Mets are holding their annual MetsGiving Food Drive on Thursday, November 12. Swing by Citi Field and donate 10+ non-perishable items to receive your voucher for two tickets to select 2027 home games.
Around the National League East
The Phillies have hired Peter Fatse as their hitting coach.
Spencer Nusbaum analyzed a pivotal offseason for the Nationals and what levers they may pull to boost their offense.
Around Major League Baseball
The Brewers blitzed the Rays 10-1 and now sit one win away from their first ever World Series title.
Milwaukee’s “drag ‘em” approach was on full display in a fifth inning in which they scored eight runs with two outs.
That unprecedent fifth inning was one of many ways the Brew Crew were rewriting the Fall Classic record books.
Jackson Churio became the youngest player to pick up four hits in a World Series game in at least 80 years.
Freddy Peralta made it clear that, while he enjoyed his time as a fan favorite in Milwaukee over the eight seasons, he still sees every opponent on competition.
The Rays are looking to Junior Caminero’s bat and leadership as they try to climb out of their World Series hole.
Joe Maddon took the hill before Game 3, and he called down to James Shields in the bullpen to throw out the first pitch.
Even though the Brewers may win the World Series, their formula may still lead them to trading away the players that helped get them there.
Despite turning down the Phillies’ job, Alex Cora did not rule out managing in 2027.
Micah Noe reviewed Hayden Senger’s 2026 season for the Mets.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1986, my parents celebrated their first wedding anniversary by watching (on TV) the Mets beat the Red Sox 8-5 to win the second World Series in franchise history.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 01: A view of a Atlanta Braves baseball cap in the dugout before the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today could potentially the last day of the 2026 season, which will be the case for each remaining game of the World Series after the Brewers dominated the Rays in Game 3. The Brewers are arguably on the verge of completing one of the most dominant postseason runs in recent memory, as they have only lost one game the entire postseason. The Rays will try to keep their season alive tonight in Tampa.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: A general view of the Savannah Bananas Show on Arthur Ashe Kids Day during the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Brad Penner/USTA via Getty Images) | USTA via Getty Images
The Savannah Bananas have taken the baseball world by storm with their wacky version of the game. On Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that the Bananas will have a two-game series next spring when the Dodgers are away in Washington to play the Nationals.
Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium will host the Bananas and the Firefighters for games on April 23-24. Enter into a drawing at bananaball.com/tickets by Oct 31 2026 by 8:59pm PST.
Additional details regarding game times and event information will be announced soon.
In other news in the baseball world, Andy McCullough of The Athletic says that for the Milwaukee Brewers to keep winning, they may trade away many of the players that got them there. That is the antithesis of what the Dodgers have been doing. The Brewers are close to winning their first World Series ever after making the NLCS last year.
In other roster news, the normally cranky Dylan Hernandez of the California Post says that the Dodgers could’ve used a player like Miguel Vargas on their team this year, and maybe going forward as the team needs to turn from it’s ‘old’ roster into using their deep farm system.
ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 27: The Boston Red Sox celebrate after winning game four of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 27, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 3-0 to win their first World Series in 86 years. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Hello and happy Tuesday everybody. Hope you’re doing well. Happy 22nd anniversary of Game 4 of the 2004 World Series: the night where the curse was officially reversed!
Who needs to talk about the Brewers being on the brink of a title when we already did that 22 years ago and when we can take a trip down memory lane?!
Where were you on this day in 2004?
Little 8-year-old me was at my home in Quincy with my mom. My dad was not at home; he was at Busch Stadium, the lucky jerk. I napped before the game to make sure I didn’t miss anything if that night was the night. When Foulke stabbed that ball before tossing it to Mientkiewicz, I was picked up and swung around living room like I was a goddamn ceiling fan. I remember waiting by the house phone waiting for a call from my old man—he said he would call if they won—for what felt like an eternity. It finally rang, and all I could hear was screaming for about two minutes before I could make out his voice (also screaming, of course). I can still remember it clearly.
Share how you celebrated 86 years of hurt being washed away in the comments below.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 06: A young fan of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on as a cownose stingray swims in the outfield Tampa Bay Rays Touch Experience prior to the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good Tuesday morning, Purple Row!
Colorado Rockies fans probably associate “Fishin’ in the Dark” with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and TJ Rumfield, the Gold Glove finalist who has selected the classic hit for his walk-up music.
But with the World Series headed to Game 4 down in Tampa Bay, which has actual fish onsite, it seems appropriate to turn our attention there. And in this scenario, the Milwaukee Brewers, with a 3-0 lead, are definitely doing the fishing.
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Kristie Ackert ranks the Rockies last. She notes improvement since 2025, but until the Rockies are able to address their issues with the rotation, their World Series odds are slim.
Ryan Spilborghs goes solo in this episode, and it’s worth your time. Seriously, if you don’t click on any other link, click on this one. In it, he views the proposed salary cap from the owners’ perspective and argues that it does not work; rather, a cap would shuffle money around. Spilborghs is clear, though: He’s on the side of neither the owners nor the players. Rather, he’s advocating for baseball.
The Penner Sports Group has expanded its portfolio to include a minority investment in Valencia CF. Worth noting, this is one of Spain’s most historic soccer clubs. And, apparently, some Denver Broncos fans aren’t happy about it.
One of the highlights of this year’s World Series coverage has been reading Michael Baumann for FanGraphs. In this article, Baumann examines why these two teams have been successful with a focus on player development.
Yesterday, MLB announced that Francisco Lindor has won this year’s Clemente Award. He is the fifth Puerto Rican player to receive this honor, and his list of initiatives is extensive.
This is a topic Jared Thomas mentioned in yesterday’s Rockpile. MLB is exploring the placement of outfielders in an attempt to increase the number of hits that drop during a game. Given that the Arizona Fall League has traditionally been one of MLB’s testing labs, it’s worth following this story.
If there’s a team that needs to be looking in the mirror this offseason, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies. One of their first moves is to hire the former Red Sox hitting coach, Peter Fatse.
Musical outro
And with that, I’ll turn it over to the Dirt Band.
Myself, I prefer “You Ain’t Going Nowhere,” but that’s probably a bad choice for walk-up music, so I’ll defer to TJ on this one.
Game 3 was an example of how the Brewers take one tiny advantage and turn it into victory. Seven straight hits in the fifth inning gave them an eight-run inning on their way to a 10-1 win. The World Series could end tonight.
I appreciate your reading.
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Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): How About Sonny Gray as a Veteran Rotation Option for the Cubs? “Fast-forward to October, and we’re on the cusp of free agency. There, Sonny Gray should be freely available, and the Cubs will have a chance to pursue the long-appreciated veteran righty.”
Brock Beauchamp (Diamond Centric): DiamondCentric’s 2026-2027 Top Free Agents, Ranked. “We offer the top 50 free agents, but over the coming weeks, that list will continue to grow until it’s well over 100 names.”
Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball): It Might Not Feel Like It, But the 2026 Cubs Had a Good Season. “Perception became the North Siders’ reality this year. Expectations drove a narrative that flipped the Cubs’ 2026 campaign into a failure in the minds of many fans. A closer look reveals it wasn’t one.”
Pure soul and blues power: The CD “Soul Serenade” released by the German-born guitarist Gregor Hilden in intense collaboration with the American singer blues and soul singer Johnny Rogers. It represents a captivating, grooving musical travelogue through black soul and R&B. Exciting vocals, guitar played with power and feeling, a diversity of saxophone parts and a strong, yet sensitive band are what make up this group. The arts section of the Frankfurter Rundschau daily and Jazz Podium both declared Hilden to be “probably Europe’s best blues guitarist.”
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 26: Garrett Mitchell #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with William Contreras #24 after scoring in the fifth inning during Game Three of the 2026 World Series presented by Capital One between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, October 26, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
To whoever said that you can’t rely on stringing together multiple hits to win a World Series game, I have a bridge to sell you. All joking aside, the Brewers just authored one of the most comprehensive offensive performances in a Fall Classic in recent memory, all without the ball leaving the yard. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third, but it was their eight-run fifth that represented likely the final nail in the Rays’ World Series coffin. Milwaukee annihilated the Rays at Tropicana Field, 10-1, to put themselves one win away from their first ever title and on the cusp of becoming the first team to sweep a Fall Classic since the Giants steamrolled the Tigers in 2012.
World Series Game 3
Milwaukee Brewers 10, Tampa Bay Rays 1
(Milwaukee leads, 3-0)
There has been something of a false narrative surrounding the Rays’ play in the business end of these playoffs. Many are quick to praise Tampa Bay’s sound fundamentals when that hasn’t exactly been the case against the Guardians nor indeed in the World Series against the Brewers. Case in point in the bottom of the first, Chandler Simpson reached on a fielder’s choice but then was caught stealing when he over-slid the bag at second to end the inning — already the fifth out on the base paths made by the Rays this series in just two games plus one inning.
They have also suffered a handful of game-altering defensive misplays or simply not converted certain difficult outs you’d still expect them make, and there was another impactful miscue in the third today. First, however, was one of the best defensive plays by either team this series. Simpson immediately atoned for getting thrown out by making an astonishing catch in the second. Garrett Mitchell drew a leadoff walk and Sal Frelick lifted a deep fly ball down the left field line for what looked like a certain RBI double, but Simpson covered a ton of ground before securing the catch and crashing full speed into the wall just to the right of the foul pole.
But then in the third, Chourio lined a first pitch curveball for a one-out single to give him a multi-hit effort in all three World Series games so far. Jake Bauers followed with a five pitch walk to put a pair on for Christian Yelich, the Brewers captain muscling a humpback liner the other way to left for an RBI single to open the scoring. William Contreras then lined a first-pitch heater the other way, and a momentary lapse in concentration from right fielder Victor Mesa Jr. saw the ball clang off his glove as he went to gather, allowing Chourio to score from second (though Contreras did get tagged out in no man’s land between first and second.)
Despite retiring the side in order in the fourth, by the fifth it became clear that Peralta’s command was gone, 35 of his eventual 87 pitches on the outing getting called balls. This came to a head in that fifth inning, where the Brewers strung together one of the most impressive rallies in recent World Series memory. He issued a one-out single to Chourio and then loaded the bases with two outs thanks to a walk of Yelich and an infield single by Contreras. That spelled the end of his start, Kevin Cash calling on Cam Booser as the first arm out of the Rays bullpen.
Booser’s is one of the most inspiring comeback stories in MLB today, retiring in his 20s before returning to pitch almost a decade in the minor believing his shot in the Show would come. This made it all the more inspiring that the 34-year-old southpaw entered this game having not allowed a run in seven postseason appearances as the Rays’ main setup man, but it all went sideways in a manner emblematic of the Rays punching above their weight all year long only to come crashing back to Earth this series.
Brice Turang came up with the bases loaded and clubbed a sharp grounder off Taylor Walls’ glove at short — again, a tough play but one you would expect the Rays infielder to make — allowing Chourio and Yelich to score. Garrett Mitchell and Cooper Pratt then both ambushed first-pitch fastballs from Booser, Mitchell’s going for an RBI single and Pratt’s going for a two-run double. Frelick followed with a double of his own to plate Pratt and chase Booser from the game without the reliever having recorded an out. Cole Sulser was the next man out of Tampa’s ‘pen and the hit parade continued. David Hamilton lined a single to center to score Frelick and Chourio doubled his fourth hit in as many ABs to bring the speedster Hamilton home all the way from first. By the time the dust had settled, the Brewers had sent 12 men to the plate and hung an eight-spot on the board (the most two-out runs in an inning in World Series history), all ten of their runs scoring without the aid of the long ball from the team that had hit the most home runs in this postseason.
Much was made of the Rays unlocking Peralta after acquiring him from the Mets at the deadline, particularly the historic 2.5 mph jump in fastball velocity in the playoffs, but all that velocity doesn’t count for much if you can’t throw the ball over the plate. He ended his outing having given up five runs on seven hits and three walks before Booser allowed a hit to all four batters he faced to put four runs on his card.
While all this was going on, the story could not have been more different for the Brewers starter. Robert Gasser amazed with his five scoreless innings against the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLCS to earn the opportunity to make a start in the World Series. The 27-year-old rookie reprised that gem with an even more spectacular performance tonight.
Following a leadoff single by Yandy Díaz in the first, Gasser set down the next 15 batters he faced in order. Unlike the Brewers, the Rays showed zero intention of working deep counts, and Gasser was able to leverage this to his advantage. Many of his first pitches were off-speed or breaking offering just outside of the zone, close enough to tempt the Rays to chase resulting in a lot of harmless contact early in counts. His fastball may only operate in the low-90s, but with more precise command and sequencing than Peralta Gasser kept the Rays lineup completely off balance.
His streak of 15 in a row retired ended with a walk by Mesa to lead off the sixth, but Gasser erased that base runner three pitches later by getting Nick Fortes to ground into a double play. He threw just five pitches in the second, eleven in the third, nine in the fourth, and 13 in the sixth to leave him with plenty of gas left in the tank, but with a ten-run lead there was little incentive to push things further, instead presenting Milwaukee an opportunity to get some game time for relievers who hadn’t pitched much this postseason including the longest-tenured Brewer, Brandon Woodruff. Gasser ended his outing having pitched six scoreless, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three on 75 pitches.
Mesa would be the Rays’ last base runner until the ninth, Antonio Senzatela pitching a perfect seventh and eighth before Woodruff wrapped up the final frame — a special moment for a veteran pitcher who has missed significant portions of the last four seasons with major arm injuries. He allowed a run on a one-out single from Cedric Mullins and an RBI double from Díaz to put a bow on the Brewers’ comprehensive victory, 10-1.
Milwaukee can complete the sweep tomorrow night at The Trop, which would cap off one of the most one-sided playoff runs in history, the Brewers 10-1 overall this postseason after tonight’s rout in Game 3. First pitch of Game 4 is scheduled for 8:00 pm ET, though neither team has announced a starter at the time of writing.
TALKING STICK, AZ - OCTOBER 06: Justin Lamkin #47 of the Surprise Saguaros pitches during the game between the Surprise Saguaros and the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Talking Stick, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Lamkin was nothing short of perfect in his latest gem for Surprise. The 2025 No. 71 overall pick retired 13 consecutive batters before exiting in the fifth. During the start, Lamkin showcased his newly developed curveball, which accounted for three of his four strikeouts and has been a weapon so far in the desert. The 22-year-old had posted a 2.04 ERA and an 0.93 WHIP through seven starts prior to injuring his throwing shoulder in late May. Back on the field this fall, Lamkin has been back to his stingy ways and has allowed just one run on one hit over his past 8 1/3 frames spanning two outings.
I reject all discourse about the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This song is fun and this music video is fun. Your song of the day is RHCP with The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie.
Colby Shelton brought the boom against Mesa, crushing his second AFL homer and driving in four. | (Arizona Fall League/Instagram)
The Arizona Fall League is underway, and Chicago has eight prospects in the Grand Canyon State, headlined by Caleb Bonemer, 3B/SS/OF (No. 2/MLB No. 27). Rounding out the crew are Mathias LaCombe, RHP (No. 17); Colby Shelton, INF (No. 23); Nick Altermatt, RHP; Jonathan Clark, RHP; Grant Magill, C; Tommy Vail, LHP and Garrett Wright, RHP.
The team added Vail after Pierce George, RHP (No. 18), suffered an olecranon fracture in his pitching elbow. While it sounds like an awful injury, he is expected to participate in 2027 Spring Training. Anthony DePino, INF (No. 21), was also originally on the Dogs roster, but instead underwent shoulder surgery. He should also be ready for spring.
The White Sox prospects are suiting up for the Glendale Desert Dogs (5-13), sharing the dugout with hopefuls from the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago ties Los Angeles for sending the most Top 30 prospects (five) to the AFL.
Peoria Javelinas 3, Glendale Desert Dogs 0 (10/21/26 — 6 innings) The rain put an early end to this one, but the Dogs’ bats never really got started in a 3-0 loss to Peoria. Both teams managed four hits before the game was called after the sixth, but Glendale’s were all singles, with three coming in the second inning and nothing to show for them. Shelton had one of those knocks, finishing 1-for-2 with a strikeout. After a red-hot start to the fall, Bonemer cooled off just a bit, going 0-for-3 with two Ks, while Magill went 0-for-2 with a punchout.
Glendale Desert Dogs 10, Mesa Solar Sox 0 (10/22/26) For once, the Desert Dogs were doing the trampling, piling up 10 runs on 14 hits in a shutout of Mesa. Apparently, Bonemer heard me talking about his bat cooling off and took it personally, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and finishing a double shy of the cycle. His triple to center came off the bat at 106.9 mph.
Magill added a 1-for-4 night, while Shelton went 0-for-3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. Chicago’s pitching prospects kept up their fall dominance, with Altermatt, Clark and LaCombe each tossing a hitless, scoreless frame. Altermatt and Clark supplied the punchout party, fanning two and three, respectively.
Glendale Desert Dogs 5, Scottsdale Scorpions 4 (10/24/26 — 8 innings) Bonemer’s AFL farewell was quiet at the plate, but his final numbers should make Sox fans feel pretty good about their No. 2 overall prospect. The 21-year-old went 0-for-2 with two free passes and a K in the Dog’s 5-4 win. He wrapped up 13 games with a .286/.364/.633 slash line, a .996 OPS and three homers over 55 plate appearances, and finished tied for the league lead in extra-base hits (nine) and second in total bases (31). The assignment’s main mission was outfield work, and he got it: eight games in center, three in left, and one in right. There were a couple of adventures along the way, including his lone error in the opener and a fly lost in the sun later on, but the reps were the point. Bonemer was the only Chicago hitter to see action in the win.
On the mound, Wright put his spotless ERA through a stress test. A leadoff single in the seventh was erased by a catcher pickoff, but a walk, single and another walk loaded the bases. Wright punched out the next batter before handing the mess to Cristhian Tortosa, who struck out the final hitter to keep Wright’s 0.00 AFL ERA intact. Vail also joined the fall fun, working a hitless, scoreless inning with one walk and three Ks in his debut.
Mesa Solar Sox 13, Glendale Desert Dogs 12 (10/26/26) Shelton kept his strong fall rolling, but the Dogs came up just short in a 13-12 slugfest. The 23-year-old went 3-for-4 with a walk, four RBIs and two runs scored, including his second AFL blast. His three-run round-tripper gave Glendale a 4-3 lead in the first, and his RBI single in the seventh pulled the Dogs within one. That was as close as they would get, though, as Mesa held on for the win.
The Milwaukee Brewers are just one win away from clinching their first-ever franchise championship, putting pressure on the Tampa Bay Rays as they head into a do-or-die matchup at Tropicana Field on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The Rays, looking to keep their championship hopes alive, are turning to franchise legend Evan Longoria for inspiration, as he is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The iconic third baseman was selected third overall by the Rays in the 2006 draft. During his decade-long tenure with Tampa Bay from 2008 to 2017, Longoria collected numerous accolades and consistently delivered standout performances both at the plate and in the field.
His impressive resume includes being named the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year, earning three All-Star selections and capturing Gold Glove Awards in 2009, 2010, and 2017 for his impressive defense. Longoria also finished sixth in AL MVP voting in both 2010 and 2013, and he claimed a Silver Slugger Award in 2009.
Longoria’s legacy is also cemented in Rays history. He is honored with a statue outside Gate 4 at Tropicana Field, commemorating his iconic celebration after hitting a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of the final regular-season game in 2011, a moment that propelled Tampa Bay into the postseason.
Now, the Rays find themselves facing an uphill battle, trailing the series 3-0 after the Brewers dominated Game 3 with a commanding 10-1 victory. With their championship hopes hanging by a thread, Tampa Bay will look to rally as they fight to keep their World Series dreams alive.
How will this year's World Series play out? Using the Dynasty League Baseball online simulation, USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner and DLB designer Mike Cieslinski will pre-play each game to provide some insight into the key matchups and strategy fans can expect to see in the Fall Classic.
Game 4 in a best-of-seven series is frequently an outlier, especially when it comes to pitching strategy.
Teams may have two, sometimes three good starting pitchers. But what do they do when it's too early to bring back their ace?
In Game 4 of USA TODAY Sports' annual Simulated World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers turned to an old war horse, veteran Brandon Woodruff. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays chose to go with an opener in lefty Ian Seymour, with right-hander Griffin Jax waiting in the wings.
But pitching strategy ultimately took a back seat to the Brewers' bats as Milwaukee slugged four homers to back Woodruff's outstanding outing in a 9-1 rout.
Rays vs Brewers World Series Game 4 simulation
With three close games packed with stellar pitching already in the books, Game 4 started off in much the same way.
Through four innings, both teams could only manage a first-inning run apiece. Milwaukee jumped on top quickly with Jackson Chourio stroking a leadoff single and coming around to score on Jake Bauers' RBI double. Tampa Bay countered in the bottom of the frame with a solo homer by Jonathan Aranda.
But as Woodruff began to find his groove, the Brewers slowly took control. Joey Ortiz blasted a home run down the left field line off Jax that just managed to stay fair to give his team a 2-1 lead. Garrett Mitchell launched a solo shot of his own to right field in the sixth to double the lead.
And then Bauers blew the game open in the top of the seventh with a mammoth two-run, upper-deck homer to left center that measured an astounding 501 feet to make it 5-1.
Cooper Pratt contributed an RBI single and Ortiz added his second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the eighth, to complete the scoring.
Woodruff, who was just activated for the World Series after missing most of the regular season with shoulder inflammation, looked in early-season form, allowing just three hits over seven innings and striking out seven.
Meanwhile, the Rays hit into three double plays and never had a runner in scoring position until the ninth inning when the game was out of hand.
▶ Wither Woodruff. The Brewers have no idea what they might get out of their former ace, who hasn't pitched in a game since July 4 and was expected to undergo season-ending surgery in August. They added Woodruff to the World Series roster, but would they throw him out there in a pressure-packed situation like this?
Instead, the Brewers could turn to rookie left-hander Shane Drohan, who posted a 4.19 ERA in 124 2/3 innings over 19 starts and 14 relief appearances. Dustin May or lefty Kyle Harrison are also possibilities, as is the dreaded "bullpen game."
▶ Jax to open? The Rays pioneered the concept of using an opener to face the top of an opponent's lineup to start the game. While right-hander Griffin Jax performed well after being converted from a reliever to a starter midway through the season, the Rays do have the option of starting a lefty reliever to try and neutralize the left-handed bats of Brice Turang, Jake Bauers, Christian Yelich and Garrett Mitchell − and have Jax come in to give them bulk innings afterward.
In Sim Series Game 4, the pairing of Seymour (2⅓ IP, 2H, 1 ER) with Jax (4 IP, 7 K) worked reasonably well until the Brewers started hitting the ball out of the park
▶ Matchup plays. There wasn't a whole lot of strategy in a 9-1 blowout, but the Rays decision to start Seymour did result in the Brewers slotting right-handed hitting Andrew Vaughn as the DH in place of Yelich. Vaughn (a .336/.421/.517 hitter vs. lefties during the regular season) went 2-for-4 in this game and scored a run. Yelich would have been a valuable lefty bat off the bench, but he wasn't needed.
▶ Saving the bullpens. The Game 4 blowout gave both bullpens some much-needed rest, especially with a third game in three days coming up. Both managers will need to have one eye on the availability of their best relievers for the following day if they choose to bring them in during Game 4.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: Antonio Senzatela #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers acknowledges the crowd during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the 2026 World Series at Tropicana Field on October 26, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters!
The World Series is rolling on, and it’s starting to look like the Rays just can’t hang with the Brewers. The first two games were close, both one-run wins for the Brewers. But that changed last night in a big way. The Brewers had scored double digits by the fifth inning, fueled by eight two-out runs in the fifth. They went on to win 10-1.
Not only was the Rays’ pitching unable to contain the Brewers’ offense, but their own offense was unable to get anything going. They had no hits in innings two through eight! And their defense has looked much worse than I’d expect of a team that made it this far. Last night, they did not look like a team good enough for the World Series. They did look like a team that lost the season series to the Orioles.
One nice thing about the Rays being down 10-0 was that we got to see Cedric Mullins and Jorge Mateo as back-to-back pinch hitters in the ninth. Mullins got the team’s second hit, an infield single. Mateo struck out.
So now the Rays are down 3-0, and the Brewers have a shot at a win tomorrow if they can dispatch the Rays as easily as they did last night. I’m not hoping for a sweep. I want more baseball! Hopefully the Rays can figure out how to win and keep this thing going for a while longer.
If you watched the game last night, you probably noticed the crowd roaring when the Brewers did anything good. It almost felt like a Brewers’ home game. That’s because the tickets for the World Series in Milwaukee this year are the highest-priced tickets in World Series history. Those baseball fans are starved for a championship and are willing to pay for it.
According to The Athletic, the average ticket price for game one in Milwaukee was $2,338. For game three in Tampa? $556. That has Brewers fans flocking for Florida, where the baseball teams are notorious for small crowd sizes.
That article got me wondering how much I would be willing to pay to see the Orioles in the World Series. Would I pay $2,338 for one ticket? I honestly can’t say. Logically, I can’t fathom spending that much money on one ticket to anything. But I also can’t imagine the World Series coming to Baltimore and not going. It would be really cool if I had to make this decision in the near future. Like, maybe, next year?
Links
Podcast: The good and bad from the Orioles infield Mark continued his postseason review by looking at the infield’s performance this season. Once again we all have to thank our lucky stars that we have Pete Alonso
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have five Orioles birthday buddies:
Rubén Tejada (37) is best known for his time with the Mets, but he got into 41 games with the Orioles in 2017.
Jason Johnson (53) spent five of his 11 Major League seasons with the Orioles. He made 120 starts (133 games overall) between 1999-2003.
Pedro Swann (56) was an Oriole in 2003, with eight games and 15 plate appearances.
Eric Bell (63) pitched for the Orioles from 1985-87. He made 29 starts in ‘89, second on the team to Mike Boddicker.
And Del Rice (b. 1922, d. 1983) played in the Majors for five teams over 17 seasons, including one at-bat with the Orioles in 1960.
On this day in 1972, the Orioles traded Frank Estrada to the Cubs for Elrod Hendricks. They had just traded Hendricks to the Cubs two months earlier. It was their second time acquiring Hendricks; they took him from the Angels in the Rule 5 draft in 1967. They would later trade him to the Yankees, re-sign him, release him, and sign him one more time.
Also on this day in 1972, the Minnesota Twins traded Rick Dempsey to the Yankees. Dempsey would later come to the Orioles in the Hendricks trade I mentioned above.
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: General manager Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals gives an interview after winning the number one pick in the Draft Lottery at the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings at Hilton Anatole on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the Astros continue their search for a new general manager and manager, one familiar name could tell us everything we need to know about the direction of the franchise.
Astros fans, as the long, excruciating wait continues to find out who will be running your baseball team next season, a few things are becoming increasingly clear. First, it appears the Astros are determined to hire their next general manager before choosing a manager. Second, and perhaps most importantly, Jim Crane is still firmly in control of everything happening inside the organization.
And if you look closely at some of the moves already being made, along with the latest name to surface in the general manager search, you might get a pretty good idea of exactly what Crane is looking for.
The Astros have already made two interesting additions to their player development department. Connor Watson, formerly the assistant director of hitting development with the Cleveland Guardians, has been hired as director of hitting. Clayton Thompson, who spent the past three seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, has also been brought aboard as assistant director of player development.
What makes these hires particularly interesting is that both men previously worked for Driveline Baseball, one of the premier data-driven player development organizations in the world. Driveline has been at the forefront of using technology, analytics and advanced evaluation methods to help players maximize their abilities.
Those additions would seem to indicate that the Astros are moving toward a younger, more analytically driven front office, perhaps one led by an up-and-coming executive who embraces the modern approach to building and developing a baseball team.
But then there’s Mike Rizzo.
The former Washington Nationals general manager has emerged as an intriguing candidate for the Astros’ opening, with reports indicating that he has significant interest in the position and could interview with the organization as early as Monday.
And when you consider everything we know about Jim Crane and the way he prefers to operate, Rizzo might make more sense than anyone else being mentioned.
At 65 years old, Rizzo brings an extensive baseball résumé and a track record of identifying, acquiring and developing talent. He was responsible for drafting franchise players like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg and orchestrating the blockbuster Juan Soto trade that helped replenish Washington’s farm system and reshape the organization’s future.
Rizzo represents something of a perfect blend between old-school baseball evaluation and modern analytics. He’s a baseball lifer who understands the importance of scouting, player development and relationships, but he also recognizes the value of the numbers and technology that have transformed today’s game.
More importantly, he might be exactly the kind of personality Jim Crane wants running his baseball operations.
And I don’t think that should be overlooked.
We’ve seen Crane’s willingness to involve himself in baseball decisions, and there’s little reason to believe that’s going to change. While the Astros have reportedly explored younger assistant general managers around the league, including Milwaukee Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine, I keep coming back to the same conclusion.
Mike Rizzo seems like Jim Crane’s kind of guy.
He’s experienced, established, respected throughout baseball and probably more comfortable working with an owner who wants to remain actively involved in the decision-making process than a younger executive looking to build an organization entirely in his own image.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Rizzo would be willing to surrender control or simply serve as a figurehead. You don’t build the résumé he has without strong opinions and a clear vision. But there is something to be said for hiring someone who has already experienced the highs and lows of running a major league franchise and understands the realities of working with ownership.
The next question becomes what happens with the managerial search.
You would certainly think the Astros want their next general manager to have significant input in choosing the manager he will be working alongside. That’s the logical approach, and it would explain why the organization appears focused on filling the front-office vacancy first.
Of course, with Crane involved, nothing should be taken for granted.
If Rizzo ultimately gets the job, my expectation is that he would look to keep the majority of this roster intact rather than initiate some massive overhaul. He has enough experience to recognize that the Astros still have a talented core capable of competing, even if there are obvious areas that need improvement.
I could see him making a couple of calculated moves to address weaknesses, improve roster flexibility and position this team to remain competitive over the next several seasons. He’s not someone I would expect to come in and immediately tear everything apart simply to put his own fingerprints on the organization.
And that could be exactly what Crane wants.
The Astros are at an interesting crossroads. They’re trying to modernize their player development operation while also determining who will lead the next chapter of the franchise. The hiring of Watson and Thompson suggests a commitment to analytics and technology, but the potential hiring of Rizzo would bring a proven baseball executive with decades of experience into the equation.
In many ways, that combination could make a lot of sense.
The bigger issue, as I’ve said before, is whether the next general manager will truly be given the authority and freedom to do the job the way he believes it needs to be done.
Because regardless of who gets hired, we already know one thing.
Jim Crane isn’t going anywhere, and neither is his influence over baseball operations.
The question now is whether Mike Rizzo is the man Crane trusts to help guide the Astros into their next era of winning baseball.
And based on everything we’re seeing, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is.
