Category: MLB

Our last game against Los Angeles for the year. The A’s have won seven of their 12 games against the Angels this year and that’s been the difference between the fourth place in the AL West, or last in the division and the entire American League. Another win tonight guarantees the Athletics won’t lose 100 games, and puts another game between us and the Angels. Got to finish the job though and get win #63 tonight.

Taking the ball for what is likely his final time for the Athletics is left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Acquired two years ago, Springs came to the A’s with high hopes he could unlock the potential he showed while in Tampa Bay. We saw flashes at times but overall Springs’ time in the Green & Gold was a disappointment. Over his 58 starts (60 appearances), the southpaw is sporting a 5.03 ERA. This year was even worse for the 34-year-old as he’s limped to a 6.18 mark. While he’s blamed part of those struggles on the ballpark that couldn’t have been the only factor in his struggles this past season. He’ll try to finish his A’s tenure on a high with a strong outing tonight and take that into the offseason and look for a better home than Sutter Health Park.

Here’s how the lineup behind Springs looks this evening in Sacramento:

Springs on the mound 👊 pic.twitter.com/YbJ5GS46yg

— Athletics (@Athletics) September 23, 2026

The A’s are mixing things up a bit with a different handed pitcher on the mound tonight. Firstly, rookie leadoff man Henry Bolte is back in center field tonight and he’ll be followed in the lineup by right fielder Lawrence Butler and then our DH Shea Langeliers, who are swapping lineup spots. The lefty-swinging Jeff McNeil returns to the starting lineup, playing first and batting cleanup. Third baseman Zack Gelof drops a spot in the order and batting behind him will be veteran Donovan Walton, manning the keystone. A nice mix of R-L-R-L-R-L for the first half of the lineup tonight.

Carlos Cortes draws the start partially thanks to his massive game last night where he went 2-for-2 with a triple, homer, and three RBI’s. He probably would have been in there anyway against a right-handed starter but still. And rounding out tonight’s lineup is Alika Williams and Brian Serven, tonight’s shortstop and catcher who are batting eighth and ninth, respectively.

As for Los Angeles, they have ascending young righty Walbert Urena making his final start of his rookie campaign tonight. Urena began the year in the Angels’ bullpen before stretching out in Triple-A during early April. From there he joined the Angels’ starting five and hasn’t looked back since. The 22-year-old is wrapping up a season that has seen him make 26 starts with a 2.74 ERA to show for it. That’s the second-lowest ERA from a full-time rookie starter in the AL this year, behind only Cleveland’s Parker Messick.

It’s going to be a tough task for the Athletics’ bats tonight. Urena has already faced the A’s three times this year, tossing two gems but getting absolutely crushed for seven runs his last time out against us down in Anaheim. That was far and away his worst start of the year and the A’s will be hoping to replicate that success, this time in Sacramento.

And the Angels’ starting nine shapes up like this:

Series wrap up in Sacramento ⚾️

📺: @WatchABTV
📻: @AngelsRadioKLAA | AM830 App & KWKW 1330 [Spanish]#RepTheHalo x @FBMSupplypic.twitter.com/4xxyLMiwat

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) September 23, 2026

Fairly standard lineup for the Halos tonight but one can’t help but wonder: Is tonight the last time the A’s see Mike Trout in an Angels uniform?

We don’t need this win. We want it. Take tonight’s game and we avoid 100 losses this season. Win and we make it all but certain we’ll finish in fourth place, out of the AL West and AL cellar. It’s go time. Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

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Athletics -Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

After taking over as the closer the last two months, Kodai Senga proved to the Mets that he can pitch out of the bullpen, something that was completely foreign to him until this year.

The right-hander had some bumps along the way, of course, but for the most part Senga was a reliable arm as a reliever and went 8-for-9 on save opportunities, including shutting the door on Tuesday night in New York’s 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers.

However, with Devin Williams reinstated from the IL, Senga’s role on the team is now in a bit of limbo.

Manager Andy Green expressed his appreciation for what Senga has been able to do out of the bullpen, but when asked whether the Mets view him as a starter or a reliever for next year’s team, Green couldn’t say.

“We will make the determination based on what we feel is best for the team and where he fits best,” the skipper said. “That’s impossible to answer at this moment. We’ve gotten a good look at him in this role and he’s done a lot of really good things and we’re excited about the possibility of that, but you can flip the calendar back just a few years ago before he had a hamstring issue or a leg issue and he was one of the most interesting starters in baseball and doing some really good things and obviously had an unbelievable rookie season. 

“So he’s got a lot to hang his hat on in that regard. I think there’s a real decision point there and it’s not one we’re ready to make today.”

Before Senga’s tumultuous 2026 season as a starter, he was 20-13 with a 3.00 ERA in 52 starts across three seasons for New York. He even placed second in the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year voting after successfully making the transition from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Since then, injuries have been a major factor in his career before he completely fell off this year while pitching to a 9.66 ERA in eight starts and going 0-7. But after Williams went down with a right shoulder strain in early August, the Mets made the bold decision to make Senga the new closer.

Senga quickly took to his new job and got the save in his first seven opportunities and pitched to a 1.74 ERA in August. Aside from a rough outing against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 20 (in a non-save opportunity), Senga has been rock solid at the backend of the bullpen.

“I think we have an idea of how he fits in the pen now, which is really, really helpful,” Green said.

However, with so much uncertainty surrounding the team in the ways it can go after a disastrous season, the Mets aren’t ruling anything out just yet.

“We don’t know the depth of our rotation going into ‘27 right now,” Green said. “There’s a free agency period, there’s a lot of uncertainty that could unfold in the offseason and he’ll fit into the spot that he fits the best for us because that’s how we should move forward at this point in time.

“And we won’t be able to know that until we know what we sign, what we bring in, where we’re at and that’ll make the picture clearer and we’ll figure out where the puzzle piece fits the best.”

If it were up to Senga, who will be entering the final year of his five-year, $75 million contract he signed before the 2023 season next year, he would choose being a starter – the only thing he had ever known before this year.

“I think he has been really good expressing to us his passion resides in the rotation,” Green said.

Of course, a starting pitcher is also more valuable than a reliever, especially one that isn’t a closer, as Williams is signed through the next two seasons and figures to remain in that role. Still, it’s hard to get over how badly Senga struggled in the rotation despite all the chances in the world to figure it out.

For what it’s worth, though, the manager mentioned that he and the Mets will take into account what Senga wants. The 33-year-old has earned that. But at the end of the day, it’s their call.

“Somebody who has accomplished what he’s accomplished in his career, the type of teammate he’s been, that matters a lot to us,” Green said. “It will not be the ultimate determining factor, but it will have weight and we’ll value it accordingly.”

#NotDeadYet Yesterday’s results bumped up our playoff odds to 7.4%. Arizona currently sits four games back of the three-way tie for the NL wild-card spots, so needs to make up one game on the Padres, today or tomorrow, in order to hold their own destiny. Who better on the mound than Merrill Kelly? Well, given his ERA of exactly five, you might have a few answers to that question. On the other hand, his only complete game, in two hundred major-league starts, came against this opponent earlier this year – and, more remarkably, at Coors. Since the end of 2015, he’s one of only four visiting pitchers with a nine-inning CG in Denver. Same again, please.

Last night was Kevin Ginkel’s 71st appearance out of the bullpen for Arizona. Only four pitchers have surpasses seventy games for Arizona since the before-COVID times. Ginkel previously did it in 2024, along with Joe Mantiply, while Miguel Castro reached 75 in 2023. It’s likely Taylor Clarke, currently on 69, could join Ginkel by the end of the year. In addition to 2024, since 2008 Arizona has had two relievers > 70 outings in 2012 and 2018. The latter campaign actually saw three: Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin and Yoshihisa Hirano (and all of them got to 75 or more!). Juan Morillo currently sits on 67, so I doubt we’ll be able to repeat that this season.

Won’t be around much for this one, since Mrs. SnakePit and I are off to dinner and then on to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Gammage in Tempe. Should be fun. I may be forgiven for sneaking an odd-peek or two at my phone when permitted. Good news in the early going from Philadelphia, where the Brewers are up 4-1 over the Phillies in the fourth inning. The Cubs are just under way in Miami, and the Padres face the Dodgers in the last game of the day. May I return home with the D-backs still not eliminated!

BALTIMORE — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. isn’t afraid to admit it: His 14-year, $500 million contract absolutely weighed on him during this, his most unproductive season of his decorated career.

Guerrero signed that megadeal in March 2025 and then drove the Toronto Blue Jays all the way to Game 7 of the World Series with a fantastic postseason. Yet he followed that with the worst season of his career, most notably failing to hit a home run in his own ballpark until the 75th home game of the season.

After the Blue Jays were officially eliminated from 2026 contention with a 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, Sept. 23, Guerrero came clean: Every weak grounder, every strikeout, every Blue Jays loss weighed significantly on him.

As did the notion of living up to his contract.

“I’ve got to be honest with you: Of course. Every at-bat that I fail, I think about my contract,” Guerrero said via club interpreter Hector Lebron between games of a split doubleheader at Camden Yards. “I know all the people who go to (Rogers Centre), they pay to see me being successful, to do something good every at-bat.

“Every time, I think about my contract, mentally. So, it is what it is.”

Here’s what it is: Guerrero’s batted .263 with nine home runs and a .695 OPS this season. He’s established full-season career lows in virtually every major category, most notably slugging percentage – .360 with just 34 extra-base hits, his slugging down more than 100 points from last year’s .467 and .495 career mark entering this season.

To say nothing of October 2025: Guerrero had one of the greatest postseason runs in recent history, batting .397 with a .494 OBP, 1.289 OPS, eight homers and 29 hits in 18 games.

But that run came at a cost. Guerrero says he took six weeks off after the World Series to let his body recover, which certainly cut into his typical offseason training regimen. While the 6-foot, 245-pound first baseman remains in good shape and didn’t go on the 10-day injured list this season, hamstring and lower back maladies and a stint on the concussion IL stymied him.

Guerrero insisted injuries were not to blame for his poor production, though he was quick to credit Toronto’s staff for getting him game-ready.

“When it’s a bad year, it’s a bad year,” he says. “I didn’t have any major injuries. Some things that happened through the year, I gotta say, our medical staff and trainers did a great job. They worked very hard with me.

“Maybe I wasn’t 100% physically, but it is what it is. I tried my best every day to go out there as ready as I could. It’s over right now.”

Blue Jays fans have been forgiving of their six-time All-Star through his home run drought and other struggles, but some took exception to a recent Spanish-language interview he conducted with journalist Veronica Batista.

He intimated that he was being paid his $500 million deal “for what he’d already done,” comments that were perhaps lost in translation to indicate his deal was a reward, not a pact to live up to.

Guerrero aimed to clarify that Wednesday.

“I said, obviously, I felt really bad about the year I had. Couldn’t help get my team to the postseason,” he says. “And I said I feel every player gets paid for what they’ve done. Now, with that said, I signed my contract at the beginning of last year. And I did put a good year, and then the playoffs to help the team get into the World Series.

“To the fans, I have never stopped working very hard. I’m going to go into the offseason again to prepare myself to do the best I can. Physically, mentally, everything I have.”

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said the struggles of his 77-81 club were collective and has the staff preparing for a significant self-examination, one year after they won 94 games, the AL East and the AL pennant.

Guerrero, he said, did not accept failure.

“For Vlad in particular, he’s got all the potential in the world. We know that,” says Schneider of Guerrero, who has played in 141 games this season. “We’ve seen him be one of, if not the best player in the game. Years like this can happen. Myself, my staff and Vlad – he’s not chalking this up to oh, this is one of those years.

“He worked tirelessly to try and get out of that funk he was in. He tried different ways to prepare and he posted every day. It’s hard to pinpoint it.”

For Guerrero, 2026 is certainly one to grow on. And he can only hope that the $500 million deal that began this season creates a bar to reach, not an anvil that weighs him down.

“I have to learn a lot from this year. It’s a process,” he says. “Especially when you go to the World Series, like last year, that was my goal again this year. You put that pressure on yourself a little bit, trying to take your team back to the World Series. It didn’t happen.

“I wasn’t expecting the year that I had. But I’m going to be working on that.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says $500 million deal on his mind 'every at-bat I fail'

The Colorado Rockies reached 100 losses for the fourth straight season with last night’s defeat at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The loss felt fitting for the unfortunate milestone, as the Rockies managed only three hits (compared to Arizona’s 13) and struggled to get much going on either side of the ball.

They’ll look to rebound tonight in the penultimate home game of the year.

Promising rookie Mason Adams gets his sixth start, bringing in an 0-1 record, a 5.09 ERA, and 23 strikeouts to 12 walks. His last three starts have been a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of traffic on the basepaths, as Adams gave up eight, two, and then eight hits in those respective starts. He’s also surrendered at least one home run in each of his six starts. Adams’ last outing was the worst of his young career, with six runs allowed on eight hits with only one strikeout to three walks in a 9-3 loss to the San Diego Padres.

The Diamondbacks try to slither up the Wild Card standings, currently sitting four games behind the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Padres. The Phillies found a win last night, while the Cubs and Padres both lost, knotting all three clubs at 87-70.

Arizona will roll out Merrill Kelly, currently 9-14 through 28 starts and a 5.00 ERA. This will be Kelly’s third time facing Colorado in 2026, picking up a win in a 9-1 victory back in May and a loss in a 6-4 game in August. Kelly is on the same rollercoaster as Adams, giving up seven, two, and seven hits in his last three games. The back end of the season has been difficult for Kelly, who took losses in five of his last seven starts.

Tuesday night’s matchup was lopsided. With both of tonight’s starters reeling over the last month, the game presents an opportunity for both offenses to get lots of baserunners on and make it more of a battle. We’ll see if the Rockies’ bats can cash in.

First Pitch: 6:40pm MT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Diamondbacks SB Nation:AZ Snake Pit

Lineups:

Same mindset. pic.twitter.com/yp7r5F0LCR

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 23, 2026

Wednesday night squad. pic.twitter.com/FEIoO2FzE9

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 23, 2026

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The Red Sox and Guardians may not have as flashy of a pitching showdown as Payton Tolle vs. Payton Messick on Tuesday night, but Sonny Gray, who leads the team – nay, the American League – in wins, with 17, and strikeout threat Foster Griffin face off. As the Red Sox bought at the deadline, so did the Guardians, and a benefactor of that is Foster Griffin. The 31-year-old lefty is having the best season of his career and has become a viable starter as the Guardians look to punch their ticket to the October dance tonight; they have two paths and both require a win at Fenway.

For the Red Sox, who have a minted interim (insert strike through here) manager and a CBO enjoying a new option, there’s significantly less stress, but the “vibes” need to continue into the weekend even with the impending storm already rescheduling Sunday’s game against the Cubs to Friday afternoon. But for now, it’s only Wednesday, so enjoy!

It’s time for Red Sox baseball!

Yankees star Aaron Judge is doing everything he can to play this postseason, and intends to be available when New York starts its Wild Card series next Tuesday. 

Speaking with ESPN's Jorge Castillo on Wednesday, the two-time reigning AL MVP made those intentions clear.

"That's what the plan is," Judge said. "Try to get my body ready so I'm ready to go."

Judge's comments ahead of the team's 9-2 win over Tampa caused a stir as manager Aaron Boone, just 24 hours earlier, while not ruling Judge out completely, said he wasn't expecting the slugger to be an option in the Wild Card round.

Boone was asked about Judge's comments after the victory and reiterated his earlier statement, and that they have to wait until the time comes to make a decision.

"Like, I said, I'm not ruling anything out. We got days away till that," Boone said. "Not that I'm necessarily expecting that one way or the other, but we're going to listen to the body and see how he heals. And if he's in a position to do that, obviously, we're going to want him."

Boone wouldn't go into speculation about when Judge could possibly return and said we'll have to wait to find out whether the two-time reigning MVP will be on the roster or not when the Yankees play next Tuesday.

Judge later elaborated on his comments to ESPN following the win, saying that his desire is to get back to the Yankees as soon as possible, but acknowledges it's not up to him.

"My goal is to come back as soon as I can. That's what we're doing right now," Judge said. "If [Boone] says, I'm not going to be ready. I got no control over that. I got control of what I can do to try to get back as soon as I can.

"So, yeah, if you're asking if I'm going to be back. I'm going to tell you, yeah, I'm doing everything I can. Every single day, I show up here to get back and be ready to go."

The Yankees placed Judge on the IL with a right calf strain this past Saturday, which put an end to his regular season. However, the possibility of the Yankee captain returning has been one of the biggest storylines as the MLB playoffs begin.

Judge told ESPN that he's had plenty of talks with Yankees decision-makers about his condition, and that he's unsure if he'll make the Wild Card roster.

Aaron Judge on saying he expects to play in the Wild Card series:

"My goal is to come back as soon as I can. That's what we're doing right now. If [Boone] says I'm not gonna be ready, I've got no control over that. I've got control over what I can do to try to get back" pic.twitter.com/5QmofUvOE4

— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) September 24, 2026

Judge had a PRP injection on Monday, and he said he's doing some work in the training and weight rooms. But if Judge is on the roster to start the postseason, it could affect the Yankees lineup.

The DH spot is already taken up by Ben Rice. If Rice shifts to first base, that means Luis Garcia Jr. will have to sit.

Judge said he'll play wherever they need him, but is aware of this quirk in the lineup and returning to play the field is likely best for the team. 

"Obviously, I want to try to come back and be ready to play the field because I think that gives us the best lineup, especially with how Benny's swinging the bat. You got Garcia and [Paul Goldschmidt] at first base. Yeah, look, I'm a right fielder. That's what we're trying to do; anyway, I can get back to good form to play the outfield."

While Judge's career numbers would make him a much-needed boost to the Yankees offense, the slugger struggled when he returned from a fractured rib injury he suffered in May. He went 4-for-23 with 13 strikeouts, one walk and one home run upon his return.

Judge's health and roster construction are factors that Boone and the organization must weigh before they take the field next Tuesday. But Judge sees the potential of the 2026 Yankees, especially with the way the pitching has carried the team. 

He believes the Yankees have a shot against any team and that's why he's trying so hard to return.

"Guys are peaking at the right time," Judge said. "We're going to rely on [the rotation] heavily... and then throw it to the backend of our bullpen. I like our chances against anybody. That's why you don't want to miss out on opportunities like this, especially going to the postseason when you got a team like this."

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – DH
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Mark Vientos – 1B
5. Carson Benge – RF
6. Marcus Semien – 2B
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. A.J. Ewing – CF
9. Nick Morabito – LF

Nolan McLean – RHP

Rangers lineup

1. Wyatt Langford – LF
2. Corey Seager – SS
3. Josh Jung – DH
4. Brandon Nimmo – RF
5. Ezequiel Duran – 3B
6. Jake Burger – 1B
7. Nicky Lopez – 2B
8. Danny Jansen – C
9. Evan Carter – CF

Cody Bradford – LHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 8:05pm EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

The Cincinnati Reds are back in action on Wednesday night in Altanta as a pair of southpaws will start at Truist Park. The Braves will roll out ace Chris Sale while Cincinnati turns to former All Star Andrew Abbott, with first pitch set for 7:15 PM ET.

Here’s how both clubs will line up to start:

New York Mets @ Texas Rangers

Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 7:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Nolan McLean vs. LHP Cody Bradford

Go Rangers!

The White Sox scored 14 runs Tuesday night, so hopefully there’s still a little gas left in the tank. A little less drama on the pitching side would be nice, too. Trevor Richards and Luis Castillo combined to give up seven runs over two innings in the 14-11 victory. Yikes.

That win, paired with a Texas Rangers loss, put the Sox one step from October. If Chicago wins tonight and Texas loses again, the South Siders will clinch a playoff berth. Cleveland’s win over Boston kept the Sox one game back in the AL Central, so there’s still plenty at stake beyond punching their ticket.

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Bryan Hudson will open for Chicago before handing the ball to Erick Fedde for the bulk of the innings. This will be the southpaw’s ninth appearance as an opener, a role he’s handled well all season. In 9 2/3 innings, Hudson has a 2.79 ERA and 0.72 WHIP while holding opponents to a .188 average.

Fedde has been the Sox’s most dependable arm over his past seven outings, going 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He allowed one run on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts his last time out, though he fell one out short of completing five innings.

The Sox could use some length from the veteran tonight. Skipper Will Venable had to turn to the arm barn after just four innings from Anthony Kay on Tuesday, and the Royals made sure nobody got too comfortable with Chicago’s early lead. Fedde has completed five innings in three of his last four appearances. If he can cover five or six after Hudson’s opening stint, the rest of the bullpen gets a much more manageable assignment.

Fedde’s breaking pitches rank in the 97th percentile in run value, with his sweeper in the 99th. His changeup sits in the second percentile, while his chase and whiff rates have been low. Getting ahead and leaning on that sweeper would help keep Kansas City from stringing together another long inning.

Seth Lugo starts for the Royals. The righthander is 7-9 with a 5.06 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, but things have been even rougher over his past seven starts: a 7.60 ERA and 1.81 WHIP. Houston got to him for four runs on eight hits over five innings in his last outing. That’s good news for the Pale Hose.

Lugo’s Savant numbers offer the Sox an opening. He ranks in the 11th percentile in expected ERA and the ninth in expected slugging percentage, while his four-seamer and sweeper have both struggled by run value. Chicago put up 14 runs Tuesday. Asking for a few more against Lugo doesn’t feel greedy, does it?

On the offensive side Randal Grichuk, Miguel Vargas and Brenton Doyle have each hit better than .330 over the past seven days, although Vargas is the only one of the three in tonight’s starting lineup. Kyle Teel, Andrew Benintendi and Colson Montgomery have all hit below .200 in that span. They’ll have a chance to turn things around against a pitcher who has had trouble limiting hard contact.

White Sox Lineup

The Royals don’t walk much or hit for a great deal of power, and their -105 run differential reflects a difficult season. Tuesday was a reminder that they can still score in bunches when the pitching gives them the chance. A clean opening from Hudson and a lengthy outing from Fedde would go a long way toward making this one less stressful.

Royals Lineup

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CDT at Kauffman Stadium. The game will air on CHSN, with radio coverage on ESPN 1000.

If you decide to wander your eyes during a potential lull in Wednesday night’s matchup against the Rays, or if you want to kill some time waiting for the Yankees to appear in the upcoming Wild Card Series, you might find a fun surprise if you change the channel to CBS.

Yankees Assistant Director of Baseball Operations Mike Pinsky will be making an appearance as a contestant on the 51st season premiere of Survivor. For those who are unaware, the show features contestants from around the US who compete in survival challenges and mastermind social strategy to outwit, outlast, and outplay fellow competitors for 26 days until one person is left standing on a remote island with few supplies.

Pinsky will be representing the Yankees front office on the show, and he might even show off his skills to survive the first night of tribal council, where someone is at risk of getting voted off the island.

The new season airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, with approximately 13 episodes in a season. If you’re interested, tune in to see how far he can go!