The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reaches on a fielders' choice in the third inning of Game 4 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
When Shohei Ohtani was asked about his woeful performance at the plate in the Dodgers’ National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies last week, he first gave credit to the opposition.
Then, after a series that saw the Phillies counter him with one left-handed pitcher after the next, he was also quick to point out that he wasn’t alone.
“It was pretty difficult for left-handed hitters,” Ohtani said in Japanese amid the Dodgers’ clubhouse celebration following their Game 4 victory. “This was also the case for Freddie [Freeman].”
The Phillies did indeed make life tough on the Dodgers’ best lefty bats.
Freeman was only three for 15 in the series, albeit with a key Game 2 double and a .294 on-base-percentage.
Max Muncy was four for nine in the series, but spent most of it waiting on the bench, not getting a start in any of the three contests the Phillies had a southpaw on the mound.
And as a team, the Dodgers hit just .199 with 41 strikeouts in the four-game series.
However, no one’s struggles were as pronounced as Ohtani’s — the soon-to-be four-time MVP winner, who in the NLDS looked like anything but.
Ohtani struck out in each of his first four at-bats in Game 1. He didn’t get his first hit until grounding an RBI single through the infield in the seventh inning of Game 2.
After that, Ohtani’s only other time reaching base safely was when the Phillies intentionally walked him in the seventh inning of Game 4.
His final stat line from the series: One for 18, nine strikeouts and a whole lot of questions about what went wrong.
Ohtani, who was coming off a three-hit, two-homer wild-card round, did acknowledge Thursday night that “there were at-bats that didn’t go the way I thought they would.”
But, he quickly added: “The opposing pitchers didn’t make many mistakes. They pitched wonderfully, in a way that’s worthy for the postseason. There were a lot of games like that for both teams.”
The real question coming out of the series was about the root cause of Ohtani’s unexpected struggles.
Was it simply because of the tough pitching matchups, having faced a lefty in 12 of his 20 trips to the plate? Or had his faltering approach created more legitimate concerns, the kind that could threaten to continue into the NL Championship Series?
“I think a lot of it actually was driven by the left-handed pitching,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday, as the Dodgers awaited to face either the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers in an NLCS that will begin on Monday.
“Hoping that he can do a little self-reflecting on that series, and how aggressive he was outside of the strike zone, passive in the zone,” Roberts said. “The at-bat quality needs to get better.”
For the Dodgers, the implications are stark.
“We’re not gonna win the World Series with that sort of performance,” Roberts continued. “So we’re counting on a recalibration, getting back into the strike zone.”
From the very first at-bat of Game 1 — when he was also the starting pitcher in his first career playoff game as a two-way player — Ohtani struggled to make the right swing decisions.
He chased three pitches off the inside of the plate from Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez, which Roberts felt “kinda set the tone” for his series-long struggles, then took a called third strike the next two times he faced him.
From there, the 31-year-old slugger could never seem to dial back into his approach.
He went down looking again in Game 1 against left-handed reliever Matt Strahm. He led off Game 2 with another strikeout against another lefty in Jesús Luzardo. On and on it went, with Ohtani continuing to chase inside junk, flailing at pitches that darted off the plate the other way, and finding his only reprieve in a rematch with Strahm in Game 2 when he got just enough on an inside sinker.
Roberts’ hope was that, moving forward, Ohtani would be able to learn and adjust.
“Understanding when he faces left-handed pitching, what they’re gonna try to do: Crowd him in, off, spin him away,” Roberts said. “He’s just gotta be better at managing the hitting zone. I’m counting on it. We’re all counting on it.”
Roberts also conceded that Ohtani’s at-bats on the day he pitched in Game 1 seemed to be especially rushed.
“[When] he’s pitching, he’s probably trying to conserve energy, not trying to get into at-bats,” Roberts said. “It hasn’t been good when he’s pitched. I do think that’s part of it. We’ve got to think through this and come up with a better game plan.”
After all, while Ohtani might not have been the only struggling hitter in the NLDS, his importance to the lineup is greater than anyone’s. The Dodgers can only endure without him for so long.
With Pete Alonso expected to opt out of his contract that he signed with the Mets last offseason, the first baseman will reportedly be seeking a new contract of at least seven years during free agency, per NY Post's Mike Puma.
After a great bounce-back season for the slugger in which he slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI while playing in all 162 games, Alonso is hoping to turn that into a long-term deal, the same one that he was seeking last offseason.
A seven-year contract would be consistent with what Alonso's agent, Scott Boras, was able to complete for other clients of the same age, such as third baseman Matt Chapman and shortstop Marcus Semien in recent seasons. However, both Chapman and Semien play more valuable positions than Alonso.
In what was a long and difficult offseason last year for the slugger, Alonso, whose .788 OPS in 2024 was the lowest of his career, ultimately signed a two-year, $54 million contract with a player option after the first season to remain in New York.
The 30-year-old immediately returned to form in 2025 and posted his fifth straight season of 30 or more home runs to go along with 41 doubles, which led the National League. His 80 extra-base hits ranked tied for fifth in MLB.
While Alonso's offense was restored, his defense regressed.
Not known as a defensive-minded first baseman, Alonso's defense, particularly his throwing, hurt the team on many occasions last season. To his credit, he continued to be one of the best at scooping the baseball at first base. Nevertheless, a transition to designated hitter in some capacity is likely in Alonso's future.
Although he's been a stalwart in the Mets lineup since his debut in 2019 -- even breaking the franchise home run record this season -- are his defensive shortcomings enough for New York, which will likely emphasize defense next year after a poor season on the field, to look elsewhere for a solution at first base?
Considering the possible price tag, length of contract and likely move to DH in the future, it'll be interesting to see if the Mets or any other team are willing to sign Alonso to the deal that he is seeking this offseason.
Steven Gerrard remains a hero to many Rangers supporters - Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Steven Gerrard has ruled himself out of the running to return to Rangers, according to reports.
The 45-year-old had been the front-runner to replace the sacked Russell Martin as head coach, but it is understood that after holding talks with the club, he felt the timing was not right for a return to Ibrox.
Martin was sacked last weekend after just four months in charge, with the team having won just one of their opening seven Scottish Premiership matches.
Gerrard, who left his role in charge of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, is a hero to many Rangers supporters after leading them to the title in 2020-21, which remains the only time they have won the league since their financial implosion in 2012.
The former England and Liverpool midfielder left the club later that year after three years in charge to take over at Aston Villa.
Other names to have been touted as potential successors to Martin include Hearts manager Derek McInnes, former Rangers player Kevin Muscat and ex-Everton manager Sean Dyche.
Gerrard was on the club’s longlist of managerial candidates at the end of last season when Rangers looked for a replacement for Philippe Clement but the club instead went for Martin.
Speaking last week on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Gerrard said: “I’ve had five or six really interesting phone calls since I stopped in Saudi. And I haven’t been ready because I haven’t got that team set around me. And the timing hasn’t been right. My daughter’s just had a baby. I’ve just become a granddad. I wasn’t ready. I haven’t got my staff ready.
“So unfortunately, them opportunities or them phone calls have come at the wrong time, if you like. But if the right call comes my way, the right club, the right challenge, and I’ve got my people set, which I will have at some point, I’ll take that challenge on because it’s in me. It’s in me.”
A season-ending locker room that was hoped – make that expected – to be soaked with celebratory champagne, was instead sprinkled with some sorrow-drowning beers Thursday in the visitor’s clubhouse at Dodger Stadium. The Phillies saw their season end with a 2-1, 11-inning Game 4 loss in the Division Series.
Players fought back tears, shared hugs, sentimental thoughts and perhaps some goodbyes, as the team fell short of their World Series-winning dreams for the fourth playoff year in a row.
And now the question becomes, what’s next?
End of the season locker rooms are rarely a place of fun, unless those corks are being popped. But this was different. This didn’t feel like just the end of a season, in some ways it did feel like the end of an era.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto, always a stand-up person with the media, bluntly stated that he refused to talk about next season, letting it be known that questions should be centered around the disappointing loss, the season and his teammates. Realmuto becomes a free agent once the World Series is complete.
When asked about his future, Kyle Schwarber struggled to fight back the tears as he professed his love for his teammates, his manager, the organization and his desire to return as he hits the free agent waters.
Manager Rob Thomson probably summed up what this current team’s identity is all about when asked about what his future may be with the club when he said: “That’s out of my control. I’m not even thinking about it. I got 60 people in there that are broken hearted right now, so I’m thinking about that more so than my job.”
This team, laced with so many veterans, had a special bond. When you consider what they went through as a team, from unexpectedly getting to the World Series in 2022 to absorbing gut-wrenching playoff disappointment in the years since then, you have to believe they’re family.
And as individuals, with Realmuto, Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos getting life-altering contracts from the club. The rise of youngsters to veterans such as Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez, who is also set to enter the free agent market.
The steady hand of Thomson was a key factor ever since he took over for Joe Girardi in early June of 2022, prompting Harper to say on Thursday, “I love Topper, man. He’s done a great job for us. I don’t know what the future holds, I have no idea. We love Topper in here.”
So, what may the future hold? Let’s look at some thoughts and we’ll start with the manager.
Since taking over the club, Thomson has led them to 90, 95 and 96 regular season wins, and went 65-46 in his first season before leading the club to the World Series. His is a calming, fatherly style. He got his nickname from Joe Torre while he was with the Yankees because “he is always on top of everything.” There is always reasoning for his decisions, though sometimes they aren’t very popular with the fan base. But all are calculated moves that sometimes don’t work.
There is rarely a “gut” reasoning for his actions. He has changed through the course of the years by becoming more flexible with his lineup, with changing Schwarber out of the top spot in favor of Turner this season. He summed up who he is in the devastating loss on Thursday, by waiting on the top step of the dugout for relief pitcher Orion Kerkering, who fumbled a ground ball and threw wildly to home to allow the winning run to score, to embrace him and give him words of encouragement as chaos erupted around the field.
Is Thomson back? The reality of all this is that something has to change with the Phillies. This organization, for the most part, has been in “run it back” mode for a few seasons now. The first look always goes to the manager when changes are made. I don’t believe the organization wants to move on from him.
Yes, there are questions about his handling of pitchers in the playoffs through his years, but he may have changed that narrative with his Aaron Nola-Suarez move in Game 3 against the Dodgers. The decision, ultimately, may be left up to Thomson himself.
The starting pitching and the closer next year in Jhoan Duran seem to be pretty solid, with some tweaks needed to the bullpen. Sanchez is a legit No. 1 and seems to get better with every outing. The return of Zack Wheeler from his thoracic outlet decompression surgery is very much up in the air. Recovery from the surgery probably will take him to the beginning of next season, then comes the actual duty of getting in the work to be ready to start games every five days, and who knows how long that will be.
Nola and Jesús Luzardo will be back, but it is not known about Suarez. The decision on him might be a direct result of what the club does with Schwarber and Realmuto.
The second year back pitching from Tommy John surgery is usually the tell-tale sign of where a pitcher is, and that’s what this coming season will be for top prospect Andrew Painter. You have to think that Dave Dombrowski would expect Painter to be a part of the starting lineup of pitchers going into Spring Training.
While the immediate focus on the loss to the Dodgers will go to Kerkering’s play, it shouldn’t. There were many other reasons the team lost the series, and it begins with the top of the order in Turner, Schwarber and Harper. Those three went 4-for-35 with 15 strikeouts in the three losses to the Dodgers, 7-for-13 with two home runs and five RBIs in the win. So, if the team brings back Schwarber, can you run it back?
Although he had the best season of his career and is rightfully lumped into MVP talk, I wonder if it’s time to put Schwarber in the four-hole to change things up a bit. Modern baseball says a player like him should be higher in the lineup, but change seems to be needed. Perhaps a Justin Crawford or Aiden Miller, should they become everyday players, can fill in at the top of the order while moving Schwarber’s power numbers to the more conventional cleanup spot.
This is a pivotal off-season for Dombrowski as he has to deal with the free agents at hand, keep an eye on others out there and figure out what the plan is for the many good prospects littering the Phillies farm system. And is this another summer of trade rumors for third baseman Alec Bohm?
One thing I believe we know for certain with this team is that they can’t simply run it back again.
The Cubs and Brewers take the field in Milwaukee tonight for Game 5 of their National League Division series with the winner earning the right to play for the National League pennant against the Dodgers.
Neither manager has released information as to who will start the pivotal Game 5 but lets review options and take an educated guess for each side.
Chicago's options are Shota Imanaga, a bullpen game, or Cade Horton. All things being equal, the obvious choice would be Horton, but he has thrown only a handful of pitches since fracturing a rib. He is not ready to face live bats. If they choose the bullpen, all arms other than Horton and Matthew Boyd are available. If Craig Counsell is thinking of using Imanaga at all, it will more than likely be to start the game. No doubt Iamanaga's issues this postseason - an 8.10 ERA with three homers allowed in 6.2 innings - are a cause for concern.
In the other dugout, Pat Murphy, has options but each also comes with question marks. The obvious choices are Jose Quintana, Quinn Priester, or a bullpen game. Priester was rocked earlier in the series lasting just two outs in the first inning. It would be a bold choice to give him the ball. The bullpen is always a possibility and like the Cubs almost every arm is available. The logical choice, though, is Quintana. The veteran has pitched in big games throughout his 14-year career including nine postseason games. Most recently, Quintana pitched five scoreless innings last year for the Mets in their winner-take-all Wild Card series Game 3 against the Brewers.
If Pat Murphy takes a detour away from these options, he could go with his flamethrower, Jacob Misiorowski. While the manager may feel taking the mound at the start may be too big for the rookie. That said, the manager without question will go to the rookie if need be out of the bullpen.
Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
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Game details & how to watch Cubs at Brewers - NLDS Game 5
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 8:08PM EST
Site: American Family Field
City: Milwaukee, WI
Network/Streaming: TBS
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Odds for the Cubs at the Brewers - NLDS Game 5
The latest odds as of Saturday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Cubs (+119), Brewers (-145)
Spread: Brewers -1.5 (+142)
Total: 7.5 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Brewers
Pitching matchup for October 11, 2025: Shota Imanaga vs. Jose Quintana
Brewers: Jose Quintana (Reg. Season: 11-7, 3.96 ERA) Last outing: 10/8 at Cubs - 3IP, 0ER, 2H, 1 BB, 2Ks
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Brewers - NLDS Game 5
William Contreras is 5-12 (.417) with 3 HRs against Shota Imanaga in his career
Jackson Chourio is 1-7 (.143) in his career against Imanaga
Christian Yelich is 5-12 (.417) with 1 HR in his career against Imanaga
Imanaga has allowed 12 HRs in his last 6 starts (34.2 innings).
Dansby Swanson is 4-13 (.308) with 1 HR in his career against Jose Quintana
Kyle Tucker is 2-8 (.250) with 1 HR in his career against Quintana
Justin Turner is 7-25 (.280) with 5 RBIs in his career against Quintana
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s NLDS Game 5 between the Cubs and the Brewers
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Saturday's game between the Cubs and the Brewers:
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Spread: Rotoworld is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Cubs at +1.5.
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October disappointment equals pointed winter evaluations and, perhaps, nowhere is that baseball equation truer than the Bronx, USA. The Yankees fell well short of their playoff goals again and now they have much to do before the optimism of spring blooms anew.
So, what are the five biggest questions facing them as they push for a World Series title in Aaron Judge’s prime?
1. Elbow Judge-ment
Anything to do with Judge’s health has outsized implications in Yankeeland, so we must start with the flexor strain in his right elbow.
It briefly put him on the injured list over the summer, though he played in 152 games.
He returned, at first as a designated hitter, and then back to right field. And he was amazing, as usual. His arm strength got better along the way, but there was trepidation about his throwing, too.
So what now?
In the clubhouse after the Yankees were eliminated, Judge was asked about his elbow and he said, “We’ll definitely do some work on it. We’ll do some work on it and get it right.”
Pressed if that meant surgery, Judge replied, “I’m not a doctor. I don’t know.”
Will this become something that significantly impacts Judge’s 2026?
2. Lineup re-up?
The Yankees were the most prolific offense in baseball over the course of 162 games, averaging 5.24 runs and blasting 274 home runs. They had enough variety that they recorded a .405 winning percentage in games they were homer-less, the third-best mark in MLB, though chasing homers is certainly a big part of their approach.
But the Blue Jays’ contact-heavy attack overwhelmed Bronx lightning in the four-game ALDS, outscoring the Yankees, 34-19. Toronto led MLB in hits and had the lowest strikeout percentage. The Yanks were 12th in hits and had the third-most strikeouts. Hmmm.
Hitting home runs is a great way to win in October -- over the 2024-25 postseasons, teams outhomering their opponents are 38-12, according to MLB researcher Sarah Langs. That’s a .760 winning percentage.
But you have to hit the home runs. That was the Yankees’ great skill and yet they were outhomered in the playoffs, 10-6, while also hitting less and striking out more than their opponents. They must address that discrepancy to cover themselves in the October tournament, when top teams’ top pitchers can suppress their slugging.
Calling all free-agent contact hitters.
Sep 9, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) walks back to the dugout after failing to lay down a sacrifice bunt during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
3. We need to talk about Anthony
Do the Yanks have a shortstop problem? Maybe.
Anthony Volpe regressed defensively and morphed into a dominant season storyline, whether it was his struggles on offense, playing through a small labrum tear in his left shoulder or the repeated votes of confidence he got from Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman.
Now that the season is over, they have to figure out the position.
Is Volpe, as the bigwigs insist, the solution? He did have an impressive 55 extra-base hits and got himself together defensively later in the season. He’s also under team control for three more years.
But he batted .212 with a .663 OPS and made 19 errors. He was also dreadful against Toronto, going 1-for-15 with 11 strikeouts.
4. Go Back-to-Back with Belli?
Cody Bellinger has a $25-million opt-out and seems destined for free agency after a tremendous first season in pinstripes. He can do it all -- hit, base-running, defense -- and can play all three outfield positions plus a nifty first base. The Yanks must retain him.
Problem is, all those great qualities should make him a popular target across MLB, maybe the contract gets kooky.
There’s a lot going on in the Yankee outfield -- Judge’s elbow and the potential departures of both Bellinger and Trent Grisham, also a free agent.
Does Spencer Jones, the touted prospect who slugged 35 homers in the minors, fit in? What’s Jasson Domínguez’s role?
5. Who’s on first?
Ben Rice emerged in a big way this season, but is he the everyday first baseman going forward?
He certainly hits enough (26 homers, ridiculous hard-hit metrics, 19th-best slugging percentage in MLB). He needs to improve on defense, however.
So the Yankees should bring in a right-handed hitting complement who can provide the glove-work.
Rice can also catch and be a lefty DH, which might open more opportunities at first for a free agent, or even Bellinger, depending on how the outfield evolves.
There will be a new free agent joining the market this offseason.
Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami will be posted by the Yakult Swallows this winter, officially making him available to all 30 MLB teams, according to MLB’s Mark Feinsand.
Numerous teams are expected to be in the running for the lefty sluggers talents, and according to Nikkan Sports, both New York clubs are among them.
Murakami has been a star for the Swallows over the past eight seasons, taking home a pair of MVP awards while popping a combined 246 home runs, 165 doubles, and 681 RBI.
22 of those long balls came in an injury-riddled campaign this past season.
His biggest power display came in 2022, when he popped 56 homers and drove in 134 runs.
The 25-year-old mainly plays the hot corner, but he’s also spent time at first and DH.
For the Mets, Murakami presents an intriguing option for David Stearns to consider if slugger Pete Alonso were to leave in free agency after opting out of his deal with the club.
The Yankees, on the other hand, aren’t exactly a smooth fit at the moment but his powerful swing from the left-side certainly would be well suited for the short porch in the Bronx.
The Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies, Red Sox, and Giants are also expected to be in the mix.
Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (center) hangs his head as Dodgers players rush onto the field to celebrate their Game 4 win. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
"All's well that ends well" as they say, but during the entire Game 4 on Thursday night it felt to me like a game the Dodgers would lose as soon as the bullpen got to the mound, because they were not hitting worth a darn. L.A. scored because of an unforgiveable bases-loaded walk to tie and a throwing error for the ages by the Phillies pitcher for them to win. Losing last night would've sent them back to Philly with their heads way down to play in cold weather, with rainstorms brewing. Yes, their season could've easily been over by Saturday night.
So I don't yet see them as a "dominating team" and am holding my breath while waiting for their luck to maybe run out. That said, I've really enjoyed their 2025 season … so far.
Doug Weiskopf Burbank
Andy Pages hits a broken bat comebacker to the Phillies pitcher and that play turns into the winning run. With that the Dodgers advance in the playoffs. Yet, one of the first thoughts that came to my mind had to do with Kirk Gibson hitting his walk-off home run against the Oakland A's in the 1988 World Series and two Hall of Fame announcers with their calls. Vin Scully saying "In the year of the improbable, the impossible has happened!" And Jack Buck saying, "I can't believe what I just saw!" Either call would have fit Thursday night at Chavez Ravine. What an ending!!
Chris Sorce Fountain Valley
I am happy for the Dodgers. I have been a fan since I was 11 (1955 World Series vs. Yankees). I just wish that Game 4 would have ended differently. It could have ended with Andy Pages getting a base hit, or either Trea Turner or Bryce Harper making an error. I feel badly for relief pitcher Orion Kerkering. This will possibly scar him for his entire career. Certainly the Phillies fans will never forgive him (see Bill Buckner and the Red Sox fans — it was Bill’s manager who put him at first base, but the fans never saw it that way). I hope Orion gets traded by the Phillies and has a nice career.
John Vitz Manhattan Beach
Anyone still believing the Dodgers don’t have a decent bullpen, please call Roki Sasaki. My only question is what took us so long to realize it!
Marty Zweben Palos Verdes Estates
Best headline of the year: A Game of Thrown.
Keep up the great work!
Billy Groak Fullerton
Momentous moment
Replays and close-ups that watching on TV provides can’t compare with the excitement of being present. But once in a while there is a moment that only TV captures. Jerry Neuheisel was experiencing such a moment in UCLA's upset of Penn State and his father Rick’s exhilaration over the joyful moment.
Richard Agay Los Angeles
According to the headlines, photos and first 12 paragraphs of Ben Bolch's story, playcaller Jerry Neuheisel nearly single-handedly masterminded the Bruins upset win over the Nittany Lions. The interim head coach, Tim Skipper, was eventually mentioned merely as an afterthought. This is akin to attributing a ship's safe passage through rough seas to the first mate, not the captain. Let's hope that Coach Skipper is not relegated to attention only after a UCLA defeat.
Dave Sanderson La Cañada
Championship coaching
So Lakers coach JJ Redick keeps harping on championship habits, championship communication and championship shape, even making a veiled swipe at Luka Doncic at the end of last season saying not everyone was in “championship shape.” Can someone tell me, what does Redick know about being in championship shape? He never won an NBA championship. He ought to get himself in championship coaching shape so he doesn’t make the same rookie mistakes he made against the Timberwolves in last season's playoffs.
Danny Balber Jr. Pasadena
Charge it
Any offensive coordinator who has the ball on the one-yard line and throws a pass should be fired on the spot. Any team, no matter whether it's Pop Warner, high school, college or pro, that can't score from the one with four downs doesn't deserve a touchdown. Somebody wrote last week that the Chargers were the Clippers of football. They weren't lying.
Luis Cruz La Mirada
Time for change
Is anybody else watching the WNBA finals between the Las Vegas Aces and Mercury Phoenix? The arena seats are not full and ticket prices seemed to have dropped. Could it be because of the lack of action from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, or maybe due to inconsistent officiating, or perhaps many star players injured, or being fined for speaking out about these issues all season? Sure, players are asking for more pay, but what they are really asking for is fairness and a change in the system at the top.
Joan C. Fingon Ventura
The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.
SEATTLE — Jorge Polanco hit a game-ending single in the 15th inning, and the Seattle Mariners advanced to the AL Championship Series by outlasting the Detroit Tigers for a 3-2 victory Friday night in the longest winner-take-all postseason game in baseball history.
With one out and the bases loaded, Polanco drove in J.P. Crawford with a liner to right off Tommy Kahnle. Crawford hit a leadoff single, Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch and Julio Rodríguez was intentionally walked before Polanco’s big swing on the 472nd pitch of an epic Game 5 in a tightly contested Division Series.
The Mariners left 12 runners on base and still managed to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 2001. Next up is a matchup with the AL East champion Blue Jays, beginning on Sunday night at Toronto.
“We never give up. We just keep fighting. It doesn’t matter how many innings we play,” Polanco said. “We just stay ready and wait for the moment. It’s going to come. It was my time.”
Luis Castillo pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win in his first major league relief appearance. Logan Gilbert, another member of Seattle’s rotation, worked two scoreless innings in his first relief outing since his college days at Stetson University in 2017.
“It was such a tough night,” Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh said. “Everyone put their other stuff side and did everything for the team, including Logan and Luis.”
Detroit wasted a stellar performance by Tarik Skubal, who struck out 13 while pitching six innings of one-run ball. The Tigers went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base.
“We had an incredible game today that — unfortunately, somebody had to lose, and that somebody was us, and it hurts,” manager A.J. Hinch said.
Kerry Carpenter put Detroit in front when he hit a two-run homer off Gabe Speier in the sixth inning. Carpenter had four hits and walked twice, becoming the first player to reach five times and hit a home run in a winner-take-all postseason game since Babe Ruth in 1926.
The Mariners tied it at 2 on Leo Rivas’ pinch-hit single off Tyler Holton in the seventh. Rivas celebrated his 28th birthday with his first postseason hit.
“He was up to the task tonight,” Seattle manager Dan Wilson said. “It was a huge hit.”
Up next
Seattle dropped four of its six games against Toronto this season. The Mariners won two of three in an April series in Toronto, but they were swept by the Blue Jays at home from May 9-11.
Philadelphia Phillies players look on from the dugout during the 11th inning against the Dodgers on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Their moods did not improve. (Harry How / Getty Images)
Philadelphia sports fans have a bit of a reputation for not always being the most upstanding of citizens.
Then over in the NFL, the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles were dominated by NFC West rival New York Giants 34-17 on "Thursday Night Football." And in the NHL, the Flyers lost their season opener 2-1 to the Florida Panthers.
For any other city's fan base, that might be considered the worst day ever. But believe it or not, Philly fans had to endure a similarly disheartening day nearly 42 years ago, according to sports statistician Greg Harvey.
Cities in history to have their NHL team lose, NFL team lose & MLB team lose in the playoffs & be eliminated all on the same day:
Harvey pointed out on X that Oct. 16, 1983, was the only other time in history that one city's MLB team team suffered a season-ending loss in the postseason while its NFL and NHL teams lost as well. And that unlucky city was Philadelphia.
That was the day that the Phillies, nicknamed the "Wheeze Kids" that season for all the veteran players on the roster, fell 5-0 to the Baltimore Orioles to lose the World Series four games to one.
Meanwhile, the Eagles were off to a 4-2 start to their season before losing that day to the Dallas Cowboys 37-7. It was the start of a seven-game losing streak for the Eagles, who wound up finishing the season 5-11.
The Flyers suffered their first loss of that season — 5-4 to the New York Rangers — after starting the year with five straight wins. Months later, they ended up finishing third in the Patrick Division before being swept out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Washington Capitals.
So maybe, just maybe, you might want to take it easy on the Philadelphia sports fans in your life — at least until the next time one or more them does something that makes the rest of us cringe.
And hopefully those fans extend the same courtesy to Kerkering. Maybe he'll end up being the one person who can tell Santa Claus and the others that Philly fans aren't all that bad after all.
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to be the first repeat World Series champions in a quarter century, helped along by superb starting pitching, a flame-throwing rookie in the bullpen and strong defense.
They were swigging and spraying from bottles with — oops — NLCS on the labels while partying in the team’s batting cage after a wild 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings.
“We’re going to find a way to win a ballgame even when things aren’t going our way,” utility player Kiké Hernández said.
NL West champion Los Angeles took the best-of-five NL Division Series 3-1 and will play either the NL Central-winning Milwaukee Brewers or runner-up Chicago Cubs in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series. Those teams play a decisive Game 5 in Milwaukee.
The Dodgers dropped four of seven to the Cubs during the regular season. The Brewers swept their six games with the Dodgers, outscoring them 31-16 while holding Los Angeles to two or fewer runs in four of those games.
No matter who’s up next, the Dodgers are rolling at the right time, winning five of their first six postseason games. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow lead a stellar rotation. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a candidate to start on the mound in Game 1 of the NLCS.
“The whole pitching staff, we don’t win this series if it wasn’t for them,” Hernández said.
The defense is helping, too.
The Dodgers made a couple of clutch defensive plays during a 4-3 win in Game 2 against the Phillies.
Freddie Freeman had a game-saving pick at first base and they successfully executed a defensive wheel play with the Phillies threatening.
With Nick Castellanos on second, third baseman Max Muncy rushed home plate to field a bunt by Bryson Stott, turned and perfectly threw to shortstop Mookie Betts, who was covering third. Betts got the out while being upended by a sliding Castellanos.
Rookie Roki Sasaki delivered three perfect innings of relief in the finale. The right-hander has allowed just one baserunner over 5 1/3 scoreless playoff innings after returning late last month from a long-term shoulder injury.
“It’s a massive weapon for us this whole postseason now,” Freeman said.
Ohtani and Freeman have not been so great at the plate. They’ll need to jump-start their offense in the next round.
Ohtani had a franchise-record 55 homers — second-best in the NL — in the regular season. He homered twice in the wild-card round against Cincinnati, but has gone silent since. He was 1 for 18 with nine strikeouts in the NLDS, going 0 for 5 in Game 3.
Freeman hit .295 during the season — third-best in the NL — and had 39 doubles and 24 homers. He was 1 for 5, extending his postseason on-base streak to 11 games with a single.
Bellinger, who had a $25 million player option for 2026, said after New York's season ended on Wednesday night that he would welcome a return to the Bronx if he opted out.
Bellinger, 30, slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 152 regular season games this year, helping the Yankees make it back to the postseason. While there, the former NL MVP performed well, despite his less-than-stellar numbers. In the seven playoff games this year, Bellinger slashed .214/.258/.393 with an OPS of .651. He hit one home run, two doubles and drove in four runs while playing very good defense.
In Game 4 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays, while Bellinger made a terrific sliding catch to prevent runs from scoring in the first inning, he went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, including striking out swinging in the ninth inning to end the game.
While the season didn't end the way Bellinger and the Yankees wanted, the 30-year-old looked fondly on his time in the Bronx and with his teammates.
"I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform. Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room," he said. "It really is special. It's such a fun group, a fun group to be a part of. We came up short and that part stinks for sure because we had a really really good group here."
Manager Aaron Boone was asked about Bellinger and Trent Grisham -- who is set to be a free agent this offseason -- and whether he hopes they return to the Yankees in 2026.
"The thing I'll say about them is they're a big reason why I was so excited about this club down the stretch and at this point. Just really proud of who those guys were and are and what they became as players, as driving forces for our team," Boone said. "But in those two cases, the two people those guys are in the room every single day and what they brought to the table as teammates every single day, I appreciate that. And I'm grateful to get to have managed those two guys. Who knows? Hopefully, in both cases, I get to keep doing it."
New York acquired Bellinger and $5 million in cash considerations last December through a trade with the Chicago Cubs for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet.
He originally signed with the Cubs on a one-year contract entering 2023, including a mutual option for 2024, which saw him slash .307/.356/.525 while hitting 26 home runs and 97 RBI over 130 games. It was his best season since 2019. That year, his age-23 season, Bellinger's career-best campaign included a .305/.406/.629 slash line with 47 home runs and 115 RBI in 162 regular season games.
After the 2023 season, Bellinger declined his mutual option and became a free agent. He re-signed with the Cubs in February 2024 on a three-year, $80 million contract that included opt-out clauses after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Bellinger slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI over 130 regular-season games in 2024 for the Cubs.
"I get business," Bellinger said last December while discussing Chicago's decision to trade him after he opted into his clause for 2025. "Very good at separating the business and the baseball, and I'm the baseball player and there's business in this game, so I just want to prepare and play the best baseball that I can play."
Cody Bellinger says he'd welcome a return to the Yankees if he opts out of his contract:
"I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform. Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room. It's special." pic.twitter.com/Ov93n3eGjF
CHICAGO — With one big swing, Ian Happ sent a charge through an electric crowd of 41,770 at Wrigley Field.
After a rough start to the playoffs, it was a pretty sweet moment for the longest-tenured player with the Chicago Cubs.
Happ connected for a three-run homer in the first inning, sending Chicago to a 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that pushed their NL Division Series to a decisive Game 5.
“I’m just so happy for Ian,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “I think it was great for Ian to have the playoff moment that he deserved. It was a huge swing.”
Nico Hoerner singled and Kyle Tucker walked ahead of Happ’s two-out drive to right on a 1-1 fastball from Freddy Peralta. Chicago became the first team in major league history with a first-inning homer in four straight games during one postseason.
The switch-hitting Happ also connected against Peralta in Game 1, but he is 2 for 32 with 14 strikeouts against the right-hander in the regular season.
“I’ve had a ton of at-bats against him,” Happ said. “He’s had my number quite a bit. But I got him in Milwaukee on a fastball so I knew he was going to go changeup, changeup to start the at-bat and it was probably going to be a lot more soft stuff. I was able to get a fastball in that at-bat to hit.”
Happ was selected by Chicago with the No. 9 pick in the 2015 amateur draft out of the University of Cincinnati. He made his big league debut in 2017, batting .253 with 24 homers and 68 RBIs for a Cubs team that won the NL Central and made it to the NL Championship Series.
He played in his 1,000th game with the team on April 5, but struggled for much of the year. He hit .243 with 23 homers and 79 RBIs in 150 games.
“He’s been around for a while, and he’s kind of the leader of this group,” teammate Michael Busch said. “Just the way he goes about his business each and every day. No matter if it’s a spring training game, postseason game, he’s always going to give you a good at-bat, and he had quite a few of them tonight.”
Happ went 2 for 21 with 11 strikeouts in Chicago’s first six postseason games this year. After going deep in the first, he flied out to the warning track in the third and again in the seventh.
“It felt great,” Happ said of the first-inning homer. “The guys have been carrying me all postseason so to contribute in that moment and give us the lead was awesome for me. It was a really cool moment at Wrigley.”
The Seattle Mariners had an opportunity to close out their Division Series against the Detroit Tigers Wednesday in Motown...and lost. Their reward? They now must defeat Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal tonight in Seattle in order to earn the right to play for the American League pennant against the Toronto Blue Jays. George Kirby gets the ball for the Mariners.
With Skubal taking the mound, there is no doubt the Tigers are confident heading into Game 5. Skubal has given up three earned runs or more in just two of his last ten starts. He has lasted an average of 6.2 innings and struck out an average of 7.7 hitters in each of those ten starts.
Add to it the fact that Detroit rolled Seattle in Game 4 and that confidence meter ticks up yet another notch or two for the Tigers. Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres each went yard to lead the Tigers to a 9-3 win in Game 4. Detroit pounded out 13 hits in the game. The nine runs were the most they had scored since plating 11 at Yankee Stadium on September 10.
George Kirby has been special this season for Seattle, but Tarik Skubal is why Detroit is suddenly favored to move on to the American League Championship series following tonight's game.
Lets dive deeper into the matchup and numbers and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game details & how to watch Tigers at Mariners
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 8:08PM EST
Site: T-Mobile Park
City: Seattle, WA
Network/Streaming: FOX
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Tigers at the Mariners
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Detroit Tigers (-131), Seattle Mariners (+107)
Spread: Tigers -1.5 (+149)
Total: 6.0 runs
Probable starting pitchers for Tigers at Mariners - ALDS Game 5
Pitching matchup for October 10, 2025: Tarik Skubal vs. George Kirby
Tigers: Tarik Skubal (Reg. Season: 13-6, 2.21 ERA Last outing: Gm. 2 at Seattle (10/5) - 7IP, 2ER, 5H, 1 BB, 9Ks Skubal has struck out at least 8 in each of his last 4 starts with each lasting at least 6 innings
Mariners: George Kirby (Reg. Season: 10-8, 4.21 ERA) Last outing: Gm. 1 vs. Detroit (10/4) - 5IP, 2ER, 6H, 1BB, 8Ks Kirby has struck out at least 7 in each of his last 4 starts and has done so without pitching more than 6.1 innings in any of the four starts
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Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Tigers at Mariners - ALDS Game 5
Javier Baez is 1-13 (.077) in his career against George Kirby
Kerry Carpenter is 5-11 (.455) with 5 HRs in his career against Kirby
Gleyber Torres is 5-12 (.417) in his career against Kirby
J.P. Crawford is hitting .625 (5-8) in his career against Tarik Skubal
Jorge Polanco has homered 3 times in 29 career ABs against Skubal
Julio Roriguez is 2-11 (.182) against Skubal in his career
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s ALDS Game 5 between the Tigers and the Mariners
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s game between the Tigers and the Mariners:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
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The thud of another October disappointment will certainly linger in Yankeeland and obscure a fine renaissance by a talented team over the course of what was a trying, topsy-turvy season.
These Yankees were at first great, then perplexing – and somewhat alarming – before getting themselves together. A strong stretch run led to a Wild Card series victory over the Red Sox and then an ALDS loss to, ultimately, a better Toronto Blue Jays squad.
It wasn’t what the Yanks wanted or what their fans demanded – winning second only to breathing, yada, yada, yada. Still, the Yankees had some excellent individual performances and tied for the AL lead in wins by going 94-68 with MLB’s top offense.
But there were some down years, too. All will be reflected in our Yankees Report Card.
Here are the grades. Yes, this includes the playoffs:
Plan B worked after Juan Soto left for Queens, the organization delivered some high-end young pitching, and Cashman had a strong trade deadline, even if every move wasn’t a home run. There will be the usual carping about how Cashman should pay because fans shouldn’t have to wait so long between World Series titles – the last one, you may have heard, came way back in 2009. Oh, alas!
Who knows what happens to the rotation without Max Fried? Cody Bellinger was a monster addition and in July the GM addressed a sagging bullpen and an open wound at third base. There’s work to be done on this roster – how about some contact hitters? There's also thorny questions looming this winter, but Cashman had a solid year.
The Yankees had a 6.5-game division lead in early June and then stumbled, lurching into a fundamental quagmire. Through it all, Boone remained publicly positive. While that didn’t please fans thirsting for blame-game rants, it seemed to work on the roster – and the Yanks finished with the third-best record in MLB and the seventh postseason berth in Boone’s eight-year tenure.
Maybe, though, he and the organization could have been more proactive when Anthony Volpe was struggling so badly at shortstop. Sometimes, tough love is love, too.
Boone gets heat for game-level moves – what manager doesn’t? But, as only one example, he was huge in Game 3 of the ALDS, using his best hitters instead of overreacting to the reverse-splits of Toronto starter Shane Bieber. Then, when the Yanks fell way behind early, he set a bullpen path that stopped the Jays so his hitters could rally.
Video game numbers again over the full season – his slugging percentage was 66 points higher than the next-best, Shohei Ohtani, he led MLB in average by 20 points and on-base percentage by 58. And hit 53 home runs.
And now the Negative Nellies of the world can’t even ding him for his October performance after he batted .500 and hit that seismic homer off the left-field foul pole in Game 3.
The Yankees captain is a living, breathing cheat code who does everything well. Is there a higher league he can move up to?
GRADE: A+++
Aug 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates with designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) after they score on Bellinger’s two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. / Matt Marton-Imagn Images
CODY BELLINGER
Defensive versatility, 29 homers and a strong all-around game added up to a nifty first Bronx season for Bellinger. He also led the Yanks with a .348 average with runners in scoring position, exhibiting a clutch gene. Needed more from him than a .651 OPS in the postseason, though. He’s reportedly opting out of his contract, so we’ll see if he returns, but he’s a strong fit at Yankee Stadium.
GRADE: B+
CARLOS RODÓN
Huge regular season in which he was the hardest pitcher in the AL to get a hit against – his 6.1 hits-per-nine was the lowest in the circuit. He finished with a 3.09 ERA and 203 strikeouts in 33 starts. He had one OK postseason start, delivering six innings against the Red Sox, but was hammered by the Jays for six runs and departed in the third inning of Game 3 of the ALDS. His 9.72 playoff ERA knocks his final grade.
GRADE: B+
MAX FRIED
Assumed the ace mantle after Gerrit Cole got hurt and delivered, big time, in the first year of his big-money contract ($218 million, most ever for a free agent lefty). His 19 wins led all of MLB and his 2.86 ERA was eighth. He was 11-1 after Yankee losses in the regular season, but was not a stopper in the Jays series – Toronto hammered him for seven runs in three innings in Game 2, which mars his final grade. He had started the postseason nicely, too, throwing 6.1 shutout frames against the Red Sox.
GRADE: A-
JAZZ CHISHOLM JR.
Was the third Yankee ever to have a 30-30 season and provides needed energy and swag to the Yanks, who sometimes skew bland. Even volunteered to play third base when needed, even though he’s best at second base where his athleticism can shine. Monster homer in Game 3 against Toronto gave the Yanks the lead for good in a comeback, though his game-changing error in Game 4 hurt chances for another rally.
GRADE B+
Aug 30, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring against the Chicago White Sox during the 11th inning at Rate Field. / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
TRENT GRISHAM
We all napped on The Big Sleep, didn’t we? Grisham broke out with a career-best 34 homers and an .811 OPS in taking over center field. He provided solid defense, at least via the eye test (defensive metrics are not in love with his play), and should be set up for a nice free agent payday. Struggled in the postseason, though, batting just .138.
GRADE: B
BEN RICE
Another breakout player, Rice smashed 26 home runs and was a Statcast darling, ranking among the sports’ boldface names in hard-hit metrics. Can catch, but could be the everyday first baseman in 2026, too, though he must improve defensively.
GRADE: B
CAM SCHLITTLER
One of the most exciting developments of the year, Schlittler’s emergence as a rotation weapon cannot be overstated, as hard as we might try. The 23-year-old had a 2.96 ERA in 14 starts and then exploded in the postseason with a dominant start against his hometown Red Sox – eight scoreless innings and 12 strikeouts, no walks. Then he delivered the only competent start in the entire series against the Blue Jays. Does anyone throw 100 miles-per-hour as smoothly as this guy?
GRADE: A
GIANCARLO STANTON
He only played 77 games, but was terrific when healthy, bashing 24 homers and notching a .944 OPS. Didn’t deliver the usual October Giancarlo, though, batting .192 with a .536 OPS and no homers.
GRADE: B
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) hits a solo home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium / Brad Penner - Imagn Images
ANTHONY VOLPE
Volpe fell way off after a strong 2024 postseason had fueled high hopes. Had the fourth-most errors (19) in baseball and a career-worst .272 on-base percentage. He looked lost in the ALDS, going 1-for-15 with 11 strikeouts. Still, he got his defense back on track after his midseason woes became a dominant Yankee storyline. Also had 55 extra-base hits, including 19 home runs, and added 72 RBI. Next year could be a crossroads-type season for the 24-year-old, homegrown shortstop.
GRADE: D
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Maybe he didn’t have the big power numbers (10 homers, .403 slugging percentage) that he piled up earlier in his career, but Goldschmidt provided strong defense at first base, was clutch (.312 average with RISP) and hammered lefties. He was fourth in MLB with a .981 OPS against left-handed pitching.
GRADE: B
JOSÉ CABALLERO
A fine, versatile deadline pickup who played second, third, short and the outfield for the Yanks and had an .828 OPS in 40 games. He was 15-for-18 in steals after donning pinstripes and over his time in the Bronx and Tampa Bay he led MLB with 49 thefts. How will he impact the shortstop position next year?
GRADE: B
RYAN MCMAHON
He’s a spectacular defensive player – did you see that tumble and catch into the Red Sox dugout? – who helped solidify the infield after he took over third base and let Chisholm move to third. He’s got potential for some thump, matching Rice’s average exit velocity (93.3 mph), though he only hit four homers in 54 games with the Yankees, 20 overall including his time in Colorado.
GRADE: B-
May 14, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) hits an RBI doube against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. / John Froschauer-Imagn Images
JASSON DOMÍNGUEZ
Mega prospect had 10 homers, 23 steals and a .719 OPS in 123 games. He really struggled as a right-handed hitter, batting only .204 against lefties. Only had one postseason at-bat, a pinch-hit double. Next year’s big for him, too.
GRADE: C+
AUSTIN WELLS
Hit 21 homers and drove in 71 runs as a catcher, so there was some offensive contribution from a defensive position, though his OPS-plus of 95 was below MLB average and he hit only .227 with a .488 OPS in the playoffs. Trusted behind the plate, he’s an excellent pitch-framer and caught 25.3 percent of runners trying to steal, well above league average (21.5 percent).
GRADE: B
WILL WARREN
Overall numbers didn’t match his nasty repertoire, but Warren has plenty of promise. The rookie struck out 9.5 per nine innings and had a 4.44 ERA and gave the Yanks needed bulk, tying for the AL lead with 33 starts and throwing 162.1 innings.
GRADE: B-
LUIS GIL
Abbreviated numbers were OK – 3.32 ERA in 11 starts after return from injury. But his underlying metrics were scary as his stuff lost some of his electricity while he tried harder to throw strikes. Another big talent who heads into a big 2026 for his career.
GRADE: C
Aug 5, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Devin Williams (38) reacts after leaving the game during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
DEVIN WILLIAMS
Elite reliever whose early struggles fouled his overall numbers (4.76 ERA) and incurred fans’ ire. He was the closer, then wasn’t the closer and ended as a trusted setup man with 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
GRADE: C+
TIM HILL
In 70 outings, the lefty had a 3.09 ERA and was real hell on left-handed hitters, holding them to a .181 average and .444 OPS. Had three scoreless outings in the playoffs, including a key 1.1 innings in the Game 3 comeback in the ALDS.
GRADE: B+
LUKE WEAVER
He retired only one of the seven batters he faced in the playoffs, so he had a 135.00 ERA. Yikes. His season numbers, including a 3.62 ERA, were OK, but this was not a big-time follow-up to his strong 2024.
GRADE: C
FERNANDO CRUZ
The Yanks really missed Cruz and his elite splitter when he was injured. On the split, he held hitters to a .178 average and .280 slugging. Overall, he had a 3.56 ERA and 13.5 K/9 during the regular season and a 2.45 ERA in four postseason outings.
GRADE: B
New York Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval (75) throws in the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game one of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre / Nick Turchiaro - Imagn Images
CAMILO DOVAL
Doval had a rough transition after coming over in a deadline deal, recording a 4.82 ERA and walking 11 in 18.2 innings. But he looked more like himself (2.70 ERA) in the playoffs, which added oomph to the bullpen.
GRADE: C+
DAVID BEDNAR
Bednar, probably the Yankees’ best deadline pickup, stabilized the back end of the bullpen when he arrived, even though he blew his first pinstriped save opportunity. He had a 2.19 ERA and 10 saves in 22 regular season outings and a 1.50 ERA and two more saves in five playoff appearances.
GRADE: B+
AMED ROSARIO
Utility pickup brought in to combat lefties, Rosario had a .788 OPS in 33 at-bats and then went 3-for-10 in the playoffs.
