PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Cesar Perdomo #83 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in his major league debut in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 1, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s series finale time, and it’s the rubber match between the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, a pair of teams who expected to be a whole lot better than they are.
On the mound for the Giants is left-hander César Perdomo, who makes his second career appearance. The 24-year old, who was only just added to the roster, made his MLB debut on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and gave up just one run in four relief innings. Now he’ll get a chance for his first Major League start, and his first Major League win. In nine starts with AAA Sacramento this year, Perdomo had a 5.10 ERA and a 5.33 FIP, with 36 strikeouts and 20 walks in 47.2 innings.
For the Mets, it’s right-hander Christian Scott, a 27-year old in his second career season. Scott has made 20 starts this year, and is 4-4 with a 3.80 ERA, a 3.76 FIP, and 113 strikeouts to 44 walks in 94.2 innings. In his last outing, Scott gave up three runs in 5.1 innings against the Houston Astros.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 18: Miguel Ullola #66 of the Houston Astros pitches in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on August 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Houston Astros announced this morning that they are recalling reliever Miguel Ullola from Triple-A Sugar Land. The team optioned reliever Kai-Wei Teng to Sugar Land following last night’s game.
Ullola, 24, is 0-0, 4.50 ERA for Houston in 4 appearances spanning 6 innings. He has allowed 3 runs on 4 hits, walked 1 and struck out 9. He did allow 2 HR.
At Sugar Land this season, Ullola converted from a starter to a reliever, as the team believed it would help with his control issues. He is 5-4 with a 4.21 ERA for the Space Cowboys this season. In 39 appearances (including 10 starts) Ullola has allowed 45 hits and 42 walks in 66.1 IP, with 90 strikeouts.
Teng, 27, started the season well but has struggled since developing arm fatigue and then landing on the IL with a knee sprain in late June. Teng is 5-7 this season with a 4.76 ERA. In 30 appearances (including 10 starts), Teng has allowed 69 hits, 33 walks and 10 HR in 73.2 IP. He has struck out 73, but he has hit 13 batters.
Teng had allowed a run in each of his last 3 outings. In that time, he has allowed 6 ER in 3.1 IP on 6 hits, 3 walks and only 2 strikeouts. He took the loss on Tuesday Sept. 1 when he allowed 3 runs in 2 innings against the White Sox.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 1: Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish #38 of the Baltimore Orioles delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a tough week in Birdland. After beginning the week with two heartbreaking losses in Denver, the Orioles have been thoroughly outplayed in three straight losses to the Red Sox.
Pitching hasn’t been the problem for the O’s. During their current five game losing streak, Baltimore has three quality starts and none of their starters have allowed more than three runs.
Offensively, the Orioles have been a disaster. Over the last fives, Baltimore is averaging just 2.4 runs/game. The O’s haven’t scored any runs since Christian Encarnacion-Strand’s two-run homer in the 9th inning of Thursday’s Game 1 vs. the Red Sox. Friday and Saturday’s shutout losses was only the second time all season the O’s were shutout in back-to-back games.
The Orioles’ playoff chances are on life support, and if they want to stop them from flatlining, they’ll have to score some runs against stingy southpaw Payton Tolle. The rookie left-hander has faced the Orioles twice this season, both times in Fenway Park.
His first matchup with Baltimore back in June saw him toss 6 shutout innings while punching out five. A month later, the Orioles tagged Tolle for 4 runs, though he struck out 9 in a game Boston won 6-5.
Much like Brandon Young for the Orioles, Tolle pitching has meant wins for Boston. The Red Sox are 9-1 in the left-hander’s last 10 outings.
The Orioles will turn to right-handler Kyle Bradish as they look to end they five-game skid. Bradish has faced Boston twice this year, guiding the O’s to a win in Boston in July, but taking the L against the Red Sox back in April. His last six starts have been a bit rocky for the Orioles’ former ace, putting up a 5.10 over 30 innings.
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 05: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox takes the field before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 5, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Baltimore Orioles are clinging to their playoff lives. They’ve dropped five straight games and sit three games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the final Wild Card spot, with two teams between them. With just 19 games remaining, they’ll need to turn things around in a hurry to sneak into the final spot.
Unfortunately for Baltimore, they have an opponent with added motivation. After Blaze Alexander’s questionable slide and subsequent hyping of the crowd on Friday, the Red Sox weren’t happy. Last night, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa mocked Alexander’s slide, and Sonny Gray said they wanted to “bury” the Orioles. If last night wasn’t the final nail in the coffin for Baltimore, a sixth straight loss could be.
Payton Tolle goes for the Red Sox, who went 5.2 against the Seattle Mariners last Monday. He looked fatigued throughout the start, so the extra rest is very welcome for Tolle. The team has an off day each week to finish the season, making the pitching management much simpler. The Orioles will throw Kyle Bradish. He held the Sox to one run over six innings back in July, but has a 5.71 ERA over his seven starts since then.
In roster news Ceddanne Rafaela went on the injured list retroactive to September 3rd with a quad sprain, while Nate Eaton was recalled to take his place. Eli White gets his fourth straight start in center field today.
We’re still 3.5 games behind the Yankees, but dates with the Angels and Royals on the horizon represent a chance to stack wins and gain ground if New York scuffles. Taking care of the O’s is up first, though, at 1:35 PM EST on NESN and WEEI.
Lineups
Red Sox look to sweep the Birds:
Anthony RF, Gasper 1B, Rutschman C, Story SS, Sogard 2B, Durbin 3B, Duran LF, Monasterio DH, White CF, Tolle P
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 10: Starting pitcher Christian Scott (45) of the New York Mets delivers a pitch during the Monday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets on August 10, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS
Juan Soto – DH
Bo Bichette – 3B
Carson Benge – RF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Nick Morabito – LF
A.J. Ewing – CF
Luis Torrens – C
SP: Christian Scott – RHP
Giants lineup
Drew Gilbert – CF
Rafael Devers – DH
Bryce Eldridge – 1B
Jonah Cox – 2B
Jung Hoo Lee – RF
Osleivis Basabe – 3B
Grant McCray – LF
Drew Cavanaugh – C
Christian Koss – SS
SP: Cesar Perdomo – LHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:40 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Over his last few games, Stowers has been generating too much hard contact to ignore. Over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching, he has an 83.3% hard-hit rate and a 25% barrel rate. On top of that, he owns a .577 SLG, .977 OPS, and .269 ISO.
According to Batters-Box, where he owns an elite rating today, Stowers covers more than 83% of Holmes' pitch mix.
Despite Holmes' success against left-handed hitters this season, the way Stowers sees and hits the ball makes this hard to pass up.
Jones has been crushing right-handed pitching over his last 30 at-bats, owning a .538 SLG and .307 ISO while generating a 62.5% hard-hit rate and 25% barrel rate.
Over the last 60 left-handed hitters Padres starter Michael King has faced, they are generating a barrel rate of nearly 10%, while posting a .291 xBA, .548 xSLG and .406 xwOBA.
Five of Jones' last 10 batted balls have been at least 102 mph off the bat. It is hard to pass up backing a guy making that much hard contact.
Take this down to 20%.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: YES, SDPA
Home run prediction: Rafael Devers (22%)
Another heavy hitter who has been making a boatload of hard contact is San Francisco Giants slugger Rafael Devers. Over his last 10 games, he has generated the third-highest barrel rate while posting a 62.1% hard-hit rate and .949 SLG.
This afternoon, he draws New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott, who has been getting lit up by left-handed hitters. The last 30 lefties he has faced own a .346 xBA, .526 xSLG and .383 xwOBA. Scott is also allowing 2.70 HR/9 during that span.
Devers enters Sunday with the second-highest matchup rating on Batters-Box, where he covers 100% of Scott's pitch mix.
Ride the hot bat.
Take this down to 24%.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SNY, NBCSBA
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 120-411, +25.3 units
Best home run combo for Sept. 6
Kyle Stowers
Trade Now 118.00x
Spencer Jones
Rafael Devers
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Sep 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) reacts as he runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Through two games of this Braves-Phillies series, we’re exactly back where we started.
After one win apiece, the Braves’ NL East lead remains four games.
Atlanta can push that back to five or the Phillies can reduce it to three during Sunday afternoon’s 1:10 p.m. ET matchup at Citizens Bank Park, which will be a national broadcast on NBC.
The Braves are turning to Tyler Mahle, who has made a strong case for best deadline rotation addition through his first five starts with Atlanta, while the Phillies will counter with Aaron Nola, who is in the midst of a resurgent stretch himself.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders logo is seen on a hat before a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 23, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
It should be a very interesting final two weeks to the International League season.
Entering Triple-A play on Sunday, nine teams are within 4.5 games of first place in the second-half IL standings. At the top of those standings are the Rochester Red Wings, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, with a 37-25 record. One game back are the Yankees’ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders with a 35-25 record. Those teams will meet in a six-game series starting Monday* at ESL Ballpark in New York.
*There’s a rare Monday game on Labor Day; the two teams will be off on Tuesday and resume the series on Wednesday.
At 82-53 overall, Rochester has the most wins in the IL this season. In the first half, the Red Wings finished one game behind the champion Memphis Redbirds. The RailRiders are 72-62 overall.
In the season series, the RailRiders hold a 10-8 edge, outscoring the Red Wings, 101-94. They took four of six games from April 1-5 in Rochester and four of six from April 21-26 at PNC Field in northeastern Pennsylvania. When Rochester returned in an August 4-9 series, it won four of six.
Both teams are evenly matched. Rochester ranks second in the league in team batting average at .264 and the RailRiders rank third at .262. The RailRiders are second in the league in home runs with 195 and the Red Wings tied for third with 189. Rochester is third in team earned-run average at 4.44, the RailRiders fourth at 4.47.
Trey Lipscomb leads the way for the Red Wings, batting .292 while ranking second in the league in home runs (30) and RBIs (88) and tied for second in hits (135). Phillip Glasser bats .271 with 44 RBIs. Andrew Pinckney hits .270 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs. Seaver King is the No. 4 prospect in the Nationals organization and is batting .301 with 14 home runs and 43 RBIs. One of his home runs came off Carlos Rodón when the Yankees’ 2025 All-Star lefty was making a rehab start on August 8th at PNC Field.
On the mound, Red Wings right-hander Chander Champlain is 8-5 with a 3.68 ERA, which ranks second in the league, and 85 strikeouts in 120 innings. If his name rings a bell, he was a 2021 ninth-round pick by the Yankees and part of the Royals’ return for Andrew Benintendi in the trade at the 2022 deadline; he signed with the Nats as a minor-league free agent this past offseason. He combined with four relievers on a two-hit shutout of the RailRiders on April 22nd. Two more familiar faces in the bullpen are former RailRiders Yovanny Cruz and Jake Bird, who were in the trade the Yankees made with the Nationals to acquire Luis García Jr. Both were briefly in the Nats’ big-league bullpen after the deadline but have since been sent back to Triple-A.
Oswaldo Cabrera leads the RailRiders in batting at .291 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs. He is tied for fifth in the league in hits with 128. Yanquiel Fernández is tied for sixth in the league with 24 home runs and tied for third with 78 RBIs. Duke Ellis ranks second in the IL with 49 steals.
Anthony Volpe has provided an offensive spark since being sent down by the Yankees in early August. In 26 games, he is batting .300 with seven doubles, one triple, 10 home runs and 20 RBIs. Five of his home runs have come in the last six games.
“He looks like a man on a mission,” RailRiders manager Shelley Duncan said. “We’re getting a good glimpse of the Anthony Volpe that a lot of the people in New York have fallen in love with. It’s fun to see him play with that freedom, that energy that he has.”
Brendan Beck is the top pitcher in the league, ranking first in innings (125.2), strikeouts (140), ERA (2.86), opponents’ battings average (.204) and WHIP (1.04) and second in wins (9). Rochester did inflict one of Beck’s two losses this season April 26th. However, the right-hander has not lost since, winning seven games with 10 no-decisions. One of the wins came against the Red Wings on August 4th when he tossed six shutout innings and struck out a career-high 12.
While the RailRiders can help themselves against Rochester this week, they also have to be aware of the teams behind them in the standings. The Worcester Red Sox, Indianapolis Indians, St. Paul Saints, Durham Bulls, Syracuse Mets, Columbus Clippers, and Nashville Sounds are all still in the mix and have ideas at making a run at first place.
However, Duncan said the RailRiders can’t get too caught up in scoreboard watching.
“We can only control what we can control and that’s what we’re going to put all our energy into,” Duncan said. “When those games happen, they bring enough energy on their own. To try to induce it by worrying about all that stuff, it’s a trap. Any time you start hunting those on the scoreboard and start letting it get in your head, it’s a trap to get you out of who you are. These guys play hard every single day no matter what situation they’re in. It’s fun to just go out there and win a game regardless.”
While the second-half title likely won’t be clinched this week, the series between the RailRiders and Rochester could go a long way in determining who does.
“I feel like we’re in a good spot to get that first place,” RailRiders pitcher Alexander Cornielle said. “The guys are rolling, coming together more, speaking on stuff as a team that we need to get better at. We support each other and I feel like we’ve hit that point in the season where everything is falling in place. I feel like we have a pretty good chance of making first place. I don’t like to speak on the future, but I’m pretty confident that we have the tools here to make it.”
When Jonah Tong takes the mound for the Mets on Monday afternoon against the Miami Marlins, it will mark his first action in the majors since June 2, and just his fourth appearance overall in the bigs this season.
But interim manager Andy Green made it clear that Tong will stay in the Mets' rotation for the remainder of the season, giving the young pitcher more clarity than he's had in past call-ups.
"He’s had a good run here recently (with Syracuse) and we want to see him build on it," Green said. "So, I think we’re all excited to see it, and we’ll continue to hand him the ball for the rest of this year. We’re not going to make a secret of that. He’s going to post when it’s his turn to pitch, and he hasn’t really had that knowledge at any point in his big-league career."
"We recognize there’s not a lot of season left, but the season that is left, he’s going to be in the rotation and he’s going to get the baseball."
While his 2026 season hasn’t necessarily gone the way that Tong and many others have hoped, the young right-hander is ready for his next opportunity.
“Just continue what I’ve been doing all year. Just stacking days and honestly just going out there and having fun,” Tong said on Sunday in the Mets clubhouse. “I find we play our best when we’re out there having fun.”
The 2025 season was certainly a lot of fun for Tong, as he dominated the minor leagues to the tune of a 1.43 ERA and a whopping 179 strikeouts in 113.2 combined innings between Binghamton and Syracuse (mostly with Binghamton).
But his 2025 call-up was a struggle, as he pitched to a 7.71 ERA in five starts, looking like he needed more seasoning before coming back to the majors, and his minor league numbers this season have not been nearly as dominant.
In 23 games with Syracuse this season, Tong has pitched to a 4.54 ERA, and his strikeout numbers, while still impressive at 126 punchouts in 107 innings, aren’t quite as overpowering as they were a year ago.
“There are so many things that we have control over in our career, and sometimes there are just lessons that have to be learned,” Tong said. “I’m just really excited to see the person that I’ve become out of it.”
Tong, knowing that he's in the rotation for the remainder of the season, is still taking things one day at a time, and he’s focused on being where his feet are, as he likes to say.
“I think just day by day and brick by brick. I’m the same kid I was last year as I am this year,” he said. “The only difference is I just have a boatload of experience that I didn’t have last year.
“Excited for the opportunity … Just enjoy the process and really take each day as it is.”
The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins wrap up a series on Sunday Night Baseball, with the White Sox installed as a modest favorite and the total set at 8.5.
The White Sox are turning this into a bullpen day. Bryan Hudson opens, Jose Urquidy follows in bulk relief, and the Twins counter with Bailey Ober, who ranks in the Bottom 10 percentile of baseball in both strikeout rate and whiff rate this year.
Chicago's late-season form is clearly the better of these two clubs, and the way this game is being pitched has my White Sox vs. Twins prediction backing the home team. See why I'm also backing the Over in my MLB picks on Sunday, Sep. 6.
Who will win Twins vs White Sox today: White Sox -1.5 (39%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
Minnesota Twins arm Bailey Ober ranks in the Bottom 10th percentile in K rate and whiff rate, and his fastball sits in the Bottom 1st percentile for velocity in baseball. That's why I'm fading him.
That's a specific problem against a Chicago White Sox lineup that already ranks above MLB average in both fly-ball rate (27.8%) and barrel rate (8.4%): they don't need to grind through counts against a low-whiff arm; they need to lift the ball, which is exactly what his profile will invite.
On the other side, you'll get Bryan Hudson as an opener against a lineup he should have success against for at least one frame. Jose Urquidy follows him in an expected bulk role. He hasn't had a great season, but the underlying metrics tell a different story: an actual ERA exceeding 5.00 but an expected ERA at around 3.00.
I'm banking on some of that positive regression coming here against a below-average offense. I'd play this to 41%.
Twins vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (50%)
I'm on the Over for two units up to 54%.
I've covered why I think Ober will struggle enough, which means the White Sox should do the heavy lifting. There's a bit of guesswork on the other side with a semi-bullpen profile game; however, Sean Newcomb is unlikely to be available today, removing one of Chicago's better late-inning arms.
For me, there's a real crooked number threat posed by Chicago, so anything the Twins do is a bonus. However, a thinner White Sox pen behind a short-outing opener does give Minnesota its own window to score. Two lineups with real paths to damage is the Over profile I want.
Twins vs White Sox home run prediction: Josh Bell (14%)
Josh Bell is a switch-hitter who bats left-handed against right-handers, and it's been his best power split of the year: 12 dingers and a .432 slugging mark in just over 300 ABs against right-handed pitching, ahead of his output against lefties.
Urquidy's extension ranks in the Bottom 9th percentile in baseball, and his fastball velocity in the Bottom 21st, a below-average combination that gives hitters more time to read the ball. I like this matchup for a guy with enough power and a platoon advantage, especially at the price.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 50-45, +7.44 units
Over/Under bets: 56-39, +19.44 units
Twins vs White Sox weather
Conditions at Rate Field are expected to be mild: mid-70s, partly cloudy, 10 mph winds and no rain. Nothing here materially juices the total or knocks down fly balls.
Twins vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Twins 43% | White Sox 58%
Run line: Twins +1.5 | White Sox -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Twins vs White Sox trend
The Over is 6-1-1 in Minnesota's last eight games during Game 3 of a series. Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Phillies.
How to watch Twins vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026
First pitch
6:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
Twins starting pitcher
Bailey Ober (7-4, 4.37 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Sean Burke (8-6, 3.20 ERA)
Twins vs White Sox latest injuries
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Petco Park on September 05, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No matter what may you look at it, this was a tough one. After the San Diego Padres walked off the New York Yankees on Friday night, they took a gut punch in Game 2, losing 5-1. Much of that was thanks to starter Robbie Ray failing to get out of the third inning.
After setting down the first three batters, Ben Rice singled to lead off the second inning. Ray got the next two batters out before giving up a double, three consecutive walks and a two-run single. Ray’s command completely eluded him, after he had looked strong to start the night. That, along with a quiet offense, marked the death of the Padres on Saturday night. They’ll now face New York in the rubber match this afternoon, trying to win their first series in two weeks.
Taking the mound
Gerrit Cole (NYY) v. Michael King (SD)
Cole spent the beginning of 2026 stuck on the injured list. The veteran’s first start of the year came on May 22 after receiving from Tommy John surgery. He’s been solid in that time, pitching to a 3.29 ERA through 104 innings. The strikeout numbers are modest, with 110 K’s in that same time.
But, in his last seven starts. Cole has turned up his game. He’s pitched to a 2.36 ERA across 42 innings. That being said, the last two games have been his worst in that time. Cole has surrendered six runs over his last 11 1/3 innings, giving up three runs in each of his two recent starts. San Diego will try to take advantage of that to win the series finale.
King has been fantastic this year, with a 3.11 ERA to back up that claim. Through 162 innings, King has proved that 2024 was not a fluke, posting incredibly consistent numbers through most of the season. King has been especially fantastic lately, with a 2.86 ERA across his last 15 starts.
Even more so, King hasn’t surrendered a single run since Aug. 19, pitching 16 consecutive scoreless innings. King will look to follow that up versus his former team. The right-hander came over from New York in 2024 in the trade that sent superstar Juan Soto to the Bronx.
Batter up!
It’s no secret that the Padres’ lineup has struggled in their last few games. The offense hasn’t scored more than three runs since last Monday when they scored five against the Cincinnati Reds. In the last four games, San Diego has scored just 2.43 runs per game, on average. They’ll need to do much better to back up King today.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Samad Taylor, LF
Manny Machado, 3B
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Luis Campusano, DH
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Ethan Salas, C
The Padres walked (6) more than they hit (3) on Saturday night, with a truly disheartening performance from the offense. They struck out (12) more times than they reached base. If San Diego can turn the tables on Cole, and win their first series of September, it would be a major turning point for the Friars.
Relief corps
With Ray making it through just 2 1/3 innings, the bullpen was taxed a bit. Thankfully, Griffin Canning and Jhony Brito each covered two-plus innings of work, with Wandy Peralta and David Morgan covering the final two frames. That saved San Diego’s ‘pen for the rubber match just enough.
The Padres will have their high-leverage options in full force. Kyle Hart, Yuki Matsui, Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez will all be available for the rubber game. That, plus King on the mound, should give the Friars all the edge they need to beat New York.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 25: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Los Angeles Angels vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, September 6, 2026, 1:35 p.m. ET
Location: PNC Park – Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM), SportsNet Pittsburgh / MLB.TV
Pitching Matchup: Walbert Ureña (9-9, 2.85 ERA) vs. Paul Skenes (9-11, 3.97 ERA)
The Angels dominated Pittsburgh 6-1 on Saturday thanks to six scoreless innings from Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi entered action with a 5.65 ERA, but was another lefty who shut down the Pirates this year. The Bucs only managed a solo home run from Bryan Reynolds in the bottom of the eighth.
Arizona won, but San Diego lost, meaning the Pirates are five games back of the Diamondbacks for the final wild card. Paul Skenes is on the mound looking to bounce back from a difficult outing against the Giants. Skenes allowed five runs over 4.2 innings and also walked three hitters. A win today would be Skenes’ 10th of the year and match last season’s win total. The Pirates need to win today to have any chance to make up the ground necessary with only 19 games left in the season.
TRYING TO EVEN THINGS UP: The Cubs have not swept a series at Miami since April of 2019. Two years ago, they won the first two games and lost the third. A win today will make the Cubs’ all-time record at Miami 59-59 and their record at loanDepot Park 23-23. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE; This is the 14th of the Cubs’ 46 series in which they have won the first two games. They are 7-6 in previous third games, but only 1-5 on the road. Their only win was at New York vs. the Mets on June 24. They lost at San Francisco in June; Pittsburgh, Baltimore and St. Louis in July; and Washington on Aug. 13. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
A MATCHING SET: If the Cubs win today, they will be 41-31 on the road — exactly the same as their record at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
HOME RUN FACTS: Since hitting a team-record nine home runs last Monday at home vs. the Brewers, the Cubs have hit a total of four: none in their next game, then one in each of the last four. The Cubs won yesterday despite being outhomered, 2-1. They are 18-36 when they have hit fewer homers than they have allowed, 27-18 when they have hit the same number and 36-8 when they have hit more. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs homer five times, including three by Alfonso Soriano, and lead the Reds 11-1 going into the bottom of the eighth. They have to hold off four-run rallies by the Reds in both the eighth and ninth to win 14-8. It happened 18 years ago today, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008.
Clay Holmes with the Cubs: Five starts, 1.55 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, just one home run allowed in 29 innings.
As a member of the Mets last year, Holmes faced the Marlins four times and posted a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings — with NO home runs allowed.
Just keep the ball on the ground, Clay. Current Marlins are batting .209 (9-for-43) against him with no home runs and 15 strikeouts.
Tyler Phillips was the Texas Rangers’ 16th round pick in 2015 out of high school in Texas. Eventually he went to the Phillies on waivers in 2021 and to the Marlins for cash considerations last year.
His only career appearance against the Cubs was a scoreless inning of relief May 21, 2025 in Miami. He began this year in the Marlins bullpen, but has been in the rotation since June 16, posting a 4.65 ERA and 1.355 WHIP and 12 home runs allowed in 62 innings. His last start, Sept. 1 vs. the Royals, was very good: five one-hit innings. The Cubs offense, though, is a lot better than Kansas City’s.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. For Cubs fans in the UK, this game will be on BBC as well as other European channels. Details here.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 05: Justin Foscue #14 of the Texas Rangers hits an RBI double during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Field on September 05, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 6, 2026, against the Tampa Bay Rays: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Ian Seymour for the Rays.
Its the final game of a disappointing homestand, with the Rangers needing a win to split the series against the Rays and avoid a losing record in the homestand.
The lineup:
Duran — CF
Seager — SS
Foscue — 2B
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Burger — 1B
O’Hoppe — DH
Diaz — C
Freeman — 3B
1:35 p.m. Central start time. The game is a pick ‘em.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 19: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadephia Phillies in action against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on August 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Phillies and Braves will square off on Sunday afternoon in the third game of their four-game series. The teams split the first two with the Braves winning on Friday and the Phillies rebounding to take the second game.
Aaron Nola will start for the Phillies. The veteran righty has been very good lately, going 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA in August.
Tyler Mahle goes for the Braves. The righthander was acquired via trade at the end of July and has been a solid addition to the Atlanta rotation with a 1.48 ERA in five post-trade starts.
Kyle Stowers
Spencer Jones
Rafael Devers
COVERS INTEL: Jose Urquidy's contact profile is generally elite, ranking in the Bottom 20th percentile in 
