LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 2: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts as the Dodgers host the Reds for a final time, going for a second straight home sweep and potentially extending their current win streak to seven games. It’s a curious time in Yamamoto’s regular-season campaign, as he could feasibly tie last season’s innings total with four fewer regular-season starts, although that would take him covering 7.2 innings against the Reds tonight. Evidently, it’s an unlikely accomplishment, although Yamamoto has done it five times before this season, so one could hardly call it a significant surprise.
Subtle differences make up Yamamoto’s current campaign in comparison with last year, ultimately reaching the same destination of outstanding quality and an identical 12-8 record up to this point. Yamamoto has sacrificed strikeouts—going from a 29.5% K% to a 25.4% K%—to also drastically cut back on walks, lowering his 8.6% BB% from a season ago to just 6.0% BB%, ultimately leading to more efficient outings, which is what allows him to cover more innings on fewer starts.
On the subject of strikeouts, though, we’ve seen an interesting development that’s worth keeping an eye on as Yamamoto and the Dodgers prepare for postseason ball. Last season’s World Series MVP has experienced an uptick in strikeouts, punching out eight or more batters in each of his last five starts. Before this sequence, Yamamoto had only struck out eight or more in five of his first 20 starts. And as Dodger pitchers have come to learn in the previous two games of this series, the Cincinnati Reds lineup—for as dangerous as it may seem when it’s rolling—also strikes out like no other, number one in baseball with a 25.4% K%.
Earlier in the week, Emmet Sheehan tied a career-high in strikeouts against the Reds with 10 punchouts, and you want to know who also has 10 as his career-high mark in punchouts stateside? Yamamoto, who last earned this mark in early July in a win against the Padres.
The Red Sox are close to getting their most impactful bat back into the lineup.
Willson Contreras, who went on the injured list on Aug. 31 with a hamstring strain, is scheduled to head to Maine for a rehab stint with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs this weekend.
Interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters prior to Wednesday night’s game at Fenway Park that Contreras will likely play one or two games to get back up to speed.
Chad Tracy said Willson Contreras will join AA Portland for a rehab game Friday (and maybe another Saturday).
Garrett Crochet will throw another bullpen session — not a live BP — over the weekend, Tracy said.
That could put Contreras in line to return for the finale of Boston’s brief six-game homestand, as they host the Royals on Sunday afternoon. Or it could set up Contreras to rejoin the Red Sox after an off day on Monday, with the team starting a three-game series in Texas on Tuesday night.
The Red Sox were scuffling when Contreras was placed on the IL, losing three out of four against the Yankees in New York after dropping a game in Miami prior to heading to the Bronx. Yet they managed just fine without Contreras over the weekend, sweeping the Orioles in a four-game set in Baltimore before returning home and winning the series opener against the Angels on Monday night.
The five-game winning streak was snapped on Tuesday, though, when Boston’s bats mustered just one run on four hits in a 6-1 loss to the Angels.
Among qualified players, Contreras is the Red Sox’ leader in OPS (.900), home runs (26) and RBIs (79). The 34-year-old Contreras hasn’t played in the minors since a six-game stint with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, when he was recovering from a broken forearm — the injury that accelerated his transition from catcher to first base.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly didn’t wait long to address the baserunning blunders that his team made in Tuesday night’s 6-5 loss to the Houston Astros. He spoke to the guilty parties one-on-one before everyone went home.
Mattingly’s conversations with Edmundo Sosa and Brandon Marsh were not punitive tongue-lashings. Both players knew where they went wrong.
“I think you just have to remind (them), make sure we’re thinking correctly,” Mattingly said before the Phillies got back to work Wednesday night. “Most of the time, you’re asking what they’re thinking in that situation.”
Marsh, who was doubled off second base with the Phillies down two runs in the seventh, explained himself after Tuesday night’s game.
Sosa, who did not run hard out of the box on a no-out double that could have been a triple in the bottom of the ninth, spoke with reporters Wednesday.
“When I hit the ball, I kind of surprised myself,” he said through Diego D’Aniello, the team’s Spanish-language interpreter. “I watched the ball travel and totally forgot to run the bases. I was focused on the ball. That caused me not to get to third base. It was a big mistake that might have cost us the game right there.”
In the moment, it looked like Sosa thought he’d hit a game-tying homer to right-center. A day later, he said he did not believe the ball was going to reach the seats. Instead, it hit high off the wall and ricocheted to center field.
“I know this stadium,” Sosa said. “I didn’t think it was gone. It was just a lack of focus on my end not to run and get to third base. A lack of focus in that moment.
“I respect the game. Not running at full speed there is something that won’t happen again. It’s all said and done. I look at that and say it’s not happening again.”
Mattingly believes the Phillies will tighten up their baserunning after Tuesday night’s issues.
“For sure,” he said. “The Phillies have actually rated out the last few years as a good baserunning team, one of the best in baseball. And this has been a good baserunning team. But you have to keep teaching and make sure everybody understands what we’re looking for in those situations, and hopefully you learn from it and those mistakes don’t happen again.”
According to Statcast, the Phils rank fourth in MLB with eight runs created from baserunning this season. They are also fourth in that metric over the last three seasons.
Overall, however, Mattingly does believe that baserunning in today’s game leaves a lot to be desired. He mentioned on Tuesday that he’s seen that fundamental slip over the last decade.
“I don’t think they play enough games young,” he said. “But that’s really no excuse. We should still be able to do it. I think there’s less emphasis on it overall. I’ve been saying it a lot the last five to seven years as I’ve noticed it.
“In general, there’s less situational-type stuff. A lot of things that happen on the field you learn from it happening in game situations. You play the scoreboard, the outs, the inning, the situation. If you’re not in those situations a lot …
“And usually, the best players don’t spend a whole lot of time in the minor leagues now. They’re kind of burning their way through the minors pretty quick. So, I’m not sure there’s as much situational stuff that goes on as in the past. That’s just my spitball theory.”
Mattingly pointed out that changes in the structure of batting practice may be affecting baserunning adversely.
For as long as there was baseball, teams hit on the field before games. When a player got in the cage, he laid down two bunts. He then hit behind a runner to move him up a base before getting him in from third. All the while, the previous hitter was on base, reading balls off the bat, getting jumps and reacting to situations. It wasn’t game speed, but it was good practice.
Now, many players take pregame batting practice in indoor cages where they can hit off high-velocity machines and curveball machines while getting real-time data feedback on their swings and reactions to pitches. There’s certainly merit in that. But there was also merit in the old way of doing things, as well. Mattingly believes that was seen on the basepaths.
File all this under the evolution of baseball. And always run through the first-base bag.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 31: A general view of Sutter Health Park during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Athletics on Friday, July 31, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Darren Yamashita/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The third game of the series with the A’s. And game #147 of the season.
It looks like a bullpen day for both teams. Braydon Fisher opens for the Jays. Brady Basso for the A’s. Joey Estes will be the bulk guy for the A’s, likely. Estes is in my OOTP rotation and have been very good, but he’s only pitched once for the A’s, going 4.1 innings, and gave up 4 earned. Michael Lorenzen is likely to be the bulk guy for the Jays. He’s pitched 6 innings for the Jays, allowing 4 hits. Before that he had a 7.08 ERA in 26 games, 25 starts.
Today’s lineup. Apparently George Springer is ‘a little banged up’. Apparently he could pinch hit if needed. I’m doubtful, if you can’t DH how can you pinch hit?
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 08: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers celebrates his two-run home run with Ezequiel Duran #20 during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on September 08, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for September 9, 2026 against the Seattle Mariners: starting pitchers are Cody Bradford for the Rangers and Kade Anderson for the Mariners.
Texas goes up against wunderkind Kade Anderson this afternoon, and since Anderson is a lefty, you know what kind of lineup there is.
The lineup:
Duran — CF
Seager — SS
Foscue — 2B
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Burger — 1B
O’Hoppe — DH
Diaz — C
Freeman — 3B
3:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +127 underdogs.
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 04: Brady Basso #66 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Friday, September 4, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Eric Hiller/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
This afternoon, the Athletics have a chance to win their second straight series if they can capture the rubber game against the Toronto Blue Jays, who remain in the race for the final American League wild-card slot.
The A’s are once again rolling with the opener strategy today, a move necessitated by the numerous injuries and inconsistent performances the team’s starting rotation has dealt with this season. Left-hander Brady Basso will open the game for the fifth time in his 23rd appearance of the season. The 28-year-old has gone 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings.
Speaking of southpaws, here’s a medical update on A’s pitching prospect Jamie Arnold from his mother.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us and prayed for Jamie. Considering he took a ball to the face at 107mph, he’s doing well. Has a few broken bones on his left side cheek and a corneal abrasion, but could’ve been so much worse. God is good 🙏❤️ https://t.co/7w55fjAQTv
Back to the game, there is a strong possibility that right-hander Joey Estes will handle the bulk of the relief work after Basso pitches the first couple of innings. Or, with the team off tomorrow, the Athletics could give everyone in the bullpen, minus the two relievers who each pitched two innings yesterday, an inning and see how it goes.
Here’s how the Athletics will line up for the series finale:
Well, this A’s lineup is certainly something. Right fielder Lawrence Butler, who is batting .179 over his past seven games, will bat between Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof. If the A’s want to win, they will need first baseman Tommy White, catcher Brian Serven and shortstop Alika Williams to contribute offensively.
Why did the team bring back Denzel Clarke, only to sideline him every game? The injury prone player needs at-bats to improve offensively, which he will not get by sitting on the bench. It seems like the Athletics only reinstated Clarke to make social media content.
With the Green and Gold relying on their league-worst bullpen, it would have made sense to shore up the outfield defense by putting Clarke in center field and moving Bolte to left. Unfortunately, that apparently did not cross A’s manager Mark Kotsay’s mind.
The Blue Jays are also rolling with a bullpen game. Right-hander Brayden Fisher will open on the mound for the visitors. The 26-year-old enters his 70th appearance and ninth start of the season with a 3-4 record, a 3.20 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 70 1/3 innings. Fisher has been lights-out lately, having not allowed a run over his last seven games.
George Springer remains out of the lineup for the Blue Jays, who will rely on the sluggers in the middle of their lineup to lead their offense as they pursue a road series victory. Left fielder Charles McAdoo and backup catcher Brandon Valenzuela will make their first starts of the series this afternoon.
Time to win a second straight series and make Toronto’s path to the postseason even more challenging. Let’s go, A’s!
Sep 8, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Hao-Yu Lee (50) hits during an at bat in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (66-79) vs. Minnesota Twins (69-76)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (9-8, 3.52 ERA) vs. RHP Zebby Matthews (9-9, 4.69 ERA)
DETROIT, MI - MAY 12: Tanner Houck #89 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Monica Bradburn/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With Greenville and Salem being done for the year, all eyes are on the teams closest to the Major Leagues as the Red Sox make a mad dash towards October. This year played out a bit differently, as many of the guys that may be able to make a difference on this team offensively have already sniffed the bigs for at least part of the season. Even in a bullpen game, the arms kept it close with 13 Iron Pigs (Phillies AAA) strikeouts. A lot of the commotion on the box score was courtesy of Braiden Ward and Mikey Romero, who each tallied three hits. Ward finished a home run shy of the cycle on a night where the only home run of the game came from Lehigh Valley’s Otto Ward, a birthday boy today.
However, even more than the blown save and subsequent walk off the WooSox suffered in Allentown, the most eyebrow-raising thing on the box score was both Kristian Campbell and Romy Gonzalez being replaced (they were both hitless, but Hickey’s pinch for Gonzalez came after just one at-bat.) Romy has been tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A, and a move may be coming in several different directions. Connor Wong may see his time with the team coming to a close with Willson Contreras about to return to the team and Mickey Gasper swinging to catcher with a promotion of a defensively capable Gonzalez, or there may be some smoke to the rumors of a struggling Andruw Monasterio packing his locker up, though that report was days ago now. Nevertheless, it’s that time of year to make sweeping conclusions of a footnote in a box score and speculate the implications upon a team trying to make an October run.
Speaking of guys that might make an appearance in some capacity on a team rolling through their magic number before a playoff birth, Tanner Houck made his first pitching appearance since a 2025 Tommy John surgery. It was pretty apparent through his uphill battle to be seen as a decent rotation piece to begin last season, he was playing through an injury. He was very serviceable in 2024 and was a borderline ace in a season where this team lacked one, or at the very least a reliable front of the rotation guy worthy of his first All-Star selection, and it’s really good to see him on the mound again.
These well wishes didn’t fare Houck very well as he allowed a run by walking two to start the fifth inning, but Dalton Rogers also got tripped up by this Binghamton (Mets AA) lineup and he’s been pitching all year. Joe Vogatsky came in and gave the offense enough time to get back on track, and boy did they, as the team had seven different hitters record an extra-base hit including a key one in the 8th inning from Ronald Rosario as his 14th of the season put the Sea Dogs up for good.
Tuesday’s game was named “Anything Can Happen Day” by the team, and even with this team continuing to hit and winning despite three offensive errors, nothing too crazy over a run-of-the-mill game occurred. But there’s plenty to celebrate in a late go-ahead home run to start the last series of 2026.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 08: Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates with Blake Walston #48 after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 08, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks News
Corbin Burnes Makes 2026 Debut Against Royals Three pesky at-bats really put a damper on just how far the pitch-limited Burnes could go in the game, but he still turned in three shutout innings en route to the Diamondbacks going 10 games over .500.
The Good and Not So Good from Burnes’ Return Hopefully, by the next time Burnes makes an appearance, he will have found the feel for his curve, which was largely an entirely uncompetitive pitch for him on Tuesday night.
Per @nickpiecoro Corbin Carroll will remain out of the lineup today with low back discomfort and receive imaging on Thursday in Phoenix. https://t.co/VwLe4rETjk
The 2026 MLB Number Tracker Tracking the magic and tragic numbers as the season heads into the final stretch. The Diamondacks and Padres both currently have a magic number of 17.
Both Leagues Have Plenty to Untie There are still numerous outcomes for the playoff picture, but at lest the teams involved are coming into focus. Might this expanded playoff format and new schedule format result in two wild card teams from the NL having a better record than two of the division winners in the AL? Possibly. Will this be a season where a tea (or teams) with a losing record make the postseason?
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a chance to etch his name in history as he pursues a Triple Crown, the rare feat in which a player leads his league in average, home runs and runs batted in.
Entering Wednesday, Sept. 9, Alvarez leads the AL in batting average (.311) and ranks second in homers (38) and RBIs (95), as the Astros cling to first place in the AL West. His 38 home runs are already a career high and he's sure to smash his career-best 104 RBIs.
There have been fewer than 20 Triple Crown winners in MLB history, most recently the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera in 2012. Prior to Cabrera, it had been 45 years since a player had accomplished the feat, the Boston Red Sox's Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
Alvarez faces stiff competition in all three categories, with the Tampa Bay Rays' Chandler Simpson (.307) and Yandy Diaz (.306) also in contention for the batting title. Alvarez trails the Rays' Junior Caminero (39) by one home run entering Wednesday's games, and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (97) by two RBIs for the AL lead.
Can Alvarez finish strong to join the exclusive club? Here's where the 29-year-old stands:
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Joey Hamilton #50 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitching during a MLB game against the Chicago White Sox on September 17, 2000 in Chicago, illinois. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today marks Joey Hamilton’s 56th birthday. Coincidentally, it’s also my middle son’s birthday—happy birthday, Tommy!
Joey arrived in Toronto as part of one of the worst trades of the Gord Ash era. The Jays sent Woody Williams, Carlos Almanzar, and Peter Tucci to San Diego in exchange for him. Dave Stewart, who had just joined the Jays as assistant GM after serving as the Padres’ pitching coach, strongly recommended Joey. Stewart had played with him, saw something special in his demeanor, and believed he was destined to be a star.
In his four full seasons with the Padres, Joey averaged over 200 innings a season, posting a 55-44 record and a 3.83 ERA.
However, Joey led the NL in walks the season before the trade and was never a high strikeout pitcher. Ash should have recognized that a pitcher with a 1.39 strikeout-to-walk ratio was unlikely to thrive in the AL East.
In his first year as a Jay, he went 7-8 with a 6.52 ERA in 18 starts. The following season, 2000, he spent most of the year on the DL, making only six starts for the team. 2001, Joey was 5-8 with a 5.89 ERA when the team released him on August 3rd. It is tough to let go of a guy you are paying $7.25 million to, but JP Riccardi had no trouble admitting Gord Ash’s mistakes.
All in all, the Jays paid $17 million for just 14 wins—not exactly what you’d hope for from someone expected to replace Roger Clemens.
“I think he’s just coming into his own,” Stewart said. “What I like about Joey is that he is a real, real strong competitor. And, I still think there’s room for growth.”
“We have in Joey Hamilton a pitcher who can go in the front end of our rotation,” Toronto general manager Gord Ash said.
Woody Williams went on to win 104 more games in his career. Almanzar had a few decent, though inconsistent, seasons, while Tucci never made it to the big leagues. Gord Ash, meanwhile, was eventually fired.
The Reds picked up Joey, and he pitched for them during the remainder of the 2001 season, all of 2002, and made three appearances in 2003 before being released. As a Red, he went 5-12 with a 5.90 ERA over 46 games (21 starts).
He finished his career 74-73 with a 4.44 ERA in 242 games (209 starts). It was a solid career, though the best years came before his time with the Jays.
Anyway, happy birthday, Joey—I hope it’s a great one.
It’s also Edwin Jackson’s 43rd birthday.
Edwin was a Jay for about 10 minutes back in 2011. He arrived from the White Sox along with Mark Teahen, Jason Frasor, and Zach Stewart.
But he was quickly traded to the Cardinals, along with Octavio Dotel, Corey Patterson, and Marc Rzepczynski, in exchange for Trever Miller, Colby Rasmus, Brian Tallet, and P.J. Walters.
The Jays picked him up again from the A’s off waivers in May 2019. He made eight appearances (five starts), posting an 11.12 ERA (and people complain about Mitch White). The Jays released him at the end of July. The Tigers then signed him, and he had an 8.47 ERA over 39.1 innings, which marked the end of his career.
He finished with a record of 107-133 and a 4.78 ERA in 412 games (318 starts).
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Ty France #25 and Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Petco Park on September 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres turned back the clock, making a signature comeback that they haven’t in quite some time. The Friars were down 4-1 against the Washington Nationals heading into the eighth inning. They were issued three consecutive walks before Manny Machado tied the game with a two-run single. Then, Luis Campusano hit a bloop single to right field for the winning run. Adrian Morejon nailed down the save immediately after, slamming the door on the Nats.
They’ll go for the sweep this afternoon for the first time since they did so against the Minnesota Twins over two weeks ago. Despite that, the Arizona Diamondbacks remain a half game ahead of the Friars. San Diego will need to keep their momentum going in order to best the division rivals.
Taking the mound
Jackson Kent (WAS) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Kent has made five starts this season for Washington. It’s his first season in the big leagues, to poor results. Kent owns a 5.55 ERA through 24 1/3 innings pitched. That being said, his last 12 innings have been good, surrendering just four runs.
His biggest problem has been command. Kent has yet to walk less than three batters in a game, walking a total of 19 in five starts. Those command struggles have led to massive run prevention issues. If the Padres can stay patient in the box, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to get runners on base.
Buehler has been one of the best pitchers for the Padres this season. His stat line wouldn’t tell you it (4.56 ERA, 1.34 WHIP), but he’s been the most valuable pitcher on San Diego’s staff behind Michael King. It is reflected in the stat line from his last seven games. In Buehler’s last 36 1/3 innings, he owns a 2.97 ERA.
The veteran righty has revitalized his game down the stretch. Buehler had a tough blip in the middle of the season, but has rebounded in a big way. If Buehler can continue that successful streak, it’ll mean one more weapon for the San Diego starting rotation.
Batter up!
The offense was incredibly quiet for the first half of Game 2, but they made use of their biggest opportunity. After receiving three consecutive walks to lead off the eighth inning, the Padres scratched a run across with a sacrifice fly before Machado tied the game. They’ll need to continue that level of situational hitting in order to make the playoffs.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, 3B
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Luis Campusano, C
Dustin Harris, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ethan Salas, DH
Salas is likely to be in the lineup today after Freddy Fermin started yesterday’s game. He’s yet to record his first hit, but reached base in the series opener for the first time in his young career. If he can contribute anything to the Padres during their stretch run, it will be a huge help for the Friars.
Relief corps
The bullpen locked it down, for the most part, with Randy Vásquez, Yuki Matsui, David Morgan and Adrian Morejon combining to pitch 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball. That said, Vásquez gave up a crucial double upon entering the game, but those runs were charged to Mize.
The Friars have options for the series finale today, with Griffin Canning, Kyle Hart, Mason Miller, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez available for this afternoon. San Diego has a wealth of arms, along with an off day on Thursday. That should give them enough arms to pitch a win versus Washington.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 08: Lazaro Montes #99 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park on September 08, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the 2026 Mariners continue to insist on burying themselves at the bottom of the massive pit they dug for themselves in the AL West, joy has been in short supply.
Lazaro Montes decided to do something about that upon being called up to the big leagues.
For years, those of us sick enough to follow the Mariners minor leagues had heard tales of the potential power in Montes’s swing, even before he ended up at 6’5” and 210 pounds. Every scouting report on Laz went something like “he will strike out a lot, his fielding will resemble young Nelson Cruz, but if he uncorks that swing on the right pitch at the right moment, that ball will be sent to Jupiter.” Something like that.
Jupiter or the center field concourse at T-Mobile Park on the fly, something that no one has ever done in a game in its 27 seasons of existence. 474 feet with an exit velocity of 116 MPH.
Frankly, this team and this season has done nothing but disappoint me and piss me off. But this home run, man. This ball deserves its due. Similar to especially huge Vogelbach and Zunino upper deck blasts of yore; if your season is gonna be a lost one, you might as well go yard.
Pitcher Cal Quantrill already knows he f*cked up here.
Everyone in the stadium knows it now, especially the large human strolling across the plate.
Nothing to be done but watch it fly.
Spiritually, somewhere, Nelson Cruz surely made this face again.
I like to think so anyway. This showing of pure power deserved it.
Moments like this remind me that you truly never know what you might see at a baseball game, no matter what the stakes are. Sometimes it might be a n0-hitter, or a rare triple play, or maybe simply the longest home run anyone has ever hit in a particular stadium. Even in a team’s disappointing season, the sport of baseball never fails to surprise and strike awe into even the most cynical hearts (mine).
Looking forward to more moon shots, Laz. Thanks for this one, especially.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Quatraro #33 of the Kansas City Royals argues with umpire Chris Guccione #68 during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Kauffman Stadium on September 01, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Royals fans and fans across the country.
We are fewer than three weeks from the end of the season. Despite the crummy ball the Royals have played, this summer has really flown by. The Royals have guaranteed they will go a third straight season without losing 100 games, but precious little else in the positives column.
Any team that fails to earn a playoff berth is naturally considered ripe for a potential change at the managerial level. The Royals are no exception to this.
According to @BetOnline_ag, the odds are 3/1 that Matt Quatraro is the next manager fired, the second-highest odds in baseball after Kurt Suzuki of the Angels.
I find these odds a bit laughable. If for no other reason than Kurt Suzuki is on a one-year deal. There’s no reason to fire him; you can just not offer him another contract. I also have a hard time believing the Royals would want to fire their manager two seasons after he led the squad to one of the greatest bounceback seasons in MLB history, taking 2023’s 106-loss squad and managing them to 86 wins and a playoff berth. To say nothing of the fact that the Royals chose to extend him this past offseason and he hasn’t even technically started that new contract, yet.
But, well, the odds tell me someone thinks he’s getting fired. Are you that someone? I set up this poll with four possible answers so we can discern between whether the Royals should fire him and whether the Royals will fire him. Sound off in the poll and in the comments!
(Original Caption) Eighth Game Of The World Series. Waite Hoyt.
Brooklyn-born Waite Hoyt, aka the Schoolboy Wonder, did not have to wait long for his stardom to be born. With a story that feels like it was written by Walt Disney himself, Hoyt pitched his way into the Hall of Fame and broadcast his way into the hearts of the Midwest.
Waite Charles Hoyt Born: September 9, 1899 (Brooklyn, NY) Died: August 25, 1984 (Cincinnati, OH) Yankees Tenure: 1921-1930
The legend begins when Hoyt was just 15 years old and still at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. It was then that, for a whopping $5 bonus, the New York Giants signed the teenager to a professional baseball contract. This signing earned him the aforementioned nickname “the Schoolboy Wonder.” Hoyt’s professional journey would really kick off in the spring of 1916, as he played at various levels of the minor leagues.
The following year, Hoyt participated in spring training with the Giants and earned his first big league call-up at just 18 years old in July of 1918. He struck out a pair, pitching a 1-2-3 inning. The Giants tried to send the young pitcher back to the farm, but the teenager refused and quit baseball outright.
After his contract expired with the Giants, Hoyt signed with the Red Sox and got in writing that the team would allow him to start a game within days of him reporting to the club. Hoyt spent the rest of the 1919 and the 1920 season pitching for Boston. In December of 1920, the Red Sox traded Hoyt along with Harry Harper, Mike McNally, and Wally Schang to the New York Yankees for Del Pratt, Muddy Ruel, Herb Thormahlen, and Sammy Vick. It was yet another in a string of masterful moves made by former Red Sox manager-turned-Yankees GM Ed Barrow to build up an eventual champion (even beyond the famous Babe Ruth deal).
The Roaring Twenties were not ready for a 20-year-old Hoyt in pinstripes.
The 1921 campaign was a good one for Hoyt. On his new team, he went 19-13 with a 3.09 ERA and completed 21 of his 32 starts. The Yankees made it to their very first World Series that year and played Hoyt’s former team, the National League rival Giants — their Polo Grounds landlords. Hoyt was sensational, tossing three complete games and not allowing a single earned run. However, the team fell to the Giants 5 games to 3; Hoyt got hit with a hard-luck 1-0 loss in Game 8 with the one unearned run on a first-inning error by shortstop Roger Peckinpaugh.
Hoyt and the team had similar success in 1922. Although most of his numbers regressed slightly, Hoyt still impressed with a 19-12 record and a 3.43 ERA. The Giants again beat the Bombers in an all-Polo Grounds Fall Classic, this time with a sweep in all but name (Game 2 was called a tie after 10 innings due to darkness) as the World Series shifted back to the seven-game format after the best-of-nine format that was used from 1919-21.
The stars finally aligned for the Yankees as a team in 1923, their first at Yankee Stadium. Hoyt continued to be a solid pitcher, going 17-9 with a 3.02 ERA. For the third straight season, though, his inning totals declined, as did his strikeouts. The Yankees made the World Series and faced the Giants for the third consecutive year. Hoyt got the ball for Game 1 but gave up four earned runs in just 2.1 innings in his only appearance. Despite the tough start, the Yankees ultimately won the series in six games, giving the franchise its first championship.
Suffering perhaps from a World Series hangover, Hoyt and the team did not fare as well in the 1924 or the 1925 seasons. 1925 was possibly Hoyt’s worst in pinstripes. In his down year, Hoyt went 11-14 with a 4.00 ERA. The team failed to reach the World Series in either season, and with Ruth ailing, the ’25 campaign was their only year under .500 between 1919 and 1964.
Hoyt had a solid season in 1926, and the team bounced back to win the AL pennant. In what can only be called entering the zone, Hoyt went 15 innings over two starts and only gave up two earned runs in the World Series. However, the Cardinals prevailed over the Yankees in seven games. Little did anyone know, but Hoyt’s performance would be a precursor for his best two seasons in the big leagues.
Now 27 years old, Hoyt finally took the step from Schoolboy Wonder to ace in 1927. That season, he posted a career-best and league-leading 22 wins and 2.63 ERA across 256.1 innings. Hoyt completed 23 of his 32 starts on the year. The Yankees’ Murderers’ Row finished with a record of 110-44 and went on to completely dominate the Pirates to sweep the World Series. Hoyt got the win in the Fall Classic opener with 7.1 innings of workmanlike ball in a 5-4 victory.
The good times kept on rolling in 1928. Hoyt set a career-high with 23 wins and had a 3.36 ERA across 273 innings. After another great season, the team was back in the World Series, this time facing the Cardinals. Hoyt tossed a three-hit gem in Game 1, earning the win, and worked another complete-game victory in Game 4 to complete the club’s second consecutive World Series sweep and avenge the 1926 loss to St. Louis.
After two brilliant seasons, Hoyt took a step back in 1929. He posted an ERA of 4.24 in just over 200 innings of work. Hoyt was not much better to start the ‘30 season. Amid the declining performance, he was traded to the Tigers mid-season.
In 10 seasons with the club, Hoyt posted a 157-98 record with a 3.48 ERA in 2,272.1 innings. Hoyt logged over 200 innings in nine different seasons as a Yankee. The team won six pennants and three World Series with him as one of the staples of the rotation.
Hoyt played in the majors until 1938. Over that time, he bounced between the Tigers, Athletics, Dodgers, Giants, and Pirates. In 1931, while with the Athletics, Hoyt appeared in another World Series, but the Cards got the better of him again, toppling Philly in seven games. Outside of pinstripes, his best season came in 1934 with the Pirates. That season, he went 15-6 with a 2.93 ERA.
When he finally hung up his cleats, Hoyt finished his career with a 237-182 record and a 3.59 ERA. At the time of his retirement, Hoyt held the record for the most World Series appearances by a pitcher with 12 and shared the record for the most World Series wins with 6.
Even though he was not playing anymore, Hoyt could not stay away from baseball for long. Famed for his storytelling ability with teammates, Hoyt immediately sought work in radio in New York and started hosting short sports commentary and post-game shows in 1938. His big break in broadcasting came in 1942. That year, Hoyt landed the play-by-play voice of the Cincinnati Reds, and he held this position continuously for 24 seasons until his retirement from full-time broadcasting in 1965.
On August 16, 1948, the news broke on-air that Babe Ruth had passed away. In what has become legendary, Hoyt proceeded to deliver an unscripted, two-hour-long eulogy for his friend and former teammate. Later that year, Hoyt’s “Babe Ruth As I Knew Him” was published.
After pitching for 21 seasons and spending 24 years in the booth as a broadcaster, Hoyt was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. A vaudeville performer, funeral director, painter, and writer, Hoyt lived a full life while spending most of it battling alcoholism. Hoyt passed away in 1984.
Happy birthday, Schoolboy, and thank you for the stories!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
