Mets should make all-out Tarik Skubal pursuit, but it could take a philosophical shift

As the Mets enter the offseason, they'll be facing a familiar challenge: put together a team that can get them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2024.

David Stearnsand the front office failed in that regard last offseason, due in part to the drastic changes that were made to the roster and coaching staff. There were other things at play, including long-term injuries to Francisco Lindor and Clay Holmes, some worst-case scenarios playing out, and an over-reliance on bounce backs.

This time around, the Mets will almost certainly have much less turnover, but that doesn't mean the overall result in 2026 wasn't an abject failure.

New York had a 34-31 record after the All-Star break, which was a big improvement after things spun out of control in the first half and led to a trade deadline sell-off.

But the most important developments for the Mets after their dismal start? The emergence of Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, the impressive return of Christian Scott, the moxie and performance of Zac Thornton, and some good late-season signs from Jonah Tong.

The above should give the Mets confidence that they're in solid shape when it comes to their lineup and a chunk of the starting rotation. They have an emerging young core to complement their more established stars, and potentially have high-upside players coming soon from the upper levels of the minors. But serious help is still needed this winter.

Specifically, the Mets need to add external help at first base, address the DH spot, bolster the bullpen with multiple new arms (including a back end option), and -- most importantly -- find a pitcher who profiles at the very top of the rotation.

In both 2025 and 2026, the Mets were done in, due in large part to not having enough starting pitching depth. And it can be argued that they left themselves short one legitimate starter both times. That can't happen again, so New York should be focused on pairing a new prospective ace with another addition who profiles in the middle or back of the rotation.

About that ace ... it's not difficult to figure out that it should be Tarik Skubal. 

In one of the weakest free agent classes in recent memory, Skubal stands out even more than he ordinarily would.

Fresh off back-to-back Cy Young awards, the 29-year-old Skubal posted a 2.72 ERA (2.51 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP while walking just 1.5 per nine innings and striking out 186 batters in 158.2 innings in 2026.

Aug 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning at Comerica Park.
Aug 28, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning at Comerica Park. / Lon Horwedel - Imagn Images

Skubal's season was briefly interrupted by NanoScope surgery on his pitching elbow that kept him out of action from April 30 through June 13. But he continued to be dominant upon his return. After having a 2.70 ERA (2.11 FIP) over his first seven starts, Skubal had a 2.73 ERA (2.66 FIP) in the 19 starts he made post-surgery, with 10 of them coming after he was dealt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline.

During Stearns' end-of-season news conference on Monday at Citi Field, he was asked multiple times about the Mets' offseason plan for adding pitching, but unsurprisingly didn't offer much when asked in a roundabout way about a possible Skubal pursuit.

"I do think it is necessary for us to add to our rotation," Stearns said. "We can do that in a variety of different ways. We've talked about this plenty before -- you'd always love to add to the top of your rotation, any team would love to do that -- over the long term, what we need to do is develop pitchers at the top of our rotation, and I think we are proving we can do that, and we'll continue to do that."

While Stearns refused to make any declarations about the type of pitcher the Mets would go after, it is pointless to read into that.

For one, Skubal is still under contract with the Dodgers, and no executive is going to talk about going after a player who is on another team.

Second, and even more importantly, no exec is going to tip his or her hand entirely and risk wrecking leverage ahead of possible negotiations.

While Stearns (smartly) won't say it, I will: The Mets should make Skubal the centerpiece of their offseason plan, using the resources at their disposal to add one of the most talented pitchers in the sport to slot in front of Nolan McLean.

The Mets' biggest need this offseason is at the top of their rotation, with Skubal a nearly perfect way to fill that need. And Skubal will cost only money, since the midseason trade from Detroit to Los Angeles makes him ineligible for a qualifying offer and the draft pick compensation it would've required from any team that signed him.

When discussing Skubal and the Mets, it's obviously instructive to consider Stearns' philosophy when it comes to signing pitchers to long-term deals. Specifically, he has not shown much interest in signing pitchers in their late-20s or 30s to those kind of pacts -- and that philosophy is generally a valid one.

For every long-term, big-money deal to a pitcher 29 or older that works out (Max Scherzer's seven-year deal with the Nationals looks incredible in retrospect, and the Yankees' deal for Max Fried is aging well), you can point to a whole bunch that didn't or currently aren't (Patrick Corbin, Jacob deGrom, Jordan Zimmermann, Felix Hernandez, Corbin Burnes).

As far as how Stearns has operated in the past, it's fair to throw what he did in Milwaukee out the window given the payroll constraints he was working under.

Jun 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks during a press conference before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. The club earlier today parted ways with manager Carlos Mendoza (not pictured).
Jun 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks during a press conference before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. The club earlier today parted ways with manager Carlos Mendoza (not pictured). / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

But except for a serious pursuit of then-25-year-old Yoshinobu Yamamoto ahead of the 2024 season, Stearns' main forays into the free agent starting pitching market with the Mets have been measured:

Sean Manaea: Three years, $75 million
Clay Holmes: Three years, $38 million
Frankie Montas: Two years, $34 million
Luis Severino: One year, $13 million
Griffin Canning: One year, $4.25 million 

Of those signings, Holmes was the biggest success as the Mets turned him back into a starter after he spent years in relief. But that success resulted in Holmes being set to opt out after the second season of his contract, which led to New York trading him at the deadline.

During his time leading the Mets' baseball operations, Stearns has been reluctant to offer deals to starting pitchers (except Yamamoto) that exceed three years. When that is your philosophy, the risk is obviously lower. But sometimes a calculated risk is needed.

When it comes to Skubal, there is risk. In addition to the minor surgery he had this season, Skubal underwent flexor tendon surgery in 2022 and had Tommy John surgery in 2017.

Skubal is also likely to receive the biggest deal ever for a starting pitcher when it comes to average annual value. Maybe his age (30 when next season begins) and yearly value of his deal will make the years easier to stomach, but something like $400 million for eight years is easy to imagine.

There's also the looming lockout and new CBA to consider.

While it's difficult to envision the players caving on a hard salary cap, it's fair to believe the new CBA will include stiffer penalties for teams that exceed the luxury tax thresholds.

But even after considering all of that, it's still reasonable to conclude that the Mets should go after Skubal with gusto -- that he should be the exception to Stearns' rule, maybe with a slight nudge from owner Steve Cohen.

Things could always go sideways, as they often do with long-term deals for older starting pitchers. But there's no reason to think Skubal won't be exceptional for the first half of any deal he signs, which would also theoretically line up with a World Series window the Mets will hope to be entering.

When you look at Skubal, who combines one of the best arsenals in baseball with perhaps the best command in baseball (and whose metrics look like this), the biggest risk for the Mets would be not going all-in on him.

Mets Morning News: Wild Card wins

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates at home plate after scoring in the seventh inning during Game One of the National League Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Meet the Mets

Jefferson Rojas is nearing the majors, but his hopes could be stalled by a potential lockout.

Joel Sherman wrote a guide to the Mets’ offseason, covering the big questions and potential targets.

Freddy Peralta won the American League Pitcher of the Month honor for September, and David Stearns credited Tampa Bay for doing what the Mets were unable to achieve with Peralta.

Around the National League East

The Phillies announced their complete Wild Card series roster.

The Braves beat the Phillies 5-3 in the first game of the Wild Card series. Austin Riley hit a three-run home run off of Phillies closer Jhoan Duran in the eighth inning to seal the victory.

Paul Casella compiled a list of four key takeaways from the first game between the Braves and the Phillies.

Around Major League Baseball

The White Sox beat the Astros 6-3 in the first game of their series and made it look easy.

The Yankees completely dominated the Red Sox 9-0 in the first game of their Wild Card series, with plenty of help from Massachusetts natives Cam Schlittler and Ben Rice.

The Padres bashed their way to a win in a 8-0 beatdown of the Cubs, and Michael King’s seven innings of one-hit baseball sealed the deal for the Padres to take the lead in the Wild Card series.

Britt Ghiroli is dreading this postseason, as the looming lockout could stop games for an indeterminable amount of time.

After years as baseball’s worst hitter, Austin Hedges has been experiencing an offensive renaissance at 34 years old.

John Harper made bold predictions for each postseason series.

The Minor League Baseball award winners were announced Monday evening.

There’s a way each postseason team could eventually go the distance and win the World Series.

Aaron Judge was officially left off the Yankees Wild Card series roster, but he’ll continue his rehab in hopes of being activated for a potential American League Division Series.

Giancarlo Stanton and Garrett Crochet could perform some postseason heroics after being added to their respective teams rosters.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

A Pod of Their Own returned with their 2026 season postmortem.

Linus Lawrence listed the different former Mets playing in this year’s postseason.

Lawrence also wrote a guide to the postseason with reasons why a Mets fan might want to root for each team.

Steve Sypa published the Prospect Report Card for September.

This Date in Mets History

Two different historic Mets defeats occurred 45 years apart on this day.

Chad Tracy’s controversial call to pull Payton Tolle backfired for Red Sox in horrific fashion in Game 1 blowout

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy talks with Payton Tolle on the mound during the fifth inning of game one of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees, Image 2 shows Boston Red Sox pitcher Erik Miller reacts as New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice rounds the bases on his solo home run
yankees red sox pulling

Payton Tolle had just retired Paul Goldschmidt for the third time on one pitch, running his pitch count to a manageable 83 with two outs in the fifth inning Tuesday, when Chad Tracy decided he’d seen enough.

With Boston trailing by one run and Ben Rice, who doubled in the first inning, due up next, the manager opted to remove his pitcher who had settled into the pitching duel by that point.

And it backfired in horrible fashion for Boston.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy talks with Payton Tolle on the mound during the fifth inning in game one of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx on September 29, 2026. Getty Images

Lefty reliever Erik Miller immediately surrendered a long solo homer to center field to Rice — the first of his two against Boston relievers — and it completely changed the tone of the game in Boston’s 9-0 loss to the Yankees in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series at Yankee Stadium.

Boston’s b-tier relievers ultimately surrendered eight runs in 3 1/3 innings.

“Not just the pitch count necessarily, but you’re trailing already, you’re moving through the third time,” Tracy said. “Rice had already hit a double in the gap off of him, and you have a nice lane there for Miller, and obviously he got him. Just felt like it was the time to go.”

This postseason marks Tracy’s first calling the shots and moments like this one Tuesday night are what ultimately can swing series.

Sure, Boston did not score, but being down 1-0 to Cam Schlittler and the Yankees bullpen is a vastly different world than trailing by two entering the seventh.

Tolle allowed four hits over the first nine batters but settled down to retire eight of the next 10 batters and navigated a two-on, no-outs situation in the fifth while trailing 1-0.

Red Sox pitcher Erik Miller (67) reacts as Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) rounds the bases on his solo home run during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the ALWild Card Series at Yankee Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

He began the sixth by retiring Austin Wells on six pitches and then sitting down Goldschmidt, leaving him certainly with room to possibly navigate six innings if he worked effectively.

Tracy, though, opted for a new look in Miller, ending Tolle’s day after 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball.

“I thought he threw the ball well,” Tracy said. “They did an effective job of grinding the count up as well. He had traffic. They put traffic on him. He was able to navigate his way through that. I think he competed extremely well for the time that he was out there and gave us what he could.

“I think the number being up there in the mid-80s, still trying to get through five, probably higher than what you normally see with Payton, and to be expected in an environment like this. But I thought he competed his butt off.”

Miller, a midseason trade acquisition, struggled to end the regular season and those issues carried over to the postseason when he fired a middle-middle 97-mph heater that Rice hit out to dead center.

Tolle said that as a competitor, he felt he could have gone longer but understood the decision due to the strength of Boston’s bullpen during the regular seaosn.

Boston is now one loss away from a second straight early postseason exit at the Yankees’ hands.

“Wasn’t good enough,” Tolle said. “They had a good plan and I threw a lot of balls … just didn’t feel like I could command the zone, kind of let some at-bats get away from me. A lot of pitches.”

He added about the bullpen: “Those guys picked me up a lot this year.”

Braves News: Austin Riley heroic, Walt Weiss press conference, and more

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning in game one of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on September 29, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It was an exciting afternoon at Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 to take Game 1 of the National League Wild Card. Chris Sale got the start and was brilliant. In 6.1 innings, he recorded nine strikeouts and issued one walk. He was charged with three earned runs. 

The Atlanta offense had some tough breaks and was unable to put together timely hitting until later in the game. However, that changed when a Michael Harris II single and a hit by pitch had two on for Austin Riley. Riley launched a homer to right center field to give the Braves the 5-3 edge. 

The Braves were able to hold on in the top of the ninth and look to sweep the best-of-three series on Wednesday afternoon at Truist Park.

More Braves News:

Walt Weiss spoke with the media postgame and discussed the unpredictability of the Postseason. 

Don’t think the Braves can win the World Series? Here’s why they can.

MLB News:

Three-time All-Star Liam Hendriks announced his retirement on Tuesday. He was a part of 14 big league seasons. 

The Miami Marlins have parted ways with hitting coach Pedro Guerrero.

From the Feed:

Lock in your predictions for the NL Wild Card series.

After a brutal opening loss, can the Red Sox come back?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox walks back to the dugout after being pull against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning in game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 29, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Wednesday, OTM! If you’re reading this, that means the sun did rise once again after a horrific game one loss to the New York Yankees last night. My question to you today is simple: do you still believe? The offense is putrid, Roman Anthony is hurt again, and the Yankees have Max Fried lined up to start. Signs are bad, but as Payton Tolle said, he hasn’t heard a fat lady sing. I’m sure if he walks around New York City for long enough, he’ll find one, but he probably wouldn’t find one who’s omniscient and only sings in conjunction with the end of a baseball playoff series. If he did, he should bring her to American Idol or something. America’s Got Talent, maybe? I don’t know, I’m just vamping.

Are we going to win tonight? Do we have any chance at pulling this series out? Talk about this and whatever else you want, and as always, be good to one another.

NLDS notes: Josue De Paula, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Josue De Paula #95 of the Los Angeles Dodgers singles during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While eight teams battle it out to see who will advance to the Division Series, the Dodgers are among four teams using this time off to prepare for October baseball.

After winning an even 100 games in the regular season, the Dodgers secured a first-round bye and will await the winner of the NL Wild Card matchup between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. While the Dodgers continue to add the finishing touches to their postseason roster, there are some lingering questions as to which players will be a part of the team’s depth chart.

21-year-old outfielder Josue De Paula made his presence known while filling in for the then-injured Shohei Ohtani, slashing .323/.500/.581 across 42 plate appearances before he was sent down to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Sonja Chen of MLB.com believes that both De Paula and utility man Hyeseong Kim can make an impact on the postseason roster, with the former being relegated to pinch-hit opportunities due to his lack of big-league experience in the outfield.

Of course, De Paula is capable of playing the corner outfield, but we only saw him play six innings in left as a Dodger. And given how important defense is in the postseason, I doubt we will see him in the field unless it’s an emergency.

The month of September has given Shohei Ohtani plenty of time to prepare for his third consecutive postseason run with the Dodgers. The Dodgers still have another three days to prepare for the NLDS, and Ohtani is using this time to get his swing in the right place, per Chen.

“Everything is feeling great physically,” general manager Brandon Gomes said on a Zoom call with the media on Tuesday. “The swings, once he came back, overall were in a good place. And using these five days to continue to get reps and feeling good into this series is really important. But feels like he’s in a great spot.”

Freddie Freeman had his power zapped in the second half of the regular season, hitting just one home run while posting a slugging percentage of .339. Freeman dealt with patellar tendonitis in his right knee, but entering the NLDS, he said that he’s feeling a lot better, reports Jack Harris of the California Post.

“I truly feel good right now, physically,” Freeman said on Tuesday, during a video conference with reporters ahead of the Dodgers’ first pre-National League Division Series bye week workout. “So it’s on me now to figure out the mechanics of the swing in the next five days. And I have all the confidence in myself that I will figure that out by [Game 1 on] Saturday.”

Scaling the Rocks: Cole Carrigg and TJ Rumfield provide hope for the Rockies

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 25: Cole Carrigg #16 of the Colorado Rockies at bat against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on September 25, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Greetings, friends!

The postseason is officially underway after the first day of Wild Card action. The games were electric, but it’s also interesting to see how teams constructed their rosters. Injured pitchers who hadn’t started for a while made rosters, while Aaron Judge was left off the roster for the New York Yankees. It’ll be interesting to see if any teams can move on to the division round today.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies got some good news to cap off the 2026 season as MLB announced Cole Carrigg was named the National League Rookie of the Month for September. It was the third time a Rockies rookie earned the award this season after TJ Rumfield won the award twice.

Now, here’s what’s going on for the Rockies and the league.

Rockies news & links

Around MLB


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Ethan Anderson became a name to watch in 2026

Despite once seemingly having no path toward big league playing time, Ethan Anderson’s impressive 2026 campaign saw him rise to the top of Baltimore’s catching prospects and put him on the doorstep of the major leagues.

This time last year, catcher was perhaps the most logjammed position of any in the Orioles organization. Adley Rutschman was the established starter coming off his fourth (albeit injury-riddled) season in the majors. Samuel Basallo had arrived in Baltimore at the end of August to start his promising big league career. Backstop was simply not a major position of need for Baltimore, and as such, it seemed like there was no real path forward for any minor leaguer.

Fast forward a year, and things have changed in a big way. Rutschman suffered through another injury-laden first half before being shipped off to Boston in a blockbuster trade. Basallo missed some time with his own injury issues and only projects as a part-timer behind the plate going forward. Injuries to the established catchers mean the Orioles once again cycled through backstops, with Chadwick Tromp, Sam Huff, Carlos Narváez, Yohel Pozo and Jake Rogers all seeing action behind the plate for Baltimore.

While Pozo and Narváez are still under team control for a couple more seasons, their lackluster offensive games mean that the role of Basallo’s running mate should be an open competition. And no minor leaguer, after 2026, is better positioned to take advantage of that opportunity than Anderson.

The former 2024 second-round pick out of Virginia spent most of the year with the Baysox in Double-A and established himself as the heartbeat of Chesapeake’s lineup. Compared to what he’d become, the 23-year-old switch-hitter got off to a relatively quiet start. Over the first month of the season, he hit a strong .302, but only put up one home run and four total extra-base hits en route to a SLG (.397) lower than his OBP (.429)

In May, those numbers would flip. Anderson started showing off his power stroke during the second month of the season, swatting 7 homers along with 3 doubles as he put up an improved .484 SLG. However, his average dipped down to .220, while his OBP dropped to .317. Overall, his first two months of the year reflected a respectable minor league hitter, but one who was still figuring some things out offensively.

Everything truly clicked for Anderson starting in June. In 21 games that month, he again launched 7 long balls, but added to that power with a .286 average, a .368 OBP and a strikeout rate that decreased from 26% to 14 percent.

Throughout the second half of the season, Anderson continued to wear out minor league pitchers. After missing most of July with an ankle injury, he returned in August and embarked on an epic hot streak. Over his final 25 games of the season (split between Frederick, Chesapeake and Norfolk), Anderson slashed .333/.390/.604 (.995 OPS) while hitting another 8 home runs and continuing to keep his strikeout rate under 20 percent.

Perhaps most encouraging was the cup of coffee Anderson had in Norfolk to end the season. In five games, the former Virginia Cavalier picked up a hit in all five contests, hit his first two Triple-A home runs and proved even a step up in competition couldn’t slow him down.

Anderson finished the season with a final triple slash of .288/.375/.544, a .919 OPS, 14 doubles, 24 home runs, 55 RBIs and a 22.1% strikeout rate. Of his 344 ABs, 303 came for the Baysox and 21 of his 24 long balls came against Double-A pitchers. Of the Orioles’ Top 30 prospects, only Wehiwa Aloy and Aron Estrada (25 each) hit more home runs than Anderson.

The switch-hitting Anderson also shows promise from both sides of the plate. He has more power against left-handed pitching, with 18 of his 24 homers coming from the right side and a slugging percentage that’s nearly 100 points higher. However, as a LHB against RHPs, Anderson hit .306—compared to .280 against LHPs.

Having already made his way up to Triple-A, Anderson will likely split time with Creed Willems behind the plate to begin next season. Both Anderson and Willems have the same problem; each has a strong offensive profile for a catcher, but questionable defensive skills that make it uncertain if they can stick behind the plate long term.

Anderson did play 500 defensive innings at catcher this past season, compared to 207 innings at 1B. If he can continue to hold his own behind the dish, Anderson should be first in line to replace Narváez in Baltimore next season. The Orioles have had some success in developing catchers defensively, as Basallo was graded as a below-average defender in the minors but showed major strides as a receiver over his first big league season.

A year ago, Anderson would not have been worth monitoring going into 2027, as he’d likely just be another Willems—stuck in Triple-A all season. But with Rutschman gone and the need to pair Basallo with a catcher who can play 75+ games, Anderson is now on a short list of players who could make their debut in 2027.

MLB News: MLB Wild Card, Postseason predictions, Pope Leo White Sox letter, Aaron Judge

Happy Wednesday, everyone! The postseason is officially here and Wild Card games are underway. While we wait to see how the final postseason picture develops, we’ve got loads of little news tidbits, including deep dives into how all the teams are shaping up, and how all the different MLB experts predict things going as we head towards the World Series.

Plenty to get into so we know which storylines to keep an eye on this October, so let’s just dive right in.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.

Who are Giants fans rooting for today?

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: An overall view of Yankee Stadium during God Bless America during the game between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees on September 11, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning, baseball fans!

The National League and American League Wild Card series continue today, with all four series playing the second of three potential games.

Because I live in the past and have to write these before the games have been played, you have a better idea of how the series are going than I do. But here’s what’s on deck for today. I’m going to do these by time instead of league because that makes more sense. Also, rather than repeating myself, all of the games will have national radio coverage on ESPN Radio.

First up, we have the visiting Philadelphia Phillies against the Atlanta Braves, in which Atlanta has a 1-0 lead in the series. This one starts at 11:00 a.m. PT and airs on NBC/Peacock.

After that, we have the visiting Chicago White Sox playing against the Houston Astros at 2:00 p.m. PT, and airing on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.

Then it’s the visiting Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees at 5:00 p.m. PT, airing on NBC/Peacock.

And then finally, we have the visiting Chicago Cubs playing the San Diego Padres at 7:00 p.m. PT, airing on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.

Who are you rooting for today?

MLB playoff games today: Wild card series continue with four Game 2 matchups

The 2026 MLB playoffs kicked off with a bang, setting the stage for a full slate of matchups Wednesday, Sept. 30, with pivotal second games in the best-of-three wild card round.

The day’s action begins with the Atlanta Braves, fresh off a come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1. Up 1-0 in the series, the Braves are looking to clinch a spot in the next round, while the Phillies fight to keep their season alive.

In the late afternoon, the American League takes center stage as the Chicago White Sox look to end their series against the Houston Astros.

Later, all eyes will be on the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Red Sox, on the brink of elimination, need a Game 2 win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The night concludes with the San Diego Padres taking on the Chicago Cubs. After a dominant Game 1, the Padres have a chance to close out the series at home as the Cubs try to force a decisive Game 3.

MLB wild card schedule today

Wednesday, Sept. 30

  • NL Game 2: Phillies at Braves at 2 p.m. ET on NBC (ATL leads series 1-0)
  • AL Game 2: White Sox at Astros at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN/Peacock (CHW leads series 1-0)
  • AL Game 2: Red Sox at Yankees at 8 p.m. ET on NBC (NYY leads series 1-0)
  • NL Game 2: Cubs at Padres at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN/Peacock (SD leads series 1-0)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB playoff games today: Wild card series continue with four Game 2 matchups

Cam Schlittler, Ben Rice share Player of the Game honors for Yankees’ playoff opener

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates as he walks back to the dugout after closing out the top of the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 29, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Last year, Cam Schlittler put in one of the most memorable Yankees’ playoff pitching performances of the century in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox. With the series tied at one and everything at stake, he went eight innings, striking out 12 batters while scattering a couple hits and no walks. While anyone who had seen him pitch in the weeks leading up to that start could see that there was something there, that start exceeded almost everyone’s expectation. Adding to that, he was born and raised in Massachusetts, and hasn’t been afraid to go at Boston fans on social media, clearly coming in with a chip on his shoulder, even against the team he grew up rooting for.

Flash forward a year, and Schlittler has very much looked like the pitcher he was that day in 2025, except for the entire season. With a season ERA under 2.00 and a bunch of other excellent numbers, he’s the current favorite for the AL Cy Young Award. While starting a rookie in a do-or-die game last season was something of a risk, this year he was the no-doubt choice to take the mound in Game 1 as the Yankees and Red Sox met in the Wild Card Series again.

While just on raw numbers, Schlittler wasn’t as good as he was last year, his start in Game 1 against the Red Sox looked pretty similar to 2025.

In 6.1 innings on Tuesday night, Schlittler kept the Red Sox off the board, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out 10. Both the hits he allowed were just singles and none of any of the runners even got into scoring position while he was in the game. You always feel somewhat on edge during close playoff baseball games, but there wasn’t much actual reason to be while Schlittler was in the game. Other than maybe going eight innings like he did last year, you couldn’t really ask for much more from him.

Between his performance this year and last year, he’s writing himself quite a legacy in this rivalry.

Then there’s Ben Rice. While Rice grew up a Yankee fan in enemy territory, he grew up in Massachusetts all the same. He’s probably not going to get the award love that Schlittler will, but he’s arguably been just as important this year. With 41 regular season home runs, he’s carried the offense at points, especially with Aaron Judge injured for much of this season.

On Tuesday night, he carried the offense once again. Rice went 4-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI. He turned a close game into a more than comfortable one.

While he wasn’t involved in the first of the Yankees’ nine runs, he played a part in a whole chunk of the rest. In the fifth inning, he hit a home run to double the Yankees’ lead with the game still very close. As the Yankees started to tack on some insurance runs, he drove home one with a single as part of a two-run seventh. However, the big blow was still yet to come.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, the Yankees led 5-0 with Rice at the plate. At five runs, they had a comfortable lead, but still one you’d probably expect them to turn to closer David Bednar for, if not only to erase any doubt. With one swing, Rice put the cherry on top of the game and insured they could save some bullpen bullets for future games.

The Yankees getting these performances in big moments is always great. It’s even better when you factor in that both Schlittler and Rice are homegrown prospects. Then you add in the fact that they’re from Red Sox territory and it adds a layer of humor. That being said, no matter where they’re from, I’ll take performances like what they provided on Tuesday night.

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Where to watch Cubs vs Padres today: Game time, predictions and TV channel

The high-scoring Chicago Cubs lineup was shut out in Game 1 of the National League wild card series at Petco Park and the team will try to extend its season with a win-or-go-home contest against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado hit first-inning home runs for the Padres in the opener and San Diego never looked back, going on to win 8-0 as starter Michael King took a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

Kevin Gausman will start Game 2 for the Cubs while Nick Pivetta takes the mound for the Padres, hoping to put away Chicago and get some revenge for last year's loss at this stage in the postseason. The Padres have not reached the World Series since 1998 and have never won a championship.

The Padres-Cubs winner advances to the best-of-five NL Division Series, where it will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who finished with MLB's best regular season record. If the Cubs win Game 2 on Wednesday, the winner-take-all Game 3 will be played on Thursday in San Diego.

Where to watch Cubs vs Padres: TV channel, streaming

  • Time: 10 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: NBCSN
  • Streaming: Peacock

Watch MLB playoffs on Peacock

What time is Cubs vs Padres today?

First pitch is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET at Petco Park in San Diego.

Padres vs. Cubs predictions

  • Bob Nightengale: Padres in 2
  • Gabe Lacques: Padres in 3
  • Kristie Ackert: Cubs in 3
  • Jesse Yomtov: Padres in 3

Padres vs Cubs schedule

Game 3 time subject to change

  • Game 1, Tuesday: Cubs 8, Padres 0
  • Game 2, Wednesday: Cubs at Padres – buy tickets – 10 p.m. ET – NBCSN/Peacock
  • Game 3*, Thursday: Cubs at Padres – buy tickets – 10 p.m. ET – NBCSN/Peacock

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch Cubs vs Padres today: Game time, predictions and TV channel

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox today: Time, predictions and TV channel for Game 2

After a dominant 9-0 win in Game 1 of the American League wild card series, the New York Yankees have the opportunity to eliminate their rival Boston Red Sox from the MLB playoffs for the second year in a row.

Likely Cy Young Cam Schlittler was lights out at Yankee Stadium and Ben Rice hit two home runs, including a back-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning in front of a raucous crowd.

"You could feel that energy, it was electric and so many guys played so well, you enjoy it for a minute," Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the win.

"But it's getting right back after it tomorrow knowing that we'll have a chance to close it out ... It's one win. So we've got the blinders on. But it's a confident group in knowing that we can, if we play our game we can beat anyone.

Lefty Max Fried will start for the Yankees and Sonny Gray goes for the Red Sox trying to stave off elimination. The winner of this best-of-three series advances to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series.

Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox today

  • Time: 8 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock

Watch Yankees vs. Red Sox free with Fubo

What time is Yankees vs Red Sox game?

First pitch in the Bronx is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Yankees vs Red Sox schedule

Wild card series at Yankee Stadium. Game 3 time subject to change.

  • Game 1: Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Yankees 9, Red Sox 0
  • Game 2: Wednesday – 8 p.m. – buy tickets, NBC & Peacock
  • Game 3*: Thursday – 8 p.m. – buy tickets, NBC & Peacock

Yankees vs Red Sox predictions

  • Bob Nightengale: Yankees in 3
  • Gabe Lacques: Yankees in 2
  • Kristie Ackert: Yankees in 3
  • Jesse Yomtov: Yankees in 3

Yankees vs Red Sox tickets

Get MLB playoff tickets

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch Yankees vs Red Sox today: Time, predictions and TV channel for Game 2

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

Chicago Cubs history unpacked — September 30

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to Trent Thornton, and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 1972 – Roberto Clemente doubles off the Mets’ Jon Matlack to become the eleventh major leaguer to collect 3000 hits. The hit, sadly, will be the Pirate right fielder’s last, as he will die in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve attempting to bring relief aid to earthquake-stricken Managua, Nicaragua, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

Today in Cubs history:

Cubs Birthdays:Trent Thornton*, Curtis Goodwin, Yorkis Pérez, Doug Jennings, Dave Magadan, Carlos Lezcano, Alex Hardy, Hal O’Hagan. Also notable: Robin Roberts HOF.

Today in history:

  • 1841 – Samuel Slocum patents the stapler.
  • 1939 – In the first televised college football game, Fordham defeats Waynesburg 34-7 at Randall’s Island, NY.
  • 1955 – American actor and cultural icon James Dean is killed in a car crash at age 24.
  • 1968 – Motown releases The Supremes‘ single “Love Child.”
  • 1980 – Ethernet specifications are published by Xerox in collaboration with Intel and Digital Equipment Corporation.
  • 1982 – Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen‘s sixth studio album “Nebraska,” a solo record made without a backing band.
  • 1985 – Island Records releases “Rain Dogs,” the ninth studio album by singer-songwriter Tom Waits; the album features guitarist Marc Ribot, guest appearances from Keith Richards, and one of Waits’s most covered songs, “Downtown Train.”
  • 2024 – A Montana man is sentenced to six months in prison for illegally using large Marco Polo sheep tissue and testicles to clone giant hybrid sheep for trophy hunting.

*pictured.