Category: Sports News

What if I had told you Wednesday afternoon that in the game in which the Cubs had to face Jacob Misiorowski, they’d pretty much give him the worst beatdown of his MLB career?

You’d have been pretty happy, right? Figure the Cubs should win that game, right?

Well, nope. The Cubs did do exactly that to “the Miz,” with a strong game plan and some excellent hitting, but the pitching staff could not hold the Brewers down and the visitors from Milwaukee defeated the Cubs 9-5.

Sigh.

This game did not begin well for the Cubs. After David Peterson retired the first two Brewers on just five pitches, they followed with two hits, a walk and another single to take a 2-0 lead.

The Cubs, however, did not flinch — at least at first. Pete Crow-Armstrong worked a leadoff walk off Misiorowski and one out later, Alex Bregman put a ball in the bleachers [VIDEO].

Peterson gave the Brewers the lead back in the second on a solo homer by Jackson Chourio.

Cubs hitters came right back against Misiorowski. Matt Shaw tripled with one out and a single by Tyrone Taylor tied the game 3-3 [VIDEO].

One out later, PCA walked again. BCB’s JohnW53 explains why that was significant:

This is PCA’s 16th game with multiple walks, tying Michael Busch for most on the Cubs. Seiya Suzuki has 15; Alex Bregman, 11; and no one else more than eight.

PCA had two all of last year, when Ian Happ and Kyle Tucker had 17, followed by Suzuki, with 10, and Busch six.

Suzuki followed with another walk, loading the bases, and Bregman singled in a pair [VIDEO].

The Cubs thus had a two-run lead at 5-3 after just two innings.

Friends, that would not last long.

Peterson managed to get through the third holding the lead, but fell apart in the fourth. A one-out walk was followed by a double by Chourio, then Brice Turang bunted. Miguel Amaya tried to get the out at the plate [VIDEO].

That, in my view, was a mistake and helped set up a big inning for Milwaukee. Peterson was not in position to take the throw. If Amaya gets the out at first — which he could have — the run still scores and maybe the Cubs get out of the inning with only one or two runs scoring, instead of three. The latter happened when the next two Brewers singled. Milwaukee is a team that you can’t give these extra chances to, because they will pounce on them.

So the Brewers are up 6-5 heading to the bottom of the fourth. That’s not an insurmountable lead.

Only it was for the Cubs, because the bats went silent after Bregman’s two-run single in the second. The Cubs had just four more baserunners the rest of the game — a one-out single by Happ in the third, a two-out walk by Suzuki in the fourth, a two-0ut walk by Amaya in the sixth and a single by PCA with two out in the ninth. None of the runners got past first base.

You cannot win games that way, I am sure you will agree.

Meanwhile, the Cubs bullpen did an okay job until the seventh, when Daniel Palencia was touched up for a run on a double by Christian Yelich and single by Cooper Pratt. Then Jacob Webb put the game completely out of reach in the ninth, in part because he took this line drive off his arm [VIDEO].

So before I update you on Webb, let me say something about that throw. The competitor in any baseball player wants to make plays. Webb thought maybe he could still get the runner out. There is no chance that was true. He should have just held the ball.

In any case, Webb left the game. Fortunately:

So maybe Webb hits the injured list, though also maybe a couple of days resting the arm would be okay. Gallows humor: So THIS is the way to get Javier Assad back on the team?

Two runs wound up scoring in the Brewers ninth after Colin Rea relieved Webb, and it might have been more except for this great throw by Happ [VIDEO].

There are two more defensive gems I want to show you. Nico Hoerner made this great diving catch to end the top of the fifth [VIDEO].

And another from Nico to start the ninth [VIDEO].

If not for those, the score of this game might have been a lot worse than 9-5. And here’s how bad this game was:

Seven losses in the last 29 games that way. That’s not the way to make the postseason, or win postseason games.

And all of this came after they gave Misiorowski the worst beatdown of his MLB career. From John:

The Cubs’ five runs off Jacob Misiorowski tied for the most he has allowed in any start of his two-year career. He gave up five twice last season, in 3.2 innings at New York vs. the Mets and in 1.1 at Cincinnati, then did it in 5.0 at home vs. the Reds on July 2.

The four walks earned by the Cubs also tied Misiorowski’s career high. He did it once last year, then April 7 of this year in 5.1 IP and June 26 vs. Cubs in 6.0.

So he had done both of those things before (allow five runs and four walks), but this was the first time both of those things had happened in the same start for “the Miz.” The Cubs had a good offensive game plan and executed it — well, for two innings, at least. And the pitching staff just got pounded by Brewers hitters.

Here are Craig Counsell’s postgame remarks [VIDEO].

Counsell again sounds exasperated during those comments, with lots of sighing. You can tell he’s as frustrated as anyone with the pitching failures. About his thoughts on Palencia: It appears to me that Palencia is still not quite right. His velocity is down a tick or two and he doesn’t seem to be locating well. As Counsell says, the team needs Palencia to be right. I think he will be, eventually, but that doesn’t help the “right now” that the Cubs need him for.

One last note on this game: A frighteningly large number of pitches were thrown for the second straight night. On Tuesday, the Brewers threw 182 pitches and the Cubs 137; Wednesday, Milwaukee pitchers threw 150 and Cubs hurlers 177. That made for a 3:18 game for the second consecutive day and if you think that’s long (and it is), those are likely four-hour games without the pitch timer.

The Cubs still have a chance to split this four-game series in its finale Thursday evening. Kevin Gausman will start for the Cubs and Logan Henderson will go for Milwaukee. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game via those services even if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market.

With the Mets working in an extra day of rest for Christian Scott down the stretch, it presents an opportunity for others to receive a shot in the big-league rotation. 

On Wednesday night, it was Justin Hagenman’s turn.

Making his first MLB appearance back following a long IL stint, the journeyman right-hander threw well, holding the Rays to just one run on two hits across three innings. 

He retired the first eight hitters he faced before running into two-out trouble in the third.

“Solid,” Andy Green said. “What we typically expect from him.” 

Hagenman hit a bit of a walk towards the end, so he turned things over to Chris Devenski, who was hurt by a controversial call at first on a potential pickoff. 

Devenski gave up three runs on three straight hits directly after. 

The rest of the bullpen did an extremely solid job behind him, though, as the next four relievers combined to keep Tampa off the board over the final 5.1 innings. 

Dedniel Núñez took home the victory after putting together a perfect appearance (1.1), Nate Lavender left in some seventh inning trouble but Daniel Duarte picked him up, then Jonathan Pintaro put on the finishing touches in the ninth. 

“I thought it was great,” Green said. “I even thought Devenski was solid too -- we had a chance to get out of that inning without allowing a run, but from there on out on it was dominant against a very good offense.

“We ran a lot of good arms out and didn’t have to use Senga, so it was a good day.”

New York being able to take two out of three from the AL East leaders without having any of their top three starters on the bump certainly is an impressive feat. 

Here at Over The Monster, we like to ask a topical question of the day; but on this dreary morning, we might as well be asking the question of the month. Very simply: If the Wild Card series started today, who would you want starting those three games?

Of course, the Wild Card series doesn’t start today, and Red Sox haven’t officially punched their ticket into the dance yet. But with FanGraphs giving them a 97.1 percent chance to make the playoffs and only 0.3 percent chance to win the division as of this morning, it seems pretty darn likely they’re going to be playing baseball on September 29th (and playing it somewhere other than Fenway Park).

The Red Sox know this as well and have already reshuffled their rotation to pitch Sonny Gray on Saturday (September 5th) and Payton Tolle on Sunday (September 6th). With off days for the month already scheduled for the 10th, 14th, 17th, and 28th (assuming they make the playoffs), this means Gray and Tolle could pitch with an extra day of rest every start from here to the end of the year in a normal five man rotation and be perfectly lined up to pitch Game 1 and Game 2 of the Wild Card series. (September 11th and 12th against the Royals, September 17th and 18th against the Rangers and Rays, September 23rd and 24th against the Guardians, and September 29th and 30th against the Wild Card opponent.)

So the Red Sox have already told us who they believe will start the first two games of the playoffs indirectly, but third option is far more complex. Historically, Ranger Suarez would be the best man for the job. Not only did they just give him a $130 million contract in January, but he also has a 1.48 career ERA in the playoffs. However, the Sox might not be too pleased with the way he threw the ball in Sunday’s start against the Yankees with the tiebreaker on the line, and they might not want to set things up that way again for a potential winner take all game on October 1st.

So what about tonight’s starter Jake Bennett? He just might be pitching for a postseason starting job over the next few weeks. If he does well and nobody steps up, the Sox could end up sending a rookie to the mound to start and do or die game in Yankee Stadium for the second year in a row.

And then there’s Garrett Crochet, who won’t be available to make a traditional start, but could be ramped up enough to give you a couple of innings out of the gate before you go bullpen game from there, mixing and matching the opponent with all your best arms and running their bench dry of platoon matchups by the late innings.

Those are just some of the factors on the table as we turn our eyes to the end of the month, but what does our OTM community think? Talk about this and whatever else you like, and as always, be good to one another!

Meet the Mets

The Mets jumped out to a big lead early and then poured it on late in their bounceback victory over the Rays to take the series. Nick Morabito’s first major league hit was a three-run double to help put the game out of reach. The team will now enjoy an off day before heading home to play the Giants.

Choose your recap:Amazin’ Avenue, Daily News, MLB.com, North Jersey, NY Post

Before the game the Mets reinstated Justin Hagenman from the IL and optioned Dylan Ross.

Jonah Tong turned his season around in the minors recently which has earned him a start with the big league club.

The team will have some hard decisions to make at the end of the season with some of their unproductive players.

The Mets will need to look inward to see what went wrong this year especially with former Mets finding success elsewhere.

Around the National League East

The Braves got a much-needed 9-0 win over the Nationals.

Ronald Acuña Jr. became the fastest player in MLB history to reach 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases.

The Marlins won 9-6 in a comeback victory against the Royals.

The Phillies were shut out 1-0 by the Diamondbacks.

James Wood returned to the lineup for the Nationals after missing 27 games with an oblique strain.

Around Major League Baseball

The playoff race is on and the strength of schedule of those in the hunt could help decide who gets to play in October.

Baseballs are flying out of the park in the minors at an historic pace but what is behind the uptick in home runs?

Brewer’s ace Jacob Misiorowski gave up five earned runs against the Cubs which ended his streak of starts allowing just three ER or less at 25.

Padres prospect Ethan Salas made his major league debut at 20 years old which made him the youngest catcher to play in a game since Ivan Rodriguez.

The Dodgers placed starter Eric Lauer on the IL with elbow inflammation after a tough start against the Cardinals.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1965, Jim Hickman became the first Met to hit three home runs in a game.

Another month of Yankees baseball is in the books, and though their situation in the American League East has changed little of late, there was plenty of good baseball to take in. With each passing game comes more moments to remember and appreciate, including those made by Yankee defenders. August was no different, as we saw plenty of web gems in the Bronx this month, so let’s take a look back at some of the best from the last month.

August 4: Lombard’s slick play starts a double play

While the defensive slump George Lombard Jr. found himself for part of August is likely the lasting memory, the month also brought plenty of highlight reel plays. Here, early in the month against the Cardinals, the rookie backhanded a sharp two hopper before throwing across his body to kick off an inning-ending double play. Despite the low points of late, we should be seeing highlights at short from Lombard Jr. for years to come.

August 5: The rookie fully extends up the middle

Speaking of which, why not take a look at another gem from Lombard Jr.? Here, just a day after our first featured play, the Yankees shortstop dove to stop a one-hopper destined for center field. Lombard Jr., after fully extending, quickly got up and threw a seed over to first base, just barely nabbing St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt. The bad sticks out this month, but there was a lot of good to soak in from Lombard Jr. in August.

August 7: García Jr. fully over the shoulder

Another play from the first week of August, this time with Luis García Jr.’s range on display. With the go-ahead run on third base in the tenth inning for Atlanta, the Yankees first baseman was in a full sprint straight backwards, only to reach over his shoulder and snag the would-be blooper. Not exactly known for his defense, García Jr.’s clutch play saved the game in extras, putting an end to the Braves’ half of the inning. Even sweeter, it was a game the Yankees would eventually win in the bottom half of the inning.

August 18: Austin Wells slides in foul territory

Anyone with experience donning the gear can attest to how difficult a pop up can be from the catching position. Here, Austin Wells makes a difficult one look pretty straightforward. Jackson Holliday lofted a ball toward the third base dugout into foul territory. Immediately set on his intention, Wells ran full speed to the warning track, calling for the ball the entire time, before sliding on a knee to secure the out for his club. Sometimes, making the tough ones look easy can be a highlight on its own.

August 28: Bellinger preserves the lead with his arm

Perhaps more than almost anyone else, Cody Bellinger is a regular on these monthly lists. Toward the end of the month, Belli changed things up, this time making the cut with an exceptional play not with the glove, but with his arm. With the Yankees holding just a 1-0 lead in the seventh, Bellinger caught a relatively shallow fly ball, before perfectly timing his crow hop, and delivering a one-hop strike to home plate. His perfect throw nabbed the runner at home, and preserved what would remain an important 1-0 win for the Yankees at home against the Red Sox.

The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians last night.

It was a game that does not need to be revisited by us fans any time soon.

But at least we got to watch Austin Hedges pitch.

In all seriousness, the Guardians are still (at the time of writing), 3.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the division and only 1.5 games ahead of the Rangers for the final Wild Card spot. They absolutely need to pull themselves together and shake of last night’s game. With Detroit coming to town for four games, there is a great opportunity to stay in win column, but just as easily is there the opportunity to wash away all playoff hopes.

Welcome to September baseball.

Around the League

MLB Highlighted the hottest pitching prospect from each team with Caden Favors getting the nod for Cleveland.

Today’s Reflections

After some thought, I felt this was the best way to review Monday night’s game:

Tyrone Taylor, Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, Bregman, Carson Kelly, Matt Shaw, Michael Conforto, Bregman.

Team record nine home runs.

National League record 62 home runs for the month.

Clay Holmes, six innings, zero runs, five hits, two walks and eight strikeouts (don’t want to forget him).

A blow-out game with a dominant pitching performance, plus team and NL records for home runs. A very nice, neat, tidy victory in Game One over the Brewers.

Tuesday night’s game — ehhh, not so nice or neat or tidy. Matthew Boyd had the Cubs in a winnable position to pull off their second game from the Brewers. And the bullpen did their best avalanche impression.

Boyd left the game with one out in the sixth, with runners on second and third with the Cubs up, 3-1. He had given up one run while scattering seven hits and a walk with three strikeouts. It was up to Daniel Palencia to slam the door on any chance that a Brewer rally may occur.

Instead, he held the door open and waved the fellas through. Balked in a run, then gave up a two-run double and a two-run home run. Milwaukee was up, 5-3, but there was still plenty of time for the Cubs, especially following Carson Kelly’s fielder’s choice which allowed a run to score to pull within one. Michael Busch’s TOONBLAN on the play ended the inning. But the bullpen just needed to hold it together as entering the game was Ryan Jefferzahn—

Zeferzahn allowed an RBI-double to make the score, 6-4. Still in reach as the next pitcher entered the game, Caleb Thielba—

RBI-single. 7-4, in the top of the seventh. Three runs down, three innings left, there’s time. All that was needed was a great inning by just-called-up Tyler Fergus—

Two-run home run. 9-4. Game over.

First thought was maybe Palencia, coming off an injury, may not be ready for prime-time. Is anyone in the bullpen really ready? They have to be. It IS prime-time.

After the offensive explosion Monday, one hoped a little of that could continue Tuesday. The Cubs managed six hits total. In addition to Kelly’s RBI, Tyrone Taylor had a two-RBI-double and scored on an error. Five singles among five hitters amounted to nothing.

At this point, the Cubs can still win the series, but they will need consistency from all players on the roster. And a lotta luck against Misiorowski.

*Complimentary Starting Pitcher Solo Home Run*

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Tuesday’s Game Stories:

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Key takeaways: Brewers 9, Cubs 4 . “The bullpen has been working through a recent rough patch.”

• Alex House (ClutchPoints): Cubs’ Craig Counsell says quiet part out loud about loss to Brewers. “When reviewing all the evidence, it is odd to expect more from the Cubs’ first-class defense, especially on a night when the Brewers committed two errors. And yet, Craig Counsell actually made a valid point.”

• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs’ offense and defense have led the way — can the pitching staff be more consistent in September? “The Cubs’ frequency in surrendering home runs has cost them games this year and could continue to be costly in the playoffs.”

Monday’s Game Stories:

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs slug record nine homers as aggressive additions look capable of getting them over Brewers-shaped hurdle. “Whether in paying big bucks for Alex Bregman in the offseason or making aggressive moves at the trade deadline, the Cubs’ decisions to add to their roster could make the difference if they’re going to get past the Brewers.”

• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs outslug Milwaukee Brewers in 17-3 blowout win to cap NL record home run month. “Alex Bregman started August without a three-homer game in his career. Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ended the month with his lifetime total sitting at two.”

• Tyler Edmunds (OnTapSportsNet): Cubs Make Franchise History in Absolute Power Display Against Brewers. “The Cubs did not just have a good game on Monday night, they had a historic one. And it happened for the sixty-second time in August.”

Assorted Pitching Stories:

• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why the Cubs are sticking with Shota Imanaga — for now. “Despite Imanaga’s recent struggles, the Cubs need the lefty to regain some of his All-Star form if they hope to make a deep playoff run.”
• Casey McAleer (DaWindyCity): Shota Imanaga is giving the Cubs a problem they cannot ignore. “Imanaga’s home run issues have reached historic territory at the worst possible time for Chicago.”
• Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Do the Chicago Cubs Still Trust Shōta Imanaga in the Starting Rotation? “There’s an old saying in Tennessee, I know it’s in Texas, and it’s probably in Tennessee that says, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me…you can’t get fooled again.”
• Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): One fault the could prevent the Cubs from winning the World Series. “There’s one glaring fault holding the Cubs back, and it could derail their World Series hopes.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): Chicago Cubs reliever Ryan Zeferjahn looking to make the impact the team envisioned at the trade deadline. “The ups and downs can test any pitcher, and as right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn has experienced lately, those challenges can be amplified as he continues to get acclimated to his new organization.”

Assorted Hitting Stories:

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Alex Bregman is making Red Sox fans look foolish for their Caleb Durbin victory laps. “This the Alex Bregman the Cubs paid for.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Cubs call up their No. 19 prospect BJ Murray Jr. for MLB debut vs. Brewers. “With a standout showing for Triple-A Iowa, Murray put himself on the radar to make his Major League debut for a team chasing down a playoff spot.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How Pete Crow-Armstrong, on long-term Cubs deal, is exceeding Jed Hoyer’s expectations. “Crow-Armstrong has already generated 38 home runs, 91 RBIs, 100 runs scored and a .943 OPS at a premium defensive position.”
• Bennedetto Vitale (ClutchPoints): Is Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong new face of MLB? Here’s what an ex-player said. “A former MLB player shares his thoughts on Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong becoming the new face of the league.”

Assorted Stories:

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Phillies suddenly flip NL Wild Card race that should put Cubs on notice. “Uh oh.”
• Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): The Cubs’ Playoff Picture Is Starting to Come Into Focus. “The Cubs are firmly in the National League playoff picture, but September could change everything. With the Phillies, Diamondbacks and Padres all fighting for October, Chicago has plenty of work left to do.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): As hitters rack up ‘insane’ home-run totals, Jed Hoyer needs more consistent pitching for Cubs to ‘fare well’. “The Cubs woke up on the first day of the regular season’s final month with baseball’s best offense and its best defense. But Hoyer spoke with a desire to see more from his pitching staff as the countdown to the playoffs begins.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Next two weeks give Cubs opportunity to make NL Central push vs. Brewers, but wild-card fate in balance, too. “With all eyes on the Cubs’ seven games in 10 days against the Brewers and the possibility of a late push for the NL Central crown, the team’s fats in the wild-card race is also on the line in the regular season’s final month.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): ‘Foodie’ and World Series vet Kevin Gausman sees something cooking in Cubs: ‘The recipe is kind of there’. “Gausman racked up recommendations when he asked where to track down cinnamon rolls in Chicago, but the self-proclaimed “foodie” is an expert in more than just sweet treats, a World Series veteran who likes what he sees from these Cubs.“
• Paolo Mariano (ClutchPoints): Cubs’ Kevin Gausman shares fascinating superstition origin story. “Chicago Cubs pitcher Kevin Gausman said he was told to stop his bizarre superstition when he made it to the MLB.”

Food For Thought:

Never had the hardships of the world been transformed into such a poetic height; never had the blues plumbed such an emotional depth. Johnson took the intense loneliness, terrors and tortuous lifestyle that came with being an African-American in the South during the Great Depression, and transformed that specific and very personal experience into music of universal relevance and global reach. “You want to know how good the blues can get?” Keith Richards once asked, answering his own question: “Well, this is it.” Eric Clapton put it more plainly: “I have never found anything more deeply soulful than Robert Johnson.”

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

My introduction to baseball fandom was through an invite to an Out of the Park Baseball sim-league run by some of my father’s friends when I was in high school. I was tasked with playing as a general manager of a fictional baseball team filled with fictional baseball players, and I was competing against my father and his friends who were all running their own teams.

To me, it was just like all the numbers-heavy roleplaying games I’d played throughout my childhood where part of the point is finding ways to optimize a system. I took that mindset into this league primarily made up of older baseball fans just having fun with their friends.

My ruthlessly optimized team quickly became the most dominant in the league.

Now as an adult, I have mixed feelings about the way in which I treated roster building like a math puzzle that could be solved. I probably did a disservice to the spirit of what was, basically, a beer-and-pretzels-style game. I was a child at the time, and everyone still had a good time, so there wasn’t any real harm done.

But I do regret how I went about it.

I mention all of this to give you a sense of the lens through which I am naturally inclined to think about baseball. I have always been one for whom following the numbers and their relation to wins is my first instinct when considering team decisions.

Given all that, I am shocked to discover that Rockies closer Jordan Romano has managed to almost singlehandedly shift how I think about bullpen management.

For almost two decades, I’ve bought into the notion that the best way to organize a bullpen revolves around exploiting hitter tendencies and looking to the leverage of each plate appearance. The idea of holding to reliever roles defined by the inning in which the player is allowed to pitch has always seemed far too simplistic to me.

The question I’ve always put to folks advocating for set closers and set up roles is this: Why save your best relievers for the final two innings? Why wouldn’t you want to use your best arms in the most important situations of the game, regardless of which inning that occurs in?

Watching the Rockies have 12 different relievers blow saves over the course of the past two seasons wore down my previously held belief. The sheer number of times the Rockies lost a lead in the late innings since the start of 2025 is mind boggling when taken into the context of how few leads they’ve even had.

The 2026 Rockies bullpen, in search of a means of blowing fewer leads, has undergone a transformation throughout the summer.

In April, when the starting rotation was consistently unable to make it through the fifth inning, a collection of long relievers were the most important feature of the bullpen. By June, both the effectiveness of those long-relief appearances and the need for innings had been reduced, so the Rockies were left with an amorphous collection of role-less relievers.

Through the first half, 10 different Rockies pitchers had been awarded a save for the team, and seven had blown a save opportunity. In July, Romano joined the big league team, and the Rockies bullpen usage changed immediately.

He was handed the reigns to the ninth inning in his first game with the team. He was given a fancy closer entrance in his eighth appearance for the team. By early September, Romano had cemented himself as the Rockies most effective reliever with a 2.00 ERA backed up by a 2.43 FIP.

Romano has pitched outside the ninth inning only once in his 19 games as a Rockie.

I should hate this. I should be pushing for Romano to be used in any important situation instead of being limited to the end of the game.

In reality, I find myself simply at ease whenever the ninth rolls around and the broadcast team cuts the final commercial break in favor of showing Romano’s entrance. The memories of so many games having flipped suddenly right at the end from a Rockies lead to a Rockies loss are starting to fade. I am no longer beset by a sense of mounting dread during the final few innings of most Rockies games.

I still want the Rockies to win. To that end, I want them to make roster building and tactical decisions that give them the best chance to do so. I’m not yet convinced that using your best relievers in a rigidly defined inning is actually optimal. What I have been convinced of, however, is that the emotional experience of a lead feeling safe heading into the final inning or two is worth being a bit illogical.

I wish that the younger version of myself had read the room better instead of chasing every last advantage in my old OOTP league. I’m glad that the current version of the Rockies has set aside this one portion of the modern baseball zeitgeist in favor of providing both some spectacle and peace of mind to a fanbase that has had to endure a lot of disappointment in recent years.

Romano is thriving as the Rockies closer. Warren Schafer has to do less hand-wringing when deciding how to line up his bullpen. I get to feel excited at the end of games instead of fighting that old sense of dread. All parties involved get something nice out of the current arrangement.

Should the Rockies eschew all modern analytics and stop trying to find other ways to give them better chances to win?

Of course not.

I’m just glad that they aren’t so beholden to pursuing every single marginal advantage that they aren’t willing to stick to a “sub-optimal role” for a player like Romano when he shows them that he is incredibly comfortable in it.

Should the Rockies go ahead and sign Romano to a big multi-year extension based on his 18 innings of work for the team? Absolutely not, but… if they happen to bring him back for next year, you won’t hear me complaining given how much more pleasant he has made it to be a fan of this team.

On the Farm

Triple-A:Tacoma Rainiers 5, Albuquerque Isotopes 2

This was a close game right up until the end as the Isotopes couldn’t hold a one run lead when it counted most.

While the Rainiers would get on the board first with a one out RBI single from Stuart Fairchild in the top of the fourth it wouldn’t be long before the Isotopes struck back. Roc Riggio (No. 13 PuRP) opened up the bottom of the fifth with his first Triple-A double and was driven in by Nic Kent on a grounder that was just barely missed by Rainiers second baseman Leo Rivas. Albuquerque would take the lead in the eighth when Riggio walked with the bases loaded to score Drew Avans.

The Isotopes would enter the ninth inning with a thin one run lead after great performances from starter Jake Brooks, and relievers Valente Bellozo and Mason Green. The ninth rolled around and TJ Shook was handed the ball. Shook would load the bases on a couple of walks and single before a two-out wild pitch would allow Fairchild of the Rainiers to score and tie the game.

When the Isotopes were unable to score in the bottom of the ninth the game went to extras where Evan Shawver took over on the mound. A pair of walks to open the inning combined with the automatic runner at second loaded the bases before a Nolan Jones sacrifice fly gave the Rainiers the lead again. That would ultimately be all the runs that were needed for a Tacoma victory but they tacked on another two before it ended for good measure.

Double-A:Reading Fightin Phils 5, Hartford Yard Goats 3

The Hartford lineup couldn’t dig the team out of a whole dug by their bullpen.

Bryson Hammer started the game for the Yard Goats and, other than four walks, pitched quite well. Hammer held the Fightin Phils to a single run over five innings while striking out five. When Hammer was done he was relieved by Davison Palermo who did not have nearly as good a day at the ballpark. Palermo set down the side in order in the sixth but allowed a two-run homer to Bryson Ware in the seventh. While Palermo came back out in the eighth, he was pulled after allowing another two runs. Nathan Blasick shut the door for the remainder of the game but the damage had already been done.

The Yard Goats came out the gates in the first with a run after Andy Perez doubled and then Jared Thomas (No. 8 PuRP) and Jack O’Dowd singled to drive him in. Hartford would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a string of hits to load the bases before a Zach Kokoska grounder and a Cole Messina walk drove in two. Despite a single in each of the remaining innings The Yard Goats scoring would end in the sixth and they’d ultimately drop to a 62-65 record.

High-A:Everett AquaSox 14, Spokane Indians 2

The less said about this blowout the better.

After a recent string of impressive pitching performances from Jordy Vargas hopes were high for him coming into this game. Vargas could threw 96 pitches to get through four and two thirds innings and allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks. The majority of the runs came on a Cesar Quintas double in the third and an Aiden Taurek home run in the fifth but ultimately Vargas simply allowed far too traffic on the bases to be successful. Once Vargas was pulled the string of Luke Hansel, Austin Emener, and Justin Loer would come in to fill out the rest of the game. None of them was able to get avoid allowing the AquaSox to add on to their score.

At the plate both Wilder Dalis (No. 10 PuRP) and Max Belyeu (No. 23 PuRP) hit solo home runs which was essentially the end of the positives for the Spokane lineup. In total, Spokane hitters struck out fourteen times which at least meant that that teams struggles on the mound were not the only reason the team lost.

Low-A:Fresno Grizzlies 6, San Jose Giants 2

An early flurry of hits and consistent pitching brought the Grizzlies ten games above .500.

Three straight ground outs in the first from Fresno hitters was quickly forgotten in the second. Daniel Jackson (No. 12 PuRP) and Ronny Ugarte led of the inning with back-to-back hits before Jack Natili (No. 20 PuRP) walked the bases loaded. A triple from Cort MacDonald, a sacrifice fly from Juan Martinez, and a home run from Landyn Vidourek would score five for the Grizzlies before the inning would come to an end. Natili would go on to score an insurance run in the eighth after he doubled and came home on a wild pitch.

That insurance run was ultimately unnecessary due to the solid combined pitching from the Grizzlies. Luichi Casilla and Austin Newton threw four innings apiece. While Newton’s four innings of one-run pitching was solid, it paled in comparison to Casilla’s four scoreless with seven strikeouts. Ben Davis would throw the ninth and allow another run to the Giants on an Andy Polanco RBI single but at that stage the Grizzlies were so far ahead that it never got particularly stressful.

MLB players on salary cap, CBA talks, potential lockout, more | ESPN

Statements about the CBA negotiations from those directly involved are generally pre-prepared and crafted with a specific purpose in mind. The idea of getting any individuals actual personal thoughts on the process is implausible if their name is attached to the quotes. In order to get insights from players ESPN collected quotes from a two dozen players and anonymized them all. A fascinating look into how the players side is feeling heading into this pivotal offseason.

Running the bases with Colorado Rockies Jake McCarthy | Mile High Sports

The Rockies were 23rd in the league in terms of stolen bases last season but have risen up to 14th so far in 2026. Jake McCarthy and his team leading 26 stolen bases are the clear difference for Rockies baserunning this year. Drew Creasman talks with McCarthy about the year he’s had in Colorado and his mindset on the bases. It’s worth the read for McCarthy’s quote about his throwing arm in the outfield alone.

Rockies’ Cole Carrigg can’t give fans the bird, but Colorado needs his edge to win
| Denver Post ($)

Troy Renck offers his take on the Cole Carrigg benching situation that unfolded this past week. For his part, Renck sees disciplining Carrigg as a delicate line to walk in avoiding extreme outbursts while also not smothering the intensity that he plays with. If the quotes from Schaeffer, Josh Byrne, and Carrigg himself are any indication, the Rockies organization tends to agree with Renck’s assesment.

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Carter Jensen made history last night, with his 6th leadoff homer of the season, but the Royals bullpen blew it.

However, it’s clear that rookie catcher Carter Jensen will not be of much concern. The standout KCMO product continues to shine for his hometown team.

And on Wednesday — in a 9-6 loss to the Marlins — Jensen set a single-season franchise record. In the first inning, Jensen recorded his sixth leadoff home run — a club record — off Miami Marlins starter Eury Perez. The blast traveled 414 feet into the Royals’ bullpen. It was Jensen’s 20th home run of the calendar year.

Royals Double-A prospect Hunter Owen received nice praise as being the organizations hottest pitching prospect.

A fourth-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2023, Owen is a former member of Kansas City’s Top 30 prospects ranking, and he’s pushing himself back into prominence with a late charge at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. His 45 strikeouts over 27 innings were second-most in the Minors in August, and he racked up those K’s while posting a 1.33 ERA, .181 average-against and 1.19 WHIP over five starts. The 6-foot-5 southpaw hasn’t been big on velocity with a fastball only around 91-93 mph but managed to get whiffs across his four-pitch mix.

Noah Cameron wasn’t as sharp last night, but has been a part of something that has made Royals relievers strike more hitters out. (LOL after last night).

The bullpen session that Noah Cameron threw before his now notorious July 24 outing against Detroit — the seven scoreless innings in relief that kickstarted this successful run he’s on — was one of the best he’s ever thrown.

Luke Maile, who tries to catch as many bullpen sessions as his schedule allows, called it the best bullpen he’s caught all year. Cameron’s word for it was “ridiculous.”

Some of the Royals 2026 draft class has made their pro debut, Brian Burrows of Kings of Kauffman checks in on them.

Yirsandy Rodríguez of Royals Keep looks in on the adjustment Nate Pearson has been making in Kansas City.

Is Vladdy Jr. back?

Jacob Misiorowski had an impressive streak come to an end last night, but the Brewers still beat the Cubs.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is the fastest player in MLB history to get to 200 career stolen bases and home runs.

Who are the leaders for rookie of the year in the AL and NL as we head into the final month?

Uh, the Clippers may never be good again, after historic NBA punishment.

Ohtani has no timeline to return to the mound

Here is your song of the day: Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees

The San Francisco Giants wrap up this road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this morning.

Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Blade Tidwell, who enters this morning’s game with a 4.54 ERA, 4.37 FIP, with 31 strikeouts to 13 walks in 37.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 10-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks last Friday, in which he allowed six runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk in five innings.

As of the time this is being written, the Pirates have not yet announced a starting pitcher for this morning’s game. But you can head down to the comments for more up to date information.

Game #141

Who: San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When: 9:35 a.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM