First baseman Freddie Freeman is dealing with a right knee issue, manager Dave Roberts said, which was severe enough to keep him out of the team’s lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against the Reds.
That marked the second time this homestand that Freeman was out of the Dodgers’ lineup and came on the heels of a rare start for the veteran slugger as designated hitter on Tuesday.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hits a single during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Roberts said there was no specific incident that led to Freeman’s knee problem, and that an injured list stint was not under consideration for the 36-year-old.
However, Roberts believes that Freeman’s injury contributed to his recent 1-for-18 slump at the plate, one that has dropped his season batting average under .300 for the first time since late July.
“Freddie does a really good job of hitting against his front side [in his swing],” Roberts said. “So when you can’t do that with your front side, your right knee, then you’re compromised. And I see there’s a lot more swing and miss the last few days; that’s just not who he is.”
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman reacts to being tagged out at first base in the second inning of an MLB game against the Washington Nationals at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Roberts didn’t set a date for when Freeman would return to the Dodgers’ lineup, wanting to exercise caution with the 10-time All-Star’s workload over the stretch run of the regular season.
The manager left open the possibility of Freeman returning to action for the team’s next game on Friday, when it begins a weeklong road trip starting in Miami.
But, “it’s also a possibility that we give him three days off to then get back,” Roberts said, “getting him ready optimally for the September run.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 07: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws to first base for an out over Kyle Stowers #28 of the Miami Marlins in the sixth inning at loanDepot park on May 07, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers hit the road for a seven-game trip that could conceivably see them clinch a postseason berth, a division title, or perhaps both. The trip starts with a three-game series against the Miami Marlins beginning Friday night at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Neither team has named any starting pitchers for the weekend series, but based on recent usage, Blake Snell is in line to start for the Dodgers and right-hander Ryan Gusto could be the choice to pitch for Miami.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 05: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Saturday, September 5, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country.
Rafael Devers has been on an absolute tear lately. His extremely slow start to the season is in the far distant rear view mirrors, as he’s been one of the best hitters in all of baseball since the weather warmed.
After his most recent surge of power, Devers has found himself sitting on 35 home runs. With three more, he’ll tie his career-best mark, set in 2021. With four more, he’ll set a new career high. And with five more, he’ll make it to 40.
Just last year, Willy Adames became the first San Francisco Giants player to hit 30 home runs since Barry Bonds in 2004. Now Devers has a shot to become the first Giants player to hit 40 home runs since … well … Barry Bonds in 2004. He has 15 games to get there; will he do it?
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 9: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros goes to bat during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 9, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Blasting a double in the top of the 3rd inning tonight in Philadelphia, Astros legend Jose Altuve became the 103rd member of the 2500 hit club. He is one of only two active players with 2500 hits (Freddie Freeman).
With history now made, we touch the bases with some of our friends at The Crawfish Boxes in recognition of Jose Altuve’s 2,500 hit milestone.
Todd Kalas:
“It’s just another step in an elite career. The guy has been a hit machine since joining the Astros in 2011. The fact that barely over 100 players in the history of the game have accomplished this milestone speaks to the incredible bat to ball skills that Jose possesses.”
Larry Dierker:
“The biggest hurdle Jose cleared was durability. Granted, today he’s not as fast or as powerful as he was in his prime, but wow! I’m hoping he fits into the Astros plans for a few more seasons and I’m sure Astros fans with a long view of things would like to see him finish in Cooperstown with Bagwell, Biggio and Wagner.”
Doug Glanville:
“Jose Altuve has long been the gold standard for getting a bat on a ball. He may not be huge in stature but there are few better at covering so much of the hitting zone. He is a difficult batter for any pitcher because he is so hard to set up. It’s hard to find any spot where he could not make contact enroute to getting a hit or spoiling a good pitch. He’s always been a tough out and a complete player with longevity and a championship pedigree carved by his own hands. He’s also humble. No doubt a future Hall of Famer!”
Art Howe:
“Altuve is a joy to watch! He brings a ton of energy and passion to his team! Every single game! A great role model for all of the young players on the team! He’s on his way to the HOF as far as I’m concerned! Fun to watch!”
We at The Crawfish Boxes congratulate Jose Altuve on this incredible career achivement.
Mets infielder Brett Baty left Wednesday's game against the Miami Marlins early in the second inning with left knee pain, the team said.
Baty was running down to first base after hitting an RBI single and appeared to start limping before reaching the bag.
Trainers immediately came out to check on him as he tried to shake it off, but he was eventually removed from the game. Christopher Morel entered to pinch-run.
After the 15-14 win, interim manager Andy Green said Baty was in positive spirits and is hopeful he will be able to return to the field soon.
"He had a smile on his face," Green said. "I just saw him passing by and said he thought he was going to be OK. We'll see what he's like tomorrow and get a better feel. He's been swinging the bat great, obviously had a hit in his first at-bat too. We certainly hope he's OK and ready to go for us soon."
Baty's single extended his hitting streak to six games as he's been on fire in his last 15 games with a .375 batting average.
Overall this season, the 26-year-old owns a .229 average with a .663 OPS, 10 home runs, and 50 RBI over 129 games.
Brett Baty is coming out of the game after appearing to tweak his knee running the bases pic.twitter.com/wjDpS8guiq
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 22: Alex Formenton #59 of the Ottawa Senators skates during the pre-game warmup prior to NHL action against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on April 22, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Getty Images
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Alex Formenton is the third player acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case to receive an NHL contract since the trial ended in July 2025, joining with the Edmonton Oilers.
Formenton signed with Edmonton for the league-minimum $850,000 for this season. The 26-year-old joins fellow forward Dillon Dube with St. Louis and goaltender Carter Hart in Vegas after they signed their respective deals in July and October.
Formenton has not played in the NHL since 2022 with Ottawa. He spent three of the past four seasons playing in Switzerland and the other not in hockey at all.
Michael McLeod is under contract in the KHL. Cal Foote signed this summer with a team in Sweden, which then terminated the deal after fans raised objections.
The NHL a year ago reinstated all five players, allowing them to play beginning Dec. 1. That came after a judge in London, Ontario, found them not guilty of sexual assault and McLeod additionally of a separate count of being a party to the offense, in connection with an event there in 2018 celebrating Canada’s gold medal-winning world junior team.
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 02: A general view of Country Club Plaza as the Coronavirus Pandemic causes a climate of anxiety and changing routines in America on April 02, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. Country Club Plaza, an outdoor shopping center, is usually bustling but now sits virtually empty in the midst of the Pandemic. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
ROYALS
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Carter Jensen – C
Ketel Marte – DH
Bobby Witt – SS
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Salvador Perez – DH
Tim Tawa – 1B
Michael Massey – 2B
Lourdes Gurriel – LF
Nick Loftin – 3B
James McCann – C
John Rave – RF
Jordan Lawlar – CF
Kyle Isbel – CF
Lars Nootbaar – RF
Isaac Collins – LF
Michael Soroka – RHP
Daniel Lynch – LHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ active roster is at 28 and the 40-man roster is at 40.
Reinstated from the 60-day injured list: RHP Zac Gallen (right elbow inflammation)
Reinstated from the 15-day injured list: RHP Michael Soroka (strained left glute)
Optioned to Triple-A Reno: RHP Kade Strowd and LHP Blake Walston
Roster moves as expected, with the two men most heavily-used out of the bullpen returning to Reno. I do feel a little bad for Walston who performed heroically in the 10th and 11th inning. Pretty sure he would have been left out there for the 12th if necessary. It’s funny how we have gone from, not long ago, having 11 relievers and three starters on the staff, to now having six starters. I presume that is the way the team will be operating the rest of the way, with a Soroka/Gallen tandem. Though it’s possible one of them could return to a “regular” starter role, while the other goes to being long relief, whenever needed, rather than a strict pairing.
So – and I trust you note the lack of a full-stop after that word – in this series, we have had a game with no starter on Monday. Tuesday, saw our starting pitcher make his first appearance in 15 months. And today? Use one starter, get another (of equal or lesser value) free! Boy, I’ll be glad when we can get back to regular, boring outings at home to the Rangers on Friday. Though maybe we will keep the trend going, and use three starters in that game. My other major thought is, tomorrow’s off-day can’t come quickly enough. I don’t think I’ve ever seen our bullpen chart with as many cells filled in. We’re only about three numbers short of being able to call “Bingo!”
Tonight, we have Michael Soroka and Zac Gallen both pitching. Gallen gets the start, on the basis of Soroka having more experience coming into a game in progress. From what I can tell, the last time Zac relieved was the year he got drafted, in mid-2016. His first three professional appearances, for the Cardinals organization down in the rookie level Gulf Coast League, were all out of the bullpen. He even got a save in his second outing. But after throwing 3.2 innings (with eight strikeouts, as befitting a third-round pick), he was moved to the rotation for his next outing, albeit still only throwing two innings. And that was his last experience of opening the bullpen door.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 03: Griffin Jax #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws a football prior to the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday, August 3, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The 2026-27 NHL season for the Detroit Red Wings is right around the corner, as Training Camp is set to open on Thursday, Sept. 17, in Detroit.
Prior to that, the Red Wings will also take part in the 2026 Prospects Tournament along with the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Pittsburgh Penguins
We'll be doing up a Red Wings edition mailbag piece - be sure to submit your questions below, and they'll be answered prior to the start of Training Camp next Thursday.
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 27: Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees and Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees celebrate after the New York Yankees defeat the Chicago White Sox 9-5 at Rate Field on July 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is reportedly joining the 10-day injured list with a sprained right thumb. Another injury to add to the Yankees’ extensive list this season.
MLB Insider Bryan Hoch reported the news on Wednesday, revealing that Chisholm is unable to participate in baseball activities for 7-10 days. Manager Aaron Boone indicated within the last hour that they just heard the news, so a replacement might not be available to join the team tonight. All told, not what you want to hear in the heart of September baseball and just days away from the Subway Series, but on the other hand, a new space in the roster could be the perfect shuffle the Pinstripes need to finally gain a consistent momentum.
The Yankees have several options to call up and add depth to the roster. Fans probably have mixed feelings on this subject, but placing Chisholm on the IL also opens the possibility of Anthony Volpe’s return to the majors. Reports confirmed that Boone would be “comfortable” with putting the New Jersey native at 2B. Max Schuemann and Oswaldo Cabrera are both already on the 40-man roster as well and could be options if the Yankees want someone in more of a bench role.
Following through with Volpe could be the spark needed for this offense to propel into the postseason. He’s been especially hot of late with a .440 average and a .533 OBP for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in September. He’ll be a huge asset in the Bronx if he can maintain or bolster his numbers, but it would make sense to be cautiously optimistic at this point.
Chisholm will likely rejoin the lineup once he’s reinstated from the IL, which could be just in time for arguably one of the most crucial series against the Rays. The Yankees took the first game in the Rockies series and currently remain four games behind Tampa Bay in a tight race for the AL East crown.
Update
When Jazz Chisholm is placed on the IL, Anthony Volpe will be recalled from AAA. Volpe will join the team tomorrow. Chisholm is still active and will be available to pinch run tonight.
YES Network’s Jack Curry just reported that Volpe will indeed get the call from Triple-A and join the Yankees on Thursday. As noted, Chisholm will remain active tonight in case a pinch-running situation arises.
Islanders rookie camp, which opens Friday to sound the unofficial starting gun of hockey season, will be the first for Victor Eklund and must be the last for Isaiah George.
The two attendees most firmly on the 23-man roster bubble are reporting to camp with opposite reasons leading to the same need for urgency. This will be the fifth rookie camp for the 22-year-old George; he is two years removed from a 33-game stint with the Islanders and in the final season of his entry-level deal. Not only is there a clear pathway to making the roster, but coach Pete DeBoer also praised George enough after July development camp to make you believe the door is open for him to knock Scott Mayfield out of an everyday job on the blue line.
“Our system’s based around skating and closing on people. Your defensemen in that type of system have to be able to move, and [George’s] best assets are his feet and his speed and ability to support the rush and get back on pucks and make breakout plays. So I think it fits with his toolbox,” DeBoer said then. “I’m excited to work with him. We had him at the end [of last season] there for a couple games, but he’s done it the right way.
“He came up as a prospect. He paid his dues. He played some games, he went back down again, he didn’t pout about it. And now it looks like he’s knocking on the door to be a full-time NHLer for a long time.”
George, indeed, has been as loyal a soldier as the Islanders could ask, never outwardly displaying frustration last season when injuries and circumstances conspired against him getting a serious NHL chance while the club spent the season searching for defensemen.
At a certain point, though, it needs to become clear for George and for the Islanders alike what his future is here. This training camp, and this season, seem to be that point, with George set to hit restricted free agency next summer.
With Matthew Schaefer and Cal Ritchie having graduated rookie camp, there is little reason for George not to be the best player on the ice over the next week, as DeBoer said he was in a July intrasquad scrimmage. That would make a good start.
The 19-year-old Swede, who made his NHL debut in Game 82 last season, is in a similar spot to Ritchie a year ago. The chance is there for him to play in the NHL, but he will need to force the issue at every opportunity to convert it.
Victor Eklund of the New York Islanders takes his rookie lap prior to his first career NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes. NHLI via Getty Images
Much as fans will want to see Eklund in blue and orange on opening night, the roster situation is such that the Islanders have 16 forwards with NHL experience reporting for what is likely 14 spots. At every turn, general manager Mathieu Darche has preached caution regarding prospects, not wanting to give them too much, too soon.
It is close to a fait accompli that Eklund — barring injury — will get an NHL chance at some point this season. It is far from guaranteed that the chance will come in Toronto on Sept. 30.
“Those guys need time also,” Darche told reporters last week. “So that’s why you don’t want to rush it because the goal is not for them to play quickly in the NHL, it’s for them to play a long time in the NHL. Some of them might come to camp and show us they belong right away. And if not, hey, maybe it’s halfway.”
Eklund’s direct competition for a roster spot — Kyle MacLean, Ondrej Palat, Anthony Duclair, Pierre Engvall and Mitchell Chaffee — won’t be on the ice until main camp.
That makes it all the more imperative for Eklund to separate himself from his age group now.
Davis Martin looks to sink the Pirates and steady the Sox rotation. | (Patrick Gorski/IMAGN IMAGES)
A bit of housekeeping before tonight’s game: The White Sox placed righthander Tyler Davis on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List and recalled lefthander Chris Murphy from Triple-A Charlotte.
Prior to tonight’s game vs. Pittsburgh, the Chicago White Sox have placed right-handed pitcher Tyler Davis on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List and recalled left-hander Chris Murphy from Class AAA Charlotte.
After getting shellacked, 9-3, last night, the South Siders could use a convincing win tonight. Davis Martin gets the ball for Chicago as it attempts to protect a two-game lead in the AL Central — and a three-game advantage in the loss column.
Martin is 9-6 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 25 starts. The righthander was solid in his first appearance after returning from a brief injured-list stint caused by a blister. He tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out three.
That was an encouraging response after a brutal August in which Martin posted a 14.63 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over three starts. The Sox badly need the Martin of old — specifically, the April and May version who went 7-1 and appeared headed toward an All-Star selection and perhaps even Cy Young consideration.
The Baseball Savant numbers show exactly what Martin needs to do to rediscover that form. The veteran needs to lean on his changeup and sinker and be careful with his breaking stuff. The changeup should be featured particularly against lefties such as Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds.
Martin has also generated chases at a healthy rate, ranking in the 70th percentile, so expanding the zone with the changeup once he gets ahead should be an important part of the plan. The danger comes when he leaves pitches in hittable locations. Martin ranks in only the 15th percentile in average exit velocity and the 10th percentile in hard-hit rate. His expected batting average is in the 11th percentile, and his expected ERA is in the 25th. In other words, when hitters make contact against him, it is often loud contact.
His slider has been particularly vulnerable, ranking in the 11th percentile in run value, while his overall breaking-ball run value sits in the 18th. The curveball has been closer to average, but this is not a night for Martin to rely heavily on breaking pitches in the heart of the plate. He should establish the sinker, use the changeup as his primary putaway offering and make Pittsburgh prove it can resist chasing.
Starting pitching remains one of Chicago’s most significant weaknesses. White Sox starters have a 4.69 ERA, which ranks 26th in baseball, and a 1.34 WHIP, good for only 24th. If this team is going to finish the job and clinch the division, the rotation needs to step it up.
On the flip side, the arm barn owns a 3.65 ERA, sixth-best in baseball. Can you imagine what the White Sox record might look like if the starters had merely been average?
Of course, the offense also needs to get itself together.
Over the past 15 days, the Sox are slashing .220/.318/.379 with a .697 OPS. They have shown patience and a reasonable amount of power, but they have struggled to collect enough hits to sustain rallies. The 98-point difference between their batting average and on-base percentage suggests they are drawing walks, while their .159 isolated power is respectable.
Their .266 BABIP also helps explain the low average. Some of that could be poor batted-ball luck, although weak contact and inconsistent at-bats are likely part of the problem. Either way, the offense has become too dependent on walks and extra-base hits rather than consistently stringing together productive plate appearances.
Tristan Peters and Miguel Vargas have been the brightest spots. Peters is slashing .333/.381/.564 with a .945 OPS over the past 15 days. At the other end is Munetaka Murakami, whose extension price tag keeps slipping lower and lower. He is hitting a paltry .114/.278/.205 with a .483 OPS during that span.
Lake Bachar will serve as the opener for a Pittsburgh bullpen game. The righthander, now in his third major league season, is 1-3 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. This will be his fifth turn as an opener since the Pirates acquired him from Miami at the deadline. In his first four, he allowed only two runs on four hits over 9 2/3 innings. That is pretty darn good.
Bachar’s Savant profile suggests the Sox should arrive with a patient but aggressive-in-the-zone approach. He ranks in the 80th percentile in whiff rate and the 69th percentile in strikeout rate, so this is not a pitcher against whom they should expand the zone or attempt to protect against everything.
However, Bachar ranks in only the 26th percentile in chase rate and the 29th percentile in walk rate. He has not been especially effective at persuading hitters to offer at pitches outside the zone, and his control can create opportunities. The Sox should force him to throw strikes and avoid helping him manufacture quick outs.
Bachar’s curveball is his featured weapon, ranking in the 96th percentile in run value. His four-seamer has also been effective, landing in the 77th percentile, while his overall breaking-ball run value ranks in the 84th. The Sox should not go hunting for the curveball, especially with two strikes. Instead, they should look for a fastball in a specific area early in the count and avoid getting caught between the heater and the breaking ball.
His expected statistics are strong: 72nd percentile in expected ERA, 92nd in expected batting average and 71st in expected slugging. Bachar has also limited hard contact, ranking in the 79th percentile in hard-hit rate. Waiting around indefinitely will not necessarily work, but controlled aggression could. If he puts a hittable four-seamer in the zone, the Sox need to be ready to attack it.
Pittsburgh has been playing good baseball lately. The Pirates are 7-3 over their last 10 games and have won four consecutive series since being swept by the Dodgers. They are slashing .259/.343/.370 with a .713 OPS and .326 BABIP, with Brandon Lowe, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds all hitting better than .300 over the past seven days.
Martin’s mission is straightforward. He should keep the ball away from the middle of the plate, feature the changeup and sinker and avoid hanging sliders. For the offense, it is about laying off Bachar’s curveball outside the zone, making him throw strikes and attacking the right fastball when it arrives.
Now would be a lovely time for both sides of that plan to come together.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. CDT. The game will be televised on CHSN and can be heard on ESPN 1000.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 28: A general view in the third inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Truist Park on August 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s get after it, y’all! The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays are in the middle portion of their three game series and the onus is on the Braves to make sure that they don’t end up dropping the series right away. Reynaldo López has returned to the mound and hopefully we’ll see him put in a creditable performance while the Braves figure out a way to break through against Griffin Jax. Let’s see what happens, folks!
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Jackson Ferris #93 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Oklahoma City Comets outlasted the Sugar Land Space Cowboys 8-6 on Wednesday, going two games up on Sugar Land in the second half of Pacific Coast League standings, with 10 games left to play. Jackson Ferris continued his strong recent run by pitching the final six innings in relief, with seven strikeouts.
More importantly, for my interests, Ferris was credited with a SIX-INNING SAVE.
The game was very wild early. Gavin Stone started, his first game in two weeks, starting a new rehab assignment while on the 60-day injured list. He needed 32 pitches to record only two outs, both by strikeouts, with two walks and two hits, one of the hits a three-run home run.
Chris Campos relieved Stone and stranded the runner to end the first inning, then allowed a solo home run of his own in the second inning. In all, Campos struck out three with the one run allowed in 1 1/3 innings.
Oklahoma City tied things with three runs in the bottom of the first inning, then took the lead in the bottom of the second inning with three more runs, and never relinquished it. Campos was the pitcher of record when the Comets grabbed the lead, putting him in position to earn the win.
Official baseball rules govern both Major League Baseball and minor league affiliates, and Rule 9.17(c) covers this sort of situation, and grants the official scorer discretion when the starter doesn’t last five innings:
The Official Scorer shall not credit as the winning pitcher a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when at least one succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain its lead. In such a case, the Official Scorer shall credit as the winning pitcher the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the judgment of the Official Scorer.
Oklahoma City play-by-play broadcaster Alex Freedman passed along the official scorer at the ballpark said he could not in good conscience say the outing by Campos was both ineffective and brief.
After rehabbers Edwin Díaz and Kris Bubic got three outs in the third inning, it was Ferris the rest of the way. He allowed only a run on two hits in his six innings, with seven strikeouts and only two walks for his first professional save.
He might not have started, but Jackson Ferris certainly finished the job 🫡
That’s five straightstellar outingsby Ferris, with a minuscule 1.27 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 10 walks in 28 1/3 innings, rescuing a season by the 22-year-old that featured a 7.15 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 43 walks through his first 18 outings and 73 innings. He had a strikeout-minus-walk rate of 8.1 percent through August 8, improved to 22.3 percent over the last five Ferris outings.
In that 2002 game, Texas starter Aaron Myette was ejected after only one batter, and Todd Van Poppel followed with two scoreless innings, and by then the Rangers led 4-0, so Van Poppel got the win. It was nearly a combined no-hitter, but Jerry Hairston Jr. tripled to open the ninth inning off the rookie Benoit, and scored Baltimore’s only run.
“I really didn’t think about it. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen, whatever,” Benoit said of the near no-hitter, per Associated Press.
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 18: Daniel Lynch IV #41 of the Kansas City Royals follows through on a pitch in the second inning of an MLB game between the Athletics and Kansas City Royals on Aug 18, 2026 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Royals have won just 2 of their last 9 games since the hot stretch ended. Last series they were able to salvage game three to avoid the sweep and will attempt to do so again. tonight. On paper it looks like a very lopsided pitching matchup with Daniel Lynch IV facing Zac Gallen, but at this point Gallen has not been very good for a couple of years. So far in 2026 he has posted a 6.34 ERA across 19 starts with a shocking 5.6K/9. I do not know what happened to Zac. I do know that both lineups are probably licking their chops in a series where both have struggled to score runs until the very end of the game.
Jac Caglianone is not headed to the injured list, but he also still is not in the lineup today. Nothing really shocking about the starters today.
