Worldwide Sports News

After struggling offensively and patching together a pitching staff, the San Diego Padres hit their stride shortly after the All-Star break. Playing under .500 baseball up to July 23 (50-53), the Friars have a 39-17 record since then. The MLB trade deadline brought in two starting pitchers who have not dominated since their arrival but have helped stabilize the rotation. Nick Pivetta’s return gave the organization a third starter, joining Michael King and Walker Buehler as bulldogs at the start of the rotation.

With that, the offense figured it out, and the stars are playing like stars, with the role players making big contributions. Sweeping the Miami Marlins to start the week, the Padres took two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine to clinch a Wild Card spot for the third straight season and for the fifth time in the past seven seasons.

They now return home to play the Arizona Diamondbacks, but not for a playoff spot. Their results against the D-backs will be part of a series of games to determine ranking in the Wild Card race and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Chicago Cubs played a day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox in Boston, with the threat of a nor’easter complicating their games. The Cubs were swept by the Red Sox in those two games. Heading into the weekend the Padres had to match the Cubs in wins to hold onto their top Wild Card spot and host the Wild Card round for the NL.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are playing for their playoff lives, still one game back of the Philadelphia Phillies with two games left to play. The Padres could have clinched home-field for the Wild Card Series had they beat the Diamondbacks in the first game of their series.

Primetime Ethan Salas

The Padres did what many in baseball thought was a bad idea. They promoted 20-year-old top prospect Ethan Salas to the major leagues on Sept. 1. Bringing a rookie into a playoff race is a gamble at best. Bringing a 20-year-old catcher into a playoff race could be viewed as foolhardy.

Salas went 0-for-15 to begin his big league career. He struck out, flew out, and grounded out through those at-bats while making adjustments to MLB pitchers. Since that inauspicious start, Salas is 8-for-20 with a triple, two home runs, and five RBI. He has also guided the pitchers through some sticky at-bats while being more effective than he has any right to be with his ABS challenges. 

Salas played 17 games with Triple-A El Paso before being summoned to San Diego. That was his only exposure to the ABS system before starting for the Padres. In his 14 challenges, he has won nine while saving his pitchers from multiple tight spots. He flipped base-on balls three times and got a strike call on a previously called ball in a very important spot.

Challenging a David Morgan called ball that would have walked Shohei Ohtani in a bases-loaded situation, Salas correctly identified a strike, and Morgan ultimately struck Ohtani out. That was a turning point in the win on Wednesday.

Far from being in a situation too big for him, Salas is now prompting many to think he should be the starting catcher for the first round of the playoffs.

The youngest player in the major leagues, Salas was not legally allowed to drink the alcohol poured on him during the Padres postgame celebration in the Dodgers’ visiting clubhouse after clinching their spot. Sparkling Martinelli’s clutched in hand, Salas was doused in beer and champagne as his teammates celebrated with him.

His first hit on Wednesday night broke the no-hitter that Tyler Glasnow had going in the sixth inning, scoring on a Dustin Harris sac fly.  He followed that up by driving in the winning run in the seventh inning with a single, Xander Bogaerts scoring. He was a key contributor in the series win with his bat and his defense. His teammates celebrated his first playoff experience during their postgame party.

Big-time Tatis

Fernando Tatis Jr. has had a remarkable season for the Padres. After infamously going until May 30 without a home run, Tatis caught fire. Hitting 25 homers since then, Tatis sits third on the team behind Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill. His 82 RBI is also third, behind the same two players. Since the All-Star break, Tatis is hitting .308/.386/.615 with a 1.001 OPS. 

Pushing the envelope, Tatis has upped his stolen base total to 38, the most on the team. Like many of his teammates, Tatis has scorched the baseball in September. His batting average of .341 is his best for any month this season, with a 1.088 OPS while hitting two doubles, a triple, eight homers, and amassing 15 RBI. 

Second-half offense

Tatis and Jackson Merrill have led the team offensively in the ceremonial second half. They have been supported by multiple standouts around them. As a result, the Padres offense has gone from being the worst in MLB for a large portion of the first half to being a top two team since the break while hitting .267 with a .777 OPS. 

The pitching has three strong starters, more than enough for a short series. The bullpen, with the return of Jason Adam to supplement the already lethal arms, could be considered the most accomplished in the playoffs. 

The Padres rank third in the majors since the break with 5.12 runs scored per game. The offense’s remarkable turnaround highlights the organization’s philosophy of playing better as the season goes on. Although hard on the Friar Faithful, the first-half Padres have consistently struggled while the second-half Padres inevitably turn it on. 

The last hurdle to leap is sustaining that offense through the playoffs. All Padres fans remember the remarkable lack of offensive production that has occurred at some point in the playoffs over the past two seasons.

Home field advantage

The Padres are 49-30 at home. Their road record is 40-41; that is a significant improvement over their eight games under .500 from just a month ago. Only the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, and Dodgers have better home records, all of them division winners. There is no better home environment in baseball than Petco Park. The team thrives on the energy sent to them from the stands filled with the Friar Faithful.

Mason Miller, speaking with reporters after the win against the Dodgers on Wednesday, acknowledged their desire to play their Wild Card series at Petco Park.

“Just trying to get a home playoff series at Petco. We know how special that place is.”

There is also a big financial advantage to the team with a home series. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune detailed the expense of a traveling party for a Wild Card series away from home versus the benefits reaped from playing at home.

Sending the team and the party that accompanies them is about a $1 million expense. Playing at home, with the accompanying revenue created, equals an approximate $3 million profit for the team. It’s not too difficult to figure out which the Padres prefer.

Pitching preferences

Michael King told the hitters he didn’t want to pitch this weekend. Quoted by Kevin Acee in his Thursday Padres newsletter, King made his preference clear.

“I told them I’d be really mad on Sunday if I had to pitch. So it’s very fun to not have to gameplan for the Diamondbacks and plan for whoever we got.”

Casey Mize and Walker Buehler were slated to start the first two games versus the D-backs. The game on Sunday will likely be a bullpen game that should include Rándy Vásquez. Mize has been less than dominant for the Padres with a 6.64 ERA and that continued with the series-opening loss on Friday.

King will start the first game of the Wild Card Series, with Nick Pivetta and Walker Buehler lining up nicely to follow, as needed.

Roster moves and injury updates

Jason Adam returned to the team for the Dodgers’ games and pitched on Thursday for three outs. Manager Craig Stammen stated a desire to find a soft landing spot for Adam but that wasn’t possible with the Dodgers’ series. Coming in to get the last out in the fifth inning with one pitch, Adam got two more outs in the sixth before leaving the game after throwing five pitches.

Griffin Canning was sent to the Arizona complex while Alek Jacob was DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster for Adam.

Gavin Sheets and Miguel Andujar were both with the team in LA for the clinching of a playoff spot. Both are ready to be activated, and the Padres have signaled that Sheets will be the first to see action. No roster moves have occurred yet. 

Luis Rengifo, who had surgery on his torn ACL, was in the clubhouse celebrating with his teammates on Thursday night. Sporting a crutch while he danced and partied, Rengifo had plastic wrap on his surgically repaired leg.

Joe Musgrove reportedly is throwing on a regular basis but has not been able to ramp up to bullpens. There is no stated plan for what is ahead for Musgrove. 

Rámon Laureano has been in Arizona working on his rehab but will not be ready for any playing time this season.

The Dodgers on Friday activated Dalton Rushing from the injured list on Friday as expected, in a last-ditch effort to get him some potential pinch-hitting opportunities to prepare for what would be his role if he’s active at all in October.

Naturally, Rushing did not pinch-hit on Friday, a 2-0 Dodgers in over the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, highlighting the uphill battle he faces. Rushing is battling rookie Josue De Paula for a potential specialized role in the postseason, someone the Dodgers would use to pinch-hit from the left side, and nothing more. For Rushing, he really can’t play in the field at the moment, having missed four weeks in August with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow, then aggravated the elbow while doing throwing drills, wiping him out another three weeks.

Rushing ideally would have been the Dodgers’ backup catcher in October, coming off a fine first full major league season. He filled in as the main catcher for two months while Will Smith was sidelined with a neck injury. Rushing is hitting .249/.332/.466 with 12 home runs. Among the 51 major league catchers with at least 200 plate appearances this season, Rushing’s 120 wRC+ ranks seventh.

In the Dodgers’ last 49 games, Rushing has played in five of them, batting a total of eight times, without a hit.

“The circumstances of his situation, it’s just tough. To be hurt, be back, then to be hurt again, and then to take three pinch-hit at-bats potentially and then to say, ‘Hey, you’re in the roster,’” manager Dave Roberts said of Rushing on Thursday. “But what he’s done for us this year certainly deserves some consideration. That’s kind of giving him the respect and thoughtfulness for what he’s done for us.”

Switch-hitter Alex Freeland was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Rushing. Freeland was called up on September 1 and played in 17 of the 22 games for which he was active, including 10 starts, hitting .250/.413/.389. On the season, Freeland led the Dodgers with 67 starts and 579 defensive innings at second base, and hit .234/.327/.325 with an 86 wRC+, including .253/.351/.354 with a 101 wRC+ as a left-handed hitter.

The timing of Freeland’s option means his 10 days won’t be up in time to make the Division Series roster. But one would imagine he’d be in consideration for October option should the need for an infielder arise.

Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. CT, the Cubs and Boston Red Sox will play Game 162 of the 2026 regular season at the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., a neutral site. The Cubs played there earlier this year, taking two of three from the Rays back in April, and the Red Sox, who as an A.L. East team travel there twice a year, lost five of the six games they played in the Trop this year — and just wrapped up the second of the two series less than a week ago, last Sunday.

With that, I thought I’d post this history of Cubs neutral site games.

Before I get to the Cubs, here are complete lists of all MLB neutral site games in the 20th Century and in the 21st Century, via Retrosheet. (There were 14 other neutral site games for the Chicago N.L. ballclub in the 19th Century when baseball scheduling was much more casual than it is now.)

The Cubs have played 34 neutral site games in the Modern Era, 31 regular-season games and three World Series games. Here’s a brief review of all of the Cubs’ neutral site games since 1900.

May 9, 10, 11 and 12, 1911: vs. New York Giants at Hilltop Park, New York

These were made necessary by a fire at the Polo Grounds in April 1911; the Giants played at Hilltop Park, home of the then-New York Highlanders until late June. The Highlanders wouldn’t be named “Yankees” until 1913. The Cubs split the four games.

Sept. 26 (doubleheader), 28 and 29, 1914: vs. Boston Braves at Fenway Park

The Braves’ home at the time, South End Grounds, had a smaller capacity than Fenway, which was only two years old at the time. Imagine this happening today:

On August 3, 1914, Red Sox President Joseph Lannin sent a telegram to Braves President James Gaffney offering the use of Fenway Park (free of charge) in place of the smaller South End Grounds where the Braves played their home games. A month later, on September 3, Gaffney wired Lannin that the Braves would play their remaining home games at the American League park.

Though the Braves had used Fenway Park before, they officially called the ballpark home for the rest of the 1914 regular season.

The Cubs lost all four games; those were the “Miracle Braves” on their way to a World Series title.

May 20, 21, 22 and 24 and July 22, 23, 24 and 26, 1915: vs. Braves at Fenway Park

The Braves continued to use Fenway Park as their home field until Braves Field opened on Aug. 18, 1915. More sweeps: The Cubs won all four games in May and lost all four games of the July series.

While you might say these weren’t “neutral site” games as the Braves used Fenway as their home for 87 total home games from late 1913 through mid-1915, the Retrosheet link lists them as neutral site and says “fire at Huntington Street Grounds” and “delay in opening of Braves Field” are the reasons for the switch. I’m going to go with Retrosheet and consider the 12 games the Cubs played against the Braves at Fenway in 1914 and 1915 as “neutral site.”

Sept. 5, 6 and 7, 1918: World Series Games 1, 2 and 3 vs. Red Sox at Comiskey Park

The larger capacity of Comiskey was the reason:

Major League Baseball and the Cubs decided that the team’s home World Series games would be played at Comiskey Park, which was known at that time as “The Baseball Palace of the World.” Erected in 1910, Comiskey Park held twice as many people and had an upper deck, so MLB and the two teams could split more cash from gate receipts by using the White Sox’s ballpark.

The Cubs lost Game 1, won Game 2 and lost Game 3.

June 25, 1956 and June 5, 1957: vs. Dodgers at Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, New Jersey

The Dodgers wanted a new stadium to replace aging Ebbets Field. The minor-league team in Jersey City had departed after 1950 and officials there thought having some Dodgers games in Jersey City might help them attract another team. The Dodgers played seven games there both in 1956 and 1957. There was an option to renew the deal for another three years, but the Dodgers left for Los Angeles after the 1957 season.

The Cubs lost both games, 3-2 in 1956 and 4-0 in 1957.

March 29 and 30, 2000: vs. Mets at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan

These were the first MLB games played outside North America. The Cubs and Mets were chosen for these games because of the popularity of Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza in Japan at the time. The Cubs won the first game 5-3 behind a strong outing from Jon Lieber and lost the second one 5-1 on an 11th-inning grand slam by Benny Agbayani. I attended these games in Tokyo. The second one ran nearly four hours until 11 p.m. local time and had it run another 30 minutes it would have caused a transit mess, as back in that day Tokyo subways stopped running at 11:30 p.m.

Here are articles I wrote on the 20th anniversary of those games on March 29 and March 30, 2020.

Sept. 9, 10 and 11, 2003: vs. Expos at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Expos played 22 games in San Juan in both 2003 and 2004, and the Cubs were part of that in 2003. These games were important for the Cubs in their race toward the NL Central title that year. The Cubs lost two of the three and ended the set one game out of first place. I went to these games as well; one thing I remember is the large number of fans who had taken the short flight from the Dominican Republic to see Sosa play. The games drew 15,632, 18,002 and 12,559 in a stadium with a capacity of about 20,000.

The Cubs won the first game of the series 4-3, lost the second 8-4 and lost the third 3-2.

Sept. 14 and 15, 2008: vs. Astros at Miller Park, Milwaukee

These two games were moved to Milwaukee due to Hurricane Ike bearing down on the Houston area. The first one was historic:

Carlos Zambrano threw the Cubs’ first no-hitter in 36 years in the first of the two games. Incidentally, part of that video is from the Houston TV feed and you can hear Jim Deshaies, then an Astros broadcaster, calling some of it. It was officially a “neutral” site, but due to the proximity to Chicago, nearly all of the 23,441 in attendance were Cubs fans. I went to this one, too, the first Cubs no-hitter I had seen in person. It took another 16 years for the Cubs to throw one at Wrigley Field, by Shōta Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge against the Pirates Sept. 4, 2024.

Big Z’s no-hitter was the first at a neutral site. Walker Buehler and three Dodgers relievers threw the second one May 4, 2018 at Estadio de Beisbol Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, the first no-hitter thrown outside the U.S. or Canada.

What’s been nearly forgotten from those two 2008 games in Milwaukee is that the Cubs almost no-hit the Astros the next day as well. Ted Lilly took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Mark Loretta singled with one out to break it up. It was the only hit the Astros had in a 6-1 Cubs win, and that was more MLB history:

The Cubs became the first team in major league history to throw a no-hitter and one-hitter in back-to-back games.

Eighteen years later, the Cubs are still the only team to do that.

Aug. 18, 2019, vs. Pirates in the Little League Classic at Williamsport, Pennsylvania

The Cubs embraced the spirit of Little League ball, having fun with kids before and during the game, especially Anthony Rizzo:

Joe Maddon, Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant went 'sledding' at the Little League World Series, and IT LOOKS SO FUN. https://t.co/yevExMjkeNpic.twitter.com/kt2uw24RyB

— For The Win (@ForTheWin) August 18, 2019

They crushed the Pirates 7-1.Here is my recap of that game, which included home runs by Rizzo, Nick Castellanos and Jason Heyward.

The Cubs are scheduled to meet the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2027 Little League Classic on Aug. 19, 2027.

Aug. 11, 2022, vs. Reds in the Field of Dreams Game at Dyersville, Iowa

The Cubs scored three runs in the first inning and got five shutout innings from Drew Smyly and defeated the Reds 4-2. Here’s my recap of the game, and this is an scene that will be remembered forever, Cubs and Reds players walking onto the field together, out of the cornfield:

June 24-25, 2023, vs. Cardinals at London Stadium, London, England

The Cubs pounded Adam Wainwright for seven runs in the first four innings of the Saturday game in London and cruised to a 9-1 win. Ian Happ smashed two home runs for the Cubs.

On Sunday, behind Marcus Stroman, the Cubs raced out to a 4-0 first-inning lead, then a key error by Trey Mancini led to three unearned Cardinals runs. The bullpen couldn’t hold the lead and a ninth-inning Cubs rally fell short. The Cubs lost 7-5.

Here’s the BCB Saturday game recap and Sunday game recap of the two London games.

Here are highlights from the Cubs’ 9-1 win on June 24, 2023:

And here are highlights from the 7-5 loss to the Cardinals in London June 25, 2023:

March 18-19, 2025, vs. Dodgers at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan

The Cubs traveled 7,000 miles to Asia only to lose both games.

In the first game, Shōta Imanaga no-hit the Dodgers for four innings (though he walked five), then Ben Brown got hit hard in the fifth and the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1.

In the second contest, the Dodgers scored five runs in four innings off Justin Steele and cruised to a 6-3 win. That included a home run by Shohei Ohtani that was pretty clearly fan interference, but that was never going to be called in Ohtani’s home country.

Here are the BCB game recaps from the March 18 game and from the March 19 game.

Here are highlights from the first game on March 18:

And here are highlights from the second game of the Tokyo Series, March 19:

Overall, the Cubs’ record in neutral-site games is 13-18 in the regular season and 1-2 in the World Series.

Elly De La Cruz reached his 30-30 milestone during Friday night’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, meaning the Cincinnati Reds now have a pair of games left in their 2026 season with roughly nothing left to play for.

That’s true for most of the roster, in all honesty. For Rhett Lowder, though, there’s at least the chance to finish the season on something of a positive note after he’s been mostly bashed around all season. He gets the start today opposite fellow rookie Trey Yesavage, who has had a much more positive 2026 campaign.

Carlos Jorge is back in the leadoff spot, while Juan Brito is mercifully playing 3B so that we don’t have to watch Ke’Bryan Hayes out there.

First pitch is set for 3:07 PM ET. Here’s how both teams will line up to begin things:

SAN FRANCISCO ― When it's all said and done, no one is looking at the San Francisco Giants' 2026 season as a success but instead a learning curve. If anyone is willing to learn, it's first-year baseball manager Tony Vitello.

A weekend matchup against the Giants' longtime rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will conclude the rookie season for Vitello. The Giants were handed their 95th loss of the season after losing to the Dodgers in a 2-0 shutout in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,770 at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 25. The series continues through Sunday.

Two games remain in the season, and it's to the drawing board for Vitello and the Giants. The first-year skipper understands that improvements need to be made in order for this team to be winners.

"A lot of takeaways are little, but they pile up over 162 games, which we're close to. They pile up for sure. I think one of the conversations or many of the conversations that I've gone over in the last week are there needs to be improvement in all areas," Vitello told USA TODAY Sports. "And I'm not exempt from that. I don't think anyone is exempt from that. I think improvement is needed. There's a lot of information. Information is power. You got to take it and you got to make it useful."

Vitello on first MLB season: "Strikes and gutters"

No one could have predicted the kind of season the Giants would have, especially with a first-year MLB manager. Vitello was a gamble coming in from a successful college coaching stint of seven seasons at Tennessee, leading the Vols to its first college World Series in 2024.

There was optimism that the fresh face could bring a new energy, changing the momentum in the Bay Area. Then reality struck.

A number of player injuries prevented the team from fielding its best lineup. Several players were also dealt at the trade deadline, like Heliot Ramos and Robbie Ray. They suffered critical losses early in the season. On top of that, superstars and individuals paid like stars were a shell of themselves, statistically. It was an overall rocky start to the year and they never recovered.

Were there good moments throughout the 162 games, sure. Milestones were achieved, walk-offs and comeback wins were celebrated.

With growth comes growing pains. There were plenty of those during the 2026 season between dugout-clearing fights, bad losses, ejections, and a number of head-shaking moments.

Vitello quoted The Big Lebowski's "strikes and gutters" when describing the learning curve as a manager.

"Ups and downs. Big Lebowski said 'strikes and gutters.' You gotta manage both, which I think has always been a challenge, but it's just at this level it's more relentless. It's every day. Fortunately, (I) got really good people to lean on to make it an enjoyable year, despite the record," Vitello told USA TODAY. "But I don't think anybody that will ever step foot in this park is satisfied with the results and the outcome.

You can only control so much of those but you can control a lot on how you approach getting to those outcomes and results. Those have to be attacked relentlessly, attacked with a passion."

Giants lock in on young prospects going into offseason

Towards the end of the season, San Francisco has been forced to take a look at younger prospects on the team due to injuries to projected starters and stars such as Harrison Bader, Casey Schmitt, Matt Chapman, Daniel Susac and a number of pitchers in their bullpen.

Some of the younger cats getting playing time have been taking full advantage of their opportunities. Third-base coach Gary Pettis has taken notice of those making noise and a name for themselves such as Jonah Cox, Turner Hill, Víctor Bericoto and Christian Koss.

"Cox would be one of the guys that comes to mind right away. Exciting player, can do a lot of things. Then you have Turner out in left field, Victor Bericoto. I mean, Christian Koss has done a good job for us at shortstop. You know, Kavanaugh behind the plate," Pettis told USA TODAY Sports. "We've got a lot of guys that have been given an opportunity to play, and so far they're handling it well. But I also think that they're learning the difference between playing minor league baseball and major league baseball, mentally."

Giants pitcher Dylan Smith is another one of those players making the most of their opportunities to play, especially as he looks to plug a bruised bullpen. Smith was traded from the Detroit Tigers to San Francisco at the start of the 2026 season. He's been determined to put in the necessary work to find a place on a team in need of pitching.

"The biggest part I'll say is just the hard work and determination. Like, you have to go out there each and every day, and you have to go prove yourself," Smith told USA TODAY Sports. "You got to go out there and dominate and attack the hitters. And (you) got to do it every day, you know can't have no days off, especially being in the bullpen. Each time, it matters."

Although not a starter, Smith appeared in 48 games. He has four saves in 2026 as a reliever. Overall, he's posted a 1-6 win-loss record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He's delivered 48 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched.

Against the Dodgers on Friday, Sept. 25, Smith pitched one inning and struck out three batters. No hits, runs or batters walked were allowed. He is looking to find a home in San Francisco, an organization scraping for pitchers to improve its bullpen after multiple injuries all year long.

"I feel like you gotta build on each and every opportunity that you get, you know," Smith said. "I feel like as long as we have each other's back and we go out there and compete and do what we do, then I feel like the bullpen's gonna be fine."

San Francisco's young players still have building blocks to develop in order to be a more competitive team in the future. The potential is there in the Giants' organization; Vitello said it's about making valuable use of their time during the offseason.

"(I think) rounding things out with some of these guys and making sure they attack the offseason the right way. This offseason will be more important than arguably any offseason in the big leagues. It's always a time to separate yourself from people," Vitello told USA TODAY. "Whether it's you as an individual trying to grab a job, or reach some individual goals and ultimately a team is made up of individuals so if the team is going to be better, that's gotta be a key.

"So I think that's gotta be done before anything," he added. "Obviously you got to refresh a little bit too. But a big thing is again, the information piece, reflect back on some things. You do have the benefit of slowing things down or watching a replay and saying what if, or this and changing some things. I don't think that can wait until it's start time. It's gotta be put in place ahead of time and then maybe that message is relayed ahead of time to the players as well."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Strikes and gutters' defines Tony Vitello's first MLB season with Giants

Walt Weiss is putting Michael Harris back at the leadoff spot, hoping he can get the centerfielder going after a difficult September, as we approach the playoffs. Austin Riley was bumped back up to the fifth spot, as he has perhaps been better in the second half, but has had a monthly best wRC+ of just 101 this season. If there were ever a time for Austin to turn it around, this postseason sure would be a fun time for it.

Today's starters ⤵️#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/bfRJydIhec

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 26, 2026

Meanwhile, the fish are rolling with a familiarly unimpressive lineup in a game with nothing but draft stakes for them. They also helpfully note that the roof will be closed in their stadium.

Saturday baseball at the crib.

🤝: @PNCBank
📺: https://t.co/CoO4NlpS1G
👂: @MarlinsRadio, @radiomambi710, @1043wqam
⏰: 4:10 PM ET
🏟️: Roof status: CLOSED#FightinFish // https://t.co/HLOUFjJ1zSpic.twitter.com/E99YGvEFhU

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 26, 2026

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, September 26, 4:10 p.m. ET

Location: loanDepot Park, Miami, FL

TV: BravesVision

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Los Bravos

Munetaka Murakami has been a bit of a viral sensation from the start of his career in the United States, from the installation of bidets in the White Sox clubhouse to the on-base gestures of his teammates, and on from there. His latest bit of endearing hilarity came during the White Sox clubhouse celebration in Kansas City on Thursday, when his tribute to countryman Munenori Kawasaki became a viral moment:

So hey, let’s commemorate the moment!

If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates the joy of the 2026 White Sox, you’ve found it here!

And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Mariners mug or Spurs sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.

So go ahead and express yourself, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!

---

With the remarkable achievement of the 2026 Chicago White Sox — making the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, something that’s not been accomplished even after “just” two straight 100-loss seasons — BreakingT has gear for you that breaks down the math!

There is even a nod to Mike Vasil’s magic wand. If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates all that these 2026 White Sox are, you’ve found it here!

And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Brewers mug or Dolphins sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.

So go ahead and crunch the numbers, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!

---

In response to the fever that has broken out all over the South Side, our friends at BreakingT have come up with a nifty little design celebrating the awesomeness of slugger Munetaka Murakami:

You gotta admit, it’s a pretty impossibly clever design, with the moon “O” and a bit of a nod to silent film Le Voyage dans la Lune. No doubt it will make a snappy addition to your closet.

And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Pirates mug or Yankees sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.

So go ahead a book your trip to the Mune, from South Side Sox and BreakingT!

---

(Every purchase you make with our link drops a few pennies in the jar here at South Side Sox, so a list of all our prior BreakingT collaborations follow, below. Yes, some of the designs are now hilariously outdated collector’s items. But most, if not all of these, should still be available, so click a link and see!)

---

Over the weekend, Tim Anderson silenced the Yankees boo-birds — and perhaps those who have been doubted the potency of the Chicago White Sox. Now, Breaking T commemorates his power:

This link takes you to this newest T-shirt, plus our entire line of White Sox wear!

---

While several members of the Chicago White Sox will need your votes for the July All-Star Game, fans are encouraged to punch the Robert/Jiménez ticket for a dominant South Side outfield all season long!

Whether you’re voting offense (what say, 70 homers among them?) or defense (Luis already has a Gold Glove, Eloy is … still alive), there’s no better campaign to get behind.

---

With everyone now aware that on his 23rd try, Minnie Miñoso was elected to the Hall of Fame. And Breaking T has commemorated the nickname that manager Paul Richards bestowed on Minnie almost immediately after his arrival on the South Side:

Celebrate Minnie’s White Sox immortality with this wonderful creation!

Celebrate the White Sox moments of your life with the entire Chicago W Collection at Breaking T, where you can peruse everything available. Or, if you want to read all my terrific catalog copy for each item, just scroll down and enjoy!

---

The White Sox indeed did make a free agent acquisition or two before the lockout, so it’s well past time to raise our glasses to the Legend himself: Leury Legend, that is.

He’s the longest-tenured current White Sox player, and when he’s done, he could well crack the list of all-time White Sox. Can you believe it? Welcome back, Leury!

---

To celebrate the division title for 2021, Breaking T offers two new T-shirt designs commemorating the feat:

Certainly, we hope there will be more than just a division title to enjoy over the next month or so, but we have to start somewhere!

---

Contrary to the cynics among you, we haven’t featured every Breaking T White Sox design here at South Side Sox, for various reasons. But I’ve never seen one more confounding than the José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez Sugar Skulls designs.

That said, they are sort of insane, and I’m digging them. Definitely different.

---

If you scroll down far enough, I think you can see the original Yasmani Grandal Breaking T piece, Yaz We Can, which I think was pretty clever and should have pulled a lot of fans in with purchases. It was definitely different, as far as Breaking T fare.

But I don’t remember it doing all that well, which was a shame. Maybe Yaz isn’t sexy. Walks aren’t, as someone on Twitter wants to tell you every day.

Here’s another chance to wear your Yaz fandom, playing off of his casual drops on 400-foot blasts:

Yasmani really is the bad boy of the White Sox. He’ll snark you. He’ll roll his eyes. He’s not out to please anyone. He’s just gonna be a badass catcher who drops the bat after clocking one a mile, thank you very much.

---

Holy man, that Field of Dreams game win was so big, Breaking T rolled out three shirts to commemorate it!

The middle model even comes with TA’s “it’s all over, baby” gesture, which is fun.

---

Well, that was a titanic, game-winning home run if ever there was one!

Brian Goodwin told Cleveland to kick rocks, then sent a ball over the fence — and his bat into orbit — with his Sunday heroics, and Breaking T captures it in all its multicolored glory.

---

In just his second game back after a season-long stint on the IL, Eloy Jiménez announced his presence in the White Sox lineup with authority, hitting a home run and providing whirling dervish defense in Tuesday’s win at K.C.

Natch, Breaking T is here to celebrate the Big Baby’s return:

It’s great to have Eloy back with the club in any capacity, and him starring in just his second game back is extra sweet. Now you can wear that sweetness!

---

It was a quite a moment on Monday, seizing a win from the jaws of a doubleheader sweep. When you’re running away with a division, tension can seem manufactured, but Len Kasper gave us a classic moment that our own Joe Resis likened to A.J. Pierzynski’s walk-off against the Dodgers during the 2005 season. Listen to Len last night:

Here it is! @cleansheets24 hits a walk-off HR and @LenKasper loses his mind!

If you have a friend who is a @whitesox fan, share it with them, they'll appreciate it.#changethegamepic.twitter.com/nPgaAg9ldB

— ESPN White Sox (@ESPNWhiteSox) July 20, 2021

So naturally, Breaking T gives us a snapshot of Sheets’ homer, classically titled Holy Sheets!

Way to go, rook. Every player on this roster is stepping up and helping the White Sox win.

---

The White Sox just keep humming along, with great pick-me-ups from the most unlikely of places. Waiver-wire pickup Billy Hamilton has managed to become a core bench and spot-start piece for the club as it ascending in the AL Central, and the veteran made his defensive presence known, with authority, in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win at Minnesota:

WOW! pic.twitter.com/MypKUNx5nb

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 7, 2021

Breaking T is on the scene, with some Billywear commemorating the catch:

I mean, incorporating that defensive brilliance with the hilarious Go Ham tagline? That’s a winner.

---

Well, hey there, we are in a moment, so Breaking T is kicking ass to gear up in support of Yermín Mercedes. Next up is a more general statement about the dumbness of unwritten rules, in a classic White Sox road script:

---

You don’t usually expect to have to persuade your manager to defend his own player, but here we are. And in the Tony La Russa-Yermín Mercedes kerfuffle, we (and all of the White Sox players) are Team Yermín.

So is Breaking T, who’s issuing this “I’m Yermín” wear in solidarity with the rookie sensation:

Simple, classic, and oh-so-83licious.

Peruse all the White Sox offerings at Breaking T, or use this post (and all entries below) to shop your own SSS catalog!

---

Well, perhaps you’ve been waiting for a more “authentic” Yerminator T-Shirt, something more “as seen on TV.” Well, here you have it!

Terminator vibe? Check. Super cool uniform easter egg in the shades? Check. Money actually going to the players association to benefit minimum-salaried players like Yermín himself? Check.

---

They may have had to scratch “perfecto” out of the original design after Roberto Pérez’s ninth-inning toe-tap, but Breaking T is delivering big for you after Carlos Rodón’s no-hitter!

It’s a sharp piece, with the clever use of accent mark, complete with high socks! (If only it was a warmer night, we’d have Rodón dressed in his full Grant Park 16´´softballer mode … #JulyGoalsForLos.)

---

As you well know, you don’t have to go 5-for-5 in your first MLB start or start a season 8-for-8 to merit a cool Breaking T shirt. But it doesn’t hurt!

Celebrate our Yermín Spring with The Yerminator, a delightful play off of everyone’s favorite killer robot-turned-sweet hero. Hoodies, Ts, we’ve got the gear.

---

Perhaps because he was injured for half of his first season, or he doesn’t have a snappy nickname yet, or he’s such a grinder he doesn’t lend himself to chest-emblazoned graphics, Nick Madrigal has to date missed the cut as a T-shirt subject.

No longer.

Boy howdy, Madrigal is part of Breaking T’s inaugural and collectible Prospects to Pros line. (Image approximating, but not actual Madrigal size.)

Celebrate the start of the season, and one of our most promising young players, with this great Sox-wear.

Peruse the offerings at Breaking T, or take a look at the full line (with links) below!

---

To welcome our new, colorful closer, Liam Hendriks, Breaking T has gone positively Greek with the Australian, with Hercu-Liam!

Breaking T put together four great purchase options for Hercu-Liam, from petite to husky, winter bundling to summer sunning.

And click here to view everything in Breaking T’s White Sox collection in one spot.

Individual links below should get you to other White Sox products on site, including the Classic Collection that features the Ed Farmer and Mark Buehrle T-shirts.

---

To welcome our newest (and top WAR) starter into the rotation, Breaking T has drawn up some Lance Lynn-wear sure to please the bearded fan on your holiday shopping list, with Lynnsanity!

The big man is in town and ready to push the rotation toward a World Series!

---

I first got word of this shirt just as José Abreu was homering and singling in runs during the 2020 season.

And Breaking T’s hunch became reality, as José Abreu became the first White Sox MVP since Frank Thomas and only the fourth player, after Nellie Fox, Dick Allen and Thomas to win the award.

Celebrate a little early by ordering here.

And peruse the rest of the collection below to add to your order and combine shipping.

---

Clubbing homers and scoring runs like there’s no tomorrow, the Chicago White Sox Murderer’s Row of Eloy Jiménez, José Abreu, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert is the subject of a new BreakingT shirt:

South Side Hit Men

Some real nice details in this one: Each players’ expression, the gangster pinstripes, and the exotic player numbers among them. Grab one at BreakingT.

---

With Luis Robert not only staking his claim on AL Rookie of the Year but MVP, it makes sense that BreakingT is working overtime to present the best Panterawear out there.

Dig this supercool 1983 nod, which you can order here.

---

Looking for Luis Robert to assume his La Pantera form? BreakingT has you covered. Order here and celebrate the future MVP!

I’m digging the silhouette.

---

The 19th no-hitter in White Sox history is in the books, by none other than ace Lucas Giolito. So it’s time to celebrate the Gio No-No! It’s a quick, and slick, commemoration of an incredible, 101-pitch masterpiece, dated and suitable for a Gio auto!

Snag one here, and take a look at numerous other wonderful Breaking T offerings below.

---

So, it was bound to happen, but BreakingT is first on the scene to promote the latest dance party sweeping Soxdom: DANCING FOR DUBS

Featuring the boogie-down duo of Zack Collins and Danny Mendick, the T-shirt and/or hoodie is available in all sizes, so take a look now.

---

BreakingT has nominated a very young, boisterous ticket for 2020: Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez.

Running on speed and power, folded into the Change the Game platform, we’re now making these sweet Ts available so you can elect them to a six-year term lasting until 2026.

---

He’s only the hottest rookie — nay, the hottest player — in baseball heading into 2020.

La Pantera!

Is there anything left to say? This BreakingT-South Side Sox joint is TIGHT.

Order it up before they’re all gone!

---

So, BreakingT was watching ESPN on Sunday and said, “hey, that’s right, Tim Anderson speaks the truth: the preeminent sports network in America is sleeping on the White Sox again.”

Thus: Y’all forgot about us:

Order this latest design here.

All shapes and sizes are available, in T-shirt or hoodie.

Stay tuned for some excellent new merch dropping on Friday as well.

---

How about pairing it with the original classic?

Our best seller, the incomparable Tim Anderson neck-bow of STICK TALK!

---

BreakingT has a bunch of terrific ideas they’ve collaborated with us on for their newest designs in conjunction with the MLB Players Alumni Association. This one is, simply, Mister Perfect, commemorating Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009:

Order it here, and take a look at the entire Classic Collection as well.

---

The first White Sox product from BreakingT’s Classic Collection was a beautiful tribute to our Ed Farmer:

Order it here. When you click on our link to buy, we will donate a portion of the proceeds we see from these shirt sales in Farmer’s name to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation (support.pkdcure.org).

---

GM Rick Hahn’s new catch phrase out of SoxFest, Ask Me After the Parade, from BreakingT.

---

Uh, hello, Eloy and his red gloves vow to clock one off of the scoreboard one day. Until then, we have Pinwheel Power!

---

---

Have you heard? We got a catcher, and he’s the best in the biz: Yaz We Can!

---

With Dallas Keuchel’s beard barely trimmed on the White Sox, this T-shirt not only rocks, it remains anatomically correct: Kid Keuchy!

Throughout the season, the California Post power-ranked MLB’s 30 teams and checked in on intriguing awards races. Records as of Saturday morning:

1) Brewers (101-59): A+

It was another perfect regular season for the Brewers, who won 100 games for the first time in franchise history to clinch the best record in the majors. Of course, their repeated failures in recent postseasons mean the real test is still to come in October. They have one superstar in Jacob Misiorowski but will need others to emerge in this year’s playoffs.

2) Dodgers (98-62): A

It was a familiar story for the Dodgers this year. A hot start. A second-half slump. Plenty of injuries along the way. Yet, another division crown that sets them up for another deep October run. That formula has worked the past two years for the two-time defending champions. Their real grade this season will depend on whether they can complete a World Series three-peat.

3) Rays (97-63): A+

After two years of missing the playoffs, the Rays had a very Rays-esque season. Uncovered gems on the mound. A relentlessly consistent lineup at the plate. And, as a result, the AL’s best record — and their best chance to get back to the World Series since 2020.

4) Braves (93-67): A

The Braves are back in the playoffs and back atop the NL East, rebounding as hoped from a disappointing 86-loss campaign last season that snapped a six-year postseason streak.

5) Yankees (93-68): B+

This grade might’ve been higher, if not for the uncertainty shrouding the Bronx Bombers as they enter the postseason. They managed to survive one extended Aaron Judge absence this regular season. Trying to do so again in October would be a tall task.

6) Padres (89-71): A-

In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, the Padres seemed bound to be sellers. But then their offense — especially Fernando Tatis Jr. — came back to life. They bolstered their rotation by being buyers at the trade deadline instead. And now they are back in the playoffs as a potential dark horse, thanks to their 16-5 record in September.

7) Cubs (88-73): B+

The Cubs are back in the playoffs for a second straight year. They have the presumptive National League MVP in Pete Crow-Armstrong. And they managed to overcome a wave of pitching injuries. Now, they will try to mount a deeper October run after being knocked out in Game 5 of the NLDS last year.

8) Red Sox (87-74): B+

A strange regular season in Boston has reached a satisfactory ending, with the Red Sox — led by interim-now-turned-permanent manager Chad Tracy — getting a shot to avenge last year’s postseason elimination to the Yankees in next week’s wild-card series.

9) Phillies (87-73): Incomplete

Check back with us on Sunday night for this final grade. Because after seemingly salvaging their nightmarish start to the season under interim manager Don Mattingly, the Phillies are flirting with what would be a monumental September collapse, having yet to secure their place in the playoffs amid a 2-5 slump this week.

10) Diamondbacks (86-74): B-

We are only tentatively grading the Dbacks for now, thanks to their slim (but very much possible) chances of sneaking into the playoffs. If they don’t, it will be another conflicting season for the Dbacks, who have won 80-plus games in four straight seasons but still have just their surprise 2023 World Series run to show for it.

11) Guardians (84-76): A

The Guardians did what they do this season. Prevent runs. Score just enough. Fly under the radar for most of the year. Then round into form late to (most likely) win another AL Central title.

12) White Sox (83-77): A

This could still become an A+ if the White Sox wind up winning the AL Central. But even if not, the South Siders have been the most pleasant surprise in the majors this season, going from three straight 100-loss seasons to an upstart playoff berth with their young and promising roster.

13/14) Astros/Rangers (79-81): Incomplete

To be clear, neither of these teams has had a good 2026. And yet, they both enter the final days of the season with a chance to win the AL West — even though they can finish no better than .500. It will be the first time in MLB history a team will make the playoffs without a winning record. What a year in the AL West.

15) Pirates (81-79): C+

Good news: The Pirates avoided a losing record for the first time since 2018. Bad news: It wasn’t enough to keep them in playoff contention despite a surprisingly productive year from their offense.

16) Marlins (79-81): C+

The Marlins flirted with playoff contention for a while before ultimately fading down the stretch. They could be poised to take another step next year. Then again, they’ve looked that way before (remember that surprise playoff appearance in 2023?) and been unable to keep progressing.

17) Orioles (79-82): D

The Orioles’ signing of Pete Alonso worked out. But little else did in Baltimore this year. The once-budding contender has now missed the playoffs in two straight years after being swept in back-to-back postseasons the two years before that.

18) Blue Jays (78-82): D

As if the Blue Jays’ post-pennant campaign wasn’t bad enough, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. provided one more low point with his comments about his $500 million contract this week. There is hope for next season. But this year stung.

19) Cardinals (77-83): B

Given nonexistent preseason expectations, the rebuilding Cardinals mostly accomplished what they wanted to this year. They have young talent in Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt. They have rebuilt what is now a highly ranked farm system. And they look like a team capable of making a jump in 2027 and beyond.

20) Nationals (76-84): C

The Nats were never serious playoff contenders (their MLB-record 42 blown saves made sure of that). But they have identified a core of young talent to build around. Whether they will spend to add the necessary pieces around them, however, remains to be seen.

21) Mets (73-87): D-

The Mets can only hope this train wreck of a year serves as some sort of cleanse as they look to retool their roster this winter. The only thing that saved this from being an F was their second-half performance under another interim-now-turned-permanent manager in Andy Green.

22) Twins (76-84): C

For some reason, the Twins were intent on being playoff contenders this year. For a while, they hung around in a bad AL wild-card race. But in the end, they’ve wound up back where they started: With an OK, but not-at-all contending, roster that leaves them stuck in MLB’s no-man’s land. 

23) Tigers (75-85): D

How much will the Tigers rue their decision to not maximize Tarik Skubal’s trade value by dealing him last winter? It could depend, first and foremost, on River Ryan’s development in their rotation. At the least, he offered signs of promise with a scoreless three-inning debut with the team this week.

24) Reds (74-86): D

Whatever momentum the Reds thought they were building after last year’s postseason berth vanished this summer, despite Elly De La Cruz cementing himself as one of the best players in baseball. The next time their owner asks why they aren’t the Brewers, someone should hold up a mirror.

25) Mariners (74-86): F

At the beginning of the year, only the Dodgers had a higher probability of making the playoffs (according to FanGraphs’ computer models) than the Mariners’ 80.9% mark. Instead, they suffered what might be the most disappointing season in their long-tortured history. They could be good again next year. But this season was a reminder that’s anything but a guarantee.

26) Royals (68-92): D

Another disastrous Royals season leaves them facing an existential crisis, trying to figure out how to return to competitiveness before they waste the prime of Bobby Witt Jr.’s career.

27) Giants (65-95): F

The Giants thought they could be contenders this year. Instead, they now find themselves at a crossroads. They have little choice but to run it back with their thus-far disappointing core of Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers (plus Logan Webb). But this year, they looked a long way off from even being competitive.

28) Athletics (64-96): D-

There was some thought before the year that the Athletics’ young roster could be feisty. Now, the only question is how much longer they have to waste away in their minor-league ballpark purgatory.

29) Angels (62-98): C

This grade has little to do with the Angels’ on-field product, as they flirt with what would be the first 100-loss season in franchise history, and everything to do with the changes they’ve made behind the scenes. New owner. New front office. And for the first time in a while, new reason for long-term hope.

30) Rockies (57-103): D

The best thing we can say about the Rockies: They proved slightly tougher to beat during this 100-loss season, as opposed to each of the three previous ones they have suffered the last three years. Progress!

Awards Predictions

NL MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs

AL MVP: Yordan Alvarez, Astros

NL Cy Young: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers

AL Cy Young: Cam Schlittler, Yankees

NL Rookie of the Year: Sal Stewart, Reds

AL Rookie of the Year: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers

NL Reliever of the Year: Mason Miller, Padres

AL Reliever of the Year: Louis Varland, Blue Jays

With the remarkable achievement of the 2026 Chicago White Sox — making the postseason after three straight 100-loss seasons, something that’s not been accomplished even after “just” two straight 100-loss seasons — BreakingT has gear for you that breaks down the math!

There is even a nod to Mike Vasil’s magic wand. If there’s any T-shirt offered this season that better encapsulates all that these 2026 White Sox are, you’ve found it here!

And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Brewers mug or Dolphins sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.

So go ahead and crunch the numbers, courtesy of South Side Sox and BreakingT!

---

In response to the fever that has broken out all over the South Side, our friends at BreakingT have come up with a nifty little design celebrating the awesomeness of slugger Munetaka Murakami:

You gotta admit, it’s a pretty impossibly clever design, with the moon “O” and a bit of a nod to silent film Le Voyage dans la Lune. No doubt it will make a snappy addition to your closet.

And remember, anything else you buy with our link, whether a Pirates mug or Yankees sweatshirt, gives South Side Sox a commission and helps us continue to provide the best coverage we can for you.

So go ahead a book your trip to the Mune, from South Side Sox and BreakingT!

---

(Every purchase you make with our link drops a few pennies in the jar here at South Side Sox, so a list of all our prior BreakingT collaborations follow, below. Yes, some of the designs are now hilariously outdated collector’s items. But most, if not all of these, should still be available, so click a link and see!)

---

Over the weekend, Tim Anderson silenced the Yankees boo-birds — and perhaps those who have been doubted the potency of the Chicago White Sox. Now, Breaking T commemorates his power:

This link takes you to this newest T-shirt, plus our entire line of White Sox wear!

---

While several members of the Chicago White Sox will need your votes for the July All-Star Game, fans are encouraged to punch the Robert/Jiménez ticket for a dominant South Side outfield all season long!

Whether you’re voting offense (what say, 70 homers among them?) or defense (Luis already has a Gold Glove, Eloy is … still alive), there’s no better campaign to get behind.

---

With everyone now aware that on his 23rd try, Minnie Miñoso was elected to the Hall of Fame. And Breaking T has commemorated the nickname that manager Paul Richards bestowed on Minnie almost immediately after his arrival on the South Side:

Celebrate Minnie’s White Sox immortality with this wonderful creation!

Celebrate the White Sox moments of your life with the entire Chicago W Collection at Breaking T, where you can peruse everything available. Or, if you want to read all my terrific catalog copy for each item, just scroll down and enjoy!

---

The White Sox indeed did make a free agent acquisition or two before the lockout, so it’s well past time to raise our glasses to the Legend himself: Leury Legend, that is.

He’s the longest-tenured current White Sox player, and when he’s done, he could well crack the list of all-time White Sox. Can you believe it? Welcome back, Leury!

---

To celebrate the division title for 2021, Breaking T offers two new T-shirt designs commemorating the feat:

Certainly, we hope there will be more than just a division title to enjoy over the next month or so, but we have to start somewhere!

---

Contrary to the cynics among you, we haven’t featured every Breaking T White Sox design here at South Side Sox, for various reasons. But I’ve never seen one more confounding than the José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez Sugar Skulls designs.

That said, they are sort of insane, and I’m digging them. Definitely different.

---

If you scroll down far enough, I think you can see the original Yasmani Grandal Breaking T piece, Yaz We Can, which I think was pretty clever and should have pulled a lot of fans in with purchases. It was definitely different, as far as Breaking T fare.

But I don’t remember it doing all that well, which was a shame. Maybe Yaz isn’t sexy. Walks aren’t, as someone on Twitter wants to tell you every day.

Here’s another chance to wear your Yaz fandom, playing off of his casual drops on 400-foot blasts:

Yasmani really is the bad boy of the White Sox. He’ll snark you. He’ll roll his eyes. He’s not out to please anyone. He’s just gonna be a badass catcher who drops the bat after clocking one a mile, thank you very much.

---

Holy man, that Field of Dreams game win was so big, Breaking T rolled out three shirts to commemorate it!

The middle model even comes with TA’s “it’s all over, baby” gesture, which is fun.

---

Well, that was a titanic, game-winning home run if ever there was one!

Brian Goodwin told Cleveland to kick rocks, then sent a ball over the fence — and his bat into orbit — with his Sunday heroics, and Breaking T captures it in all its multicolored glory.

---

In just his second game back after a season-long stint on the IL, Eloy Jiménez announced his presence in the White Sox lineup with authority, hitting a home run and providing whirling dervish defense in Tuesday’s win at K.C.

Natch, Breaking T is here to celebrate the Big Baby’s return:

It’s great to have Eloy back with the club in any capacity, and him starring in just his second game back is extra sweet. Now you can wear that sweetness!

---

It was a quite a moment on Monday, seizing a win from the jaws of a doubleheader sweep. When you’re running away with a division, tension can seem manufactured, but Len Kasper gave us a classic moment that our own Joe Resis likened to A.J. Pierzynski’s walk-off against the Dodgers during the 2005 season. Listen to Len last night:

Here it is! @cleansheets24 hits a walk-off HR and @LenKasper loses his mind!

If you have a friend who is a @whitesox fan, share it with them, they'll appreciate it.#changethegamepic.twitter.com/nPgaAg9ldB

— ESPN White Sox (@ESPNWhiteSox) July 20, 2021

So naturally, Breaking T gives us a snapshot of Sheets’ homer, classically titled Holy Sheets!

Way to go, rook. Every player on this roster is stepping up and helping the White Sox win.

---

The White Sox just keep humming along, with great pick-me-ups from the most unlikely of places. Waiver-wire pickup Billy Hamilton has managed to become a core bench and spot-start piece for the club as it ascending in the AL Central, and the veteran made his defensive presence known, with authority, in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s win at Minnesota:

WOW! pic.twitter.com/MypKUNx5nb

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 7, 2021

Breaking T is on the scene, with some Billywear commemorating the catch:

I mean, incorporating that defensive brilliance with the hilarious Go Ham tagline? That’s a winner.

---

Well, hey there, we are in a moment, so Breaking T is kicking ass to gear up in support of Yermín Mercedes. Next up is a more general statement about the dumbness of unwritten rules, in a classic White Sox road script:

---

You don’t usually expect to have to persuade your manager to defend his own player, but here we are. And in the Tony La Russa-Yermín Mercedes kerfuffle, we (and all of the White Sox players) are Team Yermín.

So is Breaking T, who’s issuing this “I’m Yermín” wear in solidarity with the rookie sensation:

Simple, classic, and oh-so-83licious.

Peruse all the White Sox offerings at Breaking T, or use this post (and all entries below) to shop your own SSS catalog!

---

Well, perhaps you’ve been waiting for a more “authentic” Yerminator T-Shirt, something more “as seen on TV.” Well, here you have it!

Terminator vibe? Check. Super cool uniform easter egg in the shades? Check. Money actually going to the players association to benefit minimum-salaried players like Yermín himself? Check.

---

They may have had to scratch “perfecto” out of the original design after Roberto Pérez’s ninth-inning toe-tap, but Breaking T is delivering big for you after Carlos Rodón’s no-hitter!

It’s a sharp piece, with the clever use of accent mark, complete with high socks! (If only it was a warmer night, we’d have Rodón dressed in his full Grant Park 16´´softballer mode … #JulyGoalsForLos.)

---

As you well know, you don’t have to go 5-for-5 in your first MLB start or start a season 8-for-8 to merit a cool Breaking T shirt. But it doesn’t hurt!

Celebrate our Yermín Spring with The Yerminator, a delightful play off of everyone’s favorite killer robot-turned-sweet hero. Hoodies, Ts, we’ve got the gear.

---

Perhaps because he was injured for half of his first season, or he doesn’t have a snappy nickname yet, or he’s such a grinder he doesn’t lend himself to chest-emblazoned graphics, Nick Madrigal has to date missed the cut as a T-shirt subject.

No longer.

Boy howdy, Madrigal is part of Breaking T’s inaugural and collectible Prospects to Pros line. (Image approximating, but not actual Madrigal size.)

Celebrate the start of the season, and one of our most promising young players, with this great Sox-wear.

Peruse the offerings at Breaking T, or take a look at the full line (with links) below!

---

To welcome our new, colorful closer, Liam Hendriks, Breaking T has gone positively Greek with the Australian, with Hercu-Liam!

Breaking T put together four great purchase options for Hercu-Liam, from petite to husky, winter bundling to summer sunning.

And click here to view everything in Breaking T’s White Sox collection in one spot.

Individual links below should get you to other White Sox products on site, including the Classic Collection that features the Ed Farmer and Mark Buehrle T-shirts.

---

To welcome our newest (and top WAR) starter into the rotation, Breaking T has drawn up some Lance Lynn-wear sure to please the bearded fan on your holiday shopping list, with Lynnsanity!

The big man is in town and ready to push the rotation toward a World Series!

---

I first got word of this shirt just as José Abreu was homering and singling in runs during the 2020 season.

And Breaking T’s hunch became reality, as José Abreu became the first White Sox MVP since Frank Thomas and only the fourth player, after Nellie Fox, Dick Allen and Thomas to win the award.

Celebrate a little early by ordering here.

And peruse the rest of the collection below to add to your order and combine shipping.

---

Clubbing homers and scoring runs like there’s no tomorrow, the Chicago White Sox Murderer’s Row of Eloy Jiménez, José Abreu, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert is the subject of a new BreakingT shirt:

South Side Hit Men

Some real nice details in this one: Each players’ expression, the gangster pinstripes, and the exotic player numbers among them. Grab one at BreakingT.

---

With Luis Robert not only staking his claim on AL Rookie of the Year but MVP, it makes sense that BreakingT is working overtime to present the best Panterawear out there.

Dig this supercool 1983 nod, which you can order here.

---

Looking for Luis Robert to assume his La Pantera form? BreakingT has you covered. Order here and celebrate the future MVP!

I’m digging the silhouette.

---

The 19th no-hitter in White Sox history is in the books, by none other than ace Lucas Giolito. So it’s time to celebrate the Gio No-No! It’s a quick, and slick, commemoration of an incredible, 101-pitch masterpiece, dated and suitable for a Gio auto!

Snag one here, and take a look at numerous other wonderful Breaking T offerings below.

---

So, it was bound to happen, but BreakingT is first on the scene to promote the latest dance party sweeping Soxdom: DANCING FOR DUBS

Featuring the boogie-down duo of Zack Collins and Danny Mendick, the T-shirt and/or hoodie is available in all sizes, so take a look now.

---

BreakingT has nominated a very young, boisterous ticket for 2020: Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez.

Running on speed and power, folded into the Change the Game platform, we’re now making these sweet Ts available so you can elect them to a six-year term lasting until 2026.

---

He’s only the hottest rookie — nay, the hottest player — in baseball heading into 2020.

La Pantera!

Is there anything left to say? This BreakingT-South Side Sox joint is TIGHT.

Order it up before they’re all gone!

---

So, BreakingT was watching ESPN on Sunday and said, “hey, that’s right, Tim Anderson speaks the truth: the preeminent sports network in America is sleeping on the White Sox again.”

Thus: Y’all forgot about us:

Order this latest design here.

All shapes and sizes are available, in T-shirt or hoodie.

Stay tuned for some excellent new merch dropping on Friday as well.

---

How about pairing it with the original classic?

Our best seller, the incomparable Tim Anderson neck-bow of STICK TALK!

---

BreakingT has a bunch of terrific ideas they’ve collaborated with us on for their newest designs in conjunction with the MLB Players Alumni Association. This one is, simply, Mister Perfect, commemorating Mark Buehrle’s perfect game in 2009:

Order it here, and take a look at the entire Classic Collection as well.

---

The first White Sox product from BreakingT’s Classic Collection was a beautiful tribute to our Ed Farmer:

Order it here. When you click on our link to buy, we will donate a portion of the proceeds we see from these shirt sales in Farmer’s name to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Research Foundation (support.pkdcure.org).

---

GM Rick Hahn’s new catch phrase out of SoxFest, Ask Me After the Parade, from BreakingT.

---

Uh, hello, Eloy and his red gloves vow to clock one off of the scoreboard one day. Until then, we have Pinwheel Power!

---

---

Have you heard? We got a catcher, and he’s the best in the biz: Yaz We Can!

---

With Dallas Keuchel’s beard barely trimmed on the White Sox, this T-shirt not only rocks, it remains anatomically correct: Kid Keuchy!

Texas Rangers lineup for September 26, 2026 against the Minnesota Twins: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Bailey Ober for the Twins.

The Rangers play their penultimate game of the regular season against the Twins. They need a win to avoid a losing season. They also need a win because of the whole A.L. West race going on. Nathan Eovaldi makes his first start since his return from the injured list. We need Big Game Nate to be Big Game Nate today.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Langford — LF

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

Duran — 3B

Lopez — 2B

Jansen — C

Carter — CF

Osuna — DH

3:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -125 favorites.

Max Scherzer is not going to rush into a decision about retirement.

Scherzer, the 42-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner, told reporters in Toronto that he will put off a decision on whether he will pitch in 2027 until the offseason. He plans to make one more appearance, on three days' rest, with the Blue Jays in their season finale Sunday, Sept. 27 at Rogers Centre. Scherzer said he wanted to ensure his wife and children got to see him pitch one more time, regardless of future plans.

Scherzer is a 224-game winner who ranks ninth on Major League Baseball's all-time strikeout list with 3,550 career punchouts. Like his longtime Detroit Tigers teammate, 43-year-old Justin Verlander, Scherzer is a lock for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame.

Verlander, a 266-game winner, ranks eighth on the strikeout list with 3,560 strikeouts; he struck out six in the final game of his career Saturday at Detroit's Comerica Park. It was just his second start of the season after myriad injuries.

Pitching into 2027 would afford Scherzer the chance to pass Verlander if he can't do so Sunday. Scherzer also needs just 91 strikeouts to pass Don Sutton and Tom Seaver and move into sixth place on the all-time list.

Yet Scherzer insisted he's not locked in a can-you-top-this battle with Verlander, his Detroit teammate from 2010-2014. The two have been texting in recent days, he said.

"I hope he goes out there and strikes out the world today," Scherzer told reporters in Toronto.

There's one more potential consideration: Playing one more season would afford Scherzer and Verlander the stage to themselves at their respective Hall of Fame inductions, five years after they retire.

That much, at least, is a certainty.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Max Scherzer wishes Justin Verlander well, leaves door open for 2027 return

Second-to-last day of the regular season.

There isn’t much news. Max Scherzer says he’ll wait until after the season to decide whether he wants to pitch next year, but he’s set to start tomorrow, in front of his kids (just in case). He hasn’t put up numbers that would make me want to re-sign him. 3-9, 6.14 ERA in 77.2 innings; I would rather give those innings to a young pitcher, even if the young pitcher puts up similar numbers. At least a younger pitcher so mature into better numbers.

Over his two seasons with the Jays, he has a 5.64 ERA with an 8-14 record in 34 starts, with 34 home runs, 57 walks and 143 strikeouts in 162.2 innings. He had some very good moments, and he seems like a great teammate and good guy to have around.

He’s not going to become a pitching coach; guys who make $370 million in their career don’t become pitching coaches. It is too much work for too little money. But I’m sure spring training invites will come. He says he’d like to coach youth and amateur baseball.

Justin Verlander is starting today for the Tigers. It will be interesting to see how long he goes. But it would be cool if he could get another strikeout or two. I think I’ll watch.

He looks good in the first: no strikeouts, but three quick outs.

---

Today’s lineup. No Springer. I hope he gets a standing ovation every at-bat tomorrow. Another guy with a decision to make on playing again next year. He just turned 37. I think this season has been hard on his body, but he might want another go-around. He seems to love being around his teammates.

I don’t know how many teams are looking for a full-time DH. I like the idea of it being a rotating spot, to allow guys to get a break now and then.

The good news is Bateman’s back in the lineup, so we don’t have to spend all winter worrying that his injury is worse than reports.