Worldwide Sports News

Labor negotiations are underway between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association.

And already, the Dodgers are getting caught up in the middle of the mayhem.

With the league’s current collective bargaining agreement set to expire Dec. 1 of this year, the MLBPA made an opening proposal to the league on Wednesday, in the first big step of new CBA negotiations.

In it, the MLBPA proposed the institution of a “competitive integrity tax” that would penalize lower-spending teams that don’t clear a $150 million payroll threshold. The MLBPA’s proposal also included raising the threshold at which bigger-spending teams are charged competitive balance taxes –– aka, luxury taxes –– from $244 million this year up to $300 million next season.

That, unsurprisingly, is where the Dodgers came in.

In a statement released to multiple outlets from MLB, the league pointed to the two-time defending champions to counter the MLBPA’s tax-related suggestions:

“The MLBPA’s proposal would reduce the amount [of money] transferred to lower-revenue Clubs, weaken the Competitive Balance Tax, and lead to even more payroll disparity than exists today. For example, under the Union’s proposal, the Dodgers would pay less in luxury tax payments, giving them an additional $70 million to spend on payroll.”

That the Dodgers have become a political football in what are expected to be heated CBA talks is not surprising.

In the last two years, their on-field success and unprecedented roster spending have raised concerns about MLB’s competitive balance and financial parity.

Last year, the team set a new MLB record with a $415 million luxury-tax payroll. This season, they are projected to top that total with $419.6 million currently on the books, according to Cots Baseball Contracts.

For reference: The Marlins have a league-low projected luxury-tax payroll this year of just $82 million –– less than one-fifth the Dodgers’ unprecedented amount.

“We appreciate the union making a set of proposals and we look forward to continuing the bargaining process and working towards solving the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us needs to be addressed,” the league’s statement said. “We understand their proposals are designed to benefit players. Unfortunately, they do not address and in fact exacerbate the competitive balance problem our fans are telling us we must address.”

There has been much speculation that the league will push for a strict salary cap in the new CBA –– as opposed to the soft cap currently in place that allows teams like the Dodgers to spend as much as they want, so long as they pay taxes on every dollar spent over the CBT threshold.

The expectation is that talks will be contentious and that the league will lock players out when the CBA expires at the start of December, potentially putting the start of next year under threat.

The Dodgers, because of their gaudy (albeit legal) spending and rise to dynasty status over the last half-decade, figure to loom large throughout the process.

One proposal in, they are already being invoked in negotiations.

Braves go for another series win in a rematch of pitchers-and-teams-they-faced-two-weekends-ago (but not the same pitching matchup as in any of those games).

Mets lineup

Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Mark Vientos – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Eric Wagaman – DH
Brett Baty – 3B
Luis Torrens – C

SP: Huascar Brazobán (RHP), followed by Jonah Tong (RHP)

Reds lineup

Blake Dunn – RF
Elly De La Cruz – SS
JJ Bleday – LF
Sal Stewart – 3B
Eugenio Suarez – DH
Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
Spencer Steer – 2B
Tyler Stephenson – C
TJ Friedl – CF

SP: Andrew Abbott (LHP)

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:10 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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Go Rays!

Where to watch: MASN/MASN+, FS1 (National)

Probable pitchers: RHP Trey Gibson (0-0, 5.40 ERA, 4 K) vs. LHP Steven Matz (4-1, 3.70 ERA, 33 K)

The Orioles haven’t had a lot of opportunities for statement wins in 2026. And yet, after a dramatic, extra-inning walk-off winner on Monday, and a well-rounded victory yesterday, tonight is a chance for such a statement. Tonight the O’s go for the sweep against the best team in the American League. 

Heading into this series, the Orioles were trying to shake the stench of disappointment that has clung to them throughout the 2026 season. A series win over an equally disappointing Tigers team was a nice break from demoralizing series losses to Washington and Tampa Bay. And yet, the O’s still came into this series against the AL-leading Rays seven games under .500 and seemingly far off the postseason pace they hoped to set at the beginning of the season. 

While Baltimore will still be below .500 if they complete the sweep tonight, doing so would be the best sign the Orioles have shown all season that this team is, in fact, better than last year’s immensely underwhelming squad. The O’s already secured only their second series win against a team above .500 with last night’s 6-1 victory over Tampa. A win tonight would give them their first sweep over a good team and only their third three-game winning streak of 2026. 

Attempting to lead the O’s to that statement-making victory is rookie Trey Gibson. Similar to rookies like Cade Povich and Brandon Young in 2024 and 2025, Gibson has been thrust into a rotation spot more out of necessity than overwhelming readiness. In his first career start in Yankee Stadium, he made it through 4.2 IP, putting together a line of 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 HR and 2 K. His only other appearance came in relief, pitching the final two innings of a 4-3 loss to the Athletics while allowing one run. 

With his sinker and slider, Gibson has shown flashes of having two pitches that he can use to attack major league hitters. He may have to reach deeper into his arsenal tonight, however.  Rays stars Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz all crush sinkers and the latter two also hit well against sliders. 

Opposing Gibson is veteran left-hander Steven Matz. The almost 35-year-old is enjoying a strong start to his first season in Tampa, allowing 2 or fewer earned runs in six of his eight starts this season. Baltimore has struggled against southpaws this season, ranking 25th against LHPs with a .215 average and 24th with a .347 slugging percentage. 

After pitching four innings of one-run ball a week ago against the O’s, Matz has a 3.76 ERA and .248 BAA vs. Baltimore. That record is noticeably worse at Camden Yards, where Matz has a 5.02 ERA and .271 BAA in five appearances. Newest Orioles Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward both have good track records against Matz, as Ward is 1-for-3 with a three-run HR and Alonso is 3-for-8 with a homer and three RBIs. 

Orioles Lineup

1. Taylor Ward (R) LF
2. Gunnar Henderson (L) SS
3. Adley Rutschman (S) C
4. Pete Alonso (R) 1B
5. Coby Mayo (R) DH
6. Leody Taveras (S) CF
7. Tyler O’Neill (R) RF
8. Blaze Alexander (R) 3B
9. Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B

Rays Lineup

1. Chandler Simpson (L) LF
2. Junior Caminero (R) 3B
3. Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
4. Yandy Díaz (R) DH
5. Richie Palacios (L) 2B
6. Ryan Vilade (R) RF
7. Cedric Mullins (L) CF
8. Carson Williams (R) SS
9. Hunter Feduccia (L) C

Hoping to avoid a sweep at the hands of American League West Rival Seattle Mariners, the A’s took the field today at Sutter Health Park for game three of the three game set. Taking the mound today for the A’s was Jeffrey Springs, who faced off against Logan Gilbert for the Mariners.

Springs had a questionable start, giving up a hit, and error and a bomb in the first. Before the A’s came to bat, they were behind 3-0.

Springs seemed to settle down until the top of the fourth when he gave up a two out single and then a walk. Then Colt Emerson tripled, driving in Cole Young and Jhonny Pereda. That brought the score to 5-0.

Zack Gelof’s one out double in the bottom of the fifth inning was the first extra-base hit of the game for the A’s. Carlos Cortes walked with two outs. But a Nick Kurtz fly out ended the inning with Gelof and Cortes stranded.

Joel Kuhnel replaced Jeffrey Springs in the top of the sixth.  Springs final line was five innings and two earned runs on six hits and just one walk. He struck out seven. Cole Young greeted Kuhnel with a one out base hit. Johnny Pereda walked moving Young to second. Colt Emerson grounded into what looked to be a double play, but a throwing error by Darrel Hernaiz allowed Young to score. That increased the Mariners lead to 6-0.

Tyler Soderstrom doubled with one out off Logan Gilbert who remained in the game to pitch the sixth. But Henry Bolte grounded out to end the inning. Luis Medina replaced Joel Kuhnel in the seventh and gave up a single but that was all. Medina continued to pitch the seventh but gave up a walk to Cole Young and a base hit to Pereda. Julio Rodríguez worked a full count with two outs and then homered to left center field. Cole Young and Colt Emerson scored increasing the M’s lead to 9-0 headed into the bottom of the eighth. The A’s went down quietly in the eighth.

José Suarez replaced Luis Medina in the top of the ninth. Naylor greeted him with a base hit to right field. With one out Victor Robles singled. But Suarez stiffened and shut them down without scoring.

The A’s momentarily came to life in the bottom of the ninth again today. Jonah Heim walked and Henry Bolt singled. Jeff McNeil grounded into a double play, scoring Heim. Zack Gelof singled, but Darrel Hernaiz grounded into a force to end the game.

The loss drops the A’s out of first place for the first time since April. They’ll need to right the ship or the season could sail away.

Mariners 9, Athletics 1

Ice cream on a sunny day: Logan Gilbert, +0.22 WPA

Razor scooters or baseball helmets to the shin: Julio Rodríguez, -0.06 WPA

Game Thread Comment of the Day:

The Texas Rangers designated Andrew McCutchen Wednesday, and it could be the last roster move of the former MVP’s career.

McCutchen, 39, batted .192 with one home run and five RBI in 83 plate appearances over 37 games for Texas. He was 2-for-18 as a pinch hitter.

The Rangers signed him as a minor league free agent in March, added him to the opening day roster and now have seven days to trade, release or outright him to the minors.

Finding another big-league job at 39 with a .192 average won’t be easy.

McCutchen is one of the more decorated players of his generation.

The five-time All-Star won the National League MVP in 2013 and the Roberto Clemente Award in 2015, spending nine seasons in Pittsburgh before the Pirates traded him to the San Francisco Giants in 2017.

He went back to PNC Park for three more seasons from 2023-25 before signing with Texas this spring. Over 18 major league seasons, he hit .272 with 333 home runs and 1,156 RBI.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Andrew McCutchen DFA'd by Rangers: What's next for former MVP

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, May 27, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet

Pitching Matchup: Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.20 ERA) vs. Bubba Chandler (1-6, 4.79 ERA)

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home hosting the Chicago Cubs today at beautiful PNC Park.

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Cristopher Sánchez has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year, and now he owns a Philadelphia Phillies record that stood for 115 years.

Sánchez tossed his 42nd consecutive shutout inning Wednesday, May 27 at San Diego, breaking Grover Cleveland Alexander's mark that had stood since 1911. He eclipsed Alexander's record with his fourth shutout inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

By the time his afternoon was done in the Phillies' 3-0 win, Sanchez pitched seven shutout innings, stretching his streak to 44 2/3 innings and potentially getting into the conversation for the longest of all time: Orel Hershiser's 59-inning scoreless run at the end of the 1988 season.

Sánchez and Hershiser are also the only pitchers since 1913 to pitch a scoreless calendar month of at least 30 innings, with Hershiser pulling it off in September 1988.

Given the Phillies' tradition-rich history - they date to 1883 - and the Hall of Famers who have graced their mound, claiming the club record is no small feat. Yet Sanchez has been nearly untouchable: In his five starts since last giving up a run to the San Francisco Giants on April 30, he struck out 45 and walked three, and posted a 0.74 WHIP.

Sánchez, 29, kept up that epic run against San Diego, striking out nine in seven innings and walking none, exiting with a 2-0 lead. His season ERA is down to 1.47.

Sánchez has tossed one shutout in his streak, a stark difference from Alexander's streak in 1911 - he tossed four consecutive shutouts. In the century-plus since, lefty Cliff Lee has come closest to Alexander's club mark, firing 34 consecutive scoreless innings in 2011.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristopher Sanchez scoreless streak breaks 115-year Phillies record