Worldwide Sports News

Is it possible that the postseason fate of Giancarlo Stanton — at least for the first round — came down to a bunch of at-bats against Ryan Weathers, Elmer Rodríguez and prospect Kyle Carr at an empty Yankee Stadium? 

It certainly sounded as if the day’s live batting practice, on the eve of Game 1 against the Red Sox, would matter, with the slugger attempting to show team brass both that he is healthy enough to play and that his bat is ready enough to perform. 

If manager Aaron Boone & Co. were judging purely on what they saw Monday, Stanton could more easily argue the former than the latter. 

He stepped to the plate five times and was able to take his vicious hacks without betraying discomfort. Afterward, he made his way to the outfield and ran curves. Finally, as other Yankees hitters stepped into the box, Stanton took a lead off first base and several times ran to second. He was not going 100 percent, but this version of Stanton is never going all out because he is purposeful with each step to try to avoid injury. If he needed to demonstrate that he could make it through a game without a setback, perhaps he accomplished as much. 

But in the tiny sampling of five plate appearances against Weathers (the first two), Rodríguez (the next two) and Carr (the final one), Stanton walked; fought a nine-pitch at-bat that included four foul balls before swinging through a breaking ball for a strikeout; hit a hot-shot ground ball to the shortstop area; chopped another, more softly, to the left side; and swung through an offspeed pitch for his second strikeout of the late afternoon session. 

Boone, who watched the entire live BP, had earlier branded the workout day “important” and said the club had not made the final decisions, such as determining whether Stanton would be on or off the roster. 

“I want to see another day here [from Stanton],” Boone said before the workout ahead of Tuesday’s Game 1 of the wild-card series. “Again, I don’t know if there’s one definitive [moment] like, ‘Ooh, there he is, he’s on.’ It’s more just letting the day unfold, seeing where we’re at, and making a final call one way or the other.” 

While a series of strikeouts or a few home runs may have made the decision easier, it is likely that the Yankees will wrestle all night with a call that will have to officially be made Tuesday morning. 

Stanton has not played in more than five months — since all the way back on April 24, a game so long ago that after Stanton suffered his initial injury, his pinch runner was Randal Grichuk — and in total this season has incurred three separate calf strains. 

He was on the verge of returning from that strain in June, when he had graduated to running the bases and hurt his right calf again. And then he was on the verge of returning from that strain in August when he was running the bases and suffered a strain to his left calf. 

Still chasing his first title, the 36-year-old brings a prodigious October résumé, including 18 home runs in 202 plate appearances. By showing he can fill a valuable niche — a right-handed pinch hitter to deploy against a lefty-heavy Boston staff — he has successfully made his case for a roster spot.

SAN DIEGO — The last time the Chicago Cubs laid eyes on the San Diego Padres they had to refrain from laughing aloud in their faces.

It was July 1 at Wrigley Field.

And the Cubs humiliated the Padres, winning 23-3, with No. 9 hitter Dansby Swanson hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs, handing the Padres their worst loss in the 58-year history of the franchise.

It was the Cubs’ fifth consecutive victory, and the Padres’ fifth consecutive loss, leaving the Padres’ season on the brink.

Well, here they are meeting again, and, oh, how so much has changed.

The Padres these days just so happen to be the hottest team in baseball, winning 17 of their last 20 games, to not only storm into the postseason, but clinch the top wild-card spot, hosting the Cubs in the best-of-three wild-card series.

It’s a rematch of the wild-card series a year ago, only this time the games will all be played at raucous Petco Park and not Wrigley Field.

The Padres (91-71) are in the postseason for the third consecutive year, fifth time in the last seven years, and believing this time around they could go where they have never gone before in franchise history.

That’s winning a World Series.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns met with the media Monday in his end-of-season news conference. From first base plans and Pete Alonsofallout to the starting rotation's outlook and second base's starter, Stearns' 2026 reflection and 2027 outlook were covered extensively on SNY.

"I'm always under pressure," Stearns said. "My job is to put a winning team on here, on the field, every single year. That hasn't changed from the day I sat up here for my introductory press conference to when I'm sitting up here right now."

What other key topics did Stearns discuss? From the Mets' roster to New York's retooled coaching staff and front office, here is a closer look.

Bo Bichette's opt-out decision remains ongoing

Bichette has time to opt in or out of his contract with the Mets. He and Stearns "have not had those discussions."

"I have not had those discussions with Bo," Stearns said of Bichette, who slashed .260/.312/.390 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI in 160 games. "He's got the right now to take some space, discuss with his family and his agent, and I'm sure he'll get back to us."

Brett Baty's September momentum

Baty slashed .333/.417/.608 with three home runs and 16 RBI in September, capping his fourth full season since his Aug. 17, 2022, debut. Will he take another step in 2027?

"The truth is we won't know," Stearns said of Baty, who slashed .236./.309/.371 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 143 games. "I do think, having been around Brett for multiple years now -- I think where he is from a mindset perspective, his level of belief in himself and how he works through an at-bat, is different right now. But as with any player, until you see it for an extended period, very difficult for me to sit here right now and have complete certainty on that."

Ronny Mauricio's 'flash'

Mauricio, who broke out with two home runs this past weekend to cap a 20-game sample size with the Mets this season, has a pivotal offseason entering the 2027 campaign.

"He's among them," Stearns said of Mauricio, who slashed .220/.258/.441 with four home runs and eight RBI. "Ronny goes into next year out of options. We saw the flash of potential over the last couple days. That was exciting for us to see -- I think great for him to experience going into the offseason, and so he's among them. I think he comes into spring training next year competing for a spot."

Francisco Alvarez's 'really encouraging' second half

Alvarez slashed .233/.311/.399 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 113 games but left Stearns impressed elsewhere.

"Probably up and down," Stearns said of Alvarez's fourth MLB season. "But we've seen, I think -- again, the second half Francisco behind the plate was really encouraging. I think his defense took a step forward behind the plate. His command of the pitching staff and game-calling took a step forward in the second half. Really a credit to him for not getting down and frustrated, and a credit to our coaching staff for getting him there."

Kodai Senga's to-be-determined role

Senga started 8 of 31 games and moved to the bullpen. Will he remain a reliever or return to his role in the starting rotation?

"I think we'll make that determination as we get into spring training and see where we are," Stearns said. "We know where Kodai's passion is. He's been very honest with that. We also understand that we need a level of production, in whatever role he's going to be in, to contribute to a winning team. And so, we'll ultimately make that role determination as we get into next year."

Bullpen options

Whether or not the Mets' bullpen includes Senga, Stearns sees options among the returning arms.

"I give Devin (Williams) a lot of credit for working his tail off to getting back here and being able to pitch a couple games in September," Stearns said of Williams (right shoulder strain) returning from a late-season stint on the injured list to make two relief appearances. "I think that was important for us. It was important for Devin. He's now going to have a completely normal offseason. He's healthy, he feels great and we expect him to be a big part in the back end of the bullpen going forward.

"We also feel really good about some of the younger guys who stepped up in a big way over the last two months, whether that's aNate Lavenderor (Dedniel Núñez) coming back or (Daniel) Duarte taking some leverage innings. We saw flashes from (Jefry) Yan that make you believe that there's a level in there that he can be one of the better left-handed relievers in baseball. Again, we need to see consistency, and we recognize that, and there's inevitable volatility in bullpens. But I think what we saw out of that group collectively was very encouraging."

Reed Garrett, Tylor Megill eye spring in Tommy John rehabs

Garrett and Megill are set to enter the spring at 100 percent after missing the 2026 season due to surgeries in 2025, Stearns said.

"They've both been around the team over the last couple weeks," Stearns said. "Great to see them. We expect them to be full go in spring training."

Stearns did not say whether Megill, a starter before he went down with his injury, would be a reliever when asked.

"I think he's going to come and compete, and we believe he can contribute on the team," Stearns said of Megill, who is a career 26-26 with a 4.46 ERA in 88 games (81 starts). "He'll ramp up for starter workload over the offseason and come to spring training, compete."

Jared Young's concussion recovery 'going well'

Young, who sustained a concussion in the past two weeks, is doing "well" after the "scary" incident against the Philadelphia Phillies.

"Concussions are serious, and obviously that was as ugly as it gets on a baseball field and scary," Stearns said of Young, who slashed .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 103 games. "Right now, everything seems to be going well. But concussions are serious, and we've got to see how this goes."

Derek Falvey's addition to front office

The Mets added to the front office this past week when they hired Falvey as their senior advisor for baseball operations.

"Derek's in the office today," Stearns said. "He's up and going. Derek, in my estimation, is one of the better executives in our sport. He's got a tremendous amount of experience. He's touched every aspect of baseball operations over the course of his career. He ran the business side in Minnesota as well. So, I think he's going to help us everywhere. He's a great thought partner, can provide some different life experiences and different perspectives, and I'm thrilled that he's on board right now."

Falvey's career includes stints in the front offices of the Cleveland Guardians (2008-16) and Minnesota Twins (2017-26).

"I think you can add to front offices in a variety of different ways," Stearns said. "I think the important part is getting people here who are ready to contribute and want to contribute and can offer us perspectives that will help."

Stearns did not "close the door on" adding to the front office further.

"There's always executive movement in October," Stearns said. "I'm open to adding, as I've always been, if we find the right complements and the right people. So, I wouldn't close the door on anything right now."

Staff movement

Andy Green is the Mets' full-time manager, and "conversations on" his coaching staff will come in the near future.

"Andy and I are going to have conversations on that this week, and we'll get to a decision point here over the next week or so," Stearns said.

With the Mets' 2027 blueprint already taking shape, Green and Stearns look to build on the 2026 season's improved second half.

"I think the manager is always an integral part of that, and I think Andy did a really nice job creating an environment that facilitated that level of connection," Stearns said. "I also think players are responsible for that, and both the players we had here and the younger players and the Triple-A players who joined after the deadline made real effort of that and I'm appreciative of that."

October baseball always has a funny way of bringing old enemies together, only this time there’s a change of address. 

One year after the Chicago Cubs eliminated the San Diego Padres in three games at Wrigley Field in the 2025 National League Wild Card Series, the two teams will meet again in a rematch Tuesday night at Petco Park. 

The Cubs won five of six meetings between the teams this season, including a football score of 23-3 back in July. The Cubs also bring baseball’s most productive offense, an extraordinary defense, and the likely NL MVP in Pete Crow-Armstrong. 

But July 1 is in the past. The Padres caught fire during the final two months of the season, finishing with the best record in baseball over their final 59 games at 41-18, earning the right to have the sequel held at Petco Park. 

Here’s how the California Post views the matchup this season:

Cubs offense vs. Padres pitching

Advantage: Padres

The Cubs can rake. They led the majors in OPS and the NL in homers this season. Crow-Armstrong was a gold glove-caliber centerfielder and a 40-40 wrecking ball on offense. Alex Bregman, in his first season with the Cubs, has been bludgeoning opponents. He returned from taking a foul ball off the face by going 4-for-4 with two homers in Chicago’s final game of the regular season on Sunday. 

However, the Padres possess the weapon that everyone in the postseason wants: a lights out bullpen. It essentially shrinks the game from nine innings to six when you have three relievers capable of dominating the opposing lineup. 

If San Diego has questions, it’s their starting pitching. Michael King is expected to start Game 1 on Tuesday after a 3.21 ERA this season. The Padres just need him to get through six innings with the lead so they can hand the ball to Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez and Mason Miller to close it out. 

The Cubs’ offense has a simple mission: damage the Padres starter and knock him out of the game before the bullpen door swings open with any of the aforementioned relievers. 

Padres offense vs. Cubs pitching

Advantage: Padres

San Diego’s offense lacked a spark in the first half of the season. At one point they were 50-53 on July 23 and on the outside looking in of the MLB Playoffs. But then Fernando Tatis Jr. found his power, and Jackson Merrill started to look like the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up again.

At the same time the Padres offense flipped the power switch, the Cubs starting rotation started to sputter. Kevin Gausman, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline, has an injury to his non-throwing shoulder and his availability is in question. Matthew Boyd offers stability, as does Shota Imanga, but the Cubs’ greatest weapon might be their defense behind their starters. Chicago’s defense this season has been spectacular and that can only breathe confidence into their starting staff as the series develops. 

Four keys to the series

1. It’s Miller Time!

The absolute worst place the Cubs want to find themselves is trailing going into the top of the ninth inning. Because that’s when Miller, one of baseball’s most overpowering relievers, is at his absolute best. 

On the bright side, the Cubs have had previous success against Miller, but voluntarily making him the obstacle standing in the way between you and advancing to the NLDS is not the best way to spend the end of September. 

2. PCA’s MVP season needs to turn into October stardom

Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 postseason was forgettable: .185 with no extra-base hits in 29 plate appearances against San Diego and Milwaukee.

His 2026 regular season saw him become a 40-40 superstar and the likely NL MVP. PCA is a game-changer with his bat, legs, or glove. The playoffs is now his opportunity to introduce this year’s version of himself to the world. For the Cubs to advance, PCA will need to be the MVP of the series. 

3. Throw away the regular season

The Cubs can have confidence going into the Wild Card series knowing that they dominated the Padres during the regular season, but it can’t give them false security. 

As we’ve seen in the past, including when the Brewers swept the Dodgers in six games in the 2025 regular season, only to see Los Angeles sweep Milwaukee in four games in the NLCS, regular season success doesn’t translate to the postseason. 

The Padres team that lost five of six to Chicago before the All-Star break is not the same team that will be waiting at Petco Park. 

San Diego’s lineup improved dramatically, the pitching staff stabilized and the Padres arrive playing their best baseball.

The rearview mirror is useful. You just can’t drive while staring into it.

4. Make home field matter 

This is the most significant reversal from last October.

San Diego had to win at Wrigley. Now Chicago has to survive a Petco Park crowd that has turned the Gaslamp into one of baseball’s loudest October stages.

Home field doesn’t swing a bat, but in a three-game series, familiarity matters. So does adrenaline.

Prediction: 

The Cubs are talented both offensively and defensively to win this series, but the Padres arrive as the hotter team and have the better bullpen and home field advantage. 

Chicago took the series in three games last season, but the sequel feels like it’s San Diego’s turn.

Prediction: Padres in three

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young addressed the media today in the wake of the team’s disappointing 80-82 finish.

I am not sure if this was broadcast live or not, but if it was, I didn’t hear it, because I was busy working. I haven’t seen the DMN or the Rangers website put up any stories about Young’s comments yet, as I’m typing this, but the beats did live-tweet things.

Young said, per the beats, that the Rangers have not exuded enough “toughness and [] grit” the past few seasons, and that has shown in the team’s poor road performance. Young said, per the beats, that “[t]here are some things we need to change in terms of bringing out that grit and toughness . . . that it takes for a team to go on the road, into an opposing city and play in front of opposing fans.”

This year, across MLB, home teams won 52.9% of games, and away teams won 47.1% of games. Last year, it was 54.3% and 45.7% across MLB. The Rangers in 2025 won 59.3% of their home games and 40.7% of their road games, and in 2026 won 55.6% of their home games and 43.2% of their road games. I’m not sure if the issue is grit or toughness or something else, but the Rangers have underperformed on the road the past two years (or overperformed at home).

Something else that jumped out at me is Young saying that the team needs to be more athletic, needs be better defensively and on the basepaths, needs to be younger. I thought that was an interesting comment.

Back in June, I wrote about how the Rangers were epically unsuccessful in going from first to third in the first half of this season. The extreme station-to-station aspect of their baserunning, along with their miserable performance in bases loaded situations (a 549 OPS in 139 plate appearances with the bases loaded, compared to a 746 OPS leaguewide) were two of the biggest reasons why the Rangers’ run scored lagged behind what their overall offensive performance would have suggested that they should have scored.

But its worth asking how it is that the Rangers ended up with a group of position players that are not particularly athletic or good defensively or on the basepaths.

Let’s look at the position player moves the team has made over the past two years, since the end of 2024.

In December, 2024, they signed catcher Kyle Higashioka. Higashioka turned 35 in April of 2025, and wasn’t (and still isn’t) particularly fast or athletic, even for a catcher — he was 62nd out of 83 catchers in sprint speed in 2025, and 76th out of 87 catchers in sprint speed in 2026.

Also in December, 2024, they traded three players for Jake Burger to replace Nathaniel Lowe at first base, desiring more power at the position. Burger is actually just a little below average in sprint speed among MLB players, but he isn’t going to be described by anyone as particularly athletic, or gifted defensively or as a baserunner, and despite how little major league experience he has, he turns 31 at the beginning of 2027.

At the end of December, they signed Joc Pederson to a free agent deal, in what was really the one major move they made in an effort to upgrade the offense. Regardless of the merits of making your big offseason position player move the signing of a platoon DH to a big contract, Pederson — signed for his age 33 and age 34 seasons — is near the bottom of the league in terms of athleticism, defense, and baserunning.

They did add the 36 year old Kevin Pillar as a bench player. He was, once upon a time, a very athletic player, a quality defender and baserunner. There was still some athleticism there, I think, but it was hard to notice when he was slashing .209/.209/.256. I don’t think I realize until now he never ended up drawing a walk in 2025.

There was also Sam Haggerty off the bench, and he had a little of that speed and athleticism Young was talking about, but he was also a role player, and though he came back in 2026, he got quickly released because he couldn’t hit.

When Jake Burger got hurt, and the team needed to get someone to play first base, they signed free agent Rowdy Tellez, who, well…let’s put it this way. In 2025, there were 579 players with at least 10 opportunities for Statcast to measure their sprint speeds. Tellez was faster than two of them — Sam Huff and Martin Maldonado — and tied with Giancarlo Stanton. The other 575 players were ahead of Tellez.

Come the 2025-26 offseason, once again, the Rangers only made one really big move in regards to the lineup: they traded Marcus Semien to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo. Again, whatever the other motivations and positives that deal provides, its a downgrade in terms of speed, athleticism and defense.

And they added 39 year old Andrew McCutchen, who once upon a team fit the speed/defense/athleticism mold, but not in 2026.

They did add Danny Jansen, who probably has above-average athleticism for a catcher. Then when Jansen and Higashioka got sidelined they signed Einar Diaz out of the free agent scrap heap. Fun fact — Diaz was 80th in sprint speed out of 87 catchers in 2026, one of the few catchers actually slower than Higashioka.

No wonder the organization was so excited about Nicky Lopez’s presence — he’s not, at this stage in his career, someone who is elite in terms of speed or athleticism or defense, but he’s average to a little above in those categories, and on this team, it makes him look like Jim Thorpe.

If you’re identifying position players who you think of as regulars or semi-regulars on the Rangers, Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, and Ezequiel Duran are the only three who you fit that triumvirate of attributes Young says the team needs. Of course, Carter and Langford also have not been able to stay healthy — and one of the other things that Young said that the team needed to improve upon is its health.

Otherwise…Corey Seager is Corey Seager. You know what he is. Josh Jung is not particularly athletic, is slow, has regressed defensively, and can’t stay healthy. Justin Foscue is much the same.

Here’s the thing that kind of stuck with me when I read those quotes from Young today, though, that prompted me to sit here and pound out what is now over 1000 words on the topic.

If you feel, Chris, that the Rangers are not young enough, not athletic enough, not good enough defensively, then whose fault is that?

How did it happen?

How is it that you would put together a lineup on the position player side over the past two years with moves that have prioritized the team going after primarily older, slower, unathletic players who are limited defensively, and then act surprised that your team is not athletic enough and not good enough on the basepaths and not good enough defensively?