Tonight, commemorating the great White Sox career of Tim Anderson upon his retirement on August 10, the White Sox are cracking out their original City Connect uniform “the Southside” as well as honoring the shortstop with a special pregame ceremony.

Over 10 years in the big leagues, Anderson established himself as a White Sox franchise icon, one of the game’s most unique offensive players and a true original on the field.

Immediately upon the news that Anderson was retiring and that the White Sox would be honoring his contribution to the franchise, we at South Side Sox felt compelled to honor him. What follows are the special remembrances from several on staff.

Dante Jones
Tim Anderson is part of why I still love baseball. We are currently in an era featuring fewer black players than we’re accustomed to, and during his time in the spotlight Anderson was unapologetically himself, which meant unapologetically BLACK. You can see it in the black and Afro Latino players in the game today, with a freedom of expression that so many who came before weren’t allowed.

Anderson was also a damn good White Sox player.

“It’s just BABIP luck,” was the excuse for Anderson’s excellence — until he was too good to be denied his due. There were batting titles and cornfield walk-offs, and tosses of the bat after racists got mad; you’re not stopping Tim from playing the game his way. He was the face of a White Sox era that some will be happy to forget, but real fans know how important it was.

Plus, Tim was the only player who really looked cool in the Southside jerseys.

Melissa Sage-Bollenbach
Tim Anderson deserves a tribute night, and I’m glad he’s getting his due. Bringing back the original Southside uniforms for the occasion is just icing on the cake. No one wore that uniform better than No. 7.

Anderson brought an energy and swagger that helped define an era of White Sox baseball. From 2016-21, as the Sox went from rebuilding to contending, TA was at the center of it all. He was the straw that stirred the drink, and after such an impressive start to his career, it seemed like he was destined to be a fixture on the South Side for a long time.

For me, though, my fondest memory of Tim will always be the Field of Dreams game in 2021. I was lucky enough to be there in person and watch Anderson walk off the Yankees, with one swing into the Iowa corn. The entire night already felt like a dream, and somehow TA found a way to write the Hollywood ending.

Tim Anderson never apologized for who he was or how he played the game. He brought joy, emotion and personality to the ballpark.

He WAS a South Sider. And for all the unforgettable moments along the way, thanks for the memories, TA.

Nello Rubio
I will never forget how kind, fun and all-around great player and person Tim Anderson was. I got a chance to interview him at SoxFest in 2017, talking to him about how much his role would change as he evolved into a leader in his first full year in the big leagues. His awareness, and attention to detail in his answers, was something I found interesting. In fact, when I met again a day or two later, he remembered me. His sharp attention to detail is one of the things that made him such a truly remarkable player, and person.

Brett Ballantini
His actions on the field spoke loudly enough: By WAR the 38th-best position player in White Sox history, buried deep on the rich list of franchise shortstops but the talent to watch on the White Sox as the teens segued into the 20s. Tim Anderson was one of the rare players in Chicago, and relatively rare players across MLB, who you tuned in to watch. What he would do in a game was most important, but how he would do it was nearly more so.

I only ever got to know Tim a little bit, and most of that via a Zoom screen in pandemic times, but what came through to me and what will always make him a personal favorite, was his humanity. His care for teammates, personality on the field, incredible skills that both played to type and stretched in unexpected directions. H

And, of course, his heart. TA was the motor who propelled the White Sox.

Right along with that was Tim’s sense of fun. Did he love baseball? Sure, although his first love was basketball. Did he love the challenge of the game? Of course, because he rose to meet those challenges over several starring seasons. But Tim just loved to be out there, playing the game his way: Jawing at opponents, joking with teammates. Somehow, one of the most soft-spoken people you’ll ever meet transformed into a master of ceremonies at the plate or lolling about shortstop.

And for as much as he was loved by teammates and was an irritant to foes, Tim was just, well, FUN. And as much as he could give it out, he could take it, too:

Of all the players you know over your lifetime as a fan, the math works out where there can’t be too many you truly love. And as you get older, that bar becomes even harder to cross — for one, all the players become younger than you, at some point. But Tim inspired pride in us as White Sox fans, in a package that both entertained and impressed. Undoubtedly, I love Tim Anderson.

Year of the Hamster
Tim Anderson’s ascendance with the White Sox and in the majors coincided with my introduction to sportswriting, which just happened to be … here, at South Side Sox. So for me, TA was sort of my guide into the White Sox, and even to baseball itself. He was a character to latch on to, as well as an star to be wowed by and proud of.

So now, forgive the fact that what I most hold dear about Tim has nothing to do with baseball itself, because that is what really made me admire him. TA never really played it up, and seemed to tread cautiously, understandably, around social issues. And some, including our editor here, thought Tim should do even more with his platform for social causes — his flip attitude toward honoring the Negro Leagues at least in the purview of one question in one press gaggle, got under Brett’s skin and in fact lit a match on one of the few disagreements we’ve had about coverage here.

But the man as a whole, for some of his visible and perhaps even embarrassing faults, stood tall. And I first and foremost was impressed when he stood tall … by kneeling.

This was one of the sweetest, or at least most bittersweet, moments I have witnessed in my time covering this team. A pained Anderson, his own best friend a victim of violence, kneeling in support of Black Lives Matter on July 25, 2000, Opening Night of the pandemic season. And flanking him, in contact with Tim as family, manager Ricky Renteria and left-side infield partner Yoán Moncada.

Tim was not comfortable with such shows and stands, although he made them often. Sure enough, when Brett asked him postgame whether he would continue to honor the movement by kneeling during the National Anthem, a self-conscious Tim wanted the spotlight turned off.

In multiple ways not only restricted to the grander fortunes of the White Sox on the field, it’s a shame Tim’s career fell so far, so fast. He seemed to have more to give on the field, and definitely had more to give off of it. His first Roberto Clemente Award came in 2019, and there were multiple more such citations to come.

Almost assuredly, there were untapped aspects of Anderson, a leadership gear he barely got a chance to flash, as well as continued community efforts both in Chicago and back home in Alabama.

Tim represented all of the rest of us, who did not look like the typical baseball player, by gender or color or even orientation. Over the years under Brett at South Side Sox, we’ve had many such people on staff. I daresay he is every bit the hero to them as he is to me.

All the best in retirement, Tim. Thank you for always being you.

Joe Kiang-Resis
Many will point to the Field of Dreams walk-off, and rightfully so, as that the iconic moment of Tim Anderson’s career. For me, though, his debut on June 10, 2016 captured my attention. The Sox had stumbled from 23-10 down to 30-30, and the vibes were dead. Then, TA stepped in for his first MLB plate appearance, fell behind 1-2, then sliced a tough pitch into the left-field corner for a double. He finished 2-for-3 in a win, and fans could feel the entire energy of the team shift immediately.

That debut was the ultimate preview of what was to come: an AL batting title, two All-Star selections, and three straight seasons with an .800+ OPS at shortstop. Even when the team was struggling, TA had a unique way of changing the momentum with sharp contact and pure fire. It was an absolute pleasure to root for him, and I will always look back on his time on the South Side fondly.

Although they are no longer actively contributing with us here, there are additional memories to share from former staff.

Janice Valenzuela covered SoxFest for us in 2020, and from what I recall, TA was her first, or most significant, interview there. Whether reassuring her as a first-time player interviewer or swapping hoops stories as two former players, Anderson made her feel at ease and transition in real time from skilled newbie to seasoned pro.

Hannah LaMotta was a Paul Konerko girlie as a very young fan, but put together this Tim Anderson tribute when he left the White Sox.

Artist and writer Mitch Ransdell piloted our “Player of the Week” series for several seasons, contributing both art and essays. Anderson was the featured star on several occasions, and Mitch always had a unique take on a game scene.

Tom Borowski was with us for a brief time, but his artwork was absolutely delightful, including his take on the iconic “Stick Talk” moment against the Royals.

And speaking of Stick Talk, well, here’s the most popular T-shirt we ever sold in partnership with Breaking T. This came back at a time where we were more actively collaborating with the company, contributing edits or suggestions to their designs.

We sent some to the White Sox clubhouse, and what ho, Lucas Giolito was proud to show his off:

But hey, this isn’t just about us!

Please share your Tim Anderson memories below.

The Cubs took advantage of the Braves deciding to save their ace Chris Sale for their weekend series against the Astros.

Instead, Atlanta sent minor-league callup J.R. Ritchie to face the Cubs. The Cubs had hit Ritchie pretty well when they faced him in Atlanta in May and they did so again Wednesday evening at Wrigley Field, touching him up for seven hits and six runs in 4.2 innings on their way to an 8-4 victory, taking the series two games to one. The game featured 12 Cubs hits, including Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman both hitting triples and home runs.

Once again, a Cubs starter struggled through the first inning. Shōta Imanaga allowed two hits but no runs in a 20-pitch first, but then he really settled down. More on this in a bit.

The Cubs got their offense going in the bottom of the first. PCA led off with a walk, but was erased when Seiya Suzuki hit into a double play. Michael Busch then also walked. He scored on this double by Bregman [VIDEO].

As you can see in the clip, Bregman got caught between second and third and was tagged out to end the inning.

Imanaga allowed a freak single with one out in the second when a ground ball that Bregman was about to field hit third base. After that, though, Shōta retired 11 Braves in a row before a leadoff double by Ronald Acuña Jr. in the sixth.

While all that was going on, the Cubs were posting a solid lead in the game. The 1-0 lead became 2-0 on PCA’s 43rd homer leading off the third [VIDEO].

That home run established a new Cubs franchise record for home runs in a season by a left-handed hitter, eclipsing Billy Williams’ 42 in 1970. And I can imagine no one was cheering louder for PCA’s record-breaker than Billy himself.

Another solo homer leading off the fourth made it 3-0. It was Bregman’s 26th of the year [VIDEO].

Then the Cubs blew the game open off Ritchie in the fifth. With one out, Carson Kelly singled.

PCA then tripled into the right-field corner, making it 4-0 [VIDEO].

On the next pitch, Suzuki got plunked. The crowd booed, though it almost certainly was not retaliation, just a young pitcher being wild. Busch struck out, but Bregman followed with the Cubs’ second triple of the inning, making it 6-0 [VIDEO].

That got me to wondering when was the last time the Cubs had two triples in an inning at Wrigley, so I asked BCB’s JohnW53 to look this up. It had been 15 years. Some of these names will amuse you:

The Cubs last hit two triples in the same inning at Wrigley Field in 2011— twice, both vs. the Cardinals:

May 11, fifth: Carlos Pena single, Starlin Castro triple, Alfonso Soriano single, Koyie Hill triple. Tyler Colvin groundout scored Hill to give Cubs 10-1 lead. They won, 11-4.
Aug. 19, seventh: Soriano groundout, Darwin Barney triple, pinch hitter Blake DeWitt triple to cut deficit to 4-3. Castro struck out and Reed Johnson grounded out. Cubs walked it off in 10th on one-out single by pinch hitter Tyler Colvin.

Tonight’s game was the Cubs’ 1,181th at Wrigley since Aug. 19, 2011.

Back to Imanaga’s game. He allowed a leadoff double to Acuña in the sixth, and Acuña scored on a couple of ground outs. But Shōta finished off that inning with a strikeout of Ozzie Albies, his eighth K of the night on his 100th pitch, an excellent outing in which he didn’t walk anyone and didn’t allow any home runs.

Here are the eight strikeouts [VIDEO].

Here’s more on Imanaga’s evening [VIDEO].

Imanaga has thrown well over his last three starts: 2.00 ERA, 0.778 WHIP, 16 strikeouts and only two walks in 18 innings, with just two home runs allowed. If he keeps this up over what will probably be two more regular-season starts, he’s got to be considered for a postseason start as well.

Just for fun, here’s the Japanese language call of Imanaga’s eight K’s [VIDEO].

Aaron Civale relieved Imanaga and allowed a run in the seventh, which the Cub got back in the bottom of the inning on PCA’s 44th long ball of 2026 [VIDEO].

Later in that inning, Bregman came to bat with a chance to hit for the cycle — he needed just a single. Unfortunately, he flied to center to end the seventh.

The Cubs completed their scoring for the evening in the eighth. Tyrone Taylor led off with a double and one out later scored on this single by Michael Conforto [VIDEO].

The Cubs loaded the bases on singles by Pedro Ramirez and Kelly, but PCA struck out and Suzuki grounded out to end the inning.

Here’s where I’m going to open the complaint department door just a bit. Ryan Rolison began the ninth by issuing a walk and allowing a hit, which prompted Craig Counsell to call on Ryan Zeferjahn, who immediately gave up a two-run double to Mauricio Dubon.

I mean… when you have a six-run lead, it should be easier than that to protect. Fortunately, Zeferjahn retired the next three Braves in order to end the game. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].

A couple more game notes from John:

This is just the third time in their last 15 games that the Cubs have hit multiple home runs. They have hit a total of 15. The 15-game span began Sept. 1, the day after they hit a team-record nine vs. the Brewers.

The Cubs have hit three homers in 20 games and more than three in 20 more. They have hit two in 35 games, one in 55 and none in 42.
…..
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s game tonight was the 18th since 1901 in which a Cub hit at least one triple and at least two home runs. In all games, the players had one and two.

PCA is the second Cub to turn the trick twice, joining Billy Williams. PCA did it April 13, 2025, at Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers. Williams did it June 17, 1964, and May 19, 1971, vs. the Giants, both at Wrigley Field.

The one-timers: Heinie Zimmerman (1910), Bill Nicholson (1944), Hank Sauer (1949), Walt Moryn (1956), Lou Brock (1963), Leon Durham (1982), Andre Dawson (1987), Shawon Dunston (1989), Todd Walker (1989), Kris Bryant (2017), Kyle Schwarber (2017), Seiya Suzuki (2024), Michael Busch (2025) and Dansby Swanson (2025)

Games like this should remove all doubt about PCA being voted NL MVP. The only question that remains, I think: Will that vote be unanimous? It really should, especially since the two-homer game put the Cubs center fielder just one home run behind Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead. PCA is also now at 9.6 bWAR for the season, which gives him a chance to be just the fourth Cubs position player to ever have a 10 bWAR season (he’s already there per Fangraphs, which has him at 10.4 fWAR).

Here are PCA’s postgame remarks [VIDEO].

And here are Craig Counsell’s postgame comments [VIDEO].

To update you on the Wild Card race: The Diamondbacks lost, so the Cubs’ magic number to clinch a postseason spot is now 4. The Phillies and Padres also won, so the Cubs continue to lead the Phillies by half a game and the Padres by 1.5 games. The Phillies will open a four-game series against the Mets Thursday evening in New York while the Cubs are off, and so… and you’ll almost never hear these words here… let’s go Mets!

Walk watch: The Cubs walked three times Wednesday, giving them 643 for the season. They need 14 more walks in the nine remaining games to break the franchise record of 656. That record was set in 2016.

Run watch: The eight runs scored Wednesday give the Cubs 817 for the season. The most runs any Cubs team has scored since 1930 is 855, done in 2008, so 39 runs over the last nine games would surpass that for the most runs any Cubs team has scored in the last 96 years.

The Cubs will begin a three-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati Friday evening. At this writing the Cubs don’t have a starter officially listed, but it should be Clay Holmes’ turn. The Reds will go with Chase Burns. Game time Friday is 5:40 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network (and MLB Network outside the Cubs and Reds market territories).

The long-awaited debut of Emmanuel Rodriguez has finally arrived, and Emma is wasting no time cementing himself as a force in the Twins lineup. Through five games, he is 5-for-19 with a double, triple, and home run. Not only is he producing on the offensive end, but he has already picked up an outfield assist and has made a couple flashy plays on defense. His six years of minor league baseball showed Twins fans that he is capable of producing at this level, but I don’t think anyone could have imagined this kind of production in his first week in the majors. I want to say fun times are on the horizon, but they’re not. They’re already here.

Rare Power

The immense raw power has always been at the top of his scouting report and highlighted in bright yellow. Through five major league games, his power is already translating at an elite level. Out of 14 batted balls so far, 7 have been hit over 100 MPH and 9 have been hit over 95 MPH. His bat speed currently sits in the 97th percentile at 76.9 MPH, and he pairs it with an impressive barrel feel to all fields. In 49 Triple-A games this season, Emma’s 109.9 MPH 90th and 118.3 MPH max EV rank in the 99th and 100th percentiles league-wide.

He has only hit 22 homers in his last 162 minor league games, but his ability to make hard air contact to all fields results in a big gap power. The home run numbers have climbed this season as Rodriguez has increased his AirPull%. He is already one of the most powerful hitters in the world, and at 23 years old, he continues to tap into more and more.

Professional Hitter

The home runs and flashy exit velocities get all the talk, but Emmanuel Rodriguez does a lot of the little things at the plate that allow his tools to translate into real consistent production.

While the hit tool is fringy at best and Rodriguez runs high strikeout rates, excellent spin recognition and swing decisions relieve some of the contact concerns. In 49 Triple-A games this season, he ran a 20.8% chase rate against breaking pitches and 20.2% against offspeed. Both are elite marks that make it extremely difficult to get him out without throwing the ball in the strike zone. And if you throw the ball in the zone… watch out!

Emma doesn’t have quite as much juice against lefties as he does against righties, but he has done a nice job slowing it down and staying patient. He projects to be passable against lefties, which would allow him to be a true everyday player unlike many of the Twins’ recent lefty outfielders.

Minor League Production

Not only does he possess elite raw tools, but Emma has been one of the best producers in all of the minor leagues over the past five years. Among players with at least 1,000 MiLB plate appearances since 2022, Emmanuel Rodriguez has the 2nd highest wRC+ at 155, only ranking behind No. 17 overall prospect Rainiel Rodriguez of the Cardinals.

While injuries have shortened almost every year of his professional career, he has remained an elite producer at every step. Emma’s worst statistical professional season was 2025, when he slashed .258/.429/.423 for a 134 wRC+ in his first year at Triple-A while dealing with a few different injuries. Every step of the way from rookie ball in 2021 to the majors this week has been accompanied by relentless production.

How High is the Ceiling?

The bat is the prize here, but another part of what makes Emmanuel Rodriguez such a special player is that he can provide value on the bases and in the field. He is an average runner that can steal a handful of bases. Defensively, Emma has the potential to be an above-average center fielder. He has great instincts and good range paired with a plus arm. He is playing a mix of left and center, but has a real chance to be the Twins long-term center fielder after Byron Buxton.

The offensive profile is very similar to that of James Wood and Nick Kurtz if the tools translate, and there is potential for significantly more impact on the defensive end than those two. The big question, much like with Byron Buxton, is whether he can make it through a full major league season. From a pure talent perspective, Emmanuel Rodriguez is one of the most talented young players to ever wear a Twins jersey, and I am incredibly excited to see what he can do in Minnesota in the coming years.

It wasn’t exactly a banner day for JR Ritchie or Owen Murphy last night, as both got knocked around by the Cubs. Ritchie was coming off some really dominant outings in Triple-A, but that didn’t translate at all. They’re also not the only somewhat-promising arms that have floundered for the Braves this year.

• JR Ritchie: 23 years old, 62 2/3 IP, 119 ERA-, 135 FIP-, 116 xFIP-
• Hurston Waldrep: 24 years old, 10 2/3 IP, 200 ERA-, 203 FIP-, 140 xFIP-
• AJ Smith-Shawver: 23 years old, 26 IP, 164 ERA-, 145 FIP-, 136 xFIP-
• Owen Murphy: 22 years old, 9 IP, 119 ERA-, 133 FIP-, 126 xFIP-

Ritchie has gotten a fair bit of rope this year, and done very little with it. His xFIP- isn’t that bad but it’s still not a guy you really want throwing a bunch of innings in the majors, especially since he’s also been homer-prone. Waldrep had a lot of success down the stretch in meaningless games in 2025 (1.2 fWAR), but his career has been upended by injuries (surprise, surprise). Smith-Shawver at least looked okay at times last year before his arm blew up. Murphy has had very little MLB exposure, but isn’t showing much to dream on, either.

I think in some ways, Ritchie is the most disappointing to date, since he doesn’t have the injuries to blame like Smith-Shawver and Waldrep. I guess I’d say that he might end up with the best career among this quartet, but he’s really gotta figure out a way of pitching that actually works. He has some decent building blocks, but the command is so abominable that it’s almost hard to believe that he was getting 50 FVs and all the other accolades with mechanics in total disarray basically from the jump.

Anyway, what do you think?

Perhaps no one personifies the rollercoaster that has been the 2026 Phillies better than Cristopher Sánchez. The ace lefty has gone from breaking hallowed records to getting hit around and back again. Just look at his monthly splits so far for 2026:

Sánchez’s historic May coincided with the Phillies rise from their early season skid to find themselves back in contention. Conversely, his rough July came in conjunction with the Phillies 9-15 record that caused their lead for a postseason spot to dwindle. But yet again, Sánchez rebounded in August, and the team did with him as they went 21-7. Now in September, Sánchez is off to a rough start, and the Phillies are clinging to a postseason spot. His most recent outing on Tuesday ended up being a brutal loss to the Nationals in which Sánchez was charged with five runs and the Phillies failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to give themselves more breathing room in the race. 

Not only is Sánchez giving up more hits than he did in his strong August, he’s also seen his walk rate slowly climb dating back to June. He’s struggled more and more to throw strikes as the season has worn on, leading him into deeper pitch counts than usual and preventing him from pitching as deep as is usually expected of a pitcher of Sánchez’ capabilities. Perhaps most concerning is the collapse in whiff rate against Sánchez, particularly on his signature changeup. It’s obviously a small sample for the month of September, but the whiff rate on the changeup has plummeted to 31.1%, down from 54.5% in August and even down from the 43.4% in July. As the season has worn on, Sánchez has thrown the pitch in the zone less and less, and it appears that now hitters are laying off of it and remaining disciplined. That’s depriving Sánchez of his out pitch and leading to those deep counts and innings where numerous seeing eye base hits get through. 

Sánchez’ recent struggles are amplified now not only because it’s the stretch run, but because the injury to Jesús Luzardo will force Sánchez and Zack Wheeler to carry a heavier load as the team tries just to get into the postseason. He has of course shown that he can rebound, but time may be running out for Sánchez to get himself right. The team can’t afford to wait another month for their ace to right the ship.

So, do you think Cristopher Sánchez will rebound in time?

The Mets open up the final home series of the 2026 MLB season with a four-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies, starting with Thursday night's 7:15 p.m. on FOX. Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

• Nolan McLean carries a 3.24 ERA and 1.176 WHIP over 166.2 IP into his 30th start of the season
• Despite a rough go his last time out, in 10 starts since the All-Star break, the right-hander has a 2.73 ERA in his last 59.1 innings, including six shutout innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball against Thursday's opponents
• A.J. Ewing went 5-for-11 in the three-game set with Baltimore and has started off slashing .383/.444/.617 for a 1.061 OPS in 13 games in September
• Ewing also recorded his 24th steal of the season on Wednesday night, tying Mookie Wilson's franchise record for most steals by a rookie 
• Aaron Nola has struggled this year with a 4.69 ERA and 1.370 WHIP in 161.1 innings over 30 outings
• Nola has been bitten by the long ball once again, allowing a league-leading 34 to give him 251 allowed over his 1,877 career innings. He's allowed five in 11 innings against the Mets this year: Juan Soto (2), Francisco Alvarez (2), Brett Baty (1)

Dodgers catcher Will Smith was the team’s nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, the annual honor that recognizes players for their contributions both on and off the field, named for the legendary Hall of Fame former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder.

Smith and his wife Cara founded Catching Hope, “a nonprofit organization working to help underprivileged children with critical skills needed for leadership, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.” Among the projects by the organization this year include an art installation at Marquez Elementary School in Los Angeles in April, a comedy night in Beverly Hills in May as part of the Netflix is a Joke Fest, a community clinic for an elementary school at Dodger Stadium in May, and a visit to UCLA hospital in August.

Fans can vote on the Clemente Award through September 27, the final day of the regular season. The fan vote will count as one vote in a panel that also includes members of the MLB commissioner’s office, MLB.com writers, MLB television media partners, and members of Roberto Clemente’s family.

The winner will be announced during the World Series. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts won the award last year.

Old friend Justin Turner, who won the Clemente Award in 2022 and was also the Dodgers nominee for the honor in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 as well, won another title on Tuesday night. His Tijuana Toros beat the Tabasco Olmecas four games to two to win the best-of-7 Serie del Rey to win the Mexican League championship.

Turner hit .295/.395/.469 with 21 doubles and six home runs in 65 games in his age-41 season for Tijuana, which was managed by former Dodgers outfielder Roberto Kelly. The World Baseball Softball Confederation has more on Tijuana’s Tuesday triumph.

Today’s Reflections

Well, if you have a burr under your saddle about how a player is doing, send me a note. I’ll write a few paragraphs about how bad they are doing. Then in the next game, he will explode (i.e. PCA, Monday night). You’re welcome.

In the meantime, I’ll work my “magic” on Seiya Suzuki. PCA’s problems were prominent as the lead-off hitter. Suzuki’s troubles were slightly covered up by PCA and Alex Bregman’s successes, but actually are worse.

Suzuki cruised through August, where he hit .303 (33-of-109), 25 R, 10 2B, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 17 BB, 26 K, 2 SB. September has been a totally different story. Suzuki is hitting .170 (8-of-47), 7 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 12 BB, 11 K, 0 SB. My calling on PCA was that he having a lack in power — this is a much better example of that. Eight hits, just three XBH, and a drastic decrease in runs scored or driven in. Come on, Seiya, prove my “lucky” comments does work out for you in the next few games.

The Cubs split two games with the Braves Monday and Tuesday, and had a 50% success percentage while having two excellent starting pitching performances, one marred by the One-Bad-Pitch error. I’m sure that every team has this problem, especially sporadically, or in short bunches. This has been an entire-season event for the Cubs.

If not for PCA’s big game, David Peterson would be the easy winner of Player of the Game Monday — I just might name him so, because it was his biggest performance thus far with the Cubs. Six innings of one-run ball, three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts, with 56 of his 85 pitches for strikes.

Kevin Gausman was on his way to an even better game. He entered the sixth inning Tuesday, having allowed just two hits, no walks and five strikeouts before it became unraveled. After his sixth strikeout, Gausman gave up a single, a two-run homer and an infield single before leaving with a 3-2 lead.

Daniel Palencia did his job, stranding the inherited runner and got the out to end the inning. But Jacob Webb and Edward Cabrera imploded, having each given up a two-run home run to put the game out of reach.

Offensively, outside of PCA’s 4-for-5 night with a double, home run, stolen base and four RBI, there wasn’t much there. The closest to having a good two games this weekend was by Michael Busch, who was 1-for-6 with three walks and three runs scored.

On Monday, Nico Hoerner went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two RS. Michael Conforto and Carson Kelly had RBI hits. Tuesday, Matt Shaw was 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Pedro Ramirez had a hit and RBI, and Miguel Amaya had an RBI.

Tuesday, the Cubs didn’t get a runner in scoring position after the fourth inning and managed just five hits in the game.

Peterson, Gausman and PCA were definitely the stars of the two games. They just needed a bit more help on Tuesday.

I appreciate your reading.

Complimentary Starting Pitcher Solo Home Run*

*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.

Tuesday’s Game Stories:

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ latest bullpen blow-up stark reminder that without reliable relievers ‘we’re not going to survive’. “The Cubs’ relief corps couldn’t deliver once more Tuesday, with Jacob Webb and Edward Cabrera coughing up homers in a loss to the Braves, showing the team might not last long in. the playoffs if it can’t get its pitching issues ironed out.”

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Bullpen woes resurface for Cubs in heat of Wild Card race. “The Cubs will have to wait another year to try to unseat the rival Brewers as the National League Central champions.”

• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): 3 Chicago Cubs who need to step up over the final 10 games after a blown lead in a 6-3 loss. “The Cubs managed just five hits in the loss and didn’t put a runner in scoring position after the fourth inning, managing only one base runner (a single) in the final five frames.”

Monday’s Game Stories:

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): PCA joins Hall of Famer Williams with 42nd homer on 4-hit, 4-RBI night. “Dating back to his early days with the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong always showed a level of respect for the team’s icons when they would visit Spring Training or make a stop by Wrigley Field.”

• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong inches closer to MLB’s 40-40 club with another big night at Wrigley. “Crow-Armstrong put on a show in the Chicago’s 7-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday night.”

• Andy Martinez (Chicago Tribune ($): Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong hits another HR — and steals another base — in 7-3 win. “The two-run blast in the sixth was his 42nd, tying Billy Williams’ 1970 campaign for the most home runs hit by a left-handed hitter in a single season in franchise history.”

Assorted Pitching Stories:

• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Nothing the Cubs Have Tried with Edward Cabrera Has Worked. “When the Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera from the Marlins over the winter, everyone agreed that the team would make some interesting changes to his pitch mix. Unfortunately, none of the ones they’ve implemented have turned out well.”
• Elias Schuster (Chicago Cubs On SI): Cubs Injury News: Losing Two More Possible Bullpen Arms, Dansby Swanson Update. “The Chicago Cubs were hoping to get some last-minute help in the bullpen, but they may be stuck working with what they have.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Jacob Webb’s Water Needs to Find Level Before Cubs Drown. “If the Cubs had the benefit of an even moderately reliable bullpen, Jacob Webb might have to be worried about finding a red tag in his locker soon.”
• Zoe Grossman (Chicago Cubs on SI): 3 Takeaways After Cubs’ Bullpen Problems On Full Display in Crucial Loss to Braves. “The Cubs looked well on their way to clinching the series win against the Braves before the bullpen imploded.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Phillies’ Jesus Luzardo injury update could clear Cubs’ path in Wild Card race. “This could change the NL Wild Card conversation.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs shut down Shelby Miller’s comeback, taking him out of potential playoff bullpen mix. “Miller attacked his rehab process with an intensity that impressed club officials, putting him in the conversation for a possible promotion from Triple-A Iowa.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Projecting Cubs’ playoff pitching staff reveals just how concerning bullpen has become. “Mapping out the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff, considering the questions that exist in both the starting rotation and bullpen.”

Assorted Hitting Stories:

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Swanson’s ‘wild 48 hours’ ends with simulated rehab at Wrigley. “Shortstop on track to return Friday in Cincinnati.”
• Conor Liquori (Sporting News): How Alex Bregman ‘unleashed’ MVP-caliber season for Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong. “”The mentorship he provided Pete Crow-Armstrong early in the year about plate approach and swing decisions helped unleash PCA’s MVP-worthy year,” Castrovince added.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): The Cubs’ Farm System Grade is Passing, But Barely. “There are always bright spots and hopefully some longer-term progress, but it’s inarguable that the system, on paper right now, doesn’t look like it’s one of the better ones.”
• Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Can Pete Crow-Armstrong Resist the Temptation to Try to Save the Cubs? “It’s not selfishness. At this point in the season, it might not even be voluntary. One way or another, though, Pete Crow-Armstrong is back in swing mode, trying to single-handedly win games that must be won, instead, as a team.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Swanson’s rehab pushed back by rainout; Miller to return in 2027. “The specific plan has now been altered a bit due to rainy conditions in Omaha, Neb.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): PCA Sets Several New Precedents in Monday’s Win. “He set or tied at least two team records, joined an elite group of franchise superstars, and essentially created a new category for repeated offensive excellence during Monday’s win.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs see Alex Bregman being himself, rather than his ample playoff experience, as difference-maker in October. “Bregman has played in more playoff games than nearly any player in major-league history. But it’s the kind of player he is, regardless of the month, that makes the Cubs confident he’ll deliver in October.”

Assorted Stories:

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs are inconsistent, but ‘still feel like we can absolutely be the last team standing’. “The Cubs have turned inconsistent at the worst time, throwing into question their ability to achieve their championship-level goals, but the team still thinks it’s capable of winning the World Series.”
• Leo Morgenstern, Joey Peterson, Taylor Greenhut (Just Baseball): Who Matches Up Best To Take Down the Dodgers in the Playoffs?. “Simply put, while there are questions surrounding the pitching staff, this is the one team that could get past the Dodgers thanks to its ability to hit better than anybody else.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs at make-or-break point of season as Brewers clinch another division title. “Until that postseason spot is clinched and the champagne bottles are popped for the clubhouse celebration, the Cubs are going to have to sweat it out.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Thrilling Chicago, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Caleb Williams ‘want to give people something to look forward to’. “With Crow-Armstrong in the middle of an MVP run and Williams sparking Super Bowl plans across the area, the duo might just be ushering in a new era in Chicago sports.”
• Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): The Biggest Winners and Losers in the Cubs’ Farm System in 2026. “From breakout performances to disappointing seasons, there was no shortage of storylines across the Cubs’ farm system this year. With the season nearly in the books, here are some of the biggest winners and losers from 2026.”
• Chicago Tribune {$}: Cubs and White Sox are in the hunt for playoff berths: Tracking the magic numbers for Chicago’s baseball teams, “The Cubs are all but assured of a second-place finish in the National League Central for the fourth consecutive season — with the first-place Milwaukee Brewers headed for their fourth straight division crown.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs’ magic number offers hope but NL Wild Card race is far from comfortably settled. “Cubs are positioned to make the playoffs, but there’s a lot to be determined.”

Food For Thought:

Since making his debut on CD as a singer/songwriter, ‪John Fusco has proven himself to be as equally as talented a bandleader as he is a screenwriter and movie/TV producer. The filmmaker who gave us Young Guns, Hidalgo, Thunderheart and The Highwayman, he’s a storyteller with few peers as this disc, which delivers a blues-filled saddlebag of what he terms the “Wild West Soul of America” shows.

Raised in Prospect, Conn., Fusco spent his early adulthood in the South as a laborer and blues singer. He delivers a film-noire mix of blues and roots held together by gritty lyrics – in this case, the description of folks who find themselves trapped between past mistakes and an uncertain future. The songs unfold like a film script and are infused with coyote howls, mariachi horns and much, much more. Fusco plays keys throughout. His pleasant, well-worn voice fits perfectly with the theme of his material. Blues takes many forms, and John Fusco has a style that’s truly all his own. Check out this pleaser and I’m sure you’ll agree. It’s a winner on all counts.

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

Meet the Mets

The Mets were swept by Pete Alonso’s Orioles, as Baltimore won 7-1 last night in a game that saw Alonso hit another home run at Citi Field.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, Faith and Fear in Flushing, Newsday, New York Daily News, New York Post

Before the game, the Mets placed Robert Stock and Daniel Duarte on the injured list and called up Xzavion Curry and Jefry Yan.

David Lennon writes that Pete Alonso week was an utter disaster for the Mets.

Francisco Lindor remains on the verge of hitting his 300th career home run.

Carlos Beltrán’s Hall of Fame plaque is on its way to Queens for Beltrán’s number retirement ceremony at Citi Field on Saturday.

Steve Gelbs provided his thoughts on the Alonso happenings in the Mets’ loss the night before last.

Danny Abriano writes that the reception for Alonso’s game-tying home run against the Mets was jarring but wasn’t unprecedented.

Ken Rosenthal included the Mets atop the list of teams with potentially volatile managerial jobs opening up this offseason.

The Mets are on this short list of teams that might take a step forward in 2027.

Around the National League East

The Phillies scored three runs and shut out the Nationals for a big win, as Philadelphia’s playoff spot remains on the line.

The Good Phight wonders if Cristopher Sánchez will rebound in time for the playoffs.

The Nationals’ farm system took a big step forward this year, and the Athletic looks at how they did it.

Around Major League Baseball

The Yankees lost to the Twins in 13 innings, and Aaron Judge left the game early with lower leg tightness. Before the game, though, the Yankees activated Clarke Schmidt from the injured list.

Former Met Justin Turner was one of several former MLB players to win the Mexican League title.

Here’s a look at the best players at each position who weren’t All-Stars this year.

This Date in Mets History

The ‘86 Mets clinched the division on this date in, well, 1986.