MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 17, 2026, 7:29 AM ET

Brewers Clinch Fourth Straight NL Central Crown

Milwaukee secured another division title as their pitching staff delivered once more, extending the franchise's run atop the National League Central to four consecutive seasons. The Brewers have now established themselves as the class of the division, with their latest clincher underscoring a model built on run prevention and timely hitting rather than star power.

Alonso Haunts His Former Team

Pete Alonso homered again at Citi Field on Wednesday night, tormenting the Mets fans who once cheered him and drawing yet another ovation from the New York crowd. The slugger later reached 300 career home runs with a tying shot in the ninth inning, a milestone blast that helped the Orioles win in 11 innings. Sean Manaea called the ensuing curtain call "crazy to me," a candid reaction to the strange spectacle of a visiting player being celebrated in Queens.

Salas Makes History Behind the Plate

Ethan Salas made multi-homer history in the Padres' win, becoming the youngest catcher ever to record a multi-home-run game in the major leagues. His first two big-league homers bettered a mark that had stood since 1980, a stunning breakthrough for a prospect who has been among the most hyped young backstops in the sport.

Crow-Armstrong Rewrites Cubs Record Book

Pete Crow-Armstrong shattered the Cubs' record with his 43rd and 44th home runs of the season, finishing 3 for 4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Chicago teammates watched "in amazement" as the young center fielder continued a power surge that has redefined expectations for his ceiling. The 44-homer total now stands alone in franchise history for a player of his profile.

Rocchio Stuns White Sox Once More

Brayan Rocchio walked off the White Sox again, lacing a two-out, two-strike base hit down the line in the ninth to rescue the Guardians and hand Chicago yet another crushing defeat. The loss doomed reliever Taylor and compounded a miserable stretch for the South Siders, who have now been beaten in walk-off fashion by Cleveland repeatedly this season.

Alcantara's Unlikely Save

Sandy Alcantara earned his first career save on Wednesday night in Arizona, just two days after throwing 101 pitches as a starter. The Marlins ace, long one of the most durable innings-eaters in baseball, found himself in an entirely unfamiliar role and delivered, a testament to his competitiveness and the creative maneuvering of Miami's staff.

Yankees Manage Judge's Health

Aaron Judge was pulled with leg tightness in favor of a pinch hitter, a precautionary move for the star right fielder as New York navigates the season's final stretch. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt rejoined the Yankees bullpen after a 14-month absence, activated off the injured list and slotted into a relief role rather than the rotation.

Injury Wave Hits Contenders

The Phillies placed Jesús Luzardo on the IL with shoulder inflammation, a significant blow given the All-Star's 14 wins this season. The Dodgers saw Blake Snell exit after one inning against the Reds due to groin tightness, while the Mets' Robert Stock is done for the year because of finger numbness, ending his comeback season. The Twins, too, lost Kaelen Culpepper to the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain.

Ohtani Progresses, Wetherholt Returns

Shohei Ohtani took his first swings off a tee on Tuesday in Los Angeles and remains on track to return, a promising sign for a Dodgers lineup missing its most dangerous bat. In St. Louis, the Cardinals activated JJ Wetherholt from the 10-day injured list, restoring their rookie second baseman to the lineup.

Lasko Leaves Hospital

Ryan Lasko, the Athletics minor league prospect who was paralyzed in an outfield collision, has been released from the hospital after two months of treatment. The organization and the broader baseball community have rallied around him as he begins the next phase of his recovery.

Front Offices Under the Microscope

With the regular season winding down, several clubs face potential managerial and front office changes, from skippers possibly managing their final games to executives whose jobs may hinge on October results. The coming weeks will determine which organizations choose continuity and which opt for a reset.

Season in Review

Across the league, every club has a biggest success and biggest disappointment to account for, whether they are headed to the postseason or headed home. For the Mets, a season of hard lessons despite a massive payroll ended without October baseball again, though Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and a rising core offered reasons for optimism heading into the winter.