Last updated: September 28, 2026, 10:57 PM ET
Division Race Update
The Astros clinched their fifth AL West title in six years despite finishing with an 81-81 record, becoming the first team in MLB history to win a division with a losing mark. The Mariners fired manager Dan Wilson as their 76-86 season came to a close, marking the end of Wilson's tenure after leading Seattle to the ALCS last year. The Phillies exhaled and topped the Rays 7-3 on Sunday to secure the NL's final wild-card berth, untangling a few thousand knots in a dramatic late-season turnaround.
Roster Moves & Injuries
Payton Tolle will start Tuesday night's AL Wild Card Game for the Red Sox against the Yankees, giving Boston a rookie left-hander on the mound. Luis Arraez won't be on the Phillies' wild-card roster as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, while Jesus Luzardo will open Game 1 for Philadelphia. Corey Seager may need "minor" surgery to address a bone spur in his elbow, Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels announced after the season wrapped up. Max Scherzer struck out seven on short rest as the Blue Jays won their season finale, with the 42-year-old veteran delivering a quality start in his final regular-season appearance.
Playoff Matchups & Analysis
Cam Schlittler will start for the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Red Sox, with Fried and Cole slated to follow in Games 2 and. The Mets exec Stearns said there will be no "mulligans" on Pete Alonso's exit, confirming the first baseman will not return despite New York's wild-card qualification. The Astros owner Jim Crane said the team's playoff berth will factor into the call on manager Espada's future, with Houston's front office weighing postseason performance against contract status. The Dodgers might be more vulnerable than you think this October, as four reasons suggest L.A.'s quest for a three-peat faces unexpected challenges despite regular-season dominance.
Statistical Highlights & Awards
Average game time rose to 242 minutes — up nearly 4 minutes, partly because of ABS challenges — as robot umpires continue to impact pace of play across the league. Jeff Passan's 2026 MLB regular-season awards, with a twist, handed out annual wide-ranging honors beyond the traditional MVP and Cy Young races, celebrating unconventional contributions across the sport. Misiorowski wraps a rare trio, leading the majors in ERA, strikeouts, and opponent batting average, as Houston's Yordan Alvarez and Arizona's Gabriel Moreno won their first batting titles in their respective leagues.