MLB Baseball 8 Hours

Last updated: September 25, 2026, 6:22 AM ET

Playoff Berths Clinched

The White Sox secured their first playoff appearance since 2021, ending a three-year skid that included consecutive 100-loss seasons. Meanwhile, the Cubs earned a second straight postseason trip with a 2-1 win over the Marlins, bolstered by strong pitching and timely hitting. The Guardians locked up their third consecutive playoff berth after defeating the Tigers, with manager Stephen Vogt praising the team’s resilience down the stretch.

Individual Milestones

Lucas Spence joined an elite group by hitting three home runs in a single game, becoming only the third player in MLB history to accomplish the feat in his first career start. Pete Crow-Armstrong reached the 40 the 40-home run, 40-stolen base club, just the seventh player ever to achieve the milestone, highlighting his rare blend of power and speed.

Team Outlook and Concerns

Willson Contreras expressed uncertainty about his availability for the Red Sox’s wild-card opener due to lingering discomfort, casting doubt on Boston’s lineup strength heading into the postseason. A full review of all 30 teams’ regular-season performances noted the White Sox’s turnaround as one of the most remarkable in recent memory, while questioning the depth of several playoff-bound clubs.