MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 25, 2026, 10:51 PM ET

MLB Playoff Clinching Surge

The White Sox clinched a playoff berth after overcoming 324 losses over the previous three seasons, becoming the first team to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a postseason appearance. The Guardians secured their third straight playoff berth by defeating the Tigers, with manager Stephen Vogt praising outfielder Tyler Naquin’s timely hitting. The Padres clinched their third consecutive playoff spot after a September surge, highlighted by a 5-2 win over the Rockies fueled by Fernando Tatis Jr.’s two-run homer. The Cubs clinched their second straight postseason berth with a 2-1 victory over the Marlins, as Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning.

Individual Milestones and Records

Colson Montgomery set the White Sox single-season strikeout record with 224 strikeouts, surpassing the previous mark held by Luke Voit since 2019. Elly De La Cruz became the fourth Reds player to join the 30-homer, 30-steal club, following in the footsteps of Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, and Brandon Phillips. Pete Crow-Armstrong joined the 40-40 club as the seventh player in MLB history to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, capping an MVP-caliber year for the Cubs. Lucas Spence became the third player ever to hit three home runs in his first major league game, powering the Astros to a 6-3 win over the Athletics.

Injury Updates and Roster Moves

Luis Arraez will miss time with an ankle injury, a significant blow to the Phillies’ playoff push as they battle for a National League wild-card spot. Anthony Volpe made his first career start at third base for the Yankees, filling in for the injured Josh Donaldson while Giancarlo Stanton continued his progression at first base following a calf strain. Alex Bregman returned to the Cubs lineup just days after sustaining facial fractures from a foul ball, wearing a protective mask as he resumed play at third base. Willson Contreras expressed uncertainty about his availability for the Red Sox’s potential wild-card opener, citing lingering discomfort from a hand injury sustained earlier in the week.

Managerial and Organizational Notes

Aaron Boone spoke with Aaron Judge after the star outfielder’s calf strain comments, emphasizing unity and stating, “We’re all in this together,” as the Yankees navigate a critical stretch of the season. Bill Giles, the longtime Phillies owner and executive who helped create the Phanatic, passed away at age 92, leaving a lasting legacy on the franchise and MLB’s entertainment culture. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. backtracked on earlier contract remarks, expressing regret for suggesting he would stand by controversial comments about his future with the Blue Jays amid ongoing negotiation talks.

Schedule Adjustments and Notable Performances

The Red Sox-Cubs finale was moved to Tropicana Field due to severe weather in Boston, with the game rescheduled for Sunday afternoon to ensure player and fan safety. The Cubs and Red Sox moved up their series start time ahead of an approaching storm, adjusting the schedule to complete the series before potential delays. Shohei Ohtani became the first player to lead MLB in jersey sales for four consecutive seasons, underscoring his global popularity and marketability as a two-way superstar. Aaron Judge continued his MVP-caliber season with another multi-hit game, though the focus shifted to Pete Crow-Armstrong’s historic 40-40 season as the driving force behind the Cubs’ playoff push. CC Sabathia had his number retired by the Yankees, with a plaque unveiled in Monument Park honoring the six-time All-Star and 2009 World Series champion for his contributions on and off the field.