MLB Baseball 3h Briefing
×Last updated: August 20, 2026, 11:01 AM ET
Pitching Performances
Cade Cavalli espn.com followed his near-no-hitter last time out by striking out 11 batters in six scoreless innings Wednesday night, leading the Nationals to a 6-0 win over the Rangers. The dominant performance showcased Cavalli's continued excellence on the mound. Jacob deGrom espn.com will get another shot at baseball history Thursday night when he takes the mound for the Rangers, sitting just 1989 strikeouts away from becoming the second-fastest pitcher to reach the 2,000-K milestone.
Pirates Struggles
Pittsburgh Pirates espn.com ace Paul Skenes admitted he has plenty to work on after his latest rough outing bumped his ERA to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 when the season began. The young pitcher's struggles have raised concerns about the team's direction despite high expectations for 2026. Meanwhile, the Pirates made a roster move, acquiring veteran catcher Christian Bethancourt espn.com from the Yankees for cash considerations to bolster their catching depth.
Brewers Success
Despite having the best record in baseball, Milwaukee Brewers espn.com manager Pat Murphy remains grounded, stating he doesn't think his team has played great baseball. The Brewers appear well on their way to earning an eighth playoff berth in nine seasons, but Murphy's humility suggests there's still room for improvement in their push toward October.
Injury Updates
The Mets' challenging season took another hit when they placed Jorge Polanco espn.com on the 10-day IL with left ankle bursitis, with ankle surgery planned. Polanco's injury likely ends his difficult first season with the team, adding to the Mets' mounting injury concerns.
Technology Controversy
The Orioles voiced strong criticism of MLB's technology after Pete Alonso's espn.com deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and upheld on review Wednesday night against the Yankees. The incident has sparked calls for MLB to modernize its ballpark technology to ensure accurate calls in crucial situations.
Rankings and Prospects
Atlanta Braves espn.com jumped to the No. 3 spot in the latest MLB Power Rankings as the NL continues to dominate the top. The updated MLB top 100 prospects espn.com for 2026 reveal which future stars have surged up the list following the draft and trade season.