MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: August 26, 2026, 2:58 PM ET

AL West & Wild-Card Picture

The American League postseason race is historically mediocre, and this year's contenders are putting that futility into context. The division and wild-card chases remain wide open, with no team separating itself from the pack. Arizona continues to thrive in chaos, as rookie Ryan Waldschmidt pinch-hit a walk-off homer with two outs in the ninth to stun the Cubs 5-4. It marked the Diamondbacks' major-league-leading 40th comeback win of the season, a milestone that underscores their resilience amid a crowded wild-card chase.

Injury Updates

Byron Buxton's troublesome hip flared up again, forcing the Twins center fielder out of Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Athletics in Sacramento. Buxton, has already been on the injured list twice this year for right hip issues, and his latest setback raises further questions about his availability down the stretch. The Cardinals will be without their shortstop for at least 10 days, as Masyn Winn was placed on the IL with a broken left thumb. San Francisco's pitching staff took another hit when Carson Whisenhunt tore the UCL in his pitching elbow and will likely need surgery, a blow for an injury-plagued rotation. The White Sox placed reliever Huascar Brazoban on the 15-day IL and recalled Jonathan Cannon from Triple-A Charlotte.

Around the League

Paul Skenes delivered his best outing in weeks, throwing six shutout innings as the Pirates edged the Padres 1-0. Oneil Cruz provided the decisive blow, homering off Mason Miller — the first long ball Miller has allowed in over a year, and a sign of Skenes' returning form. The Cubs made history in their own right, scoring their 30th unanswered run over a three-game stretch, breaking the franchise record of 29 set in 1969. Milwaukee rookie Cooper Pratt learned a tough lesson Tuesday night, as manager Pat Murphy benched him for failing to hustle out of the box on a popup. "You've got to be locked in," Murphy said, adding there was no excuse for the lapse.

Front Office & Off-Field News

Astros owner Jim Crane confirmed that manager Joe Espada will finish the season, one day after the club parted ways with general manager Dana Brown. A Padres minor league coordinator who was detained by federal immigration officers in Texas has been released on bond, allowing him to return to his duties. For Venezuelan MLB stars, the joy of the WBC has been eclipsed by tragedy back home, as they shift focus from celebration to earthquake relief efforts. "It's really hard to go to sleep," one player said, as the relief effort consumes their attention.

Fantasy & Business

For those who made the fantasy baseball playoffs, Tristan's September strategy covers everything from streaming pitchers to managing injured stars, offering a comprehensive guide to winning when it matters most. Off the field, the baseball card market has exploded past $1 billion in value, fueled largely by Shohei Ohtani's skyrocketing cards — including one that sold for $11 million, a record that highlights the industry's resurgence.