MLB Baseball 24 Hours

Last updated: September 16, 2026, 6:03 AM ET

Guardians Walked Off by White Sox Again

Brayan Rocchio delivered the decisive blow with a two-out, two-strike base hit down the line in the ninth, rescuing Cleveland and handing the White Sox another gutting loss. The result flipped a game Chicago had controlled late, and it marked yet another late-inning collapse for a White Sox club that has struggled to close out winnable division contests. Earlier in the same series, Tristan Peters worked an 18-pitch walk that proved the turning point in a key division win for Chicago, a rare bright spot in an otherwise bruising stretch of one-run baseball.

Alonso Reaches, Mets Win in 11

Pete Alonso launched his 300th career home run on Tuesday night, a tying shot in the ninth that brought Citi Field to its feet and earned him a curtain call. The Mets went on to win in 11 innings, capping a dramatic night in Queens. The milestone cements Alonso's place among the franchise's most prolific power hitters and gave the home crowd a moment worth remembering in a season of uneven results.

Brewers Clinch Fourth Straight NL Central Crown

Milwaukee secured its fourth consecutive NL Central title, clinching after a win combined with a Cubs loss. The Brewers have now owned the division since 2022, a run of sustained excellence built on pitching depth and timely hitting. Meanwhile, the Dodgers clinched their 14th straight playoff berth with a 4-1 victory, extending the longest active postseason streak in the sport. The Yankees joined the party as Aaron Judge hit his first home run since May 24, powering New York to a record 61st postseason appearance.

Injury Wave Hits Contenders

The Orioles' Shane Baz exited after taking a 105.1 mph liner off his arm during Tuesday's start against the Mets, a frightening moment that immediately raised concerns about his availability down the stretch. Atlanta placed Reynaldo Lopez on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation, thinning a Braves rotation already stretched thin. Philadelphia followed suit, placing 14-game winner Jesús Luzardo on the IL with shoulder inflammation, a significant blow to a Phillies staff eyeing October. Houston absorbed the hardest news, as Carlos Correa will not return this season due to his ankle injury, manager Joe Espada confirmed.

Red Sox and Ohtani Injury Updates

Boston received mixed signals on the health front: Justin Slaten likely will miss the rest of the season after his injured-list stint, while Garrett Crochet took another step toward a return. In Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani took his first swings off a tee on Tuesday and remains on track to rejoin the lineup, a welcome sign for a Dodgers team that just punched its playoff ticket.

Playoff Picture and Insider Picks

With the bracket taking shape, insiders weighed in on playoff favorites and toughest contenders, debating whether Milwaukee or Los Angeles deserves the "team to beat" label and which clubs loom as dangerous sleepers. A separate survey of all 30 clubs identified the biggest success and disappointment for each organization this season, from October-bound contenders to teams already headed home.

Francona Relieved as Reds Front Office Stays

Reds manager Terry Francona said he was relieved by reports that the club's president and general manager were expected to return, easing uncertainty around Cincinnati's leadership heading into the offseason.

Puerto Rico Pipeline Concerns on Clemente Day

On Roberto Clemente Day, MLB confronted a troubling reality: the pipeline from Puerto Rico to the major leagues is disintegrating, with those in the game warning that "what we're doing now ain't working." The decline in Puerto Rican representation stands as one of the sport's most pressing developmental challenges.