MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

Red Sox Rally Continues

The Boston Red Sox continued their remarkable turnaround with a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres at Progressive Field on Saturday, becoming the third American League franchise to reach 10,000 all-time wins. The organization, founded in 1901, has won 27 of its last 30 games, marking the best stretch in modern MLB history. Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida left Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with left hamstring tightness, casting some doubt over his availability for Sunday's series finale. Despite the injury concern, Boston's pitching staff has anchored what has become the hottest team in baseball, with their 2.30 ERA over the past month ranking among the league's best. The Red Sox climb has reignited World Series speculation in Beantown, where fans are daring to dream again after a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw them finish last in the AL East.

MVP Race Heats Up

The National League MVP race has crystallized into a compelling three-horse contest between the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, the Cubs' Ian Happ, and the Brewers' Jackson Chourio, with each player making a strong case through different avenues. Ohtani's dual-threat prowess continued on Saturday when Brewers hard-thrower Jacob Misiorowski struck him out during Milwaukee's 4-1 win over Los Angeles, though the two-way star did collect a walk and steal his 25th base of the season. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman's first career three-homer game — complete with a career-high seven RBIs — powered the Cubs to a dominant 12-6 victory over the Nationals on Wednesday night. The performance vaulted Bregman into the MVP conversation, as his .312/.428/.589 slash line leads the Cubs' offense. In Philadelphia, Kyle Schwarber's two Field of Dreams cornfield homers extended his major-league-leading total to 37 long balls, helping the Phillies secure a 7-1 victory over the Twins in Iowa.

Injury Updates Across the League

The Dodgers received encouraging news on Saturday when manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani threw a 35-pitch bullpen session and remains on track for a potential return to the mound later this season. Roberts stated he felt "pretty confident" about Ohtani's ability to pitch again, though the timeline remains fluid given the complexity of his recovery from elbow inflammation. However, Los Angeles faced a setback when Freddie Freeman took a frightening tumble down the stairs and into the visitors dugout while attempting to catch a foul popup during Thursday's game. Freeman was listed as day-to-day with a contusion, avoiding what could have been a serious injury. The team also placed reliever Abner Uribe on the 15-day injured list due to a forearm flexor strain, further depleting their bullpen depth.

Prospects Make Their Mark

Cardinals rookie outfielder Joshua Baez etched his name into the MLB record books on Friday night, becoming the first player in history to hit three home runs in his first three career plate appearances. The 21-year-old's historic debut came during St. Louis' game against the Cubs, where his three long balls included two two-run shots and a grand slam that accounted for six of the Cardinals' runs in their 11-4 victory. Baez's performance capped a whirlwind week for top prospects, with several organizations calling up impact players ahead of the September roster expansion. The Brewers added to their infield depth by acquiring Jonathan Ornelas from the Athletics in a trade designed to shore up their middle-infield defense, while the Blue Jays continued bolstering their pitching staff by claiming veteran Paul Sewald off waivers from the Diamondbacks.

Power Rankings Shake-Up

For the first time in nearly two months, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves outside the top spot in ESPN's MLB Power Rankings, as the Milwaukee Brewers have surged to claim the No. 1 position. The Brewers' ascent reflects their dominant 8-2 record over the past week, highlighted by their series-clinching victory over the Dodgers on Saturday. Milwaukee's success stems from a combination of timely hitting and improved starting pitching, with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff combining for 14 strikeouts in their respective starts. The shift in rankings also signals growing confidence in the Brewers' ability to compete deep into October, particularly after their acquisition of additional bullpen support at the trade deadline. The Dodgers, meanwhile, remain a formidable force despite their slide, sitting at No. 3 in the latest poll behind the Brewers and the Houston Astros.

Standout Pitching Performances

Cade Cavalli came within two outs of throwing a no-hitter on Thursday night, carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning before the Nationals ultimately defeated the Cubs 7-0 at Nationals Park. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out eight batters and walked only one before allowing a leadoff single in the seventh that broke up the no-hit bid. Cavalli's performance marked one of the most dominant outings of his young career and provided a bright spot in what has been a challenging season for the Nationals' rotation. In Milwaukee, Jacob Misiorowski showcased his electric arsenal by striking out both Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in a crucial bases-loaded jam during the Brewers' 4-1 victory over the Dodgers on Saturday. Misiorowski's slider proved particularly effective, generating weak contact and missing bats throughout his five innings of work.

Concussion Concerns Mount

The Blue Jays placed first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the seven-day concussion injured list on Friday, adding to a growing list of players dealing with head injuries across Major League Baseball. Guerrero, a six-time All-Star, was evaluated for a concussion after colliding with Yankees rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr. during Toronto's 3-1 victory over New York on Thursday night. The incident marked the second time in as many weeks that a prominent player has been sidelined with a concussion, following similar situations involving Padres outfielder Juan Soto and Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Blue Jays manager John Schneider emphasized that the team would take a cautious approach with Guerrero's recovery, noting that the seven-day protocol provides adequate time for proper evaluation and treatment.

Veteran Moves and Transactions

The Athletics continued their youth movement by optioning shortstop Colt Emerson to Triple-A Tacoma before Friday's game against the Houston Astros, ending the 21-year-old's brief Major League debut. Emerson, who was hitting just .190 with 23 RBIs in 69 games, will benefit from additional seasoning in the minors as Oakland looks toward 2025. The move cleared the way for the Athletics to promote top prospect Jackson Merrill, who has been pushing for his first call-up after posting a .320/.385/.512 slash line at Triple-A Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Mariners made the difficult decision to send struggling infield prospect Noelvi Marte back to the minors, hoping to restore his confidence and refine his approach at the plate. These transactions reflect the ongoing balancing act between developing young talent and maintaining competitive rosters as teams jockey for playoff positioning.

Field of Dreams Spectacle

The annual Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa delivered its usual share of memorable moments, with 26 Hall of Fame members emerging from the outfield corn to greet fans before Thursday's matchup between the Phillies and Twins. The ceremony, which paid homage to the film's iconic "build it and he will come" theme, featured legends including Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, all dressed in period uniforms that matched the 1989 movie aesthetic. Kyle Schwarber's two homers into the cornfield stood as the game's biggest highlight, though both teams struggled offensively in the unusual outdoor setting. The Twins activated Byron Buxton for the game after the outfielder missed 14 games with a right hip injury, and his presence provided a much-needed boost to Minnesota's lineup despite going 0-for-4 against Aaron Nola.

Rangers' Rotation Woes Deepen

The Texas Rangers suffered another significant blow to their starting rotation when ace Jacob deGrom exited Thursday night's start against the Angels after just two innings due to right triceps fatigue. The injury marks another chapter in de Grom's frustrating tenure with the Rangers, who signed the future Hall of Famer to a five-year, $185 million contract in the offseason. DeGrom's departure left the Rangers scrambling to adjust their rotation schedule, with Martin Perez expected to move up in the rotation to provide additional innings. The setback also raises questions about Texas's ability to compete in the AL West, where they trail the Astros by just two games but face mounting pressure to stay healthy through the final two months of the regular season.

As the calendar turns to September, the playoff picture continues to take shape with several key storylines converging. The Red Sox remain the league's hottest team, while the Brewers have established themselves as legitimate World Series contenders. Injuries to key players like Ohtani, Freeman, and Guerrero will likely determine whether their respective teams can maintain their current trajectories. With the trade deadline fallout still settling and prospects like Baez making immediate impacts, the final two months promise plenty of drama as teams position themselves for October baseball. The MVP race, Cy Young competitions, and Rookie of the Year battles have all reached critical junctures, ensuring that every game carries heightened importance for players and fans alike.