MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 20, 2026, 8:20 AM ET

Pitching Performances

Paul Skenes continues to battle through his roughest stretch in the majors after his ERA climbed to 3.95 following a rocky outing that more than doubled his previous season mark of 1.96. The Pirates have responded by pushing back his next start by three days, citing velocity struggles as the primary concern for their young ace. Meanwhile, Jacob deGrom is trending toward a Thursday start for the Rangers, one week after exiting early due to injury, which would give him another opportunity to reach the 2,000-strikeout milestone faster than all but one pitcher in history. Cade Cavalli followed his near-no-hitter with six scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts in the Nationals' 6-0 victory over Texas, while Noah Cameron threw a complete-game one-hitter against the Angels after losing his no-hitter bid in the seventh. The Athletics activated lefty Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day injured list and scheduled him to start against Kansas City, whereas the Dodgers placed starter Justin Wrobleski on the IL with forearm inflammation. Carlos Rodon was activated by the Yankees for their game against the Orioles, though Max Fried was simultaneously moved to the 15-day IL due to a left elbow bruise. The Diamondbacks placed Ketel Marte on the restricted list after the All-Star failed to show up for Monday night's game against the Red Sox.

Offensive Highlights

Shohei Ohtani provided a major boost to the Dodgers' lineup with two home runs while also reporting that his knee feels good after a recent bullpen session. Fernando Tatis Jr. made highlight-reel plays on both ends, robbing Francisco Lindor of a potential grand slam before launching two home runs that led the Padres to a 5-2 win over the Mets. Pete Crow-Armstrong joined the NL MVP conversation in earnest after becoming the first player since 2010 to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run in the same game, helping the Cubs rally past the White Sox 7-5 in 10 innings. Elly De La Cruz delivered his first career walk-off hit in the 10th inning, capping a dramatic comeback that saw Dane Myers hit a tying pinch-hit homer in the ninth as the Reds edged past the Cardinals 6-5. Jo Adell's career night—including a 455-foot three-run homer and six RBIs—was cut short when he left Cleveland's 8-1 win over San Francisco due to a knee injury before the eighth inning. The Mets' rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing combined to throw out three runners at home plate in the first two innings, with Benge accounting for two of those assists. Christian Yelich, and Luis Lara each launched three-run homers during the Brewers' record-setting 22-0 shutout of the Mariners, a performance that tied the modern-era mark for the largest shutout in a game.

Injury Updates

Jorge Polanco's difficult first season with the Mets came to an end when he was placed on the 10-day injured list with left ankle bursitis, with ankle surgery planned. Cody Bellinger remains day-to-day for the Yankees but could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton as soon as Thursday. Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was activated from the injured list before Wednesday night's game against the Yankees, adding depth to Baltimore's roster. Tyler Soderstrom became the latest Athletics slugger to land on the IL, joining Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers on the sidelines after the 24-year-old was placed on the 10-day list. Chase DeLauter exited Cleveland's game against the Padres before the third inning due to mild left hamstring tightness, casting doubt over his availability Dansby Swanson will miss at least four weeks after being diagnosed with a left oblique strain, a significant blow to the Cubs' infield defense. Edwin Diaz was also placed on the IL by the Dodgers due to inflammation in the right side of his shoulder, compounding concerns around their bullpen.

Team Moves & Front Office News

The Pirates bolstered their catching corps by acquiring veteran Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations, adding experience behind the plate. MLB team owners unanimously approved the sale of the Padres to an investment group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones for $3.9 billion. The Rockies made a change to their rotation by designating veteran Michael Lorenzen for assignment after a disappointing season in which he went 3-11 with a 7.08 ERA. The Orioles are optimistic about the return timelines for both Félix Bautista and Blaze Alexander, with both players potentially beginning rehab assignments by the end of the week according to the club's weekly injury report.

Standings & Tiebreakers

The Brewers continue to assert themselves as one of the top teams in baseball with the best record in the league, though manager Pat Murphy remains cautious about the hype surrounding his club. Despite their dominance, including the record-setting 22-0 rout of the Mariners, Murphy emphasized that his team hasn't played great baseball consistently yet. The Dodgers suffered a significant setback in the race for home-field advantage after a 6-2 loss to the Brewers on Sunday, prompting manager Dave Roberts to publicly criticize his club's offensive and defensive execution. The Cubs remain competitive in the NL Central thanks in part to Crow-Armstrong's heroics, while the Reds continue to fight for playoff positioning after De La Cruz's dramatic walk-off win.

Controversy & Technology

The Orioles voiced frustration with MLB's technology infrastructure after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and upheld on review during Wednesday night's game against the Yankees. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the accuracy and consistency of ballpark technology across the league. Additionally, the Padres' minor league catching coordinator Oswaldo Pirela was detained by ICE at the El Paso International Airport early Sunday, raising questions about immigration enforcement and its impact on baseball operations staff.

Player Milestones

Jacob deGrom is on track to become only the second-fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 2000 career strikeouts if he starts as expected on Thursday night for the Rangers. His pursuit adds another chapter to what has already been a landmark season individually, even as he works to regain full form after recent injury setbacks. For Pete Crow-Armstrong, his dual-homer performance marked a career-defining moment that solidified his status as a legitimate NL MVP candidate heading into the final months of the season.

Managerial Moves

Dave Roberts took the unusual step of openly criticizing his Dodgers squad after their loss to the Brewers, calling out both the offense and defense for inconsistent execution. His candid remarks came at a crucial point in the season as Los Angeles looks to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Pat Murphy, meanwhile, maintained his trademark humility despite the Brewers' impressive record, insisting that his team still has plenty of room for improvement even as they sit atop the league standings.

Fan Engagement

Baseball games have become noticeably louder across ballparks this season, with teams intentionally increasing volume levels to enhance the fan experience and create a more electric atmosphere. This trend reflects broader efforts by MLB to engage younger audiences and make attending games more immersive and memorable. The strategy appears to be paying off, particularly at popular venues where crowd noise has reached new heights of intensity.

Retirement News

Trey Mancini announced his retirement from professional baseball, bringing an inspiring journey to an end. A cancer survivor who overcame colon cancer to return to the majors, Mancini most recently played for the Angels before stepping away from the game. His retirement marks the conclusion of a resilient career defined by perseverance and determination both on and off the field.

Fantasy Baseball

As the trade deadline approaches, fantasy managers are actively scanning the waiver wire for impactful additions. Names like Caglianone and Baez headline this week's must-have options, offering potential upgrades in key statistical categories. With many teams beginning to rest regular starters in preparation for the playoffs, savvy fantasy players are looking to capitalize on short-term opportunities presented by player movement and changing roles.

Record Books

The Brewers' 22-0 shutout of the Mariners etched their names into the record books as they tied the modern-era mark for the largest margin of victory in a shutout game. The performance was highlighted by a power surge that included three-run homers from three different players—Yelich, Hamilton, and Lara—and a two-run shot from Jak. The achievement underscores Milwaukee's offensive firepower and serves as a statement to the rest of the league about their championship aspirations.

Rookie Spotlight

Young players continue to make their presence felt across the majors, with rookies like Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing delivering memorable performances in crucial situations. Benge's two throw-outs at home plate in a single game showcased the defensive potential that made him a highly touted prospect. These emerging talents represent the future of the game and provide exciting glimpses into what's to come for their respective franchises.

As teams jockey for playoff positioning in the final weeks of the regular season, every game carries added weight. Pitching matchups will likely determine many of the outcomes, with aces like de Grom and Skenes working to reclaim their dominant forms. The injury situations for key players like Bellinger, Swanson, and Diaz will also play a critical role in shaping each team's playoff chances