MLB Baseball 3 Days

Last updated: August 21, 2026, 1:47 AM ET

Power Rankings & Standings

MLB power rankings continue to reflect the National League's dominance, with the Atlanta Braves climbing to No. 3 after overtaking the Tampa Bay Rays. The NL now claims six of the top 10 spots, signaling a shift in league-wide momentum. Milwaukee remains at the summit following their record-breaking 22-0 shutout victory, while the Brewers' 8-1 record over their last nine games has solidified their position as the top seed. The American League wild-card race remains fluid, with the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers gaining ground as September approaches.

Prospects & Call-Ups

MLB top 100 prospects received a major shakeup after the draft and trade deadline, with several names making significant jumps. The Seattle Mariners called up Kade Anderson, their No. 1 pitching prospect and the top arm in baseball, to start against the Cubs on Saturday. Anderson posted a 2.89 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A this season before his promotion. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Nestor Cortes to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million in the majors and $250,000 in the minors, adding veteran depth to their rotation.

Injuries & IL Moves

The injury report grew thicker across multiple clubs this week. Ketel Marte was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Arizona Diamondbacks, three days after he failed to show up for a game in Boston. The team later moved him to the restricted list before finalizing the IL transfer. Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia is likely headed back to the injured list with a hamstring strain, just three days after returning from a nearly two-month absence. The Mets dealt a blow to their playoff hopes by placing Jorge Polanco on the 10-day IL with left ankle bursitis, with surgery now planned. Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams is day-to-day after spraining his left ankle during a slide in Wednesday's win over the Rangers.

Pitching Performances

Paul Skenes continues to grapple with inconsistency despite high expectations. After a rocky outing that bumped his ERA to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 from earlier this season, the Pirates ace acknowledged there's plenty to improve. Jacob de Grom remains on track for a historic milestone, as he eyes his 2,000th strikeout in his upcoming start against the Nationals. The Rangers confirmed he could start Thursday, a week after exiting early due to injury concerns. The Yankees activated Carlos Rodon for their series opener against the Orioles but simultaneously placed Max Fried on the 15-day IL with a left elbow bruise.

Offensive Highlights

Shohei Ohtani delivered a statement performance with two home runs, assuring Dodgers fans that his knee is fully recovered after recent bullpen sessions. His latest multi-HR game marked his 18th of the season, extending his lead in the NL home run race. The San Diego Padres witnessed one of the most spectacular defensive plays of the year as Fernando Tatis Jr. robbed Francisco Lindor of a grand slam in the sixth inning before launching two homers of his own in a 5-2 win over the Mets. Chicago Cubs rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong became the first player since 2010 to hit both a leadoff and walk-off home run in the same game, powering the Cubs to a 7-5, 10-inning victory over the White Sox at Wrigley Field.

Team Moves & Transactions

The Athletics are inching closer to their Las Vegas future. Construction on the new stadium added its second steel truss arch, continuing the vertical build that will anchor the franchise's relocation. In Kansas City, the city council approved a $600 million pledge toward the Royals' new downtown ballpark, clearing a major financial hurdle for the project. The Dodgers placed Edwin Diaz on the injured list due to right-side inflammation, dealing another setback to their bullpen. The Pirates acquired Christian Bethancourt from the Yankees for cash considerations, bolstering their catching depth behind the plate.

Roster Moves & Returns

The Orioles activated Samuel Basallo from the injured list ahead of their matchup with the Yankees, restoring a key piece to their lineup. Baltimore reliever Félix Bautista and utilityman Blaze Alexander are both nearing rehab assignments, potentially returning within the week. Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton as early as Thursday, per manager Aaron Boone. The Athletics activated Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day IL and scheduled him to start against Kansas City, marking his return after a hip injury that sidelined him for over a month.

Retirements & Legacy

Cancer survivor Trey Mancini announced his retirement, bringing an inspirational chapter in baseball to a close. After overcoming colon cancer and making a successful return to the majors with the Astros and later the Angels, Mancini concluded his career with a brief stint in Anaheim. His resilience became a beacon for athletes facing health challenges, and his retirement ceremony is expected to take place during the Angels' final home series.

Controversies & Criticism

The Orioles criticized MLB's technology after Pete Alonso's deep fly ball to left field was ruled foul and upheld upon review during their game against the Yankees. The team called for improvements to ballpark technology, arguing that the current systems lag behind other major sports in accuracy and consistency. Manager Brandon Hyde expressed frustration, noting that similar plays have been misjudged multiple times this season. MLB responded with a statement acknowledging ongoing reviews of replay protocols but stopped short of committing to immediate changes.

Notable Performances

Jo Adell delivered a career night for the Cleveland Guardians before suffering a knee injury. His six-RBI performance included a 455-foot three-run homer, but he left the game in the seventh inning due to discomfort. The Guardians went on to defeat the Giants 8-1. In the minors, Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli followed up his one-hitter with six scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts in the Nationals' 6-0 win over the Rangers, showcasing his dominance on the mound.

MVP Race & Awards Buzz

The NL MVP race continues to heat up, with Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong emerging as the primary contenders. MLB players polled by ESPN weighed in on the tightening battle, with many praising PCA's all-around impact and Ohtani's historic dual-threat ability. The conversation intensified after PCA's walk-off heroics and Ohtani's two-homer performance, both of which underscored their respective cases. As the season enters its final month, both players remain neck-and-neck in the eyes of their peers.

Fan Engagement & Media

Baseball games are getting louder by design, as teams across the league increase audio volume to enhance the fan experience. From amplified crowd noise systems to interactive light shows, ballparks are transforming into entertainment venues. The trend reflects MLB's broader push to attract younger audiences and compete with streaming platforms for attention. Teams like the Brewers and Padres have led the charge, installing state-of-the-art sound systems that respond to game action in real time.

Television & Viewership

MLB's return to the Field of Dreams game site in Dyersville, Iowa, drew 1.66 million viewers on Netflix, marking the first such matchup in four years. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs captured national attention, particularly after Elly De La Cruz's walk-off hit in the 10th inning sealed a 6-5 victory. The viewership numbers represent a modest increase from last year's broadcast and underscore baseball's growing presence on streaming platforms.

Fantasy Baseball

With the trade deadline behind us, fantasy managers are eyeing free agent options like Bobby Witt Jr., Francisco Lindor, and Gleyber Torres. Names like Jackson Merrill and Paul Skenes have also surfaced as potential sleepers down the stretch. The waiver wire remains active as teams jockey for playoff positioning, and several impact players could change hands before September ends.

Ownership & Business

MLB unanimously approved the $3.9 billion sale of the San Diego Padres to an investor group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones. The transaction marks one of the largest valuations in baseball history and sets a new benchmark for franchise worth. The new ownership group has pledged to invest in player personnel and facility upgrades, with plans to extend key players and pursue additional star free agents in the coming offseason.