HOUSTON -- Tyler Mahle was part of a third-place Reds team that was swept by the Braves in the opening round of the expanded playoff format used during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. His hope to pitch in the 2023 playoffs for the Twins was erased when he underwent Tommy John

ST. PETERSBURG – Roman Anthony tore into the third pitch of Friday night’s game at Tropicana Field, perhaps making a Statcast-projected 438-foot statement into a short porch in right-center field that his slump is over. For good measure, the 22-year-old stepped up an inning later and came up with his

CLEVELAND -- As the Progressive Field crowd roared around him, José Ramírez paused and leaned back in the left-handed batter’s box to admire his work. There was no doubt where the baseball he launched to right field was headed. That image has played on repeat over the past 14 seasons.

LOS ANGELES -- As Shohei Ohtani works his way back from left knee and right biceps injuries, the Dodgers affirmed that he remains on pace to return before the regular season ends. His next step toward that goal came on Friday, when Ohtani hit coach-pitch batting practice.

PHOENIX -- Aaron Judge is going back on the injured list, meaning the Yankees must navigate the end of the regular season without their captain -- and potentially part of the playoffs. Judge will be placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain on Saturday, the team

LOS ANGELES -- Two days after he exited a start following just one inning due to left groin tightness, Blake Snell threw from 90 feet on the field at Dodger Stadium prior to Friday’s series opener against the Giants. He emerged feeling good, with the Dodgers believing they avoided the

“Friday Night Baseball” on Apple TV is back for 2026! This week's slate wraps up with a heated NL West rivalry as the postseason push comes to a head.

NEW YORK -- Nobody knows what would have happened if Jesús Luzardo had started on Friday night at Citi Field, just like nobody knows what would have happened if he had started last Saturday at Truist Park. The Phillies would’ve liked their chances, though.

ST. PETERSBURG -- It seems inevitable that the Rays’ four-game series at Yankee Stadium next week will decide the American League East race, one way or another. It’s impossible to avoid the anticipation for that showdown, which has enormous regular-season implications in addition to being a potential postseason preview. But

ST. PETERSBURG – As they head into the final 10 days of the regular season, the Red Sox are monitoring a plethora of injuries to key players. Given that the Sox still hold firm possession of the second American League Wild Card spot and could clinch a berth as early

CINCINNATI -- Right-hander Clay Holmes was on a roll until the sixth inning on Friday night, when the Cubs lost a one-run lead and the game, 6-4, to the Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs (85-69) are a half-game behind the Phillies for the top National League Wild

CHICAGO -- Tristan Peters left Friday’s game against the Tigers in the top of the fifth inning after injuring himself while trying to haul in Kevin McGonigle’s bases-clearing triple. The White Sox announced Peters has a left shoulder/rib contusion.

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers signed Edwin Díaz last offseason with every intention of him being their closer, for 2026 and beyond. As he returns from his second injured list stint this season, he finds himself needing to fight for a role in L.A.’s postseason bullpen.

The 2026 postseason is approaching. As you keep an eye on the standings, here is everything you need to know about how the playoff field is shaping up, as well as info about potential tiebreakers and clinch scenarios for each contender.

• MLB's postseason format, explained

The final month of the regular season is here, and MLB.TV has you covered. With the playoff chase heating up, fans can purchase an MLB.TV Seasonal package at a new low price for the season at $29.99. The Single Team package is available for $24.99. Subscribe now through ESPN --

CHICAGO – Justin Verlander took what could be his last step towards one more game appearance before retirement, facing hitters in a one-inning simulated game on Friday at Rate Field. It was brief, approximately 20 pitches to Tigers rookie hitters Brett Callahan and Ben Malgeri. But it was enough for

ST. LOUIS -- The enthralling debut stint for Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez has met a slightly premature conclusion. St. Louis placed the 23-year-old outfielder on the 10-day injured list (left oblique strain) ahead of Friday night’s series opener against Washington at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals recalled infielder César Prieto in

CHICAGO – Tomorrow’s scheduled game between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers has been rescheduled to a 1:10 p.m. CT first pitch due to a forecast of inclement weather. Parking lots will open at 11:10 a.m. with gates to Rate Field opening at 11:40 a.m. All tickets for tomorrow’s

HOUSTON -- Robert Suarez is expected to make a Minor League rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, but the Braves haven’t revealed what else the elite setup man might do next week to shake off three months of rust and be ready for the start of the postseason. If

ARLINGTON -- Trey Yesavage threw a side session of around 30 pitches Friday at Globe Life Field that manager John Schneider said went well, potentially putting the Blue Jays right-hander in position to return as soon as Sunday. “That kind of hopefully lines him up for Sunday or Monday,” Schneider

CINCINNATI -- Two days after completing simulated game-like activities at Wrigley Field, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson was activated from the 10-day injured list and started ninth in the lineup against the Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park. Swanson missed 28 games because of a left oblique strain.

PITTSBURGH -- As the Pirates strive for their first winning season since 2018, a win over the Royals would clinch their best season since that same year. Pittsburgh defeated Kansas City, 8-5, to open a three-game series on Friday night at PNC Park. The Bucs (77-77) are on the brink

NEW YORK -- This time two years ago, Mark Vientos was atop the baseball world. Just 24 years old, Vientos was enjoying a breakout season that saw him hit 27 homers in 111 games, becoming a focal point of the Mets’ lineup. He was about to have one of the

The National League Central has had a strong 2026, from the Brewers’ MLB-best 95-58 record to MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski or a pair of leading Rookie of the Year candidates. A trio of the division’s stars could additionally make some unique offensive history. The Cardinals’

NEW YORK -- A day after suffering a head injury during a violent collision at first base, Mets infielder Jared Young was doing “as good as could be expected or hoped for,” according to manager Andy Green. Young was diagnosed with a concussion but discharged from the hospital overnight, after