MLB · Big Mike's Desk
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MLBBreaking
Phillies Go From Collapse to Clinch, Take the Final NL Wild Card 7-3 Over Tampa Bay
Harper and Philadelphia needed all 162 to settle it. Now they get about 36 hours to turn a month of white knuckles into a road opener in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon.
MLB
MLB Best Bets Today: What I'm Eyeing on Closing Sunday
MLB
Francisco Lindor's 300th Home Run Lands in the Mets' Finale
MLB
Philadelphia Phillies Odds Movement: -125 to -200 in a Game 162 Elimination Spot
The wire
Injuries only →- MLBAstros win their 5th AL West title in the last 6 years, despite 81-81 recordThe Astros won their fifth AL West title in six years despite finishing with the worst record for a first-place team, beating the Athletics 9-0 Sunday behind Lucas Spence's two-run triple to finish at 81-81.
- MLB2026 MLB playoffs: World Series odds, postseason previewHave Fall Classic or bust hopes this postseason? Here's why your team could be playing late into October ... or get sent home early.
- MLBPhillies go from collapse to clinch, secure wild card berthBryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-3, on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of their fans, finally clinching the final National League wild-card spot on the final day of the regular season.
- MLBPhillies go from collapse to clinch, secure wild-card berthThe Phillies defeated the Rays 7-3 on Sunday and untangled a few thousand knots inside the stomachs of their fans, clinching the final National League wild-card spot on the final day of the regular season.
- MLB2026 MLB playoffs: Schedule, postseason bracket, standingsWe have your one-stop shop for everything you need to keep up with all the action this October.
- MLBGiants' Tony Vitello ejected for arguing about a checked swingSan Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello finished his first season in the clubhouse on Sunday after being ejected an MLB-leading seventh time.
- MLBAndrés Chaparro's 2-homer game lifts Nationals over Mets 6-4 in season finale— Andrés Chaparro homered twice and the Washington Nationals defeated the New York Mets 6-4 on Sunday in the season finale for both teams.
- MLBFrancisco Lindor hits 300th career home run in Mets' finaleFrancisco Lindor hit his 300th home run in the second inning of the New York Mets' season finale against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
- MLBNew York Mets vs. Washington Nationals: Game Highlights
- MLBWillson Contreras back in Red Sox lineup ahead of playoffsWillson Contreras returned to the Boston Red Sox lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale after missing eight games because of an injured right hand, raising hopes he will be ready for the playoffs after he cast doubt on his status just days earlier.
- MLBWillson Contreras back in Red Sox lineup ahead of playoffsWillson Contreras returned to the Boston Red Sox lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale after missing eight games because of an injured right hand, raising hopes he will be ready for the playoffs after he cast doubt on his status just days earlier.
- MLBWillson Contreras back in Red Sox lineup ahead of playoffsWillson Contreras returned to the Boston Red Sox lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale after missing eight games because of an injured right hand, raising hopes he will be ready for the playoffs after he cast doubt on his status just days earlier.
- MLBRain forces cancellation of Orioles-Yankees regular-season finaleThe regular-season finale between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees on Sunday was canceled because of sustained rain.
- MLBYankees give Cam Schlittler Game 1 start against Red SoxAmerican League Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler will start for the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the best-of-three wild-card series Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox.
- MLBRain forces cancellation of Orioles-Yankees regular-season finaleThe regular-season finale between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees on Sunday was canceled because of sustained rain.
- MLBFrancisco Lindor hits 300th career home run in Mets' finaleFrancisco Lindor hit his 300th home run in the second inning of the New York Mets' season finale against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
- MLBFrancisco Lindor hits 300th career home run in Mets' finaleFrancisco Lindor hit his 300th home run in the second inning of the New York Mets' season finale against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
- MLBSchlittler to start Yankees' wild-card opener against Boston
- MLBSchlittler to start Yankees' wild-card opener against BostonAmerican League Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler will start for the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the best-of-three wild-card series Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox.
- MLBAngels vs. Mariners (Sep 27, 2026) Game StatsComplete team stats and game leaders for the Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners MLB game from September 27, 2026 on ESPN.
- MLBPlayoff Chaos and Legends Close the BookPlayoff Picture Goes Nuclear on Final Day AL West Death Match – Houston and Texas, both 80-81, square off in a worst-record-ever playoff clincher. Astros own the tiebreaker, but Texas gets the easier draw at Minnesota while Houston faces an unknown arm in Sacramento. Winner hosts the White Sox in the Wild Card round starting Tuesday. NL Wild Card Roulette – Philly leads Arizona by one game, but the D-backs hold the tiebreaker. Phillies host Tampa Bay; Arizona visits San Diego. If Philly loses and Arizona wins, the Diamondbacks steal the last spot and head to Atlanta. Yordan Alvarez: MVP Lock The Astros slugger is lapping the field. No AL hitter comes close to his numbers—video evidence shows a man playing a different game. If Houston sneaks into October, Alvarez could single-handedly drag them deep. Verlander’s Final Ledger 266 wins, 3,560 Ks (8th all-time), 3 Cy Youngs, 2 rings. The numbers don’t lie: 21 years, zero doubt. Hall call is a formality. Big Mike’s take? The guy was stil
- MLBGuardians Win, Verlander Bows Out, Mets Find a GemGuardians Defy the Odds—Again The Cleveland Guardians just clinched their division for the 7th time in 11 years—all while sporting the 30th-ranked payroll in MLB. That’s not just luck; that’s a front office outworking everyone else. Small-market magic? More like small-market mastery. Verlander’s Emotional Farewell Justin Verlander walked off the mound one last time, holding his daughter’s hand. The man threw 250+ wins, two Cy Youngs, and a no-hitter in the World Series. If that’s not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, what is? The game’s losing a legend—no debate. Mets’ Rookie Rojas Looks Like a Steal Jefferson Rojas, 21 years old, just slashed .274/.338/.505 with 27 HR, 93 RBI, and 21 SB in his first full pro season. The Mets swiped him from the Cubs in the Clay Holmes trade—and that deal’s already looking lopsided. If Rojas keeps this up, he’s not just a highlight; he’s the future.
- MLBPhillies Collapse Puts Jobs, Legacies on LineGame 162: Do or Die in Philly The Phillies’ historic choke last night wasn’t just another L—it was a franchise-defining disaster. After blowing a playoff spot they had all but locked up, Philly’s front office is in full panic mode. Manager Don Mattingly rolled the dice with Aaron Nola on two days’ rest, and it backfired. Now, with the season hanging by a thread, jobs are on the chopping block. Mattingly’s legacy? Tainted. The front office’s future? Cloudy. One game decides it all today. Rays Roll, Caminero Makes History While Philly melts down, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero is putting the finishing touches on a monster season. The 21-year-old phenom will become just the third Ray to play all 162 games, capping a year where he slashed .295/.360/.520 with 30+ bombs. Manager Kevin Cash isn’t sweating the playoffs—he’s got a lineup firing on all cylinders, and Caminero’s durability is the cherry on top. The Stakes Phillies: Win or watch the offseason start early (and ugly). Rays: Locked in
- MLBWhat to watch during MLB's final day of the 2026 seasonThere's still much to play for entering the final day of the regular season. We have your guide to the last few games of baseball before October.
- MLBMLB, White House discuss playing game at national parkThe White House said in a statement that MLB asked the administration about hosting a game at a national park, adding that the National Park Service has not granted a permit to do so.
- MLBMLB, White House discuss playing game at national parkThe White House said in a statement that MLB asked the administration about hosting a game at a national park, adding that the National Park Service has not granted a permit to do so.
- MLBMLB, White House discuss playing game at national parkThe White House said in a statement that MLB asked the administration about hosting a game at a national park, adding that the National Park Service has not granted a permit to do so.
- MLBMLB betting tips for Sunday: Athletics seek to play spoiler roleAll of the odds, recommended prop bets and trends in baseball for Sunday, September 27.
- MLBMLB betting tips for Sunday: Athletics seek to play spoiler roleAll of the odds, recommended prop bets and trends in baseball for Sunday, September 27.
- MLBFantasy Baseball Reliever Depth ChartOur updated reliever depth chart displays the closer hierarchy for each team, as well as the fatigue factor in each MLB bullpen.
- MLBFantasy baseball news: Judgment day arrives for Rangers, Astros, Phillies, D-backsAll of the important fantasy spin and actionable takeaways resulting from the latest baseball news.
- MLBFantasy baseball news: Judgment day arrives for Rangers, Astros, Phillies, D-backsAll of the important fantasy spin and actionable takeaways resulting from the latest baseball news.
- MLBMLB Playoff Races Intensify as Seasons and Careers ConcludeKey StoriesPhillies turn to Aaron Nola on short rest amid wild-card collapse — The Philadelphia Phillies, now clinging to a one-game wild-card lead, will start Aaron Nola on two days' rest in a desperate bid to avoid a late-season collapse. The move underscores the team's urgency as their once-comfortable playoff position unravels.Astros and Rangers face historic playoff clinch with losing records — The Astros and Rangers could become the first teams in MLB history to reach the playoffs with losing records, highlighting a potential shift in postseason competitiveness and the implications of expanded playoff formats.Dodgers predicted to land Tarik Skubal in decade-long free-agent deal — The Dodgers are projected to sign left-handed starter Tarik Skubal to a long-term contract, signaling their intent to bolster their rotation for sustained contention in the coming years.Blue Jays and Padres eye key free-agent starters for offseason upgrades — The Blue Jays
- MLBMLB playoff picture 2026: Clinching scenarios, bracket, scheduleFrom current playoff matchups to the postseason schedule, we have everything you need to know.
- MLBPadres secure home-field advantage in wild-card rematch with CubsThe Padres beat the Diamondbacks 10-7 on Saturday to wrap up the No. 4 seed in the NL playoffs and will host every game in a best-of-three Wild Card Series against the fifth-seeded Cubs.
- MLBPadres secure home-field advantage in wild-card rematch with CubsThe Padres beat the Diamondbacks 10-7 on Saturday to wrap up the No. 4 seed in the NL playoffs and will host every game in a best-of-three Wild Card Series against the fifth-seeded Cubs.
- MLBPhillies lose 4th straight game in last-week collapse, will play for NL wild card in season finale— Aaron Nola was hit hard on two days' rest and the Phillies bullpen unraveled in a 12-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night, forcing...
- MLBRangers' quest for AL West title, .500 record down to last dayThe Texas Rangers' quest for an AL West title -- and a .500 record -- will go down to the final day of the regular season.
- MLBRangers' quest for AL West title, .500 record down to last dayThe Texas Rangers' quest for an AL West title -- and a .500 record -- will go down to the final day of the regular season.
- MLBGuardians clinch AL Central title, No. 2 seed in playoffsThe Guardians are AL Central champions for the third straight season after an 11-5 win over the Royals on Saturday night. They are assured the No. 2 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye.
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