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San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller missed Game 3 of the NLDS after being placed on the postseason paternity list Tuesday for the birth of his first child. Miller, who posted 38 saves, a 1.67 ERA, and 129 strikeouts in 70 innings, is eligible to miss up to three days. Wandy Peralta filled his roster spot, while his absence forced San Diego to use starter Michael King in relief to secure a 4-3 victory.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a 399-foot solo home run off Chris Sale in the fourth inning of NLDS Game 3, helping secure a 3-1 victory and 2-1 series lead over Atlanta. Moving up to the second spot in manager Dave Roberts' newly adjusted lineup, Freeman continued his stellar postseason legacy, boasting a career .268 batting average with 17 home runs and 40 RBIs through 81 playoff games as Los Angeles marches toward the NLCS.
Former outfielder Andrew McCutchen revealed on MLB Network that during his 2018 stint with New York, Yankees players harbored a psychological "cloud over their head" about playing at Tropicana Field. His comments came after New York fell behind 2-0 to the Rays in the ALDS. Despite the team's ongoing road struggles and anemic playoff offense, McCutchen remains optimistic, predicting that returning to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 will give New York the boost needed to rally.
New York Mets right fielder Carson Benge earned MLB 2026 All-Rookie First Team honors following a stellar campaign in which he registered a 20/20 season. The 23-year-old slashed .282/.346/.430 with 22 doubles and compiled a 4.3 WAR across 156 games, marking the third-highest WAR among rookie position players. Benge remains a top contender for the National League Rookie of the Year award.
New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean earned 2026 MLB All-Rookie Second Team honors after a remarkably consistent full rookie season. The 2025 standout made all 31 of his scheduled starts for New York, posting a 3.16 ERA over a career-high 179.2 innings pitched while striking out 194 batters. McLean anchored the Mets' rotation throughout the year alongside fellow Second-Team selection Logan Henderson.
New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing was named to MLB's 2026 All-Rookie Second Team following an impressive debut campaign. Promoted to the big leagues in May, the 21-year-old set a new franchise record for rookies by stealing 25 bases. Ewing compiled a 3.1 WAR across 120 games while delivering stellar outfield defense in center field and occasionally at the corners to cap off his standout rookie year.
Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña grounded out with two runners in scoring position during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, continuing a quiet postseason stretch. Manager Walt Weiss confirmed Acuña's knee is healthy following a lower leg contusion sustained late in the regular season. With Atlanta facing elimination in Game 4, Acuña and the Braves' core hitters must break through against Dodgers pitching to extend their season.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas left NLDS Game 3 against Atlanta in the eighth inning due to lower back and hip tightness suffered after fouling off a pitch. Rojas went 0-for-3 before departing. Though unlikely to start Game 4, manager Dave Roberts expects him to remain available off the bench. Rojas started at second base against left-hander Chris Sale as the Dodgers adjusted their lineup.
Milwaukee sends right-hander Dustin May to the mound to secure a series sweep against the San Diego Padres in NLDS Game 3. May went 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA overall and 2-2 with a 5.65 ERA across 10 starts with Milwaukee, striking out 38 over 36 2/3 innings. He previously posted a strong outing against San Diego in August, going over seven innings and allowing just one run in a no-decision. For his career, May carries a 3.14 ERA across 16 appearances against the Padres.
Right-hander Nick Pivetta takes the mound for San Diego in a must-win NLDS Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Pivetta posted a stellar 2.86 ERA and 42 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings across eight starts this season, maintaining a 1.64 ERA since returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the regular season. The 10-year veteran seeks his first career postseason win against Milwaukee, facing a tough challenge as the Padres try to avoid elimination.
Enrique Hernández launched a crucial two-run home run off Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale in the fourth inning of NLDS Game 3, sparking the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory. Making his first start of the postseason, Hernández deposited a changeup into the left-field seats for his 17th career postseason home run, helping the Dodgers take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and putting them just one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series.
Atlanta Braves reliever Brent Suter pitched during the eighth inning of NLDS Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. During Suter's outing, Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas suffered lower back tightness on a swing and was forced to exit mid-at-bat with a 1-1 count. Tommy Edman took over the plate appearance and popped out, as the Braves continued their effort in Game 3 against Los Angeles.
Yankees center fielder Spencer Jones continued his postseason slump, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts against Drew Rasmussen, bringing his postseason stats to 2-for-15 with seven strikeouts. Jones had a rough night defensively and offensively, including a towering fly ball that bounced off a stadium ring for an out. Manager Aaron Boone defended his outfield play, but the slumping rookie and the Yankees now find themselves facing potential postseason elimination.
Yankees rookie George Lombard Jr. endured a rough outing in a 5-2 playoff loss, committing two costly defensive miscues in the fifth inning while going hitless against Tampa Bay. Despite previously showing clutch postseason hitting with an RBI single and a strong series against Boston, the 21-year-old struggled to adjust to Tropicana Field's turf and now sits 0-for-7 in the series as the Yankees face the brink of elimination.
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss has shifted Mauricio Dubón back to left field for the NLDS matchup against the Dodgers. The defensive alignment adjustment comes as Ha-Seong Kim returns to start at shortstop, changing the Braves' defensive look in the outfield while maintaining strategic flexibility. Dubón made a spectacular leaping catch at the fence in the third inning of Game 3 to rob Freddie Freeman of a home run, keeping the Dodgers off the board.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow gave a memorable three-word reaction after his pregame press conference was abruptly cut short after just three questions ahead of NLDS Game 3. Glasnow is expected to pitch in Game 4 on Wednesday as the Dodgers look to secure a series victory and advance to the NLCS for the third consecutive season.
Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA) takes the mound for the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS against Tampa Bay. Down 0-2, Fried confirmed he will pitch regardless of whether his pregnant girlfriend gives birth. Pitching coach Matt Blake praised Fried's deep pitch mix and durability as the Yankees attempt to become the sixth team in MLB history to overcome an 0-2 deficit.
Carlos Rodón is in line to start as the New York Yankees attempt to rally from an 0-2 deficit against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. With the Yankees returning home to Yankee Stadium on the brink of elimination, the team needs strong starting pitching alongside defensive adjustments and offensive resurgence to extend their postseason run after dropping the first two games of the series on the road.
Cam Schlittler remains key to the New York Yankees' rotation hopes as they seek an ALDS comeback down 0-2 to the Rays. The AL Cy Young favorite previously unveiled an expanded curveball repertoire during Game 1 of the ALWC against the Red Sox, throwing 32 curveballs at a 27.4% usage rate. Known for consistently throwing over 100 mph, Schlittler's ongoing pitch design development has transformed his curveball into a primary playoff weapon.
Former New York Yankee Anthony Rizzo joined NBC Sports as an 'Inside the Pitch' analyst during the AL Wild Card Series, admitting that driving to Yankee Stadium without a uniform stirred up intense emotions. Reflecting on the team's sweep of the Red Sox, Rizzo praised pitchers Payton Tolle and Cam Schlittler while noting the suffocating pressure of the Bronx crowd. He highlighted timely hitting and containing Tampa Bay's core as the keys for the Yankees.
