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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Thursday, October 1

Joey Votto Learns Broadcaster Jinx Reality During Phillies-Braves Game 3

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NBC broadcaster Joey Votto experienced a memorable on-air mishap during Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series when his enthusiastic praise of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler backfired instantly. While working as a field-level analyst in the fourth inning, Votto declared that he did not see the Braves scoring any more runs, only for Wheeler to immediately walk a batter and surrender a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies within five pitches, fueling Atlanta's 6-2 win.

Zack Wheeler Pitches Four Relief Innings in Phillies Wild Card Loss

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Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler pitched four innings of relief in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves after the team opted not to start him on three days' rest. Wheeler gave up three hits and three walks, including a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the fourth inning that extended Atlanta's lead to 5-0. Wheeler had tested his readiness by playing catch before the game, but the Phillies ultimately suffered a 6-2 season-ending defeat.

Josue De Paula Positioned for Dodgers Playoff Roster After Rapid MLB Rise

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Los Angeles Dodgers rookie outfielder Josue De Paula is preparing for a potential spot on the postseason roster for the NLDS starting Saturday. The 21-year-old slugger impressed during an 11-game major league stint in September after being called up directly from Double-A, hitting .323 with one home run, five extra-base hits, seven RBIs, and reaching base safely in half of his 42 plate appearances. After a brief Triple-A detour, he is competing with Dalton Rushing for a left-handed bench role.

Ozzie Albies Blasts Two-Run Homer to Propel Braves in NL Wild Card Game 3

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Ozzie Albies smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning off Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler to give the Atlanta Braves a 5-0 lead in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series. The switch-hitter drove a pitch down the middle to right field, marking his fourth career postseason home run and scoring Austin Riley. Albies' blast helped propel the Braves as they look to break a 1-1 series tie and advance to the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Aaron Nola Pulled Early as Phillies Fall to Braves in Wild Card Game 3

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Philadelphia Phillies starter Aaron Nola struggled in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series, getting pulled with two outs in the second inning after allowing three runs on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout against Atlanta. Nola threw 38 pitches, locating only 32% in the strike zone, with all damage coming in the first inning on walks to Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson before Michael Harris hit a three-run homer. The early exit contributed to a 6-2 elimination loss.

Gerrit Cole Relishes Yankees Postseason Return After Tommy John Surgery

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is relishing his return to the postseason ahead of the ALDS against Tampa Bay after missing all of last year following Tommy John surgery. Calling this postseason a "second bite of the apple," the 36-year-old right-hander feels a renewed perspective after overcoming the grueling recovery. Cole and Carlos Rodón are lined up to anchor the Yankees' rotation as they pursue a World Series title following strong contributions from a flexible roster.

Aaron Judge Strives to Return for ALDS After Calf Strain

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New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge remains uncertain for the ALDS after missing the Wild Card sweep due to a right calf strain. Sidelined since Sept. 16, Judge traveled to Somerset for live batting practice and performed extensive daily rehab to prep for a return. Limited to 66 games this year while hitting .241 with 18 homers, Judge is doing everything possible to rejoin the lineup as the Yankees prepare for their upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Drake Baldwin Starts Behind the Plate for Braves in Game 3

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Drake Baldwin starts at catcher and bats ninth for the Atlanta Braves in the winner-take-all Wild Card Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Baldwin handles pitching duties for starter Ray Kerr and right-hander Grant Holmes as the Braves look to secure a series victory and advance in the National League postseason bracket.

Trea Turner Leads Off for Phillies in Wild Card Game 3

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Trea Turner starts at shortstop and bats leadoff for the Philadelphia Phillies in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Turner and the Phillies lineup look to generate early offense against Braves starting pitcher Ray Kerr and right-hander Grant Holmes as the team fights to secure a victory and advance to the next round of the postseason.

Kyle Schwarber Launches Clutch Postseason Home Run

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Kyle Schwarber sparked a crucial postseason rally for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, launching a back-to-back home run with teammate Bryce Harper in the eighth inning. Schwarber's clutch deep drive helped erase a deficit created in the middle innings and propelled the Phillies forward in a hard-fought playoff series. He bats second as designated hitter in the decisive Game 3 lineup against the Atlanta Braves.

Bryce Harper Hits Game-Tying 418-Foot Postseason Homer

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Bryce Harper rallied the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, hitting a game-tying 418-foot home run in the eighth inning back-to-back with Kyle Schwarber. Earlier, Harper had misplayed a fly ball that led to Atlanta's go-ahead run, but quickly bounced back. Speaking postgame about mental resilience, Harper helped keep the Phillies alive in a 4-3 victory, bringing career postseason totals to 18 home runs and forcing a decisive Game 3.

Cody Bellinger Highlights Yankees Depth Ahead of ALDS Matchup With Rays

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New York Yankees veteran outfielder Cody Bellinger reflected on the team's wild-card sweep of the Boston Red Sox ahead of their upcoming ALDS matchup against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Bellinger, whose three-run home run helped secure the series win in Game 2, emphasized the importance of team depth and maintaining high-level play as the Yankees prepare to face a formidable Rays club that dominated the regular-season series and won the AL East title.

Adrian Rodriguez Ceases Switch-Hitting to Manage Left-Hand Injury

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Texas junior shortstop Adrian Rodriguez is abandoning switch-hitting to bat exclusively left-handed heading into 2027 to protect a lingering left-hand injury. Rodriguez, who fractured his hamate in 2025 and had hardware removed in March 2026, hit .327 with 18 doubles and 47 RBIs overall while batting .613 in the NCAA tournament. Head coach Jim Schlossnagle noted the change reduces swing volume and pain.

Mike Yastrzemski Emphasizes Loose Clubhouse Vibe Ahead of Game 3

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Mike Yastrzemski highlighted a loose, positive atmosphere in the clubhouse prior to Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Yastrzemski noted that treating the elimination contest like any other game and trusting their full-season preparation prevents players from overanalyzing critical moments and allows the roster to play at its best.

Mauricio Dubón Starts at Shortstop as Braves Host Phillies in Game 3

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Mauricio Dubón is starting at shortstop and batting fifth for the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, getting the nod over Ha-Seong Kim. Dubón expressed confidence and excitement ahead of the primetime elimination game, emphasizing the team's sense of urgency and his focus on executing in high-leverage situations to help Atlanta advance.

Sonny Gray Addresses Early Wild Card Hook and MLB Neck Substance Probe

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Sonny Gray expressed frustration after manager Chad Tracy pulled him at 70 pitches (4.2 IP, solo HR allowed) in Boston's season-ending 9-2 Wild Card loss to the Yankees. Gray criticized analytics over veteran experience and noted uncertainty about returning in free agency ("I don't know"). Additionally, MLB investigated a strange discolored substance spotted on Gray's neck during the start, but umpires cleared him after post-inning checks showed no elevated spin rates.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Takes Responsibility Following Cubs' Postseason Exit

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Chicago Cubs star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong expressed deep disappointment after going 0-for-7 with four strikeouts during a two-game sweep by the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series. The likely NL MVP took full accountability for his postseason struggles, which contrasted sharply with his historic regular season where he hit 45 home runs and stole 41 bases to join the elite 40/40 club.

Gavin Williams Set to Start Game 2 of ALDS for Guardians

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American League strikeout leader Gavin Williams will take the mound as the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. Williams follows rookie left-hander Parker Messick, who is tabbed to start Game 1 for Cleveland as the team opens its postseason series against their division rivals.

Parker Messick Named Guardians Game 1 Starter for ALDS

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Rookie left-hander Parker Messick will take the mound as the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox. Messick leads the pitching rotation deployment for the opening game of the series, with fellow starter Gavin Williams scheduled to follow by taking the ball for Game 2 as the Guardians begin their postseason push.

Dominic Smith Bats Ninth and Starts at DH for Braves in Game 3

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Dominic Smith is penciled in to bat ninth and serve as the designated hitter for the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Smith enters the decisive matchup looking to build on recent momentum after previously hitting a crucial two-run home run in the second inning during a September 26 victory against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park as the Braves fight to advance past their division rivals.