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Parker Messick Struggles in ALCS Game 5 Defeat on Sunday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick did not have his best day in his team's 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 25-year-old pitched just two innings, throwing 57 pitches and allowing five hits, two walks, and two earned runs. Messick emerged as Cleveland's ace during the regular season, recording a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 186 1/3 innings (32 games). However, the young lefty has not been quite as effective in the postseason so far. Messick is 0-3 in his three playoff starts, allowing 17 hits, 10 walks, and nine runs (six earned) across 13 2/3 innings. Cleveland will now need to win two straight games in Tampa to advance past the Rays and move on to the World Series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Drew Rasmussen Pitches Rays to Within One Win of the World Series
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen came through for his team with a gem in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 31-year-old allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run while striking out six across seven innings of work in Tampa Bay's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Rasmussen had an excellent regular season for the Rays, recording a 16-5 record with a 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts across 172 innings (30 starts). He's been even better across his three starts so far this postseason, allowing just 13 hits, three walks, and three earned runs while striking out 23 across 21 innings pitched. Thanks to Rasmussen's efforts in Game 5, Tampa Bay now holds a 3-2 series lead over Cleveland and will have a chance to advance to the World Series with a win in Game 6 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Nick Martinez Helps Rays Even the ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez picked up the win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday night in the 7-3 victory in Cleveland over the Guardians. Martinez allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out three in 5 1/3 innings of work. After Game 4 was originally postponed on Friday night due to inclement weather, the ALCS is tied at two games apiece. Martinez, who had thrown 13 scoreless innings against the Guardians this season, was in full control of his game, with the only damage against him coming on a Chase DeLauter RBI single in the first inning. Tampa will trot right-hander Drew Rasmussen out for Game 5 of the series on Sunday at Progressive Field, and he will be opposed by Guardians lefty Parker Messick. Martinez now has a 3.00 ERA with three walks and six strikeouts in nine innings in his first two postseason starts this fall. In 10 total playoff appearances in his career, Martinez holds a 3.10 ERA with five walks and 17 strikeouts in 20 1/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cade Povich has Elbow Surgery, Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich (elbow) had surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies in his elbow after pitching through significant pain down the stretch this year, a source told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Povich is expected to be ready for spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw only made eight appearances (seven starts) for the O's in his third year in the major leagues, going 2-1 with a career-best 4.38 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 15 walks in 37 innings pitched in the majors. Povich had an ERA over 5.00 in each of his first two big-league seasons in Baltimore. He took a jump forward with a career-high 24.2% strikeout rate in 112 1/3 innings pitched in 2025. As long as Povich is fully healthy in spring training next year, he should be in the competition for a starting-rotation spot to begin the regular season. Povich is intriguing for his diverse arsenal and swing-and-miss stuff, but he has yet to put it all together at the major-league level.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Shohei Ohtani Plans to Pitch in 2027
Knee and biceps injuries kept Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani off the mound over the final three months this year, but he said he "definitely" plans to pitch in 2027, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. The 32-year-old also slumped badly at the plate late in the season, so badly that the Dodgers considered benching the four-time MVP for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. It is unclear if Ohtani will have an offseason procedure. Ohtani was in the NL Cy Young picture in the first half of the season and had a 1.79 ERA while limiting hitters to a .179 average over 85 2/3 innings. But he started dealing with pain in his left knee on June 11 and last pitched on July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Over his final four starts, he allowed 12 earned runs in 24 2/3 innings. Before that, he gave up only five earned runs in 61 innings. Ohtani landed on the injured list in September, his first trip to the IL in almost three years. Depending on any offseason procedures that he has, Ohtani should be extremely attractive as both a hitter and pitcher in fantasy again in 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Shawn Armstrong Serving as Opener in Game 4 of ALCS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for Cleveland in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night in Cleveland against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Armstrong will not go more than a couple of innings in this one, with Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo being the most likely options to pitch in bulk relief as the Guardians look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Armstrong has been money for the Guards this postseason, throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit allowed, no walks, and five strikeouts while picking up one hold in his four appearances out of the bullpen. He has very little experience against the Rays from the regular season, but it was not pretty in the two-thirds of an inning when he faced them, as he surrendered three earned runs on one hit walk walking two. All 41 of Armstrong's appearances during the regular season came in relief, and he went 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Nick Martinez Starting Game 4 of ALCS on Friday
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Nick Martinez will get the nod for the Rays in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night in Cleveland against the Guardians as the Rays look to even the series at two games apiece, according to MLB.com. He will be opposed by opener Shawn Armstrong for Cleveland. The 36-year-old veteran allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings for a no-decision in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the division-rival New York Yankees on Oct. 7. Martinez will be pitching on eight days of rest on Friday night in Cleveland against a Guardians team that he faced two times during the regular season. He went 2-0 against them and threw 13 shutout innings in two starts while allowing seven hits, walking one, and striking out nine. The Rays are certainly hoping that Martinez can continue to keep Cleveland's offense off balance in his third start against them in 2026. The nine-year veteran went 15-6 in his first season with Tampa, posting a strong 3.10 ERA (3.96 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 109:26 K: BB in 180 innings across 31 starts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Woodruff Looking to Pitch for Brewers in the World Series
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) said, "It's going to be hard to keep me off" the team's World Series roster following Milwaukee's NLCS victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Woodruff has not pitched since early July due to shoulder issues, but he's been working his way toward a return and threw 31 pitches in a bullpen session on Tuesday. The 33-year-old pitched well for Milwaukee during the regular season when healthy, recording a 2-2 record with a 2.98 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 45 1/3 innings (nine starts). However, his velocity fell off drastically before he was finally shut down. Given how Milwaukee has pitched so far during the playoffs, bringing Woodruff back would be a risky move.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Gavin Williams Continues Strikeout Dominance in ALCS Game 3 Win
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams picked up his second postseason win in his team's 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, allowing two hits, a walk, and two earned runs while striking out nine over five innings. The 27-year-old emerged as one of baseball's top strikeout arms during the regular season, posting a 14-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 248 strikeouts over 184 1/3 innings (32 starts). Williams has been absolutely essential to Cleveland's postseason success as well, allowing just eight hits and four earned runs while striking out 33 across 16 2/3 innings. Williams has struck out a ridiculous 51.6% of the batters he's faced so far in the playoffs. If the ALCS gets that far, Williams would likely line up as Cleveland's Game 7 starter.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Yu Darvish Still Rehabbing, No Clarity on his Future
San Diego Padres general manager AJ Preller said that veteran right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) is still doing his rehab, but there is no clarity yet on what the future holds for him, according to Marty Caswell of Foul Territory. "He's been doing the work to at least give himself the option," Preller said. The 40-year-old veteran had internal-brace surgery on his right elbow in October of 2025 and did not pitch at all for the Padres in 2026. However, he did throw off a mound a few times during his rehab, most recently in late August. Depending on how he fares with the rest of his rehab, there is a chance that Darvish decides to continue his playing career. If he does, he will be extremely hard to rely on, especially from a health perspective. Darvish has two years and $30 million remaining on his contract with San Diego. The Japanese superstar and five-time All-Star has made only 31 appearances for the Friars since the start of 2024, and he had an ERA over 5.00 with 68 strikeouts and 19 walks in 72 innings across 15 starts in his last season in 2025.
Source: Foul Territory - Marty Caswell
Source: Foul Territory - Marty Caswell
Troy Melton Will Have Normal Offseason
Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton (forearm), whose season ended early in mid-September with right-forearm tightness, went through follow-up evaluation after the season, and no issues were found, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Melton is starting a normal offseason workout routine and should be a full-go for the start of spring training in 2027. The 25-year-old former fourth-round selection in 2022 from San Diego State looked solid again in his second major league season, going 8-5 with a 2.76 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a career-high 94 strikeouts and 37 walks in 114 1/3 innings pitched across 20 starts. Melton has gone 11-7 with a 2.76 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 130:52 K:BB in 160 frames across 36 appearances (24 starts) for Detroit in his first two years in the majors. He might have been even better had he not gotten a late start to the season due to an elbow strain. If healthy next season, Melton will be a popular starting pitcher breakout candidate in what would be his first full season in the majors.
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Shane Drohan Making the Start in Game 4 of NLCS Against Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers rookie left-hander Shane Drohan will make the start in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday night in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to MLB.com. Drohan will be looking to repeat the success of fellow lefty starter Robert Gasser, who tossed five shutout innings against L.A. in the Game 3 victory on Wednesday evening. A win by Drohan on Thursday would send the Brewers to the World Series for the first time since 1982. Drohan will be opposed by Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow. The 27-year-old Drohan has not pitched since Sept. 27 after making 33 appearances (19 starts) for the Brew Crew during the regular season. During his 33 outings, he had a 4.19 ERA and struck out 125 batters while walking 44 in 124 2/3 innings pitched. Milwaukee will go right back to the lefty well and hope that Drohan can continue to keep the Dodgers' bats silent. Drohan will continue to lean on his impressive fastball/sinker combination. He faced the Dodgers three times (one start) this year, allowing six runs (five earned) against them while giving up six hits (one homer), walking five, and striking out 12 in 9 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Blake Snell Surrenders Three Homers in NLCS Game 3 Loss
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell cruised through the first six innings of his start against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, allowing just two hits and one earned run while recording nine strikeouts. However, with his team holding a narrow 2-1 lead, Snell allowed two key home runs in the seventh inning that turned the Dodgers' lead into a 4-2 deficit. Injuries limited Snell to just 42 2/3 innings (nine starts) during the regular season, over which he logged a 1.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts. Across two starts (9 2/3 innings) in the playoffs, Snell has now allowed seven hits, seven walks, and five earned runs while striking out 14. If the Dodgers are able to mount a comeback in the NLCS, Snell could be in line to start a potential Game 7 on Monday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Robert Gasser Logs Five Shutout Innings in NLCS Game 3 Win
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser played a key role in his team's 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, tossing five shutout innings with three strikeouts while allowing one walk and three hits. The 27-year-old was solid for Milwaukee during the regular season, recording a 5-5 record with a 3.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts over 109 1/3 innings. Gasser has been excellent across his first two starts of the postseason as well, allowing just one earned run while striking out six across nine innings of work. Going into the playoffs, Milwaukee's rotation outside of top starters Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson looked questionable. With Gasser stepping up, the Brewers' pitching staff now looks formidable. Milwaukee will have a chance to complete the sweep of the Dodgers and advance to the World Series in Game 4 on Thursday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Joe Musgrove's 2027 Role in San Diego is Uncertain
San Diego Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller did not commit to right-hander Joe Musgrove being a part of the team's starting rotation in 2027 when asked on Wednesday, saying that "the best spot for Joe Musgrove" will be "one of the questions for the offseason." Musgrove has not pitched in the regular season since 2024 due to persistent elbow issues. However, the 33-year-old managed to return to the mound in the 2026 postseason, making two appearances and pitching three innings. Musgrove was an effective pitcher in 2024, recording a 6-5 record with a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts across 99 2/3 innings (19 starts). He also has one season remaining on the five-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Padres ahead of the 2023 season. Still, it appears as though San Diego may be open to using Musgrove out of the bullpen in an effort to keep him healthy in 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
