RADIO
Riley O'Brien Looking to Add Muscle After Fading Down the Stretch
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Riley O'Brien was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his first full season as the team's closer, and he ended the year tied with San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller for the National League lead in saves (38) with a 4.08 ERA across a career-high 64 innings pitched. O'Brien also set a career high in appearances (66) in his first full year as a big-leaguer. He did not allow an earned run in his first 13 appearances of the year and ended the first half with a 3.43 ERA and a 7.9% walk rate in 39 1/3 frames. O'Brien had 24 saves in his first 28 opportunities. But in 27 appearances after the All-Star break, O'Brien had a 5.11 ERA in 24 2/3 innings, and his walk rate rose to 14.4% while he went 14-for-18 in save chances. Three of his blown saves in the second half came in September, and five of his losing decisions came in his final 13 outings. The 31-year-old said he experienced "fatigue" in the closing days of the season and that his legs have "been feeling heavy compared to how they felt early in the year," according to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As he tired, the velocity of O'Brien's pitches suffered. To be able to maintain velocity through the entire season, O'Brien said he plans to focus on putting on "as much muscle as I can."
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Curtis Mead the Favorite to Start at Second Base Next Year
Boston Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead is considered the favorite to open next season as the team's starting second baseman, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline this summer, but he ended up playing in only one game for Boston due to a fractured wrist that he suffered in his second at-bat with the team. The 25-year-old will now have all offseason to heal up, and he will enter spring training as the team's primary option at the keystone as they attempt to get back to the playoffs in 2027. The Australian native was having a breakout 2026 campaign with the Nationals before being traded to Boston, and he finished the year with a .253/.353/.498 slash line with an .851 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 49 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 285 at-bats in 88 combined games with Washington and Boston. "That would be, I would say, broadly our plan," said manager Chad Tracy when asked about second base. "He was acquired for a reason. You see the numbers that kind of project at least toward a 30-home run season. And adding that, we were really excited about that."
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Walker Buehler to Start Game 4 of NLDS Against Brewers
The San Diego Padres announced that veteran right-hander Walker Buehler will make the start in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night at Petco Park against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Buehler will make his first postseason appearance this year after going 9-6 with a 4.63 ERA (4.51 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 131 strikeouts and 57 walks in 153 2/3 innings pitched across his 32 starts for the Padres in his first season with the team. The 32-year-old is no longer the high-end ace that he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he does have plenty of postseason experience, posting a 3.04 ERA (3.21 FIP) with 114 strikeouts and 36 walks in 94 2/3 innings pitched. Buehler's last start came on Sept. 26 against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, when he allowed four runs (three earned) with a walk and three strikeouts in just 3 2/3 innings for a no-decision. He picked up a win in his only outing against Milwaukee in 2026, giving up just one earned run with two walks and five strikeouts in six innings at Petco Park back on Aug. 11. Buehler will most definitely be on a short leash in a must-win game for San Diego if he is not on his game early on.
Source: Padres PR
Source: Padres PR
Adrian Morejon Dealing With "Stickiness in his Shoulder"
San Diego Padres left-handed reliever Adrian Morejon (shoulder) was unavailable in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers due to "stickiness in his shoulder," manager Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. There is still a chance that Morejon will be available for Game 4 against the Brewers in San Diego on Wednesday night as the Friars attempt to force a Game 5 back in Milwaukee on Friday night. With Morejon unavailable and closer Mason Miller on the paternity list, the Padres' bullpen was very short on Tuesday night, but Game 1 starter Michael King came to the rescue and threw the final two innings for SD to pick up a save in the 4-3 victory. Morejon has already had two two-inning appearances in this postseason, once in the Wild-Card Series against the Chicago Cubs and again on Saturday against the Brewers in Game of the NLDS, when he allowed the game-winning home run to catcher William Contreras. The hard-throwing Cuban left-hander was one of the most effective late-inning setup men during the regular season, though, going 9-3 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, three saves, and a career-high 107 strikeouts in just 86 innings out of the bullpen. With Miller unlikely to be back with the team on Wednesday, the Padres could really use Morejon's left arm on Wednesday evening.
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
Freddie Freeman Powers Dodgers to Game 3 Victory on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was one of the stars of his team's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday. Freeman had just one hit in four plate appearances, but it was a solo home run off Braves ace Chris Sale. Freeman put together another strong regular season in 2026, hitting .288/.362/.430 with 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 74 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The 37-year-old's production tailed off late in the year, as he hit just .184 in September and slugged just one home run across 249 plate appearances after the All-Star break. However, Freeman has looked like his vintage self so far this postseason. Across the first three games of the NLDS, Freeman has logged four hits, two home runs, two RBI, and three runs scored.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Enrique Hernandez Hits Key Home Run in Dodgers' Game 3 Win
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Enrique Hernandez struck one of the big blows of his team's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, clubbing a two-run home run off of Braves ace Chris Sale to open the scoring in the fourth inning. It was Hernandez's only hit of the night, but it helped the Dodgers chase Sale out of the game after just five innings of work. Hernandez missed a large chunk of the regular season with an oblique injury and was not particularly effective when healthy, hitting .222 with four home runs across 96 plate appearances. However, the 35-year-old has a long history as an unlikely postseason hero. Across 332 career plate appearances in the playoffs, Hernandez has now hit .272 with 18 home runs and 44 RBI.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Edwin Diaz Picks Up First Save of 2026 Postseason on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Edwin Diaz notched his first save of the 2026 postseason on Tuesday, shutting the door in his team's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Diaz allowed a leadoff double to Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies but rallied to retire the next three batters he faced. The 2026 regular season was largely lost to injury for Diaz, who spent time on the injured list due to both elbow and neck issues. However, the 32-year-old closed the season strong after returning from the neck injury in mid-September, allowing just one hit and one walk while recording nine strikeouts across his final five innings (five games) of the year. If Diaz can rediscover his peak form in October, he could be an impact arm for the Dodgers at the end of games.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Strikes Out 10 in Game 3 Win on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the star of his team's 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run while recording 10 strikeouts across seven innings of work. Yamamoto was dominant during the regular season, recording a 14-9 record with a 2.53 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 182 strikeouts across 185 innings (28 starts). He's also been remarkably effective in the postseason to this point in his career, logging an 8-1 record with a 2.14 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts across 63 innings. Following Yamamoto's gem, the Dodgers will have a chance to close out Atlanta in Game 4 and advance to the National League Championship Series on Wednesday.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Mason Miller Placed on Paternity List Ahead of NLDS Game 3
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has been placed on the paternity list and will not be available for his team's matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Miller blew a save opportunity in San Diego's Game 2 loss to the Brewers, allowing a walk-off, two-run single to Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio. Still, the hard-throwing right-hander was one of the best relievers in baseball in the regular season. Across 70 innings (66 games), Miller pitched to a 1.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 129 strikeouts and 38 saves. Without Miller, San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon could be the next man up in the ninth inning for the Padres.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Miguel Rojas Suffers Back Injury in Game 3 of NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran infielder Miguel Rojas (back) injured himself on a swing in the eighth inning and left Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves in the middle of his at-bat on Tuesday night, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Rojas was reaching towards his lower back with his left arm after a swing. He was making the start at second base against Braves left-hander Chris Sale, and he went 0-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout before being replaced at the keystone by Tommy Edman. The 37-year-old Venezuelan infielder is a bench player for the Dodgers at this point in his career, but despite not playing all that much anymore, he saved the Dodgers' season in last year's World Series victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the series. Rojas hit .267 (60-for-225) during the regular season with only four home runs, 23 RBI, 23 runs scored, and a stolen base. If Rojas' injury is serious enough for the Dodgers to remove him from the NLDS roster, he would be unable to return for the NL Championship Series if the team advances.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Gavin Sheets Scratched From Game 3 Lineup With Neck Stiffness
The San Diego Padres announced that outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets (neck) was scratched from the Game 3 lineup on Tuesday in the National League Division Series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers due to neck stiffness. Sheets will be available off the bench, though, so he should be considered day-to-day. Outfielder Samad Taylor is now serving as the designated hitter and will bat eighth in the order against Brewers right-hander Dustin May. Sheets hit 17 homers (two shy of his career high) in 125 regular-season games but missed all of September while on the injured list with a foot injury. The 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger has played in only two games so far in the postseason for San Diego, but he did have a big two-run home run in Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. Since the start of July, Sheets has hit just two home runs, so he has really struggled to tap into his power from the left side in the second half of the season.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
Ronald Acuna Jr. Battling Knee Soreness, Serving as DH in Game 3
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.'s knee has been sore since he slid during Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. As a result, Acuna will serve as the designated hitter and bat second for Atlanta in Game 3 of the series in Atlanta against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Lane Thomas will now start in right field and bat seventh, with catcher Sean Murphy heading to the bench. Acuna has a history of knee injuries, so the Braves will get him off his feet as the series heads to Atlanta tied one game apiece. The former MVP has gone 2-for-9 with two runs scored and a stolen base at the plate in the first two games of the NLDS against the Dodgers. The Braves will need Acuna to be at his best for the remainder of the series in order to knock off the defending World Series champions. The five-time All-Star had two separate trips to the injured list during the regular season due to hamstring issues and ended up hitting .255/.345/.451 with 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored across 408 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Tyler Mahle Past his Abdominal Issue, Ready for Game 4
Atlanta Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle (abdomen), who is lined up to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Los Angeles Dodgers, called his abdominal pull before his Wild-Card start against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies a non-issue, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Mahle has not felt it since, and it did not bother him in the start against the Phillies or during his bullpen session since. The 32-year-old veteran felt something in his abdomen before his start against the Phillies on Sept. 30, when he allowed just one earned run on six hits while walking one and striking out six in a no-decision in seven innings of work. It clearly did not affect Mahle much in that start, so it should not be much of an issue against the Dodgers on Wednesday at Truist Park. Mahle went 7-10 in 2026 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts in 149 innings across 27 regular-season starts with Atlanta and the San Francisco Giants. His lone start against the Dodgers came on April 22, when he was still with San Francisco, and he tossed seven shutout innings in a win while walking two and striking out five in the Bay Area.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Shohei Ohtani Drops to Five-Hole Against Tough Lefty
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter (as usual) but is being dropped to fifth in the batting order on Tuesday for Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Atlanta against the Braves and left-hander Chris Sale, according to MLB.com. Against Sale, one of the toughest southpaws in baseball, left-handed-hitting position players Max Muncy and Tommy Edman are out of the starting nine. This will be Ohtani's lowest lineup position since joining the Dodgers. The four-time MVP has gone 1-for-4 at the plate in the first two games of the NLDS against Atlanta. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar hit .275 (144-for-523) with 30 homers, 81 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in the regular season, but he missed time late in the year with biceps and knee injuries, which limited him offensively. Ohtani has played in only eight games since the start of September and has gone 6-for-30 (.200) with zero homers and one RBI in 36 plate appearances. He did hit .274 with 12 of his 30 homers against lefties, but Sale will surely be a difficult matchup for a power hitter looking to get back into a groove.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Martinez to Start for Rays in Game 3 of ALDS
The Tampa Bay Rays are planning to start right-hander Nick Martinez in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. He will be opposed by veteran southpaw Max Fried. Martinez will be looking to put the nail in the coffin as the Rays look for a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. The 36-year-old veteran will be making his first postseason start this year for Tampa after going 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings pitched over his 31 starts. He only went 2 2/3 frames in his final regular-season start on Sept. 27 at the Philadelphia Phillies, when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout. Martinez knows the Yankees well, having faced them three times already this year. He was strong against the Bombers, posting a 2.16 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and five walks in 16 2/3 innings pitched. In 11 1/3 career postseason innings (one start), Martinez has allowed five runs (four earned) with two walks, 11 strikeouts, one loss, and three holds.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
