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If we are doing a vibe check entering the final six weeks of the regular season, which team do you think can make a run like the Detroit Tigers did last year? I am staying in the AL Central and going with the Kansas City Royals. Winners of three straight, the Royals are currently four games out of the No. 3 AL wild-card spot. But really, all three AL wild cards are up for grabs as the three teams in those spots — the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees — are all separated by just a half-game.
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Today’s Headlines
Brewers’ Streak Halted At 14 By Reds
For a moment, it looked like the Uecker Magic that had been prevalent during the Milwaukee Brewers‘ latest double-digit winning streak was at work again as William Contreras hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. But the Cincinnati Reds, who had not been swept in 40 series entering Sunday, showed why they are in playoff contention. After tying the game in the bottom of the ninth thanks in part to a rare Brewers error, the Reds snapped the Brewers’ 14-game winning streak on Austin Hays‘ 10th-inning single. The Brewers’ winning streak was the longest in MLB this season and has them with baseball’s best record at 78-45. The Brewers lead the second-place Chicago Cubs by eight games in the NL Central entering a big five-game series that opens with a doubleheader today.
Dodgers Sweep Padres In Showdown
It has been a roller coaster of a season for the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, and their series against the San Diego Padres in a battle for first place in the NL West reflected that. Coming off being swept by the Los Angeles Angels in the Freeway Series that knocked them out of first place, the Dodgers won all three vs. the Padres, punctuated by a 5-4 win in the finale. The sweep put the Dodgers back in first place, now with a two-game lead. After each team has a four-game series — L.A. on the road vs. the Colorado Rockies, San Diego at home against the San Francisco Giants — the rivals meet for the final time in the regular season for three games beginning Friday at Petco Park. Mookie Betts hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Dodgers overcame blowing a 4-0 first-inning lead. Freddie Freeman hit a three-run homer for the Dodgers. The Padres chipped away, evening the score 4-4 on Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI double.
Vientos Powers Mets In Little League Classic
The Little League Classic has become one of the fun in-season games MLB puts on, giving a show to all the players from teams from across the U.S. and the world as the Little League World Series takes place in Williamsport, Pa. But it still counts as a regular-season game, which meant the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets were each eager for a win as they pursue a playoff spot. Thanks to Mark Vientos, who hit a three-run homer as part of a four-RBI day, the Mets won the finale 7-3 to take two of three in the series. Cal Raleigh provided the big highlight for the Mariners, clobbering his MLB-leading 47th homer, a two-run shot in the seventh. The second-place Mets are five games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies — 11-9 winners over the Washington Nationals — in the NL East, while keeping a grip on the No. 3 NL wild card. The second-place Mariners, meanwhile, stayed 1½ games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West and are now tied with the Boston Red Sox for the top AL wild-card spot. The Astros lost 12-0 to the Baltimore Orioles.
Phillies Fend Off Nationals
Even in a high-scoring game with a couple of notable homers, it can be a simple base hit that means the difference between winning and losing. That was the case with the Phillies, who prevailed over the Nationals 11-9. Alec Bohm returned from the injured list with a homer in his first at-bat, while Nick Castellanos also went deep for the Phillies, who jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to a five-run second inning. But after the Nationals tied it with a six-run third inning, it was Weston Wilson’s two-run single in the fourth that snapped the tie and put the Phillies ahead for good. Castellanos’ homer came in the sixth for a 9-6 lead, and the Phillies tacked on two more runs in the eighth. Those would prove vital as the Nationals scored three in the bottom of the ninth to make Philly sweat.
Like Old Times For Goldschmidt
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt is coming up on his 38th birthday, so there are only so many more times the 2022 NL MVP will return to St. Louis. Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 as the New York Yankees beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4 to complete a three-game sweep. Goldschmidt capped the weekend against his former team by doubling home the final run of a four-run top of the ninth inning. The Yankees scored the two go-ahead runs on an error. The sweep allowed the Yankees to retain the No. 3 AL wild-card spot and pull within 5½ games of the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays.
Weird Day For Marlins’ Myers
It was a strange game for Miami Marlins right fielder Dane Myers. He had one moment where he helped Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox get a homer, then hit a tying homer in the ninth inning that sparked a three-run rally in the Marlins’ 5-3 win. Somewhere in between, he was verbally harassed by fans at Fenway Park, which led to two being ejected. While Myers tied it 3-3 in the top of the ninth, it was rookie Jakob Marsee who put the Marlins ahead for good with a two-run homer. The Red Sox remained five games behind the first-place Blue Jays in the AL East and are tied for the AL’s top wild-card spot with the Mariners, just a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees.
By The Numbers
⚾ Texas Rangers right-handed starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs over seven innings in a 10-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Eovaldi won his seventh straight decision and hasn’t lost since May 22.
⚾ With their 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals tied a club record with their 14th straight home win over a single opponent.
⚾ Detroit Tigers right-handed starter Chris Paddack dropped to 0-2 vs. the team that traded him this year as the Minnesota Twins stormed to an 8-1 win.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Pozo Homers With Special Bat
Get the tissues ready. Cardinals catcher Yohel Pozo hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning of the loss to the Yankees. But when you hear the story of his bat and the kids who helped create it, Pozo might have been one of the biggest winners from Players Weekend. Pozo’s bat was plastered with handprints from kids at Mercy Children’s Hospital, as well as his son, Paul, now 5. Paul suffered a series of strokes after being born in 2020, when Pozo and his wife were homeless.
Dad Breaks The News
We might have gotten the next trend in MLB call-ups as catcher-first baseman Samuel Basallo got the news he was going up to the Baltimore Orioles from his dad. Basallo is the Orioles’ No. 1 prospect and No. 7 in baseball, per Baseball America. Basallo then got his first MLB hit (and RBI) in his debut game.
Sunday Gems
I am a sucker for terrific defensive plays. Here are some of the day’s best, including one that will be in contention for Catch of the Year, another player robbing two homers, and a reliever securing his first career save with an amazing play and then pranking his teammates.
holy hell Jung Hoo Lee caught the ball between his knees 🤯(the full speed shot was needed)
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) 2025-08-17T20:54:20.396Z
Gunnar Henderson is playing a spectacular shortstop this season for the #Orioles.Here’s another example:
— Jake Rill (@jakerill.bsky.social) 2025-08-17T18:45:55.007Z
What a throw by Dylan Crews 🤯
— MLB (Bot) (@mlbbot.bsky.social) 2025-08-17T16:37:59.000Z
He had us in the first half, not gonna lie 😅
— MLB (Bot) (@mlbbot.bsky.social) 2025-08-17T22:08:09.000Z
Carroll Flexes
No one doubts the power of Arizona Diamondbacks star Corbin Carroll. But even this is a bit surprising, even if it was Coors Field. Carroll crushed his 27th homer of the season 474 feet.
Once Every 400 Games
It had been 399 games since Atlanta’s Matt Olson last stole a base. Time for another. It was the ninth steal of his career and first since 2023.
Shortest And Cutest First Pitch
San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter Heliana.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ First baseman Nathaniel Lowe, designated for assignment recently by the Nationals, is close to a deal to join the Red Sox. Also, Red Sox rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer is scheduled to have season-ending surgery on his right wrist. Mayer, who made his MLB debut in late May, has been on the 10-day injured list since July 25.
⚾ Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was activated from the 60-day IL
⚾ Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez (fractured right hand) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A.
⚾ Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray went on the 15-day IL with thoracic outlet syndrome. The move comes a day after it was reported Gray went unclaimed on waivers. Also, Rangers first baseman Jake Burger left the game late and will have tests on his left wrist. Burger is expected to miss at least two games.
⚾ Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was designated for assignment.
⚾ St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II was put on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle.
Articles You Should Read
Berrios continues tradition of Puerto Rican greats with charity work — Keegan Matheson, MLB.com
One year later, Chisholm keeps Little League Classic connection going — Bryan Hoch, MLB.com
Biggest fans of Webb? His grandmas, who also are his roommates — Maria Guardado, MLB.com
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