MLB.com

Justin Verlander has retired from baseball, closing a career that placed him among the greatest pitchers of his era. His retirement leaves one last question between him and fellow ace Max Scherzer, whose careers have long been linked by their strikeout totals and legacies. Fans and commentators are reflecting on the careers of both pitchers and their place in baseball history.

Jeremy Pena hit two home runs as the Houston Astros slugged five in a win over the Athletics in West Sacramento, setting up a decisive final day in the American League West. The division title race now comes down to Game 162, with Houston holding its destiny in its own hands as the regular season closes.

MLB.com has published an updated overview of the current Major League Baseball playoff picture, laying out the postseason bracket and explaining how tiebreakers would be applied if teams finish level in the standings. As the regular season nears its end, the breakdown clarifies which teams currently hold wild-card spots and division leads, and what scenarios could change seeding in the final days.

The San Diego Padres have clinched the No. 4 seed in the National League, earning home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series against the Chicago Cubs. It marks a second consecutive postseason meeting between the two teams, with the series once again set at Petco Park in San Diego. Fans and analysts are weighing whether home field will tip the rematch in the Padres' favor.

MLB.com is following the teams positioning themselves for the 2026 Major League Baseball postseason, offering an early look at the clubs in playoff position as the season unfolds. The tracker highlights which contenders are emerging in each league and which franchises still have work to do to reach October baseball.

The San Diego Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-7, securing home-field advantage in the National League Wild Card Series. San Diego improved to 90-71 while Arizona fell to 86-75. Fans are discussing the Padres' offense and what home field means for their playoff chances as the postseason begins.

The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Tampa Bay Rays and failed again to clinch a National League Wild Card spot, leaving their playoff hopes riding on Sunday's regular-season finale. A win would secure a fifth consecutive postseason berth; a loss would leave their fate to other results. Fans are anxious after a late-season slump that has turned a once-comfortable position into a nail-biter.

A strike call was upheld after a manager challenged it under Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike system, with MLB.com confirming the ruling. The ABS challenge system, now in use at the major league level, lets teams contest ball and strike decisions, and calls are verified by automated tracking rather than human judgment. The confirmed strike marks an early, high-profile moment for the new technology this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost 10-7 to the San Diego Padres, pushing their postseason hopes to Game 162 of the regular season. Arizona now needs a win on the final day plus help from other results to reach the playoffs. Baseball fans are watching closely as the National League wild card race comes down to the last game.

The San Diego Padres announced a series of roster moves ahead of the postseason, including placing pitcher Casey Mize on the injured list and reinstating Gavin Sheets. The changes carry significant implications for the team's playoff roster composition as the postseason approaches. Fans and analysts are weighing how the moves affect the Padres' pitching depth and lineup for October baseball.

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Joey Ortiz has undergone an MRI on his knee as the club evaluates a range of health concerns heading into the postseason. Ortiz has been one of the Brewers' most productive hitters in the second half of the season, raising the stakes of any potential injury. Fans are watching closely for updates on his availability for the playoffs.

Ortiz, who has been batting well heading into the playoffs, has undergone an MRI on his knee as the postseason approaches, according to MLB.com. His health status is now a point of concern for his team as rosters and lineups are set for the playoffs, and fans are awaiting results and word on whether he will be available.

MLB.com has published a postseason FAQ looking at what comes next for the Los Angeles Dodgers as the baseball playoffs unfold. The piece breaks down the team's path through the postseason, including potential matchups, roster questions and scheduling. Dodgers fans and baseball followers are weighing in on the club's chances and what the rest of October could hold.

Attention is turning to Kodai Senga's standing with the New York Mets as the team enters the 2026 offseason. According to MLB.com, both his role on the pitching staff and his long-term future with the club are uncertain. The right-hander, signed from Japan before the 2024 season, has struggled to stay consistent, leaving fans and analysts debating whether New York will keep him in the rotation, move him, or explore a trade this winter.

The Detroit Tigers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3, with the game drawing attention as what may be Justin Verlander's final MLB appearance. The veteran pitcher's future has been a talking point all season, and this matchup in Detroit carried sentimental weight for fans. Detroit moves to 76-85 while Pittsburgh falls to 81-80 as the regular season winds down.

The Chicago White Sox lost 9-6 to the Colorado Rockies, a result that damaged Chicago's chances at an American League wild card berth. The White Sox sit at 83-78 while the Rockies, owners of a 58-103 record, still managed the win. Fans and analysts are weighing what the stumble means for Chicago's postseason hopes.

The Philadelphia Phillies have moved Aaron Nola up to start Saturday against Tampa Bay, reshuffling their weekend rotation and lineup with a playoff berth at stake. A game that once looked meaningless now carries huge weight as the team fights to secure its postseason position, and fans are watching the late-season maneuvering closely.

Tampa Bay beat Philadelphia 12-1, moving the Rays to 98-63 while the Phillies fell to 87-74. Junior Caminero topped 100 RBIs for the second straight season, a milestone highlighted by MLB.com after the game. Fans are reacting to the lopsided score and the young slugger's repeat achievement as the regular season winds down.

Padres reliever Robert Suarez made his second appearance since returning from injury, pitching in Miami as San Diego tunes up for the postseason. The outing was seen as a final tune-up before the playoffs, with the club looking to confirm the right-hander is back to full strength after his layoff.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2, improving to 80-81 while Minnesota dropped to 76-85. The win keeps Texas's faint AL West title hopes alive as the regular season nears its end. Baseball fans are tracking the tight division race, where a late Texas surge could still alter the playoff picture.

Milwaukee defeated St. Louis 3-2, with pitcher Dustin May striking out five as the Brewers earned their 102nd win of the season. Milwaukee now stands at 102-59, while the Cardinals fell to 77-84. The result underlines Milwaukee's dominant National League campaign heading into the playoffs, while St. Louis limps toward the end of a losing season.

The Houston Astros beat the Athletics 13-2, with Jeremy Pena hitting two home runs. Houston moves to 80-81 on the season, while the Athletics fall to 64-97. The lopsided AL result and Pena's big night at the plate are drawing attention from baseball fans following the late-season stretch.

Actor J.K. Simmons has been named to announce Justin Verlander's final start, according to MLB.com. The pairing puts the Oscar-winning actor — famous for his intense roles and baseball-adjacent commercials — at the mic for what is being framed as the closing chapter of the Hall of Fame-bound pitcher's career. Fans are reacting to the unusual celebrity choice for such a significant moment in Verlander's farewell.

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 8-3 in a National League game, moving Atlanta to 94-67 on the season while Miami fell to 79-82. The result is being reported alongside news that pitcher Robert Suarez threw in Miami ahead of the playoffs, as teams finalize rosters and tune up for the postseason.

The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 in a National League matchup, moving to 99-62 on the season while the Giants fell to 65-96. Blake Snell pitched a solid final regular-season tune-up following a groin injury, a positive sign ahead of the playoffs.

The Cincinnati Reds defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 in an MLB game played on September 26, 2026, according to the final score posted by MLB.com's Gameday coverage. The result gives the Reds a comfortable four-run victory in the late-season matchup, while the Blue Jays were held to a single run.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2 in their Major League Baseball game on September 26, 2026, according to MLB.com's final score. Fans following the late-season matchup are checking the box score and final stats as the regular season winds down.

The New York Mets beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on September 26, 2026. The final score was published on MLB.com through its Gameday service, which tracks scores and play-by-play for each game. Details on individual performances, scoring plays and postseason implications were not included in the available report, so the wider significance of the result is not yet known.