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The last weekend of August is upon us, which means everything is heating up. If there is one race that isn’t really obvious that catches my eye, it is the NL East. Atlanta holds a five-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies with there being seven games left between the two in September. Can the Phillies bounce all the way back from firing their manager to win the East? Or will Atlanta get back the crown that the Phillies have worn the last two years after Atlanta’s six titles in a row? It will be fascinating to watch.
Today’s Headlines
Sale Turns Up Heat, Shuts Out Dodgers In Sweep
Perhaps it was the opponent. Perhaps it was knowing his team needed to finish its statement. Whatever it was, Atlanta left-handed starter Chris Sale was in vintage form against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sale threw his first 100 mph pitch since 2018 — then did it again — in an 11-strikeout shutout, while Drake Baldwin’s leadoff homer stood up as the game’s only run in Atlanta’s 1-0 victory, completing a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. Sale, the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner, scattered five hits and didn’t walk anyone in his first shutout since 2019 as he continues to make his case for a second Cy Young Award should the leading contender falter (see below). Both of Sale’s century-cracking fastballs came against Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. Atlanta has a five-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East and pulled within one game of the Dodgers for the No. 2 seed (and the bye) in the NL playoffs.
Miz Adjusts To Sloppy Conditions; Chourio Hits Pair
The maturation of Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski added a new chapter in his start against the New York Mets. With slippery conditions on the mound as a light rain fell at Citi Field, Misiorowski limited his velocity and focused on accuracy as the Brewers, powered by two Jackson Chourio homers, toppled the Mets 8-2. The Miz topped out at 101.9 mph, only the second start this year he didn’t hit 102 or above multiple times. In six innings, Misiorowski, the top NL Cy Young Award candidate, gave up just two hits and two runs while walking two and striking out six. His long stride saw him landing on a part of the mound that was more mushy than stable. Chourio went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and four RBIs, belting a two-run homer in the second inning and adding a second two-run blast in the eighth, his 19th of the year.
Astros’ Walker Snaps Funk, Takes Cole Deep
When you are in an 0-for-11 run, the last thing you want to face is a high-pedigree pitcher. But Houston Astros slugger Christian Walker welcomed the challenge of taking on New York Yankees ace right-hander Gerrit Cole. Walker snapped that 0-for-11 skid with three hits, including a homer off Cole, to lead the Astros to a 5-1 victory. The Astros added a half-game to their AL West lead, now up a game over the second-place Texas Rangers, following their fifth win in seven tries. Jeremy Peña also homered for the Astros. Walker got his first hit when he grounded an opposite-field single to right off Cole in the second inning. After grounding out in the fourth, Walker followed Daulton Varsho’s two-out walk in the sixth inning with his 24th homer of the year, launching a 1-0 Cole knuckle curve over the wall in right-center for a 3-0 lead. Astros right-handed starter Hayden Wesneski, originally drafted by the Yankees, struck out six and allowed three hits over six innings. Pena added his 16th of the season, a solo shot, in the seventh.
Caglianone’s Career Day Lifts Royals
The blossoming of Jac Caglianone has been a thing of beauty. If only the Kansas City Royals were having a better season. Caglianone had his first career five-hit game, crushing a homer and driving in a career-best six in the Royals’ 13-2 demolition of the Toronto Blue Jays. Royals left-handed starter Noah Cameron tossed six strong innings, allowing two runs and striking out three. Carter Jensen and Vinnie Pasquantino also homered for the Royals, who have won 10 of their last 11, yet are still last in the AL Central.
Owners Put Forth Proposal On Offseason, Rosters
In the latest set of proposals, MLB owners suggested altering the offseason to increase signings during the Winter Meetings. All of the items owners proposed are contingent on implementing a salary cap and floor, which is a nonstarter for players (the cap part, anyways). The item that drew the most interest was altering when players can sign with teams. Owners would limit that to during the Winter Meetings, with only negotiations able to take place beforehand. Trades could still take place. Following the meetings, another dead period would begin and last until Feb. 1. Trades could not occur during this freeze. There were also a number of roster-related proposals, some that make zero sense (like setting a roster for the entire week except for injury-related moves). The MLB Players Association did not welcome these proposed changes as presented. Again, the owners said this round of proposals is contingent on a salary cap and floor, which the players are vehemently against.
Major League Baseball today proposed drastic changes to its offseason calendar, including shortening free agency to a two- to three-week window every offseason, sources tell ESPN. The details of the proposal:- A free agent dead period until the first day of the Winter Meetings in early December
— Jeff Passan Bot (@jeffpassanbot.bsky.social) 2026-08-27T19:23:25.000Z
By The Numbers
82 The Colorado Rockies lost 7-1 to the Washington Nationals. Their 82nd loss of the season guaranteed the Rockies’ eighth losing season in a row.
1 St. Louis Cardinals rookie third baseman Blaze Jordan hit his first Busch Stadium homer in a 7-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. But Jordan left the game in the eighth inning after a play at third in which he injured his knee.
4 San Francisco Giants right fielder Drew Gilbert drove in the go-ahead run with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly and also homered in a 6-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D’backs fell to 1½ games behind the San Diego Padres for the third and final NL wild card.
Best Moments From Yesterday
The Pope’s New Hat
The Chicago White Sox’s pope hat giveaway has made it to the Vatican for the holiest of Sox fans.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Minnesota Twins will call up outfielder Walker Jenkins, their No. 1 prospect, to make his MLB debut tonight against the Chicago White Sox. Jenkins is ranked the No. 10 overall prospect by Baseball America and No. 15 by MLB Pipeline.
⚾ Cincinnati Reds stars Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl went unclaimed off waivers. They could still be designated for assignment, but the Reds will still be on the hook for their remaining salaries.
⚾ As expected, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed starter Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his right middle finger. Right-hander Seth Halvorsen was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ The Toronto Blue Jays signed right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to a major-league contract. Lorenzen had been released by the Colorado Rockies.
⚾ The Tampa (Fla.) City Council voted 4-3 to approve funding to build a $2.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. The stadium will be a mix of public and private funds.
Articles You Should Read
Why the Diamondbacks continue to put up with Marte — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
MLB players reveal a modern toll of legal gambling — Zack Meisel, The Athletic
Marlins being aggressive with pitching moves to stay in hunt — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald
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