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In a survey of 99 MLB players, an overwhelming majority said they would have no problem playing for a manager who did not play pro ball. The subject has been a popular talking point since the San Francisco Giants hired Tony Vitello straight out of college last offseason. Not only did Vitello have no pro playing experience, he had no pro playing experience. But The Athletic’s survey revealed that 83 players had no qualms about playing for someone such as Vitello. Considering there haven’t been too many managerial issues this season (roster problems are another thing), Vitello is holding up his end of the bargain.
Today’s Headlines
Jones, Cruz Help Hot Pirates Sweep White Sox
This year was supposed to be different for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They made a few moves in the offseason in hopes of contending. For various reasons, that went awry. While there is still a very small sliver of hope for a spot in the postseason, the Pirates are going to make it tough for any other team in their path to make it. Right-hander Jared Jones struck out eight over seven shutout innings as the Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the surprising Chicago White Sox with a 2-0 victory. The White Sox, who have lost eight of their last 11, saw their lead in the AL Central over the second-place Cleveland Guardians shrink to 1½ games. Oneil Cruz hit a towering solo homer for the Pirates, who are 4½ games behind the San Diego Padres for the third and final NL wild-card spot after winning for the ninth time in 11 games. Cruz’s fourth-inning homer was launched 433 feet at 117.4 mph, the hardest-hit ball in MLB this season. Jones had a no-hitter for 6⅔ innings before Colson Montgomery doubled.
Smith Takes Duran Deep In 9th As Astros Prevail
The Philadelphia Phillies are making the NL wild-card race more interesting. That isn’t a good thing for the Phillies. Cam Smith homered off the first pitch he saw from All-Star right-handed closer Jhoan Duran with one out in the top of the ninth, giving the Houston Astros a 2-1 victory over the Phillies in the series finale. The Phillies lost two out of three to the Astros after splitting four with Atlanta, which now leads second-place Philadelphia by four games in the NL East. Atlanta and Philadelphia meet for three more games this weekend at Truist Field. The Phillies still lead the NL wild-card standings, but are now just one game ahead of the Chicago Cubs and 3½ up on the San Diego Padres. The homer by Smith, his 20th of the year, was just the second allowed by Duran all season. The dramatic blast was set up by two very nice starting-pitching performances. Astros right-hander Cristian Javier allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out five over six innings, while Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler struck out nine over seven innings, also allowing a run on five hits and two walks.
Big Atlanta Win Denies Rays Celebration
Hold the champagne, Tampa Bay Rays. At least for one day. With Atlanta strengthening its position in the standings thanks to seven shutout innings by left-hander Martín Pérez, the Rays were prevented from being the first team to pop bottles for clinching a postseason spot with a 3-1 loss. A win plus some other stuff would have clinched a playoff berth, but the Rays also hold the best record in the AL and are trying to close in on their first East title since 2021. They hold a three-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the AL East and are close to clinching the AL’s No. 1 seed. Atlanta, meanwhile, added to its lead in the NL East, now up four games over the Philadelphia Phillies, who lost Thursday with those two teams squaring off this weekend. Rays right-handed starter Nick Martinez was better than Perez, who allowed four hits and two walks with four strikeouts, but didn’t last as long. Martinez went 6⅓ shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks with three strikeouts. It was a 0-0 game entering the eighth, where Ozzie Albies had a one-out triple and scored on Austin Riley’s single. Ha-Seong Kim later added a two-run single for a 3-0 lead. Victor Mesa Jr. had a one-out homer for the Rays in the top of the ninth, but the Rays couldn’t mount a rally.
By The Numbers
10 Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom and Seattle Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert became the first starters who attended the same college to strike out 10 or more and be from the same college. The former Stetson stars, deGrom struck out 12 and Gilbert 11 in the Mariners’ 4-3 victory.
With Jacob deGrom and Logan Gilbert, both from @StetsonBaseball, this is the first time in MLB history that two starting pitchers who entered MLB from the same college each struck out 10+ batters in the same gameh/t @EliasSports
— Sarah Langs (@slangsonsports.bsky.social) 2026-09-10T22:27:33.467Z
5 New York Yankees second baseman Anthony Volpe hit a grand slam and drove in a career-best five runs in his return to the majors during a 10-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Protecting Home
In a one-run game, the Mariners got a couple outs at the plate that proved crucial.
A Four-Out Ninth
The Mariners turned a double play in the ninth … when there were already two outs.
Who was out first?
Thanks For The Helmet
Phillies catcher Rafael Marchán doesn’t bunt much. He might not be asked to bunt again.
Batter strikes out on a bunt and nearly concusses himself in the process
— Talkin' Baseball (@talkinbaseballbot.bsky.social) 2026-09-10T18:40:42.000Z
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Yankees formally placed second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the 10-day IL with a sprained right thumb. Infielder Anthony Volpe was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Atlanta outfielder Lane Thomas was scratched from the lineup and is headed to the 10-day IL after he injured his right intercostal while taking swings in the batting cage.
Articles You Should Read
How the Dodgers handled Ohtani, De Paula’s call-up and more thoughts — Fabian Ardaya, The Athletic
How is Red Sox’s Gray having this type of season at age 36? — Alex Speier, Boston Globe
How Tatis rediscovered the swing that could power the Padres to October — Dennis Lin, The Athletic
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
