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Let’s start with a question: Is this the best crop of interim managers in a single season? Here are our three names: Boston’s Chad Tracy, New York’s Andy Green, and Philadelphia’s Don Mattingly. Tracy and Mattingly will be taking once-depressed teams to the dance. Tracy and Green are no longer interim managers. They’re now the full-time guys. And based on merit, Mattingly should get the same offer. Whether he wants it, well, that’s a different question. Alright. Onto what happens on the field instead of who’s in the dugout.
Today’s Headlines
Rasmussen, Rays Claim the AL East
Pitching appeared at the forefront of Tuesday’s split doubleheader between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays. Yankees starter Carlos Rodón captured headlines first in New York’s 2-0 afternoon win. The veteran lefty had perhaps his best start of the season: Eight shutout innings pitched, eight strikeouts, and just three hits allowed.
Yet somehow he wasn’t the biggest pitching news of the day. That honor goes to Tampa’s Drew Rasmussen, who starred in the 6-1 nightcap that tipped in Tampa Bay’s favor. Rasmussen pitched six no-hit innings. He struck out 10 and walked two before surrendering his first hit, a Heliot Ramos double.
If it’s any solace to Rasmussen and his lost no-hit bid, his efforts weren’t for naught. Tampa’s bullpen secured the win and, in hand, the AL East. Tampa has now won its first division title since 2021 and will get a first-round bye as the AL’s #1 seed.
What’s What in the AL West
Entering Tuesday, the Texas Rangers were first in the AL West. One loss and a Houston Astros win later, and it’s the latter laying claim. Houston has itself to thank. Its offense exploded in a 7-0 win against the Seattle Mariners. Texas has itself to blame for its 6-3 loss to the New York Mets. All around. Its pitching coughed up 10 hits, its offense managed just three hits, and its defense was shoddy throughout. Houston is in the driver’s seat now. Especially with the tiebreaker over Texas. So long as they’re equal or better, they’re in.
Wheeler Starts Hot, Stott Finishes
Before the Phillies offense came to life again late, Tuesday’s affair seemed to be the Zack Wheeler show. Philly’s star pitcher came out hot. Wheeler led off the game with seven straight strikeouts, a new franchise record. He struck out four more for 11 on the night. Despite that, the Brewers didn’t bend to his will. Milwaukee tied the game at three after six. Wheeler received a no-decision.
Instead, Philly reliever José Alvarado received the win. Assisting Alvarado was Philly’s offense. More specifically, Bryson Stott was Alvarado’s little helper with the go-ahead hit in the top of the eighth. For Philly, it cuts its magic number to two. More importantly, Milwaukee secured a first-round bye despite the loss. It will now have home-field advantage in the NLDS.
Cleveland Can Smell It
The Cleveland Guardians are a loose bear. A warm scent wafts through the spring air. It carries them toward the sill where something awaits: The playoffs. Cleveland cannot take a bite. Yet. But after a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox, they’re at least tucking in their napkin. Cleveland’s approach was late, not last. The team scored the go-ahead run in the ninth, a Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly. Closer Cade Smith mauled Boston to close the game and clinch his 40th save of the season. Three more wins and Cleveland can eat at last.
Meidroth Craves More
The Chicago White Sox want the playoffs. The Sox took down the Kansas City Royals 14-11 last night. Their magic number is now three. Second baseman Chase Meidroth was hungrier than his teammates. Meidroth accounted for five of Chicago’s first six runs. His first bite was a two-RBI single. His second, a heartier inhale, was a three-run homer. Munetaka Murakami and Andrew Benintendi joined Meidroth at the buffet table to help cinch the win.
Tracy’s Here to Stay
The Boston Red Sox make it official: Interim manager Chad Tracy is here to stay. The team made Tracy the 49th manager in team history on Tuesday, signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for 2030. They also announced that they’ve exercised the 2029 and 2030 club options on Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow.
To say the Red Sox have come a long way since firing former manager Alex Cora in April is putting it mildly. At the time, with a 10-17 record, they seemed a dead team walking. Pundits and fans alike tabbed Breslow as the next head on the chopping block. But no more. The team has gone 74-55 under Tracy. That record includes a 15-game win streak that tied the franchise record set in 1946. On the turnaround, Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said, “Chad came into an incredibly difficult situation in April and provided stability and leadership when this organization needed it most.” Tracy and Co.’s next challenge will be the postseason.
Green For Good
When the New York Mets named Senior Vice President for Player Development Andy Green their interim manager on June 26, the idea was that Green was just that: A stopgap. A fill-in. Oh, how the tables have turned.
Yesterday, the Mets made Green their permanent manager, inking him to a three-year deal and making him the 25th manager in franchise history. Owners Steve and Alex Cohen said of Green, “Over the last several months, he has brought discipline, accountability and positivity to the clubhouse, attributes we were seeking in our next manager.” Under Green, the Mets are 37-38 and 31-28 since the All-Star break. While unimpressive at first, the record can be appreciated, considering the team was 34-47 under previous manager Carlos Mendoza.
On his change of plans, Green said, “When I accepted the interim role, I didn’t anticipate it becoming permanent, but the more time I spent with our players and staff, the clearer it became that this is where my passion and experience could make the greatest impact.”
By The Numbers
⚾ 2,000. Ninety-six players in MLB history have thrown 2,000 strikeouts. Last night, Zack Wheeler became #96. Of those 96 players, only 10 are active. Talk about rarefied air.
⚾ 1,500. New York Yankees starter Carlos Rodón had a historic afternoon: The 33-year-old recorded not just the 1,500th strikeout of his career but also his 100th win.
⚾ 200. Minnesota Twins pitcher Taj Bradley became the 10th pitcher in franchise history to record 200 strikeouts in a single season since the franchise arrived in the North Star State.
⚾ 39. Presumptive NL MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong swiped his 39th stolen base of the season. He’s one steal shy of a 40/40 season.
⚾ 30. With two homers last night, Washington Nationals second baseman — still not used to that — CJ Abrams joins PCA as the only other player this season with 30 2Bs, 30 HRs, 30 SB, and 100 RBI.
⚾ 25. A.J. Ewing now has the most steals ever by a Mets rookie. His 25 steals dethrone Mookie Wilson’s 1981 record.
⚾ 11. Thanks to a 7-0 shutout of the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won 11 straight home games. It’s all coming together, isn’t it?
⚾ 7. The Pittsburgh Pirates might not make the playoffs, but that isn’t slowing starter Jared Jones. The youngster pitched seven shutout innings, allowed one hit, and struck out nine against the St. Louis Cardinals. Over his last seven games, he has a 2.09 ERA. That’s how you close.
Best Moments From Yesterday
I Need About Tree Fiddy
Look, this could have gone in “Best Moments” or “By the Numbers.” Either way, congrats, Eugenio.
Eugenio Suárez becomes the 10th active player to hit 350 home runs 👏 pic.twitter.com/hu9cD7Ec6E
— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2026
Rays Reveal New Roads
Ah, the classic September 22 new uniform drop.
The debut of the new Rays uniforms 🔥 pic.twitter.com/A0B7ejnr0a
— MLB (@MLB) September 22, 2026
Welp
Aww. This little girl caught a home run. She’ll keep that ball… Wait.
This queen is the next Henry Rowengartner 💪 pic.twitter.com/oKbVHu9woN
— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2026
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Last night’s game between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays was postponed. The teams will play a doubleheader starting this afternoon.
⚾ The New York Yankees announced on Tuesday that they doubt outfielder Aaron Judge will be available during the Wild Card round. The news isn’t a total surprise. Judge was re-added to the IL just three days ago with a moderate calf strain. A return so soon never sounded plausible.
⚾Speaking of All-Stars getting hurt, Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. left Tuesday’s game after fouling a ball off his left shin. Acuña was down quite a while before limping off the field and into the dugout. X-rays were, thankfully, negative.
⚾ One last ride. The Detroit Tigers announced that Justin Verlander will make the final start of his career on Saturday. The three-time Cy Young winner hasn’t been healthy for almost the entire season but is able enough to take the hill one last night.
⚾ The Pittsburgh Pirates are putting reliever Camilo Doval on the plank. The team DFA’d the trade deadline acquisition yesterday while reinstating reliever Kirby Yates from the 15-day IL. In 20 games with the Buccos, Doval had a 3.79 ERA and 1.737 WHIP.
⚾ That’ll do it for New York Mets starter Christian Scott. The team added the pitcher to the 15-day IL due to left knee inflammation. And while Scott’s season is over, reliever Devin Williams‘ is resuming. The Mets activated the former All-Star off the IL.
⚾ Like the Mets, it’s hello and goodbye for the Rangers. The former goes to Joc Pederson and Cal Quantrill. Both are ostensibly done for the season. It’s hello, or welcome back, to utility man Michael Helman and reliever Peyton Gray. The two are returning from the IL.
⚾ It’s a simple swap for the Athletics: Infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer AthleticsPR/status/2102503629420970362″>is back off the 60-day IL. Fellow infielder Max Muncy heads to the 10-day IL with left knee chondromalacia.
⚾ The Giants placed starter Blade Tidwell on the 15-day IL with a high-grade UCL sprain. Needless to say, Tidwell’s season is over. Next season might be lost as well, with the Giants reccomending Tidwell get elbow surgery. Another right-hander, Braxton Roxby, will join the team.
Articles You Should Read
The teams no one wants to play in October — Travis Sawchik, MLB.com
Players who could make an impact in their first postseason — Brent Maguire, MLB.com
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