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Today’s Headlines
Jammin’ To The 80s
When George Springer’s lead-off homer was quickly followed by a three-run double from Alejandro Kirk, it seemed as if the Toronto Blue Jays would cruise to a win in Cincinnati. Even after the Reds responded with a run in the bottom half of the first, Toronto added another four-spot in the second, as Bo Bichette hit a clutch three-run blast of his own. However, the Reds would not simply roll over, countering with a five-run inning that included an Austin Hays three-run homer. With 14 runs on the board, things would settle a bit for the beleaguered pitchers in this game, as both staffs required five relievers to spell starters Scott Barlow and José Berríos, but the drama would continue for most of the contest. Both teams traded two-run innings in the fourth, and a late solo homer from Daulton Varsho would prove key in creating separation, as the Jays opened a three-run lead that closer Jeff Hoffman would hold with a clean ninth. The 12-9 final score made Toronto the third team to reach 80 wins this season (the Cubs would later become the fourth), keeping them in the driver’s seat atop the AL East.
George Springer goes 3-for-4 with 2 HR as the @BlueJays pick up their 80th win of the season! pic.twitter.com/UIvyjWU2X9
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
To The Max
A little over a week ago, the Yankees appeared to be in serious trouble. Dropping to 69-60 after a tough loss to the Red Sox, it seemed as if the Bombers would have to really fight for their playoff standing. Fast forward to today, those intrusive thoughts should be mostly away from Yankee fans, as the team has now won eight of its past nine games. And while a big part of that was facing weaklings like the Nationals and White Sox, last night they managed to deliver an impressive all-around beatdown of the division-leading Astros. As usual, the long ball was the driving factor for New York, with all of their seven runs coming via the homer, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. opened the scoring with a two-run blast and Trent Grisham put the game away with a two-out grand slam, as the Yankees tagged Framber Valdez for six runs in five innings. Chisholm would add a second blast, but it was overkill considering the brilliance of Max Fried, who limited the Astros to four singles, three walks, and a run over seven frames, earning his 15th win of the season. His excellence was not limited to the mound, as he also added a web gem to his record by starting a double play on a botched bunt attempt. The 7-1 final score is bound to only produce positive tabloid headlines around the Bronx.
Max Fried: ATHLETE. pic.twitter.com/bIrcCLyPbM
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
The Juan And Only
There are only a few superstars in baseball who can carry a team. Think Aaron Judge going on a power heater or Cy Young-year Jake Arrieta guaranteeing a win for the Cubs every five days. Juan Soto is in that rare stratosphere, and he is now silencing all doubters after his slow start to 2025. Over the past week of games, Soto has posted a .563 OBP with five homers, five steals, and 13 RBI, and he again was instrumental to the Mets having a big win in Detroit. With a two-hit day that included his 37th long ball of the season, along with Pete Alonso’s two-homer performance, Soto raised his OPS to .923, and he should again garner a few MVP votes when the season is done. The 12-5 victory kept the Mets firm in their grip of the last NL wild card, as rookie Nolan McLean became the first pitcher since 2014 to earn a win in each of his first four career starts. The offensive support was more than enough to overcome an early hiccup from McLean, who settled in nicely after allowing two runs in the first, as the rookie has suddenly become the team’s most reliable starter – his ERA stands at a remarkable 1.37.
The @Mets crush 4 homers in a win over Detroit! pic.twitter.com/O2pJsggOo5
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
How Bizarre, How Bizarre
The suddenly red-hot Giants extended their home run streak to 16 games, tying their franchise record and extending the longest streak in MLB for 2025. Said homer came courtesy of Rafael Devers, as his two-run blast opened the scoring. However, Devers may have admired his work a bit too much, irritating Rockies starter Kyle Freeland to the point that he shouted at Devers and caused both benches to clear, followed by plenty of shoving and confusion. The umpiring crew elected to toss Freeland, who would take his 15th loss of the year despite only having eight pitches to his name, but Willy Adames (on his birthday, no less!) and Matt Chapman were also thrown out amid the fracas. With the whole left side of the infield gone, manager Bob Melvin was forced to improvise, including Devers having to play third base for the first time all season, while Colorado had to turn to Antonio Senzatela to eat up some innings.
In a situation reminiscent of Dante in Clerks (I’M NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY!), plenty of players had to step up, as Senzatela was decent (one run in 4.2 innings), while the bench duo of Casey Schmitt and Domonic Smith combined for four hits after subbing in for their ejected teammates. Meanwhile. Devers looked comfortable playing third, as the improvised Giants infield managed to play a clean contest. In the end, Logan Webb pitched well enough to earn his 13th win of the season, as the Giants climbed a game above .500 and still have a glimmer of hope in the wild card race, while the Rockies took their 100th L. The 7-4 final score may look like a normal game in the box score, but it was far from that.
The @SFGiants have won 9 of their last 10! pic.twitter.com/ljc8IkyFLy
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
Best Moments From Yesterday
Senior Junior
In a game that saw Cal Raleigh hit his 51st homer of the season, it was all eclipsed by the performance of 22-year-old Junior Caminero, who continues to show that he is wise beyond his years. Caminero proved to be a pest for Mariners starter Bryan Woo, first tagging him for an RBI single and then ending his night with a solo homer that tied the game, as Woo failed to reach the six-inning mark for the second straight start. It became Caminero’s 40th blast of 2025, making him only the second player in Rays history to reach that mark, but he still had more up his sleeve. With the game tied at four in the seventh, the young Junior stepped up to the plate with two men aboard, and he promptly drove them in with a double that ended with an emphatic celebration, as Caminero reached the 100-RBI milestone. Tampa Bay would hold on to win 6-5, as the Mariners continue to struggle mightily on the road.
Junior Caminero is FIRED UP 😤
(MLB x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/98QmVTgvj6
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
The Reflex
In the fifth inning of a 4-4 game, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked to regain the lead after squandering a 4-0 early advantage. With Tommy Pham and his lefty-killing tendencies at the plate, a 111-mph line drive looked certain to become a hit up the middle, but veteran Clayton Kershaw had other plans. Taking a stab at the ball, probably in self-defense, Kershaw managed to catch the missile and turn it into an out, closing his final line at four runs allowed over five innings. Kershaw’s impressive reflexes held the game tied at that point, but LA’s bullpen was unable to hold the line from there. Edgardo Henriquez promptly allowed three runs in the next frame, while the heroics of Shohei Ohtani (a homer and two doubles) were not enough to match Pittsburgh’s offensive onslaught, which led to a 9-7 win for the Buccos.
In Year 18, Clayton Kershaw still has quick reflexes 😅 pic.twitter.com/vIM8tBTvGn
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
Call Him Robert
As the Royals cling to their fleeting playoff hopes, battling for the last AL wild card spot, it is clear that they need Bobby Witt Jr. to play at an MVP-type level. In the third inning of last night’s game, he showed just how much he can impact a game. In the defensive half of the frame, Witt made an astounding play to rob Zach Neto of a hit, laying out to his right and nabbing a speedy runner. Coming up to the plate in the bottom half of the inning, Witt showed his speed by hitting his fifth triple of the year, eventually scoring the first run of the game. Alas, the rest of his teammates did not hold their end of the bargain, as Kansas City would not score again, falling 5-1 at home to the Angels.
Bobby Witt Jr. makes an UNREAL PLAY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8JuVtiXy0A
— MLB (@MLB) September 3, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ After being carted off the field during Monday’s game, Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. received tough news, as he was diagnosed with a torn right ACL. This type of injury usually requires around a year for a full recovery, meaning that Gurriel would probably be eligible to return late in the 2026 season if it all goes right. His absence adds to the long list of Arizona injuries that will carry over to next year, while also hindering their fading playoff hopes in 2025.
⚾ Milwaukee reliever Shelby Miller is headed for an MRI after feeling a pop in his elbow that forced him out of Monday’s game. Brewers manager Pat Murphy relayed this information and is probably expecting an IL stint for Miller, who arrived via trade during the season from Arizona. Should Miller be sidelined, he will become the third member of Milwaukee’s bullpen in the IL, as closer Trevor Megill and righty Grant Anderson were placed there in the past week.
⚾ Two notable players were absent last night, due to completely different reasons. Mike Trout was scratched from the starting lineup with an unspecified skin infection, as his status is now day-to-day. He was originally intended to serve as DH for the Angels, but his status is now uncertain. Over in Boston, youngster Roman Anthony was removed from the game due to left oblique tightness, not coming back for the fifth inning. While the Red Sox have not made an announcement regarding his availability, any extended absence could be problematic for a Boston team in the middle of a playoff race.
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