We're getting close to finalizing our 10 playoff spots, as the Diamondbacks have clinched a wild card, the Twins have all but clinched the second AL wild card, and the Red Sox and Cubs are close to wrapping up division titles. Our magic numbers: Cubs 2 (to win NL Central), Red Sox 3 (to win AL East), Twins 3 (to clinch wild card), Rockies 5 (to clinch wild card).
Despite being shut out three times in their past five games, the Rockies actually have a little breathing room for the second wild card. They beat the Padres to finish with just the second winning road record in franchise history on a day the Brewers and Cardinals both lose, so their lead is 2 games over Milwaukee and 2.5 over St. Louis. You have to like their chances now as they finish with six games at home against the Marlins and Dodgers.
Congrats to the Diamondbacks for not only clinching a playoff spot, their first since 2011, but clinching home-field advantage for the wild-card game when J.D. Martinez delivered the first walk-off hit of his career. Martinez's incredible run with Arizona means he could some down-ballot MVP love. In 57 games with the Diamondbacks, he has 27 HRs and 58 RBIs while slugging .734.
Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw reached the 200-strikeout mark for the 7th straight season. That's the most 200 K seasons in Dodgers history - breaking a tie with Hall-of-Famers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.
Watch Willson Contreras discuss pitcher Jose Quintana's complete game shutout on Sunday.
Watch Ben Zobrist discuss the Cubs 5-0 win over Milwaukee on Sunday. He homered to help draw the Cubs closer to a division title.
Southern Illinois native Ben Zobrist, on potentially clinching the division in St. Louis this week: "It would be nice to do it there. I'll just say that."
The Cubs beat the Brewers 5-0 to inch closer to a division title as they took 3 out of 4 in a critical series. Jose Quintana was fantastic getting the three hit complete game shutout. Ben Zobrist homered and Anthony Rizzo had a 2 run double to reduce the Cubs magic number to 2.
Aaron Judge is now just one HR shy of tying Mark McGwire for the rookie home run record after hitting his 2nd homer of the day.
Jose Bautista comes off the field in the top of the ninth to a standing ovation and Blue Jays fans singing his name. In what was likely the final home game of his Blue Jays career, Bautista went 2-for-4, popping up to third base in his final at-bat. After a disappointing season where he's hit .203, Bautista could be playing his final week in the majors. He'll go down as one of the best and most popular players in Blue Jays history.
Red Sox 5, Reds 4: Mookie Betts did it almost all by himself. Betts clocked a three-run double, then scored from second base on an infield single as the Red Sox scored four runs in the eighth inning to score a come-from-behind victory and close out an 8-1 road trip. With the Yankees losing in Toronto, the Red Sox's magic number to clinch the AL East will be shaved to 3. Boston has won six consecutive games, nine of 10 and 14 of 17. The Reds, meanwhile, have lost six in a row and 90 games overall.
Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell again knelt during the national anthem in protest of racial inequality in the United States before Sunday's game against the Rangers. Outfield Mark Canha again had his hand on Maxwell's shoulder as he knelt. Both players have said they will continue to do that during the anthem for the rest of the season.
Aaron Judge is now two home runs shy of tying Mark McGwire for most HR by a rookie after hitting another one out of the park today.
A's OF Mark Canha explained why he chose not to join Bruce Maxwell kneeling and instead put his hand on Maxwell's shoulder during the national anthem. "I thought about it yesterday and I knew it wouldn't feel right to do it just because Bruce is doing it," Canha said. "I have thought about it in the past and I decided against it. It's not to say I'm against kneeling, it's not to say I am for kneeling, it's just to say I thought about doing it and I didn't want to do it. But I'm fully supportive of my teammate and it was coming of a place of agreeing that there has to be change in our social environment in this country and also, mainly from a point of supporting my teammate. We knew he was going to do this and man to man, I didn't want to leave my brother on that island by himself. I asked him if it was OK and he said, ‘Yeah, go for it.'"
This A's fan offering support for catcher Bruce Maxwell, who became the first MLB player to kneel for the national anthem on Saturday.
In what might be his last stand to win a postseason rotation spot, Doug Fister has struck out four batters in a row, five of the last six and seven through three innings here in Cincinnati. Fister is working quickly and making quick work of the Reds.
Watch the full discussion between Joe Maddon and reporters regarding athletes protesting and the President's response.
Watch Joe Maddon discuss the ongoing controversy between athletes and the President after he heard/saw the comments from both sides.
John Farrell says Red Sox would "fully support" any player who wants to join the protests of NFL, NBA players and A's catcher Bruce Maxwell. That said, Farrell is unaware of any Red Sox players who are planning to protest.
Giancarlo Stanton hit his 57th home run of the season Saturday, tied for the fourth-most home runs in a season since 2000. He had 54 home runs total in 2015 and 2016.
Eduardo Rodriguez on what it would be like if he's part of the Red Sox's playoff starting rotation: "That's going to be the best feeling in the world. That's what everybody who's started a game in the playoffs has told me." E-Rod is making a strong case with a 1.78 ERA in his last four starts.
Red Sox 5, Reds 0: Eduardo Rodriguez continued to make his case for a spot in the Red Sox's postseason rotation. Rodriguez scattered three hits in 7 2/3 innings to lift Boston to its fifth consecutive victory and 13th win in the last 16 games. Rodriguez was in complete command. He didn't give up a hit until the fourth inning and didn't allow a runner to reach scoring position until the eighth. Mitch Moreland's three-run homer in the sixth inning was the big blow for the Red Sox, whose magic number to clinch the AL East now stands at 5.
Scoreless inning for Reds' Luke Farrell against John Farrell's Red Sox. Last time a player faced a team managed by his father in major-league game: Moises Alou (Cubs) vs. Felipe Alou (Giants) in 2004.
Watch Joe Maddon discuss the Cubs loss to Milwaukee on Saturday where closer Wade Davis blew his first save of the season.
Watch Justin Wilson discuss his solid outing against the Brewers on Saturday.
