MLB News & Moments You Should Know - 9/26

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Today’s Headlines

106 For the Dodgers

The Dodgers won their series against the Cardinals on Sunday to earn the top playoff seed in the National League. Sunday’s win was also the team’s 106th win this season, which marks the third consecutive 162-game season that the Dodgers have met their franchise record for wins. Unless Los Angeles loses the rest of its games, it will surpass its single-season win record.

The road to the World Series in the National League officially goes through Chavez Ravine. pic.twitter.com/zsV7HMjTXl

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2022

The Guardians Clinch

Powered by a grand slam off the bat of Steven Kwan, the Guardians beat the Rangers on Sunday, clinching their first AL Central championship since 2018. No one could have predicted on opening day that Cleveland would be atop the division, nevertheless, Terry Francona has led the youngest team in baseball to exactly that position.

The Guardians are closing in on an AL Central crown. 👀 pic.twitter.com/CQOVZxUkXX

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2022

Royals Come Way Back vs the Mariners

The Mariners wished to reinforce their lead for the third wild card spot on Sunday in their rubber match in Kansas City. After going down 2-1 early in the game, Seattle knocked in eight runs on four singles, two walks, and a hit batter. J.P. Crawford added on another pair of runs with an RBI single in the following inning making the score 11-2.

With the game seemingly in the books, the Kansas City offense plowed through four Mariners pitchers in the bottom of the sixth, scoring 11 runs. There was no coming back from blowing such a lead. The Royals’ bullpen allowed one additional hit and a sacrifice fly throughout the remainder of the afternoon.

pic.twitter.com/eKVZ8cRwQo

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 25, 2022

Mattingly Will Not Return to Miami Next Season

Jon Heyman reported on Sunday that Marlins’ manager, Don Mattingly, will not continue as manager of the team next season. It was later pointed out by various sources that the end of Mattingly’s time in Miami was mutual; Mattingly has felt that the club needs a new voice and the front office was not eager to extend the manager’s expiring contract.

Mattingly did not manage the Marlins to much success, but, at the same time, he was not given much to work with. He managed his fair share of stars in Miami, but there seldom seemed to be enough talent on the team at once to contend seriously. Nevertheless, Mattingly did manage to reach a postseason berth in 2020, winning NL Manager of the Year.

Breaking: Don Mattingly is telling the Marlins today he will be leaving as manager at the end of the year

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 25, 2022

Pittsburgh Claims Andujar

If someone said back in 2018 that the runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year that finished behind only Shohei Ohtani would be released just a few years later, they would have been laughed off the stage. Sure enough, Miguel Andújar was designated for assignment by the Yankees last week and claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The player’s short-lived success saw him finish the 2018 season with an OPS+ of 130 and 27 home runs. It did not take long for the righty to fall out of favor in New York as he only combined for 33 games between the 2019 and 2020 seasons while putting up an OPS+ of 30.

Earlier today, INF/OF Miguel Andújar was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 25, 2022

Best Moments From Yesterday

Star Spangled Standoff

Robbie Ray and Luke Weaver were both ejected on Sunday before their game even started – not because they were arguing with any umpires, but because they refused orders from the umpiring crew to leave the playing field following the National Anthem. The fellow pitchers faced each other in a standoff until Weaver finally bowed out.

We got an old fashioned National Anthem standoff! 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1FtR7kiTdV

— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2022

Judge Family Reaction

Aaron Judge failed to tie Roger Maris’ record of 61 home runs over the weekend while hosting the Red Sox. The outfielder did, however, manage to get the crowd excited when he drove the ball to the outfield for a flyout. Watch the emotions rise and fall on the faces of the Judge family: