Month: October 2025

The Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of their American League wild card series at Progressive Field, to advance to ALDS for second year in a row.

Catcher Dillon Dingler homered in the sixth inning to give Detroit a 2-1 lead, and a four-run 7th inning saw Wenceel Pérez drive in a pair of runs, helping to bring Detroit the win.

Detroit will face the Mariners in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

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The Chicago Cubs are advancing to the NLDS after beating the San Diego Padres 3-1 in Thursday’s Game 3 matchup of their NL Wild Card series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Jameson Taillon had four scoreless innings for the Cubs, with four strikeouts; after which point the bullpen took it home. The Cubs offense included a bases-loaded, RBI single from Pete Crow-Armstrong, who went 3 for 4 in the game.

The Cubs will face the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series; Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday in Milwaukee.

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The New York Yankees have eliminated the Boston Red Sox and will move on to the ALDS after their 4-0 win in  Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

Rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler had 12 strike-outs and averaged 98.9 mph with his fastball through eight near-perfect innings to help bring the Yankees the victory.  On offense, Cody Bellinger had a double in the fourth that sparked a sequence in which six of seven Yankees reached base, with run-scoring singles from Amed Rosario and Anthony Volpe. Austin Wells’ grounder allowed two more runs en route to their 4-0 win.

The Yankees will face the Blue Jays in the ALDS, with Game 1 set to for Saturday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Editorial credit: Piotr Swat / Shutterstock.com

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard is retiring from the NFL, just days after the Colts Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The 32-year-old veteran, who started all four games for the Colts this season, said in a statement posted to Instagram: “Throughout my career, I’ve always played football for the love of the sport. I enjoyed everything that came with being part of the NFL, it was my passion for the game that drove me. I love and appreciate the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the chance to play pro football. I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting me continue to live out my dream, but my dream has now changed.”

Howard continued: “I’ve been getting closer to God and asking that He directs my path. I am a man of faith, and I believe wholeheartedly that He doesn’t make mistakes. He has led me to ending my career. I am now putting God and my priorities first .. When I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to school, doing activities with them and watching them grow up. Up to that point, I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so. So today I am retiring from the National Football League .. My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football. I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I’m putting my family first, and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”

Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL leader in interceptions, previously spent eight years with the Miami Dolphins, where he earned two All-Pro selections and became one of the league’s premier ballhawks. He had not played during the 2024 season, but signed a one-year contract with Indianapolis in August, worth up to $5M.

In just four games with the Colts, Howard piled up 11 total tackles. In his final game, Howard surrendered seven receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ 27-20 defeat to the Rams.

In light of the news of Howard’s retirement, the Colts announced that safety Trey Washington had been promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Editorial credit: D’Avril Grant / Shutterstock.com

The Cleveland Guardians tied their AL Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday with a 6-1 victory in Game 2 to force a deciding game in the best-of-three series.

Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor homered during a five-run eighth inning for Cleveland, with George Valera also going deep.   For the Tigers, Javier Báez had two hits and an RBI, who were 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position and stranded 15 runners. Jakob Junis got the win as the Guardians bullpen held Detroit scoreless over 5 1/3 innings.

The winner on Thursday will faces the Seattle Mariners in a Division Series. Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty will make his eighth postseason start against Cleveland RHP Slade Ceccon on the mound in his first playoff start.

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The San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of their NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday to force the deciding Game 3. After losing Game 1 of the series 3-1 to the Cubs on Monday, the Padres shut out Chicago 3-0 to even the series at 1-1.

Padres right fielder Fernando Tatís Jr homered at the top of the first inning to give San Diego the early lead, with the Padres going on to score a pair of runs in the fifth inning with Tatís Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado homering off of Cubs’ pitcher Shota Imanaga.

Game 3 between the Padres and Cubs is set for Thursday at Wrigley Field, Chicago.

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NY Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, with a 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 2 of their AL Wild Card Series. Jazz Chisholm Jr. made it all the way home from first base after Austin Wells’ tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, helping the New York Yankees extend their season and avoid elimination by their rival Boston. Ben Rice hit an early two-run homer, and Aaron Judge had an RBI single for the Yankees to give them the win

The decisive Game 3 will take place on Thursday night in the Bronx, with the winner advancing to face AL East champions Toronto in a best-of-five Division Series beginning on Saturday.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds in their best-of-three National League Wild Card series, beating the Reds 8-4 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, and ending Cincinnati’s season.

The Dodgers now advance to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-five National League Division Series matchup, beginning Oct. 4 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park.

Editorial credit: HE Photography / Shutterstock.com

The Atlanta Braves have announced that their longtime manager Brian Snitker will be transitioning to an advisory role in the organization in 2026, and will step down as manager after 10 seasons with the team. The announcement also noted that Snitker will be inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame next season.

Snitker, 69, led the franchise to its last World Series win (and fourth championship overall) in 2021. This season, however, the team failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2017. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Snitker was informed of the Braves of his decision Tuesday (per sources); his contract expired after the 2025 season.

During his tenure, Snitker won the 2018 National League Manager of the Year award, and helped to make the Braves one of baseball’s premier organizations. He led the team to seven straight playoffs from 2018-24, including a 2020 NLCS appearance, and the 2021 World Series title. With Atlanta, Snitker holds an 811-668 (.548) record, and ranks third on the Braves’ all-time wins list – trailing only Bobby Cox (2,149) and Frank Selee (1,004).

Snitker has been considering retirement, and said after the Braves’ final game on Sept. 28: “I’ve teetered on the fence [about retirement]. I’ve never been through this before. I wasn’t sure how to navigate it. I’ve talked to a lot of people who have been through it who got some good advice. I’ve just tried to stay in the moment and focus on today … As we’re sitting here right now, I still feel good.”

Editorial credit: University of College / Shutterstock.com