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Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Earns ALCS MVP honors Mon, Oct 19, 2026, 10:35 PM Peralta was named the MVP of the ALCS after picking up the win in Game 6 against the Guardians on Monday. He allowed one run on five hits and three walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings. Analysis: Peralta delivered a pair of strong starts in the ALCS, resulting in two victories. Before taking the mound to clinch the series Monday, the 30-year-old right-hander earned the win in Game 2, fanning six across six scoreless innings of work in a 3-1 victory. Peralta also recorded two outs without allowing a run in Game 4 out of the bullpen. He'll now set his sights on facing his former club in the World Series and could line up for a start in Game 2 on Saturday.
Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong Drawing another opener assignment Mon, Oct 19, 2026, 10:11 AM Armstong will serve as the Guardians' opener Monday in Game 6 of the ALCS versus the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports. Analysis: It will be the third appearance in as many days for Armstrong, who tossed 1.1 scoreless frames in Game 5 and another scoreless inning in Game 4. He's been lights out this postseason, allowing only two hits with a 6:0 K:BB over 7.2 scoreless frames.
Austin Wells Austin Wells Believes blows to head had effect Mon, Oct 19, 2026, 8:37 AM Wells said earlier this month that he believes "the culmination of multiple blows to the head" affected his production in the first half, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Wells took a foul tip to the mask April 23 and another one two weeks after that. While he was able to pass concussion testing, the catcher had symptoms and eventually landed on the 10-day injured list in early June with cervical headaches. Wells felt healthy after returning and had a .787 OPS with eight home runs after the All-Star break (as compared to a .504 OPS and six home runs in the first half). The 27-year-old is currently slated to open the 2027 campaign as the Yankees' top catcher, though it's possible the team seeks help from outside the organization.
Will be posted for MLB clubs Mon, Oct 19, 2026, 8:12 AM The Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball have announced they will approve Sato's request to be posted for major-league teams this offseason, Yakyu Cosmopolitan reports. Analysis: Hanshin could begin the posting process soon if Sato and his representation prefer to pick a new club before the CBA expires Dec. 1. Sato won the Triple Crown in NPB in 2026, slashing .306/.383/.609 with a 196 wRC+ and 39 homers for the Tigers. He also had a 26.7 percent strikeout rate, so swing and miss is a bit of a concern. Slated to turn 28 in March, Sato has primarily played third base overseas, but he's also dabbled in the outfield.
Freddy Peralta Freddy Peralta Starting Game 6 of ALCS Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 7:35 PM Peralta will start Game 6 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Analysis: Peralta will take the mound for his second start of the series after he pitched six scoreless innings while striking out six batters on his way to a win in Game 2. He also pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing a walk without surrendering a run in an appearance out of the bullpen in the team's 7-3 victory in Game 4. The right-hander has posted a 0.79 ERA over three postseason appearances this year, and he'll have a chance to help punch the Rays' ticket to the World Series with a win Monday.
Victor Mesa Jr. Victor Mesa Jr. Sitting versus southpaw Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 1:19 PM Mesa is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday. Analysis: The 25-year-old has started all seven of Tampa Bay's playoff games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday against Cleveland lefty Parker Messick. Mesa clubbed a decisive two-run homer in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, but overall he's batting just .160 (4-for-25) with 11 strikeouts in October.
Richie Palacios Richie Palacios On bench vs. lefty Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 1:15 PM Palacios is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday. Analysis: Palacios went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs in Game 4 on Saturday but will take a seat Sunday since southpaw Parker Messick is starting for Cleveland. Ben Williamson is manning the keystone and batting eighth in a pivotal Game 5.
Travis Bazzana Travis Bazzana Clubs first playoff homer Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 10:11 AM Bazzana went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo homer in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday. Analysis: The rookie second baseman gave the Guardians some life with a seventh-inning solo homer that cut the deficit to 5-2, but Cleveland was able to score just one additional run. It was the first multi-hit performance of the playoffs for Bazzana, who has a .200/.294/.367 slash line with two doubles, a homer, a stolen base, two RBI and four runs through nine games.
Yandy Diaz Yandy Diaz Goes deep in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:58 AM Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday. Analysis: Diaz scored Tampa Bay's first run after doubling during the third inning and provided some late insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to stretch the lead to 7-3. It's been a productive series thus far for the 35-year-old slugger, who is batting .278 (5-for-18) with three doubles, a homer, two RBI and four runs through four games.
Jonathan Aranda Jonathan Aranda Comes alive in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:48 AM Aranda went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday. Analysis: The first baseman went hitless in the first three games of the series, but he delivered a pair of RBI singles and scored twice Saturday to help Tampa Bay even the series 2-2. Aranda homered in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees but is otherwise without an extra-base hit in October. Still, the three-hit performance improve his postseason slash line to .269/.345/.385 through seven games.
Foster Griffin Foster Griffin No-decision in bulk role Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:39 AM Griffin didn't factor in the decision after giving up one run on four hits and no walks over 3.2 innings during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday. He struck out five. Analysis: The left-hander allowed two runs over four innings while starting Game 1 of the series, but manager Stephen Vogt elected to have him follow opener Shawn Armstrong on Saturday. Griffin gave up a run on a double and a single during the third inning but was otherwise able to keep Tampa Bay in check. He shouldn't pitch Sunday in Game 5 after throwing 44 pitches but seems likely to be available for Game 6 and a possible Game 7.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Picks up win in Game 4 Sun, Oct 18, 2026, 9:24 AM Martinez earned the win in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 5.1 innings. Analysis: The right-hander surrendered a run on two hits and a wild pitch during the opening frame but otherwise was able to keep Cleveland off the board to help even the series at 2-2. It was an improved effort from Martinez compared to his first playoff start during the ALDS, when he gave up two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. He doesn't line up for another start versus the Guardians but could be available out of the bullpen for the final games of the series.
Nick Raquet Nick Raquet Lands with Tigers Sat, Oct 17, 2026, 2:40 PM Raquet (elbow) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Tigers on Saturday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports. Analysis: Raquet gave up three runs in 3.2 innings with the Orioles and posted a 3.73 ERA across 41 innings at Triple-A this year before Tommy John surgery put an early end to his season in September. He'll be forced to miss the entire 2027 campaign while he recovers from his procedure, but he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself with the Tigers once he's healthy.
Shohei Ohtani Shohei Ohtani Intends to pitch in 2027 Sat, Oct 17, 2026, 1:32 PM Ohtani intends to pitch in 2027, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports. "Yes, definitely," Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton when asked if he plans to pitch in 2027. "And looking forward to having a better season next year." Analysis: It remains to be seen whether Ohtani will have any offseason physical procedures, and how a potential lockout might affect his rehab and subsequent return date. Ohtani was great when he pitched, but he was last able to pitch July 3 due to his left knee injury and later biceps inflammation.
Kyler Fedko Kyler Fedko Inks two-year MiLB deal Sat, Oct 17, 2026, 12:57 PM Fedko (knee) signed a two-year, minor-league contract with the Pirates on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Analysis: Fedko slashed .274/.362/.545 across 307 plate appearances at Triple-A and made his MLB debut with the Twins this season, but his season came to an early end in August due to a torn ACL, MCL and LCL in his left knee. He'll likely miss most, if not all, of the 2027 campaign, but his new deal ensures he'll have an opportunity to show the Pirates what he can do in 2028.
Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong ALCS Game 4 postponed Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 8:26 PM Armstrong and the Guardians won't face the Rays on Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather. Analysis: Games 4 and 5 will both be pushed back a day as a result. Armstrong had been slated to work as an opener in Game 4 after logging 5.1 shutout innings to begin the postseason, and the Guardians will stand pat with their plan to use him in the first inning of Saturday's contest, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo will be candidates to follow Armstrong in a bulk role.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Game 4 postponed Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 8:14 PM Martinez and the Rays won't face the Guardians on Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS, as the game was postponed due to rain. Analysis: Game 4 will now be played Saturday, and Game 5 will be pushed back to Sunday. Martinez will presumably remain in place as Tampa Bay's Game 4 starter and will be looking to bounce back after giving up two earned runs in just 3.2 innings during his last outing against the Yankees in the ALDS.
Nick Martinez Nick Martinez Slated for Game 4 start Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 10:33 AM The Rays list Martinez as their probable pitcher for Friday's ALCS Game 4 in Cleveland. Analysis: Martinez will be pitching on eight days' rest after yielding two runs over 3.2 innings in the Rays' ALDS Game 3 win over the Yankees. The right-hander logged a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109:26 K:BB over 180 regular-season innings for the Rays. The Guardians will counter with opener Shawn Armstrong as an opener, with Tanner Bibee and/or Joey Cantillo likely to handle bulk relief.
Shawn Armstrong Shawn Armstrong Tapped for opener assignment Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 9:41 AM Armstrong will serve as the Guardians' opener Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Armstrong has been terrific this postseason, logging 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit with a 5:0 K:BB. Tanner Bibee and/or Joey Cantillo will be options for bulk relief for the Guardians on Friday.
Brandon Woodruff Brandon Woodruff Pushing for World Series roster Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 9:37 AM Woodruff (shoulder) said Thursday that "it's gonna be hard to keep me off that [World Series] roster," Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Analysis: Woodruff has not pitched in more than three months due to right shoulder inflammation, but he's been throwing off a mound for the past week and hopes to gain clearance to face hitters soon. If the Brewers do decide to carry Woodruff on their World Series roster, it would be in a relief role.