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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 4h

FINAL: Padres 4, Cubs 1 The hottest team in baseball takes care of business in the wild card and sets up a date with top-seeded Milwaukee. San Diego pitched exceptionally, got hitting up and down the lineup, and looks every bit a contender for their first World Series title.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 6h

FINAL: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2 New York sweeps Boston in dominant fashion and heads to the division series against top-seeded Tampa Bay. Every starter registered a hit. Cody Bellinger socked a three-run home run. The Yankees did just about everything well. The Red Sox … did not.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 7h

The Yankees are embarrassing the Red Sox. It is 8-1 after a three-run homer from Cody Bellinger. They have now outscored them 17-1. This series is over.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 8h

The Boston Red Sox have not scored a run in their last 26 postseason innings. In that time, which dates back to Game 2 of the 2025 wild card series, they are hitting .136/.183/.148 with one extra-base hit in 88 at-bats. The Yankees have shut them out through five again tonight.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 9h

FINAL: White Sox 7, Astros 3 One day after receiving a letter from Pope Leo XIV offering "abundant blessings," the Chicago White Sox have won a playoff series for the first time in more than two decades. They went to Houston and absolutely ran the Astros. Cleveland awaits next.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 12h

FINAL/10: Phillies 4, Braves 3 The Phillies’ season was over. Then Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth, Alec Bohm took Didier Fuentes deep in the 10th and Andrew Painter finished with three scoreless innings — and a walk-off ABS challenge.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 13h

Boston outfielder Roman Anthony has damage to muscles in his wrist that is different than the finger injury he previously suffered, Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said. Boston is looking to replace him on the roster, and Jahmai Jones will take Anthony's spot atop the lineup tonight.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

FINAL: Padres 8, Cubs 0 First-inning home runs from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Seven brilliant one-hit innings from Michael King. This is the Padres team that's played better than anyone in baseball for more than two months. And they put a Game 1 walloping on Chicago.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

FINAL: Yankees 9, Red Sox 0 Ben Rice hit two home runs and drove in six. Cam Schlittler threw 6.1 scoreless and struck out 10. New York beat the snot out of Boston and can clinch an ALDS berth against Tampa Bay with a win Wednesday or, if necessary, Thursday.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Ben Rice is 4 for 5 with two home runs and six RBIs. He has as many hits tonight as he did the entire 2025 postseason.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Red Sox pulled Payton Tolle to give Ben Rice a different look. The look Erik Miller gave him was a middle-middle fastball.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

FINAL: White Sox 6, Astros 3 Battle of the bullpen game goes to Chicago, which got three scoreless from rookie Hagen Smith and scored in four of the first five innings. White Sox looking to win their first playoff series since the 2005 World Series and have two chances to do it.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

FINAL: Braves 5, Phillies 3 Don Mattingly went to Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning. Austin Riley hit a three-run go-ahead homer off him in the eighth. Philadelphia will try to save its season tomorrow with Cristopher Sánchez. Game 1 winners are 15-1 in wild card series.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Yankees are going with Anthony Volpe over Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, Spencer Jones over Trent Grisham in center field, and Amed Rosario at third base in Game 1 tonight.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Thanks to @jorgecastillo, @alexspeier , @Chandler_Rome, @JRFegan, @JesseRogersESPN, @sdutKevinAcee, @MattGelb, @mlbbowman, @Alden_Gonzalez, @AdamMcCalvy, @TBTimes_Rays and the Hall of Famer @hoynsie for all their insight. Lucky to have some of the best beat writers in baseball.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Thanks to @jorgecastillo, @alexsepeier, @Chandler_Rome, @JRFegan, @JesseRogersESPN, @sdutKevinAcee, @MattGelb , @mlbbowman, @Alden_Gonzalez, @AdamMcCalvy, @TBTimes_Rays and the Hall of Famer @hoynsie for all their insight. Lucky to have some of the best beat writers in baseball.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

In our playoff preview, we answer the important questions about all four wild card series that start today and also hit on the four bye teams. Your one-stop shop for postseason knowledge with writers who have covered the teams all season long. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbF9408ncgM

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MLB Playoff Preview: Breaking Down Every Team | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

YouTube video by ESPN MLB

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Aaron Judge will not be on the Yankees' Wild Card Series roster, a source confirms to ESPN. @JackCurryYES was on it.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-3, to secure the final National League playoff spot. The Phillies play Atlanta on Tuesday. The Houston Astros are ahead, 7-0, as they look to lock up the American League West title and host a wild-card series against Chicago.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The American League MVP finishing with a flourish. Yordan Alvarez has been the best hitter in baseball this year and it’s not close.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The final numbers from Justin Verlander’s 21-year Hall of Fame career: Record: 266-159 Games started: 557 ERA: 3.33 ERA+: 128 IP: 3,575.2 H: 3,057 BB: 1,007 K: 3,560 (8th all-time) HR: 374 FIP: 3.44 Cy Young Award: 3 All-Star: 10 World Series champion: 2 American League MVP: 1

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the 7th player in MLB history to join the 40/40 club after swiping his 40th base of the season in the bottom of the 1st inning against the Marlins. He has 45 home runs to go along with his 40 stolen bases.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Andy Green has agreed to a three-year deal to remain Mets manager after this season. Green took over as interim manager when Carlos Mendoza was fired in late June. He had insisted he wanted to return to the front office after the season, but he’ll continue in the dugout.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Aaron Boone said Aaron Judge has a “moderate grade” strain and he doesn’t expect to have him available for the Wild Card series. Boone said Judge received a PPP injection yesterday.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The Boston Red Sox have removed the interim tag from manager Chad Tracy's title and signed him to a three-year contract with a club option for 2030. Tracy took over as manager following Alex Cora's firing when Boston was 12-17. The Red Sox are 74-55 since.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

On Sept. 25, 2016, José Fernández died in a boat crash. He was only 24. Ten years later, we talk with Christian Yelich and Dee Strange-Gordon about Fernández’s pitching brilliance, how he helped usher in baseball’s modern era and the legacy he left behind. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr1_jkhKLC8

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Remembering José Fernández, 10 Years Later | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

YouTube video by ESPN MLB

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

It's been 10 years since Dee Strange-Gordon hit one of the most incredible home runs in baseball history. It came the day after one of his best friends, José Fernández, died, and he's convinced it was divine intervention.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Chicago Cubs star Alex Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures after being struck by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle Sunday, sources tell ESPN. Bregman will not undergo surgery and is hopeful to return in the postseason.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The New York Yankees are placing star outfielder Aaron Judge on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The three best teams in the American League this year have been the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox -- and it's not really close. Because of the seeding that rewards division winners, only one of them can make it to the ALCS. Winner of Yankees-Sox will face Rays in the division series.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

With their win over Chicago today, the Cleveland Guardians have taken over first place in the American League Central. As of now, Tampa Bay and Cleveland would get byes, with the Astros hosting the White Sox and the Yankees hosting the Red Sox in three-game wild card series.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Within the span of five days, Junior Caminero has hit two walk-off homers, including one to clinch a playoff berth. He leads the AL with 41 homers and has done his best to mount a late run at stealing the AL MVP award away from the favored Yordan Alvarez.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

In 2001, 54 Puerto Rican-born players appeared in a big-league game. That number is 27 this season. The reasons for the decline are wide-ranging. Insiders say it begins with the implementation of the Rule 4 draft in 1989. “It’s poor right now.”

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

As a labor war more than a generation in the making approaches, I take a look at not only why MLB owners aren’t publicly standing behind their salary-cap proposal but at the whole baseball landscape, where things stand and where compromise can be found: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDSWcSlsEHk

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Everything to Know about the MLB Lockout | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

YouTube video by ESPN MLB

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Last week, I asked every MLB team to speak with its owner on camera. They’re less than three months from shutting down the sport via a lockout, and I wanted to hear their explanation for why they think a salary cap is worth the fallout that's bound to come. None agreed to talk.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA and NHL joined with their respective players’ unions today to crack down on betting-related harassment of athletes, coaches and families. “Threatening the safety of an athlete or their family members over a sports bet crosses a bright ethical and criminal

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Toronto is calling up outfielder Rudy Martin Jr., who is expected to make his debut after 12 years in the minors, a source tells ESPN. Martin, 30, was taken in the 25th round of the draft -- which doesn't exist anymore -- in 2014. Played indy ball, Mexican League and, now, MLB.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Scott Van Pelt, Jeremy Schaap and the ESPN family remember Barry Melrose.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

News: The Dodgers are calling up their best prospect, OF Josue De Paula, sources told ESPN. He will be with the team on Friday, for the start of a weekend series in Miami. More to come.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The full episode, in which we talk with stakeholders in Salt Lake City, Raleigh, Portland, Nashville, Orlando and Montreal, can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Db2aGpVWKE…

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Where Should MLB Expand? Six Cities Make Their Case | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

YouTube video by ESPN MLB

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The city with the most compelling case for MLB expansion right now: Salt Lake City. It's got an owner. It's got a public-private partnership to fund a stadium. And it's got a site that's already being developed. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox talked with us about how far ahead SLC is.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The Yankees activated Aaron Judge from the injured list. He'll make his return tomorrow against the Rockies.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

John Paciorek debuted as an 18-year-old for the Houston Colt .45s in 1963. He went 3 for 3 with four runs, three RBIs and two walks. He never played in MLB again. It was the greatest one-game career in MLB history, and it happened in September, a month that breeds great stories.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

For context: Major League Baseball stripped the Houston Astros of their first- and second-round picks in 2020 and 2021 as part of the penalty for the team's sign-stealing scheme during its World Series-winning 2017 season.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Can I ask, by the way, how people in Chicago felt about their home game turning into a road game? That can’t happen.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Arte Moreno’s tenure as the Angels’ owner is over. Rams owner Stan Kroenke has purchased the team. From Kroenke’s side …

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Trade news: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. Pham is expected to join the White Sox when rosters expand Sept. 1. The 38-year-old rejoins the Sox after spending parts of 2026 with the Mets, O's and Phils.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the 1st Cubs player with at least 4 hits, 3 HR and 6 RBI in a game at Wrigley since George Mitterwald in 1974.

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Jeff Passan Bot @jeffpassanbot.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Shohei Ohtani will not make his start tomorrow. “If any pitcher was feeling like this, we wouldn’t run him out there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. The Dodgers haven’t decided to shut him down as a pitcher. They’re going to see how he feels when he gets back to LA.

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