The Guardians aren’t done yet.
After dropping the first two games of the series, Cleveland responded with a six-run sixth inning and leaned on three different starting pitchers to beat the White Sox, setting up a decisive Game 5 tomorrow night in Chicago.
Elsewhere around the majors, the playoff picture kept shifting in every direction. Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Brewers and the Dodgers could bring a marquee pitching matchup, with Jacob Misiorowski and Tarik Skubal lined up for the opener.
In New York, Aaron Judge made it clear what he wants next after the Yankees’ elimination. He said he wants the front office to go all in, and he also voiced confidence in manager Aaron Boone.
Ian O’Connor, meanwhile, wrote that the Yankees should move on from Boone, though he added that nobody should expect them to actually do it. Deesha Thosar said the end of the season felt all too familiar for the Yankees.
The Mets are already looking ahead to a winter that could shape the direction of the organization. Tim Britton examined where the payroll stands before what could be a transformative offseason. Laura Albanese also highlighted Carson Benge’s strong finish, saying it gave his Rookie of the Year case a major boost.
Around the National League East, there’s plenty of fallout after more October exits. Battery Power asked where the Braves go from here after another postseason loss, while Ronald Acuña Jr. took boos during Atlanta’s defeat in the National League Division Series and now faces some major questions heading into next season.
The Good Phight focused on Dave Dombrowski’s offseason mission after the Phillies were knocked out in the Wild Card round. Federal Baseball said Michael King would be a statement free-agent signing for the Nationals.
One more note from the division: Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee will undergo elbow surgery and expects to be back on the field in six months.
And in the hockey world, the Islanders honored Howie Rose’s career at their home opener.
Major League Baseball also floated a significant set of changes, proposing a 154-game regular season, a Division Series expanded to best-of-seven, and a playoff setup in which higher-seeded teams in the Wild Card and Division Series rounds would choose their opponents. The league says those ideas are all tied to the union agreeing to a salary cap.
In Other News...
Mets Fans Are Waiting To See How Bold David Stearns Gets
The Mets 2026 pitching staff did not hold up the way the front office wanted, and that alone has set the stage for an offseason built around a lot more than just a few tweaks. David Stearns has already made clear he expects the organization to bring plenty of arms into the picture before spring training, a sign that the search for help may be broad and practical rather than limited to one marquee name.
For Mets fans, the real question is how aggressive Stearns plans to get when the market opens. His track record suggests caution with expensive deals for older starters, which could point the club toward shorter-term bets and less familiar options instead of a splashy pursuit at the very top. After a season in which the rotation let them down, the balance between patience and urgency could define the winter. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mets Prospect Just Became Another Frustrating Development Reminder
Alex Ramirezs path has become the kind of development story the Mets would rather not keep revisiting. Once a prospect in the organization, he was released twice after disappointing stretches in Double-A, and his time in the system never really matched the expectations that usually follow a player with that profile.
After landing with the Cubs, Ramirez started to look more like the player scouts once imagined, putting together a stronger Double-A season and showing clearer offensive growth. For the Mets, it is another uncomfortable reminder of how often young talent seems to stall before it can matter in Queens, even when it finds a better runway elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Face A Catching Decision That Could Shape Their Offseason
The Mets enter the offseason with a familiar but uncomfortable question behind the plate. Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens are still the primary catching tandem, but the fit is not as straightforward as it once looked. Alvarez has not lived up to expectations, and Torrens has carved out value as the steadier defensive complement, leaving the club to sort out how much upside it wants to bet on versus how much certainty it needs.
The challenge is that the market does not offer many easy answers. Free agency and the trade board both look thin at catcher, and New York is expected to have other, bigger priorities to address, especially starting pitching and first base. That leaves the Mets weighing whether to stay the course, make a modest tweak, or wait for a better opportunity that may not arrive this winter. [Read more 🡒]