October 17 has been a significant date in Pirates lore, and the club’s two most recent World Series championships were sealed on this day. In 1971 and again in 1979, Pittsburgh finished off the Orioles in Game 7, with both titles coming via victories that still stand out in franchise memory.
The 1971 clincher was a 2-1 win powered by Steve Blass’ complete game, Roberto Clemente’s solo homer in the fourth inning, and Jose Pagan’s RBI double in the eighth that brought home the deciding run. Eight years later, the Pirates did it again, this time by a 4-1 count.
Willie Stargell delivered the key blow in that one, putting Pittsburgh ahead for good with a two-run homer in the sixth. Stargell finished Game 7 with four hits and posted a 1.208 OPS over 30 plate appearances in the Fall Classic, which earned “Pops” the Series MVP award.
In Cleveland, Game 4 of the ALCS is finally on the calendar after yesterday’s rainout pushed it to tonight at 7pm CT. The Rays will go with Nick Martinez, while the Guardians will use opener Shawn Armstrong. That was the originally planned matchup before the postponement, but the bigger issue now may be how the altered schedule affects both clubs down the line.
If the Guardians win and move ahead 3-1, the Rays could be forced into full survival mode for Game 5 and, if Tampa gets that far, beyond. The delay also wipes out the scheduled off-day on Sunday.
Game 5 is now set for 4pm CT that day, and if the series keeps going, Game 6 and Game 7 would follow on Monday and Tuesday night in St. Petersburg.
Brandon Woodruff’s path back has taken another turn, and it has opened the door to an unlikely possibility. What looked in July like a shoulder surgery that would end his season instead gave way to more encouraging follow-up exams, which removed surgery from the equation and sent him into a long throwing program aimed at getting him back on the mound in 2026.
The only real window for Woodruff to help the Brewers this year would come in the World Series, and that is now on the table. He still needs to face live hitters, and Milwaukee has every reason to be careful with a pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a game setting since July 4. Even so, his strong results despite injuries over the last four seasons, along with the human side of the story, could make a relief role in the Series a real consideration.
Seattle’s managerial search has added another familiar name. The Mariners reportedly have interest in Rocco Baldelli, who managed the Twins from 2019-25 and went 505-505 while winning three AL Central titles. Baldelli is now working as a special assistant in the Dodgers’ front office after Minnesota let him go.
At this point, Baldelli, Joe Espada, and Torey Lovullo are the only known names on Seattle’s radar, with Lovullo no longer in the mix after signing a new deal with the Diamondbacks. That list also fits with Jerry Dipoto’s preference for a manager who already has MLB experience.
In Other News...
Mariners May Have A Surprise Left Field Option Emerging
Randy Arozarenas strong season put him in line for free agency, which leaves the Mariners staring at one of the more interesting holes on the roster heading into the winter. Seattle has some in-house and external possibilities to consider for left field, with Michael Arroyo and Brendan Donovan among the major league names in the mix while the organization also looks at younger options that could help fill the production Arozarena brought to the lineup.
One of the more intriguing possibilities is Boston Smith, a catching prospect who has impressed offensively in the minors and has also been getting a look in left field. Seattle acquired Smith in a trade earlier this year, and his ability to handle another position only adds to the appeal as the Mariners sort through how to replace Arozarenas bat and decide whether a surprise internal option might be ready for a larger role. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Offseason Math Could Force A Painful Roster Decision
The Mariners are heading into an offseason where the accounting could matter as much as the lineup card. With payroll already projected at about $135.9 million before any additions, Seattle is looking at roughly $30 million to $40 million in room for the 2027 winter, and that has to cover a roster with important free-agent decisions ahead and a cluster of arbitration-eligible players who will need to be paid.
That kind of squeeze is why the front office may have to think uncomfortably about dealing from the rotation to create flexibility. Any move of that sort would need to solve more than one problem at once, because Seattle cannot afford to trade away a premium arm unless the return is an established, controllable hitter who can help right away and beyond just the coming season. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Keep Reshaping Roster As Another Veteran Heads Out
The Mariners roster churn continued this week as Miles Mastrobuoni headed into free agency after being outrighted off Seattles 40-man roster. Mastrobuoni had spent parts of two seasons with the club, giving the Mariners a versatile depth piece with previous big-league stops in Tampa Bay and Chicago.
His departure comes while Seattle is still sorting through bigger-picture matters, including the search for a new manager. The club has already interviewed Joe Espada and has shown interest in Rocco Baldelli, leaving the Mariners to juggle roster decisions and leadership questions at the same time as they try to keep momentum going after an AL West title. [Read more 🡒]