JR Ritchie falters in final 2026 start

Gausman always figured to be one of the Cubs’ three starters in the series, but there were some doubts about his availability after he injured his non-throwing shoulder in his final regular season start. Fortunately, it seems he’s good to go. The Cubs, though, will have everyone available while facing elimination.

Pretty incredible. Musgrove was a surprising addition to the Padres’ playoff roster, and received a roaring ovation from the San Diego crowd when he entered for the final inning. He struck out the first batter he faced since 2024 on a curveball, and while he then gave up two singles and free pass, the 33-year-old was able to get the next two outs. It’ll be interesting to see how the Padres use Musgrove going forward, as the stuff did look good.

A tough first playoff game for Crow-Armstrong, with the only positive being a walk. The MVP favorite was fortunate not to get kicked out after arguing a check-swing third strikeout in a game where the Cubs only managed three hits through the game. PCA and Chicago will get a chance to bounce back in a must-win game for the Cubs on Wednesday in San Diego.

Machado hit one of three homers for the Padres with a solo blast in the first off Matthew Boyd. The 34-year-old then doubled home Fernand Tatis Jr., and he also drew a walk. Machado and the Padres will have a chance to get to the NLDS with a win Wednesday.

Tatis Jr. stole second in the seventh, then turned on the afterburners to score on a throw that went into shallow left field. The 27-year-old has been spectacular over the final few months, and he got the Padres all the offense they’d need with a leadoff homer off Matthew Boyd. A win Wednesday will see the Padres advance to the NLDS against the Brewers this weekend.

Boyd allowed three homers, including a leadoff homer to Fernando Tatis Jr. He also gave up dingers to Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts in a shaky — at very best — outing for the 35-year-old. Boyd would likely start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers if the Cubs advance, but they’ll need to win these next two games on the road.

King didn’t allow a hit until the seventh when Nico Hoerner hit an infield single off the right-hander with one out in the inning. He did walk three, but the right-hander was never really challenged with just seven balls registering as hard hit, eight strikeouts and 17 swings-and-misses generated. The Padres are now a win away from facing the Brewers in the NLCS, and if they advance, King will likely start Game 2 of that series come Sunday.

That was the easy guess, unfortunately. Anthony, who missed much of the year after suffering a partial tendon tear in his right ring finger in May, might have originally aggravated things during Sunday’s game. It’s unclear if he’ll be an option Wednesday, but really, the bigger concern at this point might be 2027 and beyond.

Rice took Red Sox lefty reliever Erik Miller deep for a 423-foot blast to straightaway center field with two outs in the fifth inning to give New York a commanding 2-0 advantage with ace Cam Schlittler completely shutting down Boston’s offense. He supplied another insurance run with a bases-loaded RBI single to right field off lefty reliever Alec Gamboa in the seventh inning. Rice had a chance to do even more damage when he came to the plate with the bases loaded again in the ensuing frame, and he didn’t waste it, crushing a grand slam to center field off righty Brayan Bello to complete the multi-homer performance. The Cohasset, Massachusetts native recorded four batted balls with exit velocities over 100 mph as the Yankees cruised to a comfortable win without injured franchise cornerstone Aaron Judge (calf).

Boston’s inability to score runs during the final month of the regular season carried over into the postseason as they were unable to manufacture anything against Yankees ace Cam Schlittler, who held them scoreless into the seventh inning, as they finished with just three hits in the entire contest.