MLB Player News

Cease gave up a three-run homer to Grant McCray, and McCray also drove in a run — without getting an RBI — on a double play. Outside of that it was a fine start for Cease, but damage done. The right-hander has been a bit shaky as of late, as he posted a 4.43 ERA in the month of August and he’s given up seven runs thus far in his 12 innings in September. He’ll take on the Giants again over next weekend.

It’s the first three-homer game since 2015 in the AFL. Briceño hit only two homers in 151 at-bats in 2024 with Low-A Lakeland, but he does possess above-average power in his left-handed bat. The 20-year-old is considered one of the top hitting prospects in the Detroit system, and while he’s at least a few years away, there’s enough offensive upside to suggest keeping him on dynasty/keeper radars right now.

Painter gave up a three hits including a solo homer, and he walked one. The 6-foot-7 right-hander has missed the last two seasons due to injury and underwent Tommy John surgery in July of 2023, but he’s still considered one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. He reportedly touched 100 mph with his fastball, so the arm strength is still there. Painter should be a contributor for the Phillies in 2025 as long as he stays healthy, and there’s an immense amount of fantasy potential in his right arm.

Vesia was hurt during Game 5 on Friday. Tony Gonsolin and Brent Honeywell are candidates to replace him on the Dodgers roster. It’s also possible the Dodgers could carry both and drop another reliever.

Ouch. Stone was excellent before hurting his shoulder last month, going 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA and a 116/37 K/BB in 140 1/3 innings over 25 starts. The Dodgers could have Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May back to join Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Bobby Miller, but with so many question marks, adding pitching is going to have to be a priority this winter.

Kwan picked up three hits in the final three games of the series, and he went 11-for-20 in the five-game set with a .591 on-base percentage and .600 slugging mark. The outfielder has had spurts like this in his short MLB career, and the Guardians will hope the 27-year-old can do something similar over the ALCS against the Yankees beginning Monday.

Carpenter came off the bench while clearly still hobbled by his hamstring injury, but he was able to rip a ball into the gap all the way to the wall to off Andrew Walters to score Trey Sweeney from first. Because of the injury Carpenter was only able to get to first base, and he didn’t look good doing it. He had another chance to play hero with the bases loaded and Detroit down three, but Carpenter struck out. The 27-year-old was outstanding after injury in 2024, and should be an excellent fantasy option again in 2025 even if he won’t provide help in the steals category.

The Guardians trailed 1-0 in the fifth inning against future Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, but after Jose Ramirez was plunked with the bases loaded to tie the game, Thomas swatted a grand slam off Skubal to give the Guardians a 5-1 lead and ultimately a win. He drove in another run with an infield single in the seventh. It was the second homer of the series for the former National outfielder, and it gave him nine RBI in the best-of-five tilt. Game 1 of the ALCS will take place Monday in New York.

Clase was called on in the top of the eighth with a runner on, and he was able to get the final six outs in the must-win game. The right-hander gave up a three-run homer to Kerry Carpenter in Game 2, but he’s been as dominant as any reliever in baseball even with that blemish. He’ll see plenty of work in the best-of-seven series against New York in the ALCS; or at least the Guardians hope that’ll be the case.

Skubal was able to work out of a few jams, but in the fifth inning he plunked Jose Ramirez with the bases loaded, and then gave up a grand slam on a pitch down the middle of the plate to Lane Thomas. That was the first grand slam allowed of his career. Not a great time for it. It’s a disappointing end to what was a fantastic season for Skubal; one that will assuredly see him take home a Cy Young in November. He should be one of the first pitchers off the board in 2025 drafts.

Boyd hit the first batter he faced and walked another in the first, but he picked up three strikeouts in that inning. The second inning saw the southpaw put runners on first-and-third, but another pair of punchouts kept the Tigers scoreless. Boyd should get a chance to start at some point for the Guardians in the ALCS against the Yankees.