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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/10/2025

The Mets and September collapses...a pairing like no other

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/10/2025

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Today’s Headlines

 

Paying Early Dividends

Inserted in the middle of a playoff race, the wonderfully-named Connelly Early was able to deliver a masterful debut, earning a win as the Red Sox shut down the A’s for a second straight night, this time by a 6-0 score. A lead-off homer from Romy González set the table from the get-go, while a Rob Refsnyder three-run blast provided plenty of run support for the rookie, as he began his MLB journey with a 4-0 lead without even throwing a pitch. Early would retire the first eight batters he faced, including four strikeouts, before Zack Gelof singled to add a number to his WHIP. In the end, the rookie would end up with a memorable line of five scoreless innings, including 11 strikeouts and no extra-base hits allowed. Boston’s bullpen closed the game with four scoreless frames, as the A’s will look to finally score a run against the Sox staff in the series finale.

 

They Might Be Giants

Had you told Giants fans in August that their team would be playing meaningful games in September, it would have sounded like a far-flung idea. leaning towards delusional. After all, San Francisco had been literally the worst team in baseball since the All-Star break… even worse than the Rockies. However, something clicked in late August and has carried over to September, and now the Giants have won 13 of their last 16 games, inching closer to a playoff spot as the Mets have floundered during the same span. Last night’s win even included some patented torture, as closer Ryan Walker allowed the tying runs to reach before settling down and earning a save in this dramatic 5-3 win. The scoring started early with a Willy Adames three-run blast in the first, while Robbie Ray (two runs allowed in five innings) was solid enough to earn his 11th win of the season. Even as the odds are still against them (Fangraphs says that their odds are still below 10%), this version of the Giants has at least managed to stir up some hope, even if it is for a better 2026.

 

Nifty Fifty

In a game full of milestones, Juan Soto became the first player to reach 30/30 in 2025, while Ranger Suárez struck out a career-high 12 in a sparkling performance. Having said that, they could not compare to the power stroke of Kyle Schwarber, who delivered the evening’s exclamation point with a three-run blast that put the game away and became his 50th homer of the season. Fittingly, the home crowd went berserk and gave him a well-deserved standing ovation, as the homer not only represented an accomplishment, but also put the Phillies a step closer towards a division title. Early homers from Otto Kemp and Harrison Bader provided plenty of run support for Suarez, who would finish the day with six scoreless frames. The Mets closed the gap to a 4-1 deficit that put them within reach, but it would all be for naught thanks to Schwarber, who has suddenly become a true MVP candidate. The 9-3 final score gave Philly a 9-game lead in the NL East, while the Mets continue their freefall.

 

Wild West

In the only division that appears to be heading towards a final week decision, the Mariners and Rangers picked up a game in the standings, benefitting from a late-game collapse by the Astros. Texas played a solid game and beat the MLB-leading Brewers by a 5-4 score, with manager Bruce Bochy providing a vintage masterclass of bullpen usage. The Rangers required 4.1 innings from their pen, as five relievers did their job to secure the much-needed win, while the offense took advantage of three straight extra-base hits in the fifth to take a lead they would not relinquish. Over in Seattle, the M’s overcame a shaky outing from George Kirby and erased an early deficit, powered by a Randy Arozarena three-run homer and a solo blast from Josh Naylor. In a similar fashion to Texas, Seattle needed five relievers to complete the final five scoreless frames in the 5-3 win. With the Red Sox and Yankees out of reach, it is clear that one of these three teams will be out, and that means plenty of scoreboard watching from here until October.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Vladito with the IQ

As mentioned before, the Astros dropped a heartbreaking game in Toronto, as the Blue Jays rallied to tie the game in the ninth via a clutch two-run single from Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Toronto missed their chance to walk it off in the ninth, though, and so the game went to extras, with the shaky Jeff Hoffman tasked to give the home team a chance. With Victor Caratini batting and Jose Altuve as the ghost runner, the slow-footed catcher hit what looked like a routine grounder to the right side that would move the runner over – usually a winning play for the road team in overtime. However, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. had other plans, as he alertly charged the ball and threw a dart to third, nabbing Altuve by a wide margin. The heads-up play erased around 17% of winning expectancy for the Astros, according to the MLB models, as Hoffman retired the next two batters and ended up taking the win as Tyler Heineman had the walk-off RBI with a slow grounder. In a day when he went 3-for-5 at the plate, fielding was what made Vladito the hero in Toronto.

 

True Robbery

If we’re honest, most homerun robberies are semi-routine catches that come up around the fence, with fielders having to simply jump at the perfect time and secure the ball. This Fernando Tatis Jr. catch is the complete opposite of that. With the Reds taking an early 2-0 lead and Tyler Stephenson at the plate, an opposite-field fly ball appeared to have the distance to extend Cincinnati’s lead. However, Tatis put his athleticism and flair for the dramatic on full display, tracking the ball and jumping expertly to deny Stephenson. The play’s alternate angle was brilliant to show just how much Tatis went over the fence and had a true homerun robbery. Unfortunately for the Friars, it would all be for naught, as the Reds took advantage of a rare Robert Suarez blip to score twice in the ninth and earn a 4-2 win, keeping them alive in the NL wild card race.

 

Batting Around 

For a long time, this game had the makings of a banner day for the Yankees. A first-inning solo homer gave Aaron Judge sole possession of fifth place on the all-time homers list for the franchise, surpassing Yogi Berra. Cody Bellinger would add a second solo blast to give a 2-0 lead to starter Will Warren, who was pitching brilliantly. Even as Warren would cede two runs to the Tigers to tie up the score, the beleaguered Casey Mize was on the mound for Detroit, suggesting that the Yanks still had the upper hand. Mize would close his outing after a scoreless sixth, with the game still tied. This is where the floodgates opened, as the Tigers put up one of the most impressive innings in their long history. It all started with a Riley Greene double, followed by eight straight batters reaching either via single, walk, or hit by pitch. The scoring would be punctuated by a Kerry Carpenter two-run triple, as the Tigers would score nine runs in the seventh. For a city that is antsy about its bullpen, this was not a very encouraging day.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Cubs have placed outfielder Kyle Tucker on the 10-day IL, retroactive to September 6, due to a strained left calf. This will mark Tucker’s first IL stint since joining the Cubs, and it is probably an abundance of caution, as Chicago does not have much to play for except final positioning as a wild card. In his absence, Willi Castro and Seiya Suzuki are likely to split right field duties, while recent addition Carlos Santana should also receive more at-bats than expected.

⚾ Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left knee sprain, in what could end up becoming an impactful injury for the division-leading Blue Jays. Bichette has been one of the most consistent hitters in the AL, and he will now rest for a full week before receiving a reevaluation. Ernie Clement and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are likely to see action at shortstop in the meantime. 

⚾ Kansas City starter Michael Wacha has been placed on the 7-day IL with a concussion, retroactive to September 8. The injury apparently happened in an off-field incident, as the team indicated it is precautionary in nature. With the Royals hanging on to slim playoff leads, this could prove to be a significant loss, even as ace Cole Ragans is nearing a return to the big league club. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

A Primer on Stolen Base Opportunism — Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

The Perfect Call for a Perfect Game — Sweeny Murti, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Waiver Wire Picks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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