We're Talking Sports

09/30/2026

Wednesday morning dad jokes with Ron and Will.

09/29/2026

Cubs vs. Padres: Tuesday’s wild-card opener
Game 1 is September 29 at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time at Petco Park. MLB lists Matthew Boyd (10–5, 3.91 ERA) for Chicago against Michael King (12–10, 3.21 ERA) for San Diego.

Chicago has the clear offensive advantage. The Cubs also won five of six regular-season meetings with San Diego, although those games cannot tell us how this pitching matchup will play out.

The matchup to watch is King against the Cubs’ lineup. If he can contain Chicago’s power and hand over a lead, San Diego has a strong late-inning bullpen led by Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, and Bradgley Rodriguez. For the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong brings both power and speed.

My read: The Cubs’ bats give them the stronger overall profile, but King and San Diego’s bullpen make the Padres dangerous in Game 1. Boyd keeping the game close through the middle innings is Chicago’s biggest pitching key. I'm taking the Cubs in this one. If Chicago can take game 1, then I'm calling a sweep. If not, then Cubs in 3.

09/28/2026

Phillies vs. Braves: Tuesday’s wild-card opener
Game 1 is September 29 at 11:00 a.m. Arizona time at Truist Park in Atlanta. It’s a best-of-three series. The scheduled starters are Jesús Luzardo (14–5, 2.86 ERA) for Philadelphia and Chris Sale (14–9, 2.16 ERA) for Atlanta.

Atlanta has the stronger full-season numbers on both sides of the ball and won the season series 9–4. Sale gives the Braves a particularly tough Game 1 matchup, though Luzardo’s 221 strikeouts give Philadelphia a starter capable of matching him inning for inning.

What could decide it: Watch whether Philadelphia’s hitters can work Sale into a high pitch count and get opportunities against Atlanta’s bullpen. The Phillies showed they can change a game late: they scored seven runs in the eighth inning of their September 13 win over the Braves. Atlanta’s path is to let Sale set the pace and have its deeper season-long power production supply a lead.

My read: Braves in 3, based on home field, and the season-long edge. That being said, I hope Bryce, JT, Schwarber, Turner and Marsh bring their A games and prove me wrong.

09/28/2026

Red Sox vs. Yankees: Tuesday’s wild-card opener

First pitch is September 29 at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time at Yankee Stadium. It’s Game 1 of a best-of-three series, with Payton Tolle (9–6, 3.03 ERA) scheduled for Boston against Cam Schlittler (14–6, 1.95 ERA) for New York.

New York has the statistical edge in power and run prevention, and Schlittler is a formidable Game 1 assignment: his 1.95 ERA came over 193⅔ innings. Boston’s pitching has also been excellent, so this could stay tight if Tolle keeps the Yankees’ power in the ballpark.

The biggest question is New York’s lineup without Aaron Judge. As of the latest injury report I found, the Yankees were preparing for him to miss the series with a calf strain. That makes their 223-homer season total less representative of the lineup Boston may face tomorrow.

My read: The Yankees have the Game 1 edge on the strength of Schlittler, the deeper season record, and home field. Boston’s route to an upset is a strong Tolle start followed by a low-scoring game; the final lineups, especially Judge’s status, are worth checking before first pitch. Even without Judge, I'm still taking the Yankees in this series.

09/28/2026

White Sox Vs Astros

The season totals point to a close matchup with different strengths: Houston brings more home-run power, while Chicago has been better at scoring runs overall and preventing them. The White Sox pitching edge is real but fairly small in WHIP, so a few well-timed hits could erase it in a single game.

Three things to watch:

1. Houston’s power with runners aboard. The Astros hit 15 more homers than Chicago, but scored 42 fewer runs. Solo shots may not be enough against a staff with a 4.12 ERA.

2. How long Houston’s Game 1 pitcher goes. MLB lists Blubaugh as its probable pitcher. If his outing is short, bullpen decisions become a major part of the game. mlb.com

3. Chicago’s ability to keep innings moving. The White Sox scored more despite a lower slugging percentage. Putting runners on and converting those chances would play to their season-long strength.

My read: Chicago has the slightly stronger full-season profile, but Houston’s power makes Game 1 difficult to call. I’m taking Houston in this one. I feel playing all 3 games at home will give the Astros the edge they need. Houston in 3.

09/28/2026

⚾ ON THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

On September 28, 1941, Ted Williams collected six hits in a doubleheader and finished the season with a .406 batting average. No qualified Major League hitter has reached .400 since.

Will anyone ever hit .400 again?

09/27/2026

💥 ON THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

On September 27, 1998, Mark McGwire hit home runs No. 69 and 70, finishing the season with what was then the Major League record.

Where does the McGwire–Sosa home-run chase rank among baseball’s most memorable seasons?

09/26/2026

⛵ ON THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

On September 26, 1983, Australia II won the America’s Cup, ending the New York Yacht Club’s incredible 132-year winning streak—the longest in sports history.

What’s the greatest upset or streak-ending victory you remember?

09/25/2026

⚾ ON THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

On September 25, 1974, Dr. Frank Jobe performed the groundbreaking elbow procedure that became known as “Tommy John surgery.” The operation saved Tommy John’s career and eventually changed sports medicine forever.

What other innovation completely changed a sport?

09/24/2026