MLB.com

Houston beat the Athletics 9-0 to clinch the AL West title, with the win lifting the Astros to an 81-81 record while Oakland fell to 64-98. Fans and sports accounts are sharing the final score and the division-clinching result, capping a season in which Houston reached .500 yet still took the division crown.

The Texas Rangers were eliminated from the American League postseason race after losing 6-4 to the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota improved to 77-85 with the win, while Texas fell to 80-82, ending the defending-era hopes of reaching the playoffs this season. Fans are reacting to the Rangers' late-season collapse after their strong 2023 championship run.

MLB.com has published the final statistical leaders for the 2026 Major League Baseball season, compiling the top performers across batting and pitching categories. The rundown gives fans a complete look at who finished on top after the regular season concluded.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell says he is not ready to set the team's postseason pitching rotation, speaking from St. Petersburg. Counsell, known for wanting as much information as possible before committing to decisions, declined to tip his hand about how he plans to line up his starters for the playoffs, leaving fans and analysts speculating.

Seattle defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 in American League play, finishing the season at 76-86 while the Angels closed at 62-100. Alongside the result, news broke that Mariners manager Dan Wilson will not return for the 2027 season, making him the main talking point of the game coverage.

The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres begin their National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, with Game 1 airing on NBCSN and streaming on Peacock. MLB.com has published a FAQ guide covering how to watch, probable pitching and key storylines as both clubs open the postseason looking to advance in the playoff bracket.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, will host a Sunday game between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com. The matchup is unusual because the ballpark is the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, and neither visiting team plays there regularly. Fans are discussing why the venue was chosen and what it means for the schedule.