Kansas City closed the 2025 season in style, beating Oakland 9-2 to finish 82-80. The offense clicked early and late, with Massey piling up four hits and Jensen delivering a three-hit night, including a 482-foot homer—the longest by a Royal in the Statcast era. Back-to-back seventh-inning shots from Yastrzemski and Jensen punctuated the onslaught, and Witt Jr. capped the burst with a two-run double as KC pulled away. Ragans logged 4.1 innings with eight strikeouts, and the bullpen sealed it for a momentum boost into 2026.

Two-time champions vibe aside, this win underscored organizational depth: Massey and Jensen carried the offense, Ragans brushed off a pitch-count, and a late Yastrzemski blast kept KC's bats hot. It was a definitive send-off to a season of gritty wins and learning moments, signaling that the Royals can build on this foundation next year.

The Rangers snapped a string of near-misses with a dramatic 6-3 win over Kansas City, riding a late, two-out rally that featured a rare No. 4 start for Higashioka and a bullpen surge. Texas was shorthanded – Bochy away, a spot start needed – yet the lineup clawed back from deficits, setting up Higashioka’s bases-loaded double to clear the bases in the ninth. Milner closed the door after a grueling sixth through eighth, while interim manager Luis Ureta logged another win in his budding run atop the dugout. Langford pounced early with a leadoff homer, underscoring his growing impact, though his aggressiveness on the bases provided a teachable moment. Texas’ playoff odds had tumbled to a season-low 7.9% earlier, but this night carved out a reminder: even a beleaguered team can flip a game with collective resilience, timely power, and bullpen grit.

The game stretched into a test of bullpen depth, with Caleb Boushley giving the Rangers a chance to rally early and Jake Latz delivering 3 1/3 strong innings in relief. Langford’s speed and Higashioka’s power paired with a patient approach from Seager and Semien to bookend the late rally. Kansas City’s Vinny Pasquantino fueled early offense with a three-run blast that pushed Texas into a corner, but the Rangers factory began clicking in the late innings, turning a rough night into one of the season’s most unlikely wins. A crucial defensive miscue by Langford earlier in the game briefly hampered Texas, but the club steadied, leaned on the lefty-on-lefty matchup plan, and finished strong to keep their faint postseason hopes alive for another night.

As Major League Baseball (MLB) Opening Day kicks off, seven players from Volusia and Flagler counties are set to take the field. Logan Allen, the notable left-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, is looking to rebound from a challenging season. Former Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom is back for the Texas Rangers, showcasing a promising recovery from injuries. Meanwhile, the defending champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have started strong, with Shohei Ohtani and new acquisition Rōki Sasaki making headlines during their international games in Tokyo.

Among the local talents, Nick Fortes of the Miami Marlins has solidified his role as the starting catcher, while Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners aims to build on his All-Star performance. Additionally, Austin Hays has joined the Cincinnati Reds after a trade, and Justin Lawrence seeks redemption with the Pittsburgh Pirates after a rough previous year. The excitement surrounding these players and their growth within the league highlights a promising future for baseball in these counties.