The Cubs clinched home-field for the NL wild-card, earning October baseball at Wrigley with a 7-3 win that secured 91 wins and set up a first-round meeting with San Diego. Michael Busch went 4-for-4 with two homers, a double and a triple to spark the offense, while Jameson Taillon worked six innings of one-run ball. Cade Horton’s rib fracture reshapes the rotation as Chicago heads into the series with a confident, playoff-ready vibe. Pete Crow-Armstrong added insurance with an eighth-inning homer as Cubs fans poured out of a packed ballpark.

Cardinals strategize a lean 2026 rotation, prioritizing cost-conscious external bets and solid internal depth after a 2025 revenue setback. With Miles Mikolas and possibly Sonny Gray off the books, St. Louis Eyes one- or two-pitch external anchors while grooming Liberatore, Pallante, McGreevy, and Matthews to shoulder innings. Targets span Márquez, Ober, Detmers, and Young, offering a mix of upside and affordability to kickstart a new era.

The St. Louis Cardinals have made a strategic move to bolster their bullpen by acquiring Jorge Alcala from the Boston Red Sox. Despite a challenging season, where he recorded a 6.64 ERA over 40.2 innings with a concerning 12.1% walk rate, his potential remains appealing due to a fastball that can exceed 100 mph. Comparatively, other elite relievers like Emmanuel Clase and Josh Hader boast significantly better walk rates.

Additionally, the Cardinals secured Anthony Veneziano from the Miami Marlins. Veneziano's performance this year shows a more respectable 4.74 ERA across 21 innings. With JoJo Romero as the only lefty available following John King's injury, Veneziano is expected to make an immediate impact in Triple-A before potentially joining the big leagues. These acquisitions reflect the Cardinals' intent to refine their relief options amidst a season of significant trades.

The Minnesota Twins have made a significant trade, sending struggling reliever Jorge Alcala to the Boston Red Sox for minor leaguer Andy Lugo. Alcala, 29, has had a rough season with a dismal 8.88 ERA over 22 appearances, including a disastrous outing where he allowed five runs in a recent loss. His potential was evident when he pitched a career-high 59 games in 2021, but his performance has notably declined since then. Lugo, 21, is hitting .265 with four home runs and is primarily an infielder. To accommodate Alcala, Boston designated pitcher Brian Van Belle for assignment.