As has become customary, the final Monday of the MLB season is light. That was indeed the case in 2026, as just three games were contested on September 21. Only one had any real playoff significance, as the Blue Jays & Orioles fight to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, in Detroit, one of the Tigers’ better pitching prospects made his club debut.

Tigers win in Ryan’s debut

The Tigers defeated the Nationals 9-2.

River Ryan, acquired in the Tarik Skubal trade this past August, struck out three over three scoreless innings in his Tigers debut. Keider Montero piggybacked and struck out five over four scoreless for his 10th win of the season.

Javier Baez, Ben Malgeri, and Spencer Torkelson each hit home runs for the Tigers.

Alonso leads Orioles’ comeback

The Orioles dealt a significant blow to the Blue Jays’ playoff hopes, as Baltimore won 4-3 to keep their own alive.

Toronto scored three in the first off Shane Baz, who allowed nothing else afterwards in a start in which he went 6.2 IP. Pete Alonso helped the O’s get back in it and win. He hit a solo shot in the first, and then a game-winning two-run home run off Tyler Rogers in the eighth for his 40th homer of the year.

With that loss, the Blue Jays are now 3.5 games behind the White Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot. The Orioles are 4.5 games behind Chicago.

Giants & Twins start series

The Giants defeated the Twins 5-2 in the club’s opening contest in San Francisco.

Bo Davidson, one of the better prospects in the Giants’ system, was summoned to the Majors after several roster spots opened up due to injury. Davidson wasted no time, notching a hit in first MLB at-bat. Brett Harris drove him in via a two-run single in the first.

Drew Gilbert hit his 11th home run off Zebby Matthews in the fifth. Brooks Lee and Emmanuel Rodriguez hit solo home runs for Minnesota’s only offense against the Giants.

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