Kyle Schwarber becomes the first in MLB to reach 40 home runs in 2026 SEATTLE — Kyle Schwarber achieved a historic milestone on Wednesday, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to hit 40 home runs in the 2026 season. The achievement came during a dramatic walk-off moment at T-Mobile Park, where Schwarber launched Bryan Woo’s middle-middle fastball into the stands. This marks his second consecutive season with at least 40 home runs, continuing a trend that began with his fourth season in 2022 with the Philadelphia Phillies. Schwarber’s journey to this milestone was marked by fluctuations in performance. He reached the 30-home-run threshold earlier in the season, hitting his 30th round-tripper into right-center at Citi Field in June. However, his power output dipped significantly in July, as he managed just three home runs during the month. This decline coincided with a lower-back injury that forced him to miss time in early July. Despite the setback, Schwarber remained active by participating in the Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. To manage his swing mechanics, he adjusted his routine, spending extra time in the batting cages before games instead of hitting on the field. Schwarber’s power resurgence has been notable in August, where he has hit six home runs. His most memorable moment came on Sunday, when a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals capped off a thrilling game. However, his overall offensive production in August has been modest, with a .198/.321/.442 slash line. Despite this, Schwarber remains four home runs ahead of the next closest players, Yordan Alvarez and Matt Olson, who each have 36.#philadelphia_phillies #major_league_baseball #kyle_schwarber #t_mobile_park #bryan_woos
Dodgers and Phillies Set for Monday Showdown on ESPN The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies will face off in a pivotal matchup on Monday night, exclusively on ESPN. The game, scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, marks the second meeting between the NL titans this season. The Dodgers, who entered the series with a 63-37 record, will travel to Citizens Bank Park to begin a three-game series against the surging Phillies, who have climbed to MLB’s second-best record at 55-45. The Phillies, who started the season 9-19 and fired manager Rob Thomson on April 28, have since surged to their current standing. The matchup will feature the Phillies’ star-studded rotation, including lefty Cristopher Sánchez, who will make his first start since the All-Star Game. Sánchez, with an 11-4 record and a 2.62 ERA, is in the NL Cy Young race. The Phillies’ offense, which is expected to add players before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, has been bolstered by Kyle Schwarber, who leads the league with 33 home runs. The Dodgers’ pitching staff will face Sánchez, with young righty Emmet Sheehan scheduled to start. Sheehan, who has a 4-6 record and a 4.81 ERA, has allowed no more than two earned runs in each of his past three starts. The Dodgers’ offense, which has scored MLB’s third-most runs this season, will rely on Shohei Ohtani, who has hit four home runs and driven in 10 runs in July. The series will continue with two more games in Philadelphia, with the Dodgers holding a slight edge after winning two of three games in Los Angeles earlier in the year. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals will conclude their West Coast trip with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, starting at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Cardinals, with a 51-47 record, are in a virtual three-way tie for the third NL Wild Card spot.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #philadelphia_phillies #kyle_schwarber #citizens_bank_park
History Suggests This Version of Phillies Will Be Lucky To Make Playoffs The Philadelphia Phillies have defied expectations this season, transforming from a team that started 9-19 under manager Rob Thomson to a playoff contender with a 56-46 record as of July 22. Their dramatic turnaround has set a rare precedent in Major League Baseball history, as no team had previously managed to go 10 games under .500 in April and then finish at least 10 games over .500 by June. The shift began when Don Mattingly took over as interim manager following Thomson’s dismissal, marking a pivotal moment in the team’s season. Despite their recent success, the Phillies face significant challenges, particularly in their ability to get on base. Their .303 on-base percentage (OBP) ranks last in the league in 2026, a glaring weakness that has drawn criticism from analysts. Third baseman Alec Bohm acknowledged the difficulty of facing elite pitching, noting that teams with strong bullpens can dominate games by matching up effectively. “You can really run into some teams with some tough bullpens,” Bohm said, explaining how pitchers can control the game by throwing 100 mph pitches and limiting opportunities for hitters. The Phillies’ struggles with OBP are not new. Through their first 26 games of the season, their OBP was .298, and even after 100 games, they managed only a .305 clip. This places them in a precarious position, as historical data suggests teams with such low OBP rarely make the playoffs. Since 1961, only five teams with an OBP of .305 or lower have qualified for the postseason. Of those, just two—the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers and the 2024 Detroit Tigers—advanced beyond the first round. The Phillies’ current odds of making the playoffs are considered long, given their historical context.#philadelphia_phillies #rob_thomson #kyle_schwarber #don_mattingly #alec_bohm
Phillies Walk Off Giants Twice; Chase Shugart Earns Both Wins The Philadelphia Phillies delivered an unforgettable performance on Thursday, sweeping a split doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants with dramatic walk-off victories in both games. The team’s success was highlighted by rookie pitcher Chase Shugart, who secured victories in both contests, marking a historic achievement in Major League Baseball. The Phillies’ triumphs came after a challenging season, during which they had struggled to find consistency, making the doubleheader sweep a significant milestone. In the first game, the Phillies edged the Giants 3-2 in a thrilling ninth-inning showdown. Bryson Stott, a key player for the team, delivered the tying triple with one out in the ninth inning. The game’s momentum shifted when rookie Justin Crawford, making his major league debut, drove in the winning run with a two-out infield single. This walk-off win marked the Phillies’ first victory of the day and set the stage for an even more dramatic second game. The second game of the doubleheader was equally intense, with the Phillies overcoming a late-game deficit to secure a 6-5 victory. Kyle Schwarber, who had already made an impact in the first game, continued his strong performance by hitting a tying double with two outs in the ninth inning. The decisive moment came in the 10th inning when Alec Bohm, a rookie infielder, launched a sacrifice fly to center field, sending the crowd into a frenzy and securing the Phillies’ second walk-off win of the day. This achievement made the Phillies the first team in MLB history to win both games of a doubleheader after trailing in the ninth inning or later since the Pittsburgh Pirates’ historic victory over the Chicago Cubs on May 28, 2004.#philadelphia_phillies #san_francisco_giants #kyle_schwarber #chase_shugart #bryson_stott
Phillies Seek Series Win in Finale Against Diamondbacks The Philadelphia Phillies are set to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the decisive game of their three-game series, aiming to secure a crucial victory. After a three-game losing streak, the Phillies ended their slump with a 4-3 win on Saturday, marking a pivotal moment in their campaign. The victory was driven by a strong performance from veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker, who had struggled in his previous starts but delivered a solid outing. Walker’s efforts, combined with a standout offensive display from the team’s top stars, helped secure the win. The Phillies’ offense was highlighted by a back-to-back home run performance from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the third inning. Their consecutive blasts proved to be the difference in the game, lifting the team to a much-needed win. With the series now on the line, the Phillies will look to capitalize on their momentum in Sunday’s matchup against the Diamondbacks. The game is scheduled for Sunday, April 12th, at 1:35 PM EST at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fans can catch the action on NBCSP, with radio coverage available on 94 WIP and 106.1 Rumba. The Phillies will be relying on their young starter, Andrew Painter, to carry the team. Painter, the organization’s top prospect, has faced mixed results this season. His debut against the Washington Nationals was impressive, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing just one run, but his second start against the San Francisco Giants was less successful, as he allowed nine hits and four runs in four innings. Despite the inconsistencies, the Phillies are counting on Painter to step up in the high-stakes series finale. Arizona’s pitching staff will be led by Zac Gallen, one of the Diamondbacks’ most reliable starters.#taijuan_walker #philadelphia_phillies #kyle_schwarber #arizona_diamondbacks #bryce_harper
Sal Stewart, alliteration — and a Cincinnati Reds perfect fit Sal Stewart’s name seems tailor-made for baseball, a sport where alliteration often feels like a lucky charm. The Cincinnati Reds’ new corner infielder, known for his power-hitting potential, has already made an impression with his five home runs in a limited sample during his MLB debut last season. While his performance on the field is impressive, it’s his name that has sparked conversations about how perfectly it fits the game. The Reds, who made a strong push to secure a playoff spot last season, have been actively seeking power hitters to bolster their lineup. Despite acquiring Kyle Schwarber in a free-agent move, the team’s power output remained a concern. Eugenio Suarez’s signing in free agency added depth to their slugging capabilities, but Stewart’s arrival through the organization’s system has introduced a new dynamic. Stewart’s journey to the majors has been marked by high expectations. As a prospect, he was heralded for his potential as a home run hitter, and his arrival in Cincinnati has only reinforced that narrative. His name, with its alliterative flair, has become a talking point among fans and analysts alike. In a sport where names often carry weight, Stewart’s moniker feels like a fitting tribute to his role as a power threat. While the Reds’ decision to sign Stewart isn’t solely based on his name, it’s hard to ignore the symbolism. The team’s pursuit of players with both talent and a strong connection to the game’s culture has paid off, and Stewart’s presence adds a layer of intrigue. His name, after all, is almost a guarantee of a memorable career in baseball. As the Reds look to build on their recent success, Stewart’s potential to deliver on the field will be the true test.#mlb #cincinnati_reds #eugenio_suarez #kyle_schwarber #sal_stewart
Fantasy Baseball: Ideal First Two Picks for Every Draft Position Fantasy baseball managers worldwide are preparing for their drafts as the 2026 season approaches, aiming to secure the best talent for championship contention. With Opening Day fast approaching, the focus shifts to strategic drafting, particularly the first two picks for each draft position. Experts Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell have outlined their ideal selections for both points-based and rotisserie leagues, offering insights into maximizing fantasy value. In points-based leagues, Cockcroft recommends Shohei Ohtani as the first pick, citing his potential to dominate as a two-way player. Ohtani, recovering from elbow surgery, is projected to deliver 911 combined fantasy points, close to his 2022 output. His versatility as a pitcher and hitter makes him a top-tier asset, especially in ESPN leagues. For the second pick, Cockcroft suggests Bryan Woo or Kyle Schwarber, both formidable sluggers. Their selection hinges on confidence in Ohtani’s ability to meet his projected 28 starts. Karabell, focusing on rotisserie formats, also prioritizes Ohtani as the first pick, emphasizing his unparalleled value across categories. He highlights Junior Caminero as the second pick, noting the young hitter’s power and potential. Caminero’s 45 home runs and 110 RBIs in his age-21 season, despite playing in a minor-league park, underscore his upside. Karabell stresses that Caminero’s power should translate regardless of ballpark, making him a cornerstone for any roster. For the second round in points leagues, Cockcroft pairs Aaron Judge with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Judge’s consistent performance over four seasons—totaling 2,176 points—positions him as a must-draft.#shohei_ohtani #tristan_h_cockcroft #eric_karabell #bryan_wo #kyle_schwarber
