Daily Double Play: Your MLB Update
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: Daily MLB news. Game scores, highlights and general news
Transcript
Welcome to "Daily Double Play: Your MLB Update" here on Big Dill Sports! I’m Dillon, your host, ready to break down all the exciting action from September 21, 2025. Let’s dive right in!
It was a Sunday packed with pivotal playoff developments and standout performances. Toronto Blue Jays fans have every reason to celebrate, as the Jays clinched a playoff berth with an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andrés Giménez combined efforts to drive in crucial runs. With a 90-66 record, Toronto now leads the AL East and controls their postseason destiny.
Meanwhile, in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers locked up their third straight NL Central title, despite a 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Sometimes, it's not just about your play, but how the rest of the division shapes up!
Over in the American League West, the Seattle Mariners completed a sweep of the Houston Astros, thanks to a grand slam from J.P. Crawford and a record-tying 58th homer by Cal Raleigh. This victory pushed Seattle three games ahead in the division, solidifying their playoff ambitions.
Let's pivot to individual brilliance. Corbin Carroll's performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks was nothing short of historic. With a powerful three-run homer, he became the first Diamondback ever to join the coveted 30-30 club, marking a season of 31 homers and 30 steals.
The New York Yankees also shone brightly, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 7-1 in extra innings. It was all about Ben Rice, who went 4 for 5 and smashed a game-deciding grand slam in the 10th. Yankees pitchers, Cam Schlittler and David Bednar, added strong performances to keep New York in the AL East race.
In Minnesota, the Twins snapped Cleveland’s 10-game winning streak with a decisive 6-2 win, headlined by Royce Lewis’s three-run homer. As they gear up for a critical series against Detroit, the Twins are poised for a strong finish in the AL Central.
Down in Tampa Bay, Christopher Morel led the Rays to a win over the Boston Red Sox. It was a 7-3 victory, highlighted by Morel’s four RBIs and Brandon Lowe’s 30th homer. Although Boston holds a slim lead for the AL wild-card spot, they’ll need to step up in the season's final stretch.
For those non-contenders keeping the faith, the Miami Marlins recorded their sixth straight win, taking down the Texas Rangers 4-2. Otto Lopez was the standout, leading the Marlins with timely hits and runs.
Now, let's shine the spotlight on today's "big dill"—J.P. Crawford from the Seattle Mariners. Crawford's grand slam was the defining moment of the game, propelling Seattle’s sweep of Houston. With his five RBIs, he markedly improved Seattle’s postseason prospects. Well done, J.P.!
As postseason races intensify, we're gearing up for another exciting week. Key matchups include Yankees' Luis Gil taking on Chicago, while Toronto’s Kevin Gausman faces Boston. With division titles and wild-card spots on the line, it’ll be a race to the finish.
That’s all for today’s episode of "Daily Double Play" on Big Dill Sports. Thanks for tuning in, and we'll catch you next time for more MLB updates! Keep it here for your daily dose of baseball brilliance. Remember, life’s a pitch!
## MLB Daily Recap · September 21, 2025
### Overview
Sunday’s slate of Major League Baseball games delivered pivotal postseason developments and standout individual achievements. The Toronto Blue Jays became the first American League team to clinch a playoff berth with an 8–5 win over Kansas City ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-beat-royals-end-skid-clinch-playoff-berth--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)), while the Milwaukee Brewers secured their third consecutive National League Central crown despite a 5–1 loss to St. Louis ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mlb-roundup-despite-loss-brewers-rewarded-with-nl-central-crown--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)). In the American League West, the Seattle Mariners completed a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros, powered by a J.P. Crawford grand slam and Cal Raleigh’s 58th homer, in a 7–3 victory that moved Seattle three games ahead of Houston with six to play ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/sizzling-mariners-overpower-astros-with-7-run-inning--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)). Meanwhile, Corbin Carroll etched his name in Diamondbacks history with a 30-home run, 30-steal season during Arizona’s 9–2 victory over the Phillies ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/corbin-carroll-achieves-d-backs-1st-30-30-season-win-vs-phillies--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)).
### New York Yankees 7, Baltimore Orioles 1 (10 innings)
Ben Rice’s explosive performance carried the Yankees past the Orioles in extra innings. Rice went 4 for 5 with five RBIs, including a game-deciding grand slam in the top of the 10th off Keegan Akin, breaking a 1–1 tie and delivering a 7–1 win ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/ben-rice-hammers-10th-inning-slam-yankees-down-orioles--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)). Starter Cam Schlittler impressed over 5⅓ innings, allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts, strengthening his case for a postseason rotation spot ([nypost.com](https://nypost.com/2025/09/21/sports/cam-schlittler-making-strong-case-to-be-yankees-third-playoff-starter/?utm_source=openai)). David Bednar secured the win with a scoreless frame, and the victory kept the Yankees two games behind Toronto in the AL East chase.
### Minnesota Twins 6, Cleveland Guardians 2
The Twins snapped Cleveland’s 10-game winning streak with a four-hit, six-run outburst and held on for a 6–2 triumph ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mlb-roundup-despite-loss-brewers-rewarded-with-nl-central-crown--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)). Cleveland jumped ahead 2–0 on a leadoff homer by Steven Kwan and a Bo Naylor sacrifice fly, but Minnesota answered emphatically. Brooks Lee’s 16th homer tied the game, and Royce Lewis delivered a pinch-hit, three-run blast—his first of that type in four seasons—to put Minnesota in front for good ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/gamestory-776225)). The Twins will carry momentum into a critical series against Detroit.
### Toronto Blue Jays 8, Kansas City Royals 5
Toronto clinched its fourth postseason appearance in six years by downing Kansas City 8–5 ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-beat-royals-end-skid-clinch-playoff-berth--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andrés Giménez each drove in two runs, and Giménez capped the scoring with an RBI single in the eighth. Starter Trey Yesavage allowed four runs over four innings, but a shutdown bullpen—led by Seranthony Domínguez (win) and Jeff Hoffman (32nd save)—preserved the victory. The Blue Jays, now 90–66, hold the AL East lead and control their own destiny with six games remaining.
### Tampa Bay Rays 7, Boston Red Sox 3
Christopher Morel powered the Rays past Boston in their home finale at Steinbrenner Field, collecting four RBIs on a two-run double in the first and a two-run single in the eighth in a 7–3 victory ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/christopher-morel-notches-4-rbis-rays-win-home-finale-vs-red-sox--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)). Tampa Bay starter Joe Boyle struck out a career-high nine over 4⅓ innings, and Garrett Cleavinger earned the win with perfect relief. Brandon Lowe hit his 30th homer of the season, while Boston’s bullpen faltered in the late innings despite a strong early opportunity ([overthemonster.com](https://www.overthemonster.com/red-sox-game-stories/90661/connelly-early-errors-erase-opportunities-for-red-sox-in-loss-to-rays?utm_source=openai)). The Red Sox maintain a one-game lead for the second AL wild-card spot.
### Seattle Mariners 7, Houston Astros 3
The Mariners completed a pivotal sweep of division rivals Houston with a 7–3 win, highlighted by J.P. Crawford’s second-inning grand slam and Cal Raleigh’s record-tying 58th homer ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/sizzling-mariners-overpower-astros-with-7-run-inning--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)). Seattle erupted for seven runs in the second against Jason Alexander, who was charged with all seven runs in just 1⅓ innings. Logan Gilbert delivered six strong frames, allowing one run, while the sweep vaulted Seattle three games ahead of the Astros in the AL West race and cemented its hold on the second seed in the American League playoffs.
### Miami Marlins 4, Texas Rangers 2
In a matchup of non-contenders, the Marlins won their sixth straight game with a 4–2 victory over Texas ([africa.espn.com](https://africa.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401697240?utm_source=openai)). Otto Lopez recorded three hits and drove in one run, scoring another, while Eury Pérez struck out nine over four scoreless innings in relief of Lake Bachar, who earned the win. The Rangers’ seven-game losing skid deepened their Wild Card drought despite Wyatt Langford’s 22nd homer.
### Arizona Diamondbacks 9, Philadelphia Phillies 2
Corbin Carroll made history as the first Diamondbacks player to join the 30-30 club (31 homers, 30 steals), launching a three-run shot in a 9–2 rout of the Phillies ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/corbin-carroll-achieves-d-backs-1st-30-30-season-win-vs-phillies--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)). Eduardo Rodríguez held Philadelphia scoreless over six innings, and Jorge Barrosa belted his first major-league homer. Ranger Suárez (Phillies) was knocked for six runs in four innings, while Alec Bohm went 4 for 4 in a losing effort. The win keeps Arizona mathematically alive in the NL Wild Card chase.
### Milestones & Standings Implications
- Milwaukee clinched the NL Central despite losing to the Cardinals, as Chicago fell to Cincinnati, earning Milwaukee its third straight division title ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/mlb-roundup-despite-loss-brewers-rewarded-with-nl-central-crown--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)).
- Corbin Carroll’s 30-30 season marked a first in Diamondbacks history and a rare feat across MLB ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/corbin-carroll-achieves-d-backs-1st-30-30-season-win-vs-phillies--flm-2025-09-21/?utm_source=openai)).
- Cal Raleigh’s 58 homers tied Seattle’s single-season record by a switch-hitter, passing Ken Griffey Jr. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/sizzling-mariners-overpower-astros-with-7-run-inning--flm-2025-09-22/?utm_source=openai)).
- Toronto leads the AL East (90–66) and is the first AL team into the playoffs; New York trails by two games.
- Seattle (87–79) heads the AL West by three games over Houston; Minnesota (87–77) leads Detroit by one in the AL Central.
### Player of the Day
J.P. Crawford (SEA) delivered the game’s defining moment with a grand slam in the second inning, finishing 2 for 4 with five RBIs to propel Seattle’s sweep of Houston and strengthen the Mariners’ postseason positioning ([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20250921_SEA%40HOU/?utm_source=openai)).
### Looking Ahead
MLB’s action resumes Tuesday as playoff races intensify. Key pitching matchups include Luis Gil vs. Chicago (Yankees) and Kevin Gausman vs. Boston (Blue Jays) as teams jockey for divisional crowns and wild-card seeding in the season’s final week.
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