Fan News

Just two weeks remain in the 2016 MLB regular season, and while a handful of teams appear to be locks for the postseason, there are still a number of playoff spots up for grabs.

The Chicago Cubs became the first team to officially clinch a playoff berth on Thursday, while the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers are also in comfortable spots atop their respective divisions.

It's probably too late to add two of fantasy baseball's most intriguing waiver-wire candidates.

Although it feels like years ago, Taijuan Walker caused giddy drafters to pat themselves on the back after posting a 1.44 ERA, 25 strikeouts and three walks in April. As everyone rejoiced the Seattle Mariners starter's breakout, his season unraveled.

Hello and welcome to the first stop on the Bleacher Report MLB 300: first base.

The rankings ahead are the first in a series that will lead to the top 300 players in Major League Baseball for 2016. They feature 25 first basemen, most of whom abide by the heavy-hitting tradition of first base. As such, hitting talents account for the majority of the 100 possible points each player can earn:

Peas and carrots. Kim Kardashian and attention. The St. Louis Cardinals and the postseason. Some things just go together.

The Cards don't make the playoffs every year—but it sure seems like they do. The last time they didn't was 2010.

St. Louis is poised to make its sixth consecutive late-October foray, which would move the franchise into third place on the all-time list.

It would be easy to fill out this week's MLB All-Dud team with members of the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals, two teams that have faltered in must-win weekend series against the Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants, respectively.

But believe it or not, there have been far worse individual efforts from players on contending teams around the game than anyone on either of those clubs. That includes Texas center fielder Ian Desmond, who no longer looks like a sure thing to be named American League Comeback Player of the Year.

The injury bug has been trying to block the New York Mets from returning to the World Series in 2016. Credit the Mets for putting up a strong resistance.

But the fight has finally been lost.

The Cleveland Indians' already-thin starting rotation was dealt a huge blow Saturday when Carlos Carrasco suffered a fractured finger on his pitching hand.  

Continue for updates. 

Carrasco Likely Out for Season

Saturday, Sept. 17

According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Carrasco was diagnosed with a non-displaced fracture of his fifth metacarpal and is likely done for the regular season.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis struck out for the 200th and 201st times of the season in Friday's 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, becoming the first player in American League history to record back-to-back seasons with 200 or more strikeouts, per Sportsnet Stats.

Despite setting the unwanted record, Davis still managed to have a decent night, as his solo home run in the fourth inning cut Tampa Bay's early lead to 4-2.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols hit the 600th double of his career in Friday's 5-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, becoming the 16th player in major league history to reach the milestone, per Sportsnet Stats.

Pujols accomplished the feat with one out in the first inning against Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey, but the Angels were unable to score a run in the inning, ultimately wasting their best scoring chance of the game.

The Cincinnati Reds set an unwanted MLB record in Friday's 9-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, becoming the first team to surrender 93 or more home runs by relief pitchers in a single season, per ESPN Stats & Info.