Fan News

The divisional race died in 1994. And the wild card killed it. 

When a second-place team can sneak into the playoffs, what does first-place matter? Sure, there's home-field advantage (and bragging rights) to consider. The idea of going all-out for the division flag, though, was buried two decades ago.

Or so the story goes.

In the immediate aftermath of Thursday evening's team-record-tying 10th straight victory, it's apparent that the Washington Nationals are finally living up to their potential and putting the rest of the National League, if not all of baseball, on notice.

A smart string of September call-ups can often be the difference between a playoff berth and a phone call to the local golf course.

When MLB rosters expand to 40 on September 1, expect some of the game's top youngsters to get the call to the majors. The New York Yankees will certainly make some additions, but who will be brought up to help the team's run at the American League Wild Card?

With MLB rosters set to expand in September, this is a chance for most teams to bolster their major league depth by calling up some of their top prospects from the minors.

We’re almost at the point in the season where rosters expand to 40 players and teams call up all sorts of minor league prospects to supplement their rosters.

Some of these September call-ups go a long way in helping their teams qualify for the playoffs. Others flame out and ride the bench until the end of the season. Either way, these prospects have the chance to make their mark while also giving a much-needed boost to weary rosters at the end of a long season.

Over the years, there have been many Major League Baseball players with special gifts. No player in MLB history has had a bigger advantage in a game than Eddie Gaedel.

On this date 63 years ago, the 3'7" Gaedel was sent to the plate to bat for the St. Louis Browns against the Detroit Tigers. Given the size of his strike zone, it's not hard to predict how the plate appearance turned out.

Following Monday's 4-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, the New York Mets have become the first team in the last 10 years to record four or fewer hits in five consecutive games, per ESPN Stats and Info.

The rare streak may sound familiar to diehard fans of the Amazin's, as the 2004 Mets were the last team to compile such a run of futility.

Are you too cool to bring your glove?

That's what most people say, which is why 99 percent of the time when a ball goes into the stands, an all-star-like display of clumsiness ensues.

No matter the excuse for unpreparedness, though, every fan wants to make a spectacular catch and hand the ball to the little kid next to them.  Darn societal conscience.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Vance Worley had an odd Monday night, becoming the first hurler since at least 1900 to record eight or more strikeouts during a start in which he gave up six or more runs in the first inning, per Elias Sports Bureau.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips, who went hitless in his first game back from the disabled list Monday, needs just two more hits to reach 1,500 for his career.