The Philadelphia Phillies secured their second consecutive National League East title with a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 10 innings. This win, their ninth in 11 games, made them the first team to clinch a division title in Major League Baseball this season, extending their lead over the New York Mets to 12½ games with 11 games remaining.

Celebrations erupted in the Phillies' clubhouse, featuring champagne, beer, cigars, and jubilation. Key moments included home runs by Kyle Schwarber, Weston Wilson, and Bryce Harper, overcoming a quiet offensive start. Manager Rob Thomson praised the team's resilience despite major injuries to key players like Zack Wheeler, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm. Strategic trade deadline acquisitions, such as closer Jhoan Duran and center fielder Harrison Bader, bolstered the team's depth. The Phillies are now eyeing their third World Series title, their first since 2008.

In other National League action, the Milwaukee Brewers completed a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels with a 5-2 win, moving them closer to clinching the National League Central division title. Christian Yelich played a pivotal role, notching his 100th RBI of the season with a double during a decisive three-run rally in the seventh inning. Brice Turang's go-ahead single, followed by contributions from William Contreras, Andrew Vaughn’s sacrifice fly, and strong relief pitching sealed the victory. Aaron Ashby earned the win, while Jared Koenig secured his second save. Brewers starter Quinn Priester struck out 10 and extended a solid pitching streak before allowing a two-run homer to Luis Rengifo. The Angels, now on a seven-game losing streak, couldn’t capitalize on scoring chances. With a 94-59 record, Milwaukee, which has already secured a playoff spot, built a six-game lead over the second-place Cubs and reduced their magic number to four for clinching their fourth division title in five years.

In the American League, the New York Mets are evaluating pitcher Kodai Senga's role in the postseason after an underwhelming performance in a Triple-A outing. Senga voluntarily accepted a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse to refine his mechanics following a post-injury slump. The 32-year-old initially dominated the 2025 season with a 1.47 ERA over 13 starts but struggled after returning from a hamstring injury, compiling a 5.90 ERA in his next nine appearances. In Thursday’s start against Lehigh Valley, Senga allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings, raising doubts about his readiness. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza stated that Senga's spot on the postseason roster is not guaranteed, emphasizing that the team will choose the 13 players best suited to win in October. With Syracuse's season ending soon, Senga is likely to participate in a simulated game next week instead of another minor league start. Although he previously showed promise in a six-inning, eight-strikeout outing, Thursday’s performance, which included six hits, two walks, a hit batter, and a wild pitch, has reignited concerns. The Mets, relying on young pitchers during their playoff push, may consider using Senga out of the bullpen if they advance.

Major League Baseball has canceled its plans to host games in London in 2026 due to scheduling conflicts with West Ham United’s use of the Olympic Stadium and limited TV broadcast availability with Fox during the World Cup. The planned New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays series was scrapped, and no alternate dates could be arranged. Despite this setback, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reaffirmed the league's commitment to growing in Europe, especially London, citing infrastructure improvements there. MLB also aims to expand globally, with initiatives in India leveraging the nation’s cricket interest, and plans to build stronger ties with Mexican professional leagues through regular-season games. The league continues to see growth in Asia, particularly due to Shohei Ohtani’s popularity, and has held season openers in Japan and South Korea. Domestically, MLB is close to securing new broadcast deals for 2026–2028 with NBCUniversal, Netflix, and ESPN. NBC would broadcast Wild Card and Sunday night games, Netflix would carry the Home Run Derby, and ESPN would retain some regular-season games and local rights for several teams. Manfred emphasized a focus on national media exposure to maximize revenue and hinted at evolving the media model for the 2029 rights cycle.

In a historic move, Rich Hill returned to Major League Baseball at the age of 45, becoming the oldest active player and tying the record for pitching on 14 different MLB teams. Hill signed with the Kansas City Royals, marking a remarkable achievement in his lengthy career. His return has been met with enthusiasm from fans and players alike, highlighting the enduring appeal of veteran players in the league. Hill's experience and leadership are expected to provide valuable mentorship to younger pitchers on the Royals' roster. This milestone underscores the evolving nature of player longevity and the opportunities available for seasoned athletes in professional baseball.