FT Leadoff

The Red Sox have been a second half failure, but they’re still stealing headlines.

Much to the displeasure of manager Alex Cora, Gerrit Cole plunked Rafael Devers early in Saturday’s contest, then intentionally walked him later in the game. Sox starter Brayan Bello referred to the free pass as a sign of weakness.

Cora responded by inferring that their attempt to hit Aaron Judge was retaliation, and that was the end of it.

The Red Sox skipper said that if Boston makes the playoffs, they’ll likely look back on Saturday’s incident as what got them going, thanks to Cole. They’re currently 4.5 GB of the third Wild Card spot with under two weeks to go.

Watch - For more on Saturday’s fiasco, check out Pinstripe Territory.

Entering the weekend, the Mets had a one-game lead over the Braves for the final NL Wild Card spot. Fast forward to today, and the two are in a deadlock tie.

The Mets dropped a tough series to the Phillies after exploding for eleven runs in the opener on Friday. Their most significant loss is Francisco Lindor, who exited twice over the weekend due to lower back pain. He’ll undergo an MRI today to determine the severity of the injury.

Watch - For more on the Mets, check out the newest addition to the Foul Territory family, The Mets’d Up Podcast!

Down in Atlanta, the Braves outscored the Dodgers 16-3 in the first two games of the series before dropping Sunday night’s contest. They’ll go for the series win tonight, and then they’ll have a lighter six games against the lowly Reds and Marlins the rest of the week.

Listen - Brad Rowland and Scott Coleman of Hammer Territory react to Atlanta’s series against the Dodgers up to this point.

• View - Dave Roberts not ruling out Ohtani pitching in playoffs.

• View - Tyler Glasnow likely done for the year with sprained elbow.

• View - Orioles drop third straight series, fall 3.0 GB in AL East.

• View - Mariners, Tigers inch 2.5 GB of Twins for third Wild Card spot.

• View - Padres sweep Giants, 3.5 GB in NL West.

• View - Royals clinch first winning season since 2015.

• View - Kumar Rocker shines in MLB debut.

• View - Jacob deGrom makes first MLB start in 500+ days.

Watch - Grayson Rodriguez discusses his upcoming return to the mound, Gunnar Henderson's winning mindset, and the Orioles playoff push.

Watch - Braves legend Andruw Jones chats about the highlights of his iconic career, his favorite current players, and his pick for NL MVP.

Watch - The FT Crew reacts to the Twins MiLB catcher who was cut for deliberately tipping pitches to opposing hitters so the season would end quicker.

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Check out North Side Territory, Hammer Territory, The Phillies Show, Pinstripe Territory, Mets’d Up, and Dodgers Territory for the latest on the Cubs, Braves, Phillies, Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers!

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