MLB 2026: September 12 & 13 Schedules, Metrics & Analysis
MLB Matchday Overview
On Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, 2026, MLB will host a full day of play with 24 games. Some of the doubleheaders are listed below, and these teams will play two games against each other. Every matchup of the season holds its weight in terms of the playoff races. These include Marlins vs. Dodgers, Rays vs. Astros, Braves vs. Phillies, and Cardinals vs. White Sox. The pitching and offensive play will decide the outcome.
MLB: September 12 & 13 Full Schedule
Date & Day
Fixture (Home vs Away)
Time Zones
Venue
ET
PT
IST
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles
3:07 PM
12:07 PM
12:37 AM (Next day)
Rogers Centre, Toronto
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Angels
4:05 PM
1:05 PM
1:35 AM (Next day)
Nationals Park, Washington
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres
4:05 PM
1:05 PM
1:35 AM (Next day)
Oracle Park, San Francisco
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Boston Red Sox vs Kansas City Royals
4:10 PM
1:10 PM
1:40 AM (Next day)
Fenway Park, Boston
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Guardians
4:10 PM
1:10 PM
1:40 AM (Next day)
Target Field, Minneapolis
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers
4:10 PM
1:10 PM
1:40 AM (Next day)
LoanDepot Park, Miami
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros
6:10 PM
3:10 PM
3:40 AM (Next day)
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds
7:10 PM
4:10 PM
4:40 AM (Next day)
American Family Field, Milwaukee
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies
7:15 PM
4:15 PM
4:45 AM (Next day)
Truist Park
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago White Sox
7:15 PM
4:15 PM
4:45 AM (Next day)
Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers
8:10 PM
5:10 PM
5:40 AM (Next day)
Chase Field, Phoenix
Saturday, Sep 12, 2026
Athletics vs Seattle Mariners
9:40 PM
6:40 PM
7:10 AM (Next day)
Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento
Sunday, Sep 13, 2026
Detroit Tigers vs Colorado Rockies
12:10 PM
9:10 AM
9:40 PM
Comerica Park, Detroit
Sunday, Sep 13, 2026
New York Yankees vs New York Mets
1:35 PM
10:35 AM
11:05 PM
Yankee Stadium, New York
Sunday, Sep 13, 2026
Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates
2:20 PM
11:20 AM
11:50 PM
Wrigley Field, Chicago
MLB Key Match Previews
Event: Miami Marlins vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 4:10 PM ET | 1:10 PM PT | 1:40 Am IST (Next day)
Venue: LoanDepot Park, Miami
Expected MLB Lineups
Miami Marlins
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Sandy Alcantara
Relief Pitcher
Michael Petersen
Closer
Pete Fairbanks
Catcher
Joe Mack
First Baseman
Griffin Conine
Second Baseman
Javier Sanoja
Third Baseman
Graham Pauley
Shortstop
Otto Lopez
Left Fielder
Heriberto Hernandez
Center Fielder
Jakob Marsee
Right Fielder
Owen Caissie
Designated Hitter
Kyle Stowers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Tarik Skubal
Relief Pitcher
Jack Dreyer
Closer
Tanner Scott
Catcher
Will Smith
First Baseman
Max Muncy
Second Baseman
Alex Freeland
Third Baseman
Miguel Rojas
Shortstop
Mookie Betts
Left Fielder
Teoscar Hernandez
Center Fielder
Tommy Edman
Right Fielder
Kyle Tucker
Designated Hitter
Josue De Paula
KPI Indicators
Metrics
Miami Marlins
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average Leader
Otto Lopez (.303)
Freddie Freeman (.297)
Home Runs Leader
Heriberto Hernández (24)
Shohei Ohtani (30)
Runs Batted In (RBI) Leader
Otto Lopez (66)
Andy Pages / Shohei Ohtani (80)
Pitching Wins Leader
Sandy Alcantara (13)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (13)
Earned Run Average (ERA) Leader
Sandy Alcantara (3.78)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.62)
Strikeouts Leader
Eury Pérez (150)
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (171)
Team Rank: Batting Avg
7th (.249)
2nd (.257)
Team Rank: Runs
16th (654)
4th (728)
Team Rank: Home Runs Hit
25th (151)
9th (180)
Team Rank: On Base %
6th (.327)
3rd (.337)
Team Rank: Slugging %
17th (.401)
3rd (.422)
Team Rank: Team ERA
12th (4.10)
6th (3.67)
Team Rank: Home Runs Allowed
6th (149)
14th (163)
Team Rank: Team WHIP
12th (1.28)
3rd (1.16)
Team Rank: Batting Avg Against
8th (.235)
1st (.220)
Analysis
It is obvious that the Los Angeles Dodgers have a definite edge here. When considering team rankings, the LA team is in a dominant position in all categories. Their outstanding offense is ranked 2nd in terms of batting average and 4th when it comes to runs scored. This means that Los Angeles is superior to Miami’s 12th-ranked pitching.
As for the Marlins, they have strong situational hitting but do not have enough power to hit home runs. This, combined with Los Angeles’s excellent pitching, makes the latter the clear choice.
The Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers
Event: Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 6:10 PM ET | 3:10 PM PT | 3:40 Am IST (Next day)
Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Expected MLB Lineups
Tampa Bay Rays
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Drew Rasmussen
Relief Pitcher
Tyler Wells
Closer
Bryan Baker
Catcher
Liam Hicks
First Baseman
Jonathan Aranda
Second Baseman
Richie Palacios
Third Baseman
Junior Caminero
Shortstop
Jorge Mateo
Left Fielder
Chandler Simpson
Center Fielder
Cedric Mullins
Right Fielder
Victor Mesa
Designated Hitter
Yandy Diaz
Houston Astros
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Hunter Brown
Relief Pitcher
Bryan Abreu
Closer
Josh Hader
Catcher
Yainer Diaz
First Baseman
Christian Walker
Second Baseman
Jose Altuve
Third Baseman
Issac Paredes
Shortstop
Jeremy Pena
Left Fielder
Taylor Trammell
Center Fielder
Daulton Varsho
Right Fielder
Cam Smith
Designated Hitter
Yordan Alvarez
KPI Indicators
Metric
Tampa Bay Rays
Houston Astros
Batting Average Leader
Chandler Simpson (.308)
Yordan Alvarez (.310)
Home Runs Leader
Junior Caminero (39)
Yordan Alvarez (38)
Runs Batted In (RBI) Leader
Junior Caminero (93)
Yordan Alvarez (96)
Pitching Wins Leader
Nick Martinez / Drew Rasmussen (14)
Peter Lambert (8)
Earned Run Average (ERA) Leader
Drew Rasmussen (2.88)
Not Provided in Text
Strikeouts Leader
Drew Rasmussen (156)
Peter Lambert (137)
Team Rank: Batting Avg
1st (.260)
20th (.241)
Team Rank: Runs
11th (662)
13th (662)
Team Rank: Home Runs Hit
22nd (155)
5th (193)
Team Rank: On Base %
5th (.329)
17th (.315)
Team Rank: Slugging %
11th (.404)
5th (.410)
Team Rank: Team ERA
8th (3.81)
24th (4.52)
Team Rank: Home Runs Allowed
24th (182)
25th (186)
Team Rank: Team WHIP
1st (1.15)
23rd (1.35)
Team Rank: Batting Avg Against
4th (.231)
12th (.238)
Analysis
Tampa Bay Rays should be picked in this contest. Despite Houston having outstanding power with fifth-best slugging and homers due to the presence of Yordan Alvarez. Their pitching staff is a huge weakness, with a 4.55 ERA that ranks 24th in the league.
On the other hand, Tampa Bay possesses the best team batting average in the league (.261). They complement that with their excellent and very disciplined pitching, with the lowest WHIP at 1.15. The Rays have a clear advantage in neutralizing Houston’s power and winning.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Rays
Event: Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 7:15 PM ET | 4:15 PM PT | 4:45 Am IST (Next day)
Venue: Truist Park
Expected MLB Lineups
Atlanta Braves
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Chris Sale
Relief Pitcher
Didier Fuentes
Closer
Raisel Iglesias
Catcher
Sean Murphy
First Baseman
Matt Olson
Second Baseman
Ozzie Albies
Third Baseman
Austin Riley
Shortstop
Mauricio Dubon
Left Fielder
Mike Yastrzemski
Center Fielder
Michael Harris II
Right Fielder
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Designated Hitter
Drake Baldwin
Philadelphia Phillies
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez
Relief Pitcher
Jose Alvarado
Closer
Jhoan Duran
Catcher
J.T. Realmuto
First Baseman
Alec Bohm
Second Baseman
Luis Arraez
Third Baseman
Bryson Stott
Shortstop
Trea Turner
Left Fielder
Edmundo Sosa
Center Fielder
Justin Crawford
Right Fielder
Bryce Harper
Designated Hitter
Kyle Schwarber
KPI Indicators
Metric
Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies
Batting Average Leader
Michael Harris II (.286)
Luis Arraez (.298)
Home Runs Leader
Matt Olson (37)
Kyle Schwarber (44)
Runs Batted In (RBI) Leader
Matt Olson (81)
Kyle Schwarber (92)
Pitching Wins Leader
Chris Sale (14)
Cristopher Sánchez (17)
Earned Run Average (ERA) Leader
Chris Sale (2.10)
Cristopher Sánchez (2.79)
Strikeouts Leader
Chris Sale (184)
Jesús Luzardo (221)
Team Rank: Batting Avg
13th (.246)
18th (.242)
Team Rank: Runs
9th (671)
14th (659)
Team Rank: Home Runs Hit
7th (183)
12th (173)
Team Rank: On Base %
25th (.309)
22nd (.312)
Team Rank: Slugging %
6th (.408)
16th (.400)
Team Rank: Team ERA
3rd (3.58)
11th (3.98)
Team Rank: Home Runs Allowed
13th (163)
20th (173)
Team Rank: Team WHIP
7th (1.24)
11th (1.27)
Team Rank: Batting Avg Against
6th (.232)
18th (.245)
Analysis
The Atlanta Braves have the upper hand in this matchup of rivals. Philadelphia boasts great individual pitchers such as Cristopher Sánchez and sluggers such as Kyle Schwarber. The Atlanta Braves have an overall superior team.
The Braves outperform the Phillies in terms of offensive capability, ranking 9th for runs scored and 6th in slugging percentage. More importantly, the Braves outperform the Phillies by a wide margin in pitching, with the 3rd-lowest team ERA at 3.59. The Braves are the definitive pick when compared to Philadelphia.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves
Event: St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago White Sox
Date: 12 September 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 7:15 PM ET | 4:15 PM PT | 4:45 Am IST (Next day)
Venue: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Expected MLB Lineups
St. Louis Cardinals
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Michael McGreevy
Relief Pitcher
George Soriano
Closer
Riley O’Brien
Catcher
Leo Bernal
First Baseman
Alec Burleson
Second Baseman
Bryan Torres
Third Baseman
Nolan Gorman
Shortstop
Thomas Saggese
Left Fielder
Joshua Baez
Center Fielder
Nathan Church
Right Fielder
Jordan Walker
Designated Hitter
Ivan Herrera
Chicago White Sox
Position
Starter
Starting Pitcher
Sean Burke
Relief Pitcher
Jordan Hicks
Closer
Bryan Hudson
Catcher
Kyle Teel
First Baseman
Munetaka Murakami
Second Baseman
Chase Meidroth
Third Baseman
Miguel Vargas
Shortstop
Colson Montgomery
Left Fielder
Sam Antonacci
Center Fielder
Tristan Peters
Right Fielder
Braden Montgomery
Designated Hitter
Andrew Benintendi
KPI Indicators
Metric
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago White Sox
Batting Average Leader
Alec Burleson (.283)
Chase Meidroth (.268)
Home Runs Leader
Jordan Walker (28)
Munetaka Murakami / Colson Montgomery (31)
Runs Batted In (RBI) Leader
Alec Burleson (104)
Colson Montgomery (83)
Pitching Wins Leader
Andre Pallante (12)
Davis Martin / Anthony Kay (9)
Earned Run Average (ERA) Leader
Michael McGreevy (3.92)
Sean Burke (3.58)
Strikeouts Leader
Matthew Liberatore (144)
Sean Burke (169)
Team Rank: Batting Avg
17th (.243)
25th (.236)
Team Rank: Runs
9th (668)
6th (685)
Team Rank: Home Runs Hit
21st (156)
6th (190)
Team Rank: On Base %
14th (.317)
11th (.319)
Team Rank: Slugging %
26th (.385)
10th (.407)
Team Rank: Team ERA
22nd (4.31)
14th (4.14)
Team Rank: Home Runs Allowed
3rd (146)
14th (163)
Team Rank: Team WHIP
22nd (1.35)
19th (1.31)
Team Rank: Batting Avg Against
26th (.254)
15th (.241)
Analysis
The favorite for the game is the Chicago White Sox. The St. Louis Cardinals have two great batters who can drive in runs, Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. Their statistics as a team are inferior.
As a team, the Chicago White Sox have a better offense. They are 6th in runs scored and home runs, as well as slugging percentage (10th compared to 26th). Additionally, the Chicago White Sox have a better ERA and WHIP from the pitchers on their squad.
The Pick: Chicago White Sox
Conclusion
The MLB schedules and lineup include many important games with strong picks and analysis. The Dodgers, Rays, Braves, and White Sox are all ready to clash in their respective games. The respective teams have an advantage based on the metrics and stats provided. In the last part of the season, these clubs will depend on solid pitching and hitting to win.