Schwarber, Scherzer Star as Playoff Races Intensify

Kyle Schwarber led the Philadelphia Phillies to a 13-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, hitting two home runs—including a grand slam—for six RBIs, and now leads the National League with 40 home runs and 94 RBIs. His performance strengthened his MVP candidacy and put him on pace to challenge the Phillies' single-season home run record. The Phillies, with support from Bryce Harper and Harrison Bader, now lead the NL East by 1.5 games. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer pitched six innings of one-run ball to help the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2, stabilizing their rotation and maintaining their lead in the AL East. Scherzer overcame recent injuries and a mid-game catcher change, reinforcing his impact for Toronto. Both teams' successes highlight the growing importance of star performances as playoff races heat up.