So many story lines as the playoff chase heats up. The entire National League West held serve on Tuesday night with Arizona, Colorado and Los Angeles winning. St. Louis held on for a win in Washington while Milwaukee beat the Cubs to keep both teams in the lead for the Wild Card spots. Philadelphia lurks within three of the Braves in the East and three and a half games within the second wild card spot. Things in the American League seem to be settling in with the Yankees lining up to host the A’s in the play-in game while the Mariners host a cage fight in the locker room prior to last night’s game. And can we just enjoy how fun of a season the Rays have posted? Their 75 wins would have them within two games of the playoffs in the National League and teams continue to imitate the “opener” innovative technique proving effective as the season unfolds.
That Just Happened
Making his 17th start of the season, Joe Musgrove turned in one of his best outings lasting 6.1 innings giving up five hits, two earned runs and striking out eight. He generated 17 swinging strikes and 15 called of his 92 pitches. There’s hope for future upside, but his remaining starts will be under the microscope to determine how much for next season. Grégory Polanco went 3-for-4 with a run, double, two RBI and his 12th stolen base. He’s on a five-game hit streak with four runs and six RBI in them. Starling Marte hit his first home run since August seventh and 18th of the year.
Stay hot Scooter Gennett . He launched two home runs and has multiple hits in seven of his last eight games. He’s 16-for-his-last-31 (.516) with eight runs, three home runs and nine RBI. Gennett leads the National League in hits (165) and average (.322). Not too shabby for a waiver claim.
Yadier Molina ’s grand slam propelled the Cardinals to a victory and he’s hit safely in eight of his last 10 games. Marcell Ozuna added two home runs as well. Ozuna’s homered in five of his last nine games (lost time due to shoulder inflammation) and has 12 RBI his last 15 contests. With closer Bud Norris possibly out until Friday, Jordan Hicks filled with his sixth save walking one and striking out one in one-third of an inning.
While fantasy owners await the arrival of Victor Robles to the Nationals lineup, Wilmer Difo hit his seventh home run among his two hits on Tuesday. Difo’s hitting .304/.360/.609 with two home runs and three RBI over the last seven days.
He’s back. Sergio Romo made his first appearance since August 25th and recorded his 19th save retiring the only two batters he faced. Romo’s converted his last six save chances and in the midst of a nine game scoreless streak spanning eight innings.
Mining under the radar players for next year, Yandy Diaz flashed his upside batting second for the Indians going 3-for-4 with three runs, a triple, home run, two RBI and a walk. Diaz known for contact, could do well in 2019 if power develops, but his playing time will be reduced when Josh Donaldson arrives. Francisco Lindor homered for the second straight game, his 31st.
No one brags about drafting Asdrubal Cabrera , but he continues to produce. Cabrera went 2-for-4 hitting his 23rd home run with three RBI and a walk. He’s homered in back-to-back games and in three of the last five.
In spite of his season not starting until April 17th, J.T. Realmuto not only reached 20 home runs for the first time of his career, with two last night, it sets a Marlins single season record for most at his position in franchise history. Realmuto continues to shine in a lost season but could be a building block for the teams future.
Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup as the designated hitter and hit his 16th home run. Over his last 24 games, Ohtani’s 21-for-64 (.328) with three doubles, seven home runs and 19 RBI. David Fletcher added three hits, a run and a stolen base. He’s hit safely in 17 of his last 21 games.
No longer a secret, Jose Leclerc continues to surge as the closer for Texas. LeClerc notched his ninth save striking out two in a clean outing. He’s in the midst of a 15 inning scoreless streak, converted all nine saves within it, limiting hitters to a .047 batting average against with 25 strikeouts.
Remember when Mikie Mahtook looked like a late round steal in drafts? He’s back to tease once again. Mahtook hit his sixth home run with two RBI and stole his third base last night. Mahtook’s hit safely in nine of his last 11 games with nine runs, four home runs and seven RBI.
Entering last night’s start a winner of his last three decisions over his last four starts with a 2.84 ERA in the last 25.1 innings, Lucas Giolito imploded giving up five runs (four earned) in 1.1 innings on four hits and two walks. Chasing wins with young pitchers in September can be risky business.
Veteran Justin Verlander won his 14th allowing three hits, an earned run and two walks with eight strikeouts in seven innings. Verlander made his 30th start of the year and leads the American League in strikeouts (248) and remains second in WHIP (0.94). Teammate Alex Bregman racked up three more hits to extend his on-base streak to 31 games.
A pitcher’s duel in Coors. Rookie Dereck Rodriguez yielded only one earned run in six innings with six strikeouts. He’s 4-1 his last 12 games (11 starts) with a 1.72 ERA and has nine games this year in which he’s pitched at least six innings allowing two runs or fewer. For the Rockies, German Marquez racked up 11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings giving up seven hits, two earned runs and two walks. He’s accrued 24 strikeouts his last two starts and owns a 2.24 ERA his last eight games with a robust 72:12 K:BB in 56.1 innings.
Just when it seemed trendy to give on Robbie Ray , he fires 6.1 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts. Ray did walk two and allow two hits but generated 21 swinging strikes of his 101 pitches to win at home for the first time since April 30th. Ray’s also allowed three runs or less in his last six starts.
Luke Voit homered for the third straight game and has hit seven in his last 12. It’s eerily similar to the ghost of Shane Spencer’s past, but Voit’s firmly affixed Greg Bird to the bench during his power surge.
Another day, another Jonathan Villar update. He went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. In 30 games with the Orioles, Villar’s scored 17 runs with six home runs and nine stolen bases. Trey Mancini tallied three hits, raised his average to .302 in the second half in 42 games with nine home runs and 25 RBI in them.
Robinson Canó finished 3-for-3 with two runs, his seventh home run, an RBI and a walk. In 19 games since his reinstatement, Cano’s hitting .288 with 10 runs, four doubles, three homers, eight RBI and six walks.
Michael Conforto hit his 21st home run of the season, his seventh in the last 24 games with 17 RBI and 10th in the second half. He’s primed to breakout in 2019 if at full strength with the shoulder.
What To Watch For
Will Corey Kluber bounce back against the Royals at home? Cleveland needs him to return to his dominant ways with the playoffs looming.
Could this be Homer Bailey ’s last stand facing Jameson Taillon in Pittsburgh?
Tyler Glasnow looks to stay hot and continue the Rays domination of the Blue Jays lineup. Not to mention how it looks like Tampa Bay already won the Chris Archer trade before promoting Austin Meadows .
New York will send Zack Wheeler to the mound in Los Angeles. Stay tuned to see how many more starts Wheeler will get, but his breakout has been a terrific story.
Who wins tonight? Michael Kopech or mother nature?
Last, in a potential playoff preview, Luis Severino will match-up with Mike Fiers in Oakland.
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