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The playoff push continues, even as some teams are losing ground quickly. How did your favorite team fare this Tuesday? Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
Yankees fall to .500
The Yankees continue their free fall, and are back at .500 for the first time since May 1. In what has become almost an expected outcome, the offense produced another no-show, this time being one-hit by Bryce Elder and two relievers. The Yankees’ only hit came via a single in the second inning, and even as they worked five walks, they only had one at-bat with runners in scoring position. On the other hand, the Braves played like the vastly superior team they are, with a quick three-run homer by Marcell Ozuna in the first inning and Ronald Acuña Jr’s 27th in the fourth to close out the scoring. With the loss, the Yankees are now 6.5 games back in the wild card race, as their playoff hopes continue to dwindle every day.
With tonight's loss to the Braves, the New York Yankees have fallen to .500 pic.twitter.com/lsIGEhWgSt
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 16, 2023
Kyle’s Brother continues mashing
Speaking of teams falling out of the playoff race, the Angels lost for the 11th time over their past 14 games. The loss came at the hands of the Rangers, who continue to wage an epic battle for the AL West with the Astros. The biggest highlights of the game came off the bat of Corey Seager, who would be an excellent MVP candidate if not for a certain two-way Angels player. With two homers and 5 RBI added to his ledger, Seager continues to be one of the hottest hitters in baseball, as he is slugging .844 over the past seven days. On the pitching side, deadline acquisition Jordan Montgomery was again stellar, with only one run allowed over six innings, with nine strikeouts.
Power Ranger.
Corey Seager with a strong night. 💪 pic.twitter.com/IY20IPpYqC
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2023
The Dodgers win again
In what has become a habit post-trading deadline, the Dodgers earned another victory and continue to inch closer to yet another division title. Today, they cruised to an easy 6-2 win over the Brewers, as rookie Bobby Miller won for the seventh time this season, allowing only one hit and one walk over six innings. While the game was tense and tied entering the sixth, the Dodgers broke it wide open with a 5-run frame that was fueled by a throwing error. As every other team in the NL West has gone 3-7 over their past 10 games, LA has now won 9 straight, and could even challenge the Braves for the NL’s top record down the stretch.
The @Dodgers have won 9 straight games and 13 out of 14 in August. pic.twitter.com/rf1nJmTom3
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2023
Mariners avoid epic fail
As the Mariners continue to fight for a playoff spot, they are not making it easy for their fans. Following Monday’s late comeback/collapse, Tuesday provided another torturous game in what could have been an easy win against the lowly Royals. With a 7-run fourth inning that included three homers, Seattle had a win probability over 99%, but Kansas City struck back with a 5-run fifth and then mounted another hearty effort in the ninth to tie the game at eight runs. Staring at a tough loss, the Mariners kept their cool and plated two runs in the tenth, with Ty France’s clutch two-run single proved to be the game winner. The victory allowed Seattle to keep pace with the Astros and Blue Jays, as they remain only two games below the final AL playoff berth.
Got it done 👊 #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/8dgzk4PLnE
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 16, 2023
Tuesday Home game = Giants win
August has not been kind to the Giants, especially as their offense has cratered and wasted several strong pitching efforts. However, there seems to be an unstoppable factor for San Francisco: playing a Tuesday home game in their City Connect uniforms. The Giants entered today’s game 24-8 all-time wearing these unis, and 7-2 this season. Even as today’s game remained scoreless until the sixth and appeared primed for another low-scoring affair, San Francisco had a rare offensive explosion, scoring thrice in the sixth, and twice in the final two frames to close out a 7-0 win over the Rays. Homeruns by Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores were key, while the opener pitching strategy worked wonders, as Jakob Junis and Sean Manaea combined to strike out 12 batters over 7.1 innings. Next time you are about to place a bet on a Tuesday, check if the Giants are playing at home.
Whaddya expect in the City Connects 🌁 pic.twitter.com/bELeHEhIFT
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 16, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
A newborn named Mookie
In a typical storybook moment that has been parodied by Seinfeld (via Paul O’Neill) and The Simpsons, reality became stranger than fiction, as was confirmed by Mookie Betts. Last month, a fan approached him before an at-bat and vied to name his soon-to-be-born girl Mookie if the Dodgers star hit a homerun that day. Just a few moments later, Betts hit what he called “the longest homer” of his career, creating an unbelievable bond with said fan. Lo and behold, the baby’s birth certificate now says Francesca Mookie Mancuso. Such a weird but cute story, and one that will surely come up multiple times as the Dodgers continue to surge.
One of the coolest moments of ya boy’s entire career! Bro is a man of his word 😂👶🏼 #babymookie pic.twitter.com/rVIG4VWJVe
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) August 15, 2023
Miguel Cabrera having a blast
To be perfectly honest, the Miguel Cabrera farewell tour has been mostly sad. The future Hall of Famer is slugging .326 and would be one of the worst hitters in MLB if he had enough plate appearances to qualify. However, at least today he provided a moment of unbridled joy. Facing the playoff-bound Twins, he blasted just his second homer of the season, and #509 of his career, giving the Tigers a temporary lead and a moment to remember amid a pretty forgettable season.
When No. 509 feels as good as No. 1.
(Cut4 x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/y4qitPukX8
— Cut4 (@Cut4) August 16, 2023
A painful out is still an out
While we are accustomed to seeing fielders risking their bodies towards spectacular defensive plays, today we see a different path in which a painful play provided a positive outcome for the defense. The wonderfully named Jason Delay was behind the plate when Jeff McNeil hit what appeared to be a clear foul tip to stave off a strikeout. Somehow, the ball ricocheted off Delay’s thumb and stuck to his body, making an unlikely catch and earning strike three for his pitcher. Even with the pain, there was no other option but to smile.
Catch it any way you can. pic.twitter.com/riOz8NYRGi
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2023
Injuries
The Rays announced two significant losses that will make the race for the AL East way tougher for them, as they are also dealing with the Wander Franco situation. Shane McLanahan will undergo Tommy John surgery, following his placement on the 60-day IL with tightness in his pitching forearm. This means that the ace will likely be back until the start of the 2025 season, becoming the third member of the Tampa rotation to be out for the rest of 2023. Along with this loss, Manuel Margot will also miss around a month, as he will have a procedure to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Even as the Rays pride themselves in always having supreme depth, these losses are starting to pile up.
Just as he is closing in on 2,000 career hits, José Altuve is facing yet another potential roadblock in this tumultuous season. During his first at-bat, he fouled a ball off his shin, which caused him to writhe in pain immediately. Despite finishing the at-bat with a hit, he left the game after it was followed with a quick double play. The Astros announced that X-rays were negative and he should be considered day-to-day with a left knee contusion. It certainly is something to follow over the next few days.
Articles You Should Read
Does Swinging Less mean Swinging at Better Pitches? – Alex Eisert, Fangraphs
How did Scouts Whiff on Luis Arraez? – Ben Lindbergh, The Ringer
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
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