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With the trade deadline looming, there has been just as much talk in the general media this week on where Tarik Skubal may potentially end up as there has been about the actual action on the field. While I am as anxious as anybody to find out the answer to that question, both as someone who resides in metro Detroit and as someone who has Skubal as the anchor of my keeper-league team, there was more than enough enticing action on the field yesterday to keep the trade speculations to the side. For now. Let’s get into it.
Today’s Headlines
White Sox Walk-off Yankees For Second Night In a Row
The AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox have bounced back in a big way after dropping the first two of a four game series against the New York Yankees, securing back-to-back walk-off wins and salvaging a series split. This latest one was a certified pitchers’ duel throughout, as White Sox RHP Sean Burke fired six shutout innings while racking up 10 strikeouts, and Yankees LHP Ryan Weathers threw seven shutout innings of his own. The bullpens of both teams carried the shutouts into extra innings before each team scratched a single run across in the 10th inning. Chicago was able to hold the Yankees scoreless in the top of the 11th, before rookie OF Tristan Peters stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. Impressively for a rookie, Peters was able to maintain his composure and his eye, drawing a walk-off walk to send the home fans home happy.
The White Sox now head to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays, while the Yankees will stay in Chicago and head across town for a series with the Cubs.
Twins’ Late Grand Slam Makes History
The Minnesota Twins did something yesterday that no other team has ever done, and while it’s one of those hyper-specific stats, it’s still a really cool one. After being held hitless through six innings by Kansas City Royals starter Noah Cameron, who went on to give up only one hit across eight masterful innings, the Twins entered the ninth inning down 3-0 and with very little reason to think this was the day that history was going to be made. There was still little hope even after loading the bases, as Kody Clemens was at the plate with two outs and an 0-2 count, needing the swing of all swings to happen. And that’s just what he delivered. Clemens’ grand slam was the 34th known “ultimate grand slam” in MLB history, which is defined as a grand slam by a team trailing by three runs, but it was the first ever time in league history that a team was no-hit through six innings or later and then went on to hit a walk-off grand slam. A reversal of fortunes of truly historic proportions.
The Twins will now travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners, while the Royals will head to Colorado for a series with the Rockies.
By The Numbers
115.7 The hardest hit ball of the day yesterday came off the bat of Cincinnati Reds SS Elly De La Cruz, who smoked a 115.7-mph double to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning in a 2-2 ball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates before coming around to score the winning run.
455 The longest blast of the day came from Washington Nationals 2B Luis García Jr. when he deposited a 455-foot bomb onto the roof of the Chop House in the top of the third inning of what would ultimately be a tough 5-4 loss to Atlanta.
18 The highest number of whiffs induced came from two arms yesterday, as both Chicago White Sox RHP Sean Burke and Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Roki Sasaki each managed to rack up 18 swing and misses in their respective outings. Sasaki’s effort helped lead the Dodgers to a 6-2 over the Seattle Mariners in the rubber match of a tightly played three game series.
Best Moments From Yesterday
One for the Boys
A young fan provided a lifelong memory not only for himself but for his whole crew when he made this quite spectacular catch on a foul ball in the stands. Come for the catch, stay for the reactions.
Respect for the Groundskeepers
It can be taken for granted how immaculate each MLB field looks for every game, with seemingly every blade of grass and speck of dirt perfectly in place. The league partnered with Oakley Meta glasses recently to help give groundskeepers their due, providing this unique perspective at the hustle and attention to detail that goes into the job. Much respect.
Star-on-Star Robbery
San Francisco Giants 3B Rafael Devers thought he had crushed a homer to right field in yesterday’s game against the San Diego Padres, and while the Giants ultimately got the last laugh in this one with a 4-1 victory, Padres’ OF Fernando Tatis Jr. Jr. made sure a Devers’ home run was not part of that win with an impressive home run robbery.
Ronald Is Back!
It’s taken a few games for Atlanta OF Ronald Acuña Jr. to get back into the swing of things after missing almost two months due to two separate hamstring strains, but he looked more like himself yesterday when launching this homer against the Washington Nationals.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani sat out the series finale against the Mariners on Thursday due to knee soreness. Ohtani was available off of the bench as a pinch-hitter if needed, and is not expected to miss extended time.
⚾ Tampa Bay LHP Shane McClanahan is listed as day to day after exiting Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Rangers early in the fourth inning due to back tightness.
⚾ Texas Rangers placed RHP Jakob Junis on the 15-day IL (left abductor strain) retroactive to July 29.
⚾ Milwaukee Brewers sent LHP Kyle Harrison on a rehab assignment to High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
⚾ Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles completed a trade, with Baltimore receiving C Jake Rogers in exchange for RHP Zane Barnhart.
⚾ New York Mets have traded LHP A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for infield prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. Agbayani is the son of former Met Benny Agbayani, who many remember as a fan favorite and playoff hero from their 2000 run to the World Series.
⚾ Detroit Tigers are calling up their top prospect, OF Max Clark, for Friday’s series opener at the Athletics.
Articles You Should Read
“The Rays or Brewers Must Trade For Skubal” — Mike Baumann, FanGraphs
“Playing Time Trends: Week 19” — Mark Steubinger, Pitcher List
“The Curious Incident of the Angels/Rangers Trade in the Night-Time” — Ben Clemens, FanGraphs
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