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Today’s Headlines
IM more than AN AGA
Look, I don’t write The List – and I know this week’s iteration was posted just a few hours before another brilliant performance from Cubs Ace (!!), Shota Imanaga, but how much more of an argument is left? Imanaga earned the win against Atlanta last night, pitching five scoreless innings against one of the league’s most loaded offenses. He struck out eight while allowing seven hits and walking three. More impressive? None of the hits went for extra bases. Imanaga lowered his ERA to an unbelievable, MLB leading, 0.94, while also ranking in the top ten for his WHIP ratio.
His pitch combo is just so good, the fastball might be the best pitch in the majors at the moment and then to combine it with this type of sweeper? Sheesh!
Shōta Imanaga, Wicked 82mph Sweeper. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/ld4tss2g9Z
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 13, 2024
The three walks brought his total to just eight on the season. He is one of just 13 hurlers with a strikeout-to-walk ratio above 6.0 so far this season. Also, he has a masterful pickoff move. Crown him, Nick!
You’re going to need more hands
This is just the beauty of physics to me, a fan in Seattle caught back-to-back foul balls in the same spot. It’s almost unbelievable. Both pitches were thrown at the same speed, to the same part of the plate, and I guess when you have consistent swing mechanics – magical things like this can happen.
Me: i've been to hundreds of games and never caught a foul ball 😢
This guy: I just caught 2 on back-to-back pitches 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/aIM6gWVwBz
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2024
If you’re looking to catch a foul in Seattle, I think I know where you need to sit!
Snakes hate Mondays no more
The Diamondbacks had been more akin to Garfield to open the year. Entering yesterday’s play, the Diamondbacks were 0-5 on Monday games. They snapped that streak in dramatic fashion, walking off the Reds with a big two-run single from Kevin Newman. It was Alexis Díaz’s second blown save of the year.
WALK US OFF KEVIN! pic.twitter.com/Clo33BAeC0
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 14, 2024
Edwin Diaz blows two-run lead, first time in 50 saves
It’s been a bit of a rough stretch for the Mets closer. He’s now blown two save chances in his last three and the control did not look like it was fully present last night. Diaz allowed a home run to Bryson Stott immediately to open the frame and then things got a little dicey. A pretty clear swing was called a check which loaded the bases for Diaz to plunk Alec Bohm and walk in the tying run. The Mets ultimately lost the opener in extras.
Last time Edwin Diaz blew a lead of 2+ runs in the 9th:
July 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh
That was 50 saves ago
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) May 14, 2024
Diaz should be fine. He still has elite stuff and yesterday appears more to be a bit unlucky. You be the judge… I think this should have been a strike. I wouldn’t have been happy either, Carlos.
Carlos Mendoza was not happy with the umpiring crew after Whit Merrifield was judged not to have swung on this 3-1 pitch pic.twitter.com/Zu4xeKEHuX
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 14, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Betts Crushes 50th Career Lead-Off Bomb
Mookie Betts needs just eight more career lead-off home runs to take second place all time, I think he gets that done – Ricky Henderson’s 81 is probably a bit untouchable, however.
Mookie Betts with his 50th leadoff home run. He sits alone in the fifth all-time spot. It's his second of the season.pic.twitter.com/6z4IDO2jmC
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) May 14, 2024
Rutschman double dinger vs Berrios
There isn’t much debate left to be had, Adley Rutschman is clearly a top-two catcher in the American League along with Salvador Perez. He also now owns a batting average north of .600 against José Berríos after tacking on two slams last night.
Knock, knock
Adley again! pic.twitter.com/dH0KjLDXgv
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2024
Varsho robs and smacks home run
Now that’s playing on both sides of the ball. The Jays only won by a single run, quite the impactful performance for the outfielder!
Varsho brought this baseball back 😮 pic.twitter.com/5Vu9mwPm0s
— MLB (@MLB) May 13, 2024
4th Inning: Daulton Varsho robs homer
8th Inning: @DaultonVarsho25 CRUSHES homer pic.twitter.com/J3Mj4Z2Oyw— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 14, 2024
Cardinals explode for eight-run frame
I’ll keep it real, when the Redbirds gave up a four-run spot early in this game, I thought they stood no chance to win. They’ve been one of the most disappointing teams of the season and on a West Coast road trip, down four? It seemed improbable. Well, if you don’t enjoy the improbable occurring, baseball probably isn’t for you!
Let’s just say the Cards put on their rally hats!
14 hitters came to the plate.
8 runs.
7 hits.
1 glorious inning.#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/TlDLawcmrW
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) May 14, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Austin Riley avoids injury, MRI reveals inflammation.
⚾ Rhys Hoskins left Monday’s game with a hamstring injury, will get MRI.
⚾ Jung Hoo Lee was placed on the 10-day IL with a dislocated shoulder.
⚾ TJ Friedl has a fractured thumb six games after returning from wrist fracture, hits 10-day IL.
⚾ Max Scherzer has no timetable for return, thumb issue is nerve related.
⚾ Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder inflammation) hopeful to be reinstated after minimum IL stay.
⚾ Zack Gelof expected to be activated this week.
Articles You Should Read
Everything to know about Statcast’s new bat-tracking data — Mike Petriello, MLB
Early Observations From Statcast’s New Bat Tracking Data — Ben Clemons, FanGraphs
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