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Today’s Headlines
Freddie Freeman Returns After Son’s Health Scare
Freddie Freeman rejoined the Dodgers Monday after a scary two-week stretch where his 3-year-old son, Maximus, battled Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder. Freeman arrived to find every Dodger locker adorned with blue T-shirts bearing his name, number, and the phrase “#MaxStrong.” Emotions ran high as Freeman recounted his son’s ordeal to the media, from a sudden limp to full paralysis, and his eventual progress after intensive treatment. Freeman received a standing ovation before his first at-bat in the Dodgers’ win over the Phillies Monday night, symbolizing the support from both his team and the wider baseball community.
Freddie Freeman. 👏👏😭 pic.twitter.com/3wXZ4HHJSb
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 6, 2024
White Sox Tie American League Consecutive Loss Record at 21
Thats right. They did it. 21 straight losses for what is likely going to be the worst MLB season we will, hopefully, see for decades to come. Chicago is currently given around a 37.5% chance in the markets to end the streak today against Oakland, but nonetheless, it still does not seem very likely. The White Sox offense is dead last in OPS, RBI, and bottom three in walks, home runs, and hits. Their pitching has allowed the most walks and second most runs this season.
It’s ugly from both sides of the ball and at 23.6%, if the season ended right now, the White Sox would have the second-worst win percentage of the Modern Era. Only the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics were worse, with a 23.5% win percentage. Nobody else has ever finished below 24.5% in 120+ years or below 29% in 60+ years. The White Sox need at least 12 wins in their final 48 games to avoid being the worst of all time.
Funny enough, this is a bit of a family affair for Gavin Sheets…
#White Sox Gavin Sheets dad, Larry Sheets was an outfielder on that 1988 #Orioles team that also lost an American League record 21 consecutive games
— Joe Salvatore (@radiojoee) August 6, 2024
Festa Fiesta
David Festa delivered a stellar performance on Monday night, striking out a career-high nine over five innings as the Minnesota Twins shut out the Chicago Cubs 3-0. Festa, making his fifth big league start, allowed just two hits and two walks while throwing 82 pitches. Backed by solid bullpen work from Caleb Thielbar, Jorge Alcala, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax, who earned his eighth save, the Twins moved to within 3.5 games of the AL Central-leading Cleveland.
Nice look at David Festa's mechanics. #Twins
7 feet of extension on his fastball is greater than ~90% of MLB right-handers. pic.twitter.com/AyIxPtYXMc
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) August 6, 2024
Manaea Madness
Sean Manaea won consecutive starts for the first time this season, leading the Mets to a 6-0 victory over the Cardinals in the makeup game of a May 8 rainout. Manaea dominated, striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings with no walks allowed. Tyrone Taylor hit a three-run double, and Jeff McNeil added his 10th homer of the season. The Mets, who have won eight of Manaea’s last 10 starts, secured the season series 4-2 against the Cardinals. Ryne Stanek and Edwin Diaz completed the shutout, New York’s fourth since July 11. Manaea has quietly been a great value for the Mets this season.
Mets pitchers have struck out 10 or more batters in four games this year and Sean Manaea has done it three of those times. pic.twitter.com/m8INs4QN4w
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) August 6, 2024
De La Cruz Dazzles as Reds Roll
Elly De La Cruz became the youngest Cincinnati player with four extra-base hits in a game in the Modern Era, leading the Reds to a 10-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Despite Jesús Sánchez’s 480-foot homer, the longest in the majors this season, the Reds dominated. De La Cruz, snapping an 0-for-13 slide, hit two homers and two doubles, bringing his season total to 20 homers while leading the league with 57 steals.
Elly De La Cruz said before each home run, a kid in the stands told him to hit a HR both times… so Elly gave him a signed bat after the game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/70BuMzRB3r
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 6, 2024
I think you gotta sign this kid to the team now…
Best Moments From Yesterday
Battle For Texas: Josh Smith Walk-Off Home Run
Smith hit a game-ending two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Texas Rangers a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Monday night, in the opener of the final series this season between the AL West rivals and last two World Series champions.
JOSH SMITH WALK-OFF. RANGERS WIN. RANGERS WIN.
@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | @BallySports 📺 pic.twitter.com/LsFAb8wpkZ— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) August 6, 2024
Snakes Slither Past Guardians, Clase In Extras
This was one of the most enjoyable games of the day, starting with back-to-back home runs and ending with a bang, too. The Diamondbacks got the win against one of, if not, the best closers in the game thanks to a big sac fly from Eugenio Suárez. Emmanuel Clase had his eight-inning scoreless streak snapped with the ghost runner scoring in unearned fashion, but even that’s a massive accomplishment against the flame-throwing righty.
Geno brings home a run and the Snakes take the lead back. 🐍 pic.twitter.com/30CcAAWPXK
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 6, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Nick Gordon was designated for assignment by Miami
⚾ Gabriel Moreno left Monday’s contest with a groin injury, Arizona indicated he will require an IL stint.
⚾ Atlanta’s All-Star starter, Reynaldo López, was put on the IL with forearm tightness, retroactive to Friday.
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