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Today’s Headlines
Sizemore White Sox Notch First, Shocking Win
If you were told a game between the Yankees and White Sox ended with a score of 12-2, you might be inclined to think the Yankees won behind what is arguably the best lineup in baseball against a team that is on pace to flirt with the worst winning percentage in the Modern Era. You would be wrong. The Yankees floundered on Monday night, failing to score more than one run in any frame even though they had multiple baserunners on in each of the first five innings with one out or less. It was just the second time in the 120-year-plus history of the Yankees franchise that they had scored so little with so many chances.
Yankees: 2nd time in franchise history they had 20+ baserunners and scored 2 or fewer runs in a 9-inning game.
They also did it September 6, 1912 vs A's.
— Katie Sharp (@SharpStats17) August 13, 2024
The White Sox, shockingly, hammered the Yankees pitching with 18 hits. 18! The first double-digit win of the season for the White Sox earned their new skipper, Grady Sizemore, his first managerial win as he tries to navigate his team towards an acceptable level of mediocrity.
Rays Call Up Top Prospect
Junior Caminero. Junior Caminero. Junior Caminero. It finally worked. After months of standing in front of my mirror summoning the 80-grade power prospect to my fantasy teams, he’s here. Caminero has long been known to many as the guy that’s below Jackson Holliday on the MLB top prospect list, that’s likely to change this week as Caminero got the call and is expected to join the Rays and see regular playing time, for the rest of the season. He has the arm to stay at third base for most of his career and the power should be on par with most who threaten 40 homers every season. The Rays sit 5.5 games behind a wild card spot, Caminero could make the difference with less than 50 games left to play. If he’s somehow not rostered in your fantasy league, go add him immediately.
Junior Caminero spent more time in the Minors than most expected, but now MLB's No. 2 prospect is making his return to the big leagues.
More on what the 21-year-old will bring to @RaysBaseball: https://t.co/gbDwAez08Z pic.twitter.com/HfxajjjMVy
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 13, 2024
Aces Duel in San Fransisco Shutout
Gather round, children. This is one for the ages. Blake Snell against Chris Sale was the matchup that everyone hoped it would be and more. Snell struck out 11 over 6.1 innings, walking three, and surrendering just two hits. Sale answered with 12 strikeouts of his own over seven innings, allowing just three hits without issuing a walk. Each racked up an identical 20 called strikes and 19 swinging strikes, with Snell (114) throwing seven more pitches than Sale (107).
Chris Sale's 11th and 12th Ks. pic.twitter.com/Rc07wZ0rlo
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 13, 2024
Scoreless after nine innings of play, Raisel Iglesias proved why he’s one of the best relief options in the game. After already pitching in the ninth to keep the game scoreless, he stayed in for the 10th after Atlanta took the lead and struck out both of the first two batters before getting the game-winning line-out. A dominant exhibition in pitching on both sides of this game.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Mookie Mashes In Return
On the shelf since mid-June, it was a much-welcomed sight to have Mookie Betts, one of the game’s best players, return to the diamond last night. Betts wasted no time getting right back to where he left off, going 2-for-4 with a home run, 3 RBI, and a steal as the Dodgers beat the Brewers 5-2. His return gives a huge boost to a Dodgers lineup that was frankly still dangerous even without him. Ohtani, Betts, Hernandez, and Freeman are one of, if not the, best front four in baseball when all are available.
Mookie Betts returns for his first game since June 16th and homers like no time passed! pic.twitter.com/mfAuYCu5Qb
— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2024
Mix in a little throwback type performance from Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers start looking immediately more dangerous. Funny aside: Mookie does not stay with the team when they visit the Brewers because he thinks the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is haunted.
#Dodgers RF Mookie Betts, for second straight year, declined to stay with team in supposedly haunted Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. He’s at an Air BnB. He don’t like ghosts.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) August 12, 2024
Will Wagner, Son of Billy, Makes Multi-Hit Debut
Wagner wasted no time in his first big league game, taking the first pitch he saw as a pro the other way for a base knock. It would be his first of three on the night, as the son of the seven-time All-Star hurler scored a run, drove in a run, and added a double to his first stat line. Between Bichette, Guerrero, and Wagner, you have to appreciate the Blue Jays’ commitment to the bit. Maybe they’ll trade for Jackson Holliday too.
Step aside, Dad!@BlueJays prospect Will Wagner has already collected three hits in his MLB debut, surpassing his father Billy's career total of two in 853 games. pic.twitter.com/dK0Tf00KfI
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 13, 2024
Merrill Magic
The Pirates were down to their last out in the ninth with a man on first in a tight 2-1 game in which they trailed the Padres. There was a man on first, the tying run, and the outfield was a bit deep to prevent the score on an extra-base hit. Bryan Reynolds smacked a ball into right-center field at 105mph and given the extra depth and the launch angle of just 18 degrees, this sinking line drive looked like it was going to fall and keep Pittsburgh’s hopes alive, and put them into scoring position.
Jackson Merrill had other ideas. The jump he got in center must have been good because when the video cuts to the wide shot, he’s already in full sprint. He needed every single moment to reach his spot on the grass, making the catch with the ball at the height of his ankles as he fully laid out to make the game-winning grab.
Jackson Merrill are you serious?!
Ballgame over in San Diego! pic.twitter.com/Yft9v7GBgc
— MLB (@MLB) August 13, 2024
There are discussions about whether he could make a run at the NL Rookie of the Year, especially if Paul Skenes was to struggle and/or get shut down. While it might be a little too late, plays like this at least make the conversation interesting.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Red Sox placed James Paxton on the 15-day IL with a calf strain.
⚾ Ketel Marte was lifted after his first at-bat, he hurt his ankle in a collision on Saturday and did not play on Sunday. He will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.
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