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Today’s Headlines
Cruz To Shift To Center Field
The Pirates announced that effective immediately, Oneil Cruz would be switching positions from shortstop to center fielder. Cruz is known for his plus-plus arm and has made many flashy plays at short this season for Pittsburgh. The issue is that at 6-foot-7, Cruz was the biggest player to ever man the shortstop position, and it was becoming apparent why middle infielders aren’t almost the size of Aaron Judge. While able to make up for many of the lapses of his size with his arm, Cruz is second in the majors in errors with 24. The leader is fellow shortstop Elly De La Cruz with 26 but he’s fielded 55 more innings and is a few years younger.
There’s no reason to think that Cruz can’t do very well in center field. He is an amazing athlete and being able to make it to the majors at his size playing the position he has is a testament to his athletic ability. He will likely adjust quickly to playing center and it will help the Pirates as they look towards the future. As for now, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will take over for the rest of the season as the everyday shortstop.
Jansen Appears For Sox and Jays in Resumed Game
Arguably the biggest story of the week, history was made yesterday when Danny Jensen played for both teams in the same game with a resumption of a Blue Jays vs Red Sox occurring yesterday. Jensen was batting when the game was paused and when resumed he would be the catcher for the other team. The PA announcer called out the pinch hitter and the replacement in one, historical moment.
It also created this fun brainbender, where George Springer technically got his 7th home run of the year yesterday, and then in the second doubleheader game on the same day, he would hit his 19th home run.
George Springer is the first player in @MLB history to hit his 7th AND 19th homers of the season on the same day 😅 #SpringerDinger pic.twitter.com/iCXSmQMZIp
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 27, 2024
Nationals Top Prospect, The Other Crews, Debuts
The Washington Nationals brought up their number one prospect, and number three MLB prospect, Dylan Crews, on Tuesday for the start of their series against the New York Yankees. The 22-year-old top prospect went 0-for-3 with a walk in Washington’s 5-2 loss. He started in right field and batted second in the lineup, reflecting the Nationals’ high hopes for him as a key part of their future amongst their exciting young outfield.
Despite the tough first game, Crews remained optimistic, ready to “come out swinging” in the next one. It might take some time but the collection of young talent in Washington will make even the rough stretches enjoyable. The Nats have a chance to do it the right way and grow their talent from the ground up to create a championship window. Crews will undoubtedly be a large part of any future success.
Cubs Score 18 Runs, Steal 8 Bases vs. Pirates
Talk about a beatdown; the Cubs opened up their series against National League Central foe, Pittsburgh, in a big way on Monday. Through five innings, you would have never guessed that 26 total runs would be scored, it was just 3-2. Then the Cubs put up an 8-run inning against Domingo Germán.
What, exactly, does an 8-run inning entail? It started with a walk, a single, and a 2-run double, then back-to-back strikeouts before an RBI single, an intentional walk to Cody Bellinger, back-to-back walks that brought the fourth run in, then a grand slam.
There would still be another 12 runs scored, but the Pirates turned to position players to pitch with how far out of reach the contest had gotten. Steals were a big part of getting the Cubs’ offense going. Pete Crow Armstrong stole three bases, including going to third on a walk thanks to back-to-back steals. Ian Happ added two steals of his own along with three other Cubs. They clearly feel comfortable running on Yasmani Grandal.
The blowout did lead to some loose play…
Umpire Scott Barry called the worst strike in Umpire Auditor history.
This lob from Rowdy Tellez missed the strike zone by 14.6 inches.#Pirates #Cubs pic.twitter.com/bs2GoG9JN4
— Umpire Auditor (@UmpireAuditor) August 27, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Judge Flashes MVP-Caliber Leather
Oh, you know, just the man who is having one of the best offensive seasons of all time and is a foregone favorite to win the MVP going up to make a smooth-looking home run-robbing catch. This Aaron Judge guy makes it look so easy. All you need to do is be a massive athletic specimen that swings one of the heaviest bats in baseball at still makes it look like a toothpick.
There are a few leagues that play defensive categories like double plays, hopefully this counted in that category for Judge.
Aaron Judge robs a potential homer AND turns a double play! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mBZBwoJx2C
— MLB (@MLB) August 26, 2024
Twins Epic Rain Delay Skies
The Twins had to wait a bit to complete their game against Atlanta last night. Storms in the area threatened to flood the field, and there was a lengthy delay, but at least we got this great shot out of it before the Twins got beat by a score of 10-6.
Baseball skies pic.twitter.com/ZHl5hwY4Iu
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 27, 2024
Salvy Slams and M.J. Soars
The Cleveland Guardians can not get out of their own way in doubleheaders. There’s really no rhyme or reason but they’ve won just one of their last sixteen doubleheader games since last year; one! The Kansas City Royals were happy to see the trend continue and won both games on the backs of some impressive individual efforts.
In the first game of the day, the Royals would not have been able to win without M.J. Melendez. Melendez contributed a massive three-run home run that accounted for the majority of the Kansas City run total. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, he made an incredible, game-saving catch that kept two huge runs off the board.
WHAT A CATCH BY MJ MELENDEZ!! pic.twitter.com/nHbATaLDv4
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) August 26, 2024
Captain Salvador Perez carried the effort in the second game of the day with six RBI thanks to two home runs, including a grand slam that put the game out of reach in the sixth inning.
Harper Walks Off Hader, ‘Stros
Nothing better than two of the best in the game going head-to-head with it all on the line. The Phillies might have a solid lead on the rest of the NL East, but positioning amongst the division leaders is up for grabs, and that means every game matters for the one seed. Philadelphia had just scored 22 runs in two games to finish their series against Kansas City, and now couldn’t muster up much against Ronel Blanco and the Astros.
That is until Bryce Harper was up with a man in scoring position and no out…
Bryce Harper rings the bell for the @Phillies! 🔔 #Walkoff pic.twitter.com/GgnkcrGeuE
— MLB (@MLB) August 27, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Orioles placed 1B Ryan Mountcastle on the 10-day IL with a wrist injury, he missed the entire weekend series.
⚾ Javy Baez is expected to undergo season-ending surgery on his hip, the Tigers infielder went on the IL last Friday.
⚾ Catcher Elias Díaz, who was cut by the Rockies, was signed by the Padres on Monday.
⚾ Pirates pitcher Jared Jones is expected to be activated and start against the Cubs on Tuesday.
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