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Following Tuesday’s action, we still have two winless teams and two undefeated ones, giving us a nice balance to start the 2024 season. There was the usual amount of highlights and web gems, including a former MVP delivering his first three hits of the season in high fashion.
Today’s Headlines
Have a day, Bryce
The Philadelphia Phillies entered today with a disappointing start to the season, highlighted by the hitless performance of their biggest star. It all clicked today for Bryce Harper, who collected the second three-homer game of his career, leading the Phillies to a commanding 9-4 win over the Reds. The first dinger came early in the game against starter Graham Ashcraft, repeating the feat in the fourth. With the game still on the line, Harper came up again in the seventh, this time with the bases loaded. On a 3-2 count, the two-time MVP hit a no-doubter to the right field bleachers, completing the hat trick and securing Philadelphia’s win. The final line of three homers and six RBI should quiet many concerns over Harper’s slow start, as he scored career run #1,000 in the process.
Bryce Harper FOR THREEEEEEE! 💥 pic.twitter.com/V27rtJJNKn
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2024
Gallen cools off Yankees
After a scorching 5-0 start, the Yankees finally lost a game. It happened at the hands of the Diamondbacks, as their ace Zac Gallen delivered a typical efficient outing. Needing only 96 pitches to navigate six innings, Gallen limited the Yankees to only three hits and three walks, striking out six en route to his second win of the young season. Only one Yankee made it to second base, while the Dbacks got an early 3-0 lead that was eventually padded by a Christian Walker three-run homer in the seventh, cruising to a 7-0 win. While the result is disappointing for the Bombers, there is no shame in being beat by Gallen at the peak of his powers.
An outstanding (and palindromic!) effort from 2⃣3⃣. pic.twitter.com/LoWwzSySKq
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 3, 2024
Larry Lucchino Passes Away
In news that saddened the baseball world, it was announced early Tuesday that Larry Lucchino passed away due to congenital heart failure. Lucchino had been a fixture in the world of sports for the better part of 50 years, as he was part of the Yale basketball team that made the Final Four. He later became president of the Orioles and the Padres, but ultimately made his biggest mark in Boston, where he was the CEO of the curse-breaking Red Sox in 2004. Lucchino would also be part of Boston’s next two championships and ended his career as an executive by being part of the ownership group for the minor-league Pawtucket Red Sox. With these achievements and the respect of the industry, Lucchino should become an easy pick as a posthumous Hall of Fame selection.
The Red Sox & the sports world have lost a giant.
Larry was a visionary whose competitive spirit & strong will took sports franchises to new heights, particularly ours.
He was a curse-breaker, ballpark-preserver & community champion.
Thank you, Larry. pic.twitter.com/KFjuqNeaKE
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 2, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Blue Jays win it at the buzzer
A day after being no-hit, the Toronto Blue Jays were at the verge of suffering another shutout loss to the Astros and extending their tough start to the season. With two outs in the ninth and nobody on base, Justin Turner worked a walk and was followed by cult hero Davis Schneider, who took Josh Hader deep and gave the Jays a dramatic comeback win. And so, the legend grows.
Down to their last out … Davis Schneider's BLAST gives the @BlueJays the lead in the 9th! 😮 pic.twitter.com/oPHMaMIcJc
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2024
Buxton avoids disaster
Byron Buxton is known for two things: his supreme talent and his proclivity to being injured. Today, he almost became part of a potential collision, albeit not with the wall or a teammate. During the traditional Racing Sausages show in Milwaukee, Buxton came this close to crashing with Bratwurst, who ultimately ducked the outfielder in time. Here’s hoping to finally seeing a full healthy season from Byron.
byron buxton almost got bratwursted pic.twitter.com/bTFWLR6Rmd
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 2, 2024
Paredes hits the post!
Isaac Paredes, known for prodigious power to his pull side, lived up to his fame by hitting a towering homer to left field. For style points, the ball hit the foul pole squarely, giving us a nice doink in the process. The Rays would end up winning the game 5-2, as Zach Eflin earned his first W of 2024.
DOINK!
Isaac Paredes sends one off the foul pole to pad the lead! 💪 pic.twitter.com/XZt8f1naUl
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2024
The return of Bieber-mania?
Following three down years (by his lofty standards) and plenty of trade rumors, could 2024 turn us back into Beliebers? Justin Bieber delivered his second masterpiece of the early season, allowing only six hits and no walks over six innings, striking out Mariners to earn his second win. Bieber’s numbers now stand at a gaudy 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 12 innings, giving us a glimpse of just how good he can be.
Shane Bieber is now 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 Ks in 12 innings. 👏 pic.twitter.com/I4vuwXxcgb
— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2024
Cold Baseball Fashion
Many East Coast games have been affected by inclement weather, as it is wont to happen in early April. The cold never bothered MVPs, anyway, as Bryce Harper and Ronald Acuña Jr. showed us today. However, maybe the coldest thing of all was Harper hitting three homers looking like that.
who wore it better? pic.twitter.com/ydiRHNccrp
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 3, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ A day after suffering a hit-by-pitch related injury, Texas third baseman Josh Jung had surgery in Phoenix. His timetable to return is around six weeks.
⚾ Former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel is making yet another attempt to come back, now signing a minor league deal with the Mariners. He last played in 2023 for the Twins, and could potentially become a swingman in Seattle’s staff.
⚾ High-octane reliever Brusdar Graterol was moved to the 60-day IL by the Dodgers, clearing space for the newly-acquired Nick Ramirez. After being placed in the IL since mid-March, Graterol could be cleared to play by late May.
⚾ After being released by the Giants, former top prospect Joey Bart has found a new home, agreeing to terms with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The move coincides with Jason Delay’s move to the IL, clearing a path for Bart in the active roster. The former second-overall pick will try to reinvent his career after a disappointing run with San Francisco.
Articles You Should Read
Spencer Strider Has a New Toy — Mike Baumann, Fangraphs
Predicting the 2024 All-MLB Team — Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage