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Today’s Headlines
Ranger > Rangers
The Phillies appear unable to do anything wrong in 2024. The day started with video of Bryce Harper being the ultimate prom wingman for a fan, and it ended with yet another win, as Philly improved to a league-best 35-14 record. Today’s win came against the defending champs, as the Rangers were no match for Ranger Suarez, as the lefty delivered yet another gem to earn his ninth win of the season. Suarez allowed only seven baserunners over seven innings, in which he struck out ten and allowed a single run, lowering his ERA to 1.36. As it usually happens, the offense delivered enough run support, including Harper’s eleventh homer of the season. While it remains true that Philadelphia has yet to face a tougher schedule, they seem capable of dominating this season on vibes alone.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793091293645807807
Bryan Woah
In just his third start of the season following a long IL stint, Mariners righty Bryan Woo pitched a gem in Yankee Stadium to earn his second win and also the second W in the series for Seattle. Woo was electric, needing only 77 pitches to cruise through six scoreless innings in which he allowed only two hits and struck out seven. His ERA now stands at a microscopic 0.57, as he could become yet another weapon in the Mariners rotation. His effort was complemented by a barrage of long balls, as Seattle hit four homers, including a pair from Dylan Moore. While the Yankees made it interesting with a three-run homer from Gleyber Torres in the seventh and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, closer Andres Muñoz shut the door, as the Mariners improved to 27-22 and kept their hold on the AL West lead.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793102817928020022
Wrigley Weirdness
In a battle of NL contenders, Atlanta and Chicago sent some of their best arms, though neither of them could deliver their best outing. Charlie Morton allowed four hits and four walks over five innings, though he countered it with eight Ks and only two runs allowed. He was in line for the win, but a key error in the sixth allowed the Cubs to tie the game. This came after Javier Assad had also been a walk machine, with his five free passes almost matching the total from his past three outings. Still, only one of those walks scored, but Assad also allowed two solo homers, leading to his first 2024 start with more than two runs against him. The game progressed with both bullpens settling down and getting to extras, where Atlanta failed to score their ghost runner, but the Cubs capitalized on a perfectly-bounced ball from Nico Hoerner, as the ball came off his bat at 76mph and bounced only a foot off the plate. To add to the lore of this game, look no further to the box score and the winning and losing pitchers: Little/Bummer.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793113554960498848
Best Moments From Yesterday
Cruz Control
In what looked like a comfortable win for the Giants behind a solid start from Logan Webb, San Francisco snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, squandering a 4-run lead in the ninth, with the Pirates walking it off in the tenth. Part of the improbable comeback came via the quick bat of Oneil Cruz, as his two-out double off closer Camilo Doval tied the game. Remarkably, it was his second ball batted at 120+ miles per hour of the game, as those batted balls became the hardest-hit of the entire season. He also added a 115+ mph scorcher to his ledger, which is just absurd.
https://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1793093682222289209
Kyng Tucker
As the Astros continue their slow climb towards .500, they earned a gritty win over the Angels today. It was a contest that saw Houston tie the game three times after LA had taken the lead, with the biggest one of them coming in the seventh inning, as Kyle Tucker hit his second homer of the game, taking the league lead with 17 and setting up the stage for what would become a walk-off in the tenth. Josh Hader came out of the bullpen to pitch two innings and earn the win, while Yordan Alvarez and Jon Singleton also contributed homers to Houston’s cause, who has now won 10 of their last 13 games.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793105685435289968
Fountain of Youth
Bobby Witt Jr. had himself a day in Kansas City, finishing with two homers, six RBI, and a stolen base, upping his average above .300 as the Royals crushed Detroit 10-3. Among that memorable performance, Witt set the game on cruise control with a three-run bomb in the second inning, as the ball traveled an estimated 468 feet and went straight into the water. Kauffman Stadium’s fountains are always a welcome sight, but rarely we see a ball invading their territory. The Royals improved to 31-19, though they are still chasing the Guardians atop the AL Central.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793072354261967261
Speedy Jazz
Jazz Chisholm Jr. continues to be a polarizing player. He appears to have all the tools to be a star, but has failed to put it all together, as evidenced by his middling .746 OPS this season and the slumps he tends to fall into. Nevertheless, it is still undeniable that he is exciting, as evidenced by this play, in which he scored from second in what appeared to be a harmless sacrifice bunt. This being the Marlins, they would blow the lead and eventually lose to the Brewers, but this play effort from Jazz reminds us that maybe someday he will make these plays for an actual contender.
https://x.com/MLB/status/1793079725537345906
Nachos, Oh No!
As usual, the Phillies were playing in front of a packed house, full of knowledgeable fans that are wise enough to bring their gloves. And yet, with a front-row seat and a prime opportunity to make a lifetime memory, a fan simply whiffed on a foul ball, leading to disastrous results. As the ball missed the mitt, a young lady was unable to catch the ball with her basket of nachos, as they ricocheted into the air, cheese and all. Considering the price of ballpark food, it was definitely a sad scene in Philly.
https://x.com/Cut4/status/1793084175438016909
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Guardians announced that Carlos Carrasco has been placed on the 15-day IL with acute neck spasms. While his Cleveland reunion has not been great so far (5.16 ERA over nine starts), Carrasco had been able to remain healthy and eat up innings, helping a rotation that lost its ace for the full year. His spot in the rotation will be covered by Xzavion Curry, who already has some starting pitcher experience.
⚾ Mets reliever Brooks Raley will join the unfortunate wave of pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery, as the team announced that he will be under the knife. Raley had been on the IL since late April, as the team hoped he could recover from what appeared to be inflammation, but recent tests showed ligament damage that must be healed. He will likely return sometime in late 2025, when he will be a free agent.
⚾ Yankees ace Gerrit Cole faced live hitters for the first time Spring Training, in what should be a welcome development in his recovery. The brief 20-pitch session was carried out on the field, as Cole expects to have at least a couple of similar sessions before starting a rehab assignment in the minors. His expected timeline to return to the Bronx is now early June.
⚾ Following a rough start to the year, veteran righty Kyle Hendricks has been demoted to the bullpen, as was reported by Cubs manager Craig Counsell. This will mark the first time in his career as a reliever, even as the move is understandable. Hendricks sports a 10.86 ERA and has been hit hard in most of his outings. While his usage going forward is unclear, he could become a swingman and try to regain his confidence. Meanwhile, his spot in the rotation will likely be used as bullpen games for the Cubs.
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