Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Today’s Headlines
Betts’ Injury Fears Confirmed
The Dodgers began a series in Colorado with a 9-5 victory behind a masterful James Paxton start (and five Freddie Freeman walks), but all eyes in Dodger Country were on superstar Mookie Betts after being hit by a pitch Sunday night and suffering a fracture in his hand. Betts was officially placed on the 10-day IL on Monday and Miguel Vargas was recalled from Triple-A to help fill the void in the infield. Manager Dave Roberts had these comments to further elaborate on the extent of Betts’ injury:
Mookie Betts will be fitted for a splint and will be inactive for the next week or two.
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts said Betts likely could be out 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/rTtdHMZN23
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) June 17, 2024
It’s a massive loss for the Dodgers and baseball in general, as Betts has been having a fantastic season, slashing .304/.405/.488 on the season. Six to eight weeks places Betts’ return sometime in August. While the Dodgers shouldn’t have too much trouble maintaining their 8.5-game lead in the NL West, they’ll need Betts back in full health if they want their best chance at making a championship run.
Cubs Bullpen Woes Continue
Expectations were high for the Cubs coming into this season, as the signings of Cody Bellinger and Shota Imanaga displayed an intent to compete in a wide-open NL Central. After a solid start to the season, the Cubs are reeling as of late, thanks largely in part to a lackluster effort from the bullpen. Monday’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants saw this trend continue when Thairo Estrada took Cubs closer Héctor Neris deep in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead:
Thairo Estrada puts the @SFGiants ahead in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/IFtKcl4dvK
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
It was a shot that just left the yard in the shortest part of the park, but all home runs count the same. The Cubs would fail to rally in the ninth and would lose after blowing the save yet again, bringing their season record to 34-39. The Cubs’ bullpen is 16-of-32 in save chances this season, showing a desperate need for help in the bullpen if they want to contend for a playoff spot. While a division title seems far out of reach – the Milwaukee Brewers are currently 8.5 games clear of Chicago–the Wild Card spots are still very much up for grabs.
Wynn’s Blast Wins it for Cardinals
Unlike their division rivals in Chicago, the St. Louis Cardinals‘ bullpen has been quite impressive this season. Few relievers have been more impressive and reliable than JoJo Romero, who took the bump in the eighth to protect a 3-run lead. Bryan De La Cruz wasn’t about to let him off easy, though:
Game-Tying 3-Run Home Run by De La Clutch pic.twitter.com/4pEVZ8JxjI
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 18, 2024
The three-run shot was enough to send the game into extras, where the two teams would trade blows until Masyn Winn decided he was ready to go home on the visitors’ side of the 12th:
Masyn Winn with a 2-run blast to give the @Cardinals the lead in the 12th! pic.twitter.com/w3Xi967PWD
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
The Cardinals would allow one run in the bottom half of the 12th to hold on and win the series opener 7-6. The victory brought the Cardinals back above .500 to 36-35, which is enough for sole possession of second place in the NL Central. The Cardinals will look to keep their hot streak rolling on Tuesday night with Lance Lynn on the mound.
Dodgers Drop New City Connects
The Dodgers already have a City Connect uniform to their name, but on Monday they unveiled an entirely new jersey centered around the theme of the “City of Dreamers”:
The new Dodgers City Connect uniforms are HERE!
How're we feeling about these? 👀 pic.twitter.com/XQ1o5L2JDO
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2024
A City of Dreamers. A City of Stars. This is Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/VjMLmfA1n4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 17, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
By the Power of Grimace
In a viral clip that circulated last week, The New York Mets decided to pull out their trump card and attempt to save their season by having Grimace (yes, that one) throw out the first pitch:
Grimace threw out the first pitch tonight at Citi Field 🟣 pic.twitter.com/9i9vEWpDxz
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) June 12, 2024
That pitch was juuuust a bit outside, but for some reason, it seemed to rally the team from Queens, as the Mets haven’t lost a game since the Purple Menace threw this baseball. Monday’s rout of the defending World Series Champions was one of their best offensive performances of the year:
14 runs on 22 hits!
The @Mets are now 6-0 in the Grimace era 😎 pic.twitter.com/6xCQGO1IGx
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
GMs of struggling teams across the country better have the Hamburglar’s phone ringing off the hook.
Multi-HR Performances Lift Red Sox and Phils
For some folks, a two-homer game might be the highlight of your season. For sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Tyler O’Neill, it’s just another day at the office:
Kyle Schwarber 🤝 The month of June pic.twitter.com/YGQlJbVxsD
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
Two at-bats, two homers for Tyler O'Neill! pic.twitter.com/dO8ixhw38S
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2024
Arms Races
While plenty of power was on display across the league on Monday, we also had some great defensive efforts in the form of fantastic throws. First, we have this relay from the Padres to get Alec Bohm at the plate:
How about this relay from the @Padres! pic.twitter.com/fHM8UAgFQL
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2024
In Chicago, Mike Yastrzemski prevented the sacrifice fly by gunning down Patrick Wisdom at the plate:
Mike Yastrzemski with a 90.2 MPH throw home to complete the double play!
(MLB x @Casamigos) pic.twitter.com/W20i0BmWEb
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
Finally, Dylan Carlson showed off his arm by throwing out the game-tying run in the 12th inning:
What a throw by Dylan Carlson to protect the @Cardinals lead! pic.twitter.com/ymemEmr81U
— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2024
Growing the Game
Perhaps the best news across the league on Monday came in a form that all of us can celebrate:
This was the best-attended weekend across the sport since 2008. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3mGkvPCacc
— MLB (@MLB) June 17, 2024
After years of debate on what MLB needs to do to appeal to a wider audience, discussions on rule changes, and (still-ongoing) controversies surrounding broadcasts, it’s fantastic to see this many people getting out and enjoying the game we all love. While there is still work to be done on marketing the games and increasing accessibility for fans (I’m looking at you, TV blackouts), this is a great moment we should all celebrate as fans of the game. Keep doing all you can do to spread the love.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ In some good injury news, Phillies SS Trea Turner was officially activated from the 10-day IL on Monday. Infielder Johan Rojas was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh in a corresponding move.
⚾ Blue Jays RP Yimi García was sent to the 15-day IL with right elbow ulnar neuritis.
⚾ The Angels selected the contract of SP Zach Plesac and designated RP José Suarez for assignment.
⚾ Twins SP Louie Varland was sent back to the minor leagues. This probably won’t be the last we see of him this season.
⚾ The Mets released C Tomás Nido after designating him for assignment last week.
⚾ Rockies RP Justin Lawrence was activated from the 15-day IL.
⚾ Braves placed SP Hurston Waldrep on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation.
⚾ Royals SP Michael Wacha is set to begin a rehab assignment.
Articles You Should Read
Here’s all you need to know about the 2024 MLB game at Rickwood Field — Jason Foster, MLB.com
The essence of Kyle Schwarber, the Phillies’ everyman slugger with an empathetic spirit — Matt Gelb, The Athletic
Josh Rojas, Picking Machine — Ben Clemens, Fangraphs
Fantasy Baseball Coverage