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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 6/18/23

Ohtani is doing Ohtani things. What else is new?

Nicole Cahill
Baseball 6/18/2023

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

 

Shohei Ohtani cannot be stopped.

Shohei Ohtani has been on fire lately. He hit his 23rd home run of the season on Saturday, a mammoth 437-foot shot to centerfield that was his career No. 150 in Major League Baseball. He extended his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest active streak in baseball. During that stretch, Ohtani is 24-for-52 with six doubles, one triple, and eight home runs. The Angels have won 10 of their last 13 games, putting them 4.5 games back of the Rangers in the AL West.

 

Blake Snell strikes out a dozen.

Blake Snell was at his best when facing his old team for the first time. He struck out 12 Rays’ batters in six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and walking three batters. He led all pitchers with 23 whiffs on Saturday, getting seven each on the fastball and changeup, five on the curveball, and four on the slider. The Padres beat the Rays 2-0.

 

Cincinnati Reds win seven straight.

Don’t look now, but the Cincinnati Reds have won seven straight games! They took the last two from the Cardinals, swept the Royals in three games, and have now won back-to-back games against the Astros. The kids are crushing it for the Reds. Rookies Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and sophomore Will Benson each had multiple hits on Saturday. Hunter Greene held the defending champs to just two runs and Jonathan India hit his ninth home run of the season. With their win on Saturday, the Reds are just half a game back in the NL Central.

 

The Miami Marlins are making things interesting.

The Marlins notched their 40th win on Saturday, giving them more wins than the Yankees, Astros, and Dodgers. Braxton Garrett pitched a gem for the Fish on Saturday, throwing six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight. The Marlins, sitting nine games above .500, are quietly putting together a solid season under rookie manager Skip Schumaker.

 

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

“The greatest blessing in existence is to be yourself.”

The White Sox shared a wonderful quote from Anderson Comás, a left-handed pitcher in the Arizona Complex League who came out as gay earlier this year: “I want to open the door for those people [who] are fighting for their dreams. I feel like they cannot do it because of people’s opinions, so I wanted to share a little bit of help, to open that door and inspire all of them to keep fighting.”

 

Willy Adames came prepared.

After being hit by a foul ball off the bat of Brian Anderson while seated in the dugout a few weeks ago, Willy Adames came prepared on Saturday. Cameras caught him leaning against the dugout railing wearing a huge helmet and face mask when Anderson was at the plate yesterday. It’s good to see Adames healthy and able to find humor in what was a very scary moment.

 

Bobby Witt Jr. did a solid for new teammate Samad Taylor.

Samad Taylor was living out the moment that every little leaguer dreams about: tie game, bottom of the ninth, runner on third, and you’re at the plate with the chance to be the hero. It was a little extra special for Taylor, however, who was making his major league debut on Saturday. He drove the ball to deep centerfield, notching a walk-off, RBI single for his first big league hit. Bobby Witt Jr. made sure his newest teammate got the ball, jogging out to the warning track to retrieve it and giddily scampering back with the prized possession.

 

Free mullet day? Free mullet day!

I don’t like the mullet but I have to commend Joey Wiemer’s commitment to the bit. The Brewers hosted a “free mullet day” at the ballpark where fans could get a haircut from the team barber. The catch? Only mullets, in honor of Joey Wiemer. The rookie outfielder would go on to hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third, giving the Brewers a 2-0 lead against the Pirates.

 

Congrats to Brad Hand!

Veteran reliever Brad Hand reached 10 years of service time on Saturday, an accomplishment that requires sustained success and grants players a full pension upon that 10-year mark. Hand’s teammates in the bullpen recognized the moment as “Brad Hand Day” and honored the lefty in the only way they knew how: copying his look of a V-neck tank top, shorts, sunglasses, and a backward hat. Congrats to Brad Hand and the 28 other players who will reach 10 years of service time in 2023!

 

 

Injuries & Transactions

 

SS Tim Anderson is day-to-day with right shoulder soreness.

SP Edward Cabrera was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder impingement.

SP Triston McKenzie was placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow sprain.

SP Tanner Houck suffered a facial fracture after being hit by a line drive in Friday’s game. He’s at home in stable condition and will be re-evaluated next week.

 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Patience With Pablo: Pablo López Is Better Than The Stats Say — Jack Foley, Pitcher List

5 Reasons Why The Athletic Cutting Beat Writers Is Bad for Baseball — Renee Dechert, Pitcher List

 

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)

Nicole Cahill

Nicole Cahill is a freelance writer who focuses on mental health and sports. She recently founded a nonprofit that helps youth athletes living with mental health challenges. When she's not fighting stigma or exploring Baseball Savant visuals, you can find Nicole enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book. Portfolio: NicoleCahill.com.

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