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Today’s Headlines
Steven Universe
In the rubber game between the AL’s #1 seed and the NL’s #1 seed, the Guardians edged the Phillies in a tight, well-played contest that was decided late. Philadelphia appeared en route to a series win after Kyle Schwarber hit a lead-off homer and followed it up with a two-run blast in the third, but Cleveland’s bullpen would settle right after that, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with only a hit and two walks allowed. The Guardians tied the game on a three-run homer by Jhonkensy Noel and took the lead on a Steven Kwan blast in the seventh off fellow lefty José Alvarado. Kwan’s 11th homer of 2024 tied his previous career total, as his OPS stands at a lofty .897. While everyone keeps expecting the Guardians to slow down, they remain 4.5 games clear in the AL Central and have playoff odds above 90%.
Steven Kwan rockets one to the right-field seats! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Atd3FEz8NV
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
All That, Jazz
I would imagine that being traded from the Marlins to the Yankees in the middle of a pennant race is like switching from gas-station sushi to a five-star restaurant, which is why newly-minted Yankee Jazz Chisholm Jr. was all smiles in his first game with the Bombers. While his performance on the field was nothing to write home about (1-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base), the new dimension of power, speed, and defense he adds to the team may end up being the jolt New York needs to be a serious playoff threat. Chisholm’s debut served as a nice backdrop for the Yankees’ 8-2 win, as Carlos Rodón survived a shaky fourth inning to earn his 11th win of the season by pitching 6.1 innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts. While Boston was able to keep the Yankees in the park, they also issued seven walks and allowed five doubles, as New York took an early 3-0 lead and never looked back. With only one more series remaining between them, the Yankees are now 4-5 against Boston in 2024.
The @Yankees are victorious on #SundayNightBaseball and take the series at Fenway. pic.twitter.com/Z8QmVu7wEa
— MLB (@MLB) July 29, 2024
Tampa Bay Trading Rays
While the Rays are still technically in the playoff race (3 games back of the final wild card spot), their odds of making noise in October are suppressed by their numerous injuries, and so it has been a busy trade season for them. Today, they continued their flurry of transactions that appear focused on a quick retool instead of a complete teardown. It all started with the Jason Adam trade, as the reliever was sent to the Padres in exchange for three prospects. Adam, who sported a 2.30 ERA and 10.6 K/9 over three seasons in Tampa, is exactly the kind of unheralded bullpen arm that can make a big difference for a contender.
The shocker came later, as it was confirmed that the Rays were trading third basemen with the Cubs, with Isaac Paredes being swapped for Christopher Morel in a rare challenge trade of major league talent. While Paredes should be a clear 2024 upgrade over the inconsistent Morel, the Rays are probably trusting their player development machine to tap into the raw talent of the former Cub, while he also comes with plenty of cheap team control. With less than 48 hours before the trade deadline, it is refreshing to see that teams are getting creative with their decisions.
The #Cubs and #Rays switched third basemen today in the biggest surprise of the deadline so far:https://t.co/nORuHkA616 pic.twitter.com/BFVgl37YV0
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 29, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Atlanta Statement
When the Mets took the first two games of the series and briefly appeared as the top wild card in the NL, it appeared as if the pecking order could be changing in the NL East. However, Atlanta shut them out on Saturday and then delivered a clear statement on Sunday, starting with a massive second-deck blast from Matt Olson that was part of the team’s four-homer effort. Atlanta jumped to a commanding 9-0 lead before allowing two garbage-time runs, settling for a 9-2 win that earned them a series split and restored their 1.5-game lead over their rivals. Despite all their current injuries, it seems clear that this franchise remains a contender.
Matt Olson DEMOLISHED this baseball 😳 pic.twitter.com/0JusKYBfjg
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
Cedric the Wall Crasher
Despite a brutal season at the plate (.659 OPS), the Orioles have continued to pencil in Cedric Mullins as their regular center fielder for most of the season. The reasoning is easy when you consider his value as a defender, as Mullins has been a top-10 center fielder when it comes to defensive runs saved and overall rating, as it was again shown today. With Baltimore at risk of squandering an early 6-0 lead that had shrunk to 6-5, former Oriole Manny Machado hit a long drive into left center field, for what looked like an easy extra-base hit with no outs. Instead, Mullins tracked it down despite being shaded to the other side, ultimately making a running catch as he crashed into the wall. Mullins also added a double and two RBI with his bat, as the Orioles won 8-6 and avoided the sweep.
CEDRIC MULLINS, WHAT A CATCH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Fz5lGwmvm8
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
Twice for Brice
Even with the Brewers allowing Xavier Edwards to hit for only the second cycle in Marlins franchise history, the game ended up being a comfortable win for Milwaukee, as they cruised to a 6-2 victory behind solid pitching and Jake Bauers extra-base clutch hits. However, it all could have come undone early, as Miami loaded the bases with only one out in the third. Cue Gold Glove candidate Brice Turang, who made two consecutive spectacular plays on line drives, with the second one being clocked at 96 miles per hour. With the crowd giving him a standing ovation and his teammates pumped up, it is clear that Turang had done something special.
Brice Turang with some defensive wizardry on back-to-back plays 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1utD6TMrXt
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
Tungsten Arm de la Cruz
In recent times, the exploits of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout amid losing efforts were immortalized in Tungsten Arm O’Doyle tweets, as it became commonplace for them to post amazing stat lines in losses. Today, something similar happened to Reds wunderkind Elly de la Cruz, who had one of the most impressive all-around games of his young career, only to see his teammates squander it in a myriad of ways. Facing the Rays in a matinee game, de la Cruz had three hits and reached on an error, stealing second all four times to reach 55 stolen bags for the season. He also had an improbable catch that helped sustain Hunter Greene’s no-hit bid in the sixth, but it was all for naught, as the offense went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and reliever Fernando Cruz allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth to take his eighth loss of 2024. With Cincinnati now five games back of the final wild card spot, there may not be much to expect around the deadline.
How did Elly De La Cruz catch this baseball? 😮 pic.twitter.com/8BYTFu4xQ8
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
There is Crying in Baseball
In a moment that reminded me of Wilmer Flores’ non-trade a few seasons ago, Chicago’s Christopher Morel was notified mid-game of his trade to the Rays, meaning that he had to leave the contest in the third inning and start saying his goodbyes in the dugout. The poignant moment was caught on camera, as his now former teammates and coaches hugged it out with Morel, who was signed by the Cubs as a 16-year-old free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. It is clear that baseball at the major league level is a business, but moments like this remind us of the human element that is essential to the sport.
Christopher Morel says his goodbyes in the Cubs dugout 🥹 pic.twitter.com/4v6GSxxLYp
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Atlanta starter Reynaldo López left today’s win after only three innings due to right forearm tightness. He returned to Atlanta to undergo an MRI that will determine the severity of this injury, which could be significant for the team’s rotation. With Spencer Strider lost for the season and Max Fried currently on the IL, the franchise could suddenly be pressed towards adding a reliable arm, especially as Lopez has been one of its best performers, with a 2.12 ERA in just over 100 innings.
⚾ A few notable veterans were part of roster crunches today, as Giovanny Gallegos and JD Davis were designated for assignment by the Cardinals and Yankees, respectively. Both players were unable to make much of an impact in 2024, and with the most recent acquisitions by the teams, they became expendable. Gallegos should get a chance somewhere to reestablish his value, but Davis may have a harder time after being part of three teams since the start of Spring Training. On a related note, reports indicate that the Marlins are placing Josh Bell on waivers, though he remains with the team. While he is unlikely to be claimed due to his high salary, the writing is on the wall for Bell leaving Miami.
⚾ All-Star closer Devin Williams was finally reinstated by the Brewers, as he had been out for the whole season with lower stress fractures in his back. Williams made his season debut and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation, though he is expected to be the full-time closer. His return should be a major addition for Milwaukee, as the team’s bullpen has scuffled for most of the season.
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