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We get an NLCS rematch in Phoenix this weekend. Last year, I attended Game 4 and saw Alek Thomas send a Craig Kimbrel pitch into the pool to tie it 5-5. The Philadelphia home crowd gets plenty of well-deserved publicity for how raucous Citizens Bank Park can be, but the atmosphere at Chase Field during the comeback that resulted in the Arizona Diamondbacks tying the NLCS at two games apiece was astonishing. It was so loud you could feel the air. My daughter, despite sitting right next to me, had to lean in and yell to be heard.
I still don’t know how I feel about a playoff system that gives 84-78 wildcard teams a shot at a ring. But I do believe in a playoff system that incentivizes teams to build around young talent and invigorate a fanbase. There were plenty of Phillies fans in the house last year, and there probably will be this weekend. But the D-backs fans were loud and proud, and they’ll get replica league championship rings today to celebrate while the team chugs toward another playoff appearance.
Today’s Headlines
Snakes Alive
While we’re on the subject of Chase Field being loud, Diamondbacks rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo blasted the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth into the right field bleachers to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. Del Castillo debuted in the second game of a doubleheader in Cleveland on Wednesday, then went 3-4 with a 2 RBIs on Friday. The D-backs kept Philadelphia from being the first team to reach 70 wins this season. Ryne Nelson struck out nine over 7.1 IP, outdueling Zack Wheeler (6.0 IP, 8 K). Joc Pederson and Bryce Harper both went deep today, but the established stars couldn’t match the drama of Del Castillo’s memorable first dinger.
ADRIAN. DEL. CASTILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tuovG22FH9
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 10, 2024
Twins Win Two Over Guardians
The Minnesota Twins doubled up on the Cleveland Guardians twice yesterday with 4-2 and 6-3 wins. Cleveland’s lead in the AL Central is down to 1.5 games over Minnesota. Bailey Ober allowed two hits and struck out nine in six innings in game 1 for the Twins.
Bailey Ober putting on a Changeup show.
11 Swings & Misses. pic.twitter.com/GHk5AlBA0z
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 9, 2024
Matt Wallner had “biggest guy at the softball game” energy when he turned on a 94-mph Alex Cobb fastball that might as well have been on a tee and gave the Twins the lead in game 2.
Guardians did the #MNTwins a favor by letting Alex Cobb face left-handed hitters Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner for a third time.
And then Cobb did Wallner an even bigger favor with a middle-middle fastball just begging to be crushed.pic.twitter.com/ZkG3HAuI12
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) August 10, 2024
Six Up, Six Down
San Diego and Atlanta are on different playoff trajectories right now. Thanks to the magic from Jackson Merrill (game-tying homer in the ninth, 2-RBI single in the 10th) and Manny Machado (RBI double in the eighth, 2-RBI double in the 10th), the San Diego Padres beat the Miami Marlins 6-2. That’s their sixth win in a row. They’re 15-3 since the All-Star break and sit 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The close games that turned sour last year are transforming into wins this season.
Jackson Merrill has 4 game-tying or go-ahead HR in the 9th inning or later this season, most in a season at age 21 or younger in the expansion era (1961)
h/t @EliasSports https://t.co/V0EJ1XOgbe
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 10, 2024
Atlanta spent April as one of the best teams in baseball, then stumbled through slumps and injuries but held onto a wildcard spot. Now they’re half a game behind the New York Mets after losing 6-5 to the Colorado Rockies. Marcell Ozuna tied Shohei Ohtani for the NL lead in home runs and new addition Jorge Soler tied the game with a 2-run shot. But a Ryan McMahon double in the seventh knocked Atlanta out of the final wildcard place.
The Braves lost to the Rockies, 6-5. They have lost six in a row — their second six-game losing streak in the last few weeks.
Atlanta is 60-55.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 10, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Call Up
The young Washington Nationals could be a factor in the NL East in the near future.
Alex Call is batting .459 (17-for-37) with 8 RBI in 11 games since being recalled to the Majors. https://t.co/YFIGCynIy7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 10, 2024
Ohtani Again
The fact that Shohei Ohtani does what he does in the modern hitting environment is astounding. We hear so many stories about how hitting is incredibly difficult because of pitching design and philosophy. And Ohtani regularly hits homers that earn the adjective “majestic.” He even had Dodger legend Sandy Koufax standing and applauding.
Shohei Ohtani regains the NL HR lead with No. 35! pic.twitter.com/TcNG1WClOl
— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2024
Yes They Canha
The Detroit Tigers were no-hitting the San Francisco Giants through six. A run in the seventh, a run in the eighth, and a Mark Canha sacrifice fly in the ninth gave them a 3-2 win.
Canha get a walk-off? pic.twitter.com/PI4YGPZR2l
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 10, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ An MRI revealed that Minnesota Twins right-handed starter Joe Ryan MRI suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain. That muscle runs from the shoulder blade to under the arm. Ryan will be out for weeks or months but hasn’t been ruled out for the season yet. The Twins placed him on the 15-day IL. The Twins also placed left-handed reliever Brock Stewart on the 60-day IL after season-ending shoulder surgery.
⚾ The Los Angeles Dodgers released Cavan Biggio.
⚾ The Cleveland Guardians placed right-handed starter Carlos Carrasco on the 15-day IL with a left hip strain.
⚾ The San Francisco Giants optioned Camilo Doval to Triple-A.
⚾ Dave Roberts said that Mookie Betts would play right field and bat second behind Shohei Ohtani when he returns.
Articles You Should Read
Manaea gives fans in Central Park an Amazin’ surprise — Anthony DiComo, MLB.com
A Pitcher List Conversation with Sean Manea — Renee Dechert, Pitcher List
How the language of baseball is worldwide — Julia Kreuz, MLB.com
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