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
Mariners Hold Sole Possession of 1st Place in the AL West
The Seattle Mariners continued their dominant August with a sweep over the Royals, earning them a spot atop the AL West without anyone else. The Texas Rangers have continued to fall from the top, going 1-9 in their last 10 games, and the Houston Astros have been middling throughout August (13-11 record in the month). This is the first time since 2003 that the Mariners have been alone in first place in the division this late into the season.
The Mariners’ absurd summer has been unpredictable and incredible: this is the best winning percentage by any AL team in their first 50 games after entering the month at under .500 all-time. This stretch of play has largely been fueled by the emergence of Julio Rodríguez, who put up a 209 wRC+ in August. He joined Ichiro as the only players in Mariners history to have 40+ hits & 10 SBs in a calendar month.
Julio must've really hated that baseball, in particular. pic.twitter.com/SsA3BAFmMa
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 27, 2023
Yankees and Rays Clear the Benches Twice in an Inning
The Yankees and Rays are two teams that don’t have a lot of love between them and that was apparent yet again on Sunday. In the bottom of the 8th with the Rays leading 6-4, Yankees reliever Albert Abreu plunks Randy Arozarena. Arozarena takes issue with the hit-by-pitch, causing both dugouts to clear.
Randy Arozarena wasn’t happy after getting plunked by Yankees reliever Albert Abreu and the benches cleared pic.twitter.com/8SdPY5Q7i4
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 27, 2023
After the dust settles, Arozarena steals both second and third during the next at-bat (giving him 3 SB on the day after a wild sequence in the first). Arozarena starts jawing at Abreu again after he swiped third, and the benches clear once again as there’s frustration on both sides.
Benches cleared yet again after Randy swiped two bases after getting plunked pic.twitter.com/K0b1xAR5N6
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 27, 2023
The Rays held onto win 7-4 and took the series from the Yankees. The Rays currently trail the Orioles by 2 games in the AL East, while the Yankees are 62-68 and 11 games out of a Wild Card spot.
Best Moment From Yesterday
The Little League World Series Championship Game
Despite MLB’s coverage of the Little League World Series being last week when the Nationals and Phillies played in the Little League Classic, today was the championship game between California and Curaçao. The championship game delivered all sorts of memories that will last a lifetime for those playing. In the top of the 5th down 5-1, Curaçao hit a remarkable game-tying grand slam.
CURAÇAO TIES IT WITH A GRAND SLAM IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!! pic.twitter.com/sKs5zBxTum
— MLB Clutch Moments And Walk Offs (@MLBWalk_Offs) August 27, 2023
However, it did not last for long. In the bottom of the 6th, California hit a championship-winning walk-off home run, which is something every kid dreams of.
THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!
A walk-off to win the #LLWS Championship 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aVZVvIKIwi
— Little League (@LittleLeague) August 27, 2023
Whether it’s the LLWS or the WBC, the moments we get from elimination baseball are truly thrilling.
Injuries & Transactions
Cleveland Guardians designated pitcher Noah Syndergaard for assignment.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin will miss the rest of the season due to an elbow injury.
Articles You Should Read
Michael Harris II Has an Ace up His Sleeve — Davy Andrews
The Cubs Are Winning Because They Tried — Sean Roberts
Fantasy Baseball
Sit/Start Week 18: Reviewing All Starting Pitcher Matchups From 8/28 –9/3 — Lucas Zenobi