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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/04/2024

Shohei comes back home while Kyle Schwarber has himself a game.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/4/2024

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

 

Kyle’s Killer Comeback

Kicking off a series between the contending Phillies and the disappointing Blue Jays, Kyle Schwarber led off with a homer, as he is wont to do. The bottom of the inning then produced one of the most explosive showings of the season, as Toronto ambushed Tyler Phillips to the tune of eight hits and six runs, as the starter could not even complete an inning of work. Despite the early 6-1 lead, which eventually turned into a seemingly comfortable 8-4 advantage, Toronto’s bullpen could never really stop Philadelphia, most notably an inspired Schwarber. After doubling and scoring in the third and mashing another homer in the fourth, the lefty slugger added a run-scoring single in the seventh, and ultimately played hero in the ninth. With two runners on and facing the Jays’ closer, Schwarber completed his day with a no-doubter that gave Philly the lead. While Toronto still came within a run in the bottom half, the comeback was completed. Schwarber must have thought this was June all over again, finishing with an amazing stat line of 5-for-6, four runs, six RBI, and 15 total bases.

 


A Warm Homecoming

 

In his first game as a visiting player at Angels Stadium, Shohei Ohtani received a nice ovation from the crowd, as the team displayed a list of his most impressive accomplishments for the franchise. While historians will someday study how a team could employ a generational talent that won Rookie of the Year, two MVPs, and could hit and pitch at an elite level, but played zero playoff games, for a day we could understand Ohtani’s decision to move to greener pastures. Ohtani is getting ready for his first October in MLB, as the Dodgers took a contested game one of the series with a 6-2 win in extra innings. While Walker Buehler and Reid Detmers kept both offenses at bay, it all broke open with a Mookie Betts three-run homer in the tenth. As for Ohtani, he ended his day with a triple, two runs, an RBI, and a walk, which helped the team but did not add to his 50/50 pursuit.

 

 

It’s Amazin’

 

While the initially-crowded race for the NL wild cards has been reduced to a handful of teams, it may still go down to the wire, especially after the Mets continue to make noise. Today, they won their sixth straight on the strength of a David Peterson gem and plenty of power in front of an amped-up crowd at Citi Field. Peterson struck out 11 over six innings of work, while Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, and Pete Alonso hit homers to provide plenty of run support. The Mets are only a half game behind Atlanta, and they will face each other for one final series in less than three weeks. Get your popcorn ready.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Grand Wyatt 

The Yankees may fancy themselves as true contenders with a solid chance to win their first pennant in 15 years, but maybe it is time to take a hard look at their closer situation. Clay Holmes blew a save for the 11th time this season, as the Rangers rallied to take an exciting comeback win from the Yanks. Carlos Rodon was dominating over six innings, allowing only one run versus 11 strikeouts, while an eighth-inning rally had given New York a comfortable 4-1 lead. However, Texas fought back with a two-run frame and entered the ninth only down a run. Holmes retired the first batter he faced but would not record another out, as he ceded a single and two walks before Wyatt Langford delivered the first signature moment of his young career. On a 3-2 count, the rookie unloaded on a lazy slider by Holmes, sending all of Arlington into a frenzy. With the fresh memories of plenty of October-blown leads, maybe Aaron Boone will need to make a change soon.

 

 

Cy Young for Sale

 

A matchup of the NL’s best pitcher against one of its worst teams sounded too lopsided on paper…and it played out exactly like that. Chris Sale simply toyed with the Rockies all game long, scattering only six hits with no walks over seven scoreless innings. Even as Kyle Freeland and Colorado’s bullpen made it surprisingly competitive, a mere three runs of support were more than enough for Sale, as he coasted to his league-leading 16th win while also reaching the 200-strikeout mark and lowering his ERA to 2.46. This means that he owns the top spot in all NL triple crown pitching categories, which essentially should secure his first career Cy Young award.

 

 

The Cub Whisperer

After making his MLB debut against the Cubs earlier in the season, Pirates rookie Paul Skenes has made it a habit to dominate Chicago, and today he spun yet another gem against this division rival. Despite allowing four hits and four walks over only five innings, Skenes managed to keep Chicago off the board, as the Pirates completed a 5-0 win to put a dent into Chicago’s playoff hopes. With this set ending the season series between these teams, Skenes will finish this season with a 2-0 record, 2.25 ERA, and 30 strikeouts over 20 innings against the Cubs. Considering that he is 5-1 with a sub-2.00 ERA against the NL Central so far, it is fair to say that the rest of the division may have a problem for the foreseeable future.

 

 

White Sox Misery Watch

In another instance of a good team facing a dreadful one, the Orioles took care of business against the White Sox as anyone would have expected. The 9-0 final score reflects where each of them stands in 2024, as Baltimore took an easy 7-0 lead by the second inning and never looked back. In a very White Sox play, starting pitcher Nick Nastrini somehow zoomed a ball through the netting behind home plate, leaving announcers, players, and anyone watching simply flabbergasted. With the loss, Chicago fell to 31-109 and is now on pace to lose 126 games.

 

 

A Bit of Gross Nostalgia

 

As someone who has collected cards all his life, I know that the hobby is not what it used to be. Having said that, it is worth noting that card companies can still get creative from time to time, which is how Topps has produced MLB-Garbage Pail Kids crossovers during the past few seasons. Today, the official MLB account shared a preview of this year’s edition, highlighting some of the sport’s most exciting young players at their most grotesque form. Years go by, but nothing beats the feeling of pulling a great card from a pack.

 

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Rangers have begun to wave the white flag on their title defense, as the team announced that starting pitchers John Gray and Tyler Mahle have been shut down for the rest of the season. While Mahle has been on the IL for the past few weeks, Gray will join him with a foot injury, and hope that he is ready and healthy for next year. With most of their projected rotation on the shelf, Texas is bound to play out the string with younger arms, including the possibility of a Kumar Rocker cameo.

⚾ Arizona made a couple of roster moves involving veterans, as first baseman Christian Walker was reinstated after five weeks on the injured list. However, outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained left calf, and his roster spot will be covered by Walker. With the playoffs looming, it is likely that Gurriel will return just in time and add more versatility to the Dbacks’ offense. 

⚾ After being designated for assignment by the Angels, veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto has elected free agency. This means that Cueto can sign with any team going forward, even if he wouldn’t be eligible for a postseason roster. However, his poor performance over his last two MLB stints probably means that this is the end of the road for one of the most entertaining pitchers of his generation. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

A Dream Come True Via Jersey Swap — Adam Berry, MLB.com

The Search for the Most Predictable Pitcher  — Kiri Oler, Fangraphs

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

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Pablo Figueroa

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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