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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/1/2024

The legend of Yusei Kikuchi, future ALCS MVP, grows in Houston.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/1/2024

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

 

Early Power, Late Clutch

 

The Dodgers started today’s game with a Hollywood script, as they led 3-0 three batters into the game. For the first time, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman went back-to-back-to-back, which is something the front office probably envisioned when they brought them all together. And yet, Arizona was almost unfazed by this, scoring four in the bottom half to regain control of the game, highlighted by Corbin Carroll’s lead-off inside-the-park homer. The game would go back and forth as the pitching settled, leading to a late 6-6 tie as both teams sent out their high-leverage relievers. This is where the Dodgers finally got the upper hand, as Tommy Edman delivered a clutch two-out, two-run single to provide the winning margin. With a chance to sweep the series now, LA could essentially secure yet another division crown, though Arizona is again proving they will be a tough customer in the postseason.

 

Yusei I Only Win When I Want To

 

When the Astros traded a treasure trove of prospects to the Blue Jays to acquire Yusei Kikuchi, it looked like a massive overpay for a pitcher who was 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in Toronto. The move has proven to be a masterstroke for Houston, as the franchise has unlocked a new form in Kikuchi, as he is guiding the team to another division title. Houston moved to 6-0 in his starts, as the lefty out-dueled fellow ace Cole Ragans with a 12-strikeout gem. The game remained locked in a 0-0 tie through five innings, but the Astros exploded for a five-run frame in the sixth, with Yainer Diaz and Jeremy Peña delivering back-to-back two-run knocks. Kikuchi lowered his Houston ERA to 2.57 over 35 innings, including 47 strikeouts and only 10 walks.

 

 

White Sox History Watch

 

When the Mets stormed to a first-inning 3-0 lead with consecutive homers from Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker, it all but sealed the fate of the White Sox, who would go on to lose yet another game in this dreadful season. They made a game of it, ultimately falling with a respectable 5-3 score, but that doesn’t mean much for a franchise that is chasing history for all the wrong reasons. Chicago’s 106th loss tied the worst mark in franchise history with a full month to play, as the Sox are an unfathomable 4-35 after the All-Star break. With a .226 winning percentage, the team seems almost certain to shatter the modern mark for losses in a season.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Second to None

 

In a game that saw Zack Wheeler deliver a masterpiece (only four hits allowed over seven scoreless innings) and the Phillies earn a statement 3-0 win over Atlanta, it was still the visiting team that provided the biggest moment. With the game still tight in the seventh inning, Austin Hays stepped up to the plate and did what he does best, hitting the ball hard against a lefty. As the ball carried for what looked to be a certain homer, Michael Harris II tracked its flight and timed his jump perfectly and acrobatically to not only rob the dinger but also keep his balance and become parallel to the ground over the short fence. As the Phillies bullpen pitchers looked on in amazement, it became clear that this web gem would become a staple of highlight reels for years to come.

 

Cy Skubal

 

While there are various playoff and award races still pretty much alive, it is safe to say that the AL Cy Young has been locked up and the voting will become a formality. Tarik Skubal has been the clear best pitcher in baseball in 2024, and today he delivered yet another gem en route to his inevitable hardware. Skubal needed only 98 pitches to dominate the Red Sox with eight innings of only one run allowed, which came via a solo home run in the first inning, and he became the first pitcher to reach 200 Ks this season. While Boston’s Nick Pivetta was also good, he was no match for Skubal’s dominance, as he took his 16th win of the season despite getting only two runs to back him up. The lefty finished his day with an unfair 99 mph high fastball that produced his eighth strikeout, leaving the mound fired up and with a sparkling 2.51 ERA.

 

Routine Robbery

 

Earlier in the week, Brewers center fielder Blake Perkins made an improbable catch over the wall to bring back a surefire homer. Today, he was back in business, albeit with a ball that probably would not have cleared the fence. Nevertheless, this kind of play has almost become commonplace for Perkins, who had an excellent jump to rob Noelvi Marte of at least a double on this play. Adding that this catch happened in a tie game that Milwaukee eventually won by a single run, the defensive wizardry becomes even more notable. Speaking of locked-up award races, you can start wrapping up the gold glove for Perkins.

 

Offense, eh

 

The Blue Jays will end up being one of 2024’s most disappointing teams, mostly due to an offense that played well below the sum of its parts. However, it all clicked at least for one day. Toronto clobbered the Twins with a 15-0 shellacking that nobody saw coming. Twins starter Zebby Matthews had a day to forget, allowing ten hits and nine runs in only two innings of work, as the Jays stormed to an 11-0 lead by the third inning and never looked back. All Toronto starters scored at least one run, as the team recorded 23 hits and four walks, highlighted by Will Wagner’s 5-for-6 day. On the pitching side, José Berríos went into cruise control after getting that massive run support, finishing with six scoreless innings to earn his 14th win of the season.

 

All in the Family

 

At Coors Field, the site of some of Matt Holliday’s biggest career highlights, Holliday another memorable moment to his career scrapbook. With Dinger the mascot in a Batman costume as a front-row witness, the elder Holliday got a chance to share a heartwarming moment with his son, top prospect Jackson Holliday, as the Orioles were visiting the Rockies for a three-game series. Jackson Holliday, who was only a toddler when his dad was a star in Denver, caught the first pitch from him, reliving a scene that probably played out thousands of times in their backyard. As usual, baseball is the best.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ After leaving Friday’s game after only 27 pitches, Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day IL. The cause of the injury was described as a bone spur on his toe that had bothered him for a long time, but the pain and swelling were enough to warrant an IL stint. It is likely that the team will be cautious with Kershaw, especially considering his recent injury history and the fact that he hasn’t been as sharp after his return in 2024 (4.50 ERA with diminished velocity). 

⚾ The playoff-bound Royals added a couple of veteran outfielders, as Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman were claimed off waivers. Following the absences of Hunter Renfroe and Vinnie Pasquantino, Kansas City had a clear need for experienced bats, especially to solidify their outfield depth. Both players started the season with the woeful White Sox and will now have a chance to join a playoff contender, as they will be eligible to play for the Royals if they make it to October. The franchise also added infielder Yuli Gurriel on a separate move, as he was acquired on a minor-league deal from Atlanta. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Just Swing Softly — Davy Andrews, Fangraphs

Top 10 Additions from the Trade Deadline — Brian Murphy, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

Week 23: The Stash List

Week 23: Deep League Waiver Wire

PLV Weekly

 

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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