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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/11/2024

With a 4.5 average margin of victory, closers had a nice day to rest.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/11/2024

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

 

Philly Drama

 

For a while, today’s Phillies-Rays contest looked like a garden-variety late-season game, with two solid teams battling it out. Philly took an early lead via another lead-off Kyle Schwarber homer and another blast from Trea Turner, but Tampa came back gradually to tie the game at four in the sixth inning. After a scoreless seventh, we were in for a bullpen battle, but it may have been a bit too literal. As Richard Lovelady left a couple of men on base, manager Kevin Cash turned to the almost unhittable Edwin Uceta, who came into the game with a sub-1.00 ERA. Alas, Uceta unraveled on his way to the worst outing of his season, allowing four of the next five batters to reach, including Turner’s second homer of the evening. The frustration was apparently too much to handle, as Uceta fired an errant fastball that hit Nick Castellanos squarely on the hip, leading to a benches-clearing incident that included Bryce Harper charging the mound from second base. The pitcher was ejected promptly and the situation did not escalate past the traditional pushing and posturing, but it still added a layer of drama as the Phils prepare for October.

 


Seth Has Got It

 

While Tarik Skubal has rightfully risen as the likely AL Cy Young winner, we still need to appreciate the season Seth Lugo has had, as he may end up being the bargain of 2024. Lugo delivered his fourth double-digit strikeout game of the season, quieting the Yankees through seven scoreless innings to earn his 16th win. The gem was complemented by timely hitting from the Royals’ offense, as they amassed ten singles around a Tommy Pham solo homer to cruise to a 5-0 win in the Bronx. Salvador Perez reached 100 RBI for the season, while Bobby Witt Jr. reached 99, creating even more pressure in the MVP race, especially after Aaron Judge has now gone 14 straight games without a homer.

 

 

Big in Japan

 

With a starting lineup that featured four Japanese-born players, in a game showcasing two of baseball’s most storied franchises, the Cubs and Dodgers produced an exciting affair that wasn’t decided until the late innings. For starters, the return of Yoshinobu Yamamoto after almost three months on the IL drew a lot of attention, and he delivered with eight strikeouts over four innings. His counterpart, Shota Imanaga, was also solid, completing seven innings of three-run ball, leaving his Samurai Japan teammate Shohei Ohtani hitless in three trips to the plate. Imanaga’s effort was rewarded with a win as the Cubs took advantage of a rare three-error frame from the Dodgers and scored five times in the eighth. With the win, Chicago remains on the fringes of playoff contention, while the game was probably a ratings mammoth all across Japan.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Keider the Tiger

 

The Detroit Tigers continue to make noise in the AL Wild Card race, and today they had an unlikely hero to highlight their push. Rookie Keider Montero, who had been more serviceable than good prior to today, completely dominated the visiting Rockies, tossing a Maddux in what easily became his best career outing. Montero pitched a complete game shutout in only 96 pitches, allowing three hits and no walks versus five strikeouts; in fact, he only faced the minimum 27 batters as all three runners were erased in double plays. The offense provided more than enough run support, with Riley Greene and Parker Meadows driving in three runs apiece en route to a commanding 11-0 win.

 

 

Franchise Icon

 

The Pirates are set to miss the postseason for the ninth straight year, but it is undeniable that there should be a glimmer of optimism in their fans after the many positives of 2024. One of them has to be the solid season of Andrew McCutchen, who has delivered a ton of feel-good moments in his age-37 campaign. McCutchen’s 20th homer of the season helped guide the Bucs to a 6-4 win over the Marlins, while he added a nice stat to his impressive resumé. Cutch joined Willie Stargell as the only Pirate to ever have at least eight seasons with 20+ homers, while he also became the fifth active player with ten such seasons. His numbers may fall short of the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done, but we should appreciate a true legend while he remains active.

 

 

Cedric the Slugger

 

Cedric Mullins, who is known mostly for his defense and baserunning, has had a rough season at the plate, even as he remains the steady veteran presence for the young Orioles. Today, he took care of powering his team to a win, with two decisive homers that gave Baltimore a quick 3-0 lead in what would eventually be a 5-3 win over the Red Sox. Albert Suarez earned his eighth win of the season with a strong outing of six innings and only one run allowed, while the bullpen held court despite allowing a couple of runs. With the Yankees’ loss, the Orioles remain only a half-game back of the AL East’s top spot.

 

 

Capital Gains

 

In the tight battle for the final NL Wild Card spot, Atlanta took advantage of a favorable pitching matchup in Washington, as its offense took off early and often en route to a 12-0 win. Michael Harris II hit a couple of homers, while Orlando Arcia and Sean Murphy added one of their own, while the Atlanta lineup combined for 15 total hits. With the Mets losing in Toronto, both teams will enter today’s action tied at 79-66, with each remaining game becoming a momentous affair in Queens and Cobb County.

 

 

Playing Spoiler

 

There is a great line that says that front offices may tank, but the players never do. The White Sox’s existence may put a damper on that statement, but the A’s continue to be a great example of this idea. Despite ownership’s clear efforts to dismantle the team, the players have continued to be a nuisance for opposing teams, as evidenced by Oakland’s 26-21 second-half record. Today, it was Houston’s turn to take a tough loss, as their attempt at a walk-off in extras was erased by a fantastic Daz Cameron play in right field. The game would extend into the 12th, where the A’s were finally able to push a couple of runs across and hold on for a 4-3 victory. With two more games in Houston and a series remaining against the Yankees, Oakland could play a major role in determining the AL’s playoff seeding.

 

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Mariners have placed starting pitcher Luis Castillo on the 15-day IL, retroactive to September 9, with a grade 2 hamstring strain. While Castillo had not been able to replicate his fantastic 2023, he still posted solid numbers for Seattle with a 3.64 ERA over 30 starts. With the Mariners barely hanging on in the AL Wild Card chase, it is likely that this injury will keep the righty away from the game until next season.

⚾ Anthony Rendon has yet again landed on the IL, solidifying his claim as the worst contract in MLB (in a close battle with Kris Bryant). This time, Rendon is battling a left oblique strain that marks the 12th separate IL stint during his time with the Angels. He is likely to finish this season with a .574 OPS and zero homers, albeit with a cushy $35 million salary and two years left on his contract. The only silver lining from this has to be that minor league journeyman Eric Wagaman, who grew up as an Angels fan, took Rendon’s spot on the roster and made his MLB debut. 

⚾ The Rangers have confirmed their rotation plans for this weekend’s series against Seattle. Thursday’s opener will see the MLB debut of prospect Kumar Rocker, game 2 will feature Jacob deGrom’s long-awaited season debut, and game 3 is set to have Max Scherzer in his return from injury. While these moves come too late for Texas’ playoff hopes, they at least can give a glimpse of what the team may have toward a better 2025. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

The Numbers Behind Arraez’s Historic Strikeoutless Streak — AJ Cassavell, MLB.com

Francisco Lindor is Already a Plausible Hall of Famer  — Dan Szymborski, 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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