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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 9/17/23

Big days from Matt Olson, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Grayson Rodriguez.

Nicole Cahill
Baseball 9/17/2023

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

 

The Miami Marlins will not quit!

The Miami Marlins are having their best season since the Florida Marlins days. They began the last home stand of the season with a win against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night. Like they’ve done a lot the season, the Braves came out strong in the first inning on Saturday. They had a 3-0 lead six pitches into the ballgame courtesy of a leadoff double from Michael Harris II and back-to-back home runs from Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley. The Marlins, to their credit, didn’t waste any time putting themselves on the scoreboard. Luis Arraez hit another leadoff home run, followed by a Josh Bell single, Jake Burger reaching on an error, and a three-run homer from Yuli Gurriel. And just like that, the Marlins were back on top.

Fast-forward to the sixth inning and in steps Matt Olson. He crushed his 52nd home run of the season to deep centerfield, passing Andruw Jones for the Braves’ franchise record for the most home runs in a single season.

That would be the last the Braves celebrated on Saturday. Tied at 5-5 in the bottom of the 8th, Marlins’ third baseman Jake Burger gave the Fish a lead with a two-run shot. Later that inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered the Marlins’ first grand slam of the 2023 season. The Marlins beat the Braves 11-5 and will look for a sweep this afternoon!

 

Grayson Rodriguez with the best outing of his career.

The last few games between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles have felt like October baseball. The Rays took the first two games, but it was all Orioles on Saturday. Grayson Rodriguez led the way with the best start of his young career. He was absolutely dominant, touching triple digits with his fastball and striking out seven batters in eight shutout innings.

Orioles’ shortstop Gunnar Henderson led the way for the offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored, and three RBI. Heading into Sunday, Baltimore’s postseason magic number shrinks to two.

 

Toronto Blue Jays tie game in 9th, walk it off in 13th.

The Toronto Blue Jays are also battling it out for a Wild Card spot! They walked the Red Sox off in wild fashion on Saturday. Down by one run heading into the bottom of the ninth, Daulton Varsho steps to the plate with two outs and a runner on second. He drove the ball over the centerfielder’s head, driving in the runner and racing all the way to third base. Varsho was stranded, so the game went to extra tied at 2-2.

Neither team blinked until the 12th inning. The Red Sox drove in the placed runner on a Pablo Reyes single in the top of the 12th. In the bottom half, George Springer advanced the placed runner and Bo Bichette plated him with a sacrifice fly. Tied at 3-3, the teams headed into the 13th inning. The Blue Jays held the Red Sox scoreless in the top half, setting themselves up perfectly for some hometown heroics. After Santiago Espinal advanced the runner to third, Whit Merrifield hit a tapper to third that scored the winning run.

 

If this is it for Ohtani as Angel, what a fantastic six years they were.

When I woke up this morning to the news that Shohei Ohtani’s locker had been cleaned out last night, it was kind of shocking. He went from being day-to-day for more than a week to just…gone? It’s a weird situation, but we got a bit more clarity yesterday. According to Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher, Ohtani tried to hit in the cage Friday afternoon hoping to play that evening. He couldn’t and was sent for an MRI. “By the time that was done and the results were back, the game had already begun,” says Fletcher. The Angels announced on Saturday that they were placing Ohtani on the injured list, effectively ending his season. The rapid packing up of his locker was in preparation for “a potential elbow procedure as soon as [Saturday].”

Despite missing the final few weeks of the season, Shohei Ohtani is still the clear AL MVP. If this is it for him as an Angel, what a ride it’s been!

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Cole Ragans‘ face says it all. 

And on the seventh pitch, Cole Ragans ended the inning and went to the dugout to rest.

 

Andruw Jones passes the baton to Matt Olson.

After Matt Olson hit his 52nd home run of the season breaking the franchise record set by Andruw Jones in 2005, @Braves posted this congratulatory video from the man himself.

 

Mike Cameron shows respect to Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a grand slam and stole three bases on Saturday. He’s just the second player since the Live Ball Era to achieve that feat, joining Mike Cameron who did so on May 16, 2002. Cameron took notice, showing Chisholm some love on Twitter.

 

 

Injuries & Transactions

 

SP/DH Shohei Ohtani was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique injury. He is done for the season.

SP Tanner Bibee left his start on Saturday with right hip tightness.

RF Ronald Acuña Jr. did not play Saturday after leaving Friday’s game early with right calf tightness. He is day-to-day.

1B Triston Casas was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Roberto Clemente, Not Just a Baseball Player but a Hero — Carlos Marcano, 9 Inning Know It All

When They Say He’s Got That Dawg in Him, This Is What They Mean — Kiri Oler, FanGraphs

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)

Nicole Cahill

Nicole Cahill is a freelance writer who focuses on mental health and sports. She recently founded a nonprofit that helps youth athletes living with mental health challenges. When she's not fighting stigma or exploring Baseball Savant visuals, you can find Nicole enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book. Portfolio: NicoleCahill.com.

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