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MLB News & Moments You Should Know: 9/18/2024

The Mets can't blow this...right? right?

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9/18/2024

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

 

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

 

In the always interesting race for the final NL wild card spot, September 17 may be remembered as a truly pivotal day. With Atlanta and the Mets having roughly the same start time, it all looked like an easy day at the office for both squads simultaneously. New York cruised to an early 6-1 lead behind a big third inning, while Pete Alonso would finish with a homer and five RBI as a 10-1 final score was fitting for a team that took advantage of facing an inferior opponent. Over at Cincinnati, Atlanta also jumped to a quick lead, scoring thrice in the first and increasing their command with a 5-1 scoreline by the fourth. This is where the wheels came off, as starter Grant Holmes and the bullpen were not able to contain the Reds from that point forward. Spencer Steer’s back-breaking two-run homer in the sixth gave Cincinnati a lead they would not relinquish, as four relievers would combine for three scoreless innings to close out the contest. These results have now given the Mets a two-game cushion in the standings with only 11 to go, and they now look like clear favorites to complete their comeback to October baseball.

 


It Takes Two 

 

In a truly shocking development, the Dodgers amassed 12 hits (including three extra-base knocks), three walks, and scored nine times… and still lost by multiple runs to the Marlins. Of course, this can only be explained by a dismal pitching performance from LA’s staff, as Bobby Miller opened the game by allowing seven hits and four runs in only two innings of work, and the bleeding would not stop there. Three relievers would allow multiple runs leading to the pitching debacle, as the offensively-challenged Marlins would finish the game with 15 hits, four walks, and 11 runs. However, it was not all bleak for the Dodgers, as they got the chance to celebrate Shohei Ohtani coming a step closer to the inevitable 50/50 season. Ohtani hit one of his patented moonshot dingers to open the scoring for LA, and is now only two homers and two stolen bases short of the milestone. At this point, it’s only a matter of when.

 

 

Ride Like the Wind

 

In another notable game between playoff contenders, the Tigers managed to remain alive in the race with a gutsy 3-1 extra-inning win over the Royals. Featuring a nice October-like atmosphere, both pitching staffs traded zero after zero following an early 1-1 stalemate, as Detroit’s Casey Mize limited the damage to one run over 4.1 innings despite allowing 10 baserunners, while Kansas City’s Cole Ragans was his usual self and finished with one run allowed over seven frames. Entering the tenth, the Tigers were finally able to break through by scoring the Manfred runner plus an additional one, as Jason Foley closed the door to earn the save in the bottom half. Much like with Ohtani, the loss was at least softened by an impressive personal feat, as Bobby Witt Jr. stole his 30th base of the season, making him the first shortstop to ever produce multiple 30/30 campaigns. This seems like a good moment to remind everyone that Witt is still only 24 years old.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Freefallin’ 

 

The playing-out-the-string Giants, who came into this game with three runs scored over their past four games, visited the contending Orioles, a team that still has a chance to win the AL East but that had been scuffling lately. At least one of those trends continued, as Baltimore turned in a dismal performance that led to a troubling 10-0 loss. While Blake Snell was again fantastic (12 Ks over six scoreless innings), the Orioles as a whole looked listless, culminating with a six-run ninth inning debacle as former closer Craig Kimbrel allowed all six runs without even recording three outs. Baltimore has now gone 3-8 in their past eleven games, falling four games behind the Yankees and now almost certain to be a wild card team.

 

 

The Waiting

 

The Brewers came into today’s game with a chance to become the first team to clinch a division title, as they only needed a win and a Cubs loss to do it. Chicago’s defeat against the A’s completed the first leg of the parlay, but Milwaukee could not do its part and will now have to wait at least one more day before popping the champagne. Of course, they had a tall task by having to face the Phillies and Zack Wheeler, who delivered another gem to add to his strong season. Wheeler allowed only four hits and a run over seven innings, while Nick Castellanos and Bryce Harper hit long homers to provide the run support. As the win pushed Philly closer to their own clinching scenario, the Brew Crew knows it’s only a matter of time.

 

 

Brothers in Arms

 

When the Yankees traded for Juan Soto last offseason, they probably expected a really good season as an offensive complement to Aaron Judge. Soto has completely exceeded those expectations and instead delivered one of the best campaigns in Yankees history, which is truly saying something. Today’s fourth-inning homer gave him 40 for the year, making him and Judge only the third duo in franchise history with at least 40 dingers each, joining iconic names like Ruth-Gehrig and Mantle-Maris. The blast also gave Soto at least one homer in each of the current 30 MLB ballparks, which is a neat milestone on its own. His contributions were only a small part of today’s 11-2 pummeling of the Mariners, as Judge added four RBI of his own.

 

 

Footloose

 

The Astros and Padres gave us one of the most intense games of the season, as both teams traded blows in their quest for better playoff positioning. Despite the drama and need for extra innings that gave Houston a 4-3 win, the game may be remembered by a weird scene in the top of the ninth. With Jose Altuve at the plate, the second baseman appeared to hit a foul ball off his foot, but the ball rolled fair as Manny Machado threw to first base for an easy put-out. However, no umpire signaled foul ball, as an incredulous Altuve was called out and his manager came out to argue. With the home plate ump refusing to budge or consult with one of his crew mates, Altuve tried to plead his case by removing his cleat and showing exactly where the ball had hit him. This particular antic was not appreciated by the umpire, who promptly ejected Altuve to conclude this bizarre sequence.

 

We Are Family

 

One of baseball’s coolest scenes is seeing a player collect his first career hit. Whether it happens to a prized prospect or as part of a winding road to The Show, the moment a player can officially own a major-league batting average as everyone rallies around retrieving the ball is always special. When you add a proud family in the stands to witness that scene, it becomes an even nicer memory. We got the chance to see it today with Pirates youngster Nick Yorke, who had gone hitless in his MLB debut but exploded with a three-hit performance against the Cardinals as his family cheered him on. Here’s hoping that they are the first of many.

 

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Guardians have placed outfielder Steven Kwan on the 10-day IL with a back injury. He has actually been out of the lineup since September 13, which likely indicates that the move will be backdated, as the team is probably being cautious and trying to provide rest for one of its best hitters. Kwan’s overall value has made him the second most important contributor in Cleveland’s lineup, and this absence could play a big role for a team still fighting to secure a division title. Kwan’s roster spot will be covered by Myles Straw.

⚾ Daulton Varsho will undergo right shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury, as reported by Blue Jays manager John Schneider. The timetable for the procedure and recovery is still unknown, but it could carry over into the following Spring Training considering the extent of the injury. While Varsho’s offensive numbers have been roughly league-average, his defensive prowess has placed him as one of the best outfielders in the game, as he figures to be an important piece for Toronto if they expect to have a resurgence in 2025. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

The First Righty Splash Hit — Maria Guardado, MLB.com

Would Lindor be More Valuable to the Dodgers than Ohtani?  — 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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