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
Orioles Clinch a Postseason Berth for the First Time Since 2016
The dream continues for this young Baltimore Orioles team, as they clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. While this technically happened in the middle of their game when the Rangers fell to the Guardians, the celebration began when Cedric Mullins hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to beat the Rays in a pivotal game.
Today’s game showed how this Orioles team might be built for the playoffs: Adam Frazier tied the with 2 strikes and 2-outs in the 9th and Adley Rutschman tied the game with 2 outs in the 10th.
You just can’t escape him. pic.twitter.com/li1zfiY15f
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 17, 2023
The playoff berth felt inevitable, but they are still playing meaningful baseball down the stretch. The win over the Rays (who also clinched on the Rangers loss) put the Orioles 2 games up on the Rays for the AL East with 13 games to play.
NL Wild Card Race Tightens
A crucial series for the NL Wild Card race went down this weekend as the Diamondbacks swept the Cubs, flipping their places in the Wild Card standings. The Diamondbacks cruised to a 6-4 win on Friday, won a 13-inning thriller on Saturday, and then secured the sweep with a big win on Sunday Night Baseball.
The Diamondbacks (79-72) are now a half-game ahead of the Cubs (78-72) for the second Wild Card spot, while the Phillies (81-68) are 3.5 games up.
A wild finish to a wild game! ? pic.twitter.com/deN48nEU6M
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 17, 2023
Across the country, the Marlins swept the Braves to tie the Cubs for the second/third Wild Card spot. The Marlins displayed a rare offensive outburst, scoring 36 runs in only three games. They were led by Jazz Chisholm Jr. hitting two grand slams in as many days (maybe chasing Royce Lewis for some grand slam records).
you know what’s wild?
FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, JAZZ CHISHOLM JR. HAS HIT A GRAND SLAM. pic.twitter.com/FIvDoMnMTc
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) September 17, 2023
The Reds also took 2 of 3 from the Mets to stay a half-game back of the Marlins, putting four teams all within 1 game of each other for two of the NL Wild Card spots.
Best Moment From Yesterday
Orioles Celebration!
For a team that has undergone a full rebuild over the last several years, Brandon Hyde’s clubhouse speech and ensuing celebration had to be cathartic for Orioles fans who have been waiting for the last seven years.
This is the first step. pic.twitter.com/h1ZNUfg4Oq
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 17, 2023
They also might’ve celebrated a bit too much, as they ran out of beer and had to resort to other options.
The Orioles ran out of beer, so they are pushing Heston Kjerstad in a cart and dumping condiments from the kitchen on him
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) September 17, 2023
Poor Heston.
Injuries & Transactions
Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland (oblique) was placed on 15-day IL.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill (foot) was placed on 10-day IL.
Articles You Should Read
Chaim Bloom’s Time as Boston’s Fall Guy has Ended — Jay Jaffe
Is Pitching to Juan Soto Easy? — Cam Levy
Fantasy Baseball
Sit/Start Week 25: Reviewing All Starting Pitcher Matchups From 9/18 –9/24 — Lucas Zenobi