MLB News & Moments You Should Know - August 17

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Tuesday’s slate of MLB action featured a battle of aces and playoff races. Let’s jump into what you might have missed.

Today’s Headlines

Mets call up Brett Baty

Brett Bady is the Mets No. 2 prospect and the No. 18 prospect in all of MLB according to pipeline. The third baseman is set to join the Mets as they continue their push for the NL East crown.

Baty had played just six games at the Triple-A level before his call up. Between the two highest levels of the minors this year, the slugger posted a .315/.410/.533 slash line and 19 home runs.

La Russa claims he didn’t hear fan

In a viral video from Monday, it appeared that a fan heckling White Sox manager Tony La Russa may have influenced his decision to lift Eloy Jiménez for a pinch runner late in the contest.

Tony La Russa’s smartest moves come from fans in the stands pic.twitter.com/gqKeN0vRcS

— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) August 16, 2022

On Tuesday, La Russa denied the claim that the fan influenced his decision. In fact, he claims he didn’t hear the fan at all. Instead, La Russa tells that he paused before making the move in order to consider if it was worth removing the outfielder’s bat from the lineup late in a close game.

Tony La Russa was asked about the fan who was yelling to pinch-run Adam Engel 😆 pic.twitter.com/QAdhmhvHgV

— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) August 16, 2022

Verlander, Cease duel in Chicago

The two front runners for AL Cy Young met on Tuesday night. Dylan Cease, who ranks second in the league in ERA behind Verlander, exited the game trailing 3-1. Cease threw five innings in which he allowed six hits and three earned runs while fanning four Astros. Verlander cruised through his first six innings of work, but ran into trouble in the seventh inning. His final line read seven innings, three earned runs, eight hits, and four strikeouts. All in all, the pair of aces dueled to a near-stalemate.

Hoskins hits two homers

Rhys Hoskins has been instrumental in the Phillies’ turn around from firing their manager mid-season to making a push for the postseason. On Tuesday, he added to his impressive resume this year with two more home runs.

The second of his two dingers was a moon shot off the batter’s eye in center field in Cincinnati. The home runs extended the lead to 8-3 for Philadelphia.

Rhys Hoskins' 2nd homer of the night was crushed. 💪 pic.twitter.com/AD3Hyx95GW

— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2022

Best Moments From Yesterday

Jose Siri triggers iPhone

When the Rays broadcaster mentioned Jose Siri was coming to the plate, someone’s iPhone got confused. In the background of the broadcast, an iPhone can be heard responding to the “command”

Rays broadcaster said "Jose Siri" and someone's iPhone got confused 😂 pic.twitter.com/3BD0PTmAPk

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 16, 2022

Eck calls Pirates’ payroll ‘pathetic’

The Pirates haven’t tried to compete this year. In the midst of a rebuild, Pittsburgh didn’t try to hide their lack of a desire to contend. Red Sox broadcaster and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley took exception to the Pirates’ putrid roster construction on Tuesday, calling the team’s payroll “pathetic” on the broadcast.

Red Sox color analyst Dennis Eckersley voice his opinions on the Pirates’ roster, payroll and front office

“Pathetic” pic.twitter.com/sDYqLVomO0

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 17, 2022

Jake Paul takes some hacks in Miami

Jake Paul has gained notoriety since his Vine career took off, launching forays into a variety of industries including boxing. Maybe the next stage of his career will involve baseball. The social media star took to the field on Tuesday in Miami to show off his — less than impressive — swing, and his home run trot.