Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks moving on from longtime broadcast Steve Berthiaume
by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]The Arizona Diamondbacks will not retain longtime television play-by-play broadcaster Steve Berthiaume, the team confirmed to Arizona Sports on Monday.
Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com first reported the decision, as Berthiaume’s contract with the club is up. The team has not decided who will take over as the lead TV play-by-play commentator.
Chris Garagiola has been the radio voice of the Diamondbacks since
Greg Schulte retired after the 2023 playoffs, and Piecoro reported that he will be considered.
D-backs Reportedly Parting With Longtime Play-by-Play Broadcaster by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
Berthiaume, according to Piecoro’s report, was caught off guard by the news. He told the Arizona Republic he was both “surprised and disappointed” by the decision.
“I’m very appreciative to have had the opportunity to connect with our fan base these past 14 years,” Berthiaume also told the Republic. “I’ve always tried to put the club first. I enjoyed my Arizona experience and I’m grateful to all my friends and colleagues in our broadcast group.”
D-backs lefty pitching prospect Ariola brings elite K rate to Arizona Fall League by Jesse Borek [MLB]
There were 2,402 pitchers who accrued at least 30 innings this season across the Minor Leagues — and nobody struck out a higher percentage of hitters than the D-backs’ Joe Ariola (45.8%).
The 6-foot-2 southpaw doesn’t throw in the triple digits. He doesn’t spin the ball at an astronomically high rate. His extension is solid but not particularly notable. But he’s intrinsically focused on winning the battle with two strikes in the count. Once there, he goes for the punchout.
“How fast can I get to two strikes? Because my pitches played best in those counts,” Ariola said of his mindset. “I know my two weapons [fastball and curveball] have some swing-and-miss potential. But if you’re not in the right counts to get the swing-and-miss, they’re not going to happen.
Around the League
First home playoff clincher in 120 years? White Sox on cusp of making it happen by Scott Merkin [MLB]
Where were you in 1906?
Since anyone born in that magical time would be a robust 120 years old at this point, clearly nobody was around. But it was that year, on Oct. 14, to be exact, when the White Sox toppled the Cubs at South Side Park to win the World Series in six games.
That was the last playoff-clinching victory for the White Sox at home. Until now, it was their only potential playoff clincher at home. But that statistic could be updated Wednesday at Rate Field.
Relentless Rays give Schlittler fits in 4-run 5th, move 1 win from ALCS by Adam Berry [MLB]
The Rays knew they were in for a challenge against American League Cy Young Award favorite Cam Schlittler on Monday night at Tropicana Field. The Yankees’ ace has shown in a short time that he’s made for big moments, especially in unfriendly environments, and he was as tough to hit as just about any pitcher in baseball.
So, what was Tampa Bay’s plan heading into Game 2 of the American League Division Series?
“Just kind of do what we’ve been doing all year,” shortstop Taylor Walls said.
Another playoff roof ball?! Rays record out after Jones’ fly dings Trop catwalk by Matthew Leach[MLB]
In the second inning of Monday’s ALDS Game 2, Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones hit a high popup into shallow right-center field. And then … the waiting. Four Rays converged on a spot in the Tropicana Field outfield and waited.
For 10 seconds.
Finally, the ball came down, Mesa made the catch and Jones was out. The ball had hit one of the catwalks under the roof of the Trop — specifically the B-ring — and by rule it was in play. The Rays’ fielders kept their cool, and Mesa recorded the out.
Padres deny Miller was pitch-tipping, might limit him to 1 inning by Alden Gonzalez [ESPN]
Side-by-side still shots posted on social media appeared to show Miller’s hand placement in his glove from the set position being slightly different based on whether he was throwing a fastball or a slider, something a runner on second base might notice and relay to the hitter. The Brewers got a runner on second base early, when Yelich drew a one-out walk and succeeded on an attempted steal.
Stammen did not indicate one way or another, but he also dismissed the thought.
“We’ve got a crew of people that are dedicated to that every single day,” Stammen said. “That is their sole job. We’re well aware of what’s going on with our pitchers, well aware of what’s going on with the Brewers’ pitchers and how they do things. It’s part of our daily acumen. The internet can go crazy and take things farther than they need to go. We feel good about our process within that situation.”
No Past, No Future: Atlanta’s Chris Sale Strategy, Examined by Ben Clemens [FanGraphs]
Thanks to the nor’easter dumping rain up and down the Eastern Seaboard, the Cubs have traveled from Chicago to Boston to St. Petersburg and finally all the way across the country to San Diego in the past five days, but they don’t sound daunted by the challenge. “Just tell us where to play,” manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Friday. “We’ll show up and play.” Well, on Tuesday, the Padres and Cubs face off in the Wild Card Series between the National League’s top two non-division winners. Both teams have plenty of offense, a great defense, and some question marks on the mound. You’re playing in San Diego, Craig. Get yourself one of those burritos with French fries in it and get to the ballpark.
The other Craig – that would be Padres manager Craig Stammen – is in his first season skippering a major league club. Or any club, for that matter. You could view his inexperience as a liability, or you could view his long, recent playing career as a reliever as a tactical advantage for pulling the right bullpen strings in a short series. Either way, you should also probably get yourself a California-style burrito before the game, Other Craig. They’re so good.
Padres Activate Walker Buehler Onto NLDS Roster by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
It remains to be seen if Buehler will be a factor. The Padres have tabbed Nick Pivetta to take the ball in Game 3, the first of what they hope will be three straight must-win games. The Brewers are countering with Dustin May. Neither team has announced plans for a potential Game 4 if the Padres stave off elimination.
San Diego manager Craig Stammen told reporters (including Jared Greenspan of MLB.com) that Buehler is an option for the start in Game 4 but will be available in relief tomorrow. It’s an all hands on deck approach for the Friars with their backs against the wall. Buehler turned in a 4.63 ERA with a slightly below-average 20.1% strikeout rate over 32 starts this year, ranking second on the team in innings. He struggled early but had a solid 3.62 ERA after the All-Star Break.
