Time’s ticking as the halfway mark of September creeps up. The winners and fringe playoff teams are starting to distance themselves as September continues to be a heated month. This recap covers in-game and off-field action from September 7-13.
AL West Hot: Mariners charge back to first A six-game win streak propelled the Mariners back to first place in the division for the first time since August 12. On September 7, the Mariners were 75-68 and 2 1/2 games back from the Astros in first place. By September 12,
the Mariners improved to 79-68 to tie the Astros. With a moderately difficult schedule remaining, Seattle should be able to ride its momentum into the postseason.
Not: Jose Altuve departs early
Injuries are running amuck down the stretch, and the Astros aren’t immune. After being called out on the bases in the third inning of Houston’s 6-2 win against Atlanta, Altuve returned to the dugout with discomfort in his right foot and didn’t return. While it may not mean much in the long run, the Astros need their hits and home runs leader in the lineup in these final two weeks.
AL Central
Hot: Guardians refuse to quit
Cleveland won’t go down without a fight this season. The Guardians have won eight of their last 10 games and outscored opponents, 36-16. Their pitching earned a 5-1 record with three saves while holding opponents to a 1.50 ERA and 10 runs. Tanner Bibee certainly deserves a shout-out for his spectacular performance on September 12, when he pitched Cleveland’s first complete game shutout since Zach Plesac in 2019. Although they’re still 3 1/2 games back from a playoff spot, don’t count the Guards out just yet.
Not: Kansas City’s rotation slips
Royals starters have been the main cause for the team’s recent struggles. Kansas City’s rotation put up a 7.47 ERA last week, allowing 26 runs in seven games. Michael Lorenzen had an especially hard time, as he gave up four runs to the Twins in 5 1/3 innings, and six runs to the Phillies in three innings to earn two of the five losses. While they technically have a chance, it’s safe to scratch the Royals out of October ball.
AL East
Hot: Aaron Judge makes more Yankee history
Judge surpassed two iconic franchise milestones in the same week. Judge passed Yogi Berra’s 358 career home run total with his round-tripper in Detroit’s 12-2 victory over New York earlier in the week. Judge hit his 45th and 46th season home runs during the 9/11 tribute game to tie Joe DiMaggio (361) for the fourth-most career home runs in Yankee history. All Judge needs to secure his Hall of Fame ballot is a World Series ring.
Not: Yennier Cano embodies O’s bullpen woes
Not to beat up on the Orioles too much this season, but reliever Yennier Cano is a big part of Baltimore’s bullpen problem. Cano blew two saves last week, giving up three runs and a home run in 2 1/3 innings. His 3-7 record and 5.09 ERA this season summarize Baltimore’s relief issues.
NL West
Hot: Dodgers rotation shines against Rox
Los Angeles got a much-needed sweep after enduring a five-game skid to two losing teams. Emmet Sheehan, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell combined for five hits, one run, and 31 strikeouts in three starts. While their sweep came against the worst team in MLB, Glasnow’s and Snell’s elite performances showcased the depth offered by the Dodgers rotation, despite being arguably the team’s weakest link. More importantly than a sweep, Los Angeles stays atop the division.
Not: Logan Webb doesn’t deliver
Webb pushed the Giants one step back from the playoffs in his poor start to the Dodgers. In one of the most important games this month, Webb couldn’t come through for his team. He gave up 10 hits, six runs, and a home run in San Francisco’s 13-7 loss. Everyone has tough days, but the Giants can’t afford another one.
NL Central
Hot: Anthony Rizzo retires as a Cub
After nearly a year out of baseball, Rizzo returned to the ballpark as a Cub. After announcing his retirement earlier in the week, Rizzo returned to Wrigley Field to retire with the franchise he played with for nearly a decade. During his time on the North Side Rizzo was a three-time Gold Glover, three-time All-Star, and Silver Slugger. Besides charisma and charitable contributions off the field, his iconic celebration after catching the final out of Game 7 to win the 2016 World Series will be enshrined in fan hearts forever.
Not: Gavin Lux goes hitless
The Reds have been treading water to keep their playoff hopes alive, but Lux hasn’t made it easier. He went 0-for-16 with two runs and five walks. While he at least got on base, Lux’s September has been far from good. He’s slashing .125/.282/.156 after a hot August. But, like every year, the Reds peter out when they need to hit the gas.
NL East
Hot: Kyle Schwarber blasts his 50th bomb
Few players hit the 50-home run mark in their career, but that’s another bucket list item Schwarber scratched off last week. Schwarber entered the 50 trips-around-the-bases club with a 437-foot blast in Philadelphia’s 9-3 rout of the Mets. As of September 13, Schwarber has hit a career-high 51 homers and 124 RBIs, and those numbers can only increase as he makes a compelling case for NL MVP.
Not: Mets can’t hit
New York struck out on every level last week. Despite having two of the best sluggers in the league, the lineup slashed .202/.249/.311 and averaged just shy of 2.5 runs per game. Even worse, Mets hitters struck out 77 times, tied for second-worst among all 30 teams. At this point, the Mets are handing the Phillies the division, and they aren’t showing much interest in playing baseball after the 162nd game.
