Hello, lovely BCB readers and a happy Labor Day Monday to you all. It feels impossible to believe that it’s already September and we are now in the final month of the season. Back in March, when things were just getting underway, it was so easy to dismiss things as being “small sample size” or to say that there was a lot of baseball left. That’s not the case anymore, as we have only a few weeks left and every game and series matters when it comes to deciding how the postseason will play out.
So, as
we approach the thrill of October baseball, we still have plenty of little tidbits of news to occupy us in the meantime. But, since this is Labor Day, we won’t make you work too hard for your news, and we’ve compiled it all in one nice little weekend roundup for you.
- Is the NL playoff race already over? Michael Baumann indicates that unless the Reds pull off some serious magic, the NL postseason is basically already set.
- Jeremy Rakes reports that Taylor Ward was taken off the field during an Angels/Astros game after he ran face-first into the outfield wall.
- Mike Kadlick shares Jarren Duran’s super-speedy inside-the-park home run.
- The Blue Jays have claimed Isiah Kiner-Falefa off waivers from the Pirates. (ESPN)
- Ken Rosenthal shares what it will mean if there is an MVP upset that sees Cal Raleigh or Kyle Schwarber get a nod over repeat winners Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Quite a thing for a pitcher to admit… (here’s a direct link to the BlueSky post if you’re on Apple News)
- Davy Andrews asks the most important baseball question: how much candy is in an MLB dugout?
- Aaron Judge has now tied Yogi Berra for the fifth most home runs in Yankees’ franchise history. Story by Bryan Hoch.
- Madison Williams reports that the paid leave for Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz has been extended.
- Michael Rothstein shares that the FBI has released 130 pages of documents related to Pete Rose and his baseball betting.
- Jen McCaffrey reports that the Red Sox and Aroldis Chapman have agreed to a one-year extension. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- What a grip!
- Speaking of Jonah Tong, both he and his parents made a memorable debut in his first Mets game. Story by Stephen Douglas.
- Ben Clemens takes a look at Justin Verlander’s latest transformation.
- Pitcher Walker Buehler has signed with the Phillies and will be postseason eligible. (MLB)
- Patrick Andres reports that the Braves have activated Chris Sale.
- Tyler Kepner visits with 100-year-old Bobby Shantz, the last living player from the 1940s. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Just normal Sunday things…
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.
