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MLB news and moments you should know: 08/12/2024

MLB news and moments you should know: 08/12/2024
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Stay up to date on all things baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Today’s headlines

Step forward and beat the Mets

In a game nearly twenty years in the making, the Seattle Mariners hosted Sunday Night Baseball for the first time since 2004, creating a special atmosphere around the stadium that ultimately carried over to the field. After a couple of shutouts in the first two games of the series, Seattle finally got a run on the Mets, but it was almost inconsequential after the offense exploded with 12 runs to complete the sweep. This is the kind of game the front office probably envisioned around the trade deadline, as starter Luis Castillo dominated with nine strikeouts and the only run allowed over six innings while the M’s combined for 12 hits and seven walks, making up for the fact that they also had 15 strikeouts. Cal Raleigh hit two home runs and struck out five, leaving Seattle virtually tied with the Astros atop the AL West.

Yankee barrage

The Yankees appear to be coming out of their midseason slump and gave us another of their patented displays of power today. Aaron Judge got on base four times and hit the 299th home run of his career, Juan Soto added a couple of solo hits and Giancarlo Stanton hit one of the most impressive home runs of the season, hitting a true line drive dinger that sent his bat nearly 115 mph. The big three combined for five runs and seven RBIs, while Marcus Stroman did just enough to earn the win, allowing just one run in five innings. New York’s bullpen nearly allowed Texas to overcome an 8-3 deficit, but closer Clay Holmes went to work with the tying run on base and finished the game with his 25th save. With the win, the Yankees join Baltimore as the only teams in baseball with 70 wins.

Destroy the snakes!

It’s shocking to look at this season’s leaderboards and see Arizona is the highest scoring team in MLB, but today they showed us how they do it once again. Arizona notched its 12th double-digit scoring game of 2024 en route to a dominant 12-5 victory over the Phillies, taking perfect advantage of their blend of speed and power. The Snakes collected 18 hits, six of which went for extra bases, as well as three steals as every starter had at least one hit. Arizona scored in five of its eight offensive innings and constantly put pressure on Philadelphia’s pitching, especially with starter Christopher Sanchez exiting with an ugly record of 12 hits, two walks and seven runs allowed in 4.2 innings. The Dbacks continue the inspired winning streak that has put them atop the NL wild card standings.

The best moments of yesterday

Comeback of the Rocky Mountains

Atlanta is in a post-All-Star break slump that dropped them to the last wild-card spot in the NL. Today’s loss has left them with an 8-14 record since July 20. Today’s loss will probably hurt more than usual, though, as Atlanta somehow blew an 8-2 lead until the eighth inning. After a strong start by Spencer Schwellenbach (two runs in six innings) and home runs by Travis d’Arnaud, Austin Riley and two home runs by Jorge Soler, Atlanta looked like it would leave Coors Field with a series win. Instead, relievers Luke Jackson and Joe Jiménez suffered a classic Coors horror inning, combining for eight hits and seven runs allowed. Six of those hits came in a row after Jackson got the second out, making it even more painful as Brendan Rodgers hit a two-run double that gave Colorado the lead.

Astros kill the monster

The Astros continue their upward trajectory up the standings after completing the sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway with a convincing 10-2 win. Houston took advantage of the early departure of James Paxton as Boston was forced into a bullpen game and couldn’t keep up with all the hitters in the Astros’ lineup. Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez hit two majestic home runs in a row in the fifth inning to take control of the game, while Jeremy Peña added another hit against the Green Monster to give Houston a 10-0 lead. Hunter Brown was far from perfect, but held on with a two-run outing with nine strikeouts while massive run support gave him win No. 10. This sweep was also a reminder that the Red Sox may be well behind in the AL pecking order.

First Row Central

Due to the tight races in the AL East and AL West, the Central has largely gone unnoticed, even though the division is at its strongest in nearly a decade. The Guardians had fallen into a slump before that crucial series against the Twins, but were able to escape with a series tie and their 3.5-game lead, while the Royals are only four games back. With a strong pitching performance from Tanner Bibee (5.2 innings with one run allowed) and crucial solo home runs from José Ramírez and David Fry, Cleveland did just enough to tie Byron Buxton’s game with two home runs. Closer Emmanuel Clase flirted with danger after loading the bases with no outs in the ninth inning, but escaped with a strikeout and a double play to pick up his 35th save of 2024, leading the league.

King Burger

With a five-game winning streak and Dylan Cease on the mound, the Padres seemed to have everything in place to beat the Marlins. As woeful as Miami has been of late, they at least have a bright spot in the form of Jake Burger, who hit his 12th home run after hitting just 10 in the first half after the All-Star break. While Cease was far from his dominant best, his defense did him no favors, as he earned just two of the five runs he allowed. Despite taking a 5-0 lead early in the game, the Padres were close to mounting another comeback, but fell just short by a final score of 7-6. After toiling with the White Sox and Marlins during his young MLB career, here’s hoping Burger finds a better home soon.

Time flies, but Cutch remains great

Nearly ten years ago, two young Pirates fans made a lifelong memory when franchise icon Andrew McCutchen greeted them during a game and gave them his batting gloves after the final out. The game was in San Diego, and although Cutch’s career took him through several teams after his first stint with the Pirates, he has a prodigal son period in his second tenure. Today, those fans returned to see their idol, this time in Los Angeles, and Cutch put on a show. Although Pittsburgh suffered a 10-inning loss, the former MVP delivered a top-notch performance with a pair of two-run home runs. As always, baseball is the best.

Injuries and other movements

⚾ Dodgers rookie pitcher River Ryan has been suspended for the remainder of 2024 as the team confirmed he has a UCL injury. While the severity of the injury is still unknown, Ryan could require Tommy John surgery if other types of recovery are not deemed sufficient. He has been one of the best young pitchers in the major leagues, with a 1.33 ERA in his first four starts. Los Angeles will have to reshuffle its rotation again, even with Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw back.

⚾ Starting pitcher James Paxton left today’s game after throwing just five pitches, suffering immediate pain following an awkward landing that caused him immediate pain after attempting to cover first base. Paxton needed assistance walking off the mound and required crutches to move after the game as he awaits an MRI to show the extent of his calf injury. The veteran returned to Boston during the trade deadline and could face an extended absence.

⚾ Three high-profile players were activated after long IL stints with varying degrees of success. Julio Rodríguez started as DH for the Mariners but earned a platinum sombrero with five strikeouts in as many appearances. Arizona’s Merrill Kelly earned the win by allowing just two runs in five innings against the Phillies, while Milwaukee’s DL Hall played no role in the decision after an inconsistent return, recording nine strikeouts in 4.2 innings, albeit with five hits, three walks and three earned runs.

Articles you should read

Things Francisco Lindor never did — Davy Andrews, Fangraphs

The inspiring story of Dave Dravecky — Manny Randhawa, MLB.com

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

Week 20: The supply list

Week 20 FAAB Insights

Week 20: Batters to start and avoid

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