The Weekly Rundown: 9/15/24 - 9/21/24
One week to go in the regular season, Shohei Ohtani is not human, and more.
Good morning and happy Sunday!
One week remains in the MLB regular season. The Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians punched their tickets to the playoffs by winning their respective divisions. The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies have also clinched postseason berths.
Here’s a look at the playoff bracket if the season ended today:
The tightest races are both Wild Cards, where the Minnesota Twins lead the Detroit Tigers by a half game and the New York Mets lead the Atlanta Braves by two games. In the NL West, the Dodgers lead the San Diego Padres by three games.
Next Sunday, we’ll have an in-depth recap of the final month of the regular season and look ahead to the 2024 postseason, which begin with the Wild Card Series on Oct. 1. Be sure to subscribe below to get these newsletters delivered to your e-mail throughout the playoffs and the offseason.
Before we get ready for October baseball, here’s everything you need to know from the last week in MLB.
The Shohei Ohtani Game
Thursday marked one of the most memorable performances in Major League Baseball history, courtesy of Shohei Ohtani.
The Dodgers superstar became the first player in league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. While doing so, he went 6-for-6 with three homers and 10 RBI.
We’re witnessing not only the most talented baseball player of all time but also one of the greatest athletes ever to grace this earth. There will never be another Ohtani, at least not in this lifetime. Don’t take him for granted.
Legendary broadcaster Joe Castiglione retiring
The great Joe Castiglione - longtime radio voice for the Boston Red Sox - announced he is retiring at the end of the season.
"After 42 seasons with the Red Sox and more than 6,500 games, I have decided it's time to retire from a regular broadcast schedule," Castiglione said. "While I feel I am at the pinnacle of my career, have been blessed to call four World Championships, and received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Hall of Fame in July while working for the greatest franchise in sports, it's time to spend more time with Jan, my bride of almost 53 years, my kids, and grandkids."
Castiglione’s 42-year tenure with the Red Sox is the longest of any play-by-play announcer in franchise history. The 77-year-old has made countless memorable calls, but my personal favorite has to be when he fell out of his chair after Andrew Benintendi’s game-saving diving catch in Game 4 of the 2018 ALCS in Houston.
The Red Sox will honor Castiglione during their regular-season finale at Fenway Park on Sept. 29.
Dominant on the Bump
George Kirby, Seattle Mariners
7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB vs. Texas Rangers
Andre Pallante, St. Louis Cardinals
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
Blake Snell, San Francisco Giants
6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 12 K, 2 BB vs. Baltimore Orioles
Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
8.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB vs. Houston Astros
Ryan Pepiot, Tampa Bay Rays
6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 12 K, 0 BB vs. Boston Red Sox
Pepiot’s stellar outing included an immaculate inning (three straight strikeouts on nine pitches):
Zack Littell, Tampa Bay Rays
7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB vs. Boston Red Sox
Brandon Pfaadt, Arizona Diamondbacks
7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 12 K, 0 BB vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
9.0 IP (CG), 2 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 1 BB vs. Oakland A’s
Nick Martinez, Cincinnati Reds
6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 0 BB vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals
7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 9 K, 3 BB vs. Chicago Cubs
Big Bombs
Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy went back-to-back-to-back in a seven-run ninth inning for the Dodgers against the Braves.
Heliot Ramos hit the first homer into McCovey Cove by a right-handed batter EVER.
Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hit a grand slam vs. the Tigers.
Juan Soto notched the 200th homer of his career.
Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Donovan Solano went back-to-back-to-back for the Padres vs. the Astros.
Web Gem of the Week
Cubs first baseman Michael Busch made a wild diving grab over the tarp.
Welcome to the Show
Pirates prospect Nick Yorke recorded his first three big-league hits during Tuesday’s game against the Cardinals.
Notable Injuries
The Diamondbacks placed reliever Paul Sewald on the 15-day injured list with neck discomfort.
The Rangers placed right-hander José Ureña on the 15-day IL with shoulder fatigue.
Guardians outfield prospect George Valera underwent season-ending patellar tendon surgery.
The Guardians placed outfielder Steven Kwan on the 10-day IL with back soreness.
Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury in his right shoulder.
Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson has a full UCL tear and will require Tommy John surgery.
The Blue Jays placed shortstop Bo Bichette on the 10-day IL with a fractured middle finger.
The Red Sox are shutting down third baseman Rafael Devers for the rest of the season due to shoulder discomfort.
The Rangers placed right-hander Max Scherzer on the 15-day IL with a hamstring strain.
The Cardinals placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day IL due to flexor tendonitis in his right forearm.
The Astros placed right-hander Tayler Scott on the 15-day IL due to a thoracic spine strain.
Rapid Fire
The Orioles designated left-hander Cole Irvin and infielder Nick Maton for assignment. Irvin was claimed off waivers by the Twins.
The Diamondbacks released right-hander Dylan Floro.
Veteran first baseman Matt Adams announced his retirement. Adams played 10 MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Braves, Nationals, and Rockies.
Veteran utility man Charlie Culberson announced his retirement after 11 seasons with the Giants, Rockies, Dodgers, Braves, and Rangers.
The Orioles DFA’d veteran closer Craig Kimbrel.
The Marlins DFA’d infielder Jose Devers.
The D’backs DFA’d infielder Luis Guillorme.