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Checkpoint cleared, no more interruptions for the dash to the playoffs. The MLB trade-deadline is now done and gone, but we are still buzzin' by the results of the beautiful chaos. Chaos it was, as we sure saw fireworks of all types of colors. From star-studded aces sent packin' to exciting trade clauses being activated- it was a fun few hours prior to the deadline's end.
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander both being dealt just feels criminal. Sure enough, the Mets traded both at the deadline. Mad Max to AL West leader, Rangers, and JV gets dealt back to an old home in Houston... who is only a game behind those very Rangers, in the West. Both guys waived the right to use their trade clauses to hault the trades, with a cute little drama alert courtesy of mister Scherzer. Scherzer respectfully told the Mets to get bent when he described his decision to not invoke his trade clause:
Texas GM Chris Young has officially made it clear again that he is in win now mode by acquiring Mad Max. Sure, he is acquiring a 39 year old Scherzer, not a prime Scherzer. This is baseball, and it's Mad Max for pete sake. Giant tool to have in the arsenal for the playoffs. Big time pick up for the Rangers. Oh, I am not a blind fool. I am well aware on how Scherzer has pitched in the playoffs in the past two seasons. Doesn't mean it's a hat trick. The rotation got better, that's the bottom line. Rangers' fans outta be happy with Chris Young's bold move at the deadline. 39 year old pitchers have a weird thing of being great in the playoffs every once in awhile.
This move is important for the tail end of the regular season for Texas. They needed to get better production in the rotation, Scherzer has been a top 25 pitcher. He may have a sub 4 era- but he boast a 10-4 record and is top 25 in strikeouts. Texas also added St Louis arm Jordan Montgomery- who is pitching in the same tier as Scherzer. Giving up little while bettering their rotation- not too bad Texas.
After the Scherzer trade, it seemed imminent that Justin Verlander was out the door in New York as well. Respectfully so, to allow him to be on a title contender like his buddy, Max. Even better: a reunion with the team he helped bring two titles and the home he had his career resurgence with his Cy Young winning season in 2022- the Houston Astros. The Astros had to give up their top prospect for the 40 year old, future hall of fame pitcher. A tough bite to swallow most would say. Realistically so. Verlander hasn't been pitching like he was in 2022. There is upside however: JV seems to have possibly found a groove & a move to Houston could launch his groove into another special fall of pitching that he can add to an already surreal career. Verlander went 4-1 in July, posting a rock SOLID 1.69 ERA while giving up no more than 5 hits in each start. This trade I feel is a no brainer and I am glad GM Dana Brown got her done despite Verlander's age. Having the Mets eat $35Ms is a HUGE bonus. So yeah, this thing baseball. It sure is a crazy thing, baseball is. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander who reunited this season in New York after spending 5 years in Detroit together way back in '10-'14 just got dealt to two playoff contending rivals, who also are fighting for an AL West division title. Just crazy baseball is. Go to bed teammates, wake up rivals.
D-Backs got the Reggie Miller pose goin' on, an all out choke fest to start August. On the last report, I warned them on going on a losing slump and being swept in the second half. As they may not have gotten swept again (twice after All-Star break), they still can barely muster wins right now. Arizona has lost three straight games going into today, a feat they have now accomplished three times since the All-Star break. Snakes are a nasty 5-14 since the break. They seem to have lost their bite.
The Giants series was such a big series for the Diamondbacks to lose. They lost three of the four, and each game was decided by 2 runs or less. The bullpen is charged with two of the losses, the lineup can get the rest of the heat for not being able to do squat with their bats. Torey Lovullo needs to get his club in order, and get the gears moving. To miss the playoffs, in my opinion, is his head. He's gotta go if they can't even get a Wild Card spot. I can care less about the June extension. Compile the club's record since the announcement. Just a couple weeks ago, the Diamondbacks were breathing down the Dodgers neck for first place in the NL West- now they seem depleted as they slowly stumble down the mountain top. Unacceptable.
Arizona needs to set their focus strictly on staying in the Wild Card race. Now, a game and a half back from the final spot- it's time to giddy up. Lovullo get your troops out of this slump. Do something, as the front office didn't do sh** at the deadline, now it's up to you. The calendar is sparkling- you have the Dodgers for two as well as the AL Central leading Twins for a three game set: take ADVANTAGE. Win some games, because then the next ten games are against the bottomless Rockies and Padres. Baseball gods are certainly on the Diamondbacks' side. It's up to them if they want the playoffs or not. Am I confident that they can turn this around and end the losing drought? Eh, I'll fold on this one dealer.
The Astros had a pretty wild Tuesday, that's for sure. Things got off to a fun start for those in Houston, as GM Dana Brown landed hometown favorite, Justin Verlander, for a reunion with the club. That was only a precursor for the exciting day in H-Town. Things got special once ace Framber Valdez took the mound to pitch that evening- as he became the first lefty to throw a no-hitter in franchise history. Valdez became the 16th 'stro to throw a no-no, and the first single-pitcher no-no since... the first since Justin Verlander himself, did it for Houston in 2019. Crazy how things play out in the world of baseball, huh.
Framber faced the minimum 27 batters in the no-hit effort and needed just 93 pitches to do it- the fewest pitches in a no-hitter since David Cone needed only 88 in his perfect game on July 18, 1999. Valdez was in a GROOVE. StatCast states the cat only had 5 balls be put in play that had a 30 percent chance to be a hit. The fielders were stuck twirling their dip in their lip and making art in the dirt. Framber had things in full cruise control, and didn't need any substance to help (sorry couldn't resist). Seriously, nothing bad to take away from this pitching performance- it was light's out.
Wasn't just Valdez adding to the history books for Houston that night. Catcher Martin Maldonado now is tied for the third-most caught no-hitters ever. He was behind the plate for Houston's no-hitter at Yankee Stadium last year and also their combined no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 3, 2019. Only Carlos Ruiz and Jason Varitek have caught more no-hitters (four each). The Astros seem to have found a nice groove in the past week, and we know that weeks like this can really jump start a team. They need it with the slew of opponents coming up on the calendar that are playoff contenders and fighting in the race for the Wild Card. Astros are only 1.5 games back of the Rangers for the AL West crown... time to buckle up. Performances like this from their ace, will help their chances.
Royal Spoil? The Royals have decided to find a way to win games, doing so in July/August against teams fighting for playoff berths. Ya know, those Royals that are the second worst club in baseball at 35-75? Yes, those Royals are winning games and in bunches as they have won 6 in a row to complete two sweeps in a row. All in a single homestand. That's right, they finished a homestand 6-0 for the first time since 2016. It was just the fifth time in franchise history that they’ve had an undefeated six-game homestand.
First they welcome in their division leader, Twins, and spank 'em. Then they follow suite by spankin' the Mets down into a pool of further depression. Brooms for you and brooms for you, acting like Professor Hooch. Sweep-O-Mania at Kauffman Stadium, and it wasn't the hometown team on the loosing ends this time. Kansas City is seeing some of their young studs really turning up a notch here in the final months. Bobby Witt Jr. is on a damn tear during this run, and the pitching has been surreal behind the arm of Brady Singer, who just threw 8 scoreless innings off 10 Ks. Obviously the season is over for them in the standings, but they are in a position to play some spoil here in the second half. People hate these kind of teams, ha!
I'm not kidding when I say they are here to play spoil. Four of the Royals' next five opponents are all teams realistically in the playoff hunt. Now, they do have to travel on the road to play fiddle as they go to Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia (starting tonight), and Chicago to face the Cubs. A rising tide raises all ships. If the Royals keep playing like this, they will find enjoyment in trying to ruin other team's seasons. Definitely something to look at, and for the players in Kansas City- they will take any attention they can get after a season like the season they had of losing. To those 4 teams looking to clinch playoff berths: do not take these Royals lightly in August. Ya might regret it.
August is going to be fun on the diamond across the league. We have a slew of series that have playoff chasers battling one another; Division titles up for the taking; and award races that have candidates neck and neck for a given honor. Baseball gods keep the injuries to a minimum. Players find that next gear. Let's get this party started. Who will rule August? It's time to watch and find out.
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My boy JV getting another ring