Aug 21, 20236 min read

Diamond Report

Big time call-ups; the best being the best; and Wild Card choke artists have made up, most of the noise on the diamond thus far, here in August. Lets get to business.

The NL's two powerhouses, the Braves and the Dodgers, just keep on winning. The two clubs are 30-8 in August, combined. Dodgers are 17-2 on the month! Both teams are playing the kind of baseball they want to be playing with their given championship aspirations going into the finale of the regular season.

I think both teams have already clinched their division titles. The Dodgers have a comfy 11.5 game lead over the Giants in the West, as the Braves have a 13.5 game lead over the Phillies in the East. Mm hmm, she's a wrap, cha heard. It's crazy how much I amped up the Giants; D-Backs; and Padres going into the second half of baseball, just for all three to sh** the bed and let LA drive off with another division title. The Braves won't be caught either, despite Philadelphia's resurgence.

Both teams can focus on getting as good as possible for their respected playoff run- knowing the division titles are in the bag. PSA to the Dodgers and Braves: don't do ALL your winning now. Don't want to run out of juice. The league needs to be wary though, these two are GODO.

Just when things had really been looking sunny for the Rays, a tropical storm swooped in to hit the franchise with some impact. In the heat of the playoff race, the top Wild Card spotted Rays, are facing the reality they may not have two of their best franchise players for the playoffs, and even more damaging- may not have them long term or ever again.

The Rays felt their own stinger when the news broke regarding their franchise face, Wander Franco. Franco has been placed on the restricted list, although it was originally just for a road trip, Franco could be on the list for longer than that. I won't speak on the meat of his sh** until we get true facts and clarification. Once some deets drop from the investigation, we can properly banter at that time. This will have major impact long-term, but lets evaluate the immediate impact.

Rays have lost one of their best all-around players in the heat of the playoff hunt. Franco may have been on a decline this season, but his production still speaks loudly. Production that isn't easy to replace on the fly in August. Take away his speed and production on the base pads, and take away his spark with runners in scoring position. Hey, gotta replace the glove too. Just something you don't want to deal with as a club, and here the Rays. All thanks to Franco.

Keep it short on him, but I won't be done on his part. The other hit for Tampa, actually came with impact known right away. Ace Shane McClanahan underwent Tommy John surgery, today. The surgery will force McClanahan to miss the rest of the season and the entire 2024 season. Absolutely gutting for Shane and that Rays' rotation. From possible CY Young honors to the shelf. Gutting.

McClanahan started the season 11-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 121 Ks before missing time in June for back tightness (OG injury). The Rays won 15 of his 21 starts. Losing McClanahan is going to hurt. The worse thing: this is the second time that Shane will need Tommy John. McClanahan had the procedure done in 2016 in his first season at USF. Hopefully this isn't a career altering injury, but you have to worry that Shane won't be as elite as he was beginning to be. Hopefully the Rays don't allow this to ruin their season.

Strike 1:

Wow, the Arizona Diamondbacks have found their lost formula of winning. Including the win that ended their 9 game losing streak, the Snakes have won 7 of their last 9 since dropping 9. I won't look to far into this, all 7 wins are against the Padres and Rockies- wins they need to have as a team wanting the playoffs. BUT- It's pro ball, wins are wins.

Diamondbacks are back above .500 with the slew of dubs (64-61). More importantly, the Diamondbacks are back in the hunt for the NL Wild Card with slots 2 and 3 easily up for the taking between the Snakes; Cubs; Giants; and Marlins. With the Giants loss tonight, Arizona is a game back of the third spot along with the Marlins and the Reds. DEADLOCKED. Can Arizona keep up the winning ways in this epic neck and neck race?

Remember how adamant I was towards the Diamondbacks needing to win, on the last report? I wasn't kidding. If they want a playoff berth, they really have to prove it now. Starting tonight, they host the rock solid Rangers in a two game set. Then the Reds visit in a mega important series. Relax. It gets even more difficult! D-backs travel to face the mighty hot Dodgers for three just to come back home to the AL king Orioles. Look at it this way- Arizona can kill two birds with one (stretch of games) stone by helping clinch a playoff berth while also beating the teams they might need to beat to capture a World Series (won't happen). Buckle up.

Strike 2:

Wow, am I going to miss Miguel Cabrera in the big leagues. Sure, we may not have had the luxury to enjoy his stellar actions and elite skill across the diamond in the past years- we do still have the luxury to enjoy his comedy; smile; and joy for ball on the diamond. A piece of Miggy that won't ever die. Well, for just a month or so that is.

Miggy gave us an instant classic just as his farewell season comes to a curtain close. We all remember the epic fistacups dual between Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson a week ago. Miguel being one of us, ha! As the Guardians gift Miggy with an awesome pregame ceremonial show of respect, Miggy took the time to mess around with his buddy Jose Ramirez:

This man, Miguel, is hilarious. Absolute gem. J-Ram said:

Miggy's laugh and Ramirez's reaction is pure comedy. Cabrera is always doing the little things during games that matters. If you sit close and focus on him, you get what I am saying. Mario and Rod on FOX Detroit always caught some clips of Cabrera being a goofball.

Rather it's messing with baserunners' nips; jersey; helmet; you name it and Miguel probably did it. Miggy has even given a live wet willy to a baserunner. The dude is a goof ball, and one of the most respected players ever. The game is sure going to miss Miguel Cabrera, but he will never be forgotten. Farewell, Miggy.

Strike 3:

Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners are the hottest specimens in baseball. J-Rod especially, as he had the greatest five-game stretch of any player since 1923. Yup, 1923.

Red-hot Rodriguez's 18 hits in 5 games is tied for the 2nd-most in a 5-game span since at least 1901, behind only Jimmy Johnston's 19 hits in 1923. J-Rod's four consecutive games with four or more hits marked only the second such streak in modern MLB history (since 1903). Just crazy, so are the advanced stats during the heat-storm: Rodríguez’s season batting average has climbed from .255 to .278, and his park-adjusted wRC+ spiked from a middling 111 to 124.

Julio is batting out of this world, and in a whole other stratosphere as he has helped put the Mariners' offense on his back. Mariners currently have the third Wild Card spot secured; have won 6 in a row; and have won 7 out of their last 10. They are on a straight tear, but have GOT to remain on the gas pedal. Have to. The Blue Jays are only .5 games back of the M's and won't go out without a fight. Mariners have an extremely easy schedule coming up against the likes of the White Sox; A's; Royals; and Angels. Keep up that pace.

The deeper in August we get, the louder the noise gets on the diamond. Award races are tight, and so are the two races for the final-extra Wild Card spots. Dodgers are startin' to win games at will and we begin to question if the young Reds and Marlins have it in them to be legitimate playoff contenders. Are you not entertained!?

Diamond Report

Strike 1:

Strike 2:

Strike 3:

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