Sep 2, 20236 min read

Diamond Report

September is officially here, and the figures of The Show are ready to set the stage ablaze. Rangers being mowed down one by one in the Lone Star; playoff showdowns; and a MVP race fist fight with stat padders going shot for shot in an elite shootout for superiority. The stage is set, let there be electricity.

The mighty Rangers have decided to stop being mighty. Texas had a comfortable division lead at the All-Star break in the AL West, and started the second half playing like one of the best clubs in the big leagues. The Rangers patrolled the top of the division with ease to start the month of August going on a 8 game winning streak and then winning 9 out of their first 10 games. Texas hit a brick-wall as they ended the month 6-10. Usually that doesn't completely change things for a team. However, it did for the Rangers this go around, as the Astros and Mariners had been winning during the Rangers' losing. Seattle for the most part. The Mariners reached an eight game win streak, and finished the month with a total record of 21-6. Houston went 17-11 in August and has stayed right where Texas has been. All three teams now enter unable to lose territory, with Texas needing to find their winning ways again, and quickly.

In just a short period, Texas went from a comfy division lead to fighting for the final AL Wild Card spot. In just a couple weeks. They felt the dangerous impact that could happen if they go on a losing skid. The Rangers are only one game back of both the Mariners and Astros, who are tied in first place going into this weekend's games. They can't afford another losing skid. Tampa Bay has the top Wild Card spot in the bag, putting the playoff hopes all in the Mariners; Rangers; and Astros' hands. The Blue Jays being only 2.5 games back of the Rangers in the Wild Card will try and put the stranglehold on 'em. So will their schedule: they get a crack at both the 'Stros and Mariners in a final series each, and also face those Jays in a MONSTROUS 4 game set in the middle of September. Giddy up Rangers, bring all the confidence and fire power you have- it's going to be one helluva battle. What a narrative to start the final stretch to the Playoffs.

The NL Wild Card race has the same type of energy, it just is spread out amongst all three of the divisions. The fight for the final spot in the Wild Card is a blood bath. The Phillies (+4.5) and the Cubs (+2.0) continue a heatwave of winning, and have their confidence levels at a high as they try and clinch their destiny in the top 2 spots. Cubs are still for the swinging; as are the Phillies; I just don't see them slowing down making that final spot the main focus. It's a Fatal-4-Way battle, and a tight one. Here's how she looks as of today:

Arizona turned things around and got themselves right back in the fight. The young Cincy and Miami squads are hanging tough, but feel the casualties. They still are not to be ruled out. San Francisco needs that calm; cool; and collected mindset as they keep a game lead over Arizona. The Diamondbacks only have a two game set against the Giants in the final stretch, and face a tough schedule that includes 4 playoff fighters. Outside of that two game set between the Giants and Snakes- the four teams don't play each other. A difference from the AL race. A noisy race nonetheless, one that gets more intriguing the closer we get to the finish line.

Minnesota isn't going to choke fest the division lead to the Guardians, will they? Cleveland is only 5 games back of the Twins entering September- I don't think they should be ruled out by any means. Twins finished August with a record of 15-12 in their typical mediocre fashion. Twins have the Rangers in a three game set, starting tonight, then they head to Cleveland for a three game series that could decide their season and my question.

Cleveland ended August with a 11-17 record, despite that they made some ditch effort moves before the postseason roster deadline to bring in some calvary to take a final stab at that division title with the Wild Card being out of distance (crazy, I know). They claimed Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, and Matt Moore off waivers, bolstering their rotation for the final push. If Cleveland were to sweep the Twins next week, holy smokes would that move the tectonic plates and reshape the landscape of the Twins playoff dreams. Guardians have the Rays; Twins; Giants; Rangers; and Orioles on their quest. They will have to EARN that division title, that's for sure.

Freddie Freeman; Mookie Betts; and Ronald Acuna Jr. are straight up stat padders doing what they want, when they want on the diamond. The NL MVP race is just a montage of highlights between the three superstars every night. It sure is special to watch.

There is a new club in the histroy books: The Acuna Club. Robert Acuna Jr. aka Mister 30/60 is the first player ever to hit 30 home-runs and steal 60 bases in the same season. A historical feat to add to an already historical season for the MVP favorite (imo). How does Acuna accomplish the feat? Well in grand fashion of course:

Just an unreal ball player who is playing on another stratosphere. Acuna is sittin' at GTA of 62 bags, he realistically can hit 70 with ease at this rate, he would be only the fourth player since 2000 to steal 70 bases in a season:

Freddie Freeman is looking for history in his own right. In an era that encourages launch angle and leans heavily on analytics, Freeman has shown that his approach still has plenty of value as he continues to be an extra-base hit machine. Freddie is baseball's double hittin' king once again and is on pace to put together a season we haven’t seen in nearly a century. Freeman has 51 doubles smashed thus, putting him one shy of matching Johnny Frederick’s Dodgers record, which was set in 1929 as a member of the Brooklyn Robins. Being on pace for 60+ with a month still left in regular season play, Freddie is looking to be only the 7th player in the AL/NL era to hit 60 doubles in a season:

Acuna achieved history, now Freeman wants to do the same. Just two unreal seasons from the two, and Mookie Betts is having the same kind of year too. It's so good to see modern day baseball superstars break long standing records. All we can do now is sit back and watch more baseball history unravel in front our eyes.

The Los Angeles Angels are a dumpster fire of an organization and I am tired of being silent about it. Perry Minasian needs the can and the team should sell. Over exaggeration? Notta. The Angels decided to roll the dice, with bare minimum luck, and keep Shohei Ohtani. Not only that, they decided to be the biggest buyers at the deadline in an "attempt" to make the playoffs. The other day they waived all the additions they traded for at the deadline, including other players to save some buck. A series of moves that they hoped would get them under the luxury tax if all the waived players were claimed. But that didn't happen as the Angels failed to be under the tax threshold. An impact that changes how they can spend next season. Cya, Ohtani. This is some of the most embarrassing front office work of all-time and I am not sugar conein' it.

Angels went 8-19 in August and may have spoiled us from watching Ohtani dominate on the hill for years to come. They need to be crucified. Just a pathetic organization that we have to watch be pathetic. They slandered the opportunity for baseball fans to see Mike Trout dominate in the playoffs in his prime (and career), they slandered the Ohtani situation, and they slander being a pro baseball club. It's embarrassing to say the least, and a damn shame.

The beginning of September is going to be fireworks as we turn the final turn of the regular season. We can officially smell playoff baseball in the air. It's a near. Wild Card races are tightening up and the noise is LOUD across the league. Let there be electricity!

Diamond Report

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