MLB Articles - Page 913

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte has hardly had the most conventional of seasons. He was the Opening Day starter in center field, and manager Brian Snitker had hopes he would prove to be a serviceable leadoff man. Inciarte struggled immensely in the first half, posting a .623 OPS while ultimately giving way to Braves rookie […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: Mike Trout pretty much has the American League MVP award wrapped up already. Seriously. Continuing his torrid play in the MLB, Trout has been an unstoppable force for the Angels, and 2019 is another season to cement that. The Houston Astros look to be the only team that has multiple players in the […]

The Texas Rangers and All-Star pitcher Mike Minor have had talks regarding a potential contract extension, according to Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram: An MLB source said that the Rangers have had preliminary extension talks with Minor’s agent, agent B.B. Abbott, but it is a topic that will be addressed more deeply in the […]

The Cincinnati Reds have not known much about October baseball in quite awhile. Cincinnati last made the playoffs in 2013, and they have only earned four postseason berths in the last 24 years. Heading into 2019, however, there was some optimism that the Reds could be a “dark horse” contender in the National League Central.  […]

In professional sports, a talented team struggling to live up to preseason expectations is an immediate call to sound the alarm. Usually, it also means bad news for the head coach or manager of said team. The tension between Cubs manager Joe Maddon, the front office, and the rest of the fan base has been […]

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray was placed on the 10-day Injured List, the team announced on Thursday afternoon via Twitter. #Dbacks recall right-handed pitchers Stefan Crichton and Jon Duplantier from the Triple-A Reno @Aces and place Robbie Ray on the 10-day injured list (right lower back spasm). Following yesterday's game, outfielder Tim Locastro was optioned […]

Whereas the National League is more crowded and full of teams that could be ripe for an upset come October, the American League is far more top-heavy. The Wild Card race has essentially narrowed to four teams, and one of those will end up winning the AL Central, anyway. The Astros and the Yankees have […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: With Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger locked into another eventful race for the National League MVP, playoff positioning for both teams looks to be a big-time deciding factor. Yelich has had an overall better offensive season so far, leading the NL in home runs for practically the entire season, mostly by himself. Bellinger […]

The 2019 MLB season has been full of captivating storylines and spectacular performances. However, cream rises to the top, and three teams in particular have asserted themselves as the best teams in the league. Both the Houston Astros and New York Yankees have dominated a top-heavy American League, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have rampaged […]

After a long and harrowing journey to the United States that nearly left Cleveland Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig for dead, Puig has officially been an American citizen, he announced via Instagram on Wednesday: Puig became an American citizen 🇺🇸 (via @YasielPuig) pic.twitter.com/e5sc6A2j8O — ESPN (@espn) August 15, 2019 ESPN detailed Puig’s defection from Cuba via […]

The Philadelphia Phillies have had one of the most disappointing starting rotations in the league. That unit is likely to become even more depleted, as Jake Arrieta is anticipating season-ending surgery in the coming days. Arrieta is anticipating he will have the surgery to remove the bone spur, which ends his season. He said the […]

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Jameson Taillon has not pitched since the beginning of May, and now he will miss the rest of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. https://twitter.com/jrollisonpgh/status/1161730327397769217 The Pirates were hoping that Taillon would be able to build on a 2018 where he went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA and a 3.46 FIP […]

Charlie Manuel is returning to Philadelphia, but this time, it’s in a different capacity. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies are hiring Manuel as their new hitting coach, replacing John Mallee. Of course, Manuel is most known for his tenure as manager of the Phillies, as he managed the club from 2005 through […]

CLUTCH Summary: Even with Christian Yelich being out for a week of games, the Milwaukee Brewers showed they came to play. The National League Central is pretty stacked, and it is going to be a dog fight until the end of September to settle the divisional winner. Rookie Trent Grisham has opened a lot of eyes […]

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon has never been someone who looks to draw attention to himself. When the Cubs did not offer him a contract extension this past winter, Maddon said that everything would simply take care of itself if the team was winning. While this season has provided more drama on the North Side […]

The Washington Nationals have surged back into the National league playoff race, and the continued excellence of youngster Juan Soto is a major reason for their success. Unfortunately, Soto suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s win over the New York Mets: Juan Soto has a mild right ankle sprain. X rays were negative and the […]

Los Angeles Lakers All-Star forward Anthony Davis is set to throw the ceremonial pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ‘Laker Night’ on August 20, according to a report by SB Nation’s Christian Rivas. Davis, acquired by the Lakers in a June trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, is set to take center stage by helping […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for star Mookie Betts.  Betts has regressed a bit after his MVP season, but he’s still one of the best players in baseball. Trading Betts would be a big mistake, and the Red Sox should get creative in order to keep […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: The New York Mets have been on fire, moving right into the thick of the National League Wild Card race.  The Mets’ starting pitching is the biggest key to their contention status, but their bullpen will be an X-factor.  The Mets need to continue to get production from up and down the lineup.  […]

CLUTCH Summary: Major news sweeping MLB is that the Boston Red Sox are willing to listen to trade offers for Mookie Betts in the offseason. The talented Betts is coming off a 2018 voyage that saw him win the American League MVP award. In theory, the Boston Red Sox can receive a major haul if […]

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, free-agent second baseman Joe Panik and the New York Mets have agreed upon a deal after he cleared waivers Friday afternoon. Being from New York, the former San Francisco Giant has found a place on a team that has been looking for second base coverage after Robinson Cano went […]

CLUTCH Summary: The Chicago Cubs remain in solid spot to contend for the National League Central crown. One of the most polarizing teams in all of baseball, though, they’ve not really lived to up preseason expectations. The dog days of Summer are over, and a true playoff push begins right now.  When Spring Training began, […]

CLUTCH Summary: Chicago Cubs superstar Anthony Rizzo made himself a household name in the 2016 World Series. The first baseman was one of many talented players who helped the Cubs shed the lovable loser gimmick.  Lost in history is the huge moments he’s had outside the 2016 World Series.  Over the course of the last […]

CLUTCH Summary: Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr. continue to amaze in their second year in the Big Leagues. The Nationals and Braves talents are making increased history after an already unprecedented 2018 campaign.  For both, the sky remains the limit, and MLB fans are watching history in the making each time either plays.  In […]

CLUTCH Summary: August is one of the mustiest months of the year, but it does signal Major League Baseball being closer to the playoffs. The American League is pretty stacked. The trade deadline is long gone, so we have a better idea of who is where and what teams are going to be good. That […]

“Is this heaven?” Ray Kinsella is asked throughout Field of Dreams. “No, it’s Iowa,” he responds. But in 2020, Iowa will indeed be the center of baseball heaven. The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox will play a “Field of Dreams” game in August of next season, the MLB announced on Thursday morning: If you build […]

CLUTCH Summary: The MLB Playoffs are looming and the stage was neatly set by the month of July. One of baseball’s biggest surprises in July were the New York Mets. Pete Alonso, on the other hand, is coming off his worst month in the Majors.  July not only signals the midway point of the season […]

The Chicago Cubs have claimed former Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy after he was designated for assignment (DFA), according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Lucroy was DFA’d to make room for Max Stassi, whom the Angels acquired at the trade deadline. After clearing waivers, Lucroy will head to the North Side of Chicago. This […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: Having had one of the most consistent seasons in the National League Central, the St. Louis Cardinals have the pieces in place to win the division. Even with not making any big additions at the trade deadline, this team is built for the playoffs already. The keys to getting to the playoffs, then […]

The San Francisco Giants have announced that they have designated former All-Star second baseman Joe Panik for assignment, per Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors. Remember: the MLB has eliminated August trades, meaning that the Giants are likely hoping that someone picks Panik up off waivers in order to claim the remainder of his salary. […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: The Milwaukee Brewers are still in contention for the National League Central Division, but it’s a work in progress. To entertain the idea of winning the National League Central Division for the second consecutive season, the Milwaukee Brewers will need to tighten the ship. A Brewers central core of Christian Yelich can only […]

CLUTCH SUMMARY: The New York Mets traded for Marcus Stroman despite seemingly being out of playoff contention. Even if the move seems suspect, a potential buy-low, sell-high scenario exists. The Toronto Blue Jays are a bit of an afterthought in the deal, as everyone is concerned with how Marcus Stroman will fit with the New […]

Christian Yelich has been having another MVP type season after winning the prestigious award last year with the Milwaukee Brewers. He has been playing at a level most players can only dream of and that continued on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not only did he hit two home runs against the Pirates on […]

The Chicago Cubs have been turning things on lately and are trying to take hold of the National League Central division. While they have some stiff competition in the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, their bats are starting to come alive, which spells bad news for their opponents. Ian Happ recently rejoined the Cubs […]

The New York Mets have been the hottest team in baseball in recent weeks and have been making an aggressive push to get back into the playoff race. Prior to the trade deadline, the franchise made a big move to acquire star pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays and decided not to trade […]

Craig Kimbrel joined the Chicago Cubs to give them consistency at the closer position and has done a decent job of doing that. He has had a few games where he blew saves, but has also been a much better option than the team had before he got there. Unfortunately, he is about to miss […]

The Atlanta Braves have called up right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz from Triple-A Gwinnett on the heels of fellow righty Kevin Gausman being claimed off waivers, according to the team. Foltynewicz will take Gausman’s spot on the active roster and will start on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old has made 11 starts with […]

Chicago Cubs right-handed relief pitcher Brandon Morrow has not pitched at all in 2019 as he is recovering from elbow and forearm issues, but he does have hope that he can return at some point this season: “I faced hitters just last week, so I’m pretty built up,” Morrow said, according to Jesse Rogers of […]

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras will be out for four weeks as a result of a hamstring injury he suffered during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers this past Saturday, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago. The Cubs placed Contreras on the 10-day injured list on Sunday morning, marking the second time in less […]