RJ Hamster
Lesser-known relievers who could rule October
Thursday, September 17
These unheralded relievers could shape postseason
It’s not always the big-name relief pitcher that can get hot in the postseason. Sometimes it’s an obscure arm that emerges exactly at the right time in the right games to push his team deeper into October.
YOUR NEWS
D-backs’ postseason hopes narrowing after frustrating series loss to Marlins
‘The dude is an inspiration’: Sandy’s 1st career save has Marlins fired up
TOP NEWS
PCA adds 2 more blasts to season Cubs fans will ‘tell their grandkids about’
Salas youngest catcher in MLB history to hit 2 HRs in a game — and they were his 1st!
‘Glad it’s not worse’: Snell’s early exit complicates Dodgers’ plans
Rays watch Yankees lose … then pad AL East lead with 5th straight win
Crew follows up clinch with MLB-best 95th win … but there’s ‘work to do’
Yankees to see how Judge (lower leg tightness) recovers after early exit
STAFF PICKS
Young sluggers atop Hitter Power Rankings
Pete Crow-Armstrong is holding firm at No. 1, but the previously unranked Elly De La Cruz and surging AL MVP candidate Junior Caminero have garnered the attention of our voters.
1 breakout prospect from each team
They could be someone who jumped from outside the Top 30 to a firm spot within those rankings, or it could be a previously ranked prospect who emerged even more into prominence.
Queens take Game 1 of WPBL championship
Jamie Mackay is best known as a power-hitting catcher, but it was her 5 2/3 innings of stellar relief that gave her offense plenty of time to rally and pull off an upset in the opener of the best-of-five series.
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TOP PERFORMANCES
Longest Home Run
Ethan Salas
426 ft
2nd Inning
Hardest Base Hit
Oneil Cruz
113.1 mph
4th Inning
Fastest Strikeout
Jhoan Duran
101.8 mph
9th Inning
Decisive Play
Cardinals
46.4% WPA
9th Inning
44 HRs tied w/ Banks for most in Cubs history at age 24 or younger
Youngest catcher with 2 HRs in a game (20y, 107d)
6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K’s; 1st scoreless start since May 14
3-for-4, 4 RBIs, single shy of cycle
Career-high 3 extra-base hits (2 2Bs, HR)
PLAY A SPORCLE BASEBALL QUIZ!
MUST-SEE PLAY
John Peck can certainly pick it and then start an inning-ending double play.
MLB NETWORK
Thursday doubleheader action
Superstars square off as Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers take on Elly De La Cruz and the Reds at 12:30 p.m. ET (or A’s vs. Rays at 1 p.m. ET) before the Twins take on the Angels at 9:30 p.m.
SCOREBOARD
CWS 3
CLE 6
SF 6
STL 5
NYY 4
MIN 5
DET 1
TOR 5
LAD 2
CIN 6
ATH 3
TB 4
MIL 5
PIT 4
PHI 3
WSH 0
BAL 7
NYM 1
ATL 4
CHC 8
BOS 3
TEX 7
KC 5
HOU 2
SD 9
COL 3
SEA 7
LAA 2
MIA 4
AZ 3
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