Who will make the playoffs in the American League? Well, the Orioles and Angels seem like locks, but after that…who knows? Oakland’s once firm hold on a playoff spot has dwindled, and they’re only 1.5 games up on the Mariners for either Wild Card, let alone the top spot. The Tigers and Royals are separated by just a half game in the AL Central, and Detroit only have a half game lead on the Mariners for that second Wild Card spot. As for other contenders, the Indians are only four back of the Royals in the AL Central and 3.5 back of the Tigers, while the Blue Jays (3.5 games) and Yankees (four games) are also within striking distance of the Wild Cards. Only about two weeks left…and we know nothing. Just the way I like it.
Game of the Night: Yankees 5, Rays 4. This result was unexpected, considering that Alex Cobb had tossed 7 1/3 no-hit innings and was just cruising right along. Chris Young broke up the no-hitter with a double in the eighth, and Martin Prado followed up with a pinch-hit two-run homer off of Brad Boxberger to make it a 4-2 game. Boxberger hit Derek Jeter and allowed Brian McCann to reach on an error following the homer, but struck out Mark Teixeira to send the game to the ninth. Jake McGee came in for the Rays and immediately got off on the wrong foot, hitting Chase Headley on the chin and allowing a double to Ichiro Suzuki. McGee struck out Zelous Wheeler for the first out, and that Young guy came up again…and he drove a three-run, walk off homer over the wall in left field. Talk about going from the outhouse at Citi Field to the penthouse at Yankee Stadium…
Pitching Lines of the Night: In Chicago’s 1-0 win over Oakland, Chris Sale allowed two hits in eight shutout innings, striking out nine and walking a pair. In the loss for the A’s, Scott Kazmir gave up one run on four hits in eight innings, striking out seven and walking one. Francisco Liriano dominated the Phillies in Pittsburgh’s 4-1 win, giving up four hits over eight scoreless frames, striking out a dozen and walking two. The Reds beat the Cardinals 1-0 thanks to Johnny Cueto’s eight three-hit, shutout frames, punching out seven and walking one. Lance Lynn nearly matched him pitch for pitch, allowing one run on three hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out six. Cleveland swept Minnesota in a doubleheader, and in their 2-0 win in game two, T.J. House tossed seven shutout innings, giving up four hits and striking out eight without a walk. Alex Cobb got a hard-luck no decision in Tampa Bay’s loss in the Bronx, allowing one run on one hit in 7 1/3 innings, striking out four and walking two.
Hitting Lines of the Night: Yunel Escobar played well for the Rays in their loss to the Yankees, going 3/3 with two homers, four RBI, and a walk. Chris Young went 2/4 with a double, a homer, two runs, and three RBI in New York’s victory. In Washington’s 6-2 win over the Mets, Anthony Rendon went 3/5 with a homer, two runs, and two RBI, while Adam LaRoche went 2/5 with a homer, two runs, and three RBI. Yan Gomes spurred the Indians offense in their 8-2, game one win over the Twins, going 2/4 with a double, a homer, and three RBI.
Other Games: The Giants beat the Diamondbacks 6-2. The Angels continued to roll along, topping the Rangers 7-3. The Brewers doubled up the Marlins 4-2. The Red Sox beat the Royals 6-3, cutting Kansas City’s lead in the AL Central over the Tigers to just a half game.
Today’s Games: Doubleheader in the Bronx, and Brandon McCarthy will face off with Kevin Gausman in game one between the Yankees and Orioles. Cole Hamels and the Phillies host Henderson Alvarez and the Marlins. Gerrit Cole takes the hill for the Pirates against the Cubs. Gio Gonzalez starts for the Nationals in Flushing. David Price and the Tigers host Carlos Carrasco and the Indians. Alex Wood and Derek Holland will duel in Texas. Mat Latos and Kyle Lohse will battle in Milwaukee. Phil Hughes and the Twins take on Jose Quintana and the White Sox. Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals host the Rockies and Jorge de la Rosa. Yordano Ventura starts for the Royals against the Red Sox. Hyun-Jin Ryu and Madison Bumgarner will cross paths in San Francisco. James Paxton and the Mariners host the slumping A’s and Jason Hammel.
National TV: Yankees-Orioles Game 1 (MLB Network, 1 PM), Yankees-Orioles Game 2 (MLB Network, 7 PM), Indians-Tigers (MLB Network, 7 PM), Dodgers-Giants (MLB Network, 10 PM)
Enjoy your day of baseball, everyone.
