When George Kirby is on, there aren't many better. Kirby struck out 14 Angels, tying his career high that he set back on August 6, as the M's ran it up on the Halos, 11-2. Kirby ran a 37% whiff rate on the day with his fastball (42%) and knuckle curve (67%) leading the way on swings and misses. Kirby's season has been up and down, but his peaks when Seattle is rolling have been the best this team has looked and arguably better than anyone in the AL. They now sit atop the AL West and are just three games back of Detroit for the coveted 2-seed.
Mason Miller once again did not give up a run. Miller came on in the 7th inning after Adrian Morejon struggled and ultimately could not get out of the inning. Miller locked it down, striking out three across his four batters faced, and ultimately swung the game back in favor of the Padres. Miller gave up a 2-run home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in his second outing for the Padres way back on August 5. He has not been touched since. Miller has now gone 15 straight scoreless outings, allowing just nine baserunners while striking out 31 batters in that span. That's a 58.5% strikeout rate. Absolutely preposterous.
Finally, an excuse to talk about Mickey Moniak. Fun little season he's having for Colorado, huh? Though he and teammate Tyler Freeman are in a race to the bottom of the DRS/OAA leaderboards for outfielders, Moniak has countered it with hitting his 20th and 21st home runs on Sunday while also swiping a pair of bags. Moniak's future as a platoon bat on a contender blossoms further and further with every home run he hits off of a RHP.
Nico Hoerner was clutch for the Cubs on Sunday. Hoerner drove in three runs, two of which came on his game-flipping double in the 7th inning. Hoerner is quietly putting together his best season as a pro, pacing for career highs in fWAR (he currently has 6 rWAR) and wRC+ as well as DRS (17) and OAA (12).
Sprint speed, sprint schmead. Royce Lewis doesn't care about your metrics, he's got blazing speed. For the second time this month, Lewis swiped a pair of bases. It's the only two times he's stolen multiple bases in a single game in his career, and though Minnesota lost, it's great to see that after all the injuries, the athleticism is still in there for Lewis.
Teoscar Hernandez is white hot, and it looks like the sleeping giant that is the Dodger offense is finally awake. Hernandez began September just 3-for-22, but since then, he's been about as hot as anyone in baseball. Teo racked up four of LA's 18 hits against the Giants on Sunday in their 10-2 blowout of San Francisco. Hernandez is now 11 for his last 24 with three homers, two doubles, and a lot of sunflower seeds launched.
Entering September, the Guards were 68-67, and after dropping the first two games of the month, they were firmly under .500 with their playoff hopes all but dead (under 8% on FanGraphs). Fast forward two weeks, and they're all of a sudden 78-71 and just 2.5 games back of Houston for the final Wild Card spot. How they got here is simple: starting pitching. In September, Cleveland expanded their rotation to a 6-man group, and since September 3, their starting pitchers lead all of baseball in innings pitched (78.1) and ERA (1.72). In this span, we've seen pitchers like Joey Cantillo and Slade Cecconi take major steps forward. Cecconi was rock solid against the White Sox once again as Cleveland swept Chicago. Cecconi's fastball was located well, something he's struggled with recently, generating a 40% whiff rate, and he allowed just four baserunners across his 5.2 innings pitched. If a miracle run is in store for this Cleveland team, the pitching will have to continue to overcompensate for its bats.
Nolan McLean is taking Queens by storm, and in what may have been the most important game of the Mets' season, he came out and once again shut down another red hot offense, this time the Rangers. McLean isn't just looking the part of a big leaguer, he's looking the part of an ace. McLean allowed just five hard hit balls, and his ability to get ahead in counts was the difference maker. Though he wasn't called up sooner, McLean will be set to lead the Mets rotation down the stretch as they cling desperately to a Wild Card spot.
Bieber had a couple tough starts, but Sunday against Baltimore, he got back on track, going six strong innings to help Toronto sweep the O's. Bieber induced a combination of swing and miss and weak contact, running a 37% whiff rate and 75% groundball rate. That'll play every day. Bieber's lone blemish was a second inning solo shot he surrendered to Coby Mayo. How far Toronto goes this October may lean on their starting pitching, and acquiring Bieber may prove to be a major difference maker.
Kyle Schwarber has only been in Philadelphia for four seasons, but the waves he's made in the City of Brotherly Love is paralleling icons of the Phillies' past. Schwarber's 52nd home run on Sunday moves him closer to his outside shot at setting Philly's single season home run record held by Ryan Howard, and only Howard has more seasons with 45+ home runs in a Phillies uniform than Schwarber.
Congrats to Bryce Eldridge for getting the call to MLB! He had a .249/.322/.514 slash line in Triple-A, though it translates to a 106 wRC+ given he played in the PCL. He's also had strikeout issues (30.8% at Triple-A), but the power here is massive: 18 HR in 66 games at the level would be on-pace for 44 in 162 games, and the conservative projections of PLIVE+ still thinks he'll hit at least 30 at his peak.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Amateur and Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
