Latest news with #WildCardSeries
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB's Best Team Gets 'Big Upgrade'; Tigers Outfielder Activated For Season Debut
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. One of the biggest surprises of this season has been the fact that the best team in baseball so far is the Detroit Tigers. Not only did they head into Friday's home game against the Cleveland Guardians at 33-18 -- an MLB-best .647 winning percentage -- the Tigers reached the top of ESPN's power rankings released on Thursday. Detroit started the season at No. 18 in the ESPN rankings, but has vaulted up the chart, winning 15 of its last 21 games. HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 02: Matt Vierling #8 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros in the first inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid... HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 02: Matt Vierling #8 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros in the first inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park on October 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. More"Plenty is going right for the Tigers: the resurgence of Javier Baez ... in center field; Tarik Skubal's sterling defense of his AL Cy Young Award; former No. 1 picks Spencer Torkelson and Casey Mize finding their way; and the bullpen's dominance," wrote the ESPN power rankings staff. "Lost in those headlines is Gleyber Torres having a solid season, continuing where he left off down the stretch in 2024 with the Yankees." And yet, the Tigers have done it all while dealing with a series of injuries that would slow down many teams. Their $15 million free agent pitching acquisition Alex Cobb has yet to take the mound. Centerfielder Parker Meadows has also been out since spring training. Torres missed almost two weeks with an oblique strain. Those names are just a few of the Tigers' walking wounded. But one outfielder (who doubles as a third baseman), Matt Vierling, is finally ready to take his place in the Detroit lineup. After missing the entire season so far with a right rotator cuff strain, the 28-year-old, fifth-year player was finally activated from the injured list on Friday. More MLB: Tigers Trade Idea Gets $3 Million Phillies Outfielder For 1.00 ERA Relief Arm Vierling played an important role in last season's Tigers comeback, getting into the playoffs despite being two games under .500 as late as Aug. 22. With 16 home runs and a .735 OPS, Vierling's 3.0 WAR was second-highest of any position player on last year's Detroit team. Other than 32-year-old veteran Javy Baez, who has converted to a center fielder due to the multiple outfield injuries and has so far produced his best performance at the plate since 2021, the Detroit outfield has been a patchwork product. Vierling and Meadows have missed time with injuries, and Manuel Margot and Wenceel Perez have served IL stints as well. Despite being eligible to play, Vierling was not in the Tigers' starting lineup on Friday. More MLB: Braves Urged to 'Pull Plug' on Yankees Castoff Alex Verdugo as Numbers Plummet
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Braves Receive Major Ronald Acuna News on Thursday
The Atlanta Braves kicked off the 2025 campaign looking to rebound from a somewhat underwhelming 2024 season. After six consecutive National League East titles from 2018 through 2023, the Braves saw their division streak come to an end, ultimately finishing 89-73 and in second place behind the Philadelphia Phillies. Advertisement Despite clinching a Wild Card spot, they were swept in two games by the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series, marking an abrupt end to what had been, by their standards, a disappointing year. Injuries played a significant role in Atlanta's 2024 woes. Most notably, star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a complete tear of his left anterior cruciate ligament on May 26, 2024, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of that season. However, on Thursday, the Braves announced on X that Acuña, "is expected to be activated from the injured list tomorrow," noting how "his return will be 362 days following the ACL injury he sustained last season." In 2024, prior to the injury, Acuña had appeared in just 49 games, posting a .250 batting average with four home runs, 15 runs batted in, and 16 stolen bases. Advertisement A native of La Guaira, Venezuela, Acuña signed with Atlanta as an international free agent in 2014, and in 2018, he made his major league debut, becoming the youngest active MLB player (20 years old). He captured the National League Rookie of the Year Award by season's end. He followed this up with four All-Star selections (2019, 2021-2023), three Silver Slugger awards (2019, 2020, 2023) and two National League stolen base titles (2019, 2023). Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images In 2023, Acuña won the NL MVP following a historic 40-70 season (41 home runs, 73 stolen bases) that made him the first player in MLB history to join the 40-70 club and set a modern-era franchise stolen base record. Advertisement Through the end of the 2024 season, Acuña's career line stood at a .289 batting average, 165 homers, 417 RBIs, and 196 stolen bases over 815 hits. Related: MLB Reveals Exciting Chipper Jones News on Monday Related: Alex Bregman Makes Major Personal Announcement Amid MLB Season Braves Receive Major Ronald Acuna News on Thursday first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 23, 2025
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Edwin Diaz Predicted to Cut Ties With Mets After Surprising Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Mets have lost their lead in the National League East division in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The team might point to some pressure on superstar Juan Soto during the recent Subway Series as a reason for the step back. But they have been enjoying a surprising resurgence from another highly paid star. After missing all of the 2023 season due to injury and then returning for a shaky campaign last year, closer Edwin Diaz has apparently returned to his best form in recent outings. "After a wobbly stretch in mid-April, Diaz has flashed dominance reminiscent of his brilliant 2022, striking out 11 batters in 8 1/3 scoreless innings with just two walks," per Will Sammon of The Athletic. "(Pete) Alonso said he had a recent conversation with Diaz that left him under the impression that Diaz was 'locked in' and 'crushing his process.' " MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 01: Edwin Díaz #39 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout before Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on... MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 01: Edwin Díaz #39 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout before Game One of the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 01, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by) More Fisher/Getty Alonso refused to provide any additional details about that conversation, but whatever Diaz has been doing lately has been working. He hasn't given up a hit in his last four outings. And that surprising change is likely to lead Diaz to a contract decision that might have been unthinkable at this point last year. "If Diaz continues to pitch at a high level this season, I expect him to opt out in November to pursue a longer-term deal," Sammon's colleague at The Athletic, Jim Bowden, predicted. "The two-time All-Star remains one of the best closers in the game." If Diaz walks away from his current contract, it's always possible the Mets would renegotiate with him, though that seems unlikely given their previous commitment to him. Diaz signed a then-record $102 million contract with the Mets in 2022, which includes an opt out after this season and a potential $17 million club option for 2028. By cutting ties with the Mets and leaving that deal, Diaz would be walking away from as much as $48 million. But if his return to dominance lasts throughout the rest of the season, it's possible he could exceed that total with a longer contract from another team. More MLB: Cardinals' Surprisingly Strong Start Deemed 'Not Real' In Early MLB Playoff Outlook
Fox Sports
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Brewers send pitcher Tobias Myers back to the minors as he tries to regain his 2024 form
Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Tobias Myers is going back to the minors as he continues to struggle to match the success he enjoyed as a rookie last year. The Brewers optioned Myers to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday while selecting right-handed pitcher Easton McGee from Triple-A and transferring left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas to the 60-day injured list. Myers is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six appearances, including five starts. He allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 7-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. The right-hander had gone 9-6 with a 3.00 ERA last season and was selected the Brewers' most valuable pitcher by the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. He closed that season by pitching five scoreless innings in the decisive Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series against the New York Mets, a game the Brewers lost 4-2 by allowing four runs in the ninth. 'I love the kid, man,' Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Saturday's game. 'You saw it in Game 3, that's in there. So we've got to get back to that.' The Brewers had optioned Myers to Nashville a week ago, but he didn't actually pitch there before rejoining the big-league club after left-hander Jose Quintana went on the injured list with a left shoulder issue. Now he's heading back to Nashville. Myers entered Saturday having walked 10 batters over 16 1/3 innings. He didn't walk anyone Saturday, but gave up a career-high 11 hits. 'My goal was to fill the zone up and kind of get away from the walks I've been dealing with,' Myers said after the game. 'I think I just filled it up a little too much.' McGee went 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA and 20 strikeouts over 18 1/3 innings in 13 relief appearances with Nashville. McGee appeared in one game for Tampa Bay in 2022 and one game for Seattle in 2023. In the only two games he has pitched in the big leagues, McGee has allowed just one unearned run over 9 2/3 innings while striking out three and allowing five hits and one walk. ___ AP MLB: recommended
Newsweek
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Mets Risk Losing Pete Alonso to Hated NL East Rival After Contract Opt-Out
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Mets, after a long free agency, signed Pete Alonso to a two-year, $54 million deal. Alonso's deal has a player option for next season. If early goings are any indication, Alonso will opt out and seek a bigger deal on the open market. He is leading all of baseball in RBI. He leads the National League in doubles and on-base percentage. Most surprising is his .328 batting average to go along with his nine home runs. AthlonSports' Jon Conahan suggested Alonso could land with the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency. "Alonso, who is expected to opt out and make more than the two-year, $54 million deal he signed with the Mets during the offseason, could be a target for the Phillies," Conahan wrote. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during Game Three of the Wild Card Series... MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during Game Three of the Wild Card Series at American Family Field on October 03, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. MoreSigning Alonso would mean moving Harper back to the outfield or making Alonso a full-time designated hitter. The Phillies could lose Kyle Schwarber in free agency and might view Alonso as their replacement. "Depending on the type of contract that Alonso would sign, it might make more sense to bring back Schwarber, depending on what he gets," wrote Conahan. "However, to say that Alonso isn't a better player at this stage of his career, especially being only 30 years old, would be unfair." Spotrac projects Alonso to get a six-year, $186 million deal. The Mets can afford him, but it will not be easy for them. They have committed $765 million dollars to Juan Soto for, presumably, the rest of his career. Additionally, they may still be unwilling to commit to an aging slugger like Alonso for a long-term deal. The Phillies' signing Alonso would be a new wrinkle in the rivalry between the two franchises. Alonso could torment the Mets for years to come if he were to land with the Phillies. More MLB: Angels Demote High-Leverage Reliever All the Way Down to High-A in Shocking Move
