Author: DN19 Newsroom

Diamondbacks’ Bullpen Shines in Win Over Royals

The Arizona Diamondbacks secured a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals in 10 innings at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, overcoming a scoreless nine-inning duel against reigning American League Pitcher of the Month Noah Cameron.

Bullpen Committee Delivers Nine Scoreless Innings

Manager Torey Lovullo deployed a bullpen-day strategy, and the relief corps responded with a herculean effort. Opener Derek Law set the tone with two scoreless innings. Jose Cabrera, Taylor Clarke, Brandyn Garcia, and Justin Martinez followed, combining for seven more hitless frames. The unit held the Royals without a runner reaching second base until the 10th inning.

Cameron matched the Diamondbacks’ pitchers zero for zero, allowing no runner past first base over six innings. Arizona’s offense fouled off 27 of Cameron’s pitches—tied for the most against a Royals pitcher this season, per Statcast—forcing his early exit. Strong defense backed the Arizona staff, including two key plays by first baseman Ildemaro Vargas and Clarke working around an error in the sixth inning.

Five-Run 10th Inning Breaks the Deadlock

The Diamondbacks’ offense exploded in the top of the 10th against veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. Lars Nootbaar broke the tie with a sacrifice fly, and Geraldo Perdomo added an RBI single. A fielding error by right fielder John Rave allowed a third run to score, and Arizona pushed two more runs across to take a 5-0 lead.

Royals Rally Creates Tension in the Bottom Half

Kansas City answered with three runs in the bottom of the 10th, highlighted by a three-run double from Salvador Perez with one out. The Royals pulled within a run, but Dennis Santana entered for Gerardo Carillo and shut the door. Santana induced a flyout from Michael Massey and struck out Nick Loftin looking to secure the save.

Historical Rarity

According to MLB records, this is only the third game since the divisional era began in 1969 to remain scoreless through nine innings yet finish with both teams scoring at least four runs. The previous occurrences were the Astros-Athletics on April 24, 2015, and the White Sox-Mariners on June 5, 2013.

Manager and Player Reflections

Lovullo praised the preparation of his relievers, particularly Santana, who had not pitched in eight days.

“Santana, who hasn’t thrown in eight days, comes in and gets the save,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “That tells me a story. It tells me what he has been doing when nobody is watching, because he was prepared for that moment.”

Regarding the 10th inning, Lovullo added:

“The 10th was a little dicey,” Lovullo said. “We knew we had sold out for nine innings with the [pitchers] we knew were available. We went to that next layer, and the first nine innings were fantastic.”

Derek Law, a veteran enjoying his first playoff push in a decade, emphasized the team’s resilience.

“It has been 10 years since the last playoff push for me, and this is pretty exciting for the old dog,” Law said. “This team is resilient, a lot of close games. You would like it to be 10-0, but good teams play close games and win close games.”

Lovullo summed up the team’s identity:

“We hung in there,” Lovullo said. “This team is tough.”

Playoff Implications and Returning Reinforcements

The win improves the Diamondbacks to 77-68 on the season and 3-1 on their current six-game road trip. Arizona sits 11 games over .500 since July 9, maintaining pressure on the San Diego Padres for the third National League Wild Card spot. The club received additional encouragement with veteran starters Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Michael Soroka all nearing returns for the final stretch.

10/13/2020
Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits Leadoff Home Run Against Reds

Pete Crow-Armstrong continued his historic power surge for the Chicago Cubs, launching a 98.9 mph fastball from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns into the right-field seats at 108 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast.

The home run was Crow-Armstrong’s ninth leadoff homer of the season, moving him within three of Alfonso Soriano’s Cubs record of 12, set in 2007.

Crow-Armstrong Closing in on MLB Leadoff Home Run Record

Six of Crow-Armstrong’s leadoff home runs have come this month, giving him one of the most productive power stretches from the top spot in a lineup in baseball history. Kyle Schwarber, in June 2021, and Soriano, in September 2007, share the MLB record with seven leadoff homers in a single month, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Crow-Armstrong is the fourth player in MLB history to hit a leadoff home run one game after a three-homer performance. Schwarber on Sept. 4, 2024, Brian Dozier on Sept. 6, 2016, and Mookie Betts on June 1, 2016, are the other players on the list.

Earlier this month, Crow-Armstrong led off with a home run on Aug. 18, one game after homering on both the first and last pitches of a Cubs victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Cubs Outfielder Chasing Rare 40-Homer, 40-Steal Season

Crow-Armstrong now has 37 home runs this season, putting him within reach of a milestone rarely achieved by a left-handed Cubs hitter. Only one left-handed batter in franchise history has hit 40 home runs in a season: Billy Williams, who hit 42 in 1970.

With 30 home runs since the start of June, Crow-Armstrong has six more than any other Major League player during that span.

The Cubs center fielder also has 32 stolen bases, giving him a realistic chance to complete a 40-40 season. The feat has been achieved only six times in MLB history, most recently by Shohei Ohtani in 2024.

Crow-Armstrong is already the only player in Cubs history to record 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in consecutive seasons. He has also joined Sammy Sosa, who accomplished the feat in 1993 and 1995, as one of only two players in franchise history with two 30-30 seasons.

10/13/2020
Astros Players the Team Is Counting On in September

This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart’s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. Subscribe to receive it regularly in your inbox.

NEW YORK — The final month of the season will determine the pennant races and playoff positioning for October. The Astros, who lead the American League West, have 24 games remaining and will open September with nine of their first 12 games against teams currently in playoff position.

After going 8-18 in April, Houston has not had another losing month. The Astros went 15-14 in May, 16-11 in June, 13-10 in July and 14-13 in August. Last season, Houston went 12-13 in September and missed the playoffs by one game, ending an eight-year postseason streak.

Five Astros who will shape September

Yordan Alvarez

After being named the American League Player of the Month for July — the second time he won the award in 2026 — Alvarez cooled off in August. Through 27 games, he slashed .287/.415/.457 with two home runs and 12 RBIs, while being intentionally walked nine times.

Alvarez still held a lead in two of the three AL Triple Crown categories, with a .317 batting average and 94 RBIs. He was also tied with Junior Caminero for the Major League home run lead at 37. A strong finish could help Alvarez secure the AL Most Valuable Player Award while also delivering another division title for Houston.

Hunter Brown

Brown missed more than two months early in the season because of a right shoulder strain, so he should be fresh in September after throwing only 81 innings. He appeared to recapture his ace form in his final two starts of August, allowing two runs on 12 hits and four walks while striking out 14 batters over 12 1/3 innings.

With shortcomings in the Astros’ starting rotation, Houston will rely on Brown to provide quality starts. September is the only month in which Brown has posted a losing record during his career, going 5-8 with a 4.22 ERA in 18 games, including 15 starts.

Brandon Blubaugh

The rookie reliever is emerging as an important late-inning weapon for manager Joe Espada. Blubaugh combines a 98-mph four-seam fastball that he can blow by hitters with the ability to work multiple innings.

A closer in college, Blubaugh finished August with 12 consecutive scoreless innings across eight games. He leads the Major Leagues with 26 relief appearances of at least two innings, the most by an Astros pitcher since Dave Veres had 27 in 1995. Blubaugh also leads the Majors with 84 1/3 innings in relief. Opponents are hitting .200 against his fastball, while left-handed hitters have a .168 batting average against him.

Jose Altuve

Altuve began September six hits away from reaching 2,500 for his career, but the Astros’ offense needs the veteran second baseman to keep producing beyond that milestone. After slumping in June and July, Altuve posted an .813 OPS in August. He was given Monday off, which should be his final day off before the end of the season.

Altuve has settled into the cleanup spot for much of the past month, an important role with Houston’s top three hitters — Jeremy Peña, Alvarez and Isaac Paredes — batting first, second and third on most nights. The Astros’ .223 batting average from the cleanup spot ranks second-worst in MLB.

Carlos Correa

Tuesday will be an important day for Correa. He is scheduled to visit a doctor for a four-month checkup after undergoing peroneus brevis tendon repair surgery on his left ankle May 11.

The injury was initially expected to keep Correa out for the remainder of the season, but he began swinging the bat a month ago. A positive checkup Tuesday would allow him to begin running the bases and sliding, making a return more realistic.

Espada would have to find a way to manage five infielders with Alvarez starting at designated hitter most nights, but that would be a good problem to have. Correa’s presence on the field and in the clubhouse would be enough to energize the club.

Source: www.mlb.com

10/13/2020
Orioles Bullpen Shines in Win Over Athletics

Yennier Cano delivered a defining moment in the Orioles’ 5-3 win over the Athletics on Saturday, striking out Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler with the bases loaded in the seventh inning before striking his trademark post-strikeout pose at Sutter Health Park.

With Baltimore leading 4-2, one out and the bases full, Cano entered in his usual fireman role. The right-hander, who is not typically known as a strikeout pitcher, said he was looking for a double play to end the threat. Instead, he used splitters to strike out Gelof and Butler back to back, escaping a dangerous inning in dominant fashion.

“That was fun to watch,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “That was electric, and we needed it.”

Orioles bullpen repeatedly escapes trouble

Cano’s performance highlighted the Orioles’ bend-but-don’t-break bullpen. Baltimore allowed multiple baserunners in each of the final four innings but avoided major damage every time while protecting its narrow lead.

Right-hander Alex Hoppe escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth before Cano repeated the feat in the seventh. With runners on the corners in a one-run game in the eighth, Cam Sanders relied on a crucial around-the-horn double play. In the ninth, closer Andrew Kittredge stranded two more runners to secure the victory.

“You really feel good [with] everybody running out of the bullpen,” said starter Shane Baz, who allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings. “It’s awesome.”

Baz cruised through five scoreless innings before losing his command in the sixth. A bases-loaded walk and a hit-by-pitch brought home two Athletics runs.

Hoppe, who recorded his first Major League save in Friday’s extra-inning victory, appeared ready to escape again after opening the at-bat against Athletics designated hitter Max Muncy with three pitches well outside the strike zone. He settled down, however, getting Muncy to hit a tapper to third base to end the inning.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand makes key defensive plays

That was the first of several important plays by Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who started at third base for Baltimore. Primarily a first baseman during his time with the Reds, Encarnacion-Strand started the Orioles’ do-or-die 5-6-3 double play in the eighth inning.

He then stayed back on a chopper to third in the ninth, leaving runners on second and third and ending the game.

“The way he’s been playing third base has been outstanding for us,” Albernaz said. “Those plays were huge — in big moments, too.”

Shane Baz ends lengthy winless stretch

The Orioles’ late-inning escapes gave Baz his first win in more than two months. The right-hander had lost his previous five starts and had gone winless in 13 outings since defeating the Padres on June 12.

To Baz, the drought felt even longer.

“[Brandon Young] made a joke to me that I haven’t had a win since ’Nam,” Baz said. “It kind of feels true. Sometimes it takes one, you know? It just takes one to get rolling.”

Baz and the Orioles picked an important time to get moving. Saturday’s victory clinched Baltimore’s third consecutive series win and continued its rise in the American League standings. At 67-69, the Orioles entered Sunday’s series finale one game behind the third and final AL Wild Card spot.

After what Baz acknowledged was a “rocky start” to the season that included plenty of sloppy play, Baltimore likes its position in the playoff race.

“We’ve done such a good job of not pressing and panicking and trying to do too much,” Baz said. “It’s fun to be in this spot. I think we have all the tools to make a run. We’ve got great leadership. We’ve got a great team with a lot of talent.”

Baltimore bullpen showing depth

The Orioles’ bullpen has been central to their recent surge, combining veteran experience from pitchers such as Cano and Kittredge with younger arms including Hoppe, Sanders and Anthony Nunez.

“They’ve done a terrific job, and I think they deserve a lot of credit for coming in here and getting their job done,” Cano said. “We still have some pieces on the way and some help that might be needed, but with that being said, I feel really proud of the work that we’ve been doing here as a group and really happy with the way that the guys have come in and gotten the job done.”

10/13/2020
2026 MLB Playoff Picture and Bracket
The 2026 postseason race is approaching its decisive stage. As teams battle for playoff position, the standings will determine the field, potential tiebreakers and the clinching scenarios for each contender.

Who is in playoff position?

Here is how the postseason field is shaping up entering Tuesday, with teams listed by seeding:
- American League playoff teams: Rays (AL East), White Sox (AL Central), Astros (AL West), Yankees (Wild Card), Red Sox (Wild Card) and Guardians (Wild Card)
- National League playoff teams: Brewers (NL Central), Dodgers (NL West), Braves (NL East), Cubs (Wild Card), Phillies (Wild Card) and Padres (Wild Card)
For the full playoff bracket, see the top of this page.

Each best-of-three Wild Card Series is scheduled to begin on Sept. 29. The best-of-five Division Series are scheduled to start on Oct. 3.

What are the tightest playoff races?
- AL Wild Card: Guardians lead the Orioles by 0.5 games for the final berth
- NL Wild Card: Padres lead the D-backs by 0.5 games for the final berth
- AL West: Astros lead the Rangers by two games
- AL Central: White Sox lead the Guardians by three games
Who owns the playoff tiebreakers?

Since 2022, all MLB playoff tiebreakers have been determined mathematically rather than through tiebreaker games. Ties for division titles, postseason berths and playoff seeding are decided first by head-to-head record between the teams during the regular season, with additional tiebreakers used when necessary.

MLB.com is tracking the relevant tiebreaker scenarios for contenders, defined here as teams within five games of a playoff spot.

American League

Rays (first in AL East; 4.5 games ahead of NYY): The Yankees might be the only team within striking distance of the Rays in the standings. Tampa Bay would hold the tiebreaker over New York unless the Yankees sweep all four games in the Bronx from Sept. 22-24.

Yankees (first in AL Wild Card; three games ahead of BOS): By taking three of four games from Boston from Aug. 28-30, the Yankees secured the tiebreaker against their longtime rival.

Red Sox (second in AL Wild Card; 5.5 games ahead of CLE): If Boston fades down the stretch and finishes tied for the final Wild Card spot, its remaining games against Cleveland and Baltimore could become significant.

Orioles (0.5 games behind CLE for third AL Wild Card): Baltimore still has several important tiebreakers to settle in September, including its tiebreaker against the Twins, which will be determined by division record.

Blue Jays (1.5 games behind CLE for third AL Wild Card): Toronto’s series against the Guardians from Tuesday through Thursday in Cleveland could help the Blue Jays close the gap and determine a key tiebreaker.

White Sox (first in AL Central; three games ahead of CLE): Chicago needs one win in its final series against Cleveland from Sept. 14-16 to secure a critical tiebreaker against its division rival.

Guardians (third in AL Wild Card; 0.5 games ahead of BAL): Most of Cleveland’s key tiebreakers remain undecided, but the Guardians have secured the tiebreaker against Seattle if the teams finish tied for a Wild Card spot.

Twins (3.5 games behind CLE for third AL Wild Card): Any tiebreaker between Minnesota and Baltimore for a Wild Card spot would be decided by intradivisional record.

Astros (first in AL West; two games ahead of TEX): Houston would win the tiebreaker against Texas if the teams finish tied atop the AL West.

Rangers (1.5 games behind CLE for third AL Wild Card): Texas is in strong position among AL Wild Card contenders, although the Rangers would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker to the Astros.

National League

Braves (first in NL East; four games ahead of PHI): Atlanta has already secured the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Dodgers. The Braves need two wins in their final seven games against the Phillies to secure another important tiebreaker.

Phillies (tied for first in NL Wild Card; five games ahead of SD): Philadelphia does not hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Cubs, its closest competitor for the top NL Wild Card position.

Marlins (four games behind SD for third NL Wild Card): Consecutive road series in Arizona from Sept. 14-16 and San Diego from Sept. 18-20 will be crucial to Miami’s postseason hopes.

Brewers (first in NL Central; seven games ahead of CHC): If Milwaukee and Atlanta finish the regular season tied, the higher seed will go to the team with the better division record.

Cubs (tied for first in NL Wild Card; five games ahead of SD): Chicago is in excellent position and could secure all relevant tiebreakers by sweeping the Braves during their Sept. 14-16 series at Wrigley Field.

Cardinals (five games behind SD for third NL Wild Card): St. Louis remains on the edge of the playoff race. The Cardinals would win a head-to-head tiebreaker against San Diego but would lose one to Arizona or Miami.

Dodgers (first in NL West; 9.5 games ahead of SD): Los Angeles has lost head-to-head tiebreakers against both the Braves and Brewers, which could become important in the race for a first-round postseason bye.

Padres (third in NL Wild Card; 0.5 games ahead of AZ): San Diego currently does not hold any postseason tiebreakers. The Padres can secure two by winning one of three games against Miami from Sept. 18-20 or by winning their series against Arizona from Sept. 25-27.

D-backs (0.5 games behind SD for third NL Wild Card): Arizona will finish the regular season against San Diego at Petco Park. The pivotal series will determine the clubs’ head-to-head tiebreaker and could decide a playoff spot.

Source: www.mlb.com
10/13/2020
Payton Tolle Hugs Dominic Canzone During Play at First Base

Payton Tolle turned a routine baseball play into one of the most memorable moments of Boston’s 9-8 win over the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on Monday night, hugging Josh Canzone as he tagged him out at first base.

Tolle’s hugs are usually reserved for his teammates, particularly Garrett Whitlock, when he returns to the dugout between innings. This time, the 23-year-old pitcher showed some affection in the middle of a play.

Payton Tolle hugs Josh Canzone during play

With one out in the top of the third inning, Canzone hit a 51 mph chopper in front of the mound. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Tolle charged the comebacker and sprinted toward the first-base line to cut Canzone off.

Tolle stepped in front of Canzone a little more than halfway down the line, bringing both players to a stop. He then opened his arms wide and wrapped them around Canzone while tagging him out at the same time.

Canzone placed his right arm around Tolle and smiled before heading back to the dugout.

“It just kind of happened,” said Tolle. “I was right there in front of him, and I was like, ‘Bring it in for the big one.’”

Did Tolle ever meet Canzone before the hug?

“No, but we do [know each other] now,” Tolle said.

Canzone must have been caught by surprise, right?

“I mean, probably for a second,” Tolle said. “But then it’s like, ‘Yeah, this is just going to happen.’”

Tolle brings energy after allowing homer

The hug came moments after Tolle surrendered a towering home run to Randy Arozarena, cutting Boston’s lead to 3-2. Tolle quickly shook off the adversity and shared a lighthearted moment with Canzone.

The spontaneous exchange reflected Tolle’s determination to enjoy the privilege of playing in the Major Leagues while bringing his distinctive personality to the game.

Trevor Story, who ended Boston’s victory with a walk-off single, had to think for a moment when asked about the hug.

“The guy gives hugs all the time, so I’m not sure which one you’re talking about,” quipped Story. “But yeah, that was funny, man. Payton’s just a special person. He plays the game like a little kid, which I feel like we all should.”

10/13/2020
Gerrit Cole Starts for Yankees Against Angels in Anaheim

When Gerrit Cole takes the mound at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night, the New York Yankees will be seeking more than another strong performance from their ace. With the season entering a critical stage, Cole represents stability for a team fighting to improve its position in the American League East and secure a favorable postseason path.

New York enters Tuesday trailing the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in a tightly contested division race. After rookie Elmer Rodríguez started Monday’s series opener and before Cam Schlittler is scheduled to pitch later in the week, Cole provides a proven presence in the middle of the Yankees’ rotation.

The Yankees also begin a six-game road trip through Anaheim and San Diego with a reinforced pitching staff. Left-hander Max Fried was activated from the injured list Friday, giving New York a more complete rotation as the club enters the final stretch of the regular season.

Gerrit Cole returns to peak form

Tuesday will mark Cole’s 18th start since he returned from Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for the entire 2025 campaign. Although recovering pitchers often face workload limitations, the 35-year-old right-hander has increasingly resembled his best self in the second half, describing his late-season outlook as having a “fresh set of tires.”

The start also falls on the fifth anniversary of one of Cole’s finest outings. In 2021, he struck out 15 batters in a dominant performance on the same Angel Stadium mound.

Cole enters Tuesday with a 7-7 record, a 3.19 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 98 2/3 innings. He has held opponents to three earned runs or fewer in each of his past 10 starts, posting a 2.66 ERA during that span.

During that run, Cole struck out eight Orioles to reach 1,015 strikeouts as a Yankee, moving past Roger Clemens, who had 1,014, for 12th place on the franchise’s all-time strikeout list.

Yankees ace seeks another quality start

Cole took a hard-luck 5-1 loss against the Houston Astros on Thursday after allowing three runs over six innings, including two costly wall-scrapers. However, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the final line did not reflect how well his ace pitched.

Cole threw 59 of his 79 pitches for strikes and came within one pitch of recording a sixth consecutive start in which he allowed two runs or fewer.

10/13/2020
Carlos Correa Not Returning for 2026 Season

Houston Astros star third baseman Carlos Correa has officially ended his rehabilitation bid for the 2025 season, manager Joe Espada confirmed Tuesday. The decision comes after Correa experienced renewed soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle during workouts at the team’s spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Espada Prioritizes Long-Term Health Over Late-Season Return

Correa had been progressing toward a potential minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land later this week. However, the increased workload — particularly running the bases in spikes — triggered discomfort that forced the organization to shut down his comeback attempt.

“We’re at a point where we have to be really smart about this,” Espada said. “It’s getting to a point where he wakes up in the morning and just to get him going, it’s tough. We have to be cautious with this guy.”

The manager emphasized that the decision was driven by a need to protect Correa’s long-term availability, especially with the 31-year-old approaching his 32nd birthday on September 22.

“I give him a ton of credit,” Espada said. “He worked his tail off trying to get back this season, and we all knew that there’s a chance for this to flare up on him again. But respect that he tried and did everything he could. But we’ve got to be smart about this and make sure he’s healthy for next season, and that’s the course we’re going to take.”

From Surgery to Near Return: Correa’s Accelerated Timeline

Correa underwent peroneus brevis tendon repair surgery on his left ankle on May 11, with an initial prognosis that he would miss the remainder of the season. His recovery accelerated unexpectedly, and by early August he had been cleared to swing a bat — fueling optimism about a possible return.

The Astros’ surge to first place in the American League West on July 31 added urgency to his rehab. Correa himself expressed confidence in a potential comeback shortly after being cleared to hit.

“I wouldn’t be doing all this work if I didn’t think there was a chance,” Correa said Aug. 1.

He soon began running and taking ground balls, even practicing at second base — a position he had never played professionally — as the coaching staff explored ways to integrate him into the lineup.

Disappointment Tempered by Commitment

Espada acknowledged the emotional weight of the setback, given the sheer volume of effort Correa invested.

“The most disappointing part is how much work he put in to try to get back,” Espada said. “You see a light at the end of the road, and the fact that we couldn’t get past the hours of work, the strain it caused to his ankle during his workouts, it’s sad. But at the same time, Carlos, just the fact he got this close, tells you how much he cares about this team and the organization.”

Correa’s 2025 Production Before Injury

Before the injury, which occurred while swinging in the batting cages, Correa was slashing .279/.369/.418 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 32 games. Since returning to Houston via a trade deadline deal, he posted a .290/.355/.430 line with six homers and 21 RBIs in 51 games, underscoring his offensive value to a club now destined for the postseason without him.

10/13/2020
Padres Manage Mason Miller’s Workload in Season’s Final Games

Workload management has remained a primary consideration for the San Diego Padres when deploying ace closer Mason Miller. The club has walked a fine line with their All-Star right-hander throughout the season.

Miller Embraces High-Leverage September Role

“It’s meaningful baseball in September, that’s all you ask for as a baseball player,” Miller said. “Regardless of what is happening and how we got here, this is the situation we’re in.”

With the Padres pushing for a postseason berth, the possibility of a fully unleashed Miller—one who regularly exceeds his standard one-inning save role or appears on consecutive days for the game’s most critical outs—has moved from hypothetical to reality. Recent usage patterns strongly suggest the coaching staff is leaning on their elite reliever at an elevated rate as the games gain magnitude.

Increased Usage Signals Trust

Miller’s last three outings occurred within a four-day window. That stretch included a two-inning appearance against the New York Yankees last Friday, where he secured the win in the 10th inning after entering in the ninth—just the second time he has pitched two full frames this season. He also logged four appearances in five days from Aug. 21–25, marking the second such instance this year (previously June 5–9). Prior to 2024, Miller had never endured a stretch of that intensity in his career.

Dominant Statistics Underpin Heavy Reliance

The heightened trust is hardly surprising given Miller’s absurd level of dominance. His 1.17 ERA leads the Majors, and his astronomical 48.5% strikeout rate is the highest in baseball by a margin of over 10% (minimum 60 innings pitched). Additionally, his 34 saves rank second in the National League, trailing only the Cardinals’ Riley O’Brien (36).

Innings Milestone Looms as Health Priority

However, an equally critical factor weighs on the decision-making process. Miller is approaching a career high in innings pitched, sitting just 3 2/3 frames shy of matching the 65 innings he threw in 2024. While he has appeared in more games overall both this season and last—following his acquisition from the Athletics at the 2023 Trade Deadline—he has yet to surpass that innings threshold. His current workload trajectory suggests he could exceed that mark before the regular season concludes.

Miller Reflects on Workload Evolution

“You take different years and you learn different things,” Miller said. “Two years ago was my career high in innings, but I only threw in 55 games. Last year I threw fewer innings, but I felt like I was pitching more, so it’s a little bit of a different animal. This year I feel like I’ve been able to keep my body feeling really good the entire season. It’s allowed me to pitch four out of five days for the first time, three days in a row.”

Bullpen Depth Provides Safety Net

San Diego’s ultimate priority remains keeping Miller healthy, and increased workload is rarely the optimal path to that goal. Padres manager Craig Stammen has spoken extensively about the challenges of preserving his All-Star right-hander while maintaining his dominance throughout the grueling season. Stammen has navigated a similar tightrope with left-handed setup man Adrian Morejon, who has already surpassed his previous career-high innings total and appeared in three consecutive games earlier this week.

Possessing one of the league’s most formidable bullpens has made distributing the workload significantly easier. Entering Friday, San Diego’s relievers ranked third in MLB with 618 2/3 innings pitched and fourth with a 3.42 ERA. Alongside current options such as Bradgley Rodriguez, Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta, and Kyle Hart, the Padres anticipate the return of rehabbing All-Star right-hander Jason Adam sometime over the final two weeks, further fortifying the group.

Miller on Bullpen’s Collective Mindset

“Sometimes it’s hard, you’re in a bullpen where guys are constantly getting the ball,” Miller said.

Given the team’s relief depth, the question arises: is it worth asking Miller to shoulder an even heavier burden during the pennant chase? Does it make strategic sense? Perhaps not. Yet, it is September, and the fundamental reality of this time of year is that teams need their best players on the field as much as physically possible. The rate at which the Padres have deployed Miller recently reflects that exact sentiment.

“We’ve kind of gotten here on the back of the bullpen, in a lot of ways,” Miller said. “It takes a complete team effort to win a game, but we’ve won a lot of close games, we feel comfortable playing in close games. I think we know more might be asked … but we’re prepared to go every night.”

10/13/2020
Aaron Judge Hits First Home Run Since Returning from Injured List

MINNEAPOLIS — Aaron Judge ended his home run drought in emphatic fashion Monday night, launching a three-run blast in the eighth inning to power the New York Yankees to an 8-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Judge Breaks Through After IL Return

The long ball marked Judge’s first home run since returning from the injured list on Sept. 8. The Yankees captain had missed three months while recovering from a stress fracture in his right ribcage. In six games and 21 at-bats since his activation, Judge entered Monday’s contest hitting just .176 (3-for-17) with nine strikeouts and a walk.

Vintage Power Display Against Minter

The breakthrough came against Braves reliever A.J. Minter. After starting the night 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a double-play grounder, Judge turned on a 2-2 cutter and deposited it deep into the second deck. The three-run shot extended New York’s lead to 7-2 and showcased the classic Judge power profile.

According to Statcast data, the home run carried 397 feet with a 36-degree launch angle — a textbook moonshot that left the bat at elite exit velocity.

Yankees Offense Supports Strong Outing

The win improves New York’s position as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Judge’s return to form provides a significant boost for a lineup that has awaited his full integration back into the heart of the order.

10/13/2020