Four Things I Learned From Clincher Tuesday
Covering Major League Baseball
By: Joe Jacquez
St. Louis/Anaheim- (This was written on Tuesday, published on Wednesday)
Tuesday was a great day to be a baseball fan practicality if you live in the Beltway. Two divisions the N.L East and the A.L East were clinched last night by two teams from the same area that many believe are the best in baseball.
1. The Nats and O’s are good at this baseball thing
The Washington Nationals clinched first beating the Atlanta Braves 3-0 at Turner Field behind a brilliant start by Tanner Roark. It was the Nats second division title in three seasons. This year was all about redemption after their 2013 collapse.
Meanwhile the Baltimore Orioles clinched their first division title since 1997 beating the Blue Jays 8-3. They clinched at home which was really special for the all the Orioles fans who have been waiting so long for a division title. Baltimore is the St. Louis of the American League. Orioles fans love their baseball team, and they will support them no matter what.
The one thing we have known for most of the season is that both teams are good at baseball. Both starting staffs are deep and some of if not the best in baseball. The Orioles rotation has best second half era, and the Nationals have the best era and FIP in all of baseball.
The other thing that these teams share is that both there lineups are deep. The Orioles have lost Manny Machado for the year, Chris Davis to a drug suspension, and catcher Matt Weiters for the year, and somehow they have stayed on top of the East. Its because of guys like Steve Pearce.
If he had enough at bats to qualify, he would be 6th in the American League in OPS. Nelson Cruz is leading the A.L in HR’s and was the best offseason acquisition by any team. Meanwhile the Nats lineup from top to bottom is productive and deep. Both teams also have great managers in Buck Showalter who I would argue is the best manager in baseball, and Matt Williams who did a great job in his first year.
These teams are going to do damage in October, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if these teams meet for a Beltway World Series.
2. The Yankees, Braves, and Blue Jays are done
Despite beating the Rays today, the Yanks lost yesterday and are still 5.5 games back in the wild card race looking up at the A’s, Royals, Mariners, and Indians. Looks like Derek Jeter’s farewell tour in the major leagues is going to end in September.
Meanwhile, the Braves are a complete mess. There offense is striking out more than there hitting, and I just dont know if Frank Wren and Fredi Gonzalez are the right people to lead this organization. Remember early in the season when the Braves were in control of the N.L East after winning the division in 2013? Well, that has gone away pretty quickly. Expect Braves President John Schuerholz, and CEO Terry McGuirk to make major changes this offseason. The Braves went 23-33 after the break.
The Blue Jays were also in control of their division for the first month, and after a great month of May they were cruising. Then the injury bug started to catch up. They have lost Brett Lawrie, Edwin Encarnacion, and Adam Lind for significant parts of time this season which has really hurt their offense. Their pitching collapsed in August and they went 9-17. Amazingly they stayed in the race till this week when they were swept by the O’s.
3. The N.L Central Race Isn’t Over
The Brewers notched a huge comeback game 1 win over the Cardinals beating them 3-2 in 10 innings. The Cardinals did win tonight 2-0, so the Brewers are still 5 games back but they showed they can play with the Red Birds and you never know what can happen.
Tomorrow is obviously a huge game. If the Cardinals win that might put the Brewers out of the picture. Of course they have a big series with the Pirates coming up next week for wild card positioning.
4. The Mariners are not on the outside looking in
The Mariners crushed the Angels last night 13-2 scoring the most runs they have scored well in a while, they have James Paxton on the mound tonight toomorow been one of the best pitchers in baseball in the second half since coming back from injury. In 10 starts his era is under 2, and then they have King Felix on the mound on Thursday night.
The Mariners have a chance to take 3 of 4 from the Angels, prevent them from clinching the A.L West, and grab the second wild card spot. They are just 1 game back after tonight. Many experts have the Mariners on the outside looking in, but if the bats stay hot, there is no doubt that the Mariners can get in.
Robinson Cano has to be in the MVP conversation as well. He has an on base percentage of .387 and a batting average of .321 which at this point would be career highs. He doesn’t have as many RBI’s and home runs, but Safeco is harder to hit in than Yankee Stadium. He has had a tremendous effect on that team, and without him they wouldn’t be in that race. Its hard to find a player more valuable to his team than Robinson Cano.
Snake Bites 