National League notes
Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks got their ace, Zac Gallen, back on track Sept. 24 and kept him on schedule for the postseason when they beat the Yankees 7-1 in New York. He lines up to pitch Sept. 29 vs. the Astros and could take the ball in the second game of the wild-card round. Right-hander Merrill Kelly would be the potential Game 3 starter. “We’ve got to get into the big dance, and we’re going to go full throttle until we get there,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “Once we get there, if we have some versatility, we will definitely make some adjustments in the rotation, for sure.”
Atlanta Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr. became baseball’s fifth member of the 40homer, 40-steal club in a wham-bang fashion that’s defined almost his entire career when he sent a laser off his bat over the left field fence at the Nationals. Acuña uncoiled on a full-count fastball from Washington starter Patrick Corbin and sent it screaming 116 mph just over the fence to lead off a Sept. 22 game. Acuña, 25, becomes a 40-40 man unlike any seen in baseball history. He pairs his 40 home runs with a staggering 68 stolen bases, certainly a byproduct of 2023 rules changes that have made stealing bases more of a sure thing than ever. Acuña’s is the most prolific base-stealer in the 40-40 club. Alex Rodriguez holds the mark with 46 steals to go with 42 home runs for the 1998 Seattle Mariners.
Chicago Cubs: Cubs starter Marcus Stroman, who was planning to opt out of the final year of his contract that will pay him $21 million next season, now is expecting to stay in Chicago without an extension. The qualifying offer for free agents this winter is expected to be about $20.5 million, confirming the New York Post’s report. It was $19.65 million last winter.
Cincinnati Reds: The Reds have no intention to pick up the $20 million option in Joey Votto’s contract but could still rework the deal. They still have to pay Votto a $7 million buyout on the contract. Votto received loud cheers before each plate appearance during Cincinnati’s home finale Sept. 24. Prior to his first at-bat, the 16year veteran stepped out of the batter’s box and raised his helmet to the crowd, which stood chanting “Joey! Joey!” “It’s overwhelming,” Votto said. “It’s a humbling experience. I very nearly cried. It was a spectacular moment for me.” Votto, a six-time All-Star and the 2010 NL MVP, said he’ll wait until after the season to ponder his future.
Colorado Rockies: The Rockies fell to
Arizona
the Cubs 4-3 on Sept. 24 for their franchise-record 99th loss. Colorado also fell to a major league-worst 22-59 on the road.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The only managers in baseball history with a higher winning percentage than the Dodgers’ Dave Roberts’ .630 percentage are Bullet Rogan, Vic Harris and Rube Foster of the Negro Leagues. This may be Roberts’ fifth 100-victory season.
Miami Marlins: The Marlins claimed left-handed reliever Matt Moore off waivers from the Guardians last week to solidify their bullpen for the last 10 days of the regular season. “He gets lefties and righties out, which is nice,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “He’s been there before – back-end piece. Just a guy that you want out there in a big leveragetype situation.” Moore, 34, was 4-1 with a 2.77 ERA in 46 appearances with the Angels and Guardians this season . ... NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara’s recent rehab setback with Class AAA Jacksonville has ended his season and raised concern about his availability to pitch for the Marlins next year. He was rehabilitating from a forearm flexor strain that sent him to the injured list Sept. 6. He had hoped to rejoin the club as it contends for an NL wild-card spot.
Milwaukee Brewers: The pitcher on the mound recording the final outs that sent the Brewers to the playoffs was … first baseman Rowdy Tellez. The burly lefthander was summoned to work the ninth inning and logged his first career strikeout in a scoreless frame, one that sealed a 16-1 victory Sept. 22 over the Marlins and ensured the Brewers would have a playoff spot in 2023 . ... A week ago in this space, we reported that Brewers manager Craig Counsell was having second thoughts about stepping down and taking the year away in 2024. Now, Counsell’s thought process has been upgraded to definitely managing in 2024. Counsell, who earns $3.5 million in the final year of his contract, will be the top managerial free agent this winter and likely will receive about a $2 million pay increase to make him the game’s highest-paid manager.
New York Mets: The final stretch of games is meaningful for Brett Baty, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio, who are each hoping to leave a positive impression in the infield heading into the offseason. After going more than two months without a major league home run, Baty has once again flashed the offensive potential that made him such a coveted prospect. He had two homers in three games entering the week. Regular playing time has helped Vientos find more consistency.
In September, Vientos was 18for-70 (.257) with five home runs, nine RBI and 11 runs scored. In his first 20 games, Mauricio has 20 hits, including two home runs and three doubles, to go along with seven runs, nine RBI and six stolen bases. He also has flashed strong defense.
Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies had 87 wins at press time, their total already matched last season’s, when they knocked off St. Louis, Atlanta and San Diego on a wild ride to the World Series. Again, the 100-win NL East champion Braves are in the way and the Dodgers are closing in on reaching that win total. But remember last year, the Dodgers, Braves and Mets all hit 100 wins, yet it was the Phillies left standing in the National League, before losing in six games to Houston in the World Series. Top to bottom, the Phillies are stronger, deeper everywhere, especially on the pitching staff. The Phillies gutted through the playoffs tossing out “openers” such as Bailey Falter and Noah Syndergaard to survive an inning or two. Now, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are sure postseason starters, with Taijuan Walker and Ranger Suárez in the mix, along with Cristopher Sánchez . ... Kyle Schwarber could break Adam Dunn’s dubious record of the lowest batting average produced by a 40home run hitter when he hit 41 homers with a .204 batting average in 2012. Schwarber is currently .197 with 45 homers entering the week.
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates overcame a nine-run deficit for the first time since the franchise started play in 1882 and Alfonso Rivas tied a career high with five RBI in a 13-12 victory over the Reds on Sept. 23. Pittsburgh, which entered the
National League as Allegheny City from 1882 to 1890, had overcome eight-run deficits four times, the last when the Pirates trailed Houston 8-0 in the second inning of an 11-8 win on July 15, 1994.
St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals pitching great Adam Wainwright will go from the playing field immediately to the broadcast booth for Fox Sports, working the American League division series beginning Oct. 7. He’s scheduled to do 15 regular-season games for Fox next season.
San Diego Padres: The Padres, who had the third-highest opening-day payroll in baseball, have no plans to bring back free agents Blake Snell or Josh Hader in 2024. They still are undecided whether to trade Juan Soto this offseason.
San Francisco Giants: The Giants lost eight of 10 games to end their road trip, which ended Sept. 24. They were outscored 60-33 on the trip. They lost 28 of 34 road games since July 19 and finished 3447 away from home, their fewest road wins in a full season since going 31-50 in 2018.
Washington Nationals: Sean Doolittle announced his retirement last week in front of family members and friends, including a Washington Nationals contingent with which he became a World Series champion in 2019. “I’m kind of at a loss for words because everything keeps coming back to how appreciative I am for all the opportunities I’ve had in my career,” said Doolittle, 36. Doolittle was an All-Star in 2018, had five seasons of at least 20 saves and posted a 1.01 WHIP in 463 career appearances.