Players of the Day for Wednesday, August 21, 2019
American League
An up-and-coming star for the White Sox, Lucas Giolito improved to 14-6 with a complete-game, 3-0, three-hit shutout of the Minnesota Twins Wednesday.
Giolito threw 82 of 114 pitches for strikes, fanning 12 without any walks. He allowed a bunt single by Jorge Polanco in the first inning, a single by Nelson Cruz in the fourth and a Jonathan Schoop double in the eighth. Finishing strong, Giolito struck out four of the last five batters he faced, all swinging.
In 25 starts this season, the 6'6", 25-year-old has a 3.20 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, and 194 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings. He ranks sixth in the AL in ERA, is tied for third in wins, and seventh in strikeouts.
The Sox are 57-69, out of the playoff picture, trailing the Twins by 19 1/2 games in the AL Central. Minnesota is clinging to a three game lead over Cleveland. Minnesota got some help from the Mets, who've defeated the Indians two straight, including Wednesday's 4-3 win in 10 innings.
The Indians wrap up their series with the Mets on Thursday. The Twins dropped two of three to the White Sox, have Thursday off, and open a three-game series Friday at home against the Tigers, who have the worst record in baseball, 38-86.
National League
Kris Bryant socked a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 12-11 victory over the visiting Giants. Nick Castellanos was occupying second base when Bryant lifted his drive to left, scoring the game-tying run.
Castellanos went 4-for-5 on the night, with three singles, a home run, his 19th of the season, and three RBI. Picked up at the trade deadline from the Tigers, Castellanos has been a catalyst for the Cubs, batting .392 with eight homers and 12 RBI in 19 games.
The win moved the Cubs back into first place in the frenetic NL Central, taking a 1/2-game lead on the Cardinals, 5-3 losers to Milwaukee Wednesday. The Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers have taken turns at first place all season long, though none of them have proven able to hold it for long.
The Brewers are now 3 1/2 out and they have four more losses than the Cards and Cubs, but they still have 35 games left to play and plenty of time to make up ground.
Chicago has won four straight and can wrap up a three-game sweep of the Giants with a win Thursday. Game time is 2:20 pm ET. After that, the Cubs have a hellacious schedule, beginning with three games against the Nationals at Wrigley Field. They fly to New York for three with the Mets after that. They have seven games with the Brewers over consecutive weekends, sandwiched around two games in Chicago with the Seattle Mariners.
The Cubs also have to deal with the Cardinals in the final two weeks of the season, playing them seven times.
American League
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| Giolito: 3-hit shutout |
An up-and-coming star for the White Sox, Lucas Giolito improved to 14-6 with a complete-game, 3-0, three-hit shutout of the Minnesota Twins Wednesday.
Giolito threw 82 of 114 pitches for strikes, fanning 12 without any walks. He allowed a bunt single by Jorge Polanco in the first inning, a single by Nelson Cruz in the fourth and a Jonathan Schoop double in the eighth. Finishing strong, Giolito struck out four of the last five batters he faced, all swinging.
In 25 starts this season, the 6'6", 25-year-old has a 3.20 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, and 194 strikeouts in 151 2/3 innings. He ranks sixth in the AL in ERA, is tied for third in wins, and seventh in strikeouts.
The Sox are 57-69, out of the playoff picture, trailing the Twins by 19 1/2 games in the AL Central. Minnesota is clinging to a three game lead over Cleveland. Minnesota got some help from the Mets, who've defeated the Indians two straight, including Wednesday's 4-3 win in 10 innings.
The Indians wrap up their series with the Mets on Thursday. The Twins dropped two of three to the White Sox, have Thursday off, and open a three-game series Friday at home against the Tigers, who have the worst record in baseball, 38-86.
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| Castellanos: 4-5, HR, 3RBI |
Kris Bryant socked a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 12-11 victory over the visiting Giants. Nick Castellanos was occupying second base when Bryant lifted his drive to left, scoring the game-tying run.
Castellanos went 4-for-5 on the night, with three singles, a home run, his 19th of the season, and three RBI. Picked up at the trade deadline from the Tigers, Castellanos has been a catalyst for the Cubs, batting .392 with eight homers and 12 RBI in 19 games.
The win moved the Cubs back into first place in the frenetic NL Central, taking a 1/2-game lead on the Cardinals, 5-3 losers to Milwaukee Wednesday. The Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers have taken turns at first place all season long, though none of them have proven able to hold it for long.
The Brewers are now 3 1/2 out and they have four more losses than the Cards and Cubs, but they still have 35 games left to play and plenty of time to make up ground.
Chicago has won four straight and can wrap up a three-game sweep of the Giants with a win Thursday. Game time is 2:20 pm ET. After that, the Cubs have a hellacious schedule, beginning with three games against the Nationals at Wrigley Field. They fly to New York for three with the Mets after that. They have seven games with the Brewers over consecutive weekends, sandwiched around two games in Chicago with the Seattle Mariners.
The Cubs also have to deal with the Cardinals in the final two weeks of the season, playing them seven times.
