Players of the Day for Thursday, September 5, 2019
American League
In late July and early August, the Cleveland Indians began to look like the team that had won the AL Central three straight years.
From July 14 through August 12, the Indians went 22-7 and had closed the gap between themselves and first place Minnesota to a game or two. Since then, including Thursday's pathetic effort in a 7-1 loss to the White Sox, the Indians are sadly, 9-13, have fallen well off the pace in the division - 6 1/2 back - and have dropped to a game behind Oakland for the second wild card spot.
While Cleveland may be singing an early swan song, take nothing away from Reynaldo Lopez, who pitched a complete game one-hitter over the would-be-contending Indians.
The only hit Cleveland managed off Lopez was a second inning double by Kevin Plawecki, scoring Jake Bauers, who reached on a walk, from first.
After walking three batters over the first 3 2/3 innings, Lopez was pure perfection, setting down the final 16 batters in order. Throwing 109 pitches, Lopez fanned 11.
Like his team, Lopez has had his share of ups and downs this season, posting a 9-12 record over 29 starts, but the White Sox are looking ahead to next season, blessed with a wealth of young talent that may be ready to break out and challenge in the division. At 62-78, the White Sox aren't going anywhere this season. However, for whatever it's worth, they're 9-7 head-to-head against Cleveland this season.
The Sox split their four-game series in Cleveland and head home to take on the Angels in a three-game series starting Friday. The Indians start a critical three-game series in Minnesota with the Twins.
National League
Is it too early to call it quits on the Milwaukee Brewers?
With Thursday's 10-5 loss to the visiting Cubs, Milwaukee has lost six of its last 10, and now trail the Cubs by five games for the second wild card and are 7 1/2 behind the Cardinals in the division.
Kyle Schwarber belted a sixth-inning grand slam and Willson Contreras went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a solo homer, driving in two, scoring twice.
The Cubs won their third straight and seven of their last nine in the opener of a four-game series in Milwaukee.
Chicago is in a good spot, 2 1/2 behind St. Louis in the division and two games behind Washington in the wild card hunt. Their lead over Arizona is 2 1/2, and they're three games up on the Phillies.
As for the Brewers, the next three games could determine their playoff fate. If they can somehow regain momentum and take two of three or all three games with the Cubs, they'd be right back in the race. But, if they continue to play sluggishly and their pitching disappoints, as it has most of the season, the Brewers may just be done.
Game two between the Cubs and Brewers is set for 8:10 pm ET in Milwaukee.
American League
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| Lopez 1-Hits Indians |
From July 14 through August 12, the Indians went 22-7 and had closed the gap between themselves and first place Minnesota to a game or two. Since then, including Thursday's pathetic effort in a 7-1 loss to the White Sox, the Indians are sadly, 9-13, have fallen well off the pace in the division - 6 1/2 back - and have dropped to a game behind Oakland for the second wild card spot.
While Cleveland may be singing an early swan song, take nothing away from Reynaldo Lopez, who pitched a complete game one-hitter over the would-be-contending Indians.
The only hit Cleveland managed off Lopez was a second inning double by Kevin Plawecki, scoring Jake Bauers, who reached on a walk, from first.
After walking three batters over the first 3 2/3 innings, Lopez was pure perfection, setting down the final 16 batters in order. Throwing 109 pitches, Lopez fanned 11.
Like his team, Lopez has had his share of ups and downs this season, posting a 9-12 record over 29 starts, but the White Sox are looking ahead to next season, blessed with a wealth of young talent that may be ready to break out and challenge in the division. At 62-78, the White Sox aren't going anywhere this season. However, for whatever it's worth, they're 9-7 head-to-head against Cleveland this season.
The Sox split their four-game series in Cleveland and head home to take on the Angels in a three-game series starting Friday. The Indians start a critical three-game series in Minnesota with the Twins.
National League
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| Contreras: 4-5, 2 2B, HR |
Is it too early to call it quits on the Milwaukee Brewers?
With Thursday's 10-5 loss to the visiting Cubs, Milwaukee has lost six of its last 10, and now trail the Cubs by five games for the second wild card and are 7 1/2 behind the Cardinals in the division.
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| Schwarber: Grand Slam |
Kyle Schwarber belted a sixth-inning grand slam and Willson Contreras went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a solo homer, driving in two, scoring twice.
The Cubs won their third straight and seven of their last nine in the opener of a four-game series in Milwaukee.
Chicago is in a good spot, 2 1/2 behind St. Louis in the division and two games behind Washington in the wild card hunt. Their lead over Arizona is 2 1/2, and they're three games up on the Phillies.
As for the Brewers, the next three games could determine their playoff fate. If they can somehow regain momentum and take two of three or all three games with the Cubs, they'd be right back in the race. But, if they continue to play sluggishly and their pitching disappoints, as it has most of the season, the Brewers may just be done.
Game two between the Cubs and Brewers is set for 8:10 pm ET in Milwaukee.
