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Tuesday gave us a full slate, including a massive blowout and exciting debuts. Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
Blue Jays pummel the Rays
With Toronto hitting a skid that has dropped them to last place in the AL East, and Tampa being tops in MLB with a 22-4 home record, it seemed that it all was set for the Rays to extend their dominance. The Blue Jays had other plans, though, and delivered an unexpected and impressive win over their division foes. Toronto opened a 10-0 advantage in the fifth inning, and added an extra ten runs over the final frames, as Rays skipper Kevin Cash elected to save his bullpen and send position players to complete the game from the mound. Toronto ended the game with 27 hits, as all 12 of their batters got at least one, with only Brandon Belt failing to score a run. While most of the attention goes to the offense, it is also important to mention that starter José Berríos continues to improve, with seven innings of one-run ball, earning him his fourth win of the season.
The @BlueJays become the first team to score 20 runs in a game this season! pic.twitter.com/2GypAOqz0G
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Bobby Miller dazzles in debut
The Dodgers pitching lab continues to graduate prospects, as Bobby Miller reached The Show and came out victorious in his first MLB start. Despite being pitted as an underdog against ace Spencer Strider and a potent Atlanta lineup, Miller overcame a shaky start to settle down and finish with an impressive line of five innings pitched, with only five baserunners and a single run allowed. Even as he needed 95 pitches to get through them, his fastball was electric and showed why he is considered one of baseball’s top pitching prospects. He received plenty of run support, as both Will Smith and JD Martinez drove in three runs to secure the series win for the Dodgers, who have the best record in the National League.
An MLB debut to remember for Bobby Miller. pic.twitter.com/qsyX2fMNI5
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Anthony Volpe walks it off
In an exciting game that featured multiple lead changes and comebacks, the Yankees came out on top against division rival Baltimore. It all started with Aaron Judge, who tied the game with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off closer Félix Bautista. With the Orioles failing to cash in the free runner in the tenth, the stage was set for Anthony Volpe, who got his first career walk-off via a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning. While it is still early in the season, this was a big win for New York, as they continue to get closer to the top of the AL East. This contest also included Gerrit Cole earning his career strikeout #2,000—at this point, he appears like a lock to join the 3k club sometime this decade.
Party like it's your first career #walkoff, Anthony Volpe.
(MLB x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/ZoseIzeGfs
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Alex Cobb outduels Sonny Gray
While this game may not have been as heralded as others, it featured the top two MLB pitchers in terms of ERA. It didn’t develop as a classic pitching duel, but it did deliver an exciting win for San Francisco, as they are back to .500 after a rough start to the year. Alex Cobb allowed homers to Byron Buxton and Michael Taylor, but was otherwise able to limit the damage, going seven innings with three runs allowed and eight strikeouts. On the other hand, Sonny Gray failed to protect the 3-0 lead given by his offense, finishing his day with two runs allowed over only five innings. Minnesota’s bullpen coughed up the lead for good in the seventh inning, when Michael Conforto hit his second home run in as many days. Despite the short outing, Gray still leads the league with an impressive 1.82 ERA, while Cobb fell to #4 with a 2.17 number, though he managed to earn his fourth win of the season.
Alexander the Gr8
(#SFGiants x @NationalPro) pic.twitter.com/TOfB4itzl1
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) May 24, 2023
Nathan Eovaldi goes the distance…again
While most of the offseason focus fell on the Rangers signing Jacob deGrom, another free agent acquisition continues to be their top pitching performer. Nathan Eovaldi earned his second complete game of the season, dominating the Pirates to earn his sixth win of 2023. Eovaldi needed only 104 pitches to finish the game, scattering six hits and one run allowed. Even as he only recorded five strikeouts, he induced plenty of soft contact and induced 12 groundball outs. The offense provided plenty of run support, as the Rangers stay atop the AL West. At this point, it could be interesting to see if Eovaldi enters the discussion as a sleeper Cy Young candidate.
Nasty Nate goes the distance for the second time this season. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N1DgtrjpMa
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Vladdy learns from awful swing
With the game out of hand in the 8th inning, the Rays sent position player Luke Raley to pitch. In his first inning of work, he was actually decent, allowing two singles and a run. In the middle of it, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came to the plate and struck out on a 50-mph pitch. The second trip was not as successful for Raley, as Vladdy came up with the bases loaded and hit an emphatic grand slam. This capped an impressive day for Guerrero, while Raley now sports a 30.38 ERA (!!!)
Vladdy can't be fooled twice. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/cdP1vGSxWx
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Acrobatic squirrel surprises Yankee Stadium
Baseball fields have seen their fair share of animals, including black cats, dogs, seagulls, and even Alex the therapy rabbit. However, I don’t recall a squirrel doing a balancing act in the stands. Seeing it in slow motion, with surprised fans in the background, makes it even more glorious.
That was nuts! pic.twitter.com/EKTCaTQIsj
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2023
Shohei, just like the rest of us
While we usually marvel at Shohei Ohtani for his unique talents and accomplishments on the field, today we look at him for completely different reasons. Teammate Patrick Sandoval certainly had a big laugh sharing this photo of Ohtani, taken at the beginning of the season during a bus ride. Seeing Shohei unimpressed and eating a snack seems relatable for many reasons. May this pic live on forever in baseball lore.
Patrick Sandoval just posted this photo of Shohei Ohtani eating Funyuns 😭 pic.twitter.com/jf7i12zX9e
— MLB Life (@MLBLife) May 23, 2023
Injuries
The promotion of Bobby Miller was partly the product of another move by the Dodgers, who transferred Dustin May to the 60-day IL in order to clear a roster spot. This will mark yet another truncated season for May, who had already come back from Tommy John surgery with a handful of starts in late 2022. The team indicated that the frontline starter will be shut off completely for six weeks before being reevaluated. Unless he can make a full recovery and return during the stretch run fully healthy, this probably means that May will have played in five different MLB seasons without reaching 60 innings pitched in any of them.
The New York Yankees appear to be getting healthier, as three of their expected starters received good news. Lefty Carlos Rodón reported no lingering issues from his back pain, and the team reported that he was able to play catch from flat ground. Though no timetable has been set for a rehab assignment, it should be a step in the right direction. Meanwhile, Josh Donaldson and Giancarlo Stanton are primed to return soon, with Donaldson targeting a stint in the minors as early as this weekend. Stanton worked out on the field before today’s game, and the team will evaluate his status in the upcoming week.
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