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Tuesday gave us a full slate, including the debut of a blue-chip prospect and plenty of interesting games. Let’s get into it!
Today’s Headlines
Elly De La Cruz debuts, Reds win thriller
In an early candidate for game of the year, the Cincinnati Reds completed an epic comeback to defeat the Dodgers by a score of 9-8. This all came hours after the team announced that #1 prospect Elly De La Cruz was being called up and would make his debut hitting cleanup. While De La Cruz held up his end of the bargain by working two walks and getting his first career hit (a 112-mph double), the contest itself was a delight. The Dodgers jumped to a 3-0 lead that was quickly matched by the Reds in the first inning, LA appeared to put the game away with a 5-run third inning that was capped by a Freddie Freeman grand slam. Cincinnati chipped away slowly, but still entered the ninth inning trailing by two and with the bottom of their batting order. Following three walks, a HBP, and a single, the bases were loaded with one out for Matt McLain, who pounced on a lazy splitter by Shelby Miller to hit a walk-off single. The future is coming fast for this Reds team.
These @Reds die hard! McLain delivers the #walkoff!
(MLB x @CapitalOne) pic.twitter.com/opuAdlcKvK
— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2023
Kevin Gausman propels Blue Jays
Following the tough news of Alek Manoah’s demotion to the minor leagues, the Blue Jays got back on track thanks to their ace and Cy Young candidate. The game started inauspiciously for Kevin Gausman, who allowed a lead-off homer to Mauricio Dubón on the game’s second pitch, but he quickly settled from there and coasted to retire 21 of the next 24 batters he faced, allowing no more extra-base hits, no walks and punching out 13 to earn his fifth win of the season. The offense got timely home runs from George Springer, Daulton Varsho, and Bo Bichette, as Toronto secured a much-needed win over the Astros.
Kevin Gausman tied his career-high with 13 Ks and tied Spencer Strider for the Major League lead with 113 on the season! pic.twitter.com/kXYiMpG7da
— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2023
Rangers reach 40 wins
As the spring has unraveled, the Texas Rangers have done everything in their power to convince the baseball world that they are a true contender. Days go by, and they have managed to take it to another level, now becoming only the second MLB team to reach 40 wins. With a 6-4 victory over the Cardinals, Texas has now won five straight and 14 of their past 17, averaging over 7 runs per game during that span. Today’s win was powered by Adolis García, who went 4-for-4 with a homer, while Marcus Semien hit a clutch two-run double that kept his hitting streak alive at 25 games. Texas is now 4.5 games over the Astros at the top of the AL West.
20 games over .500 #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/NZ7kcWMR3c
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 7, 2023
Braves continue domination of Mets
Every regular-season matchup between the Braves and the Mets tends to be a highly anticipated affair, even as the latest results have been lopsided in favor of Atlanta. Today’s game continued the trend, as the Braves battled back from a 4-1 deficit to secure a 6-4 win over their NL East rivals. Pete Alonso’s league-leading 22nd homer of the season appeared to give New York a comfortable lead in the third inning, but the Mets would not score again, while the Braves matched the four-spot with a big sixth inning in which they took the lead for good. Bryce Elder took the win despite not having his best stuff, as Orlando Arcia delivered the key RBI single with two outs. Dating back to last season, Atlanta has won 9 of its last 11 games versus the Mets, and the loss dropped New York to a game under .500.
Orlando for the LEAD!
(btw, you can make him an All-Star: https://t.co/BvKcmwMgZd)#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/I8FWTjAL7z
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 7, 2023
Luis Arráez is back at .400
In the middle of another win for the surging Marlins, who now stand at 34-28, Luis Arráez continues to be one of baseball’s top stories. After going 2-for-4 with a couple of runs and an RBI, the second baseman raised his average to .401, reigniting the debate as to whether he can keep this up and challenge the hallowed number. Since May 22, Arráez has eight multi-hit games, hitting a cool .446 to get to this point. With the Marlins experiencing an offensive resurgence and Arráez displaying the tools of a true hitting savant, .400 is not completely out of the question, even if it is still unlikely.
🔥After a 2-for-4 night, Luis Arraez is now batting .401! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SzwXq4cOgP
— MLB (@MLB) June 7, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Liam Hendriks earns first save
Following his battle with cancer, White Sox closer Liam Hendriks had slowly been re-introduced to the major leagues, appearing in three games with no save opportunities. Today, he got the call to preserve a 3-1 lead in Yankee Stadium, and despite allowing a lead-off homerun to Josh Donaldson, he settled down to retire the next three batters on ground balls and earn his first save of the season. Hendriks was visibly emotional after the third out, and I expect many baseball fans to feel the same way.
He's back to slammin' doors. 💚 pic.twitter.com/W4qAwyNNDi
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 7, 2023
Andrew McCutchen meets special young fan
One of 2023’s most endearing storylines has been Andrew McCutchen’s return to Pittsburgh, leading the Pirates to a surprising hot start while turning back the clock to his MVP form. Today, he got a chance to meet a particular fan with deep ties to the Bucs—none other than Roberto Clemente III, grandson of the iconic Pirates outfielder. It was a nice moment that the young Roberto will never forget.
Cutch 🤝 Roberto Clemente III pic.twitter.com/ddIqmAU1un
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 6, 2023
LaMonte Wade Jr.reaches base six times
In what ended up as the longest 9-inning game of the season so far (two minutes short of becoming the first to reach 3 hours and 30 minutes), the Giants and Rockies delivered a vintage Coors Field game. San Francisco matched a franchise record with 8 doubles, scoring 10 runs despite not hitting a homer. Overall, both teams combined for 14 runs, 23 hits, and 14 walks. The biggest star of the game was LaMonte Wade Jr., who went 3-for-3 with 3 walks, 3 runs and 2 RBI. His OBP stands at .429, the second-best mark in the league. Despite not being a big-time power hitter, he is top-10 in several offensive categories, including walks, OPS, and now has more free passes than strikeouts in 2023.
Start the LaMonte Wade Jr all-star campaign #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/oduSrXnVP5
— Leo Luna (@LeoLuna93) June 7, 2023
Injuries
Just a few days after being moved to the 60-day IL, the worst-case scenario was confirmed for erstwhile ace Jacob deGrom, who will now undergo Tommy John surgery. A new MRI revealed significant structural damage on deGrom’s UCL, as he will have this procedure for the second time in his career. After signing a lucrative 5-year contract with the Rangers in the offseason, the two-time Cy Young winner played a big role in establishing Texas as an early contender, as his season tally ends with a 2.67 ERA over 30.1 innings, including a 45:4 K/BB ratio. Even as deGrom stated that he hopes to return in late 2024, the most likely timetable suggests that he could be back on the mound to start the 2025 season.
Speaking of oft-injured stars, Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is headed to the IL with a rib contusion. He had been out of the lineup since Thursday, after being hit by a pitch. The move is retroactive to June 3, though Buxton’s injury history suggests that he could be out for more than the minimum of 10 days. Following years of IL trips for all kinds of ailments—from migraines to hip issues—the Twins made the decision to use Buxton exclusively as a DH in 2023, and he has produced a 115 wRC+ for the division leaders. His spot in the roster will be occupied by Trevor Larnach, who is coming off a brutal battle with pneumonia.
Following today’s game, manager Aaron Boone announced that Aaron Judge is heading back to the IL due to to a sprain and contusion in his right big toe. The Yankees had hoped that the injury would improve following Judge’s spectacular weekend catch at Dodger Stadium, but a second 2023 IL stint was unavoidable for the Yankee captain. He was on pace for a potential second straight MVP campaign, hitting .291/.404/.674 with 19 homers while leading the Yankees to the thick of the AL East race.
Articles You Should Read
Joey Votto Talks Hitting – David Laurila, Fangraphs
What to Expect from Elly de la Cruz – Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
the Elly de la Cruz link at the bottom goes to an E.Ruiz article