The Wild Card Series came and went without a ton of fanfare in the MLB postseason. They may only be best-of-three series, but nothing but two-game sweeps were to be had this October.
While the Minnesota Twins and the Texas Rangers advanced out of the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays' and Toronto Blue Jays' seasons have ended. Tampa couldn't get people to show up in St. Petersburg, while Toronto had a pitching staff brainfart.
Over in the Senior Circuit, the Arizona Diamondbacks stole two on the road over the National League Central-winning Milwaukee Brewers. As expected, last year's NL pennant winner Philadelphia Phillies moved on past the division rival Miami Marlins. This now sets up an NLDS series for the ages between Philadelphia and the juggernaut Atlanta Braves. It has all of the baseball world's undivided attention.
So the Braves will play the Phillies, the Diamondbacks will take on the NL West foe Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rangers will face the top-seeded Baltimore Orioles and the Twins are going up against the unrelenting Houston Astros. It should be a good time for all once playoff baseball resumes this weekend. All the while, we have some delicious MLB rumors to sink our teeth into. You ready for this?
Behold! The only MLB rumors that really matter heading into the back-nine of your 9-to-5 workweek.
MLB rumors: Toronto Blue Jays made a huge mistake on Wednesday
In a must-win for Canada's lone MLB franchise, the Toronto Blue Jays came up short vs. the Minnesota Twins at Target Field, falling 2-0. While it was the No. 3 vs. No. 6 series in the American League, Toronto was still in this game until the final out. The controversial part of this game was Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios got pulled from the game after throwing only 47 pitches. 47!!!
Berrios only went three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, walking one and striking out five. While the bullpen certainly held up its end of the bargain, Toronto was unable to put a single run across in this must-win ballgame, despite outhitting Minnesota, 9-7. To make matters even worse, this premature postseason exit was further emphasized by Blue Jays' legend Vernon Wells tweet...
To pull Berrios after only 47 pitches is right up there with Kevin Cash yanking Blake Snell out of the 2020 World Series or conversely, Grady Little leaving Pedro Martinez in too long in the 2003 ALCS. Regardless, we have to wonder if big, wholesale changes are coming in Toronto. This core is certainly awesome to watch, but it keeps coming up short in the postseason. Maybe a move or two is coming?
For now, Toronto sports fans can get excited about the hockey season and Toronto Raptors hoops.
MLB rumors: The New York Mets are a dumpster fire of epic proportions
After almost winning the NL East a season ago, the New York Mets devolved into being ... the New York Mets... It was a pitiful season for the Amazins, so much so that skipper Buck Showalter decided he had enough and would venture back into retirement. The Mets are running through managers like the late Larry King did wives. Now, reports have surfaced that they cannot even field a lineup right...
Mike Puma of The New York Post reported Showalter and general manager Billy Eppler could not agree on playing time with regards to the greatest athletic specimen known to mankind, or since Bartolo Colon, in the absolutely majestic Daniel Vogelbach. Eppler wanted Vogelbach to serve as the team's everyday designated hitter, whereas Showalter had him riding pine while he was slumping.
It was the latest example of how you need for your skipper and general manager to be in lock-step over these important issues. While this isn't playing Scott Hatteberg at first over Carlos Pena type of shenanigans, it is a sign that the Mets will never beat the Atlanta Braves with great regularity until they stop beating themselves. Money may grow on trees for Steve Cohen, but he sure can't build a winner.
Look for Vogelbach to have the greatest spite season of all time playing for the non-division winners.
MLB rumors: Atlanta Braves fans get great news regarding Max Fried
The Atlanta Braves are now two days away from their first postseason baseball game of October. They will meet a familiar foe in the rival Philadelphia Phillies in their NLDS series. While 20-game winner Spencer Strider will toe the rubber in Game 1 on Saturday, the expectation is that Southpaw Max Fried will get the start for Atlanta in Game 2 on Monday. He has been dealing with a finger blister.
According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Fried not only pitched well in Tuesday's intra-squad scrimmage at Truist Park, but his injured finger looks to have fully healed. His blister popped up in his last two starts for the Braves in September. As Bowman pointed out, if he pitched every 12 days, then this would not be an issue, but breaking balls are a big part of Fried's game and he will need his finger.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said Fried looked good on Tuesday and his finger has healed up nicely.
"It looks good without anything on it. It healed very well."
Overall, as long as Fried can pitch up to his lofty standard, the Braves will be the presumptive favorite to win the World Series. Of course, Philadelphia upset Atlanta in the NLDS a season ago. Strider had a miserable time pitching on the road at Citizens Bank Park. While he had a breakout second season in the big leagues, the postseason is a totally different beast. However, it is one that Fried has thrived in.
Look for The Battery to be fully energized by the time the Phightin' Phils come to town this weekend.
