Here are three things around the baseball world we’ll be tracking today…
1. Bichette return looming?
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was slated to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo last night, slotting in as the designated hitter, but that contest was rained out. TSN’s Scott Mitchell tweets that the plan had been for Bichette to DH on Tuesday and play shortstop Wednesday, with a Friday return in Cincinnati possible. The Jays are off tomorrow, while their Triple-A club now has games scheduled both today and tomorrow. Bichette could still DH today, play shortstop tomorrow, and technically return as soon as Friday. The Jays will evaluate Bichette following today’s DH appearance but still hope to get him into a game at shortstop before reinstating him, per Mitchell. The 25-year-old Bichette is enjoying an excellent season at the plate, hitting .321/.352/.494 with 17 home runs, but he’s been out since July 31 due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee.
2. Anderson’s suspension appeal:
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is facing a six-game suspension following the benches-clearing brawl that began when Anderson and Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez got into a fist fight following the latter’s slide into second base. Jim Bowden of The Athletic tweets that Anderson’s appeal is scheduled for tomorrow, barring a settlement at some point today. Within the next day then, we should know whether Anderson will serve that full six-game ban or perhaps a reduced punishment. The two-time All-Star and 2019 AL batting champion is having the worst season of his career at the plate (.240/.285/.286), although in 103 plate appearances since the All-Star break he’s posted a .290/.359/.355 batting line.
3. Dodgers going for 10 in a row:
Earlier this season, it looked as though the Dodgers might be dethroned in the NL West, but their recent play has once again made them a commanding favorite to win their 10th division title 11 years. They’ll send Clayton Kershaw to the mound tonight against the Brewers as they seek their 10th straight victory — the longest active win streak in Major League Baseball at the moment. Kershaw, 35, will be making just his second start since returning from a six-week stay on the injured list. He’s been his usual dominant self when healthy, pitching to a 2.51 ERA with a 27.5% strikeout rate and 6% walk rate in 100 1/3 innings this season. Kershaw currently ranks fourth among active pitchers in strikeouts with 2916 in his career. He trails only Max Scherzer (3340), Justin Verlander (3290) and Zack Greinke (2955) in that regard. Depending on how long Greinke’s recent placement on the IL lasts, Kershaw could move into third place on that esteemed ranking by season’s end.
Anderson opted to “fight” the suspension but already sat out 4 games since the KO? Peak White Sox. DFA Rick Hahn.
The MLBPA will automatically fight for Anderson. They think if they win the appeal, it’ll be reduced by two games. Not a Hahn decision besides which 4 games he sits out.
It took 4 days to shake that concussion.
BloodySox: Yeah, Ramirez needed some time off due to concussion protocols after Anderson landed two hard shots to Ramirez’s fat head.
Anderson should get the max plus a few more days if you ask me. He threw down his glove and then put up his fists as well as threw the first punch
Greinke MUST reach 3000 K’s, even if it means coming back next season. What a bulldog pitcher. 20 years if he comes back next year.
As far as the Blue Jays, well, it’s always been pitching or bust. Is the verdict out on the Berríos acquisition yet?
The injuries that some Blue Jays players incur are a result of ‘hotdogging’ warmups and stretches, which is a symptom of many professional players. It’s the most important part of athletics.
The Blue Jays weren’t rained out yesterday. They beat the Phillies 2-1 in Toronto. I watched part of it on MLB networks very confusing Big Inning.
The Bisons were rained out. That’s where Bichette is rehabbing.
Greinke’s been pitching forever – longer than Yankees last World Series win.
Tom Glavine is one example of a HOF pitcher with a great career who didn’t reach 3,000 K’s. It’s a nice milestone, but it isn’t necessary.
Ramirez “appealed” the suspension in an effort to sit out games Cleveland should win with or without him since they’re in a playoff hunt, a common tactic we all grin at
Anderson doesn’t have anything to play for, except a career-best hot streak to get his numbers back to “below average” when they are currently “unplayable”
He started it AND lost, hence why his suspension was longer. Is there a way that a 6 game appeal could turn into a 10 game suspension? Because that’s what should happen
Jose sat out two games against Tampa Bay.
BizzyDat: If you watched the game you would’ve seen Ramirez start the fight by turning to Anderson and making a gesture with his hand. Then the fist fight started with Anderson landing the first two punches. All anyone wants to talk about is Ramirez flailing away and just happened to catch TA on the jaw. TA wasn’t hurt. He popped right back up to give Ramirez more shots to the noggin but by that time Michael Kopech restrained TA. I think TA got a longer suspension because he came back out on the field. After the game Ramirez said he wanted to tell TA to play the game the right way. What business is it of his to critique the way opposing players play? I’m guessing Ramirez wouldn’t want to hear criticism about the way he play. He might start another fight if he did
Gonna have to disagree with you again over Ramirez being the antagonist.
Anderson provoked that fight and got knocked on his rear end. He was seeing stars for half a second. If your take on what happened is that delusional, then we’re all fully aware you’re a White Sox fan.
“Anderson provoked that fight”..Most fights are “mutual combat” under the law, because either Ramirez or TA could have declined to fight and walked away.
Yes, somebody slaps you with unnecessary force on a tag, so you confront them. They then square up like they’re in a boxing match and start throwing punches. The “combat” was not initially mutual. It became mutual after Tim Anderson had already thrown multiple punches. There is way more to this situation, as well as others that happen everyday, than “so and so could have declined to fight and just walked away”.
I would have thought that White Sox fans would have appreciated anyone telling TA to play the game the right way. Its long been needed.
The Guards just trying to do the Pale Hose a solid and the Southsider turns it into a brawl. That’s what I seen.
Tampa opened the season with 13 wins.
Longest mlb win streak of the season.
Dodgers have the “longest *active* win streak”
Anderson’s appeal will end up like his fight.
He won’t have a leg to stand on.
Keep it going Dodgers
Amazing how the Dodgers didn’t do much during the off-season yet there they are, stronger than ever during the stretch run. They have a great core of players. How else would Lance “gopher ball” Lynn win his first two starts?
By pitching to a 2.00 ERA? Or was this a trick question?
BTW, he’s actually won his first three starts since coming to the Dodgers.
Bring on Colson Montgomery!!
Hope you mean sometime next year. Once again, he’s hit a wall in AA. Walking enough to keep his OBP high, but a .179 BA won’t cut it. Worst thing the Sox could do with him is rush him to the majors when he hasn’t hit yet in AA.
Hope the dodgers sweep the crew for my cubs sake.
Meanwhile, the Cubs couldn’t even beat the Sox. They are the ones who looked listless last night. You watch, they’ll beat us again tonight.
The Anderson and Ramirez suspensions… I’m curious if how the league feels about each player played into how many games suspension they got? No one likes Anderson… that’s a given and many love Ramirez.
If it was two generic players out there at 2B, how would they be looked at? Did Anderson do anything that warranted the reaction by Ramirez? Was the tag really that hard? Ramirez jumped up into Anderson’s face… was Anderson’s reaction expected?
I don’t like Anderson, and I like Ramirez, but really, was one offense worse than the other? They should get equal suspensions. Anderson getting KO’d should have zero influence on the decision.
I hear you, but the fact is that Ramirez getting into TA’s face didn’t technically start the fight and TA threw the first punch. So he deserves a longer suspension IMO.
Not only that, but TA also came back onto the field to continue the drama after initially being removed, which I think also added to his longer suspension.
Bo accumulating MVP votes by being out. His bat is needed.
its_happening: He’s leading the league in BA. The Jays definitely need him since they’re in the WC race.
Actually he’s tied for 5th in the league.
And tied for first in the American League.
Well aware of his batting average position.
Good on the Dodgers for taking advantage of a favorable post trade-deadline schedule (A’s, Padres, D-Backs and Rockies)!