The Opener

Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on throughout the baseball world this weekend…

1. Adam Jones honored in Baltimore:

The Orioles announced late last month that longtime Baltimore star Adam Jones will formally retire as a member of the O’s on Sept. 15. Jones will be honored in a pre-game at Camden Yards tonight, giving Baltimore fans that rooted him on as the heart and soul of many contending O’s clubs — and throughout his heroics for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic — to bid farewell to a franchise favorite. Jones made five All-Star teams, won four Gold Gloves and captured a Silver Slugger Award as an Oriole. From 2008-18, the center fielder played in 1613 games as an Oriole, batting .279/.319/.459 with 263 home runs and 90 steals. He helped fuel postseason runs in 2012, 2014 and 2016 and played a major role in the Orioles being one of the American League’s winningest teams during his peak years in Baltimore. Following an 11-year stretch with the O’s, Jones played a year with the D-backs (2019) and spent two seasons (2020-21) with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, but he’ll always be remembered as an Oriole.

2. Cy Young candidates on the hill:

There are still multiple viable Cy Young candidates in both the American League and National League, and this weekend’s slate of games will see several of them take the hill as they make one of their final cases for that hardware. Friday will see American League innings (187) and ERA (2.79) leader Gerrit Cole take the mound against his former team in Pittsburgh. Minnesota’s Sonny Gray, who ranks second in the AL with a 2.96 ERA, will take Sunday against the visiting White Sox. His teammate Pablo Lopez — fourth in innings pitched, seventh in ERA, second in strikeout rate and riding a blistering second-half hot streak (1.89 ERA) — will look to continue his own late bid Saturday against the ChiSox. Astros lefty Framber Valdez, second in innings (181 2/3) and fifth in ERA (3.32) will host the Royals on Sunday.

In the National League, Cubs lefty Justin Steele (2.49 ERA) will be on the bump for tonight’s game against the Diamondbacks. He ranks just 15th in the NL in innings pitched but is second to Blake Snell in ERA among qualified hurlers. Baseball’s innings leader, Logan Webb (193), could cross the 200-frame threshold today versus the Rockies and will look to drop his fifth-ranked 3.40 earned run average in an ominous Coors Field setting.

3. The wild NL Wild Card chase:

The National League Wild Card race is as tightly contested as it’s been at any point this season, with each of the D-backs, Reds and Giants in a three-way tie for the third and final spot. That trio of teams is 2.5 games behind the Cubs for the second spot. As it happens, the D-backs and Cubs are set to kick off a three-game series this weekend that’ll be particularly pivotal for Arizona, where the Diamondbacks’ playoff odds have dwindled after a torrid start to the season. A D-backs sweep could flip the script and catapult them into the second Wild Card spot, whereas a series defeat or sweep at the hands of the Cubs could be a backbreaker for their playoff hopes.

Both Cincinnati and San Francisco will take on teams with losing records, as the Reds play host to the Mets and the Giants visit the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco’s weekend series will be particularly notable with regard to the playoff race, as they’ll play a doubleheader tomorrow to make up for yesterday’s rainout.

The Marlins, meanwhile, are just half a game behind the Reds, D-backs and Giants — but they’re in for the toughest challenge in baseball this weekend as they tangle with a juggernaut Braves club that is currently 46 games over the .500 mark with a staggering +239 run differential.

There’s enough time left on the schedule that this weekend won’t completely determine the postseason field, but we’ve reached the point in the calendar where every series — in some cases every individual games — can swing the playoff odds in significant fashion.

Here are three things we’ll be watching for around the baseball world today…

1. Antone exits early

Reds reliever Tejay Antone exited last night’s game with a trainer after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired right elbow. After the game, Antone told reporters that his elbow “flared up” but that he doesn’t think there’s a serious issue at play (via Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer). The Reds will surely exercise caution, however, and figure to take a closer look to ensure there’s no injury of note. The 29-year-old Antone only just returned from a two-year absence following his second career Tommy John surgery. While he’s hardly a household name, the righty has quietly been one of the game’s most effective relievers in his brief career to date. In 74 2/3 innings dating back to his 2020 debut, Antone carries a 2.41 ERA with a hearty 32.4% strikeout rate against a 10.7% walk rate. He’s also kept the ball on the ground at a strong 49.4% clip and averaged just 0.84 homers per nine frames.

2. Rays, Orioles begin series that could determine division

The Rays and Orioles open a four-game set in Baltimore today, with righty Kyle Bradish (3.03 ERA) taking the mound for the O’s opposite fellow righty Aaron Civale (2.96 ERA). It’s a matchup of quality starting pitchers and the first of four pivotal games for the two rivals, who are separated by just two games in the standings at present. Baltimore currently leads the East and also boasts the American League’s best record. The Rays could flip the standings with a series sweep, whereas the O’s could effectively put the division on ice if they can take all four against the Rays. The second game of the series is slated to feature Tampa Bay righty Zach Eflin (3.53 ERA) taking on Baltimore right-hander Jack Flaherty (4.98 ERA). The Rays will send Tyler Glasnow (3.15 ERA) to the mound against Grayson Rodriguez (4.88 ERA) on Saturday, and the series finale will pit Rays righty Zack Littell against O’s righty Dean Kremer. Both pitchers have identical 4.25 earned run averages (Kremer’s coming in a larger number of innings).

One additional source of intrigue surrounding the series is the potential debut of 2020 No. 2 overall pick Heston Kjerstad. The young Orioles slugger is reportedly on his way to Baltimore in the event that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s shoulder requires a trip to the injured list. Kjerstad, 24, hit .310/.383/.576 in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A, where he’s slashed .298/.371/.498. He’s collected 21 homers, 29 doubles and eight triples between those two levels so far in 2023.

3. Twins injury updates

The Twins are awaiting updates on several injured players and could gain more clarity today. Byron Buxton recently received a cortisone injection in his ailing knee, and trainer Nick Paparesta told the Twins beat he expects Buxton to return before season’s end (link via Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune). Minnesota could also get outfielder Michael A. Taylor back in the near future, per Miller. Taylor ran the bases yesterday and is expected to return during the current road trip, which kicks off today against the White Sox. Young infielder Jose Miranda, meanwhile, won’t be back this season, as he’s set for shoulder surgery today. Miranda dealt with shoulder troubles in spring training and struggled in both the big leagues and in Triple-A before hitting the injured list in July. He’ll go under the knife today, and the Twins will provide further details on the nature of the procedure and the expected recovery after the operation has been performed.

On the heels of some early-morning news, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Scherzer to undergo MRI:

Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer exited his start against the Blue Jays in the sixth inning due to a triceps spasm. As noted by Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters yesterday that Scherzer will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury. An injury to Scherzer, who owns a 3.20 ERA and 3.46 FIP in eight starts since joining Texas at the trade deadline, would be a brutal blow to the Rangers late in the season. The club is in the thick of the playoff race, sitting one game behind the Astros for the AL West crown and up half a game on both the Mariners and Blue Jays for the second of three AL Wild Card spots.

The Rangers’ potential playoff rotation would stand to take a hit as well, of course. Lefty Jordan Montgomery (3.62 ERA) and righty Nathan Eovaldi (2.90 ERA) have both had strong seasons to this point, but replacing Scherzer with one of Dane Dunning (3.91 ERA), Jon Gray (3.96 ERA), or Andrew Heaney (4.10 ERA) would be a downgrade.

2. Bailey nearing a return:

Giants catcher Patrick Bailey is eligible to return from the 7-day concussion-related injured list today. Both manager Gabe Kapler (per MLB.com) and Bailey himself (per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) have indicated that he is likely to return as soon as he’s eligible, meaning he could be back in the lineup for this afternoon’s game against the Guardians. Bailey, 24, has solidified the catcher position for the Giants during his rookie season, pairing a decent .248/.304/.390 (91 wRC+) slash line with defense that has graded out as superb behind the plate. The Giants have been utilizing a tandem of Joey Bart and Blake Sabol behind the plate in Bailey’s absence. The return of San Francisco’s rookie catcher could provide a spark for a Giants club that sits just 1.5 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot but has gone just 4-7 since the start of September.

3. Canha to visit doctor:

After exiting yesterday’s game against the Marlins in the third inning, Brewers outfielder Mark Canha is set to have his ailing wrist evaluated, as noted by Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In conversation with reporters, Canha noted that he’s dealt with wrist issues before and that cortisone injections have been helpful in the past, but his treatment plan and path forward this season won’t be clear until after today’s testing. The 34-year-old Canha has slashed an impressive .303/.394/.459 with a wRC+ of 133 in 142 plate appearances since joining the club at the trade deadline, so any missed time will sting for the Brewers. Joey Wiemer appears to be the likeliest candidate to take over for Canha in the outfield, if necessary.

As the 2023 MLB regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Means to return:

Left-hander John Means is set to return to the Orioles for their home game against the Cardinals today. The 30-year-old southpaw will be starting opposite veteran righty Adam Wainwright (8.19 ERA) this evening for his first time on a big league mound since April 2022. Means is on the 60-day IL, but will not require a corresponding 40-man move as Baltimore’s roster currently stands at 39. While Means has been on the shelf rehabbing Tommy John surgery, the Orioles have transformed from a 100-loss team to a surefire playoff contender. After going 82-74 the rest of 2022 following Means’s injury, the club has posted a 91-52 record while surging to the top seed in the AL’s postseason bracket.

Means sports a 3.72 ERA in 353 1/3 innings of work since the start of the 2019 season, good for an ERA+ of 124. Though his FIP is a less impressive 4.59 ERA during that time, a healthy and effective return from Means could transform the complexion of Baltimore’s postseason rotation, joining Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez while perhaps taking pressure off the likes of Kyle Gibson and Dean Kremer. Means posted a 3.74 ERA in 21 2/3 rehab innings and built his pitch count as high as 86 in a recent Triple-A outing.

2. Seager approaching milestone:

Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is in the midst of a career year, slashing an incredible .337/.398/.651 (177 wRC+) with 5.7 fWAR in just 100 games this season. He’s also on the cusp of a personal milestone, sitting just one hit away from his 1000th knock in the majors. The milestone puts Seager, still in the midst of his age 29-season, at 62nd on the career hits leaderboard among active players, and eighth among players who debuted in 2015 or later. It’s possible that hit No. 1000 for Seager proves to be a pivotal one for the Rangers this year, as the club is in the thick of the AL Wild Card race. They hold control of the final spot over the Mariners by half a game while sitting half a game behind the Blue Jays for the second spot.’

3. MLBTR Chat Today:

The end of the season is fast approaching, and the league’s 30 clubs are all pushing full steam ahead into the stretch run. While some are already looking ahead to 2024, many are focused on the current pennant chase, with more than half the league either occupying a playoff spot or within two games of doing so. If you’re curious how your team will hold up over the season’s final weeks or what their plan for the future is, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is hosting a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.

With less than three weeks to go until the 2023 regular season wraps up, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Will Wright return today?

The Braves are scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Phillies today, with veteran Charlie Morton set to take the ball against righty Taijuan Walker in game one. The Braves have not yet announced who will face off against right-hander Michael Lorenzen in Game 2, but manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including MLB.com’s Mark Bowman) yesterday that one option to take the role is Kyle Wright. Wright is on the 60-day IL, so a corresponding 40-man roster move will be necessary to activate him.

The 27-year-old hurler has been on the injured list with a shoulder strain since early May and struggled to a 5.79 ERA in five starts to open the season, but was a dominant force in Atlanta’s rotation as recently as last year with a 3.19 ERA and 3.58 FIP in 180 1/3 innings of work. If Wright is healthy and effective in his return, he’ll provide a boost for a Braves club that already boasts the best record in baseball (93-49) as they look ahead to the postseason.

2. Conforto nearing return:

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Giants outfielder Michael Conforto is on the verge of returning to the big league club. Conforto’s been on the 10-day IL since late August with a hamstring strain, but could return to the lineup for tonight’s game against the Guardians. After missing the entire 2022 campaign due to injury, Conforto has hit decently in 111 games this year, with a .251/.343/.405 slash line (107 wRC+) in 426 trips to the plate. While those numbers certainly aren’t bad by any means, they’re a far cry from the .265/.369/.495 slash line (133 wRC+) Conforto put together between 2017 and 2020 that gave him the look of an All-Star-caliber bat. A Conforto return would add a quality bat to a San Francisco offense that has gotten hot in recent days, with 34 runs scored in their past five games.

3. Series Preview: Marlins @ Brewers

A consequential series for the NL playoff picture kicks off today as the Marlins head to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers for four games. Miami sits just half a game back of the third NL Wild Card spot with a 74-69 record, while the Brewers are holding onto a three game lead over the Cubs in the NL Central division. While a strong performance from Milwaukee could give them additional breathing room in the division ahead of their final three-game set against Chicago to wrap up the regular season, this series holds even more importance for the Marlins as they stare down an impending three-game set against a fearsome Braves club, not to mention three more games against the Brewers during their homestand next week.

For game one this evening, Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo (3.59 ERA) will take on Brewers righty Brandon Woodruff (2.30 ERA). The Marlins have not announced who will take on Freddy Peralta (3.89 ERA) in game two of the series, while the Brewers haven’t announced a starter opposite Braxton Garrett (3.82 ERA) for game three. Neither starter has been announced for Thursday’s series finale. Tonight’s game begins at 6:40pm CT.

As the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Betts on crutches:

The Dodgers are facing an injury scare with superstar Mookie Betts, as Isaac Azout of Fish On First noted last night that the MVP candidate left loanDepot Park on crutches. Jack Harris of the L.A. Times echoed that report while also indicating that Betts underwent x-rays on his foot after fouling a pitch off of it earlier in the game. Those x-rays came back negative, with MLB.com’s Juan Toribio indicating that they were precautionary. Betts will be re-evaluated today.

With so little time left in the regular season, even a fairly short absence would impact both the NL MVP race and the Dodgers’ odds of catching the Braves for the top seed in the NL this postseason. Betts, teammate Freddie Freeman, and Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. are the favorites in the Senior Circuit’s Most Valuable Player race. Betts trails only Shohei Ohtani in wins above replacement this year, per both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference, thanks to his sensational .314/.411/.609 batting line, 38 home runs and solid defense around the diamond (right field, second base, shortstop). Acuna is hitting .331/.411/.579 and is the first player to ever hit 30 home runs and steal 60 bases in the same season.

From a team vantage point, an absence of any note would be devastating for a Dodgers club that has leaned heavily on Betts and Freeman for offensive production throughout the season; the duo have combined for a whopping 14.7 fWAR this year, while the rest of L.A.’s 23 total position players used this season have combined for 15.0 fWAR.

2. Royals roster move incoming:

The Royals transferred lefty Daniel Lynch to the 60-day injured list yesterday and optioned infielder Matt Beaty to Triple-A yesterday, creating openings on both the 40-man and active roster. With a roster move necessary before tonight’s game in Toronto and 60-day IL moves typically followed by a corresponding 40-man addition, Kansas City seems likely add a player to the 40-man today. That could be an activation from the 60-day IL like right-hander Brad Keller, or it could be a contract selection of a player in the minors. Of course, it’s also possible that the club could leave the 40-man roster spot open and simply activate Nick Pratto from the 10-day IL to replace Beaty on the roster. Both Keller and Pratto have been on rehab assignments since August.

3. Means to be activated this weekend:

As noted on MLB.com, the Orioles intend to move to a six-man rotation upon the return left-hander John Means, whom Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun indicates will be activated off the 60-day injured list at some point this weekend. The Orioles have announced Kyle Bradish, Jack Flaherty, and Grayson Rodriguez as the starters for the club’s series in Boston this weekend, so it’s possible Means will pitch out of the bullpen as a long reliever rather than join the club’s rotation. Whatever role Means fills, he figures to help boost an Orioles pitching staff that recently lost closer Felix Bautista to injury and is looking to keep starters like Bradish, Rodriguez, and Kyle Gibson healthy ahead of the postseason.

As the stretch run of MLB’s 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:

1. Lawlar to debut:

The Diamondbacks are expected to promote top infield prospect Jordan Lawlar prior to tonight’s game against the Cubs. The club already cleared space for Lawlar on the active and 40-man rosters by designating Nick Ahmed for assignment last night, so no corresponding moves will be necessary to select Lawlar. A consensus top-25 prospect who even reaches the top-10 of some lists, the 21-year-old Lawlar was selected sixth overall in the 2021 draft and is widely considered to feature plus tools across the board. He’s had a particularly successful season in the minor leagues this year, slashing an impressive .278/.378/.496 in 490 trips to the plate between the Double-A and Triple-A levels despite facing much older competition. Going forward, Lawlar figures to slot into the Arizona lineup at third base. His first assignment will be taking on 25-year-old right-hander Javier Assad (2.69 ERA in 87 innings) at Wrigley Field this evening.

2. Garcia to undergo MRI:

As noted by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters following last night’s loss that outfielder Adolis Garcia is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. Garcia exited yesterday’s game with what was termed “right knee discomfort” after crashing into the outfield wall while trying rob a home run off the bat of Michael Brantley. With the postseason rapidly approaching and the Rangers now on the outside-looking-in of the playoff picture, half a game back of the Blue Jays for the final AL Wild Card spot, Garcia missing anything more than a couple of days would be nothing short of devastating for Texas.

A second-time All Star in 2023, Garcia has paired excellent outfield defense with a .244/.322/.494 slash line in 580 trips to the plate, good for a wRC+ of 118. His 34 home runs this season leave him with the third best total in the AL and tied for eighth on the major league leaderboard with Braves third baseman Austin Riley. Only the club’s big-money middle infield duo of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien have accrued more fWAR than Garcia for the Rangers this season. In the event Garcia misses significant time, the Rangers would likely have to turn to Travis Jankowski as a regular in their outfielder down the stretch or promote top prospect Evan Carter, who was only recently elevated to Triple-A after slashing .284/.411/.451 at the Double-A level.

3. Will Grichuk go unclaimed again?

The Angels have reportedly placed outfielder Randal Grichuk back on waivers, once again leaving the 32-year-old veteran’s future with the club up in the air. Grichuk was the only player to go unclaimed when the Angels placed half a dozen veterans on expiring contracts on waivers late last month, with Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Matt Moore, Dominic Leone and Hunter Renfroe each finding new homes.

While Grichuk is still just a league-average bat on the year and would be ineligible to join a club’s postseason roster, he’s gotten hot recently with a .333/.379/.630 slash line in eight games since first being put on waivers at the end of August. It’s at least conceivable that a team in the thick of the playoff race with a need for outfield help could claim him and look to ride his recent hot stretch through the remainder of the regular season. The Marlins, as one example, recently lost Jorge Soler to the injured list, while the Giants are in need of an offensive boost after posting league-worst figures since the All Star break. Grichuk has been particularly effective against lefties, slashing .314/.375/.559 in 112 plate appearances this season.

As the final month of the 2023 regular season continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. When will Ohtani return?

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was out of the lineup again last night, though after yesterday’s game Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated to reporters (including Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register and The Athletic’s Sam Blum) that Ohtani’s situation is day-to-day. Nevin added that while Ohtani was dealing with some inflammation in his oblique, he had avoided a strain. The frontrunner for the AL MVP award is expected to play again this season, and even wanted to return to the lineup yesterday. He’ll be evaluated before today’s game to determine if he needs further rest before returning to the field. Ohtani avoiding a more significant injury is surely a relief for Angels fans, as the pending free agent is putting together a historic campaign with a 178 wRC+ in the batter’s box and a 31.5% strikeout rate on the mound, though he’s been shut down from pitching for the rest of the season.

2. Marlins to recall Cabrera:

The Marlins are expected to recall right-hander Edward Cabrera to start this evening’s game against the Dodgers, as relayed by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 25-year-old Cabrera started the 2023 season as a member of the club’s rotation, but was then shelved by a shoulder impingement for a little over a month. Upon returning, Cabrera posted a 5.40 ERA and 6.06 FIP and struggled with stamina, pitching just ten innings across three starts. That led the club to option Cabrera to Triple-A, where he’s managed to build back up to 100-pitch outings while posting an impressive 2.22 ERA across five starts. If he’s able to continue his hot stretch in the major leagues, he could provide a spark for Miami, with the club just half a game back in the race for the final NL Wild Card spot.

3. Verlander and Scherzer face-off:

Future Hall of Famers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were teammates for the second time in their careers just over a month ago, at which point both were traded to the AL West by the Mets. Scherzer, who was shipped to the Rangers a few days before the trade deadline, has dominated with a 2.21 ERA and 2.47 FIP across six starts since joining the club. Verlander’s reunion with the Astros has gotten off to a more pedestrian start, with a 3.86 ERA and 4.69 FIP in six starts. Despite the disparity in recent numbers, the pitchers’ duel is sure to make the season series’s rubber match between the two clubs an interesting one. The Astros currently sit half a game ahead of the Rangers in the AL West standings after taking the first two games in this three-game set.

We’ve already had one morning roster move, and here are three additional things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:

1. Ohtani to undergo testing:

On the heels of the two-way superstar’s agent discussing his client’s UCL injury with reporters, Shohei Ohtani exited yesterday’s game due to oblique discomfort. Manager Phil Nevin described Ohtani as “pretty sore” (as relayed by MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) and while Sam Blum of The Athletic notes that the club did some preliminary testing last night, Nevin didn’t have enough information to share much of anything else.

With Ohtani already done pitching for the year and his agent indicating that some sort of elbow surgery is inevitable for him, even a relatively mild oblique strain could potentially see Ohtani’s season come to an end with so little time on the calendar remaining and an impending surgery looming. Even if Ohtani has suited up for the final time this season, he’s a strong candidate for the AL MVP award; in 599 trips to the plate this season, he’s slashed an incredible .304/.412/.654 — all while also posting a 3.14 ERA and 31.5% strikeout rate in 132 innings while on the mound.

2. Eovaldi to return:

Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi is set to take the mound in Arlington for this evening’s game against the Astros. It will be Eovaldi’s first appearance in the big leagues since he went on the injured list with a forearm strain shortly after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old veteran’s return figures to be a massive boost to the Texas rotation, which added both lefty Jordan Montgomery and veteran ace Max Scherzer in his absence. In 19 starts prior to his injury this season, Eovaldi pitched like an ace in his own right, with a 2.69 ERA and 3.23 FIP in 123 2/3 innings of work. Eovaldi’s return could indicate the end of either right-hander Dane Dunning’s or lefty Andrew Heaney’s time in the rotation, though it’s also possible the Rangers could opt for a six-man rotation down the stretch in hopes of preserving the health of their veteran arms for a hopeful postseason run. Eovaldi himself could be on a pitch count early on; he’s been throwing bullpen sessions but is returning from a roughly six-week absence without making a minor league rehab appearance.

3. MLBTR Chat:

The end of the season is fast approaching, and the league’s 30 clubs are all pushing full steam ahead into the stretch run. While some teams are already looking ahead to 2024, many are focused on the current pennant chase, with more than half the league still boasting 20% or higher playoff odds, per Fangraphs. If you’re curious how your team will hold up over the season’s final month or what their plan for the future is, MLBTR’s Steve Adams is hosting a live chat with readers at 1pm CT today. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.

Here are three things we’re watching on this holiday Monday…

1. Labor Day games:

It is Labor Day, which means the slate of games is a little more interesting than a typical Monday. There are 11 games on the docket today, starting at 1:10 Central with the White Sox and Royals, continuing all the way until 8:38 with the Angels hosting the Orioles. Some matchups with playoff implications include the Astros facing off against the Rangers while the Guardians host the Twins.

2. Giolito’s debut with Guardians:

The Guardians were able to claim three pitchers off waivers from the Angels recently, which was a salary-dumping move for the latter club. That allowed the Guards to bolster their pitching staff for the home stretch as they try to chase the Twins in the American League Central, with Lucas Giolito being the most significant addition. He’ll be taking the ball today in Cleveland as the club starts an important three-game set against Minnesota.

3. Holliday to Triple-A:

Jackson Holliday is jumping from Double-A to Triple-A, reports Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com. The 19-year-old shortstop is the consensus #1 prospect in the sport and will now be joining his fourth level of the year. He’s gone from Single-A to High-A to Double-A and will now jump to the top level of the minors, having hit a combined .333/.451/.517 this year. Despite his youth, will the Orioles consider a fifth level with a major league promotion in the final weeks of the season?