August 31, 2021

1. Javy Baez and Francisco Lindor apologize to Mets fans

Unclear how truly sincere it was, but this afternoon before a home game, the Thumbs Down Gang capitulated:

With a great headline today from The Onion:

2. Jesus Aguilar gave Lindor a “thumbs down” today at Citi Field

The descending saga into baseball hilarity-disaster continues, unendingly, for these New York Mets.

3. The “Big Three” of 2021 all went deep last night

Three superstars un-debatably atop the major leagues this year, and all three homered — Vladdy twice, even:

4. Mookie hits a home run and blows a kiss to his mom, who threw out the first pitch on his own bobblehead night

Hard to have a more special night than that.

5. And meanwhile, the Dodgers are closing in on first place

The Giants still have the best record in baseball, but the lead in the NL West is now down to 1.5 games, with a month to go.

The finale to the season series starts on Friday night.

6. The awfully comedic play of the night: The Blue Jays’ entire infield

How many Canadians does it take to catch a pop-up?

7. The good of Blue Jays world: Robbie Ray sets a record

Who would’ve thought — not Randy Johnson, not Clayton Kershaw, not Sandy Koufax, not Steve Carlton, nor Gibson nor deGrom nor Ryan nor Clemens, but Robbie Ray of all people?

8. The Yankees’ 13-game win streak is now a three-game losing streak

They’ve still vaulted themselves into a good spot in the AL East, but they’ve fallen right back down to earth, as the Rays win eight straight and take a seven-game lead in the division.

Meanwhile in Tampa Bay:

9. Wander Franco continues his historic on-base streak

With a two-run single against the Red Sox, no less.

10. A Cubs reunion, out in Anaheim

Warms the heart!

11. Ronald Torreyes almost hit an inside-the-park grand slam

And a big, big win for the Phillies, as the Braves lose out in L.A.

12. And lastly, Brandon Phillips can still bat flip

Swagger has not faded an iota, down with the Lexington Legends: