September 19, 2022
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1. Aaron Judge’s run at history keeps soaring and soaring
#58. #59. The second one crushed.
2. And he might just win the A.L. Triple Crown
It’s the most overlooked part of this entire feat, that he’s so quietly, suddenly snuck up on the few league leaders that had been some 20-plus batting points ahead of him in recent weeks.
And so yesterday, here’s what Aaron Judge did:
He went 4-for-5 (and drew a walk), with five “barrels” — the only out among them coming on an unluckily placed line drive — and he’s now just one percentage point back of the batting leaders in the American League.
3. Albert Pujols hit #698 on Friday night
A few hours after the last newsletter had gone up, so in case you missed it:
Packed house in St. Louis, everyone on their feet, the Cardinals down by two with a runner on base — and just like that, he does it again.
Here’s the Spanish radio broadcaster in the booth:
4. The current MLB standings this Monday afternoon
5. The Guardians essentially clinched their playoff spot this weekend
A five-game series against the Twins, and including the game this afternoon they went and won four.
Including a double-header sweep on Saturday that totaled 24 innings — with Amed Rosario netting eight hits, not including a walk-off winner in the 15th inning that was dubiously ruled an error.
6. The Dodgers are the first team to 100 wins
And after last night’s win over the Giants on ESPN, they’ve got 101.
7. Ryan Helsley threw an immaculate inning
Nine pitches. Three strikeouts.
Cardinals fans are having the time of their life this season.
8. The Mets hit-by-pitch tallies continue to climb
They’ve now been hit 102 times this year.
Time to go for the record.
9. Shohei Ohtani continues his utter greatness
Seven scoreless innings on Saturday night, and if not for Aaron Judge he’d be the clear MVP.
10. Various news and highlights from around baseball
11. The clutch hit of the weekend: Adley Rutschman
Barely, just barely, keeping the Orioles’ postseason hopes alive.
12. And lastly, Michael Kay on the weight of calling #62
(Knock on wood).
