September 2, 2021

1. The Dodgers now have the best record in baseball

The Giants had held onto first place in the NL West, and in baseball, just about every day of the 2021 season, and now on the same night the Rays lose, there’s a new king:

Here was the moment they took the lead, in a two-run eighth inning at Dodger Stadium, in front of a wild crowd dreaming of another World Series coming their way this fall.

The Dodgers sweep the Braves, and play the Giants tomorrow night.

2. And Max Scherzer pitched another gem of a game

A beautiful, packed-house night at Dodger Stadium, and he went six shut-out innings, with three hits and nine strikeouts — coming out early with a sore hamstring (that seems to be only a mild issue).

3. There was major flooding on the east coast last night, including at several ballparks

Yankee Stadium, from the concourse:

And then in New Jersey, far worse:

4. Gerrit Cole struck out Shohei Ohtani three times last night out in Anaheim

He also struck out fifteen batters through seven innings, just four hits and no walks — as he moves into the pole position for the A.L. Cy Young.

5. Bizarre play of the night: The kick assist

On the ground, off the foot, high into the air, and out.

6. Nick Castellanos had such a good game the Cardinals thought he might be cheating

First inning, home run. Second inning, grand slam.

And the Cardinals grew so suspicious, so in awe of his power, his ability, his bat, literally, that manager Mike Schildt asked for an inspection:

Here was the grand slam, an inning after the solo homer:

7. The Mariners shut out the Astros in two straight games

And they’re creeping, every so slightly, ever so unlikely-ly, into the postseason chase. Just 6.5 games back in the AL West with a month to go, and much closer in the Wild Card hunt.

8. Mets GM Zack Scott gets busted for a DUI, and the team dumpster fire blazes higher and hotter

Mickey Callaway. Jared Porter. The entire 2021 on-field product. The entire 2021 off-field product. Thumbgate. Jewelry hunt. And now, coming home from a Mets team event at owner Steve Cohen’s place, a DUI.

Rock bottom, in Queens.

9. The Cardinals have quietly snuck back into the postseason picture

Blowout loss to the Reds yesterday and cringeworthy bat check on Nick Castellanos notwithstanding, the Cardinals have made an under the radar push to get right back in the N.L. Wild Card chase.

10. And lastly, Klay Thompson loves the Giants’ Kris Bryant acquisition

“He’s a great player, reminds me of myself.”