Here I come to save the day! Or at least, your scrolling fingers...
Today the local baseball squadron have their first of what seems like ten thousand off-days in the next little while, but there are still some potentially interesting happenings tonight in MLB. The Yankees are back in the Bronx tonight to host the Twins after taking two of three from the Blue Jays. Kyle Gibson (8-9, 3.75) goes up against Yankee youngster Bryan Mitchell (0-1, 3.72). No Twin has ever faced Mitchell.
The Orioles are in action tonight also, finishing up a wraparound series with the A's. The O's laid a thorough 18-2 beating on Oakland yesterday, resulting in the extremely rare "position player walking an AL pitcher" moment. Sonny Gray (12-4, 2.06) toes the rubber against Chris Tillman (8-7, 4.66), as Baltimore looks to sneak closer towards the top of the AL East. They've won three straight and now hold the second wildcard by half a game over the Angels. Those same Angels are at home against the White Sox tonight in a battle of young hotshot left-handers. Carlos Rodon (5-4, 4.61) goes up against Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.53) at 10:05 PM Eastern Time.
In the National League, the only game of any playoff significance features the Giants in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals. Chris Heston (11-7, 3.38) opposes Michael Wacha (14-4, 2.93). San Francisco is on the outside of the NL playoff picture looking in: they're 3.5 behind the scorching hot Cubs for the second wildcard and 2.5 back of the NL West leading Dodgers. Fun fact: the Mets (leading the NL East), Cardinals (leading the NL Central), Dodgers (leading the NL West), Pirates (1st WC), Cubs (2nd WC) and Giants are the only NL teams with winning records. The Nationals have lost six straight and are rapidly falling out of contention.
Back to the Jays, they announced a couple of roster moves this afternoon. Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera is back with the big team and he'll be joined by corner infielder Matt Hague. Hague was batting .348 for the Bisons with an OPS of .909 in 531 plate appearances, while splitting his time defensively fairly evenly between third and first base. Hague has 72 previous MLB at-bats, all with the Pirates. He figures to be a useful bat off the bench with a pair of games in an NL park coming up. Going down to Buffalo is starting pitcher Drew Hutchison, which is an interesting move indeed.
Around The Webs:
Sports on Earth takes a look at Johnny Cueto's many different deliveries -- http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/143116464/johnny-cueto-rocking-chair-delivery-kc-royals
Astros star shortstop Carlos Correa says he would love to play NFL football if offered (Don't do it, son! How's that going to help your putting?) -- http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2015/08/17/143653356/carlos-correa-would-play-for-houston-texans
MLB.com has a compilation of Madison Bumgarner's ten career home runs (he's got a nice swing!) -- http://mlb.mlb.com/cut4/#contentId=143672788
What else is happening?
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20150817143610723