One of the very few dim spots in an otherwise very nice vacation was that I was unable to keep up with the Minor League Daily while I was away. Sometimes the best laid plans simply don’t work out.
But that was last week. I’m back, the Daily is back, and just in time, too. The end of the minor league season is right around the corner, and that means we are on the doorstep of the playoffs. South Bend, Eugene, and Arizona have all already clinched a playoff slot, and I expect Myrtle Beach to join them within a few days.
Once the Pelicans are mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than second in the division in the second half, their ticket to the postseason is assured. Currently they are in a tie for first place in the division with Salem (the first half winner), and no other team in the division is close. Myrtle Beach has a playoff magic number of three.[adinserter block=”1″]
Triple A: Iowa Cubs Memphis 4, Iowa 1
Like their Chicago counterparts, the Cubs fell behind in the first and never took the lead.
If you are new to following baseball, you may be new to the concept of a Magic Number. And since you are going to be hearing it a lot in the next few weeks, an explanation is probably in order. The magic number refers to the number of team wins OR relevant opponent losses that will guarantee a particular event. In the case of Myrtle Beach, the “relevant opponent” is Winston-Salem. The Pelicans need to be assured of finishing no lower than second, and the current third place team is Winston-Salem. Any combination of Myrtle Beach wins and Winston-Salem losses that adds up to three will guarantee the Pelicans no worse than a second place finish. Thus, the Pelicans have a magic number of three.
At one point Gerardo Concepcion seemed to be a lock to return to Chicago when rosters expanded, and given that he is on the 40-man roster it still makes sense for him to get the call, but I’m not sure how often he would be used. His second half of the season has been a disaster. Starting in June, his monthly ERAs are 5.19, 9.58, 16.20. Compared to his really good early season work, the walks are up, the strikeouts are down, the homers are way up, and the results just aren’t there.
Well that ninth inning rally started off great, with Cody Bellinger and Christopher Morel reaching, the latter on 12-pitch walk (the longest PA of his career). And then POOF. In just two pitches, the Cubs made three outs and the...
Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...
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Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...
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Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...
A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...
The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...
The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....
The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Thairo Estrada and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) on Tuesday at 9:45 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch Los Angeles take on...
The St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), led by Brendan Donovan, visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) at 9:38 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup below.When...
The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22), led by Ketel Marte, host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona play Cincinnati live.When is...
On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) against Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep...
In a series opener on Tuesday, Dylan Cease will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (22-21) versus Cal Quantrill and the Colorado Rockies (12-28), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to see...
A three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting New York Yankees will begin on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins Starting...
On Tuesday, Jack Leiter will start for the Texas Rangers (22-20) against Ben Lively and the Cleveland Guardians (25-16), with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 PM ET at Globe Life Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...
On Tuesday at 8:10 PM ET, Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (15-25) play Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (19-23) at Minute Maid Park.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch Houston take...
Well you don't see that very often. Craig Counsell was just thrown out of the game from inside the Cubs dugout *by the FIRST BASE umpire* after a check-swing appeal. Here's what happened. In the bottom of the fourth inning,...
The Boston Red Sox (21-20), led by Jarren Duran, host Isaac Paredes and the Tampa Bay Rays (21-21) on Tuesday at 7:10 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Boston-Tampa...
NEWSLETTER
One of the very few dim spots in an otherwise very nice vacation was that I was unable to keep up with the Minor League Daily while I was away. Sometimes the best laid plans simply don’t work out.
