Wednesday’s Games
Marlins Podcast Episodes
- Wednesday’s AFL/winter ball notes: Peoria’s undefeated streak was finally snapped. RHP Ike Buxton worked around a lot of traffic on the bases (4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) and used his changeup more frequently than I’ve ever seen him before. 3B Jacob Berry recorded singles from both sides of the plate. DH Paul McIntosh came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning representing the potential tying run, but he got the green light on a 3-0 count and flew out to end the game.
- Elsewhere around the majors, the Astros and Diamondbacks both clinched their Division Series matchups. It’s the seventh straight year that the Astros have advanced to the ALCS. Dating back to mid-July, Houston’s Bryan Abreu has gone 31 consecutive innings without allowing a run. The Dodgers were doomed up awful starting pitching performances in all three of their games, though superstars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman struggled mightily themselves, combining to go 1-for-21 at the plate. The Phillies homered six times (two each by Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos) on their way to a Game 3 victory.
- Widely regarded as MLB’s best team during the regular season, the Braves face elimination tonight. They’ll send Spencer Strider to the mound to extend the series. Strider’s history at Citizens Bank Park has been great…with the exception of the postseason start he made there in 2022 (2.1 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR).
- FanGraphs debuted sortable postseason leaderboards. I had some fun combining stats from multiple Marlins playoff runs.
- Listed at 220 pounds while he was with the Marlins this season, Jean Segura reveals that at the time of his trade (and subsequent release) in August, he had actually gone up to 235. Segura has since slimmed down to 215, thanks to Miami-based trainer Nicolas Soto. Seems clear that he’ll attempt to resume his playing career in 2024. As much as the Marlins valued Segura’s intangibles, it’s hard to imagine a reunion.
- Glenn Geffner’s View from the Bleachers asks whether Marlins owner Bruce Sherman is willing to spend what it takes to retain Jorge Soler and/or Josh Bell.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald gives an overview of potential 2024 shortstop solutions available to the Marlins in free agency and within their organization.
- The Rolling Stones and Major League Baseball are selling limited-edition vinyl of Hackney Diamonds featuring custom art for each of the 30 MLB teams in pocket jackets. You can pre-order the Marlins one here.
- Voting for the 2023 Hank Aaron Award remains open through Friday. Luis Arraez is among the National League nominees.
- On this day 20 years ago, with the Marlins facing elimination, Josh Beckett extended the NLCS by throwing a gem of a start in Game 5. This is also the anniversary of Liván Hernández—with some help from home plate umpire Eric Gregg—striking out 15 Braves batters in 1997 NLCS Game 5. That still stands as the Marlins single-game postseason record for K’s.
Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images
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