Nine-Inning Doubleheaders in the Pythagorean Universe, 2020-21

[DTF955Baseballfan]

Interesting. I couldn't remember if it was the top two third place teams or if after the three second place teams you had the two best remaining, I thought it was the latter and you could have four teams from One Division in the playoffs but I'm not sure.

Such seasons, like 1981, normally cause weird stuff though. I'm trying to remember what you did was 1981, if you played the whole season out or what. But I remember that it was possible for there to be a two or even three-way tie in a division at the first half which would have been very interesting. If the Yankees lose just a couple more games, boy is that division close at the top.

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I played it both ways. I did the whole season, then I played it out using the records from the shortened season. with the top two teams in each division making the playoffs to keep the format intact. If the Pythagorean universe recognized half-seasons, I would have played each of them out too, but it doesn't.

You're right about the brackets. I'm pretty sure the same eight teams are still in at the moment, but the seeds may be different. I'll check it out and make the necessary changes. if any.

EDITED TO ADD: The same teams are in either way at the moment. Thanks for the catch, Doug!

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Our next day with two doubleheaders is September 11. We begin at Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees are hosting the Orioles:

Game 1:

Yankees 6, Orioles 2 (Yankees led 6-0 after six and a half)

The Orioles ended Gerrit Cole's shutout bid with two runs in the top of the ninth. Shortstop Jose Iglesias led off the inning with a line drive home run over the center field wall, his fourth of the year. Right fielder D.J. Stewart followed with a single to right. Left fielder Ryan Mountcastle grounded the first pitch he saw to D.J. LeMahieu at third, and LeMahieu tried to turn a double play, only for his throw to second to end up in shallow center field. Stewart went to third, while Mountcastle ended up at second.

A visibly frustrated Cole retired catcher Pedro Severino on a fly to shallow left for the first out, then designated hitter Renato Nunez on a fly to the warning track in left. Stewart scored on Nunez's fly, and the Birds were within 6-2. But third baseman Rio Ruiz's liner was gloved by Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres to end the game.

HR- BAL: Iglesias (4)

Game 2:

Yankees 10. Orioles 1 (Yankees led 10-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Now to Marlins Park, where the Marlins are battling the Phillies,

Game 1:

Phillies 15, Marlins 0 (Phillies led 11-0 after seven)

The Phils added four runs to their blowout in the top of the eighth. First baseman Rhys Hoskins drew a one-out walk. Right fielder Kyle Garlick followed with a
double off the wall in left center to put runners at second and third. They stayed where they were when catcher J.T. Realmuto bounced to short for out number two, but second baseman Jean Segura brought both Hoskins and Garlick home with a lined single to right center, and the Phils led 13-0. Shortstop Didi Gregorius finished off the jamboree with a two-run homer to right center, his twelfth of the year.

Phillies starter Aaron Nola pitched a complete game, finishing his evening with thirteen strikeouts.

HR- PHI: Gregorius (12)

Game 2:

Marlins 5, Phillies 3 (Marlins led 5-3 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Nick Vincent pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his fourth save of the year, which means that Yimi Garcia's save has been disallowed.

S- Vincent (4)
DS- Garcia

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for our next day with two doubleheaders: September 13. We begin at Marlins Park, where the Marlins are hosting the Phillies:

Game 1:

Marlins 3, Phillies 1 (Marlins led 2-1 after six and a half)

The Marlins added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Jorge Alfaro led off with a double to left and scored on a two-out single to right by third baseman Brian Anderson.

Marlins starter Soto Sanchez finished with a complete game four-hitter.

Game 2:

Marlins 8, Phillies 1 (Marlins led 8-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Our other stop is Petco Park, where the Padres are hosting the Giants.

Game 1:

Padres 6, Giants 1 (Padres led 6-0 after six and a half)

The Giants got on the board with a run in the top of the eighth. Shortstop Brandon Crawford's bloop fell in left center field for a double. After Padres starter Mike Clevinger struck out center fielder Mauricio Dubon and catcher Joey Bart, right fielder Mike Yastrzemski lined a single to right that scored Crawford and put the Giants on the board. Clevinger pitched a complete game, allowing just one run on four hits.

Game 2:

Padres 11, Giants 2 (Padres led 3-1 after six and a half)

The Padres scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Second baseman Jake Cronenworth led off with a single to left, then stole second with one out. Left fielder Jurickson Profar took a called third strike for out number two, but center fielder Trent Grisham tripled high off the left field wall to score Cronenworth and gave the Friars a 4-1 lead. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. followed with a two-run homer into the seats in left center field to give the Padres a 6-1 lead. It was his eighteenth of the year.

The Giants got a run back in the top of the eighth when Yastrzemski hit a fly ball down the right field line and over the wall for his eleventh home run of the year.

The Padres blew the game wide open with five runs in the bottom of the eighth. After Giants reliever Connor Menez struck out the first two batters, Cronenworth lashed a triple into the left field corner. Catcher Jason Castro followed with a double off the wall in center that scored Cronenworth and extended the Padres' lead to 7-2. Left fielder Jurickson Profar followed with a two-hopper to second that was bobbled by Giants second baseman Donovan Solano, allowing Profar to reach and pinch runner Tommy Pham (running for Castro) to go to third. Profar quickly stole second, and Grisham lined a solid base hit to left center. Pham and Profar scored, and it was 9-2 San Diego.

Tatis was next, and he hit a high fly to left that dropped in and kicked past left fielder Darin Ruf. Grisham came home with the tenth Padres run, and Tatis ended up at third with the second triple of the inning. Menez finally departed in favor of fellow reliever Sam Coonrod, who was greeted by third baseman Manny Machado's lined single to left center. Tatis scored, and the rout was complete at 11-2.

HR- SD: Tatis (18)
SF: Yastrzemski (11)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for our final day with two doubleheaders. September 26. We begin at the Oakland Coliseum, where the A's are hosting the Mariners:

Game 1:

Mariners 6, Athletics 1 (Mariners led 5-1 after eight)

The Mariners added a run in the top of the ninth. Carlos Torrens was the courtesy runner at second, and he scored on designated hitter Tim Lopes' double down the left field line.

Game 2:

Athletics 12, Mariners 3 (Mariners led 12-3 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Note: In this game, the Mariners were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

Our other stop is Nationals Park in Washington, where the Nationals are hosting the Mets.

Game 1:

Nationals 6. Mets 3 (Nationals led 4-3 after six and a half)

The Nats added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Left fielder Andrew Stevenson led off with a double to center and moved to third on shortstop Trea Turner's fly to the warning track in left. Right fielder Juan Soto struck out swinging for the second out. First baseman Brock Holt followed with what should have been a routine grounder to second, but the Mets' Pete McNeil dropped the ball. allowing Holt to reach and Stevenson to score the fifth Washington run.

The Nats added one more run in the bottom of the eighth. Second baseman Luis Garcia led off with a home run into the left field seats, his third of the year.

Daniel Hudson pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his tenth save of the year. This means that Will Harris' save has been disallowed.

S- Hudson (10)
DS- Harris

HR- WSH: Garcia (3)

Game 2:

Nationals 7, Mets 3 (Nationals led 5-3 after six and a half)

The Nats added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Catcher Kurt Suzuki led off with a double to left. He moved to third on Garcia's bouncer to second. After third baseman Josh Harrison grounded to third for the second out, center fielder Michael A. Taylor hit a fly ball to right center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. Suzuki was awarded home plate, and the home squad led 6-3.

The Nats added one more run in the bottom of the eighth when right fielder Juan Soto hit a leadoff home run that just managed to clear the right field wall. It was his fourteenth of the year.

Hudson's save has been disallowed. He still has ten for the year.

DS- Hudson (10)

HR- WSH: Soto (14)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

From now on, we're down to one doubleheader a day. Most of them will be in the East. so let's explore those first. We begin on August 20 with an interleague pair between the Phillies and the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field.

Game 1:

I'm going to work out the Blue Jays' half-innings batter for batter to avoid confusion,

As we pick up the action, they're leading 3-2 with one out in the bottom of the seventh, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at second, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. at first. Right fielder Billy McKinney struck out swinging for the second out, and catcher Reese McGuire's tapper to first ended the inning.

The Phils took the lead in the top of the eighth. First baseman Rhys Hoskins led off with a double to right center, and right fielder Bryce Harper followed with a two-run homer into the right center field bleachers, his fourteenth of the year.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, second baseman Cavan Biggio's bloop fell in shallow right field for a base hit. The next two batters struck out swinging to end the inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off with a single to right center. He moved to second on Guerrero's fly to deep right. and Gurriel was hit in the knee by a pitch to put two men on. McKinney beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to load the bases. McGuire struck out swinging for out number two, With shortstop Brandon Drury at the plate, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto tried to pick Hernandez off of third to end the game, but third baseman Alec Bohm wasn't anticipating the throw, and it sailed over his head. Hernandez came in from third, and we were tied at four. Drury's fly to shallow right center ended the inning.

In the top of the tenth, Andrew McCutchen was the courtesy runner for the Phils. Hoskins walked to put two men on, but Jays reliever Rafael Dolis struck Harper out swinging for the first out, Realmuto followed with a bouncer to short that Drury couldn't handle. and the bases were loaded. Dolis gave way to Anthony Bass, who walked second baseman Jean Segura on four pitches to bring Cutch home from third and put the Phils up 5-4. Shortstop Didi Gregorius popped to McGuire behind home plate for the second out, but Gosselin walked on a questionable three-two pitch to bring Hoskins home and make it 6-4. Bohm stroked a base hit up the middle that brought home Realmuto and Segura, and just like that it was 8-4 Philadelphia. Ryan Borucki came out of the Toronto pen to retire center fielder Roman Quinn on a popup to third. and that was the inning.

Drury was the courtesy runner for the Jays in the bottom of the tenth. Biggio led off with a lined single up the middle to put runners at the corners, but designated hitter Randal Grichuk struck out swinging for out number one. Third baseman Travis Shaw's single to right scored Drury with the fifth Toronto run. moved Biggio to second. and brought up Hernandez. Teoscar worked the count to 3-1 against Phillies reliever Adam Morgan, then smacked a hanging slider four rows up in left center field for a game-tying three-run homer, Phils manager Joe Girardi called on Brandon Workman to face Guerrero, and Vlad hit a 2-1 fastball over the left field wall and halfway to Niagra Falls for the walkoff homer. Guerrero now has ten dingers for the year, Hernandez seventeen. Our final in ten: Blue Jays 9, Phillies 8.

W- Borucki (2-1)
L- Workman (1-5)

Original winning pitcher Jordan Romano's record is now 2-1. Original losing pitcher Deolis Guerra's record is now 1-2.

HR- PHI: Harper (14)
TOR: Hernandez (17), Guerrero (10)

Game 2:

Blue Jays 12, Phillies 8 (Blue Jays led 9-8 after six and a half)

The Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Shortstop Santiago Espinal led off with a double to left and scored on catcher Danny Jansen's single to left. Shaw's single to right put two men on, but he was forced by Biggio for out number one. Jansen moved to third on the play and scored when Grichuk forced Biggio to make it 11-8,

The Jays added a third insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Phils reliever Nate Pearson gave up back-to-back one-out walks to Gurriel and Espinal. He caught Jansen looking at strike three for the second out, but Shaw blooped a single to left that brought Gurriel home with the twelfth Toronto run.

Borucki pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his first save of the year. This means that A.J. Cole's save has been disallowed.

S- Borucki I1)
DS- Cole

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for the first of two doubleheaders between the Yankees and the Mets at Yankee Stadium. The date is August 28,

Game 1;

Mets 8, Yankees 4 (Mets led 6-4 after seven)

The Mets added a pair of runs in the top of the ninth. Second baseman Jeff McNeil drew a one-out walk. Third baseman Andres Giminez popped up to Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez for the second out. That brought up right fielder Michael Conforto, who hit a line drive two-run homer over the center field wall to give the Mets an 8-4 lead. It was his tenth of the year.

Mets reliever Edwin Diaz's save has been disallowed. He now has five for the year.

HR- NYM: Conforto (10)

DS- Diaz (5)

Game 2:

As we pick up the action, the Mets are leading 4-3 with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh.

With one out, center fielder Brandon Nimmo took a pitch off of his hip. Conforto's base hit to left center put runners at the corners, and third baseman J.D. Davis followed with a three-run homer on to the short porch in left field to give the Mets a 7-3 lead. It was his seventh of the year.

The Yankees tied the game with four runs in the top of the ninth. Shortstop Jordy Mercer drew a leadoff walk. After third baseman Thairo Estrada took a called third strike for the first out, catcher Erik Kratz singled to right center, moving Mercer to third. First baseman Luke Voit walked to load the bases. and Mets manager Luis Rojas called on closer Jeurys Familia to face left fielder Brett Gardner. That was a costly mistake, as Gardner banked Familia's one-strike pitch off the left field foul pole for a game-tying grand slam, his sixth homer of the year.

The Mets left the potential winning run at third in the bottom of the ninth, and we headed to extra innings.

Designated hitter Gary Sanchez was the courtesy runner for the Yanks in the top of the tenth. Diaz set them down one-two-three.

The bottom of the tenth lasted just one pitch, as designated hitter Robinson Cano spanked a Chad Green fastball down the left field line for a double, Courtesy runner Billy Hamilton scored easily, and the Mets had won an 8-7 thriller.

W- Diaz (3-1)
L- Green (3-4)

HR- NYM: Davis (7)
NYY: Gardner (6)

Original winning pitcher Jared Hughes' record is now 0-2. Original losing pitcher Aroldis Chapman's record is now 1-0.

Note: In this game, the Mets were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

There was no movement in the standings,

Next: The second doubleheader between the Mets and the Yankees, which took place on August 30 at Yankee Stadium,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for the second doubleheader between the Mets and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, The date is August 30.

Game 1:

As we pick up the action, the Yankees lead 8-7 with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Mike Ford is at second base. Shortstop Tyler Wade's line drive was gloved by third baseman Andres Gimenez to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth. Jake Marisnick was the courtesy runner for the Mets. With one out, catcher Wilson Ramos smacked a double off the wall in center to score Marisnick and tie the game at eight. Third baseman Andres Gimenez took a called third strike, and left fielder Brandon Nimmo's foul pop was caught by Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela to end the inning.

Wade was the courtesy runner for the Yanks in the bottom of the ninth. Second baseman Thairo Estrada beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single to put runners at the corners. After center fielder Aaron Hicks flew to Nimmo on the left field line for out number one, right fielder Mike Tauchman lined a double off the wall in center to score Wade and give the Yanks a 9-8 win.

W- Adam Ottavino (3-3)
L- Erasmo Ramirez (0-1)

Original winning pitcher Chad Green's record is now 2-4. Original losing pitcher Edwin Diaz's record is now 3-0.

Note: I accidentally skipped over designated hitter Luke Voit's at-bat, but I really don't feel like redoing the sim. No matter what he did, the result wouldn't change, since there was only one out when the winning run scored.

Game 2:

Yankees 5, Mets 2 (Yankees led 5-2 after eight)

There was no further scoring, Yankees reliever Zach Britton pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his ninth save of the season. This means that Luis Cessa's save has been disallowed.

S- Britton (9)
DS- Cessa

Note: In this game. the Mets were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's go back in time a bit to August 26 and catch up with the Yankees at Truist Park in Atlanta, where they've gone to face the Braves in a doubleheader:

Game 1:

Braves 8, Yankees 1 (Braves led 5-1 after six and a half)

The Braves added three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Second baseman Johan Camargo led off with a solo home run over the left field wall, his fifth of the year, to give the Braves a 6-1 lead. Center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. took a pitch off of his elbow immediately afterward, and he stared down Yankee reliever Michael King before going to first base. Two outs later, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna lined a two-run homer to deep center to make it 8-1. It was his nineteenth of the year,

HR- ATL: Ozuna (19), Camargo (5)

Game 2:

Braves 5, Yankees 1 (Braves led 2-1 after six)

The Braves added three more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman hit Braves third baseman Austin Riley on the forearm to start. Camargo was next, and he belted Chapman's 2-0 fastball over the left field wall for a two-run homer and a 4-1 Atlanta lead. It was his sixth dinger of the year, Acuna made it back-to-back jacks when he hit a 1-2 pitch over the wall in left center to extend the Atlanta lead to 5-1. It was his fifteenth home run of the year.

Reliever Darren O'Day pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season. That means that Mark Melancon's save has been disallowed. He now has ten for the season.

HR- ATL: Acuna (15), Camargo (6)

S- O'Day (1)
DS- Melancon (10)

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

We have two doubleheaders left in the American League East. The first of these is on August 8, as the Rays host the Yankees at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg,

Game 1:

Yankees 8, Rays 5 (Yankees led 8-4 after seven)

The Rays scored a run in the bottom of the eighth. as right fielder Hunter Renfroe hit a home run over the right center field wall. It was his ninth homer of the year,

Yankees closer Zach Britton got the last four outs of the game to earn his tenth save.

S- Britton (10)

HR- TB: Renfroe (9)

Game 2:

Rays 5, Yankees 3 (Rays led 5-3 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Rays reliever John Curtiss pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save, which means that Rick Anderson's save has been disallowed. He now has five for the year.

S- Curtiss (3)
DS- Anderson (5)

There were no changes in the standings,

Next: Our last remaining doubleheader from the American League East, as the Rays visit Camden Yards to battle the Orioles on September 17,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for the final American League East doubleheader, as the Orioles host the Rays on September 17.

Game 1:

Rays 3, Orioles 1 (Rays led 3-1 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Nick Anderson pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his sixth save of the year.

S- Anderson (6)

Game 2:

Orioles 15, Rays 10 (Rays led 10-6 after six and a half)

The Orioles took the lead with a seven-run eighth. Left fielder Austin Hays led off with a single to left. Shortstop Pat Valaika followed with another single to left that put runners at the corners. and center fielder Cedric Mullins socked Rays reliever John Curtiss' first pitch over the right field wall for a three-run homer to cut the Tampa lead to 10-9. It was Mullins' fourth homer of the year. Rays manager Kevin Cash called closer Nick Anderson out of the bullpen for a potential six-out save, and he retired the first two batters he faced with ease before the bottom fell out.

First, designated hitter Pedro Severino was hit on the forearm with a pitch. Then, catcher Chance Sisco hit the first pitch he saw down the right field line and over the fence for a two-run homer, his fifth of the season, to give the home squad an 11-10 lead. Second baseman Hanser Alberto followed with a single to left. Third baseman Rio Ruiz made it four baserunners in a row with a single to right, and Hays beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to load the bases. Anderson departed in favor of Aaron Siegers. who was greeted by Valaika's base hit to left center. Alberto and Ruiz scored, and the Birds led 13-10. Hays went to third, but both runners were stranded when Mullins, the twelfth batter of the inning, struck out swinging to retire the side. Total damage: seven runs on eight hits.

The O's added two more runs in the eighth. Right fielder D.J. Stewart led off with a base hit up the middle. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle was next, and he crushed Siegers' one-one hanging curve over the left field wall for a two-run homer to increase the Baltimore lead to 15-10, It was Mountcastle's sixth homer of the year.

W- Shawn Armstrong (3-0)
L- Nick Anderson (2-2)

HR- BAL: Sisco (5). Mullins (4)

Original winning pitcher Pete Fairbanks' record is now 5-3. Original losing pitcher Cole Sulser's record is now 1-4.

Here are the updated standings in the American League East:

Rays: 35-25
Yankees: 34-26- 1 GB
Orioles: 29-31- 6 GB
Blue Jays: 28-32- 7 GB
Red Sox: 26-34- 9 GB

Now let's discuss the playoff implications.

The Rays are now tied with the A's for the two seed in the American League. The Rays have finished all of their doubleheaders, but the A's have one left in Arlington against the Rangers. Both the Rays and the A's are guaranteed home field advantage in their first round series. We'll break the tie between the two teams if and when we have to.

The Orioles have taken the eighth seed in the American League away from the Blue Jays and will face the Twins in the first round of the playoffs.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at the remaining doubleheaders in the National League East. We begin with the first of two twin bills between the Marlins and the Nationals on August 22 at Nationals Park.

Game 1:

As we pick up the action, the Nationals are leading 5-4 after six and a half innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Trea Turner drew a one-out walk, then stole second. Left fielder Juan Soto lined a single to right center that scored Turner and increased Washington's lead to 6-4. The Nationals loaded the bases on another single and a walk but couldn't score again.

The Marlins got that run back in the top of the eighth. Third baseman Brian Anderson beat out a grounder to short for an infield single, and with one out catcher Jorge Alfaro singled to right to put two men on. Center fielder Magneuris Sierra walked to load the bases, and after shortstop Miguel Rojas struck out swinging for out number two, second baseman Jonathan Villar walked on five pitches to force Anderson home and cut the Nats' lead to 6-5. Nats manager Dave Martinez called on reliever Kyle McGowin to face designated hitter Matt Joyce. and McGowin blew three straight fastballs past Joyce to end the inning with the bases still loaded.

In the bottom of the eighth. third baseman Carter Kieboom led off with a fly ball to right center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. After two out, Turner's bloop single to center brought Kieboom home with the seventh Washington run. Soto walked to keep the inning alive, and first baseman Asdrubal Cabrera stroked a base hit to left center that scored Turner to make it 8-5. Catcher Kurt Suzuki topped the inning off by lining a double off the center field wall to bring Soto and Cabera home and establish the 10-5 final score.

Daniel Hudson's save has been disallowed. He now has nine for the season,

Game 2:

Marlins 5, Nationals 3 (Marlins led 5-3 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Nick Vincent pitched the ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season. This means that Brandon Kintzler's save has been disallowed. He now has twelve for the season.

S- Vincent (5)
DS- Kintzler (12)

Note: In this game, the Marlins were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: The other remaining doubleheader between the Nationals and the Marlins on September 20 at Marlins Park.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for the doubleheader between the Nationals and the Marlins on September 20 at Marlins Park.

Game 1:

Marlins 3, Nationals 1 (Marlins led 2-1 after six and a half)

The Marlins added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Left fielder Corey Dickerson reached when Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia couldn't handle his grounder and scored when first baseman Jesus Aguilar doubled off the left field wall.

Nick Vincent pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save of the season, which means that Brandon Kintzler's save has been disallowed. He now has eleven.

S- Vincent (6)
DS- Kintzler (11)

Game 2:

Nationals 16, Marlins 0 (Nationals led 15-0 after seven)

The Nats added a run in the top of the eighth. Right fielder Michael A. Taylor lined a leadoff single to right. After one out, second baseman Luis Garcia beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single. Left fielder Andrew Stevenson walked to load the bases. and Juan Soto, batting for designated hitter Yadiel Hernandez. lined a single to right that scored Taylor and increased the Washington lead to 16-0.

There was no movement in the standings,

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for our next doubleheader in the National League East. The date is August 9, and the Braves are battling the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park,

Game 1:

Braves 5, Phillies 2 (Braves led 5-2 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Shane Greene pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season, which means that Mark Melancon's save has been disallowed. He now has nine for the season.

S- Greene (1)
DS- Melancon (9)

Game 2:

Braves 8, Phillies 0 (Braves led 8-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Five Atlanta pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Since the Cardinals' playoff spot is definitely in jeopardy, I've decided to play their makeup doubleheader in Detroit against the Tigers. At the very least, it'll make it easier to figure out where they are in the standings in relation to the Reds, Nationals, and Giants. Here's Game 1:

Tigers 6. Cardinals 5

I had a longer post than this ready to go, but the site refused to allow it for some reason. Anyway, catcher Austin Romine had three hits and scored three runs for the Tigers, while catcher Yadier Molina had three hits and drove in all five runs for the Cardinals. One of the hits was a two-run homer in the second.

W- Tyler Alexander (3-5)
S- Jose Cisnero (1)
L- Kwang Kim (3-1)

HR- STL: Molina (5)

Next: A (hopefully longer) look at Game 2.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's Game 2 between the Cardinals and the Tigers:

Tigers 8, Cardinals 4

The Tigers completed their sweep thanks to a five-run seventh that erased a 4-2 St. Louis lead. The go-ahead run scored when Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera walked third baseman Isaac Paredes with the bases loaded, and center fielder Victor Reyes provided the death blow for the Redbirds with a two-run single that scored Romine (who was batting for catcher Erik Haase) and right fielder Dax Cameron. First baseman Jeimer Candelario was four for four plus a walk and scored twice, and second baseman Nico Goodrum drove in a pair of runs (on a bases-loaded walk and a groundout) despite being hitless in three official at-bats. Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera was also hitless in three official at-bats, but he walked twice and scored twice. Three of the eight Detroit runs scored on bases-loaded walks.

Second baseman Kolten Wong and designated hitter Rangel Ravelo each had two hits and scored a run for the Cardinals, and shortstop Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer in the top of the first to open the scoring. Third baseman Tommy Edman and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had the other RBIs for the visitors; both of them came in a two-run fifth that gave the Cards the 4-2 lead that the Detroit seventh erased.

W- Gregpry Soto (1-1)
L- Genesis Cabrera (4-3)

HR- STL: DeJong (5)

Here are the updated standings in the American League Central:

Twins: 37-23
White Sox: 36-24- 1 GB
Indians: 35-25- 2 GB
Royals: 27-33- 10 GB
Tigers: 25-35- 12 GB

Here are the updated standings in the National League Central:

Cubs: 33-27
Reds: 30-30- 3 GB
Cardinals: 29-31- 4 GB
Brewers: 28-32- 5 GB
Pirates: 22-38- 11 GB

The Reds have taken over second place in the division, and they're the five seed in the National League for the moment. The Cardinals have three doubleheaders to complete, and they're trailing in three of the six games. They need to flip two of those potential losses to wins in order to overtake the Reds and assure themselves of a playoff berth.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for our final doubleheader in the National League East. It's September 22, and the Nationals are hosting the Phillies at Nationals Park.

Game 1:

Nationals 5. Phillies 1 (Nationals led 5-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Game 2:

As we pick up the action in the bottom of the eighth, there's one out, and the Nationals have just taken an 8-7 lead on a solo homer by designated hitter Yadiel Hernandez. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor flew to deep left center for the second out, and left fielder Andrew Stevenson grounded to second to end the inning.

Didi Gregorius was the courtesy runner for the Phillies in the top of the ninth. He moved to third on second baseman Jean Segura's grounder to second and scored when catcher Andrew Knapp lined a single to left. Phil Gosselin, serving as the team's emergency catcher, walked to put two men on, and Nats reliever Javy Guerra hit center fielder Roman Quinn' in the leg to load the bases. Left fielder Andrew McCutchen's fly to deep center brought Knapp home to give the Phils a 9-8 lead, but third baseman Alec Bohm's tapper to first ended the inning.

Stevenson was the courtesy runner for the Nats in the bottom of the ninth. Shortstop Trea Turner led off with a routine comebacker that Phils reliever Ramon Rosso fumbled, allowing Turner to reach and putting runners at the corners. Turner tried to steal second a few pitches later, but was thrown out by Gosselin. Right fielder Juan Soto was at the plate, and he proceeded to hit Rosso's one-two pitch over the left field wall for a walkoff homer, his fifteenth of the season. Final score: Nationals 10, Phillies 9.

W- Guerra (2-2)
L- Rosso (0-2)

Original winning pitcher Daniel Hudson's record is now 2-2. Original losing pitcher Brandon Workman's record is now 1-3.

HR- WSH: Soto (15)

There was no change in the standings, which means that the Phillies and Nationals finish tied for second in the National League East at 29-31. We go to the season series to break the tie, and the Phillies prevail seven games to three, This means that the Phillies are the six seed at the moment, one game behind the fifth-seeded Reds.

The Nationals are finished for the year, but they still don't know their playoff fate; they're tied for the eighth and final spot with the Cardinals, who still have three doubleheaders to complete. The Cardinals are currently 3-3 in those games; if they finish above .500, they're in as the eight seed. If they don't, the Nats get in. We'll worry about the tiebreaker if and when we have to use it.

Next: The first of the Cardinals' remaining doubleheaders, as they visit Wrigley Field to battle the Cubs on August 17.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's the doubleheader between the Cardinals and the Cubs on August 17 at Wrigley Field.

Game 1:

Cardinals 3, Cubs 1 (Cardinals led 3-1 after seven)

There was no further scoring. The Cubs loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on a single, a walk, and a hit batsman, but Cardinals reliever Genesis Cabrera got second baseman Nico Hoerner to ground to his counterpart Kolten Wong for the final out. Cabrera thus earned his third save of the season, which means that Andrew Miller's save has been disallowed. He now has two for the season.

S- Cabrera (3)
DS- Miller (2)

Game 2:

Cubs 5, Cardinals 4 (Cubs led 5-4 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth to earn his second save, This means that Jeremy Jeffress' save has been disallowed. He now has six for the season,

S- Kimbrel (2)
DS- Jeffress (6)

Note: In this game, the Cardinals were considered the home team and batted in the bottom of every inning.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I'm going to do the standings for 2021 while I have a chance. We begin with the National League East:

Atlanta Braves: 94-67 (+6)
Philadelphia Phillies: 80-82- 14.5 GB (-2)
New York Mets: 77-85- 17.5 GB (0)
(tie) Miami Marlins: 72-90- 22.5 GB (+5)
(tie) Washington Nationals: 72-90- 22.5 GB (+7)

Now the Central:

Milwaukee Brewers: 93-69 (-2)
St. Louis Cardinals: 85-77- 8 GB (-5)
Cincinnati Reds: 83-79- 10 GB (0)
Chicago Cubs: 68-94- 25 GB (-3)
Pittsburgh Pirates: 58-104- 35 GB (-3)

Finally, the West:

Los Angeles Dodgers: 109-53 (+ 3)
San Francisco Giants: 103-59- 6 GB (-4)
San Diego Padres: 83-79- 26 GB (+4)
Colorado Rockies: 75-86- 33.5 GB (+1)
Arizona Diamondbacks: 61-101- 38 GB (+9)

As far as seeds go, the Dodgers have locked up the top seed for all intents and purposes; they have a fourteen and a half game lead over the Braves.

The Braves lead the Brewers by a game and a half for the two seed.

The first wild card is another runaway, as the Giants lead the Cardinals by a whopping eighteen games.

The race for the second wild card is a bit tighter; the Cardinals lead the Reds and Padres by two games.

Next: The 2021 standings in the American League.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at the 2021 standings in the American League. First, the East:

Tampa Bay Rays: 101-61 (+1)
Toronto Blue Jays: 99-63- 2 GB (+8)
Boston Red Sox: 88-74- 13 GB (-4)
New York Yankees: 86-76- 15 GB (-6)
Baltimore Orioles: 54-108- 47 GB (+2)

Next, the Central:

Chicago White Sox: 97-65 (+4)
Cleveland Indians: 80-82- 15 GB (0)
Detroit Tigers: 75-87- 22 GB (-2)
(tie) Kansas City Royals: 71-91- 26 GB (-3)
(tie) Minnesota Twins: 71-91- 26 GB (-2)

Finally, the West:

Houston Astros: 101-61 (+6)
Oakland Athletics: 87-75- 14 GB (+1)
Seattle Mariners: 76-86- 25 GB (-14)
Los Angeles Angels: 73-89- 28 GB (-3)
Texas Rangers: 62-100- 39 GB (+2)

The Rays and Astros are tied for the top seed. Each team has one doubleheader to complete. As of now, the Astros are the top seed because they lead the season series, four games to two.

The Blue Jays have an eleven-game lead over the Red Sox for the first wild card.

The Red Sox lead the race for the second wild card by a game over the A's. The Yankees are two games out.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?