The Brewers dropped a big contest but escaped an injury scare tonight, as MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy was among those to cover on Twitter. Infielder Mike Moustakas departed after being hit on the wrist while trying to make a play in the field. Fortunately, x-rays after the game were negative. Though he’s expected to take at least one day off, it seems Moustakas has avoided serious injury. That’s good news for a Milwaukee team that’s struggling to keep pace with the two leaders in the NL Central race.
About those two front-runners …
- It seems the expectation remains that the Cubs will bring Ben Zobrist onto the active roster once rosters expand on September 1st, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. That’s still far from official, and Sullivan notes that the team still likely wants to give the veteran more reps before activating him. It remains a mystery just how this unusual situation will play out. The 38-year-old Zobrist is a treasured presence in the dugout but wasn’t in top form before taking personal leave earlier this year. Through a dozen rehab games — spread out to enable him stretches of time to be with his children — Zobrist is hitting .189/.333/.405.
- Cubs prospect Jeremiah Estrada announced today that he underwent Tommy John surgery (h/t Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs, via Twitter). The young righty had been in notable position on the Chicago prospect chart, in the evaluation of the Fangraphs prospect team. A recent over-slot sixth-rounder, Estrada missed all of 2018 and only threw 10 2/3 innings this year before going under the knife. It’s unlikely he’ll pitch competitively in the 2020 season, though there’s still plenty of time for the twenty-year-old to blossom.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch held an interesting chat with Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. that’s well worth a full read for fans of the club. Pressed on the club’s decisionmaking after three-straight seasons without a postseason appearance, DeWitt did not cede any ground. He rejected any view that the club went cheap this summer, saying the organization remains among the higher-payroll outfits in the league. As for the current front-office leadership group, DeWitt did not seem inclined at all to consider significant change in leadership. “There is always accountability,” he said. “But keep in mind, we’ve had a pretty nice run of success under the current regime with 11 consecutive winning seasons, and when we have missed the playoffs it has been by a very small number of games.” As things stand in the 2019 race, the Cards have a strong chance of breaking their string of playoff absences. But the pressure will increase significantly if that doesn’t come to pass.
I’m thoroughly convinced now that the PCL could compete in the NL Central. Some AA teams too. It’s horrible.
Ignorance
The Cardnals are on pace for 90 wins and are the fourth best team in the league by SRS. Hardly an embarrasment
While I agree with what you say about the Cards are not an embarrassment, why didn’t Mozeliak prepare for the playoffs by obtaining a number 1 or number 2 starter from another club at the deadline. Now he’s talking about bringing up Cecil???? That’s nuts!!
This is such reactionary stuff. Teams acquire talent generally through the off season. People love splashes as if teams can’t be finished products without them.
the only thing I would say is that Keuchel would sure look good in the rotation for the cardinals
Cecil is not going to pitch this year for the Cardinals. He’s still not healthy.
I would just ask who. The only one that went was Grienke, and the Astros gave up a BUNCH to get him. Like 3 low 90-110 prospects.. So basically 3 of what Bader was when he was called up.
So you would drain your farm system for a chance to make the playoffs. Besides Thor there wasn’t anyone out there that was worth what it would have taken to attain a 1 or 2.
Jon Jay says, “Hi, Nick!”.
The AL Central is easily the worst division.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
As a Royals fan, I would certainly argue the AL Central is the worst division. The Twins and Indians are solid teams but probably the second worst division at the top and with the Tigers, Royals and White Sox the Central is the worst division at the bottom and is lapping the field.
No mention of the NL west? It’s one great team and 4 teams that would struggle in the minors. No one outside of LA has a winning record. That’s a joke division.
Actually, you can argue that the NL West is the best division. Winning records against all other divisions as well as the best 5th place team. Of course, the Dodgers are skewing it a bit, but they are also the best team.
SF, SD and Colorado sub .500 against NL Central and NL East teams. Doesn’t say much. That might help the other guy’s argument.
No team in the majors would struggle in the minors. Most of the minor leaguers called up fail miserably
And the Reds and Pirates aren’t exactly the Orioles, Tigers, or Marlins.
Cubs and Cards would have at least 10 more wins each if they regularly got to play butt-wipe division rivals like some of the other division leaders have.
Plot thickens is mad because the cardinals are in first place…I believe he used to be called Clepto…he has always been a hater…Hi Clepto…I guess the cardinals success really gets to you…it’s ok bud
There are a lot of people that are mad because the Cardinals are ahead of the cubs. It seems the NL Central is back to normal. No team has won more Central division titles than the Cardinals and many people show their jealousy here.
Fans like you make the rest of us look bad. Stop commenting. Please.
Plenty of time for the Cubs to catch up including seven games at the end of the season. Or the Cubs can win the Wild Card game and beat the Cards in the NLCS. Sound familiar?
i for sure don’t think the cardinals have anything wrapped up…like you said the cubs and cards have plenty of games to play against each other and that in my opinion is what will decide the division…the cardinals have a pretty weak schedule besides the cubs games
Almost as horrible as your irrelevant, ignorant opinion.
One of the dumbest posts I’ve read.
That’s one of the stupidest things ever written on mlbtr. Bravo.
To be perfectly honest when I read the name Estrada I immediately thought, alright they’re going to reboot the old TV show C.H.I.P.S! Reading further reassured me that I couldn’t be farther from the truth. Saddened both by the kid having to deal with TJ surgery and there’s not going to be a C.H.I.P.S reboot.
What happened to Mrs. Z? Did she walk away so he has the kids?
I just got caught up on these comments and understood about half of them. Is there some inside stories behind some of these responses I’m not privy to?
Zobrist and his wife are tangled up in a messy divorce. From what I’ve read she’s a true POS! He’s taken time off this year to stay close to his children to keep them from being adversely effected by their divorce. Really classy move for Ben, family is much more important than baseball. He’s made millions so he really isn’t losing anything except the cherry on top of the pudding.
Zobrist is known for his clutch hitting in the postseason. If they bring him back in September, would he be eligible for the playoffs? Maybe if he were to have a good September could someone else get “hurt” and he take their spot?