As the 2023 regular season’s final weekend begins, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Miggy’s Final Series:
Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera will put the finishing touches on an illustrious career in Detroit this weekend. The 40-year-old veteran owns a career slash line of .306/.382/.518 with 3,168 hits (17th all-time), 510 home runs (26th), and 624 doubles (T-13th). Though he started his career with the then-Florida Marlins, Cabrera suited up for the Tigers in nearly 75% of his career games, allowing him to stand along side franchise legends like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline on the club’s offensive leaderboards. With three games against the Guardians left to go in the 2023 campaign for Detroit, Tigers fans will get their final chance to say goodbye to the twelve-time All Star and back-to-back AL MVP award winner. As manager A.J. Hinch told reporters recently (including Chris McCosky of The Detroit News), the plan is for Cabrera to play all three games in the series.
2. NL Playoff Picture Muddied By Suspended Game:
Last night’s game between the Mets and Marlins was suspended with two outs in the top of the ninth after a delay of over three hours, with the Marlins leading 2-1. The game, as noted by Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, is set to be completed at 12:10pm CT on Monday, after the regular season is completed, should the game be necessary for determining the playoff field or seeding. With Miami’s game last night incomplete, the club heads into today with a half-game lead on the Cubs and a 1.5 game lead on the Reds for the third and final NL Wild Card spot. They also trail the Diamondbacks by 1.5 games for the second spot.
Last night’s suspension is surely frustrating for the Marlins, particularly in the event that they have to finish the suspended game en route to a postseason appearance. Miami would then figure to travel from Pittsburgh to New York for the game on Monday, after the regular season has concluded, before hitting the road again to start the Wild Card series in Milwaukee or Philadelphia the very next day.
3. Series Preview: Astros @ Diamondbacks
No series this weekend figures to have more impact on the postseason picture than the three game set between the Astros and Diamondbacks in Arizona. Both teams are currently in playoff position, but have not clinched a spot in the postseason, much less what seed they’ll occupy. In the NL, the Diamondbacks have the aforementioned 1.5 game lead on the Marlins for the second NL Wild Card spot, with the Cubs lurking two games behind them. Meanwhile, the Astros occupy the final AL Wild Card spot, with the Mariners sitting just a game behind them. An additional wrinkle for Houston is that the AL West is still winnable for them, as they sit just two games behind the Rangers for the division lead and the first-round bye that comes with it.
The series with kick off at 8:40pm CT with Astros rookie J.P. France (3.83 ERA) facing off against DBacks ace Zac Gallen (3.49 ERA). Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (3.32 ERA) will take the mound on Saturday opposite Arizona’s as-of-now unannounced starter, while neither club has announced a start for the regular season finale on Sunday.
Miggy is also 12th all-time in RBI. Take out the known juicers, and he slips into the Top 10.
I’ll be going to his last game on Sunday. What a day that is going to be! Thanks for the great memories, Miggy!
I remember his rookie year when the Marlins shocked the Yanks in the WS. You could tell from day one the guy was a star. It’s too bad Hanley fizzled out because his ceiling was through the roof.
I’ll be there Saturday. My wife really wanted the commemorative shirt lol
This is what baseball fans wants to see. Meaningful games at the end of the season. Playoffs started early folks!
Why didn’t they just call the Marlins/Mets game? It’s an official game, no? 8 innings complete.
Does the game then become official at some point or does it then magically disappear as if it never happened?
That rule changed. There are no more “official” games called before the last scheduled out.
Astrosfn just making things up? There’s been multiple shortened games this year… Clevinger just threw a 6 inning complete game 11 days ago…. Some of y’all don’t pay ANY attention lol and still so confident you know what you’re talking about….. actually hilarious
Blood pressure buddy. Count from 10 backwards to get back to your normal level sir.
Yep.
Apparently I need to talk to my doctor about age-related memory issues.
Sorry for the trouble.
Iirc it’s because they started the ninth inning and that rained out. You have to complete the inning you start.
Lenny Bruce
I was wondering the same thing. I thought it was that as long as a certain amount of innings were complete, it could just be called. Maybe because the marlins started batting? That’s the only thing I can really think of. Is if it’s because the new inning had already begun.
I looked on mlbs webpage, it stated in a rule that because the marlins took the lead in a new inning and the Mets hadn’t batted and been given the chance to bat as the home team, is why it couldn’t be counted as completed.
I haven’t heard of any rule change that says a game can’t be called. But in this case it’s because a new inning had started and the marlins took the lead in it as the visiting team. I believe had the marlins took the lead in the 8th, it could be counted as completed.
Thanks.
“Hey, Mom! I went to the game tonight.”
“You did? What game?”
“Oh. Nevermind. Forget I said that. It never happened.”
“Huh?”
“Exactly, Mom!”
Brewsing, you are absolutely correct. The Associated Press cited the specific rule within the game story that ESPN published.
And yes, had Miami taken the lead in the 8th and it held into the 9th last night’s game would’ve been called when the rain hit.
I just assumed that since the game held weight as far as deciding playoff appearances for the Marlins and the teams around them, that it had to be completed. Thanks for the info on the rule
Agreed. No reason to not call the game a Miami victory. If the Nets were still alive for a postseason birth than maybe finish the game. It could all be moot anyway if the Pirates play spoiler over the weekend
Read Rule 7.02 (a)(5). Miami took the lead, rain stopped play, Mets could not come to bat. By rule the game has to be suspended.
I can’t find anything on what happens to the suspended game if it is ruled “unnecessary” and they don’t finish it. MLB rule 7.02 doesn’t cover that scenario.
Does it revert back to the last completed inning—the 8th—and the Mets are given win?
Do they wipe the game and stats as if it never happened?
The was no even play. Can not be called in the middle of.an inning. Both teams need equal at bats 6 or more?
MLB strikes again!
This is simply going by memory, and have read the other posters with the correct information.
But I was under the impression that it reverts back to the last completed inning, (8th) which the Mets were leading 1-0.
From my understanding it was also raining to start the 9th, so technically the 9th shouldn’t have started. Pitchers don’t pitch well in the rain and if it needs to restart on Monday it’ll be under different weather conditions
If I were a Cubs fan, I’d feel anger at allowing Miami to start an inning with an advantage, take a lead and have the game suspended indefinitely
Games have been played in rainy conditions forever. Stopping play is at the discretion of the umpiring crew.
I understand that the umpire crew is under more pressure in the final week of the season to get the games completed.
But if this were a mid June game, it’s likely called after 8 innings and the 9th never even starts
No matter how you slice it Miami was handed a gift.
This is coming from an outside observer. I have no skin in the game for any NL team
I just know how I’d feel if this was a game with Houston or Seattle and the Jays were affected
Wasn’t the game tied after 8?
If so they would not have called the game. There are no ties in baseball.
If Miami scored 2 top of 9 and the score sits at 2-1 then the score had to be 1-0 Mets at the conclusion of the 8th
And my concern is, it’s supposed to be “fair”. Everyone knew the really bad weather was upon them. Including MLB. The 9th shouldn’t have been allowed to start. Game should have been postponed at the end of the 8th and either called mets win 1-0 OR played the entire 9th inning during the downpour OR play the complete 9th inning Monday when both teams have the same weather conditions
Not give 1 team, fighting for their playoff lives an advantage
An advantage? Fly to New York for a game Monday at noon, and then if they win, fly to their next destination, which probably also will have an afternoon start? Quite an advantage…
The advantage came hitting in poor pitching conditions. Now if necessary they get to resume the game with the lead after trailing and get much better conditions to finish thr game
The alternative is call the game at end of 8 which results in a Miami loss
Like I said. I’m putting myself in a cubs fan position
If Seattle Texas or Houston had the same fortune as Miami, I as a Jays fan would be livid
Game should have been completed before they got on a plane today for their next series that would start today, Friday game could have been cancelled and a double header could have been played on Saturday and finish season on Sunday.
won’t be right if they have to play on Monday and if they h=get in possibly have to travel again and play Tuesday in Milwaukee or other city without a day of rest like other Wildcard teams would likely have.
Couldn’t do that because of the weather in New York that led to the game being suspended in the first place. Up to five inches of rain expected today and flash flood warnings expected all day.
And the Mets have already postponed tonight’s game vs. Philadelphia. Doubleheader on Saturday.
Game should have been completed before they got on a plane today
=====================
There is a significant amount of rain out there today.
When Joe? At 5 in the morning, 45 minutes after the rain stopped?
Sure, finish it out by 6 am, and have the Marlins Fly out to PGH this morning at 8 to play the game tonight?
Listen, the game will only need to be completed if it impacts the playoffs.
At this point, the Marlins are in full control of their own fate. They win out, they are in. I believe they control the tie breakers.
So for the Marlins, the playoffs begin now.
I would rather they be somewhat rested than dragging their butts tonight against Pittsburgh. .
“Who said life is fair? Where is that written?”
Peter Falk in The Princess Bride
Miguel Cabrera hit his 511th home run as Detroit won the completion of a suspended game 8-0
Definitely got a chuckle following the link for Ty Cobb and ending up at the BR page for some 21 year old pitching at a Community College.
Good pickup! Looking at the numbers, it looks like the name is all they have in common!
What jerk names their kid Ty Cobb? No middle name even.
How about the Mets grounds crew’s handling of the rain delay. What a joke!
Hey Old York. The heavy heavy rain did not stop until after 4 am.
Do you think the Marlins want to wait until 530 am to get back in the field and finish, and then fly into PGH to play tonight.
Know what you are talking about before making a jerky comment like that.
And Old York, the MLB Commisioner’s office was intimately involved in the discussions about the outcome of the game last night PRECISELY because of the scheduling/rescheduling implications. The CitiField grounds crew had nothing to do with anything regarding the length of the delay nor the decision to suspend the game. It is a shame you called them a joke.
And oh, by the way, the fact that the game is suspended and not deemed final is according to the rules in MLB which states if the visiting team goes ahead in the top of an inning after the 5th inning, the home team does get a chance to complete the inning.
People will say the Mets are to blame, but the rules are written and the Commisioner’s office has to protect the rights of the Cubs and Diamondbacks as equally as the Mets and Marlins in this situation.
I believe the Marlins control their destiny if they take all games against the Pirates based on tie-breakers, but should they lose and the Cubs and Dbacks win, then the decision last night protects them as well.
I flew out of LaGuardia, which is close to Citi Field, late afternoon yesterday as the rain was getting heavier. Watched the big spray as planes landed. I’m amazed they got in as many innings as they did; the grounds crew deserves credit.
Miggy actually has 511 HRs now….guess they had the article written before Wednesday’s game. Just sayin’….
Cabrera’s induction should open the doors for fellow ped users.
Are you insinuating that Miggy used PEDs? I’ve never heard him being linked to PEDs throughout his career. You got some proof?
Miggy played his entire career being tested for PEDs. He never failed a test and he wasn’t connected to any scandals.
Dbacks have Gallen and Kelly lined up for the first two games vs the Astros. Then games two and three for the WC series provided they clinch. I believe the Dbacks will hold back Kelly on Saturday if they clinch tonight and then Kelly would pitch game 1 of the WC.
In other news, Hector Neris should be suspended for the month of October, no appeals.
For what?
Yelling, apparently a homophobic slur. A month seems harsh.
Eugenio Suarez claims to have heard Hector Neris yell a homophobic slur in spanish at JRod after striking him out in the 6th inning Wednesday night.
Pretty sure the Astros need to sweep to have a chance of winning the AL West
Going to be tough watching the Tigers next year. Grew up watching Kaline, Cash, Lolich and McLain. Transitioned into Trammel and Sweet Lou, then a couple years of the Bird. Then the dark years until Miggy and Verlander came along and gave us hope! Hopefully Tork, Carp, Skubal, Mize and company can bring us out of this latest funk, make our Tigers relevant again.
Miggy, we’re all going to miss you, you’re still a kid playing baseball at heart
The Bird was before Sweet Lou and Tram. Only know because I was too young for him, but saw Lou and Tram. And of course Gibby.
The playoffs are a JOKE!
Teams 14-20 games back are in the playoffs?
How despicable! How disrespectful of what a season is!
No way Philly should be in the playoffs they are 14 games back!
Miami IS 20 GAMES BACK!!!!!
IT WILL BE SHAMEFUL IF ANY EVEN GO TO THE WORLD SERIES!
WHAT A JOKE!
I suppose it is a reflection of our new society.
Staying for the long haul is not part of their psyche.
PITIFUL!
A smart team wouldn’t burn out their guys trying to win the division……dont.pitch.that pitcher….save his arm
We’re 20.games.back…but hey…We’re in…
Either you are a fan of the way things used to be from 1968 and before, when the National League winner played the American League winner in the World Series and that was it, or you have been living outside of the country for too many years.
All around us, in every sport, playoffs have been expanded. Football-Hockey-Basketball have done the same. It keeps fans in every city engaged in their teams games and still hanging onto that hope they had coming out of Spring Training that their team can make it to the World Series.
Or the Super Bowl. Or the NBA Finals. Or the Stanley Cup finals.
The evidence is all around you. It is the way of the professional sports now, and has been for decades.
If you are arguing that the regular season is too long, or that the World Series could not be finished until after your kids have finished all their trick or treating candy, then that’s a different story.
If you are arguing that they should go back to 2 leagues 2 divisions each league, again a different story.
If you’re are arguing that the worst teams should be dropped to second division like in British soccer, well, that would work if every lower level team ie AAA teams were independent but in fact they are not. They are the developmental teams for the major league teams.
So I have speculated a lot about what sport you actually follow.
Seems to me your handle should be Rip Van SaberWinkle.
This whole blog is fed by keeping more teams in the playoff hunt.
Imagine for a second that after 104 games, the amount the Braves had played thru the trading deadline 6pm 8/1/23, they held a 10 game or more gap on every team in a single division National League except for the Dodgers, who would have been the closest at 8 games behind.
What team would even think of trading to close that gap? Some would. But if the Braves then played .500 baseball to finish the season, the Dodgers would have to have played .637 baseball ( 37-21) just to tie. (FYI to date, the Dodgers have only been able to shave 3 games off that 8 game Braves lead, and would have been eliminated 2 night ago.
The Orioles had it closer in AL East, but still have played better than all others after the deadline.
Same deadline date, current divisional alignment:: 11 teams were 10 or more games out of first place in their division. More than a third of teams realistically out of it, with 58 games to play.
What a sad blog this would be if all we could talk about was next year for most teams.
Ignore the facts? Miami is 20 games out-of first place and probably going to the playoffs.
As I said ,it is a reflection of our culture.
Integrity vs Money.
Money wins.
The changes to game reflect that across the board. The manager ( the leader, who changes the course of the game with his decisions – like a political dictator could) has been totally castrated.
Free pass? Throw the ball. Yes. It wears.the arm, there is a chance at a hit or a wild pitch…… home plate collisions..R9cky Colivito smacks a catcher in the head with a bat…the catcher goes and gets stitches…they are both playing ball the next day…..pardon they expression but the have pussified the game. (not Cats and Boots, not pea green sea)
And it is a reflection of American culture.
It just bothers me a team 20 games out….
is probably in.
That bothers me. That’s all.
Yes. I understand what you say about.keeping fans engaged…..
And I have.no problem saying you are right in what (most of).you say…..in.my mind ( where I am a legend, of course), it is a total travesty to see 20 games back, make.the playoffs.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Most of all, I miss yelling at the umps. Billy Martin was my all time manager hero! Heckling the ump used to part of the game…..
So you are a Yankee fan from the days when the Yankees made the playoffs and the rest of the country lost hope in July.
Nothing wrong about that. I loved when pitchers came to the plate and pitchers pitched complete games and pitched inside to keep batters honest and there was bunting and knuckleballs and hit and run plays. The game has totally changed. “Openers” and two true outcome batters and DHs in both leagues and pitch clocks and contracts like Bobby Bonilla that jeep paying a guy retired for 20+ years are things that i dislike but have to live with.
But other than the pitch clock, nothing is new.
It is the game that i love. And I accept it. I can’t live in the past.
And oh, by the way, if the Marlins survive the first rounds of the playoffs and knock off the Braves to get ti the World Series, I’d accept it too.
It’s baseball.
I will watch all 3 games this weekend. Miggy is the best hitter I saw. I got to watch Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Joe DiMaggio, but they were at the end of their careers. Miggy has a high baseball IQ and great situational awareness on the field at all times. When he steps up to the plate, his eyes are scanning the field to see how the defense is arrayed. He knows what to do in the AB.
A couple weeks ago, he came to bat after one of the youngsters had hit a triple. Kirk Gibson said Miggy needed to put one between 1B and 2B. Miggy fouled off the first pitch, then pulled his hands in on the next and sliced it right between first and second, driving in that run. Classic Miggy. I will miss watching him. I hope he stays in the game in some capacity. He still has lots to give.
Great career Miggy, enjoy your 50th Birthday next year in retirement!