Welcome to another edition of Five Things I Liked (Or Didn’t Like) This Week
September is a magical time for baseball. Half of the games are mostly for fun, with teams playing out the string and competing for bragging rights. Those games produce some delightful nonsense, because teams are often more willing to engage in tomfoolery when the stakes are low. The other half of the games are far more important than any games from earlier in the season; they determine playoff berths, home field advantage, and statistical milestones. That duality is a ton of fun.
This year, we’ve even got a truly historic statistical chase going on to add to the excitement. Zach Lowe’s NBA column, which inspired this series, always hits its stride when teams are building up for the playoffs. I think that baseball trends in the same direction. Let’s get right to it.
1. When the Ball Doesn’t Lie
This is just outrageous: The umpire is part of the field of play. That’s just how the rule works. Umpires do their best to get out of the way of batted balls, both for self-preservation and for the integrity of the game. John Bacon wasn’t trying to insert himself into the play; he was in foul territory and focused on getting the fair/foul call right, and there was simply no way to avoid this rip. Bryson Stott couldn’t believe it. The Phillies won comfortably after that. Crazy bounces swing games, except when they don’t. It’s a good reminder that sometimes an event that feels unfair and insurmountable ends up not mattering at all.
2. Incredible Catches
The Tigers are hot right now, owners of the best record in baseball over the last month. They’re still on the outside of the playoff race, but they can at least dream about scenarios where they sneak in, something that would have sounded far-fetched at the trade deadline. Even their cameramen are making plays. It’s a good time to be a Tigers fan. You’ve got one of the best play-by-play announcers in the game calling a team on the rise. What more could you ask for?
3. Ohtani Odds
Let’s be honest here: I’m watching the Dodgers every day right now, and Shohei Ohtani’s chase for 50/50 is the most compelling story in the sport. I’m trying to catch every at-bat because I think I’ll remember this chase for years to come in the same way that Aaron Judge’s 62-homer season sticks in my memory. It also thinks that the six-game homestand that stretches from September 20-26 is the best chance to see it. Those games are going to have electric atmospheres – a huge stadium full of people hoping to see the most talented player of our generation put his name in the record books forever. I’m extremely excited to watch them, and honestly, I’ll take any excuse to talk about Ohtani these days.
4. Mega Walk-Off
Tyler O’Neill sends a walk-off HR way over the Monster! Not all game-ending homers are created equal. That one was majestic, and the Green Monster provided a backdrop that underscored just how high and deep it went. That’s obviously a home run in every stadium, but something about Fenway makes it look grander. Disappearing into the night like that is just more impressive when there’s a huge wall beneath it.
