5 Things: Two Chicago Cy Young Awards In The Making
By Sam McPherson
Every seven-day cycle is an interesting one in Major League Baseball, but these five things were quite notable last week. Here's a recap for you so don't miss a thing.
Padres win two straight walk-off games at PetCo Park over Dodgers
It's sweet for the hometown fans to enjoy a victory on the final swing of the bat, but when it happens two nights in a row against the hated rival from the north, it's even better than sweet. Just ask San Diego, which pulled off the feat against their National League West brethren from Los Angeles.
On Friday night, Melvin Upton, Jr. took Kenley Jansen deep for the game-winning, two-run home run, and then about 24 hours later, Yangervis Solarte drew a bases-loaded walk in the 11th inning to force home the winning run. Just like that the Dodgers had a four-game losing streak and were two games under .500 for the season—not what management expects for the money it is spending this year in L.A.
After the brawl with Toronto, the Rangers lose focus in Oakland
Just two days after the highly publicized brawl with the Toronto Blue Jays that resulted in some suspensions, the Texas Rangers also were the victims of a walk-off loss on the road. However, this one was somewhat unique: Oakland's Khris Davis delivered a grand slam to give the A's an 8-5 win at the Coliseum, helping to send the Rangers to three straight losses in Oakland.
Texas was fortunate enough to rebound with a three-game sweep of the Astros in Houston, however, salvaging their week against two of the worst teams in the American League. But Oakland's fun-loving, loyal fans again got to witness one of the best A's traditions to come out of the Billy Beane Era: a pie in the face of the batter who delivered the winning hit!
Windy City wizardry, Part I
On Friday night in San Francisco, Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta—winner of the NL Cy Young Award last season—pushed his 2016 record to 8-0 with a 1.29 ERA in a dominant win over the Giants at AT&T Park. In seven innings, he allowed only one run while striking out eight batters. For the season now, Arrieta is allowing just 4.7 hits per nine innings pitched, after allowing just 5.9 hits per nine in 2015. Is it possible he's even better this year than he was last year? His walks are up a little, and his strikeouts are a down a notch—but the end result is the same: pure dominance.
Windy City wizardry, Part II
In the last four seasons, Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale has finished among the top-six vote getters for the AL Cy Young Award, without ever winning it. Well, this may just be the year that Sale closes the deal: On Thursday, he pushed his record to 9-0 with a 1.58 ERA by beating the Houston Astros at home. Similar to his crosstown peer, Sale is limiting hitters to just 5.1 hits per nine this season, and he's cut back on his walk rate this season, too. Last season, the ChiSox lefty led AL pitchers in strikeout-to-walk ratio, and Sale is doing it again this year. That's even more wind in the Windy City than usual when Arrieta and Sale are on the mound.
Atlanta is rebuilding, but the Braves fire the manager nonetheless
Four times, Fredi González has finished in the Top 5 for NL Manager of the Year voting, and he sports a lifetime winning percentage of .506 as a MLB manager. That's a better win rate than three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy, by the way, a manager with a lot more payroll-bought talent at his disposal than González has ever had in Florida and/or Atlanta. Since the Braves organization has decided to rebuild—and drastically at that—it made no sense to fire González last Tuesday morning. Atlanta's front office will be hard pressed to find a better manager than González to come in and take over this mess for the long term, even if the Braves are moving into a new ballpark for 2017. Sometimes, you just have to wonder what management is thinking.
Sam McPherson is a freelance writer covering baseball, football, basketball, golf and fantasy sports for CBS Local. He also is an Ironman triathlete and certified triathlon coach. Follow him on Twitter @sxmcp, because he's quite prolific despite also being a college English professor and a certified copy editor.