:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36929254/453573856.0.jpg)
Yesterday's action
The Indians split a doubleheader with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, losing half a game to both Kansas City and Detroit in the process. Starter Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin both pitched very well, and the bullpen did very well too. The problem was the offense, which scored only 3 runs in 21 innings. Looking at that, I'd say they were lucky to win one.
Other Tribe items
No awkwardness for Bauer in facing Diamondbacks (Jordan Bastian) - You may recall that Arizona is the team that sent Bauer to the Indians. You may also recall that they gave up on him pretty quickly after using the #3 pick on him in 2011, trading him only 18 months later, due to disagreements about his pitch selection and attitude. Bauer says the Diamondbacks are just another team to him, but Terry Francona says he's not so sure, and I tend to side with Terry on this one.
What role will analytics play in front offices going forward (Zack Meisel) - Meisel spoke with members of the Tribe front office about the role of newer metrics and player-measurement tools in the team's decision making, and how those tools are combined with more traditional ones.
The Akron RubberDucks are putting playoff tickets on sale at 10:00 AM today. With the top two teams in the division headed to the postseason, the second place Ducks currently hold a 7 game lead over the next team in the standings, with only 19 games remaining in the regular season.
So many injuries
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will undergo season-ending hip surgery on Friday. Tulowitzki is batting .340/.432/.603, and leading the National League in all three of those splits, and he plays strong defense at shortstop too. He was the frontrunner for NL MVP, but that won't happen now.
Rangers ace Yu Darvish was placed on the 15-day DL with elbow inflammation. At this time he is only expected to miss 2 or 3 starts, and return by the end of August. Given that Texas has the worst record in baseball though, if there's any question about his health at that point, they should just shut him down for the year.
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained knee. Did you know Baltimore has a 7.5 game lead in the AL East, largest of any division leader in baseball? Machado is expected back before the end of the month. LGFT Cord Phelps has been called up to fill the roster spot.
Twins outfield prospect Byron Buxton was carried off the field on a stretcher last night. Buxton is the #1 prospect in baseball on most lists, and at the start of this year he was expected to get a September cup of coffee with Minnesota. Instead, a wrist injury kept him off the field until last month, and last night was his first game after a promotion to Double-A. He and a teammates collided in the outfield, and Buxton was reportedly unconscious for 10 minutes. He almost certainly sustained a concussion, and his season may be over. Sad news for a incredibly talented young man.