Impressive night across baseball. Not only did the Cubs take another no-hitter deep into the game, but the Rays' ace couldn't get himself through four innings. The Red Sox hit more home runs last night than in their last six games. The AL Central teams couldn't take advantage of losses, both stumbling to teams that aren't even in the picture.
Just a weird night...
On to the notes.
- John Maine is looking to make a comeback this season with the Mets, perhaps as a closer. Maine feels he could be in position to make a return to the staff during next week's homestand. He isn't sure about his strength and stamina, but feels that a bullpen stint could help the team. Given how many saves the Mets have blown this year, expect them to at least explore the option.
- Hopefully there weren't many of you counting on Kenny Rogers. Those that were probably have been eliminated from the playoffs anyway. That said, Rogers won't pick up a ball the rest of the way for the Tigers staff. Dontrelle Willis, though, will be taking a few turns in the rotation. He has no fantasy value.
- To say David Ortiz had been struggling was an understatement. Ortiz was below .200 against Scott Kazmir and hasn't hit much all month. All that changed with one swing in the first inning. It's when he does that that owners feel justified in keeping him in the lineup at all. He's still an everyday option, but one that requires more patience.
- The Cleveland Indians continued their hot hitting, led by two of the best pickups for the next two weeks in Kelly Shoppach and Shin-Soo Choo. Both hit home runs last night and have been the driving forces behind the Indians' offense. Those looking for a quick boost should turn to these two hitters.
- Robinson Cano is being made an example by Joe Girardi. Some might argue that it's too little too late at this point in the season to be doing that, but it doesn't matter what some think. Those holding on to Cano should look to adjust lineups accordingly for the next day or two if they want to keep getting at-bats.
- Takashi Saito returned to the Dodgers' bullpen last night. Saito is still going to have to earn the job back from Broxton, but it's a nice weapon for the Dodgers to be able to use. Sticking with closers, Chad Qualls recorded the save last night for Arizona, in his first appearance since replacing Brandon Lyon.
- Brandon McCarthy, who has been a pleasant late-season surprise, left last night's game against the Tigers with a strained tendon in his middle finger. McCarthy recorded the first two outs in the first inning, but then was forced to leave the game. No word on his status at this point, but surgery is a possibility.
- Akinori Iwamura continues to rope Boston pitching. If you only use the guy a handful of times, against Boston is the way to go. The Rays' infielder has hit more home runs against Boston than he has against everyone else in the league combined. He's also well over .300 on the season against the team.
- John Lannan seems to have a short-term memory. Lannan was roughed up by the Mets on the road, but he bounced back last night to record the win. He threw seven solid innings, giving up just one run on one hit while striking out seven. Lannan is a matchup type play, and still is just 4-8 at home this season. It's a nice start, but nothing that vaults him into true relevance beyond that.
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