Both NLDS series are split through two games
Arizona news
[SI] What Went Wrong with the Diamondbacks’ Pitching? – The hard-hit rate in the heart of the zone against the D-backs ranked 30th with a worst in MLB rate of 51.9%. The 10.4% Barrel rate ranked 26th. But when compared to pitches not in the heart of the zone, their ranks improved to 24th on hard-hit and 16th on Barrel. The conclusion here is simply that the D-backs’ pitchers did not have good enough stuff to get away with pitches in the middle of the zone. When they did so, they got hit harder than almost any team in the league. Brent Strom often said the pitchers needed to vacate the zone more, especially when ahead in the count.
[MiLB] Everything you should know for Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League – Each of the past two seasons have featured 10 of baseball’s Top 100 prospects, but that number has risen to 14 for 2024. The league officially released its rosters — which can be fluid — on Sept. 25, highlighted by some notable names from each organization. Of course, the AFL has always boasted its share of upper-echelon talent. Hall of Famers Mike Piazza, Todd Helton and Derek Jeter are just a few of the more than 3,000 Major Leagues who have graced the AFL. Current MLB stars Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts are among the notable Fall League alumni.
[Arizona Sports] List of Diamondbacks free agents, options entering offseason – Free agency does not start until five days after the World Series, a period within which clubs can negotiate with their own free agents. Qualifying offers — one-year contracts worth the mean salary of MLB’s 125 highest-paid players — can be made during this five-day window. Trading players on MLB contracts can resume after the Fall Classic ends. The D-backs missed the postseason with an 89-73 record, their best since 2017. Four veteran players are unrestricted free agents with several more facing options as the club aims to bolsters its core to make a push toward October 2025. [We will actually be discussing the options players on this very site, a little later!]
[AZ Central] Savannah Bananas are coming to Arizona: What to know and how to get tickets – The Savannah Bananas begin their 2025 schedule in Arizona. The Savannah Bananas play games Feb. 1-2 at Mesa’s Sloan Park, spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, and Feb. 6-8 at Glendale’s Camelback Ranch, spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Those hoping to see the Savannah Bananas in Arizona in February 2025 can visit bananaball.com/tickets to claim a spot on the team’s lottery list. This allows fans a chance for their names to be drawn in the lottery for a chance to buy tickets.
And, elsewhere…
[USA Today] Phillies walk off Mets in crazy Game 2 finish to tie NLDS – Just when the Philadelphia Phillies were on life support and preparing or their last rites, they jumped up, yanked the cord out of the wall and had an entire city screaming in sheer elation. The Phillies, stealing a page out of the New York Mets’ cardiac kids manual, pulled out a dramatic 7-6 victory to tie this electric best-of-five National League Division Series at 1-1. The hero was Nick Castellanos, viciously booed earlier in the game, who hit a two-out, walk-off single in the ninth, completing the comeback.
[ESPN] Padres-Dodgers NLDS Game 2 delayed after fans throw objects on field – The start of Sunday’s bottom of the seventh inning was delayed as close to two dozen security guards lined the foul lines of Dodger Stadium after fans threw objects onto the field in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, further escalating tensions between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the division-rival San Diego Padres. Two baseballs were thrown in the direction of Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar, who in the first inning had some fun with the fans by reaching into the stands to rob Mookie Betts of a home run
[MLB] ‘Tireless worker’ Pham finds footing with KC – Pham reflects on 2024 as a tough year. It was difficult, mentally, playing with three big league teams — the White Sox, Cardinals and Royals. For the season, Pham had a slash line of .255/.309/.368 with 27 RBIs. The disappointment started last offseason. As a free agent, Pham struggled to find work and he didn’t sign with the White Sox until April 16. He believes age was working against him. “Three teams are tough,” Pham said. “You find yourself as a new teammate, you want to contribute so much. I haven’t had a good year.”
Highway to Havasu (2017)
Rating: D+
Dir: Jeff Janke
Star: Ben Edlin, Andrew Fromer, Caleb Thomas, Lily Berlina
I am, I imagine, far too old for this. But I am heartened by the realization, going off other reviews, that it’s not just me. Even if I was considerably closer to the target demographic [which I would be, back somewhere in the mid-eighties], I suspect I would still have found this largely a grating and unfunny exercise in that much-maligned genre, “teen comedy.”