MLB Weekly Digest September 24th Edition

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The prior week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the National League making history, a club from the NL clinches a spot in the postseason and a manager in the American League gets fired.

New York Mets Starting Pitcher Jacob deGrom Makes History in Latest Outing

New York Mets ace starter Jacob deGrom has had a year to remember on the mound for the Mets and made history with his last outing.

He pitched seven innings and yielded three runs (one earned run) with eight strikeouts against the Washington Nationals.

This impressive outing lowered his ERA to 1.77 on the season, and it was the 23^rd consecutive quality start for deGrom, which set a new MLB record, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Most consecutive quality starts in a season, MLB history:

1. Jacob deGrom, 23
2-t. Bob Gibson, 22
2-t. Chris Carpenter, 22

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 22, 2018

The right-hander has been a model of consistency in the Mets’ rotation for the entire season. deGrom has a chance to join some illustrious company in his last couple starts of the season.

He has a sub-1.80 ERA with 259 strikeouts and only 10 home runs allowed.

The last pitcher to post a sub-1.80 ERA with at least 250 strikeouts and 10 or fewer home runs surrendered was Walter Johnson in 1912 for the Washington Senators, per Mark Simon of Sports Info Solutions.

Jacob deGrom: 1.78 ERA, 251 K, 10 HR

Last pitcher to go sub-1.80 ERA with 250 K and 10 or fewer HR:
Walter Johnson, 1912 Senators

ERA wasn’t even an official stat in the AL yet!! (became one in 1913)

deGrom’s got a shot to do that!

— Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) September 22, 2018

Johnson posted a 1.39 ERA in 369 innings with just two homers allowed and struck out 303 batters during that 1912 campaign for the Senators.

deGrom has had a special season on the mound and deserves to win the National League Cy Young.

Texas Rangers Fire Manager Jeff Banister

The Texas Rangers will be looking for a new manager this offseason as they fired manager Jeff Banister a couple of days ago, per Rangers Executive Vice President of Communications John Blake.

The Texas Rangers announced today that Jeff Banister has been dismissed as the team’s manager. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu has been named interim manager for the remainder of 2018 season effective immediately.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) September 21, 2018

The Rangers will have bench coach Don Wakamatsu serve as the interim manager for the rest of the season.

Banister was with the Rangers for four years and posted a 325-313 record while leading the Rangers to the playoffs twice during that timeframe.

The Rangers currently sit in last place in the American League West. They’ve struggled to stay in contention in the division this season due to injuries.

Second baseman Rougned Odor, shortstop Elvis Andrus, third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. have all spent time on the disabled list this season.

The surprising aspect is that the Rangers waited until the regular season is almost over to fire Banister as they could’ve done this weeks ago or fired him once the regular season is finished.

Atlanta Braves Clinch First National League East Crown Since 2013

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday 5-3, and the victory allowed them to clinch the division title and a spot in the postseason.

Champs.#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/1guqoQ1Gjc

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 22, 2018

This marked the first division title for the Braves since 2013. The Braves were the surprise team in the NL for much of the season, and their level of play improved as the season progressed.

The Braves have plenty of youth on their roster highlighted by NL Rookie of the Year candidate outfielder Ronald Acuna.

Acuna has compiled a .290 batting average and .928 OPS in 104 games with 26 home runs, 58 RBIs, 77 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.

The Braves will enter the postseason as a team that can have a deep run in the playoffs as they have the talent to succeed.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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