MLB Weekly Digest September 30th Edition: Rays Return to Postseason

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The last week of the MLB regular season was about a team in the American League returning to the postseason, a team in the National League resting one of their injured players, and a reliever undergoes shoulder surgery.

Tampa Bay Rays Return to Playoffs for First Time Since 2013

The Tampa Bay Rays can party like its 2013, as the team will be in the postseason for the first time in six years.

For the first time since 2013…#RaysUp | #StayHungry pic.twitter.com/YZ8EHT1vKo

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 28, 2019

The Rays clinched a spot in the playoffs by beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-2, on Friday.

The team will face the Oakland Athletics in the American League wild-card game on Wednesday.

The Rays are on the one organization in MLB, which does the most with the least.

They had the lowest Opening Day payroll in MLB, and they’re the second team since payroll has been tracked (31 seasons) to make the playoffs despite having the lowest Opening Day payroll, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

The Rays had the lowest Opening Day payroll in MLB.

Now, they're in the playoffs.

They're just the 2nd team since payroll has been tracked (31 seasons) to make the playoffs despite having the lowest Opening Day payroll.

The other? 2018 A's.

TB will face 2019 A's in AL WC gm

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 28, 2019

If you’re wondering who the first team to accomplish this incredible feat, it was the 2018 Oakland Athletics.

The Rays are one of the best teams in the AL at preventing runs, as they’re second in the league with 648 runs allowed.

The Rays have selected starting pitcher Charlie Morton to get the start in the wild-card game.

Morton, who was signed to a multi-year contract by the Rays in the offseason has earned the opportunity to pitch in this crucial game for the Rays.

He posted a 3.05 ERA in 194 2/3 innings pitched (33 starts) with 240 strikeouts, 57 walks issued, a 2.82 FIP, and led the AL with a home-run rate of 0.7 allowing just 15 home runs in 2019.

Morton will start the postseason on fire, as he’s compiled a 2.73 ERA in 29 2/3 innings in September and the Rays have won all five of his starts this month.

Morton is the only starter for the Rays with at least one career postseason appearance.

The Rays were overlooked in the AL East this year due to the New York Yankees overcoming injuries and Boston Red Sox failing to defend their title.

The Rays returning to the postseason is a testament to how their organization is run.

Atlanta Braves Shut Down Outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. for Regular Season

The Atlanta Braves have shut down outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. for the regular season with a right groin strain, per David O’Brien of The Athletic.

#Braves’ Acuña has a left groin strain — that’s the official diagnosis. Also sore in hip area, which is what they initially thought was the issue.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 25, 2019

Acuna has also been dealing with a sore hip, but Braves’ manager Brian Snitker expects Acuna to be ready once the playoffs start, according to O’Brien.

#Braves’ Acuña is shut down for rest of season with hip strain. Snitker said they believe he’ll be ready to go “full bore” for playoffs.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 25, 2019

The negative aspect with Acuna done for the regular season is his quest of joining the 40-40 club is over.

He was three stolen bases shy of becoming the fifth player in history to join the exclusive group which includes Jose Canseco (1988), Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Alfonso Soriano (2006).

Acuna had a superb 2019 season for the Braves as he compiled a .280 batting average and .883 OPS in 156 games 127 runs scored, 175 hits, 22 doubles, two triples, 41 home runs, 37 stolen bases, and 101 RBIs.

The Braves did the smart thing by shutting him down as they will need their young outfielder healthy to have success in the postseason.

Minnesota Twins Reliever Sam Dyson Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Minnesota Twins reliever Sam Dyson will be sidelined for the rest of the 2019 season and maybe the 2020 campaign as he underwent shoulder surgery several days ago, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com.

Sam Dyson underwent capsule repair surgery in his right shoulder yesterday. He will not pitch again this season, and next season is also in jeopardy.

Rocco said the timeline for a return can be up to 12 months. Didn’t know yet whether Dyson will pitch next year.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) September 25, 2019

Dyson had capsule repair surgery in the right shoulder and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli mentioned the recovery period is 12 months. The team is unsure if Dyson can pitch next year.

Dyson was acquired by the Twins at the trade deadline from the San Francisco Giants to bolster their bullpen.

However, the right-handed reliever struggled mightily with his new team.

He posted a 7.15 ERA in 11 1/3 innings pitched (12 games) with eight strikeouts, six walks issued, and three home runs surrendered.

The poor performance was surprising as he authored a 2.47 ERA in 51 innings pitched (49 games) for the Giants with 47 strikeouts, seven walks yielded, and three home runs allowed.

Dyson is entering his last season of arbitration before being eligible for free agency at the end of the 2020 season.

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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