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The last week in MLB was about a starting pitcher in the National League dealing with an injury, and a pair of teams return to the postseason.
San Diego Padres Starting Pitcher Mike Clevinger Dealing with Elbow Injury
San Diego Padres might not have a crucial part of their starting rotation when the playoffs begin later this week as starting pitcher Mike Clevinger deals with an elbow injury.
Clevinger underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with an elbow posterior impingement.
He received a cortisone shot a couple of days ago, and general manager A.J. Preller said the team had not ruled him out for the first round of the postseason, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.
Mike Clevinger has been diagnosed with an elbow posterior impingement. He received a cortisone shot today. A.J. Preller said they have not ruled him out for the first round of the postseason.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 25, 2020
Clevinger was forced to leave his last start against the Los Angeles Angels after just one inning.
The right-hander has thrown the ball well since the Padres acquired him at the trade deadline as he has posted a 2.84 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 19 innings with 19 strikeouts.
The loss of Clevinger would be monumental for the Padres.
Clevinger is not the only member of the rotation that is injured as starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet had to leave his last start early against the San Francisco Giants.
Lamet told manager Jayce Tingler he felt tightness in his bicep, per Lin.
Dinelson Lamet told Jayce Tingler he felt tightness in his bicep.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) September 26, 2020
Lamet had a phenomenal 2020 season with Padres as he compiled a 2.09 ERA in 69 innings pitched (12 starts) with 93 strikeouts, 20 walks issued, five home runs allowed, a 2.47 FIP, and a 0.85 WHIP.
If both pitchers are not available, the team will turn to Zach Davies, Chris Paddack, and Garrett Richards as rotation options for the Wild Card Series.
The chances that either Clevinger or Lamet pitch has a low probability, and if they did pitch, they would be compromised and risk further injury.
Miami Marlins Clinch Playoff Spot for First Time Since 2003
The Miami Marlins are a playoff team as they clinched a spot in the playoffs days ago against the New York Yankees.
A @Marlins moment to remember in New York! 🙌🙌🙌#JuntosMiami #MLB pic.twitter.com/HDJHmgu5Q4
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) September 26, 2020
They ended the National League’s longest active postseason drought.
This marks their first playoff appearance since 2003, and it is the third time in franchise history they are in the postseason.
The Marlins, who lost 103 games last season, faced an uphill battle qualifying for the playoffs in 2020.
They dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak during the first weekend of the season, which forced 18 players to miss time.
However, the Marlins endured, the players deserve a ton of credit for dealing with adversity, but another person who is equally responsible for the Marlins reaching this point is manager Don Mattingly.
Don Mattingly talks about how the @Marlins fought their way to clinching their 1st playoff berth in 17 years.#JuntosMiami #MLB pic.twitter.com/ySnkvbY0na
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) September 26, 2020
Mattingly should get some votes for National League Manager of the Year because he helped guide the team during the outbreak and got the best out of his players.
Few people believed the Marlins had a chance of making the postseason even with a shortened schedule.
The success they achieved on the baseball diamond is one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this year.
Cincinnati Reds Clinch Playoff Berth for First Time Since 2013
The Cincinnati Reds are back in the postseason for the first time since 2013.
https://twitter.com/Reds/status/1309708247071428608?s=20
They defeated the Minnesota Twins on Friday and received some help from other teams to qualify for the postseason.
The Reds making the playoffs seemed like a longshot when September started, but the club had a strong final month to earn a playoff spot.
The Reds will be a dangerous team in the postseason due to a strong starting rotation.
Here's our 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙔𝙊𝙁𝙁 rotation:#RedsOctober pic.twitter.com/ekIx2WTmNN
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) September 26, 2020
They have Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, and an NL Cy Young candidate with Trevor Bauer.
The team is looking to have more success than in 2013 when they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the wild-card game.
The last time they won a playoff series was in 1995 when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series.
Author Profile
- 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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