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Stock Up, Stock Down: Orioles, Blue Jays, Braves, Padres

By Scott Roche |
Aug 27, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Another week has passed and we are down to just two and a half remaining in the 2023 MLB regular season. There was no shortage of storylines both on and off the field for teams that are safely in a playoff position and for teams that are going to need to fight for a playoff spot over the last couple of weeks.

In the latest edition of Stock Up, Stock Down, two American League East teams are in the news for different reasons and more.

Stock Up: Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays

The AL East leaders have been playing the most consistent baseball lately and that continued this week. First, they won their 90th game of the season last Saturday in Boston at Fenway Park with a wild 13-12 win over the fading Red Sox.

Monday night in a 11-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Camden Yards, they became the second team this season to record a win over every team in the league in 2023. The first team to do it? The Toronto Blue Jays on a September 1 win over the Colorado Rockies, 13-9.

Both teams have needed all the wins as the Orioles are trying to keep the Tampa Bay Rays at bay in the AL East, while the Blue Jays are in a dogfight with the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners for the final two AL Wild Card spots. They didn’t do themselves any favors by getting swept at home to Texas this week, but they get a chance to gain more ground this weekend by hosting the Red Sox.

Apr 5, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (6) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Down: Alek Manoah

It’s not many times that a team ends up in both Stock Up and Stock Down in the same week, but the Blue Jays are there this week.

What a difference a year makes for Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah. He has gone from getting votes for the Cy Young in 2022 to likely ending his season early because of a decision he has made since being sent to Triple-A by Toronto.

Last season he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 192.2 innings while striking out 180, which earned him Cy Young votes following the season. This season has not been good for the right-hander, who is 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA with a 1.74 WHIP and just 79 strikeouts in 87.1 innings pitched.

He was sent down to the minors once already earlier this season to the Florida Complex League before making a stop at Triple-A Buffalo. He was sent back down on August 11, but he remained in the Toronto area not accepting the assignment. He has since met with doctors about wear and tear on his knee, but his 2023 season is likely over.

Count me as someone who saw him as a top-of-the-rotation starter this season, but that never materialized. The Blue Jays are fighting for one of the last two Wild Card spots and missing Manoah’s arm is big this season that is turning into a season that the 25-year-old would rather forget.

May 28, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) pitches Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) pitches Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Atlanta Braves clinch NL East title for sixth straight year

It is no surprise that the Atlanta Braves captured their sixth straight National League East Division title, but it’s how early they captured it. They did with just over two and a half weeks remaining in the regular season. That’s how dominant they have been all season long.

With a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday night, they made a statement by winning three out of four games in just three days and did so with Spencer Strider throwing a gem in the clinching game.

How impressive is this division title than the previous five? Consider this … the Braves clinched division in game number 143 this season, the second fastest that they have done this in the division era. The fastest they clinched the NL East was in 2002 when they won it game number 141. They have also been very dominant in their division games as they have won 30 this season against their foes. The only other team to have 30 wins within the division this season? The Detroit Tigers. Yes, I’m sure that’s who popped into your head first.

You have to think that the Braves are going to be the team to beat in the postseason and, if they can finish the regular season strong and head into the postseason with the same momentum they have now, good luck beating them in a best-of-five or best-of-seven series.

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) walks off the mound after striking out Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker (53) to end the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 4, 2023.
New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (21) walks off the mound after striking out Arizona Diamondbacks Christian Walker (53) to end the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 4, 2023. /

Stock Down: Injuries shutting down pitchers’ seasons

Two big-name pitchers were shut down this week with one for the rest of the season and another one who is in the middle of a playoff race, likely out for the rest of the season. One is a big blow for the Texas Rangers.

First, Max Scherzer, who was acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, left his start against the Blue Jays Tuesday night with an injury. The right-hander worked 5.1 innings, giving up just three hits and striking out just two in a 6-3 Texas win. He was credited with his 13th win of the season. However, it was announced Wednesday that he will not pitch again in the regular season and most likely the playoffs, if the Rangers get there.

The San Diego Padres have been out of the postseason picture, in reality, for some time, and shutting Yu Darvish down for the season is no big deal. However, there have to be internal concerns in the front office as to the extent of the injury. He still has six years remaining on his contract and losing him for any time beyond this season would be big for a team that needs to bounce back in 2024 after an extremely disappointing 2023. They are likely going to lose Blake Snell, so any setback to start next season would not be good.

Despite the Braves winning the NL East, there is still a lot of baseball left this season and the races are going to start to get very good. There is still a lot to be sorted out over the next two and a half weeks.

Next. Re-visiting Bryce Harper and that HOF question. dark

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