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Passion MLB’s state of the forces: the Dodgers are losing feathers

We’re already just a month away from the 2025 Fall Dance, and there are plenty of great battles on the horizon.

So, without further ado, here’s the latest version of Passion MLB’s state of the forces. You’ll find last week’s rankings in brackets.

1 – Milwaukee Brewers (1)
2 – Detroit Tigers (4)
3 – Philadelphia Phillies (5)
4 – Toronto Blue Jays (3)

5 – Chicago Cubs (6)
6 – Los Angeles Dodgers (2)
7 – San Diego Padres (8)
8 – Boston Red Sox (11)
9 – Houston Astros (9)
10 – New York Yankees (10)
11 – Seattle Mariners (7)
12 – New York Mets (12)
13 – Cincinnati Reds (13)
14 – Kansas City Royals (15)
15 – Texas Rangers (16)
16 – Cleveland Guardians (14)
17 – Tampa Bay Rays (17)
18 – St. Louis Cardinals (18)
19 – Arizona Diamondbacks (19)
20 – San Francisco Giants (20)

21 – Atlanta Braves (23)
22 – Baltimore Orioles (24)
23 – Miami Marlins (22)
24 – Los Angeles Angels (21)
25 – Sacramento Athletics (25)
26 – Minnesota Twins (26)
27 – Pittsburgh Pirates (27)
28 – Washington Nationals (28)
29 – Chicago White Sox (29)
30 – Colorado Rockies (30)

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American League Cy Young: Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet go toe-to-toe

About a month ago, it seemed almost a foregone conclusion that Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Tarik Skubal would walk away with the American League’s Cy Young Trophy, just as Paul Skenes would in the National League.

However, as we enter the final month of the regular season, the race is now more open than ever, thanks to a strong comeback by Boston Red Sox gunner Garrett Hook.

Captain Crochet was undefeated in June and July, posting an 8-0 record with 86 strikeouts and 18 earned runs in ten starts over that period. The left-hander carried that momentum into August, going 2-0 with 32 strikeouts and just four walks in four outings on the mound.

This late surge could prevent Skubal from becoming the first pitcher since Jacob deGrom in 2018 and 2019 to win back-to-back Cy Young trophies.

Through 2025, both pitchers have exceptional and nearly identical numbers across the board, with Skubal holding a slight statistical advantage, with a higher on-base rate (3.9% vs. 6.3% for Hook) and higher WAR.

The final month of the campaign will be crucial for both pitchers to make their case as the best pitcher in the American League. Neither candidate has much experience in this situation, and both will be under more pressure as they prepare to lead their respective teams into the playoffs.

At this point, Skubal still seems in the lead to win the title, but a race that seemed to be over at the beginning of the summer is wide open again.

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Shohei Ohtani: a first win as a Dodgers pitcher

Yesterday, Shohei Ohtani took to the mound for the Dodgers. And unlike his last start, which went a little less well, the Japanese was in fine form last night.

In fact, Ohtani pitched five innings, a first for him with the Dodgers. Remember, he’s pitching without having rehabbed in the minors, so he got off to a slow start in terms of innings pitched.

He gave up just two hits to the Reds and a single run. He gave up two bases on balls and put no fewer than nine Reds guys in the mitt, which is a season high for him.

The Dodgers won 5-1… and he collected a hit as a batter.

After suffering his first setback in his last game, Ohtani went on to pick up his first win in his new colors. He couldn’t win a game until he could pitch five innings as a starter, which explains why he didn’t have a W yet. #Logic

So he was excellent yesterday. And by necessity, he strengthened his case to win another MVP title, as he continues to hit well.

It should also be noted that he was at the heart of a funny sequence. Having just retired his ninth batter on strikes, he was seen quietly walking back to the dugout at the end of half an inning… before starting to run.

Why did he run? Because he’d just realized he was the first batter of the inning. And the sequence went viral on X.

The Dodgers took advantage of the Phillies’ loss to hold on to second place in the Nationals. They are currently six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, the league’s smallest market. #AsExpected

Dave Roberts’ men also have a two-game lead in their division over San Diego.

  • 20 points for the Rangers yesterday.

  • He’s back.

  • Rafael Devers was excellent yesterday.

  • Trey Yesavage: a strikeout machine.

  • Jameson Taillon is injured.

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Jeff Hoffman saves the day for the Blue Jays

To say that the Blue Jays didn’t have it easy last night would be an understatement.

The Blue Jays ideally needed to win their home game to avoid losing their series against the Twins. But the problem was that it didn’t start well for the home side.

Eric Lauer, becoming human again, started it off by giving Byron Buxton a home run to start the game. And Lauer (six earned runs) ended up giving up a total of four long balls during his outing… #Ouin

The Jays never stopped playing catch-up baseball as the Twins scored often in the game. And towards the end of the game, it was time for action. Ty France stepped up to the plate with a home run that cut the deficit to 8-7 for his former club…

And Addison Barger was a hero in the eighth.

With two men on base, Barger hit a two-run double to give the Blue Jays their first lead of the game – at a crucial moment.

The result? The club had an opportunity to save itself. And as promised by manager John Schneider after yesterday’s pitcher-induced loss, Jeff Hoffman pitched the ninth.

And he did his job. He gave up a double, but no runs, to secure a win that really feels good for the club.

The Blue Jays have today off, but will return to action on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Shane Bieber will be the starting pitcher tomorrow, which is exciting.

Note that the Blue Jays are currently on top of the American by half a game. They are also four games ahead of the Red Sox in the East.

  • Happy listening.

  • Victory for Bubba Chandler.

  • Alex Cora has managed some good closers.

  • The Mets have a good youngster on their hands.

  • Abraham Toro made the difference in AAA yesterday.

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Jose Berrios: the Blue Jays postpone his next departure

The last time the Blue Jays sent Jose Berrios to the mound was Saturday, August 23, against the Marlins. He didn’t do badly, unlike his previous starts.

But even so, the Blue Jays got the message: a little break could do him some good.

So the club decided to take advantage of his time off and his six starters to postpone Berrios’ next start by a few days. Theoretically, he could pitch as early as Friday, after all.

The Blue Jays have announced that Berrios will only pitch next Tuesday, against the Reds.

Tonight, it’s Eric Lauer and tomorrow’s off. After that, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer will face the Milwaukee Brewers, a major league power.

Chris Bassitt and Jose Berrios will pitch the first two games against the Reds next week… and all indications are that Lauer will be the starter for next Wednesday’s game.

Why do I say that? Because Bieber, Gausman and Scherzer will be back starting next Friday on the heels of the three-game clash that awaits John Schneider’s men in the Bronx, September 3-5.

Not only is Schneider resting his boys, who need it, but he’s also arranging for his three best arms to pitch against the Brewers AND the Yankees afterwards. Preparing for the playoffs, you say?

Would the bullpen benefit from having one more guy? Certainly. But at the same time, September 1 (28 players in the lineup instead of 26) is approaching and the rotation is clearly optimized that way.

Now the pitchers have to support the hitters, who are doing their job, to help the club win ball games.

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MLB in brief: Fracture and stitches for Ernie Clement | Blue Jays believe in Jeff Hoffman

Fracture (hand) and stitches (leg) for Ernie Clement

But he’s available tonight if needed. The fracture may be small, but…

Here’s today’s lineup.

Blue Jays believe in Jeff Hoffman

The manager isn’t giving up on his closer.

Nor does Chris Bassitt, for that matter.

Trevor Megill injured

Tough blow for Milwaukee.

A question of pressure

Addison Barger doesn’t feel the pressure to perform.

Luis Robert Jr. is injured

Doesn’t change much in Chicago in 2025.

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George Springer poised to make history in the 35+ category

Things have been going pretty well for George Springer since his return from injury. He must no longer be feeling the effects of his concussion, if the way he’s been playing since returning to the game is anything to go by.

Since returning to the game, he has a .381 average and a 1.268 OPS. In 42 at-bats, he has 16 hits, six home runs and 10 runs batted in. Hard to ask for more.

But in reality, his success is nothing new. He seems to be back to the same level of success he enjoyed in his first two campaigns in the Queen City, in 2021 and 2022.

His 3.2 WAR, his .301 average, his 24 home runs, his 67 runs scored in 111 games, his good defensive play in all three outfield positions… he’s a very useful player right now.

But how good does he look?

He’s positioned himself to become only the third player in history to hit at least 25 home runs, steal at least 10 bases and have an OPS+ of at least 150 in a single season after celebrating his 35th birthday.

He has 14 stolen bases and an OPS+ of 153, which means he’s 53% better than the league average in terms of power + presence on the paths.

If he can do that, it would make him the third member of a group (which is specific, but still) in the company of Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth. They’re not celery stalks, mind you.

We should also mention that his wRC+ (which calculates how well a player creates points compared to the league average) is better than all the other players who have batted at least 400 times in 2025… except Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Cal Raleigh.

Once again, a fine group.

But aside from all the stats you can find, those who watch Blue Jays games can see that Springer is an important player. He recently returned to the leadoff spot and is important to the club – especially as a veteran.

He has performed in the playoffs in the past. It remains to be seen whether, even without the “edge” the Astros had, he can recreate some of the magic at the 2025 Series in Toronto.

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The Yankees’ MVP is not Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees are in the thick of the fight both in the American League’s Eastern Section and for the three best runner-up spots in the fall dance.

And if the Bombardiers are still in the race despite all the difficulties they’ve experienced since June, it’s not because of the performance of their captain Aaron Judge.

Indeed, Giancarlo Stanton may not take votes away from Cal Raleigh and Judge for American League MVP, but what he has been able to produce is MVP-caliber production for the Yankees as they make their push for October baseball.

And this production came at just the right time, because since Judge returned from the injured list, he hasn’t yet been the true version of himself.

He has compiled 83 plate appearances since his return, posting a .200 batting average with three home runs and eight RBIs. It’s a rare bad streak for the captain as he tries to find his footing ahead of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Stanton has had 43 plate appearances over the same period, and has already surpassed Judge with his .459 batting average in addition to his seven home runs and 18 runs batted in.

Stanton has been one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball since his return from the injured list. Without reaching the 200-appearance mark at the plate, the preferred hitter also used in right field already has 17 long balls and a .313 batting average.

Since Stanton’s return on June 16, only George Springer and Nick Kurtz have a higher OPS than him, with Big G being one of only five players in all of MLB with an OPS over 1,000 during that period.

Where would the Yankees be without Stanton?

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Nathan Eovaldi’s season is over

The Texas Rangers are currently fighting for survival, four and a half games out of the final playoff spot held by the Seattle Mariners.

And they’ll have to do so without one of their top guns.

Rangers President of Baseball Operations Chris Young said yesterday (Tuesday) that starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has a strained rotator cuff and will likely miss the rest of the season.

Eovaldi, in his third season with the Rangers, posted a record of eleven wins against three losses with a 1.73 earned-run average and 129 strikeouts in 22 starts this season.

The 35-year-old has been invaluable since arriving in Texas, boasting the best earned-run average among Rangers starters this season, and by far the best earned-run average of his long career, which includes stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.

The right-hander also helped the Rangers win the World Series in 2023 and participated in the MLB All-Star Game for the second time in his career that year.

The Texans will miss him enormously, as they will be without the services of an American League Cy Young Trophy contender.

Worst of all for the Rangers, he was scheduled to start today’s (Wednesday) game against the Los Angeles Angels. Now they have to find a replacement.

Potential options include Kumar Rocker, Jacob Latz and Michael Plassmeyer, all of whom could be used by the end of this campaign.

Far from ideal.

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Blue Jays relief completely misses out against Twins

In recent days, the Blue Jays have had their ups and downs.

In an ideal world, the club would have a record above .500m (4-4) since the start of the series against the Pirates. But John Schneider’s men haven’t dominated against Pittsburgh, Miami and Minnesota.

Why not? It’s probably not because of George Springer.

Yesterday again, the outfielder was excellent. He hit two long balls, bringing his total to six since leaving the injured list on August 16. He’s on fire.

But it was the relief that really hurt.

It’s not the first time a reliever has dropped it recently. And in yesterday’s game, closer Jeff Hoffman was to blame. He has one more sabotage and one more loss on his record, on top of his four points allowed.

Giving up two home runs yesterday means he’s conceded 12 this year. That’s too many.

And the problem is, you never know which version of Hoffman will be at a game. He’s had a wonderful run recently, but in the last two games, he’s lost his way.

Last night’s 7-4 loss was largely due to the closer. And it seems like every night there’s another reliever who can’t consistently get the job done.

Since Yimi Garcia’s return is unlikely at this point, we’ll need other solutions. Will that involve Alek Manoah or Trey Yesavage, to avoid slipping too far down the standings?

  • The Brewers won again.
  • As long as his game is over…

  • Excellent match.

  • Mets’ offense unlocks.

  • Une machine.

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