MLB Player News

John Mozeliak will get one more year to run the ship with the Cardinals as the team transitions to Bloom. Next year, Bloom will oversee a reset of the Cardinals’ player development system and president Bill DeWitt Jr. said the team “will be making significant new investments in staffing, programs, and infrastructure, beginning immediately and continuing for years to come.” Bloom drew plenty of criticism over his time in Boston for trading Mookie Betts at the outset of his tenure; however, it’s believed by many that he was pressured to do that by the front office and he also rebuilt the Red Sox farm system into one of the best in the league. It remains to be seen what kind of budget he will be given in St. Louis, but his track record in developing minor league talent is well proven.

Freeman was considered questionable for the contest, but he was able to pick up a couple of knocks, and showed things can’t be bothering him too much with an uncontested stolen base. He nearly came up with a third hit but was robbed Donovan Solano with the bases loaded. It’s a great sign for the Dodgers that Freeman looked healthy in this contest.

Machado extended the Padres’ lead to 3-0 in the first with a two-run homer off Yoshinobu Yamamoto. That’s the first postseason homer for Machado in 2024, and the 11th of his career. He did come up empty in a big situation as the go-ahead runner in the ninth with a strikeout, the Padres aren’t in the game without Machado’s roundtripper.

Welcome to the postseason, Shohei. Ohtani not only picked up the three-run homer, but it was a big one that tied the game at 3-3 in the second inning. He also had a broken-bat single and came around to score on a Teoscar Hernandez poke. It’s just a continuation to a spectacular season for Ohtani, and the Dodgers have a critical 1-0 lead against their division rivals.

The Dodgers were forced to turn to Treinen with Michael Kopech unable to throw strikes with one out in the eighth, and he was able to get out of that jam. He created his own and put the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth, but he struck out Manny Machado to get the final out. Treinen had to throw 39 pitches, so there’s a good chance he will not be available for Game 2 against the Padres on Sunday.

Cease was handed five runs of support, but he wasn’t able to protect a pair of multiple-run leads. A 3-0 lead became a 3-3 game when he allowed a three-run homer to Shohei Ohtani, and he was charged for two more runs in the fourth after being pulled. He did strikeout five, but Cease was certainly not up to the task Saturday. He likely will be back in Game 5 of the NLDS, if necessary, but could be back on short rest in Game 4.

Yamamoto’s first playoff start was a disappointing one, and continues a theme for Dodger starters over the past few postseasons. He allowed three runs in the first including a two-run homer to Manny Machado. He settled down in the second, but he gave up two more runs in the third on a double by Xander Bogaerts, and he finished the start with just one strikeout against two walks and five hits. Yamamoto will likely start again in Game 5 if necessary, but throwing just 60 pitches could make him eligible to pitch earlier if the Dodgers were so inclined.

In addition to the three hits, Soto also made a throw to get Salvador Perez out at the plate in the second inning. He singled twice and added a double, and it’s the second three-hit game in the postseason in the 25-year-old’s already impressive career.

Torres also drew two walks and scored his second run on a bases-loaded walk to Austin Wells. The second baseman was excellent in September with an .859 OPS, and he’s now off to a strong start in the playoffs.

Melendez gave the Royals a 3-2 lead with a two-run blast off Gerrit Cole into the right-field bleachers. The 25-year-old has his first postseason homer, and he’s slugging .545 in the first four games of his playoff run.

Hard to imagine writing this analysis before the season started based on how bad Weaver looked in 2023, but here we are. Weaver struck out three and didn’t allow a hit while picking up his first postseason save. He threw 24 pitches, but with the Yankees and Royals getting Saturday off, he should be available for Game 2 in a save or high-leverage situation.