No one is enjoying the MLB playoffs more than the Philadelphia Phillies. After a 5-3 win in Game 1, Philadelphia broke out for 10 runs in a 10-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, taking a 2-0 lead in the NLCS.
They’ll look to make that 3-0 on Thursday at Chase Field in Phoenix. Ranger Suárez takes the mound for the Phillies. He’ll be opposed by Brandon Pfaadt in a virtually must-win game for the Diamondbacks.
Later, the Houston Astros will try to tie up the series with the Texas Rangers. After taking the first two games of the series, the Rangers dropped Game 3 on Wednesday, allowing the Astros to get back into the ALCS. José Urquidy will pitch for the Astros. Andrew Heaney will take the mound for the Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
MLB Gold Glove finalists announced, Nolan Arenado misses award for 1st time in 11-year career
MLB announced this year’s 60 Gold Glove finalists on Wednesday, and the biggest surprise is who didn’t make the cut.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has won the National League Gold Glove at his position every year since his rookie season in 2013, was not among the three finalists for his league and position this year. Arenado was also on a streak of six straight Platinum Gloves for the best overall fielder in the league.
Arenado is tied with Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki for most consecutive Gold Gloves to open a career. His 10 Gold Gloves remain tied with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Mike Schmidt for second-most all time at the position, behind only the late Brooks Robinson of the Baltimore Orioles,
Instead of Arenado, the 2023 finalists were the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley and the Colorado Rockies’ Ryan McMahon, who took over the position in Denver after Arenado was traded to the Cardinals.
It’s not too much of a stunner that they beat Arenado, though, as all three players were well ahead of the veteran in the key Defensive Runs Saved stat, a catch-all for defensive performance. Arenado did beat Riley in Statcast’s Outs Above Average, though.
As for the other positions, some will be more competitive than others. Here’s the entire list of nominees, with each position’s leader in Defensive Runs Saved italicized.