MLB Standings
The Royals miss out by one game on both a 100-win season and the rest record in baseball; a result that they hope does not come back to haunt them.
They wrap up the Central by 18 games, a wider margin than the Avalanche (100-65) managed, while over in the East the Orioles (90-72) led for most of the season and finished 3 games clear of the Yankees.
In the National League, the Mets (96-67) finished with the league’s best record and won their division by 2 games while the Giants (90-72) leapfrogged the Dodgers to win the division by one game although both will make the postseason. The Cubs (84-78) improved over the last month of the season to earn the division title, winning by 3 games from the Reds.
As expected, the Mariners and the Yankees wrapped up the first two wild card spots and neither the Twins nor the White Sox could put pressure on the Rangers, who wrapped up the final spot.
In the National League, it was a lot closer after the Phillies and Dodgers took the first two slots, with the Padres and Braves finishing with the same record and the Padres getting into the post season by virtue of their 4-3 record during the season.
Kansas City Results
A 14-11 month to end the season with five series victories out of eight full series, sweeping the Guardians and the Braves (ending their playoff hopes in the final series of the season) and being swept by the Giants (helping them win the NL West).
Kansas City Team Statistics
The Royals end with the best offense in the American League, finishing in the top three of every category except home runs, where they finished 5th. The improvement in Base Running to 3rd is the most impressive upgrade from an already elite offensive team. The bullpen finishes with the best ERA in the AL, while the Royals drop a little over the final two months to finish in the top five for the majority of categories.
Jimmy Goodman (143 wRC+) had a great final month of the season to take his ZR over 10 for the year; while Edgar Mir (148 wRC+) ensured he earned over 6 WAR for the season with another 6 HRs for the month.
Eddie Baquerizo (68 FIP-) bounced back in the final month, pitching 26 innings and giving up 24 hits but still recording an 0-4 record while Kevin Azeem (48 FIP-) had a great start to Royal life, giving up 9 hits in 9 innings.
Transactions & Injuries
Monday, September 1st , 2036
Purchased the contract of 3B Eric Rose from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, September 6th , 2036
Sent RP Ben Alvarado to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, September 17th , 2036
Sent CF Drew Burress to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Tuesday, September 23rd , 2036
Optioned CF Jesus Cipolloni to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Purchased the contract of CF Drew Burress from Triple A Omaha.
Eric Rose was the September roster expansion call up to provide some rest for the infield as the season entered its final month.
Ben Alvarado managed to make it back for an injury rehab stint in AAA but making the playoff roster is unlikely. Drew Burress, however, was able to have a week in AAA before returning to the Major League roster for the last week of the season, sending Cipolloni back to AA following a not overly successful time in the Big Leagues.
Minor League News
International League (AAA) Pitcher of the Month: Ethan Chafin (2033 Trade WAS) 5-0, 1.32 ERA, 46 K, 41 IP
Texas League (AA) Batter of the Month: Beom Byham (2034 9th Round) .500, 14 HRs, 36 RBIs
Texas League (AA) Pitcher of the Month: Ethan Ruzanski (2031 18th Round) 4-0, 2.74 ERA, 29 K, 23 IP
Midwest League (A+) Pitcher of the Month: Devin Cooper (2032 1st Round S) 3-0, 2.37 ERA, 21 K, 19 IP
Around the League
Transactions
Wednesday, September 17th , 2036
Texas Rangers: Signed RF Erik Pickett to a 5-year contract extension worth a total of $38,920,000.
Tuesday, September 9th , 2036
Boston Red Sox: Failed to sign 2nd round draft pick Erik McCormick. Received additional pick compensation.
Boston Red Sox: Failed to sign 3rd round draft pick Tameron Brizan. Received additional pick compensation.
Toronto Blue Jays: Failed to sign 2nd round draft pick Mike Corbin. Received additional pick compensation.
Detroit Tigers: Failed to sign 1st round draft pick Modest Hysi. Received additional pick compensation.
Minnesota Twins: Failed to sign 1st round draft pick Kevin Bultsma. Received additional pick compensation.
San Antonio Avalanche: Failed to sign 3rd round draft pick Zion Saintjean. Received additional pick compensation.
St. Louis Cardinals: Failed to sign 2nd round draft pick David Sahagun. Received additional pick compensation.
Colorado Rockies: Failed to sign 2nd round draft pick Julio Adame. Received additional pick compensation.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Failed to sign 2nd round draft pick Adrian J. Wille. Received additional pick compensation.
Injuries
Monday, September 29th , 2036
Boston Red Sox: LF Roman Anthony diagnosed with a fractured thumb, will miss 5 weeks.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 2B Jesus Veliz was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: herniated disc (back). He's expected to miss about 3-4 weeks.
Sunday, September 28th , 2036
St. Louis Cardinals: 2B Ed Kolesar diagnosed with a knee sprain, will miss 6-7 weeks.
Philadelphia Phillies: SP Zyaire Litzsey diagnosed with an oblique strain, will miss 4 weeks.
Saturday, September 27th , 2036
Chicago Cubs: RP Colin White diagnosed with a torn triceps, will miss 2-3 months.
Toronto Blue Jays: SP Jeff Williamson diagnosed with rotator cuff inflammation, will miss 3 months.
San Antonio Avalanche: 3B Andalo Porterfield diagnosed with a fractured thumb, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Tampa Bay Rays: 2B Quency Danner was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn quadriceps. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
Thursday, September 25th , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: CF Jeremy Thornton diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, will miss 8 weeks.
Boston Red Sox: SP Josh Lackey diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, will miss 5 months.
Monday, September 22nd , 2036
Milwaukee Brewers: 2B Aeverson Arteaga diagnosed with back spasms, will miss 5 weeks.
Baltimore Orioles: SS Mike Sims diagnosed with back spasms, will miss 4 weeks.
Boston Red Sox: CF David Alba diagnosed with a sprained ankle, will miss 8 weeks.
Saturday, September 20th , 2036
Seattle Mariners: Demarckus Lacy has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 8 months.
Friday, September 19th , 2036
Houston Astros: LF Luis Rojas was injured on a defensive play. The Diagnosis: hamstring strain. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Wednesday, September 17th , 2036
Colorado Rockies: CF Luis Moreno was injured on a defensive play. The Diagnosis: concussion. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Arizona Diamondbacks: RP Ryan Reich was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained forearm. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks.
Tuesday, September 16th , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: RF Adriel Radney diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 2-3 months.
Sunday, September 14th , 2036
Washington Nationals: 2B Chris Maguire was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: recurring back spasms. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks.
Saturday, September 13th , 2036
San Antonio Avalanche: SS Juan Batres was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn quadriceps. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Milwaukee Brewers: LF Mike Wills was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn hamstring. He's expected to miss about 7 weeks.
Friday, September 12th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: Timothy Theophanous has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 5 months.
Thursday, September 11th , 2036
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Drew Thorpe diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 14 months.
Tuesday, September 9th , 2036
Los Angeles Angels: RP Caden Bogenpohl diagnosed with a ruptured bicep tendon, will miss 6-7 months.
Toronto Blue Jays: 1B Danny Pierce diagnosed with a torn labrum, will miss 5 months.
Monday, September 8th , 2036
Atlanta Braves: RP Jesus Brizuela diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, will miss 11-12 months.
Houston Astros: RP Tyson Neighbors was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: biceps tendinitis. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Sunday, September 7th , 2036
Baltimore Orioles: SP Josh Caylor diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, will miss 4 months.
San Francisco Giants: LF Jamie Morris diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 5 weeks.
Saturday, September 6th , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Ju-chan Bae diagnosed with a fractured thumb, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Thursday, September 4th , 2036
New York Mets: 2B Luis Zesati diagnosed with a strained groin muscle, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Tuesday, September 2nd , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: RP Nick Robertson diagnosed with shoulder tendinitis, will miss 5 weeks.
Monday, September 1st , 2036
Milwaukee Brewers: CF Lonnie White Jr. diagnosed with a sore elbow, will miss 4 weeks.