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The Diamondbacks enter their final game of the season, hoping to clinch a National League Wild Card. It is still possible, but they’ll need help in order to get there. Not only will they have to win their season finale against San Diego, but they will need the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers to also win.
What's up for grabs in #Game162:
– @Braves can clinch a #Postseason berth today with win vs. Royals OR a loss by the D-backs vs. Padres.
– @Mets can clinch a Postseason berth today with a win vs. Brewers AND a loss by the D-backs vs. San Diego.
– @Dbacks can clinch a…
— MLB (@MLB) September 29, 2024
How this will work out is a win by Arizona will put them at 89 for the season. Losses by the Braves and Mets would put them at 72 and 73 losses respectively. Since the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets have to play two games against each other, one of the two teams is guaranteed to finish with 74 losses and will be eliminated.
It is a difficult ask, as not only do they have to take care of their own business but also have things lined up for them. If the Diamondbacks pull off a miracle and clinch a postseason spot on Sunday, they will be the No. 6 seed regardless of what happens Monday.
The worst-case scenario would be Arizona loses and both the Braves and Mets win. That would eliminate the Diamondbacks from playoff contention, just one week after their postseason odds peaked at 93% on FanGraphs. Since then, the team is 1-5 and are now on the outside looking in. They’re now in a situation where they have to win to have any hopes of saving their season.
A loss does not guarantee the Diamondbacks are out, but would require the Mets to lose their final three games. They would play a Braves team that has already clinched a playoff spot as a result of Arizona’s loss, the question would be how aggressively does Atlanta play the final two games. Should Atlanta win the first, they would clinch the National League’s No. 5 seed and leaving their final half of a doubleheader completely inconsequential.
It will be interesting to see how the Diamondbacks handle their final game of the year against a team that has very little to play for beyond eliminating a division rival.
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Bullpen Help Could Be the Tigers’ Top Priority Before Trade Deadline
MLB’s trade deadline is almost here. If the Tigers are celebrating in October because of key contributions of a deadline acquisition, we will find out who he is just hours from now. On Monday, Detroit acquired Chris Paddack, a starter from the Minnesota Twins. This appeared to be a replacement for Reese Olson after he injured his shoulder and will be out at least the rest of the regular season. But what is the front office looking for at this point in the season? The Paddack trade was one out of necessity, an immediate reaction that filled a hole created by injury. They must have an idea of who they would like to be an add-on. According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, the Tigers’ biggest priority is getting more arms for their bullpen. “The Tigers are expected to place an emphasis on fortifying their bullpen. They’ve leaned heavily on Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle, Tyler Holton and Chase Lee in leverage situations this season…The circle of trust needs to expand.” The bullpen market has been one of the most volatile during this year’s trade deadline. Emmanuel Clase might have been the most desired, but a gambling investigation has him on paid leave. All-Star closers Ryan Helsley and David Bednar have racked up over 13 and 12 strikeouts per nine innings, respectively. That is the type of stuff Detroit will need in the postseason, but they will demand highly-valued prospects. If this is their top priority, the Tigers will have to put their money where their mouth is in the very near future. Attacking the weakest part of their team sounds like a good idea, but how much they truly want to do so will be evident by 6 p.m. Thursday. Join the conversation with us on Facebook and X.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.
Steelers reporter shares big claim about how Aaron Rodgers has looked in training camp
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent the bulk of the spring as an unsigned free agent and, thus, only began officially practicing with Pittsburgh Steelers teammates during the team's three-day mandatory minicamp in June. During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed how Rodgers looked during his first few training camp practices with the club. "His release is just astonishing to watch," Dulac said about Rodgers, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Everybody knows about it, and when you see it in person, you see it every day in practice, you just marvel at it. To me, he's the greatest thrower of the football I have ever seen, even at 41 (years old). That flick of that wrist and that ball comes out, it's moving and it is something to see." Rodgers was with the New York Jets when he suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. He was then slowed by a nagging hip issue, injuries to both his knees, a low ankle sprain and a serious hamstring problem as the 2024 Jets went 5-12. According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers finished last season ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 48.0 adjusted QBR and 26th with a 43.9 percent passing success rate. That said, he was also eighth with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 passing touchdowns. Rodgers and Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson endured some struggles during training camp sessions last summer before the two allegedly "never saw eye-to-eye" during the season. It sounds like Pittsburgh fans should be encouraged by how Rodgers performed in recent practices. "That guy can get rid of the ball as quick as anybody," Dulac added. "He made three throws in seven-on-seven (drills) the other day that the cumulative total I bet couldn't have exceeded 2.1 seconds. And two of those were for touchdowns." Rodgers wants to finish his career "the right way" and help the Steelers notch at least their first playoff win since January 2017. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Pittsburgh at -150 betting odds to miss the playoffs for the upcoming season.
Helsley Drawing Serious Interest From Yankees and Rangers Among Others
As the MLB trade deadline looms, St. Louis Cardinals’ closer Ryan Helsley has emerged as one of the most coveted arms on the market. With the Cardinals appearing to be sellers, and Helsley himself acknowledging a 90% chance of being traded. A fierce bidding war is underway for the two-time All-Star. Several perennial contenders, desperate for high-leverage bullpen help, are making their interest known. The Rangers and Yankees are the Top Suitors for Helsley At the forefront of the chase are the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Both clubs are looking to fortify their bullpens for a deep postseason run. The Yankees, even with a potential Aaron Judge injury impacting their aggressiveness, are still keen on adding a proven closer. For the Rangers, who lack an established ninth-inning presence, Helsley represents a chance to plug a significant hole. His $8.2 million salary for 2025 is seen as manageable. Particularly for a rental that can provide an immediate impact. Don’t Count out the Dodgers and Phillies The Los Angeles Dodgers, always in contention and never shy about making big moves, are also firmly in the mix. Their desire for a high-leverage right-handed reliever is well-documented, and Helsley fits that bill perfectly. There’s even speculation they might pursue a package deal for Helsley and Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan. However, such a move would certainly come at a hefty price. Another National League powerhouse, the Philadelphia Phillies, is reportedly among a “half-dozen teams” with varying degrees of interest. Their bullpen has struggled to find consistency throughout the season. Helsley’s experience and electric stuff could be the missing piece to stabilize their late innings. While his 2025 numbers (3.00 ERA, 1.389 WHIP) aren’t quite as dominant as his elite 2022-2024 stretch (1.83 ERA, 0.954 WHIP), his velocity remains intact, and he’s still converting saves at a high rate (21 in 26 opportunities). His status as an impending free agent could also make him a more affordable option compared to closers with multiple years of team control. Helsley Catching Interest from Mets and Blue Jays Rounding out the known suitors are the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mets are looking to capitalize on a second-half resurgence, and a dominant reliever would be a significant boost. The Blue Jays, despite recently acquiring Seranthony Domínguez, are still reportedly intrigued by Helsley, suggesting they might not be done adding to their bullpen. Down Year but He’s Still One of the Best Available What makes Helsley so appealing, even in a slightly down year by his own lofty standards, is his proven track record. From 2022-2024, he was one of the game’s most unhittable relievers, leading MLB in saves last season with 49. His triple-digit fastball and nasty slider can still overwhelm hitters. While he is a rental, set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, the Cardinals are expected to garner a significant return given the scarcity of top-tier relief pitching available. As the trade deadline draws nearer, the competition for Ryan Helsley’s services will only intensify. Whichever team ultimately acquires him will be adding a valuable asset to their bullpen, hoping he can provide the finishing touch for a deep playoff run.
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