Well we have reached September, the last month of the regular season is underway and the battles intensify as there a bunch of division match ups left on the schedule and the playoff picture is still wide open. But right there in the end August, we had a few deals made before it was to late. First off, the Athletics beat out the Giants and Dodgers and picked up Adam Dunn from the White Sox for minor leaguer Nolan Sanburn. The big slugger let his presence be felt in game one, as on his first at bat he jacked it over the right field wall for a two run shot. Athletics fans went crazy welcoming their new player. Though he already announced this to be his final season, Dunn is not far off of reaching 500 HRs. So I do hope he changes his mind and stays in the bay area.
The Milwaukee Brewers lost yet again tonight, making it seven straight as they have fallen behind the Cardinals at the wrong time in the division, currently trailing by two games. The main problem they have been having is their bullpen. So they made an acquisition picking up Jonathan Broxton from the Reds for two players to be named. The former closer has been doing his job in Cincinnati and the Brewers look to him to shut the door and hold their lead, unlike what they have been seeing from their relievers recently. Broxton should help them in a time of need as they look to get back on top in the NL Central.
The busy team has been the Orioles. Baltimore currently holds a 9.5 game lead over the Yankees in the
AL East, but they were thinking of more than winning the division as they reached out to a couple teams. First they made a deal with the division rival Red Sox. The Orioles picked up utility player Kelly Johnson, who seems to have been on every team from that division at least once now, along with third baseman Michael Almanzar. With Machado out for the season, the Orioles picked up support to back him up. In return the Red Sox picked up another former Athletic Jemile Weeks along with Ivan De Jesus Jr. The Orioles also made a deal with the other Soxs from Chicago, picking up outfielder Alejandro De Aza. That will give them some good consistency and a bit more pop in their lineup. I like how the Orioles have stepped up this year, currently sitting with 80 wins, only behind the Angels overall.
The Phillies were impressive, as they combined for a four pitcher no-hitter against the Braves. Cole Hamels opened up the day and pitched six innings. Jake Diekman, Ken Giles, and Jonathan Papelbon each pitched a no hit inning to complete the no hit game. Hamels did surrender five walks, which is why it was not a perfect game. But as a team, the Phillies completed the fourth no-hitter of the season and first by multiple pitchers in two years. Keep your eye on the AL and NL Central along with the NL West, as those divisions are tight only separated by two games if not less.
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