The Daily Diamond Buzz Show

Nothing is final and nothing is underway yet, so today is all anticipation. The matchup I circle first is Los Angeles at Cincinnati, where Blake Snell gets Andrew Abbott. That is a compelling pitching setup, and the Dodgers come in after winning yesterday’s opener. In Toronto, the Tigers hand the ball to Keider Montero against Max Scherzer. Detroit also took yesterday’s meeting, so I’m watching whether Scherzer can change the tone for the Blue Jays. My third game is Philadelphia at Washington. Zack Wheeler faces Jared Simpson, and that matchup has extra bite after the Nationals won yesterday. With all fifteen games still to come, there’s no scoreboard drama to report yet. But those three pitching matchups give me plenty to lock onto before the first pitch.

Did You Know? On April 8, 1993, Cleveland’s Carlos Baerga became the first player in Major League history to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

Dean's Take: Why I want MLB to abolish the qualifying offer

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Nothing is in progress yet, and there are no finals on the board, so all fifteen games are still to come. I’m starting with Los Angeles at Cincinnati, where Yoshinobu Yamamoto matches up with Rhett Lowder. That’s an intriguing contrast, with Yamamoto carrying the spotlight into a road assignment and Lowder getting the challenge of facing the Dodgers. In Minnesota, the Yankees send Max Fried against Bailey Ober. That’s the kind of September pitching matchup that can turn one early mistake into the whole story. I’m also watching Kansas City at Houston, with Michael Wacha facing Hunter Brown. Wacha brings the veteran presence, while Brown gets a home start in a game that should have a little late-season edge to it. And if you want another arm worth staying up for, Logan Gilbert goes for Seattle against the Angels and Ryan Johnson. No scores yet and no games underway, but the board is loaded and the pitching matchups give us plenty to track.

Did You Know? On May 30, 1922, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals traded outfielders Max Flack and Cliff Heathcote to each other between games of a doubleheader, and both players appeared for one team in the opener and the opposing team in the second game.

Dean's Take: MLB should restore more division games to the regular-season schedule

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Nothing has started and nothing is final yet, so all ten games are still ahead of us. I’m starting in Cincinnati, where the Dodgers send Tarik Skubal against Nick Lodolo and the Reds. That’s a left-handed matchup with two prominent arms, and it gives this Monday slate an immediate headliner. Out west, Miami visits Arizona for Sandy Alcantara against Corbin Burnes. When those two names share the pitching line, I’m paying attention. That matchup has the feel of a game where every clean inning matters and one well-timed swing could carry extra weight. I’m also watching the Yankees in Minnesota. Will Warren gets the ball for New York, while Dean Kremer starts for the Twins. September baseball puts pressure on every matchup, and this one brings two recognizable clubs together with no early result setting the tone. No scoreboard drama yet, but the menu is loaded, and those are my three games to circle today.

Did You Know? On July 3, 1966, Atlanta Braves pitcher Tony Cloninger became the only pitcher in Major League history to hit two grand slams in one game, driving in nine runs in a 17-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

Dean's Take: Keep the MLB postseason field from expanding

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

The entire board is still to come today, with no games underway and nothing final. I’m starting in the Bronx, where Christian Scott and Cam Schlittler get the baseball after yesterday’s New York Mets 12, New York Yankees 2 result. Rivalry games have long memories, and the Yankees have an immediate chance to answer.

Down in Atlanta, Andrew Painter faces Grant Holmes after yesterday’s Philadelphia Phillies 2, Atlanta Braves 12 final. That’s another quick turnaround after a lopsided game, and I want to see whether Philadelphia’s young right-hander can change the tone early.

My pitching matchup of the day might be in Miami. Emmet Sheehan goes for the Dodgers against Eury Pérez and the Marlins. Miami took yesterday’s game, Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Miami Marlins 4, and now two talented arms get the stage. I’m also keeping one eye on the late game by the bay, where Nick Pivetta meets Logan Webb after yesterday’s San Diego Padres 7, San Francisco Giants 6 thriller.

Did You Know? On September 15, 1971, Houston Astros pitcher Larry Yount was announced as a reliever but injured his elbow while warming up, so his only Major League appearance ended before he threw a pitch to a batter.

Dean's Take: Keep the regular-season pitch clock unchanged in the postseason

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

All fifteen games are still to come today, with nothing underway and nothing final yet. My first stop is the Bronx, where the Mets send Zac Thornton against Gerrit Cole and the Yankees. Any meeting between those two clubs carries extra voltage, but Cole on the mound makes this one especially compelling. At Wrigley Field, Paul Skenes gets the ball for Pittsburgh against Clay Holmes and the Cubs. Chicago won the matchup yesterday, so now the Pirates turn to the kind of arm who can change the temperature of an entire series. I’m also watching Philadelphia at Atlanta. The Phillies have not announced their starter in the scoreboard, while the Braves are going with Tyler Mahle. These clubs played a tight one yesterday, and September games between familiar division rivals rarely need extra promotion. One more pitching matchup worth circling is out West, where Michael King and the Padres visit Cesar Perdomo and the Giants. That’s a strong Saturday menu, and it all remains ahead of us.

Did You Know? On April 23, 1999, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis hit two grand slams in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, both off Chan Ho Park. He remains the only major leaguer to hit two grand slams in one inning, and his eight RBIs in that inning are also a Major League record.

Dean's Take: Bring back Game 163 for postseason berths

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Nothing has started yet, and there are no finals on the board, so tonight’s full fifteen-game slate is still waiting on first pitch. My first stop is Atlanta, where Philadelphia sends Aaron Nola against Chris Sale. That’s a matchup with instant big-game texture: two accomplished starters, a division rivalry, and very little mystery about why it deserves the spotlight. In the Bronx, the Mets visit the Yankees with Nolan McLean lined up against Carlos Rodón. The setting alone gives that one electricity, and the contrast between those arms makes it even more interesting. I’m also watching Baltimore at Toronto, where the listed pairing is Chris Bassitt against Max Scherzer. That is a whole lot of pitching experience in one place. No score chasing yet today. For now, this is all about the matchups, and Friday has given us plenty to choose from.

Did You Know? On May 1, 1920, Brooklyn’s Leon Cadore and Boston’s Joe Oeschger each pitched all 26 innings of a 1-1 tie, the longest Major League game ever played by innings.

Dean's Take: Regular-season awards should be decided before the postseason begins

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

I’m looking at a five-game schedule today, with nothing underway and no finals on the board yet. The headliner for me is Texas at Seattle, where Jacob deGrom matches up with Logan Gilbert. Yesterday, it was Texas Rangers 2, Seattle Mariners 3, so the Rangers get an immediate shot to answer in the same ballpark.

Houston and Philadelphia also run it back after yesterday’s fireworks. That final was Houston Astros 7, Philadelphia Phillies 11. Today brings a completely different texture, with Cristian Javier facing Zack Wheeler. Wheeler at home is appointment viewing, especially this deep into September.

I’m also watching Tampa Bay at Atlanta. The Rays took yesterday’s game, Tampa Bay Rays 7, Atlanta Braves 2. Now Nick Martinez gets Martín Pérez. Colorado visits the Yankees behind Ryan Feltner against Max Fried, while Jared Jones and Hagen Smith are scheduled for Pittsburgh and the White Sox. No marathon scoreboard reading today. Give me deGrom and Gilbert, Javier and Wheeler, and meaningful September pressure.

Did You Know? On April 14, 2002, Seattle Mariners designated hitter Ron Wright played his only Major League game and went 0-for-3 by striking out, grounding into a double play, and grounding into a triple play.

Dean's Take: A meaningful MLB payroll floor without a salary cap

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Nothing has started and nothing is final yet, so the entire fifteen-game board is still waiting for us. The matchup I’m circling first is Cincinnati at Los Angeles, where Rhett Lowder draws Yoshinobu Yamamoto. That’s a compelling contrast, and September gives every pitch a little more weight. I’m also locked in on Chicago at Milwaukee. The Cubs send Kevin Gausman against Logan Henderson, and whenever those two clubs share the field this late in the year, the divisional edge comes built in. Then there’s Houston at Philadelphia, with Hunter Brown facing Cristopher Sánchez. That’s the kind of pitching matchup that can turn a dangerous lineup quiet in a hurry. One other thing to watch: Tampa Bay visits Atlanta with Griffin Jax listed for the Rays, while the Braves’ starter remains to be determined. No scores yet, no early drama yet, but the board is loaded and the night has plenty of room to get loud.

Did You Know? On June 24, 1962, Yankees reserve outfielder Jack Reed hit the only home run of his Major League career in the 22nd inning, giving New York a 9-7 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Dean's Take: Eliminating the ten-name limit on Hall of Fame ballots

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Everything is still ahead of us today. Nothing is in progress, nothing is final, and all fifteen games remain scheduled. The matchup I’m circling first is Cincinnati at Los Angeles, with Nick Lodolo opposite Tarik Skubal. That’s the kind of pairing that makes me stop scrolling and lock in. Houston at Philadelphia also brings plenty of intrigue, with Hayden Wesneski facing Andrew Painter. September games carry their own pressure, and that setting should make every early at-bat feel important. Then give me the classic pitching appeal of New York at Miami: Sean Manaea for the Mets and Sandy Alcantara for the Marlins. Those are three very different matchups, but each one has a hook. The full board stretches from Cleveland at Baltimore all the way out to Texas at Seattle, where no starters are listed in today’s scoreboard. No live action yet, but the runway is packed, and Tuesday night has the makings of a good one.

Did You Know? On July 10, 1932, Cleveland shortstop Johnny Burnett set the Major League record with nine hits in one game, yet Cleveland lost 18-17 to the Philadelphia Athletics in 18 innings.

Dean's Take: Pitchers should remain fully eligible to win MVP

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network

Nothing is underway yet, and we don’t have any finals on the board, so all eleven games are still ahead of us. My first stop is Milwaukee, where the Cubs send Matthew Boyd against Brewers left-hander Robert Gasser. September games between those clubs usually carry a little extra voltage, and that pitching matchup has my attention. In Miami, the Mets go with Jonah Tong against Eury Pérez. That is the kind of young-arm showcase that can become the main event before you know it. I’m also circling Cincinnati at the Dodgers because Chase Burns gets the ball for the Reds, while Los Angeles has not listed its starter. Burns brings the kind of stuff that makes every pitch feel like an event. Elsewhere, Grant Holmes faces Jesús Luzardo in Philadelphia, Logan Webb starts for San Francisco against St. Louis, and Dylan Cease goes for Toronto against the Athletics. No results yet, just a full Monday of baseball ready to unfold.

Did You Know? On July 29, 2003, Boston Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller became the first and only player in Major League history to hit grand slams from both sides of the plate in the same game.

Dean's Take: Keep the automatic runner in the regular season, but out of the postseason

Everything Baseball. Every Day. Every Era. — Baseball Nation Network