Can these playoff longshots shock the world?

Plus: Vlad Jr. nearly cycles (he did triple!)

Friday, August 09 View In Browser  TOP NEWS Can these postseason longshots overcome the odds against them?   There are seven teams that right now would be considered fringe postseason contenders, but so much can change over the next two months. Just look at what the D-backs did last year on their magical run to the World Series. So what we're saying is, there's always a chance.  Mariners walk off in chaotic fashion as ill-fated dive clears bases Vlad Jr. back in superstar mode with near-cycle, 20-game hit streak 'Different year, different vibe' as Padres vanquish PNC Park demons White Sox dismiss Grifol; Sizemore named interim manager Chourio supplants Hank Aaron as youngest in franchise history with multi-HR game Alonso's Coors moonshots help Mets leapfrog Braves in standings Historic HRs, a no-no (and a no-no that almost was) among top stats of the week MORE TOP NEWS MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST TOP PERFORMANCES Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 3-for-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 3B, 2B, 2 R Hitting .507 over his 20-game hitting streak Pete Alonso: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 R 471-foot HR in 1st was 2nd-longest of career Jackson Chourio: 3-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 R Youngest in franchise history with multi-HR game William Contreras: 3-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBIs, 2 R, BB 7 RBIs in series sweep of Braves Colton Cowser: 2-for-5, HR, 4 RBIs, 1 R Leads all rookies with 17 HRs PLAY A SPORCLE BASEBALL QUIZ! MORE FREE GAMES AT MLB PLAY MUST-SEE PLAY Hey, Mickey! Moniak makes a fine catch at the wall to take away Juan Soto's potential HR. MORE TOP PLAYS STAFF PICKS Five fascinating things happening around baseball right now Are you watching what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is doing right now? If not, you should start paying attention. The same goes for the perpetually underrated Ketel Marte, who is making a case as an NL MVP contender. Oh, and what's up with the Braves and Guardians?    A clubhouse prank that had Utley sweating When rookie Chase Utley hit his first big league HR (a grand slam!), he was all smiles. That is until John Kruk told him the dinger didn't count. Wait, what?  Of course the Rangers' White House visit had to include some Creed President Joe Biden made a reference to the anthem of the Rangers' World Series title, and a classical rendition of "Higher" played as the players entered the White House.  The pitcher trying to build up baseball in South Africa Tayler Scott was the first South African-born pitcher to make the big leagues, and now he's trying to pay it forward by setting an example for young players in his home country who have similar dreams.  Live coverage of a special announcement from MLB Greg Amsinger hosts live coverage of a special announcement from Commissioner Rob Manfred at 11 a.m. ET.  MLBN presents: The Story of Billy Bean Tune in to MLB Network at 1 p.m. ET for a poignant look back at the courageous and inspirational story of a baseball trailblazer, the late Billy Bean.  MORE STORIES SCOREBOARD SF 9 WAS 5 MIL 16 ATL 7 SD 7 PIT 6 NYM 9 COL 1 CIN 10 MIA 4 LAA 9 NYY 4 BAL 6 TOR 7 TB 6 STL 4 DET 3 SEA 4 PHI 6 ARI 4 © 2024 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners. Please review our Privacy Policy. You (gahleexholly.hdhask@blogger.com) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com. Please add info@marketing.mlbemail.com to your address book to ensure our messages reach your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com, please unsubscribe  or log in and manage your email subscriptions. Postal Address: MLB.com, c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.