Team News
D-backs move into WC spot with sweep, but who has closer role?
“I think this is what we expected from the beginning of the season,” reliever Ryan Thompson said. “I just don’t think we’ve really played to the best of our ability up until this point and I think it’s easy to look at this stretch and be like, ‘Wow, we’re playing above expectations. I think this is the expectation. I think we’re in the World Series [in 2023] for a reason. We can start using the Answerbacks thing again. We can start using the Embrace the Chaos, like all that stuff that seemed like it was a little silent for a while.”
https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/zac-gallen-d-backs-sweep-nationals
Arizona Diamondbacks hang on, grab win and series sweep over Washington Nationals
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2024/07/31/arizona-diamondbacks-washington-nationals-series-finale-score/74567622007/
Paul Sewald Struggles Again but D-backs Hang on to Beat Nationals 5-4
“There is something that’s going on with his delivery that’s not allowing him to throw the ball where he wants, to have the finish on the ball. That right now is my top priority. I have a lot to think about over the next several hours. I will. I know everybody wants to know, what’s the closer situation. Are you going to dump him out of the closer role. That’s not my priority with Paul right now. My priority is to find out if he is getting blocked by some sort of a delivery problem. That’s our job, that’s my job. Then I’ll take the next necessary steps from there.”
Diamondbacks’ Torey Lovullo Talks Josh Bell, Starting Rotation and More
What is it like getting traded to the opposing team? Dylan Floro finds out
“It was definitely a little weird,” Floro said on Wednesday. “I mean, two days ago I was sitting over there in that bullpen, and last night I was over in this bullpen. I mean, I’m glad I was on this side last night (17-0 Arizona win), but it’s definitely a funny feeling at first. Starting to meet some of the guys, starting to get know some people around here makes things a little easier.”
Long day of travel for the newest member of the #Dbacks bullpen. pic.twitter.com/e9fP4WrAQX
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 31, 2024
Is the National League West Suddenly Within the Diamondbacks’ Reach?
Other Baseball
Holliday’s 1st career HR is a history-making slam onto Eutaw St.
Jackson Holliday recalled by Orioles from Triple-A, hits grand slam in first game
It's a Holliday in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/rb7Dmgeybw
— MLB (@MLB) July 31, 2024
Orioles lose All-Star 3B Jordan Westburg to broken hand
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40692515/orioles-lose-all-star-3b-jordan-westburg-broken-hand
White Sox’s Garrett Crochet doesn’t regret trade deadline comment
“Whether a deal went through or not, I don’t think was dependent on that being said or not,” Crochet said Wednesday. “I think that any team would see the amount of innings I threw last year and find it reasonable, so ultimately I think it was the right call.”
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40691464/white-sox-garrett-crochet-regret-trade-deadline-comment
Kirby pays tribute to Wakefield with first-pitch knuckleball
“He was a special player,” Kirby said after Seattle’s 3-2 loss in 10 innings. “So just being able to do it here in Boston was pretty cool.”
https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/george-kirby-throws-knuckleball-vs-red-sox-honors-tim-wakefield
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2024George Kirby threw a knuckleball to begin Wednesday's game against the Red Sox to pay tribute to Tim Wakefield ❤️
“He was a special player. So just being able to do it here in Boston was pretty cool.” - George Kirby pic.twitter.com/3vLyb7yEGZ
Josh Rojas had a home run in the game, but the Mariners lost 3-2.
Did Guardians do enough at Trade Deadline for postseason push?
We play them next week.
https://www.mlb.com/guardians/news/guardians-2024-trade-deadline-analysis
With 4 swings, Olson, d’Arnaud complete a 1st for Atlanta since 1998
“That was sweet,” d’Arnaud said. “I think that was the first time [Olson and I] have gone back-to-back, and then to do it two times. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it before. I couldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it.”
.......................
How long had it been since a Braves duo had done this? Well, current Atlanta bench coach Walt Weiss was leading off when Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones teamed to do this against the Blue Jays on June 13, 1998. The only other time this had happened in franchise history was when Fred McGriff and David Justice teamed to do it against the Giants on Aug. 25, 1993.
https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/matt-olson-travis-d-arnaud-back-to-back-home-runs-twice
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 31, 2024Matt Olson + Travis d’Arnaud are the 3rd pair of Braves teammates to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same game since the move to ATL in 1966, joining:
6/13/98 Javy Lopez, Andruw Jones
8/25/93 Fred McGriff, David Justice
‘Going to be here forever’: Rays thrilled to ink stadium deal
https://www.mlb.com/rays/news/rays-celebrate-new-stadium-approval-in-st-petersburg
Anything Goes
This day in history:
Hitler opens the 1936 Olympics and.... Anne Frank wrote her last diary entry in 1944...
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/day/august-1
This day in baseball:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/August_1
People don’t sneeze in their sleep due to their brain shutting down the reflex.
I will admit I have actually wondered about that when Ive had colds.
It’s a common belief in Russia that eating ice cream will keep you warm.
Are they sure that isn’t the 4 shots of vodka they poured on it?
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25554752/453502466_10161478909936605_2288190179417565900_n.jpg "Snake Bytes 8/1: Sweep (1)")
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25554750/453412806_10161478699431605_7481586109880698826_n.jpg "Snake Bytes 8/1: Sweep (2)")
