Yadier Molina and the Cardinals kept their playoff hopes alive on Thursday
We have reached the end of the daily updates for the 2016 season, as the final weekend of the season is about to start with some playoff spots to earn and fantasy championships to win. This has been an interesting season and the playoffs will provide even more drama, as the playoff races have provided a prelude to the wildness to come. A crazy ending in St. Louis will open this daily update for September 30, 2016.
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Recap
Cardinals beat Reds on controversial call
Yadier Molina hit a walk-off ground rule double that was not seen by the umpires, yet still drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning of a 4-3 win for the Cardinals over the Reds. Molina also added a home run and had two RBI while Jedd Gyorko had a home run and Alex Reyes allowed one run on seven hits in six innings, striking out six batters for St. Louis. Dan Straily allowed three runs on six hits in six innings, striking out seven batters and walking three, while Joey Votto finished 3-for-4 with a double and Adam Duvall was 2-for-5 with a double, run scored, and RBI for Cincinnati.
Giants race past Rockies
The Giants scored seven unanswered runs and Johnny Cueto allowed two runs on nine hits in seven innings, striking out 11 batters as the Giants beat the Rockies 7-2. Cueto (18-5) now has a 2.79 ERA while Angel Pagan finished 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored and Brandon Crawford finished 2-for-5 with a run scored and RBI for San Francisco. Jon Gray (10-10) allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings while Nolan Arenado finished 2-for-4 with a double, run scored, and RBI and David Dahl finished 1-for-3 with a walk, triple, and RBI for Colorado.
Orioles ride outstanding pitching performance past Blue Jays
Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one hit and three walks over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out five batters as the Orioles beat the Blue Jays 4-0 on Thursday. Jimenez (8-12) now has a 5.44 ERA while Hyun-Soo Kim finished 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI and Mark Trumbo finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI for Baltimore. Marcus Stroman (9-10) allowed four runs on nine hits in seven innings, striking out three batters and walking two , and Edwin Encarnacion had a double for Toronto.
Mariners beat Athletics to keep pace in AL Wild Card
Ariel Miranda allowed one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings and Mike Zunino hit a home run to lead the Mariners over the Athletics 3-2. Adam Lind, Leonys Martin, Ketel Marte, Norichika Aoki, and Zunino each had two hits, with Marte and Martin adding an RBI, and Nelson Cruz finished 1-for-3 with a stolen base for Seattle. Kendall Graveman allowed one run on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six batters and walking one, while Chad Pinder hit a home run and Yonder Alonso and Danny Valencia each finished 2-for-4 with a double for Oakland.
Yankees beat Red Sox in legend’s last game at Yankee Stadium
The Yankees honored David Ortiz (who finished 0-for-10 in the series) before his last career game at Yankee Stadium and then C.C. Sabathia proceeded to allow one run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out eight batters in the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Red Sox. Sabathia (9-12) now has a 3.91 ERA while Jacoby Ellsbury finished 2-for-3 with a double, run scored, RBI, and two walks and Aaron Hicks finished 2-for-4 with a double, run scored, and RBI for the Yankees. Henry Owens (0-2) allowed two runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six batters, and Xander Boegarts hit a home run for Boston.
What to Watch For
The beginning of another Giants-Dodgers matchup will open the last weekend of the season and will see Madison Bumgarner and Rich Hill facing off in the top matchup on Friday. Bumgarner has allowed three runs or more in three of his last four starts and has a 3.81 ERA in the second half of the season after posting a 1.94 ERA in the first half. Hill has allowed five runs in his five starts with the Dodgers, allowing one run or less in four of his five starts and striking out at least seven batters in each of his last four starts. Rick Porcello, Yu Darvish, and Carlos Martinez will also pitch today.
Chris Zolli is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @thezman2010.
