The September stretch run is complete – but there is still meaningful baseball to be played in the first few days of October – particularly in the AL, where Houston is within striking distance of the Rangers (2 ½ games behind) for the West Division title and the Angels and Twins are hot on the heels of the Astros for the final Wild Card spot.
Cubs won more than any other team in September.
Baseball’s hottest team in September was the surging Cubs, who went an MLB-best 19-9 (.657). The Cubs did it with pitching – sporting MLB’s lowest ERA (2.73 for the month), led by Jake Arrieta, who went 4-0, with a minuscule 0.45 September ERA. The Cubs gave up the fewest runs in baseball in September (92), while scoring the fifth-most (141). Other teams with strong Septembers were the Angels and Blue Jays (each at 18-9), and the Rangers (18-10). The worst September won-lost marks went to the Oakland A’s in the AL (8-19) and the San Diego Padres in the NL (9-18). The Padres did, however, record the highest number of in-stadium births (more to come on that). BBRT will look a bit deeper into September team performance later in this monthly update, but first let’s consider where things stood as of “the end of business” on September 30 – and touch on a few September events that caught BBRT’s eye.
If the Season Ended September 30 …
There are still a few post season spots to be determined, but if the end of September marked the end of the regular season, here’s how the playoffs would look:
- AL … Division Champions: Blue Jays; Royals; Rangers. Wild Cards: Yankees, Astros. Note: The Angels are just ½ game behind the Astros in the race for the final Wild Card spot – with the Twins 1 ½ games back of Houston.
- NL … Division Champions: Mets; Cardinals; Dodgers. Wild Cards: Pirates, Cubs.
You will find full end-of-September standings at the end of this post.
A Few September “Events” That Caught BBRT’s Attention
The Three R’s – Reds’ Rookie Rotation
On September 11, when Reds’ rookie pitcher Michel Lorenzen took the mound against the Cardinals in Cincinnati, it marked the 42nd consecutive game in which the Reds started a rookie hurler (an MLB record). The previous high of 41 was set by the 1902 Cardinals. Lorenzen, by the way, went just five innings, giving up two runs on ten hits – but got the win.
The Reds have boasted (if that’s the right word) an all-rookie rotation since trading veteran starters Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake before the July 31 trading deadline. The last non-rookie to start for the Reds was Leake on July 28. At the close of September, the Reds had expanded their record to 60 consecutive rookie starts (19 wins, 41 losses over that time), and should reach 64 by season’s end.
David Ortiz Joins 500 Club
Newest member of the 500 Home Run Club.
On September 12, as the Red Sox pasted the Tampa Bay Rays 10-4, David Ortiz bashed a pair of round trippers – the 499th and 500th of his career (33rd and 34th of 2015).
Ortiz is 27th player to reach the 500-home run mark and the fourth player to collect number 500 in a multi-homer game – joining Harmon Killebrew, Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols. For more on Ortiz and the other 500 Club members click here.
Send the Lefty to Right
We’ve read a lot about position players taking the mound this season. In the September 15th Rockies/Dodgers contest (won by the Rockies 5-4 in 16-innings), we learned that “turnabout is fair play,” as Rockies’ southpaw hurler Jason Gurka was called on to finish the game in right field after a Carlos Gonzalez injury. The real story here, however, is the “everyone gets to play” records that were tied or broken.
- The Rockies’ used 30 players in the game (only in September), tying the MLB single-game record.
- The Rockies’ set an MLB single-game record using 13 pitchers;
- The teams used a combined 58 players and 24 pitchers – both MLB single-game records.
The five-hour and 23-minute game also featured 11 pinch-hitters and three pinch-runners, 24 hits, nine walks and four errors.
I’m just thankful I wasn’t keeping score.
Making an Entrance
Young Levi Stiles knows how to make a grand entrance. Levi was born on Thursday, September 24, during the Padres/Giants game at Petco Park. Key words here AT PETCO PARK. For those of you who track such things (and we do track everything in baseball), Levi came into the world:
- At 6-pounds-14-ounces, 20.5 inches;
- In the bottom of the third inning, with the Padres leading 3-2;
- On a gurney near the team store in Petco’s Palm Court Plaza.
San Diego eventually won the game 5-4 on a pinch-hit RBI single by Alexi Amarista in the bottom of the ninth (Levi had left early.). The announced attendance of 31,137 was reported to be off by one – paid attendance could be on the money. Levi Stiles is now the youngest fan ever to attend a MLB game, a record that could be tied, but will never be broken.
A-Rod Continues His “Comeback” Season
A-Rod … another step up the stat ladder.
On the same night (September 24) that Levi Stiles was born at Petco Park, Yankee DH Alex Rodriguez walked in the third inning and came around to score on a Carlos Beltran home run. The run – part of a 3-2 Yankee home win over the White Sox – made A-Rod just the eighth MLB player to reach 2,000 runs, as well as just the second player (Hank Aaron was the first) to reach 3,000 hits, 2,000 RBIs and 2,000 runs scored in their career.
Notably, Rodriguez reached all three landmarks … 2,000-runs, 2,000-RBI and 3,000-hits … this season – his 21st MLB campaign.
KC Grabs First Division Title Since 1985
When the Royals topped the Mariners 10-4 on September 24th, they clinched their first division title since 1985. Why does BBRT put that here? So I can add the fact that the Royals were the first expansion team to capture a Division Title (1976); League Pennant (1980); and World Series Championship (1985) – all in different seasons.
The “In’s” and “Out’s” of the Power Game
On September 25, Phillies’ rookie LF Aaron Altherr had quite a game – going 4-for-5, with two runs scored and five driven in. He added to the excitement with a pair of home runs – one of the traditional “it’s outta here” mode and one (a Grand Slam) of the “run-like the wind” inside-the-park variety. The Phillies rode Altherr’s big game to an 8-2 win over the Nationals in Washington. Altherr’s 11 total bases in the game, incidentally, matched the Nationals’ team total.
Home Cookin’
Dallas Keuchel – unbeatable at home this year.
Here’s a couple of examples of sweet home cooking. Astros’ ace southpaw Dallas Keuchel topped the Rangers (in Houston) 4-2 on September 27, going seven innings and giving up just two hits and one run, while fanning ten Texas hitters. In the process, Keuchel set a record for the most home victories without a loss in an MLB season. Keuchel, 19-8 on the season, is 15-0 at home this year. Through September, the Cy Young Award candidate’s home record is 15-0, with a 1.46 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings pitched. Away from Minute Maid Park, Keuchel is 4-8, 3.82, with 74 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings. If Houston makes the post-season, look for Keuchel to start at home.
Jose Fernandez – The King of Marlins Park
On September 25, the Marlins topped the Braves (at Marlins Park) by a score of 12-11. Miami starting pitcher Jose Fernandez gave up six runs on nine hits in just five innings – but still made a bit of pitching history. Fernandez got the victory (running his record to 6-0 on the season). On a more historic note, the 22-year-old right-hander earned his 17th career home victory – without a home loss – becoming the first MLB pitcher to win his first 17 home decisions. Fernandez has made 26 career starts at Marlins Park, where he has a 1.40 ERA. In 21 road starts, Fernandez is 5-9, 3.78.
STATS TIME (or time to stop reading if stats don’t grab you)
A Few Team Observations
As of the end of play on September 30, the Cardinals (.629) and Pirates (.604) were the only teams playing .600 or better ball – and only the Cardinals had 100 victories (100-59). The best record in the AL belonged to the Blue Jays (92-66, .582). Only two teams played under .400 ball through September: The Phillies (61-97, .386) and the Reds (63-95, .399). The worst winning percentage in the AL belonged to the A’s (66-93, .415).
A sampling of team stats through- and in-September:
- The Blue Jays continued to lead all of MLB in runs scored with 873 – 122 ahead of the closest challenger (the Yankees at 751). The Jays were also September’s top scoring team with 153 runs in the month, two ahead of the Red Sox and Rangers. The top scoring team in the NL through September was the Cubs (713 runs), while the Mets led the NL in September tallies with 148. The Braves were MLB’s lowest-scoring team through September (561 runs), as well as in September (just 85 runs, the only team under 100). In the AL, The White Sox scored the fewest runs through September at 612, while Detroit scored the fewest in September at 112.
- The Cardinals gave up the fewest runs through September (513), and had MLB’s lowest ERA (2.91, the only team under 3.00). In the AL, the Astros had the lowest total runs allowed and best ERA at 606 and 3.57, respectively. The leaders for the month of September were a bit surprising. The Cubs at 2.73 and the Mariners at 3.47 had the NL’s and AL’s lowest September ERAs.
- Through September, only the Rockies carried an ERA above 5.00 (5.05). The Tigers had the AL’s worst ERA at 4.69.
- Toronto led all of MLB in home runs through September at 227. Notably (thanks DH), all four teams with 200+ homers through September were in the AL (Blue Jays, Astros, Orioles, Yankees). The Dodgers led the NL with 183 round trippers. Least power? The Braves were the only team with less than 100 long balls, 96. The White Sox trailed in the AL with 136 homers. The Astros topped all teams in September HRs with 44, while the Mets led the NL with 42. The Braves (13) and the Tigers (18) were the only teams with less than 20 September dingers.
Now, here are your month-of-September and through-September batting and pitching leaders:
Month-of-September Batting Leaders
In September, only the Rangers’ Shin-Soo Choo topped .400 (.404 for the month), and he turned those hits into tallies, tying for the MLB lead in September runs scored. If I had to pick my hitters of the month. I’d go for a two-way tie in each league. In the NL, the Nationals’ Bryce Harper (.341-10-19) and Rockies’ Nolan Arenado (.339-11-32). In the AL, the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre (.327-4-29) and the surprising Chris Davis (for his average) of the Orioles (.295-10-20). Harper, Arenado and Davis were the only players with double-digit home runs in September; Arenado and Beltre were 1&2 in RBI for the month; and Harper led the NL in runs scored.
There were some unexpected names on the September leader board: Martin Prado (.395 average); Greg Bird (8 HR); Justin Bour (25 RBI).
Here’s the list of in-September batting leaders.
AVERAGE (minimum 75 plate appearances)
AL
Shin-Soo Choo, RF , Rangers – .404
Mookie Betts, CF, Red Sox – .389
Adam Eaton, CF, White Sox – .373
NL
Martin Prado, 3B, Marlins – .395
Yunel Escobar, 3B, Nationals – .365
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .343
HRs
NL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 11
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 10
Four with nine
AL
Chris Davis, 1B, Orioles – 10
Joe Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 9
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 8
Greg Bird, 1B, Yankees – 8
RBI
AL
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Rangers – 29
David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox – 25
Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 25
Prince Fielder, DH, Rangers – 25
NL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 32
Justin Bour, 1B, Marlins – 25
Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies – 24
RUNS SCORED
AL
Sin-Soo Choo, RF, Rangers – 26
Mookie Betts, CF, Red Sox – 26
Xander Bogaerts,SS, Red Sox – 23
NL
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 25
Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals – 22
Christian Yelich, LF, Marlins – 22
STOLEN BASES
NL
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 11
Ender Inciarte, RF, D-backs – 8
Angel Pagan, CF, Giants – 6
Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies – 6
AL
Kevin Pillar, CF, Blue Jays – 8
Elvis Andrus, SS, Rangers – 7
Ben Revere, LF, Blue Jays – 6
Month-of-September Pitching Leaders
We saw three five-game winners in September: David Price (Blue Jays) and Cody Anderson (Indians) in the AL and, of course, Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) in the senior circuit. Still the mound star of the month had to be the Cubs’ Jake Arrieta, who became the first pitcher to 20 wins this season and went 4-0 for September with a 0.45 ERA, giving up just 2 earned runs in 40 innings and notching 39 strikeouts versus just four walks. Arrieta is just continuing on from his sterling August, when he went 6-0 with a 0.43 ERA. He has, in fact, given up just four runs in 82 1/3 innings over his last 11 starts.
WINS
AL
Cody Anderson, Indians – 5-0, 1.38 ERA
David Price, Blue Jays – 5-0, 2.32
Five with four victories
NL
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 5-1, 1.84 ERA
Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 4-0, 0.45
Zack Grienke, Dodgers – 4-0, 2.04
Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 4-1, 3.29
ERA (minimum 20 innings pitched in the month)
AL
Rich Hill, Red Sox – 1.17
Cody Anderson, Indians – 1.38
Jose Quintana, White Sox – 1.50
NL
Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 0.45
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 1.48
John Lackey, Cardinals – 1.78
STRIKEOUTS
AL
Rick Porcello, Red Sox – 45 (43 1/3 IP)
Drew Smyly, Rays – 45 (36 IP)
Carlos Carrasco, Indian – 43 (25 2/3)
NL
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 58 (44 IP)
Max Scherzer, Nationals – 50 (41 2/3)
Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 50 (30 1/3)
SAVES
AL
Houston Street, Angels – 9
Andrew Miller, Yankees – 8
Brad Boxberger, Rays – 7
NL
Mark Melancon, Pirates – 8
Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers – 7
Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 7
John Axford, Rockies – 7
A.J. Ramos, Marlins – 7
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And now the MLB Leaders Through September
BATTING AVERAGE
NL
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – .331
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .331
Buster Posey, C, Giants – .321
AL
Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers – .334
Xander Bogaerts, SS. Red Sox – .323
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – .310
HR
AL
Chris Davis, 1B, Orioles – 45
Nelson Cruz RF, Mariners – 44
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 41
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 41
NL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 41
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 41
Carlos Gonzalez RF, Rockies – 40
RBI
NL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 127
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 106
Matt Kemp, RF, Padres – 100
AL
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 123
Jose Bautista, RF. Blue Jays – 113
Chris Davis, 1B. Orioles – 112
RUNS
AL
Josh Donaldson, 3B. Blue Jays – 122
Jose Bautista, RF, Blue Jays – 107
Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins – 101
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 101
NL
Bryce Harper, CF, Nationals – 117
A.J. Pollock, CF, D-backs – 107
Matt Carpenter, 3B, Cardinals – 101
STOLEN BASES
NL
Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds – 57
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 56
Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies – 42
AL
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – 38
Lorenzo Cain, CF, Royals – 28
Billy Burns, CF, A’s – 26
Jarrod Dyson, RF, Royals – 26
Through September Pitching Leaders
WINS
NL
Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 21-6 (1.83 ERA)
Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 19-8 (2.60)
Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 18-3 (1.68)
Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 18-9 (2.93)
AL
Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 19-8 (2.47)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners – 18-9 (3.53)
David Price, Tigers/Blue Jays – 18-5 (2.45)
Collin McHugh, Astros – 18-7 (3.98)
ERA
NL
Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 1.68
Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 1.82
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 2.16
AL
David Price, Tigers/Blue Jays – 2.45
Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 2.47
Sonny Gray, A’s – 2.73
STRIKEOUTS
AL
Chris Sale, White Sox – 267 (201 2/3 IP)
Chris Archer, Rays – 248 (207 IP)
Corey Kluber, Indians – 236 (214 IP)
NL
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 294 (229 IP)
Max Scherzer, Nationals – 259 (219 2/3 IP)
Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 234 (218 1/3 IP)
SAVES
AL
Brad Boxberger, Rays – 40
Huston Street, Angels – 40
Andrew Miller, Yankees – 36
NL
Mark Melancon, Pirates – 51
Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals – 48
Jeurys Familia, Mets – 42
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To close, here are the MLB standing as of September 30
AL EAST
Blue Jays 92-66 .582
Yankees 86-72 .544 6.0
Red Sox 78-80 .494 14.0
Orioles 77-81 .487 15.0
Rays 77-81 .487 15.0
AL CENTRAL
Royals 91-67 .576
Twins 82-76 .519 9.0
Indians 78-79 .497 12.5
White Sox 74-84 .468 17.0
Tigers 73-85 .471 18.0
AL WEST
Rangers 86-72 .544
Astros 84-75 .528 2.5
Angels 83-75 .525 3.0
Mariners 75-84 .472 11.5
A’s 66-93 .415 20.5
NL EAST
Mets 89-69 .563
Nationals 80-78 .506 9.0
Marlins 69-89 .437 20.0
Braves 64-94 .405 25.0
Phillies 61-97 .386 28.0
NL CENTRAL
Cardinals 100-59 .629
Pirates 93-63 .604 4.0
Cubs 93-65 .589 6.5
Brewers 68-90 .430 31.5
Reds 63-95 .399 36.5
NL WEST
Dodgers 88-70 .557
Giants 83-75 .525 5.0
D-backs 77-81 .487 11.0
Padres 73-85 .462 15.0
Rockies 66-92 .418 22.0
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Member: Society for American Baseball Research; The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
