Morning Mound Visit: Giants first to clinch playoff berth

Yasi Khan | McCovey Chronicles: The Giants, who were written off by just about everyone (including us!), were the first team to clinch a postseason berth with a 9-1 thumping of the San Diego Padres. A September 13 clinch is the earliest clinch in franchise history. The Giants still have a 2.5 game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West.

Andrew Mearns | Pinstripe Alley: The Yankees moved Gleyber Torres off shortstop the day after Torres booted a routine grounder that allowed Francisco Lindor to hit a three-run homer. Torres’s defense at shortstop has been wretched all year. He has -8 OAA and -12 DRS at the 6 hole.

Ben Clemens | FanGraphs: Speaking of the Yankees performing terribly, New York’s recent cold streak has allowed for the Blue Jays to soar into Wild Card position. On August 27, Toronto had just a 4.7 percent chance of making the postseason, but as of yesterday, the Jays had a 70.7 percent chance of a playoff berth. If you’re wondering why one team going 14-2 while their direct competition goes 3-12 can dramatically alter playoff odds, Ben Clemens has you covered.

Quick Hits

Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals shut out the Mets in an NL Wild Card battle. Wainwright had this to say about striking out Jeff McNeil with the bases loaded.

If you’re a college freshman and don’t know what that’s in reference to, here you go.

The Mariners beat the Red Sox to gain a game in the AL Wild Card race thanks to a three-run homer from Mitch Haniger.