Here’s what you might’ve missed from this weekend’s action across the league

5 things to know from the weekend in MLB: Dodgers trounce Braves, Phillies' Trea Turner injured and more - Yahoo Sports

If you weren’t watching baseball this weekend, we won’t judge, but you missed a lot of action.

Here are the key takeaways from this weekend’s series.

This weekend, the Dodgers asserted their dominance over the Braves with a sweep at Dodger Stadium, potentially shifting the debate about the best team in MLB. While the Braves kept the first game close, they were outplayed in the final two games, leaving them 2.5 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Both teams boast formidable offensive lineups, but the key difference lies in their starting pitching. The Dodgers’ trio of Gavin Stone, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton outperformed the Braves’ Charlie Morton, Bryce Elder, and Max Fried. The absence of Spencer Strider, sidelined for the season with a torn UCL, became glaringly apparent, especially in anticipation of the postseason.

While Morton continues to excel, Elder has not proven himself capable of starting a playoff game, and Fried has struggled to find his form this season. Despite strong performances from offseason acquisitions Reynaldo López and Chris Sale, the Braves’ rotation without Strider falls short compared to the Dodgers’ rotation, and even that of the Phillies.

Interestingly, the Dodgers, despite missing several key pitchers like Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Clayton Kershaw due to injuries, still maintain a formidable pitching staff.

Philadelphia Phillies in brutal injury blow with Trea Turner set to miss 'six weeks' as fans cry 'that's a huge hole' | The US Sun

The first-place Phillies, who have won 16 of their past 19 games, took all three games at home against San Francisco over the weekend. But it wasn’t all peaches, rainbows and butterflies at Citizens Bank Park: Shortstop Trea Turner strained his left hamstring on Friday and will be shelved for about six weeks. Turner had been the club’s second-best offensive force so far this season, an encouraging development after the disastrous start to his Phillies tenure a year ago. His injury will force utilityman Edmundo Sosa into action as the every-day shortstop for now. Second baseman Bryson Stott came up as a shortstop and played there during Philly’s 2022 stretch run, but skipper Rob Thomson said he plans to keep Stott at the keystone most of the time.

The struggling Blue Jays head to Philadelphia this week, setting up the rollicking Phils for another likely series win. But a soft early schedule, dominant starting pitching and Alec Bohm’s offensive breakout have helped overshadow slow starts from a few Philadelphia stalwarts. Turner’s extended absence means veterans such as J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and, especially, the scuffling Nick Castellanos will need to pick up the slack. For the first time in more than a half-decade, the Braves are looking somewhat vulnerable atop the NL East, and the division could be Philly’s for the taking, but the climb just got tougher with Turner on the mend.

Just a week ago, there was concern brewing in Birdland, particularly regarding the pitching staff. While Baltimore’s offense continued to shine, questions loomed over the bullpen’s reliability after closer Craig Kimbrel struggled with two blown saves in three days. Additionally, there were uncertainties surrounding the return of starters Kyle Bradish and John Means from injuries, as well as the impact of Grayson Rodriguez hitting the IL.

However, a weekend series in Cincinnati turned the tide dramatically. Over 27 innings, Baltimore pitchers conceded just one run, with the starters keeping the Reds off the scoreboard entirely. Cole Irvin kicked off the impressive display on Friday, allowing only one Red to reach base across 6⅓ strong innings. Then, Means showcased his brilliance in his season debut on Saturday, striking out eight over seven scoreless innings while limiting the Reds’ offense.

Dean Kremer sealed the sweep on Sunday, giving up just one hit and one walk over six scoreless innings. Even the bullpen, previously a concern, performed flawlessly, except for Kimbrel’s shaky outing on Saturday. What was once considered the team’s weak spot, the pitching staff now appears remarkably solid. Looking ahead, a potential October rotation featuring Corbin Burns, Rodriguez, and Bradish, supported by Means, Kremer, and Irvin, could prove formidable in postseason play, assuming health and continued strong performances.

Friday night at Minute Maid Park felt like old times. Houston blitzed Seattle’s bullpen for a four-spot in the seventh inning and took the opener 5-3. But these Astros, who now sit seven games behind the Mariners in the AL West, are 10 games under .500 for a reason. Gangly Seattle hurler Logan Gilbert blanked Jose Altuve, Yordan Álvarez, Alex Bregman and Co. on Saturday before a Cal Raleigh go-ahead, ninth-inning blast off Josh Hader gave the Mariners the series on Sunday.

The Mariners offense has some issues — Josh Rojas has been their best hitter by a mile — but this pitching staff is so, so good. Seattle heads to Minnesota this week to take on the Twins, winners of 12 straight before Sunday. Houston, meanwhile, is Bronx-bound for a showdown against the Yankees. A sweep at the hands of their longtime rivals could be a true death knell for the Astros, early in the season though it may be.

After a late-night trade sent Luis Arráez from Miami to San Diego on Friday, the high-average magician ripped four hits in his debut game with the Padres on Saturday. His arrival, paired with the suddenly ultra-hot Jurickson Profar, makes San Diego’s lineup even deeper.

The Padres still have some questions on the mound, though: Knuckleballer Matt Waldron got pummeled in a blowout loss on Sunday. This week, San Diego heads to Chicago for a fascinating showdown against the Cubs.

The Cubs and Brewers should just play a 99-game series for the NL Central. Managing against his old club for the first time after a shocking move to Chicago over the winter, Craig Counsell guided the Cubs to a well-earned series win over their division foes.
Minnesota’s 12-game, sausage-fueled winning streak was snapped by the Red Sox on Sunday, but the Twins’ hot stretch jumped them back into the thick of the AL Central.
The Rangers bounced back from a weak offensive performance Friday to bludgeon the Royals on Saturday before eking out the series on Sunday. Texas’ pitching staff has performed admirably while it waits for Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom to come off the IL this summer.
The Yankees swept the Tigers behind 9⅔ scoreless frames from their bullpen and a clutch go-ahead double from Juan Soto on Sunday.
The Rays’ fluorescent, radical City Connect uniforms and signs of life from the scuffling Randy Arozarena propelled them to a sweep against the topsy-turvy Mets.
Pittsburgh’s offense stinks right now, but they won a series anyway because the Rockies aren’t good, either. Pirates rookie phenom Jared Jones was masterful once again in a 1-0 win on Saturday.
It’s officially panic time in Toronto; the Jays lost a series in D.C. to the pesky Nationals despite jumping to an early 5-1 advantage on Sunday. Embattled Toronto hurler Alek Manoah coughed up the lead in his first MLB start of the season.
The frisky Athletics scratched their way to .500 on Saturday with a 20-run showing, but they couldn’t finish the sweep against Miami.
Cleveland talisman José Ramirez smashed a go-ahead homer after a 10-pitch at-bat Sunday to push the Guardians past the Angels. Unfortunately, the hot-out-the-gate Guards had to put leadoff catalyst Steven Kwan on the IL due to a hamstring issue.