What you should watch in the postseason race today: Can rookie Ty Blach keep the Giants atop the Wild Card?
With only eight days left in the season, every game has the potential to alter the postseason picture. As we enter the final days of the stretch run, we'll spotlight the biggest moments that we know you won't want to miss.
Giants at Padres - 4:40 ET
Suffice to say, the second half of the year has not gone to the Giants' plans. After going 57-33 in the first half, with a 6 1/2-game lead in the division at the All-Star break, they've gone just 25-40 in the second half. After defeating the Padres, 9-6, in a back-and-forth game on Saturday night, though, the team is tied with the Mets for the top Wild Card spot, a half-game ahead of the Cardinals.
Looking to solidify its postseason standing, the team will likely turn to rookie and No. 23 prospect Ty Blach in place of the injured
While Blach has looked good in two Major League relief appearances -- mixing a low-90s fastball with a slider and changeup, giving up only one hit and one walk along the way -- he's also only struck out one batter in his six innings of work. With the average starter striking out almost eight batters per nine innings, it's hard to remain successful when batters make that much contact.
While he lacks blazing stuff, Blach certainly had more luck with the punchouts in Triple-A when he struck out 113 batters in 162 2/3 IP:
It may be a good day for Blach to use his changeup to get a few whiffs though. The Padres have struck out the second-most times in the Major Leagues this season.
You can watch Blach try to keep the Giants atop the Wild Card on MLB.TV, now only $3.99 for the remainder of the season.
