Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com.
PHILADELPHIA — Commissioner Rob Manfred believes its too early to judge baseball’s new playoff format even after two division winners were swept this postseason and a third is struggling on offense.
“It’s only Year 2,” Manfred said before Game 4 of the Philadelphia Phillies–Atlanta Braves NL Division Series on Thursday night. “I’m sort of the view you need to give something a chance to work out. I know some of the higher-seeded teams didn’t win. I think if you think about where some of those teams were, there are other explanations than a five-day layoff. But I think we’ll reevaluate in the offseason like we always do and think about if we have the format right.”
Beginning last year, the top two division winners in each league (based on overall record) earned byes into the division series, but only after a five-day layoff while the wild-card round played out.
Critics believe such a layoff is too long; the best teams become rusty before their playoff journey begins.
In 2022, the two top-seeded NL teams (Los Angeles Dodgers, Braves) lost in the division series; both AL teams (Houston Astros, New York Yankees), however, advanced. This year, the 101-win Baltimore Orioles were swept by the Texas Rangers in the division series, and the 100-win Dodgers had the same happen against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In addition, the 104-win Braves had scored just seven runs in three games entering Game 4 after leading baseball in that category during the regular season.
“I don’t think we need five (days off), but we did need a few,” manager Brandon Hyde said after the Orioles were eliminated. “Whether that affected us this series or not, I’m not going to speculate. But it’s a long time off. That’s the bottom line.”
In both years, the Astros overcame any rust to advance to the ALCS, poking holes in the layoff-is-too-long theory.
Manfred was asked if he’s talked to the players association about changing the format.
“It’s one of those things where we would have a conversation about it if we wanted to do something,” he said. “But I think the most important point is the first one: It’s Year 2. I think we need to give it a little time…We all want the competition to be the best it can possibly be.”
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.
Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.
Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.
Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.
The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.
The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.
A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.
He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.
“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.
“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.
“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”
He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.
In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”
Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).
Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.
Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.
Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.
Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.
Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.
Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.
The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.
Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.