Shohei Ohtani continues to impress with his two-way performance for the Dodgers, matching Babe Ruth's historic feats, but the team's bullpen struggles have led to recent losses, highlighting the challenges of maintaining his dual role amidst team difficulties.
The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a devastating bullpen meltdown in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, blowing a safe lead and losing the game 6-5. Closer Craig Kimbrel, who had previously blown Game 3, gave up a game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning, leading to the Phillies' defeat. The loss has shaken the team's confidence, and they now face a crucial Game 5 with an exhausted bullpen and uncertainty surrounding their closer. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, are motivated and believe they can overcome the powerful Phillies.
Despite a strong performance from Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees suffered a catastrophic loss to the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees' bullpen struggled in the eighth and 11th innings, leading to their first series loss of the second half. Cole had an impressive 11-strikeout game, but a home run and shoddy defense overshadowed his performance. The Yankees' offense failed to produce extra-base hits, and their recent struggles raise concerns about their performance leading up to the trade deadline.
The Detroit Tigers lost their ninth straight game after a bullpen meltdown in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, losing 7-5. The Tigers had taken a three-run lead in the third inning, but the Diamondbacks chipped away and scored four runs in the ninth to secure the win. The Tigers have now lost 11 of their last 12 games and sit 11 games below .500. Kerry Carpenter had a strong return to the lineup, going 3-for-3, but it wasn't enough to stop the losing streak.