As the Major League Baseball regular season comes to an end and NFL Week 4 approaches, the intensity in both sports is palpable. Scott Seidenberg’s September 25, 2024, episode of Straight Outta Vegas highlights the key MLB games impacting the postseason race and provides insights into NFL updates.

 Major League Baseball: Postseason Picture

American League East

The battle for the AL East remains undecided. The Baltimore Orioles clinched a playoff spot by defeating the New York Yankees, but the Yankees still need one more win to officially claim the division title. Seidenberg suggests fading the Orioles in the next game, with Zac Eflin pitching for Baltimore and Nestor Cortez for New York, citing the tendency of teams to underperform after a celebratory clinch.

The Yankees, eager to secure the division, have the upper hand, especially as Cortez looks to bounce back from a rocky season. The Orioles, who are locked into a wild card spot, might struggle to maintain intensity after their champagne celebration.

American League Wild Card Race

The Kansas City Royals ended their seven-game losing streak with a 1-0 win over the Nationals, while the Detroit Tigers continued their dominance with a 2-1 victory against the Rays. Both teams are tied in the wild card standings, but Kansas City holds the tiebreaker.

The Royals and Tigers are battling for the second and third wild card slots, with Detroit’s momentum making them the hottest team in baseball since August. Seidenberg notes that while Kansas City has the advantage, Detroit’s surge could shift the standings.

National League Wild Card Race

The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are in a fierce competition for the NL Wild Card spots. Atlanta’s win over the Mets brings them within half a game of the second wild card position, with the Braves holding the tiebreaker over both the Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona’s recent blowout loss to the Giants (11-0) further jeopardizes their playoff chances.

Seidenberg highlights that Atlanta’s tiebreaker advantage puts them in a strong position as the season winds down. With Chris Sale on the mound for Atlanta tonight, they have a solid opportunity to surpass the Mets in the wild card standings.

National League West: Padres vs. Dodgers

The San Diego Padres kept their division hopes alive with a dramatic 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, secured by a game-ending triple play. Now just two games behind the Dodgers, the Padres can tie the division with a sweep of the series, as they hold the tiebreaker over Los Angeles.

Seidenberg recaps the thrilling ending and emphasizes how crucial this win was for San Diego’s division hopes. If the Padres can win the next two games, they’ll be in a strong position going into the final series of the season.

 NFL News and Week 4 Preview

Miami Dolphins QB Dilemma

In NFL news, the Miami Dolphins face a quarterback uncertainty as Skyler Thompson's injury leaves the team deciding between Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle. Seidenberg advocates for Huntley due to his mobility, which he believes would better suit the Dolphins’ offense.

Huntley’s athleticism offers more options for the Dolphins, particularly in a dynamic offense that thrives on flexibility. Seidenberg suggests that the decision could influence Miami’s performance in their upcoming game against the Titans.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Situation

Despite a 3-0 start, Mike Tomlin has yet to name Justin Fields as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seidenberg expresses surprise at the uncertainty, especially considering Fields’ consistent performances. He argues that the Steelers should continue with Fields, as he has done enough to keep the team undefeated so far.

Key NFL Injuries

Several injuries are shaping the upcoming NFL matchups:

• Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers has been suspended for unnecessary roughness, leaving a gap in the Chargers’ defense as they prepare to face the Chiefs.
• Austin Eckler of the Washington Commanders is out with a concussion, leaving Washington’s offense without its key running back.

Seidenberg points out that James’ suspension could have a significant impact on the Chargers’ ability to contain the high-powered Chiefs offense, led by Patrick Mahomes.

Conclusion

In this episode of Straight Outta Vegas, Scott Seidenberg explores the high-stakes MLB postseason races, where every game is crucial, and offers a detailed breakdown of NFL Week 4 updates. With both baseball and football seasons heating up, teams face pivotal decisions and injuries that could shape the rest of their seasons.

Key Takeaways

• Orioles fade: After clinching a playoff spot, Seidenberg recommends fading the Orioles in their next game.
• Wild Card battle: Kansas City holds the tiebreaker over Detroit, but the Tigers are surging.
• Braves advantage: Atlanta holds a crucial tiebreaker over Arizona and the Mets, strengthening their postseason chances.
• Padres drama: A game-ending triple play keeps the Padres in the NL West race against the Dodgers.
• Dolphins QB dilemma: Tyler Huntley’s mobility makes him the more suitable option for Miami’s offense.
• Steelers QB uncertainty: Despite Pittsburgh’s 3-0 record, Mike Tomlin has not committed to Justin Fields as the permanent starter.
• NFL injuries: Derwin James’ suspension and Austin Eckler’s concussion are key issues that could impact upcoming games.