MLB Notebook: Cardinals' Streak Snapped at 17 Wins

We’ve nearly reached the end of the 2021 Major League Baseball regular season, and playoff spots are still up for grabs. For one final time before the postseason kicks off, let’s take a look around the baseball world!

Cardinals’ Streak Snapped at 17 Wins

The St. Louis Cardinals clinched a Wild Card spot in the playoffs thanks to a 17-game win streak, one that turned them from a team hovering near .500 to a legitimate postseason contender.

The NL Central title proved out of reach, as the Brewers clinched it Sunday. Milwaukee then pulled off a double whammy by beating the Cards 4-0 on Wednesday, thereby ending their epic streak. However, if recent play is any indicator of future performance, the Cardinals could be a tough out in October.

Four Teams, Two Spots

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners are all in contention for the American League’s two wild card playoff berths, and the members of that quartet are separated by just two games. ESPN’s playoff odds indicator has the Yankees and Red Sox as favorites, but their leads in the race for those spots are far from secure.

Semien Socks Record-Breaking Homer

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien has put forth another stellar campaign in 2021, and he put the exclamation point on it Wednesday. He smashed his 44th homer of the season in a 6-5 win over the Yankees, and in doing so, broke the single-season record for most home runs by a second sacker.

Prior to this season, that mark was held by Davey Johnson, who hit 43 round-trippers in 1973.

Odd Injury in Milwaukee

We’ll close with an unfortunate update from Wisconsin. It’s been a terrific season for the Brewers, but they were dealt a tough blow earlier this week. Relief pitcher Devin Williams broke his pitching hand punching a wall after the squad clinched a division title over the weekend.

He’ll undergo surgery, and the club says it’s likely he won’t pitch again until 2022. Williams appeared in 58 games this season, and posted an 8-2 record with 87 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched.