The Opener Leiter Gurriel Red Sox Met

Happy Labor Day to those who celebrate! While fans around America enjoy a day of rest and relaxation, here are three things well be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today: 1. Leiter to be recalled: The Rangers are set to recall the second overall pick of the 2021 draft, right-hander , to the big league club today. While the 24-year-old was optioned back down to the minors after pitching in a doubleheader against the White Sox last week as the clubs 27th man, at the time that the Rangers were planning to give Leiter a more extended look in the rotation down the stretch. That look figures to start today, and Leiter will get a tough first a signment with , , and the Yankees coming to town for a game thats scheduled to start at 7:05pm local time. Leiter struggled badly early in his profe sional career despite posting sensational numbers during his time in the SEC, but this year has managed to turn things around at Triple-A. Hes posted a solid 3.51 ERA with a 33.3% strikeout rate for the Rangers affiliate in Round Rock, a feat made more impre sive by the inflated offensive environment in the Pacific Coast League. Hes made just four spot starts in the big leagues to this point in his career to terrible results, but given his stellar minor league numbers its easy to see why Texas wants to see how he looks in a more consistent major league role. 2. Gurriel to undergo MRI: The Diamondbacks were dealt a frustrating blow yesterday afternoon when outfielder was from yesterdays game due to a calf injury that occurred while he attempted to beat out a double play ball. Manager Torey Lovullo described Gurriel as day-to-day after the game but also noted that the outfielder is set to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the i sue. Gurriels second season in a Diamondbacks uniform has been more or le s identical to his first, as hes posted a 104 wRC+ with 1.9 fWAR after posting a 105 wRC+ with 2.0 Daniel Sprong Jersey fWAR for last years NL pennant-winning squad. If Gurriel were to mi s significant time due to the injury, its po sible that the clubs current DH tandem of and could see expanded roles down the stretch, though recently recalled youngster would be another option worth considering in Gurriels absence. The switch-hitting rookie has just 11 plate appearances in the majors under his belt but owns a solid .272/.383/.444 career slash line in 181 games at the Triple-A level to this point in his career. If the club prefers to keep Pederson and Grichuk in their current roles but does not want to turn their regular left field job over to a 23-year-old rookie, they could also turn to to cover for Gurriel. The outfielder has struggled at the big league level in years past but this season has hit a solid .250/.314/.434 in a part-time role. 3. Series Preview: Red Sox @ Mets An interleague series between the two clubs closest to capturing a playoff spot in each league is scheduled to begin today when the Red Sox head to Queens for a three-game set. Of the two clubs, the Mets are much more firmly in playoff contention at this point, sitting just one game back of the Braves for the final NL Wild Card spot. The Red Sox, by contrast, are 4.5 games back of the Royals and Twins in the AL Wild Card race entering the stretch run. Per the playoff odds over at , Boston has a 15.5% chance of making the postseason while the Mets have 29.2% odds. With the season entering its final stretch, the series could prove pivotal for both clubs as they seek postseason berths. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 7:10pm local time this evening, when Red Sox youngster (4.66 ERA) takes the mound opposite veteran hurler (3.96 ERA). Tomorrow will see righty (4.12 ERA) square off against southpaw (2.83 ERA), and Bostons staff ace (3.12 ERA) face Mets righty (4.82 ERA) in the series finale on Wednesday. Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey