A milestone to watch for from each club down the stretch

As the 2023 season nears its finish, every staff’s focus will shift primarily based on the standings. Some can be preventing for a playoff spot, however others can be utilizing the ultimate days to proceed getting appears to be like at younger expertise. Ultimately, whether or not a staff is a playoff contender or not, all 30 golf equipment will nonetheless be taking part in for one thing.

Here’s one milestone to observe for every staff throughout the last stretch of the common season.

All stats getting into Thursday until in any other case famous.

Blue Jays: Bo Bichette’s quest to three-peat as AL hits chief
Even after lacking three weeks with a knee harm, Bichette has an opportunity to steer the American League in hits for the third straight season. He’s additionally within the race to steer his league in common at .314, at present trailing solely Yandy Díaz of the Rays (.327). As a success machine who nearly by no means misses a sport outdoors of great accidents, Bichette is an effective guess to be close to the highest of this each season, and there could possibly be some greater milestones down the street on this class if his profession continues on this path. — Keegan Matheson

Orioles: A 100-win season for the primary time in 43 years
Not solely might the O’s attain the postseason for the primary time since 2016 — and presumably win their first AL East title since ‘14 — but they could achieve both feats while also recording their first 100-win season since 1980, when they went 100-62. Baltimore needs to go at least 17-12 over its final 29 games to reach the century mark, meaning the milestone is well within reach. Also, the Rays likely aren’t going anyplace within the division race, so the Orioles might want to keep aggressive of their pursuit of victories down the stretch. — Jake Rill

Rays: Yandy Díaz in pursuit of an AL batting title, on-base crown
Díaz leads the AL with a .327 common, a 13-point lead over the Blue Jays’ Bichette. The muscular leadoff hitter, Tampa Bay’s most respected participant and most constant hitter this season, is vying to change into the primary participant in franchise historical past to win an AL batting title. He’s additionally second within the AL with a .403 on-base proportion, trailing solely Shohei Ohtani (.410), so he may be the primary Rays participant to steer the league in OBP. — Adam Berry

Red Sox: Devers 5 homers away from surpassing a Hall of Famer
Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers has 168 profession homers. Why is that quantity vital? If he hits 5 extra this season, he would move Hall of Famer Jim Rice for essentially the most in membership historical past previous to turning 27 years previous. Devers wants simply three extra homers to move Jackie Jensen for thirteenth place on the staff’s all-time record. Barring an influence tear for the ages in September, Devers must wait till subsequent season to move Nomar Garciaparra, who ripped 178 homers in a Boston uniform. — Ian Browne

Yankees: Gerrit Cole’s Cy Young chase
Cole has been one of many vivid spots in an underwhelming Yankees season, placing the ending touches on a compelling case for the AL’s Cy Young Award by pacing the circuit with 174 innings pitched and rating second (behind Sonny Gray) with a 2.95 ERA. The Yanks haven’t had a Cy Young winner since Roger Clemens in 2001, and Cole has twice completed as a runner-up, in 2019 and ’21. He’s additionally had three different top-five finishes. Cole mentioned “it would be unbelievable” to be acknowledged with the league’s high pitching honor. — Bryan Hoch

Guardians: Can Cleveland attain the 80-win plateau?
Last 12 months, the Guardians gained 92 video games and reached the postseason on the again of a record-setting rookie class. Things haven’t gone as deliberate this 12 months, because the Guardians are 64-70 and 5 video games again of the Twins within the AL Central. With the division race seemingly accomplished, the Guardians must do all the things of their energy to keep away from turning into the primary Cleveland staff to complete beneath 80 wins since 2012 (68-94). — Henry Palattella

Royals: Bobby Witt Jr. seeks the primary 30-30 season in Royals historical past
No Royals participant has hit 30 dwelling runs and stolen 30 bases; the closest name was when Carlos Beltrán truly achieved the feat in 2004 – the 12 months the Royals traded him to the Astros. Entering Thursday, Witt has 38 stolen bases and 27 dwelling runs. The 23-year-old has been taking part in a lot better since June, and particularly properly for the reason that All-Star break. Witt is slashing .314/.351/.623 since July 14, and 13 of his homers have are available in that span. If he achieves 30 dwelling runs, Witt would change into the forty fourth participant in AL/NL historical past to report a 30-30 season and the primary since Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins’ achieved the feat in 2021. — Anne Rogers

Tigers: Miggy makes one last climb up all-time leaderboards
Cabrera entered Thursday with 3,152 hits, tied with Paul Waner for 18th on MLB’s all-time record, in line with official statistician Elias Sports Bureau. He’s simply two hits shy of George Brett at seventeenth. With a strong ending month, he ought to have the ability to attain Adrián Beltré, at present sixteenth with 3,166. Cabrera’s subsequent dwelling run will tie him with Mel Ott for twenty fifth all-time in MLB historical past with 511, and match Norm Cash for second in Tigers historical past with 373. He’s additionally two doubles shy of Hank Aaron for thirteenth in MLB historical past with 624. — Jason Beck

Twins: How far can Pablo López climb the strikeout ladder?
It’s already a near-certainty that López will change into the Twins’ first 200-strikeout pitcher since José Berríos in 2018, contemplating López climbed to a career-high 196 Ks together with his outing in opposition to the Guardians on Tuesday. But how excessive will he go? Once he will get previous 202 strikeouts, he’ll have essentially the most by a Twins pitcher since his pitching idol, Johan Santana, fanned 235 batters in ‘07. If López might push all the way in which as much as 235, that might mark essentially the most in Twins historical past by any pitcher not named Santana or Bert Blyleven — and that might be some actually good firm. — Do-Hyoung Park

White Sox: Luis Robert Jr. appears to be like for 40 dwelling runs
A depressing general season for the South Siders has featured the famous person emergence from Robert. The heart fielder’s earlier career-high in dwelling runs was 13 in 2021 and he had 36 whole for his profession in 924 plate appearances getting into ‘23. But with 5 extra lengthy balls this season, Robert will be a part of Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, Todd Frazier and Adam Dunn as the one White Sox gamers to achieve 40 in a single season. Robert additionally wants three stolen bases with these 5 homers to hitch Magglio Ordonez (‘01) as the one White Sox gamers with a minimum of 30 homers, 30 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the identical marketing campaign. — Scott Merkin

Angels: Ohtani’s chase for the membership report for homers in a season
Two-way famous person Shohei Ohtani leads the Majors with 44 homers and is simply three blasts away from tying the membership report of 47 homers hit by Troy Glaus in 2000. But Ohtani tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow on Aug. 23 and might bear season-ending surgical procedure in some unspecified time in the future in September. He’s been within the lineup each sport for the reason that analysis, nevertheless, and he’s nonetheless awaiting a second opinion on his elbow. — Rhett Bollinger

Astros: Kyle Tucker’s chase for 30-30 … once more
Tucker fell 5 steals shy of reaching 30 homers and 30 steals final 12 months, however he’s closing in on the mark once more this 12 months with 26 homers and a career-high 26 steals. Thus, he wants 4 homers and 4 steals within the last 27 video games, which is doable. The solely participant in Astros historical past to have a 30-30 season is Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, who did it twice. He had 43 homers and 31 steals in 1997 and 42 homers and 30 steals in ’99. — Brian McTaggart

Athletics: Esteury Ruiz’s likelihood at rookie stolen base historical past
Ruiz overtaking the American League rookie single-season stolen base report of 66 held by Kenny Lofton (1992) appeared inevitable given his rampant begin to the season. Though a proper shoulder harm brought on him to overlook 22 video games from July 6-Aug. 4, Ruiz nonetheless entered Thursday main the AL with 53 steals and on tempo for 64, which supplies the A’s outfielder an opportunity to tie Lofton for the report. — Martín Gallegos

Mariners: Julio Rodríguez’s quest for 30-30
After crushing seven homers and swiping 11 luggage in August, swiftly, Rodríguez has an opportunity to change into simply the second participant in Mariners historical past to satisfy a coveted 30-30 season. He’s already cleared the stolen bases threshold, with 35, however he wants six homers over the ultimate month to achieve the milestone. Making issues a bit of extra difficult is the nerve challenge in his left foot that held him out of the beginning lineup the previous two video games. But if he returns quickly and retains up his torrid tempo, he might be a part of Alex Rodriguez on this uncommon firm, who did so in 1998 with 42 homers and 46 steals. — Daniel Kramer

Rangers: Corey Seager batting title
Seager could be the AL chief in batting common (.346), however on account of two separate IL stints earlier this season, he’s not but a qualifier. To be eligible for the batting title, a participant should accrue 502 plate appearances. Seager has 411 getting into Thursday. That means Seager might want to make 91 plate appearances by means of the staff’s last 29 video games, a mean of three.14 per sport. Only three Rangers have beforehand gained a batting title: Julio Franco (.341, 1991), Michael Young (.331, 2005) and Josh Hamilton (.359, 2010). — Kennedi Landry

Braves: Home runs galore
Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna have already hit the 30-homer mark. Ronald Acuña Jr. (29) and Ozzie Albies (28) might be a part of this group very quickly. So, it appears to be like just like the Braves will be a part of the 2019 Twins as the one groups with 5 gamers who hit 30-plus homers in the identical season. Eddie Rosario, who was a type of 5 Twins, and Sean Murphy, each sitting at 20, have an opportunity to make the Braves the primary staff with seven gamers to hit a minimum of 30 in the identical season. — Mark Bowman

Marlins: Jorge Soler’s push for the second-most HRs in a Marlins season
Soler, who has 35 homers on the season and has hit seven homers in his previous 16 video games (getting into play Thursday), has the possibility to tie, or move, Gary Sheffield for the second most dwelling runs in a season in Marlins franchise historical past. Sheffield hit 42 in his All-Star 1996 season and earned his second profession Silver Slugger. While Soler can surpass Sheffield, it’s unlikely he’ll high Giancarlo Stanton’s 59 homers in 2017, the report for essentially the most lengthy balls in membership historical past. — Paige Leckie

Mets: Pete Alonso’s dwelling run chase
Although a left wrist harm in June quashed any life like likelihood for Alonso to achieve the hallowed plateau of 60 dwelling runs, he’s nonetheless on tempo for near 50. It wouldn’t take a lot of a sizzling streak for Alonso to push {that a} bit and exceed the rookie-record 53 homers he hit in 2019. His highest whole since that point was 40 final season, which he’s one away from matching getting into Thursday. — Anthony DiComo

Nationals: Lane Thomas’ pursuit of Nationals’ first 20-20 season since 2016
Thomas is closing in on turning into the fourth Nats participant for the reason that staff moved to Washington in 2005 to hit 20 dwelling runs and steal 20 bases in the identical season. He hit his twentieth homer on Aug. 8, and he has nabbed 17 bases up to now. If Thomas reaches this feat, he would be a part of Alfonso Soriano (2006), Ian Desmond (3 times, 2012-14) and Bryce Harper (2016) on the choose record. — Jessica Camerato

Phillies: The pursuit of 90 wins
The 2022 Phillies had been arguably baseball’s high story final 12 months, going from a 21-29 begin and a June managerial change to a World Series look, however what they weren’t capable of do was attain the 90-win plateau. This 12 months’s staff, sitting at 74-59, has an excellent likelihood to take action. If Philadelphia can go 16-13 or higher over the ultimate 29 video games, that can be its first 90-win season since having 4 straight such years from 2008-11 within the heyday of the Howard-Utley-Rollins period. — Cole Jacobson

Brewers: Carlos Santana’s quest for 300 dwelling runs
158 gamers in AL/NL historical past have reached the 300-homer plateau, together with 13 gamers, led by Hank Aaron’s 755 dwelling runs, who spent a while with the Brewers. Santana is bidding to hitch that group, at present sitting at 296 dwelling runs. He’s hit six of them for the reason that Brewers acquired the veteran switch-hitter from the Pirates just a few days earlier than the Trade Deadline. — Adam McCalvy

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright’s pursuit of 200 profession wins 
When Wainwright defeated the Mets at Citi Field on June 17, he improved to 3-1 on the season and was solely two wins shy of becoming a member of Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines as the one pitchers in franchise historical past with 200 wins. However, Wainwright remains to be sitting at 198 even after pitching higher of late. The 41-year-old Wainwright has made 10 begins whereas making an attempt to nab win No. 199 and has misplaced 9 straight selections with an ugly 10.91 ERA. What is encouraging, nevertheless, is how properly he’s pitched of late. The retiring Cards cornerstone probably has 5 extra begins remaining, and he’s hopeful he can flip again the clock like he did on Monday and discover a method to win a minimum of two extra video games. — John Denton

Cubs: Best power-speed season in membership historical past
Back on July 25, the Cubs pieced collectively a 7-3 win over the rival White Sox that proved to be one of many extra distinctive video games in franchise historical past. It marked the primary time since a minimum of 1901 that the North Siders belted a minimum of 4 homers and stole a minimum of 5 bases in a sport. That was a snapshot of the Cubs’ versatile ‘23 offense. As issues at present stand, Chicago is on tempo for 190-plus homers and 130-plus steals this season. That would blow away any power-speed combo in fashionable staff historical past. Looking on the 45 Cubs groups on report with 120-plus steals, essentially the most homers launched was 166 by the 2006 ballclub. — Jordan Bastian

Pirates: Andrew McCutchen’s pursuit of 300 homers
McCutchen’s long-awaited return to Pittsburgh has had some ups and downs this season, however there’s a giant milestone inside attain. With another dwelling run, he’ll change into the 159th participant in AL/NL historical past to achieve the 300 mark, and the twenty sixth participant in that group to even have a minimum of 200 steals. But if you happen to ask McCutchen himself, he has little interest in speaking about it till after it’s accomplished, after he notably had three straight hitless video games from June 3-6 when he was on the verge of two,000 profession hits earlier this season. — Cole Jacobson

Reds: Rookies near homer report
For the primary time of their historical past, in line with Elias, the Reds have three rookies who’ve hit a minimum of 10 homers in Spencer Steer, Matt McLain and Elly De La Cruz. All of their standout rookies have mixed to hit an MLB-high 50 homers this season. The franchise report for homers in a season by rookies is 54 in 2008, when the membership was led by Joey Votto (24) and Jay Bruce (21) together with Chris Dickerson, Ryan Hanigan and Paul Janish. — Mark Sheldon

D-backs: Christian Walker chases first 30 HR/100 RBI season
It’s simple to have a look at the D-backs’ success this season and level at Corbin Carroll and Zac Gallen as lead contributors. However, Christian Walker deserves simply as a lot reward. The 32-year-old first baseman is having the finest season of his profession, as he sits at 28 dwelling runs and 87 RBIs. If Walker accomplishes that feat, he could be the primary D-backs first-baseman to take action since Paul Goldschmidt in 2017, the final time Arizona made the playoffs. — Jesús Cano

Dodgers: Freddie Freeman’s historic doubles tempo
With a pair of doubles at Fenway Park over the weekend, Freddie Freeman handed Shawn Green for essentially the most doubles in a single season in Los Angeles Dodgers franchise historical past. Given that there’s a whole month left of video games, Freeman has an opportunity to hit a historic quantity of doubles.

Freeman is one double shy of matching Johnny Frederick for the Dodgers’ franchise report of 52. With 9 extra, nevertheless, Freeman would hit the 60 doubles mark, which might make him the primary participant to perform the feat since Charlie Gehringer in 1936 and simply the seventh participant in Major League historical past. — Juan Toribio

Giants: Logan Webb’s quest for 200 innings
Webb fell simply wanting reaching 200 innings final 12 months, ending with 192 1/3 frames after the Giants determined to close him down on the finish of the season to protect his arm. The 26-year-old right-hander has been much more of a workhorse in 2023 with an MLB-high 180 1/3 innings, giving him an opportunity to exceed the 200 threshold for the primary time in his profession and drive his approach into the dialog for the National League Cy Young Award. — Maria Guardado

Padres: Snell’s uncommon ERA/walks combo
Blake Snell leads the Majors with a 2.60 ERA and is the presumptive favourite for the NL Cy Young Award. Even extra exceptional? Snell is doing all that whereas main the Majors with 85 walks. In reality, if Snell had been to complete the season main the Majors in each walks and ERA, he’d be the primary pitcher to take action since ERA grew to become an official stat in 1913. Snell has been a wizard escaping hassle this season — principally due to his putaway stuff (he’s second within the NL in strikeouts) and his hit prevention (first in hits/9). As supervisor Bob Melvin put it: “That’s what he does; he’s a strikeout waiting to happen.” — AJ Cassavell

Rockies: Tovar’s rookie SS fielding proportion
Ezequiel Tovar has lived as much as the hype relating to his glove at shortstop — his eight defensive runs saved had been tied for fourth amongst NL shortstops getting into play Wednesday, by way of Statcast. But his 2023 rookie marketing campaign could possibly be historic. The 22-year-old has a .986 fielding proportion getting into Thursday, second-highest by a rookie shortstop (min. 400 whole possibilities) in AL/NL historical past. Who is the one participant to steer the face of the Rockies’ present youth motion in that regard? Former Rockies nice Troy Tulowitzki, who completed the 2007 season with a .987 fielding proportion. — Manny Randhawa