STEP UP OR GET JACKED UP
This is it.
We’re in September.
The Padres and Diamondbacks are separated by half a game for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Every game matters.
Every inning matters.
Every at-bat matters.
Every key pitch matters.
Are you going to be one of the Jacked Up teams sitting at home watching the playoffs?
Or are you going to step up, get Unjacked and make a run for the pennant?
Last night, the Padres stepped up.
MANNY STEPPED UP
The Padres beat the Reds 5-0, and Manny Machado apparently decided September started a day early.
Four hits.
That’s what you need from your stars right now.
We’ve been watching Manny’s finger and wondering whether it was affecting him at the plate.
Well, last night Manny looked pretty Unjacked.
Four hits in a game the Padres absolutely needed.
Manny Machado: STEPPED UP.
MERRILL STEPPED UP
Jackson Merrill keeps doing Jackson Merrill things.
He drove in a run and made one of the biggest defensive plays of the game, going up at the wall and robbing a home run.
Remember when we were yelling at Merrill about those high fastballs?
He’s listening!
At least that’s what we’re going with.
This is exactly the Merrill the Padres need for the stretch run.
Jackson Merrill: STEPPED UP.
KING STEPPED UP
Michael King?
Six innings.
Zero runs.
Four hits.
Six strikeouts.
King has now thrown 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings and has delivered five straight quality starts.
That’s not just stepping up.
That’s exactly what a playoff contender needs from the guy taking the ball in September.
Michael King: VERY UNJACKED.
AND ARIZONA LOST
This is where things get interesting.
Philadelphia beat Arizona 2-1.
The Diamondbacks had their chances. They stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
And just like that:
Padres: 73-65
Diamondbacks: 73-66
San Diego is half a game ahead for the final NL Wild Card spot.
It’s starting to look like this could come down to the Padres and Diamondbacks fighting over one playoff spot.
Good.
This is what September baseball is supposed to feel like.
Every night matters now.
One bad pitch can Jack Up your season.
One error can Jack Up your season.
One huge hit can save it.
JACKEDUPSPORTZ IS CALLING IT RIGHT NOW
Meanwhile…
The Giants beat the Braves 7-3.
Rafael Devers hit his 30th homer. Osleivis Basabe homered. Jonah Cox homered. Turner Hill came off the bench with a two-run double. Bryce Eldridge drove in another run.
The Giants scored four in the sixth and handed Atlanta its first loss after a seven-game winning streak.
The Giants are obviously not going anywhere this season.
So JackedUpSportz is going to be the first to call this:
THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS WILL WIN THE WORLD SERIES NEXT SEASON.
There.
It’s officially on the internet.
Save this blog.
Screenshot it.
Come back in November 2027 and either tell us we’re geniuses or completely Jacked Up.
AROUND SPORTS
College football is officially underway, and the NFL is almost here.
And the U.S. Open is rolling, which means September is about to become one of those glorious months where baseball pennant races, football and major tennis are all happening at the same time.
But right now, we’re watching this NL Wild Card race.
Because September has arrived.
The Padres stepped up last night.
Arizona didn’t.
And from here on out, there isn’t much room for Jacked Up baseball.
Step up. Get Unjacked. Make a run for the pennant.
If it’s sports and it’s Jacked Up, we cover it.
