The 3-2 pitch

three observations …

• Will Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer, with 17 losses, remain in the rotation? He is threatening to become the first pitcher to lose 20 games in a season since Detroit’s Mike Maroth in 2003.

• It sounds like the Dodgers actually need Yasiel Puig for their playoff push, as they have been struggling with lefthanded pitching lately.

• Baltimore closer Zach Britton is having a terrific year and should get Cy Young Award consideration.

… and two predictions

• The Arizona Diamondbacks will, indeed, trade Zack Greinke during the offseason.

• D.J. LeMahieu passed Daniel Murphy for the NL batting lead last week. Look for the Colorado second baseman to pull away and win the title.