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Rice Baseball: Anthony Rendon, Nationals win World Series

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Former Rice baseball slugger Anthony Rendon capped off a tremendous 2019 season with a World Series ring and plenty of spectacular moments.

It’s been quite the year for Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon. The Rice baseball star has taken an already impressive MLB career to the next level. A first-time All-Star, Rendon went beyond those accolades, thrusting himself into the NL MVP conversation, taking his team to the World Series, and winning it.

After flashing leather throughout the series, it was Rendon who broke the scoring seal on Game 6 with his big bat. His seventh-inning home run effectively ended any hopes of a Houston Astros rally on that evening and kept the Nats alive for one more game. It was the latest marvel in a series full of fantastic plays both sides of the ball for Rendon. Here are a few highlights:

Rendon ends the postseason with 20 hits, seven doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI. His World Series numbers were equally impressive. He slashed .276/.344/.586 with two critical home runs. Every time the Nats needed a big play, Rendon delivered.

It wouldn’t take much to argue the Nationals wouldn’t be where they are right now without the brilliant efforts of Rendon. From start to finish, both in his Nationals’ career and his current season, Rendon has been a rockstar.

More: Redefining the culture the biggest win for Matt Bragga, Rice baseball in 2019

What’s next for Rendon? That remains to be seen. The do-it-all third baseman is set to become a very wealthy man soon. He has already reportedly turned down a deal from the Nationals that would have paid him $210 million over seven years. He’ll be a free agent this offseason with plenty of suitors. Where (and for how much money) he plays in 2020 will be up to him.

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Rice Baseball: MLB Owls end regular season on high notes

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The regular season is complete. Some former Rice Baseball stars had big seasons and a few MLB Owls have playoff games coming soon.

Three Rice baseball products have playoff games to prepare for. Two others missed out on October baseball, but had some great moments throughout the year. Here’s an end-of-regular-season round up.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

Regular season stats: 1-0, 21.1 IP, 28 K, 5 BB, 6.33 ERA

Chargois last appearance with the Dodgers came on August 15th, his 21st outing for the big league team of the season. He was optioned to AAA following that game and finished out the season with AAA Oklahoma City Dodgers, making three appearances. He’s on the bubble for the Dodgers’ postseason roster.

The Dodgers have clinched the NL West and play next in the NLDS on Thursday, Oct. 5 against the winner of the NL Wildcard Game between the Brewers and the Nationals.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Regular season stats: 5-1, 16 Holds, 57.2 IP, 82 K, 14 BB, 2.50 ERA

Duffey just capped off the best major league season of his career. The Twins’ reliever posted career highs in appearances (58), strikeouts per nine innings (12.8), WHIP (1.01) and ERA (2.50). He’s been the team’s primary set up man, paving the way for closer Taylor Rogers. The duo has become one of the better late game tandems in the major leagues.

The Twins have clinched the AL Central and play next in the ALDS against the Yankees. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4 on FS1.

Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

Regular season stats: 1-1, 1 Save, 34.0 IP, 31 K, 18 BB, 4.76 ERA

Duplantier was back and forth between AAA and the majors this season with a few stints on the injured list sprinkled in between. He finished the season with Diamondbacks, hurling three scoreless innings in a 19-inning victory over the Saint Louis Cardinals. He earned his first MLB win over the Braves on May 9.

The Diamondbacks missed the playoffs.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

Regular season stats: .298 BA, 76 hits, 19 XBH, 28 BB, 55 K

Holt’s 2019 campaign was one of his best in his eight-year MLB career. The utility infielder for the Red Sox posted career highs in batting average (.298) and on-base percentage (.371). Including designated hitter, Holt played seven different positions this year, playing every spot on the diamond except for pitcher, catcher and center field.

The Red Sox missed the playoffs.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

Regular season stats: .319 BA, 174 hits, 81 XBH, 34 HR, 80 BB, 86 K

First-time All-Star Anthony Rendon led the national league in RBI (126) and doubles (44), pacing the Nationals’ furious September push for a playoff spot. Rendon isn’t under contract with the Nationals beyond this season, making his banner year a potentially lucrative one. First things first, though, Rendon and the Nationals have at least one more game to play.

More: Redefining culture Matt Bragga’s biggest win in Year 1

The Nationals earned a spot in the NL Wildcard game where they’ll play the Brewers. That game is scheduled for 7:08 PM CT on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and will air on TBS.

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Rice Baseball: MLB Owls make playoff pushes

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There are mere weeks left in the MLB season and several former Rice Baseball stars are helping their teams make playoff pushes down the stretch.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

Chargois has bounced back and forth between effective outings and rough innings. He’s made five appearances in August, throwing a scoreless inning in his second and fourth games and allowing multiple runs in the other three contests. Through the struggles, he’s given up just two extra base hits this month. The Dodgers have a 19 game lead in the NL West.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

In contrast to Chargois’ struggles, Duffey has been rock solid. He hasn’t been charged with an earned run since July 23, a stretch of nine games. During that span, he’s tallied 11 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting a mere .130 against him.  The Twins have a two game lead in the AL Central.

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Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

An injury kept Duplantier off the mound in Arizona through the month of July. He made his return to the show on August 15, throwing two innings in relief against the Giants. He gave up one run on two hits, walking three and striking out two. The Diamondbacks would lose the game 7-0. The Diamondbacks are four games out of the NL Wildcard.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

After a brief dip in production at the beginning of August, Holt has returned to form over the past week. He’s hitting .333 since August 6 with two doubles and a triple. He’s also walked four times. He continues to function as Boston’s swiss army knife, playing first base, second base and shortstop in his last six games. The Red Sox are 6.5 games out of the AL Wildcard.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

At this point, you should probably just google Anthony Rendon and you’ll find highlight, after highlight, after highlight, after… well, you get the idea.

Rendon has scored more runs in the month of August (nine) than he’s stuck out (eight). He’s already surpassed his career-best in home runs and continues to make his case for a new contract. The Nationals are five games back in the NL East and have a two game lead in the NL Wildcard.

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Rice Baseball: Anthony Rendon theatrics highlight MLB Owls in August

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Almost a month removed from the All-Star break, Rice Baseball’s active MLB players are still going strong. Here’ the latest on the five MLB Owls.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

Up and down remains the story for Chargois in LA. He’s worked at least one scoreless inning in four of his nine outings since the break, but given up runs in the other five appearances. His strikeout numbers are down a bit, but he’s also been the victim of some unlucky ball placement. Opposing batters have a .375 BAbip (batting average on balls in play) after the break compared to a .286 mark before.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey has been excellent for the Twins as a set up man this year, continuing that success into August. He’s picked up six of his seven holds over the past month, striking out 13 batters in nine combined innings and allowing one extra-base hit. Opposing batters are hitting an eye-popping .103 against Duffey since the All-Star break.

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Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

Duplantier has been with Arizona’s AAA affiliate in Reno since the break, rehabbing after a stint on the injured list in June and July. He’s made three AAA appearances over the past two weeks, each of which have been rocky, ending in four innings or less.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

Holt has cooled off a bit since our last update, going hitless in his last six games. Even with that brief dip, he’s hitting .308 since the break, a testament to his stellar July. Primarily serving as Boston’s second baseman, Holt has taken on a variety of roles and is occasionally removed at the end of games. He’s played seven complete games since the break, participating in 17, and remaining steady regardless of what role he’s asked to play.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

The All-Star keeps doing All-Star things. Rendon owns a .357/.455/.595 slash line since the break and a 1.051 OPS. He’s racked up 12 extra base hits, including this breathtaking grand slam.

This has become par for the course for Rendon, who’s team-leading 4.4 fWAR is better than his next closest teammates, Juan Soto and Trea Turner’s combined fWAR (4.1). Rendon’s WRC+ (weighted runs created plus) is third in the National League.

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Rice Baseball: Owls trending up following All-Star Break

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After a brief break for the All-Star Game, Rice Baseball‘s big leaguers returned to action. Here’s how the MLB Owls are doing since the midsummer classic.

JT Chargois – Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s been a mixed bag for Chargois after the break. He’s made four appearances, throwing a scoreless inning in two of them. In the other two, he allowed a pair of home runs and four runs. His season ERA has ticked up a bit to 5.11, but his 20 strikeouts in 12.1 innings is on pace to be the best mark of his MLB career.

Tyler Duffey – Minnesota Twins

Duffey has also had four outings since the break, allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk. He earned holds against Cleveland and Oakland. Opposing batters are hitting .231 against him during that span

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Jon Duplantier – Arizona Diamondbacks

Duplantier was last active with Arizona on June 11, going onto the injured list soon afterward. Team beat writer Steve Gilbert reported on July 19 Duplantier would be optioned back to AAA. He has yet to make an appearance with the club since his assignment.

Brock Holt – Boston Red Sox

Holt has been on a tear. He’s reached base in seven of his last eight games, hitting .476 with a 1.208 OPS. He’s raised his already superb .317 batting average to .344 and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He’s hit four doubles since the break with only three strikeouts in 24 plate appearances.

Anthony Rendon – Washington Nationals

Rendon opted to rest during All-Star week, giving up his spot after the first nomination of his career. That goodwill is turning out favorably for Rendon who is hitting .417 with a 1.056 OPS after the break. He’s hit five extra-base hits, has five RBI and has walked five times in nine games.

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