Long beach Players head to MLB Postseason as Playoffs Begin
Long Beach, CA – October 5, 2024 – Several Long Beach area athletes are poised to compete in the Major League Baseball postseason, with playoff series beginning this week. From crucial roles on contending teams to returning from injury, local talent is well-represented as teams battle for a World Series title.
Seattle Mariners outfielder J.P. Crawford is coming off a strong regular season, finishing with a .266 batting average, 21 home runs, and a .343 on-base percentage. Crawford delivered key late-season moments, including a walk-off, two-run homer on August 1 against the Texas Rangers and a go-ahead grand slam on September 21 against the Houston Astros, helping seattle secure a playoff berth.The Mariners will begin their Divisional Round series against either Cleveland or Detroit on Saturday.
In the National League,Cincinnati reds infielder Spencer Steer,a Millikan High School alumnus,helped propel his team into the playoffs. The reds won 8 of their last 11 games to clinch the final Wild Card spot. “I love this group,” Steer said to FanDuel Sports Network after the Reds clinched. “We’re all so close, man, and we were down and out so many times. People wrote us off, but you can’t kill us.” Steer, despite battling injuries throughout the season, recorded his third 20+ home run campaign in his third full season, and will face the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Tuesday night, returning to Southern California for his playoff debut.
Also competing in the NL Wild Card Round is Long Beach native justin Turner and the Chicago Cubs, who will take on the San Diego Padres. The 40-year-old Turner, making his 10th postseason appearance, brings veteran leadership to the Cubs, having last played in October in 2022.
The Milwaukee Brewers, the NL’s top seed, feature Long Beach native Trevor Megill, who recently returned from the injured list. The All-star closer led the Brewers with 30 saves this season, ranking 8th in all of baseball despite making only 50 appearances. Megill finished the year with a 2.49 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 47.0 innings pitched, earning the win in Sunday’s regular season finale with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts. He will be making his playoff debut this October.
Milwaukee also boasts additional Long Beach connections with outfielder Blake Perkins, a product of Long Beach PONY and Wilson High School, and infielder Brice Turang, the son of former big leaguer Brian Turang, who played at Millikan High School and Long Beach City College. The Brewers will host the winner of the Padres-Cubs series in the Divisional Round.
