'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
As the MLB season heads to the business end, with the postseason just a few weeks away, teams are starting to get desperate to punch their tickets to the playoffs.
One of the biggest controversies to have emerged from the week was when storied rivals the New York Yankees hosted the Boston Red Sox at the Yankee Stadium. The other talking point over the weekend was New York Mets slugger Jesse Winker's controversial ejection against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
Lets's take an in-depth look at all the major controversies to have gripped the baseball community over the last seven days:
Trending
MLB to open investigation against Alex Cora after hinting intentionally targetting Aaron Judge
Fireworks are expected when the Yankees and the Red Sox face off, and it was the case on Saturday when Yankees ace Gerrit Cole struck Rafael Devers in the first inning of the game.
Later in the game, Red Sox starter Brayan Bello appeared to pitch outside Yankees captain Aaron Judge, possibly eyeing retaliation for a hit on his teammate by Cole.
While no barm was done by Bello's wayward pitches, Red Sox manager Alex Cora raised a few eyebrows after publicly admitting that the starter was intentionally trying to hit Judge.
“It was closed (Saturday), like around the sixth inning. So, you know, we had our chance. Didn’t happen, and we have to move on,” Cora said.
While Yankees manager Aaron Boone refused to engage too much after Cora's comments, the MLB has opened an investigation against the Red Sox manager for his part in deliberately trying to hit Judge.
Jesse Winker's ejection stirs controversy
From one New York team to another, the Mets became the center of attraction after a dubious call in an intense clash against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.
With the scores tied at 1-1 in the ninth inning, Mets slugger Jesse Winker was called striking out on a pitch clearly over the strike zone. Winker, despite the dubious strike three call, maintained his composure and shook his head in disagreement. However, the home plate umpire didn't like Winker's gesture and ejected him.
The decision caused an uproar in the Mets fanbase. Not only they were upset by the strike three call but lashed out the umpire for one of the softest ejections of the season.
The Chicago White Sox reportedly eyeing to cut payrolls in 2025
The White Sox have been the worst team in baseball this season, which is not an understatement. Not only have they been miles behind their competitors, the White Sox are on the verge of becoming the worst team in baseball history, as they are on pace for the most losses in an MLB season.
As if things couldn't exacerbate for the AL Central team, with 115 defeats this season, the front office is reportedly set to cut payrolls for the 2025 season, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
MLB fans were taken aback by the reports, as the team has massively underperformed this season that saw the departure of manager Pedro Grifol in August.
