The Upper Deck

Welcome to The Upper Deck, Baseball America’s daily look at the biggest stories around the game and some lighter fare.

STEALING HOME . . .

If you zig, @javy23baez will zag.

… And maybe steal home. pic.twitter.com/jijXGi2aQP

— MLB (@MLB) August 31, 2017

The Cubs ended up routing the Pirates 17-3, but back when it was a close game, Javy Baez made a daring play to score a run. With Jose Quintana batting and Baez on third, Pirates righthander Ivan Nova threw a pitch as Baez took a big lead. When Pirates catcher Chris Stewart bounced a throw to third to chase Baez, Baez took off for home and scored.

AND STEALING A HOME RUN

Elsewhere in the NL Central, the Cardinals tried to rally against the Brewers, only to be stopped by Keon Broxton. Broxton robbed Randal Grichuk of a go-ahead homer with a catch that ended the game and kept Milwaukee 3 1/2 games behind the Cubs.

HELPING HIMSELF

Don't bunt. Hunt dingers. #PitchersWhoRake pic.twitter.com/uJEgKeQaDw

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 30, 2017

Stephen Strasburg had a couple of milestones Wednesday. He pitched just the second shutout of his career and first since 2013 and hit his second homer of the season and third of his career in a 4-0 win over the Marlins. Wednesday was Strasburg’s first complete game since Aug. 11, 2013, against the Phillies, which was also a shutout.

HOWARD HOMER

ICYMI: Check out @ryanhoward's walk-off 💣 for the #ABQTopes in game one of tonight's doubleheader. pic.twitter.com/OY0fDtvNjQ

— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) August 31, 2017

Ryan Howard’s love for baseball is evident. The former Phillies star hooked on with the Braves in spring training, only to be released after hitting just .184/.238/.263 in 42 plate appearances at Triple-A Gwinnett. He signed a minor league deal with the Rockies earlier this month with no promises of a callup but is still grinding at Triple-A. Howard’s not faring much better at Albuquerque (.222/.216/.500) but he did hit a walk-off homer in Game 1 of a doubleheader against Reno on Wednesday.

RETURNING HOME

Stay strong, Houston. We'll be home soon.

A few words from the guys: pic.twitter.com/8TXsQAXX39

— #AstrosHarvey (@astros) August 30, 2017

The Astros, displaced by Hurricane Harvey, will return to Houston this weekend for a three-game series against the Mets, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday.

“We hope that these games can serve as a welcome distraction for our city that is going through a very difficult time. We hope that we can put smiles on some faces,” Astros president Reid Ryan said in a statement.

Flooding caused by Harvey’s torrential rains forced the Astros to relocate their series against the Rangers this week to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.