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The Rangers and Braves needed to play a doubleheader on Wednesday, but there was a postponement, so the schedule evened out at 15 total games in Major League Baseball action. Let's dive in to our daily MLB recap.

Wednesday's action

Rough series for Brewers

The Brewers came into Cincinnati riding high. They had won six of their last eight and that was against the Dodgers, Cardinals and Nationals. They were getting really close to taking the second wild card from the Rockies and were still hanging closely in the Cubs' rearview in the NL Central. 

Three days later and the Brewers have been swept by the Reds. That pretty well sums up the short-term unpredictability of baseball. It happens. 

On Monday, they got a thrilling three-run homer late from Orlando Arcia to tie things up, but then lost on a Billy Hamilton walk-off homer. Tuesday they were blown out late. Wednesday a five-run third inning is mostly what did them in (see one subhead below for what else happened to the Brewers). 

Again, it happens. It's just bad timing. 

The Brewers will have an off day to lick their wounds before a huge three-game series starts against the Cubs in Wrigley Field on Friday. 

Castillo dazzles in 2017 finale

Reds rookie hurler Luis Castillo is a stud. Pay no mind to the now 3-7 record that has a lot more to do with the team than the individual.

Castillo went out and fired eight strong innings in which he was still rocking high-90s head in the eighth inning. He struck out 10 (a career high) without walking a single Brewers hitter. The only run he allowed was a first-inning solo homer to Neil Walker. What an outing.

Just look at a quick glimpse of his stuff. 

On the season, Castillo ends with a 3.12 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings. He's only 24 and is just scratching the surface of his upside. 

Wait, what? "Ends with?" 

Yes, the Reds are shutting Castillo down after this gem. Between Double-A and the majors this season, Castillo has now logged 169 2/3 innings on that electric arm. The Reds are far out of contention, so there's no reason to push it, notably after he only threw 131 2/3 innings last season in the minors. 

The Reds got Castillo in the Dan Straily trade last offseason and now it appears he's going to be an integral piece of the franchise moving forward. 

Chapman ejected amid sign-stealing allegations

Another day, another sign-stealing saga. Earlier this week the Red Sox were found to have stolen signs using non-uniformed personnel and Apple Watches. That's a big no-no.

On Wednesday, the Angels accused the Athletics of stealing signs the old fashioned way, by having the runner at second look in at the catcher. A's third baseman Matt Chapman did not appreciate the allegations, so he let catcher Juan Graterol know about it. He was then ejected.

The alleged sign-stealing reportedly dates back to earlier in the season, so this isn't something limited to Wednesday's game or this week's series. These two teams do not play again next season. Any follow-up will have to wait until 2018.

Diamondbacks fail in attempt to make history

The D-Backs entered Wednesday night with a 12-game winning streak. That was remarkable in and of itself, but Arizona had a more historic goal in mind beyond winning a 13 consecutive contest. 

The Diamondbacks hadn't faced a deficit in 98 straight innings when play began. The MLB record is 102 innings, which was set by the 2002 Athletics. The 1942 Yankees went 101 innings without trailing. Those were the only two teams who were in front of the D-Backs' 98 entering their game with the Dodgers. Alas, both remain in front of them. That's because the Dodgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, ending the streak before it could reach triple digits. 

Still, a pretty impressive run from a team that's about to become more prominent nationally. 

Astros get McCullers back

The Astros went through an extended period of not playing well, but they entered Wednesday having won six in a row. They also got their first start from Justin Verlander on Tuesday night after the big-time Aug. 31 trade acquisition of the former Tigers ace. Call it a new-look rotation now, because on Wednesday night All-Star righty Lance McCullers took the ball for the first time since July 30. 

McCullers was really struggling prior to hitting the disabled list. He had posted a 9.64 ERA in his four July starts. However, he was 7-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 81 2/3 during his first 14 starts of the season. 

McCullers was a little in between on Wednesday. He allowed four hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings before giving way to the bullpen. To his credit, he did strike out four Mariners.

The Astros will hope McCullers can regain his early-season form before the postseason. If so, he could form a nasty 1-2-3 punch alongside Dallas Keuchel and Verlander.

Quick hits

  • The Red Sox-Yankees feud is getting pretty funny. One day after word got out the Red Sox used electronic devices to steal signs, the team accused the Yankees of picking on them, essentially.
  • Meanwhile, Red Sox LHP David Price threw 30 pitches in the bullpen on Wednesday, reports the Boston Globe. Price will throw a two-inning simulated game Saturday. He's been out since July 22 with ongoing elbow problems.
  • The Cardinals have traded for RHP Juan Nicasio, though he won't be available for the playoffs, should they make it. He came over from the Phillies, who acquired him from the Pirates on waivers last week.
  • Reds OF Billy Hamilton broke his thumb trying to lay down a bunt on Wednesday, the team announced. The Reds won't rule him out for the season, but there's not much season left and they aren't in the race. 
  • The Yankees placed RHP Adam Warren on the DL due to back spasms, the team announced. Warren has been outstanding this year, throwing 56 1/3 innings with a 2.40 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP out of the bullpen.