Hello readers! A month has past since the start of the season. It has brought with many intriguing storylines and quite a few teams benefited from the month of April and the month hasn't been kind to a few teams. The column will feature a recap of all 30 teams and a final out of a debut of perhaps epic proportions for years to come. Let's get to work!
American League
American League East (2nd Inning):
Baltimore Orioles (5th in AL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 10-19; Week Runs Scored: 18):
The Orioles took 2 of 3 against the White Sox and got swept against the Twins in 3 games. The Orioles have in general been in free fall since the first week but this wasn't too shocking for most baseball people. Andrew Cashner already has 4 wins on the year when last year he had the same number. Just gotta take wins as much as possible, you're not gonna get a lot of them this year.
This week: 3 games @ Chicago (AL); 3 games vs Tampa Bay
Boston Red Sox (4th in AL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 11-17; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The Red Sox took 2 of 4 against the Tigers and took 0 out of 2 (possible 3rd game was postponed, moved to June 8th) against the Rays. It was another frustrating week if you're a Red Sox fan. They just haven't put a string of wins together and not all facets of their game have been a factor. Hangover of magnitudes could be a factor too. Hopefully they'll put it all together soon.
This week: 3 games vs Oakland; 4 games @ Chicago (AL)
New York Yankees (2nd in AL East; Week Record: 6-1; Overall Record: 17-11; Week Runs Scored: 46):
The Yankees took 3 of 4 against the Angels and swept the Giants in 3 games. Offense still keeps producing runs despite the fact that many of their starters are currently injured. You also have to give it to their pitching too for stepping it up. Overall great week for the Yankees and certainly this upcoming week could be even better.
This week: 2 games @ Arizona; 3 games vs Minnesota
Tampa Bay Rays (1st in AL East; Week Record: 4-1; Overall Record: 18-9; Week Runs Scored: 20):
The Rays took 2 of 3 against the Royals and took 2 out of possibly 3 (3rd game was postponed and will be played on June 8th) against the Red Sox. Tampa has to feel good being in 1st place in the division while the surging Yankees are closing on them. Tyler Glasnow continues to be a star on a team that's bread and butter is their starting pitching. Will they continue their success? I can't see it happening but what do I know.
This week: 4 games @ Kansas City; 3 games @ Baltimore
Toronto Blue Jays (3rd in AL East; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 14-14; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Blue Jays got swept in 2 games and swept the Athletics in 3 games. The Blue Jays offense really took off this week and their pitching was on lockdown as well. They also added Vladimir Guerrero Jr to their roster, hopefully he can be good like his father.
This week: 3 games @ Los Angeles (AL); 3 games @ Texas
American League Central (3rd Inning)
Chicago White Sox (4th in AL Central; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 11-14; Week Runs Scored: 32):
The White Sox took 1 of 3 against the Orioles and took 2 out of possibly 3 (Saturday's game was postponed) against the Tigers. Certainly the White Sox offense has been showing flashes of brilliance. The loss of Eloy Jimenez for a few weeks will be a factor in the coming weeks.
This week: 3 games vs Baltimore; 3 games vs Boston
Cleveland Indians (2nd in AL Central; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 15-12; Week Runs Scored: 18):
The Indians split a 2-game series against the Marlins and took 2 of 4 against the Astros. The loss of Mike Clevinger on Monday will be a big loss as he won't return until July. Their offense just hasn't gotten them wins enough to get them past the Twins.
This week: 2 games @ Miami; 3 games vs Seattle
Detroit Tigers (3rd in AL Central; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 12-14; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Tigers took a 4-game split against the Red Sox, then took 0 out of a possible 3 (Saturday's game was postponed). The Tigers had some promise in shutting down offenses in their series against Boston which is a noble effort because they are the defending champions but to lay an egg against a below average White Sox team is no excuse. Doesn't help their cause that Shane Greene got only one save this week.
This week: 2 games @ Philadelphia; 3 games vs Kansas City
Kansas City Royals (5th in AL Central; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 9-19; Week Runs Scored: 28):
The Royals took 1 of 3 against the Rays and Angels in both of their series. Kansas City pretty much has had a week like every other week. The offense can be either good or quiet on some nights. Their pitching situation isn't helping either. Their World Series title seems so far away now.
This week: 4 games @ Tampa Bay; 3 games @ Detroit
Minnesota Twins (1st in AL Central; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 16-9; Week Runs Scored: 35):
The Twins took 1 of 3 against the Astros and swept the Orioles in 3 games. Minnesota has looked stellar so far in the year despite losing the series to the Astros earlier this week. Their formula of hitting and solid pitching has done well for them. You don't picture them to be a home run hitting club but they hit them nonetheless, for example Max Kepler.
This week: 4 games vs Houston; 3 games @ New York (AL)
American League West (4th inning)
Houston Astros (1st in AL West; Week Record: 4-3; Overall Record: 17-11; Week Runs Scored: 34):
The Astros took 2 of 3 against the Twins and split a 4-game series against the Indians. Houston looked well enough but could they still improve on it, sure. They're starting to hit their stride, pitching is back to form and their offense is keeping opposing pitchers agitated, not much to really state.
This week: 4 games @ Minnesota; 2 games @ Los Angeles (AL)(Games in Monterrey, Mexico)
Los Angeles Angels (Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 12-17; Week Runs Scored: 40):
The Angels took 1 out of 4 against the Yankees and took 2 of 3 against the Royals. Albert Pujols is getting closer to that 2,000 RBI's in his great career. The story is relatively the same for the Angels, great offense, and pitching that can't stop people. That was evident against the Yankees in that series. Still has to be nice that Mike Trout is still on your team for the next decade.
This week: 3 games vs Toronto; 2 games vs Houston (Games in Monterrey, Mexico)
Oakland Athletics (4th in AL West; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 14-16; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Athletics swept the Rangers in 3 games and got swept in 3 games against the Blue Jays. Brooms were a factor this week in Oakland. They were the sweeper and then they were the ones who get swept. The pitching in Oakland is still questionable but their offense can get them runs. Just an average week for the Athletics.
This week: 3 games @ Boston; 3 games @ Pittsburgh
Seattle Mariners (1st in AL West; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 18-12; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Mariners got swept in 2 games against the Padres and took 2 of 4 against the Rangers. The Mariners took a bit of a detour this week and it didn't result in wins for them. The first half of their series against the Rangers was good but to give up 29 runs in 2 games has to spell bad news for their pitching's psyche. Baseball is baseball and they could just go off on a tear.
This week: 2 games vs Chicago (NL); 3 games @ Cleveland
Texas Rangers (3rd in AL West; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 13-13; Week Runs Scored: 46):
The Rangers got swept in 3 games against the Athletics and took a split in a 4-game series against the Mariners. The bigger stories of the week is how many runs the Rangers put on the Mariners on Saturday and Sunday. The run totals of 15 and 14 for both of those games were quite impressive as the Rangers allowed only 2. Other than that it has been a rough week for the Rangers who had before that couldn't put runs on the board.
This week: 2 games vs Pittsburgh; 3 games vs Toronto
National League
National League East (5th inning)
Atlanta Braves (3rd in NL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 13-14; Week Runs Scored: 28):
The Braves took 1 of 3 in both of their series against the Reds and the Rockies. The prospects of returning to the playoffs took a steep turn as Arodys Vizcaino will be out for the season. The Braves bullpen will be also missing a few pieces in Jonny Venters and Darren O'Day as they will miss some time due to injury. Their offense and starting pitching can play well when it gets deeper into the season but having bullpen issues is not a good remedy.
This week: 4 games vs San Diego; 3 games @ Miami
Miami Marlins (5th in NL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 8-20; Week Runs Scored: 18):
The Marlins split a 2-game series against the Indians and took 1 of 4 against the Phillies. Not too much to say on this one, they're god awful, very little offense to piece together a string of wins and pitching that is near the bottom of the rankings. I hear 'em tanks a rolling.
This week: 2 games vs Cleveland; 3 games vs Atlanta
New York Mets (2nd in NL East; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 14-13; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The Mets took 2 of 3 against the Phillies and took 1 of 3 against the Brewers. It certainly looked promising for Jacob DeGrom who started off so well throwing the ball and now dropping his 3rd straight start, certainly Mets fans have to be worried about their ace. All in all it has been an average week for the Mets who didn't gain or lose ground in the division.
This week: 4 games vs Cincinnati; 3 games @ Milwaukee
Philadelphia Phillies (1st in NL East; Week Record: 4-3; Overall Record: 16-12; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Phillies took 1 of 3 against the Mets and took 3 of 4 against the Marlins. The honeymoon of Bryce Harper and the Phillies should be starting to wane as the season moves into May but so far so good for the Phillies despite playing poorly against a Mets team that was struggling on offense. They did take 3 of 4 against a bad Marlins team though, which matters.
This week: 2 games vs Detroit; 3 games vs Washington
Washington Nationals (4th in NL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 12-14; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Nationals took 1 of 3 against the Rockies and against the Padres. Washington's bullpen looks more of a mess than trying to control a bull in a pen. Their offense has had to bail them out quite a few games this week especially in their Sunday game against the Padres. The injuries to Ryan Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman will be a factor as well as they are top players in their system.
This week: 4 games vs St. Louis; 3 games vs Philadelphia
National League Central (6th inning)
Chicago Cubs (2nd in NL Central; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 14-12; Week Runs Scored: 33):
The Cubs took 2 of 3 against the Dodgers and took 2 of 3 against the Diamondbacks. One of the hotter teams of late is the Chicago Cubs. Winning 7 of their last 10 games. Getting good starts from their pitchers and good offense.
This week: 2 games @ Seattle; 3 games vs St. Louis
Cincinnati Reds (5th in NL Central; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 11-16; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Reds took 2 of 3 against the Braves and then took 1 of 3 against the Cardinals. It was an average week for the Reds. The offense showed some flashes of great against a quality Braves team that probably should've taken that series victory. Nonetheless if the Reds could play the rest of the year like that against quality opponents they'd be in conversation of a playoff contender. Unfortunately, they're still rebuilding.
This week: 4 games @ New York (NL); 3 games vs San Francisco
Milwaukee Brewers (3rd in NL Central; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 15-14; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Brewers got swept in 3 games against the Cardinals and took 2 of 3 against the Mets. Christian Yelich has hit 14 home runs in the month of April, one word to describe it: outstanding. Despite this, Yelich did have to go out of Sunday's game to a possible injury from the back. Fortunately for the Brew Crew the ballplayer should be back in a few days. Their team ERA is still high for the most part.
This week: 4 games vs Colorado; 3 games vs New York (NL)
Pittsburgh Pirates (Week Record: 0-7; Overall Record: 12-14; Week Runs Scored: 16):
The Pirates got swept in 4 games against the Diamondbacks and got swept in 3 games against the Dodgers. Pittsburgh's offense was the story this week as they could only muster 16 runs in 7 games this week. Perhaps they weren't quite the contender that perhaps some people thought they were. You still have the Steelers to cheer about, Pittsburgh though you lost both of your key offensive players in Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown in the offseason. Maybe you can recover after this past week.
This week: 2 games @ Texas; 3 games vs Oakland
St. Louis Cardinals (1st in NL Central; Week Record: 5-1; Overall Record: 17-10; Week Runs Scored: 34):
The Cardinals swept the Brewers in 3 games and took 2 of 3 against the Reds. With Milwaukee struggling to get wins the Cardinals and Cubs took advantage of it. The Cardinals this year have done it with their offensive power with a pitching staff that can compile wins, but not dominating. Jordan Hicks would be exception as he got 3 saves this week for the Redbirds.
This week: 4 games @ Washington; 3 games @ Chicago (NL)
National League West (7th inning)
Arizona Diamondbacks (3rd in NL West; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 16-13; Week Runs Scored: 44):
The Diamondbacks swept the Pirates in 4 games and took 1 of 3 against the Cubs. The offense was very productive this week. Their starting pitching did well against Pittsburgh and Zach Greinke threw 7 scoreless innings in a 5-0 shutout on Thursday. It still surprises me how well they are doing on offense without their star players lost in the offseason.
This week: 2 games vs New York (AL); 3 games @ Colorado
Colorado Rockies (4th in NL West; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 13-15; Week Runs Scored: 43):
The Rockies took 2 of 3 against the Nationals and took 2 of 3 against the Braves. Colorado is starting to recover nicely after a very rough start to the season. I feel they are a team that if they can get a winning streak going they can be a force to be reckoned with as they were picked to get far into the season, this week will be a huge week for the Rockies as they are taking on two weaker pitching teams in the Brewers and the Diamondbacks.
This week: 4 games @ Milwaukee; 3 games vs Arizona
Los Angeles Dodgers (1st in NL West; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 18-11; Week Runs Scored: 26):
The Dodgers took 1 of 3 against the Dodgers and swept the Pirates in 3 games. Los Angeles looked to continue their success of last week and keep off the Diamondbacks for 1st place in the division. The underrated candidate for NL MVP this year, Cody Bellinger, has been on a tear in April. I feel its time to say that they are the best team in baseball right now, hopefully they don't lay an egg again this week.
This week: 3 games @ San Francisco; 3 games @ San Diego
San Diego Padres (3rd in NL West; Week Record: 4-1; Overall Record: 16-12; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Padres swept the Mariners in 2 games and took 2 of 3 against the Nationals. San Diego had a better week than last week and you have to give the credit to their closer Kirby Yates who added 3 saves this season to 13 total on the year. Of course, their offense does help too. I'm looking at you Fernando Tatis.
This week: 4 games @ Atlanta; 3 games vs Los Angeles (NL)
San Francisco Giants (5th in NL West; Week Record: 2-3; Overall Record: 11-16; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Giants swept the Blue Jays in 2 games and got swept against the Yankees in 3 games. Same story this week, offense bad, pitching good. Not gonna win a lot of games if you're offense can't rise above that .211 team batting average. Certainly you could look at Brandon Crawford and Evan Longoria for the Giants struggles at offense.
This week: 3 games vs Los Angeles (NL); 3 games @ Cincinnati
League Leaders (8th Inning)
In the American League, the offensive leaders in batting average is Tim Anderson with a .402, Eddie Rosario with 11 home runs, and Domingo Santana with 30 RBI's. The pitching leaders are Marco Gonzales with 5 wins, Marcus Stroman with a 1.43 ERA, and Shane Greene with 11 saves.
In the National League the offensive leaders are: Cody Bellinger with .420 batting average, Christian Yelich with 14 home runs, and 34 RBI's. In pitching, Zach Greinke and Jake Arrieta have 4 wins, Luis Castillo has a 1.23 ERA and Kirby Yates has 13 saves.
The Final Out (9th inning):
The Toronto Blue Jays haven't had a whole lot to cheer for in a few years since they were in the playoffs but on April 26th, 2019, the son of Vladimir Guerrero Sr., debuted. His son, appropriately named, Vladimir Guerrero Jr would have a few key defensive plays and a double in the game. Certainly if he has 1/4 of the talent that his father had, he'll still be a solid ballplayer. Here's a video of his debut. I'll see you all next week for next week's recap.
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