Hello readers! Another week of Major League Baseball action is in the books. The week that was full of great offense, dominating pitching, no hitters and walk offs. In this week's column I'll talk about the week that was for all 30 teams week, and a video dedicated to the greatest fans of them all. Let's get to work!
American League
American League East (2nd Inning):
Baltimore Orioles (5th in AL East; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 14-26; Week Runs Scored: 20):
The Orioles took 1 of 3 against the Red Sox and took 1 of 3 against the Angels. Offense had a good week compared to most weeks (especially the runs scored that the Blue Jays had this week). Their pitching wasn't that much better either but showed promise in the two wins but you're still rebuilding. I'd be surprised if the Orioles get out of the basement this week.
This week: 3 games @ New York (AL); 4 games @ Cleveland
Boston Red Sox (3rd in AL East; Week Record: 5-1; Overall Record: 22-19; Week Runs Scored: 45):
The Red Sox took 2 of 3 against the Orioles and took 3 of 3 against the Mariners. Boston finally got out of the losing record mark earlier in the week and their offense is swinging really well and their pitching staff has finally lived up to its potential. The series against Seattle this week was a complete 360 when it came to their first series back in late March. Huge series against Houston next weekend.
This week: 2 games vs Colorado; 3 games vs Houston
New York Yankees (2nd in AL East; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 24-16; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Yankees took 3 of 4 against the Mariners and took 2 of 3 against the Rays. As much as I hate to say it, the Yankees are winning games despite all the players down on injury, most of them are starters. They took on a really good Tampa team and got a series victory there. Sky's the limit with them.
This week: 3 games vs Baltimore; 3 games vs Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Rays (1st in AL East; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 24-15; Week Runs Scored: 31):
The Rays took 2 of 3 against the Diamondbacks and took 1 of 3 against the Yankees. It was a series that we would learn a lot about the Rays and I think we did learn a bit about the Rays against their series against New York. What I learned is that the Rays are a capable team that can fight with the bigger clubs but I feel at best right now they're a possible wild card team despite still holding 1st place in the division. Tampa needs a good week to get back into it but they have to go to New York next weekend.
This week: 2 games @ Miami; 3 games @ New York (AL)
Toronto Blue Jays (4th in AL East; Week Record: 1-5; Overall Record: 16-24; Week Runs Scored 7):
The Blue Jays took 0 of 3 against the Twins and took 1 of 3 against the White Sox. Ugly was the word that definitely would be used to describe the Blue Jays this week. Getting shutout back-to-back times does not neither help your offense nor your pitching. Only getting 7 runs this week is pretty bad. I didn't think that the offense would be this bad.
This week: 2 games @ San Francisco; 4 games @ Chicago (AL)
American League Central (3rd Inning)
Chicago White Sox (4th in AL Central; Week Record: 4-3; Overall Record: 18-21; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The White Sox took 2 of 4 against the Indians and took 2 of 3 against the Blue Jays. It was mildly interesting for the White Sox this week. They can get 9 runs on the board one day and then 2 the next. Their pitching did have a better week, specifically their starting pitching.
This week: 2 games vs Cleveland; 4 games vs Toronto
Cleveland Indians (2nd in AL Central; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 21-18; Week Runs Scored: 21):
The Indians took 2 of 4 against the White Sox and took 1 of 3 against the Athletics. Offense saw a bit better production and Roberto Perez has given his team offense when needed. The pitching is still there other than the walkoff that they gave up to Matt Chapman. It will be an interesting race for 1st in the AL Central with the Twins and Indians.
This week: 2 games @ Chicago (AL); 4 games vs Baltimore
Detroit Tigers (3rd in AL Central; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 18-20; Week Runs Scored: 25):
The Tigers took 1 of 3 against the Angels and took 2 of 4 against the Twins. Same story for the Tigers, bad offense and good pitching. The Tigers got shutout twice this week and their pitching couldn't stop bats from getting hits and runs. Not a good formula to get wins. Shane Greene got two saves this week though.
This week: 3 games vs Houston; 4 games vs Oakland
Kansas City Royals (5th in AL Central; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 14-27; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Royals took 1 of 3 against the Astros and took 1 of 3 against the Phillies. Kansas City's problems still continue as they have had a rough week yet again. If their pitching can hold down opposing bats and their offense can get runs on the board they can get wins. For example they got a 12-2 win against Houston and a 5-1 win against the Phillies, two teams known for good offense. Rebuilding is still a word I'd use for them.
This week: 3 games vs Texas, 3 games @ Los Angeles (AL)
Minnesota Twins (1st in AL Central; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 25-14; Week Runs Scored: 40):
The Twins took 3 of 3 against the Blue Jays and took 2 of 4 against the Tigers. Shutouts were the name of the game for the Twins this week as they notched two of them against Toronto and one against Detroit. Granted they didn't look as solid as they did during the Detroit series compared to Toronto, you have to feel good if you're a Twinkies fan.
This week: 3 games vs Los Angeles (AL); 4 games @ Seattle
American League West (4th inning)
Houston Astros (1st in AL West; Week Record: 6-1; Overall Record: 26-15; Week Runs Scored: 50):
The Astros took 2 of 3 against the Royals and took 4 of 4 against the Rangers. Offense was very dominant this week. Pretty much to the point where their pitching was very relaxed and could perform the way they want to. Roberto Osuna got 3 saves this week and Justin Verlander got his sixth win of the year. This team looks really good.
This week: 3 games @ Detroit; 3 games @ Boston
Los Angeles Angels (2nd in AL West; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 19-21; Week Runs Scored: 37):
The Angels took 2 of 3 against the Tigers and took 2 of 3 against the Orioles. Offense was hitting it off this week while getting some great pitching performances from Trevor Cahill and Felix Pena. The Angels pitching still needs work but you have to feel good against some pretty bad offensive teams in the Tigers and Orioles.
This week: 3 games @ Minnesota; 3 games vs Kansas City
Oakland Athletics (4th in AL West; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 19-23; Week Runs Scored: 17):
The Athletics took 2 of 3 against the Reds and took 2 of 3 against the Indians. Mike Fiers got a no hitter late in the week. It was his 2nd no-no in his career. Granted it was against the Reds, who themselves have had a bad time on offense. The week was a better week for the A's but I still question how well they can get runs on the board. Has to be somewhat of a confidence boost to beat a playoff team in the Indians.
This week: 2 games @ Seattle; 4 games @ Detroit
Seattle Mariners (3rd in AL West; Week Record: 1-6; Overall Record: 20-23; Week Runs Scored: 27):
The Mariners took 1 of 4 against the Yankees and got swept in 3 games against the Red Sox. Oh how the mighty have fallen. Or at least how the old saying goes. In all seriousness, the Mariners on both offense and pitching just have fallen off the earth. Ever since they got swept in 3 games against the Astros they just haven't looked the same. That was back in April.
This week: 2 games vs Oakland; 4 games vs Minnesota
Texas Rangers (5th in AL West; Week Record: 1-5; Overall Record: 17-21; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Rangers took 1 of 2 against the Pirates and got swept in 4 games against the Astros. The last few weeks the word was that the Rangers offense was swinging and getting runs, and this week it was somewhat of an opposite. Their pitching still hasn't given them outs when they need it.
This week: 3 games @ Kansas City; 3 games vs St. Louis
National League
National League East (5th inning)
Atlanta Braves (2nd in NL East; Week Record: 3-4; Overall Record: 21-20; Week Runs Scored: 22):
The Braves got swept in 3 games against the Dodgers and took 3 of 4 against the Diamondbacks. Atlanta is still floating along with a good offense and a pitching staff that hasn't yet hit its stride to keep runs off the board.
This week: 3 games vs St. Louis; 3 games vs Milwaukee
Miami Marlins (5th in NL East; Week Record: 1-5; Overall Record: 10-29; Week Runs Scored: 14):
The Marlins took 1 of 4 against the Cubs and took 0 of 2 (3rd game was postponed; make-up date on 8/5) against the Mets. Miami reached the double digit in wins on Monday but would ultimately get 5 straight losses. There's not much else to say that they are nearly 30th in the majors in team batting average, runs scored, home runs, and ERA. I'd say more but their fans are probably nowhere to be found.
This week: 2 games vs Tampa Bay; 3 games vs New York (NL)
New York Mets (3rd in NL East; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 19-20; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Mets took 1 of 3 against the Padres and took 2 of 2 (3rd game was postponed; make-up day will be on 8/5) against the Marlins. Edwin Diaz got a couple of saves for the Mets this week. They had a better week despite playing poorly on offense against the Padres only getting 9 runs in that series. They did beat up on Miami (which shouldn't be much of a shock) during the weekend and certainly they should feel good about getting wins. Can't be too impressed though.
This week: 3 games @ Washington; 3 games @ Miami
Philadelphia Phillies (1st in NL East; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 23-16; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Phillies took 2 of 3 against the Cardinals and took 2 of 3 against the Royals. Bryce Harper has been getting hits to bump up the average a bit and some RBI's during the Cardinals series. Philadelphia got some great offensive performance and got great pitching from their starting pitching and bullpen. Hopefully with less booing from the home crowd too.
This week: 4 games vs Milwaukee; 3 games vs Colorado
Washington Nationals (4th in NL East; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 16-24; Week Runs Scored: 17):
The Nationals got swept in 3 games against the Brewers and took 2 of 4 against the Dodgers. Injuries still plague the Nationals but is it too little too late to get back into contention? Perhaps, but I would give them at least another few weeks to throw in the towel and sell off pieces to teams. At least Max Scherzer got his 2nd win of the season.
This week: 3 games vs New York (NL); 3 games vs Chicago (NL)
National League Central (6th inning)
Chicago Cubs (1st in NL Central; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 23-14; Week Runs Scored: 23):
The Cubs took 3 of 4 against the Marlins and took 2 of 3 against the Brewers. The Cubs just keep winning and they win it in usual walk off style, like on Saturday's game. They're the hottest team in baseball right now. This team's facets on offense, pitching, bullpen and defense are on their game and they somehow demolished a team that was a playoff team last year.
This week: 3 games @ Cincinnati; 3 games @ Washington
Cincinnati Reds (5th in NL Central; Week Record: 4-3; Overall Record: 18-23; Week Runs Scored: 24):
The Reds won a game on Monday against the Giants, took 1 of 3 against the Athletics and took 2 of 3 against the Giants. Offense was stagnant at times and sometimes not at all. They got no-hit against Mike Fiers and the Athletics. Cincinnati did have a better week on offense for the rest of the week getting a series victory on the road against San Francisco.
This week: 3 games vs Chicago (NL); 3 games vs Los Angeles (NL)
Milwaukee Brewers (2nd in NL Central; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 24-17; Week Runs Scored: 26):
The Brewers swept the Nationals in 3 games and took 1 of 3 against the Cubs. Milwaukee is having good vibes this week as the Bucks are in the Conference Finals in the NBA and the Brewers had a good week despite getting hit with a series loss against division rival Chicago. As long as Christian Yelich continues to keep getting numbers, the Brew Crew will be right there with Chicago. I mean they did last season.
This week: 4 games @ Philadelphia; 3 games @ Atlanta
Pittsburgh Pirates (3rd in NL Central; Week Record: 4-2; Overall Record: 20-17; Week Runs Scored: 29):
The Pirates took 1 of 2 against the Rangers and took 3 of 4 against the Cardinals. It was a sort of productive week for the Buccos. Let alone beating up on the Cardinals on the road. It was rather shocking to be honest. Other than the 17-4 drubbing on Thursday they put up a run composite of 14-8 in the 3 games.
This week: 3 games @ Arizona; 4 games @ San Diego
St. Louis Cardinals (4th in NL Central; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 22-19; Week Runs Scored: 32):
The Cardinals took 1 of 3 against the Phillies and took 1 of 4 against the Pirates. The surprising team this week was the Cardinals. They looked pretty good last week and then the wheels fell off and I don't know how they did. They ran into a buzzsaw of a team in the Phillies but to lose a series to the Pirates was somewhat surprising. The offense certainly has to be blamed for it. Maybe a better week can happen for the Redbirds.
This week: 3 games @ Atlanta; 3 games @ Texas
National League West (7th inning)
Arizona Diamondbacks (2nd in NL West; Week Record: 2-5; Overall Record: 22-18; Week Runs Scored: 18):
The Diamondbacks took 1 of 3 against the Rays and took 1 of 4 against the Braves. The many weeks of praise that I have given to this team has fallen short this week. The offense just couldn't get anything going and their pitching let up quite a bit of runs on Monday in a 12-1 loss against Tampa. Still they're somewhat in striking distance against the Dodgers but better baseball has to be in their mindset.
This week: 3 games vs Pittsburgh; 3 games vs San Francisco
Colorado Rockies (4th in NL West; Week Record: 3-2; Overall Record: 19-21; Week Runs Scored: 41):
The Rockies took 1 of 2 (3rd game was postponed; make-up date planned for 7/15) against the Giants and took 2 of 3 against the Padres. It was a deciding week in Colorado on if this team was a pretender or a contender. There's still questions on their pitching (which would've been better this year) is but their offense bailed them out a lot this week. If their offense can be productive and their pitching can get a few more outs then the team that most expected them to be will come to fruitition.
This week: 2 games @ Boston; 3 games @ Philadelphia
Los Angeles Dodgers (1st in NL West; Week Record: 5-2; Overall Record: 27-16; Week Runs Scored: 30):
The Dodgers swept the Braves in 3 games and took 2 of 4 against the Nationals. Cody Bellinger still hasn't lost a step so far into the season as he continues to put up numbers. Splitting a series against the lowly Washington Nationals would be a bit of a concern but hey you can't win them all. Clayton Kershaw hasn't lost a step either so far into his season.
This week: 2 games vs San Diego; 3 games @ Cincinnati
San Diego Padres (3rd in NL West; Week Record: 3-3; Overall Record: 22-19; Week Runs Scored: 26):
The Padres took 2 of 3 against the Mets and took 1 of 3 against the Rockies. It was an up and down week for the Padres. Kirby Yates got two saves to increase his total to 16 and their offense was productive. Still impressive that this team is at where its at and still in a "rebuilding" phase.
This week: 2 games @ Los Angeles (NL); 4 games vs Pittsburgh
San Francisco Giants (5th in NL West; Week Record: 2-4; Overall Record: 17-23; Week Runs Scored: 35):
The Giants lost a game on Monday against the Reds, took 1 of 2 (3rd game was postponed; make up date on 7/15) against the Rockies and took 1 of 3 against the Reds. Run production was better than some weeks but it depended on which day as it was somewhat inconsistent. Take the wins in stride San Fran, you're still rebuilding.
This week: 2 games vs Toronto; 3 games @ Arizona
League Leaders & Notes(8th Inning):
If there was any reason to have a new stadium in Tampa Bay, there would be one. During Sunday's game against the Yankees and the Rays, there was a "partial power outage" that occured during the game, which would end up being a 7-1 win for the Yankees.
With Mike Fiers no-hitter on Tuesday, it was Major League Baseball's 300th no-hitter all-time.
In the American League, your batting leaders are: MIchael Brantley (Astros) with .340 batting average, George Springer (Astros) and Eddie Rosario (Twins) with 13 home runs, and Domingo Santana (Mariners) with 36 RBI's. Your pitching leaders are: Domingo Germain (Yankees) with 7 wins, Tyler Glasnow (Rays) with 1.86 ERA, and Shane Greene (Tigers) with 14 saves.
In the National League, your batting leaders are: Cody Bellinger (Dodgers) with .390 batting average and 38 RBI's, and Christian Yelich (Brewers) with 16 home runs. Your pitching leaders are: Brandon Woodruff (Brewers) and Zach Greinke (Diamondbacks) with 5 wins, Zach Davies (Brewers) with 1.54 ERA, and Kirby Yates (Padres) with 16 saves
The Final Out (9th inning):
The Final Out this week is a video dedicated to the biggest fans of them all. The fans that were there since day one, the fans that helped travel players from the little league field to the majors. I am, of course, talking about the mothers. On Sunday, Major League Baseball dedicated Mothers Day to have all equipment be pink in honor of Breast Cancer Research. It is a noble cause to fight the disease that diagnoses 1 out of 8 women in their lifetime. The proceeds to the sales of Mothers Day apparel will go to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. So in honor to the greatest fans of them all, here's a video of Mother's Day moments. I'll see you guys next week for another recap! Bye!
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