Just think about how much power Giancarlo Stanton would be hitting for if he weren’t suffering through the Home Run Derby Curse.
Stanton homered for the fifth straight game on Monday, launching a two-run shot off of Ty Blach in a victory over the Giants. In doing so, he set a Marlins record not only for home runs in consecutive games, but also for home runs in a single season with 43. Gary Sheffield (42 in 1996) had been the previous record holder.
With 43 longballs over 115 games this season, Stanton has blown by his previous career high of 37, which he set in 2014 over 145 games. He’s hit seven more dingers than anyone else in baseball this season and is currently on pace to blast an even 60. Stanton has smacked 10 homers over his last 11 games and 22 across his previous 34 contests.
Most figured that Stanton had a season like this in him if he could just stay healthy, and he’s managed to avoid the disabled list in 2017 after making trips there four of the previous five campaigns. Also not to be overlooked is the fact that he’s cut his strikeout rate to 23.8 percent this season, which is down significantly from his career 27.9 percent mark and especially down from his strikeout rates of 29.9 percent and 29.8 percent from 2015 and 2016, respectively. Stanton’s walk rate (11.5 percent) is also the highest it’s been in three years. The 27-year-old slugger is undoubtedly improving as a hitter, which is a scary proposition for the rest of the league.
Strasburg, Ray Nearing Returns
One fantasy ace appears poised for a return later this week and another isn’t far behind.
Stephen Strasburg (elbow) looked good in a rehab start with High-A Potomac on Monday, allowing just one run on three hits and a walk over five innings of work. The right-hander threw 66 pitches on the night, retired the final eight batters he faced and hit 95 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. He threw some more pitches in the bullpen after the appearance to get his pitch count up to 75.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reported that Strasburg was “pretty terse” with the media after the outing, which she took as a sign that he didn’t think he even needed a rehab start to begin with. The Nationals have yet to officially reveal when the right-hander will rejoin their rotation, but this weekend in San Diego would appear to be a safe bet. Strasburg has missed the last three weeks of action with a right elbow nerve impingement.
While Strasburg appears done with his rehab assignment, Robbie Ray (concussion) will begin his on Thursday at High-A Visalia. Ray, who is coming back from a concussion as a result of a line drive he took to the head, was cleared for game action after getting through a four-inning, 50-pitch simulated game on Saturday.
The Diamondbacks considered re-inserting Ray into their rotation following the simulated game and having him skip a rehab assignment, but they’ve decided one rehab start would be a good idea. Assuming things go off without a hitch, he’ll rejoin the big club next week.
“These are delicate things,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “You have to really take your time with it. Robbie is on a very good path. … We miss him. We know he’s feeling good. We’re excited about that.”
Fantasy owners will certainly welcome Strasburg and Ray back into the fold. Both pitchers still rank among the top-20 fantasy starters even after the missed time.
Bauer Devouring Opponents
Corey Kluber has understandably garnered a lot of attention for the incredible run he’s been on, but don’t overlook what his teammate, Trevor Bauer, has done lately.
Bauer struck out 11 Red Sox hitters on Monday in a 7-3 victory for the Tribe. The right-hander served up three home runs on the night, but they were all solo shots and represented the only runs he surrendered over his 6 2/3 frames.
It wasn’t that long ago that Bauer’s spot in the Indians’ rotation looked to possibly be vulnerable with Danny Salazar’s (shoulder) return. However, over his last four starts, Bauer boasts a 1.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 33/5 K/BB ratio across 28 2/3 innings. He’s not going to the bullpen anytime soon.
The 26-year-old now sports a 26.3 percent strikeout rate this season, which would easily be the highest mark of his career. The rate ranks seventh in the American League and 15th in all of baseball among qualifying pitchers.
You need to only glance at Bauer’s game log to know that things can turn sour on him in a hurry. His ERA was over 6.00 barely over two months ago. He’s had stretches before where he’s looked dominant, only to eventually stumble back into mediocrity.
However, what also must be pointed out is that Bauer is throwing as hard as he ever has. He’s also throwing way more curveballs than he ever has before. Has he finally found a pitch mix that will work for him consistently?
American League Quick Hits: Edwin Encarnacion hit a pair of two-run homers Monday in the Indians' defeat of the Red Sox … Rafael Devers slugged two solo homers in Monday's loss to the Indians … Salvador Perez (intercostal) took 10-15 swings off the tee at about 30-40 percent effort Monday … Carlos Correa (thumb) took 20-25 swings off a tee and fielded about 60 grounders Monday … Manny Machado belted a grand slam in Monday’s victory over the Mariners … Rougned Odor went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and three runs scored in the Rangers' win over the Tigers on Monday … Justin Upton drew a walk and hit a two-run homer in the Tigers' loss to the Rangers on Monday … Gary Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in the Yankees' defeat of the Mets on Monday … Josh Donaldson doubled and homered Monday in the Blue Jays' defeat of the Rays … Michael Fulmer (elbow) surrendered five earned runs over five innings Monday in a loss to the Rangers in his return from the disabled list … The Astros placed Brian McCann on the disabled list Monday with right knee soreness … Miguel Cabrera (back) remained out of the Tigers' lineup Monday … The Blue Jays signed Brett Anderson to a minor league contract … Matt Holliday (back) took batting practice Monday … Jason Kipnis (hamstring) returned to the Indians’ lineup Monday and went 1-for-5 with a double … CC Sabathia (knee) expects to be activated from the disabled list when first eligible on Saturday … Cam Gallagher slugged a grand slam for his first big league home run on Monday in Oakland …
National League Quick Hits: Nolan Arenado (hand) didn’t start Monday and is expected to miss 1-2 more starts, but he was able to pinch-hit in a win over the Braves … Rhys Hoskins ripped his first two big league home runs on Monday in San Diego … Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI in the Cubs' thrashing of the Reds on Monday … Chad Bettis (cancer) struck out two Braves hitters over seven shutout innings in his season debut for the Rockies on Monday … Kris Bryant smacked a double and a homer in the Cubs' rout of the Reds on Monday … Scott Schebler (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday if all goes well … Addison Russell (foot) is recovering more slowly than expected and there’s no timetable for his return … Jeurys Familia (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Mets on Tuesday … Noah Syndergaard (lat) will throw off a mound Tuesday … Johnny Cueto (forearm) will throw off a mound later this week … Julio Teheran whiffed eight over seven shutout frames in a no-decision against the Rockies … Zack Greinke struck out nine across 6 2/3 shutout frames versus the Astros on Monday … Scooter Gennett singled and hit his 20th home run of the season on Monday night against the Cubs … Giants general manager Bobby Evans on Monday wouldn't rule out placing Joe Panik on the 7-day concussion disabled list … Devin Mesoraco suffered a fractured left foot as the result of a hit by pitch Monday … Ben Zobrist was scratched from Monday's lineup with a stiff neck but is expected back Tuesday … Braves manager Brian Snitker indicated Monday that the projected two-week timetable for Johan Camargo (knee) was a bit optimistic … David Peralta was placed on the paternity leave list Monday … Mike Puma of the New York Post has reported that interest in Curtis Granderson "has picked up lately" …
No comments:
Post a Comment