Somebody called for a carpenter ?

Long-time Cardinal Matt Carpenter got off to a very slow start at the plate this season, prompting many to question whether or not his days of fantasy relevancy were coming to an end.

Through his first 40 games, Carpenter was hitting just .194/.321/.351 with three homers, 16 RBI and a 42/25 K/BB ratio.Since then, he has been making up for lost time.

Over his next 50 games heading into Friday, Carpenter had hit an outstanding .312/.412/.667 with 17 homers, 28 RBI and 48/31 K/BB ratio. He had hit solo home runs in each of the final two games before the All-Star break, then smashed another in the first game back against the Cubs on Thursday.

On Friday, he had something even more memorable in store.

Carpenter led off the game with a solo home run off of Jon Lester. It was his sixth leadoff home run of the season, setting a new Cardinals’ franchise record. It was also the 21st leadoff home run in his career, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Lou Brock for the franchise record there. He was just getting started though.

In his next trip to the plate the following inning, Carpenter tagged Lester for another home run, this time a two-run blast that upped the Cardinals’ early lead to 5-0. That’s pretty impressive considering he entered the game hitting just .222/.356/.472 with four homers against left-handed pitching on the season.

Carpenter got a third look at Lester leading off the fourth inning, but this time he had to settle for a leadoff double. The Cardinals wound up batting around in the frame, with Carpenter adding an RBI double off of James Norwood to an already insanely impressive afternoon.

All eyes were on him as he strode to the plate in the sixth inning against another southpaw, Brian Duensing. Carpenter didn’t disappoint, blasting a high fly ball to right field that just carried over the wall at Wrigley Field for his third home run of the afternoon.

In doing so, Carpenter became the first player in Major League history to tally five extra-base hits before the seventh inning of a ballgame. He also set a big league record with 16 total bases out of the leadoff spot in the lineup, beating the previous record of 15 that had been held by Davey Lopes in 1974.

Carpenter’s 16 total bases matched the Cardinals’ franchise record set by Mark Whiten during his memorable four-homer game in 1993. He’s also just the second player in big league history to have a three-homer, two-double game, joining Cubs’ third baseman Kris Bryant who did so in 2016.

Cardinals’ interim manager Mike Shildt seemed in awe afterwards, telling reporters, "Just a joy to watch and be a part of it… That's a special day.". Carpenter himself admitted that he was at a loss for words to describe the record-setting afternoon, "A day to remember, for sure," Carpenter said afterward. "I'm having a hard time coming up with words to describe a day like this.".

All told, Carpenter finished the day 5-for-5 with four runs scored and seven RBI, raising his season slash to .274/.381/.576 to go along with 23 homers and 51 RBI.

Carpenter became just the 14th player in MLB history to have five extra-base hits in a game, and the first to do so as a member of the Cardinals. He has now homered in four straight games, going 9-for-16 (.563) with six homers, three doubles and 10 RBI in that stretch.

There may not be a hotter hitter on the planet at the moment.

Finalizing a deal for Familia

The Oakland Athletics came into the season as a team that was supposed to be a seller at the trade deadline, not one looking to bolster their bullpen via the trade market.

It’s crazy how a bit of success can completely change those plans. Despite their loss against the Giants on Friday night, the Athletics look like legitimate contenders for a Wild Card spot, sitting with a record of 55-43. They’re in a distant third place, nine games back of the Astros in the American League West, but are just four games out of a Wild Card spot.

Still, it came as a bit of a surprise when ESPN’s Buster Olney announced Friday night that the Athletics were finalizing a deal to acquire Mets’ closer Jeurys Familia.

While nothing is official yet, and there are no indications as to what the Mets will receive as part of a return package, it does sound like Familia will indeed be traded to the Athletics if the two sides can finish the deal.

According to Olney, it sounds like the structure of the deal is in place and the two sides are just hammering out how much money will change hands as part of the trade. The Mets have been adamant that they would be willing to send cash as part of any Familia deal in order to get a better return package.

With a 2.88 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 40 2/3 innings, the 29-year-old right-hander would give Oakland an excellent bridge to Blake Treinen and give the Athletics one of the better bullpens in the American League.

While he would be a major addition to the A’s bullpen, his fantasy value will take a massive hit with this news. Losing his ninth-inning role will make him pretty much irrelevant in most mixed leagues.

As far as the Mets are concerned though, there’s now an opening in the closer’s role. Robert Gsellman recorded the final six outs to earn a save against the Yankees on Friday and he would seemingly be the odds-on favorite to take over the role upon Familia’s departure. Seth Lugo and Anthony Swarzak could factor in as well though.

First to 30

On Friday night in Arlington, Indians’ All-Star third baseman became the first MLB player to reach the 30 home run plateau for the 2018 season.

Ramirez accomplished the feat with a solo shot off of Rangers’ starter Martin Perez in the sixth inning that tied the game at 4-4.

Ramirez has now surpassed the 29 bombs that he swatted in 2017, setting a new career-high. He now sits one home run ahead of J.D. Martinez for the MLB lead in the category.

During his breakout 2017 season, Ramirez tallied 91 extra-base hits, tying Giancarlo Stanton for the top mark in all of baseball. He may very well surpass that total this season, as he has a league-leading 57 on the year.

The 25-year-old has quickly blossomed into one of the best players in baseball and an absolute five-category monster in fantasy leagues. He’s slashing a robust 302/.400/.635 with 30 homers, 71 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

American League Quick Hits: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants, Astros, Phillies and Braves are among the teams in the mix for Zach Britton…. MLB.com's TR Sullivan writes that the Rangers are unlikely to trade Adrian Beltre "unless circumstances change drastically."... The Mariners officially signed manager Scott Servais to a multi-year contract extension… The Orioles designated right-hander Chris Tillman for assignment… CC Sabathia announced his intention to play one more season in 2019… Matt Duffy was scratched from the Rays’ lineup on Friday due to back spasms… Nomar Mazara landed on the disabled list with a sprained right thumb… The Rangers recalled top prospect Willie Calhoun to take his spot on the active roster… Marco Estrada (glute) will rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation Sunday versus the Orioles…. Rafael Devers (shoulder) could be activated from the disabled list Saturday…. Tigers’ right-hander Michael Fulmer landed on the disabled list with a left oblique strain. That will severely limit the team’s chances of trading him before the July 31 trade deadline… Bradley Zimmer was scheduled to undergo right shoulder surgery on Friday in Texas…. Indians’ manager Terry Francona gave a vote of confidence to closer Cody Allen after the team acquired Brad Hand, stating that Allen will still see the bulk of save chances going forward. The right-hander then served up back-to-back solo homers with two outs in the ninth inning on Friday to take a blown save against the Rangers… The Twins promoted Miguel Sano to Triple-A Rochester after he mashed to the tune of .328/.443/.453 with two homers, two doubles and 12 RBI in 19 games with High-A Fort Myers… Kevin Kiermaier left Friday's game against the Marlins with right foot discomfort…. Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Carlos Correa (back) still isn't doing any baseball drills… Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Friday that he expects Shohei Ohtani (elbow) to pitch in a major league game by the end of the season… Aledmys Diaz went 4-for-5 with a homer and a walk-off single in the 10th inning give the Blue Jays an 8-7 win over the Orioles on Friday…. David Price hurled 6 ⅓ shutout innings in a victory over the Tigers… Joey Gallo homered twice, including a game-tying solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning, as the Ragners fell to the Indians in extra innings… Dallas Keuchel pitched 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball in defeating the Angels on Friday… Dee Gordon went 4-for-4 in a victory over the White Sox… Edwin DIaz recorded his league-leading 37th save… Danny Duffy fired seven innings of one-run baseball to beat the Twins…

National League Quick Hits: Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak conceded Thursday that the team could look to trade Jose Martinez to an American League club "at some point.". Martinez sat out his fourth straight game on Friday, and has been on the pine for all three games under interim manager Mike Shildt... Clay Buchholz (oblique) is slated to rejoin the Diamondbacks' rotation on Tuesday against the Cubs…. Padres shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. is expected to be done for the season after X-rays revealed a fractured left thumb… Justin Turner sat out his fifth straight game with an adductor injury. He’s still considered day-to-day… Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Friday that Ryan Braun (back) is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday…. Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters after Friday's game that the team will "stay away" from Ozzie Albies as he deals with a right hamstring injury for a couple of days…. Kyle Barraclough was not available for Friday's game against the Rays due to illness…. Ronald Acuna filled up the box score in Friday’s win over the Nationals by going 3-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk, two stolen bases, and three runs scored… Manuel Margot left Friday's game against the Phillies with a left wrist injury that he sustained while diving for a catch in the outfield… Derek Dietrich went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base Friday versus the Rays…. DJ LeMahieu left Friday's game against the Diamondbacks with a side/back injury…. Yoenis Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk, and two runs scored against the Yankees on Friday in his return from the disabled list…. Noah Syndergaard struck out four over five innings of one-run ball to beat the Yankees… Jesus Agio;ar slugged his 25th homer in a loss to the Dodgers…  Dereck Rodriguez limited the A's to one run in 6 1/3 innings and struck out five to win Friday…. Rich Hill struck out nine batters over six innings of one-run ball in a win over the Brewers on Friday…. Manny Machado went 2-for-3 and walked twice in his Dodgers’ debut on Friday… Starling Marte blasted a grand slam as the Pirates routed the Reds… Sean Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a homer, four RBI and three runs scored in that win… A.J. Pollock had five hits, three runs scored and a stolen base in a losing effort against the Rockies… Raimel Tapia belted a pinch-hit grand slam, helping to lead the Rockies to victory over the D’Backs…. Nolan Arenado homered twice and drove in four runs in that win.