While many focus on the evolving pennant race in the American League East between Boston and New York, Kendrys Morales continues to bash his way into the history books. Morales homered for the seventh straight game on Sunday, hitting his 21st home run of the season and eighth over the last seven contests. During the streak, Morales has driven in 15 runs with a robust 1.785 on-base plus slugging percentage. This marks the longest home run streak of the season, and since Kevin Mench’s seven game streak in 2006. If Morales can homer tonight in Baltimore, he will join Ken Griffey Jr., Dale Long and Don Mattingly for the all-time record of eight straight games with a home run. In 39 at-bats so far this season versus the Orioles, Morales has launched five home runs and he’s 1-for-4 against tonight’s starter David Hess with a home run this year.
On the injury front, Kris Bryant will begin his rehab assignment in Iowa hoping to return to the Cubs soon. Big news for his owners who hope to get production over the last month of the season. Bad news for Sean Manaea , he heads to the 10-day disabled list due to shoulder impingement.
That Just Happened
Although much of the focus centers on Morales of late with Toronto, do not overlook Billy McKinney ’s recent production and batting leadoff of late. McKinney went 2-for-3 on Sunday scoring a run with two doubles and a walk. He’s hit safely in six of his eight starts since being promoted with six runs, three home runs, nine RBI and a .391/.517/.870 slash line in them.
Remember when the Phillies traded very little for Wilson Ramos ? He racked up four hits in five at-bats including a double and his 15th home run with three RBI. In six games with the Phillies, he’s hitting .311/.355/.519 with four runs, five doubles, a home run and eight RBI. Rhys Hoskins (26), Carlos Santana (19) and Maikel Franco (22) also homered in their lopsided win over the Blue Jays.
Atlanta fans seemed upset trading for Kevin Gausman after the Pirates acquired Chris Archer . However, Gausman won his third straight start on Sunday in five shutout innings allowing a hit and a walk with five strikeouts. Since joining the team, Gausman’s recorded a 1.69 ERA in 32 innings and not given up a run over his last 13 innings.
Blake Snell ’s breakout continued limiting the Red Sox to two hits, one earned run and two walks with eight strikeouts en route to his 16th win, and third versus Boston this season. Snell generated 16 swinging strikes and 18 called of his 89 pitches in an efficient effort. He’s now made 14 consecutive home starts holding the opposition to one earned run or fewer in each of them dating back to last year.
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Finally, Michael Kopech made a start more than two innings after his debut was cut short due to rain. Kopech notched his first major league win lasting six innings yielding six hits and one earned run striking out four. Kopech’s now the first White Sox pitcher to strikeout four with no walks in his first two appearances with the team and he’s not walked a batter over 31 innings in the majors or Triple-A dating back to July 14th.
Adam Eaton tallied four hits in six at-bats with two runs, his fifth home run, his sixth stolen base and two RBI during the Nationals rout on Sunday. Eaton’s hit safely in seven of his last nine raising his average almost 20 points in the process. A strong finish would be welcomed by his owners.
Yes, Khris Davis deserves to be a front runner for the MVP award in the American League, but do not lose focus on what Matt Chapman ’s doing in the second half. Chapman launched two home runs on Sunday during a 3-for-5 effort scoring three runs with two RBI. Since the All-Star break, Chapman’s played 34 games with 32 runs, 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 21 RBI and a .348/.417/.716 slash line.
Noting Adam Frazier can be streaky, he homered for the second straight game and he’s hitting .348 in August with seven doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI this month. Grégory Polanco ’s on a seven game hit streak going 11-for-28 (.393) with four doubles, a triple and two home runs in it.
With Corey Knebel in the minors, it appears Jeremy Jeffress has emerged as the team’s closer. He’s recorded the last three saves, in his last four outings, with Josh Hader and Joakim Soria setting up in them. It seems like this new blueprint could be the high leverage hierarchy going forward.
Entering Sunday’s game in the midst of a 2-for-31 rut, Jason Kipnis went 4-for-5 with three runs, a double, his 12th home run and four RBI.
Whit Merrifield extended his on-base streak to 17 games with two hits including his 10th home run with an RBI. During the streak, Merrifield’s hitting .348/.419/.545 with nine runs, seven extra-base hits and 10 RBI. Lucas Duda added his 13th run and drove in three. He’s homered in back-to-back games.
Strong outing by Kyle Hendricks firing seven shutout innings limiting the Reds to two hits and a walk with five strikeouts for his 10th win on Sunday. He’s won three of his last four decisions.
Matt Carpenter tied a major league record hitting four doubles in a nine inning game. He also scored two runs and drove in two during the Cardinals win in Coors Field. Tyler O’Neill added his third home in his last four games and sixth of the season.
San Francisco announced Will Smith would not be available on Sunday and this opened the door for Mark Melancon to record consecutive saves for only the third time as a Giant and first since May of 2017. Melancon allowed a hit with two strikeouts for his third save and this could become another match-ups based bullpen if Smith continues to struggle.
Roberto Osuna secured his second save as an Astro and made his second straight clean appearance. He’s recorded a save in two of his last three appearances since being named the team’s primary closer.
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San Diego’s Hunter Renfroe hit his 16th home run and has 21 RBI over his last 21 games. He’s launched eight home runs since August fourth.
Red hot Justin Turner racked up three more hits with two doubles and five RBI on Sunday. He’s hit safely in 20 of his last 21 games with 19 runs, 10 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 19 RBI and .405 average in this stretch. Manny Machado homered for the second straight game, his 31st of the year.
Could Luke Voit be forcing Greg Bird to be Wally Pipp? Pipp took a day off opening the door for Lou Gehrig to play all those years ago. Bird’s still struggling and Voit’s surging. Voit went 3-for-3 last night with a home run and two RBI. He’s eight for his last 13 with five runs, three home runs and seven RBI in the last five games, forcing his way into the lineup. Plan accordingly.
What To Watch For
Carlos Rodon will try to stay strong on the mound in Yankee Stadium. Rodon’s been terrific since returning from the disabled list and this start could cement his status for next season. He faces Masahiro Tanaka , so someone on the White Sox will homer.
Can Kendrys Morales tie the major league home run record?
Many eyes will be on Stephen Strasburg ’s velocity when he pitches in Philadelphia. Another rough outing could return him to the disabled list.
Noah Syndergaard will face Jon Lester in Chicago, stolen bases for everyone.
Intriguing match-up with Oakland heading to Houston trailing by one and a half games in the division. Veteran Brett Anderson will face Gerrit Cole .
Be sure to check back on Tuesday for a recap of tonight’s action on Fantasy Alarm. Also, stop back later for the latest news around NFL camps with rosters starting to take shape.