Early Game Recaps

The Red Sox shutout the Orioles 5-0: David Price started on the mound for Boston and he was lights out; he pitched six innings and struck out a season-high ten batters. He picked up the win and his record improved to 12-6 on the year. He has gone at least six innings and given up two or fewer runs in four straight starts. Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. were the two big standouts for the Red Sox offense today. Bogaerts finished 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a pair of runs scored. The steal was his fifth of the year. Bradley Jr. finished 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, two RBI, and two runs scored. It was his eleventh and twelth home runs and the two RBI give him 46 on the year. Adam Jones was the only bright spot for the Orioles, he finished 2-for-4 with a double. No other player for Baltimore had more than one hit.

The Yankees defeated the Rangers 5-3: Lance Lynn drew the start for New York and he pitched well, firing five innings of one-run ball while striking out eight. He did not factor into the decision. The offense was powered by Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton . Andujar finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Stanton smacked home run number 29 and also singled, walked, and scored an additional run. Over on the Rangers side, Shin-Soo Choo provided the top offensive day for Texas as he finished 3-for-5 with a double, a steal, and two runs scored. Rougned Odor also had a steal, giving him 10 for the year to go along with his 14 home runs; his third straight season with at least double-digits in both categories.

 

That Just Happened

The Nationals hammered Jon Lester for ten hits and nine runs (eight earned) in his 3.2 innings of work and are currently leading over the Cubs 9-1 in the seventh inning. Ryan Zimmerman is having a monster day, he’s 2-for-3 with two home runs, six RBI, and two runs scored. Daniel Murphy is also having a nice day at the office, he is 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. Trea Turner has a pair of singles and stole his 32nd bag of the year. Tanner Roark is pitching well; he has hurled six innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts thus far, he is at 89 pitches.

Mallex Smith continues to get on base for the Rays; he led off the game with a double and extended his hitting streak to six games. He is currently hitting .300 for the year. Joey Wendle is 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI so far as the Rays are currently leading over the Blue Jays 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.

 

Streaking

Dereck Rodriguez – 7 starts/1 relief appearance, 49.1 innings, 3-0 record, 39 strikeouts, 1.28 ERA (seven earned runs).

Carlos Rodon – 5 starts, 36.2 innings, 2-0 record, 30 strikeouts, 0.98 ERA (four earned runs).

Zack Wheeler – 4 starts, 27.0 innings, 4-0 record, 27 strikeouts, 1.33 ERA (four earned runs).

Max Scherzer – 4 starts, 27.0 innings, 3-0 record, 34 strikeouts, 1.67 ERA (five earned runs).

Trevor Bauer – 3 starts, 19.1 innings, 3-0 record, 24 strikeouts, 0.93 ERA (two earned runs).

Sean Newcomb – 3 starts, 20.2 innings, 2-0 record, 19 strikeouts, 1.31 ERA (three earned runs).

Jake Arrieta – 3 starts, 21.0 innings, 2-0 record, 17 strikeouts, 1.29 ERA (three earned runs).

 

Burning Questions

David Wright will play in a minor league game for Class-A Advanced St. Lucie. Wright last played in MLB in 2016 and hasn’t played more than 40 games in a season since 2014 all due to various shoulder, neck, and back injuries and surgeries. Will he make it back to MLB?

As noted above, Trevor Bauer has been fantastic in his last three starts; will he keep it going tonight against the White Sox?

Whit Merrifield is 1-for-17 over his last 17 at-bats; will he get back on track tonight against Jack Flaherty and the Cardinals?

In his first career start in Colorado, Walker Buehler gave up four earned runs across five innings pitched, how will he fare tonight?

Will Aaron Nola shut down the Padres?

 

Stay tuned.