RADIO
Chillin' Out Max-ing
Max Scherzer has quietly been the Tigers' best pitcher statistically. He is leading all Detroit starters with a perfect 9-0 record over 90.1 innings racking up 106 strikeouts, only 57 hits allowed and a 0.87 WHIP. With Scherzer’s win over the Royals on Tuesday, he became the first Tiger starter to begin the season 9-0 in 75 years. In a star-studded rotation with Justin Verlander and the emergence of Anibal Sanchez, Scherzer has seemingly flown under the radar. If he stays on track, he may end up being a top-five SP in Roto by the end of season. He will look to move to 10-0 against the Orioles on Monday.
I’m not going to do, what everyone thinks I’m going to do; and FLIP OUT!!
It was a normal day of baseball until about 12:00 AM eastern standard time. Then, #DodgersBrawl was trending again on Twitter. Everyone remembers the brawl which led to Zack Greinke being on the disabled list for a month with a fractured collar bone and a suspension for Padres Carlos Quentin. Tuesday night Dodgers rookie sensation Yasiel Puig was grazed in the face by an Ian Kennedy heater, he shook it off and took his base like a gamer. The following inning, Zack Greinke stuck one in Miguel Montero’s ribs, albeit bad timing with the game reaching a 2-2 tie in the last half-inning, retaliation was well deserved. Benches cleared as Montero’s first step was not to first base. After a collective gathering and Kirk Gibson spouting off a bit, everyone went back to the game. Interestingly enough, Zack Greinke was due to bat in the next half inning. As he stepped in the box my eyes were glued as you could just tell it was coming. The first pitch from Kennedy to Greinke was an obvious bean ball headed straight at Greinke's earhole. Madness ensued. Mark McGwire, someone I wouldn’t want mad at me, was furious and nearly came to fisticuffs with DBacks 3B Coach Matt Williams. Don Mattingly threw Allen Trammel to the soil; Ronald Belesario game in swinging. It was fantastic television. All in all Puig, Mattingly, Gibson and Kennedy were tossed among six ejections.
Savings Account
Jim Johnson topped off the Angels with his 23rd save, he faced 5 batters allowing 1 ER, Grant Balfour got the last out in an A’s win over the Yankees for save number 16, Glen Perkins nailed down number 14, Casey Janssen finished off his 13th save, Jose Valverde got save number 9, Steve Cishek got his seventh and Kenley Jansen solidified his role with number 3.
AL Hot Shots:
Aaron Harang twirled his second shutout of the season as he struck out 10 versus the lowly Astros.
Corey Kluber tossed a gem outta nowhere on Tuesday with eight innings of work to defeat the Rangers. He won’t get many K’s as he only had three but he sure silenced the hot hitting Rangers.
Bartolo Colon was fantastic yet again as he held the Yankees scoreless over six frames to secure his fifth straight win. He allowed only three singles with four walks. How can PEDs be a bad thing? I mean the proof is in the pudding…Right?
Roberto Hernandez and not Fausto Carmona showed up for the Rays on Tuesday. Hernandez struck out seven allowing 3 ER in a victory over the Red Sox. When he stays ahead of batters he is semi-dominant. Desmond Jennings hit a pair of homers in the game and is on pace for a 20/20 season.
Justin Morneau played the hero for the Twins as they defeated the Phillies on his solid 3-for-4 effort with the game winning RBI in the eighth inning.
NL Hot Shots:
Garrit Cole was absolutely blazing in his first MLB start touching 99 mph effortlessly. The rookie blasted through 6.1 innings allowing two runs and also driving in two with his first professional base hit ever coming in the form of a bases loaded, 2-run single. He is a MUST own.
Joey Votto hit a two-run jack as the Reds trounced the Cubs 12 to 2 on Tuesday. He now has 11 with 52 runs batted in on the year to go along with his .328 BA. Jay Bruce added a 3-for-5 effort with a double and two RBI. Bruce now has 45 RBI with 20 doubles and 10 homers. Tony Cingrani pitched seven innings, permitting only two runs in the win.
Cole Hamels was the victim of poor run support yet again. He got the no-decision with two runs allowed over six innings with 5 Ks and zero walks. It has to be frustrating, Cliff Lee dealt with the same last year.
Andrew Cashner had his best start to date, throwing eight innings of two-run ball Tuesday in the Padres' 3-2 victory over the Braves. Luke Gregerson, after blowing his last opportunity got a one out save.
Tim Federowicz delivered what would eventually be the game winning three-run double in the Dodgers win by knockout. Kenley Jansen took over as the Dodgers closer and immediately locked down save number 3. Finally. Zack Greinke pitched very well allowing two runs over seven innings.
Derek Norris took CC Sabathia deep for a three-run shot in the A’s victory.
Pedro Alvarez went 3-for-3 with a home run and drove in three. He’s still hitting an ugly .216 but his power plays well with 14 HR and 37 RBI there are far worse options at corner infield.
Injury Notes:
Yoenis Cespedes left Tuesday’s game with a tight hamstring, the team says the move was precautionary and he is day-to-day. Which usually means: He’ll miss a few games then eventually be put on the DL. Cespedes seems to be quite fragile and has not shown the ability to remain healthy thus far in his career. After the game Manager Bob Melvin said that Coco Crisp was also dealing with a heel issue.
Cameron Maybin will head back to the DL with a PCL injury after a dive on the warning track Tuesday. He will miss at least 6 weeks. Chris Denorfia, Will Venable and Alexi Amarista will see an uptick in PT.
Chris Capuano is expected to be activated on June 19th to start against the Yankees
Prospect Watch:
Jake Marisnick has caught fire at Double-A Jacksonville. He’s gotten his average up to .270 with a .322 OBP and 8 HR with 31 RBI. The Marlins have some serious talent waiting in the wings. An outfield combo of Ozuna, Yelich, Marisnick and Stanton is a good problem to have. They definitely have some trade bait if they want to go that route.
George Springer is mashing for Double-A Corpus Christi. The Astros are already in a youth movement so bringing up Springer, who has an intriguing combination of power and speed, could be in the near future with Trevor Crowe and Brandon Barnes underperforming. Springer has a .305/.409/.623 line to go along with 18 HR, 50 RBI and 18 SB. Hello!
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