First to Home: July 8th MLB News and Notes

Dodgers Cool Off Royals: Both the Dodgers and the Royals have been among MLB’s hottest teams this season, but something had to give when they squared up for an interleague series on Friday. Behind the bats of Corey Seager and Yasiel Puig, the Dodgers were able to put up four runs, more than enough for Dodgers starter Kenta Maeda.

Twins Falling Off?: The Twins have remained relatively consistent this season, yet now that they are third in the division people assume the are falling off. That is not the case; on Friday they came back from a 6-0 deficit to down the Orioles 9-6. They have now won 4 of 5 and Byron Buxton is showing signs of coming around offensively.

Nationals Surviving Bullpen Woes: When Max Scherzer left the game on Friday night, with the Nationals trailing the Braves 2-1, Oliver Perez was handed the ball with the duty of getting just one out to escape the jam. Unfortunately like all Nationals relievers this season, he failed his responsibility allowing a 2 run single to Freddie Freeman. Yet the Nationals offense proved overpowering, engineering a comeback to tie the game in the 9th, then winning the game on a Daniel Murphy single in the 10th.

Giancarlo Stanton: I don’t want to jinx Giancarlo Stanton, but man is it exciting to see him healthy and hitting monstrous homers. On Friday night he hit one into the right field seats in San Francisco on a ball which initially appeared to be a mere flyball. He also has managed to remain consistent at the plate, managing a .277 average to combine with his 24 homers.

Rockies Offense Back?: The Rockies finally had the offensive explosion they have so desperately longed for over the past few weeks. Their All-Stars D.J. LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, and Charlie Blackmon all had huge nights offensively to power the Rocks to a 12 run output against the White Sox. The three sluggers combined to go 8-13 with 3 homers and 8 RBI’s in the offensive display.

George Springer: George Springer has officially set the record for most Home Runs from the leadoff spot before the All-Star break with 27. He is also currently working on a 15 game hit streak.

Written by Paul McGovern