First to Home: August 1st MLB News and Notes

New Red Sox Additions Prove Big: Eduardo Nunez (recently acquired in trade with Giants) and Rafael Devers (Red Sox recently promoted top prospect) have given their offense a much needed jolt. On Monday night the pair combined to go 7-9 with 3 RBI’s in a 6-2 win.

Gio Gonzalez: Behind Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in the rotation, Gio Gonzalez is often lost in the conversations of why the Nationals have been spectacular this season. However, on Monday night Gonzalez made a statement, carrying a no hitter into the 9th; the Nats were able to hold on for a 1-0 win as they continue to win ball games.

Yankees: Just a few weeks ago it seemed like the Sox might run away with the AL East, but the Yankees are on top now and holding their ground. Aaron Judge homered and All-Star Luis Severino dealt on Monday to lead the Yanks to a 7-3 W.

Deadline Moves: There were a litany of big moves for pitchers on Monday, but very few bats moved before the deadline. Namely the Dodgers acquired Yu Darvish, the Yankees acquired Sonny Gray, The Red Sox made a little splash with the addition of Mets reliever Addison Reed. However, the biggest winner of this year’s deadline has to be the Washington Nationals. They acquired Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the A’s two weeks ago and then All-Star Brandon Kintzler from the Twins on Monday. They now look like a serious threat to the Dodgers.

Rangers Are Done: The Rangers effectively chose to mail it in this season on Monday. They ridded of both Yu Darvish’s contract and Jonathan Lucroys’ contract, sending Darvish to the Dodgers and Lucroy to the Rockies. I’m first to admit I thought they would be a playoff team. But now it seems VERY unlikely.

Written by Paul McGovern