First To Home: July 16th MLB News and Notes
July 16, 2017
Yankees Refuse to Go Away: In a game the Yankees had no business winning with Chris Sale striking out 13 over 7 ⅔ innings Matt Holliday’s monster Home Run tied the game in the 9th and the Yankees would go on to win the game in 16 innings 4-1.
Max Scherzer: The Max Scherzer vs. Clayton Kershaw Cy Young battle continues to rage on after Scherzer struck out 10 Reds hitters of scoreless ball in 6 innings of work, picking up his 11th win of the season. Scherzer and his 2.02 ERA continues to be one of the main reasons the Nationals are among the best teams in the MLB.
The Rays on Fire: The Rays have continued their momentum from before the break and transferred it into their post All-Star break push for the playoffs. After recording a 6-3 win over the Angels last night they have now won 4 games in a row and are only 2.5 games back from the Red Sox in the AL East.
Cole Hamels: Cole Hamels is now 4-0 with a 3.05 ERA this season playing the role of the Ace the Rangers so desperately needed. Hamels went 7 ⅔ scoreless holding the Royals to just 4 hits. Hamels could be what the Rangers need to steal a wildcard spot from the Yankees or Rays.
Cody Bellinger: Cody Bellinger’s historic rookie season continued on Saturday night when he hit for the cycle in Miami. Bellinger now is hitting .271 with 26 Homers and 61 RBI’s as a rookie.
Khris Davis: Whatever you do, do not sleep on Khris Davis simply because he plays in Oakland. The guy continues to mash the baseball as he knocked his 25th of the season in walkoff fashion on Saturday. While his strikeout numbers are historically bad, he represents the new approach of MLB hitting where contact is sacrificed for power. Who has hit the most home runs since the second half of 2015? Oh ya, this guy.
Corey Kluber: In 8 starts since his return from the DL on June 1st, the Indians Ace has been brilliant. His 1.29 ERA is the best of any starter since his return and he continues to strike out double digit batters in nearly every appearance. Absolute Horse.
Brewers: The Brewers are taking command of the NL Central. The story many including myself thought to be a fluke is now very real. Travis Shaw hammered his game winning 20th Home Run in the bottom 8th and the Brewers have now won 11 of 13 games to maintain a 5.5 game lead over the Cubs in the division.
Written by Paul McGovern
