To regular followers, an apology. BBRT posts have lagged a bit as, in the past four weeks, we’ve sold one house and purchased another, with a three-week lag between possessions. It’s been, to say the least, a bit hectic. BBRT should be back on a regular schedule soon – and my annual Ballpark Tours’ baseball trek is just around the corner – Schaumburg (minor league), Chicago (Cubs and White Sox), Detroit and Cleveland. I’ll report from the road.
July – Teeny Boppers to Ancient Warriors and
No-Hitters to 21-Run Explosions
We are entering the “Dog Days of August,” which means it’s time for BBRT’s look back at the previous month in MLB. As usual, BBRT will feature a few “items of interest” and a bit of a statistical review. In this monthly wrap up, I’ll also take a look at the winners in the trade deadline scramble.
ITEMS THAT CAUGHT BBRT’S ATTENTION
Mike Trout – Knows how to celebrate his mom’;s birthday.
Happy Birthday Mom, Love Mikey
Okay, I admit it. Nothing Mike Trout does surprises me. Hopefully, however, he surprised his mother on her birthday this year (July 10). He did his mother proud that day, going three-for-five with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI. Then again, maybe she wasn’t surprised. In his five MLB seasons, Trout is hitting .556 (ten-for-eighteen) with three home runs, seven runs scored and nine RBIs on his mother’s birthday.
Going for the Cycle
On July 21, with a ninth-inning triple, Rangers’ OF Shin-Soo Choo became the 274th MLBer to hit for the cycle (it’s been done 306 times), He was also just the eighth Ranger and first Korean player to achieve that feat.
Bring ‘Em All On
On July 26, sixteen-season MLB veteran Tim Hudson took the mound for the Giants against the Oakland A’s, a team he had never beaten in his MLB career (0-2, 9.58 ERA) – in fact, the only team he had never beaten in his MLB career. Hudson went five innings, giving up three runs and earned the victory as the Giants topped the A’s 4-3. In gaining the win, the 40-year-old Hudson became just the fifteenth pitcher to record at least one win against all 30 current major league franchises. Hudson was also the second pitcher to achieve that distinction this season, joining the Brewers’ Kyle Lohse, who beat the Twins to complete his 30-team victory list on June 26. Both Lohse and Hudson joined the 30-franchise victory club by beating the teams that first put them on the major league mound.
By the way, that 15-pitcher list includes Al Leiter (first ever to accomplish the feat), Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, Barry Zito, Terry Mulholland, Curt Schilling, Woody Williams, Jamie Moyer, Javier Vazquez, Vicente Padilla, Derek Lowe, Dan Haren and A.J. Burnett.
Karns Shines on the Mound and in the Batter’s Box
On July 21, Rays’ pitcher Nathan Karns collected his first-ever major league hit – a second-inning home run against Phillies’ starter Aaron Nola. It was the first MLB game since 2009 won by a score of 1-0 with the only run being a home run by a pitcher – and the first such outcome in the AL since 1962. Karns also became only the second Rays’ hurler ever to go deep, joining Estaban Yan (June 4, 2000) in that club of two “clubbers.” Karns pitched five innings of shutout ball to pick up his fifth win (against five losses.) Five relievers protected the 1-0 lead.
Cole Hamels – traded after his no-hitter.
Hamels No-Hitter Helps Ruiz Make History
On July 25, the Phillies’ Cole Hamels threw a no-hitter, beating the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley. Hamels walked just two and struck out 13 in the dominating outing. On that day, history was made not just from the mound, but also behind the plate. It was the fourth no-hitter caught by Phillies’ backstop Carlos Ruiz – tying him for the MLB record for no-hitters caught with Jason Varitek. Ruiz’ list of no-hitters caught includes Hamels’, two by Roy Halladay and one combined no-hitter (started by Hamels). Varitek caught no-hit games by Jon Lester, Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe and Clay Buchholz.
Of special interest to BBRT: The no-hitter was also Hamels’ final start for the Phillies, who traded him to the Rangers on July 29. That makes Hamels only the second pitcher to throw a no-hitter and be traded before his next start (and the first to be traded immediately after a no-hitter mid-season). Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven threw a no-hitter for the Rangers in his last start of the 1977 campaign and was traded to the Pirates before the 1978 season opened.
On a Pretty Good Run
On July 26, the Angels Albert Pujols took another step – this one about 90-feet – toward his spot in the Hall of Fame. In a 13-7 win over the Rangers, Pujols swiped his 100th career base – joining Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only MLBers with a career .300 average, 500 homers and 100 steals. Pujols is on a pretty good run this year. Although it was only his second stolen base of the campaign, he has 30 home runs this season and made the All Star squad for the first time since 2010. Pujols’ membership in his new “club” is not guaranteed, however. Since 2010, his career batting average has dropped from .331 to .314. (From 2011 to July 31, 2015, Pujols has averaged .276.)
The Perfect Outing
On June 26, Cubs’ catcher David Ross took the mound and retired the Phillies in order in the ninth. It was his second relief outing of the season – and his second perfect 1-2-3 inning. This outing was made even more special, as the 38-year-old Ross belted his first HR of the season in the bottom of the inning. According to reliable sources, Ross’ fastball topped out at 72 mph. Ross, who never pitched in a professional game before this season, now has a WHIP of 0.00.
A-Rod …from Teeny “Bopper” to 40-year-old slugger.
From Teeny “Bopper” to Ancient Warrior
On July 27, Yankees’ DH Alex Rodriguez celebrated his birthday in style, hitting his 24th home run of the season. The round tripper, which helped the Yankees to a 6-2 win over the Rangers proved an historic blast. Coming on his fortieth birthday, it made A-Rod only the fourth player to homer both as a teenager and in his forties (Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield are the others). Elias also reports that Rodriguez holds the MLB record for career home runs (six) hit by a player on his birthday. (We do seem to track everything in baseball.)
OUCH!
On July 28, the Yankees torched the Rangers’ for 21 runs (in a 21-5 win). The last team to give up 21 runs? It was also the Rangers, in a May 30, 2012 loss to the Mariners (21-8). On July 28, the Yankees put up 19 hits, drew ten walks and also benefitted from two hit batters, and three errors (two were catcher’s interference). In the Bomber’s 11-run seventh inning, the first eight batters reached base safely against Rangers’ starter Martin Perez (2B, 1B, 1B, HBP, 2B, 1B, 1B, 3B). Wandy Rodriguez came on in relief and struck out the side. The K’s, however, were sandwiched around three hits and a walk. On the trivia side of the equation, Yankees’ CF Jacob Ellsbury became only the seventh player in MLB history to reach base on catcher’s interference twice in the same game (joining David Murphy, Rangers, 2010; Bob Stinson, Royals, 1979; Dan Meyer, Mariners, 1977; Pat Corrales, Phillies, twice in 1965; and Ben Geraghty, Dodgers, 1936).
Pulling the Old Switchroo
On July 31, the Yankees’ switch-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira ended the month in style, popping a pair of home runs (one his tenth career Grand Slam), as the Yanks topped the White Sox 13-6. Teixeira hit the Grand Slam in the second inning, batting right-handed and crashed a two-run homer from the left side of the plate in the fourth. That blast gave Teixeira a MLB-record 14 games with home runs from both sides of the plate, breaking a tie with Nick Swisher. For BBRT, it brought back memories of Ken Caminiti, who accomplished this feat ten times, and once hit dingers from both sides of the plate three times in four days (for the Padres) – September 16, 17 and 19, 1995. On the 18th he went 0-4 with two strikeouts, in the other 3 games he was 10 for 11 with 6 homers, 2 doubles, 3 walks, 7 runs scored and 12 RBI.
The All Star Game
Of course, July featured the 2015 All Star Game – which turned out to be a tribute to the changing “face(s)” or the game. For BBRT observations on the ASG, click here.
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NOW, THE STATS
July’s Best and Worst Records
No team had a better month than the Yankees, who went 17-7 (.704), the only squad to play .700 ball for the month. That enabled the Bombers to enter August with a six-game lead over second place (tie) Baltimore and Toronto. Over in the NL, the Pirates matched the Yankees 17 wins (versus nine losses), but still trail the Cardinal by 5 ½. Other teams with at least 15 wins in the All Star Game-shortened month were: The Royals (17-11), White Sox (16-10) in the AL; and the Cardinals and Cubs, both 15-12 in the NL. On the other side of the ledger, only the Rockies and Rays failed to win at least ten games in July, going 9-15 and 9-16, respectively.
If the Season Ended …
So who’s on top? If the season ended on July 31, the MLB playoff teams would be:
- AL … Division Champions: Yankees; Royals; Astros. Wild Cards: Angels, Twins. Note: Both the Orioles and Jays are within one game of a WC spot.
- NL … Division Champions: Nationals; Cardinals; Dodgers. Wild Cards: Giants; Pirates. Note: The Cubs are just one game out of a WC spot.
Also, if the season ended today, only the Cardinals would be playing .600 or better ball (66-37, .641), although the Royals would be close (61-41, .598). Only the Phillies would be playing under .400 ball (40-65, .385). Of interest to BBRT: The Cardinals,with the best record in MLB, are no offensive juggernaut, standing 18th in runs scored, ninth in batting average and 21st in home runs.. The Cards, however, have given up the fewest runs (300) and boast the lowest team ERA (2.65)
You can see the full July 31 standings at the end of this post.
Trade Deadline Biggest Winners
More than 100 MLB players and prospects (and a few handfuls of cash and players to be named later) changed teams in dozens of trades leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. BBRT won’t examine them all, but here are the teams BBRT rates as having made make the biggest “splash” during the wave of trades.
1. Toronto … The Jays proved they are serious about making the 2015 post-season, acquiring five-time All Star SS Troy Tulowitzki, an “ace” in five-time All Star southpaw David Price, speed for the lineup in CF Ben Revere and bullpen help (LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe). Probably the biggest July haul.
2. (Tie) Kansas City … The Royals are determined to make another run at the World Series title and improved their chances by adding RHP Johnny Cueto (a 20-game winner in 2014) and the versatile veteran, solid-hitting Ben Zobrist
2. (Tie) New York-NL … The Mets went out and got a much needed power hitter in Yeonis Cespedes (who has topped 20 homers and 80 RBI in each of his three full MLB seasons and has 18 HRs and 61 RBI this year), strengthened the bullpen with Tyler Clippard and added versatility and a bit of offensive punch with Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.
4. Houston … The Astros, like the Blue Jays and Royals, added an ace to their pitching staff, acquiring (three-time All Star) Scott Kazmir. They also added power and speed for the outfield with two-time All Star Carlos Gomez (if healthy) and pitching depth with Mike Fiers.
5. Los Angeles-NL … The names weren’t as big, but the Dodgers filled a back of the rotation need, acquiring starting pitchers Matt Latos and Alex Wood.
Honorable Mentions: Nationals (beefed up their bullpen with closer Jonathan Papelbon); Cubs (added starting pitching in the form of Dan Haren and bullpen help with Tommy Hunter).
Special Mention: The Rangers may not be in the hunt (and BBRT expected them to be sellers, not buyers), but they may have made what will prove to be the best long-term deal, acquiring southpaw Cole Hamels – a three-time All Star, who still has three seasons on his contract – from the Phillies.
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STAT TIME
Here are a few tidbits of information about July team performance:
- Cardinals’ hurlers put up the best ERA for the month at 2.78. Over in the AL, White Sox pitchers were the stingiest in July at 3.29. How much difference does the DH make? For the month, the overall AL ERA was 4.10, compared to 3.59 for the NL. For the season, through July, the difference is not as pronounced – NL-3.77; AL-3.90.
- Through July 31, the Cardinals are the only team with a season ERA under 3.00 – at 2.65. Next best? The Pirates at 3.18. The AL’s lowest season ERA belongs to the A’s at 3.45.
- No team scored more runs in July than the surging Yankees, who put 133 runs on the board. Other teams topping 120 tallies for the month were the Angels (132), Tigers (131), Blue Jays (126), Royals (123) and Pirates (120). For the season, the Blue Jays hold the top spot with 550 runs scored. No other team has reached the 500 mark. (Despite this offensive output, the Blue Jays are only two games over .500.) The Braves, on the other end of the spectrum, pushed across an MLB-low 72 runs for the month.
- The July team home run title is shared by the Tigers and Mariners, who each bashed 37 round trippers during the month – and still went a combined 12-31. Colorado topped the NL in July homers at 27. The A’s and Marlins had the fewest July dingers, 15 each.
- For the season, the Astros lead the AL with 143 homers, while the Dodgers top the NL with 127. (Note: Houston also leads the AL in stolen bases at 74, a nice power/speed combination.) Only four teams had less than 80 HRs through July: Braves (62), Phillies (69), Marlins (79), White Sox (79).
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Now, here are your month-of-July and through-July batting and pitching leaders:
Month-of-July Batting Leaders
Four National Leaguers with at least 75 plate appearances managed to hit at a .400 or better pace for the month of July – led by Brewers outfield Gerarado Parra at .435 (37-for-85). Parra also led the NL in runs scored (23). Parra’s hot month earned him a move to the AL – and he is now an Oriole. Other July .400 hitters were the Reds’ 1B Joey Votto (.405), Giants’ C Buster Posey (.400) and Rockies’ 2B DJ LeMahier (.400). Over in the AL, the top average for the month went to Royals’ 1B Eric Hosmer at .385 (40-for-104).
July’s hottest hitters were Rockies’ RF Carlos Gonzalez in the NL (.386-11-24 for June), who led the senior circuit in home runs and RBI for the month; and Angels’ CF Mike Trout, who hit .367-12-24 for the month, leading the AL (and all MLB) in July HR and tying for the league lead in RBI. Here are the July offensive leaders.
—– AVERAGE (minimum 75 plate appearances) —–
AL
Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals – .385
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox – .371
Chase Headley, 3B, Yankees – .370
NL
Gerardo Parra, LF, Brewers – .435
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds – .405
Buster Posey, C, Giants – .400
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Rockies – .400
—– HRs —–
NL
Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies – 11
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Dodgers – 8
Lucas Duda, 1B, Mets – 8
AL
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 12
Alex Rodriguez, DH, Yankees – 9
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees – 9
—– RBI —–
AL
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 24
Kendrys Morales, DH, Royals – 24
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 24
NL
Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies – 24
Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies – 23
Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pirates – 21
—– RUNS SCORED —–
AL
Lorenzo Cain, CF, Royals – 22
J.D. Martinez, RF, Tigers – 21
Adam Eaton, CF, White Sox – 21
NL
Gerardo Parra, LF, Brewers – 23
Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies – 20
Four with 18
—– STOLEN BASES —–
NL
Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds – 9
Jayson Heyward, RF, Cardinals – 7
A.J. Pollock, CF, D-backs – 7
AL
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – 6
Jose Reyes, SS, Blue Jays (now a Rockie)– 6
Three with five
Month-of-July Pitching Leaders
Four was a lucky number for pitchers in July, as nine hurlers tied for the month’s leadership in victories with four. All but one of those, the Royals’ Wade Davis, was a starter. As a reliever Davis had quite a month – pitching 10 2/3 innings in 12 appearances, going 4-0, with five holds and a 0.84 ERA.
When it comes to mound efficiency, Scott Kazmir – who started the month as an Angel and ended it as an Astro, led the way. Kazmir went 34 innings in five starts and gave up – wait for it – just one earned run. His 0.26 ERA was MLB’s lowest for July, but not by much. The Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw also gave up just one earned in July, but pitched on fewer inning – for a NL-lowest 0.27 ERA. The only other pitcher with a July ERA under 1.00 was Kershaw’s team mate Zack Grienke (0.95).\
Month of July Pitching Leaders
—– WINS —–
AL
Wade Davis, Royals – 4-0, 0.84 ERA
Anibel Sanchez, Tigers – 4-1, 4.55
Andrew Heaney, Angels – 4-0, 1.98
Nathan Eovaldi, Yankees – 4-0, 3.09
NL
Jake Arrietta, Cubs – 4-1, 1.90
Mike Leake, Reds – 4-1, 1.25
Jose Fernandez, Marlins – 4-0. 2.53
Matt Wisler, Braves – 4-0, 3.30
Jose Fernandez, Marlins – 4-0, 2.53
—– ERA (minimum 20 innings pitched in the month) —–
AL
Scott Kazmir, Angels/Astros – 0.26
Chris Tillman, Orioles – 1.31
Matt Shoemaker, Angels – 1.78
NL
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 0.27
Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 0.95
Mike Leake, Reds – 1.25
—– STRIKEOUTS —–
AL
Corey Kluber, Indians – 45 (46 1/3 IP)
Carlos Carrasco, Indians – 43 (38 2/3 IP)
Chris Archer, Rays – 40 (32 2/3 IP)
Jose Quintana, White Sox – 40 (42 IP)
NL
Jon Lester, Cubs, – 50 (40 1/3 IP)
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 45 (33 IP)
Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 44 (42 2/3 IP)
—– SAVES —–
AL
Shawn Tolleson, Rangers – 7
Cody Allen, Indians – 7
Four with six
NL
Craig Kimbrel, Padres – 11
Mark Melancon, Pirates – 9
Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals – 8
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And now the MLB Leaders THROUGH July
—– BATTING AVERAGE —–
NL
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – .349
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – .331
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – .330
AL
Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers – .350
Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians – .329
Prince Fielder, 1B, Rangers – .326
—– HR —–
AL
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 32
Albert Pujols, 1B, Angels – 30
J.D. Martinez, RF, Tigers – 28
NL
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 29
Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Marlins – 27
Todd Frazier, 3B, Reds – 27
—– RBI —–
NL
Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 78
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 77
Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 68
AL
Josh Donaldson, 3B, blue Jays – 73
Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees – 73
Kendrys Morales, DH, Royals – 72
—– RUNS SCORED —–
AL
Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 76
Brian Dozier, 2B, Twins – 74
Two with 72
NL
Bryce Harper, CF, Nationals – 68
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 67
A.J. Pollock, Cf, D-backs – 67
—– STOLEN BASES —–
NL
Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds – 49
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins – 34
Charlie Blackmon, CF, Rockies – 27
AL
Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – 27
Billy Burns, CF, A’s – 21
Lorenzo Cain, CF, Royals – 19
BBRT note: Through July, The Nationals’ CF Denard Span has the most steals without getting caught (11).
Pitching Leaders THROUH July
—– WINS —–
NL
Gerrit Cole, Pirates – 14-4 (2.24)
Michael Wacha, Cardinals – 12-4 (3.09)
Five with 11
AL
Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 12-5 (2.32)
Colin McHugh, Astros – 12-5 (4.43)
Felix Hernandez, Mariners – 12-6 (3.02)
—– ERA —–
NL
Zack Greinke, Dodgers – 1.41
Jacob deGrom, Mets – 2.05
Max Scherzer, Nationals – 2.22
AL
Scott Kazmir, Angels/Astros – 2.10
Sonny Gray, A’s – 2.16
Dallas Keuchel, Astros – 2.32
—– STRIKEOUTS —–
AL
Chris Sale, White Sox – 177 (137 2/3 IP)
Chris Archer, Rays – 173 (141 2/3 IP)
Corey Kluber, Indians – 172 (157 IP)
NL
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 185 (140 IP)
Max Scherzer, Nationals – 172 (150 IP)
James Shields, Padres – 148 (133 2/3 IP)
—– SAVES ——-
AL
Glen Perkins, Twins – 29
Zach Britton, Orioles – 27
Two with 25
NL
Mark MelanCon, Pirates – 33
Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals – 31
Craig Kimbrel, Padres – 30
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Finally, MLB standingS as of July 31
AL East
Yankees 58-44 .569
Orioles 52-50 .510 6.0
Blue Jays 53-51 .526 6.0
Rays 51-53 .490 8.0
Red Sox 46-58 .442 13.0
AL Central
Royals 61-41 .598
Twins 53-49 .520 8.0
Tigers 50-53 .485 11.5
White Sox 49-52 .485 11.5
Indians 48-54 .471 13.0
AL West
Astros 58-46 .558
Angels 55-47 .539 2.0
Rangers 50-52 .490 7.0
Mariners 47-57 .452 11.0
A’s 45-59 .433 13.0
NL East
Nationals 54-47 .535
Mets 53-50 .515 2.0
Braves 46-57 .447 9.0
Marlins 42-61 .408 13.0
Phillies 40-64 .385 15.5
NL Central
Cardinals 66-37 .641
Pirates 60-42 .588 5.5
Cubs 55-47 .539 10.5
Reds 46-55 .455 19.0
Brewers 44-60 .423 22.5
NL West
Dodgers 58-45 .563
Giants 56-46 .538 1.5
D-Backs 50-51 .495 7.0
Padres 50-53 .485 8.0
Rockies 43-58 .4426 14.0
