BBRT finished the month of July in appropriate fashion – at Target Field on a sunny Sunday afternoon (Vintage Bobblehead Day), watching the Twins top the White Sox 6-4 (behind a double and two home runs by Brian Dozier and six solid innings from starter Ervin Santana). BBRT Note: Ervin Santana was born Johan Ramon Santana – a named he used until 2003 (when he was a minor leaguer in the Angels system). At that time, he decided he would change to Ervin avoid confusion with Twins’ pitcher Johan Alexander Santana. The next year, the other Johan Santana – with the Twins – won his first of two Cy Young Awards.
The Sunday outing put me in the proper mood to spend the evening and this a.m. working on the traditional monthly update – but this month will be a little different. I thought I’d start by commenting briefly on my day at the ball park – complete with background music – to set the mood.
The game wasn’t the most cleanly played, with the Twins prevailing despite four errors. However, three home runs (two by DH Dozier and one by 1B Kennys Vargas) were enough to carry the day. Between them, Dozier and Vargas went five-for-six, with a double and three home runs, two walks, five runs scored and five RBI. Home team fans went home happy.
Couple perfect weather, a victory, hot dogs, cold beer, bobbleheads, an accurate scorecard, mu daughter at the park with me, and live music from the rock “supergroup” The Baseball Project – which has released three albums of baseball themed rock – and it was (as usual) a great day at the ballpark. Here’s a sample of the band’s work – rock ‘n roll and baseball, a great combination. You might want to check out their albums/CD’s – Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails; Volume 2; High and Inside; and 3rd.
Now, let’s get to BBRT’s traditional monthly wrap up – odd occurrences, off-the-wall observations, awards and, of course, stats (plenty of stats). July 2016 was, as usual, a month with plenty to see. For example, fans witnessed:
- The Saint Louis Cardinals optimizing their bench – putting up an MLB-best pinch-hit batting average of .351 (53 hits in 151 pinch-hit at bats).
- The Brewers stealing 38 bases over the course of thje month … while the Orioles stole ONE.
- Nine of the top ten bases stealers for the month coming from the NL – and the only AL player to crack the top ten (Twins’ SS Eduardo Nunez) going to the NL (traded to the Giants).
- The often offense-deprived Padres tying an NL record by homering in 25 consecutive games – with the leading contributor being 27-year-old rookie infielder Ryan Schimpf – who made his MLB debut in mid-June – and whose nine July home runs tied for most in MLB. Schimpf, by the way, had hit .355, with 15 homers in 51 games at AAA El Paso before his call up.
- Reds’ 1B Joey Votto hitting .413 for the month – the only .400-hitter among players with at least 100 plate appearances.
- The Angels’ Hector Santiago starting six games and going 6-0, 1.78 … and then being traded to the Twins just before the deadline.
- The White Sox tying the MLB record for triples play in a season (three) – with plenty of season left to top that mark.
- The Dodgers issuing 11 intentional walks … The Royals ZERO.
More on these events and others coming up. We’ll leadoff, however, with BBRT’s July recognitions.
BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE MONTHLY HONORS
AL Player of the Month: Albert Pujols DH, Angels
Pujols delivered a solid month of July – .297-6-31. He was, in fact, the only player to deliver 30 RBI for the month (no one else drove in more than 23.) Pujols’ nearest competition for AL honors came from Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve – who continues to lead the AL in batting average after a .354-5-16 July. Can’t ignore those RBI, however. Pujols drove in 31 in just 26 games.
NL Player of the Month – Tie: Daniel Murphy, 2B Nationals/Trevor Story, SS, Rockies
Murphy continues to march toward the NL batting title – turning in a .346 July average (fourth among National Leaguers with at least 50 plate appearances for the month). The Nationals’ second-sacker also led the NL in RBI for July with 23, hit a league-leading 11 doubles and launched six round trippers. Right there with Murphy was Rockies’ rookie SS Trevor Story. Story hit .288 for July, drove in 22 runs (second-best in the NL), rapped eight home runs (also the NL’s second-best total) and tied for the lead in runs scored (20).
AL Pitcher of the Month – Hector Santiago, LHP, Angels
In July, the Angels went 6-0 in games started by Hector Santiago and 9-11 in the games he didn’t start. The simple fact is, Santiago started six games for the Angels in July – and delivered six victories (MLB’s only six-game winner for the month) and a 1.78 ERA. Santiago pitched 35 1/3 innings, striking out 34 batters and giving up just 26 hits. The kink in his armor may be the 21 walks. He is the AL pitcher of the month for going a perfect six-for-six. (Getting traded to the Twins didn’t hurt his BBRT standing either.
NL Pitcher of the Month – Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals
Strasburg started five games for the Nationals in July and put up a 4-1 record with a 2.08 ERA. Only Anthony DeSclafani of the Reds matched his win total (4-0, but with a 3.82 ERA). Strasburg also fanned 37 batters (fifth-highest in the NL) in 34 2/3 innings.
AL Team of the Month – Toronto Blue Jays
Easy call here, the Blue Jays had baseball’s best July record at 16-8. In the process, they reorded the AL’s best team ERA at 3.37, and scored the AL’s fourth-most runs. For the month, the Blue Jays outscored their opponents 135-89. Leading the way on offense for Toronto were: 3B Josh Donaldson (.316-6-21 for the month); SS Troy Tulowitzki (.308-6-21); and DH Edwin Encarnacion (.284-7-19). On the mound, J.A. Happ went 4-0, 1.44, Aaron Sanchez went 3-0, 1.59 and Jason Grilli delivered three wins (versus one loss) and four holds in ten appearances (1.80 ERA).
NL Team of the Month – Saint Louis Cardinals
This was a close call among the Cardinals (16-11 in July); Marlins (16-10); and the Dodgers (15-9). The edge went to the Cardinals for their ability to overcome injuries to such key players such as Matt Carpenter, Jhonny Peralta, Brandon Moss, Kevin Siegrist and Trevor Rosenthal. Despite these setbacks, the Redbirds led the NL in runs scored for the month (127). Key contributors were SS Aledmys Diaz, who hit.299, with four homers and 17 RBI; RF Stephen Piscotty, with a .277-5-19 line; and 2B Jedd Gyorko (.301 average, with 7 HRs and 14 RBI). The p;itching was less effective, giving up the sixth most runs in the NL. Still, Adam Wainwright went 3-0, 1.77; Carlos Martinez provided three wins (one loss) and a 3.48 ERA; and Seung Hwan Oh saved seven games. Notably, the Cardinals also made the most of their bench. In July, Redbird pinch hitters went 53-for-151, for a .351 average.
For the month, four teams – two in each league – picked up 16 wins. The Blue Jays (16-8) and Tigers (16-10) in the AL; and the Marlins (16-10) and the Cardinals (16-11) in the AL. Only three teams won less than ten games during July: the Royals (7-19); D-backs (7-17) and Rays (9-16). Notably, the D-backs and Royals (tied for the least wins) were two of three teams with ERA’s over 5.00 for the month.
On the season, the Cubs (despite a sub-.500 July) are the only team with a winning percentage of .600 or better (.63-41, .606), while Braves (.37-68, .352) and Twins (40-64, .385) are the only teams under .400 as of July 31.
IF THE SEASON ENDED, JULY 31
American League
Division Leaders: Indians, Orioles, Rangers. Wild Cards: Blue Jays; Red Sox.
The tightest Al race is in the East, where the Orioles, Blue Jays and Red Sox are separated by just 1 ½ games. Detroit, after a 16-10 July, is only a game behind Boston in the wild Card race.
National League
Division Leaders: Nationals. Cubs, Giants. Wild Cards: Dodgers, Malrins.
The West is the closest NL Division, with the Giants holding a 2-game lead over the Dodgers. The Cardinals – after posting the NL’s best July record – are just a game behind in the Wild card race, but still 7 ½ behind the Cubs in the Central Dicvision.
FULL MLB STANDINGS – AND JULY WON-LOST RECORDS ARE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS POST.
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STATS ROUND ONE
Before commenting on some of the month’s unusual happenings, let’s look at the team and individual stat leaders FOR THE MONTH of July.
— TEAM BATTING LEADERS FOR JULY —
BATTING AVERAGE
AL … Angels – .292; Red Sox – .291; Twins – .269
NL … Dodgers – .277; Marlins – .277; Dodgers – .271; Reds – .258
RUNS SCORED
AL … Angels – 152; Twins – 144; Red Sox – 140
NL … Cardinals – 127; Dodgers – 126; Marlins – 120
No one scored fewer runs in July than the Royals (86), who also hit an MLB-low .226 for the month. Over in the NL, The Giants scored the fewest runs with 90. Only three teams scored fewer than 90 runs in July and, despite the DH, all were in the AL (Royals, White Sox, Orioles).
HOME RUNS
AL … Red Sox 40; Rangers 39; Tigers – 35
NL … Padres – 40; Cardinals – 37; Mets – 35
STOLEN BASES
AL … Twins – 19; Astros – 15; Royals – 14
NL … Brewers – 38; Nationals – 28; Padres -27; Reds -27
The Orioles stole only one base in July (in two attempts). In the NL, the Cardinals had the fewest steals at 8.
— TEAM PITCHING LEADERS FOR JULY —
ERA
AL … Blue Jays – 3.37; Tigers – 3.52; Yankees – 3.60
NL … Nationals – 3.01; Brewers – 3.18; Marlins – 3.29
Three teams had ERA’s over 5.00 for the month: D-backs – 5.83; Rangers – 5.52; Royals – 5.27.
STRIKEOUTS
AL … Astros – 229; Yankees – 219; Blue Jays – 215
NL … Dodgers – 253; Cubs – 228; ; Mets – 228; Marlins – 228
SAVES
AL … Orioles – 9; Tigers 9; four with 8
NL … Pirates 10-; Mets – 10; four with 8
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Now, how about a look at the individual leaders for the month.
— INDIVIDUAL BATTING LEADERS FOR THE MONTH OF JULY —
BATTING AVERAGE – MINIMUM 100 PLATE APPEARANCES
AL … Andrelton Simmons, SS, Angels – .375; Mookie Betts, RF, Red Sox – .368; Jose Altuve, 2B, Astos – .354
NL …, Joey Votto, 1B, Reds – .413; Martin Prado, 3B, Marlins – .351; Corey Seager, SS, Dodgers – .347
HOME RUNS
AL … Mike Napoli, 1B, Indians – 8; Max Kepler, RF, Twins – 8; six with 7
NL … Ryan Schimpf, 2B, Padres – 9; Jay Bruce.RF, Reds – 9; Yasmani Grandal, C, Dodgers – 8; Trevor Story, SS, Rockies – 8
RBI
AL … Albert Pujols, DH, Angels – 31; Max Kepler, RF, Twins – 23; David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox – 22
NL … Daniel Murphy, 2B, Nationals – 23; Trevor Story, SS, Rockies – 22; Addisson Russell, SS, Cubs – 22
RUNS SCORED
AL … Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 26; Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 21; Jason Kipnis, 2B, Indians 21
NL … Joey Votto,1B, Reds – 20; Trevor Story, SS, Rockies – 20; Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs – 20
STOLEN BASES
AL … Eduardo Nunez, SS, Twins – 10 (now with Giants); Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 6; Two with five
NL … Billy Hamilton, CF, Reds – 16; Starling Marte, LF Pirates – 15; JonathanVillar, SS, Brewers – 12
The lowest July batting average, minimum 100 plate appearance, was turned in by the Orioles’ Chris Davis (.153/13-for-85). The most strikeouts for the month went to the Twins’ Miguel San0, with 39 in 95 at bats.
—PITCHING LEADERS FOR JULY—
ERA – MINIMUM 20 INNINGS PITCHED
AL … J.A. Happ, Blue Jays – 1.44; Aaron Sanchez, Blue Jays – 1.59; Justin Verlander, Tigers – 1.69
NL … Kyle Hendriks, Cubs – 1.07; Max Scherzer, nationals – 1.32; Junoir Guerra, Brewers – 1.59
WINS
AL … Hector Santiago, Angels – 6-0, 1.78; Rick Porcello, Red sox – 5-0, 2.57; Justin Verlander, Tigers – 4-0, 1.69
NL … Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 4-1, 2.08; Anthony Desclafani, Reds – 4-0, 3.82
STRIKEOUTS
AL … Justin Verlander, Tigers – 48 (42 2/3 IP); Lance McCullers, Astros – 44 (30 1/3 IP); J.A. Happ, Blue Jays – 42 (31 1.3 IP)
NL … Jose Fernandez, Marlins – 46 (32 IP); Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 44 (36 IP); Robbie Ray, D-backs – 43 (28 2/3 IP)
SAVES
AL … Zach Britton, Orioles – 9; three with 7
NL … Jeurys Familia, Mets – 10; Mark Melancon, Pirates – 8; Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 8
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IT HAPPENED THAT WAY – SOMWE JULY HIGHLIGHTS
Fourth of July Fireworks – A Day Early
Yankee 1B Mark Teixeira lit up the sky in the Yankees’ 6-3 win over the Padres on July 3 – swatting his sixth and seventh home runs of the season. They were also Teixeira’s 400th and 401st round trippers, making him one of just five switch-hitters to reach 400 long balls: Mickey Mantle-536; Eddie Murray-504; Chipper Jone-468; Carlos Beltran – 413, still active.
When Two Just Won’t Do
On July 8, the Chicago White Sox turned their record-tying third triple play of the 2016 season (in an 11-8 home loss to the Braves). Lots of time left for the White Sox to break a multi-team tie and stand alone with four triple-killings in a season. This one was scored 6-3 – and gives Chicago an unusual scoring trifecta. Their first triple play of the season went 9-3-2-6-1-4, while the second was scored 5-4-3. This does appear to be the year for rally-squashing triple killings. There have already been five: three by the White Sox and one each by the Brewers and Nationals.
Old Guys Rule
Photo by Keith Allison 
When you’re my age, you just haver to root for the “veteran” players. Well, 39-year-old Carlos Beltran of the Yankees (like Big Papi in Boston) is giving us old guys plenty to root for. On July 15, Beltran drove in his 57th and 58th runs of the season, becoming only the fourth switch hitter in MLB history to reach 1,500 RBI (Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray, Chipper Jones.) Earlier in the season, Beltran joined another elite switch-hitter club, becoming one of four switch hitters to reach 400 home runs (Mantle, Murray, Jones) – a group since joined by fellow Yankee Mark Teixeira. Through July, Beltran is hitting .304-22-64. Beltran was dealt to the Rangers before the trading deadline.
Can’t Win ‘Em All, But You Can Try
Steven Strasburg was looking pretty unbeatable when he took the mound against the Dodgers (in Washington) on July 21. After all, he was 13-0, 2.51 on the season – and hadn’t picked up a loss since September 9, 2015 – through a total of 21 starts and 16 victories. The Dodgers’ Justin Turner put an end to that streak, reaching Strasburg for two home runs as LA handed him the loss in a 6-3 contest.
Take ‘Em Deep
On July 21, the Rockies sent Mark Reynolds up to pinch hit for reliever Adam Ottavino to lead off the seventh inning (with Colorado up 3-1). Reynolds delivered with his tenth home run of the season – a 484-foot blast to left-center, the second-longest dinger of the year (according to both Statcast and ESPN Home Run Tracker). Here are this year’s three longest home runs according to those two stats agencies.
STATCAST
- Nomar Mazara – Rangers – 491 feet (May 25)
- Mark Reynolds – Rockies – 484 feet (July 21)
- Giancarlo Stanton – Malrins – 475 feet ((May 6, 2016)
ESPN HR Tracker
- Giancarlo Stanton – Marlins – 490 feet (May 6, 2016)
- Mark Reynolds – Rockies – 486 feet (July 21)
- Carlos Gonzales – Rockies – 475 feet (July 10)
The Story Continues
On July 23, Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story launched two home runs in an 8-4 win over the Braves at Coors Field. In the process, he tied and then broke the NL record for home runs by a rookie shortstop – previously set at 24 by Troy Tulowitzki, while with the Rockies in 2007. Story ended July .272-27-72.
Life Begins at “30”
The Orioles’ Mark Trumbo, on July 23, became the first player to reach 30 home runs in the 2016 season. It marked Trumbo’s third 30-home campaign in seven MLB seasons – and he is well on his way to topping his career high mark of 34 (for the 2013 Angels). The Orioles acquired Trumbo from the Mariners in an off-season trade – and he began paying almost immediate dividends. On April 15, for example, he became the first Oriole to hit two home runs in the same inning. In his seven MLB seasons, the 1B/OF/DH has played for the Angels, Diamondbacks, Mariners and Orioles.
Home Run Happy Padres
On July 27, the Padres homered in their 25th consecutive game, tying the NL mark and coming within two of the 2002 Rangers’ record. (After an off day, the streak ended on July 29, as the Reds shut out the Padres 6-0.) San Diego’s power surge would have flamed out before reaching the NL record without Rookie LF Alex Dickerson’s bat. Dickerson launched San Diego’s only home runs in game 22, 23 and 24 (and one of three Padres’ round trippers in game 25) – which also made him just the first Padres’ rookie to go deep in four straight contests. Dickerson, who ended July hitting .286-6-17 on the season (32 games) – and has a .309 average over six minor league campaigns – is looking like the real deal in the Padres’ OF. The Padres, by the way, went 11-14 in their 25-game HR streak; during which they went deep 42 times. Another San Diego rookie, 2B Ryan Schimpf, contributed nine long balls – the most in MLB in July.
Round and Round We Go
On July 30, the Phillies has a truly “wild” eighth inning – sending all nine batters to the plate, without collecting a single base hit, breaking open a 5-3 game (Phillies leading the Braves in Atlanta). It went like this: PH Tyler Goeddel walked; SS Freddy Galvis attempted a sacrifice, but Goeddel was forced and second and Galvis reached on the fielder’s choice; PH Taylor Featherstone walked; there was a double steal, moving Galvis and Featherstone to second and third; 2B Cesar Hernandez was intentionally walked (loading the bases); CF Odubel Herrera walked, forcing in Galvis; 3B Maikel Franco was safe on an error by Braves’ 3B Adonis Garcia (scoring Featherstone and Hernandez); 1B Ryan Howard was safe on an error by Braves’ SS Erick Aybar (again loading the bases); RF Aaron Altherr was hit by a pitch, forcing in Herrera; and, finally, catcher Cameron Rupp hit into a double play. Damage: Four runs on zero hits, four walks, a hit batsman and two errors.
Strangest inning ever? Nope. On April 22, 1959, the White Sox scored 11 runs in an inning, while collecting only one base it (a single). You can get all the details here, but how about a spoiler? The White Sox’ Nellie Fox drew two bases-loaded walks in the inning.
A Pinch-Hit, Walk-off Walk
On July 29, the Twins and White Sox engaged in a tight pitching duel at Target Field. In fact, in the bottom of the twelfth inning the score was knotted at 1-1 – and the two teams had produced only 14 hits. It was fitting, in a way, that the winning run would score without the benefit of a hit – and the winning RBI would come on a pinch-hit walk. It went like this. Twins’ pinch hitter Eddie Rosario led off and was hit by a pitch. Catcher Juan Centeno sacrificed him to second. CF Byron Buxton walked – putting runners on first and second. Second baseman Brian Dozier walked – loading the bases. Joe Mauer came on to pinch hit and drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch, forcing in the winning run. A true “walk-off” win.
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— YEAR-TO-DATE STATS THROUGH JULY 31 —
INDIVIDUAL BATTINGLEADERS
BATTING AVERAGE
AL … Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros – .356; Xander Bogaerts, SS, Red Sox – .329; Yunel Escorbar, 3B, Angels – .322
NL … Daniel Murphy, 2b, Nationals – .350; Wilson Ramos, C, Nationals – .327; Martin Prado, 3B, Marlins – .324
HOME RUNS
AL … Mark Trumbo, RF,Orioles – 30; Todd Frazier, 3B/1B, White Sox – 29; Edwin Encarnacion, DH, Blue Jays – 28
NL … Trevor Story, SS, Rockies – 27; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 26; Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs – 26
RBI
AL … Edwin Encarnacion,DH, Blue Jays – 89; David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox – 85; Albert Pujols, DH, Angels – 81
NL … Jay Bruce, RF, Reds – 80; Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Cubs – 79; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 79
RUNS SCORED
AL … Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays – 87; Ian Kinsler, 2B, Tigers – 84; two with 82
NL … Kris Bryant, 3B, Cubs – 82; Nolan Arenado, 3B, Rockies – 71; two with 68
STOLEN BASES
AL … Eduardo Nunez, SS, Twins – 27 (now with Giants); Jose Altuve, 2B Astros – 25; Rajai Davis, CF, Indians – 25
NL … Jonathan Villar, SS, Brewers – 38; Starling Marte, LF, Pirates – 36; Billy Hamilton, CF- Reds – 35
WALKS DRAWN
AL – Mike Trout, CF, Angels – 71; Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jayrs – 70; Carlos Santana, DH, Indians – 59
NL … Bryce Harper, RF, Nationals – 80; Joey Votto, 1B, Reds – 77; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, D-backs – 72
No player has struck out more often throgh July 31 than Orioles’ 1B Chris Davis, who leads the AL with 144 whiffs. Anothr 1B named Chris, Chris Carter of the Brewers, tops the NL with 136 whiffs. Notably, the two have put up similar numbers in average (Davis – .222/Carter – .217); home runs (Davis – 22/Carter 24); and RBI (both 59).
— INDIVIDUAL PITCHING LEADERS THROUGH JULY–
WINS
AL … Rick Porcello, Red Sox – 14-2, 3.47; Chris Tillman, Orioles – 14-3, 3.46; J.A. Happ, Blue Jays – 14-3, 3.16; Chris Sale, White Sox -14-4, 3.17
NL … Stephen Strasburg, Nationals – 14-1, 2.68; Johnny Cueto, Giants – 13-3, 2.63; Jake Arrieta, Cubs – 12-5, 2.75; Jose Fernandez, Marlins -12-5, 2.79
ERA
AL … Aaron Sanchez, Toronto – 2.71; Cole Hamels, Rangers – 2.84; Joe Quintana, White Sox – 2.89
NL … Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers – 1.79; Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 2.09; Kyle Hendriks, Cubs – 2.39
STRIKEOUTS
AL … Justin Verlander, Tigers – 155; Chris Archer, Rays – 155; David Price, Red Sox – 151
NL … Max Scherzer, Nationals – 187; Joe Fernandez, Marlins – 184; Madison Bumgarner, Giants – 170
SAVES
AL ... Zach Britton, Orioles – 32; Francisco Rodriguez, Tigers – 29; three with 25
NL … Jeurys Familia, Mets – 37; A.J. Ramos – Marlins – 31; Kenley Jansen, Dodgers – 31
Among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched, the A’s Sonny Gray has the highest ERA at 5.84. In the NL, it is the Giants Jake Peavy at 5.47.
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— FINALLY, TEAM STATS THRUGH JULY —
BATTING AVERAGE
AL … Red Sox – .287; Angels – .269; Tigers – .267
NL … Marlins – .272; Rockies – 269; D-backs – .263
RUNS SCORED
AL… Red Sox – 574; Blue Jays – 518; Indians & Rangers – 505
NL … Rockies – 536; Cardinals – 533; Cubs – 529
The Braves have scored the fewest runs in MLB (360), while the lowest total in the AL belongs to the Royals at 404.
HOME RUNS
AL … Orioles – 154; Blue Jays – 149; Mariners – 146
NL … Cardinals – 143; Nationals – 139; Mets – 133
STOLEN BASES
AL … Astros – 78; Indians – 72; Twins – 70
NL … Brewers – 105; Padres – 87; Reds – 83
The Orioles have swiped the fewest bags (13), while the Cardinal trail the rest of the NL with 26.
— PITCHING LEADERS THROUGH JULY–
ERA
AL … Indians – 3.59; Blue Jays – 3.83; Astros – 3.88
NL … Nationals – 3.25; Cubs – 3.25; Mets – 3.35
The worst team ERA in MLB belongs to the Reds at 5.16 (the only team over 5.00), while the Twins have the worse ERA in the AL at 4.82.
STRIKEOUTS
AL … Yankees – 908; Astros – 881; Indians – 872
NL … Dodgers – 997; Nationals – 982; Cubs – 923
SAVES
AL … Orioles – 36; Rangers – 36; Tigers – 32
NL … Mets – 38; Marlins – 37; Pirates – 34
The White Sox lead MLB with 20 blown saves, followed by the Giants with 18. The Reds, however, have the worse save percentage (51.4%), earning 18 saves and accumulating 17 blown saves.
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MLB Standings as of July 31 p.m. (July records in parenthesis)
W-L PCT GB (July W-L)
AL EAST
Orioles 59-45 .567 … (12-14)
Blue Jays 59-46 .562 0.5 (16-8)
Red Sox 57-46 .553 1.5 (15-10)
Yankees 52-52 .500 7.0 (13-13)
Rays 42-61 .408 16.5 (9-16)
AL CENTRAL
Indians 60-42 .567 … (12-12)
Tigers 57-48 .562 4.5 (16-10)
White Sox 51-54 .480 10.5 (11-15)
Royals 49-55 .471 12.0 (7-19)
Twins 40-64 .385 21.0 (15-11)
AL WEST
Rangers 62-44 .585 … (11-15)
Astros 55-49 .529 6.0 (13-12)
Mariners 52-51 .505 8.5 (12-12)
Angels 47-58 .448 14.5 (15-11)
A’s 47-58 .448 14.5 (12-14)
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NL EAST
Nationals 61-44 .581 … (13-12)
Marlins 57-48 .543 4.0 (16-10)
Mets 54-50 .519 6.5 (12-13)
Phillies 48-59 .449 14.0 (13-13)
Braves 37-68 .352 24.0 (10-16)
NL CENTRAL
Cubs 63-41 .606 … (12-14)
Cardinals 56-49 .533 7.5 (16-11)
Pirates 52-51 .505 10.5 (14-10)
Brewers 47-56 .456 15.5 (12-13)
Reds 42-62 .404 21.0 (13-11)
NL WEST
Giants 61-44 .581 … (11-13)
Dodgers 59-46 .562 2.0 (15-9)
Rockies 52-53 .495 9.0 (15-12)
Padres 45-60 .429 16.0 (12-14)
D-backs 43-62 .410 18.0 (7-17)
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