Baseball Roundtable September and Season-End Wrap Up. Lots of Whacks, Whiffs and Records.

It’s October 1, and that means it’s time not only for the opening of post-season baseball, but also for Baseball Roundtable’s look back at the previous month – the standings, statistics and stories that caught BBRT’s eye, as well as the BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month and season-to-date “Trot Index.”  This month, if you make it to the end of this post, you’ll also find BBRT’s predictions for the post season.  (Note: I guess I could have posted this September 30, but the first of the following month is kind of a BBRT tradition.)

Of course, for many teams, the final day (September 29) of the 2019 regular season was anti-climactic. All the post-season spots were clinched and only one division title was up for grabs – the Brewers came into the final day just one game behind the Cardinals.  A Redbirds’ loss and Brew Crew win would set up a “Game 163,” with the winner taking the NL Central and the loser playing the Nationals in the Wild Card game. The Cardinals relieved fans of the suspense with a 9-0 thrashing of the Cubs, while the Brewers bowed out with a 4-3, 12-inning loss at Colorado.

Before BBRT gets into September stats and stories, I’d like to comment on another race I watched with some interest on the final day of the regular season – the race for MLB’s all-time, single-season, team home-run crown.

YOU HAD TO “C” THIS ONE

Jason Castro – hit the record-setting “Bomba.”

Coming into the season’s final day the Yankees and Twins had both won more than 100 games, clinched their division titles and hit more than 300 2019 home runs.  (The previous single-season record was 267 homers – 2018 Yankees.) As play started September 29 (Twins at Royals/Yankees at Rangers), New York’s Bronx Bombers had 305 home runs, while Minnesota’s Bomba-Squad had 304. Many of us here in Minnesota, stung by a history of post-season losses to the Yankees, really wanted that long-ball record.

Well, the Yankees popped just one home run (Aaron Judge) in a 6-1 loss at Texas.  The Twins launched a trio of dingers, to take the record 307-306.  Why the “You Had To C This   One” title?  Well, a lot of T.C. fans traveled to K.C. to C this final game.  It turns out, all three Twins; home runs were hit by players whose last name started with a “C” – C.J. Cron; Jake Cave; and Jason Castro (who hit the record-setter).  Ironically, Minnesota’s most-prolific 2019 home run bat, belonging to Nelson “last name begins with a C” Cruz was on the bench.  In another bit of irony, at least to BBRT, it was the first home run this September for Cron, Cave and Castro.   C U this Friday, Yankees.

Now, here’s just a few September highlights.  You’ll find details on these and other “events” that caught BBRT’s eye in the “Highlights” section of this post.  In September, we saw:

• The Mets’ 24-year-old rookie Pedro Alonso popping an MLB-best 11 September home runs;  leading all major leaguers with 53 home runs for the season – setting a new MLB rookie round tripper record;
• The Astros’ Justin Verlander opening the month with his third career no-hitter;
• A second Biggio (Cavan) hitting for the cycle and a new Yastrzemski (Mike) homering in Fenway Park;

In 2019, MLB strikeouts reached a new record (42,823) for  the 12th consecutive season. 

• One player (Yoan Moncada) hitting 400+ for the month;
• The Arizona Diamondbacks winning a ball game, despite having only one base runner over nine innings;

In 2019 the Astros waved zero – that’s zero – batters to first.   That’s right, not a single intentional walk. The MLB team average for the season was 25 IBB – and the second-lowest total was ten (Twins). 

• Two teams (Twins and Yankees) becoming the first MLB teams to reach 300 home runs in a season;
• Two teams using a combined (record) 25 pitchers in a game;
• Four teams reaching 100 wins on the season – coincidentally, the four teams who also surpassed the previous record for home runs in a season;
• Two pitchers (the Astros’ Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander) on the same team reaching 300 strikeouts in the season for only the second time in MLB history.

In 2019, as home run records fell like overripe apples from a tree, not only did MLB reach a record 6,776 home runs (breaking the old record by 671 dingers), but four teams exceeded the old MLB team single-season record (the Twins exceeded the old mark by 40) and a total of 14 teams set new franchise records for home runs in a season.  In addition, we saw new MLB single-season records for the most players on a team with at least thirty home runs (five-Twins); most with at least 20 home runs (eight-Twins); and most with at least  ten  or more home runs (14-Yankees).  Of course, there are two sides to this story.  the Orioles gave up almost as many home runs as the Twins hit (setting a new record for home runs surrendered in as season at 305). 

Let’s move on to a regular feature of these Wrap Ups.

—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH—-

American League Player of the Month – Eloy Jimenez, LF, Chicago White Sox

Eloy (I always want to add an “r” to his name) Jimenez was a force for the ChiSox in September – hitting .340, finishing fourth in AL September home runs with nine (one behind the three leaders) and tying for the AL lead in RBI with 25.  The 22-year-old rookie also scored 19 runs. Jimenez, who came into September hitting just .247 (with power), notched ten multi-hit games over the month and raised his average 20 points.  He finished the season at .267-31-79.  Jimenez’ September surge was not totally unexpected. In six minor league campaigns, he hit .311, with 66 home runs in 413 games.

Other Contenders: BBRT also considered another young White Sox hitter, 24-year-old 3B Yoan Moncada, the only MLB player (with at least 75 at bats) to hit over .400 for September.  Moncada hit .412, led all of MLB with 42 September hits, scored 21 runs, hit three homers and drove in 15/  Also in the running was A’s SS Marcus Semien, who hit .347, with eight home runs, 19 RBI and an MLB-best 25 September runs scored.  BBRT also gives a shout out to the Royals’ Jorge Soler, who hit .330-10-20 in September, and ended up being the first Royal to lead the league in home runs, with 48 on the season.

American League Pitcher of the Month – Gerrit Cole, RHP, Astros

Gerrit Cole had the AL’s second-lowest September ERA at 1.07 (among pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched). Cole also tied for the MLB lead in wins for the month, going 5-0 in six starts, and fanned an MLB-best 74 batters in 42 innings (seven walks).

Other Contenders: Right behind Gerrit Cole was his Astros’ teammate Justin Verlander, who also won five September games (one loss) in six starts, put up a 2.08 ERA and fanned the MLB’s second-most batters (57 in 39 innings). BBRT also recognizes the Yankees’ James Paxton, who went 4-0 in five starts with a minuscule 1.05 ERA.

 

Surprise Player of the Month – Austin Meadows, OF, Rays

Really, there were several positive surprises in September. (See Jack Flaherty, BBRT’s NL Pitcher of the Month, or the A’s Marcus Semien, in the running for BBRT AL Player of the Month.)  BBRT will give September’s “Surprise” recognition to the Rays’ 24-year-old, southpaw-swinging outfielder Austin Meadows, who came into September hitting .273 (with 24 home runs and 69 RBI).  In September, Meadows hit at a .378 pace (second-best in MLB among players with 75 September at bats), with nine home runs (tied for MLB’s sixth-most), 20 RBI (tied for tenth), and 24 runs scored (tied for second). In addition, he walked 15 times (versus just 16 strikeouts); putting up a September on-base percentage of .472 (second only to the Astros’ Alex Bregman). Meadows played in 24 games, hit safely in all but one and had ten multi-hit contests.

National League Player of the Month – (Tie) Reds’ 3B Eugenio Suarez and Dodgers’ SS Corey Seager

Eugenio Suarez rapped ten September home runs (second only to the Mets’ Pete Alonso’s 11), while hitting .337, with 20 RBI. He had ten multi-hit games during the month. He ended the season at .271-49-103.

Cody Bellinger brought superior defense and infield power to the Dodgers, hitting.291, with seven homers and MLB’s highest RBI total for the month (26). Bellinger really turned it up a notch in September.  It was his highest month of the season in terms of both home runs and RBI.

Other Contenders: Mets’ rookie 1B Pete Alonso led the majors with 11 September home runs (on his way to a new rookie-season record of 53), but was held back by a .245 average and just 19 September RBI. Cardinals’ 3B Tommy Edman hit .350-6-14, with 22 runs scored.

National League Pitcher of the Month – Jack Flaherty, RHP, Cardinals

As the Cardinals held off the Brewers for the NL Central title down the stretch, Flaherty was “The Man.” The 23-year-old went 3-1 in six starts and led MLB in September earned run average (among pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched) at 0.82, WHIP (0.57) and innings pitched (44). He also led the NL in strikeouts fopr the month (and was third in MLB) with 53, while walking just eight batters. In his six September starts, Flaherty went seven or eight innings in five (giving up just one earned run in those 38 innings.  His only September loss came in a six-inning effort in which he gave up three runs in six frames, while fanning ten. This was a pretty easy pick.

Other Contenders: It seems like the Mets’ Jacob deGrom is always in the running.  This September, he went 3-0, 1.29 in five starts, fanning 41 batters (five walks) in 35 innings. BBRT also considered the Braves’ Mike Foltynewicz, who won four September games (one loss) and had a nifty 1.50 ERA for the month. A nod also goes to the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright, the only NL pitcher to win five September games (5-1, 2.97 in six starts). Giving relievers a little love, the Brewers went 20-7 in September thanks in great part to Josh Hader’s MLB-topping ten September saves.  Hader put up a 1.88 ERA and fanned 27 batters in 14 1/3 innings.

TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

For the 2019 season,  36.2 percent of MLB’s 186,517 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (23.0%); walks (8.5%); home runs (3.6%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

For the 2018 season, 34.8 percent of all MLB’s 185,139 plate appearances ended in a trot.  Bonus Trivia: According to MLB, in 2019, the average time of an MLB game was a record three hours-five minutes-35 seconds.  

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—–The Best and Worst of Teams—–

NL’s Best

No team won more games in September than the Brewers, who went 20-7. The Brewers failed to chase down the Cardinals for the Central Division title, but did manage to move passed the Phillies, Cubs and Diamondbacks into a Wild Card spot.  Milwaukee leveraged solid pitching (MLB’s lowest September ERA at 3.01) and a steady offense (the NL’s fifth-most September runs scored) into 20 victories.  Key contributors on the mound included: Jordan Lyles (3-0, 2.39 in five starts); Zach Davies (2-0, 2.31 in five starts); and Chase Anderson (2-0, 2.35 in five starts).  We also can’t forget Gio Gonzalez.  He may have gone just 1-0 in September (four starts and two relief appearances), but put up a 1.17 ERA and saw the Brewers win five of the six games in which he appeared. The Brew Crew also got solid performance out of the bullpen, led by Josh Hader’s ten saves and 1.88 ERA and Drew Pomeranz’ two saves and seven holds in 14 appearances (2.03 ERA).

AL’s Best

Over in the NL, best-of-the-best recognition goes to the Houston Astros (19-6), who dominated nearly all September statistical categories.  On the mound, they had the AL’s  lowest ERA, highest number of strikeouts, fewest walks and most saves.  At the plate, they were the AL’s September leaders in runs scored and home runs – and had the fewest batters’ strikeouts.  Key contributors? There were many. On the bump: Gerrit Cole went 5-0, 1.07 in six starts; Justin Verlander was 5-1, 2.08 in six starts; Zack Greinke was 4-1, 2.59 in five starts; and Roberto Osuna saved seven games (eight opportunities) and put up a 0.79 ERA.  Keys to the well-balanced offense included: George Springer, who hit .275, with ten homers and 19 RBI; Alex Bregman, who went .333-9-18; Yordan Alvarez, who was .296-6-16;  Josh Reddick at .338-4-12; and Jose Altuve at at .278-6-13.

Other teams putting up solid September performance included: Dodgers (18-6); Twins (18-9); and A’s (18-8).  All these squads are, of course, in the post-season.

How about the worst September results? The Padres, Angels, Tigers, Orioles and Marlins all won fewer than ten September games.

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–—LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2019—-

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 122

AL: Astros (154); Yankees (146); A’s (143)

NL: Nationals (153); Cubs (150); Mets (140); Cardinals (140)

The Angels scored the fewest September runs at 82, while the Giants were at the bottom of the NL, plating just 83 runners.

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .244

AL: White Sox (.290); Royals (.268); Astros (.266)

NL: Nationals (.268); Cubs (.257); Pirates (.255)

Four teams hit under .220 for the month: Padres (.214); Mariners (.219); Giants (.219); and Angels (.219). 

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 36

AL:  Astros (58); Yankees (52); A’s (42)

NL: Mets (50); Phillies (46); Dodgers (45)

At the bottom of the power list were the Pirates (14 home runs); Giants (19); Diamondbacks (22); and Tigers (23).

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE … MLB Team Average –  .422

AL:  Astros (.530); Yankees (.491); White Sox (.485)

NL: Mets (.474); Dodgers (.466); Cubs (.461)

The Astros collected an MLB-high 112 extra-base hits in September – while the Giants had an MLB-low of exactly half that many (56).

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 13

AL:  Rangers (26); Royals (19); Mariners (18)

NL: Cardinals (27); Rockies (22); Nationals (19); Phillies (19)

The Twins stole an MLB-low two bases in September (only three tries). Notably, the Phillies stole 19 bases in 19 attempts.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 233

AL: Blue Jays (269); White Sox (265); Mariners (256)

NL: Brewers (286); Cardinals (282); Padres (277)

The Astros fanned the fewest times in September (186). Notably, despite the AL’s second-most whiffs, the White Sox put up MLB’s best batting average.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – 4.38

AL:  Astros (3.26); Rays (3.55); A’s (3.58)

NL:  Brewers (3.01); Dodgers (3.10); Cardinals (3.24)

One team posted an ERA north of 6.00 in September – the Rangers at 6.19.

BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Team Average – .244

AL: Astros (.205); Rays (.219); A’s (.232)

NL: Reds (.202); Dodgers (.202); Brewers (.210);

Teams hit an MLB-high .299 against Tiger hurlers in September.

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 233

AL:  Astros (295); Red Sox (276); Twins (273)

NL: Cubs (279); Padres (273); Brewers (272)

WALKS (Fewest) … MLB Team Average – 86

AL: Astros (60); Rays (62); A’s (68)

NL: Braves (63); Mets (70); Dodgers (73)

The Astros led all of MLB in September strikeouts per nine innings (11.46) and strikeouts-to-walks ratio (4.92). 

SAVES … MLB Team Average – 7

AL:  A’s (11); Astros (11); Twins (10)

NL: Brewers (12); Cardinals (11); Diamondbacks (11)

MLB’s best save percentage in September belonged to the Braves and Blue Jays, who each notched six saves in seven opportunities (85.7%). The Yankees had the most significant problem closing September games, with only one save in six opportunities. 

 

–—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR SEPTEMBER 2019—–

BATTING AVERAGE (75 or more at bats)

AL: Yoan Moncada, White Sox (.412); Austin Meadows, Rays (.378); Tim Anderson, White Sox (.374)

NL: Tommy Edman, Cardinals (.350); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (.342); Kyle Schwarber, Cubs (.341)

The lowest average among players with at least 75 September at bats belonged to the Orioles’ Anthony Santander at .155 (13-for-84). Seventeen players with at least 75 at bats hit under .200 for the month.

HITS

AL: Yoan Moncada, White Sox (42); Trey Mancini, Orioles (38); Tim Anderson, White Sox, (37)

NL: Trea Turner, Nationals (36); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (36); Kyle Schwarber, Cubs (31); Ozzie Albies, Braves (31)

HOME RUNS

AL: Brett Gardner, Yankees (10); George Springer, Astros (10); Jorge Soler, Royals (10)

NL: Pete Alonso, Mets (11); Eugenio Suarez. Reds (10); five with seven

The Marlins’ Jon Berti had the most September at bats without a home run – 87.  He had a total of 25 September hits (.287) – twenty singles and five doubles.

RBI

AL: Rougned Odor, Rangers (25); Eloy Jimenez, White Sox (25); Matt Olson, A’s (23); Trey Mancini, Orioles (23)

NL: Corey Seager, Dodgers (26); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (24); Asdrubel Cabrera, Nationals (21)

Among players with at least 75 September at bats, the Astros’ Alex Bregman had the highest on-base percentage at .486. In the NL, it was the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez at .455. The other players above .450 were: Austin Meadows, Rays (.472); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (.455); and Nolan Arenado, Rockies (.451).

Alex Bregman also had the highest slugging percentage in September (.753); while Eugenio Suarez led the NL at .747.

RUNS SCORED

AL: Marcus Semien, A’s (25); Austin Meadows, Rays (24); Francisco Lindor, Indians (21); Tim Anderson, White Sox (21); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (21)

NL: Trea Turner, Nationals (24); Starlin Castro, Marlins (22); Yasmani Grandal, Brewers (22); Pete Alonso, Mets (22); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (22)

STOLEN BASES

AL:   Alberto Mondesi, Royals (12); Tommy Pham, Rays (9); Danny Santana, Rangers (8); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (8)

NL: Jon Berti, Marlins (9); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (9); four with six

Jackie Bradley, Jr. of the Indians had the toughest month on the bases in September, caught three times in four attempts. The only other player tossed out three times was Alberto Mondesi (Royals), but he stole 12 bags.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Hunter Dozier, Royals (35); Aaron Judge, Yankees (33); Miguel Sano, Twins (32)

NL:  Eric Hosmer, Padres (40); Harrison Bader, Cardinals (39); Pete Alonso, Mets (38)

Among the strikeouts leaders listed above, the Twins’ Miguel Sano had the best overall September stat line – .288-8-21.

WALKS

AL:  Alex Bregman, Astros (22); Mark Canha, A’s (16); Marcus Semien, A’s (16); Matt Chapman, A’s (16); Cavan Biggio, Blue Jays (16)

NL: Anthony Rendon, Nationals (25); Yasmani Grandal, Brewers (24); Juan Soto, Nationals (24)

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Gerrit Cole, Astros (5-0); Justin Verlander, Astros (5-1); four with four

NL: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (5-1); Brent Suter, Brewers (4-0); Patrick Corbin, Nationals (4-1); Mike Foltynewicz, Braves (4-1); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (4-1)

Another Episode of: How Fair Is That:

In September, the Brewers’ Matt Albers went 3-2, with a 10.38 ERA, while the Cubs’ Yu Darvish went 1-2, with a 2.39 ERA.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

AL: James Paxton, Yankees (1.05); Gerrit Cole, Astros (1.07); Sean Manea, A’s (1.21)

NL: Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (0.82); Jacob deGrom, Mets (1.29); Mike Foltynewicz, Braves (1.50)

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Gerrit Cole, Astros (74/42 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (57/39 IP); Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (53/37 2/3 IP)

NL: Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (53/44 IP); Yu Darvish, Cubs (46/26 1/3 IP); Patrick Corbin, Nationals (45/33 1/3 IP)

Gerrit Cole led all qualifying pitchers in strikeouts per nine innings in September (15.86). Yu Darvish led the NL (15.72).

SAVES

AL:  Taylor Rogers, Twins (9); Liam Hendriks, A’s (8); Robert Osuna, Astros (7); Brandon Workman, Red Sox (7)

NL:  Josh Hader, Brewers (10); Carlos Martinez, Cardinals (8); Archie Bradley, Diamondbacks (8)

How About a Shout Out for Holds?  That’s No Bummer.

The White Sox’ Aaron Bummer led MLB in September “holds” with nine (13 appearances).

Now a few stats and stories from the month of September.

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–—SEPTEMBER 2019 HIGHLIGHTS —

Getting September Off to a Good “Start”

On September 1, Justin Verlander faced off against the Blue Jays in Toronto – and he got the Astros off to a good start for the month.

Verlander threw a no-hitter, walking just one Blue Jay, while fanning 14. The Astros did make him “worry” the no-no to completion. They didn’t score a run for Verlander until there were two out in the top of the ninth (a two-run home run by Alemedys Diaz).

Verlander is just the sixth pitcher to throw at least three no-hitters – joining Nolan Ryan (7); Sandy Koufax (4); Larry Corcoran (3); Cy Young (3); and Bob Feller (3).  Pretty good company.

We’d Give Anything to Hold Them to a Bloop Single

On September 8, the Astros did a number on the Mariners – outscoring the Seattle squad 21-1 and outhitting them 22-1.  Not only did 11 different Astros score at least one run in the game, Houston plated ten runners before hitting their first single.  The ten runs scored before the end of the third inning – on six doubles, two home runs, two walks, one hit batsman and one error.  Ouch!

Never Before – Unlikely Again

September 14 marked a “never before – unlikely ever again” feat of pitching excellence (or batting futility). For the first time since 1900 (according to Elias Sports Bureau), an MLB team managed a victory despite having only one base runner (which, of course, would be the bare minimum) in a game of at least nine innings.  The team with this absolutely zero-waste offensive output?  The Arizona Diamondbacks, who topped the Cincinnati Reds 1-0 (in Phoenix).

Reds’ starter Anthony DeSclafani set the Diamondbacks down in order in the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings (fanning five); while reliever Joel Kuhnel added one whiff in a 1-2-3 eighth.  The only blemish for the Reds’ mounds men came in the third inning. Arizona SS Nick Ahmed led off with a high hopper (on the first pitch he saw from DeSclafani) that bounced over the head of Reds’ third-sacker Eugenio Saurez and rolled all the way to the left field wall for a triple.  D-backs’ RF Jarrod Dyson was also first-pitch swinging and sent a fly ball to center for a run-scoring sacrifice fly – and that was Arizona’s total offense for the game.

The Diamondbacks’ staff – starter Merrill Kelly (seven innings) and relievers Kevin Ginkel and Archie Bradley (one frame each) made the 1-0 lead stand up; giving up no runs on three hits and two walks (seven strikeouts).

It’s a Family Affair – at Least on September 17

The Yastrzemski Clan

On September 17, in a “Family Affair” occurrence, the Giant’s 29-year-old rookie Mike Yastrzemski (thanks to inter-league play) took the field for the first time in his career in Fenway Park – where his grandfather, Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski played 23 seasons and hit 237 home runs (he had 452 total long balls). Mike added another long ball to the Yastrzemski Fenway legend, popping a fourth-inning homer over the center field wall – helping the Giants top the BoSox 7-6. By the way, young Mike started in left field – in front of the famous Fenway Wall – the same position his grandfather manned for so many years.

The Biggio Household

On September 17, Blue Jays’ 24-year-old rookie Cavan Biggio – son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio – hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run in one game) against the Orioles at Camden Yards.   In the game, won by the Blue Jays 8-5, Cavan was four-for-five with three runs scored and four RBI.  What made his cycle unique was that, 17 seasons earlier, Biggio (Craig) The Elder also hit for the cycle.  The exact date was April, 8, 2002 and Biggio, in his 15th MLB season, went four-for-five with two runs scored and four RBI.

Cavan’s cycle made the Biggios only the second MLB father-son combination to hit for the cycle – following Gary and Daryle Ward, who cycled their way into MLB history on September 18, 1980 and May 26, 2004, respectively.  Gary Ward achieved his cycle with the Twins, son Daryle with the Pirates.

Five-For-Thirty Can Be a Good Baseball Stat

On September 17, as the Twins topped the White Sox 9-8 in 12 frames, 3B Miguel Sano smacked his 30th home run of the 2019 season.  This made the Twins the first MLB team to have five players with 30 or more home runs on its roster in the same season (breaking at 12-team time at four). The 2019 Twins’ final counts:  Nelson Cruz – 41 home runs; Max Kepler – 36; Miguel Sano – 34; Eddie Rosario – 32; and Mitch Garver – 31

Earlier this season, the Minnesota squad became the first MLB team with eight players with 20 or more long balls on its roster in the same season.

 

2,000 for Bochy

On September 18, the Giants pounded the Red Sox 11-3 at Fenway – giving Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy his 2,000th MLB victory.  Bochy is just the 11th major league manager to reach the 2K mark in wins.  (Connie Mack tops the list at 3,731 wins.) Bochy, who has announced his retirement, ended the season with a 2003-2029 managerial record (12 seasons with the Padres/13 seasons with the Giants). He won an NL Pennant with the Padres in 1998; led the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014; and was the 1996 National League Manager of the Year.

Runnin’ on Cruz Control

On September 22, as the Twins downed the Royals 12-8 in Minnesota, DH Nelson Cruz touched a couple of milestones with a fourth-inning solo home run.  The long ball gave Cruz a nice round number on the season (40) and for his career (400).  Cruz became the 57th major leaguer to reach 400 home runs and  just the third player in MLB history to hit forty home runs at age 39 or older (joining Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds).  Cruz finished the season at 311-41-108.

Stone-Cole Hero

On September 24, Gerrit Cole picked up his 19th win of the season, as the Astros topped the Mariners 3-0 in Seattle.  Cole went seven innings, giving up two hits and fanning 14 batters. It gave Cole 316 strikeouts for the season – as well as setting a new Astros’ franchise record for whiffs in a campaign.  J.R. Richard had held the Astros’ record for 40 years, fanning 313 in 1979. It was Cole’s MLB-record tying eighth consecutive game with ten or more strikeouts (100 whiffs over 56 2/3 innings in that streak) and his 20th double-digit strikeout game of the season.  (Cole would go on to add a 21^st and ninth consecutive double-digit strikeout game on September 29, when he fanned 10 Angels in five innings.) In his previous start, on September 18, Cole had become just the 18th pitcher since 1900 to reach 300 strikeouts in an MLB season.

Randy Johnson holds the record for double-digit strikeout games in a season at 23 – and he did it three times (all for the Diamondbacks) – in 1999-2000 and 2001.

Happy Birthday Boss!

On September 25, the Minnesota Twins won their 98th game of the 2019 season – clinching the American League Central Division title.  That day also happened to be the 38th birthday of rookie manager Rocco Baldelli.  A nicely wrapped gift for the boss.

He Got By with a Little Help from His Friends

On September 26, the Rangers faced off against the Red Sox in Texas. Starting on the bump for the Rangers was Mike Minor (13-10, 3.52), while the Red Sox sent “opener” rookie Travis Lakins (0-1, 4.22) to the mound. As the contest went into the ninth inning, Minor was still in the game, holding on to a 7-5 lead. At the time, Minor had fanned eight batters – giving him 199 for the season.   He got Red Sox 1B Sandy Leon on a fly out to left to start the inning and then went to a 1-1 count on SS Chris Owings.  On the next pitch, Owings hit a foul pop up to the right side of first base.  Both 1B Ronald Guzman and catcher Jose Trevino had a chance to catch it, but they let it drop (reportedly at Minor’s urging) for an error (and for strike two).  Owings took the next pitch for strike three – and Minor had reached the coveted 200-strikeout mark (with a little help from his friends) for the season. Then Jose Leclerc replaced Minor and fanned Marco Hernandez for the final out and the save.

Another 2019 Immaculate Inning

On September 27, Astros’ reliever Will Harris was called in to open the bottom of the eighth inning of the Astros’ contest against the Angels – with the Western Division champs up 4-0. He was facing the Angels’ sixth seventh and eighth batters – 2B Kaleb Coward, 3B Matt Thaiss and CF Michael Hermosillo. Harris, who had fanned 59 hitters in 58 2/3 innings to that point in the season, turned in a stellar performance.  He whiffed those three unfortunate hitters on nine pitches – turning in 2019’s record-tying eighth “immaculate inning” (three outs, three strikeouts on the minimum nine pitches).

Three (hundred) for Two  … and Two for Three (Hundred)

On September 28, the Astros’ Justin Verlander had quite the day – going six innings in the Astros’ 6-3 win over the Angels.  It was Verlander’s MLB-leading 21st win (six losses).  In his six innings of work, he gave up three runs on four hits and fanned 12 batters. The 12 strikeouts:

• Gave him 300 on the season – his first 300-whiff campaign – making him just the 19th pitcher since 1900 to reach 300K in a season;
• Gave him 3,006 strikeouts for his career, making him just the 18th MLB pitcher to reach 3,000 career K’s;
• Enabled him to join Gerrit Cole as the only American League teammates to log 300 strikeouts in the same season (Cole finished 2019 with 326 strikeouts). The only other team with two 300K pitchers? The 2002 Diamondbacks, with Randy Johnson (334) and Curt Schilling (316).

Another Home Run Record Falls

On September 28, Mets’ rookie 1B Pete Alonso launched his 53^rd home run of the season –  as the Mets topped Atlanta 3-0 in New York.  In the process, the 2019 NL home run leader, broke Aaron Judge’s MLB rookie record of 52 home runs (set in 2017).

A First For the Royals –  Records for Soler

On September 29^th, the Royals’ OF/DH officially became the first Kansas City Royal ever to win the AL home run crown.  In addition, his 48 round trippers extended his single-season record for the Royals’ franchise, as well as set a new single-seasons record for a Cuban-born MLB player. The previous record for a Cuban-born player was held by Rafael Palmeiro, who hit 47 long balls for the Rangers in 1999.

Now, let’s move on to the full-season stats.

__________________________________________________

 

–—-LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – FINAL—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 782

AL: Yankees (943); Twins (939); Astros (920)

NL: Dodgers (886); Nationals (873); Braves (855)

The Astros had MLB’s most positive run differential in 2019 at +280. The Dodgers were not far behind at +273.  The only other team over 200 was the Yankees at +204. On the negative side, the Tigers were an MLB-worst -333.

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .252

AL: Astros (.274); Twins (.270); Red Sox (.269)

NL: Rockies (.265); Nationals (.265); Pirates (.265)

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 226

AL:  Twins (307; Yankees (306); Astros (288)

NL: Dodgers (279); Cubs (256); Brewers (250)

Seven of the top eight teams in home runs made it to the post season. Bonus note:  The Marlins and Tigers were the only teams to hit fewer than 150 home runs, at 146 and 149, respectively. Their combined record was 104-219.

SLUGGING PERCENTAGE – MLB TEAM Average – .430

AL: Astros (.495); Twins (.494); Yankees (.490)

NL: Dodgers (.472); Rockies (.456); Nationals (.454)

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 76

AL:  Rangers (131); Royals (117); Mariners (115)

NL: Nationals (116); Cardinals (116); Brewers (101)

The Twins (who led all of baseball with 307 home runs, trailed all of MLB with just 28 stolen bases.  They also had the lowest stolen base success rate at 57.1% (28-for-49). The Diamondbacks were successful and MLB-best 86.3 percent of the time (88-for-102).

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 1,427

AL: Tigers (1,595); Mariners (1,581); Rangers (1,578)

NL: Padres (1,581); Brewers (1,563); Rockies (1,503)

Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times (1,166). In the NL, that honor went to the Pirates (1,213).

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 530

AL: Astros (645); Red Sox (590); Mariners (588)

NL: Brewers (629); Braves (619); Dodgers (607)

No one hit better with runners in scoring position than the Yankees, with a .294 average in those situations. The worst average with runners in scoring position? The Tigers at .227. How about with runners in scoring position and two out?  The leader there was the Red Sox at .283, with the Marlins at the bottom (.191).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.49

AL:  Rays (3.65); Astros (3.66); Indians (3.76)

NL:  Dodgers (3.37); Cardinals (3.80); Cubs (4.10)

The best starters’ ERA for the season belonged to the Dodgers at 3.11, while the Astros had the best starting ERA in the AL at 3.61. The Rockies had the worst starters’ ERA at 5.87.

Bullpen ERA’s saw the Rays best in the AL at 3.66 and the Dodgers lowest in the NL at 3.78. The Wild Card Nationals had the worst bullpen ERA at 5.66.

The worst overall ERA?  The Orioles’ at 5.59.

BATTING AVERAGE AGAINST … MLB Average – .252

AL: Astros (.221); Rays (.230); Indians (.240)

NL: Dodgers (.223); Reds (.235); Cardinals (.238)

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 1,176

AL:  Astros (1,671); Red Sox (1,633); Rays (1,621)

NL: Reds (1,552); Mets 1,520); Dodgers (1,519)

The Astros were the only team to average ten or more strikeouts per nine innings (10.28), but the Red Sox came close at 9.99. Fourteen teams averaged at least nine whiffs per nine frames.

SAVES … MLB Average – 39

AL: Twins (50); Yankees (50); Astros (47)

NL: Cardinals (52); Brewers (50); Padres (47)

The Blue Jays had the best save percentage for the season at 76.4% (33-for-43).  The Orioles had the worst save percentage at 50% (27 saves in 54 opportunities). 

—-2019 INDIVIDUAL LEADERS – FINAL—–

BATTING AVERAGE (QUALIFIERS)

AL:  Tim Anderson, White Sox (.335); DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (.327); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (.315)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (.3292); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (.3286); Anthony Rendon, Nationals (.319)

HITS

AL: Whit Merrifield, Royals (206); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (201); DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (197)

NL: Ozzie Albies, Braves (189); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (187); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (185)

HOME RUNS

AL: Jorge Soler, Royals (48) Mike Trout, Angels (45); Alex Bregman, Astros (41); Nelson Cruz, Twins (41)

NL: Pete Alonso, Mets (53); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (49); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (47)

Among qualifying batters, the Angels’ Mike Trout had the best “At Bats per Home Run” rate at 10.4. In the NL that honor went to the Brewers’ Christian Yelich at 11.1. Others at under 12.0 included: Twins’ Nelson Cruz (11.1); Mets’ Pete Alonso (11.3); Reds; Eugenio Suarez (11.7); and Dodgers Cody Bellinger (11.9).

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Jose Abreu, White Sox (123); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (117); Jorge Soler, White Sox (117)

NL: Anthony Rendon, Nationals (126); Freddie Freeman, Braves (121); Pete Alonso, Mets (120)

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (136); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (129); Marcus Semien, A’s (123)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (127); Cody Bellinger (121); Anthony Rendon, Nationals (117)

The Padres’ Manny Machado and White Sox’ Jose Abreu shared the lead in grounding into double plays at 24.

STOLEN BASES

AL:   Mallex Smith, Mariners (45); Aldaberto Mondesi, Royals (43); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (40)

NL: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (37); Trea Turner, Nationals (35); Jarrod Dyson, Diamondbacks (30)

No players were caught stealing more often than Whit Merrifield of the Royals and Amed Rosario of the Mets (ten time each). Merrifield had 20 successful attempts; Rosario had 19.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Rougned Odor, Rangers (178); Jorge Soler, Royals (178); Jonathan Villar, Orioles (176)

NL: Eugenio Suarez, Red (189); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (188); Pete Alonso, Mets (183)

The top three strikeout artists – Eugenio Suarez, Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Pete Alonso – combined for 143 home runs and 324 RBI.

WALKS

AL:  Alex Bregman, Astros (119); Mike Trout, Angels (110); Carlos Santana, Indians (108)

NL: Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (116); Yasmani Grandal, Brewers (109); Juan Soto, Nationals (108)

The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger led all batters in intentional walks with 21.  I guess that’s the kind of respect a .305-47-115 line will get you.

ON BASE + SLUGGING PERCENTAGE

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (1.083); Nelson Cruz, Twins (1.031); Alex Bregman, Astros (1.015)

NL: Christian Yelich, Brewers (1.100); Cody Bellinger, Dodgers (1.035); Anthony Rendon, Nationals (1.010);

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL:  Justin Verlander, Astros (21-6); Gerrit Cole, Astros (20-5); Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (19-6)

NL: Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (18-6); Max Fried, Braves (17-6); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (16-5); Dakota Hudson, Cardinals (16-7)

The Tigers’ Spencer Turnbull led all of MLB in losses, going 3-17, 4.61 in 30 starts. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying)

AL: Gerrit Cole. Astros (2.50); Justin Verlander, Astros (2.58); Charlie Morton, Rays (3.05)

NL: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers (2.32); Jacob deGrom, Mets (2.43); Mike Soroka, Braves (2.68)

Note: Zack Greinke of the Astros had a 2.93 ERA, but his innings were split between the Diamondbacks and Astros.

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Gerrit Cole, Astros (326); Justin Verlander, Astros (300); Shane Bieber, Indians (259)

NL: Jacob deGrom, Mets (255); Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (251); Max Scherzer, Nationals (243)

Note: Trevor Bauer of the Reds had 253 K’s, but they were split between the Indians (185) and Reds (68).

Only four qualifying pitchers averaged 12 or more strikeouts per nine innings: Gerrit Cole, Astros (13.82); Max Scherzer, Nationals (12.69); Robbie Ray, Diamondbacks (12.13); and Justin Verlander, Astros (12.11).  A total of 25 qualifiers averages 9+ K’s per nine innings.

SAVES

AL:  Roberto Osuna, Astros (38); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (37); Brad Hand, Indians (34)

NL: Kirby Yates, Padres (41); Josh Hader, Brewers (37); Will Smith, Giants (34); Raisel Iglesias, Reds (34)

Just Hold Me, Please

The Padres’ Craig Stammen, Astros’ Ryan Pressley and Jake Diekman (Royals & A’s) led the major leagues with 31 “holds” each. 

A final thought – a look to the post season.

Primary Resources: ESPN.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com

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