The season is winding down fast for those of us here in Minnesota, but BBRT still has a “watch list” for the weeks ahead. Here are a few developments that will hold my interest.
Can Max Scherzer … 18-1 … make history?
Can Max Scherzer break Pirate’s reliever Elroy Face’s MLB record for single-season winning percentage (minimum 15 decisions)?
Face went 18-1 (.947) in 57 appearances for the Pirates in 1959. Scherzer stands at 18-1 (2.82 ERA) right now, so he needs at least one more win – and can’t afford a loss. The AL record (and record for a starter) sits with the Cleveland Indians Johnny Allen, who went 15-1 (.938) in 1937. BBRT expects Scherzer will pick up a loss in the final weeks.
Will Baltimore’s Chris Davis deny Miguel Cabrera repeat Triple Crown bid?
Cabrera at .360 seems a lock for the AL batting title and holds a five RBI edge over Davis (120-115). Davis, however, holds a five-homer lead over Miggy (45-40) and has been matching Miggy HR-for-HR lately. BBRT anticipates MLB will remain without a Triple Crown repeater. BBRT will also be watching to see if Davis can reach 61 home runs (the record Davis recognizes) for the season. I expect he will fall short as the season wears on and pitchers pitch around him even more.
Who will win the AL Rookie of the Year?
A special look at slick-fielding Detroit SS Jose Iglesias, hitting .317 in 80 games. If Iglesias could win the ROY, he would be the first player to capture the award in a season in which he was traded. (The Tigers acquired Iglesias from Boston in July as insurance against the pending suspension of Johnny Peralta.) Right now the main competition comes in the form of Kansas City outfielder Wil Myers, called up in mid-June and hitting .310-9-37, with five steals in 51 games. While Iglesias had the early nod, his bat has cooled, while Myers’ stock is on the rise. Should be a close race, but Myers power will likely swing the award his way.
Post season at PNC this year?
Will the Pirates top .500?
After 20 consecutive non-winning seasons, the Pirates now stand at 73-51 and this should be the year they break the streak (despite the late-season slumps we saw over the past couple of years.) Within this “watch,” BBRT is paying attention to the resurgence of former Twin Francisco Liriano – a Pittsburgh reclamation project (coming off two consecutive seasons with an ERA north of 5.00 and an off-season broken arm). Liriano didn’t make his first 2013 appearance until May 11. He now stands at 14-5, 2.53 with 126 strikeouts in 121 innings. (And, this includes a disastrous August 9 start at Colorado, when he gave up 10 earned in 2 1/3 innings – without that start, Liriano’s ERA would be 1.80). BBRT will be watching to see if Liriano, despite his late start, can crack the top five in NL Cy Young voting.
Who wins the NL Central? AL West? AL East?
Three exciting races to watch as we move through the dog days of August. Pittsburgh leads the Cardinals by one game in a back and forth race; Texas has a half-game lead over Oakland; and Boston has a slim one-game margin over Tampa Bay. If BBRT had to choose – Cardinals edge Pirates, Texas holds on against Oakland, and Boston fades a bit down the stretch and falls behind Tampa. Should be lots of exciting baseball.
How do the remaining Red Sox/Yankees games play out?
New heat has been added to a long-time rivalry. These two clubs will be at each other no matter what the standings. (Does Dempster get another start against the Yanks?) Should be exciting and controversial.
Can Puig – the rookie with the big number (66) and big swing – win the NL ROY?
Who wins NL Rookie of the Year?
Unlike the AL, competition is deep. Leading the pack may be Dodgers’ outfielder Yasiel Puig, as much for the new swagger he has brought to the now streaking Dodgers as for his results (.351-11-27 in 67 games). But you can’t count out Miami’s 20-year-old sensation Jose Fernandez, with his 9-5 record, 2.41 ERA and 157 punch outs in 145 1/3 innings for the last-place Marlins. Also in the running are hurlers Shelby Miller (11-8, 2.98, 145 strikeouts in 132 2/3 innings for the Cardinals) and the Dodgers’ Hyun-Jin Ryu (12-4, 2.95, with 126 strikeouts in 155 2/3 innings.) Looking at the pitchers, Fernandez seems to have an edge. Miller has given up seven runs (five earned) in 13 innings, since being hit in the elbow by a line drive on August 7 – although all appears okay; Ryu does not have the strikeout numbers of Miller or Fernandez; and Fernandez recently topped Ryu in a heads-up match-up. More likely, however, the three pitchers split votes and Puig takes the award, despite not making his MLB debut until June 3. (There is a precedence, Willie McCovey won the 1959 NL ROY, despite not making his first appearance until July 30. He then went .354-13-38 in 51 games).
Will Yadier Molina join the short list of catchers who have won batting titles?
Atlanta third-baseman Chris Johnson currently leads Molina .335 to .334. If Molina wins, he will join Joe Mauer (three titles); Ernie Lombardi (two titles); Bubbles Hargrave; and Buster Posey among catchers with battling titles. BBRT likes Molina’s chances, although with their big lead, Atlanta may rest Johnson down the stretch, keeping his bat fresh. Should be a close one.
Will Clayton Kershaw keep ERA under 2.00 for streaking Dodgers?
Will Clayton Kershaw finish with an ERA under 2.00?
Only two pitchers (ERA qualifiers) have turned in ERA’s under 2.00 since 2000. Roger Clemens (Astros) was the last to do it – 1.87 in 2005. In the AL, Pedro Martinez (Red Sox) posted a 1.74 ERA in 2000. Martinez’ achievement was, perhaps, the most spectacular. The second best ERA in the AL was 3.70 (Clemens, with the Yankees), giving Martinez the largest ERA edge ever at 1.96. Kershaw current stands at 12-7, 1.80, and had posted a 1.35 ERA in three August starts. BBRT expects a sub-2.00 season.
There’s plenty more to keep and eye on, but these are a few stories of interest for BBRT. Care to share what intrigues you as MLB moves toward October?
