The MLB season has now moved into June, which means it’s time for BBRT’s traditional lengthy (Cut me come slack here, we are reviewing an entire month.) monthly wrap up.
There is plenty to write about in MLB for May. It was a month in which the Giants (after a sub-.500 April) caught fire and were the only team to win twenty games (21-8); the Red Sox hit .305 as a team; three players with a minimum of 75 plate appearances hit .400 or better for the month (led by the Nationals’ Daniel Murphy at .416); reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper had a game in which he reached based seven times in seven plate appearances, without ever putting the ball in play; Clayton Kershaw went “old school,” going 5-0, with a 0.91 ERA and three complete games; and 40-year-old David Ortiz proved “old school” can be a good thing, hitting .347, for the month, with nine home runs and an MLB-leading 28 RBI. And, there was plenty more that caught my attention over the past month. You can read the details in the Caught My Eye section of this post (in blue), but here’s a few more teasers from May’s play:
- During the month, two pitchers – both with last-place teams – recorded four strikeouts in an inning.
- On May 29, the Yankees topped the Rays 2-1, despite getting only one hit in the game – becoming the second team this season to win a game in which they collected only one safety.
- Aroldis Chapman didn’t take the mound until May 9 (suspension) – and still recorded the 21 fastest pitches thrown in 2016 – with a high of 103.1 MPH.
- The Astros’ Marwin Gonzalez rapped a two-run home run on May 6, which wouldn’t be unusual except that it was his 26th career round tripper – and the first 25 were solo shots.
- On May 11, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer became just the fourth pitcher in MLB history to fan 20 batters in nine innings – and, like all those before him, didn’t walk a single hitter.
- The White Sox turned their second triple play of the season – the record for a full campaign is three.
- First basemen named Chris proved to be May’s freest swingers – the Brewers’ 1B Chris Carter led the NL with 43 strikeouts in the month, while Orioles’ 1B Chris Davis led the AL with 42.
- And much, much more.
BBRT Players of the Month
AL: David Ortiz (DH, Red Sox) — hit .347, with nine home runs and 28 RBI (tops in MLB) in 98 May at bats. Maybe life does begin at 40.
NL: Daniel Murphy (2B, Nationals) — hit .416 (tops among players with at least 75 plate appearances), with seven home runs, 23 RBI and 17 runs scored in 113 at bats.
BBRT Pitchers of the Month
AL: Zach Britton (Closer, Orioles) — had eight saves and one win in ten appearances, struck out 13 in 11 innings and gave up zero runs.
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Starter, Dodgers) — went 5-0 in six starts, struck out 65 in 49 2/3 innings, threw three complete games, had an ERA of 0.91 for the month.
BBRT Teams of the Month
AL: Boston Red Sox — went 18-10 (AL’s best May record) and led all of MLB in runs scored, home runs and batting average.
NL: San Francisco Giants — had MLB’s best May record (21-8), driven by the month’s lowest team ERA.
Before we get into the specific events that caught BBRT’s eye, let’s take a look (statistically) at who was hot and who was not for May – starting from a team perspective.
HOT AND NOT – FROM A TEAM POINT OF VIEW
At&T Park was a happy place in May.
Photo by Saul Mora.
Wins and Losses – San Francisco and Boston Lead the Way
No team was hotter in in May than the San Francisco Giants, who took control of the NL West by winning 21 of 29 games during the month (MLB’s best May 2016 record). The Giants did it with pitching – logging the month’s lowest ERA (2.66), while finishing 23rd among the 30 MLB teams in runs scored. Leading the way for the Giants were starting pitchers Madison Bumgarner (4-0, 1.05 in May), Johnny Cueto (4-0. 2.03) and Jeff Samardzija (4-2, 2.08). Closer Santiago Casilla also racked up eight saves with a 1.38 ERA.
Over in the AL, the best record went to the Boston Red Sox at 18-10. The Red Sox rolled to their 18 wins on the strength of a potent offense – leading all of MLB for the month in batting average (.305), runs scored (182) and home runs (46) – while posting the 17th best ERA. Boston got particularly strong performances at the plate from SS Xander Bogaerts (.395-5-20); CF Jackie Bradley, Jr. (.381-8-24); and DH David Ortiz (.347-9-28).
The worst record for May: Only two teams won fewer than ten games in May: The Reds in the NL (8-20) and the Twins in the AL (8-19). Both finished with the worst May ERA in their respective leagues (Twins at 5.96; Reds at 6.17). The Twins were second-t0-last in the AL in runs scored for the month (111, Baltimore scored one fewer), while the Reds finished near the middle (ninth) in the NL.
MAY’S TOP TEAM STATISTICS
Won-Lost
NL: Giants … 21-8; Cubs … 18-10; Dodgers … 16-12
AL: Red Sox … 18-10; five teams with 17 wins
Offensive Leaders for May
Runs Scored
AL: Red Sox (182); Mariners (156); Indians (147)
NL: Cardinals (150); Cubs (139); Rockies (137)
Batting Average
AL: Red Sox (.305); Royals (.288); Mariners (.283); Angels (.283)
NL: Rockies (.276); Pirates (.273); Diamondbacks (.273); Marlins (.273)
Home Runs
AL: Red Sox (46); Mariners (45); Rays (44)
NL: Nationals (43); Mets (40); Reds (39)
Stolen Bases
NL: Brewers (31); Giants (26); Pirates (22)
AL: Rangers (23); Astros (23); Royals (20)
On the other side of the offense coin:
Fewest Runs Scored
NL: Phillies (84); Braves (86)
AL: Orioles (110); Twins (111)
Fewest Home Runs
NL: Braves (16); Phillies (18)
AL: Royals (24); White Sox (24)
Lowest Team Batting Average
NL: Mets (.211); Padres (.215)
AL: Yankees (.232); Astros (.236)
Pitching Leaders for May
ERA
NL: Giants (2.66); Cubs (2.81); Dodgers (3.18)
AL: Blue Jays (3.44); Mariners (3.64); Yankees (3.72)
Strikeouts
NL: Nationals (287); Dodgers (285); Cubs (245)
AL: Astros (267); Indians (249); Yankees (243)
Fewest Walks Allowed
AL: Yankees (64); Twins (72); Mariners (74)
NL: Mets (66); Giants (67); Cardinals (72)
The other side of the pitching coin:
Worst May ERA
NL: Reds (6.17); Diamondbacks (4.83)
AL: Twins (5.96); A’s (5.70)
______________________________________________________________
TOP TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH MAY 31
Now that we’ve had a look at May’s team statistics, like look at the year-to-date (through May 31). As we move into June, only one team is playing .700 ball (Cubs at 35-15, .700, and holding a 6 1/2 game lead in the NL Central). Other teams with at least 30 wins include division leaders Washington (32-21, .604), San Francisco (33-21, .611), Boston (32-20, .615). Conversely, only two teams are playing under.300 ball; the Twins and Braves both stand at 15-36, .294.
IF THE SEASON ENDED MAY 31
If the season ended at the close of play on May 31, your playoff teams would have been:
AL … Division Champions: Red Sox, Royals, Rangers. Wild Cards: Orioles Mariners.
NL … Division Champions: Nationals, Cubs, Giants. Wild Cards: Mets, Pirates.
Now, let’s look at some of the stats behind the standings. (Note: You can find the full May 31 standings at the end of this post.)
__________________________________________________
TEAM OFFENSIVE LEADERS THROUGH MAY 31
Runs Scored
AL: Red Sox (308); Mariners (256); Rangers (246)
NL: Cardinals (292); Cubs (275); Rockies (262)
BBRT Note: Despite the impact of the DH, NL teams make up four of the top five in runs scored.
Batting Average
AL: Red Sox (.294); Royals (.272); Rangers (.262)
NL: Pirates (.283); Rockies (.277); Marlins (.272)
Home Runs
AL: Mariners (77); Rays (71); Orioles (69)
NL: Mets (73); Cardinals (71); Nationals (69)
Stolen Bases
NL: Brewers (44); Pirates (38); Diamondbacks (36)
AL: Astros (42); Royals (38); Indians (37)
On the other side of the offensive coin:
Fewest Runs Scored
AL: Twins (191); Yankees (193)
NL: Braves (161); Phillies (164)
Fewest Home Runs
NL; Braves (21); Phillies (39)
AL: Royals (44); Angels (47)
Lowest Team Batting Average
NL: Padres (.226); Braves (.228)
AL: Yankees (.232); Astros (.236)
Fewest Stolen Bases
AL: Orioles (8); Mariners, Tigers, Angels (16 each)
NL: Mets (10); Marlins (13)
TEAM PITCHING LEADERS THROUGH MAY 31
ERA
NL: Cubs (2.65); Nationals (2.95); Mets (3.25)
AL: Mariners (3.37); White Sox (3.47); Blue Jays (3.64)
Strikeouts
NL: Nationals (492); Dodgers (483); Phillies (457)
AL: Red Sox (463); Yankees (444); Astros (444)
Saves
NL: Marlins (20); Phillies (19); Mets (18); Pirates (18)
AL: Rangers (18); Orioles (17); three teams with 16
Fewest Walks Allowed
AL: Yankees (115); Rays (137)
NL: Mets (122); Giants (135)
On the other side of the pitching coin:
Worst ERA
NL: Reds (5.83); Rockies (5.13)
AL: Twins (5.01); A’s (4.70)
Highest Batting Avg. Against
AL: Twins (.284); Tigers (.275)
NL: Rockies (.279); Reds (.277)
Most Walks Given Up
NL: Reds (239); Padres (220)
AL: Red Sox (178); Royals (178)
_____________________________________________________________
CAUGHT MY EYE
Now, let’s give the statistics a rest – and look at some unusual on-the-field occurrences over the month of May.
Patience can be a virtue.
Photo by Richard Martin.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
The Nationals’ Bryce Harper was treated with an unusual amount of respect (even for a reigning MVP) on May 8. In a game that saw the Cubs top Harper’s Nationals 4-3 in 13 innings, Harper came to the plate seven times and reached base seven times – without ever putting the ball in play. Harper drew six walks (tying the MLB single-game record) and was hit by a pitch. (Harper’s reaching base seven times in a game without an official at bat is also a record.) Three of the walks to Harper were intentional – one shy of Barry Bonds’ single-game record. (BBRT Note: Harper scored just one run in the game.)
Oh-SOLO-Mee-Oh
Here’s something else you don’t often see –a two-run home run by the Astros’ Marwin Gonzalez. On May 6, as the Astros topped the Mariners 6-3, Gonzalez (starting at first base) hit a two-run shot in the second inning. Why did this catch BBRT’s eye? It was Gonzalez’ 26th home run in five MLB seasons – and his first home run with a man on base. That’s right, Marwin started his career with an MLB-record 25 solo home runs. (By the way, second place on this “list” is 11 solo shots before connecting with a man on base.)
Photo by Keith Allison 
Stay Whiff Me on This
On May 11, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer tied an MLB record by fanning twenty batters in nine innings – joining Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers to accomplish that feat. Like all those before him, Scherzer notched his twenty K’s without issuing a single walk. Scherzer, by the way, gave up the most hits (6), most runs (2) and most home runs (2) ever in a nine-inning, 20-strikeout performance. Scherzer did get the victory, as the Nationals topped the Tiger 3-2 in Washington. For more on Scherzer’s gem and other 20-strikeout performances, click here.
Triple Your Pleasure – Doubly
On May 18, the White Sox turned their second triple play of 2016 (the record for a season is three), while losing to the Astros 5-3. This one went in the “classic” 5-4-3 style (third base to second base to first) – as compared to their first triple killing of the year (April 22), which was scored 9-3-2-6-2-5.
Triple Play Trivia
The Minnesota Twins are the only team to turn two triple plays in a single game – a July, 17, 1990, contest that they lost to the Red Sox by a 1-0 score.
Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson hit into an MLB-record four triple plays in his career.
On May 16, 1913 the Philadelphia Athletics turned a triple play against the Cleveland Naps in which the ball changed hands an MLB-record nine times: 6-2-5-1-5-4-5-6-5-7.
The Whiffing-Poof Song
Depending on how you look at it, the Astros/Orioles Series of May 24-26 resulted in either fame or infamy. In the Series, Astros’ pitchers became the first staff ever to record 15 or more strikeouts in three consecutive games. The Astros swept the O’s by scores of 3-2 (13 innings), 4-3 and 4-2 and struck out 19, 18, and 15 batters in each game, respectively. The 52 whiffs – 56 percent of all the Orioles’ outs – were also a record for a three-game series. The most frequent whiff victim was Orioles’ 1B Chris Davis, who fanned eight times in 14 at bats (he also had two walks). Houston hitters struck out a total of 31 times in the three games – which means that 47 percent of all the outs in the three-game set came via the strikeout.
Boston – Streak City
May 26 marked the first Red Sox game in the month of May that didn’t feature a base hit by CF Jackie Bradley. Jr. Bradley’s 29-game hitting streak stretched just over a month (April 24 to May 25). During the streak, the 26-year-old OF hit .423 (44-for-104), with eight home runs, 30 RBI and 19 runs scored (and Boston went 21-8). When Bradley started his streak he was hitting just .233, with no home runs – at the end of the streak his average was up to .350. Bradley had 19 one-hit games in keeping his streak alive – and also had six consecutive multi-hit games (May 8-13), when he went 15-for-25.
Bradley wasn’t the only Red Sox “streaker” in May. May 5 marked the last game in the month that didn’t feature a hit by Boston SS Xander Bogaerts. The 23-year-old Bogaerts ran off a 24-game hitting streak (still alive) – that began on May 6. During his streak, Bogaerts has hit .394 (42-for-107), with five home runs, 16 RBI and 22 runs scored. When he began his streak he was hitting .309, with one home run. At the end of May, he was hitting .350.
King of the Hill – Another Streak
When Jake Arrieta picked up the win (in a 9-8 Cubs victory over the Cardinals) on May 24, it not only marked a 9-0 start to the season for the Cubs’ ace, it also marked the 23rd consecutive Arietta start in which the Cubs earned a victory (tying a record set in 2012 by Kris Medlen). The last time the Cubs had lost a game that Arietta started was on July 25, 2015. The streak, however, was broken on the last day of May, when the Dodgers topped the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley – despite Arrieta’s seven shutout innings. Arrieta left the game with the scored tied at 0-0, but the Cubs went on to take the loss (breaking the Arrieta streak). In his last 24 starts, Arrieta has picked up up 20 wins and four no-decisions.
Won One – With One
On May 29, the Yankees topped the Rays 2-1 in Tampa Bay, despite collecting only one hit (Tampa had six). Ray’s starter Jake Ordozzi actually carried a no-hitter and a 1-0 lead into the top of the seventh, when a one-out walk to Yankee LF Brett Gardner and a home run by Starlin Castro resulted in two Yankee runs. For the game, the Yankees had only three base runners – Gardner, Castro and 1B Dustin Ackley (safe on an error in the sixth). It was the second game won by a team with just one hit this season. The Rangers also won their April 4 Opener (in Texas) by a score of 3-2 over Seattle – despite collecting only one hit.
By the way, a win on just one hit is not a record. Five teams have managed victories without collecting a single safety. You can find details on those in the box at the end of the April Wrap Up – click here to go to that post.
Who’s On First?
MLB’s longest home run (thus far) of the 2016 season was hit in May. Who hit it and when? Ah, that’s is, indeed, the question(s). According to Statcast™ that honor goes to Rangers’ rookie Nomar Mazara – with a 491-foot shot on May 25 off the Angels’ Hector Santiago. But, not so fast! ESPN Home Run Tracker gives the honor to the Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton, with a 490-footer on May 6 off the Phillies’ Hector Neris. (Note: Statcast lists Stanton’s shot at 475 feet, while ESPN’s Home Run Tracker has Mazara’s blast at just 453 feet. Hopefully, someone will hit a 500-foot shot and put this discrepancy behind us.)
Four Whiffs in One Inning
The month of May saw two pitchers – one from each league – join the group of (now 74) pitchers who have struck out four batters in a single inning.
On May 8, the Minnesota Twins’ Tyler Duffy went into the bottom of the seventh trailing the White Sox 2-1. Tuffy got Sox’ 2B Brett Lawrie on a swinging strikeout to open the frame, then whiffed DH Avasail Garica, who reached first base as the final strike came on a wild pitch that got by Twins’ catcher Juan Centeno. After a run-scoring double by Sox’ C Dioner Navarro, Duffey fanned CF Austin Jackson, walked RF Adam Eaton intentionally and struck out SS Jimmy Rollins for the final out. Duffey took the loss in a game in which he gave up three runs on six hits and two walks (while fanning nine) in seven innings.
On May 24, Atlanta Braves’ Julio Teheran took the mound against the Brewers in the top of the second of a scoreless game. Teheran fanned Brewers’ C Jonathan Lucroy and 1B Chris Carter (both swinging) to start the inning, CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis then swung at a third-strike wild pitch (reaching first base on the strikeout). After giving up a single to 3B Aaron Hill, Teheran fanned RF Ramon Flores to end the inning. Teheran got a no decision (the Braves lost 2-1), going seven innings – giving up just one run on three hits, walking none and striking out a dozen.
For those interested in such things, Chuck Finley holds the record for four-strikeout innings at three. The only other pitchers to accomplish the feat more than once are A.J. Burnett and Zack Greinke (twice each).
_______________________________________________________________
Now, let’s get back to May’s statistical leaders.
It was quite a month, with three NL hitters topping the .400 mark (Daniel Murphy, Marcell Ozuna and Ben Zobrist); 40-year-old David Ortiz leading MLB in RBI with 28; Clayton Kershaw (no surprise there) dominating the NL pitching statistics (5-0, 0.91 ERA, 65 strikeouts); the A’s Rich Hill (some surprise here) turning in five wins and the AL’s lowest ERA; and the Reds’ Adam Duvall and A’s Khris Davis leading the NL and AL, respectively, in home runs.
LEADING INDIVIDUAL BATTING PERFORMANCES IN MAY
Batting Average (75 minimum plate appearances)
NL: Daniel Murphy (2B, Nationals) – .416; Marcell Ozuna (CF, Marlins) – .411; Ben Zobrist (2B, Cubs) – .406
AL: Xander Bogaerts (SS, Red Sox) – .395; Jackie Bradley, Jr. (CF, Red Sox) – .381; Ryan Bruan (LF, Brewers) – .364
Home Runs
AL: Khris Davis (LF, A’s) – 11; David Ortiz (DH, Red Sox) – 9; Mark Trumbo (RF, Orioles) – 9; Todd Frazier (3B, White Sox) – 9
NL: Adam Duvall (LF, Reds) – 11; Jonathan Lucroy (C, Brewers) – 9; Chris Carter (1B, Brewers) – 8; Yoenis Cespedes (CF, Mets) – 8
RBI
AL: David Ortiz (DH, Red Sox) – 28; Mike Trout (CF, Angels) – 27; Eric Hosmer (1B, Royals – 27)
NL: Ben Zobrist (2B, Cubs) – 25; Adam Duvall (LF, Reds) – 24; Brandon Crawford (SS, Giants) – 23; Daniel Murphy (2B, Nationals) – 23
Stolen Bases
AL: Danny Santana (CF, Twins) – 8; five players with six
NL: Jonathan Villar (SS, Brewers) – 14; Starling Marte (LF, Pirates) – 10: Matt Duffy (3B, Giants) – 7
Walks Drawn
AL: Carlos Santana (DH, Indians) – 23; Mike Trout (CF, Angels) – 21; Jose Bautista (RF-Blue Jays) – 19; George Springer (RF Astros) – 19
NL: Bryce Harper (RF, Nationals) – 31; Paul Goldschnidt (1B, Diamondbacks) – 24; Jonathan Villar (SS-Brewers) – 20
On the other side of the coin:
There were nearly two dozen players with at least 75 May plate appearances who hit under.200 – including Ryan Howard (Phillies), who went 7-for-69, averaging .101 for the month. A couple of first baseman named Chris finished atop of the strikeout list. Milwaukee 1B Chris Carter led the NL with 43 whiffs in May (to go with a .198 average, eight home runs and 16 RBI); while Orioles’ 1B Chris Davis fanned an AL-leading 42 times in May (.210-3-11).
BEST INDIVIDUAL PITCHING STATS FOR MAY
ERA (minimum 30 innings pitched)
AL: Rich Hill (A’s) – 2.13; Marco Estrada (Blue Jays) – 2.14; Martin Perez (Rangers) – 2.23
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) – 0.91; Madison Bumgarner (Giants) – 1.05; Steven Matz (Mets) – 1.26
Wins
AL: Joe Quintana (White Sox) … 5-0; Nathan Eovaldis (Yankees) … 5-0; Rich Hill (A’s) … 5-1
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) and Jose Fernandez (Marlins) … all at 5-0.
Strikeouts
AL: Danny Salazar (Indians) – 46 (in 37 1/3 IP); Justin Verlander (Tigers) – 46 (in 42 2/3 IP)
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) – 65 (in 49 2/3 IP); Max Scherzer (Nationals) – 60 in 42 1/3 IP);
Saves
AL: Francisco Rodriguez (Tigers), Luke Gregorson (Astros) and Zach Brzitton (Orioles) – 8 each
NL: Jake McGee (Rockies); Mark Melancon (Pirates); Jeanmar Gomez (Phillies); and Jeurys Familia (Mets) – all with 9
The other side of the coin:
Three pitchers took five losses in May: Michael Wacha of the Cardinals went 0-5, 6.75; Carlos Martinez of the Cardinals went 1-5, 5.18; and Taijuan Walker of the Mariners went 0-5, with a 4.91 ERA. Ubaldo Jimenez had an 8.28 ERA in six starts (one win and four losses) and tied for the AL lead in walks allowed (with the Orioles’ Chris Tillman) at 19. Alfredo Simon (Reds) had an ERA of 7.67 in five May starts (one win and two losses). Tom Koehler led MLB in walks allowed for the month, with 24 in 34 IP (six starts).
__________________________________________________
STATISTICAL LEADERS THROUGH MAY
Now let’s look at the statistical leaders on the season as a whole. A few observations: Nationals’ 2B Daniel Murphy continues to flirt with a .400 average (.397); the Rockies’ 3B Nolan Arenado, who led the NL in HR’s and RBI last season, is again atop the league in both categories; David Ortiz (.335-14-47) is proving that life may begin at 40; Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 1.56) and Jake Arrieta (9-0, 1.56), tied for MLB’s lowest ERA, are performing as advertised; the Marlins’ Jose Fernandez (8-2, 2.53. 96K in 67 2/3 innings) and A’s Rich Hill (8-3, 2.25) are catching a few people by surprise; and Robinson Cano (.291-15-45) is back.
BATTING LEADERS THROUGH MAY 31
Batting Average (150 plate appearances)
NL: Daniel Murphy (2B, Nationals) – .397; Ryan Braun (LF, Brewers) – .348; Ben Zobrist (2B, Cubs) – .345
AL: Xander Bogaerts (SS, Red Sox) – .350; Victor Martinez (DH, Tigers) – .343; Eduarado Nunez (SS, Twins) – .340
Home Runs
AL; Todd Frazier (3B, White Sox) – 16; Robinson Cano (2B, Mariners) – 15; Mark Trumbo (RF, Orioles) – 15
NL: Nolan Artenado (3B, Rockies) – 16; Yeonis Cespedes (CF, Mets) – 15; Trevor Story (SS, Rockies) – 14
RBI
AL: David Ortiz (DH, Red Sox) – 47; Robinson Cano (2B, Mariners) – 45; three with 40
NL: Nolan Arenado (3B, Rockies) – 43; Anthony Rizzo (1B, Cubs) – 37; Kris Bryant (3B, Cubs) – 37; Yoenis Cespedes (CF, Mets) – 37
Runs Scored
AL: Mookie Betts (RF, Red Sox) – 49; Ian Kinsler (2B, Tigers) – 44; Xander Bogaerts (SS, Red Sox) – 42
NL: Gregory Polanco (RF, Pirates) – 38; Ben Zobrist (2B, Cubs) – 37; Kris Bryant (3B, Cubs) – 37; Nolan Arenado (3B, Rockies) – 37
Stolen Bases
NL: Jonathon Villar (SS, Brewers) – 19; Starling Marte (LF Pirates) – 17; Melvin Upton, Jr. (LF, Padres) – 10; Billy Hamilton (CF, Reds) – 10
AL: Jose Altuve (2B, Astros) – 15; Billy Burns (CF, A’s) – 12; Rajai Davis (CF, Indians) – 11; Jacob Ellsbury (CF, Yankees) – 11
Walks Drawn
NL: Paul Goldschmidt (1B-Diamondbacks) – 49; Bryce Harper (RF, Nationals) – 48; ; Brandon Belt (1B, Giants) – 36
AL: Jose Bautista (RF, Blue Jays) – 40; Mike Trout (CF, Angels) – 35; Joe Mauer (1B, Twins) – 31; Carlos Santana (DH, Indians) – 31
On the other side of the coin:
The following players with at least 150 plate appearances are all hitting below the “Mendoza Line” (under .200): Ryan Howard (Phillies) – .154; Chris Coghlan (A’s) – .157; Yan Gomes (Indians) – .171; Derek Norris (Padres) – .179; Erik Aybar (Braves) – .182; Mark Teixeira (Yankees) – .190; Kendrys Morales (Royals) – .193; Prince Fielder (Rangers) – .194; Russell Martin (Blue Jays) – .197); Peter Bourjos (Phillies) – .199; Danny Espinoza (Nationals) – .199
In the strikeout race, only four players have whiffed 70 or more times: Trevor Story (Rockies) – 76K in 204 at bats; Justin Upton (Tigers) – 72 K in 184 at bats; Miguel Sano (Twins) – 71K in 179 at bats); Chris Davis (Orioles) – 70K in 185 at bats
BEST STATISTICS BY PITCHERS THROUGH MAY 31
ERA (at least 50 innings pitched)
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) – 1.56; Jake Arrieta (Cubs) – 1.56; Noah Syndergaard (Mets) – 1.84
AL: Jose Quintana (White Sox) – 2.13; Rich Hill (A’s) – 2.25; Chris Sale (White Sox) – 2.29
Wins
NL: Jakes Arrieta (Cubs) – 9-0; Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) – 9-0; Johnny Cueto (Giants) – 8-1; Jose Fernandez (Marlins) – 8-2
AL: Chris Sale (White Sox) – 9-1; Rich Hill (A’s) – 8-3; five with seven wins
Strikeouts
NL: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) – 105; Jose Fernandez (Marlins) – 96; Max Scherzer (Nationals) – 90; Stephen Strasburg (Nationals) – 90
AL: David Price (Red Sox) – 79; Justin Verlander (Tigers) – 77; Chris Sale (White Sox) – 76
Saves
NL: Jeanmar Gomez (Phillies) – 17; Jeurys Familia (Mets) – 17; Mark Melancon (Pirates) – 16; A.J. Ramos (Marlins) – 16
AL: Wade Davis (Royals) – 15; Francisco Rodriguez (Tigers) – 14; ; Zach Britton (Orioles) – 14
On the other side of the coin:
The leaders in losses are: Phil Hughes (Twins) 1-7; Jared Eickhoff (Phillies) 2-7; James Shields (Padres) 2-7; Drew Smyly (Rays) 2-7; Matt Harvey (Mets) 4-7. Six pitchers with at least fifty innings pitched have ERA’s over 6.00: Micheal Pineda (Yankees) – 6.92; Anibel Sanchez (Tigers) – 6.67; Wily Peralta (Brewers) – 6.51; Ubaldo Jiminez (Orioles) – 6.36; Jake Peavy (Giants) – 6.34; Clay Bucholz (Red Sox) – 6.24
______________________________________________________________
Now the Standings
MAY 31, 2016 STANDINGS (May W-L in parenthesis)
AL EAST
Red Sox 32-20 .615 … (18-10)
Orioles 28-22 .560 3.0 (14-13)
Blue Jays 28-26 .519 5.0 (17-12)
Yankees 24-27 .471 7.5 (16-13)
Rays 22-28 .440 9.0 (11-16)
AL CENTRAL
Royals 29-22 .569 … (17-11)
White Sox 28-25 .528 2.0 (11-17)
Indians 26-24 .520 2.5 (16-13)
Tigers 24-27 .471 5.0 (11-17)
Twins 15-36 .294 14.0 (8-19)
AL WEST
Rangers 31-21 .596 … (17-11)
Mariners 30-21 .588 0.5 (17-11)
Angels 24-28 .462 7.0 (13-15)
Astros 24-29 .431 7.5 (17-12)
A’s 24-29 .453 7.5 (11-17)
NL EAST
Nationals 32-21 .604 … (16-14)
Mets 29-22 .569 2.0 (14-15)
Marlins 27-25 .519 4.5 (15-14)
Phillies 26-26 .500 5.5 (12-16)
Braves 15-36 .294 16.0 (10-18)
NL CENTRAL
Cubs 35-15 .700 … (18-10)
Pirates 29-22 .569 2.0 (14-13)
Cardinals 28-25 .528 8.5 (16-13)
Brewers 23-29 .442 13.0 (15-14)
Reds 17-35 .327 19.0 (8-20)
NL WEST
Giants 33-21 .611 … (21-8)
Dodgers 28-25 .528 4.5 (16-12)
Rockies 24-27 .471 7.5 (13-15)
D-backs 23-31 .426 10.0 (11-17)
Padres 20-33 .377 12.5 (11-18)
__________________________________________________________
CATFISH HUNTER IMMORTALIZED IN SONG
Let’s wrap up the May Wrap Up with a musical interlude. May 24 happened to be Bob Dylan’s 75th birthday – and Dylan once immortalized A’s pitcher Catfish Hunter in song (a tune appropriately titled “Catfish,” recorded by Dylan and covered by Joe Cocker. And, here it is.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
