Baseball Roundtable

Apologies are in order.  I know Baseball Roundtable’s May Wrap Up is a day late, but I have a good excuse.  What’s better than writing about baseball?  Watching  it … and this weekend I am taking in the NCAA Regionals (first round) here at the Unviersity of Minnesota’s Siebert Field.  Side note: Gophers won their first game (against Coniscius by a 10-1 margin. Next up: UCLA.

Since I am a day late, I’ll try not to be a dollar short; and give you your money’s worth of observations  on MLB May baseball.  (Keep in mind, you are reading this  for free.)  It is a long post – 31 days of stats and highlights – but I think I’ve included a little something for everyone along the way. So, let’s get on with the traditional BBRT look at the stories and statistics that caught my eye in May.

TROT INDEX …

Through May 31, 35.0 percent of all MLB 2018 plate appearances have ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We are talking about strikeouts (we’ve still seen more strikeouts than base hits this season), home runs, walks and hit by pitch – all outcomes that are, bascially, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field (unless of course a hit batsman should charge the mound).  Even if you subscribe to the “fans love the long ball” theory (and take out home  runs), about one-of-three MLB plate appearances this season have ended  without a ball being put in play. 

Now, before we get into more detail, here are a few surface observations from May.

• The Giants’ Chris Stratton went 4-1 in May, with a 6.31 earned run average in six starts; while the Mets’ Jacob deGrom won only once in five starts (1-0), despite an MLB-best 0.69 May ERA. Does that seem fair.
• The Red Sox displayed power and speed in May – leading MLB in home runs for the month (50) and tying for the lead in stolen bases (22).
• The Nationals and Astros were the only teams  to record earned run averages under 3.00 for May – 2.51 and 2.82, respectively.
• No team recorded more  pinch-hit at bats in May then the Dodgers, with 58.  They delivered just 10 hits, for a .172 average.
• In May. three pitching staffs averaged 10+ strikeouts per nine innings (Red Sox – 10.13; Astros – 10.06); Yankees – 10.02). BBRT finds it interesting that they are all in the AL, where pitchers do not hit.
• Royals’ OF Jon Jay had the second most hits  in MLB in May (43 in 117 at bats – .368) – but did not hit a single home run. Jay, in fact, has the most at bats THROUGH MAY of any player without a roundtripper – 218. The 5′ 11, 195-pound left-handed hitter has 33 home runsin nine MLB seasons.
• Giants’ SS Brandon Crawaford, who hit just .189 in March/April, hit .412 in May. What a comeback!
• The Giants had MLB second-highest May batting average (.281 – only the Indians were higher at .283) adn second-most hits, but only managed to score the 11th most runs. (They were 23rd in home runs with 27.)
• Arizona hit just .193 at a team for May – the only team under  .200.

MORE ON BBRT’S CONTENTION THAT IN BASEBALL WE COUNT/TRACK “EVERYTHING.”

MLB.COM reports that, on May 31, when Indians SS Francisco Lindor rapped two home runs and two doubles (driving in four tallied) to help the Triube top the Twins 9-8, he made a little history – joining Rafael Palmeiro (1993(, Jim Edmonds (2003) and Adrian Beltre (2007) as the only players to have two games  with two home runs and two doubles in the same season.  Lindor also did it on May 12 – against the Royals.

Still not convinced we count everything?  Found this factoid in a trivia collection some time ago.  Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton, of the small hats and violent follow-through, holds the record for the most times having his hat fall of in a World Series game – 37.  Yep, it’s reported that somebody watched the film of Game Three of the 1964 Series, when Bouton and the Yankees topped the Cardinals 2-1, and counted.

 

Before we get into the standings, here’s BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY

AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

It was a close competition, but Indians’ SS Francisc0 Lindor gets the nod. Lindor put up a .382-10-23 stat line – good for the second-highest May AL average; third-most home runs; and seventh-most RBI. He also led the league in both runs scored (27) and base hits (44) for the month.

Other Contenders: 1) Red Sox’ RF Mookie Betts gets the nod.  Betts hit .372 for the month – and showed power and speed.  His nine May home runs tied for  fifth in the league and his ten stolen bases (in 11 attempts) were tops in the AL. Betts also scored 23 runs and drove in 19.  2) Indians’ LF Michael Brantley, who put up a .333-7-26 line for the month (the 26 May RBI led the AL) and scored 26 times. In addition, his May included a 19-game hitting streak.

AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … James Paxton, Mariners

The Mariners’ James Paxton went 3-0, 1.67 in six May starts – including a no-hitter (May 8) against the Blue Jays.  He was one of only four AL pitchers to strike out 50 or more batters in the month (his 51 whiffs in 43 innings were second only to the Red Sox’ Chris Sale) – and he walked just nine.  His numbers were similar to his  closest competition.  That no-hitter is what gave him a slight edge.  (Also, I was at the Twins’ Home Opener and was impressed at how stoically he handled “the eagle landing.”)

Other Contenders: 1) The Astros’ Justin Verlander pounded the strike zone in May – and he had to.  In six May starts, the Astros provided him with only 12 runs – and nine of those came in his final two appearances.  As a result, Verlander was only 3-2 for the month – despite the AL’s lowest May earned run average at 0.86.  He was also one of only four AL pitchers to fan fifty batters (41 2/3 innings) in the month – and he walked only seven. 2) Luis Severino of the Yankees went 4-0 in May, with a 2.03 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings to earn a spot here.

NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants

Wow!  This was a squeaker.  But you simply have to go with the guy who hit .400 for the month.  That would be Giants’ SS Brandon Crawford, who put up a .412-4-21 line and also rapped nine doubles and scored 16 runs. Crawford was held hitless in only four of 27 May games and had 13 multi-hit contests. Crawford would not have been considered a favorite for this recognition at the start of the month – he hit just .189 for March/April.

Other Contenders: BBRT’s other contenders were both Reds’ infielders.  1) Close behind Crawford was the Reds’ 2B Scooter Gennett, who hit .398, collected the NL’s fourth-most hits (37), popped eight home runs (third in the NL for May), drove in 24 (also third) and scored 16 runs.  2) Also in the running was Reds’  3B Eugenio Suarez, who led the NL with 29 May RBI – and also hit .296 with eight long balls. Ultimately, Crawford’s .400 won the day – or month.

NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … Max Scherzer, Nationals

Talk about consistent excellence! The National’s Max Scherzer came into May as the only MLB pitcher with five victories (5-1). He also had an NL-topping 57 strikeouts (39 innings) and a 1.62 earned run average in March/April.  In May, he continued his scorching pace, going 4-0, 2.21 in six starts, while leading led all of MLB with 63 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings (just ten walks).  What more can you say?

Other Contenders: 1) The Dodgers’ Ross Stripling earned a spot here on the basis of a May record of three wins and no losses, a 1.20 earned run average and 41 strikeouts against just four walks (in 30 innings). In his last three May starts, Stripling fanned 28 batters in 19 2/3 innings (two walks), gave up just two earned runs and picked up three victories. Not bad for a pitcher who started the season in the bullpen and had only one start before May 1. 2) Got to give a mention to the Braves’ Sean Newcomb, MLB’s only five-game winner in May (5-0) – who proved you don’t have to strike out nine-plus every nine innings to be effective.  Newcomb fanned 30 batters in 35 innings (16 walks), but gave up just 19 hits, for a 1.54 May ERA. 3)  Okay, they weren’t really in the running, but I have to give a nod here to Jacob deGrom who put up an MLB-low 0.69 ERA in five May starts, fanning 37 batters in 26 innings, but picked up just one win (in his five May starts, the Mets scored a total of nine runs) and the Phillies’ Jake Arrieta, who went just 2-1 in five May starts, despite a 0.90 ERA.

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With the monthly recognitions out of the way, let’s take a look at the standings and the best and worse team performance in May. Note:  If you are more interested in unique  plays and achievement, scroll down a bit to find them.

IF THE SEASON HAD ENDED MAY 31, YOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS WOULD BE …

American League: Red Sox, Indians, Astros. Wild Cards: Yankees; Mariners

National League: Braves, Brewers, Rockies. Wild Cards: Nationals, Phillies.

Note:  Full standings and month of May records can be found in a box, just before the year-to-date statistics. 

May was a big month for the Brewers and Nationals in the National League and the Red Sox, Yankees and Mariners over in the junior circuit.

THE BEST OF THE NL IN MAY

The Nats and Brew Crew were the only teams to win 19 games in May – going 19-7 and 19-8, respectively. The surge moved the Nationals from fourth place in the NL East (5 ½ games behind the Mets) to second place (just ½ game behind the Braves). The Mets who went 10-18 in May, fell to fourth.  The key to the Nationals’ NL-best record was pitching, as Washington recorded the NL’s lowest May ERA (2.51) – led by Max Scherzer (4-0, 2.21 in May); Gio Gonzalez (3-0, 1.47); Stephen Strasburg (4-1, 2.51); and Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 1.30); as well as eight saves and a 1.46 ERA from Sean Doolittle.     The Brewers’ ERA was a middle of the pack 3.76, but they scored the NL’s second-most May runs (132). Among the keys to the Brewers’ attack were Christian Yelich (.330-5-17, with a league-leading 22 runs scored); Jesus Aguilar (.272-8-22); and Travis Shaw (.261-8-22).

THE BEST OF THE AL IN MAY

In the AL, The Red Sox (21-7 in March/April) needed their 18-11 May to stay in front of the Yankees, who went 17-7. Boston ended May just 1 ½ game ahead of New York. The Mariners also won 18 games in May (11 losses), to move within a game of the Astros (16-12 in May). How did these teams do it? Like the Brewers in the NL, the Red Sox and Yankees had middle of the pack (7^th and 8^th) earned run averages, but they scored the second- and fourth-most runs in the AL. The Yankees got an unexpected boost from Gleyber Torres (.317-9-24 in May) and expected power from Aaron Judge (.266-8-22). The Red Sox offense was led by J.D. Martinez (.299 with a league-topping 13 home runs for the month); Mookie Betts (.372-9-19); and Andrew Benitendi. (349-6-23). The Mariners scored the AL’s ninth-most runs, but put up the league’s second-lowest ERA for the month (3.13). The Seattle staff was led in May by James Paxton (3-0, 1.67).  In addition, starters Wade LeBlanc and Marco Gonzalez – while only going 3-1 in a combined 11 starts – kept the Mariners in games with ERAs of 1.72 and 2.30, respectively,

EVERY COIN HAS TWO SIDES

At the wrong end of the May spectrum were four teams that failed to win ten games during the month: White Sox and D-backs (each 8-19) and Blue Jays and Orioles (each 9-19). The Orioles are the furthest out of any division race – 21 ½ games behind the Red Sox at the end of play May 31. The road to the bottom was paved, in great part, by pitching lapses.  The White Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles all put up May ERA’s over 5.00.  The D-backs bucked that trend, with a middle-of-the-road 3.87 May ERA, but they scored MLB fewest runs (77 in 27 games) and hit an MLB-low .193 for the month. Among the Arizona disappointments – Paul Goldschmidt (.144 in 97 at bats); Nick Ahmed (.146 in 89 at bats); and Chris Owings (.151 in 73 trips to the plate)

Here are the team stats for May – and a few BBRT observations.

TEAM STATISTICS (leaders) FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 120

AL: Indians (179); Red Sox (144); Astros (138)

NL: Cubs (144); Brewers (132); Braves (131)

The Diamondbacks scored an MLB-low 77 runs in May (27 games). The A’s  were at the bottom of the AL with 104.  Other teams scoring fewer than 100 runs over the month were the Marlins (96), Padres (97) and Mets (98).   Arizona was also the only team to hit under .200 – as a team – for the month, at an anemic .193).  Ouch!

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .248

AL: Indians (.283); Royals (.268); Red Sox (.264)

NL: Giants (.281); Cubs (.273); Brewers (.265)

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 33

AL: Red Sox (50); Indians (48); Yankees (47)

NL: Nationals (41); Brewers (37); Cubs (36)

The Marlins and D-backs were the most power-starved clubs in May  (22 home runs each). 

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 13

AL: White Sox, Mariners & Red Sox (22)

NL: Padres (19); D-backs & Rockies (18)

The Marlins stole only four bases in May (in nine attempts), MLB’s lowest total number  of  steals and second-worst success rate (44.4 percent). Oakland swiped the fewest bags in the AL (5) and A’s runners  were caught ten times for a 33.3 percent success rate. 

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 232

AL: Rangers (292); Blue Jays (271); A’s (260)

NL: Giants (261); D-backs (255); Padres (249)

The Angels and Rays led MLB in grounding into double plays in May at 32 each. Saint Louis led in in sacrifices (not sacrifice flies) with 16. The Mets had zero successful sacrifice hits in May.  

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 88

AL: Angels (124); Rangers (101); Indians (98)

NL: Cubs (122); Braves (103); Dodgers (97)

The Phillies, Cubs and Marlins tied for the MLB lead in May pinch hits (13), while the Orioles topped the major leagues with a .556 pinch-hiting average for the month (5-for-9). Rangers’ pinch-hitters logged seven at bats – and seven outs.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.05

AL:  Astros (2.82); Mariners (3.13); Rays (3.39)

NL:  Nationals (2.51); Phillies (3.00); Dodgers (3.10)

Six teams finished May with ERA’s north of 5.00: the Giants (5.39); Blue Jays (5.35); Royals (5.19); Marlins (5.13); Orioles (5.08); White Sox (5.07). 

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 232

AL:  Red Sox (295); Astros (282); Indians (258)

NL: Dodgers (273); Nationals (260); Phillies (246)

Astros’ pitchers racked up May’s best strikeout-to-walk ratio at 4.15.  They had MLB’s second-most  strikeouts and second-fewest  walks for the month.

SAVES … MLB Average – 7

AL: Red Sox (12); A’s (10); three with nine

NL: Padres (11); Dodgers & Nationals (10)

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Now let’s take a look at some plays and achievements that caught BBRT’s eye.

—–A FEW HIGLIGHTS FROM MAY—-

Pujols Joins an Elite Club

On May 3, as the Angels topped Seattle 5-0, Albert Pujols collected his 3,000th MLB hit – a fifth-inning single. The safety made him one of just four MLB players to collect both 3,000 hits and 600 home runs.  Pujols joins Hank Aaron (3,771 hits, 755 home runs); Willie Mays (3,283 hits and 660 home runs); and Alex Rodriguez (3,115 hits and 696 home runs) in that elite club.  Note:  3,000 hits seem the most attainable of those two landmark numbers: 32 Players have reached 3,000 or more hits, while just nine have hit 600 or more home runs.

The Hit Man Retires

On May 3, the Seattle Mariners announced the Ichiro Suzuki was transitioning to a front office role – retiring a swing that had produced 3,089 MLB hits, two batting titles and the AL Rookie of the Year AND Most Valuable Player Award in 2001.  Ichiro was a ten-time All Star, ten-time Gold Glover and started his MLB career with a record  ten consecutive seasons of 200 or more safeties (leading the league in hits seven times). He also holds the MLB record for hits in a season with 262 (in 2004).  He career MLB average was .311 with a high of .372 in 2004. Before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2001 (at age 27), Ichiro was a star in Japan – collecting 1,278 hits and winning seven batting titles in nine seasons (a .353 average)

 

 

Scooter Gennett – a Pretty FOUR-tunate Guy

Last season, as you may recall, Reds’ 2B Scooter Gennett tied an MLB record by homering four times in one game (for the full story on that game, click here). He also hit four Grand Slams in 2017 – joining Lou Gehrig as the only two players to have a four-homer game and four “four-run” round trippers in the same season. This season, when Reds’ fans often have little to cheer “for,” Gennett gave them a boost by homering in four straight games – May 7-10.  In that streak Gennett went 10-for-17 (.588), with two doubles, four home runs, ten RBI and six runs scored.  Surprisingly, he did not draw a single walk (nor did he strikeout) over the four contests  All BBRT can say is “Four goodness sakes!”

OH No-No, You Don’t

On May 4, Dodger pitchers threw just the 12th “combined” no-hitter in MLB history – as Dodger hurlers Walker Buehler (six innings), Tony Cingrani (one inning); Yimi Garcia (one inning); and Adam Liberatore (one inning) held the Padres hitless in a 4-0 win.  For more on combined no-hitters, click here.

James Paxton Finishes What He Starts – For the First Time – in a Big Way

On May 8, Seattle southpaw James Paxton (in his sixth MLB season) pitched his first-ever MLB complete game – and he made it count.  Not only did he top the Blue Jays 5-0, his gem was also the third no-hitter of thee 2018 MLB season. Paxton also became just the second Canadian-born major leaguer to throw an MLB no-hitter and the first to do so in Canada.  Paxton used just 99 pitches, the 12th no-hitter under 100 pitches thrown since pinch-count data is considered complete and accurate (1988).  For more on hurlers who first complete game was a no-hitter, click here. 

 

Persistence – This Mann Has It

In June 2002, 18-year-old southpaw Brandon Mann was selected by Tampa Bay in the 27th round of the MLB draft.  In 16 professional seasons, Morrow played for 17 different teams at pretty much every level except the major leagues – both in the U.S. and Japan.  He pitched 1,270 2/3 minor, independent and foreign league innings, with a 4.35 earned run average. Finally, on May 13 of this season – just three days shy of his  34th birthday, Mann “got the call.” He made his MLB debut for the Rangers against the Astros on May 13, with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.  He appeared again on May 15 and May 19 – each time tossing 1 2/3 scoreless frames.  Mann was optioned back to Triple A Round Rock on May 24. His career MLB stats, so far, three games, five innings, two hits, two walks, one strikeout and 0.00 earned run average. My guess, he’ll be back.

Save the Last Dance (or inning)  for Me – I’m Kinda in a Hurry

On May 5, Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel did what he does best – closed the door on a ball game. He came into the contest in the bottom of the ninth, with the Red Sox leading the Rangers 6-5.  He  used eleven pitches to induce a foul pop out from  3B Renato Nunes and swinging strikeouts by C Robinson  Chirinos and pinch-hitter Ronald Guzman.    It was Kimbrel’s 300th save – making him the youngest pitcher to achieve 300 saves (29), as well as the quickest in terms of appearances (494) and save opportunities (330).

 

Don’t Worry, I’ll Make Up For It

On May 11,  Red Sox C Sandy Leon came to the plate in the  top of the fourth with the Red Sox/Blue Jays game tied at two runs each, Red Sox’ 2B Brock Holt on first and two out. Leon swung and missed a change up from Jays’ pitcher Aaron Sanchez.  The ball got by catcher Luke Maile (passed ball) and Leon sprinted toward first. Maile recovered the horsehide and fired to first – well, actually fired into right field. On the play, Holt scored all the way from first base to give the Sox the lead – and Leon made it into third.

Maile, however, made up for his double miscue.  The 24-year-old rookie had already driven in one of the Blue Jays’ first two tallies with a second-inning single. In the seventh, with Toronto trailing 3-2. Maile hit his first MLB home run (with two out and no one on) to tie the game.  It came off Red Sox’ ace Chris Sale. Later, with one on and no one out in the bottom of the twelfth, Maile hit his second home run of the game – and second of his career – for a walk-off 5-3 Toronto victory.  I doubt if anyone (until now) even remembered that passed ball and errant throw.

Mariners’ backstop David Freitas was not so lucky.   On May 16, he let a third strike (from pitcher Marc Rzepczynski – had to get that name in this post somewhere – past the Rangers’ Ronald Guzman) get by him.  There were two out and the bases were loaded, with the Rangers ahead 1-0.  As Freitis retrieved the (passed) ball and fired (late) to first baseman Ryon Healy, Rangers’ SS Jurickson Profar (who had been on third) scored.  Seeing the throw to first, Texas’ 3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa (who had been on second) rounded third and beat the throw home – giving Texas two runs on a strikeout.  The Rangers won 5-0 and Freitas went zero-for-three.

Merry-Go-Round the Bases (More of “We track everything.’)

On May 14, the Brewers’ Tyler Saladino was called on to pinch hit for pitcher Josh Hader with two out and one on in the top of the ninth (the Brewers were leading 5-2 at the time).   It was Saladino’s first home run since August 29, 2016 – a span of 96 games played – and it was also his first-ever inside-the-park round tripper. It was also the Brewers’ first-ever pinch-hit inside-the-parker.

What Goes Down Must Come Up … If You Are Jose Altuve

If you are Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve – coming off your fourth straight season of 200 or more base hits (leading the league in each campaign) – slumps, even mini-slumps, are a rarity.  So, there was a bit of surprise in the Houston dugout when Altuve went without a hit from the fourth inning of a May 23 game against the Giants through the sixth inning of a May 25 game versus the Indian – a stretch of 11 at bats, during which he dropped his average from .318 to .301. During the negative streak, he logged six ground ball outs, two fly outs and two strikeouts. Note: Altuve collected 845 hits in the four seasons from 2014 to 2017, leading the league in hits every year and winning three batting titles.

When you are as good as Altuve, what goes down must come up. Altuve doubled in the eighth inning of that May 25^th game – and went on to record hits in his next nine at bats (through the eighth inning of a May 27 game against the Indians). He was finally stopped on a spectacular catch by Indians’ CF Rajai Davis in the final inning of that May 26 contest.  During the streak, Altuve collected four singles, three doubles, one triple and one home run.  He scored six runs, drove in six and raised his average from .301 to .333.

The record for most consecutive base hits is 12 – shared by Walt Dropo of the Giants (1952) and Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox (1938).  Dropo’s record came in 12 consecutive plate appearances, while Higgins streak was interrupted by two walks (which do not count as at bats).

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May 26 — The Hall of Fame Classic

May 26 marked the Tenth Annual MLB Hall of Fame Classic – played at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York.  The contest featured two teams made up of retired MLB players – The Knucksies, managed by Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers and the Wizards, managed by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.  (HOFers Goose Gossage, Eddie Murray, Gaylord Perry and Tim Raines served as coaches.)  Each MLB team had a (retired) player-representative on the rosters.

The Knucksies prevailed by a 6-0 scored, with  Shane Victorino collecting two hits, scoring one run, driving in two and earning the Bob Feller Player of the Game Award.  A.J. Pierzynski won this year’s Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby.

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Verlander Fans Ohtani for 2,500th Career Whiff

No doubt, Astros’ starter Justin Verlander is having a great season – at the close of May he was 7-2, with an MLB-low 1.11 earned run average and 98 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings.  Along the way, on May 16, he also notched a landmark strikeout – number 2,500 of this career – during a five-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels.  The victim was the Angels’ star rookie pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and it came as Ohtani – who was zero-for-four with three whiffs against Verlander – led off the ninth with the Angels down 2-0.  For the day, Verlander went the distance, giving up five hits and one walk, while fanning seven.

After the Angels’ much-publicized Japanese league star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani put up a 27.00 earned run average and .125 batting average in Spring Training, skeptics predicted a long adjustment to the Major Leagues.  Oops!  Through May, only eight players with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position were hitting over .400 in those situations. One of them was Ohtani – at .417.  Through May, he is hitting  .292 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 31 games.  As a pitcher, his March-May numbers are 4-1, 3.18 in eight start. 

 

All You Need it Glove

On Friday May 18, Pirates’ pitcher Ivan Nova deftly handled a comebacker to the mound off the bat of the Padres’ Freddy Galvis.  Only one problem, when he went to make the throw to first, the ball was stuck in his glove.  As the video shows – no problem.

Choo-sing the Right Time to Go Deep

On May 26, Rangers’ DH Shin-Soo Choo hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Rangers a 4-3 win over Kansas City. Not only was it a game winner, it was Choo’s 176^th MLB round tripper – the most ever for an Asian-born player. (Choo had been tied with Hideki Matsui at 175.)

Taking One (or more positions) For the Team

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?  Blue Jays 35-year-old catch Russell Martin is in his 15^th major league season.  Going into this year, he had started 1,384 games at catcher, 23 at designated hitter, 19 at 3B and one in right field.  This May, Martin started 13 games at catcher; three games at 3B (May 9, 12 and 18); and notched his first-ever game starts at shortstop (May 26) and left field (May 28).

In another “old dogs and new tricks” move, on May 27, the San Francisco Giants gave 3B Pablo Sandoval his first-ever start at second base. – where he recorded one putout and two assists, with no miscues.  Over 11 seasons, Panda has made 947 starts at 3B, 67 at 1B, 14 at DH, 12 at catcher and, now, one at the keystone sack. This follows his first-ever appearance on the mound (April 28), when he threw a 1-2-3 ninth in a Giants 15-9 loss to the Dodgers.  By the way, Sandoval currently has an earned run average of 0.00 and a fielding average at second base of 1.000.

SERIOUS IN SEATTLE

The Seattle Mariners, off to one of the strongest starts in franchise history, let the competition know they are serious about contending in 2018. On May 25, the Mariners made the first major 2018 in-season plunge into the trade market – acquiring veteran outfielder Denard Span and relief Alex Colome from the Rays for pitchers Tommy Romero (3-3., 2.45 at Class A Clinton) and Andrew Moore (1-5, 5.34 for Seattle).

BBB – Brantley Be Back

Indians’ LF Michael Brantley put together an 18-game hitting streak (May 9-May 30) – going 30-for-82 (.366), with three doubles, six home runs, 19 RBI and 21 runs scored.  Coming off a pair of shoulder surgeries that limited him to 101 games in 2016-17, it’s good to see Brantley back in top form.

Cycling Your Way to the Top

Ronny Rodriguez was tearing it up for the Toledo Mudhen (Detroit system) at Triple A this season. The 26-year-old Toledo third baseman was hitting .318-8-35 in 48 games.  And, on May 30 – as Toledo downed Syracuse 12-7 – Rodriguez hit for the cycle: double in the first, homer in the third, single in the sixth and the sundae-topping triple in the ninth. How did he celebrate? A major league call up, his first MLB start and two hits for the Tigers the very next day.

Going to the Matt for your Pitcher

On May 30, as Oakland downed Tampa Bay 7-3, three A’s homered in support of starter Daniel Mengden – 1B MATT Olson; 3B MATT Chapman; LF MATT Joyce.

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—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR MAY—

BATTING AVERAGE (75 or more plate appearances)

AL:  Jean Segura, Mariners (.382); Francisco Lindor, Indians (.373); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.372)

NL: Brandon Crawford, Giants (412); Scooter Gennett, Reds (.398); Nick Markakis, Braves (.362)

The lowest May average among players with at least 75 plate appearances in the month  belonged to the Angels’ Kole Calhoun at .108 (8-for-74). Miami’s Lewis Brinson had the lowest NL May average (same qualifiers) at .137 (13-for-95). Twenty-six players who notched 75 or more May plate appearances hit under .200 for the month – the list included such unexpected names as Paul Goldschmidt (.144); Didi Gregorius (.151); Rhy Hoskins (.161); Cody Bellinger (.180); and Carlos Correa (.192). 

HOME RUNS

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (13); Jose Ramirez, Indians (11); two with ten

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (10); Matt Adams, Nationals (9); four with 8.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Michael Brantley, Indians (26); Salvador Perez, Royals, J.D. Martinez, Red Sox & Jose Ramirez, Indians (25)

NL: Eugenio Suarez, Reds (29); Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (28); Scooter Gennett Reds (24)

The Royals’ Salvador Perez drove in 25 runs in May, despite a .232 batting average – the second lowest May average among the 28 players who drove in 20 or more runs.  The lowest?  The Nationals’ Bryce Harper at .223.

RUNS SCORED

AL: Francisco Lindor, Indians (27); Mike Trout, Angels, Michael Brantley, Indians & Jose Ramirez, Indians (26)

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies &  Christian Yelich, Brewers (22); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (21)

HITS

AL: Francisco Lindor, Indians (44); Jon  Jay, Royals & Eddie Rosario, Twins (43)

NL: Brandon Crawford, Giants & Nick Markakis, Braves (42); Freddie Freeman, Braves (39)

Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez of the Indians tied for the MLB extra-base hit lead in May (23) – with Lindor having the edge in total bases 87 to 81. 

STOLEN BASES

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (10); Whit Merrifield, Royals (8); three with seven

NL: Travis Jankowski, Padres (7); Jose Peraza, Reds (6); three with five

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Joey Gallo, Rangers (46); Chris Davis, Orioles  & Mike Zunino, Mariners (39)

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (35); Michael Taylor, Nationals (34); Ronald Acuna,  Braves (33)

WALKS DRAWN

AL:  Mike Trout, Angels (30); Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers (21); Justin Smoak, Blue Jays (20)

NL: Justin Bour, Marlins (23); Johan Carmargo, Braves (19); Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (18)

Among players with at least 75 May plate appearance, the Angels’ Andrelton Simmons had – far and away – the best walks-to-strikeouts ratio at six-to-one. In 121 plate appearances, he drew 12 walks and only fanned twice. Anthony Rizzo was second at 1.80 – 18 walks versus ten whiffs.

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL:  Luis Severino, Yankees (4-0); Corey Kluber, Indians, Alex Claudio, Rangers & Daniel Mengden, A’s (4-1)

NL:  Sean Newcomb, Braves (5-0); Max Scherzer, Nationals (4-0); five at 4-1

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 May innings)

AL:  Justin Verlander, Astros (0.86); Daniel Mengden, A’s (1.51); James Paxton, Mariners (1.67)

NL:  Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.69); Jake Arrieta, Phillies (0.90); Ross Stripling, Dodgers (1.20)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 May innings or four May starts belongs to the Reds’ Homer Bailey – six May starts and a 9.76 ERA in 27 2/3 innings.

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Chris Sale, Red Sox (59 – 40 innings pitched); James Paxton, Mariners (51 – 43 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (50 – 41 2/3 IP) & Luis Severino (50 – 40 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (63 – 40 2/3 IP); Aaron Nola, Phillies (46 – 40 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (43 – 35 1/3 IP)

Among pitchers with at least 20 inning pitched in May, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.94, followed by the Red Sox’ Chris Sale at 13.28 and Astros’ Gerrit Cole at 13.09.

SAVES

AL:  Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (11); Blake Treinen, A’s (10); Shane Greene, Tigers (9)

NL: Brad Hand, Padres (11); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (9); two with eight

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Ryan Pressley, Twins & Joe Jimenez, Tigers (16); four with 15

NL: Andrew Chafin, D-backs & Wandy Peralta, Reds (15); four with 14

Joe Kelly of the Red Sox topped MLB in “holds” in May, with nine.  Kelly tossed 14 1/3 innings (14) games, gave up just five hits (also five walks) and one run, while fanning 17. He notched three wins (no losses), one save and nine holds.  A pretty busy month. 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

—–LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS –  YEAR-TO-DATE (through May 31)—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 245

AL: Red Sox (303); Yankees (299); Astros (287)

NL: Braves (282); Cubs (277); Pirates (265)

The Marlins scored an MLB-low 192 runs through May – the only team under 200 tallies.

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .246

AL: Red Sox (.267); Rays (.261); Mariners (.259)

NL: Braves (.264); Cubs (.263); Giants (.260)

The Diamondbacks had the lowest team batting average through May (.202); while the Blue Jays held the AL’s bottom spot at .228.

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 62

AL: Yankees (87); Indians (84); Red Sox (82)

NL: Nationals (72); Brewers (69); Rockies (68)

The Marlins and Tigers were the most power-starved clubs through May, with 42 and 48 homers, respectively.  No other teams were under 50.  

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 28

AL: White Sox (47); Mariners & Red Sox (39)

NL: Nationals (43); Brewers (40); Braves (37)

The A’s not only stole the fewest bases through May (11), they also had the worst success rate at 47.8 percent (tossed out twelve times in 23 attempts.) Compare that to the Angels – caught just five times in 37 attempts for an MLB-best 86.6 percent success rate. 

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 477

AL: Rangers (573); A’s (512); Orioles (511)

NL: Padres (558); Giants (528); Phillies (523)

The best teams, through May, with runners in scoring position? The Red Sox (.289 average) and, in the NL, the Braves (.281). The other side of that coin? The D-backs (.211) and Rangers (.212).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.08

AL:  Astros (2.67); Red Sox (3.58); Angels (3.80)

NL:  Nationals (3,23); Cubs (3.29); Phillies (3.40)

Two teams carried ERA’s over 5.00 through May: the Royals (5.26) and White Sox (5.13). Those two squads are a combined 37 games under.500. 

PITCHERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 477

AL:  Astros (598); Red Sox (563); Yankees (531)

NL: Dodgers (558); Nationals (544); ; Mets (503)

Through May, the Astros were averaging an MLB-tops 10.31 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, eight teams averaged at least one whiff per nine frames through May 31. 

SAVES … MLB Average – 14

AL: Red Sox (21); Mariners (20); Rays (15)

NL: Rockies (19); Nationals (18); Brewers, Mets & Padres (17)

The Red Sox and the Padres topped MLB in successful save opportunity conversion percentage through May at 80.8 and 80.0 percent, respectively. The Tigers were at the bottom at 53.9 percent (14 saves, 12 blown saves).

The best bullpen earned run average went to the Brewers at 2.45; while the Indians’ pen had an MLB-high 6.13 ERA through May.  

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 185

AL: Indians (139); Astros (143); Mariners (157)

NL: Nationals (159); Dodgers (165): Pirates (166)

No team hit more batter than the Rangers through May – 42  – followed by the White Sox and Mariners (30).  The A’s led MLB in wild pitches through May (39), while the Pirates sat atop the NL (33). The Mets staff has launched an MLB-low nine wild pitches. 

FEWEST ERRORS IN THE FIELD … MLB average – 31

AL: Astros (16); Royals (21); Angels (24)

NL: Rockies & D-backs (18); Nationals (27)

The Rangers (50) and Giants (45) made the most errors through May. 

 

__________________________________________

—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR YEAR TO DATE (throggh May 31)—

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL:  Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.359); Jean Segura, Mariners (.339); Jose Altuve, Astros (.338)

NL: Matt Kemp, Dodgers (.343); Scooter Gennett, Reds (.343); Nick Freddie Freeman, Braves (.335);

The lowest average (through May) among qualifying players belonged to the Angels’ Kole Calhoun at .145 (25-for-173).  The Marlins’ Lewis Brinson had the lowest average in the NL at .152 (29-for-19).  Eleven qualifying players had averages below “The Mendoza Line” (under .200). 

 HOME RUNS

AL: Mike Trout, Angels, J.D. Martinez, Red Sox & Jose Ramirez, Indians (18)

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (18); Chris Villanueva, Padres (15); Ozzie Albies, Braves (14).

Among players with at least 100 plate appearances through May, Bryce Harper of the Nationals  had the best at bat/home run  ratio at 10.7; while the Red Sox’ Mookie Betts  was the best in the AL at 10.8. 

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (47); Manny Machado, Orioles (45); two with 41

NL: Javier Baez & Eugenio Suarez, Reds (43); two with 40

Among players with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, the Braves’ Freddie Freeman had the best average through May at .447 (21-for-47). The Orioles’ Manny Machado topped the AL in this category at .417. 

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (52); Mike Trout, Angels (47); Francisco Lindor, Indians (44)

NL: Ozzie Albies, Braves (49); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (44); Tommy Pham, Cardinals (39)

HITS

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros (80); Jean Segura, Mariners (76); three with 71

NL: Nick Markakis, Braves (74); Freddie Freeman, Braves & Scooter Gennett, Reds (71)

The Angels’ Mike Trout had an MLB-best .444 on base percentage through May (among qualifiers); while the Braves’ Freddie Freeman topped the NL at .435.

STOLEN BASES

AL: Dee Gordon, Mariners (16); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (13); four with 12

NL: Ender Inciarte, Braves (18); Trea Turner, Nationals (16); Michael Taylor, Nationals (13)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

 AL:  Joey Gallo, Rangers (82); Chris Davis, Orioles (72); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (71)

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (71); Lewis Brinson, Marlins (66); two with 65

WALKS DRAWN

 AL:  Mike Trout, Angels (50); Aaron Judge, Yankees (43); Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers (33)

 NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (47); Freddie Freeman, Braves, Cesar Hernandez, Phillies & Justin Bour, Marlins (37)

You want a piece of me?   Apparently not.  Freddie  Freeman (Braves); Bryce Harper (Nationals); and Manny Machado (Orioles) shared the MLB lead in intentional walks through May at eight each.  

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL:  Luis Severino, Yankees (8-1); Corey Kluber, Cleveland (8-2); six with seven

NL:  Max Scherzer, Nationals (9-1); Aaron Nola, Phillies (7-2); seven with six

What ever happened to finsihing the job?  There have been only 19 complete games thrown through May – with the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco and Mariners’ James Paxton leading the way with two each. What do you have to do to avoid the manager’s hook?  Twelve of the 19 complete games were shutouts.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL:  Justin Verlander, Astros (1.11); Corey Kluber, Indians (2.02); Gerrit Cole, Astros (2.05)

NL:  Jacob deGrom, Mets (1.52); Max Scherzer, Nationals (1.92); Gio Gonzalez, Nationals (2.10)

STRIKEOUTS

AL:  Gerrit Cole, Astros (109 – 74 2/3 IP); Chris Sale, Red Sox (104 – 75 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (98 – 81 1/3 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (120– 79 2/3 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (98 – 75 1/3 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets (85 – 65 1/3 IP)

Among pitchers with at least 40 inning pitched through May, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.46 (120 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innnings).  Using the 40-inning qualifier, the Indians’ Corey Kluber had the best strikeouts per walk ratio at 9.35 (88 strikeouts versus 10 walks).  

SAVES

AL:  Edwin Diaz, Mariners (19); Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (18); two with 13

NL: Wade Davis, Rockies (18); Brad Hand, Padres (17); Jeurys Familia, Mets (14)

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Joe Jimenez, Tigers (30); Ryan Pressley, Twins (29); Edwin Diaz, Mariners (29)

NL: Bryan Shaw, Rockies & Wandy Peralta, Reds (30); Sammy Solis (Nationals (29)

—-AND THAT’S THE MAY WRAP UP – HOPE YOU MADE IT THIS  FAR!—-

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