Let’s go around Major League Baseball for three quick points followed by an update on the Nationals and Orioles. Tune in each Monday.
- Yankees back in First: The New York Yankees have been up and down this season. They’re currently back in first place in the American League East. The Devil Rays had their chance, the Blue Jays aren’t the same as last season, the O’s don’t have it and the Red Sox are a legitimate last place team. Yankees by default.
. - Schwarber Cools: Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber has fallen off his ridiculous homerun pace. He’s now tied for the league lead with Houston’s Yordan Alvarez with 24. Schwarber has struck out an incredible 104 times so far. It’s only June. The most times Tony Gwynn stuck out in one season was 40 and Joe Dimaggio struck out eight more times than homeruns hit. Analytics has changed the game.
. - Tartan Army invades Fenway: The Red Sox held a special Scottish night Sunday for the Scotland soccer fans who are in Boston for the World Cup. They really came out. Fans received a special Scotland/Red Sox soccer jersey. Or should I have said futbol?
Nationals (37-35): The Nationals have cracked the .500 mark. All up from here. They start this week at home against the Royals before heading down to Tampa to play the Devil Rays. Inter-league play is whack.
Orioles (34-39): Lost both series this week to Mariners and then the Padres, but those are good teams. O’s travel out west this week to play the Mariners again and then the Dodgers, two first place teams, so hard times ought to continue.