A busier than normal Monday slate featured several outstanding pitching performances, a returning hitter off to a powerful start, a returning pitcher exhibiting some rust and an offense continuing to inflict punishment.
Tanaka tosses fourth career shutout
The warm reception extended to Edwin Encarnacion in his New York Yankees review was overshadowed by the cheers for Masahiro Tanaka upon completion of his two-hit 3-0 blanking of the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx. DJ LeMahieu and Cameron Maybin provided the offense with a two-run and solo shot, respectively.
With Encarnacion now it tow and the impending returns of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, Maybin, along with Brett Gardner, will be relegated to reserve duties, getting a decent amount of late-inning action as defensive replacements. In addition, Clint Frazier has been sent to Triple-A, ostensibly to work on defense, but how much better can he get in the few weeks before the July 31 trading deadline?
Porcello outduels Berrios
In what could be a first-round October matchup if the Minnesota Twins maintain the AL’s best record and the Boston Red Sox survive the wild-card game, the defending champs bested the 2019 upstarts 2-0 behind a scoreless seven frames from Rick Porcello. Jose Berrios was the hard-luck loser, surrendering just a first-inning tally in his eight stanzas, fanning 10 along the way.
Noteworthy in this contest was Ryan Brasier returning to ninth inning duties with Colton Brewer handling eighth inning setup. Brandon Workman and Marcus Walden were unavailable after pitching in both weekend games. Curiously, Matt Barnes was left off Alex Cora’s pregame list of available relievers despite not working Sunday, though he did throw an excessive 26 pitches on Saturday. There’s a chance Boston acquires a conventional closer, but until then Barnes will continue to be deployed when outs are needed most while Alex Cora will mix-and-match around him.
Mikolas schools Fish
After the Miami Marlins plated five runs in five frames against Miles Mikolas in South Beach last time out, Mikolas enacted revenge with six scoreless frames in Busch Stadium. After catching the Senior Circuit off guard last season, Mikolas is having a rough go of it so far this season as the league has caught up and taking better advantage of mistakes. Mikolas has the control to keep any offense in check, but he works on a low margin of error, lacking the dominance to reach back for the punch out when necessary.
Jordan Hicks worked the ninth, albeit with a 5-0 lead so he wasn’t credited with a save. With Carlos Martinez getting closer to 100 percent, it will be interesting to see who settled in as the regular closer. Martinez has a pair of saves, the latest of the two-inning variety. It may be Martinez is used like Josh Hader last season, working multiple innings, staying in to work the ninth when the situation dictates it.
Lucchesi bottles up Brewers
San Diego Padres southpaw Joey Lucchesi stifled the Milwaukee Brewers, surrendering just three his and no runs in seven stanzas. Kirby Yates notched his 25th save, matching the Marlins in victories, while surpassing the wins totals for the Orioles (21) and Royals (24).
The plan for Chris Paddack remains unclear with Logan Allen expected to make his MLB debut tonight. Before Paddack took the Cactus League by storm, many expected Allen to make the Friars rotation. The 22-year-old lefthander may stick around, but it also could be a short stay with several impending off days on the Padres schedule. Allen’s first two starts for Triple-A El Paso were poor, but since then he’s registered a respectable 3.78 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 49 whiffs in 47 2/3 innings.
Just-in time
Justin Upton celebrated his long-awaited return for the Los Angeles Angles by rocketing the first pitch he saw over the left field fence, instigating a seven-run second inning in a 10-5 Halos victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in the Rogers Centre. Mike Trout again reinforced his fantasy dominance with a four-hit effort, featuring his 20th long ball.
Upton’s return sends Brian Goodwin to the bench while returning David Fletcher to full-time duty at the keystone. Fletcher’s return to the infield will eventually cut back Luis Rengifo’s playing time even more as Andrelton Simmons is due back sometime over the weekend.
Rangers spoil Clevinger’s return
Mike Clevinger still has some rust to knock off after being sidelined in early April as the Texas Rangers touched him up for five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Clevinger’s control was off, issuing three free passes but he encouragingly fanned seven. On the other side, Lance Lynn continued to turn in quality outings, working seven strong, allowing just one run on six hits, walking nobody while punching out 10.
Danny Santana continues his improbable campaign with his fifth homer and eighth stolen base. With Hunter Pence on the IL, Santana’s playing time is secure. Even when the pixie dust wears off, Santana’s running is a big boost in a season where stolen bases are at a premium.
Braves remain hot
Zack Wheeler’s woes continued as the Atlanta Braves crushed the New York Mets 12-3 in a game marred by a short sixth-inning rain delay. The break in the action resulted in Mike Soroka being lifted after throwing just 68 pitches. However, Braves manager Brian Snitker decided this was a good way to keep the righty’s workload in check as it would have been over 30 minutes between pitches for the prized rookie.
Atlanta’s offense was again powered by Ronald Acuna Jr. with his 17th homer as part of a 3-for-5 might, propelling his average over .300. Brian McCann and Albies also went deep for the victors. Lost in Acuna’s season-long exploits are nine pilfers, buoyed by a return to leadoff. The power-speed combo has Acuna Jr. firmly implanted as a top-10 overall fantasy player. If he can maintain an average in the neighborhood of .300, he’s top five.
Monday’s key transactions
The Philadelphia Phillies activated Roman Quinn from the IL and slotted him the six-hole, playing center field. The game was postponed, to be made up Wednesday, but it’s intriguing the Phillies put Quinn in center his first game back, pushing Maikel Franco to the bench.
The Rangers activated Willie Calhoun from the 10-day IL, putting him directly into the lineup, batting fifth and playing left field. Joey Gallo is supposed to play left when he returns, relegating Calhoun to designated hitter and reserve duties. Hunter Pence being sidelined helps, but when he returns, there’s going to be another glut of fly-chasers in Arlington.
Monday’s Injuries
The Phillies placed Jerad Eickhoff on the IL. It’s unclear who will take his spot in the rotation with Cole Irvin the leading candidate.
Welington Castillo was placed on the IL with Zack Collins promoted to back up James McCann. McCann will continue to play the bulk of the time. Collins is a minor-league on-base monster so he’s worth monitoring, especially in points leagues.
