A few days late, but the numbers are current as of Tuesday June 5th, before the action begins. Hope everyone is having a great start to their week! Enjoy!
Wins
AL – NYY Luis Severino (9)
Finally, one pitcher pulls away in the AL. Granted it’s only a one game lead, Severino has been overpowering in his two previous starts. Against an impressive Astros lineup, he went 7.0 innings and struck out 11 in a 5-3 victory. Followed that performance with an 8.0 inning and 10 strike out victory over the Tigers.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – CLE Corey Kluber
Tied with Sevy for basically the entirety of the season, it would be no surprise to see Hans Kluber, super villain of all opponents, and former two-time Cy Young winner back in a tie. He is capable of winning any time he’s in Nakatomi Plaza AKA the mound.
NL – WSH Max Scherzer (9)
Seen most recently in a “Let’s go Caps” chant supporting the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup run. Not into hockey? Maybe you saw him pinch hit and score the game winning run in 14. Either way, Blue Eye is crazy, and in a good way. 8.0 inning, two-hit, 12 K’s in a win over Baltimore on May 30th. Ranks first in SIERA at 2.26 and third in xFIP at 2.62.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – PHI Aaron Nola
A-A-Ron “Don’t call me New Orleans” Nola is quietly having a fantastic season, overshadowed by Scherzer. 7-2 record winning four in the month of May.
Saves
AL – SEA Edwin Diaz (21)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – BOS Craig Kimbrel
NL – COL Wade Davis (18)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – SD Brad Hand
Strikeouts
AL – HOU Gerrit Cole (116)
Second in K/9 at 12.78 and K% 38.2, trailing only King of K Scherzer.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – BOS Chris Sale
The Condor has found his prey in his former White Sox for Friday in an attempt to catch Gerrit Cole. A tough task to meet him, but look for him to either stay close, or gain some ground.
NL – WSH Max Scherzer (120)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – NYM Jacob deGrom
Ohhh, that career high 13 K game was nice! He was part of a New York Mets record breaking night IN A LOSS as they struck out 24 Cubs, in a losing 14 inning effort.
ERA
AL – HOU Justin Verlander (1.24)
Is he still with Kate Upton? Must be because he’s still pitching like a boss! Giving up the lowest BABIP in all of baseball at .209.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – CLE Corey Kluber
NL – NYM Jacob deGrom (1.49)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – WSH Max Scherzer
WHIP
AL – HOU Justin Verlander (0.72)
See BABIP in ERA section. He limits baserunners, while also topping the league in IP at 87.2. He is walking less than two hitters per game at 1.75.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – Gerrit Cole
NL – WSH Max Scherzer (0.55)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – PHI Aaron Nola
Runs
AL – BOS Mookie Betts/LAA Mike Trout (52)
Still the 2018 GOAT! .488 wOBA and one of the most important players to a team with a WAR of 4.2. He creates so many opportunities with the extra base hits and a wRC+ of 212. The only qualified hitter with a SLG% above .700 and great hitters behind him in the lineup. This Boston lineup was built to score runs with Mookie leading the charge.
Favorite in the Group – BOS Mookie Betts
Waiting in the Weeds – HOU George Springer
NL – ATL Ozzie Albies (50)
Struggling a bit as of late gives NL hitters an opportunity to catch Albies, but the great start has allowed him to hold the lead. He only has 5 runs in his last 12 games and a weak series against Washington going 0-14 with no walks.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – COL Charlie Blackmon
Homeruns
AL – LAA Mike Trout/BOS J.D. Martinez (19)
Favorite in the Group – LAA Mike Trout
This may sound crazy going against J Dong here, but after leaving Sunday’s game with back spasms, only time will tell how effective he is. Until then, Trout is the favorite to take over the lead with more plate appearance opportunities.
Waiting in the Weeds – BAL Manny Machado
NL – WSH Bryce Harper (18)
Most likely upset with his teammates Scherzer and Ryan Zimmerman for supporting the Washington Capitals while his Vegas Golden Knights are down 3-1 in the NHL Stanley Cup. Safe to say he’s taking his anger out on the baseball with 10.2 Brls/PA and hitting the ball with a velocity of 95+ mph 48.4% of the time.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – SD Christian Villanueva
RBIs
AL – BOS J.D. Martinez (50)
Keep an eye on J.D. with his recent back spasms.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – BAL Manny Machado
Second in baseball in exit velocity 95+ mph 94 times. Currently on a seven game hit streak and three home runs in his last four games.
NL – CHC Javier Baez (45)
Javy is still being, mostly Javy. Flashing the leather in the field, running wild on the base baths stealing home the other night. His K% is the lowest of his career at 23.4%. When he stays patient and doesn’t try to hit every ball 700 ft, he becomes a dangerous hitter. Joe Maddon has been quoted saying “The moment he lays off the down and away slider, he’s Manny Ramirez.” Is Maddon crazy, YES, but hopefully he’s right!
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – CIN Eugenio Suarez
Stolen Bases
AL – SEA Dee Gordon (19)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – KC Whit Merrifield
NL – ATL Ender Inciarte (18)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – WSH Trea Turner
Batting Average
AL – BOS Mookie Betts (.359)
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – DET Nick Castellanos
NL – LAD Matt Kemp (.344)
Don’t call it a come back, but Matt Kemp looks like his former self with a slight career high in AVG. The question will be, at 33 years old, can he sustain it? The OPS is there at .949 and making a ton of hard contact 48.2% of the time.
Favorite in the Group – N/A
Waiting in the Weeds – CIN Scooter Gennett
