The MLB Week That Was, April 23
Each week, I will try to do an MLB week-in-review (sorta) and just catch up on the key stories that have gone around in the week and just get my input on them. I don't know what format I will do it, but maybe just a top 5 story bit or whatever. I am not sure. But let's see how it goes.
1. BRYCE HARPER IS FINALLY MATURING: I had thought to this point in Harper's career that he has been more hype than actual hope. That is changing. Largely last year when pitchers pitched him the way pitchers pitched Barry Bonds, walking him religiously to take the bat out of his hands. Bonds never seemed to mind being walked as he knew at some point he'd burn you. Harper and his mentality wanted to make sure he hurt you any chance he got and it hurt him and really the Nationals (despite winning the division in 2016) as his numbers fell. This year, he seems to be fine with the idea of taking first base on 4 pitches, because he knows he will get a chance to burn his opponent. So far he is an obvious early MVP candidate.........which brings me to my next story:
2. POOR DECISIONS HAVE COST TWO BASEBALL STARS A GOOD CHUNK OF THE SEASON: I mean Starling Marte and Madison Bumgarner. Marte, who was my pick for the MVP to start the year, was nailed for taking PED's and is out for the next 80 games (half of the season). And Bumgarner was running around on a dirt bike injuring his shoulder and out 8 weeks (practically a third of the season). And given the scenarios and Pittsburgh and San Francisco, respectively, it was the LAST thing that needed to happen. The Pirates, already having to contend with Chicago and at some point St. Louis & Milwaukee (perhaps), already have some depth issues. It hurts worse. And the Giants, who have been inept in the early start while Jeff Samardzija has been a car wreck, is already behind the 8-ball with the division with the Dodgers, the D'backs, and the offensive powerhouse Rockies. And it is really their doing. I know that in the past most of the players who get nabbed are Latino players that possibly have a difficulty knowing what they are taking, but they need to be more cautious. And for MadBum, I get that players have lives outside of baseball, and maybe this isn't the best comparison, but that stuff probably needs to wait until after the season, similar to the New York Giants and the party boat in the playoff before they faced Green Bay. Just hold off on it. It will be interesting to see where the Pirates and Giants are going to be when these two get back.
3. ERIC THAMES IS CECIL FIELDER 2.0 SO FAR: Still way too early, but Thames always had a lot of potential and as analysts have shown, his swing isn't too different than before he went out to Japan. Maybe his approach was a mental issue than a physical issue. It reminds me of Cecil Fielder who did the same thing as he left the Majors to go to Japan. His first year he came back with Detroit and slammed 51 HR (then 44 and 35 the years after). Will Thames have that same luck or will it run out? So far, he is Fielder 2.0.
4. BOSTON PUBLIC (ENEMY): Manny Machado has always been known as a bit of a hot-head since being in the Majors. But this weekend I believe he was not in the wrong. He slid hard Friday night into second base, injuring Dustin Pedroia. Of course, Boston players and fans alike were furious. It was a hard slide, though not intent to injure as he was trying to keep Pedroia from falling. But given it was Machado, the Red Sox were irate. Today, reliever Matt Barnes took the black hat and threw at Machado's head. Of course, Barnes and John Farrell both said there was no intention of them throwing at Machado, but that's what they're going to say. Has anybody EVER said they were deliberately throwing at somebody after a game? No. Intent was there and even Pedroia knew it. Even Boston's announcers knew it. I get they wanted retribution for Pedroia, but it was way off.
5. AL CENTRAL OR NFC NORTH? Before Boston/Baltimore it was Detroit and Minnesota that had tensions running high. Tigers outfielder JaCoby Jones was hit in the face, busting his mouth in an at-bat (unintentional mind you) and is pretty much out for a bit. So Matt Boyd throws one behind Twins slugger Miguel Sano. Sano takes exception to it and tries to go after Boyd. Tigers catcher James McCann tries to aggressively direct Sano to first base, to which Sano takes exception again and tries to deck McCann. Sano evidently accused McCann saying something to him and is mad he put his hands on Sano. The Twins and their fans are saying Sano had every right for his actions while Boyd & Ausmus both took the page out of "it slipped and the pitcher had no control today" excuse (to which Boston borrowed the next day). To me, Sano hasn't watched too many bits where catchers directed the ticked off hitters to first base and not doing anything. But again, while the first hit by pitch to Jones was unintentional, the Twins should have expected a plunking as well so really Minnesota needs to quit acting like they were a surprised victim in all of this.
6. HOUSTON, YOU DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM...YET: The Astros have gotten off to a hot start at 13-6 and are 3 up on 2nd place Oakland. With Seattle scuffling really early as neither Cruz or Cano have done a whole lot, Texas having issues with consistency, and the Angels falling back to Earth, any big run by the Astros may put the rest of the division in a massive uphill climb. They have been a balanced group to this point and that should be scary for the rest of the AL in general, not just the west. Big series in Cleveland this week though.
The one thing we have to remember is the season is still early. And there is plenty of ball left. Stranger things have happened, for sure. But it has been a nice start to the season to this point.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
