Although trading for Giancarlo Stanton headlined the off-season moves by the Yankees, acquiring Gleyber Torres for Aroldis Chapman could be the most valuable one the team’s made in the last decade. Torres launched his 13th home run propelling New York to a one run win against the Rays and knocked Blake Snell out after five innings last night. With his homer, Torres tied Mickey Mantle for the fourth highest amount of home runs hit by a Yankee in his Age-21 season or younger.
On the season, Torres has slashed .295/.351/.577 with 22 runs and 33 RBI while hitting ninth for a majority of the time. His home run Thursday night’s his first not batting last in the lineup and could be a sneak preview of things to come if he continues to bat fifth against left-handed pitching.
That Just Happened
David Peralta launched two home runs in the Diamondbacks win over the Mets on Thursday evening. This marks Peralta’s second career multi-homer game and moves his total to seven in June while matching his total (14) from last year in the process. Prior to this month, Peralta’s never hit more than five home runs in any month of his career. Over his last 13 games, Peralta’s 19-for-53 (.358) with three doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 15 RBI. What’s fueling his success? Peralta’s hard hit percentage spike to 49.2 percent this season along with averaging 394 feet on his home runs. He also ranks 20th in average fly ball and line drive exit velocity at 96.6 MPH this year, a tick below Mookie Betts . There’s no guarantee Peralta can maintain this level of productivity, but he’s within three of his career best 17 home runs with 94 games remaining this season. Hat tip to Howard Bender who loved Peralta all preseason.
Teammates Paul Goldschmidt and Ketel Marte also stayed hot for Arizona. Goldschmidt crushed his 13th home run and has hit .526 (20-for-38) his last nine games with six doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI. Marte went 1-for-3 last night with a run and an RBI. Of his last 17 hits, 13 have been for extra-bases and he’s hitting .385 (20-for-52) with 15 RBI his last 16 games.
Breakout game for Domingo Germán on Thursday. Not only did he win his first decision this year, but German finished fourth in swinging strikes in an outing this season with 26 of his 91 pitches (28.6 swinging strike percentage). Only James Paxton (31), Max Scherzer (29) and Jacob deGrom (27) have generated more in a start so far in 2018. German finished six innings giving up five hit, three earned runs and two walks with 10 strikeouts. Not too shabby. His buy low window could close soon.
Matt Duffy hit his third home run and recorded his 22nd multiple hit game during the Rays loss in New York. With third basemen dropping like flies, he could be worth speculating on for teams needing a boost in batting average. Dufy’s hitting .350 (21-for-60) his last 15 games with four doubles, a triple, one home run and four RBI.
Atlanta’s Ender Inciarte has been very streaky this year. He went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and hit his fifth home run while driving in two against the Padres. He’s on a modest four game hit streak going six for his last 14 with four RBI. However, his previous 19 games yielded a .162 mark with only 12 hits in 74 at-bats. Inciarte still leads the majors in stolen bases with 20 but may need a platoon partner if his production against left-handed pitching continues to crater.
Can one trust Anibal Sánchez ? Sanchez won his third game on Thursday limiting the Padres to four hits over seven shutout innings with six strikeouts lowering his ERA to 1.93 in the process. Sanchez did induce 11 swinging strikes on 85 pitches and with his win versus San Diego, only needs to defeat the Angels to record a win against every franchise. As to trusting Sanchez, venture in at your own risk. He’s teased too many times to remember.
Although the Mets lost, they did score three runs in Arizona. All three of their runs provided by solo home runs by players aged 25 or younger: Brandon Nimmo hit his ninth home run, Age-25; Michael Conforto his eighth home run, Age-25 as well; Amed Rosario his fourth homer, Age-22. With this in mind and the offense struggling, New York did promote Peter Alonso (15 home runs to lead the Eastern League) and Jeff McNeill (14 home runs in Double-A) to Las Vegas. Sigh.
Boston has won David Price ’s last seven starts and Price won his eighth decision in Seattle last night. Price worked seven innings allowing five hits and an earned run with seven strikeouts. During his last seven outings, Price has a 2.64 ERA in 44.1 innings.
Providing the offense, Xander Bogaerts hit his 10th home run and has averaged an RBI every 5.8 at-bats, a career high so far. Rafael Devers extended his personal hit streak to nine during which he’s 11 for his last 35 (.314) with four runs, four doubles and four RBI.
Seattle’s Ryon Healy moved his hit streak to six game with two more hits. He’s been hot in June with five home runs in 47 at-bats while slashing .298/.313/.617 in 13 games (12 starts). Keep Healy in mind if your team lost Miguel Cabrera for the season.
Transaction Updates
Josh Donaldson will return to the Blue Jays lineup on Friday night.
Both Kevin Kiermaier and Adeiny Hechavarria will shift ramp up their rehab assignments to Durham in Triple-A. Kiermaier could return as soon as next week for those looking to stash him this weekend.
Robbie Ray made a rehab start lasting 2.1 innings before hitting his pitch limit giving up two earned runs with three strikeouts. Ray hit 91-to-93 MPH with his fastball in the outing.
The Mets could get a boost with Wilmer Flores working his way back. Flores recorded three hits in his rehab game and has six hits his last three games including a home run last night.
Julio Teherán will return to the Braves rotation on Sunday against the Padres.
New York optioned Tyler Austin to Triple-A after Thursday’s game in order to create a spot to promote Jonathan Loaisiga for his major league debut starting on Friday night.
Burning Questions
.jpg)
After this week, how much will Daniel Murphy play for the Nationals once he’s forced to return to second base? If confused, watch a replay of him running to first base after a hit this weekend, he’s still favoring his microfracture repaired knee.
How will the debuts of Jonathan Loaisiga and Yohander Mendez go on Friday night?
Can Charlie Morton bounce back from his horrific outing against the Rangers in Kansas City tonight?
Who gets the best of the Seth Lugo and Zack Godley match-up in Arizona? Also, can Big Maple (James Paxton ) limit the Red Sox bats in Safeco?
All of these and more will addressed in tonight’s Closing Bell by the aforementioned Howard Bender. Plus, keep abreast of the latest information on Fantasy Alarm to stay ahead of your competition.