Through 60 games, Brandon Nimmo ’s already set a career best at any level with 12 home runs with the Mets. Although Nimmo had to force his way into the Mets plans, he’s been a boon for fantasy owners who speculated on him. Nimmo recorded his second career two-home run game on Monday in Coors Field, one being an inside the park homer, and his 10 home runs since May 23rd ties for first in the majors with Nelson Cruz , Evan Gattis and Paul Goldschmidt . Fairly haughty company.
Over the last 25 games, Nimmo’s racked up 19 extra-base hits with seven doubles, two triples, the aforementioned 10 home runs and 17 RBI. He ranks fifth in the majors with an on-base percentage of .410 and leads the National League with a .603 slugging percentage. Fueling his success, Nimmo’s increased his fly ball percentage by 12 percent compared to last year and upped his hard hit rate by over nine points to a robust 44.1 percent. Many will suggest his sell high window will expire, but the Mets and his owners will need his presence in their lineups going forward. Every player has a price, if trading Nimmo, be sure it’s fair value. Remember, he’s one of five players with at least 12 home runs this season and an on-base plus slugging percentage over one thousand joining Mookie Betts , Freddie Freeman , J.D. Martínez and Mike Trout . Haughty company indeed.
That Just Happened
Only one day game featured a battle of free passes between Kenta Maeda and Tyler Chatwood . Maeda struggled with his command walking five in only 3.2 innings giving up five hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts. As for Chatwood, a five walk game seems like a standard. He lasted six innings allowing two hits, one earned run and five walks with six strikeouts. Chatwood’s now made nine starts with at least five or more walks, the most by a Cubs pitcher since 1957 when Dick Drott accomplished this feat 13 times. Of course, it’s only June.
Anthony Rizzo recorded an RBI for the ninth straight home game tying Rogers Hornsby (1929) and Mark Grace (1997) for fourth in Cubs history. He could match Bill Nicholson’s 10-game streak in the nightcap. Rizzo’s turned his season around and now has 47 RBI in his first 60 games with his batting average still on the rise.
Joc Pederson hit his eighth home run over his last 13 games leading off this afternoon. He’s 14 for his last 35 (.400) with 12 runs, five doubles and 11 RBI in his 13-game hot streak. Max Muncy walked three times and he’s hitting a tick under three hundred (.290) his last 19 games with two doubles, eight home runs and 15 RBI.
With Brandon Morrow not available in either game of the doubleheader due to back stiffness, Justin Wilson incurred his first blown save and second loss giving up tow hits, two earned runs and a walk with two strikeouts in the ninth inning. Not sure why Pedro Strop , who fired two scoreless inning allowing only a walk with two strikeouts did not close out the game with Morrow out, but it’s not my decision either.
Benefiting from the Cubs bullpen management, Kenley Jansen closed out his 18th save of the season with a clean ninth and a strikeout. Jansen’s had some struggles this year but over his last 25 appearances has an ERA of one spanning 27 innings with 16 saves, 27 strikeouts and only six walks.
Night Moves
Still no Josh Donaldson for the Blue Jays in their lineup with no definitive word on when he will return. Hopefully those in weekly leagues left him on the bench.
Milwaukee’s Travis Shaw will miss his second straight game with wrist soreness. This still did not open the door for Domingo Santana to play with Eric Thames moving to the outfield and Jesus Aguilar manning first base. Santana’s started one game since June sixth. Less than optimal.
Kevin Kiermaier will return to the Rays and hit leadoff tonight in Houston. He’s hit well during rehab, but gets to face Justin Verlander on the road. The clamoring for more playing time for Austin Meadows received some answers with him missing from the lineup again for the Pirates, but Meadows suffered a foot injury from a foul ball. He could pinch hit Tuesday night and remain day-to-day moving forward.
So, Clayton Kershaw will start on Saturday, but for Oklahoma City in Triple-A, not the Dodgers. But, if all goes well, he’d be on track to face the Cubs at home next Thursday.
Jay Bruce landed on the disabled list for the Mets and which means Dominic Smith will make his first start in the outfield at Coors. At least Smith’s in a nice matchup to hit. Matt Adams also hit the disabled list with a broken index finger on his left hand. Adams will be replaced on the roster by Kelvin Herrera .
Last, and maybe least, the Cardinals placed Matt Bowman on the disabled list due to blisters after his blown save on Monday night and replaced him with Greg Holland . Sometimes the jokes write themselves. Holland’s trying to turn his season around but his 9.00 ERA, WHIP of two and four strikeouts in four innings during his rehab do not provide much optimism. Tread lightly here.
Burning Questions
Think you’ve got problems with injuries on a roster, try being Ned Yost navigating towards a save. With this in mind, who gets the next Royals save? Brandon Maurer ? Kevin McCarthy ? Tim Hill? Jason Adam ? Who are we even talking about? You get the picture.
Who gets the best of the potential pitcher’s duel in Minnesota, Chris Sale or José Berrios ?
Can Nimmo stay hot in his hometown?
Will clarity ever emerge from the Phillies bullpen? Poor Nick Pivetta , he deserved better.
How many innings will Rich Hill last in Chicago tonight? Will there be a blister?
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Statistical Credits:
MLB.com
Fangraphs.com
Stats.com/blog