The 2017 MLB season has given baseball fans, of all ages, plenty of surprises and storylines. This week includes a battle for 1st place in the NL West, a continuation of the Aaron Judge-Avisail Garcia showdown and a possible playoff preview at Progress Field. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at this week’s headlines.
Cleveland Indians versus Baltimore Orioles: An AL Wild-Card Game?
The Indians take on the Orioles at Camden Yards for a four-game series. The Tribe are fighting to stay atop the AL Central, meanwhile, the O’s are trying to increase their wild-card chances.
Cleveland currently has a pitching staff that ranks in the top 10. The O’s are the worst in that category.
Dylan Bundy(O’s) and Carlos Carrasco(Indians) each have seven wins, which lead all starters in this series.
Giancarlo Stanton vs Nats’ starters
This matchup can go either way. Stanton is batting .286 vs Max Scherzer and a .273 vs Gio Gonzalez, but Tanner Roark has held the 27-year-old slugger to a .214 lifetime average. Stanton only has seven RBIs all-time against current bullpen pitchers for the Nats.
NL West Throwdown: Rox vs D’backs
Arizona’s Zach Greinke looks for his ninth victory of the 2017 season. Rookie Antonio Senzatela is in pursuit of his 10th win of the year for the Rockies.
Both clubs have surpassed expectations in the MLB this season. The D’backs are ranked 2nd in pitching; the Rockies are 4th. Meanwhile, the D’backs are 3rd in hitting and Colorado is 1st.
Colorado has gone 7-3 during its past ten games; Arizona has been on scorching hot throughout its last ten games, sporting a 9-1 mark.
JUDGE vs GARCIA: A duel for the AL Batting Title
Aaron Judge is one of the few reasons why this MLB season has been fun to watch and that remains the case for this week.
Judge and the New York Yankees face the Angels after an off-day on Monday. Even though New York’s prized slugger has been stellar this season, it won’t be easy for him to become the AL leader in batting average. Judge is hitting .231 against the Halos this season with one extra-base hit.
Chicago White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia has a .337 batting average and he will get a great opportunity to boost that number this week. The ChiSox will take on the Twins and Athletics, they’re pitching is ranked 18th and 23rd, respectively. Garcia is hitting .433 vs Minnesota in 2017.