It’s Monday, which means the weekend is over, but it’s another full week of baseball. We take the temperature of the hottest team in baseball, check in on the injury bug and returns, and take a minute to just appreciate the best plays of the week!
FIRST
Blue Hot Cubbies
Baseball Prospectus famously enraged all Cubs’ fans when they projected them to finish dead last in their division. For a while, it looked like they may be right, but in the last seven games, something has seriously changed.
The Cubs have won their last seven games, including a weekend sweep of division rival and leader Cardinals. It’s even more than that though, since opening the year 3-8, they have won 16 out of 20. They’ve swept Arizona, Seattle, and St. Louis along the way. Their last lost came all the way back on April 26th to Arizona.
The momentum shouldn’t stop now either, as they open a four-game series with the bottom-dwelling Miami Marlins before opening a three-game series with division rival Milwaukee. They are in the midst of a 10-game home stand and Wrigley looks to be the secret recipe for the Cubs success.
TO
Coming And Going
David Price was sent to the 10 day IL with elbow tendinitis, which is another blow to the Red Sox’s disappointing season. Price was the best pitcher they had, leading the rotation in ERA, WHIP, and Ks.
Steven Matz looks like he will also be on the shelf for a while after an MRI confirmed a nerve problem with his arm.
On the other side, Shohei Ohtani will be making his return to be assessed Tuesday after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He won’t return as a pitcher this season, but his bat will be a welcomed addition. He went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA while hitting .285 with 22 HR and 61 RBIs.
THIRD
The Best Of The Rest
Sometimes we just need to not type too much and just enjoy the best plays of the week on the diamond. Enjoy it, seem-heads.
