As we head towards the end of May, the le sons come with some instructive understanding of what teams may do within the next 8 weeks. A losing streak that knocks a team out of contention could change who definitely are on the trade market, while a surging player can
Harry Carson Jersey boost the chances they end up on a contender with a strong performance now. Weve seen both of those activities, and much more, over the past week. Lets take a look at what we should learned.
The Blue Jays aren't the very best team within the AL East.
Okay, we already knew this, but reality hit Toronto just like a punch hard this week, as the Jays got swept through the Red Sox and also the Braves in consecutive series, and the six game losing streak knocked them out of their first place perch. The stars from the early season offense, which had carried they with the first 6 weeks, disappeared throughout the the last seven days. Only the Lyle Overbay/Kevin Millar platoon provided any offense, and also the insufficient scoring proved a problem once the pitching managed to keep them close. Now basically tied with Boston and New York, the Jays are going to have trouble keeping up with the big payroll twins within the rest of the season. It would be a nice run although it lasted though.
Its hard to win whenever your entire line-up slumps simultaneously.
Just ask Cubs fans, who saw a bunch of good hitters simultaneously forget how to swing the stick. Derrek Lee managed to single his way into a good batting average, however the rest of the offense was MIA. Geovany Soto went 3 for 17. Milton Bradley went 3 for 20. Kosuke Fukudome and Alfonso Soriano both went 2 for 21, though Fukukome a minimum of walked four times,
Olivier Vernon Jersey while Soriano didnt manged to take a pitch even once. Reed Johnson went 2 for twenty-four. The team managed an astonishing six extra base hits the entire week, and the offense totaled five runs in six games. Unsurprisingly, the Cubs lost all of them. While it wasnt enjoyable to look at, Chicago shouldnt be very worried there are several legitimately good hitters on their roster, and the bats will come around.
Clayton Richard
Michael Strahan Jersey doesnt really want to be traded.
The only major league player who was going to San Diego in the Jake Peavy deal, Richard apparently decided this is a good week to exhibit Kenny Williams that he might be worth hanging on to. He struck out 11 batters in 13 innings between his two starts, showing a better breaking ball and keeping hitters off balance without overpowering stuff. Richard has been something of the afterthought in most circles, given his low strikeout rate and average velocity, but hes now posted a 4.21 FIP over his first 81 major league innings. Hes certainly not an ace in the making, but his fastball has enough sink to create him a good #5 starter, and the White Sox need to be pleased to have him around at this time.
Adam Kennedy is alive.
After released by the St. Louis Cardinals, Kennedy needed to take a minor league contract in the Tampa
Duke Ihenacho Jersey Bay Rays to keep playing baseball. With no real aspire to contribute to the Tampa roster, he was sold to the As so that they could give him an opportunity to hold down the fort at second base while Mark Ellis was hurt. Hes done that and then some, hitting .448/.515/.655 a week ago to create his wOBA to .454 since joining the As. He wont keep hitting such as this, but ZIPS projects a .313 wOBA within the remaining season, making Kennedy a pretty solid player when coupled with his defensive skills at second base. Kennedy is just another example of quality players who are able to be acquired for no cost by teams who understand what theyre doing.
