Biggest Takeaways from MLB Week 8
At their core, sports provide us with a stage for competition. We typically associate that with the contest between two teams.
But it extends to teammates, too, vying for at-bats. And also to a competitor’s drive to chase a record. That was the case with Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who was pursuing Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak.
Bradley fell short. The streak ended at 29 games, which again proved DiMaggio’s record is one of baseball’s toughest to break.
Of course, Bradley's streak wasn’t the only compelling theater over the past seven days...
Jackie Bradley Jr.'s Hitting Streak Ends, Makes DiMaggio’s Seem Unattainable
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No other event in baseball captivates the sport’s fanbase like a hitting streak.
It’s Joe DiMaggio’s lasting gift to the sport. Every fan wants to know if the next streak is the one that will break his record of 56 straight games with a base knock.
On Thursday, Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.'s hitting streak ended at 29 games. It was another hopeless but entertaining attempt at chasing DiMaggio.
But when Bradley’s streak ended, it was a reminder of how difficult a streak DiMaggio’s is to chase.
It’s virtually unattainable.
Bradley’s 29-game streak could easily be the longest of the 2016 season, and it is just over half of DiMaggio's run in 1941. Consider that, since DiMaggio set the record, only one player, Pete Rose, surpassed the 40-game mark (Rose hit safely in 44 straight games).
The last player whose streak entered the 30s was Dan Uggla, who hit in 33 straight games in 2011. It makes Bradley’s that much more impressive.
And DiMaggio’s that much more otherworldly.
We are now in an era of pitching specialization. Pitchers often enter the game to face just one hitter because of a favorable matchup. There are left-handed specialists, for example. Other pitchers excel at facing hitters with men on base. There are pitchers who have the ability to strike out the game's power hitters, and some locate the ball well, making it difficult for a batter to find something to hit.
It all makes a hitting streak of this magnitude much more difficult to attain.
Julio Urias Makes His MLB Debut
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitching sensation Julio Urias made his MLB debut Friday, becoming the first teenage starter the MLB has seen in 11 years, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN.com.
The announcement of Urias’ promotion rang loud throughout Dodgers nation. His start Friday, however, ended with a whimper.
The lefty lasted only 2.2 innings, giving up three runs in his first major league outing. He pitched a scoreless second inning before loading the bases in the third and being pulled from the game.
Padilla noted the last pitcher to start a game before turning 20 was Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who did so Aug. 4, 2005.
"I think we thought it through as an organization and we just feel good that his time is now," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told Padilla before the game. "We believe in Julio as a player, so I think this is fun for baseball and exciting for baseball in general. For us, there is no better stage."
Yankees Should Relegate Alex Rodriguez to the Bench
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New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez and his abysmal .184 batting average returned to the Yankees lineup Thursday, and he went 0-for-4.
Though Rodriguez did homer Friday, it did nothing to change the fact that he should no longer be an everyday player.
In his absence, Carlos Beltran, who is bereft of any fielding skill at 39 years old, hit in the designated-hitter spot, where he's batting .322 in 15 games this season. He has 12 homers and 31 RBI in 2016, to go along with an overall slash line of .263/.290/.537. With Rodriguez in the lineup, Beltran has played in right field.
Entering Sunday, the Yankees are 8-15 with Rodriguez in the lineup and 15-10 without him.
With Beltran as the DH, not only does it give the Yankees a better bat, but it also allows manager Joe Girardi to play Aaron Hicks, a better defender, in right.
Beltran has minus-six defensive runs saved (DRS), according to Baseball-Reference. Hicks, on the other hand, has three DRS, according to the site.
Though Hicks is only hitting .200 through Saturday’s games, that is still better than Rodriguez’s average. Moreover, his presence in right makes New York a better defensive team.
Rodriguez might still be of use in pinch-hit situations, but as an everyday starter, the numbers say he is hurting the team.
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Bryce Harper Is Searching for His Swing
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Bryce Harper is the reigning National League MVP and arguably the most feared hitter in baseball. He is considered a Triple Crown contender every year.
All of that makes this stat shocking: Harper had three hits this week.
He is still getting on base, though. His OBP through Saturday is .420, though his average dipped to .245.
Those numbers suggest he is walking a lot. On Sunday against the Miami Marlins, Harper walked three times, one of which was intentional. It’s difficult for him to regain his stroke with the bat on his shoulder.
That seems to be the strategy, though, when playing the Nationals: Don’t let Harper beat you.
It's working. Since May 4, Harper has only homered three times. His only other extra-base hit during that time was a double on May 20 against the Marlins.
Frustration has to be growing for Harper, as he doesn't get an opportunity to hit on a daily basis. Sure, his OBP is high. That’s a number that’s valued in today’s MLB, but Harper is paid to drive in runs.
He has had little opportunity to do that.
Clay Buchholz Sent to the Bullpen
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The Boston Red Sox hoped Clay Buchholz would assume the role as the team’s No. 2 starter behind David Price this season.
Instead, as of Friday, he will be fighting for innings out of the bullpen.
Mark Polishuk of ESPN.com reported Friday that manager John Farrell announced the right-hander would be demoted to the pen. Eduardo Rodriguez is expected to take his place in the rotation.
Through 10 starts this season, Buchholz owns a 6.35 ERA, 5.94 FIP and 1.47 WHIP, per Baseball-Reference. He has made it through the seventh inning only once. This coming from a player who posted a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts for the Red Sox in 2010.
Buchholz has only made two relief appearances in his 10-year career, one in each of his first two seasons.
Farrell made it seem as if this is a short-term move.
"This is something that's been done for a lot of years. A starter scuffles, they go to the bullpen to work things out. That's what we're doing with Clay," Farrell said, per Polishuk.
Primarily, Buchholz will need to address his rising home run total. He has allowed 12 this season. Paired with a high walk rate—he has issued 24 this season—that is a devastating number.
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