As week three of the early MLB season comes to an end, the Detroit Tigers sit a half game up on the defending American League Champion Kansas City Royals. Still early in the season the division lead is 6.0 games up from the last placed Cleveland Indians. While no team in the division ran away with the week while most struggled to hit the .500 mark. Regardless of the performance on the field, the Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals match-up certainly got the attention of Major League Baseball. In my best Oprah voice: You get a suspension! You get a suspension! Everybody gets a suspension!
Detroit Tigers:
The Tigers finished the week at 3-4 all of which were at home, but still hold a .5 game lead in the division. They started the week losing 3 out of 4 to the New York Yankees. They finished the week with a series win against the Cleveland Indians. Alfredo Simon had the best pitching performance of the week for the Tigers, he won both his decisions pitching 14 innings, with 10 K 2 BB and only allowed 1 run in each start. Miguel Cabrera was “cold” this week with only 6 hits in 22 at bats with 1 HR and 3 RBI which were all in Sundays series finally vs. the Indians.
Record: 13-6
Kansas City Royals:
The Royals finished the week at 3-3 but made national headlines after their 3-2 win against the Chicago White Sox. In the opening game of the series Royals starter Yordano Ventura would taunt White Sox OF Adam Eaton in the 7th inning, after Eaton complained of Ventura quick pitching him early in the at bat. Eaton would end the at bat grounding back to Ventura, and as he fielded the ball, Ventura could be observed yelling expletives before throwing him out at first. This caused a bench clearing brawl, resulting in 6 suspensions. Kansas City had previously won a series against the Minnesota Twins 2-1 before losing 2 of 3 to the White Sox, with the the final (3rd) game being postponed due to weather. Mike Moustakas has a solid week with 8 hits in 25 at bats 1 HR and 4 RBI. With no starters getting 2 W this week, this weeks pitching performance went to Wade Davis who was successful in both closer appearances with 2 K 1 H and a .5 WHIP in two appearances.
Record: 12-6
Chicago White Sox:
Although the Chicago White Sox received accolades for making the best moves in the off-season, they find themselves in third place after three weeks in the MLB season. Regardless of the record, the White Sox won both of their series this week (rain out vs. KC) this week and posted the best record in the division. Both Jeff Samardzija and Chris Sale will miss their next start due to altercations in game one of the series vs. the Royals. Jose Abreu is the best bat in baseball (I’m a Cubs Fan) and had 10 H in 24 AB with 2 HR and 7 RBI. Carlos Rodon made his first MLB debut pitching 2.1 innings in less than optimal circumstances, while David Robertson continues to appear worth the investment with 2 W 1 SV and 9 K without giving up an earned run this week.
Record: 8-9
Minnesota Twins:
The Twins went 3-3 losing the series against the Kansas City Royals and then winning a series against the Seattle Mariners. Prior to the start of the season, I made a bold prediction that Phil Hughes would be the AL CY Young winner, and after the first two weeks, I looked like an idiot. Although Hughes is now 0-4 with likely no chance of winning the award; Hughes faced MLB ace Felix Hernandez, and threw 8 innings, allowing 2 runs, and striking out 9, with 0 BB. Joe Mauer is currently batting .348/.464/.522, while prospects Oswaldo Arcia and Kennys Vargas have been underwhelming. I like the Twins for the future, but this season might be a bust.
Record: 8-10
Cleveland Indians:
The Indians went 2-4 this week and currently are the cellar dwellers of the AL Central. The Indians lost series to both the White Sox and Tigers. The only bright spot came from starter Danny Salazar who had 11K and 3 BB in his only outing against the Detroit Tigers. Michael Brantley continues to be a monster with 11 hits this week with 4 RBI and 3 SB.
Record: 6-11
This week ends with Major League coming down with sanctions regarding to the game 1 matchup between the Royals and White Sox. Major League Baseball suspended 6 players and fined a 7th for the altercation that took place between Ventura and Eaton. Edinson Volquez (5) Jeff Samrdzija (5), Kelvin Herrera (2), Chris Sale (5) and Lorenzo Cain (2) will see suspensions while Tyler Flowers earned a fine.
Position Player of the Week: Jose Abreu .416 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI .500 OBP
Pitcher of the Week: Alfredo Simon 14.0 IP 2-0 1.28 ERA 10 K
Power Rankings:
- Detroit Tigers 13-6
- Kansas City Royals 12-6
- Chicago White Sox 8-9
- Minnesota Twins 8-10
- Cleveland Indians 6-11
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