By Ron Kaplan, contributor
Alex Bregman had two doubles (16), a single, a walk, three runs scored, and one RBI as the Houston Astros (57-27) beat up on the host Atlanta Braves, 16-4.
Danny Valencia was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored for the Seattle Mariners (41-44) in a 7-3 loss to the visiting KC Royals.
Kevin Pillar was 1-for-4 with one strikeout, but the Toronto Blue Jays (38-35) beat the host NY Yankees, 4-1.
Ian Kinsler took an 0-for-4 collar, but the Detroit Tigers (37-45) beat the even-worse visiting San Francisco Giants, 5-4. While at the recent SABR Convention in New York, I had the chance to speak with a number of Tigers fans who were quite supportive of Brad Ausmus. I have compared him with David Blatt, the rookie head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They both came into situations where the team they were taking over had done well the previous year and remained relatively intact, seemingly predicting continued success. In fact, the Cavs were in first place — and went on to win the NBA Championship — when Blatt was fired. So when Detroit won the AL Central in 2014, many people discredited Ausmus’ role, claiming he inherited a solid club from Jim Leyland. And in the years since then, as the Tigers have stumbled, there have been a lot of naysayers. These SABRen believed he could be a Hall of Fame manager some day, comparing him with Joe Torre, who was a “bum” until he came to the Yankees. And indeed, there are some in the media who advocate the Tigers stick with Ausmus. Time will tell. By the way, Blatt is also Jewish. Just sayin’.
Ryan Braun did not appear for the Milwaukee Brewers (46-40) in their 6-2 win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles (40-43). Richard Bleier was similarly absent from the game for the O’s. Scott Feldman did not appear for the Cincinnati Reds (36-47) in their 8-1 win over the host Colorado Rockies.
Joc Pederson did not appear for the LA Dodgers (56-29), who stemmed a three-run rally in the ninth to hold off the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3. Will he serve as a cautionary tale for Cody Bellinger, a participant in this year’s Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game?
Craig Breslow — “the smartest man in baseball” — remains on the disabled list for the Minnesota Twins (43-40), who beat the visiting LA Angels, 5-4. He threw in a simulated game on Monday with no ill effects.
Speaking of the All-Star Game, which will be held at Marlins Park on July 11, it should come as no surprise that there are no JMLs on the team. Perhaps if so many of them hadn’t been on the DL at one time or another, they might have put up better numbers and received more consideration.
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