The MLB season has only a couple of weeks to go (until the playoffs). While there are plenty of irrelevant games being played, we are still seeing some special individual performances.
As has been the case every week, we celebrate the best moments by handing out our awards.
Performance of the Week
Yasiel Puig is one of baseball’s great showmen. He’s a streaky hitter, but when he’s hot, he’s hard to stop. The Dodger outfielder is hot right now, as he showed the Cardinals this week, hitting three home runs with seven RBI.
The Dodgers scored a frankly ridiculous 29 runs in the first three games of their series against the Cardinals and are back in control of the West.
Start of the Week
Complete games are a rarity in baseball in 2018. There have only been a handful all season, but Chris Stratton became the latest to join the list this week with a two-hit gem.
Stratton has battled for consistency all year. As we saw early this season and late last, he has the potential to be a really dominant big league starter.
Defensive Play of the Week
Lorenzo Cain is, or at least should be, an MVP contender. Milwaukee’s centre fielder has been great at the plate, and he’s kept to his Gold Glove standards.
Cain covered over 100 feet to make a stunning grab out in right-centre field against the Pirates this week. It’s almost expected from the former Royal, but this was a truly special play.
Nightmare of the Week
The Philadelphia Phillies tussled with the Atlanta Braves all year long. This week, though, saw their hopes of a playoff spot disappear. The gap is up to 6.5 games, and Philadelphia are left wondering what might have been after losing nine of their first 11 September games.
Never would i think that anyone woud think #phillies could lose DH at home. Disgraceful. Can’t hit and with men on base it’s a joke. Too many moves by the manager Gabe Kapler. Too many strikeouts (27 in 2 games). So who do you blame for a team that can’t win. @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) September 12, 2018
The Phillies are on the up, but this has been a frustrating period for Gabe Kapler‘s club. It’ll be fascinating to see what Philadelphia do in the offseason.