The first full weekend for one of the four major sports came and went yesterday. However, due to 14 Miami Marlins players and staff testing positive for COVID-19, MLB could suspend operations after it just began. Regardless, here are some numbers, figures, facts, and players to catch my attention over the weekend.
Team Notables
Every team won and lost: all 30 MLB teams recorded at least one victory. Yes, even the Royals and Pirates.
Tigers offense: through their first three games, Detroit hit six home runs (T-3rd in MLB), one double and 11 singles. Last year the Tigers finished 5th in the AL in doubles (292) and last in HR (149). Despite their porous numbers, Detroit took two of three against Cincinnati.
Indians pitching: Cleveland dominated the Royals lineup, allowing 20 baserunners in their three-game series. Kansas City struck out twice as many times (40) than runners on base (20). Cleveland’s 0.71 WHIP is .15 lower than the next closest (Atlanta 0.96)
Twins Offense: After setting an MLB record with 307 HR last season, the Twins continued their power surge in the first weekend. Minnesota’s seven HR, and 27 runs scored lead MLB.

Braves top-heavy?: through two games, Atlanta’s big three, Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman, combined to go 2-28 (.071) with zero runs scored. Their production modeled the Braves entire team who registered just one run in their first 17 2/3 innings against the Mets. However, Marcell Ozuna’s two-out, solo HR in the top of the ninth of game two, ignited Atlanta’s offense.
Braves Lineup | ||
Weekend Series at Mets | ||
1st 17 2/3 Innings | Final 10 1/3 Innings | |
H-AB (BA) | 7-59 (.119) | 21-51 (.412) |
Runs | 1 | 18 |
XBH | 2 | 11 |
HR | 1 | 5 |
K | 26 | 7 |
The Rockies and Rangers post offensive numbers: Opponents playing the first games in Texas new Globe Life Field, combined to hit 16-187 (.184)
White Sox pitching implodes: Chicago’s south-side residents allowed 27 runs and 7 HR in their three-game series against the Twins.
Reds bullpen: The Reds bullpen wasted strong efforts from their starters on Saturday & Sunday, allowing seven runs in their five and two-thirds innings of work.
Reds Pitchers | ||
Last 2 Games vs Tigers | ||
Starters | Bullpen | |
IP | 12.1 | 5.2 |
H | 8 | 7 |
R | 2 | 7 |
K | 24 | 8 |
Notable players
Nelson Cruz (Twins): the 40-year old OF/DH proved age is overrated. Cruz went *7-13 (.538) *3 HR, *7 R, *10 RBI against the White Sox (*leads majors).
Miguel Rojas (Marlins): tied with Cruz and four others with seven hits. Despite a roster decimated by COVID-19, Florida won two of three in Philadelphia, led by their SS (7-10, HR, 4 R, 5 RBI).
Jose Iglesias (Orioles): like Rojas and Cruz, Iglesias seven hits tie for most in MLB. Projected to finish last in the AL East, Baltimore defeated Boston twice at Fenway thanks to Iglesias’ production.

Trevor Bauer (Reds): while former teammates Shane Bieber (14) and Carlos Carrasco (10) recorded double-digit strikeouts against the Kansas City, Bauer outdid them both. MLB’s most famous geek, allowed three baserunners in 6.1 IP while fanning 13.
Lucas Giolito (7), Gio Gonzalez (6), Kelvin Herrera (4), and Reynaldo Lopez (4): allowed21 of the White Sox 27 runs against Minnesota.
Rick Porcello (Mets): After watching fellow starters Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz allow three hits, one run and strike out 15, the former AL Cy Young Award winner added to the Mets misery. Eleven of 15 Atlanta batters reached base (2 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 7 R), humiliating New York 14-1 in front of a nationwide audience on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
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