caulfield12

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-predictions-for-may-2022 “Look, we all seem to think this dude is going to be dealt between now and the Aug. 2 Trade Deadline, so let’s get on with it. We saw the value of the earlier-than-expected strike when the Brewers and Rays made the swap last May that sent shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee and pitchers J.P. Feyereisen and Drew Rasmussen to Tampa Bay -- a beautiful baseball trade that immediately benefited both parties. The A’s stronger-than-expected start is a mirage, every Montas start is precious, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t at least continue talking about a trade at a time when contenders are scrambling for innings and assistance. The Rays are as good a pick as any to make another early impact deal, because while their predominantly young rotation has pitched well (and will hopefully get Shane Baz back before long), their lack of length is putting a lot of pressure on a bullpen that entered Saturday leading the Majors in innings (98 1/3). Sure, that’s the Rays’ style, but a difference-maker like Montas, who is under reasonable arbitration control through 2023, fits their organizational framework and is worthy of depletion from a strong farm system if it helps them repeat in a brutal American League East. The Rays would be loath to part with right-hander Taj Bradley or the versatile Vidal Bruján, but either of those prospects would make sense as the centerpiece of a return for the A’s.”

2. Luis Robert will awaken A popular AL MVP pick prior to the start of the season, Robert -- much like the White Sox, as a group -- has had a dreary first month. He slashed .205/.222/.386 in his first 11 games before joining Chicago’s absurdly long list of walking wounded with a right groin injury. He returned to action Friday. In May, a healthy Robert will help kick the Sox into gear. He has been a victim of bad luck on both the health and performance front. The difference between his batting average (.188) and expected batting average (.338) is the second-largest among qualified hitters in the big leagues, and the difference between his slugging percentage (.354) and expected slugging (.737) is the largest. 6. Every team in the AL Central will spend at least one day in first place The White Sox injuries have created an early opportunity in the Central, and so far only the Twins, behind a surprisingly stout performance from their starting staff, have seized it. The Guardians have been erratic offensively, and the Tigers and Royals have major rotation questions and haven’t shown any power at the plate. But until or unless the Twins prove their staying power and the Sox get it going, none of these five clubs looks like a juggernaut. Any of them could conceivably get hot enough for a week to at least touch the top in what has been a sluggish division so far.

And the odds of paying Eloy big salaries for those two more expensive option years at the end of his deal are pretty slim at the moment.

Madrigal definitely wouldn't have had that one...

Banks

Worked out for today at least. Confidence boost against one of the best offenses hopefully.

Anderson has been struggling on defense for two full weeks now.

Even Ohtani thought he was out..

Why would the Knights be going to Atlanta? Big league team definitely won't be there. Oh, he meant the six game series at Gwinnett County.

Well any player who was out for a week in this cold weather with pitchers having a clear advantage is in trouble...if he was struggling in June and July it would be much more of an issue. Hitting as a team is so contagious...and vice versa for cold streaks.

He showed a lot more plate discipline last year to fall into that comp. And his K percentage was way down as well.

He had another start...maybe the first, where he wasn't that good with all the walks but only surrendered one earned run.

Hawk: "There is no such thing as too much pitching."

AL East +7 AL Central -18 AL West +2 NL East +2 NL Central -13 NL West +20

They might need to do that just to change the clubhouse vibe. Keuchel turning out to be another Peavy, more talk than results. At least Jake had the catastrophic injuries as an excuse, though.

Switching to Twins at Rays, 3-1 Minnesota lead Top of 7. Bad idea. Rays falling apart. 4-1.

Whoever wanted him to be one of the first sacrificed to reverse team fortunes was nuts.

Has definitely increased his value. But by how much? If Sheets doesn't start hitting and last year was an anomaly they're short another bat.

Oops. So Kopech and Cease both with the same control. Looked at spotrac and read UFA year in a different color as a year of control for some reason. It really doesn't matter because guys like Giolito and the veterans in their 30s would be the only ones moved. They won't trade Anderson obviously...he's now the ONE team leader with Jose and Giolito on the way out.

4-0. Robert wouldn't lose his homer. Game just frozen in time.

How they respond to the Cubs and Red Sox on the road will be pretty telling. Have to start seeing some fight in this team on a more consistent basis.

Even got a close call with Abreu there...

Of course, once they play 5 1/2.

That's what they so desperately needed. Luis is the straw that stirs the drink.

Maybe their luck is turning finally?