Remember the Name- MLB Players Who Are Killing it

Article published June 10, 2015- all stats up to date as of then

Yes. My favorite thing to talk about.

Baseball is a team sport, but let’s be real, every team has that one player that every fan knows of. With the season rolling along and the all-star game (half-way through the season) approaching, I figured we’d take a look at the big names putting the team on their back, Greg Jennings style.

Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Gonzalez is all over the stats board for the Dodgers. He is in the top of all offensive categories with a .324 batting average, 11 HR, 39 RBIs and has an OPS of .985. He is an extra-base hitting machine, delivering doubles left and right in clutch situations. The Dodgers are first in the NL West and can thank their all-star game bound first baseman for his contributions to the team.

Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

The Twins are in second place in the AL Central with a record of 33-26, just trailing the Kansas City Royals. Brian Dozier has stepped up big time and can be thought of as the best second baseman in the AL. He is batting .265, has 11 HR, 28 RBIs and an OPS of .863. He also leads the MLB with 47 runs. Not only can he perform at the plate, he is great in the field.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

The question is what can’t Harper do? Not only can he chase down baseballs in the outfield and throw runners out, Harper is a threat at the plate. He is batting .330 and leading the MLB with 20 HR (yes, I said TWENTY) and OPS of 1.187. OW, OW! Harper has also knocked in 47 RBIs helping his team move to first place in the NL East at 31-28. With the numbers to show, Harper has proved this season he can hit any pitch from any pitcher. Harper is playing “put your money where your mouth is” kind of ball.

Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays

Talk about an ace! Archer seems pretty much untouchable. He is 7-4 with a 1.84 ERA and leading the MLB with 108 strikeouts. He surely is doing all he can to keep his team in the race, as they trail the New York Yankees by 1.5 games. With Archer’s crazy ability to find the strike zone, you hardly ever see this guy walk a batter. It’s not even all-star break yet and he is already going down in history for what he has done this season.

Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

Can Keuchel pitch every night? He can be thought of as one of the best pitchers in the AL. No, I am not being biased – he has been named the AL pitcher of the month for April and May. He is 7-2 with an ERA of 1.9 and 72 strikeouts. He has been dominant all year and is a big reason why the Astros are in first place in the AL West. Keep your eyes on Keuchel to see if he will be the starting pitcher in this years all-star game.

Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals

Hosmer really emerged last season when he helped his team to the World Series. This season he is looking to do the same, and he is off to the best start of his career. He is hitting .301 with 7 HR and an OPS of .859. Although Hosmer is not always the long-ball hitter, he is efficient at the plate with 35 RBIs. On top of his stats, Hosmer is the backbone of the Royals composure on the field and in the clubhouse – just the type of player you would want on your team.

Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

Last year’s NL Rookie of the Year is off to a great start again. deGrom is 7-4 with an ERA of 2.42 and 81 strikeouts. This season he has taken a perfect game into the sixth-inning and although he could not pull that gem off, he showed everyone what he was capable of. He also has the ability to settle down after a rough start – something all baseball fans want their pitchers to be able to do. The Mets are second in the NL East and look to deGrom to keep pitching well.

Jhonny Peralta, St. Louis Cardinals

The best team in the MLB (39-21) has many weapons but there’s one in particular. Peralta is leading the Cardinals in almost all offensive categories. He is batting .315, has 10 HR, 35 RBIs and a .900 OPS. He also leads the team with 69 hits. Peralta is the go-to guy to get a rally going, which is what he did recently to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also is great on the field making plays at shortstop look too easy.

Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

The Yankees are in a close race with the Tampa Bay Rays, but Teixeira is doing all he can to keep them in the top spot. He is batting .238 with 17 HR and a .917 OPS. His batting average is not as high as he is capable of, but with 45 RBIs he proves that he can pull through in the right situations.

Prince Fielder, Texas Rangers

Coming back from an injury-ending season, Fielder is on a roll and proving why the Rangers paid the big bucks for him. He is hitting .354, has 10 HR, 41 RBIs and an OPS of .953. Oh, and he has 81 hits. Not too shabby. Fielder has also come up with a couple of walk off wins, helping the Rangers pull within two games behind the AL West leading Astros. Good news for the Rangers that they got this “Fielder” back.

With the first half of the season almost in the books, it’s time for teams to focus on their play-off push. It is a long season but EVERY GAME COUNTS. Look for these big names to hopefully take their team into October and win the pennant.

But let’s be real. Hopefully I will be sipping some World Series champagne – Go Astros!

XO!

– Paige

Guess Who’s Back.. Back Again.. Hammy’s Back! Tell Your Friends.

As we all know, Josh Hamilton has had his fair share of ups and downs. Perhaps that’s all over now. But who really knows. I guess we’ll just have to watch and see.

Brief recap: In February of this year, Hamilton suffered from a shoulder injury while with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Unfortunately, this injury then led to his relapse into his drug addiction which has been a battle for him in the past. He did report the relapse directly to the MLB, but the Angels still made an executive decision to trade him to  (dah, dahh, dahh) the Texas Rangers.

Right back to where he started.

It should be safe to say that Josh is home sweet home.

Before his first game back in Globe Life Park, he did play with the Rangers in three away games but was a bit rusty. Hamilton’s first at-bat in Globe Life Park was welcoming and heart-warming. The fans gave him a standing ovation.

 

According to USA Today, Hamilton said, “It’ll be a game I’ll remember forever.”

So, in return, Hamilton gave his fans something to cheer even more about: a double past right field.

But he had plenty more up his sleeve. The next day, Josh was listed in the Texas Rangers lineup against the Boston Red Sox once again. Hamilton hit TWO home runs that game.

It looks like Hamilton was ready to run home sweet home rather than walk. Quite the analogy huh? The Rangers ended that game with a win, 7-4.

Hamilton was not listed in the lineup for the series finale against the Red Sox, but with a tie game in the bottom of the ninth guess who gets brought in as a pinch hitter? Oh yeah. Hamilton. While at-bat, Hamilton drilled the third pitch for a walk-off double to win the game.

Talk about a welcome back that might as well be scripted for a movie.

Five of Hamilton’s six hits have come at “home” at Globe Life Park and if that doesn’t show a comfort level for Hamilton, I don’t know what would.

Clearly Hamilton is showing everyone, including his loyal Texas fan folk that he’s back & he’s ready.

And most importantly, Hamilton is showing Texas that their minimum investment is definitely paying off thus far.

– Hailey

Top 10 Beer’s To Bring To Your Next Tailgate

Whether you’re outside your favorite football stadium, in a muddy field before a summer concert, or in your own driveway with your best friends, everyone loves drinking a nice, cold one while tailgating.

Usually tailgate beers are meant for more of a quantity over quality feel, the most bang for your buck (aka the people’s champion: Natty Light.) As a lover of both sports and booze, here are my suggestions of some tasty brews to bring to your next tailgate that will keep everyone asking for more and might surprise you!

#10. GOOSE ISLAND IPA- Impress your Chicago friends/fans and try all the other Goose Island brands. Can’t go wrong!

#9. SIERRA NEVADA TORPEDO- Hoppy and lives up to it’s name, aka having the ability to sink your entire day, in a good way of course.

#8. YUENGLING- America’s oldest brewery! Malty & slightly sweet.

#7. SHINER BOCK- Because TEXAS, that’s why.

#6. FAT TIRE AMBER ALE- Perfect if you’re looking to gain some parking lot cred with the adults with this “classier” canned beer. Not the cheapest at $15.99 for a 12 pack, but always tasty.

#5. BUDWEISER/BUD LIGHT- Such a classic that I couldn’t keep it off the list- also economical!

#4. ANCHOR STEAM- California common, that is always delicious and the only steam beer in the US.

#3. FOUNDER’S ALL DAY IPA– Year round availability and comes in a 15 pack of cans how cool is that?!

#2. GREAT LAKES DORMUNTER GOLD- A Cleveland favorite had to get some love on my list! In a cold, broken city, where sports dreams go to die, I have come to realize one thing us Clevelanders are really good at: DRINKING.

#1. PABST BLUE RIBBON aka PBR- My grandpa’s favorite beer- and now the Brooklyn hipsters fave as well. Less than a buck per beer, you can pick up a 12 pack for $9.99 before your next tailgate!

But remember the best beer at a tailgate, is ALWAYS the one your holding.

Happy tailgating folks!

– Morgan

The New Big Guns in Texas: The Houston Astros

When most people think Texas sports, they think the Dallas Cowboys or the Texas Rangers, but it looks like there’s a new big gun in town. And boy, do we love those when it comes to Texas.

The Houston Astros have been proving who the real southern all-stars are with their 31-19 season and sealing 1st place in the AL West so far.

All-star (game) worthy pitcher Dallas Keuchel was handed his first loss of the season during their Memorial Day game against the Baltimore Orioles, but otherwise batters like José Altuve are proving the Astros may be playing champion baseball all season long.

However with Jed Lowrie out, it should be interesting to see how the Astros offense carries on until he returns injury-free.

Bottom line, we’ll see if Houston fans actually have something real to cheer about this baseball season, or if the hot-dog stands are yet again going to be the main event at Minute Maid Stadium.

– Adrienne