Location, Location, Location

Kenley Jansen is the Dodgers’ all-time saves leader. He earned his 162 saves in the 2016 season to pass former NL Cy Young winner Eric Gagne’s franchise record 161 saves. He already collected more than 300 saves in his career. From 2014 to 2019, he collected 239 saves, leading in the MLB. After Mariano Rivera retired, Jansen is no doubt one of the most dominant closers. 

Impossible could happen?

Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941

The St. Louis Cardinals are finally back on the field and will have a very intense schedule. However, some Reds players tested positive and the games between the Reds and Pirates were postponed. The 2020 season is truly full of unexpected things. In the shortened season, it is possible that we could see something happen.

Some ideas: Total Bases Allowed and Bases Allowed Average

A couple weeks ago, I used bases created average to see whether a team can score more or would be in the playoff. This time, I try to apply this idea to pitching.

Comeback player of the (another) year?

Yoenis Cespedes had 2 home runs and collected 4 RBIs before he decided to opt out this season. He missed the 2019 season last year because of heel surgery. Before the 2020 season began, Cesepdes seemed to be ready and healthy for this full season, a shortened season. He was considered a strong candidate for NL Comeback player of the season. However, after playing 8 games, he decided not to come back this season.

Solid on the mound

It’s been two weeks since the 2020 season started. COVID-19 causes some chaos on MLB schedules. The Miami Marlins are officially back on the field after the coronavirus outbreak. However, the St. Louis Cardinals are still on pause and only played 5 games so far. For most teams, they have played around 15 games. The first 15 games in baseball usually mean nothing too important. But, this year, 15 games means 25% of the season is gone.

Rough start

Mike Foltynewicz was drafted by the Houston Astros in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft. He made his major league debut with the Astros on August 2, 2014. In January 2015, Foltynewicz was traded to the Atlanta Braves. I watched him on the mound in the 2015 spring training. He was the starting pitcher, unfortunately, he couldn’t even complete one inning.

Shohei Ohtani (Pitcher)

Shohei Ohtani made his MLB debut as a pitcher on April 1, 2018. He tossed 6 innings, struck out 6 batters and earned his first career win in the big league. In his rookie season, he made 10 starts and had a 4-2 record with a 3.31 ERA. His WHIP was 1.16 in 2018 and batters only hit .203 against Ohtani. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2018 season and did not pitch last season. After rehab, Ohtani is cleared to pitch in 2020 and it is believed that he’s an important part of the Angels rotation.

Opening Week, who’s hot?

It’s indeed great to see baseball back. The opening week is truly full of excitement, tests and postponements. It seems that staying healthy and being tested negative are the most positive things in baseball. It’s really hard to tell if the 2020 season will be completed because of the COVID outbreak between some players and staff members. However, baseball returns after months-long wait, at least it’s back.