Running 2017 MLB regular season thread

That's a good question, though it might be because there's no one on base ahead of him, so they can pitch around him with empty bases to give. The leadoff spot has largely been a horror show.

 

He's definitely still the same player; probably better. I was shocked to see the low RBI total, but that's a function of opportunity. Can't hold it against him. Guys aren't getting on in front of him like they did last year. Gotta wonder if teams are pitching around him more this year due to the Cubs offensive problems. He's REALLY cut down his Ks, so could be a combo of better batting eye and pitchers challenging him less often. He walked 77 and 75 times his first two seasons; this year he's already at 60 with just 77 Ks. Was almost a dead even 2:1 ratio last year.

It's just that so many other players are having incredible season while he's plugging along with merely a very good one once again.

 

Bryant bats second.

Last year the Cubs' leadoff hitters had an OBP of .381. This year it's .321.

The eighth-place hitters had a .335 OBP last year. This year it's .275.

 

It's almost as if RBI is dependant on others around you.

 

Don't look now, but the Braves are at .500 for the first time since April and only six games out of the second wild card spot.

I have no expectation of them actually making a run at the playoffs. There's no way they can keep up this recent pace into September. But it has made them considerably more enjoyable to watch. If they can stay at .500 before the end of the season, it will be a success to me.

 

Does anyone expect Zimmerman to keep it up? Hasn't the decline already begun? I'll bet he's not top 10 MVP by year end.

 

2-for-4 today, with a solo homer.

If he gets 200 more plate appearances and 40 more hits (.200 the rest of the way), he still hits .263. And if you had told me before the season that Zimmerman is going to hit .263 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs, I'd have been ecstatic.

 

Nobody should make season projections on anybody after they've finished a series against the dogass Reds.

 

... which set the Nats' franchise record at 235.

 

Jon Lester goes seven strong.

But my MVP candidate Kris Bryant goes 0-for-5.

Last night was an emotional roller coaster for me, from an SJ.com standpoint!

 

Did one of them die?