I’ll be on CLTV’s Sports Feed tonight, talking about (probably) the Cubs’ first-half, the recent hot streak, and the upcoming trade deadline.
Pending any total meltdowns on my end, we’ll probably post the link somewhere in the Bullets tomorrow (just like we did with Luis yesterday). So be on the lookout for that.
For now, though, we’ll turn our attention to the rest of the league and see what’s going in Major League Baseball …
In a bit of a surprise, Terry Lefton of the Sports Business Journal is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers have been shopping the naming rights to Dodger Stadium since the beginning of the Spring. Which, whoa. Apparently, the naming rights would be of the “So-and-So Corporation at Dodger Stadium,” variety and be worth a tidy sum of $12 million … per year. Of course, your plausible Cubs relevance here is that, depending on much money they actually get, the Cubs could get interested in doing something similar with Wrigley Field, but … boy I wouldn’t want to be on the internet the day that ever happens.
Here’s something crazy:
That’s right: if the Dodgers beat the White Sox tonight, they’ll have won 30 out of their last 34 games, which, just how?! Apparently, that’s a record that’s stood strong for 80 years. Oh, and guess who’s pitching tonight? I’ll give you a hint, he wears jersey #22, and it’s exactly who you’re thinking of.
Having noticed their ridiculously hot stretch (specifically the .792 winning percentage since May 16, Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore calls the Dodgers “baseball’s version of the Golden State Warriors.” And, at this point, can you blame him, even if the sports don’t really compare that way? Okay, no more LAD for now.
Starling Marte’s 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs ends tonight against the Brewers. Check out this MLB.com post for more on how the whole experience has humbled him.
Just before (and even a bit after) the Cubs acquired Jose Quintana from the White Sox, the team was frequently attached to A’s starter Sonny Gray. At FanGraphs, Jeff Sullivan discusses Gray’s trade value with special regards to how “back” or not “back” he is this season. According to Sullivan, there are plenty of reasons for optimism (he’s been a bit unlucky, has faced better competition than usual, and is still getting his stats in line with his better career rates), but, of course, reasons for concern, as well. It seems very likely that Gray will be dealt at some point in the next two weeks, but given his injury history, inconsistencies, reasons for concerns, and one less year of control (vis a vis Quintana), it shouldn’t take nearly as much to get him.
Bad news for Carlos Correa, the Astros, and baseball after the young start hurt himself on a swing yesterday:
The Washington Nationals have called upon Edwin Jackson to fill a hole in their rotation, and Eric Nusbaum recalls his long, fascinating career. Here’s a random, interesting note from the story: “Only one other player who appeared in his [Jackson’s] debut is still in the majors—that would be Adrian Beltre—and four players who appeared in that game have since gotten jobs as big league managers.” Crazy. Although he’s only 33 years old, Jackson has played in parts of 15 Major League seasons.
Catcher Stephen Vogt, who was dumped by the A’s and picked up by the Brewers, has hit a whopping .250/.313/.679 for Milwaukee, but now goes to the disabled list after a home plate collision.
Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard played catch from about 70 feet yesterday for the first time since suffering significant injuries earlier this season. So, you know, watch out for the Mets.
Over at Baseball is Fun, among many other (fun) things, plate discipline ruined a gender reveal party, and the National went around the horn after a strikeout … while Homer Bailey ran to first base because the pitch was in the dirt.
And finally, with Kyle Schwarber’s recent trip to Triple-A in mind, I’d like to notify you that Dansby Swanson, the former top prospect in baseball, and one of MLB’s most exciting young players, may be headed back to Triple-A. Swanson, 23, was not in last night’s lineup against the Cubs (though he did get in and steal a base) and has slashed .220/.297/.321 this season. See? It can happen to the best of the best, and I’m certainly not going to bet against Swanson, just like I never bet against Schwarber.
Bonus rumor-type-thing – BE ON ALERT:
Brett Taylor contributed to this post.