Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still an offensive threat, even after winning the famous Major League Baseball All-Star Game home run contest.
The Toronto Blue Jays power hitter hit the fourth long pitch in nine games since the All-Star Game break on Sunday, which should silence those who claim the home run contest affects batting momentum. In fact, Guerrero has shown more power in the past few weeks than he did since claiming his impressive victory at home to the Seattle Mariners.
Guerrero, who was born in Montreal, had hit just 13 homers in his 88 first games this season and entered the All-Star game break with a .787 power attendance rate (OPS). He’s now over .800, and if he keeps up the pace like he did two years ago — when he hit 48 long balls, which led to him being a Major League MVP finalist — then he could keep the Blue Jays confident about their playoff chances this fall.
Guerrero is clearly a mainstay for the Blue Jays, having appeared in the majority of the team’s games over the past three and a half years. The Toronto offense, however, is very ordinary this season, notably ranking 15th in points scored. George Springer is posting career-worst OPS at .740, which doesn’t help, and receiver Alejandro Kirk’s offensive production is also plummeting.
Small consolation, the Blue Jays of 2023 are more efficient on the mound — despite the setbacks of Alek Monoah and the absence of Hyun Jin Ryu, who underwent Tommy John surgery. Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi have all made at least 20 starts and each have an ERA under 4.00.
The Milwaukee Brewers are still trailing in points scored/allowed differential, but have recently re-established themselves as the top club in the National League Central Division. The Brewers are 21-11 since June 16. The Brewers lost two of their three games against the Atlanta Braves this weekend, but this series was very tough, and before that they had compiled a record of 7.2 in nine games against the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies.
The Brewers are now 10 games above .500, and they lead the Central Division by half a game over the Reds — even though they are currently on a five-game winning streak.
The San Francisco Giants have a losing record in July, even though they recently had a seven-game winning streak. Those were virtually their only wins this month, and that streak was followed by another five losses in which they were notably swept by the Washington Nationals, bottom of their section.
The Giants were outscored 21-5 against the Nationals. The California squad is tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fight for the second bye given to teams drafted in the National League, but the Phillies are only half a game behind — as are the Miami Marlins, who are also having their share of difficulties these days.