Mike Trout will not be playing in the postseason this year, but that has not stopped him from further distancing himself as the best player in MLB.
Trout led the Los Angeles Angels to a 12-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday by collecting five hits with two home runs (33) and five RBIs. He also scored three runs. Simply put, Trout can do it all.
Shohei Ohtani's pitching career may be in danger, but he has a great second skill to turn to. Ohtani went two for four with two runs scored, a triple, three RBIs and a stolen base. He could turn into an elite every-day hitter.
Michael Shoemaker, recently back from injury, improved to 2-0 by allowing three runs in five innings with four strikeouts. He now has a 3.45 ERA this season.
The Angels (70-72) underperformed this season, failing to contend with the Houston Astros for the American League West, but when healthy, they have shown the pieces are in place to build around for the future.
Need we say more? @MikeTrout pic.twitter.com/AUJ239XRv7
— Angels (@Angels) September 9, 2018
HARVEY FINDS FORM
Reds starting pitcher Matt Harvey turned in one of his best starts in years, allowing just two runs off four hits with 10 strikeouts in a 7-2 win over the Padres, in seven innings. Harvey improved to 7-8 this season.
National League Cy Young candidate Max Scherzer tossed a complete game with 11 strikeouts in a 10-3 win over the Cubs. Scherzer did allow three earned runs, but he improved to 17-6 with a 2.31 ERA overall this season.
RODRIGUEZ STRUGGLES
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez fell to 12-4 this season after allowing five runs off six hits in just 3.1 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Astros. Potentially an American League Championship Series (ALCS) preview, Rodriguez likely did not give his manager confidence in his ability to start in the postseason.
YELICH CONTINUES INCREDIBLE SEASON
Christian Yelich is having a special season.
The @ChristianYelich MVP campaign keeps rollin’. pic.twitter.com/GKIffPWJTi
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2018
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Miami Marlins
Washington Nationals 10-3 Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds 7-2 San Diego Padres
Houston Astros 5-3 Boston Red Sox
Oakland Athletics 8-6 Texas Rangers
Cleveland Indians 9-8 Toronto Blue Jays
Detroit Tigers 4-3 St Louis Cardinals
Tampa Bay Rays 10-5 Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals 6-5 Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Angels 12-3 Chicago White Sox
Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 San Francisco Giants
Kansas City Royals 4-1 Minnesota Twins
New York Mets 10-5 Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta Braves 5-4 Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies 4-2 Los Angeles Dodgers
New York Yankees 4-2 Seattle Mariners
DODGERS AT ROCKIES
Two of the three teams vying for the National League West, or a wildcard spot. Rich Hill (7-5, 3.73 ERA) will take the mound for Los Angeles, with Colorado sending Tyler Anderson (6-7, 4.80 ERA) to the mound. The Dodgers won three of four games against the Diamondbacks earlier this month, and are hoping to do similar damage against the Rockies.