Now Warming Up…MLB

Let's start with the Opener.

***The New York Mets were leading MLB in wins for most of the first two months of the 2025 season while struggling mightily with hitting with runners on base, but aided by stellar starting pitching.  Well, they have been free-falling like a Tom Petty song in June. The starting pitching has regressed, and the bullpen has become leaky, as the problem with scoring runs remains. Juan Soto suddenly looks comfortable in orange and blue, while Pete Alonso has cooled off after the best start of a season in his career. The pitching will ultimately determine if the Mets are a real contender, but while they have depth, they lack a true ace pitcher. What do you think?

Now to the Set Up Man.

***The Tampa Bay Rays are figuring out how to win again in 2025. It seems they have found their comfort zone in the minor league park known as Steinbrenner Field after a slow start.  Brandon Lowe (.275 avg/18 HRs) is having a career season, to go with Junior Caminero becoming a star (with 51 RBI), and breakout hitter Jonathan Aranda (.325 avg). These guys are driving an offense that puts the Rays in second place so far in 2025.  As the pitching continues to develop/recover from injuries, the Rays may need to figure out a way to configure a minor-league park for playoff baseball.

Now the Closer.

***Happy Independence Day, everyone.  Leave the fireworks for the professionals, let your favorite MLB hitter light up the sky, or let your favorite MLB pitcher light up the radar gun, and stay safe. Among my favorites, it is still great seeing Mike Trout hit mammoth home runs for the Angels.  He is a Hall of Famer that every MLB fan needs to see play live.  And a pitcher lighting up the radar gun a little less nowadays, Jacob deGrom, can still be lights out despite fewer mph on each pitch.  He is power and finesse altogether, and always fun to watch.  Getting to the Hall will be a reach for this ace with his age and injuries seemingly an annual event, but when he is on, there is no one better.  Stay safe, and have fun, everyone.

 "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth." - Lou Gehrig's iconic "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech was delivered on July 4, 1939.