The Greatest Story Ever Told
Trevor Story (BOS): 3-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI
Trevor Story has been trying to live up to expectations since signing with Boston, but injuries have limited his explosiveness over the past few years. The most games he has played in a season for Boston thus far was 94 back in 2022. During spring training, he looked ready to be a major contributor this year, averaging a hit per game while missing a few contests due to occasional back pain.
So far this season, he has been healthy and productive despite not getting much attention. Over the past two weeks, he has had half of his games be multi-hit games, while adding 6 stolen bases. His ceiling is likely yet to be realized, as the rest of the team around him has generally underperformed to date; as of last night’s game, he has surpassed Alex Bregman as the team leader in hits with 26 in 21 games. A warning for pitchers who face Story with two runners on base – four of his last five homers have all been of the three-run variety. Currently sitting at 60% ownership in Yahoo leagues, this may be the time to add Story before someone else does.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday
Carson Kelly (CHC): 2-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI, BB.
Only one player who has played in more than 10 games this season has an OPS higher than Aaron Judge, and it’s Carson Kelly with 1.675. Back on March 31st, Kelly hit for the cycle, and he continues to be hot when he’s in the lineup. On Friday, it was the first warm-weather-with-gusty-winds-out-to-center game at Wrigley Field of the season, and Kelly took advantage with a two-run bomb out to left-center in his first at-bat. He later added a three-run home run in the eighth, an inning featuring 16 total runs between both teams.
Ian Happ (CHC): 3-5, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Coming out of the seventh inning stretch, this game was stuck at 2-1, and Corbin Burnes gave way to Ryne Nelson. Two singles and a walk set things up for Ian Happ, who crushed the slam to right field. This gives Happ back-to-back three-hit games and a four-game hit streak going back to the series with the Padres.
Eugenio Suárez (ARI): 1-5, HR, R, 4 RBI.
Not to be outdone, the Arizona Diamondbacks have started to make a habit out of feasting on relievers to try and capture victory from the jaws of defeat. Jordan Wicks‘ 5-pitch appearance was short-lived, resulting in three straight singles, setting the table for Eugenio, who had not hit a homer since April Fools’ Day. His 458-foot slam was the longest hit ball of Friday’s games:
Kyle Tucker (CHC): 3-5, 3B, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
The following inning, after Kelly’s second home run of the day, it was Tucker’s turn. After producing a triple in his previous at-bat, he crushed this no-doubter off lefty Joe Mantiply to the same spot that Happ drove his grand slam earlier:
He ended up a double away from the cycle.
Cam Smith (HOU): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
After a lackluster series vs St Louis – producing one single in three games – talks resumed that perhaps the young prospect who was fast-tracked onto the Opening Day roster may be in over his head. Two at-bats vs. lefty Kyle Hart later, Cam Smith had two home runs into the same spot in left center, setting the Astros up for a major upset of the Padres at home.
Tommy Edman (LAD): 3-4, HR, 2 R, RBI.
With Shohei Ohtani absent from the lineup due to going on the paternity list, Tommy Edman stepped into his big shoes in the leadoff spot and did his best Ohtani impression, belting a homer in his first at-bat vs. Jacob deGrom and adding two more singles later. He was also caught stealing by deGrom, robbing him of the Ohtani combo meal special.
Bo Naylor (CLE): 3-5, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI.
Cleveland had been in a mini-slump since the Baltimore series, losing three of their last four by scoring two or fewer runs in those losses. Likewise, Naylor had been hitting below the Mendoza line entering this game, but the Pirates are the perfect get-right opponent. His last multi-hit game with a home run was two weeks ago vs. the Angels.
Luke Keaschall (MIN): 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, SB.
The Twins’ injury woes continue, forcing their hand to accelerate the development of one of their top prospects. Luke Keaschall – their No. 3 prospect who only had 14 games at Triple-A to date – was called up on Friday to serve as DH. He didn’t waste any time getting his first major league hit and RBI:
He also added his first major league stolen base, making it an impressive debut for a team that could use a spark.
Francisco Lindor (NYM): 1-5, HR, R, RBI.
The wait for elusive home run No. 250 finally ended in epic Lindor fashion Friday night, leading off the bottom of the ninth, with the game tied 4-4. Lindor’s 5-game hit streak was in jeopardy after starting the night 0-4, but maybe he was just waiting for the perfect moment to do this:
Stone cold laser to the upper deck…ballgame.
Notable Injury News:
Casey Schmitt was a last-minute scratch before the game vs. the Angels, and it sounds like he is headed to IL after suffering an oblique strain during pre-game warmups.
Not an injury per se, but Shohei Ohtani went on the paternity list and will miss up to three games, starting with last night’s game. He should return in time to rejoin the team to face the Cubs on Tuesday.
Alex Bregman returned from the paternity list after only missing one game.
Austin Wells missed Friday’s game with food poisoning. He apparently was not warned about the chicken wings from Cody Bellinger.
Zach Neto returned from the IL to make his season debut.
