MLB Awards: Week Twenty

We have waved August goodbye and are into the last full month of the Major League Baseball regular season. The final chance to make trades has passed. It’s all on the diamond from here until the World Series.

As we have done all season, here are some of the highlights from the last few days…

Performance of the Week

This one wasn’t a hard call. Christian Yelich went 6-6, including a cycle, against the Reds earlier this week in a remarkable game in Cincinnati.

Yelich should be in the conversation for National League MVP. It’s a wide open race in the NL, and the former Marlin is a definite contender.

Start of the Week

Steven Matz has battled injuries over the last couple of seasons. Quality starts have been few and far between for the Mets lefty, but he pitched a gem on Saturday night against the Giants.

Matz struck out a career-high 11 hitters in his seven innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits. If Matz can find consistency, with deGrom, Syndergaard and Wheeler performing, the Mets could have one of baseball’s best rotations next season.

Defensive Play of the Week

Taking on Kevin Kiermaier‘s arm is a brave decision. The Rays’ centre fielder helped out his ace, Blake Snell, against the Indians with this absolute cannon to home plate.

https://twitter.com/statcast/status/1036042169524645894

Kiermaier might just be the best defender in all of baseball. He’s survived the Tampa Bay fire sale until now, and could be a key piece of the next contending team at Tropicana Field.

Nightmare of the Week

Tyler Anderson survived just 0.2 innings of his start against the Cardinals at Coors Field. The Colorado starter gave up six earned runs on seven hits as the red-hot St Louis cruised to victory.
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The Rockies rotation has played a massive part in their resurgence, but days like this are almost inevitable in Denver.