2018 MLB Projections Season Highlights (April 5th)

From time to time, I will post my season highlights so far, I am actually on the April 19th segment of the schedule, but here is some action from a few weeks back.

April 5th

• The Colorado Rockies are getting the most out of their Grade C & Grade D starting pitchers, and Kyle Freeland (C) was one of those, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing only one earned run; Jonathan Gray pitched a 3-hit, 1 ER (6 inning) performance the day before. Colorado's goal is to get 5-6 strong innings from them, and then go to their stellar bullpen. Three-Run home runs by Nolan Arenado and David Dahl, along with Chris Iannetta's 3rd HR in 4 days certainly helped. Rockies defeat Padres, 8-2.

• Young Dixon Machado hit lead-off for the Tigers for the first time, and got on base four times, going 3-4, all singles, 2 RBI with a BB. Victor Martinez & Nick Castellanos each homered to help the Tigers edge the White Sox, 7-5. 

• A big late four-run inning in the 8th helped the Miami Marlins defeat the Phillies, 7-6... highlighted by Justin Bour's two-run HR.

• Jacob deGrom pitches 7 strong innings for the New York Mets, allowing only 6 hits, 1 walk & two runs, while striking out 12 Nationals. Wilmer Flores & Micheal Conforto each went 2-for-4 with a HR & double, helping the Mets win 4-2.

• Chris Davis's Grand Slam could not help the Baltimore Orioles topple the Yankees, as the edge the Orioles, 6-5. Aaron Hick's three-run triple, along with home runs by Gary Sanchez & Didi Gregorius. Aroldis Chapman closed the door with his 2nd Save of the season, as the Yankees improve to a undefeated 7-0.

• A total collapse by the Tampa Bay bullpen (Dan Jennings, now with Milwaukee) in the 8th, allowed the Red Sox to defeat Tampa, 6-4; J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers each hit two-run homers in the 8th.

• Holy Smoak, Batman! That's Justin Smoak of the Toronto Blue Jays, who went 3-for-6, with 2 three-run homers with a double (6 RBI day), to help Toronto defeat Texas, 10-3. Josh Donaldson also had a big day, going 3-for-5 (all doubles), 4 RBI, BB & 2 runs. 

• The Chicago Cubs score 10 runs in the 4th inning alone, while the Brewers scored 6 runs earlier in the 2nd inning, as the Cubs outpace the Brew Crew, 11-7. Willson Contreras and Javier Baez each homered. Mike Montgomery pitches 4 innings of no earned runs, taking over for Yu Darvish who got knocked out of the game, allowing 6 ER in only 1.2 innings.

• The Cincinnati Reds win a 15-9 shootout with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as both teams combined for 27 hits & 7 HR. Scott Schebler (2-for-5, Grand Slam), Eugenio Suarez (2-for-3, HR, SF, BB & 4 RBI), Scooter Gennett (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) & Joey Votto (solo HR) all homered for the Reds, while Josh Bell (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI & 3 runs), David Freese (3-Run HR) & Elias Diaz (solo HR) all homered for the Buccos.

• The Arizona Diamondbacks were powered by 4 HR in a 7-1 victory over the Cardinals, while Robbie Ray was excellent on the mound, allowing 6 hits & a run to go along with his 10 K in a 8-inning effort. Paul Goldschmidt (2-for-4, 2 HR & 4 RBI), Jake Lamb (2-Run HR) & Chris Owings (2-for-4, HR & 2B) each homered.