The 3-2 pitch
The 3-2 pitch
April 28, 2018 at 10:41PM
Three observations …
• If Fernando Rodney is having trouble with his changeup, then he shouldn't close games until he regains the feel for it. Pitching the ninth inning is tough enough.
• Enjoy watching Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna, who was called up on Wednesday. He hit his first home run Thursday and is just dripping with talent.
• Albert Pujols entered the weekend six hits shy of 3,000 for his career. And he will earn a $3 million bonus for reaching 3,000. That's one expensive hit.
… and two predictions
• Miguel Sano is projected to strike out 284 times this season. He won't finish with that many, but he'll pass Jacque Jones (737) and move into 10th place on the Twins all-time list this season. He already has 505 strikeouts in 329 career games.
• The Diamondbacks are for real and will be in first place at the All-Star break. Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray haven't gotten going yet.
about the writer
Neal: La Velle Neal, Pedro Martínez, and a look back at a controversial American League MVP vote
Twenty-five years ago, Martínez finished second in AL MVP balloting — because La Velle didn't vote for the Red Sox ace.
