It’s only early May, but there are plenty of interesting story lines to watch for in the coming week. A potential cheater. A hot seat. A hitting streak. A possible playoff preview. A roster controversy. You don’t want to miss any of these.
Buchholz start – Toronto Blue Jays analyst Dirk Hayhurst caused quite the stir last week when he accused Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz of adding a foreign substance or two to his pitches. No formal complaint was lobbied against Buchholz, but people around the league are no doubt wondering whether he is using more than just rosin and water like he claims. With the success he’s had in his first six starts, it only makes the skeptical wonder more. His 6-0 record, 1.01 ERA, and 47 strikeouts helped him earn the American League Pitcher of the Month Award for April. But his start on Monday night will be under intense scrutiny as many people want to see whether he’ll be doing anything differently that what made him so successful for five weeks.
LA Hot Seat – The Angels are staring their fourth straight season of missing the playoffs in the face thanks to another lackluster start. After the team’s spending binges over the last two offseasons, expectations are as high as ever in Anaheim. But with an 11-20 record on May 5th and with the team nine games out of first already, calls are increasing for a change on the bench and Mike Scioscia’s days may be numbered. Fans are growing restless with the long-time manager’s change in offensive philosophy while making other odd decisions, like starting two catchers in the same lineup. It is entirely possible Scioscia’s tenure with the Angels could come to an end this week.
Halfway to Joe – When a player reaches the halfway point to Joe Dimaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak, it’s time to take notice. And David Ortiz could get there this week. Between the end of last season and the start of this one, David Ortiz is riding a 25-game streak. That would have been the longest in baseball last year and is the longest active streak. Ortiz has been on fire since returning from the disabled list and he gets to return home this week where he’s hitting .516/.529/.871. Among the pitchers he’ll face during the four-game series with the Twins, he’s only hit against Monday’s starter Vance Worley before, going 0-3. If he makes it to the following series against the Blue Jays with the streak intact, he’ll have a great chance to extend it. He’s 7-17 against Friday’s starter Brandon Morrow and 24-68 against Saturday’s starter Mark Buehrle.
Possible World Series Preview – It’s almost silly to discuss potential World Series previews in the first week of May, but when the Tigers and Nationals meet this week, that is very well what it may be. Detroit and Washington are both among the top teams in their leagues and were among the favorites to win the title before the season started. The teams will meet in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday for a brief two games series. The most disappointing part of their matchups is that Justin Verlander and Stephen Strasburg won’t be facing off against each other. But, depending on how things play out, that could happen in October.
McCann returns – It’s a good problem to have, but the Atlanta Braves could be looking at a catching controversy in the near future. Six-time all-star Brian McCann spent the first month of the season on the disabled list after having surgery on a torn labrum in his right shoulder in October. In his stead, rookie Evan Gattis has been more than adequate. He’s hit .250/.302/.557 this year with 7 home runs and 17 RBI and earned the National League Rookie of the Month Award for April. McCann, though, will be back with the Braves beginning Monday. He will be eased back in to the lineup to start, but will eventually likely become the full-time starter again. Manager Fredi Gonzalez will have to get creative to keep Gattis’s bat in the lineup. He could get playing time in the outfield and at first base, but those are hardly positions that need to be filled in Atlanta.
