Baseball
MLB Notes: Seiya Suzuki is Making Key Contributions for the Resurgent Cubs
Suzuki, a 30-year-old outfielder, had three- and four-hit performances in a span of four MLB games and helped the Cubs win five of their last six games.
Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki is on a hitting tear as his team seeks to bolster its chances of clinching a playoff spot. The Cubs, who have 29 games remaining on their 2024 MLB schedule, have won seven of their last 10 (through August 27).
In his last seven games, Suzuki pounded out 14 hits in 30 at-bats (.467 batting average). This included a 4-for-6 performance and three runs in the Cubs' 18-8 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, August 26.
A day later, Suzuki smacked a game-tying two-run home run, his 19th of the season, in the fourth inning off Jared Jones and went 2-for-4 in Chicago's 9-5 road triumph over Pittsburgh at PNC Park. It was the Cubs' fifth win in their last six games.
Suzuki later said he knew what to expect from Jones, a 23-year-old right-hander. And he smacked the MLB rookie's 3-1 pitch over the right-field fence.
"The pitcher's fastballs have good velocity, and I went into the batter's box geared up for that," Suzuki said of Jones, according to Kyodo News.
Suzuki, who turned 30 on August 18, also had a noteworthy 3-for-5 performance (two homers and a triple) with three runs and four RBIs in a 14-2 pounding of the host Miami Marlins on Saturday, August 24. Japanese teammate Shota Imanaga picked up his 10th win of the season with seven innings of four-hit, two-run ball. Imanaga is 10-3 in his first MLB season.
The Cubs are Among MLB's Hottest Teams
With the win on Tuesday, Chicago improved to 67-66, climbing above .500 for the first time since May 28. The Cubs are tied for MLB's second-best record over their last 10 games.
That said, the Milwaukee Brewers lead the National League Central with a 75-56 record. But the rival Cubs are playing quality baseball and appear capable of making a spirited run at one of three wild card berths.
"We've become consistent, I think," Chicago manager Craig Counsell told reporters, assessing their overall play of late after Tuesday's win.
"And then we've played consistent enough baseball," he added, according to The Associated Press, noting the Cubs have won four consecutive series.
He continued: "That's consistency. So, that's what we're doing a nice job of."
Suzuki, in his third season with the Cubs, agreed with first-year manager Counsell's general viewpoint.
"The team, we've always played together," Suzuki was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "I think, right now, everybody is playing well."
Suzuki leads the Cubs with a .276 batting average. He's second on the club in home runs and RBIs (63).
Yoshida Providing Offensive Spark for Red Sox
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Masataka Yoshida has had hot and cold stretches in the batter's box over the past few weeks.
In his last seven games, Yoshida is batting .214 but has hit safely in four consecutive games, going 1-for-4 in all of them.
He's hit at a .346 clip (18-for-52) in his last 15 games, including a two-run single in the first inning of the Red Sox's 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at Fenway Park. Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first en route to halting Toronto's six-game winnings streak.
Over his past 30 games, Yoshida has a .342 batting average.
Heading into Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, the former Orix Buffaloes star was batting .291 with nine homers and 48 RBIs in 2024, his second season with Boston.
Yoshida was sidelined with a thumb injury in May. He returned to action on June 11 and gradually grew more comfortable at the plate ― good news for the Red Sox.
"After I came back off of the injured list, I had a fear of swinging strong," Yoshida said through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. "As I get more at-bats, that fear is kind of gone. Right now, I can just swing it carefree."
What other impressions does Yoshida have of his hitting adjustments in recent weeks?
"I think the most important thing is to utilize the lower body as efficiently as possible and try to not just use the hands," Yoshida told MLB.com in July. "Just use that lower body and also just try to finish strong. Finish the swing really strong."
Matsui Collects His 4th Win of 2024
San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui continues to have a solid first season in MLB.
The former Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher appeared in his 58th game for the Padres on Tuesday, tossing a scoreless sixth inning against the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
San Diego beat St Louis 7-5 and Matsui was the winning pitcher. He improved to 4-2 this season after walking one and striking out one. He ended a streak of not allowing a walk in 17 consecutive appearances (since July 3).
On preventing the Cardinals from scoring a run when he was on the mound, Matsui said "That's the least I could do."
Pleased with the outcome of the game, Matsui added, according to NHK, "I don't need a win, but I'm glad the team won."
It was Matsui's first win since May 31 against the Kansas City Royals. (He's made 32 relief appearances since then.)
Matsui has a 1.99 ERA in his last 30 games, holding opponents to seven earned runs and 23 hits in 31⅔ innings. Over that stellar stretch, he's issued seven walks and fanned 42 batters.
Matsui has a 3.32 ERA for the Padres, who are 76-58 through Tuesday and winners of three straight. He's exhibited a strong command of his pitches with 62 strikeouts and 24 walks. The veteran lefty has given up 41 hits, including only five home runs, in 57 innings. He has nine holds this season, providing a dependable option out of the bullpen for Padres manager Mike Schildt.
Keep an Eye on Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani reached 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season faster than any player in MLB history (126 games) on Friday, August 23.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar, a two-time American League MVP, is now on pace to finish the 2024 season with at least 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. If he does, he'll become the first player in MLB history to have a 50-50 season. (Just remember that only six players have had 40-40 seasons.)
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.