The Weekly Windup: MLB Week in Review July 6th - July 13th
Recapping the week in baseball, updating rankings, and discussing some notable stats
Each week—published on Sunday evenings—I write a short recap of the past week in baseball, provide updated Elo ratings, team rankings, and pitcher power ratings. I also highlight one or two interesting stats that caught my eye over the course of the week.
This week marks the end of the first half of the MLB season. While teams have played well over half of their 162 games, the All-Star Game—taking place Tuesday in Atlanta—is traditionally viewed as the season's midpoint. The past week has set the stage for how teams will feel heading into the four-day break.
The Dodgers are likely eager to hit the reset button after a rough week, during which they endured a 7-game losing streak before finally beating the Giants on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Red Sox fans panicking after the team traded star Rafael Devers have suddenly gone quiet, as the Sox have won 9 in a row and boosted their odds to make the playoffs, per FanGraphs, 23% in the past week.
As mentioned, this week features the Home Run Derby on Monday and the All-Star Game on Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. The Home Run Derby lineup includes sluggers Cal Raleigh—who will put his historical power on display—Nationals OF James Wood, Rays 3B Junior Caminero, Twins OF Byron Buxton, Athletics' Brent Rooker, Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr., Braves' Matt Olson, and Statcast sensation Oneil Cruz of the Pirates. Personally, I can’t wait to see Cruz’s blasts, who leads the league in Exit Velocity and holds the record for that hardest hit ball in the Statcast Era (since 2015), at 122.9 MPH
Below is an update on team rankings heading into the Midsummer classic.
Starting the All Star Game for the American League will be Tarik Skubal, while Paul Skenes will toe the rubber for the NL. Looking at my current pitcher ratings, its hard to argue either of these choices.
Stat of the Week
2.01/.333: Paul Skenes now holds the best ERA, 2.01, of any player with a winning percentage of .333 or below and at least 20 starts since Ned Garvin in 1904. This special, young talent is frankly being wasted by the Pirates.
Team of the Week
Milwaukee Brewers: How can you not pick the team that dethrones the Dodgers in the rankings! The Brewers are riding a 6-game winning streak and increased their FanGraphs odds to make the playoff by 18%, and odds to win the NL Central—the division which also has the Cubs—by 17% (up to 32%). They have mostly been lead by their pitching, especially rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski. Milwaukee has a league leading 11.5 K/9 in the past week and the second-best ERA in baseball at 2.13.
Player of the Week
Byron Buxton: Buxton hit the first ever cycle at Targe Field on Saturday, on his bobblehead day nonetheless! He also leads the league over the past week in batting average at .556 and OPS at 1.711. Let’s hope he carries this momentum into the Home Run Derby.