As I expected, when Masataka Yoshida gets playing time every day, he will eventually get into mini bursts, eventually boosting his batting average. How did I know that? Well, I know so because that is just the type of player Yoshida is and that is just the type of player he has always been even in Japan.
In Yoshida's last 15 games, he has been batting .396 with 21 hits, 3 homers, 9 RBIs, and 9 runs scored, upping his BA to .300 in the season. His team is 4.5 games from the last spot in the wild card. But, if the Red Sox are going to make the playoffs, they are going to need Yoshida more than ever, as his consistency late this season will be crucial to whether the team makes it or not.
Dodgers
Andy Pages and Nick Ahmed are the odd men out as the Dodgers need to make room for Tommy Edman and Max Muncy. The team has been lagging production in the middle of the lineup, so having Edman and Max Muncy should help with that. Tommy had 1 hit and a stolen base.
Shohei Ohtani went 1-3 yesterday night and had 1 hit and 1 SB, making his season total 37, on pace to go 40-40 in record time. It would cement his standing as the favorite for National League MVP. I don't think it will take long until he reaches this milestone. He is 1 homer away from his 40th home run and only 3 away from his 40th stolen base. Only five players have ever accomplished such a feat, making Shohei one of the elite. What is also amazing is that there are over 30 games left which beckons the question: is Shohei going to reach 50-50, a milestone no one has ever reached before? This is going to be part of the conversation once Shohei hits his 40th home run. It is the conversation now. But, boy, wouldn't that be amazing? And, we get to see it in our lifetime, the single greatest baseball player ever to play the game, Shohei Ohtani.
2025 will be Yoshida's 3rd year in MLB. I expect him to do better. But, his role as solely a DH is hurting his overall value to the team. He's not as a good a hitter in the MLB level, but has proven to be an above average hitter, hovering a BA aroung .280-.285. The league average is .245.
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