2020 MLB Season: Simulating AL games (May 4-7)
Stat sheet
While averaging nearly 13 hits in four games this week, the Astros lifted their team batting average for the season to .311, a full 20 points ahead of the second-place Twins and 56 points better than the full league average. Houston has scored 266 runs to date, an average of seven per game, and 14 more than any other team.
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Astros DH Yordan Alvarez delivered nine of those hits and has moved into a contending position in the batting race. Alvarez added 37 points to his average and now sits at .358, just five points behind Gleyber Torres, who continues to lead.
Alvarez is one of two Astros who has moved to the top of the league’s RBI race. His nine RBIs gave him 37 for the season, one behind teammate Alex Bregman, who added four to drive his league-leading total to 38. Kansas City’s Jorge Soler and Minnesota’s Miguel Sano lead in home runs with 15 each.
Zack Greinke’s eight strong innings against the Royals Wednesday extended his lead in the ERA race. Greinke lowered his average to ahead of Minnesota’s Randy Dobnak at 2.27.
By fanning 11 Royals Tuesday, Verlander ran his league-leading total for the season to 80, five ahead of Tampa’s Charlie Morton and Chicago’s Lucas Giolito.
In upcoming weekend action, the Astros finish their four-game series at home against the Mariner, and the Athletics hope to keep place with three in Oakland against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In the East, the Yankees and Red Sox go head-to-head three times at Yankee Stadium with the division lead at stake. Texas visits Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels are in Baltimore.
The Minnesota Twins try to solidify their hold on the Central with three home games against the Royals. The Cleveland Indians are in Detroit for three.
The weekend’s interleague series sends the Chicago White Sox to San Francisco for three games.