Best – Nelson Cruz RF/DH Minnesota Twins – 4-5 4R 2HR 7RBI
Like a good wine, this Nelson Cruz has only gotten better with time, and Sunday, he unleashed himself on the Chicago White Sox to help the Twins take the season-opening series.
Nelson Cruz is a professional hitter and, man, is he good at his profession. Cruz has had 35+ HRs for six straight seasons, and, if 2020 were a regular length season, he would be on track to keeping up the streak. Cruz’s stat line () alone was enough to beat the much-hyped White Sox and get the Twins to a 2-1 start. Last season, Cruz helped the Twins set a team HR record, and he seems ready to help the Twins set a new record and keep their title of AL Central champs.
Other Notables: Trevor Bauer SP Reds – 6.1IP 2H 1ER 1BB 13K); Jose Ramirez 3B Cleveland – 3-5 4R 4RBI 2HR; Carlos Carrasco SP Cleveland – 6IP 5H 2ER 1BB 10K 1W; Dansby Swanson SS Braves – 3-5 2R 5RBI 1HR; Patrick Corbin SP Nationals – 6.1IP 2H 1ER 0BB 8K.
Worst – Shohei Ohtani SP Angels – 0IP 3Hits 5ER 3BB 0K
The day began with excitement for the Anaheim Angels. The Angels were finally getting their two-way phenom, Shohei Ohtani, back on the mound. Ohtani has been working his way back from Tommy John surgery and hoped to recapture the magic from his rookie year. Needless to say, Sunday was a huge step in the wrong direction.
The Angels have a high potential for the 2020 season after the addition of Anthony Rendon and Joe Maddon to manage with a winning mentality. Still, the Angels need Ohtani to be that phenom he was his rookie year to unlock that potential and get them back to the postseason. Ohtani has to get his control and confidence back if the Angels are going to have any chance of winning a title. Until then, it might be better to keep him off the mound.
More Trash: Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox SP (.2IP 3H 4ER 2BB 0K); Tim Anderson White Sox, SS (0-5); Zach Grienke, Astros SP (3.1IP 4H 3ER 2BB 2K); Max Muncy, Dodgers 2B/1B (0-5); Rick Porcello, Mets SP (2IP 7H 6ER 3BB 1K 1L).