Freaks of the Week

 FOTW 8/4-8/10

By: Spent Brockman


Lane Thomas, Washington Nationals

Yes National fans there are some things to cheer about even in August. Thomas was the best hitter in baseball over the past week contributing in just about every way possible. The Nats centerfielder hit 3 doubles, four homers, while totaling 9 hits on the week. Lane's speed was also on full display swiping 3 bags. Thomas is one of a few pieces that show this Nationals organization is not a complete lost cause. Pairing Thomas with the young core of CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz, and MacKenzie Gore has the makings of a team that could be competitive in a couple seasons once all the bad contracts this team gave out expire allowing them to put talent around them and win some games. For now, big weeks from Thomas and company will have to satiate the fan's desires for good baseball.


Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners

You gotta love what is going on in Seattle, right? A team that was more of a seller at the deadline has to be regretting trading away their closer after going on a 7 game winning streak and vaulting their way back into contention with the team now just 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot. The most exciting game of this streak had to be Logan Gilbert's dominant start against the Padres on Tuesday. With both teams needing a win to claw their way back into contention it was a matter of who wanted it more and Gilbert made it clear that no one had a chance of beating him that day. The 26 year old threw 7 scoreless innings while giving up a sole Xander Bogaerts single. Gilbert's strikeout arsenal was in the spotlight as the soon to be ace struck out 12 batters. While Gilbert still struggles with consistency issues, a refined approach can launch the righty into pitching's elite because he definitely has shown flashes that he belongs there.


Nick Castellanos, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies seem to have each one of their player's go on a torrid stretch one after another to keep the team in the thick of the playoff race. This week it was Nick Castellanos's turn. After a disappointing season a year ago, Castellanos has turned it around this season hitting .276 to go along with his 47 XBHs. Nick's impact was seen in every game as he extended his hit streak to 11 games. Even with all those hits, it was his power game that did all the heavy lifting. In 7 games this week, he totaled 5 dingers. The Phillies seem like a strong bet to reach the postseason, but if they want to make it far they're going to need to have their players all hit together instead of these isolated hot streaks by individual players that is keeping the team afloat.


Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers

Man if this dude could ever find a way to consistently locate his pitches, he would be one of the best starters in the league. Well he was able to find his command on Monday. The righty made an early mistake to Ezequiel Tovar giving up a homer in the first but once he was settled in the Rockies were in trouble. Peralta found the strikezone early and often striking out 13 batters while retiring 20 straight opponents. This is the second strong start in his last three with Peralta also striking out 13 Reds on July 26th. The Brewers have to hope that this momentum will carry through until the end of the season with the team struggling to find consistent production out of their starting pitchers beyond Corbin Burnes.


Pete Alonso, New York Mets

Boy Pete must wish he could play every game against the Cubs. Alonso started to show some of his power in the weekend series against the Orioles hitting 2 doubles. It was his 3 game series against the Cubs where he really shined though as he almost single handedly guided the team to a series win. Alonso was a man on a mission, swatting 4 homers over those three games. And these were not just solo dingers either as when runners were on base the Polar Bear clutched up knocking in 10 runs over that three game set. While it has been a largely disappointing season for the Mets as a whole and Alonso as an individual, Mets fans have to be happy about one of their franchise cornerstones still showing up to play everyday even in the dog days of this subpar season.

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