/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56728597/848600776.0.jpg)
The Arizona offense couldn’t solve rookie right-hander Chris Stratton on Sunday. This put even more pressure on Taijuan Walker, who had an up-and-down outing of his own. Despite being gone for over 2 1⁄2 years, not much has changed for Pablo Sandoval, his bat still kills Arizona. The challenged fielder still managed to have a solid day at the plate, driving in enough runs on his own to outstrip the entire potent Arizona offense.
Related: Sandoval Good, Walker Not - San Francisco Avoids Sweep
Related: Martinez Smacks 40th Homer in Losing Effort
Related: Arizona Unable to Complete Sweep
Has Walker Pitched Himself Out of Playoff Rotation?
Joseph Jacquez argues that Taijuan Walker shouldn’t be trusted with a spot in the playoff rotation.
Around MLB
Sale vs Kluber: Defense and Contact in the AL Cy Young Battle
After the BBWAA got it wrong last year, this year’s AL Cy Young race is coming down to a clear two-pitcher race. Craig Edwards at Fangraphs looks at how the two have fared when considering the teams they play for, as well as how well they have dominated from the mound.
Verlander Strikes Out 10 in Detroit Homecoming, Houston Clinches AL West
Justin Verlander continued his second-half dominance while enabling Houston to go wire-to-wire in first for the season. The right-hander is not 3-0 in three starts with Houston, sporting a 0.83 ERA to go with 26 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Bryce Harper Takes On-field BP
Though there is still no timeline for the return of the Washington Nationals’ franchise slugger, fans need to feel good about seeing him get in some work with the bat, indicating he might be ready by the end of the season.