Hogs in the Bigs, Week 3

Baseball is still here, and with each passing day, it looks like it has the momentum of a snowball rolling down a hill. Maybe the season will reach a satisfying conclusion! Almost everyone is back to playing (come back Cardinals, I miss you), and it feels like some order has been set. As far as our baseball Hogs, home runs have been the highlight of the week.

Brian Anderson (Miami Marlins) – .300 BA, 2 HR, 5 R, 9 RBI

It didn’t take long for Brian Anderson to get back into the swing of things. Two games into the Marlins’ restart, Anderson got a-hold of one, sending it over right field. The home run was the only score of the Marlins’ 1-0 win at Baltimore. Anderson has gotten a hit in eight of the ten games he’s played. Doin’ good!

Previous Week: Anderson and the Marlins took the week off after a large number of positive COVID-19 tests within the Marlins organization. We’ll learn more this week what that means for the future of this baseball season.

Jalen Beeks (Tampa Bay Rays) – 0-1, 5.06 ERA, 18 K

Beeks had another up-and-down week. On Wednesday, he pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two, against the Red Sox in a losing effort. On Saturday, Beeks pitched fine early but ran into trouble in his second inning, giving up two runs and nearly costing the Rays a victory over the Yankees. When he’s on, Beeks looks the part of a solid middle reliever. He’ll strive for consistency the rest of the way.

Previous Week: Beeks had a manic start to last week when he struck out seven Braves and allowed four runs (three earned) in three innings last Monday. On Thursday he gave 1.2 innings of solid work, holding the Braves scoreless in a close game. He took the loss Sunday when the single he gave up to open the seventh inning eventually crossed the plate, allowing the Orioles a lead they would keep.

Andrew Benintendi (Boston Red Sox) – .059 BA, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

One has to wonder how much longer Benintendi will get steady playing time. This week, he’s gone hitless, and in the last two games, he’s been taken out early for a pinch hitter. He’s too talented not to figure it out, but time and chances are going to run out on him before long. You know the pressure is mounting in his head.

Previous Week: Our boy continues to struggle this week. Benny was moved down in the lineup twice during the series against the Mets, hopefully taking some pressure off. He’s only had two hits to this point in the season, with a sub-.100 batting average. Not ideal! Maybe not playing in two of the three weekend games against the Yankees will spark him. We’ve seen how good he can be; now he’s got to get back to producing and playing smart baseball the way he knows how.

Logan Forsythe (Miami Marlins) – .231 BA, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI

Welcome back to The Show, Logan Forsythe! The journeyman has gotten starts in four games this week. He had a solid day at the plate on Thursday, going 2/4 with a run, but his highlight came on Saturday, when he sent one deep beyond center field.

Previous Week: Some good news this week, as, Miami signed Forsythe in an effort to build back their COVID-depleted roster. His versatility will aid the Marlins in stretching out their depth. Forsythe was released from the Phillies earlier in the summer.

Dallas Keuchel (Chicago White Sox) – 2-1, 2.55 ERA, 11 K

Keuchel had his best start of the season on Wednesday, going seven innings against the Brewers, striking out eight and allowing only a single run. Unfortunately, the White Sox offense couldn’t back him up, and the 0-1 score gave Keuchel his first loss. He’ll try to keep the momentum going today against the Tigers.

Previous Week: Keuchel basically cloned his first start for his second, giving up two earned runs in 5.1 innings and getting a win against Kansas City. He’s not getting a lot of guys on strikeouts, but he’s been solid and crafty. His next start against the tough Brewers will give us a better indication of how his season will go.

James McCann (Chicago White Sox) – .360 BA, 3 HR, 5 R, 5 RBI

Another start, another rake for James McCann. McCann has had the best production of any pro Hog this season, while still only playing in about half of the White Sox’ games this year. He’s caught all three of Keuchel’s starts so far this year, so let’s see if he does it again today. The Keuchel-McCann connection soothes my soul.

Previous Week: Another start, another rake for James McCann. In his limited opportunities so far, he has produced, even getting a run on the day he finally couldn’t come up with a hit. If he keeps this pace up, you have to figure they’ll find ways to get him more at-bats.

Drew Smyly (San Francisco Giants) – 0-0, 3.24 ERA, 11 K

Smyly hasn’t pitched since being put on the 10-Day Injury List on August 2. He isn’t expected to play until late August.

Previous Week: Smyly got another start on Saturday. He struggled in the first, giving up two runs, but righted the ship after, striking out seven and limiting baserunners. He only lasted four innings, and has since been put on the 10-Day Injury List with a strained finger on his throwing hand. It may be quite awhile before he reemerges.

Ryne Stanek (Miami Marlins) – 0-0, 27.00 ERA, 1 K

Stanek hasn’t had a chance to lower that unsightly ERA, as the Marlins placed him on the 10-Day Injury List on Tuesday. Hopefully, he’ll get his chance soon.

Previous Week: Stanek and the Marlins took the week off after a large number of positive COVID-19 tests within the Marlins organization. We’ll learn more this week what that means for the future of this baseball season.

Keep hitting home runs, Old Hogs. We love to see it.

Thanks for reading. Go ahead and follow @ArkansasFight on Twitter. For Hog reactions and puns from the guy who wanted to call this feature “Pigs in the Bigs”, follow @lukecdavis.