Hogs in the Bigs, Week 2

Baseball is just limping out the walk to first base, with multiple positive COVID-19 test among the Cardinals and Marlins affecting the schedules of a third of MLB teams. For now, we’re gonna enjoy it while it’s here, and that means rooting on our Hogs playing in the majors.

Brian Anderson (Miami Marlins) – .300 BA, 1 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

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.

Previous Week: Anderson has gotten a hit in each of the Marlins’ first three games, capped off by a three-run shot on Sunday against the Phillies.

Jalen Beeks (Tampa Bay Rays) – 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 15 K

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.

Previous Week: Beeks came into the Rays’ opener in the seventh inning, with Tampa trailing Toronto by three runs. His five strikeouts and minimal baserunners in two innings couldn’t get the win, but he showed he has value in a middle relief role.

Andrew Benintendi (Boston Red Sox) – .083 BA, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

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.

Previous Week: Benny’s off to a slow start in 2020, going 0/9 through the first weekend. He did draw a bases-loaded walk and scored in the Red Sox’s win Friday over the Orioles.

Logan Forsythe (Miami Marlins)

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) – 2-0, 3.38 ERA, 3 K

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.

Previous Week: Keuchel’s opening day as a White Sock was a success. Keuchel was sharp early, keeping the Twins scoreless through the fifth inning, but a pair of singles in the sixth sent the big guy to the showers.

James McCann (Chicago White Sox) – .400 BA, 2 HR, 4 R, 3 RBI

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.

Previous Week: McCann made the most of his only start of the weekend, going 3/4 with a home run and giving his old/new teammate Keuchel some insurance. Give me all the Keuchel/McCann team-ups this year, please.

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

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.

Previous Week: After pitching a scoreless inning in relief on Opening Day, Smyly was given the nod to start on Sunday against the Dodgers. He only made it into the fourth inning, but he was serviceable, allowing one run on four singles and a walk.

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

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.

Previous Week: Stanek struggled on Saturday, giving up a three-run homer to the Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto in one inning of work. The deep shot put the Phils’ lead way out of reach of the Fish.

It’s been a rough week for the pro Hogs, with the Marlins limiting two of our boys and Smyly getting shut down for a bit. But there’s still ball to be played, and James McCann has plenty more home runs in him this season.

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.