The Week Ahead in Major League Baseball June 17-June 23

I write this in the aftermath of another Father’s Day success. Nothing crazy, no places to go, just surrounded by those who are most important in my life. The week ahead in Major League Baseball will be anything but calm, with one gigantic series being played, one superstar whose status is in question and another superstar who might be getting ready to make his season debut. On top of that, we get a classic 1975 World Series flashback as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Boston Red Sox!

Series to watch: Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees.

It’s a battle in the Bronx between the teams with the two best records in baseball. Aaron Judge and Gunnar Henderson are the top two home run hitters. They are the only clubs with more than 100 home runs. A regular season series does not get any better than this. The O’s took three of four games from the Yanks in Camden Yards in during the last days in April/first days in May. You can bet New York remembers that set and will be looking for a bit of payback. I’m reliving a bit of my youth when both of these teams were solid year in and year out and their games were a big deal.

Player to watch: Gerrit Cole

There is a possibility that the 2023 Cy Yong winner will make his season debut on Wednesday against the Orioles. Cole pitched for Triple A Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Friday, his potential final step after being out all season so far with elbow discomfort. The Yanks have their starting pitcher as TBD with Cody Poteet listed as the other potential option. New York’s rotation as been strong all year long and getting back their ace adds another stroke of luck in this magical start.

Not Dodging injuries

The Los Angeles Dodgers endured a painful series this past weekend against the Kansas City Royals. Despite winning two of three games, the Dodgers lost two big pieces of their championship puzzle. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto left Friday’s game after two innings with triceps tightness. He was placed on the 15 day IL. His velocity was down noticeably as compared to his previous outing vs. the Yankees. On Sunday, Mookie Betts fractured his left hand after being hit by a pitch from the Royals’ Dan Altavilla. Though it was announced surgery was not needed, there is no timetable for his return. Despite these latest injury setbacks, Los Angeles still owns an eight game lead in the National League West and have pitcher Bobby Miller returning this week. They can afford to be careful with Yamamoto and Betts.

Turner back

Cole is not the only star coming back. Trea Turner is set to return to the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup Monday night barring anything unforeseen. The Phils lost the last two games of their series against the Orioles and have dropped five of their last seven contests. Turner’s return from a hamstring injury comes at a good time with Philadelphia set to play six games at home against playoff contenders the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks.