The Week Ahead in Major League Baseball August 19-August 25

I can’t believe we are this far into August. In two weeks, Ryan goes back to college and the other two start school shortly after that. Where has the Summer gone? Actually, where has the Major League Baseball season gone? It seems like two weeks ago that I was watching the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play each other in Japan prior to going to work. Here it is the third week of August and the Chicago White Sox have not been officially eliminated from the playoffs yet. That means we have plenty of baseball left to digest.

Series to Watch: Minnesota Twins at San Diego Padres

These two teams are in playoff position in their respective leagues. However, both still have designs on division titles with San Diego trailing the Dodgers by three games and the Twins are sitting behind the Cleveland Guardians by two games. The Padres have been arguably the hottest team in baseball with a 24-12 record since July 1. Minnesota has been sizzling, winning 11 of 16 games so far in August. Unfortunately, Twins’ center fielder Byron Buxton has found his way back to the injured list with hip inflammation. The Padres had their own injury setback when shortstop Ha-Seong Kim left Sunday’s game with a jammed shoulder. The schedule doesn’t let up for either team after this series as the Padres will next host the New York Mets and the Twins return home to face the St. Louis Cardinals.

Player to Watch: Ketel Marte

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ MVP candidate hasn’t been the same since Garrett Stubbs of the Philadelphia Phillies rolled into his ankle on August 10. He missed one game and then left the game after that in the first inning. He then missed the next three games before starting at designated hitter on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Marte pinch hit on Sunday but needed to be helped off the field after checking his swing. The second baseman cannot afford to miss any significant time as the D-backs are already dealing with the absence of first baseman Christian Walker and catcher Gabby Moreno. After a sizzling four week stretch, Arizona was swept over the weekend by the Rays. Losing Marte to an IL stint will compromise the D-back playoff push.

#1 struggles

Spencer Torkelson was the #1 overall pick of the 2020 Draft. The Detroit Tigers’ first baseman was expected to have a banner season in 2024. The Tigers were supposed to take the next step in their progression. However, Torkelson struggled mightily, barely hitting above .200 before being sent to Tripe A Toldeo. Torkelson returned over the weekend after playing 58 games for the Mud Hens. Detroit has faded from playoff contention and you can argue they and the Chicago Cubs are tied for the biggest disappointments in baseball. The soon to be 25-year old Torkelson still has two months to turn his season around or else become one step closer to acquiring the dreaded “bust” title.