Welcome to Week 24 of our ongoing series highlighting the best hitters and pitchers of the previous week. We have another week that may prove to be an all playoff team edition. Both hitters helped contribute to their teams locking up at least a wild card berth with one team winning their division. Both pitchers are vying for a Cy Young in their respective leagues. Only one’s team has locked up a playoff spot though.
BEST HITTER: Kevin Pillar, OF, Blue Jays
I wouldn’t say everything is going the Blue Jays’ way as their superstar shortstop is currently injured. But they’re locked into a playoff spot now. On top of that they got some stellar offensive production from Kevin Pillar who is more known for his glove than anything else. And that’s really important for them to get production like that when they’re still technically trying to lock up the division as the Yankees are four games back. Though with 6 games left in the season it’s highly unlikely they don’t secure first place in the AL East. Pillar definitely did his part to that end by leading baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, and wins above replacement among other important stats.
Honorable Mention: I haven’t heard much about Lucas Duda this year. It’s true that he performed somewhat unevenly at different points this year but he’s still been quite good (.246/.354/.482). This week was one of his better weeks. He came in second in wRC+ by hitting .353/.542/1.059. He had a 29.2 BB% and didn’t strike out once. That performance helped the Mets become the second team this year after the Royals to secure a division title.
MLB Leader:
AVG – Kevin Pillar (.524)
OBP – Kevin Pillar (.583)
SLG – Lucas Duda (1.059)
wOBA – Kevin Pillar (.666)
wRC+ – Kevin Pillar (341)
HR – Justin Bour (5)
SB – Kevin Pillar (5)
fWAR – Kevin Pillar (5)
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Wrigley Field on September 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
BEST PITCHER: Jake Arrieta, Cubs
Last week the Cubs were in the middle of their first playoff push in years, having now locked up one of the wild card spots. Jake Arrieta is in the middle of his first legitimate chance at a Cy Young award. With all that going on he rose to the challenge throwing 16 innings and allowing zero runs. Both games were against division rivals. He threw a complete game shutout against the Brewers including 11 strike outs. He also faced the other NL Wild Card team and division rival the Pirates. He only allowed 1 hit and no walks while striking out 9 batters. Could that be a preview of the wild card play-in game?
Honorable Mention: Speaking of Cy Young contenders, Dallas Keuchel had a very nice week. He also faced two division rivals–the Angels and Rangers. The Astros won both of those games thanks to Keuchel only allowing a run per game.
MLB Leaders:
K% – Carlos Carrasco (51.7%)
BB% – 8 players tied (0.0%)
AVG – Jeff Samardzija (0.36)
WHIP – Jeff Samardzija (0.11)
ERA – 9 players tied (0.00)
FIP – Stephen Strasburg (0.27)
xFIP – Carlos Carrasco (0.64)
fWAR – Jake Arrieta (0.9)
Statistics courtesy of FanGraphs
