AL East Analysis at Memorial Day Marker
AND: THE BIGGEST BAT EVER MADE
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Readers React: Green Sox, Shoeless Joe, and Mets
“The Red Sox wore two uniforms during Saturday's doubleheader. One was all green I guess to honor the green monster at Fenway Park. I called them the Green Sox when I saw the highlights. The other was yellow and blue. Combine it with the B on the cap and it looked more like UCLA than the Red Sox. Not one trace of red was found. They should just be called Boston and not the Red Sox if they're going to do that.”
— Brian Greenberg, Long Island, NY
What To Do With ‘Field of Dreams’ If Shoeless Joe Reaches HoF
“If Joe Jackson is eventually admitted to the HOF, does that mean that Field of Dreams will have to be re-shot? Or a new sequel?”
— Doug Lyons, Scarsdale, NY
Mets Fan Disputes Comparisons To Braves
“I’ve had feelings about your apparent bias against the New York Mets in the past, but this is the first time I’ve felt strongly enough to write to you.
“Your Pregame Pepper notes last Saturday were misleading. First, you note that the Mets have only won two division titles since they took the NL East title in 1988. Fine. But then you compare them to the Braves by noting that franchise’s postseason successes during the entire modern era and in totality of the Braves’ history for the past 148 years!
“To be fair, the Braves are an impressive franchise and have certainly caused me more agita over the years than I care to think about. But two of the championships you note came in Milwaukee (1957) and Boston (1914) before the Mets even existed!
“The Braves have certainly dominated the NL East since joining that division in 1994. It is almost comical how many more titles in that span the Braves won compared to the rest of the NL East franchises. So I can’t and won’t dispute that number.
“But in terms of pennants and championships compared to the Mets since New York’s inception, the Mets have won the same number of championships (two) and only one fewer pennant than the Braves (five versus six) in that span. The Braves have a total of 10 pennants since 1903; yes, they have won a total of 18 National League pennants, but an 86-year head start over the Mets certainly helped.
“I don’t know how quickly you have to write up, edit, and post your newsletters, but I think a more careful consideration is in order.”
— Frank Saunders, Hamden, CT
[Editor’s Note: Weekend editions of the newsletter are prepared a few days before publication, with items for Pregame Pepper culled from online and print sources, including New York newspapers. We welcome comments, positive or negative, from readers and appreciate their taking the time to write. We also strive to be accurate at all times and fair and neutral in our coverage, which was the rationale behind the positive story last weekend about new Mets pitcher Griffin Canning. The information presented in last Saturday’s Pregame Pepper was factually correct.]
Pregame Pepper
Did you know…
The only teams with winning records on the road but losing records at home are the two playing in borrowed minor-league facilities: the Tampa Bay, with far more games at home than on the road, were 16-18 at home and 10-8 away through Memorial Day, while the Athletics were 14-12 on the road but just 9-19 at “home” in Sacramento . . .
In 2024, the Tigers, Astros and Mets all made the post-season after entering Memorial Day with losing records . . .
Ronel Blanco, who pitched a no-hitter for Houston last year, is down for the count this year after Tommy John elbow surgery . . .
Philadelphia reliever Matt Strahm is not only an avid baseball card collector but the host of a podcast on the hobby . . .
Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias, a pending free agent, is giving out home runs like they’re candy bars for kids — with seven yielded so far, his home run per nine innings has more than tripled since the same point of last season . . .
Suspended outfielder Jurickson Profar, a 2024 All-Star given a three-year, $42 million free agent contract by the Braves, has forfeited $5,806,440 of his $12 million salary.
Leading Off
Memorial Day Benchmark: Beasts and Least Of The American League East
By Matthew Nethercott
Memorial Day generally serves as a test for MLB teams as the first benchmark of the long MLB season. It's a time to see how teams are doing through the first quarter of the season so let's take a dive into the AL East and what was supposed to be the toughest division in baseball.
AL East Standings (As of May 26th, 2025, 11:22am)
New York Yankees
The Good:
The Yankees have one of the top offenses in baseball. Many expected them to take a step back offensively in 2025, but that hasn’t been the case. Aaron Judge has been on another level, batting close to .400 and reaching base in half of his plate appearances.
Unexpected contributions from Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt have added depth, while Trent Grisham has also exceeded expectations — though he's cooled off over the past 15 games. That’s baseball.
Fans have been quick to react to Cody Bellinger’s early struggles, but he’s been scorching hot over the past month, forcing pitchers to think twice before pitching around Judge in key moments.
Jasson Dominguez has also performed well for most of the season. His numbers from the left side are stronger, though his recent at-bats as a right-handed hitter have shown improvement.
Dominguez has also shown a knack for clutch hitting this season, delivering several game-winning hits in the seventh inning or later — including a walk-off home run this past week.
The starting rotation appears to have stabilized, taking just one loss over the past two weeks. Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have been outstanding, and rookie Will Warren has shown noticeable improvement over his last four starts.
Luke Weaver has been nearly untouchable as the Yankees’ closer in 2025. While Sunday and Monday were a bit shaky, he remains a reliable presence at the back end of the bullpen, often locking down wins when called upon. Devin Williams has also started to look more like his usual self in the eighth inning, with no indication he’ll be moved from that role.
The Bad:
The Yankees’ bullpen has shown some inconsistency. Ian Hamilton hasn’t looked like the pitcher he was in previous seasons, and it’s been noticeable. Tim Hill has also struggled recently, contributing to a few losses. His usage has raised questions among Yankees fans.
The good news: reinforcements are on the way, with Clayton Beeter, Scott Effross, J.T. Brubaker and Jake Cousins all working their way back from injury.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Good:
The Rays’ starting pitching has been solid in 2025, led by Drew Rasmussen, who is increasingly looking like the team’s ace. Rasmussen owns a 2.60 ERA through 10 starts, and Tampa Bay has a strong chance to win whenever he’s on the mound.
The Rays are riding a five-game winning streak after sweeping division rival Toronto in blowout fashion Sunday. They’ve had several impressive streaks this season, positioning themselves as a potentially dangerous team down the stretch.
Tampa Bay also continues to benefit from a strong farm system, ranked second in baseball. One of their top prospects, shortstop Carson Williams — MLB Pipeline’s No. 9 overall — has struggled at Triple-A this year but has shown signs of turning things around in recent weeks.
The Bad:
The Rays’ offense has been inconsistent throughout the 2025 season. One of their key contributors, Brandon Lowe, has struggled, batting .223 with an OPS under .650. If Lowe and a few other bats can heat up, the Rays could become a dangerous team.
They’ve also had trouble at their temporary home, George M. Steinbrenner Field, where they are 16-18 this season. On the road, however, they’re 14-11. The good news for Tampa Bay: they’ll spend much of the second half away from home, as the Florida summer brings frequent afternoon and evening rain.
Boston Red Sox
The Good:
Boston’s offense has been solid in 2025, ranking seventh in MLB and fourth in the American League. However, that production may take a hit with Alex Bregman heading to the injured list with quad tightness.
Rafael Devers has put himself in the American League MVP conversation, hitting like an All-Star with two grand slams and two walk-off hits — including a home run — during the past homestand. He’s batting .363 over his last 30 games and is swinging so well that opposing managers might think twice before pitching to him in key situations.
The Red Sox also have a wave of young prospects nearing big league readiness, headlined by Roman Anthony, who remains with Triple-A Worcester. In the wake of Alex Bregman’s injury, Boston called up Marcelo Mayer, MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 overall prospect.
Garrett Crochet has lived up to his potential since being traded to the Red Sox this past offseason and signing an extension in March. He is 4-3 with a 1.98 ERA and 78 strikeouts so far in the 2025 season, firmly establishing himself as the ace of the Red Sox pitching staff.
The Bad:
The Red Sox are tied with the Dodgers, Athletics and Diamondbacks for the major league lead in blown saves, with 11 so far this season. The issue hasn’t stemmed from Aroldis Chapman, who has only two blown saves, but rather from the bullpen as a whole. While the relief corps has shown improvement over the past week, it remains a likely area of focus at the trade deadline.
Boston entered the 2025 season with high expectations, aiming to contend for the American League East title and a World Series run. So far, the team hasn’t lived up to those expectations. Early on, it seemed the 13 head-to-head matchups with the Yankees might decide the division, but that outlook is less certain given Boston’s inconsistent play. It’s still early — but it’s getting late quickly.
Defensively, the Red Sox have also struggled, ranking 29th out of 30 teams in errors per game at 0.78, according to TeamRankings.com. Those extra outs have proven costly in several losses — including a miscue-filled sequence this past Sunday:
The Red Sox have dealt with several off-field distractions this season. One of the most notable came in spring training, when Rafael Devers initially resisted moving off third base. He ultimately shifted to designated hitter, where he has thrived. However, following an injury to first baseman Triston Casas, the team asked Devers to move to first base — a request he declined. The situation escalated to the point that owner John Henry and other top executives flew to Kansas City to meet with Devers and discuss the matter.
Another distraction surfaced this past week when reliever Liam Hendriks publicly criticized his limited usage in 2025. He expressed frustration over being the last option in the bullpen and emphasized the need for consistent reps to be effective. The comments raised questions about team leadership, as internal concerns spilled into the media.
If the Red Sox hope to turn their season around, they’ll need to refocus their attention on the field and minimize off-field issues moving forward.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Good:
The Blue Jays are getting offensive production from their big two — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Guerrero Jr. leads the team in several categories, including batting average (.273), home runs (7) and on-base percentage (.382). Bichette leads in hits (61) and RBIs (25).
Anthony Santander, a major offseason acquisition, has started to show signs of improvement over the past 15 games following a slow start in March and April. However, his numbers still fall short of the expectations Toronto had when they signed him.
The bullpen has featured some dependable arms in 2025. Rookie Mason Fluharty has posted a 3.86 ERA over 21 innings, while Yimi García has been effective as well, with a 3.15 ERA across 21 innings before landing on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement.
The Bad:
The Blue Jays have struggled with consistency throughout the 2025 season. This past week was a prime example: after sweeping the San Diego Padres at Rogers Centre — capped by a walk-off RBI single on Thursday — Toronto traveled to George M. Steinbrenner Field and was swept by the Rays, including a 13-0 loss in the series finale. These types of up-and-down performances against beatable opponents raise questions about the team’s ability to make a sustained run.
While parts of the bullpen have been a strength, others have faltered and contributed to several losses. The Blue Jays signed Jeff Hoffman in the offseason to stabilize the back end of the bullpen. Hoffman has recorded 10 saves with three blown opportunities, but he’s allowed 15 earned runs in 22 innings, posting a 6.04 ERA — far from ideal production from a closer.
Toronto has also struggled with runners in scoring position and ranks near the bottom of the American League in clutch hitting, making late-game comebacks difficult. The bottom of the lineup has offered minimal production, placing even more pressure on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to carry the offense.
Baltimore Orioles
The Good:
There hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Orioles in 2025. One bright spot is star infielder Gunnar Henderson, who is putting together another solid season after a delayed start due to a spring training injury. Ryan O’Hearn has also been a consistent presence at the plate, batting .333 so far this year.
Another positive for the club: Camden Yards remains one of the most beloved ballparks in baseball, with a loyal fan base continuing to show up despite the team’s struggles.
The Bad:
Offensively, the Orioles have struggled mightily in 2025. Their inability to mount comebacks has made for frustrating viewing. Over the weekend, they split a four-game series with the Red Sox at Fenway Park — despite leading in all four games. The offense failed to tack on insurance runs, routinely allowing opponents to climb back into games.
Injuries have gutted what was expected to be a strong starting rotation. The current group ranks 29th in MLB, ahead of only the Rockies. Zach Eflin recently returned from the injured list but has yet to regain his form. Charlie Morton was ineffective in the first month and was moved to the bullpen, replaced by Kyle Gibson, who performed even worse and was designated for assignment. The lone bright spot has been Tomoko Sugano, who has battled issues with home runs but has been otherwise solid.
The bullpen has also been a major weakness. Friday’s game in Boston illustrated the problem: with a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, the Orioles turned to Seranthony Domínguez, who gave up four runs. Gregory Soto entered with two on and one out and surrendered a three-run homer to Rafael Devers, quickly turning the game into a 6-2 deficit. The bullpen collapse continued as Cionel Pérez — who was designated for assignment Monday — and Emmanuel Rivera struggled, resulting in a 19-5 loss. This was not an isolated incident, but rather a snapshot of the Orioles’ bullpen woes this season. No lead appears safe.
In response to the ongoing struggles, the Orioles fired manager Brandon Hyde.
It doesn’t appear that Brandon Hyde was the root of the Orioles’ issues — at least from the outside. He seemed to be respected in the clubhouse, and players appeared to respond well to him. It’s unfortunate he was let go while the team’s struggles largely stemmed from underperformance on the field. Since his dismissal, the Orioles have gone 3-6 under their new manager.
Summing Up
The American League East entered the 2025 season with high expectations and was projected to be one of the strongest divisions in baseball. However, through the first quarter of the season, it has been one of the more disappointing, with only one team — the Yankees — posting a record above .500. There’s still plenty of baseball left to play, and time for teams in the division to turn things around.
Matthew Nethercott is a baseball journalist who specializes in delivering insightful analysis and engaging stories about Major League Baseball. With a keen eye for player development and team dynamics, he provides detailed coverage and thoughtful commentary, capturing the essence of America’s pastime. His email is mnethercott816@gmail.com.
Cleaning Up
World’s Biggest Bat Graces Louisville Slugger Museum
By Dan Schlossberg
Teams are always looking for a big bat or two. They should look no further than the front of the Louisville Slugger Museum, appropriately located on Main Street in that Kentucky port city.
Despite a brief respite during the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum/factory has thrived in its Main Street location since 1996, when the bat-making factory returned there after 22 years in Jeffersonville, IN.
Players routinely show up there to make sure their bats are being made to their exact specifications. Ted Williams, among others, was fastidious about every detail, especially length and weight. So were many other Hall of Fame hitters through the years.
Standing guard outside the museum and factory is a ridiculously enormous bat — bigger than anything ever tried by Williams or Babe Ruth.
In fact, the bat is an exact-scale replica of a model R43 — a 34-inch wood bat designed and used by Ruth in the early 1920s.
The signature of Bud Hillerich and the famous Louisville Slugger logo are tributes to the man whose lathes turned the company’s first bat in 1884.
Ruth couldn’t even lift this one, though: it stands 120 feet tall with a nine-inch diameter at the base, 3’6” diameter at the handle, and a knob measuring 6’6” in diameter.
Made of weather-proof A36 carbon steel on the outside, the interior is hollow. Still, the total weight is a whopping 68,000 pounds — even more than Terry Forster after a Bonanza buffet.
Five layers of paint — including a hand-painted wood-grain coat — were required to cover and seal the entire bat, which was engineered and fabricated in Louisville by Caldwell Tanks.
Not surprisingly, it was no overnight job. Completing the product and placing it into proper position consumed 1,500 hours and six months.
Officially raised on Oct. 21, 1995 after it was transported in one piece over a distance of 12 miles, the bat was deliberately designed to be self-supporting — even though it leans some 11.5 degrees off vertical center.
Transportation and installation alone took about six hours.
The symbol of hitting, the giant bat actually has a younger sibling. Let’s Play Ball, a sculpture commissioned by the Kentucky Crushed Stone Association, was erected at the museum on July 21, 1998 after more than a year of construction.
Made of Kentucky limestone believes to be 450 million years old, the Big Glove measures 12 feet long, nine feet wide, and four feet high — ideal for climbing, crawling, or just sitting. It weighs 17 tons, about half the weight of the Big Bat.
Unlike the bat, which guards the exterior, the glove sits inside the museum. The front doors had to be removed to get the artwork moved to its current spot atop cushions of air.
The Louisville Slugger Museum, currently in its fourth location, is a must-see for anyone visiting the home of Churchill Downs and Muhammad Ali. It is less than 90 minutes from Cincinnati.
HtP weekend editor Dan Schlossberg has made several visits to the Louisville Slugger Museum and enjoyed every one. He covers baseball for forbes.com, Sports Collectors Digest, USA TODAY Sports Weekly, Here’s the Pitch, Memories & Dreams, and other outlets. He’s also the author of 43 baseball books. To book a talk, email ballauthor@gmail.com.
Extra Innings: Acuña’s Return, Skubal’s Trophy
That 467-foot homer hit by Ronald Acuña, Jr. on the first pitch he saw upon returning from a year-long layoff a week ago today was the longest in the majors this season . . .
He thus became the first player in baseball history to homer in his first game back after missing 150 or more games . . .
It was his 35th career homer, not bad for someone who surfaced in 2018 and missed chunks of the 2021, 2024, and 2025 seasons . . .
Acuña said afterward that he told his brothers (including Mets rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña) and his teammates that he would homer in his first at-bat . . .
Former Acuña teammate Max Fried, now in his first year with the Yankees, revealed to The New York Post that he lost many family members in the Holocaust and has visited the Dachau concentration camp twice . . .
Fried, who started this season 7-0 with an almost-invisible earned run average, is the front-runner for this year’s American League Cy Young Award, although defending trophy holder Tarik Skubal of Detroit is pitching well enough to repeat.
Know Your Editors
HERE’S THE PITCH is published daily except Sundays and holidays. Benjamin Chase [gopherben@gmail.com] handles the Monday issue with Dan Freedman [dfreedman@lionsgate.com] editing Tuesday and Jeff Kallman [easyace1955@outlook.com] at the helm Wednesday and Thursday. Original editor Dan Schlossberg [ballauthor@gmail.com], does the weekend editions on Friday and Saturday. Former editor Elizabeth Muratore [nymfan97@gmail.com] is now co-director [with Benjamin Chase and Jonathan Becker] of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, which publishes this newsletter and the annual ACTA book of the same name. Readers are encouraged to contribute comments, articles, and letters to the editor. HtP reserves the right to edit for brevity, clarity, and good taste.