Early Impressions After the First Two Weeks of MLB

The MLB regular season always seems to fly by, but this year is going to be different. We’re only two weeks into the season and most teams have already played around 15% of their scheduled games.

So, what are my early impressions from the first two weeks of MLB?

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Can Every Team Finish a 60-Game Regular Season?

It looks like MLB is doing everything they can to ensure every team can complete their schedule.

We’ve already seen multiple games postponed because of COVID-19 outbreaks. While most teams have already completed 8-12 regular season games, the Marlins and Phillies have played 4 games.

The good news? Both teams have been back in action this week.

The Phillies lost to the Yankees on Monday (6-3) and the Marlins beat Baltimore (4-0) on Tuesday.

How does the MLB plan to make up games that had to be postponed?

Teams that need to make up games will play in doubleheaders. However, doubleheader games will only have 7 innings rather than 9 innings and the extra innings baserunner rule still applies.

It’s just another rule change that has been implemented for the shortened MLB season.

Update on Dodgers’ Joe Kelly Suspension

Last Tuesday, the Dodgers and Astros had a benches-clearing incident.

Joe Kelly first threw a 3-0 96 mph fast ball behind Alex Bregman, just missing his head. It was clear that he had no control over his pitches in the relief effort, but was there intent?

After walking Bregman, Michael Brantley reached base on a ground ball, as the Dodgers couldn’t complete the double play. Kelly then walked Yuli Gurriel on four pitches.

Carlos Correa was up next and Kelly went with an off-speed pitch that almost nailed Correa in the head. Kelly ended up striking out Correa in the at bat and then they trash talked each other while Kelly made his way back to the dugout. The benches ended up clearing in the incident.

Personally, I didn’t think the situation was bad enough to warrant an eight-game suspension.

Kelly has appealed the suspension and MLB is expected to deal with the appeal at some point this week, but for the time being, Kelly is still pitching for the Dodgers.

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Pitchers Are Dropping Like Crazy with Injuries

Clearly, the start-stop nature of this MLB season has been a problem for pitchers.

A large number of pitchers have suffered injuries this season already. Clayton Kershaw was placed on the IL on opening day, but he finally pitched in his first start this past Sunday.

Justin Verlander was placed on the IL on July 26th (right forearm strain). He’s going to be reevaluated next week, but there are reports he could end up missing the rest of the season.

Corey Kluber was placed on the 45-day IL on July 28th, Miles Mikolas is undergoing surgery and will be out for the rest of the season, Alex Wood (shoulder) was put on the 10-day IL this week, but he should be back in the rotation soon and his injury isn’t serious.

Rich Hill (10-day IL) and Mike Soroka (45-day IL) were injured this week and will miss time. Soroka went down with a torn right Achilles while pitching against the Mets on Monday night.

Shohei Ohtani (forearm) also won’t pitch the rest of this season, but should remain the DH.