* the Cincinnati Reds have ridden the Elly de la Cruz effect to nine straight wins are currently a 1st-place team Not a great overall record (38-35) but good enough for a 1/2 game up on the Brewers as action starts tonight * in the ALC, the Twins hang onto 1st place though with a sub-.500 record (36-37) MLB is tempting fate that a team with a losing record would win a division and further reducing intra-division games makes that ever more likely The 'contenders' in that division consist of the Twins -1, Cleveland -5, Detroit -9, ChiSox -12 * as mentioned multiple times by Gary during last night 'cast, Miami 2B Luis Arraez is currently hitting an even .400 Not a ton of walks or power [102 hits, 84 singles -- .400/.450/.490] but impressive anyway in a league with fewer than ten .300 hitters * Braves begin a series in Philly starting in just a few minutes [TUE, WED, THU afternoon] in advance of our trip there on Friday. Spenser Strider vs Ranger Suarez. Strider suddenly sporting an ERA over 4.00 thanx to 13 RA in his last two starts/nine innings (NYM & DET)