While yesterday was a travel day for many teams, and others sat due to virus precautions or inclement weather, baseball was still played and with it came more weird and awesome moments! Let’s get you caught up with what happened around the league on Monday:
Detroit Honors Mr. Tiger
Before Monday night’s home opener, the Detroit Tigers honored their legendary outfielder, the late Al Kaline, with a special ceremony and video tribute celebrating the Hall of Famer’s life and legacy. Kaline had passed away April 6, but because of the season shutdown, the Tigers were forced to wait until Monday to properly pay tribute to the Detroit lifer.
Tonight, join us for the Detroit Tigers Home Opener and the Homegoing Celebration of Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline.#AlwaysATiger | #DetroitRoots | @tigers pic.twitter.com/DIOG1AsZxA
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) July 27, 2020
The pregame ceremonies included a flag-raising homage, a moment of silence, and a special rendition of the national anthem by José Feliciano. The Tigers will also be sporting a memorial patch on their jerseys this season in honor of Kaline.
Mr. Tiger. Al Kaline. pic.twitter.com/wK4KYjNjwC
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) July 27, 2020
Royals Deploy the First Seven-Man Outfield
Later that evening, the Royals and manager Mike Matheny employed an unorthodox shift on modern-era Tigers superstar Miguel Cabrera. The Royals infield of Maikel Franco, Adalberto Mondesi, Whit Merrifield, and Ryan O’Hearn positioned itself just beyond the infield clay in the shallow outfield grass, perhaps becoming the first team to utilize seven fielders in the outfield.
Did the Royals just invent history's first 7 man outfield against Miggy pic.twitter.com/3vg9JLfJJJ
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) July 27, 2020
The bizarre strategy was aimed at taking advantage of Cabrera’s declining speed, trading longer throws and less time to make the play in exchange for the chance to cover more ground and make extra outs on balls that would have otherwise been hits.
The experimental alignment had mixed results, as Cabrera went 1-for-3 with two walks and a single. His base hit came in his first at-bat against the shift, and he lifted a 3-1 fastball over the glove of Mondesi into left field. The displaced defense was able to contain Cabrera when he came up to the plate in subsequent at-bats however, as he lined sharp ground balls and was retired by the fielders with more than enough time to spare.
Acuña and Choi Are Up To No Good
Can baseball truly be back without the fun-loving antics of Ronald Acuña? Right on schedule, the magnetic outfielder got caught messing with Rays switch-hitting sensation Ji-Man Choi Monday night. It appears they were fighting over first base territory, and Acuña had trespassed briefly before being put back in place by the stalwart Choi.
https://gfycat.com/absoluteembarrassedlarva-baseball-atlanta-braves-2020-rays-mlb
Perhaps Choi was just trying to reestablish a safe distance from Acuña. They are at least wearing their masks, but if they keep it up home plate umpire Ryan Additon will have to separate them. Come on, guys.
https://gfycat.com/glamorousfearfulantlion-baseball-atlanta-braves-2020-mlb
One benefit to Tropicana Field’s dome is the sweet overhead camera angles. More of these, please.
Meanwhile, Blue Jays infielder Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. made his rounds throughout the dugout ensuring his teammates were adequately protected against infections.
https://gfycat.com/dimaptgoral-toronto-blue-jays-lourdes-gurriel
He kept his mask on too. Way to be, Piña.
The Rays Steamroll Atlanta… Historically
Speaking of the Rays, they were firing on all cylinders in their rout of Atlanta Monday night. Tampa Bay pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Jalen Beeks combined for a whopping 16 strikeouts in only seven innings of work, averaging roughly 2.3 an inning. The final total for Rays pitchers was 19 strikeouts, a franchise record for a nine inning game.
The Rays hitters also showed up to The Trop on Monday, and bullied the Atlanta starter Mike Foltynewicz for 6 earned runs (including 3 home runs) in only 3.1 innings. They then battered his relief, and torched Touki Toussaint for an additional 6 runs in an even more abbreviated 2.2 inning outing. The Rays had already scored double-digit runs and it was only the bottom of the 6th. The final score came out to a lopsided 14-5 victory for Tampa Bay, and the Rays became the first team to score 14 and strikeout 19 since the foundation of the American League.
The #Rays scored 14 runs and struck out 19 opposing hitters today. They're the only team since the founding of the American League in 1901 to reach both of those marks in a single game.
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) July 28, 2020