1. It’s not just that the Toronto Blue Jays lead majors in home runs. But 30 more than any other team entering play Tuesday night? No one saw that coming. At 1.5 homers per game (211), the Blue Jays are on pace for 247. In the past decade only the 2000 Astros (249) and 2005 Rangers (260) have hit more.
2. Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has inserted himself into the NL MVP race with Albert Pujols and Joey Votto. But is part of that his home field? Everyone knows the advantage of playing at the high altitude in Coors Field. Gonzalez has a 1.233 OPS at home — basically 2003 Barry Bonds. On the road he is .760 — or no better than 2010 Casey Blake.
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3. It’s one thing to start a winning streak in September when the stakes are highest, but the Chicago White Sox entered last night with seven wins in a row — and every single one of them away from home. They have three more on the road before returning to the Windy City this weekend against Kansas City and an AL Central showdown with the first-place Twins next week.
4. Only twice since he broke into the big leagues as a full-time player in 1996 has Alex Rodriguez had an OPS below .900. But this year the Yankees third baseman has dropped to .826 — the lowest mark of his career. He likely won’t reach 30 homers for the first time since 1997.
5. Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz could still take home the AL rookie of the year award. But with a 4.71 ERA? Blame the league’s weak crop of rookies in 2010. Matusz has also turned around his season with a 2.72 ERA in seven starts since Aug. 4. He’s done it with starts against Texas, Tampa Bay, New York, Boston and two vs. Chicago.
