Triple Crown Race

By the way, 42 years is a long time between Triple Crowns. Since then, there have been 101 no-hitters and the single-season and career hits, stolen bases and home run marks have been broken (twice for the homer and steals records).

 

In case nobody has noticed, Carlos Gonzalez has raised his NL-leading batting average to .331 tonight. He hit his 31st home run, four behind Pujols for the league lead. He drove in his 93rd run, putting him within four of Votto for the top spot in the NL there.

Amazingly enough, he has a more realistic shot at a triple crown than Pujols right now, though Votto is right there with him. Pujols is probably too far back in batting average at .313 entering tonight's games.

 

Oh yes. CarGo is right in the thick of it now. In fact, I'd say he's the favorite of the three. That's incredible for a 24-year-old kid who is making less than $500,000 this season. Something tells me arbitration is going to be good for him. Votto still has a good shot, too.

Pujols' slump over the past week might have eliminated him from the running. He is 2-for-17 since twisting an ankle on Aug. 27. I have a feeling there's some pain in that ankle. If that's the case, he might not hit another homer for the rest of the season. And he might hit the DL once the Cards realize their stretch run is futile. That gives the other two a great opportunity to take the homer lead.

 

Joey Votto grew up in Mimico and used to play road hockey with my three sons and other kids in the neighbourhood. His mom is a sommelier at a very upscale Italian restaurant in town. His dad passed away suddenly a few years ago--Joey went through a rough time which is fairly well documented.

Needless to say, we're rooting for him.

 

What is this hockey? Is that some type of smoked fish?

 

Toronto Star has a profile on Joey in Saturday's paper.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/mlb/article/856745--local-boy-joey-votto-makes-good-very-good

While other top prospects played on teams that travelled to far-flung tournaments chasing competition and exposure, Votto played locally for the Etobicoke Rangers. He spent his summers working out at Connorvale Park in Etobicoke, playing for the Rangers and performing for pro scouts when they came to town.

He figured he wouldn’t need to join a travelling team because as long as he kept improving pro scouts would find him.


He's right. Doesn't matter whether it's baseball or hockey, if you're any good, they'll find you

 

Do the Rockies have any road games left? If so, that'll finish off Gonzalez' chances.

 

His home-road splits are ridiculous, but it's not like he is a horrible player away from Coors Field. That said, after tonight, the Rockies play 16 of their final 28 games at home, so that should help him.

The odd thing about Votto is that he has hit much better on the road than at home despite the favorable hitter's park in Cinci.

 

Away from Coors Field, statistics-wise, he's damn near exactly Chase Headley.

 

Oh, there is no doubt that Coors Field is a huge part of his production. But he still hits a little away from home and he is so dominant there that he at least has a shot at the Triple Crown.

 

Unless McNulty puts the bracelets on him, Omar continues to look like a spoiler. But the gap is shrinking.

 

Infante is at .342 after getting two hits in five at-bats today. Gonzalez raised his average to .337 with three hits (on the road, by the way). This should be fun to watch.