Historic Chases · 2026-07-22

Kyle Schwarber (PHI) has struck out 154 times, projecting to 242. Mark Reynolds' record is 223. That pace would be the most strikeouts in any season since 1901. But he's doing damage too: he is 2nd in MLB in home runs (33) — one every 11.2 at-bats. The strikeouts are the price of the power.

The AL West is a coin flip: Rangers (51-51) lead Mariners by 0.5. The Rockies' single-season record is 49 home runs, set by Larry Walker in 1997. Hunter Goodman (COL) projects to 48 and would finish 1 short.

What changed from last season: Jackson Merrill (SD) — stolen bases up from 1 in 115 games in 2025 to 20 in 99 this season; Pete Crow-Armstrong (CHC) — walk rate up from 4.7% to 12.1% (29 in 620 plate appearances in 2025, 52 in 431 this season); Junior Caminero (TB) — walk rate up from 6.4% to 13.0% (41 in 643 plate appearances in 2025, 57 in 440 this season). 3 of 312 rate comparisons across 61 men on this season's leaderboards, corrected for having looked that many times.

Lines of the night: Cam Cauley hit his first career home run ▶︎ watch; Steven Cruz earned his first career save ▶︎ watch; Luis Rengifo hit his first home run of the season — in his game No. 62.

History movers: Marlins — Losing Streak: 9 now, modern record 23 (Philadelphia Phillies, 1961).

Sweep watch: the Rays swept the Blue Jays (3 games) — their 3rd sweep in 27 days. 2 other clubs were swept the same night.

The so-what: Yordan Alvarez (HOU) has 34 home runs through 104 team games, a 53-homer pace — 11 behind Bonds's 2001 total at the same point (45 of his eventual 73). Keep watching that number — it separates a run at the record from a very good season.