THREE UP ▲ THREE DOWN ▼
WHAT’S TRENDING IN MLB
The ups
The Tampa Bay Rays, who are in first place in the American League East, are reaping the benefits of trading pitcher Chris Archer to the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer. Outfielder Austin Meadows has an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of 1.098, and pitcher Tyler Glasnow has a 1.13 earned-run average in four outings. Khris Davis, who is tied for second in the majors in home runs, inked a two-year, $33.5-million extension with the Oakland Athletics last week. Davis, 31, has averaged 44 homers a year since being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2016 season. The San Diego Padres do not regret their decision to put top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. on the opening-day roster. Tatis, a 20year-old shortstop, has a .613 slugging percentage and a .978 OPS.
The downs
The former Dodgers acquired by the Cincinnati Reds in the offseason have yet to make an impact. Alex Wood is sidelined because of a back injury. Matt Kemp had a .459 OPS after Saturday’s game. Yasiel Puig was hitting .175. And Kyle Farmer was hitting .136. The Boston Red Sox possess too much talent to spend the season in free fall. But they have had a hideous April, with stars Chris Sale and Mookie Betts struggling. As of Friday, the Red Sox had the worst run differential in the AL. The Miami Marlins were not expected to contend this season. But they likely expected to retain their hitting coach through April. The club fired Mike Pagliarulo on Friday, with the offense ranked last in the sport in runs scored.