German_Force » A look at what’s happening around the majors today

ACUNA AGAIN!Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. has homered five games in a row — at 20 http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-mel-ott-jersey , he’s the youngest major leaguer to do that. He’s also hit leadoff home runs in three straight, connecting the last two days on the first pitch Miami threw.Acuna later added his 19th homer with a three-run drive in the seventh inning Tuesday night.Brady Anderson was last player with so much leadoff success, homering four straight times to start games for Baltimore in 1996.Acuna has matched the Atlanta record for consecutive games with a home run set by Brian McCann in 2006. Acuna will try to keep the streaks going when the Braves face Jose Urena and the Marlins at SunTrust Park.SKIDDINGMinus MVP Jose Altuve, the AL West-leading Astros are struggling. They’ve matched a season high with five straight losses, have dropped nine in a row at home, and their lead in the AL West is down to just a game over surging Oakland. Houston will try to reverse the slides when Gerrit Cole (10-5 Hunter Pence Jersey , 2.75 ERA) starts vs. Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson (6-4, 3.94) at Minute Maid Park.THAT HURTSMariners ace James Paxton will see how he’s feeling, a day after he was hit in the left forearm by Jed Lowrie’s line drive. The big lefty was forced to leave in the first inning at Oakland and diagnosed with a bruise. Paxton is 10-5, including a no-hitter vs. Toronto, and a 3.68 ERA for the playoff contenders.GETTING CLOSEThe Cubs will check on Yu Darvish and if he’s OK, the right-hander could go on a minor league rehab assignment. Darvish threw about 55 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday.Sidelined because of triceps and elbow injuries http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-williams-jersey , Darvish has not pitched since he won at Cincinnati on May 20. He is 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA in eight starts after signing a $126 million, six-year deal with Chicago in February.MAYBESecond baseman Ian Kinsler could return from a strained left hamstring when the Red Sox play at Philadelphia. The 36-year-old was sent from the Angels to Boston late last month before the trade deadline. In three games for his new team, the four-time All-Star went 4 for 10, scored three runs, stole two bases and made a couple of sharp plays in the field.SHORT STARTSChris Archer starts for the third time since being traded from Tampa Bay to Pittsburgh. The two-time All-Star hasn’t gone more than five innings so far for the Pirates, and will try to add a little length when he pitches at Minnesota.STREAKINGMets right-hander Zack Wheeler (7-6 Bruce Bochy Jersey , 3.82 ERA) tries to win his sixth straight start when he pitches at Camden Yards. He held the Orioles scoreless over seven innings June 6, but did not get a decision. Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThe Washington Nationals placed starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, retroactive to July 22, with an unspecified injury.An MRI on Strasburg's shoulder revealed no damage, and the star pitcher will visit a neurologist in Los Angeles to evaluate a potential nerve issue, per Dan Kolko of MASN.According to MLB.com'sJamal Collier http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-willie-mays-jersey , the Nats are expected to call up Tommy Milone to start against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.Washington's decision comes on the heels of a disappointing outing for Strasburg in his most recent start.After allowing six earned runs on eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings against the Atlanta Braves last week, Strasburg got into an argument with fellow starter Max Scherzer in the dugout.The Nationals placed Strasburg on the DL in June with right shoulder inflammation. Injuries have been a recurring problem for the three-time All-Star, with ESPN.com noting he made six trips to the DL over the past four years prior to his latest stint.Injury issues aside, Strasburg has been fairly solid in 2018. While not pitching at the standards he set over the last few seasons, he's6-7 with a 3.90 ERA and a 3.50 FIP in 14 starts.Strasburgfinished with a career-best 2.52 ERA (minimum six starts) last season.While Milone is expected to replace Strasburg for the time being, there will be additional pressure on Scherzer Will Clark Jersey , Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark and Jeremy Hellickson to step up while Strasburg is out as well.The Nats are seven games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East lead, and they trail the Atlanta Braves by 5.5 games for the final wild-card spot in the NL.If Strasburg's DL stay is an extended one, an already difficult trek to the postseason will become even tougher for Washington.