Thursday saw several star players getting back to form while others continued to carry on with their slumps. With things moving forward, contract-year players are getting their act together and put on display to make sure they thrive in value when the season concludes.
While Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued with his great hitting, the Yankees ace faltered under pressure. Let's discuss three things the day had in store:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. helps Blue Jays past Orioles
Playing in front of a Toronto crowd, the first baseman made sure not to disappoint as he continued with his good innings, contributing four RBIs in a close 7-6 victory over the AL East leaders.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit an RBI double in the first innings, shot a two-run homer in the fifth, and an RBI triple in the sixth. He fell a single to complete an historic cycle. Nevertheless, he extended his hitting streak to 20 games.
Nestor Cortes Jr. taken for a ride by Angels
Nestor Cortes Jr.'s bad season continues as another one of his starts resulted in the Yankees losing. Cortes Jr. allowed six earned runs on nine hits in just 4.2 innings. Moreover, even after his exit, the LA Angels added two more runs to have a six-run fifth inning.
It was too deep a hole for the Yankees to come out of, as they went on to lose the game 9-4. After this game, Coster Jr.'s record worsened to 5-10, an ERA of 4.42 after 24 starts in the season.
Pete Alonso crunches record two home runs vs. Rockies
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is in the last year of his contract. His value will have hit an upside after Thursday's game after he took Auston Gomber 450 feet deep two times in the game, helping the Mets register a 9-1 blowout victory.
Alonso's two 450 ft.+ homers make him the only eighth hitter since the Statcast ERA to have registered such a distance in a single game. Moreover, the Mets had five extra-base hits to start the game, making a new franchise record in the opening inning.
While Alonso has already expressed his wishes to remain with the franchise, the onus remains on David Stearns to give the paycheck where it is due.