The juiced ball had so much potential. We’ve seen teams collectively shatter their franchise and cumulative home run records, Justin Verlander halted from having an otherwise world-beating season, and safe leads disappear in a flash, often more than once per game.
Yet, for all the balls that are leaving the parks, Pete Alonso will likely be the home-run champion this year, sitting at 51 dingers entering the last weekend of the season. He might even run in to one or two more against the Braves. Either way, he’ll end the season with an impressive, but not historic, home-run total.