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Can Nelson Cruz Slug His Way to Rare 50 Home Run Plateau in 2015?

In light of Nelson Cruz not only having led all of Major League Baseball with 40 home runs in 2014 but also having gotten off to a fast start in which he's already mashed a league-leading eight more this season, could the Seattle Mariners slugger dare to go where so few have gone in recent years?

Could Cruz, who many expected would drop off in the power department now that he has to hit at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field half the time, reach 50 homers?

Let's start with this: With eight out-of-the-parkers in the first 15 games entering play Friday, the 34-year-old Cruz is on pace for—get this—86 long balls.