The MLB is currently in the dog days of August. All teams have played about 130 games already this season, and some teams have the most important 30 games left of the season remaining. However, this is not a huge time in sports if your team is out of the playoff hunt, no football yet, no basketball yet. So, if you are a fan of a team out of the playoff hunt, use this MLB Roundup to catch up on all things baseball. Also, it is going to throw it back to better movies and music, comparing MLB players and teams to everything pre-2000s, so let’s have a little fun reminiscing during the slow days of the MLB season.

Clayton Kershaw: Top Gun

Dodgers Nation- Dodgers Top Gun Trailer featuring Clayton Kershaw

With a staff that has Hyun-jin Ryu pitching like a cy young candidate, and a young gun in Walker Buehler, Kershaw has been overlooked this season. Kershaw has quietly had a dominant season. A 12-2 record is only scratching the surface how dominant Kershaw has had. On top of the strong record, Kershaw has a 2.63 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Tough to overlook those numbers. If those stats aren’t good enough, Kershaw started a game against the Marlins on Tuesday and struck out the first 7 batters he saw. He may not have the looks of Tom Cruise, but Kershaw has been pitching like a Top Gun for the Dodgers. Talk to me Goose, because Kershaw and the Dodgers are ready for a world series run.

Nick Castellanos: Lethal Weapon

Absolutely crushing the ball on his new team, one could argue Castellanos has been a lethal weapon for the Cubs. Photo Credits to news.yahoo.com

In his 17 games as a Cub, Castellanos 6 home runs and has been hitting .348. Backing his word up when saying Comerica was a joke, Castellanos had a change of scenery, and has been one of the best hitters for the Cubs. Homering again Sunday night, he has solidified a role on the playoff contending Cubs. He may not be Mel Gibson or Danny Glover, but Nick Castellanos has been doing his best Lethal Weapon impression for the Cubbies.

Bill Walton: Dazed and Confused

MLB- The Best of Bill Walton’s Amazing Calls in the Booth

One of the more interesting commentating performances in recent memory, Bill Walton at the Ballpark left fans in awe. I am a huge fan of this for baseball, getting publicity on a game between two non-playoff teams in mid-August is big for the MLB. There is not a time where I don’t feel Bill Walton is dazed in the booth, and him being dazed calling the White Sox-Angels game, made all of us confused.

Philadelphia Phillies: Don’t Stop Believin’

Just a city boy, born and raised in Philadelphia? Photo Credits to cbssports.com

After sweeping the Cubs, the Phillies lost two out of three against the Padres. Plus, it was reported Jake Arrieta will miss the remainder of the season. It may look dark and grim now Phillies fans, a tight wild card race, and losing a top pitcher never helps playoff chances. However, Harper and the Phillies have been hitting a lot better since their recent hire of Charlie Manuel. The schedule also softens up, with upcoming series against the Marlins and Pirates, the Phillies bats should be able to heat up. I like the fightin Phils’ chances to sneak into the playoffs. A softer schedule and revamped hitting gives the Phillies a chance, so don’t stop believin’ Phillies fans.

Rafael Devers: Kelly Kapowski

They might not look alike, but they are hot for their own reasons. Devers has been the one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Photo Credits to bostonherald.com

And well, Kelly Kapowski is just hot. Photo Credits to maxim.com

Over his last 7 games, Devers has been hitting at a tremendous .563 average, and has been a key piece in helping the Red Sox win 5 in a row. The Red Sox are still very much in the hunt for a wild card spot, but they will need more than Devers to step up to go on the necessary run to sneak into the playoffs. On Tuesday night, Devers continued his hot stretch and solid season, becoming the first MLB player in history to have six hits, four of them being doubles, in one game. He does not have the looks of Kelly Kapowski, but both are extremely hot in their own way. Devers at the plate, and Kelly Kapowski, well, you know.

Cubs Bullpen: Titanic

Take it for what it is, but the Cubs bullpen has held back Chicago’s possible success. Photo Credits to chicagotribune.com

Yes, the Cubs bullpen has been a disaster the past few weeks. They blew two games this week, and have had their struggles. Kimbrel was just activated off the IL and pitched in Sunday night’s game against the Pirates. Two strikeouts in his return, which was good for the returning closer. But, a home run and inability to close out the 9th still leaves room to worry for Chicago fans. The Cubs have the names in the pen, Kimbrel, Strop, and Cishek, but the injury bug has hit Chicago’s bullpen and has contributed to their struggles. The struggling bullpen could end up being a downfall for the Cubbies.

In the midst of a tight NL central race and an even tighter wild card race, the Cubs could be in danger of missing out on the postseason if the struggles continue. Let’s hope Kimbrel healthy resolves these issues, or the Cubs could have a disaster on their hands if they miss the playoffs.

Josh Donaldson: Whatta Man

Whatta Man, Whatta Man, Whatta mighty good man Josh Donaldson has been on in the dog days of summer. Photo Credits to thestar.com

Are we sure Salt-N-Pepa weren’t singing about the terror that Donaldson has been on this summer? Since the beginning of July, Donaldson ranks top five in home runs and RBIs. In his past six games, Donaldson is hitting .476 with 3 homers and 5 RBIs. The “Bringer of Rain” and Acuña are leading the charge for a world series contending Braves team.

Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Pete Alonso and Christian Yelich: A-Team of the MLB

The “Polar Bear” has made his mark in the league, breaking the rookie home run record. Photo Credits to amazinavenue.com

The MLB home run leader, Bellinger is making a case for MVP. Photo Credits to fivethirtyeight.com

The best player in the league without a question, is about to break his career high in home runs with a month and a half of the season remaining. Photo Credits to Forbes.com

A triple crown candidate, Yelich is making his case for the MVP in the NL against Bellinger. Photo Credits to rawlings.com

The first four MLB players to hit the 40 home run threshold this year. So one could say these four are a walking bomb squad of sort. Similar to John Smith, Murdock, Peck, and B.A., who were their own version of a walking bomb squad on the TV show that aired in the mid 80’s. Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, and Pete Alonso are the future of the league, and from the looks of it, the league will be in good hands.

MLB Match-Ups to Look Out For

Brewers vs. Cardinals

A big NL Central matchup for both teams. With the top of the NL Central in reach for both teams, a series win could be pivotal for either teams playoff chances.

Indians vs. Mets

I mentioned both teams in last weeks roundup, both teams are in the race for a playoff spot. The Mets are still in striking distance for the NL Wild Card. For the Indians, the AL Central is a possibility. On top of the playoff implications, some of the league’s best young pitchers on display.

Yankees vs. Athletics

The Athletics are hanging around the AL playoff picture, and to get themselves a wild card spot, they will have to win big games, starting with the AL East leading Yankees.

Phillies vs. Red Sox

Two teams on the outside looking in, this two game series we get to see Bryce Harper vs. Mookie Betts. We also get to see if Devers can keep up his Kelly Kapowski-esque bat.

Nationals vs. Cubs

More playoff implicating baseball? Yes please. Two teams with bullpens that have been shaky, these games could get pretty interesting.

Yankees vs. Dodgers

A possible World Series preview? We get to see the hot pitching of the Dodgers take on the hot bats of the Bronx Bombers. Both teams are for sure playoff teams, so this does not have the heavy postseason implications of the others. Still a fun series nonetheless.

Diamondbacks vs. Brewers

Yes, the Arizona Diamondbacks are still hanging around. A good series against one of the big dogs on top of the wild card could jump the Diamondbacks into the playoff picture. But a bad series, and the Diamondbacks are all but out of the hunt.

Braves vs. Mets (again)

Another week with Atlanta against New York, but the playoff implications still remain for the Mets. Freddie Freeman against 40 home run hitter Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr. against Michael Conforto, that is a fun series no matter how many times we see it.

Giants vs. Athletics

All that was said about the Diamondbacks could be said about the Giants. Only 3.5 games back from the top of the NL Wild Card, the Giants are not out of it. If the Giants can continue playing good baseball against one of the AL Wild Card contenders, they will be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Closing Time: Recognizing some of the best Closers in the MLB this year

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Kirby Yates of the San Diego Padres

35/38 on saves

1.08 ERA

14.6 K/9

Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees

35/40 on saves

2.36 ERA

13 K/9

Will Smith of the San Francisco Giants

29/33 on saves

2.80 ERA

13 K/9

Brad Hand of the Cleveland Indians

29/33 on saves

3.04 ERA

13.6 K/9

Roberto Osuna of the Houston Astros

27/32 on saves

2.92 ERA

9.3 K/9

That concludes this week roundup. Lot of good baseball to look out for even though we are in the dog days of August. Also, who says talking about baseball couldn’t be fun. On top of talking baseball, you got some possible some songs to listen to, a movie to watch, or a classic TV show to binge. So tune into baseball this week when you’re not listening to Salt-N-Pepa or watching Murdock and B.A. fight against bad guys, because the MLB is going to get real exciting near the end of the month.

Featured Image. Blu-ray Review: “Major League” Embodies the 80’s Sports Vibes. Photo Credits to irishfilmcritic.com.