Bama in the Big Leagues: Alex Avila Continues Solid Hitting at the Plate

Alex Avila helped the Chicago Cubs close out an incredible weekend with a two-run single to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays last Sunday.

Since that time, the former Alabama slugger has hit safely in three of his eight plate appearances, scored three runs, driven in one RBI and walked three times in two games played against the Cincinnati Reds.

In the race for the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs have extended their cushion to three games over the Milwaukee Brewers, 4.5 games over the St. Louis Cardinals and eight games over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Among other former Crimson Tide players around MLB, Wade LeBlanc is on the 10-day disabled list for a strain on his left quad muscle prior to their series against St. Louis last weekend.

Find out how Alabama’s former stars have fared this week around MLB.

Alex Avila - Catcher (Chicago Cubs)

2017:

92 games, .272 avg. 14 HR, 43 RBI, 36 runs, 12 doubles, 51 BB, 96 K, 2 errors, .393 OBP

This Week:

Aug. 21: Off Day

Aug. 22 at Cincinnati: 2-3, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB, 1 K

Aug. 23 at Cincinnati: 1-4, 1 run, 1 BB, 3 K

Aug. 24 at Cincinnati: 0-1, 1 K

Aug. 25-27 at Philadelphia

Tommy Hunter - RHP (Tampa Bay Rays)

2017:

48 appearances, 2-5,  1 save, 2.35 ERA, 46 IP, 34 hits, 13 runs (12 earned), 11 BB, 50 K, 6 HR allowed, 2 errors

This Week:

Aug. 21: Off Day

Aug. 22 vs. Toronto: 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run (1 earned), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR allowed

Aug. 23 vs. Toronto: Loss, 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 run (1 earned), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR allowed

Aug. 24 vs. Toronto: Did not play

Aug. 25-27 at St. Louis

Wade LeBlanc - LHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)

10-Day Disabled List (Strained left quad)

2017:

45 appearances, 4-2, 1 save, 4.99 ERA, 61.1 IP, 62 hits, 34 runs (34 earned), 16 BB, 48 K, 10 HR allowed

This Week:

Aug. 21 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Did not play

Aug. 22 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Did not play

Aug. 23 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Did not play

Aug. 24 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Did not play

Aug. 25-27 at Cincinnati

Adam Morgan - LHP (Philadelphia Phillies)

2017:

24 appearances, 2-1, 4.93 ERA, 38.1 IP, 43 hits, 21 runs (21 earned), 14 BB, 43 K, 9 HR allowed

This Week:

Aug. 21: Off Day

Aug. 22 vs. Miami (Game Two): Did not play

Aug. 22 vs. Miami (Game Two): 2 IP, 4 hits, 1 run (1 earned), 1 BB, 1 K

Aug. 23 vs. Miami: Did not play

Aug. 24 vs. Miami: Did not play

Aug. 25-27 vs. Chicago Cubs

Jimmy Nelson - RHP (Milwaukee Brewers)

2017:

26 appearances (26 starts), 9-6, 3.79 ERA, 156.2 IP, 160 hits, 73 runs (66 earned), 41 BB, 175 K, 16 HR, 2 errors

This Week:

Aug. 21 at San Francisco: Did not play

Aug. 22 at San Francisco: No Decision, 5 IP, 7 hits, 3 runs (3 earned), 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR allowed

Aug. 23 at San Francisco: Did not play

Aug. 24: Off Day

Aug. 25-27 at Los Angeles Dodgers

Josh Rutledge - Third Base (Boston Red Sox)

60-Day Disabled List (Concussion/Hip)

2017:

37 games, .224 avg. 0 HR, 9 RBI, 10 runs, 1 triple, 2 doubles, 9 BB, 31 K, 4 errors, .297 OBP

This Week:

Aug. 21 at Cleveland: Did not play

Aug. 22 at Cleveland: Did not play

Aug. 23 at Cleveland: Did not play

Aug. 24 at Cleveland: Did not play

Aug. 25-27 vs. Baltimore