Lyle Overbay Delivers for Brewers; Jose Abreu Routing Rookie-of-the-Year Competition

Players of the Day for Friday, August 15, 2014

American League

Jose Abreu

Might as well just etch Jose Abreu's name on the rookie of the year trophy; even if he hit a serious slump now, what he's done already would likely outpace the competition.

Abreu, a .304 hitter, took sole possession of the major league lead in RBI on Friday, driving in three runs with three singles in an 11-5 White Sox victory over Toronto.

Seemingly destined to become a leading run-producer for many years, Abreu was 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position, driving in the first Chicago run in the first and singling home two more in the fifth. He also came around to score in each of those innings.

With 89 RBI, he leads Detroit's Miguel Cabrera by three. Giancarlo Stanton, the NL leader, has 84. Abreu is also in a three way tie with the same two aforementioned players in home runs. Each has 31 on the year.

With the White Sox out of contention for the post-season, Abreu will get to display his talents without pressure. The Sox did help the Orioles - 2-1 losers to Cleveland - maintain their 7 1/2 game lead over the Blue Jays in the East division.

ame two of the three game series between Toronto and Chicago is set for a 7:10 pm EDT start, Saturday in the Windy City.

As for Abreu, rookie of the year may not be the only award he receives in 2004. He's being mentioned as a serious candidate for MVP in the AL.

Lyle Overbay

National League

An NL Central phenomena, the Milwaukee Brewers continue to find ways to win ball games, maintaining their slim lead in the division.

On Friday, the Brewers got an eighth-inning, pinch-hit, bases loaded double from Lyle Overbay that unknotted a 2-2 tie, leading to a 6-3 victory over the home-standing Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series of division leaders.

Overbay, a 12-year veteran of both leagues, cleared the bases with his two-bagger off Dodger reliever, Jamey Wright. Overbay has played for six different teams; this is his second go-round with the Brewers. He last played with them in 2004 and 2005.

The win maintained Milwaukee's 2 1/2 game lead in the Central over the Cardinals, who took a 4-2 decision from San Diego.

The Dodgers host the Brewers in game two of the series, Saturday at 9:10 pm EDT.