Suzuki, J-Ram scorch their way to weekly honors
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After a momentous week for both Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Guardians third baseman José Ramírez, the two were named the Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet on Monday.
Following a lengthy career in Japan, Suzuki has made a smooth transition to Major League Baseball. Coming off a strong Opening Series against the Brewers, the Cubs outfielder went 7-for-17 (.412) with three homers, two doubles, five RBIs, five walks and a 1.604 OPS in his first full week in MLB, earning NL Player of the Week honors as a result.
Suzuki hit safely in each of his five starts and had his first multihomer game on Tuesday against the Pirates. Big league pitchers are already showing him respect -- he was intentionally walked twice in the Cubs’ weekend series against the Rockies.
Ramírez, who finalized a seven-year contract extension with Cleveland on Thursday, hit .478 (11-for-23) with two homers, 11 RBIs and a 1.432 OPS over the past week.
The switch-hitter was a double shy of the cycle in his six-RBI game against the Reds on Tuesday. This is the fifth time he’s won the AL Player of the Week Award.