<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

Why this week matters: Mike Trout could be even more awesome

Mike Trout: He's healthy, he's raking, and if you're a pitcher, you hope he's not coming to your ballpark anytime soon. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

How can you not pay special attention to Mike Trout right now? The Angels are visiting Florida this week, first with a series in St. Petersburg against the Rays, then on to Miami to face the Marlins. But it doesn't matter who the Angels are playing.

Of all Trout's great traits, consistency might be his best. But he gets hot, too, and right now he's searing. Since May 12, one game after he returned from his leg issues, Trout has six homers, 13 RBIs and a 1.686 OPS. It almost came to this: Mets manager Terry Collins admitted that he was thinking of walking Trout with the bases loaded this past weekend. The Trout is headed to Florida, and neither the Rays nor the Marlins have a Hemingway to reel him in. -- Bradford Doolittle

We'll see how far the Dodgers will take their rotation shenanigans. Clayton Kershaw starts Tuesday night against the Cardinals, and you might think that would mean he'll also get to face the Cubs on Sunday on normal rest, something that might put a smile on the face of every Brewers fan.