17 homers away from breaking the record

In fact, MLB is 17 dingers away from breaking the record for the most homers hit by the league in a single season, set back in 2000.

So on Tuesday when we get a full slate of 15, chances are good we’re going to see someone mash the record long ball.

Whether it’s changes to the ball (it is) or batters aiming for high fastballs and trying to hit fly balls (they are, but it’s mostly the changed baseballs), we’re seeing a huge increase in homers.

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And unlike during the Steroid Era, which is called that despite the fact that it also featured a changed ball and smaller ballparks and two rounds of expansion that, even if briefly, changed the talent levels in the game in a way that likely benefited hitters, we shouldn’t hear many complaints about it.

Dustin Pedroia left Monday’s Red Sox-Orioles tilt early after fouling a ball off his face.

We kicked it off with homers, so let’s end there, too: Giancarlo Stanton launched long ball number 55, helping keep 60 a realistic possibility.