Juan Soto returned to the Yankees lineup on Monday night and collected a single and a walk to remain second in the Baseball Musings Batter Rankings. His teammate, Aaron Judge, sat out the game with both Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo, sat out the game. Judge remains in first place after the 4-2 win at the Royals.

At first I thought it odd that the sluggers would sit, given the tough series against the Dodgers and that the Royals play well. The Royals park tends not to award slugging, but it does award speed and defense. The Yankees played small ball, executing three sacrifice bunts, and all the runs were driven in with singles. Kudos to Aaron Boone.

Jose Ramirez of the Guardians were idle on Monday and he remains in third place.

Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles sits fourth after producing the second highest game score of the day, a 70. He went three for five with a double and a home run in a 5-2 win over the Rays as the Orioles sweep the series. Yordan Alvarez of the Astros ranks fifth after he collected a triple in five PA in a 4-3 Giants win. It was the fifth triple of his career.

The best game score of the day belonged to Jake Cronenworth of the Padres, a 71. He went two for three with a double, home run, and a hit by pitch in a 6-1 win over the Athletics. His averages are back to their 2021 level, and in a down season for home runs, he already has ten, equaling his total from 2023.