Diamondbacks at Mariners: 5 Players to Watch
Jul 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) doubles against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Toronto 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Signed to a 4-year, $57 million dollar contract in the offseason, Cruz has lived up to his end of the bargain. He was the starter for the American League at the DH position at the All-Star Game. Cruz’s .311 batting average is on pace for his best mark in that category since 2010’s .318 while his .378 on-base percentage is the best of his career. He is fourth in the league in home runs with 25. The 35-year old Cruz has been hot as of late, hitting safely in eight out of his last nine games, with 14 hits in his last 38 at-bats. Though outstanding over the last four games, the Snakes rotation faces a steep test with Cruz and a resurgent Robinson Cano.