There were 5,663 home runs hit through Sunday, 30 shy of the record set in 2000. Already 107 players have hit 20 homers this year, just three shy of the record set last season — and up from 64 in 2015, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Along with soaring shots come strikeouts, which will set a record for the 10th consecutive year. — Baltimore slugger Mark Trumbo on the continuing rise in strikeouts"The focus is hitting homers and tolerating strikeouts," Reggie Jackson said. The home run average dropped in 2014 to its lowest level since 1992, then started rising during the second half of the 2015 season.

Source: CBC News September 18, 2017 17:48 UTC