Random Collection of Thoughts re: MLB action April 24

The surprising New York Mets took three out of four from the St. Louis Cardinals.  The nifty factoid to take from Thursday's 4-1 loss is the difference in average age in terms of the pitchers used in the game.  The Mets used Bartolo Colon, Carlos Torres, Scott Rice and the returning Daisuke Matsuzaka for an average age of 35.  The Cardinals used Lance Lynn, Kevin Siegrist, Carlos Martinez and Eric Fornataro for an average of 25.25. 


Toward the end of the exhibition season, Erik Bedard let it be known that if he was not in the starting lineup he would consider retirement over coming of the bullpen.  In Bedard's first start on April 18th, he never made it out of the 3rd inning while giving up 4 runs on 6 hits.  Bedard's second start came Thursday night giving up 4 runs on 5 hits while issuing 5 walks while struggling to make it through 4 innings.  Proving to the Tampa Bays Rays you belong, you're doing it wrong Mr. Bedard!!


How do you comeback from a sweep at the hands of a divisional rival?  If you are the Oakland A's, you throttle another divisional opponent 10-1.  Beating down divisional opponents was a theme in the AL East


The Baltimore Orioles defeating the Toronto Blue Jays by a touchdown, 11-4.  The New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox so badly, the Sox sent outfielder Mike Carp to pitch the 9th inning.  FIVE WALKS later that misery was over.


Scanned all the infielders stats using the stat column "at bats" to sort each position.  Safe to assume the players making the Top 10 in the "at bats" category are everyday starters.  Here is a look at the slowest starts by players in the top 10 of their respective positions using their batting average as a gage so far this season.

1. C - Sal Perez .213, Buster Posey .229, Juan Castro .217
2. 1B - Nick Swisher .205, Edwin Encarnacion .233
3. 2B - Aaron Hill .232, Brian Dozier .224
4. 3B - Marcus Semien .235, Martin Prado .234, Pedro Alvarez .176, Brett Lawrie .157
5. SS - Ian Desmond .200, Brad Miller .221, Asdrubal Cabrera .238

Random Collection of Thoughts re April 17 in MLB

According to Wikipedia and their sources, the triple play by the New York Yankees during their game against the Tampa Bay Rays was the 692nd of all time.  While that is a nifty factoid there is something else to take from that game that includes a little bit fortune-telling.  Rays starter David Price had a sub-standard showing for a "regular" starting pitcher never mind his time-tested elevated standards.  The next scheduled start for Mr. Price will be versus the Minnesota Twins, bet on Mr. Price to find his groove.


The Pittsburgh Pirates hit four more homeruns Thursday night, three of them with runners on base, to dismantle the hot-no-more Milwaukee Brewers 11-2.  Pittsburgh is now second in the league with 23 round trips around the bases.  When I looked up that stat I was quite surprised to see the Baltimore Orioles, last years far and away leader in homeruns, sitting in 27th place overall with only 9 homeruns.  The next statement is brought to you by Captain Obvious - the only stat that really matters is both teams currently sit at .500 with their win/loss record.


I had asked for the "real" Washington Nationals to please stand up during this weekends 4 game series hosting the St. Louis Cardinals.  Thursday night's series opener featured 4 errors on defense and only 2 hits on offense by the Nats.  Maybe the Nats are just following the script of Hulk Hogan wrestling match and will use Friday to hulk up!


The uber highs and uber lows of being a Seattle Mariner fan can be summed up in the following sequence from their Thursday game with division rival Texas Rangers.  Down 4-0 going into the top of the 3rd inning, Robinson Cano finally hits his 1st homerun of the season (with 2 men on base as an added bonus).  Before their half of the inning was over, the M's would add three more runs to take a 6-4.  The next time Mr. Cano comes to the plate in the top of the 4th inning, the game is tied at 6 and with a man on first, Mr. Cano grounds into a double play. 


Look at the bright side Mariner fans, Toronto Blue Jay fans are all wishing they could call a mulligan on both their games yesterday against the Minnesota Twins.  In the morning game of a double header, Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera would have season long 14 game hitting streak snapped and R A Dickey would have his season long struggles continue.  In the afternoon game of the double header, EIGHT WALKS IN THE 8TH by their bullpen would cost the Jays the game.


One more three game sweep to report, this time by the Kansas City Royals over the Houston Astros.  Internet high five!

Reaction to Game 1 Version 2 and Other Items

The most exciting part of the North American MLB opener, http://drawntomlb.com/post/81255210712/padres-ballgirl-you-are-amazing?partnerId=as_mlb_20140331_20985264  Thanks to MLB on Tumbler for the GIF but a catch by a ballgirl should not be the biggest highlight. 


Then again as a fantasy baseball guy, maybe I'm just bitter cause Seth Smith and his homerun was missed by approximately 99% of fantasy players (according to Yahoo Sports anyway).


Other Items:


The negotiations about stiffening the penalties in the MLB drug policy have revealed a new wrinkle I absolutely love!!  If at anytime during the season a player serves a suspension, that player(s) would be banned from the post-season also.  Sure this only truly effects about half the teams in the league but it just might be the kick in the baseballs some players need to stay off the juice.


Feel good story out of Cleveland has to be Travis Wood.  From Tommy John surgery on May 25, 2012 to making the Indians opening day roster.  With TJ surgery becoming so commonplace, I'd better have a long list of pitchers here but there's a twist.  Indians Manager Terry Francona told him the news on the mound, during a game he was pulling him out of the game.


A fable exists that winning co-relates with crowd growth (ask the Tampa Rays).  The Pittsburgh Pirates are reporting the season ticket base has grown 40%.  So then, if the fable is true, what the hell is happening in Tampa?


"Dice-K to Vegas"  Ya know, if you're not baseball fan, that has a meaning of its own.

Friends and Foes Within MLB

Friends - Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays


In advance of their exhibition game Friday March 7th, Rays Manager Joe Maddon called up Cameron Seitzer.  Cameron is the son of Blue Jays Batting Coach Kevin Seitzer.  To enhance the special father/son moment, Jays Manager John Gibbons moves Papa Seitzer over to be first base coach.  Cameron is a first baseman.


Foes - Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins


Thursday March 6, the Marlins host the Red Sox in exhibition play.  The Red Sox did not dress the minimum amount of MLB vets.  Marlins complain to everyone who will listen.  The response from the principal owner of the Red Sox made "Sweet Tweets" on the front page of the blog.