Random Collection of Thoughts re April 16 in the MLB

The Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins Wednesday to improve their record versus Miami to 5-1 in 2014.  The Nats have also swept the New York Mets but have gone 1-5 versus the Atlanta Braves, aka, the only team they have played with a legitimate playoff hope.  Up next, the World Series runner ups the St. Louis Cardinals who just squished the Milwaukee Brewers 9 game winning streak by only allowing one run in their first two matchups against the Brew Crew.  The first of four Cardinal pitchers the Nats will face is three time Cy Young Award finalist Adam Wainwright.  Will the real Washington Nationals please stand up!?


Top of the 9th, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee gives up singles to the first two batters of the final frame and Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran is due up in a 1-0 game in favor of the Atlanta.  This situation is the perfect example of why managing a team in the "designated hitter" American League is much easier.


Bottom of the 11th, Houston Astros down 2 runs with a man on and the most publicized rookie since Wil Myers steps into the batters box for the hometown team.  George Springer falls behind 1-2 in the count.  The count goes full at 3-2.   Springer fouls off two balls and then...the strikeout.  Springer would finish the night 1-5 with a walk and two strikeouts.  For the record, the 2013 AL Rookie of the Year Myers started his pro career with an 0-4 at the dish.


This is what happens when a position player pitches in a MLB game - - 1 inning pitched, 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 runs against.  With no other options available, the Chicago White Sox had to practically hand the game over to the Boston Red Sox in the 14th inning.  Captain Obvious says both teams are very happy Thursday's game is NOT a matinee!


In this day of parity/mediocrity I try to always to acknowledge sweeps of a series. An internet high five to the  New York Mets, New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.


Here is a montage of Kendrys Morales' and Stephen Drew's 2014 season.  The question is what is the true reason for their free agency?  Is it

• a)  Teams waiting until after June 5 - 7 draft  to avoid compensation pick  OR
• b) Morales and Drew would rather earn no money rather than be "underpaid"?

Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 6 in MLB

Coincidence or not?  Between the 2000 & 2009, the average runs scored per game never dipped below 4.5.  Over the past 5 years the fielding tactic known as "defensive shifts" has exponentially increased and during those years, the average runs per game has maxed out at 4.38, it bottomed out last season at 4.15.  Is banning "defensive shifts" what baseball needs to do to increase scoring?


Parity or mediocrity?  After Sunday only two MLB teams are on winning streaks.  The Milwaukee Brewers after sweeping the defending champion Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins after defeating the Cleveland Indians for the second consecutive game.


Every club goes into season selling their fan base hope.  After one week of play, all six teams who finished last in their division in 2013 and doing well keeping that hope (however faint) alive.  The Marlins sit in first in their division, the White Sox and Astros sit second in their division, Blue Jays and Rockies sit third in their division and the Cubs sit 4th in their division.