The Toronto Blue Jays avoided a sweep Sunday night defeating the former manager John Farrell and his World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 7-1. Most impressive factoid about the win? For the first time this season, the Blue Jays pitching staff did not issue a walk! Apparently the group as a whole felt Brandon Morrow had given up enough on Saturday (8 in 2 2/3 IP).
Answer: Saturday April 12th, top of the 6th inning versus the Chicago Cubs.
Question: When was the last time St. Louis Cardinal starting pitcher Adam Wainwright gave up a run? Wainwright and the Cards would blank the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-0 on Sunday.
The weekend in baseball featured two sweeps. An internet high five to the NL East leading Atlanta Braves (17-7) sweeping the Cincinnati Reds (11-14) AND the NL West leading San Francisco Giants sweeping the Cleveland Indians (11-14).
Chicago White Sox rookie phenom Jose Abreu is crushing the baseball with 10 HR's in 26 games. Here's a video showing you how much force it would take to flatten a baseball.
The continued look at All Star balloting brings us today to third base. My votes for the American League went to Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre, and Trevor Plouffe. My votes for the National League went to Juan Uribe, Nolan Arenado, and Aramis Ramirez.
Monday 28 April 2014
Saturday 26 April 2014
Random Collection of #MLB thoughts re: April 26 in the MLB
Toronto Blue Jay Brandon Morrow gave up no hits on Saturday versus the Boston Red Sox. Morrow did however give up EIGHT walks in 2 and 2/3 innings. To make matters worse, Blue Jay reliever Chad Jenkins (making his 1st appearance of 2014) gave up homeruns to the first two batters he faced. At the end of the 3rd inning the Boston Red Sox line read 6 runs on 2 hits. EEP!
So did Ryan Braun take out Jean Segura OR did Segura aimlessly wander into his bat? http://m.mlb.com/video/v32407589/chcmil-segura-leaves-the-game-with-an-injury/?partnerId=as_mlb_20140427_22756654 OBVIOUSLY, if Braun always does his bat stretching at the top step of the dugout (as the announcer states in the clip), then it's on Segura for not paying attention. Agree or disagree?
Chicago White Sox Adam Dunn, the king of all or nothing at the plate, is batting .265 in 68 AB. Dunn is 35 and is part of a three headed monster which features the future in Jose Abreu and the past in Paul Konerko. Indulging in a game of wannabe GM, the only team that might even be remotely interested in an aging power hitter would be the Milwaukee Brewers who are platooning 37 year old Lyle Overbay and 33 year old Mark Reynolds (if ever there was an Adam Dunn clone it's Reynolds - - minus the height). Wouldn't you love to see Dunn's bat in Miller Park?
The Minnesota Twins beat Detroit Tigers Saturday. If the Twins win again on Sunday against the Tigers, that would put them in a tie for first place in the AL Central. On March 27th if you would have told me on April 27th the Twins would be playing for a share of first place, I would have sent you to live these folks.
Continuing with my look at All Star balloting, here's the three separate submissions in respect to second baseman.
So did Ryan Braun take out Jean Segura OR did Segura aimlessly wander into his bat? http://m.mlb.com/video/v32407589/chcmil-segura-leaves-the-game-with-an-injury/?partnerId=as_mlb_20140427_22756654 OBVIOUSLY, if Braun always does his bat stretching at the top step of the dugout (as the announcer states in the clip), then it's on Segura for not paying attention. Agree or disagree?
Chicago White Sox Adam Dunn, the king of all or nothing at the plate, is batting .265 in 68 AB. Dunn is 35 and is part of a three headed monster which features the future in Jose Abreu and the past in Paul Konerko. Indulging in a game of wannabe GM, the only team that might even be remotely interested in an aging power hitter would be the Milwaukee Brewers who are platooning 37 year old Lyle Overbay and 33 year old Mark Reynolds (if ever there was an Adam Dunn clone it's Reynolds - - minus the height). Wouldn't you love to see Dunn's bat in Miller Park?
The Minnesota Twins beat Detroit Tigers Saturday. If the Twins win again on Sunday against the Tigers, that would put them in a tie for first place in the AL Central. On March 27th if you would have told me on April 27th the Twins would be playing for a share of first place, I would have sent you to live these folks.
Continuing with my look at All Star balloting, here's the three separate submissions in respect to second baseman.
- American League - Howie Kendrick, Ben Zobrist, Robinson Cano
- National League - - Anthony Rendon, Chase Utley, DJ LeMahieu
Random Collection of MLB Thoughts re April 25
Which 6-5 game ending was more exciting? The walk off grand slam by Jose Abreu lifting the Chicago White Sox over the Tampa Bays 9-6 OR the bases loaded, one out, great defensive solo doubleplay by Justin Smoak to preserve a 6-5 win for the Seattle Mariners over the Texas Rangers?
The Anaheim Angels did something Friday night they did not do all of 2013. In 2013, the Angels had 11 games where they scored 10+ runs, all of which featured at least one Mike Trout hit. Trout went 0-4 versus the Yankees while his Angels went on to win 13-1.
The last two big name pitchers to sign during the off-season are having very different starts to their 2014 seasons. On March 12th, the Atlanta Braves signed Ervin Santana to one year deal. After a win Friday night versus Cincinnati, Santana improved to 3-0 on the season with a 1.95 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. On Feb 18th, the Baltimore Orioles signed Ubaldo Jimenez to a four year deal. After a loss Friday night versus Kansas City, Jimenez is now 0-4 on the season with a 6.59 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP.
The MLB has opened up its All Star Voting ballots. I figured it would be fun to fill out 3 ballots completely differently and share my votes one position at a time. Starting with first base, my American League selections are:
National League Selections are:
The Anaheim Angels did something Friday night they did not do all of 2013. In 2013, the Angels had 11 games where they scored 10+ runs, all of which featured at least one Mike Trout hit. Trout went 0-4 versus the Yankees while his Angels went on to win 13-1.
The last two big name pitchers to sign during the off-season are having very different starts to their 2014 seasons. On March 12th, the Atlanta Braves signed Ervin Santana to one year deal. After a win Friday night versus Cincinnati, Santana improved to 3-0 on the season with a 1.95 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. On Feb 18th, the Baltimore Orioles signed Ubaldo Jimenez to a four year deal. After a loss Friday night versus Kansas City, Jimenez is now 0-4 on the season with a 6.59 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP.
The MLB has opened up its All Star Voting ballots. I figured it would be fun to fill out 3 ballots completely differently and share my votes one position at a time. Starting with first base, my American League selections are:
- Miggy Cabrera - - the letters MVP gloss over numbers that may not currently lead the league
- Albert Pujols - - power resurgence has been fun to watch
- Jose Abreu - - batting average is starting to come around, his aptitude for multi HR games also
National League Selections are:
- Paul Goldschmidt - - without him the Arizona Diamondbacks would be completely lost
- Joey Votto - - the problem with on-line ballot voting is that it allows for "ballot box stuffing", being Canadian, Mr. Votto always gets my first.
- Justin Morneau - - see "Joey Votto", at least this season Morneau is "earning" the vote
Friday 25 April 2014
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.
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.
- C - Sal Perez .213, Buster Posey .229, Juan Castro .217
- 1B - Nick Swisher .205, Edwin Encarnacion .233
- 2B - Aaron Hill .232, Brian Dozier .224
- 3B - Marcus Semien .235, Martin Prado .234, Pedro Alvarez .176, Brett Lawrie .157
- SS - Ian Desmond .200, Brad Miller .221, Asdrubal Cabrera .238
Thursday 24 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 23 in MLB
The first 9 outs St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha recorded on Wednesday were strikeouts. As impressive as that is any and every time I read his name here's what instantly goes through my mind "waka, waka, waka"
Dictionary.com defines the word "Pinata" as " a gaily decorated crock or papier-mâché figure filled with toys, candy, etc., and suspended from above...so that children, who are blindfolded, may break it or knock it down with sticks and release the contents." New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda deserves his own Pinata, so many baseball purists would love to knock the pine tar out of him.
Internet high five to the Texas Rangers for their sweep three game sweep of the Oakland Athletics. The A's had not lost back to back games all year and now travel to Houston for a 4 game set. The A's had just swept the Astros before being whitewashed by the Rangers. Meanwhile the Rangers head to Seattle for a weekend series, trying to match their season high five game win streak. During their first five game win streak, three of those wins were against the Mariners.
Speaking of the Seattle Mariners, they are one of three teams that avoided sweeps in their respective series by winning Wednesday night. Kyle Seager may have earned himself a bobblehead night with a two homerun game with the second one being of the walk-off variety.
The San Francisco Giants, after being outpitched the first two games of the series, decided to try to beat the Colorado Rockies with the long ball. The Giants hit 6 homeruns with the 6th being a grand slam in the 11th. Sigh, I stand by my prediction if the Rockies pitching can become mediocre, they will make the playoffs.
Lastly, the Washington Nationals avoided the sweep to the Los Angeles Angels thanks to 9th inning meltdown in the Angels bullpen. On paper, the rosters of the Nationals and Angels coulda/shoulda/woulda be World Series bound. I won't hold my breathe.
Dictionary.com defines the word "Pinata" as " a gaily decorated crock or papier-mâché figure filled with toys, candy, etc., and suspended from above...so that children, who are blindfolded, may break it or knock it down with sticks and release the contents." New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael Pineda deserves his own Pinata, so many baseball purists would love to knock the pine tar out of him.
Internet high five to the Texas Rangers for their sweep three game sweep of the Oakland Athletics. The A's had not lost back to back games all year and now travel to Houston for a 4 game set. The A's had just swept the Astros before being whitewashed by the Rangers. Meanwhile the Rangers head to Seattle for a weekend series, trying to match their season high five game win streak. During their first five game win streak, three of those wins were against the Mariners.
Speaking of the Seattle Mariners, they are one of three teams that avoided sweeps in their respective series by winning Wednesday night. Kyle Seager may have earned himself a bobblehead night with a two homerun game with the second one being of the walk-off variety.
The San Francisco Giants, after being outpitched the first two games of the series, decided to try to beat the Colorado Rockies with the long ball. The Giants hit 6 homeruns with the 6th being a grand slam in the 11th. Sigh, I stand by my prediction if the Rockies pitching can become mediocre, they will make the playoffs.
Lastly, the Washington Nationals avoided the sweep to the Los Angeles Angels thanks to 9th inning meltdown in the Angels bullpen. On paper, the rosters of the Nationals and Angels coulda/shoulda/woulda be World Series bound. I won't hold my breathe.
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 21 and 22 in MLB
Monday April 21st
The average of the MLB went up drastically! The Cleveland Indians activated 43 year old Jason Giambi from the DL AND the New York Mets called up 40 year old Bobby Abreu.
A possible nine out of ten teams who finished in the bottom third of the MLB in 2013. Of those nine teams, only the Miami Marlins would lose. I know it's an obscure stat but seriously, how many times will the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies each win on the same night?
On this night the Cubs and Astros both beat struggling teams. The Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on the strength of the pitchers BAT! If ever there was a statement to sum up the D'Backs season thus far, that was it. The Astros beating Seattle Mariners, that's ho-hum news. The fact the Astros beat Felix Hernandez **blink blink** no words explain the surprise.
The Mets and the Phillies blanked their respective opponents on this night, willing to bet a Canadian Beer that feat does not occur again in 2014!!
Tuesday April 22nd
Remember I told you to bet on David Price finding his groove against the Minnesota Twins. Complete game, 12 strikeout getting his groove on win for Mr. Price.
Coming into the season most "experts" would not so boldly predict that the Colorado Rockies would be led by their offense and if/when the Rox failed it would be due to their pitching. The Rockies currently lead the MLB in runs scored while their pitching has given up the sixth most runs in the league. On Tuesday night, for the second time this season, the Rockies outpitched the San Francisco Giants in a pitching duel. Going back to those "experts", many predicted the Los Angeles Dodgers to walk away with the NL West. My prediction, if the Colorado Rockies pitching staff can improve to even just mediocre (not in the top 13 in runs allowed), the final series of the 2014 regular season is in LA against those Dodgers and could be for the division title.
Speaking of those Los Angeles Dodgers, they just dropped their second straight game to the Philadelphia Phillies. If you take away the 7-1 record amassed versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are 5-8 on the season. I keep asking for the "real" Washington Nationals to stand up so we could learn whether they are "contenders" or "pretenders". Maybe it's time I start asking that question to the Dodgers.
Speaking of those Washington Nationals, they go into Wednesday's game trying not to get swept by the Anaheim Angels. Also on "sweep alert", the Oakland Athletics at the hands of the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at the hands of the Houston Astros. The last time the Houston Astros swept a series - - September 9-11 against a Robinson Cano-less Seattle Mariner team.
Monday 21 April 2014
Collection of Random Thoughts re April 20 in the MLB
We will start with an internet high five to the two teams who accomplished sweeps this past weekend, the Oakland A's and the Miami Marlins. The A's swept the Houston Astros, a team with a total payroll of 45 million and a fat chance to make the playoffs. The Marlins swept the Seattle Mariners, a team that pays Robinson Cano 24 million per year and has a slim chance to make the playoffs. Makes you realize that a slim chance and a fat chance at the playoffs really are the same.
In a world we have noses that run and feet that smell, having your team get their collective butt kicked one game is not to be taken too seriously. The New York Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday 16-1 - - Yanks would win Sunday 5-1. The Chicago White Sox would lose to the Texas Rangers by a combined 18-3 score from their Friday and Saturday matchups - - the Sox would win 16-2 on Sunday. The Milwaukee Brewers would open their four game series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with an 11-2 loss - - it would be the only game in the series the BrewCrew lost.
Speaking of the Brewers, this is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Sunday April 20. This is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Wednesday September 25, 2013. For the 2015 season, I'd like to put $20 that the Carlos Gomez induced brawl will be the final week of August.
The San Francisco Giants played two more one run games this past weekend making it 11 of their 19 games decided by only one run this season. Both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have played only two one run games each thus far in 2014. I'm accepting witty comments about beer sales because I know they are there for the sharing.
With two National League games going to 14 innings on Sunday, one of them including the New York Mets, I came across this fascinating tidbit of knowledge. Did you know that 14 innings is the NL record for Opening Day longest game? The record has been tied 7 times with the New York Mets being involved in the last two times it has happened. Here is the source to the obscure find.
In a world we have noses that run and feet that smell, having your team get their collective butt kicked one game is not to be taken too seriously. The New York Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday 16-1 - - Yanks would win Sunday 5-1. The Chicago White Sox would lose to the Texas Rangers by a combined 18-3 score from their Friday and Saturday matchups - - the Sox would win 16-2 on Sunday. The Milwaukee Brewers would open their four game series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with an 11-2 loss - - it would be the only game in the series the BrewCrew lost.
Speaking of the Brewers, this is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Sunday April 20. This is how Carlos Gomez made headlines on Wednesday September 25, 2013. For the 2015 season, I'd like to put $20 that the Carlos Gomez induced brawl will be the final week of August.
The San Francisco Giants played two more one run games this past weekend making it 11 of their 19 games decided by only one run this season. Both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays have played only two one run games each thus far in 2014. I'm accepting witty comments about beer sales because I know they are there for the sharing.
With two National League games going to 14 innings on Sunday, one of them including the New York Mets, I came across this fascinating tidbit of knowledge. Did you know that 14 innings is the NL record for Opening Day longest game? The record has been tied 7 times with the New York Mets being involved in the last two times it has happened. Here is the source to the obscure find.
Saturday 19 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 18 in MLB
Houston Astros uber-prospect George Springer collected his first MLB RBI and stolen base. Shame his Astros were already 8-0 by the time he stole his first base in the top of the 3rd. Not that it's any consolation to Mr. Springer but Chicago White Sox Cuban sensation Jose Abreu & Philadelphia Phillies sophomore starting pitcher Jonathon Pettibone also found themselves down by more than 8 runs in their respective games.
A late season call up by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, relief pitcher Josh Wall is still struggling to find his groove in the MLB. Mr. Wall never made it past last April with the Dodgers and Friday had his first appearance with the Anaheim Angels. Mr. Wall never even got out of his inning. Luckily he was "protecting" an 11-1 win.
The San Francisco Giants have played in 8 straight one run games with a .500 record of 4-4. Playoff wildcard runs by the 2013 Cleveland Indians (30-17) and the 2012 Baltimore Orioles (29-9) were in part fuelled by their record in one run games. On the other side of the coin, the Boston Red Sox won their division and the 2013 World Series finishing .500 in one run games. The Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are currently tied for first place in the NL West. The Giants have taken four of six meetings this young season against the Dodgers with a 2-1 record in one run games against them.
The Arizona Diamondbacks finally caught a lucky break! A wild pitch on an INTENTIONAL WALK scored a runner from third base to give the D'Backs a 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th. The curse that has been 2014 meant that naturally the bullpen would cough up the lead in the bottom of the ninth but the D'Backs would win the game in the 12th!
Remember ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages, if you play baseball, don't use your face to stop the ball. There has to be a less painful way to make it into the pages of Sports Illustrated.
A late season call up by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012, relief pitcher Josh Wall is still struggling to find his groove in the MLB. Mr. Wall never made it past last April with the Dodgers and Friday had his first appearance with the Anaheim Angels. Mr. Wall never even got out of his inning. Luckily he was "protecting" an 11-1 win.
The San Francisco Giants have played in 8 straight one run games with a .500 record of 4-4. Playoff wildcard runs by the 2013 Cleveland Indians (30-17) and the 2012 Baltimore Orioles (29-9) were in part fuelled by their record in one run games. On the other side of the coin, the Boston Red Sox won their division and the 2013 World Series finishing .500 in one run games. The Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are currently tied for first place in the NL West. The Giants have taken four of six meetings this young season against the Dodgers with a 2-1 record in one run games against them.
The Arizona Diamondbacks finally caught a lucky break! A wild pitch on an INTENTIONAL WALK scored a runner from third base to give the D'Backs a 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th. The curse that has been 2014 meant that naturally the bullpen would cough up the lead in the bottom of the ninth but the D'Backs would win the game in the 12th!
Remember ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages, if you play baseball, don't use your face to stop the ball. There has to be a less painful way to make it into the pages of Sports Illustrated.
Friday 18 April 2014
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!
Wednesday 16 April 2014
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
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"?
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 15 in MLB
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" ~Jackie Robinson.
On Monday night during the 8th inning of their game, the Colorado Rockies walked the bases loaded then made two throwing errors to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. On Tuesday night, the Rockies gave up a leadoff single then with two outs walked the bases loaded. Are the Rockies in the business of giving away wins to the San Diego Padres? As Buzz Lightyear would say, "NOT TODAY!". The Rockies held on to win 3-2.
My apologies to the Milwaukee Brewers and specifically relief pitcher Jim Henderson. In his first appearance since praising him for his good start to 2014, the St. Louis Cardinals would put three up on the board against him. Makes me nervous to praise Oakland A's relief pitcher Jim Johnson on his second straight win and his 3rd straight solid outing after losing his closer title.
The 10 homerun suspended game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds was played out Tuesday night and won by a RBI single in the 7th from the Pirates catcher Russell Martin. Well that was anticlimactic!! The Reds would win the scheduled regular Tuesday night game to even the series. Going into Wednesday's matinee at Pittsburgh, if the Reds were to lose that would be 5 straight series to start the season which they dropped 2-1 which equals T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
You know the cliché "mama said there would be days like this" Boston Red Sox rookie shortstop Xander Bogaerts had one of those Tuesday night. 0-4 at the plate with a hat-trick in strikeouts and the game ending throwing error giving the Chicago White Sox the win. The Red Sox fall to 5-9 to start 2014 which is a stark contrast to the 10-4 start they had in 2013.
Monday 14 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 14 in the MLB
After six innings of play, the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates combined for TEN homeruns. That is more homeruns than the Baltimore Orioles (9), San Diego Padres (7), Texas Rangers (5), and Kansas City Royals have hit the ENTIRE SEASON.
When doing research for the above stat I stumbled upon the following - - 16 of 30 teams were hitting under .250 (1 of 4) going into the evening's slate of games. Last season finished with 13 teams under a .250 team batting average, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2011, 9 in 2010. Furthermore not since 2008 has the MLB has averaged more than 9 hits per game. Moral of the stat story, with so much glamor given to the homerun, if nobody is on base, it's just one run.
A nifty stat was posted by the Oakland Athletics gameday Twitter account: "(Yoenis) Cespedes is 8-for-24 (.333) with runners on compared to 3-for-23 (.130) with the bases empty" They posted this in the 9th inning trailing the Anaheim Angels by one with a man on first. Cespedes would fly out but pinch hitter John Jaso would hit a 2 run homerun to give the A's the lead and the win. Sooner or later the problematic pairing of "sabremetrics" and "moneyball" will fail. I keep choosing sooner and it keeps becoming later.
16 games, about 1/10 of the season is over for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A 7-3 loss to the New York Mets keeps the D'Backs at 4 wins on the season. I feel sorry for the anxiety that must be running through the Kirk Gibson family in regards to his job security and will stop writing about it out of respect for a man with the most memorable homerun trot of my life.
The Colorado Rockies found an improbable way to lose to the San Diego Padres Monday night. After WALKING THE BASES LOADED, a wild pitch would score the game tying run and an errant throw back to the plate would score the game winning run. Wow, just wow!
When doing research for the above stat I stumbled upon the following - - 16 of 30 teams were hitting under .250 (1 of 4) going into the evening's slate of games. Last season finished with 13 teams under a .250 team batting average, 12 in 2012, 11 in 2011, 9 in 2010. Furthermore not since 2008 has the MLB has averaged more than 9 hits per game. Moral of the stat story, with so much glamor given to the homerun, if nobody is on base, it's just one run.
A nifty stat was posted by the Oakland Athletics gameday Twitter account: "(Yoenis) Cespedes is 8-for-24 (.333) with runners on compared to 3-for-23 (.130) with the bases empty" They posted this in the 9th inning trailing the Anaheim Angels by one with a man on first. Cespedes would fly out but pinch hitter John Jaso would hit a 2 run homerun to give the A's the lead and the win. Sooner or later the problematic pairing of "sabremetrics" and "moneyball" will fail. I keep choosing sooner and it keeps becoming later.
16 games, about 1/10 of the season is over for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A 7-3 loss to the New York Mets keeps the D'Backs at 4 wins on the season. I feel sorry for the anxiety that must be running through the Kirk Gibson family in regards to his job security and will stop writing about it out of respect for a man with the most memorable homerun trot of my life.
The Colorado Rockies found an improbable way to lose to the San Diego Padres Monday night. After WALKING THE BASES LOADED, a wild pitch would score the game tying run and an errant throw back to the plate would score the game winning run. Wow, just wow!
As a wrestling fan I feel obliged to share this link,
Sunday 13 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 13 in the MLB
Sweeps and their ramifications will be the subject of the day.
The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Arizona Diamondbacks making it a 5-0 regular season start against the NL West Kirk Gibson led foe. The D'Backs currently sit at 4-11 two days away from Jackie Robinson Day on Tuesday April 15th. I mentioned in an earlier post that if going into Jackie Robinson Day the Diamondbacks were still counting wins with only one hand that Manager Kirk Gibson likely does not make it through the month of May with his job. A 3 game series with the New York Mets may just be what the doctor ordered. Then again, it may be the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
Speaking of baseball managers doubling as crew members of the Titanic, Kansas City manager Ned Yost must be feeling sea sick after being outscored 21-6 whilst being swept by the Minnesota Twins. The Royals now have lowest scoring offense in the American League 0.02 less runs per game than the Houston Astros. The Astros happen to be their next opponent before an opportunity for redemption when the Twins visit Kauffman Stadium next weekend. For a trendy pick to win the division, the Royals are doing it wrong!!
Speaking of trendy picks to win the division, the Washington Nationals just got swept by the Atlanta Braves, the team they would have to overcome to win the NL East. The Braves scored 23 runs during the series doubling their season long production at the plate. Another Nats sweep of the Miami Marlins would likely keep them neck and neck with the Braves for 1st place but an abysmal showing in their 4 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals next weekend will help solidify their "pretender not contender" status.
Speaking of the Miami Marlins, anybody remember when they were 5-1? After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Marlins now sit at 5-8. I never thought they would keep pace with the Nationals and Braves but third place in the NL East is feasible. The Marlins will have to win these games back from the Phillies when they visit Miami May 20-22.
I ran out of "speaking of" tie-ins. The Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to 9 games by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now the real fun begins as they host the St. Louis Cardinals then fly to Pittsburgh for a three game re-match. The Cardinals were the gold standard last season beating the Brewers in the pennant race by 23 games. Can a full year of Ryan Braun and tweaked starting rotation really close that gap?
The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Arizona Diamondbacks making it a 5-0 regular season start against the NL West Kirk Gibson led foe. The D'Backs currently sit at 4-11 two days away from Jackie Robinson Day on Tuesday April 15th. I mentioned in an earlier post that if going into Jackie Robinson Day the Diamondbacks were still counting wins with only one hand that Manager Kirk Gibson likely does not make it through the month of May with his job. A 3 game series with the New York Mets may just be what the doctor ordered. Then again, it may be the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
Speaking of baseball managers doubling as crew members of the Titanic, Kansas City manager Ned Yost must be feeling sea sick after being outscored 21-6 whilst being swept by the Minnesota Twins. The Royals now have lowest scoring offense in the American League 0.02 less runs per game than the Houston Astros. The Astros happen to be their next opponent before an opportunity for redemption when the Twins visit Kauffman Stadium next weekend. For a trendy pick to win the division, the Royals are doing it wrong!!
Speaking of trendy picks to win the division, the Washington Nationals just got swept by the Atlanta Braves, the team they would have to overcome to win the NL East. The Braves scored 23 runs during the series doubling their season long production at the plate. Another Nats sweep of the Miami Marlins would likely keep them neck and neck with the Braves for 1st place but an abysmal showing in their 4 game set with the St. Louis Cardinals next weekend will help solidify their "pretender not contender" status.
Speaking of the Miami Marlins, anybody remember when they were 5-1? After being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, the Marlins now sit at 5-8. I never thought they would keep pace with the Nationals and Braves but third place in the NL East is feasible. The Marlins will have to win these games back from the Phillies when they visit Miami May 20-22.
I ran out of "speaking of" tie-ins. The Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to 9 games by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now the real fun begins as they host the St. Louis Cardinals then fly to Pittsburgh for a three game re-match. The Cardinals were the gold standard last season beating the Brewers in the pennant race by 23 games. Can a full year of Ryan Braun and tweaked starting rotation really close that gap?
Saturday 12 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 12 in the MLB
Instant replay rules need limits!
In today's Red Sox/Yankees game, karma itself is trying to tell the MLB to keep the reviews to homeruns, home plate calls and diving catches in the outfield. The MLB has already released their statement saying the umpires should have overturned the call on the field when Dean Anna sliding into second had his foot leave the bag momentarily while the Red Sox shortstop held a tag on him. How long before they start reviewing throws over to first base too? All the other leagues have limits with their replays, the NFL doesn't review every pass interference call (those yards are just as important as an extra base in baseball), the NHL doesn't review every goal (they learned their lesson the hard way with this Stanley Cup winning goal which during the regular season would have been disallowed), etcetera etcetra. As much as the MLB is trying its best to remove the human element from decisions being made in-game STOP IT! Being from Alberta, the highest level of baseball is the Western Major Baseball League. Here's some love to two "graduates" off to a good start in 2014. Cleveland Indians relief pitcher John Axford pitched a perfect inning today dropping his ERA to 1.69 in 6 appearances this season. Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jim Henderson kept his ERA at 0.00 today despite giving up two hits which doubled the amount of hits he had giving up in his previous 5 outings.
Two teams losing the pennant in April, the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds.
Being outscored 17-2 in two games against the Minnesota Twins is not changing my mind about the Detroit Tigers winning the AL Central but is making me wonder about the Royals earning the wildcard spot. Meanwhile in Cincy, the Reds need to win on Sunday to avoid a sweep. If they avoid the sweep, it will be the fourth consecutive series the Reds have lost 2-1. Last I checked, a .333 winning percentage will not get you into the playoffs.
After Brock Lesnar'ing Paul Goldschmidt's on base streak with a simple mention in this blog, let's see if I can "Brock Lesnar" the Milwaukee Brewers 8 game winning streak going into Sunday's matinee with the Pirates.
Random Collection of Thoughts re April 11 in MLB
First off, an apology to Mr. Paul Goldschmidt. I tried to latch onto him for MLB Beat the Streak contest. A logical choice because he was on a 31 game on base streak, and now it's over. I'm sorry I was your Brock Lesnar to your streak.
The Minnesota Twins annihilated the Kansas City Royals - - script says the Royals are suppose to challenge the Tigers for the Division Title. Those Detroit Tigers got shut out by the San Diego Padres! The Padres scored 6 runs which translates into 1/3 of the offense they had put up the entire season!
The Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings. The Cards needed a job losing effort from now former Cubs closer Jose Veras just to send it into extra innings. The script clearly reads that the Cards are the class of the NL Central while the Cubs are there to bring up the rear.
With a loss last night, the Cincinnati Reds fell into sole possession of last place in the NL Central while with a win, the Milwaukee Brewers sit alone atop of the NL Central. Anybody who tells you they saw this coming likely has a pet unicorn and has people read the script to them!
The San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies. That's fine and dandy. The win was based in large part to a grand slam BY THE PITCHER!! Some people say baseball is boring, but you can't make this stuff up folks!
By gawd, did the baseball lords not read the script going into Friday nights games?
The Minnesota Twins annihilated the Kansas City Royals - - script says the Royals are suppose to challenge the Tigers for the Division Title. Those Detroit Tigers got shut out by the San Diego Padres! The Padres scored 6 runs which translates into 1/3 of the offense they had put up the entire season!
The Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals in extra innings. The Cards needed a job losing effort from now former Cubs closer Jose Veras just to send it into extra innings. The script clearly reads that the Cards are the class of the NL Central while the Cubs are there to bring up the rear.
With a loss last night, the Cincinnati Reds fell into sole possession of last place in the NL Central while with a win, the Milwaukee Brewers sit alone atop of the NL Central. Anybody who tells you they saw this coming likely has a pet unicorn and has people read the script to them!
The San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies. That's fine and dandy. The win was based in large part to a grand slam BY THE PITCHER!! Some people say baseball is boring, but you can't make this stuff up folks!
Let's see if normalcy returns to the MLB on Saturday.
Friday 11 April 2014
One Series From Every Division to Look Forward to This Weekend
AL EAST - - Red Sox vs Yankees
The Yankees took the 1st game of the four game series on Thursday. If the Red Sox were not World Series champs, the nod for AL East series of the weekend would have went to the Blue Jays vs Orioles. I can't imagine the Red Sox not making the playoffs in 2014 but this weekend could start rubbing the sticks together to start that fire.
AL CENTRAL - - Indians vs White Sox
Remember to the 2012 Baltimore's Orioles and their improbable playoff berth? That's exactly how I feek about the Cleveland's run to the playoffs last season. Much like the O's failed to make consecutive post season appearances, the same fate awaits the Tribe. My bold prediction is that the White Sox that will challenge them for 3rd place in the division. The series began Thursday night with the Sox breaking a 14 game losing streak against the Tribe...a sign of things to come!
AL WEST - - A's vs Mariners
"To the man, you've gotta beat the man" Ric Flair The Mariners lost 2 of 3 in Oakland to the A's and (pardon the exaggerated tone in April) can ill-afford to do the same during this weekend's series at Safeco Field.
NL EAST - - Nationals vs Braves
The sexy pick last season to win the AL East was the Nationals. The sexy pick to possibly knock the Braves out of first place in 2014 is again the Nationals. The Nats lost 2 of 3 against the Braves in Washington. Sure it's their only two losses of the season but feasting on teams like the Miami Marlins and New York Mets only makes you pretenders not contenders.
NL CENTRAL - - Cubs vs Cardinals
The argument here is simple, the Cubs hold the power in the NL Central to decide who wins the division. The Cardinals play their first three of 19 games versus the Cubbies after seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates took 4 of 6 from Chicago. If Chicago finds a way to take two games this weekend...who am I kidding!
NL WEST - - Tigers vs Padres
This may not be an inter-divisional game but this series has me wondering, how do the Tigers not sweep the Padres? Porcello, Verlander, Scherzer pitching in the cavernous Petco Park against a team that has scored only 20 runs in 9 games this season. If the Padres find a way to take 2 of 3, Royals fans should cry if they don't take 2 of 3 from Twins and make up a game on the Tigers "the easy way".
The Yankees took the 1st game of the four game series on Thursday. If the Red Sox were not World Series champs, the nod for AL East series of the weekend would have went to the Blue Jays vs Orioles. I can't imagine the Red Sox not making the playoffs in 2014 but this weekend could start rubbing the sticks together to start that fire.
AL CENTRAL - - Indians vs White Sox
Remember to the 2012 Baltimore's Orioles and their improbable playoff berth? That's exactly how I feek about the Cleveland's run to the playoffs last season. Much like the O's failed to make consecutive post season appearances, the same fate awaits the Tribe. My bold prediction is that the White Sox that will challenge them for 3rd place in the division. The series began Thursday night with the Sox breaking a 14 game losing streak against the Tribe...a sign of things to come!
AL WEST - - A's vs Mariners
"To the man, you've gotta beat the man" Ric Flair The Mariners lost 2 of 3 in Oakland to the A's and (pardon the exaggerated tone in April) can ill-afford to do the same during this weekend's series at Safeco Field.
NL EAST - - Nationals vs Braves
The sexy pick last season to win the AL East was the Nationals. The sexy pick to possibly knock the Braves out of first place in 2014 is again the Nationals. The Nats lost 2 of 3 against the Braves in Washington. Sure it's their only two losses of the season but feasting on teams like the Miami Marlins and New York Mets only makes you pretenders not contenders.
NL CENTRAL - - Cubs vs Cardinals
The argument here is simple, the Cubs hold the power in the NL Central to decide who wins the division. The Cardinals play their first three of 19 games versus the Cubbies after seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates took 4 of 6 from Chicago. If Chicago finds a way to take two games this weekend...who am I kidding!
NL WEST - - Tigers vs Padres
This may not be an inter-divisional game but this series has me wondering, how do the Tigers not sweep the Padres? Porcello, Verlander, Scherzer pitching in the cavernous Petco Park against a team that has scored only 20 runs in 9 games this season. If the Padres find a way to take 2 of 3, Royals fans should cry if they don't take 2 of 3 from Twins and make up a game on the Tigers "the easy way".
Thursday 10 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 10 in MLB
Does anybody play ESPN's Streak for Cash? Were you like me and swearing up a storm when the Pittsburgh Pirates fell behind 4-0 to the Chicago Cubs? The Bucs can't possibly lose back to back games to the Cubs could they? The "luvable loser" Cubs sent four pitchers to the mound in the 7th inning, two of them would give up homeruns to the first batter they faced and my streak extends to 7.
Whenever one of my favorite teams opens up a 3 game series, the hope is that they take two of three. The thought of finishing a season with a winning percentage is .667 is absurd but it helps break up the marathon that is the MLB season. As (most) teams head into their fourth series this weekend, only 2 AL teams and 4 NL teams are producing at that clip.
Sweeping a series is always the fans desire. Brewers fans are full of desire as their Milwaukee Brewers just swept their second straight series ON THE ROAD. The Oakland A's also just completed a road sweep of the Minnesota Twins. I predicted the Washington Nationals would sweep the upstart Marlins, and they did just that with another chance to do so next week on the road in Miami.
Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 31. Goldy is 25 shy of tying Joe DiMaggio's record. I have to be honest, since the Undertaker lost his streak at Wrestlemania last Sunday, I need something to get behind and believe in. For the next week, I will chose Goldy as my MLB Beat the Streak batter. If he loses his streak, blame Brock Lesnar!
Whenever one of my favorite teams opens up a 3 game series, the hope is that they take two of three. The thought of finishing a season with a winning percentage is .667 is absurd but it helps break up the marathon that is the MLB season. As (most) teams head into their fourth series this weekend, only 2 AL teams and 4 NL teams are producing at that clip.
Sweeping a series is always the fans desire. Brewers fans are full of desire as their Milwaukee Brewers just swept their second straight series ON THE ROAD. The Oakland A's also just completed a road sweep of the Minnesota Twins. I predicted the Washington Nationals would sweep the upstart Marlins, and they did just that with another chance to do so next week on the road in Miami.
Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 31. Goldy is 25 shy of tying Joe DiMaggio's record. I have to be honest, since the Undertaker lost his streak at Wrestlemania last Sunday, I need something to get behind and believe in. For the next week, I will chose Goldy as my MLB Beat the Streak batter. If he loses his streak, blame Brock Lesnar!
Wednesday 9 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 9 in the MLB
Three "first's" happened today that not many people would not have expected to wait over a week to see (or in the last example, expected at all). The Kansas City Royals hit their 1st homerun of the season and the Cincinnati Reds speed demon Billy Hamilton stole his first two bases of the season. Toronto Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro stole his first base since 2009.
Many people likely expected Ervin Santana to have some rust in his pitching debut for the Atlanta Braves. 8 innings played, 0 runs allowed, 3 hits against, no walks allowed, 6 strikeouts. It doesn't matter that it's against the 4th lowest scoring team in the NL because coming in, Atlanta themselves are the lowest scoring team. That's the real surprise, Atlanta is barely averaging 2 runs per game heading into Santana's debut.
Baltimore Oriole starter Miguel Gonzalez is set to earn $529,000 this season. New York Yankee starter Masahiro Tanaka just commenced a seven years, $155M contract. Both have almost identical lines from their meeting against each other, biggest difference, Tanaka was plus 7 in the strikeout category! The Orioles would win the game in the 9th with Tanaka out of the game and no option to put in Mariano Rivera or his "replacement" David Robertson for the Yankees.
Game of the night honors goes to the Miami Marlins/Washington Nationals! Marlins surge out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. After marching back to take a 6-5 lead in the 6th, the Nats leave the bases drunk which naturally means the Marlins tie it the first chance they get. The tying run came via the first uncontested homerun (first two were reviewed) of the game in the top of the 7th. Marlins would take the lead in the top of the 8th on an umpire reviewed home plate play. At this rate of reviews before reacting to anything on the field, you may want a minute or so.
I have professed my affinity for fantasy baseball in previous articles and through that affinity, I have learned that the last adjective to describe relief pitcher Carlos Marmol is reliable. Now pitching for the Marlins, the game of the night would effectively end when the Nats were able to load the bases against him in the bottom of the 8th and Jayson Werth would empty the bases with a (un-reviewed) grand slam.
Many people likely expected Ervin Santana to have some rust in his pitching debut for the Atlanta Braves. 8 innings played, 0 runs allowed, 3 hits against, no walks allowed, 6 strikeouts. It doesn't matter that it's against the 4th lowest scoring team in the NL because coming in, Atlanta themselves are the lowest scoring team. That's the real surprise, Atlanta is barely averaging 2 runs per game heading into Santana's debut.
Baltimore Oriole starter Miguel Gonzalez is set to earn $529,000 this season. New York Yankee starter Masahiro Tanaka just commenced a seven years, $155M contract. Both have almost identical lines from their meeting against each other, biggest difference, Tanaka was plus 7 in the strikeout category! The Orioles would win the game in the 9th with Tanaka out of the game and no option to put in Mariano Rivera or his "replacement" David Robertson for the Yankees.
Game of the night honors goes to the Miami Marlins/Washington Nationals! Marlins surge out to a 5-0 lead after two innings. After marching back to take a 6-5 lead in the 6th, the Nats leave the bases drunk which naturally means the Marlins tie it the first chance they get. The tying run came via the first uncontested homerun (first two were reviewed) of the game in the top of the 7th. Marlins would take the lead in the top of the 8th on an umpire reviewed home plate play. At this rate of reviews before reacting to anything on the field, you may want a minute or so.
I have professed my affinity for fantasy baseball in previous articles and through that affinity, I have learned that the last adjective to describe relief pitcher Carlos Marmol is reliable. Now pitching for the Marlins, the game of the night would effectively end when the Nats were able to load the bases against him in the bottom of the 8th and Jayson Werth would empty the bases with a (un-reviewed) grand slam.
Tuesday 8 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 8 in MLB
The San Francisco Giants won their game this afternoon. Professional reporters will tell you it was in part because of a good outing from Tim Hudson and other valid baseball reasons. I'm telling you they won from the good karma they promoted when they brought back "Batkid" to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. If you do not know the story of "Batkid", please re-new your faith in humanity by clicking this link
How does Cincinnati Red Joey Votto break out of an 0-13 slump? He wears a Mountie uniform on the show "Intentional Talk". Votto was hit by a pitch in his first at bat and hit singles in the 3rd and 5th inning.
The New York Yankees won their home opener then got shellacked today in game two of the series. Game 3 versus Baltimore features Masahiro Tanaka's 2nd MLB start. For those fans who want to believe the Yankees will finish higher in the AL East than the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday's game is about as "must win" as the series opener celebrating the home kickoff of Derek Jeter's farewell tour.
The Miami Marlins impressively built a 5-2 record versus two clubs that finished 2013 with 74 wins and 76 wins respectively. Their first game of 2014 versus an opponent with a winning record from 2013, a 5-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. If the Marlins get swept by the Nationals during these three games in Washington then again next week in the re-match series in Miami, all playoff prognostications for the Fish should read, "nope, not happening".
Going into this three game series in Colorado, the Chicago White Sox had a 5-1 lifetime record at Coors Field. The Sox got hammered on Monday but Tuesday night put enough air miles on the baseball to almost fly around the world. SIX HOMERUNS including Jose Abreu's first two in the Majors.
How does Cincinnati Red Joey Votto break out of an 0-13 slump? He wears a Mountie uniform on the show "Intentional Talk". Votto was hit by a pitch in his first at bat and hit singles in the 3rd and 5th inning.
The New York Yankees won their home opener then got shellacked today in game two of the series. Game 3 versus Baltimore features Masahiro Tanaka's 2nd MLB start. For those fans who want to believe the Yankees will finish higher in the AL East than the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday's game is about as "must win" as the series opener celebrating the home kickoff of Derek Jeter's farewell tour.
The Miami Marlins impressively built a 5-2 record versus two clubs that finished 2013 with 74 wins and 76 wins respectively. Their first game of 2014 versus an opponent with a winning record from 2013, a 5-0 loss to the Washington Nationals. If the Marlins get swept by the Nationals during these three games in Washington then again next week in the re-match series in Miami, all playoff prognostications for the Fish should read, "nope, not happening".
Going into this three game series in Colorado, the Chicago White Sox had a 5-1 lifetime record at Coors Field. The Sox got hammered on Monday but Tuesday night put enough air miles on the baseball to almost fly around the world. SIX HOMERUNS including Jose Abreu's first two in the Majors.
Monday 7 April 2014
Random Collection of Ideas re: April 7 in MLB
According to an article from ESPN's Buster Olney, a MLB executive is floating the idea of 7 inning games instead of 9. Here's a link to the free part of the article. While we are it, lets make hockey three 15 minute periods instead of 20 minutes and condense the NBA into three quarters instead of four quarters. Dear Mr. MLB Exec, if you want to protect the athletes like your starting pitchers, vote to cut 62 games off of the schedule, that translates to approximately 12 less starts. Oh wait, that would dip into your bottom line wouldn't it? I'm sure if the games were reduced 22% to seven innings, ticket prices would be reduced 22%, right? My idea to ban defensive shifts doesn't seem so absurd anymore does it?
Texas Ranger Prince Fielder went 0-4 tonight dropping his average to .143. This batting average will double by season's end. J.P. Arencibia went 0-3 tonight dropping his average .125. This batting average will NOT double by season's end.
With today's loss to the Anaheim Angels, the Houston Astros drop under .500 by one game. Official prediction, the Astros will not reach the .500 mark again this season. Guess I'm cheering quite hard for the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night.
Speaking of the Angels, they fly to Seattle Tuesday to face James Paxton for the second time in a week. In college baseball, the third time round the order is usually the most nerve wracking as the batters now have seen most of what the pitcher has to offer. This is the first time in Paxton's 6 six start career that he is facing a team for the second time. Paxton shut the Angels out over seven inning facing everybody minus the bottom of the order three times. Smells like boom or bust for the Halo's.
Kansas City Royal starting pitcher Jason Vargas has pitched 15 total innings in his two starts this season giving up only two runs. Both runs coming against him were solo homeruns by second baseman (Detriot's Ian Kinsler and Tampa's Ben Zobrist). Vargas' next scheduled start is against the Minnesota Twins, so if you play fantasy baseball, Brian Dozier is a must have on your roster this weekend.
Texas Ranger Prince Fielder went 0-4 tonight dropping his average to .143. This batting average will double by season's end. J.P. Arencibia went 0-3 tonight dropping his average .125. This batting average will NOT double by season's end.
With today's loss to the Anaheim Angels, the Houston Astros drop under .500 by one game. Official prediction, the Astros will not reach the .500 mark again this season. Guess I'm cheering quite hard for the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday night.
Speaking of the Angels, they fly to Seattle Tuesday to face James Paxton for the second time in a week. In college baseball, the third time round the order is usually the most nerve wracking as the batters now have seen most of what the pitcher has to offer. This is the first time in Paxton's 6 six start career that he is facing a team for the second time. Paxton shut the Angels out over seven inning facing everybody minus the bottom of the order three times. Smells like boom or bust for the Halo's.
Kansas City Royal starting pitcher Jason Vargas has pitched 15 total innings in his two starts this season giving up only two runs. Both runs coming against him were solo homeruns by second baseman (Detriot's Ian Kinsler and Tampa's Ben Zobrist). Vargas' next scheduled start is against the Minnesota Twins, so if you play fantasy baseball, Brian Dozier is a must have on your roster this weekend.
Sunday 6 April 2014
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.
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.
Saturday 5 April 2014
Random Collection of Thoughts re: April 5th in MLB
Pennants are not won in April, they are lost. Cincinnati Reds I'm looking at you! Starting out the season having the St. Louis Cardinals taking two of three from you at home is forgivable. Going into New York and having the Mets take the first two games from you almost inexcusable. I will assume the Reds can avoid the sweep at the hands of the Mets but going into St. Louis for the next series, the feeling has to be that one out of three won't be enough.
In the dogfight that the NL Central will be for playoff seeding, the Pittsburgh Pirates were gifted two series with the Chicago Cubs with the St Louis Cardinals sandwiched in the middle. Anything less than 6-3 for the Pirates should be considered a failure to start the season. I would have waited until then before I extended the contracts of General manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle.
Tonight's pitching lines from the Mariners Felix Hernandez (8.1 IP 6 hits 1 run 8 K's) and the Marlins Jose Fernandez (6.2 IP 3 hits 0 runs 8 K's) make me really hope the two pitchers face off against each other when their respective teams play a three game series April 18 through 20th.
The Boston Red Sox page on MLB.com only allows me to go back to 2000. This is the first time in the new millennium that the Red Sox have lost their 1st two home games of a season.
The last undefeated team in the MLB is the Detroit Tigers. That in and of itself is not that shocking. The fact they are only 4-0 and are the last perfect team is the surprising part.
In the dogfight that the NL Central will be for playoff seeding, the Pittsburgh Pirates were gifted two series with the Chicago Cubs with the St Louis Cardinals sandwiched in the middle. Anything less than 6-3 for the Pirates should be considered a failure to start the season. I would have waited until then before I extended the contracts of General manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle.
Tonight's pitching lines from the Mariners Felix Hernandez (8.1 IP 6 hits 1 run 8 K's) and the Marlins Jose Fernandez (6.2 IP 3 hits 0 runs 8 K's) make me really hope the two pitchers face off against each other when their respective teams play a three game series April 18 through 20th.
The Boston Red Sox page on MLB.com only allows me to go back to 2000. This is the first time in the new millennium that the Red Sox have lost their 1st two home games of a season.
The last undefeated team in the MLB is the Detroit Tigers. That in and of itself is not that shocking. The fact they are only 4-0 and are the last perfect team is the surprising part.
Friday 4 April 2014
Random Collections of Thoughts re: April 4th in MLB
My last entry highlighted the New York Yankees, Anaheim Angels, Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies as the teams to watch going into this weekend. Friday night the four teams won by the average margin of a touchdown!
Masahiro Tanaka gave himself two innings to figure out the MLB then threw five solid innings to guide the Yankees to victory. All nine starters for the Anaheim Angels collected at least a hit ensuring they did not need to rely on pitching for their victory. The Miami Marlins have apparently all become hitting machines and led by Charlie Blackmon's 6 for 6 evening the Colorado Rockies dismantled the Arizona Diamondbacks. I linked Blackmon to his career stats so you wouldn't have to Google him.
Official prediction, if the Arizona Diamondbacks can count their season total of wins on one hand come Jackie Robinson Day, Tuesday April 15, Kirk Gibson will be the first manager fired in 2014. The D'Backs are currently 1-6.
Pittsburgh 12 St Louis 2. Six months ago to the day, the Pirates beat the Cards 7-1 in Game 2 of the NLDS. We all know how that ended.
I have heard all spring that the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield is over-crowded. I remember reading comments from Matt Kemp saying "he is no fourth outfielder". Why not trade Yasiel Puig? Seriously, an upgrade at second base and someone to inherit third base from Juan Uribe is not a ridiculous trade demand for a 24 year old causing more trouble than a wolf in a chicken coop.
Masahiro Tanaka gave himself two innings to figure out the MLB then threw five solid innings to guide the Yankees to victory. All nine starters for the Anaheim Angels collected at least a hit ensuring they did not need to rely on pitching for their victory. The Miami Marlins have apparently all become hitting machines and led by Charlie Blackmon's 6 for 6 evening the Colorado Rockies dismantled the Arizona Diamondbacks. I linked Blackmon to his career stats so you wouldn't have to Google him.
Official prediction, if the Arizona Diamondbacks can count their season total of wins on one hand come Jackie Robinson Day, Tuesday April 15, Kirk Gibson will be the first manager fired in 2014. The D'Backs are currently 1-6.
Pittsburgh 12 St Louis 2. Six months ago to the day, the Pirates beat the Cards 7-1 in Game 2 of the NLDS. We all know how that ended.
I have heard all spring that the Los Angeles Dodgers outfield is over-crowded. I remember reading comments from Matt Kemp saying "he is no fourth outfielder". Why not trade Yasiel Puig? Seriously, an upgrade at second base and someone to inherit third base from Juan Uribe is not a ridiculous trade demand for a 24 year old causing more trouble than a wolf in a chicken coop.
4 MLB Teams to Watch Going Into the First Weekend
New York Yankees: If the Yankees aging lineup has any aspirations of making the playoffs, two 25 year olds hold their fate. Masahiro Tanaka and Micheal Pineda are scheduled to pitch the next two games for the Bronx Bombers. If both struggle and lose, especially after the Astros took two of three, the focus of many Yankee fans will shift from the marathon the season is to the sprint each individual series becomes.
Anaheim Angels: After allowing the 2nd most runs in baseball during their opening season series, the Angels now face the "built for the future" Houston Astros. Yes the Astros took two games from the Yankees but if Anaheim drops the first two games and slips to 0-5 to start the season, a mayday should be put out for Manager Mike Sciosica's job. As in, any day in May he should lose his job.
Miami Marlins: League leader in runs scored and their ace gets the ball on Saturday. Chase Headley, aka the straw that stirs the drink for their opponent San Diego Padres, has started out hitting .083. A Marlins sweep is quite feasible which would move them to 7-1 putting their win total at 11% of what they accomplished all of 2013.
Colorado Rockies: You have a healthy Tulo and CarGo and got outscored almost 2 to 1 (27 to 15) in your first series. Leading into the season looking at the Rockies schedule, fans had to be excited to see that the first seven series were against teams .500 and lower in 2013. For a 74 win team, this was as "cupcake" of a schedule as possible. So far, you're doing it wrong!
Anaheim Angels: After allowing the 2nd most runs in baseball during their opening season series, the Angels now face the "built for the future" Houston Astros. Yes the Astros took two games from the Yankees but if Anaheim drops the first two games and slips to 0-5 to start the season, a mayday should be put out for Manager Mike Sciosica's job. As in, any day in May he should lose his job.
Miami Marlins: League leader in runs scored and their ace gets the ball on Saturday. Chase Headley, aka the straw that stirs the drink for their opponent San Diego Padres, has started out hitting .083. A Marlins sweep is quite feasible which would move them to 7-1 putting their win total at 11% of what they accomplished all of 2013.
Colorado Rockies: You have a healthy Tulo and CarGo and got outscored almost 2 to 1 (27 to 15) in your first series. Leading into the season looking at the Rockies schedule, fans had to be excited to see that the first seven series were against teams .500 and lower in 2013. For a 74 win team, this was as "cupcake" of a schedule as possible. So far, you're doing it wrong!
Thursday 3 April 2014
Interesting Items from the MLB Through April 3rd
It's April Fools Day and rookie skip Ryne Sandberg hands you the lineup card and you notice that you are not the in clean up hitter spot. No joke Mr. Howard, for the first time since June 29, 2008, the Phillies changed the man batting fourth in the order. The Phillies lost the game. Now what did we learn Mr. Sandberg?
News also surfaced heading into April Fools Day that Vladdy Guerrero would be signing a one day contract with the Anaheim Angels to retire as an Angel. That's fine and dandy but when (IF) if the Hall of Fame calls, here's hoping he does the right thing and goes in as a Montreal Expo.
The healthy Anaheim Angels get swept by the Seattle Mariners, being outscored 26-8. Anybody who tells you they saw that coming should not be trusted dating your child!
1) Congratulations to Cincinnati Red Joey Votto for becoming the 13th Canadian to reach 1,000 hits in career!
2) Oakland A's had their first home rainout since May 5, 1998. To put some perspective on that date, 1998 was the year Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would both break Roger Maris' homerun record.
News also surfaced heading into April Fools Day that Vladdy Guerrero would be signing a one day contract with the Anaheim Angels to retire as an Angel. That's fine and dandy but when (IF) if the Hall of Fame calls, here's hoping he does the right thing and goes in as a Montreal Expo.
The healthy Anaheim Angels get swept by the Seattle Mariners, being outscored 26-8. Anybody who tells you they saw that coming should not be trusted dating your child!
Two really neat milestones were set during the opening series' of the MLB.
1) Congratulations to Cincinnati Red Joey Votto for becoming the 13th Canadian to reach 1,000 hits in career!
2) Oakland A's had their first home rainout since May 5, 1998. To put some perspective on that date, 1998 was the year Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would both break Roger Maris' homerun record.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)