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Monday Apr.29/2013

Papa Grande had led the AL in Games Finished during each of the last 2 seasons (70 in 2011 and 67 Last Year.) he also led the AL in Saves in 2011 with 49. It was a Sept/Oct swoon of a 5.02 ERA that started his troubles – before giving up 6 Earned Runs in 1 combined Inning Pitched between the ALCS and the World Series. He remained unsigned by everyone until the Tigers gave him an incentive laden 1 Year Deal. Valverde nailed down 2 Saves this week and the Tigers have won 4 out of 5 games – including sweeping the Atlanta Braves in Detroit this past weekend.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

With it coming up to the 4 week Report, the biggest mover this week where the Detroit Tigers.  Jose Valverde came back to the club, looked trimmed down – and more like his 2011 self compared to when we last saw him.  The Motown Boys pasting the Braves over the weekend speaks volumes about their talent.

The worst week went to the Giants – who plummeted from #1 to #11.  It has to be concerning for the fans that Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong do not look right. Decent start by Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito have been wasted.  The club may be lacking the hunger to repeat.  I see the whole team having up and down campaigns.

The Toronto Blue Jays may not have plunged down the rankings that much this week, however they have free fallen the most out of any franchise from the start of the year.  The projected AL favorite – have started 9 – 17 and are looking up at 4 good teams in the AL East now. 

I am predicting they will have a good second half, yet they will not make the playoffs now based on the Jose Reyes injury mostly.  John Gibbons also has to be on the hot seat. 

Papa Grande’s Contract is purchased

John Gibbons has to be on a list of Managers that are on the early season hot seat. Managers Eric Wedge and Mike Scioscia would have to be the other guys joining him there thus far.

The Manager from the Blue Jays has not used the Bullpen that well – and like the Big Ticket Show (AKA – The Triple Play Podcast on http://www.mlbreports.com ) Hosts so eloquently put on their weekly show last night – why does the guy love Steve Delabar so much?

I have gone on record saying I didn’t like the hire last year.  Rather than beat the dead horse.  Notice has to be out for the guy now.  There is no way you can take much more losing.  The fanbase and attendance won’t put up with it.  Another losing week or two and the situation will even more grim.

It is easier to change the coach than it is to start trading guys.  My prediction is that they won’t fire him.  If the Jays win 85 games now, I will be impressed.  They would need 76 Wins versus 58 Losses – which is .582 Baseball. 

For them to win as many games as the last place Wild Card Team – they will need to finish with a 84 – 52 Record or a .617 Win Percentage.  I don’t see it with this club.  The Jays look like the 2012 Angels. 

With the AL West teams getting fat on the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners all season – I could see the Angels reeling off a hot stretch – to join Oakland and Texas in nearing 90 Wins.

The Kansas City Royals will have a shot a Wild Card Spot of the Central.  I think New York, Baltimore and Boston have definitely thrown some early dirt on the Canadian franchise.  Tampa Bay will also be a mean piece of business once they call up Wil Myers and another Starting Pitcher to replace Roberto Hernandez.

The Reds look to have found another breakout pitcher in Tony Cingrani.  This could really set up the organization for that elusive dominant Starter to aid Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos.  It is an embarrassment of riches for the talent laden staff.

The Pirates are in a familiar spot after a slow start.  I am not sold on the club entirely fighting off Cincinnati yet, although I am liking the direction of the club.  Look for a 2 part Roster Tree for the franchise at our website later this week.  This club will be competitive for the next decade with the talent they have amassed.

The Dodgers offense looks to finally gain some traction.  Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez have carried the charge so far, but now Matt Kemp looks to be igniting.  Hanley Ramirez is not too far away from returning.  With all systems at go fairly soon, I can see the Dodger Blue taking off.

Colorado and Atlanta have come back to the pack this week.  Atlanta will be buoyed by the returned by Brian McCann and Jason Heyward soon.  The Braves have also logged 16 games at home – and only 8 at Turner Field thus far.  B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla will clock their dingers – and this team should stay near the top of the NL East all season.

Colorado have called up INF Nolan Arenado and are showing aggression towards the competing this season.  Lets all remember this club lost 98 Games last year and for them to be back at near .500 would be considered a great year. 

Troy Tulowitzki now being out day to day with a Left Rotator Cuff Strain is discouraging.  He is the lifeblood of the team.

The player of the week in the American League for hitters should be Nate McLouth – who hit .545/.615/1.434 with 10 Runs Scored and 4 SB sand 5 BB  in 6 games this last week.  The Orioles went 4 – 2 in those games. 

The best pitcher of the AL this week was Matt Moore, going 2 – 0 with a 1.29 ERA and a .106 BA against in 14.0 IP.

The National League Hitter for the week should be Russell Martin – with a .375 BA, 4 HRs and 6 RBI, while the team went 5 – 2.

The National League Pitcher for the week should be Jeff Locke (2 – 0, with o Runs given up in 13.0 IP).

MLB Reports Rankings for week ending Sunday, April.28/2013

Matt Moore has jumped out of the gate 5 – 0 in April (The Wins are Tied in AL with Buchholz of Boston) – while he has authored a 1.13 ERA (Leads AL). The man has allowed only 13 Hits in 32.0 Innings Pitched. The rest of the Rays Staff are 7 – 13.  Moore is the biggest factor for the Tampa Bay franchise competing in the future – and especially when they can’t re – sign David Price.  He is signed to a very team friendly contract until 2019.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners.***

Chuck Booth – Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner and author of the Fastest 30 Ballgames:   To learn more about my  “The Fastest 30 Ballgames Book” and how to purchase it, click here .

You can also follow my Guinness Book of World Record Successful Bid to see all 30 MLB Park in 23 Days – click here.  I am happy to be part of such an awesome Magazine-Style Baseball Website and am looking forward to talking to all of the fans of the MLB.  You can reach me on Twitter here Follow @mlbreports

Ben Fallon (Left) and Chuck booth (Right) at Nats Park (Patriots Day 2012)

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