Monthly Archives: October 2013

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2013

Al Bello - Getty Images

Al Bello – Getty Images


The Dodgers are down 3-1 in their series… but have the best pitchers to help them climb out.
Justin Verlander‘s luck in this post season has been dreadful.
And 10 years after “The Aaron Boone Game”, nothing is the same for Red Sox fans.

All this and more on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

John Lackey, Matt Holliday, Carlos Martinez and Mike Napoli all earned full WOO’s.
Justin Verlander, Victor Martinez and Andre Ethier received 1/2 WOO’s.

Confused what a WOO is? An explanation for Who Owns October can be found HERE.

An updated WOO tally can be found HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.

To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2013

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated For October 15, 2013 Games

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO:

Matt Holliday got a pair of hits including a massive 2 run homer in the 3rd inning that wound up being the difference in the Cardinals 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

John Lackey was magnificent, pitching shutout ball into the seventh inning. He finished with 6 2/3 innings, no runs, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts and no walks. He got the decision in Boston’s 1-0 heart stopping win in Detroit.

Carlos Martinez not only threw 2 key innings of shutout relief but also picked off Nick Punto at second base when the Dodgers were threatening to rally. St. Louis would hold on to win, 4-2.

Mike Napoli homered in the 7th inning and provided all of the offense of the game as the Red Sox beat the Tigers, 1-0.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Andre Ethier got on base three times and scored, giving the Dodgers some hope in their 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.

Victor Martinez was one of the only Tiger hitters whose bats were not totally dead. He went 2-4, including a single that put the go ahead run on base and the winning run at the plate in the 9th. The runs would not score and neither would Detroit who fell to Boston, 1-0.

Justin Verlander gave a performance on par with the other dominant Tiger starts in the ALCS. He finished with 8 innings, 4 hits, a single walk and 10 strikeouts. A solo home run in the 7th was his lone blemish, which was enough to lose the game 1-0 to the Red Sox.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 15, 2013

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Both League Championship Series look like they can go a long way.

Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I look at the two series that are now pretty interesting. And I praise Puig, I don’t bury him.

Hyun-Jin Ryu and the notorious Yasiel Puig got full WOOs last night.
Adam Wainwright got a 1/2 WOO.

Confused what a WOO is? An explanation for Who Owns October can be found HERE.

An updated WOO tally can be found HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.

To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 15, 2013

Verlander Looks To Dominate Against Pesky Red Sox + Game #3 Lineups + Notes

The Tigers were host Games 3, 4 and 5 at Comerica Park, where they were 51 - 30 this season.  The Red Sox had a 2013 Road Record of 44 - 37.

The Tigers will host ALCS Games 3, 4 and 5 at Comerica Park, where they were 51 – 30 this season. The Red Sox had a 2013 Road Record of 44 – 37.  The Tigers remain slight favorites heading into Game #3 – and for the ALCS in general. The Tigers are also  8 – 5 at home in their last 13 Playoff Games from 2011 – now.

By Matthew Lafave (Tigers Correspondent)

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter: 

We all know what happened in Game 2. Do you need a reminder? His name is David Ortiz.

Alright, that is enough of that.

The series is tied 1-1 as we are now looking at a best-of-5 series. The positive, besides Justin Verlander, is that the next 3 games are in Detroit.

If the Tigers can win 2 of the 3 at home, that’ll give them a 3-2 series lead heading back to Boston with Scherzer and Verlander ready to go for Game 6 and 7.

Seems pretty possible eh?

Read the rest of this entry

“Stoking The Fire” Weekly Segment – Week 1: Managers Situation Of The MLB For All 30 Clubs

Ozzie Guillen is a smart manager that deflects the media in his direction when the club is struggling and praised their efforts when doing well.  With 20% of the players having already played for him last year, he would have a smooth transition.  His Manager style is better suited for the American League.  A team should give this guy a chance to manage once again

Ozzie Guillen is a smart manager that deflects the media in his direction when the club is struggling and praised their efforts when doing well. With 20% of the players having already played for him in Miami of 2012, he would have a smooth transition as the bench boss in Toronto. With national media following around the club, in the country of Canada, he is the best choice! His Manager style is better suited for the American League anyway. If the Jays don’t hire him, another team should give this guy a chance to manage once again.

Hunter Stokes (Featured Baseball Columnist): 

It is that time of year where all the coaches who are not playing the game of baseball still, should wonder whether or not they still have a job.

Well, honestly, the coaching carousel should definitely add a few victims to the list.

For the love of god too, stop talking about Don Mattingly as a bad coach. Last time I checked, dude is still in the Post Season.

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated For October 14, 2013 Games

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO:

Yasiel Puig may have styled a little too long, but his RBI triple gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. He would finish the game 2-3, contributing to the 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Hyun-Jin Ryu came up big in a must win game for the Dodgers. Down 0-2 in the series, he gave L.A. 7 shutout innings, letting up just 3 hits and 1 walk, getting the decision in the 3-0 series saving victory over St. Louis.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Adam Wainwright pitched well enough to win most games. He threw 7 innings letting up only 2 runs and didn’t walk a batter. St. Louis’ offense betrayed him and he was saddled with a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Dodgers.

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups

Its funny how one Anibal Sanchez Start can sway your opinion.  While I am still picking Boston to win the ALCS, you should wait til after Game #3 to see if Verlander wins, then you can bet some money on the Red Sox to win the ALCS, when they are underdogs.  Right now, they are both about even.  Both of the Tigers and Red Sox are +240 to win the World Series.

Its funny how one Anibal Sanchez Start can sway your opinion. While I am still picking Boston to win the ALCS, you should wait til after Game #3 to see if Verlander wins, then you can bet some money on the Red Sox to win the ALCS, when they are underdogs. Right now, they are both about even. Both of the Tigers and Red Sox are +240 to win the World Series.

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series Today:

St. Louis Cardinals +160

Boston Red Sox +240

Detroit Tigers +240

LA Dodgers +800

Ortiz Slams the Red Sox back into a tie (Credit FOX)

Read the rest of this entry

Tampa Bay Rays In Payroll 2014 + Contracts Going Forward: They Should Also Trade David Price To St. Louis For Matt Adams

David Price became a 20 game winner for the first time last season, and it won him the American League Cy Young Award. That is really hard to match, but early struggles and injuries held him back in 2013.  He was 9 - 8, with a 3.39 ERA.  Since he is due a payraise - to the $13 - $15 MIL range, it is my feeling the team should trade him for a slugging 1B.  How about Matt Adams of the Cardinals anyone?  The St. Louis team will need an ace to replace Chris Carpenter - and could bridge the gap for his few years of eligibility.

David Price became a 20 game winner for the first time last season, and it won him the American League Cy Young Award. That is really hard to match, but early struggles and injuries held him back in 2013. He was  still 9 – 8, with a 3.39 ERA. Since he is due a payraise – to the $13 – $15 MIL range in Arbitration, it is my feeling the team should trade him for a slugging 1B. How about Matt Adams of the Cardinals anyone? The St. Louis team will need an ace to replace Chris Carpenter – and could bridge the gap for the team before Free Agency eligibility in 2016.  It was too bad Hak-Ju Lee was hurt for some of 2013, as that would have been a perfect package to help bringing back another Starter.  Perhaps the Rays should use Matt Joyce also as bait?  Maybe they could a prospect Starter after all.  The team figures to be around $55 – 57 MIL before Price.

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

I am of the belief that the Andrew Friedman and Stu Sternberg have been the ‘model franchise’ in the AL over the last 6 years. 

Not only do they compete in the vaunted AL East versus the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, but they have made the playoffs 4 times in that span, including a World Series Loss to the Philadelphia in the 2008 year. 

Had Evan Longoria not been hurt for the majority of the 2012 season, one could argue that the club was poised to make another playoff appearance to make it 6. 

So how are they doing this?  Their team payroll is roughly one-third of the Yankees and the 40 % of the Red Sox total Payroll. 

The Rays are smart enough to let their higher priced Free Agents walk, or even trading them before they are due significant pay raises. 

They are also using the philosophy of the ‘John Hart‘ Indians of the Pre-Milennium Cleveland Indians.  Once it was established that Evan Longoria could play at the MLB Level, they signed him to an 8 year contract. 

They did the same thing with Starting Pitching Matt Moore last year with a 5 year deal for the rookie based on one playoffs of decent pitching. 

It is a risk sometimes to do this, yet the rewards can save you Millions in future payroll if the new player (s) outperforms his/their contract (s).

Rays Highlights 2013:

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 14, 2013

JARED WICKERHAM/GETTY IMAGES

JARED WICKERHAM/GETTY IMAGES

Right after the miraculous victory by the Red Sox in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS, I recorded an impromptu episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

No prep. No notes. Just me and my dad sitting at the kitchen table, talking about the game.

David Ortiz and Koji Uehara got full WOOs last night.
Max Scherzer and Alex Avila got half WOOs.

Confused what a WOO is? An explanation for Who Owns October can be found HERE.

An updated WOO tally can be found HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.

To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 14, 2013

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated For October 13, 2013 Games

ELISE AMENDOLA/AP

ELISE AMENDOLA/AP

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO:

David Ortiz hit what could have been the most dramatic home run of his career, which is saying something. With one swing of his bat, he turned a 5-1 8th inning hole with 2 outs into a 5-5 tie as his grand slam landed in the bullpen.

It was the first time in a playoff history that a grand slam was hit to tie the game in the 8th inning or later. It changed the tide of the series and set up the 9th inning walk off win for the Red Sox over Detroit.

After the Red Sox tied the game, they needed a shut down inning. They got that from Koji Uehara, who prevented the Tigers big sluggers from getting a chance to bat by tossing a 1-2-3 9th. He would be credited with the victory in Boston’s 6-5 walk off win over Detroit.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Alex Avila drove in a run in the second and launched a 2 run shot in the 6th that gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead that they could not hold against Boston.

Max Scherzer became the latest Tigers pitcher to flirt with a post season no hitter. He was remarkable over 7 innings, letting up just 2 hits, 1 run and striking out 13. His bullpen betrayed him and he had to settle for a no decision in the Red Sox stunning 6-5 win.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 13, 2013

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Red Sox and Dodgers seriously hurt their chances to get into the World Series.

The Dodgers are panicking against the Cardinals while I nearly matched the Red Sox hit total.

There is an air of desperation of today’s Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

The link to my short scene, a dialogue between two Fox execs, can be found HERE.

Anibal Sanchez, Michael Wacha, David Freese and Jhonny Peralta all earned full WOO’s.

Jon Lester, Clayton Kershaw and Daniel Nava earned 1/2 WOO’s.

Confused what a WOO is? An explanation for Who Owns October can be found HERE.

An updated WOO tally can be found HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.

To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 13, 2013

St. Louis Cardinals Current Roster Tree: How All Of The Team Was Acquired

The Cardinals Roster Tree has been the easiest to do by far.  This organization has Drafted so incredibly well, that there has been no real need for trading of late.  We will still see how drafting J.D. Drew has turned into Adam Wainwright, and how Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, made for the Cards to select young phenom Michael Wacha.  St. Louis is in their 8th NLCS in the last 13 years, with a multitude of young stars coming.  They are going to be players in the National League for some time to come.

The Cardinals Roster Tree has been the easiest to do by far. This organization has Drafted so incredibly well, that there has been no real need for trading of late. We will still see how drafting J.D. Drew has turned into Adam Wainwright, and how Albert Pujols signing with the Angels, made for the Cards to select young phenom Michael Wacha. St. Louis is in their 8th NLCS in the last 13 years, with a multitude of young stars coming. They are going to be players in the National League for some time to come.

How All Of The Cardinals Were Acquired:

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

At the MLB Reports, we intend to show you the Roster Tree for the St. Louis Cardinals – and how they assembled their current roster for hitting and Pitching.  It will work in a six degrees of separation like format.

Once we figure out the origin of how many trades going back in time it takes to see where the tree started, it will be time to dissect how the team fared on the deals.

If a player has never left the organization at all, the tree will be easy – as it will just be the year they were drafted or signed.

For all of the Rosters, Depth Charts, State of the Unions and Salaries that we do, please visit our dedicated page link here.

Carlos Beltran Steals Game #1 of the 2013 NLCS for the Cards

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated For October 12, 2013 Games

 (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO:

David Freese doubled off of Clayton Kershaw to start the 5th. He would come around to score the games’ only run as the Cardinals topped Los Angeles, 1-0.

Jhonny Peralta hit a 2 out, 2 strike RBI single to centerfield in the 6th inning to give the Tigers all the runs they would need in their 1-0 victory over the Red Sox. He would finish the game 3-4.

Anibal Sanchez courted history by throwing 6 no hit innings in Fenway Park for Game 1 of the ALCS. His pitch count may have been high and so was his walk total, but the Red Sox could not get a hit until the 9th and he struck out 12 batters including 4 in the first. Sanchez was credited with the 1-0 victory for Detroit.

Michael Wacha shut down the Dodgers bats with 6 2/3 innings of 5 hit shutout ball. He walked only one while striking out 8, earning the 1-0 triumph for the Cardinals.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Clayton Kershaw pitched 6 innings of 2 hit ball and let up only an unearned run. He also would collect one of the Dodgers’ 5 hits. He got the loss, 1-0, at the hands of the Cardinals.

Jon Lester was outstanding, pitching into the 7th, going 6 1/3 innings, 1 run and 1 walk in a hard luck 1-0 defeat by Detroit.

Daniel Nava broke up the Tigers’ no hitter in the 9th inning and briefly gave Red Sox fans hope in their 1-0 loss to the Tigers.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 12, 2013

Baseball Digest

Baseball Digest

Don Mattingly has unleashed his Grady Little within and it cost the Dodgers dearly in Game 1 of the NLCS.

That plus a plea for the Red Sox to embrace Wade Boggs on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Carlos Beltran and Joe Kelly received full WOO’s last night. Zack Greinke got 1/2 a WOO.

Confused what a WOO is? An explanation for Who Owns October can be found HERE.

An updated WOO tally can be found HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes, click HERE.

To subscribe on SoundCloud, click HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 12, 2013

MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue

It seems the only to way to build a team successfully - is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 - 8 seasons), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Control Salaries.  Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed - due to salary and Arbitration implications.  I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs.

It seems the only to way to build a team successfully – is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 – 8 seasons like the Twins, Nationals, Pirates, Rays in recent years – and now the Astros are following suit), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Controllable Salaries. Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed – due to salary and Arbitration implications. I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs.  If a player is ready for action in the Majors, he should playing – end of story.

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Lets just take a look at the teams that have played well above their value.  The Twins are a story much like the Marlins in 1997 and 2003.

The Twins had a good team in the late 80’s, and won 2 World Series Titles in 1987 and 1991.  However the economics of the game hit them hard, and they struggled for an 8 year stretch in the AL Central.

For Part 1 of the MLB’s State Of the Union Part 1:  Click here.

Major League Contraction Talk Again?

Read the rest of this entry

Major League Baseball’s State Of The Union – Payroll Matters Part 1: Oakland Loses Again In Playoffs

The MLB used to be the favorite Past time in America.  Now with the NFL ruling the country as #1, the game continues to miss the mark of implementing a salary system - that helps all 30 MLB Teams be competitive from a spending type of structure on a yearly basis.  Either you run your franchise perfectly from a transactions standpoint - or if you make a few contract mistakes - it could cripple your franchise for years.  Despite many of different teams bucking the trend over the last decade - it doesn't mean there isn't a problem.

The MLB used to be the favorite Past time in America. Now with the NFL ruling the country as #1, the game continues to miss the mark of implementing a salary system – that helps all 30 MLB Teams be competitive from a spending type of structure on a yearly basis. Either you run your franchise perfectly from a transactions standpoint – or if you make a few contract mistakes – it could cripple your franchise for years. Despite many of different teams bucking the trend over the last decade – it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

As I started a minor fight on Twitter last night (with a supposedly respected writer), it reminded me of how much I hate that social media outlet, yet how it is a necessary evil.

While there were some words caught up in a misunderstanding, it left me thinking about the state of Major League Baseball.

I love this game..I have centered my life around being fan, writer, website owner, by having a job that affords me that highest capacity to receive my fix.

I have gone on crazy ballpark chasing tours, that have also helped feed my addiction.

Yet watching the Oakland A’s lose last night, and then having someone mention a joke aimed at Billy Beane (not sure how much of a joke it was – another stupid flaw of Twitter’s 140 Characters), I began thinking of everything I don’t like about the MLB.

Part 2 of this Series: MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups

Boston is only a -125 favorite to win the ALCS, however this is a better odd than banking on Jon Lester to win Game #1 at -158.  If Boston wins tonight's game, they will have an obvious decisive advantage.  Play the better odd here and pick them to win the ALCS>.  You will profit .80 Cents on every dollar wagered.

Boston is only a -125 favorite to win the ALCS, however this is a better odd than banking on Jon Lester to win Game #1 at -158. If Boston wins tonight’s game, they will have an obvious decisive advantage. Play the better odd here and pick them to win the ALCS>. You will profit .80 Cents on every dollar wagered.  If you are a fan of Anibal Sanchez, picking them at +142 is a good value for a guy that won the AL ERA championship this season.  While he was lit up by Oakland in the ALDS this year, Sanchez featured a 1.77 ERA – in 3 Game Starts in 2012. 

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +220

St. Louis Cardinals +250

Detroit Tigers +270

LA Dodgers +325

 

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated For October 11, 2013 Games

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO:

Carlos Beltran was a one man wrecking crew for the Cardinals. Not only did he drive in the game tying runs with a 3rd inning 2 run double and ended the game with a walk off single in the 13th, but he also threw out the go ahead run at the plate in the 10th. He carried the Cardinals to a 3-2 victory.

Joe Kelly was hardly dominant, but he wiggled out of enough trouble and enough jams to give the Dodgers only 2 runs in 6 innings. The bullpen took over in St. Louis’ 3-2 extra inning victory.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Zack Greinke was outstanding in 8 innings. He let up only 4 hits, walked 1 and struck out 10. One of the 4 hits was the 2 run double that tied the game. He would get a no decision in the Dodgers 13 inning 3-2 loss to the Cardinals.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 11, 2013

AP Photo

AP Photo

The Cardinals are a team of recent champs.

The A’s are a franchise of staggeringly close post season failures.

The difference between those two franchises is agonizingly slim and the topic for today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Also I reward the Division Series MVP

Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera earned a full WOO and Sonny Gray has a 1/2 WOO.

Confused about what WOO (Who Owns October) is? Click HERE.
For an up to date WOO tally, click HERE.

To subscribe on iTunes click here.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 11, 2013

2013 MLB Playoff Predictions: ALCS + NLCS Matchups

The Red Sox went from 69 Wins in 2012 - to World Series favorite in one year.  The 'Beantowners' have assembled a playoff tested crew to arm them in their quest to make it to the World Series for the 1st time in 6 years.  Will the Red Sox take out the Tigers and go for the team of the decade, with a 3rd World Series Bid (out of the last 10 years) in 2013?

The Red Sox went from 69 Wins in 2012 – to World Series favorite in one year. The ‘Beantowners’ have assembled a playoff tested crew to arm them in their quest to make it to the World Series for the 1st time in 6 years. Will the Red Sox take out the Tigers and go for the team of the decade, with a 3rd World Series Bid (out of the last 10 years) in 2013?

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

After nailing the National League straight on in picks for the LDS Round, I failed in either of my upset predictions of Tampa Bay or Oakland to advance.

I am not displeased though, I won money on the Rays losing the series (that came from a bet for them to win the World Series in June that paid +2000 or so, I bet the Red Sox to win the Series as a hedge.

Heading into last nights game, I could have still gone 3 – 1 for the Series prediction if Oakland could come up with a win.

Really the A’s failing to wrap up Game #4 was the big blow.

Thanks to a nice odd of Justin Verlander -107 @ Sonny Gray (-103), I nailed the game last for a nice little profit.

I never bet one dime on the other series in the NLCS.

So I went 2 – 2 in the Round, but plus some nice cash for my effort. Including the playoff game and Wild Card game, I am now 4 – 3 this Post Season.

The Red Sox win the LDS vs the Tampa Bay Rays

youtube=http://youtu.be/Y4m4eeyhFks

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds To Win The NLCS + ALCS Matchups

Jon Lester will be the biggest key to for the Red Sox to establish early dominance over the Detroit Tigers.  He gets the nod in Game #1 of the ALCS on Saturday at Fenway Park.  The Boston team is favored to win the World Series out of the 4 remaining teams.  This makes sense - as they have home park advantage via the best AL record, plus the American League won the ALL - Star Game this summer for the "Fall Classic Series.'

Jon Lester will be the biggest key to for the Red Sox to establish early dominance over the Detroit Tigers. He gets the nod in Game #1 of the ALCS on Saturday at Fenway Park. The Boston team is favored to win the World Series out of the 4 remaining teams. This makes sense – as they have home park advantage via the best AL record, plus the American League won the ALL – Star Game this summer for the “Fall Classic Series.’

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +225

LA Dodgers +240

Detroit Tigers +270

St. Louis Cardinals +360

 

Read the rest of this entry

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated for October 10, 2013

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson - Getty Images

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson – Getty Images

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO

Miguel Cabrera crushed a 2 run homer that seemed to give the Tigers an insurmountable lead. It would hold as the Tigers won 3-0.

Justin Verlander flirted first with perfection and then with a no hitter. He would finish with 8 innings of 2 hit, 1 walk shutout ball with 10 strikeouts, clinching the Division Series 3-0 over Oakland.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Sonny Gray matched Verlander over 3 innings. He was not as masterful as he was in Game 2, but he kept the A’s in the game. It wasn’t enough as the Tigers won 3-0.

Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 10, 2013

 (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Clint Hurdle and Joe Girardi are making me quote Fred Sanford.
You Big Dummy!

Why am I doing that?
You had better listen to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

This is the big one Elizabeth!

David Freese and Adam Wainwright each received a full WOO.
Garret Cole received 1/2 a WOO.

Confused of what a WOO is? Click Here.

The updated WOO tally is HERE

Subscribe on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 10, 2013

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated for October 9, 2013

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO

David Freese launched a 2 run homer in the second inning that kept the Pirates on the defensive for most of the game. The Cardinals would win, 6-1.

Adam Wainwright pitched a masterpiece complete game, keeping Pittsburgh off the board until the 7th and clinched the Division Series for St. Louis, 6-1.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Gerrit Cole pitched well in a decisive game. His only blemish was the Freese homer. Other than that, he let up 2 other hits and struck out 5 in 5 innings. He would have gone longer had it not been an elimination game. The Pirates lost, 6-1. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds For Oakland And Detroit In Game #5 Of the ALDS

Today will be the last day you can receive such a decent odd for the Boston club to win the World Series at +210.  Whether the A's win, and the Odds will drop to the -150 range, or Detroit will win - and their odd pretty much stays the same.  If you were the Red Sox - who would you rather play?  I got to think they would want to play the Tigers, because Detroit is not hitting the ball, and Oakland makes for a far trip out West, and don't give those A's any momentum from knocking off Detroit!

Today will be the last day you can receive such a decent odd for the Boston club to win the World Series at +210. Whether the A’s win, and the Odds will drop to the -150 range, or Detroit will win – and their odd pretty much stays the same. If you were the Red Sox – who would you rather play? I got to think they would want to play the Tigers, because Detroit is not hitting the ball, and Oakland makes for a far trip out West, and don’t give those A’s any momentum from knocking off Detroit!

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

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +210

LA Dodgers +230

St. Louis Cardinals +360

Detroit Tigers +500

Oakland Athletics +900

Read the rest of this entry

The Players In All Of The San Diego Padres Organization: Affiliates, Prospects + Depth Charts (MLB + MiLB) Fall 2013

The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have only authored 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years.  It is not from a lack of the coach, rather the NL West has far superior talent, while the San Diego franchise has been trying to replenish the farm, went through an ownership change, and now the team needs to make some decisions this offseason, that will shape the fortunes of the club for the next several years.

The Padres have not made the playoffs since 2006, and have only authored 2 winning seasons in the last 7 years. It is not from a lack of a good coach, rather the NL West has far superior talent, while the San Diego franchise has been trying to replenish the farm, went through an ownership change, and now the team needs to make some decisions this offseason, that will shape the fortunes of the club for the next several years.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): and welcome Jeff Kleiner (Salary, Roster and Depth Chart Expert for the MLB) – visit his website  here  

The Padres didn’t have very much go right for them in terms of organizational prospects panning out at the Major League Level.

Although, the franchise must be stoked about the development of Andrew Cashner.

Trading away Adrian Gonzalez was tough enough, and right after that, the club flipped Anthony Rizzo to the Cubs, after a sub – par rookie campaign.

The Padres have a tough hoe ahead of them – competing with mega spending Los Angeles will prove very tough considering that team has a payroll in the $230 MIL range, while the ‘Pods’ are not in the $100 MIL range.

Having said that, the team still competed all year, and put up 76 Wins on the board.

They have one of the better skippers in the game with Bud Black.

The key will be the youth of the franchise, as that is how they can keep their payroll down, is to have their top prospects work out, be under team control – much like the way of the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays models.

For the Up to Date Roster for the Padres all year around, please visit Jeff’s Website right here

For the Entire Page of teams links we have dedicated to Payroll, Rosters, Depth Chart, State Of the Unions and Roster Trees, please click right here. Please bookmark this page and check back, as we are busy on the analysis at MLB Reports always.

Andrew Cashner uses his bat and arm

Read the rest of this entry

The Atlanta Braves State Of The Union – Fall 2013: Part 1

2013 was not an easy road traveled either. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.

2013 was not an easy road traveled for Atlanta. The Braves suffered so many injuries and set backs this season that I think a lot of us almost forget about the ones that happened earlier on in the year. Johnny Venters never even threw a regular season pitch this year and he has been our premiere set up man. Eric O’Flaherty threw his last pitch somewhere around the middle of May against this very Dodger team at Turner Field.

By Bob McVinua (Special Guest Braves Writer – visit his website here):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

At the point after Eric O’Flaherty went down, many of us Braves fans began to panic and wonder how Fredi Gonzalez would get the ball to arguably the best closer

in all of baseball Craig Kimbrel. What happened after that? The Braves would still go on to post the best bullpen ERA in all of baseball and on top of that set a franchise record for the same mark.

Jason Heyward missed significant time as did Brian McCann. Freddie Freeman spent a couple of weeks on the disabled list and still drove in over 100 runs on the season.

BJ Upton and Dan Uggla struggled throughout most of the 2013 season and BJ was one of the players expected to make a huge impact when he signed with the Braves this winter and it just never happened.

Other players stepped up and young players assumed roles that were well beyond the original expectations of them in 2013.

No one panicked and no one quit and as a fan I am appreciative of the heart and effort this team always put forth.

The Dodgers Celebrate winning the NLDS Series versus Atlanta (At Turner Field)

Read the rest of this entry

MLB Reports’ Junior Reporter Haley Smilow Interviews The Mets 2B Justin Turner

Justin Turner is a Utility Infielder for the Mets, that put up his best numbers in the Majors for his Career in 2013.  He 3 Slashed .280/.319/.704 for the campaign in his 200 AB,  The Man played 5. different positions throughout the seasons, with just failing to Catch, Pitch or play CF or RF.  Turner even had better numbers when he started a game: .291/.331/.737,

Justin Turner is a Utility Infielder for the Mets, that put up his best numbers in the Majors for his Career in 2013. He 3 Slashed .280/.319/.704 for the campaign in his 200 AB, The Man played 5. different positions throughout the seasons, with just failing to Catch, Pitch or play CF or RF. Turner even had better numbers when he started a game: .291/.331/.737,

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner):

Haley Smilow is a lucky baseball fan/writer/reporter.  Recently this summer, she was able to interview Justin Turner of the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York City.

Of course, Justin Turner also has been featured in other blog posts – because our Guest Baseball Writer and Reporter “Lori Martini”, was fortunate enough to also meet the Mets Second Baseman on the field in Flushing Meadows – when she had her song “Believe” featured as a pregame song one day,.

Turner would later adopt the tune as his ‘walkup song’ for the rest of the 2011 season.

So it doesn’t surprise me that he would be so accommodating with his time with Haley.

Like always, Haley asked Turner several questions that he was not accustomed to fielding from other reporters.  I am sure that is why he was so enthusiastic about the conversation.

We are very proud of Haley at this site – for also recently being featured in a NY Times article, that showcased her as bright young star.  You can check out that article here.

So without further adieu, sit back, grab a favorite drink, and enjoy the dialogue between Justin Turner of the Mets and Haley. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 9, 2013

Photo Matt West: Boston Herald

Photo Matt West: Boston Herald

The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast is soaked in Champagne after a Red Sox clinch.

Boston played a surreal game with the Rays and I think I could have pitched in it. Meanwhile the A’s missed their best chance.

Jacoby Ellsbury. Doug Fister, Craig Breslow and Jhonny Peralta all earned full WOO’s.
Yunel Escobar, Matt Moore, Coco Crisp and Dan Straily earned half WOO’s.

Confused of what a WOO is? Click Here.

The updated WOO tally is HERE

Subscribe on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 9, 2013

Who Owns October? (WOO) Tally Updated for October 8, 2013

CE1_2601.JPG

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO.

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO to a worthy player on the losing team.

For a full explanation, click HERE.

From today’s games:

Receiving 1 WOO

Craig Breslow pitched 1 2/3 solid innings of relief, striking out 4 and getting the decision as the Red Sox eliminated the Rays 3-1.

Jacoby Ellsbury got on base twice, stole a base, possibly helped cause Tampa’s catcher to miss a wild pitch and scored the go ahead run in the Red Sox 3-1 clinching victory.

Doug Fister may not have been dominant, but his 6 innings prevented the A’s from pulling away and helped set up the Tigers come from behind 8-6 win.

Jhonny Peralta clubbed a 3 run homer in the 5th that tied the game helped turn a potential elimination game for the Tigers into a wild 8-6 victory against Oakland.

Receiving 1/2 WOO:

Coco Crisp collected 4 hits, scored 3 times and drove in a run, doing everything he could to lead the A’s to victory as they fell short to Detroit, 8-6.

Yunel Escobar got 3 hits and scored the Rays lone run in their 3-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Matt Moore came out of the bullpen and prevented the Red Sox from putting up much of a fight over two scoreless innings in the Rays 3-1 defeat by Boston.

Dan Straily was brilliant the first four innings and solid through 6, letting up only 4 hits, striking out 8 and walking none. It wasn’t enough as the Tigers came back to win, 8-6.

To view the Playoff Leaders for ‘Who Owned October Standings’ – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.

Read the rest of this entry