Monthly Archives: March 2014
Who Owned Baseball Yesterday (March 21) – Updated Yearly ‘WOB’ Standings
Clayton Kershaw pitched into the 7th inning, letting up one run and walking just won, getting the win for the Dodgers, 3-1.
Scott Van Slyke homered and doubled, leading the way to the Dodgers 3-1 triumph over the Diamondbacks.
Paul Goldschmidt’s 2 hits were in a losing effort for Arizona against Los Angeles in Sydney, but worthy for 1/2 a WOB.
They owned baseball on March 21, 2014.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found HERE.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Young vote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON
OR SCROLL DOWN.
Who Owns Baseball? – 2014
For the second year in a row, I will be doing my own personal metric for the player and pitcher of the year.
It is called “WOB”.
I explained it last year HERE, but let me do my best to explain again, because I made some adjustments for the new season.
So what is WOB?
“Who Owns Baseball?” is my own personal “SullyMetric” for determining which player had the best performance of the day.
At the end of each day, I figure out which American League and which National League pitcher had the most memorable and admirable day. I declare each one of them as the ones who “Owned Baseball” for that day.
And because I am an absolute lunatic, I keep a tally for the whole season and see which player has the highest “WOB”.
It is not a random selection. Statistical analysis plays a big part in determining who adds to their WOB total. But there are other factors. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 21, 2014
With the season opening in Australia, I need to make my preseason predictions quickly. In fact, I feel like I am doing them on the school bus on the way to school.
So here they are, my official Sully Baseball Daily Podcast predictions for 2014. Read the rest of this entry
Week 1 + Of MLB Schedule: ( 9 Game Days) Mar.22 – Apr.06
MLB Scheduling 2014
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here
There are 2 games in Sydney Australia for people to watch over in North America.
Because the games are being played on Sat Night and Sunday afternoon there, you can actually watched 2 games in one day here.
If this weren’t weird enough, the Dodgers then fly across the world – to arrive in San Diego for the MLB opener on North America Soil on Sunday March.30/2014.
So if Los Angeles can go 2 – 1 – or 3 – 0 to begin the year, they may just hold onto the NL West for the rest of the campaign.
These 3 games are listed – and then it is the rest of the 26 weeks listed individually in perfect 7 game sequencing. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Monthly Schedule – March and April Games 2014
MLB Scheduling 2014
Day + Date Away and Home, Time Start In EST
MLB Scheduling 2014
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
MLB Season Opening Series
Saturday Mar. 22/2014 (2 games)
Opening Series In Sydney, Australia (Sydney Cricket Ground)
Dodgers @ D’backs 4:00 AM (local time 8 PM in Australia).
Dodgers @ D-backs 10:00 PM (local time 2 PM in Australia). Read the rest of this entry
The Game Odds Are Posted For Opening Series MLB 2014 in Sydney: Dodgers Vs Dbacks + Picks

Clayton Kershaw gets the nod in Sydney, Australia for the MLB opener. He may also pitch the MLB North American Opener next Sunday in San Diego, before potentially throwing 5 days later for the Dodgers Season Opener. This could mean he Starts 3 of the clubs 6 games. If Greinke follows him in SD, that could mean 5 Starts for these guys in the teams first 8 games, with potentially Ryu also throwing 2 starts in. For those people who don’t think this season starter in Australia could benefit the Dodgers, think again. They could lead the NL West for every day of the 2014 season, and could net 3 wins before anyone in the NL West or MLB in total has their 1st victory.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Chuck Booth gave me this mission to kick of the year writing this article. We both come from a long history of predicting outcomes of games.
Some years we have done well, and some years have not been okay.
It has been researched and studied that Doubleheaders have a high probability of seeing a split for the 2 games.
You throw in the neutral site factor of this series, and all home field advantage is thrown out the window.
Chuck nailed the prediction of what they would put the game odds for the 2 games – based on the Starting Pitchers. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win Each Division In Major League Baseball 2014 Change With TJ Surgeries

Medlen was only 2nd to Clayton Kershaw for ERA in the NL since mid 2012. Unfortunately for the RHP, he is on his way for a 2nd Tommy John Surgery recovery. Medlen injured himself earlier this week in Spring Training. He was projected to be Atlanta’s #1 Starting Pitcher,
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The theme of the week is Tommy John Surgery . It has affected the Athletics, Braves and Diamondbacks on the odds board all over.
Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen moved the line for the Braves from a +120 Mark to +140. Arizona went from +650 to +700 on the heels of Patrick Corbin being lost.
The Athletics have 60% of their rosters on injury watch. Jarrod Parker is gone for the 2014 year because of a torn UCL. A.J. Griffin has a UCL strain – and Scott Kazmir has triceps soreness. Read the rest of this entry
The Braves Pitching Injuries are not a Big Deal
Awesome Braves Pitching Piece by Follow @davidhuzzard
In 2013 the Atlanta Braves were the best team in the NL at preventing runs and they did so with a pitching staff not much different than the one they will open the 2014 season with. Subtract Tim Hudson, Paul Maholm, and Kris Medlen and add in Freddy Garcia, Gavin Floyd, and Ervin Santana. Figure that Medlen and Santana were near equals in ERA last season and that Santana is moving from the AL to NL and that can be considered a lateral move. Freddy Garcia and Gavin Floyd could go either way but consider that Tim Hudson was just short of a 4.00 ERA in 2013 and Maholm was well over it and Garcia and Floyd should be equally serviceable as back of the rotation starters. In reality the Braves 2014 starting rotation isn’t much different than the 2013 variety and that doesn’t even factor in the improvements Julio…
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2 And A Hook Podcast #16: 2014 MLB Preview + Predictions – Over/Unders + Post Season + Opening Series in Sydney
’2 And A Hook’ is an expression from Baseball: ‘Throw the guy 2 Fast balls and then a Hook’ (AKA Curve Ball, Wiggly one, Chair etc..)
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & TBWS Podcast Host James Acevedo Follow @yankeeman1973
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
WE ARE BACK!! On this podcast I have on the owner & head writer of www.mlbreports.com, Chuck Booth as we go over first the Australian series to start the 2014 MLB season with a double header with the Dodgers & the Diamondbacks!!
Then we go over each division in the American League & the National League with our division predictions!!
But not only do we do that but we also give our wild card & championship series predictions for both leagues!!
Plus we gave our World Series & World series winner predictions to put the cherry on this baseball podcast sundae.
so go check it out baseball fans & SPREAD THE WORD!!! Thank you all for your continuous support!!! Read the rest of this entry
The Boston Red Sox State Of The Union Part 2 – The Pitchers: 2014 Preview

This is a not a slight on the Red Sox at all, but they should not be favored to win the American League right now. Detroit should be that placeholder. I am not sure the Red Sox will even win the AL East. I would go with the Rays or Yankees before them right now. The Rays had one of the best second half records in 2013, and the Yankees are a lot better as well. I am also not sure of the team losing Ellsbury, Drew, Dempster and Saltalamacchia has improved itself with Capuano, Middlebrooks, Pierzynski and the tandem of Sizemore and Bradley JR.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
For added depth in the Bullpen, the franchise added Edward Mujica, amply giving the team multiple options at Closer should Koji Uehara not duplicate his 2013 success in 2014.
The management did a great job in peacemealing this Pitching Rotation in 2014.
Big injuries, 3 different Closers, and finally won the hottest Closers to end a year in Uehara pitching for the clubs final outs to win the Fall Classic.
The latest addition as of now for the 2014 season, are Chris Capuano for the Starting staff and also Bullpen arm Burke Badenhop, who came over from a nice year in the pen for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The club will sees Ryan Dempster take the year off for injury, but are stoked about saving his $14 MIL pricetag that he is forfeiting this season.
The Bullpen features Koji Uehara, Craig Breslow, Edward Mujica, Brandon Workman, Burke Badenhop, Andrew Miller, Junichi Tazawa and Alex Wilson round out the potential Relief Core.
The Starting Rotation was also held together with duct tape and barbed wire in 2013, but it was enough to aid the awesome offense, and the team will sporting championship rings because of it.
The Boston Red Sox State Of The Union Part 1 – The Hitters: 2014 Preview

Dustin Pedroia, the now 30 Year Old, is the only player the team has signed for massive cash and term. Pedroia is locked up until 2021, and his AAV is around $14.0 MIL for the duration. This was a considerable hometown discount and affords the club wiggle room in payroll each year, while the 2 time World Series champ received security. This contract was similar to how the New England Patriots do business with their top players. Maybe others will follow down the same pike. Pedroia had an incredible run in 2013, and that was despite of a bad injury. Project him to be his usual and consistent self in 2014.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Red Sox embark on a chance to repeat a World Series win for the 3rd time in 10 years. 2005 didn’t work out so well, and Boston narrowly missed in the 2008 ALCS (TB won 4 – 3).
This year, the teams brass has decided the 2014 Roster is a lot like the 2013 Roster, and then you add in the mix of a bunch of youngsters.
There were some acquisitions brought in with A.J. Pierzynski (replacing Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Jackie Bradley JR or Grady Sizemore will take over for departing CF Jacoby Ellsbury.
While they gave SS Stephen Drew a 1 YR/$14.1 MIL Qualifying Offer which he doth refused.
The Beantowners will go ahead with Xander Bogaerts there, and see Will Middlebrooks have another crack at the hot corner.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 19, 2014
Are the A’s closer to a new stadium or is this just another plan that will never happen?
And did you remember that there were plans to lure the Yankees to New Jersey or Manhattan?
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow The Stadium Page by Eric Okurowski on Twitter or at their website, StadiumPage.com Read the rest of this entry
The MLB Opens On Saturday With ARI/LAD Playing In Sydney: Opening Series Prediction

The Dodgers open up the year against the DBacks in the MLB Opening Series. For those hardcore home fans, the games start at 1 AM PST and 7 PM PST on Saturday. Look for an article on Friday that will have an in depth look at some of the bets that will be available for this 2 game set. This series does scream a split between the feel of a Doubleheader, and the weirdness of the neutral site and country.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It should have been Clayton Kershaw vs Patrick Corbin in Game #1, and Zack Greinke and Trevor Cahill in Game #2 in Sydney this Saturday.
While technically it is two different days in Sydney, the games are held at 4:00 AM and 8 PM EST on Saturday Mar.22.
For those brave enough to watch the early game, it is listed as Kershaw vs TBD (MLB.com not listing it, although Miley has been named., and Game #2 is listed as Hyun-jin Ryu vs Trevor Cahill. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 18, 2014
Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast starts with the very formation of the universe and ends with Derek Jeter.
The progression makes sense. Read the rest of this entry
Washington Nationals Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Washington Nationals have had an escalating salary structure for the last few years. The truth is that their talent needs to be paid as time goes on.
In 2014, the Budget is looking to be around $130 MIL so far, after just being over $110 MIL.
The situation is more expensive next year, with 10 players under the Arbitration Eligible – highlighted by Stephen Strasburg for his 2nd year of it.
Among the others are: Craig Stammen, Danny Espinosa, Tyler Clippard, Doug Fister, Drew Storen, Ross Detwiler, Wilson Ramos, Jerry Blevins, Jose Lobaton and Ryan Mattheus. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 17, 2014
Happy St. Patrick’s Day on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast!
In Boston, there remains the great tradition of seeing games at Fenway Park. But how close did we get to seeing Fenway torn down for a domed park? Very close. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 16, 2014
The new hat designed to protect pitcher’s heads has been a flop so far.
Today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I discuss protecting the brain and other topics with Stanford University Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Edith V. Sullivan.
She also happens to be my mom, and today is her birthday. And like any thoughtful son, I got her a guest spot on my podcast for her birthday! Read the rest of this entry
Arizona Diamondbacks 2014 Payroll + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Diamondbacks brass hit a proverbial HR, when they extended Paul Goldschmidt to a 5 YRs/$32 MIL deal prior to the 2013 campaign.
The Then 25 Year Old finished runner up to the NL MVP Voting, and likely would have won it based on his .302/.401/.551 year with an NL leading 36 HRs, 125 RBI, (he also led in Slugging, OPS and Scored 103 Runs.)
Having a franchise player for the next 4 years at such a feasible rate in terms of payroll enables them to do so many things with their salary structure.
The club added Bronson Arroyo (2 YRs, min $23.5 MIL – or 3 YRs/$30 MIL), were able to deal for Mark Trumbo (who entered 1st Year of Arbitration at $4.8 MIL in 2014) and recently signed Reliever Oliver Perez to a modest 2 YRs/$4.25 MIL deal. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 15, 2014
Are New York sports fans “Long Suffering?”
They are if they are of a certain age and have the wrong combination of teams, including the Mets.
That is the cruel topic of today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Odds To Win Both Of The AL And NL Pennants In 2014: Awesome Bet Idea For The TB Rays

Because of a statistical oddity in the website of the Rays, I present you an awesome chance to win some money if the Rays have a great year. If they don’t, chances are great you could still break even. The Rays have won 90 games or more 5 out of the last 6 years. It is my contention, if they win 90 games this year, they win the Division. From there, if. Who knows, the winner out of this tough Division might win 86 or 87 games. Heck, that may even be a Wild card game with how parity is going. I present you the Ray of Cash Opportunity.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This is so crazy…it may just work.. Every once in a while, I see an anomaly in the odds of a website. I will go through this in great detail here.
Lets just say the Rays are offering great odds on the board, yet the website has them as co-favorites in one odd (Regular season wins with Boston). I take this fact and twist the fork in it, to present my idea.
Ray Of Cash Opportunity
Rays Odds on the board at http://www.bet365.com
Division Odds + 250 (to win the AL East)
ALCS Win +900
World Series + 1800
Regular Season Over/Under 88.0: Over -110, Under -120
Once again the Rays don’t receive any respect. If someone were to bet the Tampa club on a Divisional win, ALCS win and a World Series win, they may cash in severely at the ticket wicket.
| Bet Details | Date/Time | Stake | Return |
| Under 88 @ -120 $120.00 Single Reg Year Wins |
03/14/2014 10:36:50 | 120.00 | 220.00 |
| TB Rays @ +250 $63.00 Single AL East |
03/14/2014 10:36:50 | 63.00 | 220.50 |
| TB Rays @ +900 $22.00 Single ALCS |
03/14/2014 10:36:50 | 22.00 | 220.00 |
| TB Rays @ +1800 $12.00 Single WS |
03/14/2014 10:36:50 | 12.00 | 228.00 |
| Total for this period | 217.00 | 0.0 | |
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 14, 2014
Why should Padres fans be excited about the 2014 season?
What expectations should they have?
For today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast, I have a Latin Phrase that should provide hope to San Diego fans: Melior est: mediocribus esse terribiles
Being Mediocre is Better Than Being Terrible. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 13, 2014
Livan Hernandez and Francisco Rodriguez are both in the news.
Both were major figures in the 2002 World Series.
Both remind me of M.Night Shyamalan.
It makes sense if you listen to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. Read the rest of this entry
Odds For Regular Season Wins Over/Unders 2014 MLB Year
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Last Week, Hunter Stokes (MLB Reports Chief Writer) picked through http://www.bovada.com – and what value was to be had in their odds sheet for regular year win over/unders.
This time, I am looking at bet365.com for some of the same.
Hunter and I both come from the handicapping landscape, and have done quite well in the last few years.
While I predicted a Detroit and Cincinnati World Series pre 2012, Hunter picked the Giants and Yankees. That was a much better year than the 2013 season.
In 2013, I did say it was going to be Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Angels in a freeway Series, and Hunter picked Detroit and Atlanta. You do okay if you can have a final 4 participant.
This year, it looks like we both have the LA Dodgers to win in the Fall Classic, but I have them beating the Tigers, while Mr. Stokes likes the Rangers to faceoff against them.
We could be wrong mind you. but at least we are putting our necks on the line for it. Read the rest of this entry

















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