Author Archives: chuckbooth3023
With V – Mart’s 4 YR Deal For $68 MIL, The Market Threshold Is Set For Nelson Cruz
Victor Martinez has thrived offensively in Detroit hitting behind Miguel Cabrera. Aside from the 2012 injury where he missed the whole season to a broken ankle. V-Mart’s 3 Slash Line for the Tigers is .321/.381/.487 – with 58 HR and 289 RBI in 1706 AB for the squad. 2014 was the last year of the 35 year old’s 4 YRs/$50 MIL deal. There was no guarantee the Tigers could afford to bring him back for 2015 or beyond because of the chance they would move Cabrera to DH in a few years. However, the “Motown Boys” will have the best Designated Hitter in the game right now, back in the fold for the next 4 campaigns. The one person who may not like the $ portion of the contract is Nelson Cruz, who is seeking a deal of 5 years at above the dollars per year V-Mart just reeled in.
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Yesterday Victor Martinez finalized re-signing with the Detroit Tigers for 4 YRs/$68 MIL. This both was a great deal for the “Motown Boys” and also set a likely threshold for Free Agent DH slugger Nelson Cruz.
The Orioles DH/OF must not be happy with the amount of cash that V-Mart signed with, because there is no way he should reach that stratosphere.
2014 Stats
Victor Martinez (35): .335/.409/.565, with 32 HRs 103 RBI and only 42 SO in 561 AB.
Nelson Cruz (34): .271/.333/.525, with 40 HRs 108 RBI and 140 SO in 613 AB.
Career
Martinez: .306/.373/.475
Cruz: .268/.328/.501 Read the rest of this entry
Baseball Book Review: My Ballpark Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me – By Alicia Barnhart
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I don’t read many baseball books, heck, I have written more books in the last 6 years (3), than I have actually read (2). This book I finished awhile back and is subject of today’s Book Review.
The book is called “My Ball Park Summer: What Taking Myself Out To The Ballgame Taught Me.” It is authored by Alicia Barnhart. You can follow her brilliant blog at http://www.ballparksonabudget.com
I first met Alicia online earlier this year and was impressed at her knowledge of the baseball parks. After a few brief discussions, and following her on twitter Follow @alicia_barnhart , I realized she ventured to all 30 MLB Parks during the summer of 2012. Coincidentally, this is the same year I broke my own record for ‘attending all 30 MLB Parks” in 23 days.
Miss Barnhart is among a small percentage of ballpark chasers that have actually seen all 30 parks in one year, and she is the only woman that I have ever seen to do them all by herself in one baseball campaign.
Why I was drawn to buying her book, is that I wrote a book “The Fastest Thirty Ballgames” in chronicling my previous record trips (2008 and 2009) for 30 MLB Park tours in 2011.
Again, Alicia is part of a small percentage of people that have compiled a book based on her baseball journey to all of the baseball stadiums.
I purchased the E-Book format from Amazon (In the Kindle Reader). The cost was $3, which itself lends to her motto of “Ballparks On A Budget”, and I started to read about her baseball quest. It was such an intriguing read, I never finished reading it until I ran out of pages on my computer screen. Read the rest of this entry
Washington Nationals Pitching Roster Tree For 2015
How All Of The 2015 Nationals Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Nationals have done a great job of stockpiling pitching arms since relocated to the district in 2005. From Stephen Strasburg, to Jordan Zimmermann, and unheralded pitchers like Craig Stammen and Ross Detwiler.
The acquisitions tree saw Minor League Prospect A.J. Cole drafted by the organization, traded to Oakland in the Gio Gonzalez, only to be brought back in the 3 way deal with the A’s and Seattle, that saw Mike Morse sent to Seattle.
A small part of that transaction included Ian Krol, who was packaged with two Nats selections in the MLB Amateur Draft (Robbie Ray and Steve Lombardozzi).
We have even traced a tree that stems all the way back to the Montreal Expos Drafting Jose Vidro.
The Starting 5 pitchers all contributed to Washington being the top seed in the National League during the 2014 year,
A big thank-you must be send to Yanks GM Brian Cashman, for giving the Nationals Tyler Clippard first, but then to also let Matt Thornton be claimed for no parts going back the other way.
Drew Storen is yet another 1st RD Draft Pick that is part of the Pitching Staff for Washington.
Tanner Roark was also stolen in a deal for Christian Guzman from Texas, with the latter having just a small cup of coffee with the Rangers organization, while Roark might have been the best #5 Starter in baseball this past campaign.
Xavier Cedeno joins Thornton as the only players to have been claimed by the squad. Read the rest of this entry
Denard Span’s Defense
So it is now officially the offseason which is probably my least favorite time of the year. I’ve been very strong in my opinion that every trade proposal is stupid, especially the ones that are executed by MLB teams (thanks again for Doug Fister Detroit). Beyond the simple acknowledgement that the Nationals are currently missing a starter at second base or third base and will need some new players to replace the ones leaving there isn’t much more analysis one can do until an actual move is made. So until then I’m looking elsewhere for writing.
Which leads me to the actual point of this post, Denard Span’s defense. You’ll notice this post is generically titled, I don’t want to give away any spoilers as to the conclusion. As you probably know Span was just named a finalist for a Gold Glove award for the National League’s best center fielder…
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World Series Betting, MLB Reports SOTU + Happy 2nd Anniversary To Sully Baseball’s Daily Podcast
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Okay..It has been a trying month here at the MLB Reports..Damaged electronics, power outages, I moved (while working every single day) – and all of this in the eye of the Postseason. But we are finally 100% back, and all systems at go.
First off, I wanted to acknowledge Sully for his incredible work on his 20 minute daily podcast, and his ironman streak for a couple of different things.
Sully has done a brand new podcast every day for 732 days straight. That is incredible to say the least. We are ecstatic to have partnered with him for all but about 3 months of that time. If you don’t currently listening to it, you are missing out.
Paul Sullivan “Sully” is a walking historical book on the game of baseball, but he presents it in a way that anyone can be a fan of the game.
My girlfriend can even easily spend 20 minutes a day downloading his show on Soundcloud, because he makes it easy to follow – and entertaining.
He doesn’t beat you over the head with stats and spends a lot of time telling stories on the narrative, or just his personal views.. It is a gift to be able to translate the game to any specter of age or gender in audio fashion for 20 minutes a day.
Subscribe to The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Another thing Sully does, is watch every single game of the 2430 game regular season schedule, and all of the playoffs.
At the completion of the 2014 Postseason, he will have listed a daily MVP for the AL and NL Games for 2 years straight as well.
Much like his podcast, he posts these articles every day there was baseball the previous day of action.
You are talking about 200+ more posts per year. The guy doesn’t miss a day. That kind of devotion is and will become even more legendary as the season’s pile up.
Thank you Sully, looking forward to many more years of featuring your work on our website.
So because Paul Sullivan does these baseball posts every day, we are guaranteed at least an article of the Daily MVP, and also his podcast.
For those of you who have been lucky enough to become a follower, spread the word out there so we can make this daily show a huge paying gig for Sully one day. Read the rest of this entry
Kansas City Royals Pitching Roster Tree In 2014 – World Series Edition: Shields Pivotal Despite Playoff Struggles
How All Of The 2014 Royals Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
While James Shields has not had a banner postseason – however it is important to remember his influence on culture change in the Royals clubhouse for this successful franchise turnaround.
The trade that brought the RHP, also brought in Wade Davis, who may be the most important pitcher on the squad other than Greg Holland this campaign.
Dayton Moore has done a fantastic job of assembling this franchise’s roster over the last 5 – 7 years. It came on the heels of a quarter century of futility yes, but the future definitely looks bright.
As we have said before, teams residing in either league’s Central Division have a fair chance of competing in a season every year.
The highest payroll team is the Detroit Tigers, but they are not in the stratosphere of the Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Angels and Phillies, were there is a 2nd team in the division who can go buck wild in contracts.
The Nationals and Giants are able to spend in the $150 MIL range to join Philly and the Dodgers. In the AL West, Texas and the Angels can mirror each other, whereas the Red Sox and Yankees own the AL East payroll leaders.
St. Louis is the highest NL Central club, and are always near the fringe of the top 10 for dollars spent annually only.
The Tigers are the only franchise spending big cash in the AL Central, although the White Sox have delved into higher salaries in previous seasons – when they drew well following the 2005 World Series. They have since scaled back.
The Royals should be able to field a nice team for the next 2 – 3 years, and it shouldn’t break the bank for the ownership.
Detroit has aging and hefty contract problems coming up, and KC has more depth for the 1 – 25 Roster, when it comes to withstanding injuries
For the foreseeable few seasons ahead, you will bank on the emergence of Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy to continue their development as aces, and the Relief Core is the still the strongest asset of the equation. Read the rest of this entry
San Francisco Giants Pitching Roster Tree In 2014: Sabean Should Not Be Overshadowed By Beane Any Longer!
Brian Sabean has been the architect behind the Giants brilliant 5 year run. His attention to building a Pitching Staff has to be noted, with several winning draft selections, mixed with key Free Agent signings, and waiver claims. With all of the hype surrounding the other “Bay Area” GM, it is time that this man is giving his due.
How All Of The Giants Pitchers Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With having gone through this exercise of finding out where all of the Giants Pitching Staff came from, there is a new-found appreciation for San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean.
While his fellow “Bay Area” counterpart Billy Beane is having books and movie’s written about him, Sabean has put forth a club that is on the verge of potentially winning its 3rd World Series Title in 5 years.
Most of the roster of hurlers was drafted by the franchise, or brought in by a nice Free Agent signing. The franchise hasn’t lost that many players the other way for their current pitchers, so that has to be commended.
Bumgarner, Lincecum and Cain were all team draft selections, as was Vogelsong, although he came back to the team after several season away in Japan.
Jake Peavy was acquired midway through this year, when the club knew Cain would be out for the year, and that Lincecum was heading to the Bullpen.
Hudson came into the fold this season, following the lead of his former A’s teammate Barry Zito. The deal was a smart one, as it cost the franchise nothing but money.
Even more impressive of how the roster was constructed, is how the Relief Core was put together.
Hunter Strickland was claimed off of waivers from Pittsburgh. and the club also pick-pocketed Javier Lopez from the Bucs for the talents of John Bowker and the immortal Joe Martinez.
Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Jean Machi and Yusmeiro Petit were all brought in through Free Agency, and the club drafted Sergio Romo to round out the late innings arms. Read the rest of this entry
Based On The World Series Odds Today – Bet The Royals To Win
Getty Images
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We said it before the World Series started, if you were going to bet KC for the “Fall Classic” wait until after Game 1, when a loss to Madison Bumgarner was well within the realm.
The Royals jumped from a -120 favorite, to a +170 underdog on the completion of last night’s game. Clearly the website is working out formula’s without human’s listing the odds before this series began.
It still baffles me how the Giants weren’t favored to win this series to begin with.
Having said this, the time to bet the American League Champions is right now if you were going to bet them at all. I still believe the Giants will win the series, however the odd has jumped so far in their favor, it doesn’t have enough value to throw some cabbage down on.
Tonight’s matchup (Jake Peavy +106 @ Yordano Ventura -116) favors Kansas City slightly. But it is more than that.
The young flamethrowing rookie (Ventura) has great hit and miss stuff, and has never faced the Giants lineup, this ultimately is in Ned Yost squad’s favor.
Peavy on the other hand, spent numerous years and season series opposing the Royals as a member of the Chicago White Sox formerly. He has struggled mightily, owning a 5 – 7 record, with a 4.97 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 14 game starts against Kansas City lifetime.
Billy Butler has had a field day on the RHP. Hitting .500 with 3 HRs for his career versus the former Red Sox champ. Read the rest of this entry
2014 Final American League Attendances Show A Slight Decline
Robinson Cano’s arrival helped stopped the plummeting turnstiles revenue at Safeco Field this year, as the club topped 2 Million fans for the 1st time since 2010, and saw the greatest percentage jump in park draw from 2013 to 2014. With a young nucleus surrounding the ALL-Star 2B, the club should contend for the next several years, and maybe Seattle will crack the top half of attendance in the AL once again.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Baseball is in trouble, that is what everyone will say in the newspapers, however the attendances in the game are doing well compared to year to year totals.
Over 34.45 Million Fans viewed games in the ‘Junior Circuit’ during the 2014 campaign. While this total is down from 34.6 MIL fans in 2013, it only represents a drop of 0.5% or 150,000 people.
Cleveland fell back into the cellar of attendance at Progressive Field, barely drawing 1.43 Million butts in the seats. It was an 8.6% drop for the 2013 season, where they drew 1.57 Million fans amidst a playoff race.
The biggest percentage in lost attendance goes to the Rangers, who struggled though an injury filled year, to bring in 14.4% less people than in 2013.
Seattle paid $240 MIL for Robinson Cano last winter, and were rewarded at the turnstiles, with the biggest jump at 13.8% more people going through the wickets at Safeco Field. It was the 1st time they drew more than 2 MIllion since 2010. Read the rest of this entry
The Best Teams In The MLB From 1980 – Now: SF Cements Their Place From 2010 – 2014 With WS Birth
The Giants won the World Series in 2010 and 2012, and now are in the 2014 World Series – with a great chance to win 3 titles in 5 years against Kansas City. The best teams for the last several years include the Red Sox from 2004 – 2007, the Phillies from 2008 – 2009, and then you would have to place the Giants as the best overall team from 2010 – 2014. Can they keep up the format of winning a World Series every 2 years again this year? The Red Sox (3 Titles), plus the Giants and Cards each having 2 Fall Classics, are the only 3 teams to have multiple World Series Trophies since the 2004 year.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is only so much one can read in an article, otherwise I would make these lists up from the turn of the 20th century.
If you gave me enough time as a reader, I promise to backdate this topic with another article featuring the best teams dating back further in years.
Eventually, all of the years may be dissected and we can have a healthy debate on some of my selections. I really started watching baseball in the early 1980’s.
As I became older and discovered ways to research the history of the game, my knowledge and curious mind grew for more information.
I have studied and read baseball stat books and breezed through the odd Bill James novel.
If I ever take a break from writing or baseball park chasing, I may find some time down the road to watch the 9 part PBS documentary that Ken Burns did on baseball’s history.
Full Disclosure Of Bets For 2014 MLB Wagers
In colloborative effort between our Chief Writer “Hunter Stokes” and I, we have guaranteed to turn a profit of no less than $650, with the more likelihood of more than that coming our way. Not bad for a 1st year – (even though we haven’t predicted the playoffs well on the prognostications side for postseason play). We always bet with the value, and not necessarily who we think is really going to win. Besides, you can always hedge bet with a favorite team you like, once they are trailing, and you still picked them to win the Series, Rounds, Playoffs or LCS or World Series.
Okay, so at the MLB Reports, we have been tackling a different vantage point for the 2014 year. I saw a rising number of people who want to know about gambling.
There are several factors to acknowledge here.
It is illegal for most Americans to gamble (unless you are in a state that allows it like Las Vegas).
However, Canadians are allowed to wager freely under the ‘capital gains clause;.
Still, everyone has a friend in the Desert city of Las Vegas right? So we have been running with a theme.
I have had my main chief writer “Hunter Stokes” take a look at the odds all year. and surmise a game plan to throw some cabbage down on it.
If he couldn’t make it to Nevada (he flies there a lot, and goes about 1 per week) from Bakersfield, CA. It is only 286 Miles, and he likes to make the trek a lot.
But if he is unable to pry himself away from his tattoo parlor, I double down on my wagers for his picks. I am happy to have followed his selections all year. Read the rest of this entry
The Royals Or O’s Winning The Title Would Be Good And Bad: MLB Payrolls Part 2
Kauffman Stadium was newly renovated about 5 years ago. It is a nice visual display of a ballpark, however it is far being in the top venues in the Majors for earning money. The Royals fans saw the club struggle to finally end a 3 decade long playoff drought this year. It is imperative that the MLB work with ‘cost control’ in the upcoming ‘Collective Bargaining Agreement. Both KC and Baltimore had to endure lengthy stints of losing campaigns, before compiling enough top-level draft picks to compete in their respective divisions. Hopefully other small to mid market teams will not have to be bad for that amount of time in the future to obtain success finally.
Yesterday I addressed the Dodgers potentially winning the World Series in the next few years while bringing more attention to the inequities of the big and small market clubs.
Even with LAD losing today and being eliminated, it doesn’t change the fact they will be playoff contenders for years to come based on their talent level, and super imposed revenue stream to outspend every team in the National League.
I identified the last several lower revenue teams that have had success, and pointed out that it took them big stretches of poor campaigns in order to collect on some good.
This is the biggest reason why baseball needs to adopt a salary cap – in order to leveling off the field.
Kansas City and Baltimore are perfect examples of this. The narrative is great here Franchises that haven’t appeared in the Fall Classic since 1985 and 1983 respectively, when both organization won their last Titles.
The Royals 29 years since that has been tough to stomach. The later George Brett years, the core from the championship had aged or moved on by the time he hung up the cleats.
After the 1994 strike/1995 lockout, the Royals found themselves at the bottom of the division for years. Read the rest of this entry
The Dodgers Winning The Title Could Cure Baseball In The Future – Part 1
Magic Johnson said the new ownership group would put their money down on the players to stay or come to the franchise, and man he wasn’t kidding. The Los Angeles Dodgers now own 5 of the top 23 player contracts of ALL – Time in the MLB. With a total team payroll likely to be north of $240 MIL for the next few years, he was right. The team is presently the highest salaried team, and they will pay about $16 MIL in Luxury Tax, based on 30% penalty for $51 over the $189 MIL mark in 2014. Their cash infusion to the NL has spawned a rapid ascent for other teams in the Senior Circuit – who are looking just to keep up, while some franchises have no chance at all with their revenue streams.
A couple of years ago I wrote an article on how the Dodgers were going to change the way the MLB operates. I may be proven right this fall.
4 of the top 5 clubs were alive in the LDS round
1. LA Dodgers $240.7 MIL
2. NY Yankees $227 MIL
3. SF Giants – $172.4 MIL
4. Detroit Tigers – $170.5 MIL
5. LA Angels – $170.5 MIL Read the rest of this entry
Ian Desmond: A Player to Watch in October
When asked which Nationals are key to winning in October the trendy picks are going to be Jayson Werth and his .264/.374/.586 postseason batting line or Bryce Harper along with the fact that he has the most raw talent of any National, hit .288/.359/.454 in the second half of the season, and is fully capable of a month like he had in April 2013 when he hit .344/.430/.720. Both of them are full capable of carrying the Nats for a month, but there is another Nat that is known for crazy hot streaks and can carry the team and that is Ian Desmond.
Ian Desmond finished the season with his best month hitting .277/.351/.458 and while that isn’t a particularly hot month for Ian Desmond he never had a truly cold month this season with April being his worst month with a .644 OPS. Ian Desmond never truly had one…
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4 MLB Post Season Games Slated For Friday, All 3 Hours Apart – Call In Sick!
The 1st game of tomorrow’s play will be held at beautiful Camden Yards..
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am also an NFL fan, and while I love baseball more than life itself, these type of days are rare indeed, where the sport will carry four separate times, in order for all 4 games to be seen.
Now, good luck on all games to be under 3 hours, but it is possible with some of the ace pitchers throwing.
Here is the lineup..
All times EST
Detroit @ Baltimore 12:07 PM (Camden Yards) Justin Verlander vs TBD
San Fran @ Washington 3:07 PM (Nationals Park) Jake Peavy vs Stephen Strasburg
St. Louis @ LA Dodgers 6:37 PM (Dodger Stadium) Adam Wainwright vs Clayton Kershaw
Kansas City @ LA Angles 9:37 (Angel Stadium) Yordano Ventura. vs Matt Shoemaker
Now I for one, am thinking that the LA traffic will be gridlock with over 100, 000 people clogging up the freeways in Los Angeles on a October Friday night. Read the rest of this entry
How To Do Wrigley Field And Miller Park Doubleheader Attempts
Wrigley Field might just be the best place just to watch a baseball game (Fenway Park rivals it for entire ballpark experience). AT &T Park and PNC Psrk usually round out the top 4 Parks. Once you have watched a game in this park once, I suggest going to a doubleheader with Miller Park. In any given year there are 12 – 20 Doubleheaders between the 2, with Wrigley usually taking the matinée 1st. Today I will give you an example of ways to travel between the stadiums.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Welcome to my 1st installment, of what could take about a year’s worth of writing to complete, if I were to post a blog everyday. I am talking about Modern Day MLB Baseball Doubleheaders.
I have done around 30 DH’s in my time so far, and have scouted every plausible scenario for all 30 Parks, to line up with dance partners, so you can see two games in one day.
For the last 2 years, have prominently displayed the Master List for Doubleheaders in the game of MLB, for each calendar year.
As some of you know, and now other will figure out, I am attending at least one baseball game every day of the 2015 MLB Season.
Listed in my itinerary, I plan to attend 50 – 60 Doubleheaders throughout the course of the year.
Of course the land attempts are far easier than flight, but I like the challenge of those to.
In the next 365 days, I will be giving you a preview of how to do all the doubleheaders possible, should time allow it on MLB’s schedule. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Interleague Results For The Entire 2014 MLB Season
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The AL have won 13 out of the 17 years for Interleague play. The American League has also won every year since the start of the 2004 year.
1997: NL won 117 – 97 (.547) NL up yearly series 1 – 0
1998: AL won 114 – 110 (.509) Yearly series tied 1 – 1
1999: NL won 135 – 116 (.538) NL up yearly series 2 – 1
2000: AL won 136 – 115 (.542) Yearly series tied 2 – 2
2001: AL won 132 – 120 (.524) AL up yearly series 3 – 2
2002: NL won 129 – 123 ( .512) Yearly series tied 3 – 3
2003: NL won 137 – 115 (.544) NL up yearly series 4 – 3
2004: AL won 127 – 125 (.504) Yearly series tied 4 – 4
2005: AL won 136 – 116 (.540) AL up yearly series 5 – 4
2006: AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 6 – 4
2007: AL won 137 – 115 (.544) AL up yearly series 7 – 4
2008: AL won 149 – 103 (.591) AL up yearly series 8 – 4
2009: AL won 154 – 98 (.611) AL up yearly series 9 – 4
2010: AL won 138 – 114 (.548) AL up yearly series 10 – 4
2011: AL won 134 – 118 (.532) AL up yearly series 11 – 4
2012: AL won 142 – 110 (.611) AL up yearly series 12 – 4
2013: AL won 154 – 146 (.513) AL up yearly series 13 – 4
2014: AL Won Season Series for the 11th straight campaign – yearly season series AL Up 14 – 4
SUN Sept.28, 2014 Results: NYM 8 HOU 3, 2014 – AL wins season series 163 – 137 (.543)
ALL Time: AL leads the NL 2353 – 2126 (.525)
See Ya All in 2015 for Interleague
CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR JUST SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE 2014 iNTERLEAGUE RESULTS
I Give The Captain More Accolades: Jeter To Play Last Game In The Bronx + Last Series In Boston
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead/Analyst – with assist to Jonathan Hacohen, Website Founder) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I understand the “Jeter Fatigue” that has gone on all year, and half of me just wishes that he never mentioned that he was done after the 2014 campaign. I just hate giving any ammunition to the ‘hater’s’, and definitely when I have agreed it was overkill at some points.
But then I would have missed his brilliant series at Safeco Field, that was worth the price of admission, if I hadn’t known it was his last year.
While he has struggled for some of this season, he had hits in his 1st AB, all three games of that series I attended, and reached base 9 times in 3 straight Yankee wins, giving me yet more memories for my favorite current Pinstriper.
I was there in person for that, and bought my only t-shirt of the year from a street vendor afterwards.
While everyone is not a Yankees fan. and are growing tired of the talk, this is the greatest Yankees player in my years of watching the sport. So, because I have a forum to write about him, Damnit I will!!
Sure I had grown up on Don Mattingly (the last captain of the team prior to #2).. Heck…he is still my favorite player of ALL – Time, but Jeter came into the mix about the same time I graduated from high school.
I am sure I can say this about a lot of “Bronx Bombers’ fans my age. I wanted to be a New York Yankee while playing organized baseball. It was my dream.
Derek Jeter has lived the life all of us would have wanted as a Yankee Stadium ‘hero’. Read the rest of this entry
Ichiro Suzuki Is Closer To Setting The ALL-Time Professional Hits Record: Provided He Keeps Playing
Ichiro Suzuki fashioned 10 straight 200 hit campaigns to start his career (2001 – 2010), tying Pete Rose for the most 200 Hit seasons ALL-Time, and setting the most consecutive years with the feat. He may only be a .270 – .280 hitter now as a 4th OF, but he still plays decent defense, and makes nice contact. Suzuki is about a full season of AB’s away from setting the professional hits record. He is a Free Agent after this year, and at 40, he may have a few campaigns left to offer a club. His 2841 Career Hits come during what will end in 2014, as his 14th year only in the MLB.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
He is not receiving the kind of fanfare that Derek Jeter is this year, (although maybe he would if he was retiring too and had announced it), by Ichiro Suzuki has put forth a decent year in 2014.
His .284/.323/.338 Slash Line is not something to write home about, but he is a nice 3A Outfielder on a club that has seen its fair share of injuries.
Heading into the last 4 games of the year, the 10 time 200 hit man, has 99 hits on the season, thus giving him 2841 Hits in his MLB Lifetime.
After Derek Jeter retires this year. Ichiro will be 2nd in active total hits to Alex Rodriguez. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Baseball Clubs Should Make Single Game Tickets Available Before Christmas
The home site of the 2015 MLB ALL – Star Game, The Great American Ball Park..Baseball owners, and the MLB alike, should really think about having tickets made available for purchase prior to the Christmas season every year Both of the NBA and NHL have free rein on this concept, with their season’s barely being midway yet in each calendar year at the end of December. The supply and demand for NFL tickets only reaches 8 games, and is never in question whether most stadiums will have good turnouts. You would think that kids especially, with love to receive game tickets as gifts on Christmas morning Instead, all that is available are gift certificates at this point in the year.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
First off, the MLB has done a great job in posting their following year schedules earlier each consecutive year over the last half-dozen or so.
I give these guys full marks for that. It also looks like they are improving their coverage of each team, to include more splits in each of the 30 squad’s itineraries.
I still wish they would follow the NHL (god did I just say that), in providing better splits for their 2430 Games Master Schedule, to include 7 day splits (you can go to ESPN.com for those), monthly splits and one year long page.
This past year, I did all of the schedules I just mentioned, and even added an Interleague Master Schedule.
It has been quite the undertaking, and I am not doing all facets of it again – going forward in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
NL Wild Cards Virtually Sewn Up With Giants/Bucs: Huge Night Monday/Week Ahead For AL Chase
The Pirates started the year almost 10 games under .500 in early May. Since that timeframe, they have operated 22 games over .500. The Pirates are within a magic number of 3 to collect their second straight playoff appearance. Heading into play tonight, they also own the #1 wildcard slot over the Giants, because even though they are tied, the Bucs have the tiebreaker – with best head to head season series record.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Pirates have done a fantastic job brushing off their competition in head to head battle the last few weeks. As such, they have moved their playoff magic number to 3 versus the Brewers.
This squad has done more than that though…With a the Giants being swept down in San Diego this weekend, they have taken over the #1 wild cards slot over San Francisco – by way of tiebreaker (they won the season series vs SF).
Vance Worley, Edinson Volquez and Josh Harrison have surprised us all this year, and have picked up the slack for the club’s reluctance to add high – priced talent through trades or Free Agency.
Pittsburgh ended the year at home with a 51 – 30 record, and will have to hold their own with 4 against the Braves @ Turner Field, before ending the campaign against the Reds at The Great American Ball Park. Read the rest of this entry
ATR (Ask The Reports) Sept.20, 2014: World Series Betting + MVP Talk!
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Every once in a while we will air the (ATR special, like our founder Jonathan Hacohen used to do every week). Sometimes a lot of good questions are asked, all at the same time.
Rather than go on for days on social twitter, it is easier writing in a format that doesn’t limit you to 140 characters:
We had 2 such questions that were good enough to write an article about.
Q: Who do you think should be the MVP in both the AL and NL this year?
A: This one is easier in the AL than the NL, but I would like to point out that the clear-cut favorite (Mike Trout) is not having as good of a year that he did in 2012 and 2013, however this trophy is going his way with the year LA has had.
Will finish with 35 HRs and 110+ RBI, with over 110 Runs scored, (currently has 81 Extra Base Hits for huge MLB Lead) and his stellar defense is definitely the difference separating him from Martinez (a primary DH) and Cabrera.
I will also point out that Victor Martinez (.970 OPS, 30 HRs and 104 RBI) would certainly be right up there if he weren’t playing on the Tigers.
His numbers, contact rate, and overall professionalism as a hitter have saved Detroit’s bacon this year.
V-Mart is hurt by the fact Cabrera is on the same club. For as much as the two time reigning MVP has been dealing with injury,. his so-called “down year” still has him with a 3 Slash Line of .318/.380/.527 with 104 RBI.
The big 1B for Detroit has seen his HRs cut nearly in half, but he is still leading the league in Doubles with 49 – and has 73 Extra Base Hits are even more than he had last year.
The Tigers never running away with the competition also is a drawback for both players. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Baseball Is A Great Value Live At The Park
Safeco Field is among the very top valued parks in the MLB. A pair of tickets can be had for $35 – $40 at the most, and there are an unbelievable amount of free parking spots within a mile of the venue. The pricing for the 2014 Post Season is decent as well for those with season ticket holder status. $40 for face valued tickets (LF Bleachers) during the LDS round. That goes to $85 during the ALCS – and only $120 per ticket for the World Series games. I can’t even buy a ‘Standing Room Only’ Ticket for my local NHL Hockey team. to see the worst team in the league for that much!
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Stop me if you heard this before…Baseball is dying.. Come on folks, the actual facts don’t suggest that at all. Sure if you are going back to the day when there were 3 networks on TV, and that is it.
I am going to let you in on a little secret here. Back in 2004, I was once a NHL hockey fan. Yeah, let the stereotype stand for living north of the border, but yeah I followed the sport religiously, even more than baseball for a period.
At that point in my life, I had been to about a hundred games live in Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary, and had been to exactly 3 MLB games (1 at Skydome in 1989, and 2 at Olympic Stadium) in the mid 90’s.
Once I went to Safeco Field once in 2005, I was hooked and had the vibe to see all other 29 parks in rapid fashion.
My love for viewing baseball parks escalated from there into 4 world record chases – to become the fastest to see a full game live at all 30 MLB Stadiums.
A lot of my friends and family are often baffled why i don’t just watch hockey, and support the local hockey team. My interest dwindles every year, and especially now that I am more rabid about baseball than ever, doing this website daily. Read the rest of this entry
AL Wild Card Race Heats Up: KC/DET Meetup, For All Others, Just Win This Weekend To Gain Ground
Kansas City might be tied for the #1 wildcard position and just 1/2 game out of the AL Central. however with that 4 – 2 in the 10th inning game resumption against Cleveland pending on Monday, the club must win the series versus the Tigers at home in my opinion, in order to make the playoffs. After the weekend, they finish their last 8 games on the road. If they don’t win the series this weekend, chances are the A’s/and or Mariners may pass them in the standings after Monday Night. The Royals have the hardest schedule left out of the 4 clubs.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Seattle Mariners won yesterday, and the Athletics lost, to pull all top 4 Wild Card contenders to within 2 games of each other heading into the weekend.
Detroit leads the Central with a 84 – 68 record, and KC is a half game behind at 83 – 68, but really are 90% at 83 – 69. with a 4 – 2 10 inning deficit in that suspended game resumption on Monday Sept 22, 2014 to the Indians.
So while the Royals and Tigers battle for the Division at Kauffman Stadium starting Friday. , the ultimate loser of the AL Central, will need to make the postseason via the Wild Card. Needless to say. these 3 games will be pivotal in deciding that.
Since both of those clubs have to have a loser in each of those 3 games, this is great news for the struggling A’s (83 – 69), and especially for the Mariners (82 – 70), to make up some ground if they have good series from Friday to Sunday.
On the surface, Oakland and Seattle should hope the Tigers win the series versus KC this weekend, as that would put the Royals potentially at best 84 – 71 after that game against the Indians is over on Monday. If the Tigers sweep them, the Royals could be staring at 83 – 72 rather quickly.
Oakland would need just one victory to pass KC, and Seattle would need 1 to tie the Royals and 2 to pass them.
The A’s entertain the lowly Philadelphia Phillies this weekend at O.Co, whereas the best road team in the AL (Mariners, 44 – 30) are in Houston to battle the Astros at Minute Maid Park..
If both clubs can win their series (if not sweep the worse squads they are playing) than they will put themselves in great positions for the playoff in going forward.
I have to think the worst scenario for those two teams – is to see the Royals take just 2 games against Detroit, as that would put the Tigers still at 85 – 70, KC at 85 – 69, with the suspended game still to make – probably seeing the, at 85 – 70 as well. Oakland would need a sweep to have a lead, and win 2 out of 3 to tie the Royals/Tigers. The M’s would require a sweep over the Astros – to land them at 85 – 70. Read the rest of this entry
A Regional World Series In 2014? NYY/BOS/ATL Maybe All Out Of The Playoffs For 1st Time Since 1989
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst), with a heavy assist for the idea to Josh Robbins: Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Nationals and Orioles both locked down their respective league’s East Division’s last night. Could it be a possible Beltway World Series?
Or how about a Freeway Series (I-5) between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels Of Orange County near Disneyland and Fullerton (or whatever Arte Moreno’s team us called now).
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe iconic close series of 1985 and 1989 respectively, meaning the I-70 series (KC vs STL) or the Bay Bridge (Earthquake Series), between the A’s and Giants.
Both of those winning clubs have not won the Fall Classic since those years.
Even Detroit and Pittsburgh are only 284 Miles apart, should they have a chance meeting.
Who is not here for the 1st time in 20 years – will probably be the Braves (whose playoff chances are on fumes), and the Yankees/Red Sox all failed to have at least one representative of those 3 in the Post Season since 1989, when the Cubs, Dodgers, A’s and Blue Jays made the playoffs.
2009 was the last time teams within close proximity to each other squared off in the World Series – when the Yanks took out the defending champion Phillies in 6 games.
The Yankees/Mets 2000 “Subway Series” was the last time two teams in the same city played in the Fall Classic, something the 2 Los Angeles squad’s could do.
2015 Interleague Home/Away Schedules MLB – Team By Team
Interleague 2015 (20 Games Each Team, 10 Home And 10 Away)
American League
AL East
New York Yankees
Home: vs NYM (3) FRI Apr 24 – Sun Apr 26, vs WSH (2) Tues June 9 – Wed June 10, vs MIA (2) Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, vs PHI (3) Mon June 22 – Wed June 24.
Away: @ WSH (2) Tues May 18 – Wed May 19 @ MIA (2) Mon June 15 – Tues June 16, @ ATL (3) Fri Aug 28 – Sun Aug 30, @ NYM Fri Sept 18 – Sun Sept 20.
Baltimore Orioles
Home: vs PHI (2) Mon June 15 – Tues June 16, vs WSH (3) Fri July 10 – Sun July 12, vs ATL (3) Mon July 27 – Wed July 29, vs NYM (2) Tues Aug 19 – Wed Aug 20
Away: @ NYM (2) Tues May 5 – Wed May 6, @ MIA (3) Fri May 22 – Sun May 24, @ PHI (2) Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, @ WSH (3) Mon Sept.21 – Wed Sept 23. Read the rest of this entry
2015 NL Interleague Home/Away Schedules MLB – Team By Team
Interleague 2015 (20 Games Each Team, 10 Home And 10 Away)
National League Teams
NL East
Washington Nationals
Home: vs NYY (2) Tues May 18 – Wed May 19, vs TOR (3) Mon June 1 – Wed June 3, vs TB Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, vs BAL (3) Mon Sept 21 – Wed July 23.
Away: @ BOS (3) Mon Apr 13 – Wed Apr 15, @ NYY (2) Tues June 8 – Wed June 9, @ TB (2) Mon June 15 – Tues June 16, @ BAL (3) Fri July 12 – Sun Jul 14.
Miami Marlins
Home: vs TB (3) Fri Apr 10 – Sun Apr 12, vs BAL (3) Fri May 22 – Sun May 24, vs NYY (2) Monday June 15 – Tuesday June 16, vs BOS (2) Tues Aug 11 – Wed Aug 12.
Away; @ TOR (3) Mon June 8 – Wed June 10, @ NYY (2) Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, @ BOS (2) Tues July 7 – Wed July 8, @ 3 (TB) Tues Sept 29 – Oct. Read the rest of this entry
It Is Time To Move Miguel Cabrera Permanently To The DH Role
Someone should be tackled if they put Cabrera back in the field for the remainder of the 2014 season. I personally believe he should be transitioned to the DH position permanently. You are speaking about the best pure offensive player in the game. The man has to play for the next decade. Cabrera has fought his off season surgery for a torn groin, to put up decent numbers in 2014 – .310/.370/.514 3 Slash Line with 22 HRs and 101 RBI. Yes, he is leading the league with 45 Doubles, but he will likely fail to hit 30 HRs for the 1st time as a Tiger this campaign. The .885 OPS would also mark his worst total since his rookie year. He has shown this week he can handle the DH role.
I am not talking just about 2014 here. Miguel Cabrera has come off his short rest, to bash out 8 hits in 3 games – since taking the position of DH on the club. So I say…just leave him there forever.
Often I have wondered why more teams don’t just take advantage of the slot in the American League. Instead, for most clubs, the Designated Hitter is used as an off day, or for matchup preferences.
You want to know why Boston has 3 World Series in the last 10 years… I will tell you… David Ortiz!!
Big Papi has been so much more productive than every other player at the role, that having him against the pack gives the Red Sox a clear cut upper hand.
I know Cabrera is making megabucks now, but are you really going to miss his defensive prowess at 1B?
Who cares about piling up AL MVP’s because the voters are always biased about 1 way players. The Tigers should be going for World Series Titles, and what better way to preserve their #1 commodity. Read the rest of this entry
All American League Teams Interleague Schedules For 2015
After 7 years of Interleague, the AL trailed the season series 4 – 3, and the overall games mark 853 – 833 (.506). Since 2004 it has been 11- years straight of AL beatdowns, winning each campaign for Won – Loss record.
2015 Interleague Schedules (Each Team 10 Home and 10 Away)
AL East
New York Yankees
Home: vs NYM (3) FRI Apr 24 – Sun Apr 26, vs WSH (2) Tues June 9 – Wed June 10, vs MIA (2) Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, vs PHI (3) Mon June 22 – Wed June 24.
Away: @ WSH (2) Tues May 18 – Wed May 19 @ MIA (2) Mon June 15 – Tues June 16, @ ATL (3) Fri Aug 28 – Sun Aug 30, @ NYM Fri Sept 18 – Sun Sept 20.
Baltimore Orioles
Home: vs PHI (2) Mon June 15 – Tues June 16, vs WSH (3) Fri July 10 – Sun July 12, vs ATL (3) Mon July 27 – Wed July 29, vs NYM (2) Tues Aug 19 – Wed Aug 20
Away: @ NYM (2) Tues May 5 – Wed May 6, @ MIA (3) Fri May 22 – Sun May 24, @ PHI (2) Wed June 17 – Thu June 18, @ WSH (3) Mon Sept.21 – Wed Sept 23. Read the rest of this entry
Interleague Master Schedule For The 2015 MLB Season
The National League will be looking to shake an 11 year game losing streak to the American League in 2015.
Among the new things that AL vs NL has to offer, is a return to all teams in action at some point in the season during the time.
Of course the Astros were back in the Senior Circuit then, so there was 16 teams vs just 14 for the Junior Circuit.
Mark it on your calendars – from Monday June 15 – June 18 all 30 teams will take part in a 2 game home and away series versus the same club. This is sure to be a treat for Interleague fans.
Citizens Bank Ball Park, PNC Park and Fenway Park are the only 3 stadiums to have their venues host AL vs NL as their home openers.
The MLB Reports will try to update the game times as they come in until the start of next campaign.
Scroll Down or Click The READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY to see the 300 games listed for Interleague next year. That is 20 games per club (10 home and 10 away.)
MLB Reports 
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