Category Archives: The Rest: Everything Baseball
From Cuba to Japan, Opening Day to the World Series and the WBC
Don Larsen’s Perfect Game: Recalling the Pitching Gem On Its 60th Anniversary
Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of one of baseball’s most cherished feats. On October 8th, 1956, New York Yankees starting pitcher Don Larsen threw the first and onlyperfect game in the history of the World Series (and playoffs). Not only is it one of the major gold standards in the sport, it also still captivates fans as much today as it did six decades ago.
The right-hander’s perfect came in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium against the Brooklyn Dodgers, giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 Series lead. They ultimately took the championship two days later in the 7th and deciding game. Here are some interesting facts about Larsen and his perfect game.
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2016? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 7, 2016
Nam Y. Huh, AP Photo
A bunch of aces threw today. Some were bombed. Some disappointed. But 3 were amazing and one of them took a horribly tough loss.
Time to see who owned October.
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 7th.
AL Division Series Game 2 and NL Division Series Game 1:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Javier Baez hit a solo homer that accounted for all the scoring in the Cubs 1-0 defeat of the Giants.
Corey Kluber threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits while striking out 7 Red Sox batters to give the Indians a decisive 6-0 victory.
Brandon Guyer went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI to propel the Indians past Boston, 6-0.
Kenley Jansen entered a tense game in the 8th and finished a 5 out save, striking out 3 in the process, preserving the Dodgers 4-3 final over the Nationals.
Jon Lester threw 8 shutout innings, walking none and allowing only 5 San Francisco hits as he won a tense 1-0 pitchers duel for the Cubs.
Roberto Osuna entered the game in the 8th with the Rangers rallying and stopped any Texas momentum. He recorded a 5 out save to nail down the 5-3 Game 2 final for Toronto.
Troy Tulowitzki singled and hit a 2 run homer to lead the Blue Jays firepower past Texas 5-3.
Justin Turner got 2 hits, including a 2 run homer, as the Dodgers held onto a 4-3 final in Washington.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Mookie Betts reached base twice but could not be driven in as the Red Sox were blanked by Cleveland, 6-0.
Johnny Cueto was brilliant over 8 innings, allowing 3 hits and 1 run on a solo homer, walking none and striking out 10 Cubs. That one run was enough however to earn a hard luck 1-0 San Francisco loss.
Ian Desmond collected 3 hits, including a double, driving in 2 in the Rangers’ 5-3 loss to Toronto.
Buster Posey singled and doubled but could not be driven home as the Giants fell to the Cubs, 1-0.
Anthony Rendon got a pair of hits and a pair of RBI but the Nationals lost to the Dodgers, 4-3.
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2016:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Javier Baez – Cubs 1, Josh Donaldson – Blue Jays 1, Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1, Conor Gillaspie – Giants 1, Brandon Guyer – Indians 1,Jason Kipnis – Indians 1, Troy Tulowitzki – Blue Jays 1, Justin Turner – Dodgers 1,, Elvis Andrus – Rangers 1/2, Andrew Benintendi – Red Sox 1/2, Mookie Betts – Red Sox 1/2, Ian Desmond – Rangers 1/2, Curtis Granderson – Mets 1/2, Buster Posey – Giants 1/2, Mark Trumbo – Orioles 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Madison Bumgarner – Giants 1, Marco Estrada – Blue Jays 1, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 1, Jon Lester – Cubs 1, Andrew Miller – Indians 1, Roberto Osuna – Blue Jays 1, Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1, Johnny Cueto – Giants 1/2, Darren O’Day – Orioles 1/2, Noah Syndergaard – Mets 1/2,
6 Non-Playoff MLB Teams Under the Most Pressure to Compete in 2017
The 2016 MLB postseason is officially in full swing as the remaining eight teams battle for the right to hoist the World Series trophy within the next few weeks. This also means that 22 other squads are already turning the page with their eyes set on making a run at October in 2017.
Every organization goes into a season with the best of intentions, but a lot can happen over 162 games – both good and bad. For a number of teams, the bad outweighed the good, which is why an invitation to play in the postseason never arrived in their respective mailboxes.
Here are six teams feeling a ton of pressure to compete and secure a spot in the playoffs next October:
Overview of Mexican and Puerto Rican Winter League Baseball
The Mexican League is well known for their creative fans who show great passion for the game. Often you get to see them dressed up as superheroes or a symbolic figure in their culture. The league is made of 2 divisions of 4 teams each. Tomateros de Culiacan were the champions last year and represented Mexico in the Caribbean Series and ended up winning it all. Mexico will be hosting “La Serie Del Caribe” which is the Caribbean Series which features the four leagues champs. Each club gets to represent their country and usually is more like a national team series since each team takes the best players in the league no matter which club they belong to.
NLDS/ALDS Predictions
With the two Wild Card games done we keep the postseason moving with the Division Series. Dodgers vs Nationals, Cubs vs Giants, Rangers vs Blue Jays and Red Sox vs Indians.
Dave Dombrowski’s Offseason Splashes will Make or Break October for Boston Red Sox
On the heels of finishing in the American League East basement three times in four years, the Boston Red Sox made a big change last summer by hiring Dave Dombrowski. He arrived with a certain reputation and has lived up to it thus far.
The biggest thing on his 2016 to-do list was getting the Red Sox back into the postseason before designated hitter David Ortiz rode off into the sunset. He officially crossed that off his list about a week ago, but it’s really just the beginning.
In October once again – and mostly with players from the last front office regime – two of Dombrowski’s biggest offseason moves from last winter will be crucial pieces to the team’s success or demise.
Boston’s greatest need following a disappointing 2015 was obvious: pitching. They needed an ace at the front of the rotation and shutdown relievers at the back of the bullpen. In typical Dombrowski fashion, he made big splashes to fill those needs by trading four prospects for Craig Kimbrel and throwing a bunch of money at David Price.
Risky moves? Yes. Moves the Red Sox hadn’t made in recent years? Yes. But with a win-now mentality, they had to be made. Every acquisition comes with risk, but Kimbrel and Price were as close to slam-dunks as it could possibly be with regard to production.
Throughout their respective careers, each hurler has been a consistent force when toeing the rubber. That’s why 2016 has been frustrating for fans.
AL Wild Card Aftermath
By Josh:
So in case you don’t have cable TV and couldn’t watch the game, or refused to check Twitter, Facebook, ESPN or any other potential place for people to rant about sports, the Blue Jays won and questionable coaching by Buck Showalter may have helped. Also a stupid Toronto fan threw a beer bottle at an Orioles player.
Blue Jays fans don’t have the best reputation in baseball and it is unfortunate that one fan can make an entire fan base look bad but that is what will happen. It isn’t the first time fans in Toronto have thrown things onto the field and right or wrong that fan base has earned its reputation as one of the worst in terms of respecting the field and the players on the field.
Read the rest of Josh’s thoughts on The AL Wild Card Aftermath via 9 Inning Know It All
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2016? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 4, 2016
Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images
The playoffs have begun with a doozy. If this is any indication of what October will be like, we are in great shape.
Time to figure out who owns October!
Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.
At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.
A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.
From October 4th. AL Wild Card Game:
Receiving 1 WOO’s
Edwin Encarnacion reached twice and won the Wild Card Game with a 3 run walk off homer in the bottom of the 11th inning, pushing Toronto past Baltimore, 5-2.
Marcus Stroman held Baltimore to 4 hits and 2 runs while walking none over 6 strong innings. He would not get the decision but helped set up the Blue Jays dramatic 5-2 extra inning Wild Card win.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Mark Trumbo launched a 2 run homer that put the Orioles ahead. The Blue Jays would tie the game and ultimately win in 11, 5-2.
Darren O’Day got the call from the pen and answered big time. He threw 1 2/3 innings, not allowing a hit or a base runner with each pitch potentially ending the Orioles season. He survived but his team did not, dropping the game to Toronto, 5-2 in 11.
Current ‘WOO’ Totals MLB 2016:
Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Edwin Encarnacion – Blue Jays 1, Mark Trumbo – Orioles 1/2,
Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2016,
Marcus Stroman – Blue Jays 1, Darren O’Day – Orioles 1/2,
Wild Card Breakdown
By Josh:
The introduction of the one game Wild Card game has been something that I have enjoyed and appreciated from the moment it was announced. I know there are people who don’t like it because a single game doesn’t always put the ‘best’ team into the division series. My thought is that if a team didn’t win their division, having to play a single winner take all game is a great thing. It both gives them a chance to move on, while also penalizing them for not winning their division.
Enough of my thoughts on the Wild Card set up and time to focus on the two games themselves.
Read Josh’s breakdown of the Wild Card via 9 Inning Know It All
Josh’s Playoff Predictions
The playoffs are here and if the end of the season is an example of what we have coming this year, I am excited. Once again my favorite team, the Seattle Mariners, failed to make the playoffs but they were in it until game 161, so although I’m disappointed they didn’t make it, being in it until the end is better than normal for the M’s.
Enough with my favorite team, time to talk about who I think is going to win it all this year, starting with the Wild Card Games.
Read the rest of Josh’s Playoff Predictions via 9 Inning Know It All
Thank You Vin For That
By: Kelly
When Vin Scully first announced that 2016 would be his last year I knew I would be sad but the emotions I have felt over the past few days is much more than I thought I would feel. I’ve thought about writing this post the past couple of weeks but every time I start I get overwhelmed with emotions. Vin is the voice of my childhood, he is the soundtrack of my childhood. Even ‘til this day whenever I hear his voice I think of my childhood, for the good and the bad. I would like to share a few memories with you about my childhood.
Read the rest of Thank You Vin For That via 9 Inning Know It All
Jair Bogaerts: Former Boston Red Sox Prospect Talks Baseball and Brother Xander
In shortstop Xander Bogaerts, the Boston Red Sox have one of the most exciting young players in baseball. The native of Aruba has blossomed into a true star, showing five-tool talent and still clocking in at the tender age of 24. Although some fans may not realize it, not that long ago, the team was fortunate enough to have two Bogaerts in their organization, with Xander’s (fraternal) twin brother Jair making up the other half of the tandem.
Who Owned Baseball October 1, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Michael Macor, San Francisco Chronicle
Ty Blach threw 8 shutout innings, out dueled Kershaw and got a hit in the Giants crucial 3-0 win over the Dodgers.
Joey Votto doubled twice and singled, driving in 3, to lead the Reds past the Cubs, 7-4
Collin McHugh took a shutout into the 8th, finishing with 7 2/3 innings, no runs and only one walk as the Astros blanked the Angels, 3-0.
Joey Wendle got 4 hits, driving in 2, including a 10th inning RBI double that put the A’s up for good, 9-8, and eliminated the Mariners from the Wild Card hunt.
They all owned baseball on October 1, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 1, 2016
Fellow Red Sox fan and comedian/writer/YouTube star Nick Stevens joined the podcast today to walk 2016 Red Sox and whatever else entered our minds.
Follow Nick Stevens on Twitter by clicking HERE
Follow TownieNews by clicking HERE
It is a “SAWX” episode of the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Martinez, Brandon Belt, Yu Darvish, Jose Bautista and Trea Turne all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Who Owned Baseball September 30, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
JOHN BAZEMORE/AP
Miguel Cabrera homered twice and singled, scoring 3 and driving in 3, as the Tigers stayed very much alive in the Wild Card race by topping Atlanta, 6-2.
Yu Darvish struck out 12 Rays over 6 innings and earned the 3-1 decision for the AL West Champion Rangers.
Brandon Belt reached base 4 times, including a double and a massive homer in the Giants 7 run rally as they beat their rival Dodgers, 9-3.
Carlos Martinez threw 7 innings of 5 hit shutout ball, recording 9 Pittsburgh strikeouts and got the 7-0 win for St. Louis.
They all owned baseball on September 30, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 30, 2016
YES Network
The season is winding down to a few days with some odd details looming. Meanwhile Yankee fans clearly have lowered their expectations of what a successful season is.
Plus thoughts on David Ortiz’s tribute at Yankee Stadium.
It is a “Winding Down the Season” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Yadier Molina, Johnny Cueto, Byron Buxton, Ubaldo Jimenez,Luis Sardinas and Paulo Orlando all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
These 5 Young MLB Players Took a Huge Step Forward in 2016
There’s still another month of baseball to be played before 2016 is officially put in the books, but the cold winter months are feeling closer than ever. The mornings feel brisk, leaves are falling from trees and 20 of MLB’s 30 teams will soon be forced to watch the postseason from their respective couches.
Instead of focusing more on young players who took a huge step back this season, we’ll shift to those who used 2016 to show the tremendous progress in their development. The following five ballplayers put together the type of performance that will make their respective teams depend on them heavily to either repeat or continue growing in 2017.
DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies
It’s been amazing to watch this transformation over the past three seasons. In 2014, LeMahieu won a Gold Glove award, but his offense mostly revolved around hitting singles. His average jumped in 2015 along with a slight bump in power, but he’s come into his own as a 27-year-old this season.
Now, he’s in command of the National League batting race with a few games to go and is slugging nearly .500. Check out the three-year progression in his triple slash:
Who Owned Baseball September 28, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
John Jaso hit the first ever cycle in the history of PNC Park, driving in 5 runs and helping the Pirates top the Division Champion Cubs, 8-4.
Carlos Gomez got on base 4 times, homering, driving in 3 as the Rangers came back to top Milwaukee, 8-5.
Tyler Chatwood threw 8 innings of dominating shutout ball, striking out 9 Giants and earning the 2-0 decision for Colorado.
Miguel Gonzalez pitched a shutout into the 9th, finishing with 8 1/3 innings, 3 hits and 5 Rays strikeouts as the White Sox shut them out, 1-0.
They all owned baseball on September 28, 2016.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOB’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN.
On Jose Fernandez and The 2016 Cy Young
You all know what happened this past Sunday. One of my– and the game’s– favorite players died. Selfishly, I was upset. I never knew the guy, and my team, the Atlanta Braves, had recently thrown at his head. But now he’s gone. He leaves behind a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten– Dave Cameron can’t wait to tell his children about Jose Fernandez, and the Marlins are going to retire his number so that little kids who attend games will forever ask their parents about Number 16– but I think Max summed it up perfectly on Sunday: this sucks.
A few days have passed and baseball had its Jose Fernandez wake on Monday, and Dee Gordon hit the most important and magical homerun of his life. But I still feel like Jose Fernandez is around. I am not going to try to do any sort of tribute article; I simply would not do a good job if I tried. Someone a year younger than me dying leaves me a bit scatterbrained.
Instead, I’ll try and write a baseball article, which I think will be difficult and awkward, but necessary. The realization crept into my head today that Jose Fernandez is going to appear on Cy Young ballots. The voters list their top 3 pitchers and Fernandez leads the Majors in fWAR, is second in strikeouts, and while he sits 8th in ERA, he actually leads the league in the two primary ERA predictors, FIP and xFIP. He was among the top handful of starting pitchers in the game in his first real season back from Tommy John.
To continue reading about Jose Fernandez Cy Young voting, please visit my full website at Off The Bench.
Freddie Freeman Found His Power in 2016, But Did it in a Unique Way
As the Atlanta Braves continued selling off MLB talent to rebuild for the future last winter, general manager John Coppolella was adamant about one thing: first baseman Freddie Freeman wasn’t going anywhere.
Fast-forward to a few months later as the left-handed hitter wraps up a career year and everyone can see why he’s worth every penny of that $135 million contract. Enjoying such a performance was probably the furthest thing from Freeman’s mind after a rough first two months, though.
By the end of May, he was just hoping to get hot and dig himself out of a slow start. While Atlanta’s offense as a whole was historically bad, Freeman also struggled to a .251/.338/.419 triple slash with eight home runs and 15 RBI.
Then, the first baseman caught fire – he’s hitting .335/.435/.654 with 25 homers and 73 RBI since June 1, including a ridiculous 1.249 OPS through 82 at-bats in September.
The biggest sign of growth in Freeman’s game has been his power. His 33 homers and .980 OPS are currently career highs, while his 43 doubles are tied for a career high. This has produced a 6.2 fWAR, which ranks within the top 10 in all of baseball.
So, how did he do it? Not exactly the same way as most young sluggers tap into their power potential.
What happens to the Marlins now?
By Josh:
The passing of Jose Fernandez has come as a great shock and a huge blow to the baseball community. Teammates, coaches, competitors, and fans have all been at a loss for words after the news broke yesterday.
I too have just been in a little bit of a daze. I never met Jose, never watched him play in person, but he was a part of the baseball community/family. Baseball brings strangers together, and when a talented player, and by all accounts amazing person, dies way to young it affects the entire baseball family.
Read the rest of What happens to the Marlins now via 9 Inning Know It All.
Scouting Report: Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves
Ian Anderson is 6’3″ 170′ 18-year-old out of Shenendehowa High School in Rexford, New York. He was selected third overall by the Braves in the 2016 MLB Draft. He has a hard fastball with growing offspeed pitches. He currently can throw 90-94 with a potential to add more velocity. He has a big gap between the speed in his off-speed pitches and has room to create two pitches out of his curveball. He has some red flags regarding injury potential and needs to clean up his mechanics and generate more energy up the chain in his lower half. He has lightning quick arm speed that helps compensate at the moment. When fully matured and refined he could be a real ace.
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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 25, 2016
Getty Images
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
Let me tell you, dear friends, our pal @sullybaseball is like our Vin Scully of baseball podcasts. He’s amazing, always got a story to tell
— Planeta Béisbol (@PlanetaBeisbol) September 23, 2016
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That’s some intense praise for your pal Sully.
As we are praise Vin Scully at the end of his career, I wonder if I am allowed to praise anyone else.
It is a praising others episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Wade Miley, Clayton Kershaw, Jose Bautista, Josh Reddick, George Springer, Dexter Fowler and CC Sabathia all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Jose Fernandez: Death Shocks Baseball World
Reports are pouring in that Miami Marlins star pitcher Jose Fernandez has sadly died in a tragic boating accident.
Details are sparse at this point but the death has been confirmed by multiple sources. Baseball has lost one of its youngest and brightest stars.
The 24-year-old right-handed native of Cuba (later came to the United States) came to the Marlins as a first-round draft choice in 2011 out of high school. He made the majors just two years later, and despite undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, came back as good as ever.
WINTER LEAGUE BASEBALL COVERAGE: LOOKING INTO THE NOTABLE NATIVE PROSPECTS
The Winter League helps players work on their weaknesses, their game plan and do so facing more advanced levels of competition. It also has the obvious benefit of helping stay in shape. For many these factors assist them to get to spring training with a more distinct advantage over those that stick to the gym and home based development work. The competitive level in these league don’t allow managers to treat this tournament as development leagues since they are there to win, we have seen times with four different managers in a season including switching managers in Playoffs, even in Finals!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 24, 2016
Phil Long – AP Photo
Injuries to the Cleveland pitching staff will probably derail their pennant hopes because pitching wins titles.
Or does it?
It is a question what you know episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Cole Hamels, Jake Arrieta, Michael Conforto, Nelson Cruz, Shelby Miller, Melky Cabrera, Jose Peraza and Kendall Graveman all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
These 5 Young MLB Players Took a Huge Step Back in 2016
MLB players enter a new year with the best intentions, but this is baseball, and things don’t always go exactly as planned. In fact, they almost never do.
To have a successful regular season and a shot at clinching a playoff berth, managers need production from every corner of their respective rosters. It also helps to get unexpected sources of production, as we touched upon a couple weeks ago.
The following five players have recently shown potential to be a significant contributor at the big-league level. Each of them were expected to be an important piece in 2016, but that didn’t happen. Now, they’ll be looking ahead to 2017 for another opportunity to solidify themselves in the big leagues.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 22, 2016
SNY
Will the Ender Inciarte catch be one of the moments that haunts the Mets? Will it be totally forgotten in 2 weeks?
All narratives, good and bad, are written in retrospect.
It is a hindsight episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Gary Sanchez, Paul Goldschmidt, Felix Hernandez Chad Kuhl Brad Miller, Jose Peraza, Aaron Sanchez and Bartolo Colon all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball yesterday.
See the updated listing of WOB on MLB Reports
Greatest Strength of Mets & Indians is Now Their Biggest Concern, But They’re Not Dead Yet
The old adage in baseball is you can never have enough pitching. While every team can vouch for that, the two organizations currently feeling this the most are the New York Mets and Cleveland Indians.
Heading into 2016, both squads had one clear strength: a solid starting rotation expected to be one of the best in baseball. By solely looking at the cumulative statistics – and paying no mind to who contributed – New York and Cleveland received the kind of production necessary to be on the verge of a playoff berth (via FanGraphs):
When it comes to fWAR production, the Mets rank second in baseball, while the Indians are second in the American League.
But with October on the horizon, they’ll each be forced to use a much different group than those who toed the line on Opening Day. With a seven-game lead in the American League Central, the Indians are all but assured a spot in the postseason. The Mets still have some work to do with just a one-game cushion in the National League Wild Card race, though.
Each situation is distinctly different, but the Mets and Indians will have a similarly steep hill to climb once the regular season comes to a close, and there seems to be quite a few naysayers.
MLB Reports 
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