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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
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series (Kansas City Vs San Francisco) + Prediction Time
Kansas City is making the most of their 1st playoff appearance since winning the World Series in 1985. The club has won 8 straight games over 3 series, and have shown they have power in their lumber, homering in most of their games. They have a slight advantage with their Relief Core, and must amp up their speed game again versus the Giants in order to win the 2014 Fall Classic. KC has home field advantage with the AL having won the ALL – Star Game. I personally think this is a hinderance, based on the way the team plays on the road. Whatever I feel, the oddsmakers have listed them as the Favorite.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I awoke this morning to a text stating that the Giants were the longshots in the MLB World Series this year at +100 when I placed my wager.
Kansas City was a -120 Favorite in the early morning Friday.
I exclaimed ‘yes’ because I was hoping for a nice odd for the NLCS Champs.
Chuck Booth and I stand to win $1477.50 on KC to win the World Series based on a $20 (50/1 Bet) and a $6 (80/1 Bet).
San Francisco was also the subject of my 1st bet on the Fall Classic to start the year. It was a 25/1 Odd back in January of this year, and we threw down $14 each.
Now since we could win $1477 on the Royals, and just $389 on the Giants, came the hedge bet for $500 on SF at Even money.
So we can win $1389.00 each on the Giants, and now $1477 still on KC.
The difference being, that we only had to wager $25 aggregate on the ALCS Champs.
The bet assures us of over $1000 each profit for the year.
Already, since the morning line, the odds have shifted to SF -105, to KC -115. I am not surprised, as the Sharps have spoken.
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For NLCS Game THU Oct.16, 2014
San Francisco Chronicle
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.
For a full explanation, click HERE
From October 16th NLCS Game:
Receiving 1 WOO’s.
Travis Ishikawa hit the dramatic, pennant clinching 3 run homer in the bottom of the 9th to down the Cardinals and send the Giants to the World Series, 6-3.
Madison Bumgarner gave the Giants 8 strong innings, allowing just 5 hits and 3 runs. He didn’t get the win but set up the Giants 6-3 clincher over the Cardinals and earned NLCS MVP honors.
Receiving 1/2 WOO’s
Jon Jay collected 2 hits, including a double, drove in a run and played solid defense in the Cardinals 6-3 loss in San Francisco.
Adam Wainwright was excellent over 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs, striking out 7 and left with the lead. The bullpen would blow the game and the Giants would eliminate St. Louis, 6-3.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2014
Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.
Talking Royals, SF Symphony and answering an e mail from Michael Reisman.
The Giants are also only 1 win away from becoming the team of the decade, and it is only 5 years old.
San Francisco keeps scoring runs without actually getting hits. Insane… All of that and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Alcides Escobar, Yusmeiro Petit, Buster Posey, Jason Vargas, Ryan Flaherty and Kolten Wong all owned October yesterday
It Has Been Bizarro World In the MLB All Year For 2014: The Playoffs Are No Different
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Royals and O’s in the ALCS??? with KC halfway to running the table on the whole playoffs – winning 6 straight games – and looking like the reincarnation of the 1927 Yankees?
The Braintrust of the New York Yankees, (and some fans) are happy with a 84 win season – following an 85 win campaign the previous year – to miss the postseason for the 2nd season in a row, but lock the GM for 3 years?&*!@!
The Pirates made a 2nd consecutive playoff spot??
Jose Altuve and Justin Morneau led their respective leagues in Batting Average??
Okay so it has definitely been a bizarre year in the Majors. While I am happy to see the game return to more athleticism and talent (not aided by steroids), the game has never been any harder to predict.
As a professional handicapper I realized this much a long time ago about baseball. You never bet the favorite, and always take the value. Read the rest of this entry
Royals Win Game 1 Of The ALCS And Are The New World Series Favorite: Betting Lines For Postseason Wagering
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Royals continue to shock the world with newfound power and late inning heroics, Based their 5th straight playoff win, they took a 1 – 0 ALCS advantage on the Baltimore Orioles in last nights contest for the ALCS.
I woke up this morning to see they are the new favorite to win the World Series at +210. The Cards are 2nd at +250, Giants are 3rd at +280, and bringing up the rears are the O’s at +333.
Furthermore to our point of drastic odds change with one game, the Royals are now -170 favorites to the win the American League Championship Series, compared to the Orioles +150 odd.
If you wanted to bet Baltimore, the time for value is right now. Kansas City will lose a game eventually, and the time to pounce is probably today. Of course I have been saying that about the Royals all postseason, but the odd is inviting for Baltimore. Read the rest of this entry
NLCS Preview: Cardinals vs Giants In A Battle For Decade Supremacy!
It’s all about the Pennants in the LCS Round, The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years, while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am not going to preview this from an analyst angle because our “Lead Podcast Personality” Paul Francis Sullivan ‘AKA Sully’ does a brilliant 20 minute podcast that he does daily, and he has described this matchup beautifully.
I will post the podcast at the end of the article.
Instead, I am looking at this series as a professional handicapper sense.
Opening Odds
STL -135
SF, +115
I have to give the nod to the Giants for value on this one. If you go down the rosters, the St. Louis franchise is a smidge better on the talent level, however how can you bet against San Francisco when they have won 8 straight playoff series from 2010 – 2014.
The Giants have also won 4 of 5 games in this year’s playoff. Read the rest of this entry
2014 ALCS Preview: O’s Vs Royals
This year’s 2014 ALCS matches up two teams that not many people predicted to get to this point, but as arguably the two hottest teams in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals definitely will be a fun and exciting series to watch.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It’s been a while since the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals have found themselves in the American League Championship Series, but the wait for these two fan bases is finally over.
These two teams will open up a best-of-seven series at Camden Yards on Friday night.
Although it isn’t the usual suspects we see in the series (such as the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox of the world), baseball fans should definitely keep an eye on this series, as two of the hottest teams in baseball will face off to determine who represents the American League in the World Series.
Odds To Win The 2014 ALCS + NLCS In The MLB
Camden Yards will see home games in the ALCS for the 1st time since the 1997 season. Buck Showalter has a decisive edge in the managerial department over the Royals skipper Ned Yost. The O’s are the new owners of home field advantage all the way throughout the postseason now, as the top seed left in the American League.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Dog Days Of October
The 4 teams in the League Championship Series were all underdogs in the last round.
When you also factor the Wild Card Games were both won by the Giants and Royals, (both not being the favorite), it marks the 1st 6 rounds of this postseason go to the “Dogs”.
Baltimore defeating the Tigers was probably the least surprising as the other clubs winning against their opponents. Again via a sweep of the 3 straight Cy Young Winners is impressive though.
The Nationals and Cards losing to the Giants and Cardinals had a lot to do with playoff pedigree with the teams moving on, as they handled the pressure better than the two upstart clubs. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series For The Final Four In The MLB Playoffs
The Orioles are the favorite to win the World Series among the last 4 remaining teams. The O’s will have Chris Davis back in Game #4 of the ALCS, and have to be happy they are playing the Royals. It has lined up nicely for Baltimore to take out the ‘Cinderella’ KC Squad.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
After licking my wounds for the last rounds 0 – 4 predictions of series, I am laughing all the way to the bank.
While I still picked the Nationals, Tigers, Angels and Dodgers because I thought they would win their last round best of 5’s, I never took the bait to bet any of these clubs.
I was sitting on bets I made earlier in the year. Back in January, I wrote an article proclaiming the Giants at 25/1 (Can win $400) a great steal. I bet the Royals at 50/1 and 80/1 (I can win $1500 if they take the WS) and I bet the O’s at 50/1 and 20/1 (with a potential win total of $720).
So even though I took a header on my picks, I have put myself in a great position of profit for the remainder of the playoffs..
To hedge the series, I have wagered the Baltimore Orioles and Cards to win the LCS’s for $134 wager, that pays +213 or $414. It ensures me to make a profit regardless of the outcome. Read the rest of this entry
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For ALDS Games Thu Oct.2, 2014
USA Today Sports
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.
For a full explanation, click HERE
From October 2nd ALDS games:
Receiving 1 WOO
Nelson Cruz hit a 2 run homer in the first, drove in another in the 8th and scored year another run in the Orioles wild 12-3 beating of the Tigers.
Andrew Miller struck out 3 in 1 2/3 key innings of relief as Baltimore opened the floodgates late and beat Detroit 12-3.
Mike Moustakas reached base twice, scored twice and hit the tie breaking and eventual game winning homer in the 11th to lead the Royals to a 3-2 win in Anaheim.
Jason Vargas pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 hits (2 solo homers), 2 runs and walked just 1. He didn’t get the win but helped set up Kansas City’s 3-2 extra inning victory against the Angels.
Receiving 1/2 WOO
Miguel Cabrera reached base twice and cut the Orioles lead to 1 with an 8th inning homer. The Detroit bullpen would have a complete meltdown in the 8th and lose 12-3.
Chris Iannetta got on base twice and hit a homer in the Angels 3-2 extra inning loss to Kansas City.
Jered Weaver pitched 7 strong innings, giving up just 3 hits and 2 runs. He would get no decision as the Angels dropped the game in 11 innings to the Royals, 3-2.
To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN
Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For NL Wild Card Game
JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES
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.
For a full explanation, click HERE
From October 1st NL WC game:
Receiving 1 WOO
Madison Bumgarner threw a 4 hit, 10 strikeout complete game shutout against the Pirates, shutting down one of the best National League lineups while leading the Giants to a 8-0 clinching of the NL Wild Card Game.
Brandon Crawford may not have had the highest hit total, but his 4th inning grand slam took the Pittsburgh crowd out of the game, gave Bumgarner a big cushion and made the rest of the game a formality as the Giants coasted to an 8-0 win.
Receiving 1/2 WOO
Josh Harrison was the only Pirates hitter who wasn’t shut down, collecting 2 of the Pirates 4 hits. He would never score as San Francisco eliminated the Bucs, 8-0.
To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
The Rays are not strangers to being out of the playoff picture by 9 or 10 games at this point in the season.- and ultimately qualifying for a spot with a huge run in the 2nd half of the year. At 100/1 Odds right now, you can pick them for a massive value wager. Put 10 bucks on them, and then bet against them tonight for a wager of $12, taking Jason Vargas and KC at – 113. If they lose tonight, you are up about 60 cents, and still have the bet for the whole year. Keep betting like this all week, bet to win $10 a night versus them. If this team goes 4 – 1 or 5 – 0 for the rest of the week, they are in the hunt.- and you may be down $30 – $40, but the worth is still there for the World Series odd, and the team could be kept together with a run. 3 – 2 is still okay. If the club goes 2 – 3 or worse, they may heat up the David Price chatter over the All – Star break.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It was a 4 – 4 – 2 predicting record for the week, however I nailed the top bet and worst bet on the board. The Reds continue to battle in the NL Central, and now have gone up to +3500. Currently they are tied with Pittsburgh and for 14th best odd.
I think the value is right about where it should be.
Crazy enough on the Brewers, they are now the 10th favored team to win the WS- while the Cards have shot up to 7th on the board. This despite the Brew Crew still possessing a 4 game lead on the Red Birds.
Weird enough, I won the Boston Red Sox value pick, even though they are plummeting down the standings faster than any other AL East team. They have no business being 17th on the list.
If you are a believer in the Rays making a comeback like they seem to do every year. they are at 1000/1 to win the Fall Classic. They will be my best value play for the year.
Another absurd notion is that the Orioles are +2000, while the Blue Jays sit at +1400 now to win the World Series. Talking about no pulse for what is happening. Encarnacion is hurt, Baltimore has a 3 game lead, and expect a big 2nd half from Chris Davis. Read the rest of this entry
ATR (Ask The Reports) Returns For One Day Here: June 25th, 2014
Home Of Sully Baseball + #WOB, #SullyMetrics, Baseball Analysis (Audio + Written, Roster Trees, Salaries, Org. Depth Charts, Historical Series for All 30 Clubs + State Of The Unions + Wicked Daily Content,) + tyhe best coverage on the 2014 MLB schedule in the world. We are not your average “Cookie Cutter” Website. Also our motto is “THE TRUTH STINGS LIKE A CATCUS!”
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports Follow @mlbreports
As our website has increasingly adapted to changes both suggested by our readers and writers, we are forever changing our content on our little space carved out on the interwebs.
So for a little bit of nostalgia, I add an installment of a previous segment we once had, called ATR (Ask The Reports).
Q: I noticed you pulled down the HR leaderboard pages and placed them on a website called www.30mlbteamsreports.com, is this the same ownership of that site?
CB: Absolutely, I purchased the domain www.30mlbteamsreports.com to help control some of the amount of stuff we post at http://www.mlbreports.com. In some cases, we will post some of our work on both websites from now on. Read the rest of this entry
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