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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 23, 2017
Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America
Sunday, we learned about the tragic deaths of Yordano Ventura and Starling Marte. These were two lives cut short and two very different careers ended in the worst way.
Meanwhile, an awful Tweet by a fan about the death of Ventura made me realize we need to do small things to make this experience of living a little better.
Paying respect on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 20, 2016
PHOTO BY: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY
What teams can lay claim to “Team of the Decade” for the 2010’s?
What team can enter the conversation with a 2016 World Series win?
It is a long term legacy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
San Francisco Giants State Of The Union For 2016
With the club pretty much being set for players all around the Infield and Outfield, and now the Starting Staff, the Giants look poised to make another run at a World Series run for an even year this decade. 2016 will see several of its Bullpen members on the last year of their contracts.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part-Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The only real need to upgrade could be at the Outfield level, with either a CF/LF. Angel Pagan is also in the last year of his deal, so maybe signing a guy to man the position beyond this coming year would be an option.
The Starting Rotation will be a lot stronger in 2016 with the additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.
You can say what you want about Cueto’s time in Kansas City not being as effective., but he has played most of his career in Cincinnati – and pitched extremely well at Great American Ball Park.
Funny enough his best years have also come in even years with finishing 4th in NL Cy Young Voting in 2012, and 2nd in 2014, when he led the NL in Innings Pitched with 249.2 – and Strikeouts with 241 for the Reds.
Samardzija still has great stuff, and as a #3 Starter, you could see him bouncing back with a nice year in San Francisco. Read the rest of this entry
Pick KC To Win The 2016 World Series At The 18/1 ODD: It’s Worth It Even To Hedge Later
Since the beginning of the 2014 playoffs, the underdogs have won 16 of the last 18 series, and the only favorites to win were the Royals and Blue Jays in the ALDS rounds this year. Series in which the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers had them on the brink of elimination. We take you behind the curtain to reveal some great gambling perspectives from this in this post.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I was curious to see what the odds were for the 2016 World Series when they were first posted. As a former professional gambler this is my favorite thing to do. I was happy to see the early mistake made by Vegas. KC at 18/1 odds? Thanks fellas!
Odds courtesy of vegasodds.com
Dodgers 8/1
Mets 10/1
Blue Jays 10/1
Cubs 10/1
Nats 10/1
Cards 12/1
Astros 12/1
Pirates 12/1
Rangers 12/1
Yankees 16/1
Red Sox 18/1
Royals 18/1
Read the rest of this entry
MLB’s Flawed 2 – 3 – 2 Format Exposed Again In 2015 World Series
The Royals had home field advantage in the 2015 World Series, yet played 1 less game at their park than the Mets, who they defeated in 5 games. Since the ALL – Star Game deciding which League would host more games, the winning team has actually had their park be the home venue for 2 less dates than the loser. There is a culprit in this fiasco, and that is the 2 – 3 – 2 format. I am proposing a 3 – 3 – 1 format or 2 – 4 – 1 change to the Fall Classic, Because of travel they would never do the 2-2-2-1 format ever again. ALEX TRAUTWIG/GETTY IMAGES
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Now while the team winning the ALL – Star Game is 8 – 4 overall in the World Series itself, only 2 teams have actually had to use Game #7 for home field advantage. That was the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals and the 2014 World Series – where the visiting Giants took down the Royals.
There have been 4 Sweeps, 3 series ended in 5 games, 3 series in 6 games, and only two series in 7 games.
In 2003, the Yankees had the best record and they both played 3 games in each others field.
In 2004, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2005, Each club played 2 games each in their home park.
In 2006, Detroit had home advantage – but were split by the Cards in Detroit, before St. Louis swept them in The Show Me State! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 4, 2015
Fox Sports
I heap more praise on the World Champion Royals and realize that trading for Jonny Gomes was brilliant because he had one single job: Give a great speech at the World Series celebration.
Also, I address a SoundCloud user, Bill Burns 4, who feels that I am not being respectful enough to the Royals.
Cue up the victory BBQ for the latest episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 2, 2015
CHRIS CARLSON/AP
The Giants season and Championship defense might be slipping away. Go support this team, Giants fans. It might look a lot different soon.
It is a leaving your heart in San Francisco episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Zack Greinke, Darin Ruf, Drew Smyly, J. P. Arencibia, Madison Bumgarner, Yan Gomes, Rick Porcello and Matt Kemp all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 19, 2015
AP Photo/Orlin Wagner
OF COURSE A-Rod hit a homer for his 3,000th hit.
It is a tale of two third baseman. One who is beloved by the fan base now and the other reviled. How things have changed for A-Rod and the Panda
It is a Hot Corner Episode 968 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
CJ Wilson, Zack Greinke, Ryan Howard, Preston Tucker, Anthony Ranaudo, Manny Machado, Jaime Garcia and Yunel Escobar all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – June 16, 2015
There is almost too much news going on today.
Bud Black is fired, Google Fiber might be pushing the Royals into the All Star Game and I can’t make heads or tails out of the FBI thingee.
It is an information overload Episode 965 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Francisco Liriano, Anibal Sanchez, Paul Goldschmidt, George Springer, Jose Bautista, Masahiro Tanaka and Jonthan LuCroy all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 9, 2015
Getty Images
Remembering the moments where both teams had a chance to clinch at the same time. Plus my brother witnesses another grand slam
It is a paying respect Episode 928 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Jered Weaver, Cole Hamels, Ian Kinsler, Bryce Harper, Alex Gordon, Jimmy Nelson, Ryan Braun and Roberto Hernandez all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
The link to my article about clinching can be found here.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 19, 2015
Getty Images
I want Cuban star prospect Hector Olivera to go to either the Giants or the Marlins? Why?
Because I want those two franchises to elbow their way into an All Time discussion for consistency as World Series champs… and I want that to make Yankee fans angry.
It is a very petty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets
One of these years the absolute favorite of the preseason will take the home the World Series. I think 2015 will be that year. I am calling for the last 2 franchises not to make the Fall Classic, end up facing off in this year championship series. That would make it Washington vs Seattle. I believe the Nationals will win that series.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Last year’s opening 3 wagers for the World Series netted us an eventual winner. I plunked almost $14 down on a 25/1 bet for the Giants (and failed with Rangers and Rays bets). Throughout the year, I was able to secure odds of 50/1 and 80/1 for the Royals during down times, and then hedged those bets in the playoffs. It was a thousand dollar profit year for the selections.
In the next few weeks I will finalize the Over/Under Best bets that I put down yesterday. Again, last season I was 3 out of 3 for top Over/Under picks, and will likely pick the same 3 teams (KC and WSH over their opening regular season wins of 81.5 and 93.5, while I picked SD under 84.5) out of the 10 total wagers I go for this campaign).
But this article is about the Fall Classic Winner in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 18, 2015
Photo by STEVE SILVA – Boston.com
Newsflash! Pablo Sandoval is not a thin man.
Maybe Red Sox fans should have made a mental note of that before freaking out after Steve Silva of Boston.com posted the picture seen above.
Also, evidently, Yankee fans did not cheer when A-Rod homered in the 2009 post season. Who knew?
That and other surprising facts on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Steve Silva on Twitter by clicking HERE
Odds To Win The 2015 World Series (Don’t Bet The Cubs Despite Of Back To The Future 2 Prediction)
Max Scherzer now is in the front of the best Starting Rotation in the National League in some time. His signing has made the Nationals the leading favorite to win the 2015 World Series This would mean the Expos/Nats franchise would make and win their 1st Fall Classic since Montreal joined the Major Leagues in 1969. Only their franchise and the Mariners have yet to make an appearance in the World Series.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Max Scherzer has tipped the scale to the Nats being the World Series favorite, whereas we left them in December, with them being tied with the Dodgers as the lowest odds to win the Fall Classic in 2015.
Not only did he affect his new team, he affected his old team of the Tigers to drop from +950 to +1100 now. The Mets also dipped from +3300 to +3500 on the news yesterday.
There is no doubt the Nationals are the best team in the National League now, and could very well improve on their 2014 win total of 96. Look for them to continuously punch the Phillies in the neck this year, and should beat up the Atlanta Braves pretty well across the board too.
There is no doubt in my mind this should be Washington’s season to go to the dance. I don’t think the Dodgers are as strong with their offense losing Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez, while adding Joc Pederson potentially, and stalwart 2B Howie Kendrick.
The Cardinals best 3 players of Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday are another year older, and one of these years someone will take them out in the playoffs. When you add in all 5 NL Central teams being competitive, it could beat them up over the regular season a little,
After all, it also an odd year, do don’t expect the Giants to make the Post Season. But seriously, San Francisco has lost Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse, while adding Nori Aoki and Casey McGehee. I can’t see this being an upgrade at all. Don’t forget the club also will not have Ryan Vogelsong either, while there are massive question marks surrounding the health of Matt Cain and pitching effectiveness of Tim Lincecum.
Tim Hudson is another year older, and Jake Peavy looked like he was hanging from a thread to finish the playoffs. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2015 World Series (CWS Best Value Currently)
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We are back from an extended period of not writing articles here at the MLB Reports to weigh in on the World Series Odds for next campaign.
As we did last year, we will update this as a weekly segment for the next 10 months until the winner is crowned.
I can tell you right now, the favorites based on so-called “winning the offseason” hardly ever pay off. If that were the case, the Yankees would have been crowned last year, with spending $503 MIL on 10 Free Agents, or also the Rangers would have been second with bringing in Prince Fielder and Shin Soo-Choo.
The odds doled out for free wheeling Padres and Cubs are my top two picks to stay clear of wagering with the value currently constituted. There are two teams in a similar view, not given enough credit.
The White Sox are looking decent in the AL Central, and play in the fairest of the Division in the American League, boast a 1 – 2 that can battle you with Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija, while inking Free Agents Adam LaRoche and David Robertson gives the team nice depth all around,
The ‘Southsiders’ are definitely much improved in every facet heading into 2015., To say the Cubs, with their exuberant youth has more of a chance to win the 2015 title is not justified without seeing them perform on the field yet. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 30, 2014
It is time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball what level of achievement is needed for the Sandoval trade to be seen as a success for both parties? Less than WS berth?
— En Æ Wakeman (@wakemanna) November 25, 2014
How will the Sandoval trade work out?
It is more than just looking at the numbers. Fans have to love and embrace him and there needs to be a “Sandoval Game.”
It is a tall order broken down on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 19, 2014
AP Photo -Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
Thinking of the good will already in the bank with the fan bases, I hope Jon Lester goes back to Boston and the Panda returns to San Francisco.
It is a “go where the love is” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Why Boston Should Do What It Takes To Sign Pablo Sandoval: He Could Eventually Replace Ortiz!
Pablo Sandoval is a hitter out of his mind for his playoff career. How does a 3 Slash Line of .344/.389/.545 sound? His OPS of .935 is 124 PTS higher than his totals in the regular season. “Kung-Fu Panda” has added 6 HRs and 20 RBI in his 154 AB. Included in his numbers, were a historical Game #1 of the 2012 World Series, where he clubbed 3 HRs en route to sweeping the Tigers can roll out. This latest World Series triumph, the rotund 3B set a playoff record with 26 base knocks (hitting .366 – with a .423 OBP for the October season). There is no doubt that when the game is on the line he has been proven clutch. Boston should think of him as a possible long-term DH replacement for Ortiz, meanwhile he would be a big jolt out for the 3B position on Boston right now. Signing him would free the franchise up with several infielders if they were so inclined to pull off a trade with the likes of Mookie Betts, Will Middlebrooks and Brock Holt. Perhaps they could receive a Starting Pitcher for these guys.
Chuck Booth (Lead Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Picture the year 2017 when David Ortiz may finally retire,, Who will be the Designated Hitter for the Boston Red Sox? They will be huge shoes to fill, for what has been a great advantage over the rest of the American League for the last dozen years.
There is no coincidence that Boston finally kicked their 86 year drought, and have enjoyed 3 World Series Titles since “Big Papi” entered the scene.
If you think about it for a second, Kung-Fu Panda and Ortiz have a lot in common. Both have won 3 World Series, and have been integral parts of the offenses that brought home the titles.
Both don’t look like they are athletes considering their body frames, however these guys have provided the most clutch hits in the sport for the last 10 years.
The Boston Red Sox need to add hitters to their lineup for sure. Yes right now they have Yoenis Cespedes to hit behind Ortiz, however he will be taking his talents to Free Agency after this next campaign.
Can the Beantowners count on a comeback year for Allen Craig or Shane Victorino?
Inking the 3B would create even more tradeable pieces to add in a deal to acquire another Starting Pitcher ace. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 12, 2014
See this Giants shirt? It is kind of obnoxious but true for this decade.
Do the Giants want to keep up this winning? Then they have some work to do this off season.
It is a keep the dynasty going episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 8, 2014
Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
MARK THE DATE AND TIME!
I am predicting that James Shields will be a bad free agent signing. Someone will sign him to a long term deal and regret it.
Where did you hear it first? You heard it on in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014: KC State Of The Union For 2015
Kansas City finally lived up to their expectations, and far exceeded beyond that, being just one swing away from calling themselves World Championships. With the success the team had, it also creates pay raises, roster turnover, and tough decisions from the brass on who to replace the outgoing cast. Dayton Moore must be aggressive with some of the changes, and realize this core group of players have about a 2 – 3 year window to win before everyone becomes too expensive. The time to strike is still now!
Why The Royals Can’t Sit Back After 2014 AL Pennant
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
First congrats to the San Fransisco Giants organization for winning a 3rd championship in 5 years!
Now for the losers who captured Americas heart, and why the Royals can’t sit back and do nothing all offseason.
Frequently after a team wins a championship (for almost any sport) and has that breakthrough season that team tends to try and retain its team from last year while making no additions.
Save for LeBrons Miami heat we haven’t had a team repeat in any sport since the 2004 Patriots and not in baseball since the 2000 Yankees.
Lets not forget that while the Royals did eventually get to game 7 of the World Series they barely got the wild card clinching the spot a couple games above the Mariners and winning that game late.
Here are recent examples of Championship teams who really made very few additions and flopped or performed less than expected the next year.
The 2013 Red Sox who basically retained the same team and suffered from injuries and substandard performance from players like Clay Buchholz and David Ortiz.
The biggest example might be the 2010 and 2012 San Francisco Giants who just retained their teams while making no additions and ended up making frantic moves such as trading for Carlos Beltran at the deadline to fill the holes.
They missed the 2011 and 2013 postseasons. When they made changes such as trading for Hunter Pence and signing Mike Morse they ended up winning it all again. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 4, 2014
Corey Sipkin – NY Daily News
Let’s not create fake controversies, shall we?
Alex Rodriguez paid off his cousin to not talk about steroids? Is that supposed to shock us?
Fox Sports
And please stop any talk that Mike Jirschele should have sent Alex Gordon home with 2 outs in the 9th inning of Game 7 of the World Series. Gordon would have been out by 20 feet.
It is a manufactured controversies episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 3, 2014
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Can Pablo Sandoval re-sign with the Giants? All year long I said “No, it makes no sense.” But I might be changing my mind.
Talking Panda plus Joe Maddon and Michael Cuddyer on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 31, 2014
It is October 31, and there can be no scarier costume to wear in Kansas City than Madison Bumgarner.
His post season was remarkable of course. Emotionally, it also mirrored what Bob Gibson did in 1968.
Recorded in front of the house from Halloween, it is the Halloween episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 30, 2014
Michael Macor – San Francisco Chronicle
Game 7 of the 2014 World Series was a thriller.
Bumgarner dominated. Affeldt was terrific. Gordon nearly pulled off the comeback and the Chevy Guy might be a viral marketing prank.
Lots to talk about regarding the last game of the year on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Kelvin Herrera and Alex Gordon owned the World Series and October last night.
Bumgarner and Hunter Pence had the highest WOWS total.
Bumgarner and Lorenzo Cain had the highest WOO total.
Madison Bumgarner And Hunter Pence Owned The 2014 World Series (#WOWS)
MLB.com
Did Madison Bumgarner get the Win or Save tonight? Oh it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that he dominated like no pitcher I have ever seen in my life. 1 run in 21 World Series innings? Being the pitcher to clinch the World Series?
It was a World Series for the ages.
Hunter Pence hit the homer in the top of the first in Game 1 that set the tone of the World Series. He would hit ,429 with a homer and 5 RBI. He got 2 more hits in the Game 7 finale and scored a run.
They were the pitcher and the hitter who owned the 2014 World Series.
Kelvin Herrera with his stellar relief work for the Royals earned 1 1/2 WOWs as well.
Each winning team for every World Series game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns the World Series.)
And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOWS to a worthy player on the losing team.
For a full explanation, click HERE
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 29, 2014
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Well, Game 6 was a bust.
The Royals blew out the Giants early and handily.
Now it is all on the line tonight. The last game of the season. Game 7. Who will be associated with this game and the year forever more?
It is the end of the baseball season forecasted on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Yordano Ventura and Lorenzo Cain owned the World Series and October last night.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 28, 2014
(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tonight is Game 6 of the World Series.
Those words can bring up so many different memories. Who will be the Reggie Jackson, Carlton Fisk, Don Denkinger, Bill Buckner, Kirby Puckett, Joe Carter, Tom Glavine, Josh Beckett, David Freese or Nelson Cruz of the night?
Meanwhile I all but beg Joe Maddon to take over the Dodgers.
It could be a memorable night that is previewed on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 26, 2014
Photo: Scott Strazzante, San Francisco Chronicle
Last night’s game was so strange that I feel like we saw 3 different games.
It was like a Tarantino film. I am not convinced it was shown in chronological order.
It is the Game 4 of the World Series episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Yusmeiro Petit, Hunter Pence and Salvador Perez all owned October and the World Series last night.
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
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