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Who Owned Baseball June 25, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

COLIN E. BRALEY/AP
Jose Altuve missed the cycle when he tripped over second base on his way to a clinching triple. He settled for a 4 for 5 day, driving in 3, scoring 3 and helping the red hot Astros torch the Royals, 13-5.
Carlos Carrasco threw a complete game 4 hit shutout, striking out 7 Tigers and helping the Indians extend their winning streak, 6-0.
Andrew McCutchen homered twice, driving in 4 and was the difference in the Pirates 6-1 win over the Dodgers.
Drew Pomeranz threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and 6 strikeouts, earning the 3-0 Padres victory in Cincinnati.
They all owned baseball on June 25, 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.
Who Owned Baseball May 13, 2016 (Daily #MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

Julie Jacobson / AP
Chris Sale tossed a complete game, allowing 6 hits and 1 run as the White Sox clobbered the Yankees, 7-1.
George Springer helped the Astros come from behind with 3 hits, including a homer, 4 RBI and 2 runs scored to top Boston, 7-6.
Jeremy Hellickson struck out 9 Reds in 7 innings, giving up just 4 hits and 2 runs and earned the 3-2 decision for the Phillies.
Joe Panik reached base 3 times and launched a 3 run come from behind homer on a 3-0 count and gave the Giants all the offense they needed, 3-1 over Arizona.
They all owned baseball on May 13, 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.
Josh Robbins’ MLB Daily Fantasy Picks DFS For FanDuel 4/27/16

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Starting Pitchers (Expensive, Midlevel, Bargain)
1. Jake Arrieta ($12900) vs. Milwaukee Brewers
2. Gio Gonzalez ($9600) vs. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Steven Wright ($6900) vs. Atlanta Braves
Team Stacks
Colorado vs Jon Niese
Pittsburgh vs Jon Gray
Boston vs Bud Norris
Baltimore vs Matt Moore
BVP (Minimum 10 AB)
1. Mark Reynolds vs. Jon Niese (8-15/ 2 HR/ 1.496 OPS)
2. Matt Wieters vs. Matt Moore (8-17/ 2 HR/ 1.432 OPS)
3. Evan Longoria vs. Chris Tillman (17-51/ 7 HR/ 1.216 OPS)
Sample Lineup (Coors Field Lineup 1)
P – Steven Wright, ATL @ BOS, $6900
C – Stephen Vogt, OAK @ DET, $2600
1B – Mark Reynolds, PIT @ COL, $3300
2B – D.J. Lemahieu, PIT @ COL, $3400
3B – Nolan Arenado, PIT @ COL, $5100
SS – Jordy Mercer, PIT @ COL, $3400
OF – Carlos Gonzalez, PIT @ COL, $4000
OF – Gregory Polanco, PIT @ COL, $3800
OF – Jackie Bradley JR, ATL @ BOS, $2500
$35, 000, 000 ($0 Left)
Sample Lineup (Coors Field Lineup 2)

If you’re not familiar with the points breakdown, here’s the format utilizing a $35 million salary cap.
Scoring System: https://www.fanduel.com/spring-training?t=lobby
1 Starting Pitcher (SP)
1 Catcher (C)
1 First Baseman (1B)
1 Second Baseman (2B)
1 Third Baseman (3B)
1 Short Stop (SS)
3 Outfielders (OF)
Game Types: https://www.fanduel.com/how-it-works
50-50s
If you’re interested in playing DFS games, please use my Fanduel referral link to signup.
Please use the Referral Link for a signup bonus:
https://www.fanduel.com/?invitedby=bobadney&cnl=da

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their other partners.***
A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.
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2016 MLB Team Salaries Links Page here.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Payroll In 2016 + Roster That Could Have Been
Jason Rollison (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – piratesbreakdown.com)
Follow @pbcbreakdown Follow @mlbreports
After a second consecutive exit from the playoffs by way of the wild card game, the Pittsburgh Pirates promised a bigger payroll this season, but could they have done better?
In December, Neal Huntington and Frank Connelly both hinted the Pirates target payroll would be approximately $105 million for opening day. As it stands, the Pirates opening day payroll was about $100 million.
That wouldn’t be so bad if the team’s pitching staff wasn’t off to a rough start, the first base platoon partner wasn’t gone after two weeks, and the Cubs weren’t the center of the baseball universe at the moment. The saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20,” but we consider what could have been if the Pirates had spent their money a little differently.
Let’s start with the breakdown of the opening day payroll broken down by position: (Note: Only players included on opening day 25-man roster/DL are included below.)
The rules for this little experiment are simple. We cannot exceed $105 million, and our payroll has to include 28 players due to Jared Hughes, Elias Diaz, and Jung-Ho Kang starting the season on the major league disabled list.
If we choose any players the Pirates did not sign, we will assume the Pirates could have signed said player(s) to the same terms. Knowing what we know now, here’s a look at what the Pirates roster could have been.
READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY
Who Owned Baseball April 26, 2016 (Daily MLB AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2016 #WOB Standings

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew McCutchen launched a trio of homers, driving in 5 altogether and leading Pittsburgh to a 9-4 victory in Colorado.
Johnny Cueto earned his 100th career victory with a complete game 7 hit shutout, striking out 11 Padres for the 1-0 final in San Francisco.
Robinson Cano got two hits including a grand slam, driving in 6 as the Mariners rolled over Houston 11-1.
Rich Hill threw 7 shutout 4 hit innings, walking none and striking out 8 Tigers to earn the 5-1 decision for Oakland.
They all owned baseball on April 26, 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.
Balk This Ump! Andy Green Gets His $300 Worth After Ejection

Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) Follow @dynasty_digest Follow @mlbreports
Last night, during the San Diego Padres versus the Pittsburgh Pirates game, things got a little heated after a controversial call. With runners on second and third base, Padres’ pitcher, Colin Rea, began his windup.
During his windup, Andrew McCutchen sprinted down the third base line to distract Rea, who sped up his windup towards home plate in fear that McCutchen was trying to steal home.
The Pirates’ bench erupted as they demanded the umpires call a balk against Rea, which they did. McCutchen touched home plate to go up 2-0 in the third inning.
After the decision to call a balk, the umpires then decided to overturn the call and made the runners return to their previously occupied base.
This decision was made after the umpires discussed that Rea was going from the full windup and there is no rule against speeding up your windup in order to release the ball faster, meaning there is no balk call.
Pittsburgh’s manager, Clint Hurdle, then came out of the dugout and demanded they talk this situation over again. After a third time of talking, the umpires the reversed the reversal of the call and signaled for McCuthen to advance and score off of the balk.
This decision was made after the umpires discussed the fact that Rea’s back foot jumped off the back of the rubber during his pitching motion, which constitutes a balk.
It’s fair to say that the Padres’ manager, Andy Green, was not very happy with this decision. To see his reaction and the balk, click the link below:
READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY
2016’s 30 MLB Park Home Openers Results: Fans Go Home Disappointed 19 Times

Best home win for all 30 clubs in winning 10 – 1 over the Milwaukee Brewers Monday Apr 11, 2016 9 runs difference was the best run differential for the home clubs.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It was a bad year for the home clubs in MLB Season Openers in 2016. The road clubs won 19 of the 30 MLB Park openers. The worst defeat was at Petco Park (where the Padres lost 15 – 0).
The Cardinals featured the best win for the home side, working over the Brewers for a 10 – 1 win yesterday.
Of note, it was the last home park openers for David Ortiz and the great Vin Scully announced the lineup for his last Dodger Stadium opener, in what was the 30th home opener on the itinerary.
The American League went 5 – 10 and the National League went 6 – 9.
Baltimore, San Francisco, Chicago Cubs and Detroit were the only four clubs that won openers, that also won another home opener to which they were on the road.
The Cardinals had the most lopsided win at home winning 10 – 1, the Giants scored the most runs with 12, and the biggest loss and defeat for a home squad, was San Diego being bageled 15 – 0 by the Dodgers in Game 1 at Petco, in what turned out to be a 3 game home series where they were shutout in all games and outscored 25 – 0.
To end the stats here, the NL Central was the only winning division at 4 – 1, where the Brewers lost the only contest at Miller Park to the Giants.
FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball Alert For Action Apr 5, 2016: Talking Strategy + Daily Selections

Josh Robbins (Featured Fantasy Writer/60ft6in.com) Follow @Qualcomm98
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Hi, my name is Josh Robbins. I would like to share my Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) strategy with you throughout the MLB season. Fanduel is my preferred game of skill.
If you’re not familiar with the points breakdown, here’s the format utilizing a $35 million salary cap.
Scoring System: https://www.fanduel.com/spring-training?t=lobby
1 Starting Pitcher (SP)
1 Catcher (C)
1 First Baseman (1B)
1 Second Baseman (2B)
1 Third Baseman (3B)
1 Short Stop (SS)
3 Outfielders (OF) Read the rest of this entry
As the Pirates Lurch Forward Towards Opening Day, The Debate Over The Everyday Lineup Continues
Jason Rollison (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – pbcbreakdown.com) Follow @pbcbreakdown
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With John Jaso now seemingly entrenched at the top of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup, coupled with Andrew McCutchen pointed towards remaining in the number two slot, many observers now wonder what the rest of the batting order may look like against the Cardinals on April 3rd.
Despite the focus on the top of the order, it may be the bottom of the order that can take a step forward for the club.
In 2015, the seventh and eighth hitters for the Pirates performed reasonably well.
There are a couple of interesting notes when considering the Pirates’ performance form the bottom two spots in the order.
First, the 114 rating for wRC+ (weighted runs created +) led the NL from the seventh spot (100 is considered an “average” score). This will likely continue for 2016, as we will see shortly.
From the eighth spot, the wRC+ rating of 93 might seem underwhelming, yet only two teams in the NL had a rating of 100 or more. The St. Louis Cardinals were far and away the most productive in this regard, with a 110 rating.
2016 will likely be another story completely, as the changes at the top have ramifications that will be felt all the way through the order. While Pedro Alvarez‘s free swinging ways often led to his insertion in the lower third, his departure and a re-focusing on quality at bats results in a case of addition by subtraction.
If spring batting orders over the past week are any indication, Jordy Mercer, Gregory Polanco or Josh Harrison could be reliable bats at the 7th spot.
READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY
Odds To Win The 2016 NL MVP In The MLB: Best And Worst Bets

Yasiel Puig looked like he could be an all world player when he first started his career, however his lackluster attitude over the last few years has people wondering whether or not he will ever make good on his talent. His OPS has gone from .925 to .863 to .758 in the last 3 years respectively. At his optimum output in 2013, that would at least put him consideration for votes toward the award.
Hunter Stokes (MLB Reports Part _Owner – Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Much like the ‘Senior Circuit’ itself, the contenders for the 2016 NL MVP is very top heavy. Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt and Giancarlo Stanton are the top 4 favorites to win the Award.
Harper at +200 is not a foregone conclusion, and as just 2/1 odds, the number is not great to wager. I do think the man will win 5 of the next 10 MVP Awards, so I am not placing that mark in the bad value either.
Giancarlo Stanton would have a great chance to win the honor if he could stay healthy – with the Marlins being over .500 for the first time since 2008. It is possible the big slugger could bash out 10 more Home Runs to the next day.
Andrew McCutchen is a perennial contender who should also be in the mix this season. If the Pirates win 90 games again, which I project them to, then Cutch should have another top 5 finish.
Paul Goldschmidt at +550, with a chance for the D’Backs to be in the fight all year could finally be the defining moment for the guy who has finished 2nd in the voting for the last 2 years he has played a full year. Read the rest of this entry
Is Matt Joyce The Answer To The Pirates’ 4th Outfielder Spot?

Matt Joyce had a down year in 2015, but his history as a starter in the outfield could make him the Pirates’ best fourth outfielder option come Opening Day.
Jason Rollison (Featured Baseball Website Writer – piratesbreakdown.com) Follow @pbcbreakdown
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The final signing of the Pirates’ off-season might have happened last week when the team signed outfielder Matt Joyce to a minor league contract.
The move wasn’t a major one, but it may have filled one final need the Pirates had before heading into spring training: the fourth outfielder position.
He’ll be competing with Sean Rodriguez, Jason Rogers, Mike Morse, and Jake Goebbert for playing time, and to be the primary outfielder off the bench come Opening Day. Out of the available choices, is Joyce the best option the Pirates have for that role?
I’d argue yes. As a fourth outfielder, a player is the first option off the bench to give either Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, or Gregory Polanco a day off, and would also be used as a pinch-hitter and possibly a late game defensive replacement.
Joyce has by far the most major league experience in the outfield (5163.0 innings) compared to the next closest in Morse (3061.2) and Rodriguez (662.1).
He also has a higher career WAR at 9.0, the next closest being Rodriguez at 7.3. He’s the only one of the group to be an All-Star may be arguably the best overall offensive player of the group (Morse has more power, but has fallen off since his career 2012 campaign).
BBBA Audio Podcasts For The Week That Was
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast Follow @sullybaseball
(Sully has a Streak of 20 minute shows everyday since Oct.24/2012 – archives for the week listed below) |
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 19, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 18, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 17, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 16, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 15, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 14, 2016
- Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 13, 2016
Odds To Win The Overall Homer Crown In 2016 MLB Baseball: Battle Of The Big Fly’s

Stanton has light tower power – and should lead the NL and MLB in Homers if he can remain healthy for a whole year. In just 74 Games Played last campaign, the big slugger belted 27 HRs. The problem is always staying on the field. There is no reason to think he can’t crack 50+ HRs if he played a full season. To aid his efforts as the biggest favorite to win this years MLB Homer crown – is that Marlins Park is bringing in the fences and also lowering them.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am flat-out wondering why these guys failed to include Chris Carter on this list? For a prolific Home Run Hitter over the last 3 years (90 bombs), this guy is getting no respect.
I mean they have Corey Seager, Matt Adams and Freddie Freeman at the +20000 clip, but no word for a guy who finished 2nd in 2014 MLB Homers?
Carter is headed to the best home run park in the Major Leagues in Milwaukee, and will not be on a competitive club, where his AB may be in question. Sure the guy might fan 250 times in 600 AB this season, but he may crack 40 taters for all we know.
I have requested this gambling website send me the odd for Carter (you can request a player that wasn’t listed), and I will get back to you shortly.
Let me start by saying that if Giancarlo Stanton remains healthy for a full year that he should definitely lead the Majors in longballs. Despite us predicting him to do this, his odd only is listed as our #5 value best bet on the board. Read the rest of this entry
All 30 MLB Park Home Openers With Local Start Times For 2016
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The 2015 season is over and it is time to start planning for attending games in the 2016 year. This is our third straight year of posting all of the Season Openers for all of the parks.
I have been fortunate enough to see home openers in 8 different parks already in the last 4 years.
We have updated the previous article on this because all of the home start times have been posted.
We have also provided 30 links to all of the best chaser guides for the stadiums. This will aid you in making your travel plans for the 2016 season.
WTF Pittsburgh? Are You Contenders Or Are You At The Kids Table?

This Pirates club has made themselves relevant in the NL for the last 3 years with appearing in the Wild Card game – and pushing the Cards to the brink of elimination in 2014. However this organization has looked petty in looking too much to the bottom line so far this offseason. They have lost 4 players from the 98 win team of 2015 – and only have Jon Niese and Juan Nicasio as guys that help the MLB squad in 2016. They still have 3 months to go, but thus far the winter has been a tire fire.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What the hell are the Pirates doing this offseason?!! I mean I have tonnes of respect for Neil Huntington – however the brass has made some highly questionable moves to save some money.
The Pittsburgh window to win is 2 – 3 more years, yet it almost looks likes the management is throwing a preemptive strike to blow the club up.
Okay, I may be overstating the facts a little here – as there is still well over 3 months before the club even hits Spring Training.
The club first non-tendered Pedro Alvarez – rather than head to the last year of Arbitration with him. He would have made in the neighborhood of $10 MIL in 2016 – I get that, but losing a 25 – 30 HR out of your lineup will be tough to adjust for. Read the rest of this entry
Arizona Diamondbacks Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

The Diamondbacks doesn’t have many long term contracts that carry out big $ – so they were able to throw a whole bunch of dough to sign Zack Greinke to the biggest Annual Average Contract in MLB History. Despite that deal, there maybe more signings and acquisitions on the way with the total team payroll still being under $100 MIL thus far for next campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So in one signing of Zack Greinke, the Diamondbacks effectively doubled their 2016 salary outlook for the year. There was a reason Arizona could make such an expensive deal – and it wasn’t just because of their recent TV contract.
The franchise has done a decent job in slashing payroll over the last few years. They also have the best value on the board with the Paul Goldschmidt contract through 2019.
The big lanky 1B finished runnerup for the MVP in the National League for the second time in 3 years during 2015 – and will only earn $40 MIL over the next four seasons. Only Andrew McCutchen’s 6 YRs/$51 MIL extension rivals the kind of value the club has received in the league.
David Oritz Is Retiring After 2016: It Is A Perfect Time To Eliminate The DH!

David Ortiz has been the quintessential DH in the AL over the last 15 years. Boston is in contention perennially because he put up great #s compared to his competition. Realistically, only he and a few other players are even at the All-Star level, and if given the choice if there were no DH slot in the game, I guarantee you their teams would brave their physical deficiencies – in order to keep their bat in the lineup. The AL has had the Designated Hitter Position since the start of the 1973 season. But that was before Free Agency where the American League has an advantage for signing top guys because of the DH slot, and then there were no Interleague Games, where the AL has a 12 year winning streak, and is routinely posting over a .540 Win Percentage against.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Onwer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
David Ortiz has announced he is retiring after the next season. Thus ends the greatest Left Handed DH of ALL-Time, (sorry Harold Baines).
The Designated Hitter Position has been taking a hit for effectiveness more and more over the last several years, and more teams than not use it as a rest for veterans.
Listed on MLB.com, only 5 DH’s qualified for the Batting Title race in 2015.
Billy Butler had a crappy year.
David Ortiz started slowly being hampered by the new foot in the box rule, before settling in to a 37 HRs and 108 RBI campaign – with a .913 OPS. Read the rest of this entry
All 2430 MLB Games In 2016 On One Page Post
Ballpark Chaser Guides Links Courtesy of http://www.ballparkchasers.com:
Also do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here
Before You read the Month Schedule, here are 30 Links to Ballpark Chaser Guides, that will aid you in your road trip quests.
American League
AL EAST
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY (New York Yankees)
Fenway Park, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)
Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON (Toronto Blue Jays)
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)
Oriole Park, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Orioles)
AL CENTRAL
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI (Detroit Tigers)
U.S. Cellular, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)
Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH (Cleveland Indians)
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO (Kansas City Royals)
AL WEST
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA (Los Angeles Angels)
Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)
Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)
Safeco Field, Seattle, WA (Seattle Mariners)
O.co Coliseum, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)
National League
NL EAST
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Phillies)
Nationals Park, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)
Marlins Park, Miami, FL (Miami Marlins)
Citi Field, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)
Turner Field, Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Braves)
NL CENTRAL
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)
Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL (Chicago Cubs)
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)
NL WEST
AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA (San Francisco Giants)
Petco Park, San Diego, CA (San Diego Padres)
Chase Field, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Coors Field, Denver, CO (Colorado Rockies)
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)
Also do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here














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