Blog Archives

Sully Baseball Podcast – All Star Thoughts, Machado Trade and the Glory of Zach Pop – July 19, 2018

Manny+Machado+Philadelphia+Phillies+vs+Baltimore+XItpy7U9ftll

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images North America

I have some thoughts on how to tweak the All Star Game.

Plus the Orioles did something right, getting quantity for Manny Machado. One of the players Baltimore got has one of the best baseball names I have heard in years: Zach Pop.

Tinkering and spitballing in this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the NEW In Memoriam video.

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Sully Baseball Podcast – Dodgers need to learn from the Orioles mistakes – May 27, 2018

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Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

The Orioles blew a big chance to kick start a rebuilding process by holding onto Zach Britton for too long. The Dodgers need to learn from that mistake if their season does not turn around soon.

Pulling the trigger before it is too late in this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

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MLB Power Rankings/2018 Win Predictions + Playoff Predictions

Season Start Rankings (Left Of team in Parenthesis)

American League (1247 – 1183)

AL East (422 – 388) Win Predictions in Parenthesis For The Year

(3) NY Yankees 96 – 66 Division Winner #3 Seed

(7) Boston Red Sox 90 – 72   WC #1

(13) Baltimore Orioles 86 – 76

(16) Toronto Blue Jays 83 – 79

(27) Tampa Bay Rays 67 – 95 Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Podcast – Talking Orioles with Justin McGuire – February 27, 2018

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Justin McGuire, writer and host of the Baseball By the Book and Locked on Orioles Podcast, joins the show to discuss the Orioles chances in 2018.

Talking birds on this episode of Sully Baseball.

Follow Justin McGuire on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Follow the Baseball by the Book podcast by clicking HERE.

Follow the Locked on Orioles Podcast by clicking HERE.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

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MLB Master Doubleheader Schedule For 2018

AT &T Park in San Francisco and O.co Coliseum in Oakland are part of this year’s first doubleheader opportunity available by ground in 2018. The Bay Area usually holds 3 – 4 doubleheader chances a year to attend full games in both parks.

Each year we write the full doubleheader master schedule to see all games you can in one year (within reasonable driving or ground distance to cover, if not see all of both games). 

This season is no different, although this amount of contests is rapidly dwindling each campaign with staggered start times for a lot of clubs (in particular in April and on Saturdays), coupled with the time per game increasing, it makes it tougher than ever to watch 2 full games at venues.

We will add much more to this list as the year goes on, and definitely one thing to watch for is the ESPN Sunday Night Games TBD’s as the summer progresses. 

Like Ernie Banks once said “Let’s Play 2.”

Tues Apr 3

SF 12:45/OAK 7:05

Wed Apr 4

LAA 1:07/SD 7:10

Sun Apr 8

PHI 1:35/WSH 8:08

NYY 1:05/WSH 8:08 Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Podcast – Wanting AL Anarchy, Appreciating Jered Weaver and Remembering 2014 Orioles – August 22, 2017

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Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America

I am doing a podcast to save a listener.

Well, to relieve your boredom, let’s see if we can have an 8 way tie for the AL Wild Card.

Also I give props to the career of Jered Weaver and figure out which Orioles team was the team that should have won.

Killing time on this episode of Sully Baseball.

While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.

Screen Shot 2017-08-22 at 1.57.23 PM

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Classic Matchups – Milwaukee vs. Baltimore on June 3, 1980

The Milwaukee Brewers played in the American League East division from 1972-93. In 2017, the Brewers will play many of their old foes from the East in Interleague matchups.  Baltimore, Boston, Toronto, and the New York Yankees are all on the schedule this season.  To celebrate the glory days of the old AL East, I’ve created a “classic opponents” series of blog posts.

Milwaukee welcomes Baltimore to Miller Park this afternoon to kick off a three game series. Back on June 3, 1980, Moose Haas of the Brewers came home to Baltimore to try to pick up his first win in front of family and friends.  Haas helped his team win the Baltimore City Sandlot Championship held at Memorial Stadium when he was 16 years old. This time he’d be facing the likes of Al Bumbry, Eddie Murray, and his personal nemesis, Lee May.

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brewerslogo

 

This Isn’t The Kind of Performance Kevin Gausman Had in Mind

Fresh off having one of the more disappointing starting rotations in baseball last year, the Baltimore Orioles didn’t do much to change this group in 2017.

Instead, they were hoping their young hurlers would take another step forward to lead the unit as a whole. That included Kevin Gausman, who parlayed a strong second half and impressive performance during Spring Training into an Opening Day start against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The thing is, his strong showing after the 2016 All-Star break hasn’t exactly carried over into this year.

Through 24 innings of work (five starts), the right-hander has posted a 1-2 record with an unsightly 7.50 ERA and 2.04 WHIP. Those looking for some solace in his peripheral numbers won’t find it, with a FIP (5.65), xFIP (5.51) and SIERA (5.39) all north of 5.00.

The Orioles need him to pitch like an ace this year, but he’s done the complete opposite. What’s going on?

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Jonathan Schoop Needs to Stop Swinging So Much

Every successful big-league hitter goes down their own path toward becoming productive at the plate, but the method in which that happens is normally rooted in plate discipline.

It takes certain players longer than others to make improvements in that area, but when the light switch goes off, everything falls into place — they start hitting the ball hard with more frequency and see a rise in multiple offensive categories. Or, if they were already an established hitter, something unexpected could result from it, like an increase in power.

Jose Altuve and his unique 2016 campaign is a great example, but that’s not the only way a hitter can find success — sometimes, being more aggressive is the key, like it was for Robinson Cano.

However, a lack of plate discipline can also prevent some from potentially taking their game to the next level, and that’s what’s happening to Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop.

Compiling a career-high 647 plate appearances in 2016 enabled him to set a few personal highs in various offensive categories, like in home runs (25), doubles (38) and RBI (82). But despite ranking amongst the top-7 among qualified hitters at his position in each of those categories, his wRC+ (97) and fWAR (2.0) don’t even rank among the top 15.

The key to watching his offense kick it up a notch is by improving that plate discipline.

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Boston Red Sox Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.

fenway park 2

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

DAY OFF Read the rest of this entry

Toronto Blue Jays Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.

Rogers Home Opener will be on Monday Apr 10, 2017, to kick off the 29th year the ballpark has been playing games there. Last year the Jays drew 3.4 Million Fans. and that is the biggest total since the World Series Years - or the 1st 5 years of the venue.

Rogers Home Opener will be on Tuesday Apr 111, 2017, to kick off the 29th year the ballpark has been playing games there. Last year the Jays drew 3.4 Million Fans. and that is the biggest total since the World Series Years – or the 1st 5 years of the venue.

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

DAY OFF

Monday, Apr 3

Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park  (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

Tuesday Apr 4 

DAY OFF

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Odds To Win The 2017 MLB League Pennants: You Will Never Guess Who May Have The Best Value

No teams in the AL would be faoored against the Cubs should they face the reigning Champs, so it mau be easier to bet them just to win the Pennant

No teams in the AL would be favored against the Cubs should they face the reigning Champs, so it may be easier to bet them just to win the AL Pennant.

There is a reason why these odds value favorites are not any real difference for the Odds To Win The World Series and these will be any different. 

Basically, you could just go ahead with a World Series bet for anyone you think that can win the Title, and then simply hedge when it comes  to the Fall Classic.

I always say that MLB Power Rankings should have a lot to do with odds to win any type of Division, League Pennant or World Series.

The 1st thing that jumped out to me here was that the LA Angels are at 35/1 for the Junior Circuit.  Should they face any of the Senior Circuit’s top clubs, they would probably all be +150 underdogs.

If you were to pick the Angels at +3500, and then parlay that into a +150 wager in the World Series, than the overall odd shoots +8750 rather than the +7500.

Personally, the Angels have had a great winter to shore up the defense – and have addressed a few roster spots with a deeper bench. 

Is it that foreign to think that the Los Angeles Angels could jump out quickly if Mike Trout can carry them?

In their 1st 60 games of the season, the Halo's effectively miss the Indians and Red Sox on the docket, and only have to play 3 games versus the Tigers as well. Yes, they play a huge chunk of their games vs the AL West, but they have improved against all of the clubs as of right now. Mike Scioscia's squad gets to play 4 games at Tampa - and 4 games vs the Twins, 3 vs Toronto and Atlanta at home, with 3 at Kc and Miami. The club are slated to host the Braves for 3 games. Did I mention they play the A's 10 times in their 1st 60 contests as well? I could see them with 34 or 36 wins at the 60 game mark In an exhausting stretch from Apr 3, to May 15, the team also plays 43 games in 46 nights, with 20 of them at home, but that is a great itinerary to kick off the campaign.

In their 1st 60 games of the season, the Halo’s effectively miss the Indians and Red Sox on the docket, and only have to play 3 games versus the Tigers as well. Yes, they play a huge chunk of their games vs the AL West, but they have improved against all of the clubs as of right now. Mike Scioscia’s squad gets to play 4 games at Tampa – and 4 games vs the Twins, 3 vs Toronto and Atlanta at home, with 3 at KC and Miami. Did I mention they play the A’s 10 times in their 1st 60 contests as well? I could see them with 34 or 36 wins at the 60 game mark In an exhausting stretch from Apr 3, to May 15, the team also plays 43 games in 46 nights, with 20 of them at home, but that is a great itinerary to kick off the campaign.

Lets say they are 8 or 10 games over at that point, I could actually see the organization spending a little bit more money in the 2nd half to acquire talent. 

Also if they can withstand until Albert Pujols gets back healthy everyday as the permanent DH.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the Astros, M’s and Rangers still better for the Division, but the gap is not that much….Particularly if the Astros don’t add a Starting Pitcher, the Mariners don’t add a slugging First Baseman, and Texas is hesitant to spend more money on payroll.

The Angels did win 98 Games in 2014 and 85 games in 2015, before receding to 74 victories last campaign. 

Mike Trout is due for one of those just carry the club on his back seasons, (not that he hasn’t been awesome individually in that time span.

If the Cubs make the World Series, than only the Boston Red Sox or Cleveland Indians may even come close to an even match for an opponent, with the reigning champs still holding a distinct advantage.

Boston’s +270 is a brutal look at an odd for the AL.  I am not infatuated with the odd of +600 for the World Series either.  They play in a tough AL East where all 5 teams could compete.

Both the Indians and Astros are fairly pitted for their odds towards the AL Pennant.

Texas continues to be the oddball 2nd favorite in the AL West despite having a poor winter thus far. 

News that they will probably sign Mike Napoli should buoy some spirits, and I am willing to acknowledge that when it happens, yet I feel they still need more.

If the Rangers also swing a Jurickson Profar for a Tampa Bay starter like Jake Odorizzi, then I could par them up with Houston.  As of right now, they are two players short.

I still love the odds for the Nationals even though I wish they wouldn’t have come to near Spring Training without a proven Closer.

The more we draw near to the regular season, the less I like the Yankees too in 2017.  They are going to be way too dependent on Gary Sanchez setting the world on fire to contend in my opinion.

New York’s rotation does not instill confidence despite having a lock down Relief Core.  Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are in their mid 30’s now – where the speed doesn’t play as good.

Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius clubbed 20 HRs each in 2016, but so did 116 other players last campaign. 

These guys never walk either with OBP’s of .300 and .304 respectivelY.  Chase Headley is average at best.

For the Bronx Bombers to duplicate even their 84 win season last year, I think Sanchez will have to destroy 40 – 50 Jacks into the seats. 

Detroit has better Starting pitching and a world-class offense compared to the Pinstripers, yet are behind them in the odds?

Speaking of Detroit.  For being the 2nd favorite team in the AL Central, they possess the 6th place odd out of all 2nd place listed clubs. 

The Tigers can beat up the White Sox and Twins all years, and the Royals are all of a sudden not looking as good either,  I am all over the Motown Boys.

St. Louis, for the record, are the 5th out of 6th 2nd place listed odds, and are fully valued at +1250.

The Cubs are the cream of the crop, but wagering the club for +180 is not worth it.  You are better off wagering them to win the Fall Classic at +370 instead. 

There is no AL team that Chicago would be an underdog against.  Having said that, the money is not there to plunk down any cabbage for this.

I only wish you could bet the field in the NL vs the Cubs.  The Dodgers are also not a good at +435, mostly because Chicago sits in their path.

If I were to bet the Mets ever to win the NL Pennant, it would be in the mid season when I could see their rotation in action and remain healthy.

Odds To Win The American League

Blue Bold Means Good Vale with #value confidence in parenthesis

Maroon Bold Means Bad Vale with # value confidence in parenthesis

Boston Red Sox +270 (3)

Cleveland Indians +445

Houston Astros +680

Texas Rangers +900 (1)

Toronto Blue Jays +960 (3)

Seattle Mariners +1250

NY Yankees +1350 (2)

Detroit Tigers +1550 (5)

Baltimore O’s +1550

KC Royals +1850

LA Angels +3500 (1)

TB Rays +3700

Oakland A’s +7000

Minnesota Twins +7000

Chicago White Sox +7000

Odds To Win The Nationals League

Chicago Cubs +180 (5)

Dodgers +435 (4)

Washington Nationals +600 (2)

NY Mets +735

SF Giants +740

St.Louis Cardinals +1250 (4)

Colorado Rockies +2400

Pittsburgh Pirates +2400

Miami Marlins +3800

Arizona D’Backs +5000

Philadelphia Phillies +6000

Cincinnati Reds +7500

Atlanta Braves +9000

Milwaukee Brewers +10000

SD Padres +10000

Odds courtesy of betdsi.eu

AL vs NL

*** 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 partners***

A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.

To Subscribe and listen daily to  ‘Our Lead Personality’  Sully’s 20 Minutes Daily (every day since Oct.24, 2012) Podcast click here.  Guaranteed listening to the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast will be the best time you invest in online!

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 4, 2017

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John G. Zimmerman

One of the most intriguing “What Ifs” in baseball history is the question “What if the Reds did NOT trade Frank Robinson to Cincinnati?”

Truth be told, while it was a HORRIBLE trade for the Reds, it is hard to see them having a BETTER decade in the 1970’s with him as they had without him.

Oiling the Big Red Machine on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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New York Yankees Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Monday Apr 3

Off Day

Tuesday Apr 4

Yankees @ Rays 7:10 Read the rest of this entry

All 2430 MLB Games Schedule In 2017 On One Page Post

 

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)

Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)

Pirates @ Red Sox  2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)

Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)

Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park  (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)

Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)

Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)

Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)

Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)

M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)

Angels @ A’s 10:10  O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)

Tuesday Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

There are no Interleague Games On this Day
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MLB Schedule For MLB In Sept/Oct Of 2017 On One Page Post

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

SEPT/OCT

Friday  Sept 1 (15 Games):

Braves @ Cubs 2:20

Red Sox @ Yankees 7:05

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Blue Jays @ O’s 7:05

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

Phillies @ Marlins 7:10

Angels @ Rangers 8:05

Mets @ Astros 8:10

Royals @ Twins 8:10

Rays @ White Sox 8:10

Nationals @ Brewers 8:10

D’Backs @ Rockies 8:40

Dodgers @ Padres 10:10

A’s @ M’s 10:10

Cardinals @ Giants 10:15 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule For MLB In Aug Of 2017 On One Page Post

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

Tuesday Aug 1 (15 Games)

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Tigers @ Yankees 7:05

Royals @ Tigers 7:05

Indians @ Red Sox 7:10

Nationals @ Marlins 7:10

Dodgers @ Braves 7:35

Cardinals @ Brewers 7:40

D’Backs @ Cubs 8:05

M’s @ Rangers 8:05

Rays @ Astros 8:10

Blue Jays @ White Sox 8:10

Mets @ Rockies 8:40

Giants @ A’s 10:05

Phillies @ Angels 10:07

Twins @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule For ML:B In July Of 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JULY: 

Saturday July 1 (15 Games):

Red Sox @ Blue Jays 1:07

Rangers @ White Sox 2:10

Twins @ Royals 2:15

Braves @ A’s 4:05

Giants @ Pirates 4:05

Rays @ O’s 4:05

Cubs @ Reds 4:10

Marlins @ Brewers 4:10

Phillies @ Mets 4:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:15

Yankees @ Astros 7:15

Nationals @ Cardinals 7;15

M’s @ Angels 10:07

Rockies @ D’Backs 10:10

Dodgers @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In June 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JUNE

Thursday June 1 (8 Games):

A’s @ Indians 1:10

Brewers @ Mets 1:10

Dodgers @ Cardinals 1:45

Rockies @ M’s 3:40

Red Sox @ O’s 7:05

Yankees @ Blue Jays 7:07

D’Backs @ Marlins 7:10

Twins @ Angels 10:07 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In May 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

MAY

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

Week 5

Monday May 1 (11 Games):

Blue Jays @ Yankees 7:05

Rays @ Marlins 7:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

O’s @ Red Sox 7:10

Pirates @ Reds

Mets @ Braves

Phillies @ Cubs 8:05

Rangers @ Astros 8:10

White Sox @ Royals 8:15

Brewers @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ Dodgers 10:10 Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule In April 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)

Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)

Pirates @ Red Sox  2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)

Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)

Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park  (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)

Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)

Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)

Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)

Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)

M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)

Angels @ A’s 10:10  O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)

Tuesday  Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Read the rest of this entry

1st 2 Weeks Schedule Of The 2017 MLB Season (Includes All Home Openers + Interleague)

Hosts the 1st ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME of the year,,

Busch Stadium Hosts the 1st ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME of the year vs the World Series reigning champs the Chicago Cubs.

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME

WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

There are no Interleague Games On this Day Read the rest of this entry

MLB Doubleheader Master Schedule In 2017

Best Source of Information for all 30 MLB Ballparks - and network of stadium afficionado's

Best Source of Information for all 30 MLB Ballparks – and network of stadium afficionado’s

First off, if you have never been to one of the 30 MLB Parks, we don’t advise on doing a doubleheader as part of your initial experience with the venue.  2 Games in one day takes a lot of travel,planning, and receiving the utmost experience in a stadium requires time.

However, if you are already versed in a park, than we are giving you a list of all doable Doubleheaders for the entire 2017 Calendar MLB season,

Most of these are within 2 to  4 hours away from each other (if not a shorter distance.)

In my lifetime of ballpark chasing, I have now done almost 100 Doubleheaders as part of my journeys.  The more baseball in a day, the better I feel.

In the meantime, consider visiting my buddy Craig’s website ballparkchasers.com – and for Park Guides to every cathedral in the MLN!  If you have any questions about going to the park. hit my up – mlbreports@gmail.com Read the rest of this entry

MLB Interleague Master Schedule In 2017: AL Looking To Speedbag The NL For A 14th Straight Year

AL vs NL

We go over this every season, but I am shocked to not see that much coverage on the issue.  The American League has absolutely thrashed on the National League in Interleague for the last 13 years.

Don’t tell me this is an anomaly.  This is a massive trend.  Plus no, the answer is not to eliminate MLB Interleague to level out the playing field.

I am already not going to watch the ALL – Star Game this year because it doesn’t mean anything.  Yes. I may be in the minority of the game actually being worth something in the MidSmmer Classic.  For those keep scoring at home, the League that actually won the All Star Game incredibly played 3 less games than the loser thanks to MLB’s brilliant (insert sarcasm here) 2 – 3 – 2 format.

But I guess no one else remember’s guys high fiving each other in the dugout once they were lifted in the ALL – Star Game, so they could catch a plane.  I will watch the HR Derby, and that is it.  I digress. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2017 MLB Divisions

chicago-cubs-logo

It is coming to that time where we all start making our predictions, and also plunk down more cabbage on the yearly bets. The 1st week of the February usually will come out with Player Prop Bets, and Teams Win Totals of Over and Under.

I don’t need to remind our long term readers that we have excelled in this foray since the beginning of introducing Gambling 101 as a category to mlbreports.com.

We look to continue our 70% best bet percentage.  I am looking to bounce back in the regular season in particularly as I made up the most of the money in player props, HR Derby and World Series Odds.

Today we are focusing on the MLB Divisions.

The AL East is the strongest Division in the game as 4 clubs are at least half decent. and even Tampa Bay is not that bad. Read the rest of this entry

You Could Try To Attempt A World Record By Going To All 30 MLB Parks In 25 Days In 2017 By Driving!

baseball-map-framed-with-plaque

So I have done about everything there is to do in for World Records in going to all the 30 MLB Parks.  I was able to hit all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 Days during 2012, besting my own 2009 record of 30/24.

The only way I could have done anything more substantial was to do what my idea was in 2015.  I went to 224 MLB Games in all the 183 Days of MLB Action – live at all 30 MLB Parks, spanning the entire season – and showing up at a ballpark every single day.

I am now 40 years old and don’t feel like doing this anymore, but every year I put out a schedule for all 30 MLB Parks in the forms of a record.

I honestly don’t think that I would top 30 MLB Parks in 23 Days since there is practically never any schedule that would allow that to be attempted.  If someone on this globe wants to take a run at – I welcome it.

However, my buddy Josh Robbins holds the Ground Record (all 30 MLB Parks) done by land – in just 26 Calendar Days during the 2008 season.) Read the rest of this entry

All 30 MLB Clubs Ball Park Home Openers In 2017 With Starting Times

SunTrust Park will open up its gates for baseball for the 1st time ever on Friday Apr 14, 2017. It is the last home opener to have its game on the schedule for the 2017 Regular Season.. IMAGE - Ballparksofbaseball.com

SunTrust Park will open up its gates for baseball for the 1st time ever on Friday Apr 14, 2017. It is the last home opener to have its game on the schedule for the 2017 Regular Season..
IMAGE – Ballparksofbaseball.com

We are not too far away from Spring Training folks.  That also means that the majority of the clubs have posted start times for all of their home openers upcoming to start the season.

After this post is published we will continue to monitor the schedule for any changes and will have them updated.

The season kicks off with a trio of games in Tampa Bay, Arizona and St. Louis on Sunday Apr 2, 2017 – and the last home opener will be at the new ballpark in Atlanta (SunTrust Stadium) on Friday Apr 14, (7:35).

For those of you that love ballparks as much as I do, if you click on the actual stadium highlighted itself, it will take you to some of the best advice on how to gameplan your Ball Park Chasing adventures.

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2017 MLB World Series:

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Last time we did these odds we talked more about why clubs should be wagered on, and now I will explain how we listed our top 5 bad value bets.

The New York Yankees head the category for this one.  There is no rhyme or reason this club should be parallel with their crosstown rivals the Mets – and ahead of the Cardinals, Rangers or Mariners for their odd.

Quite simply, the club is not as good as those other squads right now.  The direction of the organization to the youth movement may change that scenario in the near future – however can you really bank on any of their Starting Pitchers in a playoff series?

Also if you have the Blue Jays and Red Sox already ahead of you on the list, a lot of other 2nd place clubs in each of the other Divisions may hav a better leg up on you to snare the 2nd Wild Card Spot.

I like the Detroit Tigers as more of a chance to make the playoffs the Bronx Bombers in 2017. I will say that if they are in contention, that the money is always there to  acquire guys midway through the year (hopefully all on expiring contracts.) Read the rest of this entry

MLB Power Rankings: Early Win Predictions In 2017

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Last Updated: Jan 24, 2017

Over the last week we have seen some factors that have changed some win totals and rankings.  Unfortunately the saddening loss of Yordano Ventura will cause the Royals to lose a win or 2.

We saw Jose Bautista re-sign with the Jays, Mark Trumbo re-sign with the O’s and the Phillies sign Michael Saunders.  These are significant signings for the 1st 2 – and Saunders becomes one of Phlladelphia’s best clubs.

The Marlins also traded for Dan Straily.

For the MLB Rankings, we are also factoring in the World Series chances of each club.

It is important to also recognize the 300 games of the MLB Interleague.  The American League holds a 13 year winning streak, and adds to their victories in the year.

So far in 2017, we have the Junior Circuit registering a record of 167 – 133 vs the Senior Circuit.  Before you throw stones at me – it was exactly this record that the AL hung vs the NL in 2015.

Going back to Kansas City….I really hope I am wrong about their pending 2017 record.  Hopefully they also go and sign a Jason Gammel or Doug Fister to help the rotation.

Lets also hope that we don’t have any more deaths have to be figure out where we have teams wins at.  It is awful.  I hate using the Miami Marlins win total as a struggle to grip with the loss of Jose Fernandez. Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2017 MLB World Series: Detroit + Seattle Best Value Right Now

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I have been preaching the Mariners as a bet for a couple of months now.  I was able to grab them at +2800 for a $50 bet already, and this was my 2nd bet to the $100 I plunked down on the Nationals at +1200.

Jerry DiPoto has been wheeling and dealing to the tune of 11 trades already this offseason. 

With the exception of the Outfield not possessing not much power (but a ton of speed that could round out the bottom of the order with SB), and the First Base position being manned by unproven commodities, the rest of the roster is pretty solid.

We noted that the Mariners threesome of Kyle Seager, Robinson Cano and Jean Segura combined for 99 HRs and then the prime DH Nelson Cruz clubbed 43 Bolts.  These guys will make up enough power to compensate for that.

While I still feel they should upgrade at 1B or another OF (Guys such as Mark Trumbo, Chris Carter or Mike Napoli) this team should have enough offense to compete in the American League.

With acquiring Yovani Gallardo and Drew Smyly in the last week, the club has added depth = and have the best 1 – 5 rotation in the AL West now.

I believe that James Paxton may also see a breakout season similar to what Danny Duffy did for the Kansas City Royals in 2916.  The LHP can reach 98 – 99 MPH on his fastball, and he has great movement.

The Relief Core has also been added to with great numbers.  Seattle’s brass has definitely robbed the Minor League System, yet this is the window of winning.

Houston deserves to be slightly favored in the AL West with the rosters as currently constructed – however if the Mariners pick up another big bat then I would give the nod to them as the Division favorite. Read the rest of this entry