Blog Archives
Who Owned Baseball April 24, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
BILL KOSTROUN/AP
Mark Teixeira homered twice, driving in 4 runs and helped the Yankees stop the Mets winning streak, 6-1 in the Bronx.
Dallas Keuchel gave the Astros 9 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks. The Astros bats were silent and the game went into extra innings. The Astros would hold on after a wild 10th and 11th inning game them a 5-4 win in Oakland.
Anthony Rizzo reached base 4 times, doubled, hit a game tying 2 run homer and scored a pair, including the go ahead run in the 11th as the Cubs topped the Reds, 7-3.
Aaron Harang held Atlanta hitless into the 5th and pitched 8 shutout innings, surrendering just 2 hits and 1 walk. He would not get a decision but the Phillies walked off 1-0 winners over the Braves.
They all owned baseball on April 24, 2015.
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 April 23, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES
Daniel Murphy got the Mets on the board early with a 3 run double and added an insurance run with an RBI single in the 7th to extend their winning streak to 10 with a 6-3 final over Atlanta.
David Phelps gave the Marlins a much needed with with 7 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks and got the 9-1 decision in Philadelphia.
Jacoby Ellsbury hustled to force a double, reached base two other times, stole a base and scored both Yankee runs to win a tight 2-1 victory in Detroit.
Masahiro Tanaka gave the Yankees another good outing, pitching into the 7th, keeping the mighty Tiger bats to only 3 hits and 1 run over 6 1/3 innings. He did not get the decision but the Yankees prevailed, 2-1.
They all owned baseball on April 23, 2015.
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 April 22, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
MORRY GASH/AP
Johnny Cueto threw 8 dominant innings, allowing just 5 hits and 2 walks and 1 run. He got the 2-1 decision for the Reds in Milwaukee.
Sonny Gray stopped an Angels lineup that the night before bombarded Oakland. He went 7 innings, giving up 2 hits while striking out 7 as the A’s rolled 9-2.
Kolten Wong singled, doubled and homered, driving in 3 and provided some highlight reel defense, helping the Cardinals take a wild 7-5 game in Washington.
Devon Travis hit a 2 run homer to give the Blue Jays the lead for good and added a second hit in a 4-2 win over Baltimore.
They all owned baseball on April 22, 2015.
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 April 21, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
Photo: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Zack Cozart went 3-5 with a pair of homers, a stolen base and 3 RBI and 3 runs scored in the wild 16-10 slugfest Reds victory in Milwaukee.
Edwin Encarnacion homered twice in the tense 13-6 Blue Jays win over Baltimore.
Jonathon Niese pitched into the 7th, allowing 1 run on a solo homer and just 3 other hits, helping the Mets to their 9th straight win in a 7-1 blow out of the Braves.
Hector Santiago pitched 6 strong innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 8, earning the 14-1 decision for the Angels over their division rival A’s.
They all owned baseball on April 21, 2015.
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 April 20, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
Elaine Thompson – AP
Luis Valbuena hit a pair of homers, driving in 3, including a go ahead shot in the 8th leading the Astros to a 7-5 win in Seattle.
Matt Kemp led a torrid San Diego attack with 3 hits, including a double, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI in a 14-3 laugher in Colorado.
Alfredo Simon pitched into the 8th inning, striking out 7, walking none and allowing a single run, winning a 2-1 pitchers duel over the Yankees in Detroit.
Anthony DeSclafani pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5, earning the 6-1 decision for the Reds over Milwaukee.
They all owned baseball on April 20, 2015.
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 April 19, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
GREG FIUME/GETTY IMAGESSte
Stephen Strasburg pitched into the 8th, allowing just 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 7 Phillies in 7 1/3 innings. He warned the 4-1 decision for Washington.
Scott Van Slyke led the red hot Dodgers to a 7-0 drubbing of the Rockies with a pair of doubles and a homer, driving in 3 and scoring a pair.
Shane Greene gave the Tigers another solid start, going 7 innings, allowing just 1 run and improving his record to 3-0 in a 9-1 blowout of the White Sox.
Nelson Cruz got three hits, including a pair of homers and a walk off single, driving in 5 runs as the Mariners erased a 10-5 hole and walked off 11-10 winners over Texas.
They all owned baseball on April 19, 2015.
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 April 18, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
TOM SZCZERBOWSKI/GETTY IMAGES
Josh Donaldson reached base 4 times and launched a walk off 10th inning homer that sealed Toronto’s 6-5 win over Atlanta.
Felix Hernandez pitched 7 solid innings, allowing just 2 hits, 1 run while striking out 12 Rangers and earning the 3-1 decision in Seattle.
Odubel Herrera reached base 4 times, doubled, scored twice, drove in a run and stole 2 bases as the Phillies won in Washington, 5-3.
Chris Heston pitched into the 8th inning, finishing with 7 2/3 and allowing 5 hits and 1 run on a solo homer, earning a much needed 4-1 win for the defending champion Giants over Arizona.
They all owned baseball on April 18, 2015.
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 April 16, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
TOM SZCZERBOWSKI – GETTY IMAGES
Chris Archer threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 11 as the Rays stopped Toronto, 4-2.
John Lackey kept the Brewers scoreless for 7 innings, striking out 8 and walking just one, earning the 4-0 decision in St. Louis.
Kurt Suzuki went 2-4 with a homer and 2 runs batted in, helping the Twins win the game 8-5 and take the series from Kansas City.
Lucas Duda collected 3 hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in the eventual winning run in the 7th as the Mets snuck past Miami, 7-5.
They all owned baseball on April 16, 2015.
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 April 15, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
Jared Wickerham – Getty Images
Alfredo Simon helped continue the dominant start by Detroit with 8 innings of 2 hit shutout ball, walking none and getting the 1-0 decision in Pittsburgh.
Devon Travis went 3-4 with a double and a homer, driving in a pair as the Blue Jays rolled over Tampa Bay, 12-7.
Travis Wood threw 7 shutout innings, striking out 7 Reds and allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks, earning the 5-0 win for the Cubs.
Adeiny Hechavarria went 3-3 with a homers and a sacrifice fly, driving in 3 and scoring 2 for the Marlins 6-2 victory in Atlanta.
They all owned baseball on April 15, 2015.
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 April 14, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES
Giancarlo Stanton reached base 5 times, doubled, scored twice and drove in 4 as the Marlins cruised to an 8-2 final in Atlanta.
Anthony DeSclafani threw 7 shutout innings, letting up only 2 hits and 2 walks while getting the 3-2 win for the Reds over the Cubs.
Steven Souza, Jr. went 3-5 with a homer and scored the go ahead run in 8th as Tampa Bay topped Toronto, 3-2.
Shane Greene pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and walking none, earning the 2-0 decision for Detroit in Pittsburgh.
They all owned baseball on April 14, 2015.
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 April 13, 2015 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2015 #WOB Standings
Photo – Matt Stone, Boston Herald
Mookie Betts reached base 3 times, homered, stole two bases on the same play, drove in 4 and stole a homer, leading the Red Sox to a 9-4 victory in their home opener against Washington.
Jake Odorizzi allowed just 2 hits and 1 run over 8 innings, earning the 2-1 decision for the Rays over Toronto.
Jorge Soler went 3-5 with two homers, including a game tying shit, driving in 4 and scoring 3 runs including the game winner in the 7-6 extra inning triumph for the Cubs over Cincinnati.
Jacob deGrom pitched shutout ball into the 7th, finishing with 6 1/3 scoreless frames as the Mets topped Philadelphia, 2-0.
They all owned baseball on April 13, 2015.
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.
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions + The Week Ahead For The Contenders
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Based on last week’s 4 – 1 – 1 record for picking the best valued odds on the 6 Divisions, I am sticking with the same teams for value again as nothing has really changed.
My only loss for picking the selections, was that Atlanta dropped from +700 to +1000. I broke even with none of the NL West odds changing.
My AL East pick of the Yankees proved worthy – as they went from +1000 to +800.
My AL Central wager of the week was Cleveland, and they jumped from +2500 to +1800.
The Biggest registered bet was on the Mariners, shaving off a +3500 to a now +2500. This is the only prognostication I actually put real money on down.
It was a clean sweep for me to win on the American League.
I was 1 – 1 – 1 in the National League. My St. Louis to rise as a favorite worked in plotting the week. They are now tied with the Brewers for the odds to win the NL Central.
The Cardinals came up just enough to break me with a .500 record for NL picks.
I have eliminated the Jays and Rays from the Divisional races. Any double digit deficit will result in this automatically for the rest of the campaign.
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions: Betting The Longshots The Only Value Left
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Well its another banner prognostication period for me. Last time we checked on the Divisions, I had the Rays, Angels, Royals, Nationals, Dodgers and Pirates as the best value plays.
I wasn’t expecting Tampa to trade David Price at that point, so I will lose that wager. I also lost the Bucs value pick, even though they were better odds for the most part of the 3 weeks until the losing streak started.
Overall, the Royals jumped from +800 to just +125 as they skyrocketed up the Division – and now have amassed a 2 game lead over Detroit.
The Dodgers actually had some value 3 weeks ago at -225. Hope you put some cabbage on them, because now they are -800.
The same can be said for Baltimore, pole-vaulting from +160 – all the way to -900. They are the biggest favorite in any AL Division.
Washington has played great baseball in the last 21 days, opening up a 6 game lead in the NL East. They blitzed from -190, to now being -1600. That odd is not worth wagering anymore..
Los Angeles (on AL Side) have taken over the lead in the AL West by a half game on Oakland, and are still a +125 underdog, to the A’s -150 mark.
It was still good enough to venture from +175 to +125 now, and make me a 4 – 2 prediction selector for the last 3 weeks in duration. Let’s have it this time around. If I don’t feel a team has a chance at the Division, i will leave them off the lists.
How All Of The Reds Hitters Were Acquired: 2014 Roster Tree – Cincy Has Done This Old School
Get used to seeing more of Billy Hamilton swiping bases in the 2nd half. If he keeps up his pace after about the 110 game mark, he will end the year stealing nearly 70 bags and scoring 80+ Runs. He has hit for his best BA ever as a professional in the last 3 months, and is a big reason why the Reds are on the fringe of contention as we speak. There is no doubt the 2nd RD Draft Pick in 2009 is the odds on favorite to win the NL Rookie Of The Year in 2014. Something our website predicted this spring.
How All Of The Reds Hitters Were Acquired:
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
In Cincy, you are either Drafted, or signed as a Free Agent usually. Other than Brandon Phillips, and his injury replacement Kristopher Negron, all other members of the offense were either drafted or signed as a Free Agents.
This shows a remarkable history of selecting amateur players with the likes of: Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier, Devin Mesoraco, Billy Hamilton, Chris Heisey and Zack Cozart.
Add that in with some Free Agent signings like Ryan Ludwick, Brayan Pena, Ramon Santiago, and you are left with an instant team, add water and stir.
The club signing Jack Hannahan maybe wasn’t such a great idea, but then again, the bench hasn’t been that great this year either, with the exception of a nice job as the backup backstopper in Pena.
The bench has not performed well, and has been needed profusely with injuries to Votto and Phillips.
Still, you have to commend the organization on its draft history. I mean the Blue Jays hardly have developed any Infielders in the last 10 years other than Adam Lind.
Sorry to dig on the Canadian squad, but they still only have Lind as a draft pick currently playing in their lineup.
This is not an article on Toronto, but before I depart with them on my mind, they receive full credit for fleecing the Pirates, and the Reds here, for snatching Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, for a few years of Scott Rolen at the end of his career.
EE also couldn’t be a DH in the NL, and his defense anywhere was not that average back then anyway. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Trade Deadline Breakdown 2014 + The August Aftermath
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It was a flurry of action that baseball really needed. Half way through the day, I was amazed their was actually day games.
Oakland and Detroit pushed all of their chips in, and you have to think they are pretty much done with transactions, although one of them doing an August deal could prompt the other to do the same.
I am holding back reservations for judging the Pirates, Blue Jays and Royals….however they all must be the “MLB clubhouse leaders” in August acquisitions to challenge for playoff slots.
Although KC better have a better idea than having Raul Ibanez take regular AB at 1B..That is horrible..
It wasn’t like the club didn’t know Eric Hosmer was injured badly.
I am also about throwing Ruben Amaro‘s career about 10 second from a toe-tag (and those ten seconds are August), for standing pat on his 47 – 60 aging core.
Like I have said so many times on twitter and social media outlets. Someone teach this man some basic economics.
Take a lesson from Boston, and trade-off assets, to receive younger ones in the process, then you can turn around and spend every red cent in Free Agency in the offseason.. Read the rest of this entry
Current Odds To Win The 2014 MLB Divisions
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With the trade deadline lurking this week, you have to factor this in when you are making bets.
I would be shocked if the Rays trade David Price before July.31, 2014. This team has erased so many deficits since 2008, and they have been the best team in the league for the last 25% of the year.
I would also predict the Royals to add a bat for the last 2 months.
Pittsburgh has a lot of money in their wallets for a few salary dumps even if they have to wait for the non-waiver deadline.
Cincinnati is fading fast and needs to wheel and deal for some replacement help.
St. Louis has never played well without Molina, and while I love the A.J. Pierzynski addition, they must not stay stagnant here.
The Yankees should break the bank on several more trades now that they are going to be Luxury Tax Abusers yet again!
The Braves should do a deal, yet they have been hampered by all of the payroll B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla eat up. Maybe 2014 is not their year.
MLB ALL – Star Break Report Cards – National League
The best letter grade we gave out was to the Milwaukee Brewers, The team pole vaulted out to a fast start, and despite other clubs having a lot more talent than this bunch, young players have emerged for the Brew Crew. Even with recent play, the other teams have had injury trouble while Milwaukee is relatively healthy. Still with 4 clubs within 3.5 games or better in the NL Central, this should be a dogfight to the bitter end.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Division GBL Letter Grade
NL EAST
T1. WSH 51 – 42: – (C+)
Have dealt with a plethora of injuries to Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos, Adam LaRoche and Doug Fister.
Jayson Werth had a nice hot streak right before the end of the 1st half.
The team with limited flaws has just not taken off like it should.
Gio Gonzalez hasn’t found his form yet.
T1. ATL 52 – 43: – (B-)
This team has a nice 14 – 6 stretch to end the 1st half.
When you consider the club has withstood year ending injuries to Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gavin Floyd.
Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton are making 25% of the team payroll and are posting anemic numbers. The older Upton has done better in the last 10 games.
Evan Gattis and Freddie Freeman have kept the team afloat, and whenever Justin Upton hits, this team wins.
A great patchwork job done by the Starting Pitchers replacements. Aaron Harang and Alex Wood have done spade work.
Still one of the best Bullpens in the game. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The record for predicting odds last week was 4 – 3 – 3.
The Rays have kept chipping away at their odds, by having a 4 – 2 week. At +8000 for the World Series, this is still tremendous value. I actually like the +1800 for the division even better.
Baltimore is holding onto a firm grasp of the AL East (4 games over TOR – and 5 Games over NYY), so how the hell do the oddsmakers have the Blue Jays favored slightly more than the O’s.
I will take the win, and leave the Birds as a best pick this week. I was amazed to see the Jays maintained a +1400 clip despite having a pitiful week, and see the injuries continue to rise. Read the rest of this entry
The Latest Odds To Win Each MLB Division In 2014 With Full Analysis
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
AMERICAN LEAGUE
AL EAST
Analysis: Last month I had the Orioles as my favorite for the Division at +650, and now they are at +130.
With recent injuries to several Blue Jays and Yankees key personnel, and the continued struggles of Tampa Bay and Boston, this is a no-brainer.
Baltimore has a 3 game lead on Toronto and a 4 game lead on the Bronx Bombers.
With the Bronx Bombers missing 4/5ths of their rotation, I actually believe the Rays are in better position to win the AL East. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 World Series Currently + Best/Worst Value Bets
I Have hammered this point to a fault, and sound like a broken record, but look at the proof. The Cincinnati squad has reeled off 4 wins in a row, 7 out of 10, and have climbed within a game of the playoff bar. With a winning pedigree over the last several years, how are they tied for 16th only in odds to win the World Series with Boston? Give me the Redlegs any day with their 42 – 38. and a healthy team for the 1st time all year, and many ALL – Star toting the uniforms. I nailed the odd when it was +6600, so I am definitely on the bandwagon for a hot team, that is still paying great value. If they make poststeason, you can extensively hedge if need be with starting base that high.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
So I have finally had a sub-par week for predicting World Series Odds. My worst selection was putting faith in the Royals, only to see them jump from +2500 – +3300, and the Red Sox plunged a +700 mark to +4000 from +3300.
It was somewhat diffused by picks for Baltimore to shoot upwards as a favorite, and I am still miffed at the Reds receiving no love at all.
Cincy has won 4 in a row and 7 – 10, and are climbing heavily into the Wild Card Race with the Dodgers and Cardinals.
With how fast the Giants are coming back to LA in the NL west, it may be these three teams fighting it out for 2 berths, with the loser of the Nats/Braves division, SF, and the Bucs still right in the loop.
Right now the oldest professional baseball team is playing some great baseball, have a fully healthy squad for the first time all season, and we are talking about a club who has made the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years.
Billy Hamilton has batting over .300 since the end of April, and now Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce are coming around, and it is only a matter of time before Joey Votto gets right.
Todd Frazier has been one of the best baseball players in the NL this campaign, and is currently tied for 3rd in NL HRs.
Devin Mesoraco is almost averaging an RBI per game, and is slugging .627 as a Catcher, with 14 HRs and 40 RBI in 47 Games Played.
Aroldis Chapman is lighting the lamp with 100 MPH. Jonathan Broxton is filthy. and the Starters are throwing the ball.
This is not the same team that started 3 – 8. Look the hell out in the 2nd half. Certainly they should not be tied for the 16th favorite on the odds board. Read the rest of this entry
The Latest Odds To Win Each MLB Division In 2014
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Best Value Odd Highlighted in Red
AL EAST
Analysis: I fully expect the Baltimore Orioles to be involved in trade talks to land an ace pitcher, with using either Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy as bait. This year represents the teams best chance to win.
If the Yankees fall out of it, they will drop under the $189 MIL Luxury Tax Threshold, by jettisoning players, and will then sign everyone in the offseason with a fresh slate for a salary tax 1st time offense at only 17.5% – instead of a 50% clip now
The X factors are if Chris Davis can find his 2013 swing, and Ubaldo Jimenez remembers how to throw like his 2nd half 2013 self. Toronto has enough bashers to club their way to the Division Title, and their -133 is not a bad odd either to wager on.
1. TOR -133
2. NYY +320
3. BOS +500
4. BAL +650
5. TB +5000
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 11 MLB 2014
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Well, another few weeks have gone by, and there has been some separation from all the Divisions and the 2nd place squads, except for the NL East dogfight right now between the Nats and Braves.
9 teams are within the top 2 Wild Card Slots in the AL, with the Angels and Mariners holding onto the 1st and 2nd spots respectively.
Preseason NL favorites Los Angeles joins the reigning NL champs ‘The Cards’ at 0.5 Games behind the playoff bar – constituting either Atlanta or Washington (presently in a dead heat) – and the upstart Marlins.
The Reds, Rockies and Pirates are within striking distance as well, but look for the Dodgers and Cardinals to take off from here, leaving the current Division leaders and those 2 as the 5 playoff teams.
Arizona and Houston have at least jumped into the conversation with recent good stretches of play, after brutal starts.
*** Denotes Division Leaders
Records are before play Monday June 9, 2014
RK Team Current Rec Last Wk Rnk () – Last 13 Days Rec
***1. SF 42 – 21: (1) 9 – 3: Must be an even year in the teens of this century. The offense has a different hero everyday.
Playing .667 ball this late into the year bodes well. 9.5 Games ahead of next club in your Division also will land you as slot #1.
***2. OAK 39 – 24: (2) 8 – 4: Brandon Moss and Josh Donaldson both towers of strength and Sean Doolittle is the best Closer no one has heard about 40+SO/1 BB rate is sick.
Billy Beane continues to find gems like Drew Pomeranz, Jesse Chavez – and Kyle Blanks has fitted in well.
The team could still trade for a 2B that can hit, or bring up Billy Burns, flip Jed Lowrie over to 2B.
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Month Of May
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
*** Denotes Division Leaders
Records are before play Monday May.26, 2014
RK Team Last Wk Rnk () Current Rec – Last 16 Days Rec
1. ***San Francisco Giants 32 – 19 (3) 10 – 4: The Giants have the best team in the Majors record wise, and have done so without dominate pitching, and Buster Posey hasn’t taken off yet.
The San Fran players are using the ‘someone is always on fire’ offense. Even Brandon Hicks is clobbering HRs out of 2B. Depth prevails here. 4 Games up on the Dodgers.
2. ***Oakland Athletics 31 – 20 (2) 8 – 5: The A’s did lose 3 straight to the Blue Jays, however they had scored 76 runs in 11 Games prior, and pasted 10 on the board yesterday.
Brandon Moss is an underrated slugger, and Josh Donaldson has 4 separate game HR streaks this year.
Showing that depth at Starting Pitching can do well even if players go down with TJ Surgery. Read the rest of this entry
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 6 – May. 2014
The Motown Boys won all 4 games they played this week and have opened up a 4 game lead on the Royals. This team has the easiest schedule left on the board. The squad also announced they have picked up Reliever Joel Hanrahan, This is a great depth move on their part, and insurance for the Closers position.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
As we enter the 2nd month of play in the Major League Baseball, we really start to delve into who is playing good and who is playing bad.
How about we begin with the National League holding a 26 – 17 record versus the American League in Interleague play.
The last stat is the main reason why there is only 3 teams out of the 15 with a positive Run Differential. (No team in the AL East has a club in the plus, and only the Tigers have one in the AL Central.
The Angels and A’s also yield nice Run Differentials – however a lot of that was from beating up the Houston Astros.
The NL possesses 9 clubs with a positive mark.
The NL East has all 5 teams with a .500 clip or better heading into today’s action. Read the rest of this entry
30 MLB Team Power Rankings: Week 4 MLB Baseball Apr. 2014
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
We are now at the 10% pole of the MLB year. The American League looks to have some serious battles taking place in the divisions, while the National League has teams who are separating from others.
Kansas City put themselves back on the map with a 5 – 2 week, and now have a tie for the AL Central lead.
The Yankees started the week winning 4 straight, before dropping the last contests with the Rays, but look good for the long haul.
The Rays officially lost Matt Moore for the year, and Alex Cobb is gone for a while too.
Albert Pujols is bouncing towards 500 HRs, but his Halo’s are in the midst of a tough 3 city road trip.
The Nationals are learning once again that nothing is handed to you. Read the rest of this entry
MLB’s 2014 Most Likely To Class…….
PED use or not, Stem Cell technology, and who knows what else has aided Colon’s body over the last 3 seasons of success. Yes he was 18 – 6, with a 2.65 ERA – finishing 6th in AL Voting, however the A’s went and paid someone else, and usually they are not wrong on guys. The 40 Year Old from Dominican Republic, is also a gigantic man who decimated his hamstring during a PFP out in 2011 with NYY. You have to think his lucky streak is numbered sooner or later – and especially on the basepaths in the NL hitting a few times a game.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Remember when you graduated, or just had a school yearbook, and one of the best features was a ‘Most Likely To‘ Section.
It could have been John is most likely to succeed at playing football, or Sally will make a fortune by selling her clothes fashions to Hollywood Diva’s.
Lets do this for the MLB 2014 as it sits.
The Most Likely To Hit The DL after running to 1st is Bartolo Colon. Read the rest of this entry
The Cincinnati Reds Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024 & Jeff Kleiner (Org Depth + Payroll Expert – find his website here) Follow @prosportsroster
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Reds have all shown up for Spring Training, and the team seems to be in jovial spirits for the most part – except for Brandon Phillips attitude towards the media.
Maybe Follow @datdudebp is upset about the recent news of the Homer Bailey 6 YRs/$105 MIL extension. Perhaps it grates him that Joey Votto starts his 10 YRs/$225 MIL deal in 2014.
Phillips is in the 3rd year of his 6 YRs/$72 MIL contract, he will make $48 MIL between 2014 – 2017, before he hits Free Agency in 2018.
The deal goes $11 MIL, $12 MIL, $13 MIL and $14 MIL for the next four campaigns. Read the rest of this entry
Cincinnati Reds State Of The Union: Is 2014 The Year?
The Cincinnati Reds are coming off of a heartbreaking season, losing in the one game playoff to the Pittsburgh Pirates. They finished third in the National League Central after winning the division in 2012. Manager Dusty Baker had to be fired so a new manager could take this team to the promise land. Cincys will most likely lose Shin-Soo Choo to Free Agency, and put Billy Hamilton in center field next campaign. Is 2014 the year of the Reds?
BY Ryan Ritchey (Featured Baseball Columnist): Follow @baseballaddicts
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
For the Cincinnati Reds 2013 ended in a disappointment. The Reds won 90 games once again, finishing 3rd in the National League Central, but couldn’t get past the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card.
Right after the season the Reds manager Dusty Baker was fired. I could write a full post just on Dusty Baker and how many things he did right/wrong but I won’t get into that.
Billy Hamilton steals 4 bases in his 1st four Games
AL East Around The Horn – Hot Stove Talk
Boston better snap out of their post season celebrations long enough to tend to their own Free Agents. The longer they wait to sign Mike Napoli. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Stephen Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury, the longer the odds will be for the club to resign them. Ellsbury is likely gone, and Drew could also be replaced with Bogaerts/Middlebrooks, however their Catcher and First Base scenario’s need to be addressed. Other than A.J. Pierzynsnki, there is not a backstopper left on the FA market that would be equal or greater than Salty. As for Napoli, there is not many 1B with power on the market, and I can’t see them bringing in James Loney or Justin Morneau.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports
The Yankees should still covet Carlos Beltran as their #1 target. As far as length goes, who cares if he wants a 4th year. What all of a sudden you care about employing a 40 year old?
The Red Sox better watch themselves for their inactivity. There are not many Catchers on the open market right now, and all of a sudden Jarrod Saltalamacchia is growing in value.
Also, don’t count out the Seattle Mariners making a pitch for Mike Napoli. He is one of those guys who can transcend lineups with big swings.
The M’s can boost attendance with some early season wins – and have money to spend
Mike Napoli Highlights 2013 – Mature Lyrics so parental guidance is advised
Reds One And Done In 2013?
The Reds had high expectations coming into this 2013 season and things haven’t gone according to plan. Between injuries and many other things, the Reds sit in third place in the National League Central. Ryan Ludwick has finally made his return to the lineup in the last week or so but even he isn’t tearing up opposing pitching. Todd Frazier and Zack Cozart have had below average seasons at the plate and it has hurt the Reds in the clutch. The Reds are leading the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second Wild Card spot but they need to get hot going into, what will most likely be a one game playoff.
Ryan Ritchey (Baseball Writer): Follow @baseballaddicts
Follow @mlbreportsComing out of last season’s meltdown in the first round of the playoffs against the Giants, you would have thought the Reds would want revenge this season.
It has been the complete opposite. This team doesn’t have any drive and are always playing with zero enthusiasm.
Injuries to Johnny Cueto, Ryan Ludwick and Sean Marshall have really hurt them this season. It has put pressure on other guys to do things they have never done in their career.
For the most part it has been good, but then again there are times where they just seemed inexperienced and it comes back to hurt them.
JJ Hoover has gone from awful at the beginning of the season, to great in the middle, and now back to awful. He is in a role he has never been in before so you can’t blame it all on him.
In the last week and a half he has given up two Grand Slams in big situations, one to Paul Goldschmidt and the other to Allen Craig. Granted they are both MVP candidates, but you can’t give up Grand Slams in the situations that he did so.
Brandon Phillips Goes Off On Reporter: Parental Guidance Advised! Explicit Language!
MLB Reports 
You must be logged in to post a comment.