We talked to MLB XM Home Plate Radio Host Mike Ferrin (16 Minute Mark and a 22 Minute Segment) Follow @mikeferrinsxmI asked him about the origin in which he and Morgan Ensberg started this ‘phenomenon’ – and their reaction to how it has blown into a huge fanbase for the guy – based on one night that it was all started by the former Astros player Enberg, Ferrin and CO.
Jose Altuve is the shortest man in the MLB at approximately 5 FT 5, but he does not get cheated at the plate with his heavy swings. His big heart and hustle have inspired his own measurement. Go and check out @howmanyaltuves or http://www.howmanyaltuves.com for all of your Home Run (or any measurement for that matter) needs.
Next up was Astros County Writer and http://www.howmanyaltuves.com owner Bryan Trostel(41 Minute Mark and a 18 Minutes Segment) Follow @howmanyaltuves or Follow @The_BatguyWe talked about how he joined the ‘Jose Altuve’ Phenomenon, created a twitter account and website surrounding it, and how it has thrived and blossomed over the last 14 months. We even learned the metric conversion for an ‘ALTUVE’. Read the rest of this entry →
Mariano Rivera holds the ALL-Time Record for any closer (active or retired) with 638 Saves. He has been the most dominant Relief Pitcher on the planet over the last two decades. What is incredible, is that he never has a bad season – which is prone to happen to even Hall Of Fame Relief Pitchers. Rivera also leads Active Pitchers in ERA (2.20), Games Finished (1089) and a WHIP 1.005. Add another 42 Saves, and a 0.70 ERA in 142 IP in his Post Season Career – and you are talking about the standard which any future Closer will be measured up to.
You’re playing your rivals in a game that can put you in first place. You go in to the top of the 9th inning with the score 3-2.
Your starter went a solid seven innings, and then your middle reliever got you through the 8th. Three outs away, who do you call in from the pen?
This one guy will be the difference in whether you win or you lose. He needs to come in and get the next three outs, arguably the most important three outs of the game.
In this nerve-racking situation, you need a guy who can come in, put his nerves aside, and finish off this ballgame to get the win. Who are you bringing in from the pen? Your closer.
So if your team is in this situation, who do you want in the game? Here’s the pitchers who I think have been the best closers in this first half of the season.
When the San Diego Padres traded Mat Latos for Yasmani Grandal (among others), the team was hoping they would get a lot more out of him than they currently are. Grandal was suspended for PED use, and has only played in 28 games this year.
Unfortunately he will not play any more games in 2013 due to an injury to his ACL and MCL. In this piece, I will talk about the possible impact that Grandal’s departure has on the Padres.
When the Padres traded for him, they were hoping to get an everyday catcher with production down the road similar to that of Yadier Molina or Buster Posey. So far, it looks like that is very wishful thinking. Grandal is 24 years old.
In his two-year career, he has played in just 88 games. In a few years, the best-case scenario is the Padres looking back on this as a slow start. But for now, it hurts.
As we approach the All-Star Break and the teams have been selected everyone looks at who got snubbed. The Cincinnati Reds in my opinion had four players that should have made the National League All-Star team. Bruce, Choo, Leake and Latos are all worthy of All-Star Selections but this year were left off the list. Carlos Gonzalez injured his thumb and it is unknown if he will play in the game so Choo or Bruce could end up getting in after all.
The Cincinnati Reds have the fourth best record in the National League as of July 14th and only have three all-stars.
Those three all-stars are very deserving no doubt about it but they should have at least two more if not three. Those four players are Shin-Soo Choo, Jay Bruce, Mat Latos and Mike Leake.
Mike Leake has matched his win total from last season with 8 in just 18 games started this season. He is having one of his best seasons since he has come into the league.
He has been the second best starter on this Reds pitching staff behind Latos. Above all he deserves to be in New York for the All-Star Game.
Homer Bailey took a long time to fulfill expectations in the Reds Starting Pitching Rotation. At age 27, he has now thrown 2 No hitters in under a calendar year. Bailey has a Career Record of 43 – 40, with a 4.38, but has hovered around a 3.70 ERA over the last 2 years. In a team filled with a deep no – hitter history – including the only man ever to throw back to back no hitters (Johnny Vander Meer) – he has put his name up on that mantle.
By Matt Steinmann ( MLB Reports Reds Correspondent)
The No-Hitter is a very special moment for any pitcher, any fanbase, and of course any franchise in baseball. It’s a rare feat; only 280 of them have been pitched since 1875, with 23 of them being Perfect Games.
Nolan Ryan’s 7 career No-Hitters is the Major League record, and he is one of 31 players in Major League history to throw more than one.
In 1991, the No-Hitter was officially defined by MLB’s Committee For Statistical Accuracy as follows: “An official no-hit game occurs when a pitcher (or pitchers) allows no hits during the entire course of a game, which consists of at least nine innings.”
This definition took off the books many previously recognized No-Hitters that failed to meet the definition.
Jarred Cosart had a big league debut for the ages. Facing a hot Rays team, the one time Phillies prospect tossed a no hitter for 6 1/3 innings for Houston before letting up his first hit. He finished the game by pitching into the 9th, letting up no runs and 2 hits. That’s a line any Cy Young contender would be proud of, The Astros won in Tampa, 2-1.
In a potential playoff preview, Bronson Arroyo pitched the Reds to a 4-2 victory over the Braves. He tossed 7 innings, 3 hits and 1 run to get credited with his 8th win.
Raul Ibanez clocked a pair of homers and a double, going 3-4 and leading the Mariners over the Angels, 8-3.
And Buster Posey led the Giants attack. He tied a 1-0 game with a sacrifice fly in the third. Then he twice came up with 2 outs and runners on and came through. He broke open the game with a 2 out 2 run single in the 6th and turned it into a laugher with a 2 out 2 run double in the 7th, giving the Giants a 10-1 win over the Padres.
They all owned baseball on July 12th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
Im back & ready after being off during the 4th of July week to give you all another baseball packed podcast. On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports ( www.mlbreports.com ) & yours truly The Bench Warmers Show.
I star by paying respect to the great Yankee Stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard on the 3 year anniversary to the day that he passed away…
I talk to the boss man Chuck Booth as he returns to do his segment! 16 Minutes in and a 31 Minute Segment Follow @chuckbooth3024
The Giants have gone 9 – 23 in their last 32 Games – and are in danger of having a brutal campaign just one year after capturing the World Series. Key injuries and overlogged pitchers have been the main point of contention. They lost 8 Ranking Spots this past time. Should they also become sellers at the Trade Deadline, Tim Lincecum and Hunter Pence could fetch a few players in return. The Giants are currently 40 – 50 and 6.5 Games behind the NL West Leading DBACKS – but are in last in the NL West.
The time has come for the July Power Rankings with Stats Edition. There will be one each for May, June, July, August, September – and then a special playoff edition Power Rankings will be done in October.
I will not do a weekly Power Rankings during these weeks, because in essence, these are the weekly rankings done on a much larger scale.
These Reports are done with a heavy thought to how the teams project by the end of the season – along with how the clubs have fared so far.
I will point out who has had great months for the all 30 MLB Teams. I reward the good performances in these rankings – and leave the poor ones for the Podcasts or future articles. CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON or scroll past the video and picture.
The Boston Red Sox started out the season 21 – 8 after their 1st 29 games, and have maintained over the last 61 games, with 33 Wins and 28 Losses. They are #1 on our rankings charts.
Past this page break or the Dodgers logo, is the written version of the rankings. If you want to listen to the audio podcast we did for this, we have the links below to download or just listen.
Citi Field is one of the newest Ball Parks in the Majors and will be host to the 2013 ALL – Star Game. It is light years ahead of where Shea Stadium was. The home club should have the Starting Pitcher and Third Baseman for the NL, who else will be picked for the NL and AL – will all be revealed in a matter of hours. MLB Reports gave its candidates and choices in this blog. Citi Field also modified its fences last year in hopes of hosting this event. This is the RF cavernous portion that used to be what Right Field was. I took this photo in 2009 – during its 1st season in existence.
I am doing this list based solely on whether the player is a viable candidate or not. I don’t care if the fans vote someone else in – although they have done a decent job.
This website’s stance on Yasiel Puig is known by know – if you are reading this for the 1st time. We feel the man belongs based on his numbers. He has numbers comparable to Bryce Harper – and his BA and OPS is far above and beyond.
Han- Ram might be a victim of all teams needing to be represented as the Padres best candidate is definitely Everth Cabrera – unless Bochy takes Jason Marquis to replace him.
Grilli has done a phenomenal job in closing games for the Pirates this season. He has saved 28 games for the Pirates this season which is first in the NL, and has a chance to possibly save 60 games. Grilli has a 2.15 ERA with only one blown save, and has only surrendered two home runs in 37.2 innings pitched. The right-hander has struck out 60 batters, and has a strikeout rate of 14.3 SO/9. He also has a terrific SO/BB ratio of 8.57. The opposition is only hitting .187 against him this season, with right-handers hitting just .155. The Pirates know that with a lead in the ninth inning, he is the guy they trust the most.
By Chris Lacey (Lead Baseball Columnist/Minority Website Owner) Follow @aecanada12
Who can remember the last time the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the playoffs, because it seems like it has been a long time. The reason that I can’t remember is that it happened in 1992, when they went 96-66.
This is a long time for a sports franchise to go without at least making the playoffs. The Pirates in the past seasons have started out fast, only to fade away in the second half of the baseball season.
Pittsburgh Pirates Early 2013 Season Highlights- So Parental Guidance Is Advised
Homer Bailey threw the first no hitter of the season, holding the Giants to a single run as the Reds won, 3-0.
John Lackey pitched 8 solid innings, letting up a single run, leading the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Padres at Fenway.
Kendrys Morales helped knock the Rangers out of first place by getting three hits, including a pair of homers, driving in 6 as the Mariners prevailed, 9-2.
Yasiel Puig, the man who SHOULD be an All Star, had another remarkable game. He was a triple shy of the cycle, homering and doubling in the Dodgers 8-0 win against the Rockies.
They all owned baseball on July 2nd, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
Last season had a flurry of no hitters, ending with Homer Bailey‘s gem that eliminated the Pirates from contention.
This season has been filled with one near miss after another, including close calls from Yu Darvish and Anibal Sanchez. When would the first no hitter of 2013 be thrown?
I guess only Homer Bailey is allowed to throw no-nos now. He threw a gem with only one walk against the punchless Giants and joined the likes of Roy Halladay and Mark Buehrle as a pitcher with multiple no hitters.
Let’s take a look at each franchise’s most recent no hitter:
DETROIT TIGERS Justin Verlander – May 7, 2011.
9-0 over Toronto.
MINNESOTA TWINS Francisco Liriano – May 3, 2011
1-0 over Chicago White Sox
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES Roy Halladay – October 6, 2010
4-0 over Cincinnati. (Playoff Game)
TAMPA PAY RAYS Matt Garza – July 26th, 2010
5-0 over Detroit.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Edwin Jackson – June 25, 2010
1-0 over Tampa BayOAKLAND A’S Dallas Braden – May 9, 2010
4-0 over Tampa Bay. (Perfect Game.) COLORADO ROCKIES Ubaldo Jimenez – April 17, 2010
4-0 over Atlanta.CHICAGO CUBS Carlos Zambrano – September 14, 2008.
5-0 over Houston. BOSTON RED SOX Jon Lester – May 19, 2008.
7-0 over Kansas City. FLORIDA MARLINS Anibal Sanchez – September 6, 2006.
2-0 over Arizona. HOUSTON ASTROS Roy Oswalt, Peter Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner –
June 11, 2003.
8-0 over New York Yankees. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Bud Smith – September 3, 2001
4-0 over San Diego. NEW YORK YANKEES David Cone – July 18, 1999.
6-0 over Montreal. (Perfect Game.) PITTSBURGH PIRATES Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon – July 12, 1997.
3-0 over Houston. (10 innings.) LOS ANGELES DODGERS Hideo Nomo – September 17, 1996.
9-0 over Colorado. TEXAS RANGERS Kenny Rogers – July 28, 1994.
4-0 over California. (Perfect Game.)ATLANTA BRAVES Kent Mercker – April 8, 1994.
6-0 over Los Angeles. KANSAS CITY ROYALS Bret Saberhagen – August 26, 1991
7-0 over Chicago White Sox.WASHINGTON NATIONALS (AS MONTREAL EXPOS) Dennis Martinez – July 28, 1991.
2-0 over Los Angeles. (Perfect Game.) BALTIMORE ORIOLES Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson – July 13, 1991.
2-0 over Oakland.TORONTO BLUE JAYS Dave Stieb – September 2, 1990.
3-0 over Cleveland. MILWAUKEE BREWERS Juan Nieves – April 15, 1987.
7-0 over Baltimore.
CLEVELAND INDIANS Len Barker – May 15, 1981.
3-0 over Toronto. (Perfect Game.)
Bonus
WASHINGTON SENATORS Bobby Burke – August 8, 1931
5-0 over Boston.
The Padres are still on the clock. And it would be nice to simplify the list with the Nationals having a no hitter instead of including the Expos and Senators.
Robinson Cano homered twice, went 3-4 with 3 RBI and scored all 4 times he reached base helping the Yankees come from behind against to Twins to win 10-4.
R. A. Dickey held a tough Tigers lineup to 2 runs over 7 innings, getting the 8-3 win for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jose Fernandez pitched 8 shutout innings, letting up only 2 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts, leading the Marlins to a 4-0 win over the Padres.
Todd Frazier drove in a run and scored, then hit a three run homer in the second as the Reds won a rain shortened 8-1 win over the defending champion Giants.
They all owned baseball on July 1st, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig has been on fire ever since he joined the big club. He is hitting for a 3 Slash Line of .436 with 7 HRs and RBIs through his first 27 games. His 44 Hits collected in the 1st month of his career is 2nd All – Time to the great Joe Dimaggio. There is no doubt that the Cuban Player is one of the best 7 or 8 OF in the National League right now – and it would be blasphemy if he is not given the right to put into the Mid – Summers Classic!
There is no doubt about it, Dodgers’ OF Yasiel Puig has been all over the sports media – and rightfully so.
Puig has only played in 27 games and he is batting an excellent .436 with 7 HRs and 16 RBIs.
The Dodgers are 15-11 during that stretch including 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Puig doesn’t seem like he’s ready to cool off as he has a 5 game hitting streak including a 4 for 5 game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday June. 30.
Yasiel Puig helps extend the Dodgers winning streak to six
The Bucs have won 9 straight games and now possess a record of 51 – 30. You have to think that the club will finally put the nail in the coffin on its 20 year losing streak – with just needing to win 31 of their 81 games remaining. Better yet, ESPN has them listed as a 88 Percent chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1992 season. At the halfway point in the season, the Bucs have the best record in the MLB – and have reached #2 in our power rankings.
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – Jason Kipnis (CLE – He reached base 24 times in the 8 games (14 hits, 9 Walks and 1 HBP) – with 3 HRs, 6 – 2B, 9 Runs and 11 RBI. He hit .519 for the week).
Runners up were: Miguel Cabrera (DET – OPS of 1.583, with 4 HRs and 7 RBI), Dustin Pedroia (BOS – .560 BA, 14 hits), and Raul Ibanez (SEA – OPS of 1.455 – 3 HRs and 5 RBI.)
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week– R.A. Dickey (TOR – 2 hit CG Shutout versus the Tampa Bay Rays.)
Rick Ankiel has hit for 76 HRs and a Slash Line of .240/.302/.724 in 1858 Career At-Bats. He is the 1st player to win at least 10 Games a Pitcher and hit 50 HRs in the Major Leagues since Babe Ruth. Ankiel could be used in any of the Outfield Positions as a PH/defensive replacement even if he is not in the starting lineup, he would help just about any MLB Team. This year the man hit .188/.235/.657 – but had 15 XBH (7 HRs, 1 – 3B and 7 2B – with 18 RBI in just 128 AB).
Rick Ankiel was DFA’d recently by the New York Mets. Since he is one of my favorite players – I nicknamed him “Mr. Mission Impossible” – because he always seems to self – destruct after 30 – 35 AB with a new team.
Cast as one of the biggest underdogs/inspirational stories of ALL – time in the game of baseball I am here to give him his due. I don’t even care if he never plays another inning in the field….or has another AB in the Majors.
The former Pitcher has had a flair for some dramatic moments in his 13 year career as both a hitter and a pitcher.
Joey Votto might not be hitting with the same kind of authority as a few years back, however he still has a 3 Slash of .325/.439/.963 – with 14 HRs and 38 RBI, The Canadian 1B is also on pace for a Career High in Hits (probably near 200 Hits.)
Well it’s that time of year again, we are almost to the all star break of 2013 ( My How time fly’s by when you’re having fun ). I am going to take a look at the Reds on what they have have done in first half of ’13.
Jay Bruce has been on fire since his twitter rant. Is the last 29 games he has played., Bruce is batting .292 with – 11 Homeruns and 23 knocked in. This just might be on of, his best ever hot streaks. In a 7 Game Stretch last week, he had 7 Tater Trots!
Center Fielder Shin-Soo Choo has cooled down a lot in June, but still has a OBP of .421 – and Leads the majors with 20 HBP ( Hit by Pitches ). Choo is 4 short of a club record held by C Jason LaRue ( 24 HBP ). I don’t think he will approach the NL Single Season Record of 50 (set by Ron Hunt of the Expos in 1971), however it is still an astounding feat – and a tough way to make it aboard base.
EE continues to show his metal this year – by clutching up for 21 HRs thus far . He has a 3 Slash Line of .274/.355/.900. EE had an OPS of 1.326 – with 3 HRs and 3 Doubles over the last 6 games, and also scored 7 Runs. He was part of key rallies that led to the clubs 6 – 0 week. The 1B only Struckout 1 time for the 6 Games. Encarnacion is now tied with Miggy Cabrera with 63 HRs since the start of the 2012 year. He is the MLB Reports hitter of the week!
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – Edwin Encarnacion (See Picture Above).
Runners up were: Chris Davis (BAL) – (1.357 OPS, with 4 HRs and 10 RBI), Nelson Cruz (TEX) – (.379 BA, 3 HRS and 11 RBI) and Miguel Cabrera (.536 BA, 20 times reached on base in 7 Games, 15 Hits – with 2 HRs and 6 RBI).
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week– Max Scherzer – who went 2 – 0 with a 2.08 ERA in 2 Game Starts and 16 SO in 13 IP.
Runners Up were: Casey Janssen (1 – 0, with 3 Saves – while only yielding 1 Hit and 1 Walk in 4 IP), Jarrod Parker 2 GS (1 – 0, with a 0.79 WHIP in 14 IP.)
On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I talked with MLB Reports Braves correspondent Bob McVinua (www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com) about the Atlanta Braves season so far, what’s to come for them the rest of the season plus other things…
Then I talked to MLB Reports Dodgers correspondent Enrique Rivera about their phenom Yasiel Puig, if the Dodgers somehow can get back in the playoff race amongst other issues…
Also I interviewed MLB Reports White Sox correspondent Brian Madsen about the White Sox offensive struggles, is their farm system producing any future ball players & other stuff…also I do my Stats & Facts segment as usual so check out this baseball podcast that talks baseball like it outta be!!! SPREAD THE WORD!! Thank you all for your support!!!
People in this Podcast:
Bob McVinua (MLB Reports Guest Braves Correspondent – About 9 Minutes in and a 21 Minute Segment) Follow @tomahawkchop95
Enrique Rivera (MLB Reports LA Dodgers Correspondent – 31 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) Follow @eriqwiththeq
Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent- 53 Minutes In and a 17 Minute Segment) Follow @brianm731
(Stats and Facts done by James at the 1 Hour and 10 Minute Mark for 20 Minutes and for the 1st 9 Minutes.)
The St. Louis Cardinals are 20 games over .500 in their first 70 games. In 2005, the last time the Cardinals won 100 Games in a season, the team also started 45-25. Even after dropping Game #71, the St. Louis team holds the best record in the MLB – and hold a 2.5 Games lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central.
Seventy games down. Twenty games over .500. A record of 18-9 against National League Central Division opponents. The St. Louis Cardinals have been a model of success thus far in 2013.
May was a record-setting month for the St. Louis Cardinals, tying the franchise record for most wins with a whopping 20 victories. So far this season, the St. Louis Cardinals are playing as good of baseball as they have played in years.
They are well on pace for a 100-plus-win season. For Cardinal fans everywhere, this season has been a ton of fun to watch.
Just how good are these St. Louis Cardinals, though?
Cardinals Mash 5 Home Runs In Route Over Diamondbacks:
Troy Tulowitzki just broke his ribs – and cant ever seem to keep healthy. He is hitting .347/.413/1.048 with 16 HRs and 51 RBI out of the Shortstop position. (MVP like numbers for sure). The Rockies are startling to lose without him in the lineup – just like last season, when they dropped 93 games with Tulo only playing in 47 Games.
The regular season has finally reached the point where the “it’s early,” or “it’s too small of a sample size” excuses are no longer accurate. Most of the regulars are closing in on 300 plate appearances.
The race in the NL is extremely close, and it will become close now that Troy Tulowitzki is on the shelf for at least four weeks. Tulowitzki’s injury could also effect Carlos Gonzalez’s case if the Rockies aren’t able to stay afloat in a tightly-contested National League West division.
Tulowitzki’s 2013 Highlights – Mature Lyrics – so Parental Guidance is Advised
Adam Dunn has finally put together an awesome week this year. He hit for a 3 Slash Line of .389/.455/1.510 – with 4 HRs and 8 RBI. His efforts didn’t stop the team from losing 4 straight, however he is the MLB Reports AL Hitter of The Week!
The Braves have only gone 4 – 6 in the last 10 games, however this team has a great schedule ahead of them, a 5.5 Games lead on the Nationals, 51 Games remaining at home, while only playing 43 on the road. That and they play in the worst Division in the National League. Atlanta is 15 – 6 versus their NL East counterparts – and have 55 Games left against the Mets, Marlins, Phillies and Nats out of the last 94 contests.
Sometimes when a team is scuffling a little bit the fan base needs some reason for optimism. Now of course players are supposed to focus on the game and opponent at hand and not look too far away.
However I’m not a player so it’s perfectly fine for me to look ahead at the Braves schedule and what I see is nothing but smooth sailing ahead for Captain Fredi Gonzalez.
Now no game on a schedule can be counted as a win and on any given day anyone can beat anyone in Major League Baseball. I know the arguments against my point but I’d still much prefer to play a soft stretch in my schedule while I’m struggling a little bit then a difficult one.
The Dodgers don’t lead the Majors in many categories this year (except for Bench clearing brawls). The 1st incident with the Padres cost them Greinke with a broken clavicle. He will likely be suspended for more games. Who else will be suspended?? We should find out from baseball today. Meanwhile the team is 28 – 37 – and 11 Games behind Arizona.
It is time to call it like it is – and back it up with some cold hard facts. As a former professional oddsmaker, I understand why the ESPN page lists the Blue Jays at a 2.8% chance to make the playoffs – and the Dodgers just slightly better at 2.9%.
The math involved is not even as complicated as Sabermetrics. I will show you how they have derived this notion. The fanbases will always tell you that they are one big winning streak away from jumping back into the mix.
They would be right some of the time (Note the 2007 and 2009 Rockies, the 2012 Athletics, the 2011 Cardinals and Rays also made up around 10 Games deficits for playoff spots even in September).
I can also think of the 2005 Astros flying off the wall in the second half to earn a playoff spot.
David Ortiz is providing the kind of difference at the DH position that is an automatic advantage for the Boston Red Sox. The 37 Year Old has hit for a 3 Slash Line of .314/.395/1.018 – accounting for 13 HRs and 48 RBI in his 46 Games. The DH position was created for one-dimensional players like ”’Big Papi”, however teams are not imploring awesome players for the slot. Most teams use the Designated Hitter for position players that are nursing injuries. The Red Sox have seen their best run in franchise history with the big man. Later in this article, I will post a link on how valuable DH’s have been in the last 20 years in Major League Baseball AL Pennant Winners. More often than not, you need a great DH. Ortiz is signed through 2014 at $13 MIL for the next 2 campaigns. One of the better deals signed in the offseason
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – David Ortiz has come up clutch in leading the Bo Sox to a season – high 15 games over .500 with many game changing hits like last week.
Having the best offensive DH is a decisive difference compared to the rest of league. If everyone remembers, the 2012 Red Sox actually skirted near .500 until ‘Big Papi’ went down with his injury.
Runners up were: Howie Kendrick, Josh Donaldson, Adam Lind, all had strong weeks – especially for Batting Averages, but Ortiz had late inning heroics that changed the outcome for his team out of his 3 HRs and 9 RBI.
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week – Jarrod Parker
The Oakland A’s Chucker went 2 – 0, with a 1.35 ERA. He has thrown 6 Straight Quality Starts – and has won 5 of his last 6 decisions after starting the year 0 – 5.
Before I start I just want to say that baseball is a very tough game so when I say he can be a all star or that he can have a curveball that is just unhittable – it may not happen……. and actually is very doubtful to fully reach the ceiling. Read the rest of this entry →
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