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The Dodgers Will Regret The Rich Hill Deal: Yet Another Injury Prone Chucker In The Rotation

The Dodgers have spent over $300 MIL in back to back years, and are the clubhouse leaders in Luxury Tax penalties paid. At a 50% penalty, the Los Angeles forked out $40 MIL in Luxury Taxes in 2016. With an estimated $193 MIL payroll - considering there are several roster holes now created by departing players, the team will need to spend around $235 MIL in 2017 total payroll. With a 50% penalty - and an additional 40$ hit for going $40 MIL over the new $195 MIL limit in 2017, I highly expect the organization will be less willing to spend 90 cents extra for every dollar spent beyond that.

The Dodgers have spent over $300 MIL in back to back years, and are the clubhouse leaders in Luxury Tax penalties paid. At a 50% penalty, the Los Angeles forked out $40 MIL in Luxury Taxes in 2016. With an estimated $204 MIL payroll – considering there are several roster holes now created by departing players, the team will need to spend around $235 MIL in 2017 total payroll. With a 50% penalty – and an additional 45%  hit for going $40 MIL over the new $195 MIL limit in 2017, I highly expect the organization will be less willing to spend 95 cents extra for every dollar spent beyond that.  Because of the Rich Hill signing, it will make it tough to get back Justin Turner and land a Closer – without paying the maximum surcharges for payroll.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

I don’t hide the fact that I have been a Dodgers fan for some time.  I have continuously ripped the past and present management for signing players that are injury prone.  For the last 4 years the Injury/Dead money the club has doled out has rivaled what some of the lowest payroll clubs on an annual basis.

So what do the brass do?  They ink a guy, who is 37, and could barely toe the mound for a handful of starts due to a blister, to a 3 Year Deal worth $16 MIL per year.  Didn’t they learn their lesson with the Scott Kazmir contract?  How about Chad Billingsley, Josh Beckett, Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-jin Ryu, Brett Anderson or Bronson Arroyo?

This is not even taking into a factor all of the positional players and Relief Guys they have taken a powder on (hit the ground and dust flies up because of being knocked out).  The Franchise ate $41 MIL in 2013, $37 MIL in salary for 2014, $86 MIL in 2015, and $71 MIL in 2016.

For those scoring at home, that is a whopping $233 MIL in lost cash since the beginning of 2013, which was the Guggenheim Consortium’s first full year at the helm.

When you factor in some more penalties for exceeding the Luxury Tax Threshold, the organization is well over the $250 MIL mark in 4 seasons.  Now 2017 doesn’t look to be much different – with $47 MIL in dead money already on the board.

Carl Crawford ($21.9 MIL), Alex Guerrero ($7.5 MIL), Hector Olivera ($4.7 MIL), Matt Kemp ($3.7 MIL) and Jose Tabata (250K) are not even on the active roster anymore, yet they will see some serious coin paid out by the Dodger Blue.

The Dodgers are also paying guys $10 MIL to play in the Minor Leagues. Read the rest of this entry

Boston Red Sox Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

With adding the contracts of David Price and Craig Kimbrel in recent player moves, this pushes Boston to near $200 MIL in team payroll for 2016. I think they should try to add a few pitchers near the 2016 Trade deadline. With a lot of money tied up in the future, any player they take on should have their contracts end in 2016. Boston stands to pay 17.5% for money spent over the $189 MIL limit. They could run with a $220 MIL salaried club in 2016 and only pay around $6 MIL in additional fees. Do it, and pale it back afterwards.

With adding the contracts of David Price and Craig Kimbrel in recent player moves, this pushes Boston to near $200 MIL in team payroll for 2016. I think they should try to add a few pitchers near the 2016 Trade deadline. With a lot of money tied up in the future, any player they take on should have their contracts end in 2016. Boston stands to pay 17.5% for money spent over the $189 MIL limit. They could run with a $220 MIL salaried club in 2016 and only pay around $6 MIL in additional fees. Do it, and pale it back afterwards.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part-Owner) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

Well the Boston Red Sox are finally going to join the Dodgers and Yankees as teams that cross the Luxury Tax Threshold for 2016.  This was made possible by recently picking up  David Price for 7 YRs at $31 MIL average per year.

Already in 2017, the team is committed for around $162 MIL – and that is without their stalwart DH of David Ortiz anymore.  2018, the salary obligations are at $151 MIL, and the franchise has already lumped $139 MIL on the books fr the 2019 cash.

This is a leap of faith for the franchise, as they were always reluctant to pay top dollars for Free Agent Pitchers.

Last year’s signings of Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez are looking like poor moves right now, however they can be helped with bounce back years in 2016. Read the rest of this entry

Boston’s Management Strategy May Help Club Prevail Again In 2015 AL East

Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett.  He replaced them with saavy, playoff tested Veterans - on lower value, and year contracts.  His club won the 2013 AL East with the revamped squad - that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012.  Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester, for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello.  The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada since last summer.  The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year.  If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.

Ben Cherington pulled off the biggest salary dump in MLB History in 2012, with his clearing the deck of Gonzalez, Crawford and Beckett. He replaced them with savvy, playoff tested Veterans – on lower value, and year contracts. His club won the 2013 AL East (and the World Series of course) with the revamped squad – that improved almost 30 Wins from 2012. Last season, the club suffered another last place finish, however he dealt away Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes, and then turned that asset into Rick Porcello. The club also was able to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval for this year, and have also inked Rusney Castillo and Yoan Moncada to long-term deals since last summer. The Red Sox are showing the way to handle a roster year to year. If you are in it, spend the money, and when you are out, trade anybody of value not in your long term plans.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

The terrible news of Marcus Stroman‘s ACL  earlier this week has dampened the chances the Toronto Blue Jays chances to really take a shot at the Division.

Let me qualify this more….

I think the Jays will compete all season, and may take a run at one of the Wild Card Spots for sure, it just at this time of the year, losing any pitching hurts big time.

Toronto is already lacking an ace, but that is not a cause for grave concern in this Division, with the AL East possessing exactly zero of them now, following the departures of Jon Lester and David Price in the last 9 months.  But they are in trouble when it comes to depth versus the other clubs. Read the rest of this entry

The Royals Or O’s Winning The Title Would Be Good And Bad: MLB Payrolls Part 2

Kauffman Stadium was newly renovated about 5 years ago.  It is a nice visual display of a ballpark, however it is far being in the top venues in the Majors for earning money.  The Royals fans saw the club struggle to finally end a 3 decade long playoff drought this year.  It is imperative that the MLB work with 'cost control' in the upcoming 'Collective Bargaining Agreement. Both KC and Baltimore had to endure lengthy stints of losing campaigns, before compiling enough top level draft picks to compete in their respective divisions.  Hopefully other small to mid market teams will not have to be bad for that amount of time in the future to obtain success finally.

Kauffman Stadium was newly renovated about 5 years ago. It is a nice visual display of a ballpark, however it is far being in the top venues in the Majors for earning money. The Royals fans saw the club struggle to finally end a 3 decade long playoff drought this year. It is imperative that the MLB work with ‘cost control’ in the upcoming ‘Collective Bargaining Agreement. Both KC and Baltimore had to endure lengthy stints of losing campaigns, before compiling enough top-level draft picks to compete in their respective divisions. Hopefully other small to mid market teams will not have to be bad for that amount of time in the future to obtain success finally.

Yesterday I addressed the Dodgers potentially winning the World Series in the next few years while bringing more attention to the inequities of the big and small market clubs. 

Even with LAD losing today and being eliminated, it doesn’t change the fact they will be playoff contenders for years to come based on their talent level, and super imposed revenue stream to outspend every team in the National League.

I identified the last several lower revenue teams that have had success, and pointed out that it took them big stretches of poor campaigns in order to collect on some good.

This is the biggest reason why baseball needs to adopt a salary cap – in order to leveling off the field.

Kansas City and Baltimore are perfect examples of this.  The narrative is great here  Franchises that haven’t appeared in the Fall Classic since 1985 and 1983 respectively, when both organization won their last Titles.

The Royals 29 years since that has been tough to stomach.  The later George Brett years, the core from the championship had aged or moved on by the time he hung up the cleats.

After the 1994 strike/1995 lockout, the Royals found themselves at the bottom of the division for years. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball For 2014 – The Final Regular Season Tally

Getty Images, USA Today Sports and The Seattle Times

Getty Images, USA Today Sports and The Seattle Times

Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates… Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers… Mike Trout of the Angels… Felix Hernandez of the Mariners.

They all owned baseball in 2014.

After a full year of checking each game and determining which player owned the game for that day, there were 4 winners.

McCutchen beat out Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman by a 9 to 7 1/2 final.

Kershaw had the highest overall WOB total, 14 1/2, topping Johnny Cueto‘s 11.

The American League races were razor thin.

Trout beat Oakland’s Josh Donaldson by a final of 9 1/2 to 9. Meanwhile King Felix squeaked past Corey Kluber of the Indians 11 to 10 1/2 (with Chris Sale close by at 9)

If I turned in a ballot with McCutchen winning NL MVP, Kershaw winning NL Cy Young, Trout winning AL MVP and Hernandez winning the AL Cy Young, could anyone protest?

Sure I could make valid arguments for Giancarlo Stanton winning the NL MVP. (His WOB total was a surprisingly low 4.) And of course Kluber and Hernandez is basically a coin toss right now. But the above ballot would certainly be acceptable.

WOB works. Adding the 1/2 WOB dynamic made it more accurate than last year.

Thanks for following it for the year. For the post season, I will have new tallies for “Who Owned October?” (WOO) and “Who Owned the World Series?” (WOWS.)

To view the Final Tally of 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 Sept 28, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + FINAL 2014 #WOB Standings

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

Jordan Zimmermann threw the first no hitter in Washington Nationals history (and the franchise’s first since Dennis Martinez‘s perfect game for the Expos in 1991). He allowed only 1 walk while striking out 10 Miami hitters en route to his 1-0 masterpiece.

Sonny Gray provided relief for 2 months of Oakland frustration with a post season clinching 6 hit complete game shutout of the Rangers, striking out 5 and walking none.

Anthony Rizzo went 3-4 with a homer and 2 RBI, helping the Cubs win against Milwaukee 5-2.

Ian Kinsler homered, hit an RBI single and added another hit to lead the Tigers to the Division Title with a 3-0 victory over Minnesota.

They all owned baseball on Sept 28, 2014.

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 Sept 27, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

 (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Eduardo Escobar got 4 hits, including a 3 run homer, and drove in 6 runs, helping the Twins spoil the Tigers hopes of clinching with a 12-3 blow out.

Mark Trumbo got on base 3 times and drove in 4, including a tie breaking 3 run homer in the 7th that was the difference in Arizona’s 5-2 win against the Cardinals.

John Danks gave the White Sox 7 strong innings, scattering 5 hits and allowing just 2 runs, earning the 5-4 decision over Kansas City.

Wily Peralta finished his season with 17 wins following his 7 innings, 1 run and 13 strikeout performance against the Cubs for a 2-1 final.

 

They all owned baseball on Sept 27, 2014.

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. Read the rest of this entry

Who Owned Baseball Sept 26, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer

Corey Kluber helped his Cy Young cause with an 8 inning, 5 hit shutout performance, striking out 11 Rays, walking 2 in a 1-0 pitchers duel in Cleveland.

Doug Fister gave the bullpen a rest for the first game of a double header as he threw a 3 hit complete game shut out as the Nationals blanked the Marlins, 4-0.

Dalton Pompey  Doubled and hit 2 triples (that is rare) driving in a pair, helping the Blue Jays top the Orioles, 4-2.

J.T. Realmuto missed the cycle by a homer, finished going 3-5 with 4 RBI in the Marlins wild 15-7 win in Washington.

They all owned baseball on Sept 26, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 25, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

ROBERT SABO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

ROBERT SABO/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Derek Jeter went out in Hollywood style, getting a double and a walk off single in the 9th, driving in 3 runs all together and giving Yankee fans one last thrill with a 6-5 win over Baltimore.

Pablo Sandoval went 3 for 3, driving in 4 runs, including one in the wild 3 run come from behind rally as the playoff bound Giants topped the Padres, 9-8.

Hiroki Kuroda let up homers to the first two batters he faced and then let up 1 hit and no walks the rest of the way. The bullpen blew his lead but he set up the Yankees dramatic 6-5 walk off victory over Baltimore.

Edinson Volquez inched the Pirates closer to the Division Lead with 7 brilliant innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts, blowing out the Braves 10-1.

They all owned baseball on Sept 25, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 24, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

ANDY LYONS/GETTY IMAGES

Kyle Lohse kept the Brewers dim playoff hopes alive with a complete game 2 hit shutout with 6 strike outs and no walks, blanking the Reds 5-0.

Carl Crawford got on base 4 times, broke open the game with a 2 run double in the 6th and scored 3 more runs as the Dodgers clinched the NL West with a 9-1 blow out of the Giants.

Mark Buehrle pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts as the Blue Jays snuck past the fading Mariners, 1-0.

Ryan Flaherty collected 3 hits, including a 2 run double, and helped the Orioles come from behind to beat the Yankees, 9-5.

They all owned baseball on Sept 24, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 23, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

JAE C. HONG/AP

JAE C. HONG/AP

Justin Turner hit a pair of homers off of Bumgarner and led the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory over the Giants.

Zack Greinke pitched 8 strong innings, allowing just 2 runs and walking no San Francisco batter, bringing the Dodgers a little closer to the NL West title with a 4-2.

Nick Markakis went 4-5 with a homer and 3 RBI, helping Baltimore top the Yankees, 5-4.

David Price pitched a shutout into the 9th and was an out from a complete game. While he blew the lead, he pitched 8 2/3, striking out 8 and walking none. The Tigers would walk off in the 9th 4-3 winners against the White Sox.

They all owned baseball on Sept 23, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 22, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Adam Wainwright extended his scoreless inning streak to 21 while notching win number 20, throwing 7 scoreless 3 hit innings, striking out 8 Cubs for an 8-0 St. Louis triumph.

Michael Pineda kept the Yankees dim post season hopes alive with 7 1/3 innings of 1 hit shutout ball, striking out 8 and walking 1, beating the Orioles 5-0.

Gregor Blanco led off the game with a homer, scored in the third and hit a double that drove in a critical insurance run in the 13th as the Giants won a thrilling 5-2 extra inning marathon against the Dodgers.

Jose Bautista reached base 4 times, scored 3 times, drove in a pair, homered and made several fine defensive plays as the Blue Jays played spoiler to the Mariners 14-4.

They all owned baseball on Sept 22, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 21, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Bob Stanton, USA TODAY Sports

Bob Stanton, USA TODAY Sports

Josh Donaldson reached base 4 times, scored 3 and ended a wild 10 inning game with a 2 run walk off homer to give the A’s an 8-6 win over the Phillies.

Corey Kluber pitched 8 dominating innings, letting up 2 hits and 1 walk while striking out 14, as the Indians beat the White sox 7-2.

Matt Kemp went 4-5 with a homer and 4 RBI leading the Dodgers to an 8-5 win against the Cubs.

Vance Worley pitched the Pirates closer to contention with 8 innings of 4 hit shutout ball to get the 1-0 decision over Milwaukee.

They all owned baseball on Sept 21, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 20, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

BILL KOSTROUN/AP

BILL KOSTROUN/AP

Jose Bautista reached base 5 times, scored 4 runs, lead off the go ahead rally with a walk where he would come around to score, launched a homer and had fun with the Yankee Stadium Bleacher Creatures as the Blue Jays beat the Yankees 6-3.

Chris Coghlan got on base 5 times, drove in 3, scored 3 and homered twice, the second one giving the Cubs the lead in a stunning come from behind 8-7 victory over the Dodgers.

Dallas Keuchel beat the Mariners in a game they could ill afford to lose. By going 8 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 8, he got the decision in Houston’s 10-1 blow out.

Andrew Cashner took a shutout into the 9th inning. He would finish with 8 plus innings with 4 hits, 2 runs and 1 walk as the Padres held on against San Francisco, 3-2.

They all owned baseball on Sept 20, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 19, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

BEN MARGOT/AP

BEN MARGOT/AP

Jon Lester gave the A’s another stellar outing, going 7 innings, allowing 1 run on a solo homer and striking out 7, earning the 3-1 decision over Philadelphia.

David Ortiz went 3-5 with a pair of homers, including a go ahead shot in the 10th and 3 RBI leading the Red Sox past Baltimore 5-3.

John Lackey went into the 8th, finishing with 7 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run and no walks, inching the Cardinals closer to a post season berth with a 2-1 win over the Reds.

A.J. Ellis reached base 3 times, scored all three times and homered twice, driving in 4 runs as the Dodgers clobbered the Cubs, 14-5, and clinched a post season berth.

They all owned baseball on Sept 19, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 18, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Felix Hernandez established a career high in strikeouts while throwing 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and fanning 11 Angels. He did not get the decision but the Mariners stayed alive in the playoff chase with a 3-1 victory.

Logan Morrison hit a potential season saving 3 run homer with 2 outs in the 9th inning that gave Seattle a 3-1 win over the Angels.

Gerrit Cole pitched 7 strong inings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs while walking none and striking out 7. His Pirates would complete the sweep of the Red Sox, 3-2.

Wilin Rosario went 4-5 with a double and a towering 2 run, bottom of the 9th, come from behind walk off homer to give the Rockies a 7-6 win over Arizona.

They all owned baseball on Sept 18, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 17, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

AP Photo

AP Photo

Adam Wainwright pitched a complete game 7 hit shutout of the Brewers and inching the Cardinals closer to another division title with a 2-0 victory.

Carlos Carrasco tossed a 2 hit, 1 walk, 12 strikeout complete game shutout of the Astros, giving the Indians a 2-0 victory.

Charlie Blackmon led a potent Colorado attacked with a 5 for 5 performance, homering, scoring 4 times and driving in a pair in the 16-2 blow out of the Dodgers.

C.J. Cron broke open a game that was scoreless in the 7th with a 2 out, 3 run homer that helped the Angels beat the Mariners 5-0 and clinch the AL West.

They all owned baseball on Sept 17, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 16, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Paul Beaty/AP

Paul Beaty/AP

Jake Arrieta took a no hitter into the 8th and finished with a complete game 1 hit, 1 walk, thirteen strikeout masterpiece of the Reds, giving the Cubs a 7-0 shutout.

Wilmer Flores doubled and homered twice, scoring 3 times and driving in 6, leading the Mets offense in a 9-1 drubbing of the Marlins.

Ricky Nolasco kept the mighty Tigers off the board with 8 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk. He would get a no decision as the bullpen blew the lead but the Twins would come back to win, 4-3.

Adam Eaton went 4-5, missing the cycle by a homer,  and scored a pair of runs as the White Sox frustrated the Royals, 7-5.

They all owned baseball on Sept 16, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 15, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

 (Photo: Jim Mone/AP)

(Photo: Jim Mone/AP)

Miguel Cabrera went 3-5 with a double and a homer in the 9th inning to help the Tigers beat the Twins, 8-6.

Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam and drove in a 5 run, helping the the Diamondbacks top the Giants 6-2.

Matt Shoemaker pitched the Angels into the playoffs with a 7 2/3 inning performance, allowing 5 hits and 1 run, walking none and getting the 8-1 victory over Seattle.

Andrew Cashner threw a complete game 2 hit shuout, winning a tense 1-0 pitchers duel against the Phillies in San Diego.

They all owned baseball on Sept 15, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 14, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Photo By Gene J. Puskar/AP

Photo By Gene J. Puskar/AP

Josh Harrison hit a 2 run, game tying double, came around to score the go ahead run, collected another hit and in the field started a triple play, leading the current Wild Card Pirates to a 7-3 win over the Cubs.

J. D. Martinez got on base 3 times with a homer and an RBI single, helping the Tigers come from behind and defeat division rival Cleveland, 6-4.

Clayton Kershaw threw 8 solid innings, allowing 2 runs, striking out 9 and walking 1 as the Dodgers put some distance between the Giants, winning 4-2.

Dallas Keuchel pitched no hit ball into the 7th and stopped the Angels 10 game winning streak with his 7 innings, 3 hit, 1 run performance, getting the 6-1 decision for Houston.

They all owned baseball on Sept 14, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 13, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WO

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Mike Trout reached base 4 times, doubling, homering twice, leading the Angels to a 5-2 victory over the Astros.

Jeremy Guthrie kept Kansas City in the playoff picture with 8 innings of 3 hit no earned run ball to beat the Red Sox, 7-1.

Ian Desmond reached base 4 times, scoring a pair, driving in 3 and stole a pair of bases as the Nationals moved closer to clinching the Division with a 10-3 thrashing of the Mets.

Zack Greinke not only gave the Dodgers 6 strong shutout innings but he got on base 3 times, driving in a pair and homering as Los Angeles throttled San Francisco, 17-0.

They all owned baseball on Sept 13, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 12, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Beck Diefenbach, Contributor / Special To The San Francisco Chronicle

Beck Diefenbach, Contributor / Special To The San Francisco Chronicle

Madison Bumgarner pitched 7 shutout innings and set the San Francisco record for most strikeouts by a left hander in a season as the Giants beat the Dodgers 9-0.

Bud Norris helped the Baltimore pitching domination of the Yankees in a double header sweep with 7 innings, no runs, 3 hits and 10 strikeouts in the second  game’s 5-0 win.

Matt Holliday went 2-4 with a homers, 3 runs batted in and a stolen base as the Cardinals closed in on a playoff spot, 5-1 over the Rockies.

J.D. Martinez homered and tripled, driving in 4 runs as the Tigers beat the Indians, 7-2.

 

They owned baseball on Sept 12, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 11, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

AP Photo/Al Behrman

AP Photo/Al Behrman

Johnny Cueto pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and walking one Cardinal batter and won the 1-0 pitchers duel for the Reds.

Chris Sale dominated the A’s over 8 shutout innings, letting up 2 hits, 2 walks while striking out 9 and earned the 1-0 victory for the White Sox.

Anthony Rendon went 3-5 with a homer, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI, helping the Nationals beat the Mets, 6-2 and inch closer to a Division Title.

Chris Young broke up the Tampa no hitter in the 8th with a double and then crushed a walk off, come from behind 3 run homer to win it in the 9th for the Yankees, 5-4.

They owned baseball on Sept 11, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 10, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

AP Photo/Carlos Osorio

James Shields pitched 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts and propelled the Royals into first place by themselves by winning 3-0 in Detroit.

Aaron Harang threw 7 innings, allowing 1 unearned run, striking out 9 and walking none, giving the Braves a much needed 6-2 win against Washington.

Albert Pujols singled, doubled and tripled, scoring 2 and driving in another as the Angels became the first to reach 90 wins, clobbering the Rangers, 8-1.

Carl Crawford went 4-4 with 3 doubles, a pair of RBI and a run scored, helping the Dodgers move closer to a Division Title, topping the Padres 4-0.

They owned baseball on Sept 10, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 9, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP

Josh Donaldson went 5-6 with a doubles, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI, leading a resurgent Oakland offense to an 11-2 drubbing of the White Sox.

Collin McHugh pitched 8 dominant innings, allowing 2 hits and no walks and 1 run on a solo homer as the Astros topped Seattle, 2-1.

Yusmeiro Petit needed only 84 pitches to throw a complete game, 4 hit, 9 strikeout and no walk 5-1 victory for the Giants over the Diamondbacks.

Marcell Ozuna reached base 5 times, scoring twice, driving in 2 and homered in the go ahead 9th inning rally as the Marlins beat the fading Brewers 6-3.

They owned baseball on Sept 9, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 8, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP

Tyler Flowers hit a 9th inning game tying homer and then launched a walk off homer in the 12th as the White Sox stunned the A’s, 5-4.

Marcus Stroman threw a complete game 3 hit shutout, walking no batters and striking out 8 Cubs as the Blue Jays won 8-0.

Carl Crawford reached base 4 times, including a homer, drove in 3 runs and scored 2 in the Dodgers 9-4 win over the Padres.

Jeff Locke allowed just 3 hits and no walks while striking 9 Phillies out over 7 innings of 1 run ball. He got the decision as the Pirates topped the Phillies, 6-4.

They owned baseball on Sept 8, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 7, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

REINHOLD MATAY/AP

REINHOLD MATAY/AP

Nelson Cruz nearly hit for the cycle, reaching base 5 times, tripling, homering twice, including in the 11th inning, and driving in all of Baltimore’s 7 runs, leading the way to a 7-5 victory in Tampa Bay.

Adrian Gonzalez hit a 3 run homer in the 6th inning to give the Dodgers the lead and hit another 3 run homer the next inning to pad the score, leading the Dodgers to a 7-2 win against the Diamondbacks.

Carlos Carrasco pitched into the 9th, finishing with 8 2/3 innings of 4 hit, shutout ball, striking out 8 White Sox while walking none as Cleveland won, 2-0.

Adam Wainwright pitched a complete game, allowing 7 hits and 1 run and earning his 17th win for the Cardinals this season in the 9-1 blow out in Milwaukee.

They owned baseball on Sept 7, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 6, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Ann Heisenfelt / Associated Press

Ann Heisenfelt / Associated Press

Albert Pujols went 3-5, scoring 3, driving in 3, homering and clubbing a go ahead 9th inning 2 run double to help the Angels come from behind and win 8-5 in Minnesota.

Buster Posey sparked a Giants attack by getting on 4 times, scoring twice and launching a homer in San Francisco’s 5-4 victory against Detroit.

Corey Kluber went the distance with a 5 hit complete game, allowing just 1 unearned run and helping the Indians keep their faint playoff hopes alive, 3-1 over the White Sox.

Johnny Cueto went 7 strong innings, allowing 6 hits and 1 run, earning the 2-1 win for the Reds over the Mets.

They owned baseball on Sept 6, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 5, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

Photo By Julio Cortez/AP

Photo By Julio Cortez/AP

James Shields pitched shutout ball into the 9th, finishing with 8 1/3 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and no walks as Kansas City shutout the Yankees 1-0.

Tyler Matzek threw a complete game 3 hit shutout in Coors Field, walking 1 while striking out 6 Padres, earning the 3-0 Rockies victory.

Yoenis Cespedes collected 4 hits, included a double, stole a base and drove home the game winning run as the Red Sox walked off 9-8 winners in 10 against the Blue Jays.

Travis d’Arnaud reached base 4 times including a homer, scored twice and drive in 4, leading the Mets to a 14-5 laugher in Cincinnati.

They owned baseball on Sept 5, 2014.

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Who Owned Baseball Sept 4, 2014 (Daily AL/NL Pitcher + Hitter MVP’s) + 2014 #WOB Standings

STEVE NESIUS/AP

STEVE NESIUS/AP

Mark Buehrle threw 8 shutout innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 walk. He did not get the decision but helped pitch the Blue Jays to a 1-0 ten inning victory in Tampa Bay.

Victor Martinez reached base 4 times including a back breaking 3 run homer in the 11th that helped the Tigers hold on and defeat the Indians 11-4.

Randall Delgado pitched 5 innings of 2 hit shutout ball before being lifted for a pinch hitter. He would get the 5-1 win for Arizona over San Diego.

A.J. Pollock went 3-4 with a stolen base, a double and a run scored helping the Diamondbacks top the Padres, 5-1.

They owned baseball on Sept 4, 2014.

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.