Blog Archives
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 17, 2015
Sitting in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, I decided to record a podcast.
After talking about Don Mattingly and some of the odd things in Saturday night’s game,
And then I addressed the Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball idk if you would be interested in covering it, but what about a discussion about Adrian Beltre and his HOF case?
— Noah K. (@Noah_kenn13) May 16, 2015
Lots of topics to address while stuck in traffic for Episode 934 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Brandon Crawford, Jorge de la Rosa, Eduardo Escobar, Matt Shoemaker, Brad Miller and Chris Owings all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 15, 2015
AP
April 15 is many things besides Tax Day in baseball.
It is the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. It is also the second anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing.
Also on this day in 1958, the Giants and Dodgers played each other for the first time as California teams, changing the landscape of baseball forever.
It is a West Coast Bias Episode 904 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony DeSclafani, Steven Souza Jr, Shane Greene, Robinson Cano, A. J. Burnett and Chase Utley all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?
The Most Recent Cycle Hit For Each Team
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Why doesn’t hitting for the Cycle get the same love as throwing a no hitter?
Seriously, hitting for the cycle is just about as uncommon as a no hitter. Only 305 cycles have been hit, as opposed to 287 no hitters.
Getting the perfect combination of a single, double, triple and homer requires skill, consistency and an obscene amount of luck.
Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds and Willie Mays never did it once.
Michael Cuddyer, Chris Speier and Brad Wilkerson did it twice.
There has never been a cycle hit in the post season, as opposed to a pair of October no-no’s (Don Larsen and Roy Halladay.)
The Marlins have never had a player hit for the cycle. Neither have the Padres, who also have never had a no hitter.
So while I carefully update the list of the most current no hitter for each franchise, I have neglected to do the same for players who hit for the cycle… until now.
The pic is of the last cycle, hit by Michael Cuddyer, who has done so in both leagues (along with Bob Watson and John Olerud.)
Some of the teams have waited a while for an update. Eric Davis’ cycle in 1989 remains the last time it happened for Cincinnati. The Expos (2003) have had one more recently than the Red Sox (1996.)
Here is the list, to be updated when the next cycle is hit!
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – April 1, 2015
Source: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images North America
Los Angeles could become the experimental lab for removing blackout rules and ending the Time Warner impasse in the most profitable way possible.
It is a think outside the idiot box episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 24, 2015
AP
Hector Olivera signed with the Dodgers. What does that mean for Don Mattingly’s future with the team?
It is a “Better Win Now” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 21, 2015
AP Photo
Yasiel Puig and Clayton Kershaw can rewrite the Dodger record books if they stay healthy. And the Dodger records for hitting are not as impressive as you would think a successful franchise would have.
It is a create your own history episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 20, 2015
USA Today Sports
The Dodgers and Giants rivalry right now would be more intense if the San Francisco ace didn’t change with every World Series title.
Also the new ending of the season is the coolest idea I’ve heard in a while.
It is a renewed rivalry episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Toronto Blue Jays Payroll In 2015 + Contracts Going Forward
Alex Anthopoulos had done a nice job of assembling his club with players from other teams. To construct a team with this type of caliber, it can be traced all the way back to the Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion brilliant extensions, while the Jays GM were able to break free from albatross contracts from Vernon Wells and Alex Rios. He is close to the finish line, but with a flailing Canadian Dollar, and his many guys with 1 or 2 years left on the club signed, he must go one step further to gun for a championship.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
What a difference from just a few seasons ago. Toronto is on the cusp of contention, and is yielding the best club they have probably since their 1993 World Series run. The payroll has crept up incrementally – and they are in the top 10 of the game.
The only Canadian franchise is estimated to have a budget of $127.3 MIL this year. This would slate them 10th in the Majors. The clubs ahead of them include: Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Nats, Angels, Giants, Rangers and Tigers. This total still only puts them 3rd in their own Division.
Having signed Russell Martin to a 5 YR deal worth $82 MIL jumps the teams salary big time, but one could argue he will help the team lower its ERA.
For a Year to Year Breakdown For all of the Jays players salaries please visit here. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 19, 2015
The Dodgers have a shot to win the World Series this year. But will they fix their bullpen? Should they make a big move? Recent World Series winners suggest maybe they shouldn’t.
Meanwhile I sneaked onto the field of Sunken Diamond at Stanford for this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – January 11, 2015
It is Sunday and time for The Sunday Request.
@sullybaseball I would love to see The Dodgers trade for Hamels, but I don’t think any team can meet RAJ’s outlandish demands.
— Jim Furlong (@EWOKinLA) January 9, 2015
The Phillies might be right to make huge demands for Cole Hamels. And Phillies fans could have reasons for guarded optimism.
Find out why while I buy Manhattan Clam Chowder on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast
A Early Look at Future Hall of Fame Candidates
Craig Biggio finally got his “call to the hall” and should set an example for players who didn’t get that call on their first try. Other notable players are still on the ballot, and should receive legitimate consideration for induction in the future.
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The BBWAA elected four players into the Baseball Hall of Fame for the class of 2015: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. This is the first time that the BBWAA has elected four players in 60 years, as these four players truly exemplify what the MLB Hall of Fame is all about.
Now that the official results have been released, we can now take a look at not only some of the guys who will return on the ballot in the upcoming years, but also some future eligible players who present a very interesting case for their enshrinement into the Hall of Fame.
2015 MLB Hall of Fame Voting: Who Deserves to Get In?
The MLB Hall of Fame will announce which players will be part of the Class of 2015. With players such as Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez being added to the ballot this year, the question remains as to which players will ultimately make the final cut this year?
By Nicholas Delahanty (MLB Reports Writer) Follow @Nick_Delahanty
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is very possible that history is made with regards to this year’s MLB Hall of Fame induction class. In the past, the committee has been hesitant to vote in more than three players in one class, and it has been very rare to see more than three voted in at one time. In the past, the committee voted in four players twice (1947 and 1955) and five players only once (1936- the first year of the voting process).
As the decision day quickly approaches, there is speculation that the BBWAA could possibly end the long drought and elect five players this year. With this year’s ballot having a ton of players who could make a legitimate case to be inducted, I decided to go to the process of picking my own ballot (which doesn’t count for the BBWAA), and after taking the time and effort to research my ballet, I realized that it was a much harder process then I anticipated it would be.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 12, 2014
Do the Padres think they are on the verge of contending? Are they insane?
It is another San Diego based episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – December 6, 2014
ESPN
Buster Olney wants to take a stand on the Hall of Fame vote. Really? Just cast a vote or not. It isn’t a brave stance.
Plus why you should be glad I’m NOT Jon Lester.
That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!
With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last month. It may take a small miracle for them to make a playoff spot next campaign.
The Evil Empire Is About To Crumble In The Bronx!
Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Yankees have long used the prolong success of the “core four” to drive them to go far in the playoffs. They then surrounded them by free agents and other homegrown players.
Today the Yankees are in some trouble and if they aren’t smart this offseason they will remain hampered by large contracts for a long time instead of a quick retool to be VERY competitive in two years.
Let me show you what I’m talking about
Here is their Starting lineup and their ages:
LF Brett Gardner 31
3B/2B Martin Prado 31
CF Jacoby Ellsbury 31
C Brian McCann 30
RF Carlos Beltran 37
1B Mark Teixeira 34
DH Alex Rodriguez 39
2B Robert Refsnyder 23 (Or acquisition at 3B, Prado plays 2B)
SS Brendan Ryan 32
Not exactly Spring chickens over there. The only player under 30 is one that will almost absolutely be replaced by someone who is most likely over 30. This at this moment isn’t exactly a star studded lineup, but the way that their being paid might make it seem that way. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 13, 2014
Universal Studios
Detroit Tiger fans need to treat 2015 like it is a Toga Party.
Also thoughts on the Cy Young award and remembering Alvin Dark on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – November 1, 2014
AP Photo, The Canadian Press – Fred Thornhill
Joe Maddon looks like he is heading to the Cubs. Why didn’t the Dodgers back up the Brinks truck and offer him the sun, moon and stars?
They will regret this for the rest of the decade.
The off season is beginning in earnest on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 28, 2014
(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Tonight is Game 6 of the World Series.
Those words can bring up so many different memories. Who will be the Reggie Jackson, Carlton Fisk, Don Denkinger, Bill Buckner, Kirby Puckett, Joe Carter, Tom Glavine, Josh Beckett, David Freese or Nelson Cruz of the night?
Meanwhile I all but beg Joe Maddon to take over the Dodgers.
It could be a memorable night that is previewed on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
The Best Teams In The MLB From 1980 – Now: SF Cements Their Place From 2010 – 2014 With WS Birth
The Giants won the World Series in 2010 and 2012, and now are in the 2014 World Series – with a great chance to win 3 titles in 5 years against Kansas City. The best teams for the last several years include the Red Sox from 2004 – 2007, the Phillies from 2008 – 2009, and then you would have to place the Giants as the best overall team from 2010 – 2014. Can they keep up the format of winning a World Series every 2 years again this year? The Red Sox (3 Titles), plus the Giants and Cards each having 2 Fall Classics, are the only 3 teams to have multiple World Series Trophies since the 2004 year.
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
There is only so much one can read in an article, otherwise I would make these lists up from the turn of the 20th century.
If you gave me enough time as a reader, I promise to backdate this topic with another article featuring the best teams dating back further in years.
Eventually, all of the years may be dissected and we can have a healthy debate on some of my selections. I really started watching baseball in the early 1980’s.
As I became older and discovered ways to research the history of the game, my knowledge and curious mind grew for more information.
I have studied and read baseball stat books and breezed through the odd Bill James novel.
If I ever take a break from writing or baseball park chasing, I may find some time down the road to watch the 9 part PBS documentary that Ken Burns did on baseball’s history.
As Of Right Now – The Yankees Are A Mess For 2015: End Of The Year ‘State Of The Union’
With almost $100 MIL tied up in contracts for Sabathia, A-Rod, Teixeira and a potential Tommy John Surgery candidate in Masahiro Tanaka, this New York squad is in some deep trouble for next season. Despite the recent playoff misses, and injury prone players brought in by Brian Cashman, the club saw fit to grant him a 3 year extension last week
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Let me get this straight…The ‘Bronx Bombers’ have missed the playoff for 2 years straight and no one has lost their jobs? Man how times have changed in Yankees land.
If George Steinbrenner were alive still right now, the twitter and social media world would be trending his name for all of October.
Since when is it acceptable to miss the playoffs, underachieve and spend to the best payroll in the American League?
Firing Kevin Long is not going to solve the hit crisis the club has.
Before any of you throw daggers at our site, we have had this stance for a couple of years now.
The 1st mistake was to not get under the Luxury Tax Threshold this season. That was soon followed by inking Brett Gardner to a 4 Year Deal, when you have such a similar player in the Outfield like Jacoby Ellsbury. Read the rest of this entry
It Has Been Bizarro World In the MLB All Year For 2014: The Playoffs Are No Different
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Royals and O’s in the ALCS??? with KC halfway to running the table on the whole playoffs – winning 6 straight games – and looking like the reincarnation of the 1927 Yankees?
The Braintrust of the New York Yankees, (and some fans) are happy with a 84 win season – following an 85 win campaign the previous year – to miss the postseason for the 2nd season in a row, but lock the GM for 3 years?&*!@!
The Pirates made a 2nd consecutive playoff spot??
Jose Altuve and Justin Morneau led their respective leagues in Batting Average??
Okay so it has definitely been a bizarre year in the Majors. While I am happy to see the game return to more athleticism and talent (not aided by steroids), the game has never been any harder to predict.
As a professional handicapper I realized this much a long time ago about baseball. You never bet the favorite, and always take the value. Read the rest of this entry
NLCS Preview: Cardinals vs Giants In A Battle For Decade Supremacy!
It’s all about the Pennants in the LCS Round, The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years, while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am not going to preview this from an analyst angle because our “Lead Podcast Personality” Paul Francis Sullivan ‘AKA Sully’ does a brilliant 20 minute podcast that he does daily, and he has described this matchup beautifully.
I will post the podcast at the end of the article.
Instead, I am looking at this series as a professional handicapper sense.
Opening Odds
STL -135
SF, +115
I have to give the nod to the Giants for value on this one. If you go down the rosters, the St. Louis franchise is a smidge better on the talent level, however how can you bet against San Francisco when they have won 8 straight playoff series from 2010 – 2014.
The Giants have also won 4 of 5 games in this year’s playoff. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 ALCS + NLCS In The MLB
Camden Yards will see home games in the ALCS for the 1st time since the 1997 season. Buck Showalter has a decisive edge in the managerial department over the Royals skipper Ned Yost. The O’s are the new owners of home field advantage all the way throughout the postseason now, as the top seed left in the American League.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The Dog Days Of October
The 4 teams in the League Championship Series were all underdogs in the last round.
When you also factor the Wild Card Games were both won by the Giants and Royals, (both not being the favorite), it marks the 1st 6 rounds of this postseason go to the “Dogs”.
Baltimore defeating the Tigers was probably the least surprising as the other clubs winning against their opponents. Again via a sweep of the 3 straight Cy Young Winners is impressive though.
The Nationals and Cards losing to the Giants and Cardinals had a lot to do with playoff pedigree with the teams moving on, as they handled the pressure better than the two upstart clubs. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 7, 2014
It is episode 715 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
I did not think Don Mattingly was making smart decisions leading up to Game 4 of the Division Series. I talked before and then after the game about my thoughts.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 5, 2014
Patrick Smith / Getty Images
The Giants and Nationals played 18 innings, which means I could take my wife out for an anniversary dinner, come back and not miss the biggest highlights of the day!
I praise and learn how to pronounce Yusmeiro Petit!
It is a romantic episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 4, 2014
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times
Yesterday I said jokingly that the final score of the Cardinals and Dodgers game with Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright pitching would be 10-9.
It is one of my FEW predictions that actually came true.
The Dodgers and Nationals blew critical games, the Tigers bullpen is a joke and the Angels are showing why the best record in the regular season doesn’t mean crap.
Plus I remember my wedding day on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
4 MLB Post Season Games Slated For Friday, All 3 Hours Apart – Call In Sick!
The 1st game of tomorrow’s play will be held at beautiful Camden Yards..
By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
I am also an NFL fan, and while I love baseball more than life itself, these type of days are rare indeed, where the sport will carry four separate times, in order for all 4 games to be seen.
Now, good luck on all games to be under 3 hours, but it is possible with some of the ace pitchers throwing.
Here is the lineup..
All times EST
Detroit @ Baltimore 12:07 PM (Camden Yards) Justin Verlander vs TBD
San Fran @ Washington 3:07 PM (Nationals Park) Jake Peavy vs Stephen Strasburg
St. Louis @ LA Dodgers 6:37 PM (Dodger Stadium) Adam Wainwright vs Clayton Kershaw
Kansas City @ LA Angles 9:37 (Angel Stadium) Yordano Ventura. vs Matt Shoemaker
Now I for one, am thinking that the LA traffic will be gridlock with over 100, 000 people clogging up the freeways in Los Angeles on a October Friday night. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2014 MLB World Series (All 10 Playoff Teams)
The Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise still has never appeared in the World Series. That didn’t stop the oddsmakers from giving them the #1 favorite status heading into the playoffs today. They are the deepest team on both offense and defense, and only lack postseason experience. The Stephen Strasburg ‘decision’ of a few years back, will never be put to rest until this club wins a title. Despite them being favored, I am not sure the ranking is justified, as the Dodgers reside in the same league.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
It is time to place your bets on the World Series. The Washington Nationals are your favorites to win the whole thing at +450. The Tigers, Angels and Dodgers are both next at all tied for +500.
To round out the teams in sequence…5 – Baltimore is at +700, 6 – St. Louis at +900, 7 – Oakland at +1100, 8 – San Fran at +1400, and the Royals and the Bucs are the biggest odds on the board at +1600 for 9th.
At first glance I see the pattern. The Nationals are the most deep team across the board, with having all 4 starters as potential aces in Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister.
Each one of the players in the positional lineup, were over right near of plus.400 for Slugging Percentage, and this doesn’t even include Ryan Zimmerman – who will be an awesome bat off the bench at least to start. Read the rest of this entry
MLB Reports Playoff Predictions 2014
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The playoffs are upon us, and since we had such a great year predicting a lot of stuff, both Chuck Booth and I are putting our postseason prognostications up.
In other blogs we will take a look at the series and everything, but this is just pure bets.
American League
American League Wild Card Game
Oakland -104 @ Kansas City -106 (Jon Lester @ James Shields)
Chuck – Oakland, Hunter, Oakland
The Most Recent No Hitter For Each Franchise (Updated For September 28, 2014 )
The first Washington No Hitter since 1931!
No Washington Nationals pitcher has ever thrown a no hitter. The last one thrown representing Washington? Bobby Burke, who no hit the Red Sox in August of 1931.
That’s all over now!
Jordan Zimmermann threw the first Washington Nationals no hitter (and the first in Franchise History since Dennis Martinez‘s perfect game as a member of the Montreal Expos.)
9 complete, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts of the Marlins, who for the second straight year end the season on a no hitter. Last year Henderson Alvarez won 1-0 over Detroit. This year the Marlins LOST 1-0.
Odd symmetry.
Safe to say, Jordan Zimmermann looks solid for this post season.
It is time to update my list!
MLB Reports 
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