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Who Owns October (#WOO) Tallies Updated For October 20, 2018

YasielPuig

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Yasiel Puig has a tendency to talk a big game. But guess what? He backs it up. And with one swing of the bat he turned a potential Game 7 thriller into a foregone conclusion.

Meanwhile a parade of Dodger relievers kept the Brewers off of the scoreboard after Yelich’s first inning homer.

Dodgers are off to play the Red Sox. The Brewers came oh so close.

So who owned October?

Each winning team for every post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter who earn a full WOO (Who Owns October.)

And at my discretion, I award a 1/2 WOO’S to a worthy player on the losing team.

At the end of the post season, we will see who had the highest WOO total as a pitcher and a hitter.

A complete description of the rules can be found HERE.

From October 20, 2018

NLCS Game 7:

Receiving 1 WOO

Ryan Madson threw 1 2/3 clutch innings of shutout relief, allowing just 1 hit, striking out a pair of Brewers and earned the pennant clinching 5-1 decision for the Dodgers.

Yasiel Puig got 3 hits, including the back breaking 3 run shot, that put the game out of reach as the Dodgers clinched the pennant in Milwaukee, 5-1.

Receiving 1/2 WOO

Josh Hader kept the Dodgers off the board with 3 dominating shutout innings, striking out 4. It was too little too late as the Brewers lost, 5-1.

Christian Yelich homered in the first inning to send Milwaukee into a frenzy. It would short lived as the Dodgers rallied to clinch the pennant, 5-1.

 Current WOO Totals MLB 2018

Hitters ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,

Manny Machado – Dodgers 3, Jackie Bradley Jr. – Red Sox 2, Alex Bregman – Astros 2, George Springer – Astros 2, Justin Turner – Dodgers 2, Ronald Acuña, Jr – Braves 1 1/2, Orlando Arcia – Brewers 1 1/2, Lorenzo Cain – Brewers 1 1/2, Marwin Gonzalez – Astros 1 1/2, Aaron Judge – Yankees 1 1/2, Francisco Lindor – Indians 1 1/2, Christian Yelich – Brewers 1 1/2, Jesús Aguilar – Brewers 1, Andrew Benintendi – Red Sox 1, Cody Bellinger – Dodgers 1, Rafael Devers – Red Sox 1, Brock Holt – Red Sox 1, Erik Kratz – Brewers 1,  J. D. Martinez – Red Sox 1, Mike Moustakas Brewers – 1, Eduardo Nunez – Red Sox  1, Yasiel Puig – Dodgers 1, Gary Sanchez – Yankees 1, Tony Wolters – Rockies 1, Jose Altuve – Astros 1/2, Nolan Arenado – Rockies 1 /2, Javier Baez – Cubs 1/2, Charlie Blackmon – Rockies 1/2, Xander Bogaerts – Red Sox 1/2, Ryan Braun – Brewers 1/2, Khris Davis – Athletics 1/2, Freddie Freeman – Braves 1/2, David Freese – Dodgers 1/2, Didi Gregorius – Yankees 1/2, Steve Pearce – Red Sox 1/2, Freddy Peralta – Brewers 1/2, Trevor Story – Rockies 1/2, Kurt Suzuki  – Braves 1/2, Chris Taylor  – Dodgers 1/2,

Pitchers ‘WOO’ MLB 2017,

Brandon Woodruff – Brewers 2 1/2, Justin Verlander – Astros 2 1/2, Corbin Burnes – Brewers 2, Nathan Eovaldi – Red Sox 2, Clayton Kershaw –  Dodgers 2, Matt Barnes – Red Sox 1 1/2, Pedro Baez – Dodgers 1, Dellin Betances – Yankees 1, Ryan Brasier – Red Sox 1, Jhoulys Chacín – Brewers 1, Gerrit Cole – Astros 1, Kyle Freeland – Rockies 1, Kenley Jansen – Dodgers 1, Jeremy Jeffress Brewers – 1, Ryan Madson – Dodgers 1, Collin McHugh – Astros 1, Rick Porcello – Red Sox 1, David Price – Red Sox 1, Hyun-Jin Ryu – Dodgers 1, Chris Sale – Red Sox 1, Masahiro Tanaka – Yankeees 1, Arodys Vizcaino – Braves 1,  Tyler Anderson – Rockies 1/2, Walker Buehler – Yankees 1/2, Carlos Carrasco – Indians 1/2, Mike Clevinger – Indians 1/2, Chad Green – Yankees 1/2, Josh Hader – Brewers 1/2,  Joe Kelly – Red Sox 1/2, Dallas Keuchel – Astros 1/2, Jon Lester – Cubs 1/2, Wade Miley – Brewers 1/2, Sean Newcomb – Braves 1/2, David Robertson – Yankees 1/2, Touki Toussaint – 1 /2 Braves, Lou Trivino – Athletics 1/2

MLB Master Doubleheader Schedule For 2018

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

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

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

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

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

Tues Apr 3

SF 12:45/OAK 7:05

Wed Apr 4

LAA 1:07/SD 7:10

Sun Apr 8

PHI 1:35/WSH 8:08

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

Milwaukee Brewers History: Doc Halladay vs. Milwaukee

The recent passing of Roy “Doc” Halladay had me wondering about the number of times he pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers over the years.  Despite appearing in 416 games (390 of those being starts), I knew some factors worked against Doc matching up against the Brew Crew very often.  So I did a bit deeper investigation, leading to the following post:

Hallday broke into the bigs with Toronto as a September call-up in 1998.  The Brewers had already moved to the National League in 1998, thereby making Toronto an occasional Interleague opponent.  In fact, the Brewers wouldn’t play Toronto until 2005, which turned out to be the first time they’d face Halladay.

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY

halladay 2005

Today in Baseball History – The Indians/Angels Snow Series in Milwaukee

Ten years ago today, the 3-game series between the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, scheduled to be played at Jacobs Field April 10-12, moved to Miller Park.  The Indians had already started the season on the road against the Chicago White Sox, winning 2 of 3 games.  When they came home to Cleveland, Mother Nature had plans that would interrupt their festivities and the next several games.

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY

a miller park mlb3-19

Happy Birthday Miller Park

Anybody can say they were at Miller Park’s first Opening Day – 42,024 people in fact. That game happened on April 6, 2001.  But only REAL FANS can say they were at the second game.  I went to that game, and I’ll tell you about it after a quick recap of the opener…

In a repeat of the final series at Milwaukee County Stadium the previous year, Cincinnati again met the Brewers. Jeff D’Amico started both games for the Crew, and his first pitch in that first MP game was a strike to Barry Larkin.  At 7:17 p.m. under a closed roof, the action was underway.  It was just 43 degrees outside, but 72 degrees comfortable inside for fans – as had been promised all along.  Talk of a new stadium started over ten years prior to that first pitch, and the construction phase lasted well over four years.

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY

 

 

Chris Sáenz – A History-making Cup of Coffee

Only four pitchers in baseball history have started only one major league game, thrown six scoreless innings or more, and recorded a win in the process.  Chris Sáenz (pronounced SYNS) of the Milwaukee Brewers is the most recent, and actually the first hurler since 1899 to accomplish the feat.

 

As with most cup of coffee players, a perfect chain of events had to play out for Sáenz to make just one appearance and disappear, never to be heard from again.  The early 2004 season for the Brewers was ripe with issues – enough in fact, for a Double A pitcher to be called up to face the Central Division rival St. Louis Cardinals in late April.

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY

 

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

fenway park 2

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

DAY OFF Read the rest of this entry

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

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

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

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

DAY OFF

Monday, Apr 3

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

Tuesday Apr 4 

DAY OFF

Read the rest of this entry

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

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

Sunday, Apr 2  MLB OPENING DAY

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

Monday Apr 3

Off Day

Tuesday Apr 4

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

All 2430 MLB Games Schedule In 2017 On One Page Post

 

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

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

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

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

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

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

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

MLB Schedule For MLB In Sept/Oct Of 2017 On One Page Post

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

SEPT/OCT

Friday  Sept 1 (15 Games):

Braves @ Cubs 2:20

Red Sox @ Yankees 7:05

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Blue Jays @ O’s 7:05

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

Phillies @ Marlins 7:10

Angels @ Rangers 8:05

Mets @ Astros 8:10

Royals @ Twins 8:10

Rays @ White Sox 8:10

Nationals @ Brewers 8:10

D’Backs @ Rockies 8:40

Dodgers @ Padres 10:10

A’s @ M’s 10:10

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

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

Tuesday Aug 1 (15 Games)

Reds @ Pirates 7:05

Tigers @ Yankees 7:05

Royals @ Tigers 7:05

Indians @ Red Sox 7:10

Nationals @ Marlins 7:10

Dodgers @ Braves 7:35

Cardinals @ Brewers 7:40

D’Backs @ Cubs 8:05

M’s @ Rangers 8:05

Rays @ Astros 8:10

Blue Jays @ White Sox 8:10

Mets @ Rockies 8:40

Giants @ A’s 10:05

Phillies @ Angels 10:07

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

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

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JULY: 

Saturday July 1 (15 Games):

Red Sox @ Blue Jays 1:07

Rangers @ White Sox 2:10

Twins @ Royals 2:15

Braves @ A’s 4:05

Giants @ Pirates 4:05

Rays @ O’s 4:05

Cubs @ Reds 4:10

Marlins @ Brewers 4:10

Phillies @ Mets 4:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:15

Yankees @ Astros 7:15

Nationals @ Cardinals 7;15

M’s @ Angels 10:07

Rockies @ D’Backs 10:10

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

MLB Schedule In June 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

JUNE

Thursday June 1 (8 Games):

A’s @ Indians 1:10

Brewers @ Mets 1:10

Dodgers @ Cardinals 1:45

Rockies @ M’s 3:40

Red Sox @ O’s 7:05

Yankees @ Blue Jays 7:07

D’Backs @ Marlins 7:10

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

MLB Schedule In May 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

MAY

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

Week 5

Monday May 1 (11 Games):

Blue Jays @ Yankees 7:05

Rays @ Marlins 7:10

Indians @ Tigers 7:10

O’s @ Red Sox 7:10

Pirates @ Reds

Mets @ Braves

Phillies @ Cubs 8:05

Rangers @ Astros 8:10

White Sox @ Royals 8:15

Brewers @ Cardinals 8:15

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

MLB Schedule In April 2017 On One Page Post

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

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

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

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

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

There are no Interleague Games On this Day

Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday  Apr 4  (8 Games):

Yankees @ Rays 7:10

Rockies @ Brewers 7:40

Indians @ Rangers 8:05

M’s @ Astros 8:10

Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15

Giants @ D’Backs 9:40

Angels @ A’s 10:05

Padres @ Dodgers 10:10

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

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

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

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

ALL TIMES  DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME

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

INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON

APR  2017

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

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

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

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

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

MLB Doubleheader Master Schedule In 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AL vs NL

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

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

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

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

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

baseball-map-framed-with-plaque

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the rest of this entry

MLB Teams Taking A Powder In 2017 So Far

Some MLB Teams have had a tough winter so far, and we take a look at why this is. We understand that not all clubs have to be in win mode, and some mabe rebuilding, however the process and mindset is what we are questioning here

Some MLB Teams have had a tough winter so far, and we take a look at why this is. We understand that not all clubs have to be in win mode, and some maybe rebuilding, however the process and mindset is what we are questioning here.  For a team that is not going all in and should be based on their limited window of winning opportunity, we also call them to the carpet.  Stop taking a powder in 2017 and give your head a shake!

MLB Teams Taking A Powder In 2017 So Far

There are certain clubs who have done a nice job improving their clubs year over year, some that have done nicely in maintaining, well, and there are teams that are not looking so hot in 2017.

Let me also qualify this in saying that the Toronto Blue Jays are dangerously close to falling into this pegging themselves.  You guys can’t seriously think that you can enter into the 2017 campaign with the Outfield trio of Melvin Upton Jr., Kevin Pillar and Ezequiel Carrera can you?

Give Jose Bautista a 1 Year Deal worth $15 MIL – with a 2nd year Team Option of $19.4 MIL – or a Buyout Clause of $2.2 MIL  The Player could also opt out if he wants to after 2017.  You may risk losing a Draft Pick at all with the way this is going Toronto.

With the 1st ED pick attached to Joey Bats. and the looming future QO’s never receiving as much again,  how could a team justify losing that high of Amateur Draft Selection for an aging 36 year old slugger.

Here is the thing though Blue Jays brass:  You need him..Both at the turnstiles and in the lineup.  He doesn’t cost you anything but money – and the guy still carried out a .815 OPS despite a rough down year.

With a chip on his shoulder, I think he will bounce back big time.  You can defensive replace him every night if you wish, or use Kendrys Morales at First, and let Justin Smoak ride pine for some DH AB to open up for Bautista.

Losing Edwin Encarnacion, Bautista and Michael Saunders is not made up by Morales and Steve Pearce fellas!  You drew 3.4 Million Fans in 2016.  Toronto will keep the faith if you bring back #19 for one more year. Read the rest of this entry

For Whatever League Wins The 2016 ALL – Star Game: Chances Are Home Field Wont Matter In The World Series Because Of The Dumb 2 – 3 – 2 Format

Chances are that whichever League wins this game tonight will actually plays less games at home in the World Series is more likely to happen, than a 7 game set in the World Series.

Chances are that whichever League wins this game tonight will actually plays less games at home in the World Series, as a 5 games Fall Classic  is more likely to happen, than a 7 game set in the World Series.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

Yeah I said it… and fully mean it.  This is my annual gripe of how the ALL – Star Game winner will likely not play more games at their home park because of the 2 – 3 – 2 format.  I am sure that a lot of people hate the fact the Midsummer Classic even determines home field advantage.

I actually don’t think the game meaning something is a bad idea.  I guess no one remembers that drab games we suffered from about 1995 – 2002 – where more players would exit the game and hop on a pending flight, than actually stayed?

For the most part,  the MLB has made nice changes to the ALL – Star Game.  Having the fans only vote on the starters, the players on the reserves, with the managers picking their pitchers.  I also like that Catchers can reenter the contest. 

As for the league winner of this game and home field advantage for the Fall Classic. You are way more likely to a series go 5 games as opposed to 7.  It also baffles me how the team with a home field advantage for a series ever trails in games played at their venue.  There will be another follow up article near the playoffs in pertaining to this article.

The MLB should use a 3 – 3 – 1 format instead of the 2 – 3 – 2 as a counter, for this would be ideal to clone what clubs go through in the regular season.  Series of 3 are perfect.  I understand it is too hard with travel, to use the best series setup of 2 – 2 – 1 – 1 – 1. Read the rest of this entry

MLB Fantasy Daily (DFS) Picks For DraftKings – 5/17/16

zz draft kings

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

We are ramping up our coverage on DFS play at MLB Reports, and will include some strategy articles in the forthcoming days and weeks.  We come from a high level of handicapping backgrounds, and have been given the go ahead from the braintrust at MLB Reports to start sharing some of these with you.

Of course Chuck Booth and I spearheaded this movement back in a few years ago with just regular baseball futures.  We were not sure if we wanted to go ahead with the MLB DFS Fantasy at all, but were finally convinced for demand by a couple of our BBBA writers (Josh Robbins and Trey Rose).  The need is there and we are looking to deliver.

I have played DFS long enough to be the guy who writes the posts here.  The gambling philosophy championed by Booth in the 90’s is brilliant for any sources of tournaments or gambling period.  It weaves the Martingale Betting System (progressive betting with the double up theory) and it fosters it with several other techniques so you don’t bet against yourself.

One of the biggest blunders made by many gamblers is betting against themselves.  We are going to simplify the process, so if you win, you can really win – none of this barely break even nonsense.

Look for that in coming days.  Now here is what we are going to do for today’s MLB DFS Draft Kings style.

We Will Give You – Daily

5 team stacking options ( We are going to draw most of our players from these 5 squads).

3 Pitching candidates (High level, midlevel and budget).

Read the rest of this entry

MLB Daily Fantasy Picks (DFS) For FanDuel – 5/15/16

fanduel

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)

Sunday is always a crapshoot with everything involved, so make sure you check your starting lineups, weather and backup Catcher roles.

The game I am keying on more than others today is the game at Camden Yards.   With contests in Coors Field, Chase Field and Miller Park also featuring on massive hitter friendly venues, I will be playing a roster on all of them.

The Tigers are still criminally underpriced on FanDuel right now, as their losing streak has a ton more to do with their horrific Late Inning Relief of late.

I am waiting for Justin Upton to start cracking the ball, and will play him on a roster for 2 – 3 weeks once he starts rolling.  He is a type of guy who will bash 10 HRs in a month at least once in a baseball year.

In the same game, I am running with Jonathan Schoop, who clubbed 2 jacks Saturday – and could easily go yard again on Sunday.

Adam Jones is also on fire – after early season struggles, and is a nice bargain at $2800. Manny Machado took a goose egg for FPP – and I simply can’t think he will do this two games in a row.

Tentatively, I also have put Nolan Reimold into the lineup, should he not be played, I am going to use Yasiel Puig on a wildcard throw out there at $2400.

I would have loved to have implored the Jays lineup – however they were all way out of whack for the price – so I am only going to use Troy Tulowitzki.

The Tigers are facing Kevin Gausman, yet have several hitters that just lace fastballs.

As for my pitcher – I am going with Masahiro Tanaka.  The White Sox have guys that whiff in their lineup something fierce, and I like Tanaka over Miguel Gonzalez in this matchup.

MAY 15, 2016…All Day Slate – Camden Heavy

P – Masahiro Tanaka, CWS @ NYY, $9800

C – Victor Martinez. DET @ BAL, $3500

1B – Miguel Cabrera. DET @ BAL, $3700

2B – Jonathan Schoop. DET @ BAL, $2800

3B – Manny Machado, DET @ BAL, $4200

SS – Troy Tulowitzki, TOR @ TEX, $2800

OF – Justin Upton, DET @ BAL, $2900

OF – Adam Jones, DET @ BAL, $2800

OF – Nolan Reimold, DET @ BAL, $2600 (Or Yasiel Puig, STL @ LAD, $2400, vs Mike Leake)


$35, 000, 000 ($0 Left)


2nd Sample Lineup – Coors Field Stack

P – Danny Duffy, ATL @ KC, $6800

C – Victor Martinez, DET @ BAL, $3500 or Buster Posey SF @ ARI, $3400

1B – Lucas Duda, NYM @ COL, $3800

2B – Neil Walker, NYM @ COL, $3500

3B – Danny Valencia, OAK @ TB, $2400

SS – Marcus Semien, OAK @ TB  $2200

OF – Yoenis Cespedes, NYM @ COL, $5000

OF – Curtis Granderson, NYM @ COL, $3700

OF – Carlos Gonzalez, NYM @ COL, $4000


$35, 000, 000 ($0 Left)

If you’re not familiar with the points breakdown, here’s the format utilizing a $35 million salary cap.  

Scoring System: https://www.fanduel.com/spring-training?t=lobby

1 Starting Pitcher (SP)

1 Catcher (C)

1 First Baseman (1B)

1 Second Baseman (2B)

1 Third Baseman (3B)

1 Short Stop (SS)

3 Outfielders (OF)

Game Types: https://www.fanduel.com/how-it-works

50-50s


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a gambling ring

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

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MLB Schedule For Week 4 Of 2016: April 25th To May 1st (95 Games)

These teams have combined for 8 out of the last 20 World Series - but each of them had represented in the AL for every year since the WildCard was alotted. The last time neither team participated in the playoffs was 1993

These teams have combined for 8 out of the last 20 World Series wins (in 10 appeareancs – but at least one of them had represented in the AL during the playoffs for every year since the WildCard was alotted – until 2014 saw that come to an end. The last time neither team participated in the postseason prior to that was 1993.  The Yankees ended up making the Wild Card Game in 2015 to start a new streak.  The Bronx Bombers are struggling and aging rapidly, while Boston tries to see a bunch of new players all gel into a club that could contend.  They are the ESPN Sunday night game on May 1st.

BOLD Red is Interleague Play

MLB Schedule For Week 4 Of 2016:  April 25th To May 1st (96 Games)

MLB Scheduling 2016

Day + Date     Away and Home, Times Start In EST

Week 4

Monday Apr 25 (12 Games)

White Sox @ Blue Jays 7:07

A’s @ Tigers 7:08

O’s @ Rays 7:10

Reds @ Mets 7:10

Red Sox @ Braves 7:10

Yankees @ Rangers 8:05

Indians @ Twins 8:10

Pirates @ Rockies 8:40

Cards @ D’Backs 9:40

Royals @ Angels 10:05

Padres @ Giants 10:15

Astros @ M’s 10:10

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

Daily Fantasy MLB DFS Picks For Draft Kings 4/21/16

Alex Brandon - AP

Alex Brandon – AP

Trey Rose (Featured BBBA Fantasy Baseball Writer/Owner – dynastydigest.sportsblog.com) 

P – Clayton Kershaw (vs. Atlanta Braves): $13,600. Kershaw comes at a steep price, but he is well worth it. There are tons of great pitching match-ups on Thursday, but Kershaw is the most sure bet.

When looking at other big match-ups, they didn’t quite match-up to Kershaw’s potential performance.

Dallas Keuchel has really struggled against the Rangers when playing in Arlington, Jake Arrieta has been crushed in his career when pitching at Cincinnati, and Max Scherzer has struggled at times against the Miami Marlins.

While there seems to be at least one red flag in all of the match-ups I mentioned, Kershaw pitching against the Braves is a match-up made in heaven. 

In 88 at bats against Kershaw, the Braves lineup is hitting .148 with 34 strikeouts. In 3 starts this year, Kershaw has thrown 22 innings (averaging more than 7 innings per game) with a 1.64 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and only 2 walks.

These numbers are absolutely elite for daily fantasy.

P – Ricky Nolasco (vs. Milwaukee Brewers): $6,600. Nolasco is a boom or bust option. He is either going to give up 6 runs in the first… or he is going to strikeout 10 over 7 innings.

He is a hard guy to understand, but it is hard not to love him versus the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.

The Brewers have the 26th best offense in Major League Baseball and it doesn’t look like that will be improving anytime soon.

Milwaukee have aready struck out 128 times this year, which ranks as the fifth worst in Major League Baseball.

After spending so much on Kershaw, it was necessary to take a price cut on the second pitcher, and Nolasco provides the most hope out of cheap options.

To see the rest of the picks for 4/21, click the link below:

SEE THE REST OF THE PICKS

MLB Schedule For Week 2 Of 2016: April 18th to April 24th (96 Games)

Fenway Park will host its annual 1105 AM start time for Patriots Day tomorrow. Make sure you get your fantasy picks in, and to also figure outyour viewing schedule as well to accommodate the time.

Fenway Park will host its annual 1105 AM start time for Patriots Day tomorrow. Make sure you get your fantasy picks in, and to also figure out your viewing schedule as well to accommodate the time.

MLB Scheduling 2016

Day + Date     Away and Home, Times Start In EST

Week 3

Monday Apr.18 ( 8 Games)

D’Backs @ Giants 10:15

Rockies @ Reds 4:10

Angels @ White Sox 8:10

Brewers @ Twins 8:10

Blue Jays @ Red Sox 1105 AM. (Patriots Day)

Nats @ Marlins 7:10

Mets @ Phillies 7:05

Cubs @ Cards 8:15 Read the rest of this entry

2016’s 30 MLB Park Home Openers Results: Fans Go Home Disappointed 19 Times

Best home win for all 30 clubs in winning 10 - 1 over the Milwaukee Brewers Monday Apr 11, 2016

Best home win for all 30 clubs in winning 10 – 1 over the Milwaukee Brewers Monday Apr 11, 2016  9 runs difference was the best run differential for the home clubs.

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

It was a bad year for the home clubs in MLB Season Openers in 2016.  The road clubs won 19 of the 30 MLB Park openers.  The worst defeat was at Petco Park (where the Padres lost 15 – 0).

The Cardinals featured the best win for the home side, working over the Brewers for a 10 – 1 win yesterday.

Of note, it was the last home park openers for David Ortiz and the great Vin Scully announced the lineup for his last Dodger Stadium opener, in what was the 30th home opener on the itinerary.

The American League went 5 – 10 and the National League went 6 – 9.

Baltimore, San Francisco, Chicago Cubs and Detroit were the only four clubs that won openers, that also won another home opener to which they were on the road.

The Cardinals had the most lopsided win at home winning 10 – 1, the Giants scored the most runs with 12, and the biggest loss and defeat for a home squad, was San Diego being bageled 15 – 0 by the Dodgers in Game 1 at Petco, in what turned out to be a 3 game home series where they were shutout in all games and outscored 25 – 0.

To end the stats here, the NL Central was the only winning division at 4 – 1, where the Brewers lost the only contest at Miller Park to the Giants.

Read the rest of this entry

Milwaukee Brewers – What We Learned In Week 1 Of 2016

New Milwaukee GM David Stearns has his hands full trying to compete in the NL Central for the next several seasons.  Really the club should be starting a full scale rebuild that includes trading Ryan Braun. Jonathan Lucroy and potentially Wily Peralta.  With dealing with the Cubs, Cards and Bucs all in the NL Central, expect a 100 loss season coming forth for the club.

New Milwaukee GM David Stearns has his hands full trying to compete in the NL Central for the next several seasons. Really the club should be starting a full scale rebuild that includes trading Ryan Braun. Jonathan Lucroy and potentially Wily Peralta. With dealing with the Cubs, Cards and Bucs all in the NL Central, expect a 100 loss season coming forth for the club.  This squad split their 1st 6 game homestand with after being blistered by the Giants, Milwaukee took 2 out of 3 in Interleague play versus the Houston Astros.

Chris Zantow (Featured BBBA Writer/Owner – chriszantowauthor.wordpress.com)

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

With one week in the books, let’s take a look at what Milwaukee Brewers fans have learned so far.

This isn’t last year’s team. GM David Stearns ran off nine trades that netted 16 players after taking the job last year.  Stearns has repeatedly said he’s looking to stock up on pitchers – not just arms – but pitchers that throw strikes and get ahead in the count.  Stearns also feels the Brewers outfield has a lot of depth and is an area of strength.  So if this isn’t the 2015 team that went 68-94, then what can fans expect?

READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY