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“Every Day Chucker” Podcast Episode #3: Lets Just Have 8 Batters Per Lineup Hit

NO DH and No Pitcher hitting???  Am I crazy, or would this be a creative way to influx some offense into the game without other big changes done to the fabric of baseball?

Consider the injury yesterday to Junior Guerra, and what if it were Clayton Kershaw or Madison Bumgarner.  Or if a Pitcher got hurt like Chien-Ming Wang, or worse like Tony Conigliaro?

Don’t worry folks, this kind of alteration is unlikely to happen, but one has to wonder whether the league will adopt a unified set of rules for both the American and National League.
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“Every Day Chucker” Podcast Episode #2 – MLB Interleague: AL Speedbagging The NL

I ask the question –   How many more years will be added on to the 13 year winning streak for the W-L record of the Junior Circuit, holding dominance over the Senior Circuit?

Wins by league Heading into 2017

Year Best record Games AL NL %*
1997 National 214 97 117 .547
1998 American 224 114 110 .509
1999 National 251 116 135 .538
2000 American 251 136 115 .542
2001 American 252 132 120 .524
2002 National 252 123 129 .512
2003 National 252 115 137 .544
2004 American 252 127 125 .504
2005 American 252 136 116 .540
2006 American 252 154 98 .611
2007 American 252 137 115 .544
2008 American 252 149 103 .591
2009 American 252 138 114 .548
2010 American 252 134 118 .532
2011 American 252 131 121 .520
2012 American 252 142 110 .563
2013 American 300 154 146 .513
2014 American 300 163 137 .543
2015 American 300 167 133 .557
2016 American 300 165 135 .550

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MLB Power Rankings: Early Win Predictions In 2017

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Last Updated: Jan 24, 2017

Over the last week we have seen some factors that have changed some win totals and rankings.  Unfortunately the saddening loss of Yordano Ventura will cause the Royals to lose a win or 2.

We saw Jose Bautista re-sign with the Jays, Mark Trumbo re-sign with the O’s and the Phillies sign Michael Saunders.  These are significant signings for the 1st 2 – and Saunders becomes one of Phlladelphia’s best clubs.

The Marlins also traded for Dan Straily.

For the MLB Rankings, we are also factoring in the World Series chances of each club.

It is important to also recognize the 300 games of the MLB Interleague.  The American League holds a 13 year winning streak, and adds to their victories in the year.

So far in 2017, we have the Junior Circuit registering a record of 167 – 133 vs the Senior Circuit.  Before you throw stones at me – it was exactly this record that the AL hung vs the NL in 2015.

Going back to Kansas City….I really hope I am wrong about their pending 2017 record.  Hopefully they also go and sign a Jason Gammel or Doug Fister to help the rotation.

Lets also hope that we don’t have any more deaths have to be figure out where we have teams wins at.  It is awful.  I hate using the Miami Marlins win total as a struggle to grip with the loss of Jose Fernandez. Read the rest of this entry

Once Again: Why The MLB Should Consider A Geographical/Market Size Re-Alignment For The Next CBA:

baseball-map-framed-with-plaque

 

The new CBA has been a godsend for the mid – market teams, and not so great for the 10 top markets, but even more devastating for the 10 lowest markets.  One thing the CBA did address was to give the players an additional 4 days off during the league year – stretching from 183 Days to 187 – in lieu of expanding the rosters of 25 to 26.

This website has continued its stance since day 1, that while the economics have been a lot more fair to teams in the last 15 years, there is still much work to do.  The best small market teams we have seen in the last 7 years have been the Oakland A’s, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and of course the 2015 World Series winning Kansas City Royals.  Only one of these teams actually were a decent franchise for some time before they took off.

Pittsburgh lost for 22 years before they finally made 3 straight postseason appearances.  With the new CBA not giving them 1st RD Draft Picks for departing players in future seasons like Andrew McCutchen, Gregory Polanco, Starling Marter and Gerrit Cole, this is a sure fire way for the brass to cut the cord on their service team a lot of time ahead of them hitting Free Agency.

Kansas City was a laughable organization from the mid 90’s to 2013 as well, and despite winning back to back pennants in the AL< and being the first small market team to win the World Series since the 2003 Marlins, they will soon start to see their team ripped apart under the same Free Agent terms like the Bucs – with Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Danny Duffy and Mike Moustakas likely all not re-signing with the franchise.  Dayton Moore already had to trade ace Closer Wade Davis this past week.

The Tampa Bay Rays were awful from 1998 – 2007, and were able to stockpile #1 overall picks to build up the franchise.  The Joe Maddon era ensued for 6 straight quality years where they competed beautifully, including a World Series Loss in 2008, but now they are at a crossroads again from a 68 win campaign. and teams all spending double what they can. 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


If you’re interested in playing DFS games, please use my Fanduel referral link to signup.

Please use the Referral Link for a signup bonus:

https://www.fanduel.com/?invitedby=bobadney&cnl=da

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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A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.

To Subscribe and listen daily to  ‘Our Lead Personality’  Sully’s 20 Minutes Daily (every day since Oct.24, 2012) Podcast click here.  Guaranteed listening to the Sully Baseball Daily Podcast will be the best time you invest in online!

MLB Daily Fantasy Picks (DFS) For FanDuel – 5/12/16

fanduel

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)

Clayton Kershaw won me a lot of money last start, and I will use him every time he is Starting.

I like using an affordable stack alongside the LHP, so I am using the struggling Tigers at hitter friendly Camden Yards tomorrow night.

Again, love FanDuel with using Victor Martinez as a Catcher. he can go in a 4 player stack with J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton.

In order to afford this lineup, I am using the KC Royals in another mini stack, imploring the use of Alcides Escobar, Alex Gordon and Omar Infante.  All 3 men are decent contact free swingers, who can do damage against Nate Eovaldi.

Since Aaron Hill crushed it last Saturday night with Kershaw’s start in the same day – I put him in the lineup again.  Not bad value for $2100 the way he has performed recently.

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MLB Daily Fantasy Picks (DFS) For FanDuel – 5/9/16

fanduel

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner)

In order to accommodate our Coors Field lineup, we are going to forego any expensive pitcher on Monday, and go with flamethrowing Aaron Sanchez of the Jays against Jake Peavy in San Francisco

Peavy has bee the ultimate gong show the last several outings, and despite being back in the comfort of AT & T – it will still be tough to tame the high powered Blue Jays

While I am going with the clubs second tier offensive players you could certainly skip picking the Coors Field game – and implement Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion against Peavy.

I am using the top of the Rockies lineup to bludgeon Rubby De La RosaCarlos Gonzalez at $3900 vs a RHP at home might be the value play of the night.

It would be nice if Russell Martin could kickstart his offense this year  I keep playing him as a cheap option on fantasy – but he has failed to deliver  Like teammate Troy Tulowitzki though, at least he doesn’t cost much money.  The latter I refuse to play now until he goes over the Mendoza Line for BA.

Love Aaron Sanchez in a big ballpark with Kevin Pillar running the ball down in the OF.  The Giants have a decent lineup of LHB, but Joe Panik has been hurt, and Brandon Crawford not to his 2015 standards yet.  Brandon Belt does scare me, but he is a different hitter at home.

Sanchez can strike out players at least – which will be crucial for this play.

I will be checking to see if they do switch EE in at 1B for Smoak, in which case I would switch to underperforming Prince Fielder vs Miguel Gonzalez (for $2700).

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MLB Power Rankings: April 2016

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Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

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Disclaimer:  We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series.  Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.

Yesterday won’t change much for the rankings.  Although it kicked off interleague with the Royals beating the Mets 4 – 3, and starts the Junior Circuit looking to win the AL vs NL competition for a 13th straight year.

Pittsburgh also beat the Cardinals.  I have them both ending the year win 91 victories, but these squad’s really intrigue me.

There are a multitude of reasons why I have picked the Cubs as the #1 team.  I explain them in the writeup.

Each Monday, we will post a new set of power rankings and go over the week that was. Read the rest of this entry

MLB 162 Game Format Should Be Changed To 154 Games: More Interleague + Less Division Games

For 80 years of their existence, the MLB played a 154 Game Schedule. By going back to this number of games it would ensure that no World Series may be played in November, and would give the league an alternative or two in changing the playoff format if need be. You could also revert the record book back to a 154 Games - and have Babe Ruth being the single season leader all time for HRs at 60. You can effectively rub out the steroid era.

For 80 years of their existence, the MLB played a 154 Game Schedule. By going back to this number of games it would ensure that no World Series may be played in November, and would give the league an alternative or two in changing the playoff format if need be. You could also revert the record book back to a 154 Games – and have Babe Ruth being the single season leader all time for HRs at 60. You can effectively rub out the steroid era.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) 

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TV Contracts aside, this will never happen.  But baseball should really grandfather in the schedule to be peeled back to 154 Games from the end of the contract of the last year on a deal with a network right now.

So why go to 154 Games?

Gone are the days when clubs sell out every single game.  Fenway Park and Citizens Bank Park both went through huge consecutive sellout steaks in recent vintage.  But recently there are not any clubs that sellout every game for a given year.

Each MLB club could easily withdraw 4 home dates on the calendar each.  I am of the opinion that most teams would not suffer many losses at the gate either. Read the rest of this entry

3 Games On Opening MLB Sunday in 2016: This Was Long Overdue

The Pirates finished in the top half of the league for attendance in the past year almost drawing 2.6 Million. They are the first game of the Season slated to be played. ESPN and MLB have announced at least 3 games for the opening Easter Sunday date of Apr.2, 2015. and 4 more games will be televised on the Easter Monday..

The Pirates finished in the top half of the league for attendance in the past year almost drawing 2.6 Million. They are the first game of the Season slated to be played. ESPN and MLB have announced at least 3 games for the opening Sunday date of Apr.2, 2015. and 4 more games will be televised on the Monday..

Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead  Analyst) 

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Baseball is really starting to get the picture in some regards.  Today it was announced that the league will open with three games on the first Sunday of the season.

The Pirates will host the Cardinals at 1:05 PM EST

The Rays will host the Jays at 4:05 PM EST

Finally, there will be a World Series rematch for the ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME at Kauffman Stadium between the World Champion Royals and the Mets. Read the rest of this entry

I Understand The River Boat Gambler Mentality, But Preller’s Method To Build SD Into A Winner Will Fail

A.J. Preller has revamped the roster of the Padres so much in the offseason, that I think it will take a full season for everyone to get used to their surroundings.  Much like the 2012 Angels and Marlins, 2013 Blue Jays and 2014 Yankees, just when you thought they won the winter, it took them half to a full year to round out their talent.  Having 10+ new faces on the roster usually doesn't translate to immediate impact on the field.  The Padres are listed as about an 84 win game club based on their squad.  I think they will be far below that.  For now, I have them ranked below the Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Cardinals, Pirates and Marlins in the National League.

A.J. Preller has revamped the roster of the Padres so much in the offseason, that I think it will take a full season for everyone to get used to their surroundings. Much like the 2012 Angels and Marlins, 2013 Blue Jays and 2014 Yankees, just when you thought they won the winter, it took them half to a full year to round out their talent. Having 10+ new faces on the roster usually doesn’t translate to immediate impact on the field. The Padres are listed as about an 84 win game club based on their squad. I think they will be far below that. For now, I have them ranked below the Dodgers, Giants, Mets, Cardinals, Pirates and Marlins in the National League.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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You are the San Diego Padres, and are looking at the Dodgers (north of $230 MIL in payroll the last 2 years and $267 MIL in 2015), and also the 3 times in 5 year champions (Giants) that also hail in your Division. Your franchise barely can scrape up enough dollars to crack the $100 MIL salary barrier, and you have 2 Pennants since your inception in 1969.

Petco Park’s attendance has been dropping since the park opened over a decade ago, and you needed to shake things up.  I get that.  Everyone and their grandma is calling A.J. Preller’s winter as a landmark win for any new executive that there has been.

Similar words were spoken in the winter of 2012 – going into 2013, when Alex Anthopoulos pulled off that mega trade with the Marlins, and everyone was casting them for the World Series (even the oddsmakers).  He based that trade with several components from Miami that were riddled with injury troubles in their career. Read the rest of this entry

The AL Has Been Dominating The NL During Interleague For Over A Decade Now

After 7 years of Interleague, the AL trailed the season series 4 - 3, and the overall games mark 853 - 833 (.506).  Since 2004 it has been 10- years straight of AL beatdowns, winning each campaign for Won - Loss record - 1437 - 1206 (.544).

After the 1st 7 years of Interleague, the AL trailed the season series 4 – 3, and the overall games mark 853 – 833 (.506). Since 2004 it has been 10 years straight of AL beatdowns, winning each campaign for Won – Loss record, with a clip of  1437 – 1206 (.544).  Despite a promising start of 26 – 17 this season for the Senior Circuit, the AL has reeled off a 63 – 45 run, to hold an overall mark of 80 – 71 (.530) – which is slightly above the Lifetime mark of .524 baseball

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

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The American League holds a decisive ALL – Time Record on the National League in Interleague play – and perhaps that is why a lot of traditional fans hate the concept even more.

Heading into play in 2014, the AL has won the last decade straight of seasonal play (10 years), and now possess an overall yearly record of 13 – 4 over the Senior Circuit.

It wasn’t always this dominant for the Junior Circuit. 4 of the 1st 7 campaigns were taken by the NL, however ever since the start of 2004, the American League has routinely speedbagged their opposition league.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – May 13, 2014

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Doolittle got a save last night and it was the real deal.

A few changes need to be made to the save rule to make it relevant again.

Plus I like the DH being in the AL but not the NL.

That and more on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Eric Young Jr, Tim Lincecum, Jesse Chavez, Jose Bautista, Christian Yelich, Bud Norris, Brett Gardner and yes Sean Doolittle  all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball.

 

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Defending Our MLB Power Rankings + What Is Strength Of Schedule?

Here at the MLB Reports we don't pull punches.  Earlier this week, our chief writer, Hunter Stokes worked his ass off to give a great rankings post for all 30 MLB teams.  You want to debate us on the some of the clubs we choose to place in a standing then fine, but don't say this website slacks off - or doesn't invest their time for each piece.  We eat, live and breathe baseball.  We tell it like it is - no holds barred.  Just to provide more clarity, I decided to write this ditty about how we come up with ratings on a weekly basis.  I fully urge every other sports entity to at least offer that much to do their readers.  This way, at least you know how these rankings came to be, and not just flung them out there.

Here at the MLB Reports we don’t pull punches. Earlier this week, our chief writer, Hunter Stokes worked his ass off to give a great rankings post for all 30 MLB teams. You want to debate us on the some of the clubs we choose to place in a standing then fine, but don’t say this website slacks off – or doesn’t invest their time for each piece. We eat, live and breathe baseball. We tell it like it is – no holds barred. Just to provide more clarity, I decided to write this ditty about how we come up with ratings on a weekly basis. I fully urge every other sports entity to at least offer that much to do their readers. This way, you know how these rankings came to be, and not it wasn’t just us flinging them out there.

I have come on to write an article fresh after talking all morning with people on twitter that have criticized our Rankings system.  Then it occurred to me, a lot of the other main baseball websites do a different rankings system for their ratings.

I love ESPN and their baseball coverage, but seriously the Brewers and Braves don’t deserve to be #1 and #2 respectively in the latest week report.

I wish the website would define how they write their rankings.  Is it how teams are playing?  Maybe I could see that, but there should be a better definition in describing how their system is derived.

At the MLB Reports, there is no confusion at all.  We base our 1 – 30 listings on how the teams rate in terms of the World Series – and if that particular squad has the talent to win the “Fall Classic” for the 2014 campaign. Read the rest of this entry

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