Blog Archives
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 19, 2015
I want Cuban star prospect Hector Olivera to go to either the Giants or the Marlins? Why?
Because I want those two franchises to elbow their way into an All Time discussion for consistency as World Series champs… and I want that to make Yankee fans angry.
It is a very petty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
2015 Odds To Win MLB Divisions: Best And Worst Value Bets

Buck Showalter’s club are the Rodney Dangerfield act “They Get NO RESPECT”. Having Baltimore not closer to Toronto for the AL East Division is not wise. Take advantage of this odd while it presents itself. Remember that Boston did only win 71 games last year while the 2014 AL East champs did take home 96 victories. Their odds should vaguely resemble each other heading into the 2015 campaign.
Photo Credit – Jonathan Dyer – USA Today Sports
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
The forthcoming season has seen the gambling establishments starting to post their opening lines for Division play. I like the way they constructed the AL West, NL West (except San Diego) and NL East. They are pegged perfectly, and would not advise in plunking any money down for those.
The real good bets are within both Central Divisions, and of course the Baltimore Orioles.
Part of being a good handicapper is watching and predicting the trends as they go up and down.
Red Highlighted Picks are my favorites
Blue Highlighted Selections are odds to stay away from
Parenthesis is slated from 1 – 5 designation for best/worst value by color
AL
AL East
Boston +190
Toronto +250
New York +425
Baltimore +375 (2)
Tampa Bay +700 (3)
Read the rest of this entry
MLB Runs Survivor 2015: 11 Different Run Totals For Each Team
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
This should turn out to be quite fun. A lot of gambling establishments have this sort of deal, and it will be fun to see the results.
What Runs Survivor is, a MLB team scoring 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10 or (10+) in different games throughout the course of the season.
Once a club has one of these run totals once, you cross it off and keep going until they complete the 11 different variations. As the runs come in on a daily basis, we will keep erasing the numbers beside the team until the last team wins. The Yankees lost the for the year, finishing much after August had started. An obvious blight on their offense last year.
Last year the Giants were the 1st team to complete the 11 variation trek, so maybe their is a method to our madness after all. The 1st AL club to do the 11 run totals were the Tampa Bay Rays. Who do you have to complete all 11 1st in 2015?
The Top 5 Holds Leaders In The MLB For 2015
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Holds is a category that is starting to garner more respect each and every campaign in the MLB. Having said that, it doesn’t always mean the pitcher is throwing well if he owns a lot of them for the year. It is just one stat that should be accompanied by others.
When searching to figure out who will have the most of these in a season, it is important to see the amount of games the guy will enter.
For the last several years, Tyler Clippard has dominated in the National League With his trade to the American League, it opens up the leaderboard for this campaign.
It has been said, that the former Nationals Reliever will see some mop-up duty as a closer for the A’s to start the year. Had Sean Doolittle been healthy from the start of the year, I would have placed a massive wager that Clippard would lead the MLB in Holds one more time.
Instead, I will go with his teammate Eric O’Flaherty to make the top 5 on the list. I also don’t think it would be a foreign idea to see Ryan Cook push the top Bullpen Holds Leaders by years end. Read the rest of this entry
The 2nd Wild Card Team In The NL For 2015 Could Be Right Near .500

The National League is a very top heavy league with the Nats, Dodgers, Cardinals and Pirates having the best odds to qualify for the postseason in 2015. With parity at an all time high in the Senior Circuit, we may see a squad break the worst record ever to qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card seed this campaign. The AL is not as big with the dominant clubs, and as such will have many teams hover around 90 wins that make the postseason. With the AL winning the Interleague matchup for 10 years consecutive, you also have to factor in a few more W’s per team.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With all due respect to the rest of the Senior Circuit clubs, the Nationals and Dodgers are heads above the rest of the league. I am also throwing in stalwart franchise St. Louis and Pittsburgh (94 wins and 88 wins in the last 2 years) as other teams that should lock down the NL Central and the other 1 to win the 1st Wild Card – to round out the top 4 seeds in the NL.
Then there are the rest of the clubs.
From the surface odds wise, the gambling pundits are saying the Padres and Giants would be next on the list for wins, followed by the Mets, Cubs and Marlins.
Just below those last 5 teams, you have the fight for competing coming from Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and finally the teams most thought to struggle this campaign are the Rockies, D’Backs and the Phillies.
I believe Washington is going to run away from the rest of the league – and near 100 victories. The Dodgers while not as talented as they have been the last few seasons, should not have a problem topping 90 wins again with their Starting Rotation being so strong.
The Pirates did lose Russell Martin and Edinson Volquez, but you have to think bringing A.J. Burnett back replaces Volquez, and the internal improvements from Gregory Polanco, and a return to power from Pedro Alvarez should be enough to compensate for that.
When it comes down to my final prognostication for the Division, I may just jot the Bucs down to win the Division. Josh Harrison and Neil Walker at 3B and 2B, and if they receive anything from their Starting Catcher and Shortstop then look the hell out.
Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte also help Polanco round out the Outfield, and I think by the end of the year, they will be pronounced the best trio of players beyond the Infield, rather than the Marlins or Padres. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 12, 2015
Did you know Alex Rodriguez was having a good spring training?
Did you even know that A-Rod was AT spring training?
You wouldn’t know that if you were following the Yankees on Twitter.
That and the San Diego Padres rebuilding process continues to be passionate but reckless.
It is a Retweeted episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
2nd Week Schedule For The 2015 MLB Season Apr.13 – Apr.19, 2015 (Includes Jackie Robinson Day)

Dodgers’ part owner Magic Johnson, Rachel Robinson and ’42’ star Harrison Ford during the Dodgers’ Jackie Robinson Day pre-game celebration on April 15, 2013. Every year on Apr.15th. the whole league honors Robinson by having their players all wear #42 across the MLB.
Week 2 features the remaining last few home openers. After this week concludes., the usual pattern for the next 25 weeks is pretty much the same throughout the rest of the year.
Highlighted in this set of days will be the home opener of AT @ T Park, who will host their 2014 Championship Banner on Monday Apr. 13th.
Week 2 is also highlighted by Jackie Robinson day on April.15th, where all teams and players should be wearing the #42. This is a very great day every season, and should be used as an education tool with the kids especially, for who Jackie was.
MLB Scheduling 2015
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
MLB Season Opening Series
1st Week Schedule For The 2015 MLB Season Apr.05 – Apr.12, 2015
We are less than 4 weeks away from the opening game at Wrigley Field. Weather aside, and every day with a major named player going down to injury, it looks to be the best season ever on the horizon.
Over the course of the next few weeks, we are ramping up out production of the 2015 schedule. It is a one time chance to give you a full view of the years itinerary as it sits now.
During the year, we will be posting the week ahead for games, but it is more geared towards the ballpark chaser – as oppose to pitching matchups and such.
If you like looking at 7 day glances at a time visit espn.com for their calendar.
If 3 day glances is what you like, than mlb.com is your thing, than go there.
We will have a month to month schedule, and will have a full year schedule on 1 page post. I would love for one of this entities to take our lead, and signal out special games on their year dockets. Our calendar shows Interleague and home openers.
MLB Scheduling 2015
Day + Date Away and Home, Times Start In EST
MLB Season Opening Series
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 10, 2015
Can you imagine being so spoiled as a baseball fan that you actually can’t recall the events of your team winning a World Series?
That has happened with some Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Cardinals fans I know.
Perhaps that is the ultimate achievement for a franchise: Having titles lost in the shuffle.
It is a mini dynasty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 9, 2015
Two high profile and highly paid former World Series hero third basemen are in the news.
One is the reviled Alex Rodriguez of the team I hate the most, the Yankees.
The other is the lovable “Kung Fu Panda” Pablo Sandoval, who moved from my second favorite team, the World Champion Giants, to my favorite team, the Red Sox.
So why is Alex Rodriguez earning my respect and Pablo is making me think “Shut up, Panda”?
Find out why on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets

Yu Darvish had exceeded expectations in his 1st 3 seasons with the club. Based on his 6 YRs/$56 MIL contract, he was considered seriously underpaid in the last three years of his contract. Since that value created cash for other deals, the team was able to sign Fielder and Choo last winter, but those two sustained massive injuries in 2014 (along with the RHP – and about 57 others lin 2014) in what was a losing season, Darvish finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Voting with a 2.83 ERA and an AL Leading 277 for the 2013 season, but he has a torn UCL now – and will probably have to go under the knife for Tommy John Surgery, I call this a season ender for the Rangers playoffs chances even before we hit the MLB opener on April.5th. Oddsmakers are on board with what I have said, with the team tied for the 22nd worst odd to win it all this campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
With yesterday’s grim news on the 2015 season of Yu Darvish. I think it is safe to say the Rangers will have a tough campaign this year as well.
It was one thing having all of their top players coming back from injury already, but now you lose one of the true aces left in the American League. This is a doomsday special. I don’t think Yovani Gallardo will take on Darvish’s type of role and thrive. If anything, the Rangers might be able to flip him later in the year.
Jon Daniels should not trade for another pitcher either. This Division is the best in baseball, and if he were to do that, it would be bad money spent. Hopefully Prince Fielder and Shin-soo Choo can have bounce back seasons for you, and at least the future will look up beyond 2015. 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.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
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
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 5, 2015
Ten years ago today, my twin sons were born.
So much has happened in baseball in the decade since they arrived. So many amazing names, careers and moments have transpired.
I can only imagine what the next ten will bring.
It is a proud pappa episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 3, 2015
Spring Training Games have begun and they are exciting, if not meaningless.
Meanwhile I try to give Erin Foley good fantasy baseball advice and David Wright gave the Mets a lesson in how to eat lunch.
It is a veteran leadership episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 2, 2015
Comedian Erin Foley returns for part 2 of our conversation where we talk fantasy baseball, her hatred of A-Rod and all sorts of other things that only two old friends can do.
It is an irrational anger episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Erin on Twitter by clicking HERE
Subscribe to Erin’s brilliant podcast Sports Without Balls by clicking HERE
MLB Power Rankings March 2015

Once again, the National League is very top-heavy. with the Nationals, Dodgers and Cards reeling in 3 of the first 5 rankings spots. The American League has more parity in the league this year. and could feature several new entrants into postseason play. This includes the two longest playoff drought teams in the Toronto Blue Jays (the last team to make the playoffs since the Strike/Lockout in 1994 and 1995 – and the M’s haven’t since their 116 win campaign in 2001. The Marlins own the longest such dry spell in the NL<- with their last playoff berth coming in their 2003 World Series win. You also have many young franchises like the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins having several of their young studs coming into the fold, and teams like the Rangers trying to be relevant again following a league record for DL Stints in 2014. This will mean there are no easy wins on the J’unior Circuit’ this campaign.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Washington Nationals – This team is so far above the rest of the MLB, they should be everyones unanimous pick to win the best record in the MLB. Their Division is weaker the NL West, and the teams in the NL Central are a lot closer in parity.
2. LA Dodgers – Too many changes will take the club time to gel. Emphasis on Joc Pederson to do well may be too much to ask. Not enough is being said about the club losing the offense of Matt Kemp and Hanley Ramirez. Any club with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as their top 2 starting pitchers will never be to far from the top ranking.
3. Detroit Tigers – This is all based on the American League Central. While I believe the team is not as strong as last year in the pitching department with Max Scherzer, they may be better in the lineup with Yoenis Cespedes. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 League Pennants
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Yesterday we went over the World Series Odds. Since I have the Nationals as a heavy favorite, I think the best way to receive a win for any AL clubs, is to bet the team to win the Pennant.
The Angels are listed as the #1 favorite to win the American League at +500. If you like them (even though I wouldn’t wager on them), this is a much better risk, than the +1000 mark for the World Series. If the Dodgers or Nationals are their adversary in the Fall Classic, that is at least a +125 odd for the Halo’s to reel in their 1st Title in 13 years.
Since I love the Mariners more in the AL West, obviously I love the +700 odd they have right now to win the Junior Circuit.
Pulling up the rear in the AL, are the Twins at +5000 to win the Pennant. If you like the Royals to play good in 2015 as well, they are +1200 to win the American League in 2015 on this site, while bet365.com was offering just +1800 for a World Series triumph. That is good value. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 27, 2015
Brilliant comedian Erin Foley, as seen on Conan and in the movie Almost Famous, returns as a guest on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast. She is the creator and host of my favorite sports podcast Sports Without Balls.
Erin and I talk about Red Sox, Yankees, Kenny Rogers (both of them), her parents and what would have happened if we had kids together.
Follow Erin on Twitter by clicking HERE
Subscribe to Sports Without Balls by clicking HERE
Odds To Win The MLB 2015 World Series + Best Bets

One of these years the absolute favorite of the preseason will take the home the World Series. I think 2015 will be that year. I am calling for the last 2 franchises not to make the Fall Classic, end up facing off in this year championship series. That would make it Washington vs Seattle. I believe the Nationals will win that series.
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Last year’s opening 3 wagers for the World Series netted us an eventual winner. I plunked almost $14 down on a 25/1 bet for the Giants (and failed with Rangers and Rays bets). Throughout the year, I was able to secure odds of 50/1 and 80/1 for the Royals during down times, and then hedged those bets in the playoffs. It was a thousand dollar profit year for the selections.
In the next few weeks I will finalize the Over/Under Best bets that I put down yesterday. Again, last season I was 3 out of 3 for top Over/Under picks, and will likely pick the same 3 teams (KC and WSH over their opening regular season wins of 81.5 and 93.5, while I picked SD under 84.5) out of the 10 total wagers I go for this campaign).
But this article is about the Fall Classic Winner in 2015. Read the rest of this entry
2015 Regular Season Win Over/Unders In The MLB + Best Bets
Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
Over/Unders for the year, based on odds given by http://www.bovada.com sports book
Arizona – 71.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I gotta go with the under. San Diego, LA and SF are all much better, and even Colorado is tough on the road. Like them at just around 70 wins. Is a rebuilding year, and they might fetch a heavy ransom if Mark Trumbo can have a bounce back 1st half. 2016 maybe the year the can contend again.
Atlanta – 73.5 (over is -115) (under is -115)
I like the over on this one big time. This club lost a ton of offense, yet I like their run prevention more than ever. Shelby Miller was a great acquisition, and they still have a nasty Bullpen. I am not as bullish on the rest of the NL East as a lot of clubs are too. Wouldn’t call this a best bet, however, like them to win 75 – 77 games. Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 24, 2015
The Anti A-Rod vitriol has got to the point where facts and reality no longer matter.
Meanwhile, should baseball’s schedule be shortened to 154 games? Maybe.
It is a “Think differently” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 23, 2015
Yoan Moncada is with the Red Sox! I have never seen him play. I don’t know what he looks like. I am not sure I am pronouncing his name correctly. And I don’t care. I love that he is on the Boston Red Sox
Plus thoughts on the Oscars AWFUL in memoriam video and how I will do better for next year’s All Star Game.
That and more on today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Here is last year’s In Memoriam video from the All Star Game.
Buying 2015 MLB Tickets For All 30 Clubs: Rating Packages, Partial Plans + Single Game Sale Dates

With Philadelphia not having the best team the last few years, I am giving them the nod for having the best ticket campaigning to drive sales in 2015. They had their schedule up early, offered a Christmas special, 3, 4 or 6 game fan select packages (that didn’t omit any games), and most of them included the season opener option – while supplies lasted. In addition to this, they had a business person’s special, the Phillie Phanatic birthday package, Mothers Day and Father’s day specials and 4 different options for 20 game plans. I am glad I am watching the most games here on my 179 day trip – than any other venue.
Chuck Booth (Owner/Lead Analyst) Follow @chuckbooth3024
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
One of the things that has made me quite upset over forecasting my big road trip is the waiting for single game tickets. I made a point back in December that baseball needs to look at this in great detail for all 30 MLB franchises.
Some of the clubs are doing a better job than the others, having said that, maybe Rob Manfred could help address some of these marketing drives.
There is no reason why fans have to wait so long for to buy game tickets for the upcoming campaign! Kudos to the teams like Seattle, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, Toronto, Philadelphia and the Giants for having several fan selection packages available in a timely fashion.

Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium have come down in ticket prices over the last 5 years. Routinely, the most expensive ballparks, even they have deals on certain games and times of the year. Boston even had a day where they waved their processing fee’s for a 24 hour stretch. Other teams should take heed on this brilliant idea.
The Red Sox had one of the best promotions I have seen this winter during a day in January this year. For their lower tier games in dynamic pricing, they offered a fee waiver on service charges for a 24 hour session. I ended up buying 9 tickets for $90. Outstanding value to see a park most people have near the tops of their stadium rankings! Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 20, 2015
What are match ups we can hope for in the 2015 World Series?
An all expansion team World Series? That has never happened before.
A World Series in Seattle? That has eluded history.
Or what about match up between original franchises that we have never seen?
It is a “Getting WAY ahead of ourselves” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 11, 2015
10 years ago, Jason Giambi gave one of the strangest press conferences in baseball history. Even though I am a Red Sox fan, I found the surreal presser to be oddly endearing and sympathetic and made me see Giambi for what he was: A big dumb lovable lug.
Meanwhile today, A-Rod is apologizing to the Yankees, who SHOULD be welcoming him with open arms.
Over in Boston, their outfield is crowded as hell. Don’t worry. Time will sort it out.
East Coast Bias? Maybe for today on The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 10, 2015
Emma Span, SI.com writer and author of the book 90% of the Game is Half Mental, joins the podcast today.
We talked about growing up a Yankee fan when the pickings were slim, being at Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS and why she misses the old Yankee Stadium.
It is a New York centric episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Follow Emma on Twitter by clicking HERE.
Buy 90% of the Game is Half Mental by clicking HERE.
MLB Farm System Rankings (1 – 30) In 2015
By Jordan Gluck (Featured Writer): Follow @jgluck777
Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports
1. Chicago Cubs- They are still one of the top systems even with Javier Baez graduating from the list. I love the bats headed by what maybe the top prospect in baseball in Kris Bryant and high end talent in Addisson Russell, Jorge Soler, Kyle Schwarber and Dan Vogelbach.
They also have upside in Albert Almora, Eloy Jimenez and Jeimer Candelario. The pitching on the farm remains the main concern with a wiry C.J .Edwards, a mid ceiling Paul Blackburn and Pierce Johnson and a very far away Carson Sands.
The best farm system in the league that will see some graduates very soon.
2. Minnesota Twins- Last season was unfortunate for the twins and all of major league baseball as Byron Buxton got injured in spring training and Miguel Sano got TJ surgery.
I believe both of them will bounce back with ease and could be close to the major league level. Pitchers J.O Berrios, Alex Meyer and Kohl Stweart have frontline potential with Meyer possibly a candidate to make the rotation out of spring training.
They took Dee Gordons brother Nick in the first round last year and he can be a complete player. There is upside all over in Lewis Thorpe, Felix Jorge, and 50th overall pick Travis Harrison. A very solid farm that can hopefully bear some fruit this season.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 4, 2015
My first podcast from the state of Georgia as I record from Alpharetta.
Talking about the legacy of the Braves and the lessons learned by Ted Turner and George Steinbrenner on being hands off and hands on owners.
Plus I talk about a trip to Turner Field in 1998 that was one of the best regular season games I ever saw.
It is a whistling Dixie episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – February 2, 2015
Imagine a 21 year old Red Sox fan and a 21 year old Yankee fan.
They live in a different world than I did. They live in a world where Boston is the big bad sports town and New York is looking up to them.
It is brave new world episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.






















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