Blog Archives

All 30 MLB Parks By Ground In 25 Days? 2014’s Only Attempt To Break The World Record: Part 2

Going for trips that include all 30 MLB Parks in under a month has become common place.  There are a few select ballpark chasers that have tried every year for the last half dozen.  But seriously, this is the website to receive the best knowledge how to do these maniacal travel trips.

Going for trips that include all 30 MLB Parks in under a month has become common place. There are a few select ballpark chasers that have tried every year for the last half-dozen. But seriously, this is the website to receive the best knowledge how to do these maniacal travel trips.  This post contains a 25 day schedule that will make most people wince at the thought of it.  If there are a few of you who are crazy enough to try this, it will change you forever.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

So how does one plan for an all 30 MLB Parks trip in terms of geography, mileage, time zone changes and flipping through the 2014 MLB schedule in order to put forth a world record attempt of a 25 days itinerary?

Let me tell you, years of practice at this, and about 12 hours of crunching the computer.

When I set out to do this mission it was for my own personal know how.

A few friends and I have thrown out the idea of going for the World Record for fastest to see all parks by land (current record is 26 days).

Before we get into this, do yourself a favor and read the 1st installment of this 2 parter here . Read the rest of this entry

All 30 MLB Parks By Ground In 25 Days? 2014’s Only Attempt To Break The World Record: Part 1

Traveling to all 30 MLB parks to establish World Records is tougher than ever, with the overall record of 30 Parks in 23 Days, and the current land record is 30 - in 26.

Traveling to all 30 MLB parks to establish World Records is tougher than ever, with the overall record of 30 Parks in 23 Days, and the current land record is 30 – in 26.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

This 2 part blog is going to be a lot like the last entry I did on a proposed schedule to break my own record of witnessing a complete game (every solitary pitch for each contest) in all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 days.

in that blog, I put forth a schedule that may crack the feat by doing it all in just 21 calendar days.

For this entry, I have worked hard and to find a proper schedule attempt that could challenge the World Record of seeing all 30 MLB Parks in just 26 days by land.

I am talking about Josh Robbins 2008 feat of where he took home a new milestone, by trekking across to every stadium by car in just 26 days during that campaign. Read the rest of this entry

All Double Headers (Possibilities) Master Schedule For MLB Park Road Trips: 2014 Season

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Gone are the days when baseball teams deliberately schedule two games in one stadium like teams used to do in past generations.  

If there is not a postponed game for the duration of your team’s schedule, you will not even have this occurrence.   I am here to tell that modern-day traveling has opened up possibilities for two games in one day for separate cities like never before.

For the extreme ballpark chasers, nothing is more exciting for a baseball fan when Major League Baseball posts the new season’s calendar.  Usually the brass does this in mid-September.  

On this post, I have gone through the MLB schedule with a fine-tooth comb, and have listed all Doubleheader Attempts that could be attended in 2014.

I will keep a keen eye on this stuff all season, and add more doubleheaders as they come available.

If you ever have a question, just tweet us or send an email to mlbreports@gmail.com

Happy Ballpark Chasing in 2014

Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In Sept 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be in this month.

The other months will not have as many attempts, but there are still more than ever.  This month of September has the least amount of DH attempts.

I will also be adding doubleheader attempts as they role in from scheduling.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In Aug 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be in this month.

The other months will not have as many attempts, but there are still more than ever.

I will also be adding doubleheader attempts as they role in from scheduling.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In July 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be this month.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

Top 5 HR Hitters In The MLB For 2014

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter

You may be surprised at who I am going to pick to lead the Majors in tater – trots this upcoming campaign.  The names may not be foreign, yet I am betting on a couple of comebacks.

This is all really a crapshoot with injuries, lineups, whether or not a guy has protection in the lineup.

I also think this will be another season without a 50+ HR mark.  God I would love to be wrong.  Nothing would make me happier than someone approaching 60 RoundTrippers.

While it is a sham that Roger Maris‘s 61 HR year of 1961 has been dwarfed by the ‘PED’ use era, a lot of purists would still look favorably at somebody passing this mark clean for a change.

If a batter does it in the American League, then it would break the former Yankees Slugger’s AL record.

Just falling short of this list will be Pedro Alvarez, Paul Goldschmidt, Ryan Braun and Bryce Harper. I believe those gentlemen may hit in the high 30’s for HRs. Read the rest of this entry

Oakland Athletics Payroll In 2014 + Contracts Going Forward

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Billy Beane is a master tactician when it comes to freeing up some cash in order to acquire more players.

Oakland ended last year with a payroll of about $70 MIL.  So far this offseason, the A’s GM has picked up several relief pitchers and also signed Scott Kazmir to a 2 YR deal worth $22 MIL.

The team also said goodbye to Bartolo Colon,(who signed with the Mets for a 2 YRs/$20 MIL deal).

Beane has held a fantastic track record of assessing talent, so don’t be surprised if the stocky 40 year old breaks down in the Mets uniform – and not under the A’s watch. Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In June 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be this month.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In May 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be this month.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

Re – Aligning To 4 Divisions May Help The MLB

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter

Since the MLB doth refuses to address their salary discrepancies among teams in the league, how about we take another radical approach?

How about eliminate the 6 Divisions – and come back with 4 new divisions!

We can also go back to 14 teams in the AL and 16 in the NL.

I have long since agreed with this websites philosophy on re-aligning the Divisions for payroll and geography reasons. Read the rest of this entry

Master Schedule For All MLB Doubleheader Attempts In April 2014

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games in the 2014 MLB schedule  are now posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Over the last few years the MLB has made doubleheaders more capable – by scheduling so many matinees in the month of April.

While these games are subject to many weather delays because of how early it is in the year, the most amount of action for doubleheader attempts will be this month.

Now a lot of people think this is a crazy way to witness contests in the Majors, as some would prefer to soak up all of the sights in the park – and not rush in veering off to another ballpark.

For this, I understand, I am just crafting out another way to do this. Read the rest of this entry

The Modern Day Doubleheader For Baseball Fans Of The MLB

Breaking the World Record for "Fastest To See all 30 MLB Park (every pitch): caused me to study every possible scenario for all Doubleheader Attempt humanly possible for all MLB Teams.  Over the course of the next week - I will dissecting the 2014 MLB schedule - in order to list every 2 games in one day scenarios this year.  I will list them by month blogs first, and then have a dedicated page at this website - that has the whole year on one page post!

Breaking the World Record for “Fastest To See all 30 MLB Parks” (every pitch): caused me to study every scenario for all Doubleheader Attempts humanly possible for all MLB Teams. Over the course of the next week – I will dissecting the 2014 MLB schedule – in order to list every 2 games in one day maneuver this year. I will list them by month blogs first, and then have a dedicated page at this website – that has the whole year on one page post!

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Gone are the days when baseball teams deliberately schedule two games in one stadium like teams used to do in past generations.  

If there is not a postponed game for the duration of your team’s schedule, you will not even have this occurrence.   I am here to tell that modern-day traveling has opened up possibilities for two games in one day for separate cities like never before.

For the extreme ballpark chasers, nothing is more exciting for a baseball fan when Major League Baseball posts the new season’s calendar.  Usually the brass does this in mid-September.  

Across the world, ballpark goers mark their favorite teams mapped out schedule.

A lot of fans check off what new or old baseball parks they want to visit in the next season.  Plans formulate with a heavy thought to their own planned vacation time.  ‘

For the most hard-core baseball fan, their whole lives revolve around this process.

Posting the schedule mind you, is only part one of itinerary.

Read the rest of this entry

All 2430 MLB Regular Season Games On 1 Page Post (Game Times Given So Far)

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the whole 2014 MLB season, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for the MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule Sept 2014

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for Sept 2014, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule Aug 2014

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for Aug 2014, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule July 2014

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for July 2014, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule June 2014

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for June 2014, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

MLB Schedule May 2014

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for May 2014, just wanted to say that MLB Reports is going to be the best website on the planet for MLB 2014 scheduling.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here Read the rest of this entry

Interleague Master Schedule For The 2014 MLB Season

Do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

In this blog, we look at the start times, plus home an away teams for all of the Interleague schedule during the 2014 season.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here

Read the rest of this entry

MLB 2014 March – April Schedule – Includes All Home Openers

Ballpark Chaser Guides Links Courtesy of http://www.ballparkchasers.com:

Also do yourself a favor and read this blog on the 30 MLB Park Pass-Port here

Before You read the Month Schedule for March-April/2014, here are 30 Links to Ballpark Chaser Guides, that will aid you in your road trip quests.

American League

AL EAST

Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY  (New York Yankees)

Fenway Park, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)

Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON (Toronto Blue Jays)

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)

Oriole Park, Baltimore, MD  (Baltimore Orioles)

AL CENTRAL

Comerica Park, Detroit, MI (Detroit Tigers)

U.S. Cellular, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)

Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH (Cleveland Indians)

Target Field, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO (Kansas City Royals)

AL WEST

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, CA (Los Angeles Angels)

Rangers Ballpark, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)

Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)

Safeco Field, Seattle, WA (Seattle Mariners)

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)

National League

NL EAST

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Phillies)

Nationals Park, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)

Marlins Park, Miami, FL (Miami Marlins)

Citi Field, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)

Turner Field, Atlanta, GA (Atlanta Braves)

NL CENTRAL

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)

Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)

Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL  (Chicago Cubs)

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)

NL WEST

AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA (San Francisco Giants)

Petco Park, San Diego, CA (San Diego Padres)

Chase Field, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Coors Field, Denver, CO (Colorado Rockies)

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers) Read the rest of this entry

All 30 MLB Parks In 21 Days – 2014?

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post.  All at www.mlbreports.com

All 2430 games will be posted at MLB reports, and we will also have schedules for interleague, doable doubleheaders attempts at parks, weekly, monthly and a running page with all games on 1 page post. All at http://www.mlbreports.com.  I have spent thousands of hours dissecting the MLB schedule for the last 7 years.  It helped aid me in becoming the fastest human ever to witness (every pitch for all 30 MLB home games) – when I made it to all stadiums in 23 calendar days from Apr.6th – Apr.28/2012.  I broke my own record that was set in 2009 (30 – 24). It takes countless hours figuring out geography, finances – and setting up contingency plans if you fail at a game.  You will see a snippet of my work here.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

I haven’t been able to sleep for a few days.  After blowing off the snail speed website of http://www.mlb.com for not converting the last 7 teams home start times, I decided to try my luck with http://www.espn.com.

Much to my delight, they have posted all of the games times for all 30 MLB clubs – in coordination with the teams doing so themselves on their own sites.

I have done this for the last 7 years.  Yes, it is sad in a way, but we all have our vices in life, mine just happens to be the master schedule for Major League Baseball.

My interest this year was ramped up even more when Craig Calcaterra wrote a blog about how somebody was doing 30 Ballparks in 30 days.

I am not going to say this is not still a great feat – because it is, I just wish he would have taken 5 seconds to google the record holder for “Fastest To See All 30 MLB Ballparks.”

Once again, this wasn’t done, so half of the story wasn’t told.

For those that have followed this website over the course of 2011 – 2014, or even have been a part of ballparkchasers.com – will be aware we have a fraternity of insane stadium goers.

ALL Games Attended – you must be there from 1st to last pitch.  You have to go to all 30 parks before returning to another one, otherwise it starts all over.

For Weekly/Monthly MLB Schedules or all 2430 MLB games in 2014 on 1 page post – find the links master grid right here

Read the rest of this entry

Confessions Of A BallPark Chaser: 2014 + The Real Price To See All 30 MLB Parks In A Month

The MLB Reports is going to step up our coverage of talking about the ballparks.  We are part of the biggest fraternity of balllpark experts, all lending creative information to help out others.  Stay tuned for future posts.  But all you really have to do is to see all of our links of interest on the left hand side of our home page, to click on all of these aforementioned sites.

The MLB Reports is going to step up our coverage of talking about the ballparks. We are part of the biggest fraternity of balllpark experts, all lending creative information to help out others. Stay tuned for future posts. But all you really have to do is to see all of our links of interest on the left hand side of our home page, to click on all of these aforementioned sites.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

There is nothing that revs my adrenaline more than knowing I am going to chase a ballpark this year.

In 2013, between running this website, and juggling my work, I only went to 2 games in MLB Parks.

Nicely I made the opener at Dodger Stadium, and then captured a late season game in Safeco.

After breaking my own World Record for witnessing 30 MLB Games (All Parks in 23 days – every pitch) in 2012, I was left with my worst total in a decade last year.

I wanted to change that in 2014.  Unfortunately I wont be chasing any records this upcoming year, but I will potentially be going on a historic run in 2015.

I will get to that in a minute.  This year I do plan on seeing 20 games at Safeco Field.  It is important for me to see games live in person, so I forked out $750 yesterday to do just that.

I bought a 17 game flex plan for the Mariners, and it involves an array of games from April to September.

While it will trounce my records ever for a ballpark in one year, there are no plans for attending a game in any other ballpark on the road this season.

Now that we have talked about, let’s chat about my plans for 2015.

Read the rest of this entry

MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue

It seems the only to way to build a team successfully - is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 - 8 seasons), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Control Salaries.  Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed - due to salary and Arbitration implications.  I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs.

It seems the only to way to build a team successfully – is to be atrocious for several (talking 6 – 8 seasons like the Twins, Nationals, Pirates, Rays in recent years – and now the Astros are following suit), stockpile top 5 Draft Picks, and have them all become your nucleus for a matter of a few seasons. The reason is because of Team Controllable Salaries. Teams like the Rays and Pirates have also held players in the Minor Leagues longer than needed – due to salary and Arbitration implications. I can think of Desmond Jennings, Wil Myers, Chris Archer for the Rays, while Gerrit Cole and Jeff Locke come to mind for the Bucs.  If a player is ready for action in the Majors, he should playing – end of story.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Lets just take a look at the teams that have played well above their value.  The Twins are a story much like the Marlins in 1997 and 2003.

The Twins had a good team in the late 80’s, and won 2 World Series Titles in 1987 and 1991.  However the economics of the game hit them hard, and they struggled for an 8 year stretch in the AL Central.

For Part 1 of the MLB’s State Of the Union Part 1:  Click here.

Major League Contraction Talk Again?

Read the rest of this entry

Major League Baseball’s State Of The Union – Payroll Matters Part 1: Oakland Loses Again In Playoffs

The MLB used to be the favorite Past time in America.  Now with the NFL ruling the country as #1, the game continues to miss the mark of implementing a salary system - that helps all 30 MLB Teams be competitive from a spending type of structure on a yearly basis.  Either you run your franchise perfectly from a transactions standpoint - or if you make a few contract mistakes - it could cripple your franchise for years.  Despite many of different teams bucking the trend over the last decade - it doesn't mean there isn't a problem.

The MLB used to be the favorite Past time in America. Now with the NFL ruling the country as #1, the game continues to miss the mark of implementing a salary system – that helps all 30 MLB Teams be competitive from a spending type of structure on a yearly basis. Either you run your franchise perfectly from a transactions standpoint – or if you make a few contract mistakes – it could cripple your franchise for years. Despite many of different teams bucking the trend over the last decade – it doesn’t mean there isn’t a problem.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

As I started a minor fight on Twitter last night (with a supposedly respected writer), it reminded me of how much I hate that social media outlet, yet how it is a necessary evil.

While there were some words caught up in a misunderstanding, it left me thinking about the state of Major League Baseball.

I love this game..I have centered my life around being fan, writer, website owner, by having a job that affords me that highest capacity to receive my fix.

I have gone on crazy ballpark chasing tours, that have also helped feed my addiction.

Yet watching the Oakland A’s lose last night, and then having someone mention a joke aimed at Billy Beane (not sure how much of a joke it was – another stupid flaw of Twitter’s 140 Characters), I began thinking of everything I don’t like about the MLB.

Part 2 of this Series: MLB’s Payroll Matters Part 2: Just Because Some Low Payroll Teams Have Bucked The Trend – Doesn’t Mean It Will Continue

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series, Plus Odds For Oakland And Detroit In Game #5 Of the ALDS

Today will be the last day you can receive such a decent odd for the Boston club to win the World Series at +210.  Whether the A's win, and the Odds will drop to the -150 range, or Detroit will win - and their odd pretty much stays the same.  If you were the Red Sox - who would you rather play?  I got to think they would want to play the Tigers, because Detroit is not hitting the ball, and Oakland makes for a far trip out West, and don't give those A's any momentum from knocking off Detroit!

Today will be the last day you can receive such a decent odd for the Boston club to win the World Series at +210. Whether the A’s win, and the Odds will drop to the -150 range, or Detroit will win – and their odd pretty much stays the same. If you were the Red Sox – who would you rather play? I got to think they would want to play the Tigers, because Detroit is not hitting the ball, and Oakland makes for a far trip out West, and don’t give those A’s any momentum from knocking off Detroit!

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +210

LA Dodgers +230

St. Louis Cardinals +360

Detroit Tigers +500

Oakland Athletics +900

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series + ALDS/NLDS Series + The ALCS/NLCS + Odds for 4 Games Fri Oct 4th/2013

Bartolo Colon is anchoring the rotation for the Athletics this season. He is not the strikeout pitcher he was in the past, but is still effective against the opposition. Colon has displayed great control this season.  He starts tonight as the Game #1 Starter versus Max Scherzer.

Bartolo Colon is anchoring the rotation for the Athletics this season. He is not the strikeout pitcher he was in the past, but is still effective against the opposition. Colon has displayed great control this season. He starts tonight as the Game #1 Starter versus Max Scherzer.  The Athletics and Rays are still the highest odds on the board at +800.  I have already wagered on the Rays to win earlier in the season, and now have put $25 on the Athletics to take home the ultimate prize.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

LA Dodgers +300

Boston Red Sox +375

St. Louis Cardinals +450

Detroit Tigers +475

Oakland Athletics +800

Tampa Bay Rays +800

Atlanta Braves +1300

Pittsburgh Pirates +1700

ODDS Courtesy of http://www.bet365.com

Ryu and Nolasco on facing the Braves in the NLDS

Read the rest of this entry

2013 MLB Playoff Predictions By MLB Reports

In my view, Evan Longoria could end up being the MVP of the entire playoffs.  I am predicting the Tampa Bay Rays are going to win the World Series versus the LA Dodgers, in what should be a classic Pitching duel of some of the best Starters in the game of baseball today.  Wil Myers and Ben Zobrist help pitching in will also be Paramount.  Picking up proven playoff performer Delmon Young (HR'd last night - and is .266/.328/.887 - with 9 HRs and 16 RBI In 109 AB was also a good move by the Rays brass.  If these guys hit, the Pitching should do enough.

In my view, Evan Longoria could end up being the MVP of the entire playoffs – with his penchant for being clutch in the last games of years. I am predicting the Tampa Bay Rays are going to win the World Series versus the LA Dodgers, iIf Wil Myers and Ben Zobrist help bashing the ball around, then this team is scary. Also picking up proven playoff performer Delmon Young (yes that guy) (HR’d last night – and is .266/.328/.887 – with 9 HRs and 16 RBI In 109 AB) was also a good move by the Rays brass. If these guys hit, the Pitching should do enough.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Okay, now that the Wild Card Games are over, I am 2 – 1 this week in predicting the outcomes of games.  I had both Rays wins and lost with the Reds.

For those that have been reading my gambling pick posts, will also see that I have been discussing some of the odds posted for the playoffs.  Check out those here.

I am not going with the masses this year, however I am picking 2 favorites and 2 underdogs in the 1st Round. 

Really, I think the matchups are a lot more even than even some of the biggest betting industry odds are suggesting.

I may have also taken the Athletics all the way to the World Series if Cespedes wasn’t hampered by his injured Right Shoulder.

Yoenis Cespedes HR Derby Mashing

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 MLB World Series + ALDS/NLDS Series + The ALCS/NLCS

In my view, the Rays are the best odd on the board at +800.  With David Price, Matt Moore and Alex Cobb all pitching so well, and the team have the best coach in GM, I am really surprised that they are tied with Oakland for the 3rd in the AL in terms of longshots to win the whole Fall Classic.  The Rays won a Game 163 vs the Rangers and the Wild Card Game versus the Indians.  It was their 9th straight game on the road.  This team just finds a way to win.

In my view, the Rays are the best odd on the board at +800. With David Price, Matt Moore and Alex Cobb all pitching so well, and the team have the best coach in Joe Maddon, I am really surprised that they are tied with Oakland for the 3rd in the AL in terms of longshots to win the whole Fall Classic. The Rays won a Game 163 vs the Rangers and the Wild Card Game versus the Indians. It was their 9th straight game on the road. This team just finds a way to win.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +360

LA Dodgers +450

Detroit Tigers +475

St. Louis Cardinals +500

Atlanta Braves +700

Oakland Athletics +800

Tampa Bay Rays +800

Pittsburgh Pirates +1150

ODDS Courtesy of http://www.bet365.com

Rays Take Out The Indians 4 – 0

Read the rest of this entry

Odds To Win The 2013 World Series As Of Right Now + Playoff Notes Tues Oct.01 (+ Pick Of The Day)

The National League is up for grabs - and I can't believe that the Reds are +1800 right now to win the World Series.  If they win the Wild Card game, the team could be extremely dangerous afterwards.  Honestly, the Indians and Rays should not be favored ahead of them.  TIP OF THE DAY:  Bet $53 on the Reds to win the World Series, for  a win of $1007.  Then to offset a loss today, wager $70.52 on the Pirates at -133.  If the Bucs win, you break even, and if the Cincy club escapes PNC Park, you are alive for your big payday, having bet $123.52, however your payout would still be $1007.

The National League is up for grabs – and I can’t believe that the Reds are +1800 right now to win the World Series. If they win the Wild Card game, the team could be extremely dangerous afterwards. Honestly, the Indians and Rays should not be favored ahead of them. TIP OF THE DAY: Bet $53 on the Reds to win the World Series, for a win of $1007. Then to offset a loss today, wager $70.52 on the Pirates at -133. If the Bucs win, you break even, and if the Cincy club escapes PNC Park, you are alive for your big payday, having bet $123.52, however your payout would still be $1007.

By Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Analyst/Website Owner):

Follow MLB Reports On Twitter

Odds To Win the World Series:

Boston Red Sox +340

LA Dodgers +450

Detroit Tigers +500

St. Louis Cardinals +550

Atlanta Braves +700

Oakland Athletics +750

Tampa Bay Rays +1500

Cleveland Indians +1600

Pittsburgh Pirates +1600

Cincinnati Reds +1800

ODDS Courtesy of http://www.bet365.com

Rays Take Out The Rangers 5 – 2

Read the rest of this entry