Blog Archives

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 16, 2014

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Talking Royals, SF Symphony and answering an e mail from Michael Reisman.

The Giants are also only 1 win away from becoming the team of the decade, and it is only 5 years old.

San Francisco keeps scoring runs without actually getting hits.  Insane…  All of that and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Alcides EscobarYusmeiro PetitBuster PoseyJason VargasRyan Flaherty and Kolten Wong all owned October yesterday

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 14, 2014

yadier-molina

Talking new Dodgers front office and remembering Chambliss and Bartman.

The Cardinals Catching Situation is not the same without Yadier Molina, but at least they rostered 3 backstoppers.

Also speaking more about the LCS during this version of  The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Nobody Owned  October last night as there were no games

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 12, 2014

 

FOX_Sports_1_Logo LG

Fox Sports 1 did some creative work in their broadcast of the NLCS last night. It shows that maybe some different thinking can be used in showing baseball as MLB embraces the digital age.

It is a thinking outside of the Idiot Box episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Lorenzo Cain, Greg Holland, Jon Jay and Adam Jones all owned October last night.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 11, 2014

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The Royals outslugged the Orioles?

The Orioles outran the Royals?

The Royals have home field advantage after winning their FOURTH extra inning post season game?

How about instead of trying to predict this post season, we just let it unfold whatever way it does. Nobody has been able to predict it yet!

I recorded today’s podcast while driving past every ballpark the Giants have called home in San Francisco.

It is going with the flow episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Alex Gordon, Wade Davis and Ryan Flaherty all owned October last night.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 10, 2014

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Ed Zurga/Getty Images

 

I haven’t had baseball for 2 days? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

The ALCS starts today. What do I want? I want a 7 game epic series with a mindboggling finale. What will happen? I am guessing a Baltimore party.

It is an ALCS preview episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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NLCS Preview: Cardinals vs Giants In A Battle For Decade Supremacy!

Its all about the Pennants in the LCS Round,  The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years,  while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.

It’s all about the Pennants in the LCS Round, The Cards are competing in their 4th straight NLCS, and 9th out of 14 years, while the GIants are in the series for the 3rd time in 5 years, and have never lost a playoff series under head coach Bruce Bochy.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

I am not going to preview this from an analyst angle because our “Lead Podcast Personality”  Paul Francis Sullivan ‘AKA Sully’ does a brilliant 20 minute podcast that he does daily, and he has described this matchup beautifully.

I will post the podcast at the end of the article.

Instead,  I am looking at this series as a professional handicapper sense.

Opening Odds

STL -135

SF, +115

I have to give the nod to the Giants for value on this one. If you go down the rosters, the St. Louis franchise is a smidge better on the talent level, however how can you bet against San Francisco when they have won 8 straight playoff series from 2010 – 2014.

The Giants have also won 4 of 5 games in this year’s playoff. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 9, 2014

AP Photo - James A. Finley

AP Photo – James A. Finley

The Cardinals and the Giants are meeting in the NLCS again, and a lot of people are not happy with that match up.

Perhaps if the 2012 NLCS featured an iconic moment, walk off homer or thrilling Game 7, this would be considered a welcomed rematch between two terrific recent champions.

It is an NLCS preview episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 8, 2014

"Photo:

The Cardinals and the Giants cement their reputations as the teams of the decade.

One reason they both made it this far was some questionable bullpen management from the opposing manager.

It is a dynasty episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

 

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 7, 2014

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It is episode 715 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

I did not think Don Mattingly was making smart decisions leading up to Game 4 of the Division Series. I talked before and then after the game about my thoughts.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 6, 2014

ALLISON LONG/The Kansas City Star

ALLISON LONG/The Kansas City Star

 

It is safe to say that the Royals are happy to be here. Just “Here” keeps changing. Just happy to be a Wild Card team means just happy to be in the ALCS.

Think your team is building for the World Series at the trade deadline? Think again

That and more on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 5, 2014

Patrick Smith / Getty Images

Patrick Smith / Getty Images

The Giants and Nationals played 18 innings, which means I could take my wife out for an anniversary dinner, come back and not miss the biggest highlights of the day!

I praise and learn how to pronounce Yusmeiro Petit!

It is a romantic episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For NLDS Games SAT Oct.4, 2014

Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports

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.

For a full explanation, click HERE

From October 4th NLDS games:

Receiving 1 WOO’s

Zack Greinke gave the Dodgers 7 shutout innings, allowing 2 hits and 7 strikeouts. He would not get the decision as the bullpen blew the save, but he set up LA’s 3-2 win over St. Louis.

Matt Kemp got 2 hits including the tie breaking and eventual game winning 8th inning homer as the Dodgers beat the Cardinals 3-2.

Buster Posey got on base 4 times including a critical game extending single in the Giants ninth inning rally that became a 2-1 final 18 inning marathon in Washington.

Yusmeiro Petit pitched 6 innings of 1 hit, 7 strikeout shutout relief. Every single one of the 80 pitches he threw could have resulted in a walk off hit for the Nationals. Instead he helped secure a staggering 2-1 Giants win in 18 innings.

Receiving 1/2 WOO’s

Matt Carpenter reached base 3 times and clubbed a dramatic game tying 2 run homer in the 8th inning. The Cardinals would eventually lose to the Dodgers, 3-2.

Lance Lynn struck out 8 in 6 innings, allowing only 2 runs and kept the Cardinals in the game. LA would eventually win, however, 3-2.

Anthony Rendon got on base 5 times and drove in Washington’s only run in the 18 inning 2-1 loss to the Giants.

Jordan Zimmermann came within one out of a complete game shutout (his second in as many starts and first since his no hitter) before he was pulled with 2 outs and a man on in the 9th. He allowed only 3 hits and 1 walk over 8 2/3 innings. The Nationals bullpen would surrender a run in the 9th and a second one in the 18th and the Giants won 2-1, giving Zimmermann a painful no decision.

To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 4, 2014

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

 

Yesterday I said jokingly that the final score of the Cardinals and Dodgers game with Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright pitching would be 10-9.

It is one of my FEW predictions that actually came true.

The Dodgers and Nationals blew critical games, the Tigers bullpen is a joke and the Angels are showing why the best record in the regular season doesn’t mean crap.

Plus I remember my wedding day on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 3, 2014

photo

I recorded today’s podcast from the center field bleachers of PetCo Park in San Diego California, home of the Padres.

That’s right, I was in the ONLY Southern California baseball stadium not hosting a playoff game today.

I discussed the underrated misery of San Diego fans, the predictability of the Tigers’ bullpen failure, the insanity of the Royals playoff games and my love for a Quadruple Header in baseball today.

 It is a Staying Classy in San Diego episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For ALDS Games Thu Oct.2, 2014

USA Today Sports

USA Today Sports

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.

For a full explanation, click HERE

From October 2nd ALDS games:

Receiving 1 WOO

Nelson Cruz hit a 2 run homer in the first, drove in another in the 8th and scored year another run in the Orioles wild 12-3 beating of the Tigers.

Andrew Miller struck out 3 in 1 2/3 key innings of relief as Baltimore opened the floodgates late and beat Detroit 12-3.

Mike Moustakas reached base twice, scored twice and hit the tie breaking and eventual game winning homer in the 11th to lead the Royals to a 3-2 win in Anaheim.

Jason Vargas pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 hits (2 solo homers), 2 runs and walked just 1. He didn’t get the win but helped set up Kansas City’s 3-2 extra inning victory against the Angels.

Receiving 1/2 WOO

Miguel Cabrera reached base twice and cut the Orioles lead to 1 with an 8th inning homer. The Detroit bullpen would have a complete meltdown in the 8th and lose 12-3.

Chris Iannetta got on base twice and hit a homer in the Angels 3-2 extra inning loss to Kansas City.

Jered Weaver pitched 7 strong innings, giving up just 3 hits and 2 runs. He would get no decision as the Angels dropped the game in 11 innings to the Royals, 3-2.

To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN

Who Owns October In MLB Playoffs 2014? (#WOO) Tallies Updated For NL Wild Card Game

JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

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.

For a full explanation, click HERE

From October 1st NL WC game:

Receiving 1 WOO

Madison Bumgarner threw a 4 hit, 10 strikeout complete game shutout against the Pirates, shutting down one of the best National League lineups while leading the Giants to a 8-0 clinching of the NL Wild Card Game.

Brandon Crawford may not have had the highest hit total, but his 4th inning grand slam took the Pittsburgh crowd out of the game, gave Bumgarner a big cushion and made the rest of the game a formality as the Giants coasted to an 8-0 win.

Receiving 1/2 WOO

Josh Harrison was the only Pirates hitter who wasn’t shut down, collecting 2 of the Pirates 4 hits. He would never score as San Francisco eliminated the Bucs, 8-0.

To view the Final Tally of Who Owned October Standings, plus see who gained 1/2 WOO’s – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON OR SCROLL DOWN

Royals Vs Angels Preview 2014 ALDS

The Angels are finally back in the postseason after a couple of years absence.  They have the best 1 - 9 lineup in the AL, an extremely deep and revamped Bullpen, and starters like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have lots of playoff experience.  Add a roster full of World Series heroes of not so long ago, and it could be a recipe for a long postseason run.  They also have the luck of the draw with playing the Royals in the 1st Round, with only having to face James Shields once, while their top duo of Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker are slated to tow the hill in 4 of the 5 games.

The Angels are finally back in the postseason after a couple of years absence. They have the best 1 – 9 lineup in the AL, an extremely deep and revamped Bullpen, and starters like Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson have lots of playoff experience. Add a roster full of World Series heroes of not so long ago, and it could be a recipe for a long postseason run. They also have the luck of the draw with playing the Royals in the 1st Round, with only having to face James Shields once, while their top duo of Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker are slated to tow the hill in 4 of the 5 games.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): 

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter 

No time to rest for the tired and weary.  After an emotional, and jaw dropping game for the Royals on Tuesday night, they will fly to Anaheim to meet the top seeded  Los Angeles Angels in the LDS Round.

You have to realize that Mike Scioscia is running the gauntlet on the running prowess of Kansas City even as we speak,

There will be no 2 – 3 or extra jackrabbit’s for the Royals squad, who were definitely aided by a lax Roster enforcement for Wild Card play, and also by the early game injury to Geovany Soto.

Chris Iannetta and Hank Conger will have to be ready for the speed demon club, that features several guys who can swipe bags on a whim.

If there is one thing going for Kansas City right now it is rhythm of repetition having played on Tuesday, while the Halo’s have been licking their chops in Orange County all week at the beach.

The Angels clinched so early, it would have been about 15 days since they have played a meaningful game in Game #1. Read the rest of this entry

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – October 1, 2014

photo

The Royals and A’s opened the post season with one of the wildest and craziest and for Oakland fans heartbreaking game in recent years.

Right after the game, I walked out of The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park and recorded my thoughts and emotions. Some negative but a lot more positive.

 It is a “Break your heart” episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Who Owns October? A Metric For The 2014 Post Season

JEFF ROBERSON/AP

JEFF ROBERSON/AP

With “Who Owns Baseball” over with the regular season concluded, it is time for another SullyMetric.

Last year, I got THIS suggestion from reader Daryl Spitzer.

 

 

It worked last year and it will work again this year.

So it is “Who Owns October?” or “WOO.”

And here is how it works.

Each winning team of a post season game gets a pitcher and a hitter awarded a “WOO.”

The losing teams can get a pitcher and hitter to get 1/2 a “WOO” if they stood out in a losing cause. They will be awarded at MY discretion.

Why do I get that kind of power? Because it is MY stat.

So we will see at the end of the World Series who has piled up enough full or half WOO’s to claim October as their own.

Keep checking in and I will get the tally up to date tonight and update it after every playoff game.

There is no reason to yell WOO! after each game.

Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 30, 2014

JILL TOYOSHIBA/THE KANSAS CITY STAR

JILL TOYOSHIBA/THE KANSAS CITY STAR

It is the Post Season!!!! I make my picks for the playoffs.

Meanwhile the Royals or A’s will justify a big trade with a win. Will it be Jon Lester or James Shields who will vindicate their General Manager.

And why should Fox want a Dodgers – A’s World Series?

All that and more on this post season kick off episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 29, 2014

Photo: Brian Hill

Photo: Brian Hill

 

The regular season is over… always a sad day.

Meanwhile I tried to watch as many games as possible on as many devices as possible.

Giving credit to Sonny Gray, Jordan Zimmermann and Jose Altuve among others on this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Jordan Zimmermann , Sonny Gray, Anthony Rizzo, Ian Kinsler, Gerrit Cole, R.A. Dickey, Jose Altuve and Neil Walker all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 28, 2014

AP Photo - Ted S. Warren

AP Photo – Ted S. Warren

 

A positively bonkers eve to the final (scheduled) regular season game leaves more questions than answers.

Tomorrow could be even crazier and realistic scenarios have as many as three additional games being played on Monday.

Things are getting odd and I’m recording a podcast in my garage.

It is a tin foil hat crazy episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Eduardo Escobar, Mark Trumbo, John Danks, Wily Peralta, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Carrasco, Eric Stults and Ryan Howard all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 27, 2014

 Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Waiting for my shuttle at the Bob Hope Burbank Airport, I reflect on a wild night of baseball.

The Diamondbacks made a move they should have done in the spring (and got revenge for 1988.)

The Royals showed us something we hadn’t seen since 1985.

And the Red Sox and Yankees do something that hasn’t happened since the creation of the Wild Card.

Planes flying over head in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Corey Kluber, Doug Fister, Dalton Pompey, J.T. Realmuto, Chris Archer, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Leake and Jean Segura all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 26, 2014

MLB Network

MLB Network

 

Even this bitter Red Sox fan has to admit that Derek Jeter‘s finale in New York was pretty cool.

The narrative of the last at bat was perfect, even if the build up to it was obnoxious.

WFAN’s Jason Keidel joins the podcast to discuss Jeter, narratives of baseball and what is next.

Jeter-mania has infiltrated The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast

Derek Jeter (who else?), Pablo Sandoval, Hiroki Kuroda, Edinson Volquez, Coco Crisp and Yasmani Grandal  all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Follow Jason Keidel on Twitter by clicking HERE.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 25, 2014

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

The Giants can clinch their third post season berth under Bruce Bochy today. Hopefully San Francisco fans can truly appreciate what a remarkable run their team has had.

Chances are it won’t last much longer.

It is a City by the Bay episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Kyle Lohse, Carl Crawford, Mark Buehrle, Ryan Flaherty, Brad Hand, Andrew McCutchen, Taijuan Walker and Josh Reddick all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 23, 2014

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

Adam Wainwright has had a career worth noting, even if he will probably never win a Cy Young Award.

Plus the AL Cy Young race is more interesting with Corey Kluber pitching so well and Felix Hernandez losing.

It is a better late than never episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Adam Wainwright,  Michael Pineda, Gregor Blanco, Jose Bautista, Dan Haren, Victor Martinez, Freddie Freeman and Carlos Carrasco all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 22, 2014

Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

Photo: Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a scary team heading into the post season. Not because of momentum (which is meaningless, especially with a one game playoff) but because of which players are healthy, strong and playing at a high level.

It is a raise the Jolly Roger episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Baseball can adapt not only to the digital age but learn the lessons that the movie industry eventually learned about home video.

Josh Donaldson, Corey Kluber, Matt Kemp, Vance Worley, Michael Saunders, Marlon Byrd, Wily Peralta and yes Sean Doolittle all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 21, 2014

cover pic

 

This is Episode Number 700 of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Baseball can adapt not only to the digital age but learn the lessons that the movie industry eventually learned about home video.

Jose Bautista, Chris Coghlan, Dallas Keuchel, Andrew Cashner, Edinson Volquez, Adrian Gonzalez and Brian Dozier all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 20, 2014

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Today’s episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.was recorded at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland.

I talk about momentum, Star Wars Day and Lego knock offs of baseball players.

Plus I met fan of the podcast Darryl Spitzer.

Jon Lester, David Ortiz, John Lackey, A.J. Ellis, Jose Altuve, Jonathan LuCroy and Yovani Gallardo all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

Follow Darryl Spitzer on Twitter by clicking HERE.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – September 19, 2014

GATORADE/VIA YOUTUBE

GATORADE/VIA YOUTUBE

In a vacuum, the Derek Jeter – Gatorade commercial was great. It is just getting to be a little bit of overkill!

Plus, Mike Scioscia can put any lineup on the field he wants. His team clinched. He owes no team a playoff spot but his own.

 It is a doing it MYYYYYY WAAAAAAAAY episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.

Felix Hernandez, Logan Morrison, Gerrit Cole, Wilin Rosario, Scott Feldman, Jose Bautista, Ender Inciarte and Kyle Lohse all added to their totals for Who Owns Baseball?

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