The bad 2007 season was preceded by the 2006 season, during which the Sox won 90 games, but fell short in the AL Central behind the Twins and Tigers. 2006 was, of course, preceded by the World Series Championship 2005 season (man, a White Sox fan loves saying that. 2005). Following the aforementioned 2007 season, in 2008, the Sox won the AL Central title, but lost to the eventual AL Champ, Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. But, the Sox haven’t had any REALLY BAD teams in recent memory. 2007 was, by all accounts, not good. But, to me, a 100 loss team is a REALLY BAD team.
As I sit next to my daughters on the couch watching SpongeBob, my oldest (Abby, 9), turns to me and says, “Daddy, why aren’t you watching the White Sox?”. To which I respond, “They’re off today, they don’t have a game. They stink anyway….”
She looks at me in disgust and screams, “Daddy!! Don’t say that!!” She’s never heard me say that before. Granted, in 2007, the Sox were pretty awful, going 72-90.
But, she was 3 at the time, and didn’t really care about baseball. (Though I like to pretend she enjoys baseball now. I’m really trying to make that a reality….)
Citi Field is one of the newest Ball Parks in the Majors and will be host to the 2013 ALL – Star Game. It is light years ahead of where Shea Stadium was. The home club should have the Starting Pitcher and Third Baseman for the NL, who else will be picked for the NL and AL – will all be revealed in a matter of hours. MLB Reports gave its candidates and choices in this blog. Citi Field also modified its fences last year in hopes of hosting this event. This is the RF cavernous portion that used to be what Right Field was. I took this photo in 2009 – during its 1st season in existence.
I am doing this list based solely on whether the player is a viable candidate or not. I don’t care if the fans vote someone else in – although they have done a decent job.
This website’s stance on Yasiel Puig is known by know – if you are reading this for the 1st time. We feel the man belongs based on his numbers. He has numbers comparable to Bryce Harper – and his BA and OPS is far above and beyond.
Han- Ram might be a victim of all teams needing to be represented as the Padres best candidate is definitely Everth Cabrera – unless Bochy takes Jason Marquis to replace him.
Manny Ramirez was last sniffing around the MLB with Oakland last year in the Minors. Technically, he finished his PED suspension from the year before – accrued with the Tampa Bay Rays. Before that, he was with the White Sox, Wait a second??? When was the last time Manny was Manny on the field? You have to go all the way back to his LA Dodgers days. He was exciting that town like someone named Yasiel Puig is now – batting for a 3 slash line of .396/.485/1.232 in 62 Games Played – with 19 HRs and 63 RBI during the 2008 year Mannywood couldn’t lead the Dodgers past the Phils in back to back years for the NLCS. He then resigned in LA, tested positive for PED use, came back – and was traded to Chicago.
By Brooke Robinson (Rangers Correspondent): Follow @bka_9
Most baseball fans have spent the first half of the season watching their favorite teams, as well as getting a good laugh out of the constant YouTube videos coming from Taiwan.
Manny Ramirez, in his short term with the EDA Rhinos, starred in his own version of Mr. Baseball part 2 as a crowd favorite in the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
Ramirez hit 8 Homers, moonwalked to the dugout, and had a hilarious attempt to slide into 2B (and stopped about ten feet short).
But the joke was on Texas Rangers fans on Wednesday, whenever Ramirez signed a minor league contract and was optioned to AAA Round Rock Express.
Last season had a flurry of no hitters, ending with Homer Bailey‘s gem that eliminated the Pirates from contention.
This season has been filled with one near miss after another, including close calls from Yu Darvish and Anibal Sanchez. When would the first no hitter of 2013 be thrown?
I guess only Homer Bailey is allowed to throw no-nos now. He threw a gem with only one walk against the punchless Giants and joined the likes of Roy Halladay and Mark Buehrle as a pitcher with multiple no hitters.
Let’s take a look at each franchise’s most recent no hitter:
DETROIT TIGERS Justin Verlander – May 7, 2011.
9-0 over Toronto.
MINNESOTA TWINS Francisco Liriano – May 3, 2011
1-0 over Chicago White Sox
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES Roy Halladay – October 6, 2010
4-0 over Cincinnati. (Playoff Game)
TAMPA PAY RAYS Matt Garza – July 26th, 2010
5-0 over Detroit.ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Edwin Jackson – June 25, 2010
1-0 over Tampa BayOAKLAND A’S Dallas Braden – May 9, 2010
4-0 over Tampa Bay. (Perfect Game.) COLORADO ROCKIES Ubaldo Jimenez – April 17, 2010
4-0 over Atlanta.CHICAGO CUBS Carlos Zambrano – September 14, 2008.
5-0 over Houston. BOSTON RED SOX Jon Lester – May 19, 2008.
7-0 over Kansas City. FLORIDA MARLINS Anibal Sanchez – September 6, 2006.
2-0 over Arizona. HOUSTON ASTROS Roy Oswalt, Peter Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner –
June 11, 2003.
8-0 over New York Yankees. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS Bud Smith – September 3, 2001
4-0 over San Diego. NEW YORK YANKEES David Cone – July 18, 1999.
6-0 over Montreal. (Perfect Game.) PITTSBURGH PIRATES Francisco Cordova and Ricardo Rincon – July 12, 1997.
3-0 over Houston. (10 innings.) LOS ANGELES DODGERS Hideo Nomo – September 17, 1996.
9-0 over Colorado. TEXAS RANGERS Kenny Rogers – July 28, 1994.
4-0 over California. (Perfect Game.)ATLANTA BRAVES Kent Mercker – April 8, 1994.
6-0 over Los Angeles. KANSAS CITY ROYALS Bret Saberhagen – August 26, 1991
7-0 over Chicago White Sox.WASHINGTON NATIONALS (AS MONTREAL EXPOS) Dennis Martinez – July 28, 1991.
2-0 over Los Angeles. (Perfect Game.) BALTIMORE ORIOLES Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson – July 13, 1991.
2-0 over Oakland.TORONTO BLUE JAYS Dave Stieb – September 2, 1990.
3-0 over Cleveland. MILWAUKEE BREWERS Juan Nieves – April 15, 1987.
7-0 over Baltimore.
CLEVELAND INDIANS Len Barker – May 15, 1981.
3-0 over Toronto. (Perfect Game.)
Bonus
WASHINGTON SENATORS Bobby Burke – August 8, 1931
5-0 over Boston.
The Padres are still on the clock. And it would be nice to simplify the list with the Nationals having a no hitter instead of including the Expos and Senators.
Andrew McCutchen is a star player at the age of 26. Last year he hit for a 3 Slash Line of .327/.400/.953 – with a NL leading 194 Hits, 31 HRs and 96 RBI. He enjoyed his 1st 100 Runs Scored Season (107) and finished 3rd in NL MVP Voting, while snagging himself a Gold Glove and A Silver Slugger Award. This year he looks to carry the Bucs to their first playoff birth and winning season since 1992. He started out slow in 2013, but is coming on strong in the last 2 months. He has his Slash up to .292/.360./822 – with 9 HRs and 42 RBI. He has 50 Runs Scored and 16 Stolen Bases in his 78 Games Played. He has great plate discipline and has been aided buy several teammates for clutch hits. None are as Clutch as “Cutch”!
Haley Smilow is a lucky baseball fan. She was able to interview Andrew McCutchen Follow @cutch22 at PNC Park. Not only was he a bonafide NL MVP candidate last year, he is a great guy.
This year, McCutchen looks to lead Pittsburgh to their first winning campaign in 20 years, and the team is playing well. As of today, they are 51 – 30, good for the best record in the MLB – and a 2 Games Lead on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.
Haley was able to take Andrew’s mind off of the usual questions he is asked, and it turned out to be a great interview.
Andrew McCutchen Highlights from 2013 – Mature Lyrics so Parental Guidance Is Advised
The Bucs have won 9 straight games and now possess a record of 51 – 30. You have to think that the club will finally put the nail in the coffin on its 20 year losing streak – with just needing to win 31 of their 81 games remaining. Better yet, ESPN has them listed as a 88 Percent chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1992 season. At the halfway point in the season, the Bucs have the best record in the MLB – and have reached #2 in our power rankings.
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – Jason Kipnis (CLE – He reached base 24 times in the 8 games (14 hits, 9 Walks and 1 HBP) – with 3 HRs, 6 – 2B, 9 Runs and 11 RBI. He hit .519 for the week).
Runners up were: Miguel Cabrera (DET – OPS of 1.583, with 4 HRs and 7 RBI), Dustin Pedroia (BOS – .560 BA, 14 hits), and Raul Ibanez (SEA – OPS of 1.455 – 3 HRs and 5 RBI.)
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week– R.A. Dickey (TOR – 2 hit CG Shutout versus the Tampa Bay Rays.)
James Shields has turned in a workman like effort for the Royals – only to have received little run support to help him with his Won – Loss Record. With the Trade having going down seemingly to correct each other main ailments with the Rays needing offense and the Royals needing defense, it has worked for both teams yet exposed a weakness that used to be a strength in the process. The Rays have done it for the majority without Myers – where as Shields is on pace for another 200+ IP. Now the Royals can’t hit and the Rays pitching has gone south. One is left to wonder – what if the trade never took place?
It just will not go away. The risky trade orchestrated by General Manager Dayton Moore this past offseason between the Royals and Rays deserves revisiting with Tampa Bay’s recent call-up of Wil Myers, the fourth-overall prospect according to MLB.com.
Admittedly, the ultimate victor of the trade will not be decided for years, as it most likely hinges upon Myers’ development and ascension as a player.
However, with virtually half of the 2013 season completed and looking at the now instead of the future, and this deal was undoubtedly for the now from the Royals perspective, the early returns are slanted in favor of the Royals.
Wil Myers 1st HR (Grand Slam Versus the New York Yankees)
On today’s podcast, brought to you by MLB Reports ( www.mlbreports.com ) & yours truly The Bench Warmers Show, I talk to the boss man Chuck Booth as he returns to do his segment! 8 Minutes and a 18 Segment Follow @chuckbooth3024
Chuck makes a HUGE announcement about MLB Reports & then we talked about contract stuff like arbitration, Super 2, & service time…
Also we talk about these guys Wil Myers, Yasiel Puig & Chris Archer on why they should have been up in the major leagues since the beginning of the season!
Then I talk to LAA correspondent Joshua Jones (34 Minute Mark and a 18 Minute Segment) Follow @JoshJones4 about the Angels season & what might or might not happen…
Next up was Bernie Olshansky (53 Minute Mark and a 13 Minutes Segment) Follow @bernieolshanskyabout the padres & what moves they might make for the future…after that i talked to Mariners/Marlins correspondent.
The last guest of the show is the 2nd longest active writer on the MLB Reports website Sam Evans (1 HR and 12 Min Mark and a 25 Min Segment) ( @RJA206 ) as we get into the mariners/marlins & whats been going on with both of these teams!
I then get into everyone’s favorite segment Stats & Facts (29, Minute Mark (5 minutes) 1 HR, 7 Min Mark ( 5 Minutes ) and, 1 HR 37 MIN (20 Minutes) – so go check it out & SPREAD THE WORD!!! ThanksRead the rest of this entry →
The Orioles defied the odds with a 29 – 9 One run games record and a record streak of Extra Innings Wins that reached the teens last year. In a vaunted AL East – Vegas has only predicted them as about a 77 win team this year. So far the team has started 42 – 35 – and are tied for the 2nd Wild Card slot in the American League with the Yankees. Many pundits, such as myself, have blasted the brass for not adding on a Starting Pitcher. It may end up costing them a playoff spot. Please Mr. Duquette – acquire a top notch starter and be prepared to give up a lot in return. It is not every year you have three guys with MVP Caliber seasons – with Davis, Jones and Machado.
You guys are all in for a treat. Jeff Kleiner recently contacted me about a partnership merge for the website. He has developed a site (prosportsrosters.com) that covers all organizational affiliates in the Minors for all of the Major League Baseball Clubs. We are going to combine efforts to bring you the best look at salaries, current 25 Man Player Rosters and Depth Charts for all 30 teams.
Jeff is going to provide the documents in form of spreadsheets and I am going to accompany the posts with deep analysis of what the numbers tell us from my perspective. If you can’t wait for all of my assessments for each club, go and visit Jeff’s website over at http://www.prosportsrosters.com.
In Speaking with Jeff, he is one of the more passionate fans I have come across towards the game of baseball. He spends enough time in updating his MLB Facts for it to be a Full-Time Job. So after the usual Video Clip and READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY button, you will find some serious &*!@?!#!
Jeff updates this page below on a daily basis. After you click on it….Bookmark it. There is a 3 year salary forecast and stats not listed here on this page. Jeff updates these pages daily and these changes include any Roster moves!
For a Full 3 year Salary Outlook plus last years Stats for every player in the Orioles Organization click here.
Depending on the year, we can usually say if it is pitcher-dominant or hitter-dominant. This year, it is very hard to say. One could make the case that the MLB is being dominated by hitters with Miguel Cabrera tallying over 70 RBI before July.
That argument could be helped by the facts that Cole Hamels already has 11 losses and Justin Verlander has a high three ERA. Either way, the season will still go on and pitchers and hitters will still record their statistics.
One statistic that is not looked at or talked about much is the hold. A hold is given when a reliever enters in a save situation, records an out, and leaves the game without having given up the lead, but also does not get a save.
Usually the guys that get the most holds are setup men. In this piece, I’ll take a look at the top five (with a bonus!) holds leaders for the year.
Yasiel Puig hit a first inning home run and then broke a 1-1- tie in the 8th with an RBI single as the Dodgers topped the Giants 3-1.
Cliff Lee pitched shutout ball into the 9th inning and was brilliant against San Diego. Unfortunately for him, closer Jonathan Papelbon imploded, letting the Padres tie the game in the 9th. San Diego would win it 4-3 in extra innings.
Michael Brantley hit a 2 run, go ahead single in the 6th inning and then padded the lead with a 2 run homer in the 8th inning to lead Cleveland past Baltimore, 5-2. with a homer and four runs batted in including a two run shot in the second inning as the Blue Jays clobbered the Orioles 13-5.
And Jeremy Hellickson pitched seven brilliant 1 hit innings to stop Toronto’s 11 game winning streak and was credited with the win in Tampa Bay’s 4-1 decision.
They all owned baseball on June 24th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
EE continues to show his metal this year – by clutching up for 21 HRs thus far . He has a 3 Slash Line of .274/.355/.900. EE had an OPS of 1.326 – with 3 HRs and 3 Doubles over the last 6 games, and also scored 7 Runs. He was part of key rallies that led to the clubs 6 – 0 week. The 1B only Struckout 1 time for the 6 Games. Encarnacion is now tied with Miggy Cabrera with 63 HRs since the start of the 2012 year. He is the MLB Reports hitter of the week!
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – Edwin Encarnacion (See Picture Above).
Runners up were: Chris Davis (BAL) – (1.357 OPS, with 4 HRs and 10 RBI), Nelson Cruz (TEX) – (.379 BA, 3 HRS and 11 RBI) and Miguel Cabrera (.536 BA, 20 times reached on base in 7 Games, 15 Hits – with 2 HRs and 6 RBI).
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week– Max Scherzer – who went 2 – 0 with a 2.08 ERA in 2 Game Starts and 16 SO in 13 IP.
Runners Up were: Casey Janssen (1 – 0, with 3 Saves – while only yielding 1 Hit and 1 Walk in 4 IP), Jarrod Parker 2 GS (1 – 0, with a 0.79 WHIP in 14 IP.)
The Yankees find themselves in the unfamiliar territory of having to rely on younger players to get the team back to the post-season. Hopefully, the youth movement in the Bronx can help keep the Yankees competitive. Almonte, Adams and Romine, who is exactly are these guys? 3 guys whom have seen regular duty in the lineup over the last few weeks. The Yankees managed to take the 1st 2 games of their weekend series with Tampa before losing the series finale on Sunday. At 41 – 34, they start play today at 2.5 Games Behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. A Division in which all teams are over .500.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
As I sit here typing this, I feel a bit out of my element. My own life has been very much a roller coaster of late. I’m in the process of moving out of a place I’ve called home for the last four years. I’ve been traveling for most of the month, and generally, I feel about as out of touch with the Yankees as I have in quite a long time.
After preaching patience to Yankee fans everywhere over the last several months, its become abundantly clear that those All-Stars I’ve been waiting on to carry the team back to October may not show up. Mark Teixeira is back on the Disabled List with his bothersome wrist. Curtis Granderson just had pins removed from his hand and has yet to take a rehab swing.
Kevin Youkilis‘ back may end his career. Alex Rodriguez, well, is actually putting on a show in rehab, but god only knows if and when he will face the wrath of Major League Baseball for whatever role he played in this Biogenesis noise. 2013 was supposed to be the final ride of this Yankees group with the serious regrowing pains coming in 2014 and beyond.
In addition to the absolutely atrocious injuries, the glass slipper has shattered for the replacement Yankees, who carried the team through April. Vernon Wells, the most notable of the slumping replacements, has given the team little to no reason to continue to give him run.
After writing several pieces begging for patience and instructing fans to embrace Wells, I will admit to having a bit of mud on my face. Wells is what most people thought he was. An expensive piece with just enough left in his bat to give you a bit of hope. I was hoping for a 1-2 WAR player out of Wells. It is official. I am (and/or was) delusional.
Guests in this Podcast – James Acevedo (MLB Reports 2 And A Hook Podcast Host – 42 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) Follow @yankeeman1973
Mike Silva (Radio Host 1240 AM WGBB, Long Island New York – 14 Minute Mark and a 27 Min segment)Follow @mikesilvamedia
New York, New York big city of dreams where not everything is as it seems, so we had Mike Silva of WGBB1240 AM and James Acevedo of the Bench Warmers and 2 and a Hook podcasts come on and break down the Mets and Yankees.Mt Rushmore, BetHubb.com best bets and Blue Jays talk too. Another Home Run show! Read the rest of this entry →
Evan Longoria drove in runs in three different innings, including a pair of home runs, as the Rays beat the Yankees 8-3.
John Lackey kept the Tigers off the board for 6 of his 7 innings of work. His terrific effort was for nothing as the Red Sox bullpen collapsed in Detroit’s 4-3 9th inning victory.
In a National League Central showdown, Pedro Alvarez drove in 5 runs over three different innings, clobbering a 6th inning homer and falling a triple short of the cycle as the Pirates beat the Reds, 5-3.
And Jordan Zimmermann‘s outstanding performance of 8 innings, no earned runs, 6 hits, 1 walk and 9 strikeouts, got the Nationals back to .500 with their 5-1 win over the Rockies.
They all owned baseball on June 20th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & yours truly The Bench Warmers, I talked with MLB Reports Braves correspondent Bob McVinua (www.braveschoptalk.wordpress.com) about the Atlanta Braves season so far, what’s to come for them the rest of the season plus other things…
Then I talked to MLB Reports Dodgers correspondent Enrique Rivera about their phenom Yasiel Puig, if the Dodgers somehow can get back in the playoff race amongst other issues…
Also I interviewed MLB Reports White Sox correspondent Brian Madsen about the White Sox offensive struggles, is their farm system producing any future ball players & other stuff…also I do my Stats & Facts segment as usual so check out this baseball podcast that talks baseball like it outta be!!! SPREAD THE WORD!! Thank you all for your support!!!
People in this Podcast:
Bob McVinua (MLB Reports Guest Braves Correspondent – About 9 Minutes in and a 21 Minute Segment) Follow @tomahawkchop95
Enrique Rivera (MLB Reports LA Dodgers Correspondent – 31 Minute Mark and a 15 Minute Segment) Follow @eriqwiththeq
Brian Madsen (MLB Reports White Sox Correspondent- 53 Minutes In and a 17 Minute Segment) Follow @brianm731
(Stats and Facts done by James at the 1 Hour and 10 Minute Mark for 20 Minutes and for the 1st 9 Minutes.)
Adam Dunn has finally put together an awesome week this year. He hit for a 3 Slash Line of .389/.455/1.510 – with 4 HRs and 8 RBI. His efforts didn’t stop the team from losing 4 straight, however he is the MLB Reports AL Hitter of The Week!
Guests in this Podcast – Chuck Booth (MLB Reports Owner and Lead Analyst)
On this week’s show Chuck Booth joins us to break down all the biggest stories in MLB. We also go Around the Horn with Chuck to discuss the A’s, Rockies and Royals current situations and declare the worthy few that belong on their respective Mt Rushmore’s. Bethubb.com best bets end the show as always. Happy Father’s Day!!!!!!!
Intro – 10 Minutes, Toronto Blue Jays talk from 10 Minute to the 18 Minute Mark. OAK chat – 18 minute – 33 Minute Mark, COL Talk 33 Minutes – 44 Minute Mark. Kansas City Royals Chart 44 Minutes Mark – 59 Minute Mark. Late Jays Talk Bethubb Best Bets 1 hour 1 MIN mark to 1 hour 9 Minute Mark.
Quick Facts: Catsfish Hunter was 7 – 2 in the Post Season for the 1972, 1973 and 1974 World Series Winning A’s – and only 2 -4 with the 3 Post Seasons with the Yankees. Still 5 World Series Winners was great. Chuck also meant Ewing Kauffman (Chuck thought his nickname was Charlie in the podcast – maybe because his name his Charlie) when talking about the Royals MT. Rushmore for the franchise.
Yogi Berra did indeed play in 14 World Series and won 10 of them in his Yankees days.
To Keep Reading and Listen to this Podcast click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY or scroll past the Triple Play Logo.
The Dodgers don’t lead the Majors in many categories this year (except for Bench clearing brawls). The 1st incident with the Padres cost them Greinke with a broken clavicle. He will likely be suspended for more games. Who else will be suspended?? We should find out from baseball today. Meanwhile the team is 28 – 37 – and 11 Games behind Arizona.
It is time to call it like it is – and back it up with some cold hard facts. As a former professional oddsmaker, I understand why the ESPN page lists the Blue Jays at a 2.8% chance to make the playoffs – and the Dodgers just slightly better at 2.9%.
The math involved is not even as complicated as Sabermetrics. I will show you how they have derived this notion. The fanbases will always tell you that they are one big winning streak away from jumping back into the mix.
They would be right some of the time (Note the 2007 and 2009 Rockies, the 2012 Athletics, the 2011 Cardinals and Rays also made up around 10 Games deficits for playoff spots even in September).
I can also think of the 2005 Astros flying off the wall in the second half to earn a playoff spot.
Desmond Jennings went 305, clobbering two homers and scored three runs as the Tampa Bay Rays gained a game on Division Leading Boston with an 8-3 victory.
Corey Kluber held the Rangers scoreless until there were two outs in the 8th inning. He finished the game throwing 8 innings and 6 hits, letting up a single run as the Indians stopped an 8 game losing streak with a 5-2 wins over Division Leading Texas.
Tyler Colvin hit a game tying 2 run home run in the 5th inning and another 2 run shot in the 8th to put the Rockies 8-3 win over Washington away.
Andrew Cashner went 8 innings letting up only 2 runs and walking just one batter as the Padres defeated Tim Hudson and the first place Atlanta Braves, 3-2.
They all owned baseball on June 11th, 2013.
My explanation for “Who Owns Baseball” can be found here.
At the end of the year, we will tally up who owned baseball the most individual days and see how it compares to the final MVP and Cy Youngvote.
To view the Yearly Leaders for Who Owned Baseball Standings – Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON.
To View The List of just the nightly winners (WOB dedicated Page) starting from Mar.31/2013 – today click hereRead the rest of this entry →
David Ortiz is providing the kind of difference at the DH position that is an automatic advantage for the Boston Red Sox. The 37 Year Old has hit for a 3 Slash Line of .314/.395/1.018 – accounting for 13 HRs and 48 RBI in his 46 Games. The DH position was created for one-dimensional players like ”’Big Papi”, however teams are not imploring awesome players for the slot. Most teams use the Designated Hitter for position players that are nursing injuries. The Red Sox have seen their best run in franchise history with the big man. Later in this article, I will post a link on how valuable DH’s have been in the last 20 years in Major League Baseball AL Pennant Winners. More often than not, you need a great DH. Ortiz is signed through 2014 at $13 MIL for the next 2 campaigns. One of the better deals signed in the offseason
(MLB Reports) AL Hitter Of The Week – David Ortiz has come up clutch in leading the Bo Sox to a season – high 15 games over .500 with many game changing hits like last week.
Having the best offensive DH is a decisive difference compared to the rest of league. If everyone remembers, the 2012 Red Sox actually skirted near .500 until ‘Big Papi’ went down with his injury.
Runners up were: Howie Kendrick, Josh Donaldson, Adam Lind, all had strong weeks – especially for Batting Averages, but Ortiz had late inning heroics that changed the outcome for his team out of his 3 HRs and 9 RBI.
(MLB Reports) AL Pitcher Of The Week – Jarrod Parker
The Oakland A’s Chucker went 2 – 0, with a 1.35 ERA. He has thrown 6 Straight Quality Starts – and has won 5 of his last 6 decisions after starting the year 0 – 5.
The 2013 Draft has come and gone – and will take years to decide how good each teams selection was in the 1st Round. We decided to take a look at the top 5 Picks again.
How quickly can a teams fortune change with top 5 MLB Draft Picks?? Think of the 119 Loss 2003 Detroit Tigers drafting Justin Verlander – and going to a World Series just 3 years later.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays picked 1st for many years, finally having their players come together in 2008, once Evan Longoria, James Shields, B.J. Upton and David Price asserted themselves in 2008.
A horrid Washington Nationals team losing 95 -100 Games every year drafted Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in successive drafts – before cranking out a franchise record 98 Wins just a couple of years later.
The Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Twins and Indians sure hope the 2013 Top 5 Picks will warrant heavy discussion as a great class of picks as the years go by.
Before I start I just want to say that baseball is a very tough game so when I say he can be a all star or that he can have a curveball that is just unhittable – it may not happen……. and actually is very doubtful to fully reach the ceiling. Read the rest of this entry →
Chris Davis was the AL hitter of the month for the MLB Reports. The guy has 20 HRs and 20 2B on the season – after hitting 11/11 for both columns in the last 30 Days. The Orioles slugger also hit for a 3 Slash Line of .385/.448/1.256. Davis also Walked 11 Times, drove in 22 RBI – and collected 40 Hits in just 24 Games Played. He is on pace for a 50 HR/50 Doubles Season. “Crush” is due for Arbitration after this year – and will garner a considerable payraise from the $3.3 MIL he will earn this season.
The time has come for the June Power Rankings with Stats Edition. There will be one each for May, June, July, August, September – and then a special playoff edition Power Rankings will be done in October.
I will not do a weekly Power Rankings during this weeks, because in essence, these are the weekly rankings done on a much larger scale.
These Reports are done with a heavy thought to how the teams project by the end of the season – along with how the clubs have fared so far.
I will point out who has had great months for the all 30 MLB Teams. I reward the good performances in these rankings – and leave the poor ones for the Podcasts or future articles. CLICK THE READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON or scroll past the video and picture
It had been a fun two months of the season for the Yankees until the last week in May lead to series losses to the Mets and Red Sox. No amidst more controversy and another injury, the Yankees must regroup and get ready for the heart of the summer. Heading into play Wednesday, they are 33 – 25 (.569) and 2.5 Games Behind the Boston Red Sox for the AL East.
By Nicholas Rossoletti (Yankees Correspondent/Trade Correspondent): Follow @nross56
There is no one that wishes that I could stop typing the words “Disabled List” and “Injury Replacements” more than me. It seems like each of my articles since I took over the Yankee Correspondent position for MLB Reports has focused on how the team would survive the first portion of the 2013 season after off-season and Spring Training injuries left the team without its most expensive and experienced pieces.
Thanks to elite pitching from almost the entire team as well as some timely hitting from some unlikely sources, the Yankees have not just managed to compete through injuries but succeed.
As May turns to June, the thought was that the regular Yankee bats would return, which is basically the same thing we were told as April turned to May.
Now more than ever it seems necessary as the team has been regressing back to a fairly disturbing mean. The team has lost five in a row and dropped to two (2) games back of the Red Sox.
It is imperative that the team get healthy quickly. The first of the Yankee regulars to return was Curtis Granderson, who got all of 31 Plate Appearances before lightning struck twice.
The injury bug continues to bite the Yankees moving forward. The offense will be without a bat that generated 84 Home Runs over the 2011 and 2012 seasons for a little while longer.
Matt Moore has jumped out of the gate 8 – 0 in April + May combined. He is tied for 1st in the AL with Masterson and Buchholz. The 23 Year Old man from New Mexico, is also 3rd in the AL for ERA (2.18) behind Buchholz (1.62) and Iwakuma of Seattle (2.13). These totals were accrued before the start of play Tuesday June.4/2013. Moore has helped keep the Tampa Bay Rays in contention for the AL East – and one shutters to think, where the club would be without his brilliant performance to start the year.
The best teams in baseball that have success on a consistent basis seem to have one thing in common, and that is they have a strong pitching staff. The Tampa Bay Rays are one of these teams that always receive great contributions from their pitchers.
This is one of the reasons that in past couple of seasons, they either have a great chance of winning their division or earning a wild card berth.
They have a pitcher that is having a spectacular season for them. The one pitcher that comes to mind when you think of the Rays is David Price. That would make sense, but Price has battled injuries this season. The pitcher that has stepped up in his absence is talented left-hander Matt Moore.
Matt Moore’s quick Start – Mature Lyrics so parental guidance is advised
Miguel Cabrera is absolutely unconscious this season so far; He has a 3 Slash Line of .369 (Leads AL)/.445 (Leads AL/1.121 (2nd in AL), with 17 HRs (2nd AL) and a mind – blowing 65 RBI through 54 Games Played. He is on pace for 51 HRs, 195 RBI and about 250 Hits. He keeps getting better every single year if possible. Despite his prominence – and a lineup full of ALL – Star hitters and Pitchers, the Tigers are limping along at just a few games over .500. It certainly isn’t this 30 Year Old’s fault.
Featuring the Podcasters the Big ticket Show in the Audio Portion Follow @bigticketshow
I will be doing a stat fueled rankings list on this Thursday. These rankings will have some stats and random thoughts of what I will be talking about in today’s podcast with the Big Ticket Show (AKA, Triple Play Podcast.)
Games Prior to Sunday June.02/2013
Cardinals 2013 30/30 Preview
Click the READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ICON to continue… or scroll past the Triple Play Podcast. Read the rest of this entry →
On today’s show, brought to you by MLB Reports (www.mlbreports.com) & The Bench Warmers Show (thebenchwarmers.podomatic.com), I started by paying respects to a follower of mine on twitter (the great late Kiley) Follow @jeterfan_02 who passed away last week…not only she was a great Yankee fan who loved Derek Jeter – but also was the most sweetest giving person ever, R.I.P….
I start to talk about the Subway Series then I interviewed my first guest Derek Jackson (10 Minute Mark – 20 Minute Segment. Follow @djaxmlbreports who is a fantasy expert for MLB Reports! We talked about which callups to watch midway through the season,a look at the rookie crop of players & second year players…check out his latest fantasy article hereRead the rest of this entry →
The Detroit Tigers were second on the list for moving up rankings with 5 spots. They have overtaken the Indians in the AL Central – and have 5 players that are hitting north of .300. Their top 4 Starters may be the best in the game – and they play in an extremely winnable division where teams can`t match them for payroll or talent. Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter on the planet – and has great support.
The Oakland Athletics are making another run at the expense of the lesser lites in the Division. This team feasts on the Astros and Mariners – and are not half bad at playing the Rangers and Angels either. The goal for them is to continue to pitch. They must try to at least take 2 games versus San Francisco in the 4 game set.
The Kansas City Royals may have rolled up snake eyes in gambling on their 2013 season. Suffering the longest playoff drought in the majors at 28 years, the franchise traded away its best prospect player in Wil Myers for a 2 year pitching solution in James Shields.
The problem is that their nucleus of young talented hitters have failed them. Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are being outpowered by some teams Pitching cores in the NL.
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