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MLB Power Rankings/2018 Win Predictions + Playoff Predictions
Season Start Rankings (Left Of team in Parenthesis)
American League (1247 – 1183)
AL East (422 – 388) Win Predictions in Parenthesis For The Year
(3) NY Yankees 96 – 66 Division Winner #3 Seed
(7) Boston Red Sox 90 – 72 WC #1
(13) Baltimore Orioles 86 – 76
(16) Toronto Blue Jays 83 – 79
(27) Tampa Bay Rays 67 – 95 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Master Doubleheader Schedule For 2018
AT &T Park in San Francisco and O.co Coliseum in Oakland are part of this year’s first doubleheader opportunity available by ground in 2018. The Bay Area usually holds 3 – 4 doubleheader chances a year to attend full games in both parks.
Each year we write the full doubleheader master schedule to see all games you can in one year (within reasonable driving or ground distance to cover, if not see all of both games).
This season is no different, although this amount of contests is rapidly dwindling each campaign with staggered start times for a lot of clubs (in particular in April and on Saturdays), coupled with the time per game increasing, it makes it tougher than ever to watch 2 full games at venues.
We will add much more to this list as the year goes on, and definitely one thing to watch for is the ESPN Sunday Night Games TBD’s as the summer progresses.
Like Ernie Banks once said “Let’s Play 2.”
Tues Apr 3
SF 12:45/OAK 7:05
Wed Apr 4
LAA 1:07/SD 7:10
Sun Apr 8
PHI 1:35/WSH 8:08
NYY 1:05/WSH 8:08 Read the rest of this entry
Sully Baseball Podcast – Nobody Suffers Like Canadian Fans – January 2, 2018
Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America
What fans suffer the most? I would argue that Canadian sports fans are suffering the most because they are waiting for hockey glory as well.
Going north of the border on this episode of Sully Baseball.
While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.
Milwaukee Brewers History: Doc Halladay vs. Milwaukee
The recent passing of Roy “Doc” Halladay had me wondering about the number of times he pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers over the years. Despite appearing in 416 games (390 of those being starts), I knew some factors worked against Doc matching up against the Brew Crew very often. So I did a bit deeper investigation, leading to the following post:
Hallday broke into the bigs with Toronto as a September call-up in 1998. The Brewers had already moved to the National League in 1998, thereby making Toronto an occasional Interleague opponent. In fact, the Brewers wouldn’t play Toronto until 2005, which turned out to be the first time they’d face Halladay.
Sully Baseball Podcast Tigers should emulate the White Sox and remembering 1987 Blue Jays – July 13, 2017
With the second half of the season looming, the Tigers should look at the White Sox wild rebuilding strategy and say “Hey! WE should do that!”
Plus I remember the Blue Jays team that should have won.
You need to fall before you rise on this episode of Sully Baseball.
While we are at it, enjoy the In Memoriam video.
Sully Baseball Podcast – Taking Stock, Acting Better and Painful Detroit Season – May 4, 2017
Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America
One month into the season, some potential contenders have some tough decisions to make. Meanwhile, Boston fans should listen to criticism rather than be so defensive. And I pick the Tigers team that should have won.
Tough love given in this episode of Sully Baseball.
Classic Milwaukee Brewers Opponents – The 1980 Toronto Blue Jays
The Milwaukee Brewers played in the American League East division from 1972-93. In 2017, the Brewers will play many of their old foes from the East in Interleague matchups. Baltimore, Boston, Toronto, and the New York Yankees are all on the schedule this season. To celebrate the glory days of the old AL East, I’ve created a “classic opponents” series of blog posts. I’ll be covering great games, opposing teams, and even individual players from the East, particularly from Milwaukee’s golden baseball era of 1978-82. I’ll be keeping this series fair and balanced – so Milwaukee isn’t always crushing Toronto or striking Reggie Jackson out four times in a game.
Since the Brewers are in Toronto for an Interleague series this week, let’s kick things off with the 1980 Toronto Blue Jays.
Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin Really Need to Have Strong Starts
Fresh off two consecutive postseason appearances, the Toronto Blue Jays are primed to compete for a spot in October once again in 2017. They’ll be doing it with some fresh faces, though.
Edwin Encarnacion and his powerful bat were a huge part of those two playoffs runs, but he plays for the Cleveland Indians now. The Blue Jays re-signed Jose Bautista, but have also brought in Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce to make up for the void Edwing has left in the lineup.
His absence will put some pressure on other parts of the offense, like Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin, who Roster Resource projects to hit fifth and sixth in the order, respectively.
While the starting rotation was surprisingly great last year, the offense collectively struggled over the first two months, posting a 90 wRC+ in April and 97 wRC+ in May before finishing with a mark of 102 for the entire season. The offense has to get off on the right foot this year to prevent another slow start (12-14 record on May 1 last year, 29-26 on June 1).
Tulowitzki and Martin will need to be a big part of that.
Sully Baseball Daily Podcast – March 20, 2017
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images North America
MLB blackout rules are insane.
But MLB blacking out all of Canada? That is insane.
The great white north is honored in this episode of The Sully Baseball Daily Podcast.
Boston Red Sox Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY
DAY OFF Read the rest of this entry
Toronto Blue Jays Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.
Rogers Home Opener will be on Tuesday Apr 111, 2017, to kick off the 29th year the ballpark has been playing games there. Last year the Jays drew 3.4 Million Fans. and that is the biggest total since the World Series Years – or the 1st 5 years of the venue.
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY
DAY OFF
Monday, Apr 3
Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Orioles)
Tuesday Apr 4
DAY OFF
Odds To Win The 2017 MLB League Pennants: You Will Never Guess Who May Have The Best Value
No teams in the AL would be favored against the Cubs should they face the reigning Champs, so it may be easier to bet them just to win the AL Pennant.
There is a reason why these odds value favorites are not any real difference for the Odds To Win The World Series and these will be any different.
Basically, you could just go ahead with a World Series bet for anyone you think that can win the Title, and then simply hedge when it comes to the Fall Classic.
I always say that MLB Power Rankings should have a lot to do with odds to win any type of Division, League Pennant or World Series.
The 1st thing that jumped out to me here was that the LA Angels are at 35/1 for the Junior Circuit. Should they face any of the Senior Circuit’s top clubs, they would probably all be +150 underdogs.
If you were to pick the Angels at +3500, and then parlay that into a +150 wager in the World Series, than the overall odd shoots +8750 rather than the +7500.
Personally, the Angels have had a great winter to shore up the defense – and have addressed a few roster spots with a deeper bench.
Is it that foreign to think that the Los Angeles Angels could jump out quickly if Mike Trout can carry them?
In their 1st 60 games of the season, the Halo’s effectively miss the Indians and Red Sox on the docket, and only have to play 3 games versus the Tigers as well. Yes, they play a huge chunk of their games vs the AL West, but they have improved against all of the clubs as of right now. Mike Scioscia’s squad gets to play 4 games at Tampa – and 4 games vs the Twins, 3 vs Toronto and Atlanta at home, with 3 at KC and Miami. Did I mention they play the A’s 10 times in their 1st 60 contests as well? I could see them with 34 or 36 wins at the 60 game mark In an exhausting stretch from Apr 3, to May 15, the team also plays 43 games in 46 nights, with 20 of them at home, but that is a great itinerary to kick off the campaign.
Lets say they are 8 or 10 games over at that point, I could actually see the organization spending a little bit more money in the 2nd half to acquire talent.
Also if they can withstand until Albert Pujols gets back healthy everyday as the permanent DH.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the Astros, M’s and Rangers still better for the Division, but the gap is not that much….Particularly if the Astros don’t add a Starting Pitcher, the Mariners don’t add a slugging First Baseman, and Texas is hesitant to spend more money on payroll.
The Angels did win 98 Games in 2014 and 85 games in 2015, before receding to 74 victories last campaign.
Mike Trout is due for one of those just carry the club on his back seasons, (not that he hasn’t been awesome individually in that time span.
If the Cubs make the World Series, than only the Boston Red Sox or Cleveland Indians may even come close to an even match for an opponent, with the reigning champs still holding a distinct advantage.
Boston’s +270 is a brutal look at an odd for the AL. I am not infatuated with the odd of +600 for the World Series either. They play in a tough AL East where all 5 teams could compete.
Both the Indians and Astros are fairly pitted for their odds towards the AL Pennant.
Texas continues to be the oddball 2nd favorite in the AL West despite having a poor winter thus far.
News that they will probably sign Mike Napoli should buoy some spirits, and I am willing to acknowledge that when it happens, yet I feel they still need more.
If the Rangers also swing a Jurickson Profar for a Tampa Bay starter like Jake Odorizzi, then I could par them up with Houston. As of right now, they are two players short.
I still love the odds for the Nationals even though I wish they wouldn’t have come to near Spring Training without a proven Closer.
The more we draw near to the regular season, the less I like the Yankees too in 2017. They are going to be way too dependent on Gary Sanchez setting the world on fire to contend in my opinion.
New York’s rotation does not instill confidence despite having a lock down Relief Core. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner are in their mid 30’s now – where the speed doesn’t play as good.
Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius clubbed 20 HRs each in 2016, but so did 116 other players last campaign.
These guys never walk either with OBP’s of .300 and .304 respectivelY. Chase Headley is average at best.
For the Bronx Bombers to duplicate even their 84 win season last year, I think Sanchez will have to destroy 40 – 50 Jacks into the seats.
Detroit has better Starting pitching and a world-class offense compared to the Pinstripers, yet are behind them in the odds?
Speaking of Detroit. For being the 2nd favorite team in the AL Central, they possess the 6th place odd out of all 2nd place listed clubs.
The Tigers can beat up the White Sox and Twins all years, and the Royals are all of a sudden not looking as good either, I am all over the Motown Boys.
St. Louis, for the record, are the 5th out of 6th 2nd place listed odds, and are fully valued at +1250.
The Cubs are the cream of the crop, but wagering the club for +180 is not worth it. You are better off wagering them to win the Fall Classic at +370 instead.
There is no AL team that Chicago would be an underdog against. Having said that, the money is not there to plunk down any cabbage for this.
I only wish you could bet the field in the NL vs the Cubs. The Dodgers are also not a good at +435, mostly because Chicago sits in their path.
If I were to bet the Mets ever to win the NL Pennant, it would be in the mid season when I could see their rotation in action and remain healthy.
Odds To Win The American League
Blue Bold Means Good Vale with #value confidence in parenthesis
Maroon Bold Means Bad Vale with # value confidence in parenthesis
Boston Red Sox +270 (3)
Cleveland Indians +445
Houston Astros +680
Texas Rangers +900 (1)
Toronto Blue Jays +960 (3)
Seattle Mariners +1250
NY Yankees +1350 (2)
Detroit Tigers +1550 (5)
Baltimore O’s +1550
KC Royals +1850
LA Angels +3500 (1)
TB Rays +3700
Oakland A’s +7000
Minnesota Twins +7000
Chicago White Sox +7000
Odds To Win The Nationals League
Chicago Cubs +180 (5)
Dodgers +435 (4)
Washington Nationals +600 (2)
NY Mets +735
SF Giants +740
St.Louis Cardinals +1250 (4)
Colorado Rockies +2400
Pittsburgh Pirates +2400
Miami Marlins +3800
Arizona D’Backs +5000
Philadelphia Phillies +6000
Cincinnati Reds +7500
Atlanta Braves +9000
Milwaukee Brewers +10000
SD Padres +10000
Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.
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New York Yankees Entire 2017 MLB Schedule On One Page Post.
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY
Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)
Monday Apr 3
Off Day
Tuesday Apr 4
Yankees @ Rays 7:10 Read the rest of this entry
All 2430 MLB Games Schedule In 2017 On One Page Post
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):
Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)
Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)
There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):
Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)
Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)
Pirates @ Red Sox 2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)
Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)
Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Orioles)
Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)
Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)
Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)
Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)
Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)
M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)
Angels @ A’s 10:10 O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)
Tuesday Apr 4 (8 Games):
Yankees @ Rays 7:10
Rockies @ Brewers 7:40
Indians @ Rangers 8:05
M’s @ Astros 8:10
Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15
Giants @ D’Backs 9:40
Angels @ A’s 10:05
Padres @ Dodgers 10:10
There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule For MLB In Sept/Oct Of 2017 On One Page Post
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
SEPT/OCT
Friday Sept 1 (15 Games):
Braves @ Cubs 2:20
Red Sox @ Yankees 7:05
Reds @ Pirates 7:05
Blue Jays @ O’s 7:05
Indians @ Tigers 7:10
Phillies @ Marlins 7:10
Angels @ Rangers 8:05
Mets @ Astros 8:10
Royals @ Twins 8:10
Rays @ White Sox 8:10
Nationals @ Brewers 8:10
D’Backs @ Rockies 8:40
Dodgers @ Padres 10:10
A’s @ M’s 10:10
Cardinals @ Giants 10:15 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule For MLB In Aug Of 2017 On One Page Post
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
Tuesday Aug 1 (15 Games)
Reds @ Pirates 7:05
Tigers @ Yankees 7:05
Royals @ Tigers 7:05
Indians @ Red Sox 7:10
Nationals @ Marlins 7:10
Dodgers @ Braves 7:35
Cardinals @ Brewers 7:40
D’Backs @ Cubs 8:05
M’s @ Rangers 8:05
Rays @ Astros 8:10
Blue Jays @ White Sox 8:10
Mets @ Rockies 8:40
Giants @ A’s 10:05
Phillies @ Angels 10:07
Twins @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule For ML:B In July Of 2017 On One Page Post
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
JULY:
Saturday July 1 (15 Games):
Red Sox @ Blue Jays 1:07
Rangers @ White Sox 2:10
Twins @ Royals 2:15
Braves @ A’s 4:05
Giants @ Pirates 4:05
Rays @ O’s 4:05
Cubs @ Reds 4:10
Marlins @ Brewers 4:10
Phillies @ Mets 4:10
Indians @ Tigers 7:15
Yankees @ Astros 7:15
Nationals @ Cardinals 7;15
M’s @ Angels 10:07
Rockies @ D’Backs 10:10
Dodgers @ Padres 10:10 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule In June 2017 On One Page Post
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
JUNE
Thursday June 1 (8 Games):
A’s @ Indians 1:10
Brewers @ Mets 1:10
Dodgers @ Cardinals 1:45
Rockies @ M’s 3:40
Red Sox @ O’s 7:05
Yankees @ Blue Jays 7:07
D’Backs @ Marlins 7:10
Twins @ Angels 10:07 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule In May 2017 On One Page Post
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
MAY
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
Week 5
Monday May 1 (11 Games):
Blue Jays @ Yankees 7:05
Rays @ Marlins 7:10
Indians @ Tigers 7:10
O’s @ Red Sox 7:10
Pirates @ Reds
Mets @ Braves
Phillies @ Cubs 8:05
Rangers @ Astros 8:10
White Sox @ Royals 8:15
Brewers @ Cardinals 8:15
Giants @ Dodgers 10:10 Read the rest of this entry
MLB Schedule In April 2017 On One Page Post
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):
Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)
Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)
There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Monday, Apr 3 (12 Games):
Marlins @ Nationals 1:05 Nationals Park Home Opener, Washington, DC (Washington Nationals)
Braves @ Mets 1:10 Citi Field Home Opener, Flushing, NY (New York Mets)
Pirates @ Red Sox 2:05 Fenway Park Home Opener, Boston, MA (Boston Red Sox)
Rockies @ Brewers 2:10 Miller Park Home Opener, Milwaukee, WI (Milwaukee Brewers)
Blue Jays @ O’s 3:05 Oriole Park (Camden Yards) Home Opener, Baltimore, MD (Baltimore Orioles)
Tigers @ White Sox 4:10 Guaranteed Rate Field Home Opener, Chicago, IL (Chicago White Sox)
Royals @ Twins 4:10 Target Field Home Opener, Minneapolis, MN (Minnesota Twins)
Phillies @ Reds 4:10 Great American Ball Park Home Opener, Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Reds)
Dodgers @ Padres 4:10 Dodger Stadium Home Opener, Los Angeles, CA (LA Dodgers)
Indians @ Rangers 7:05 Globe Life Park Home Opener, Arlington, TX (Texas Rangers)
M’s @ Astros 8:10 Minute Maid Park Home Opener, Houston, TX (Houston Astros)
Angels @ A’s 10:10 O.co Coliseum Home Opener, Oakland, CA (Oakland Athletics)
Tuesday Apr 4 (8 Games):
Yankees @ Rays 7:10
Rockies @ Brewers 7:40
Indians @ Rangers 8:05
M’s @ Astros 8:10
Cubs @ Cardinals 8:15
Giants @ D’Backs 9:40
Angels @ A’s 10:05
Padres @ Dodgers 10:10
There are no Interleague Games On this Day
Read the rest of this entry
1st 2 Weeks Schedule Of The 2017 MLB Season (Includes All Home Openers + Interleague)
Busch Stadium Hosts the 1st ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME of the year vs the World Series reigning champs the Chicago Cubs.
ALL TIMES DISPLAYED IN EASTERN TIME
WEEK 1 (Includes Season Opener Sunday Apr 2, 2017)
INTERLEAGUE GAMES IN MAROON
APR 2017
Sunday, Apr 2 MLB OPENING DAY (3 Games):
Yankees @ Rays 1:10 Tropicana Field Home Opener, St. Petersburg, FL (Tampa Bay Rays)
Giants @ D’Backs 4:10 Chase Field Home Opener, Phoenix, AR (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Cubs @ Cardinals 8:35 (ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT GAME) Busch Stadium Home Opener, St. Louis, MO (St. Louis Cardinals)
There are no Interleague Games On this Day Read the rest of this entry
MLB Doubleheader Master Schedule In 2017
Best Source of Information for all 30 MLB Ballparks – and network of stadium afficionado’s
First off, if you have never been to one of the 30 MLB Parks, we don’t advise on doing a doubleheader as part of your initial experience with the venue. 2 Games in one day takes a lot of travel,planning, and receiving the utmost experience in a stadium requires time.
However, if you are already versed in a park, than we are giving you a list of all doable Doubleheaders for the entire 2017 Calendar MLB season,
Most of these are within 2 to 4 hours away from each other (if not a shorter distance.)
In my lifetime of ballpark chasing, I have now done almost 100 Doubleheaders as part of my journeys. The more baseball in a day, the better I feel.
In the meantime, consider visiting my buddy Craig’s website ballparkchasers.com – and for Park Guides to every cathedral in the MLN! If you have any questions about going to the park. hit my up – mlbreports@gmail.com Read the rest of this entry
MLB Interleague Master Schedule In 2017: AL Looking To Speedbag The NL For A 14th Straight Year
We go over this every season, but I am shocked to not see that much coverage on the issue. The American League has absolutely thrashed on the National League in Interleague for the last 13 years.
Don’t tell me this is an anomaly. This is a massive trend. Plus no, the answer is not to eliminate MLB Interleague to level out the playing field.
I am already not going to watch the ALL – Star Game this year because it doesn’t mean anything. Yes. I may be in the minority of the game actually being worth something in the MidSmmer Classic. For those keep scoring at home, the League that actually won the All Star Game incredibly played 3 less games than the loser thanks to MLB’s brilliant (insert sarcasm here) 2 – 3 – 2 format.
But I guess no one else remember’s guys high fiving each other in the dugout once they were lifted in the ALL – Star Game, so they could catch a plane. I will watch the HR Derby, and that is it. I digress. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2017 MLB Divisions
It is coming to that time where we all start making our predictions, and also plunk down more cabbage on the yearly bets. The 1st week of the February usually will come out with Player Prop Bets, and Teams Win Totals of Over and Under.
I don’t need to remind our long term readers that we have excelled in this foray since the beginning of introducing Gambling 101 as a category to mlbreports.com.
We look to continue our 70% best bet percentage. I am looking to bounce back in the regular season in particularly as I made up the most of the money in player props, HR Derby and World Series Odds.
Today we are focusing on the MLB Divisions.
The AL East is the strongest Division in the game as 4 clubs are at least half decent. and even Tampa Bay is not that bad. Read the rest of this entry
You Could Try To Attempt A World Record By Going To All 30 MLB Parks In 25 Days In 2017 By Driving!
So I have done about everything there is to do in for World Records in going to all the 30 MLB Parks. I was able to hit all 30 MLB Parks in just 23 Days during 2012, besting my own 2009 record of 30/24.
The only way I could have done anything more substantial was to do what my idea was in 2015. I went to 224 MLB Games in all the 183 Days of MLB Action – live at all 30 MLB Parks, spanning the entire season – and showing up at a ballpark every single day.
I am now 40 years old and don’t feel like doing this anymore, but every year I put out a schedule for all 30 MLB Parks in the forms of a record.
I honestly don’t think that I would top 30 MLB Parks in 23 Days since there is practically never any schedule that would allow that to be attempted. If someone on this globe wants to take a run at – I welcome it.
However, my buddy Josh Robbins holds the Ground Record (all 30 MLB Parks) done by land – in just 26 Calendar Days during the 2008 season.) Read the rest of this entry
All 30 MLB Clubs Ball Park Home Openers In 2017 With Starting Times
SunTrust Park will open up its gates for baseball for the 1st time ever on Friday Apr 14, 2017. It is the last home opener to have its game on the schedule for the 2017 Regular Season..
IMAGE – Ballparksofbaseball.com
We are not too far away from Spring Training folks. That also means that the majority of the clubs have posted start times for all of their home openers upcoming to start the season.
After this post is published we will continue to monitor the schedule for any changes and will have them updated.
The season kicks off with a trio of games in Tampa Bay, Arizona and St. Louis on Sunday Apr 2, 2017 – and the last home opener will be at the new ballpark in Atlanta (SunTrust Stadium) on Friday Apr 14, (7:35).
For those of you that love ballparks as much as I do, if you click on the actual stadium highlighted itself, it will take you to some of the best advice on how to gameplan your Ball Park Chasing adventures.
The Tampa Bay Rays Should Play 3 Series A Year In Montreal Right Now
Tropicana Field is regarded as the 2nd worst facility in the Major Leagues next to the o.co in Oakland. The Rays are always in the bottom 2 for attendance in the ML and simply can’t draw much more than that – even though they had 6 straight 80 win seasons from 2008 – 2013. With 4 other clubs in their Division all spending double to triple the amount of money on payroll as them, it will not get better for the clubs finances any time soon. They are locked in a lease deal until 2027. Why not play some of their games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal in the meantime?
With horrible attendance each year, coupled with the recent success of exhibition games at Olympic Stadium over the last few years, along with the stadium issue sill being prominent in the area, the Rays should host 9 – 10 games in Montreal, QC, Canada.
My idea would be to have one series in the French Province against the Jays, one against the Boston Red Sox and also one set of games versus the Yankees.
Considering the amount of traveling fans from these 3 AL East contending clubs, I would think the contests would be well attended.
This schedule would still allow the Tampa Bay Rays to hold 2 other series in St. Petersburg versus all 3 clubs.
With the 19 Games a year versus Division rivals, this is a good way to have the Rays also not create team fatigue within their home dates. Read the rest of this entry
Odds To Win The 2017 MLB World Series:
Last time we did these odds we talked more about why clubs should be wagered on, and now I will explain how we listed our top 5 bad value bets.
The New York Yankees head the category for this one. There is no rhyme or reason this club should be parallel with their crosstown rivals the Mets – and ahead of the Cardinals, Rangers or Mariners for their odd.
Quite simply, the club is not as good as those other squads right now. The direction of the organization to the youth movement may change that scenario in the near future – however can you really bank on any of their Starting Pitchers in a playoff series?
Also if you have the Blue Jays and Red Sox already ahead of you on the list, a lot of other 2nd place clubs in each of the other Divisions may hav a better leg up on you to snare the 2nd Wild Card Spot.
I like the Detroit Tigers as more of a chance to make the playoffs the Bronx Bombers in 2017. I will say that if they are in contention, that the money is always there to acquire guys midway through the year (hopefully all on expiring contracts.) Read the rest of this entry
MLB Power Rankings: Early Win Predictions In 2017
Last Updated: Jan 24, 2017
Over the last week we have seen some factors that have changed some win totals and rankings. Unfortunately the saddening loss of Yordano Ventura will cause the Royals to lose a win or 2.
We saw Jose Bautista re-sign with the Jays, Mark Trumbo re-sign with the O’s and the Phillies sign Michael Saunders. These are significant signings for the 1st 2 – and Saunders becomes one of Phlladelphia’s best clubs.
The Marlins also traded for Dan Straily.
For the MLB Rankings, we are also factoring in the World Series chances of each club.
It is important to also recognize the 300 games of the MLB Interleague. The American League holds a 13 year winning streak, and adds to their victories in the year.
So far in 2017, we have the Junior Circuit registering a record of 167 – 133 vs the Senior Circuit. Before you throw stones at me – it was exactly this record that the AL hung vs the NL in 2015.
Going back to Kansas City….I really hope I am wrong about their pending 2017 record. Hopefully they also go and sign a Jason Gammel or Doug Fister to help the rotation.
Lets also hope that we don’t have any more deaths have to be figure out where we have teams wins at. It is awful. I hate using the Miami Marlins win total as a struggle to grip with the loss of Jose Fernandez. Read the rest of this entry
Blue Jays Top Prospect Interviews
Jays From the Couch sits down with two of the Toronto Blue Jays’ top prospects, Conner Greene and Rowdy Tellez
This past weekend the Toronto Blue Jays organization put together a wonderful treat for their fans in Buffalo, NY. In a joint effort with the Buffalo Bisons the event on January 24th, was held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in downtown Buffalo. Luckily, we here at Jays From the Couch were granted access to the event, and able to secure some excellent interviews with a few players.
Our first interview features a conversation with pitching stud, Conner Greene. With Greene finishing each of the last two seasons with Double-A New Hampshire, it is not unreasonable to determine he could start the 2017 season with the Fisher Cats. Should his progression remain steady a trip to Triple-A Buffalo, and perhaps a Toronto September call-up could be warranted. Greene discussed his progress and his new mentor.
CHECK OUT FULL INTERVIEW at Jays From the Couch
In our second interview, Rowdy Tellez talks to our Catherine Stem about his approach to hitting, coaching and much more! The addition of Rowdy Tellez to the Buffalo Bisons roster has some Blue Jays fans celebrating the talent coming up through the minor league system. Shaun Doyle wrote about his impressive season in New Hampshire with the AA Fisher Cats and The Toronto Blue Jays have certainly been keeping an eye on him. That has bred the hope that he could, sometime in the future, be a replacement of sorts for the power bat of Edwin Encarnacion, a point made by Ryan Mueller HERE.
CHECK OUT FULL INTERVIEW at Jays From the Couch
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