Written by Consigliere
The theme over the past week is that the American League is superior to the National League.The hottest team as of late has been none other than the Minnesota Twins, who just had their 10 game winning streak snapped by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Twins now sit at 9-1 over the last 10 games, while fellow division mates Kansas City and Detroit are 8-2 during that span. The Tigers are now 16-4 over their last 20 games and have reached .500 for the first time all season.In total, there are 10 AL teams with winning records over the last 10 games, while only the Dodgers and Brewers boast winning records in the National League.A few players deserve to be in the spotlight for their play over the past week.Mark Teixeira and Evan Longoria have been red hot at the plate and a major factor in their teams’ success.Teixeira is batting .450 with 8 runs, 6 homeruns and 11 RBI. He has also hit 2 doubles, been walked 4 times and sports a 1.992 OPS.Evan Almighty trails Teixeira slightly with a .448 batting average and 4 homeruns, but has one more RBI for a total of 12. Longoria also has 8 runs, 5 extra base hits, 1 walk and a 1.486 OPS.The 2 most notable pitching performances over the last week were turned in by a couple of the usual suspects.C.C. Sabathia led the Indians to a win by going 8 innings while allowing only 4 hits and 2 walks. He didn’t allow a run while striking out 11 batters.Tim Lincecum was equally as impressive going 7 innings and giving up 5 hits and 3 walks. He shutout Oakland and struck out 11.All of this was overshadowed last night when the Dodgers defeated the Angels 1-0.The reason that this wasn’t just another 1 run game was because the Dodgers didn’t record a single hit. Matt Kemp reached base on an error and while stealing 2nd base, he was able to advance to 3rd on yet another error. He would score the games only run on a sacrifice fly. That run was enough for the Dodgers and Takashi Saito pitched out of a minor jam in the 9th inning to preserve the win.Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo combined to pitch 8 inning of hitless ball, but no-hitters aren’t officially recognized unless they go 9 innings.This game marked only the 5th time in MLB history that a team has lost while not allowing a hit.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
MLB Injury Report: 6/29/2008
Written by Consigliere
Chipper JonesJones is still having an issue with his quad that has kept him out a handful of games this year. It’s possible that he’ll wind up on the disabled list.Dan UgglaBaseball’s homerun leader is suffering from a sprained ankle and could miss the next week, but it doesn’t appear that he’s be put on the DL.Ryan ZimmermanIt appears as though Zimmerman will be able to avoid going under the knife, but it’s still going to be quite sometime until he returns to the field.Magglio OrdonezMaggs will be taking 15 days off after straining his oblique while trying to track down a fly ball.Hank BlalockBlalock has been injured nearly non-stop this year, but his latest timetable for a return to the Rangers is July 18.Hideki Matsui Matsui has been placed on the 15-day DL with a knee injury. If rest doesn’t cure the problem, he could be facing surgery.
Chipper JonesJones is still having an issue with his quad that has kept him out a handful of games this year. It’s possible that he’ll wind up on the disabled list.Dan UgglaBaseball’s homerun leader is suffering from a sprained ankle and could miss the next week, but it doesn’t appear that he’s be put on the DL.Ryan ZimmermanIt appears as though Zimmerman will be able to avoid going under the knife, but it’s still going to be quite sometime until he returns to the field.Magglio OrdonezMaggs will be taking 15 days off after straining his oblique while trying to track down a fly ball.Hank BlalockBlalock has been injured nearly non-stop this year, but his latest timetable for a return to the Rangers is July 18.Hideki Matsui Matsui has been placed on the 15-day DL with a knee injury. If rest doesn’t cure the problem, he could be facing surgery.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
X Factor? No, it's more like Catch Factor!
Catch Factor
In 2007, only 2 catchers hit 20 or more homeruns.
Jorge Posada has been injured and only has 3 HR, while Victor Martinez currently sits on the DL and has yet to go deep.
So how has the 2008 class of catchers improved?
There are 5 catchers that are likely to hit 20 or more homeruns, 4 guys that are on pace for 80+ RBI and 16 players batting .280 or better.
We have all seen a dominant pitcher get hot and virtually carrying a team into the postseason and even to a World Series title, but the other half of the battery may be even more important to a team’s success.
Let’s take a closer look at the top catchers (min. 200 AB) as we near the All-Star Break…
Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)
McCann is turning in a wonderful season thus far. He’s batting .299 with 14 homeruns, tops among catchers. His 35 runs is ranks 4th and his 45 RBI put him 3rd. The Braves have disappointing with a 40-43 record, but sit just 4.5 games back in the division race.
Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)
Mauer is batting a remarkable .322 and shows discipline at the plate evidenced by his 41 walks. He has just 3 homeruns on the year, but power has never been his game. He has contributed 32 RBI and leads all catchers with 48 runs scored. Mauer and the Twins have won 10 of the last 11 games and have closed to within 1 game of the White Sox for first in the Central.
Russell Martin (LA Dodgers)
Martin is a big reason that the Dodgers are just 2 games out of first place in the division. He’s been called upon to pick up the slack for the injured Andruw Jones and that’s exactly what he’s done. Martin has been solid all around with a .310 batting average, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 41 runs, 7 stolen bases and 44 walks.
Geovany Soto (Chicago Cubs)
Soto ranks 2nd among catchers in HR and RBI, with 13 HR and 47 RBI. He’s batting .280 with 27 runs and 37 walks. Soto has helped the Cubs to a 49-32 record. Those 49 wins are 2nd only to the Boston Red Sox.
Bengie Molina (San Francisco Giants)
Molina has been one of the lone bright spots for a Giants team that was picked to finish dead last after the loss of Barry Bonds. Molina is batting .308 with 6 HR and 25 runs scored. He has 48 RBI, which leads all catchers. The Giants don’t have the best-looking record but they are in 3rd place and 5.5 games isn’t too much to overcome.
Take it Deep:
www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
In 2007, only 2 catchers hit 20 or more homeruns.
Jorge Posada has been injured and only has 3 HR, while Victor Martinez currently sits on the DL and has yet to go deep.
So how has the 2008 class of catchers improved?
There are 5 catchers that are likely to hit 20 or more homeruns, 4 guys that are on pace for 80+ RBI and 16 players batting .280 or better.
We have all seen a dominant pitcher get hot and virtually carrying a team into the postseason and even to a World Series title, but the other half of the battery may be even more important to a team’s success.
Let’s take a closer look at the top catchers (min. 200 AB) as we near the All-Star Break…
Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)
McCann is turning in a wonderful season thus far. He’s batting .299 with 14 homeruns, tops among catchers. His 35 runs is ranks 4th and his 45 RBI put him 3rd. The Braves have disappointing with a 40-43 record, but sit just 4.5 games back in the division race.
Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins)
Mauer is batting a remarkable .322 and shows discipline at the plate evidenced by his 41 walks. He has just 3 homeruns on the year, but power has never been his game. He has contributed 32 RBI and leads all catchers with 48 runs scored. Mauer and the Twins have won 10 of the last 11 games and have closed to within 1 game of the White Sox for first in the Central.
Russell Martin (LA Dodgers)
Martin is a big reason that the Dodgers are just 2 games out of first place in the division. He’s been called upon to pick up the slack for the injured Andruw Jones and that’s exactly what he’s done. Martin has been solid all around with a .310 batting average, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 41 runs, 7 stolen bases and 44 walks.
Geovany Soto (Chicago Cubs)
Soto ranks 2nd among catchers in HR and RBI, with 13 HR and 47 RBI. He’s batting .280 with 27 runs and 37 walks. Soto has helped the Cubs to a 49-32 record. Those 49 wins are 2nd only to the Boston Red Sox.
Bengie Molina (San Francisco Giants)
Molina has been one of the lone bright spots for a Giants team that was picked to finish dead last after the loss of Barry Bonds. Molina is batting .308 with 6 HR and 25 runs scored. He has 48 RBI, which leads all catchers. The Giants don’t have the best-looking record but they are in 3rd place and 5.5 games isn’t too much to overcome.
Take it Deep:
www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Power of "4"
The Power of “4”
When Alfonso Soriano hit 39 HR in 2002, he provided power numbers from a 2nd baseman, which hadn’t been seen in quite awhile. Soriano was eventually moved into the outfield, once again leaving a power void in the middle infield.
The resurgence of the power hitting 2nd baseman has begun and four players on pace for great years. Chase Utley, Dan Uggla, Brandon Phillips and Ian Kinsler are all on track to finish with 25+ HR and 90+ RBI, with Utley and Uggla aiming higher.
Brandon Phillips has 13 HR and 43 RBI. He has the lowest RBI total of the group, but finished out last year with 94 RBI to go along with 30 HR. His .271 average is also the lowest of the four players mentioned but he’s in a lineup with Griffey, Dunn, Votto and Bruce. Look for him to get hot after the break.
Ian Kinsler has the lowest HR total of the group with 12, but he boasts the highest batting average, hitting .305 with 47 RBI. It’s Kinsler’s run total that has been the most impressive. He’s rounded the bases 64 times, which is good for 2nd best in the league.
Chase Utley certainly isn’t a surprise anymore, but his power seems to be even better than previous seasons. He’s led the MLB in homeruns for the majority of the year and currently sits in 2nd with 22 bombs. He’s also 4th in the MLB in RBI with 63. His .291 average and 57 runs make him a very well rounded player.
Dan Uggla has become the blue print for a power hitting 2nd baseman this year. His hot streak of late has allowed him to surpass Utley and take the MLB lead in HR with 23. He’s 9th in the league with 57 RBI and has 57 runs to go with his .294 average.
The Reds and Rangers aren’t likely to be in contention when the playoffs roll around, but look for Utley and Uggla to battle it out for the NL East title. Both the Phillies and Marlins know that the added bonus of having a power hitting 2nd baseman could provide just the boost needed to make a postseason run.
Take it Deep:
www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
When Alfonso Soriano hit 39 HR in 2002, he provided power numbers from a 2nd baseman, which hadn’t been seen in quite awhile. Soriano was eventually moved into the outfield, once again leaving a power void in the middle infield.
The resurgence of the power hitting 2nd baseman has begun and four players on pace for great years. Chase Utley, Dan Uggla, Brandon Phillips and Ian Kinsler are all on track to finish with 25+ HR and 90+ RBI, with Utley and Uggla aiming higher.
Brandon Phillips has 13 HR and 43 RBI. He has the lowest RBI total of the group, but finished out last year with 94 RBI to go along with 30 HR. His .271 average is also the lowest of the four players mentioned but he’s in a lineup with Griffey, Dunn, Votto and Bruce. Look for him to get hot after the break.
Ian Kinsler has the lowest HR total of the group with 12, but he boasts the highest batting average, hitting .305 with 47 RBI. It’s Kinsler’s run total that has been the most impressive. He’s rounded the bases 64 times, which is good for 2nd best in the league.
Chase Utley certainly isn’t a surprise anymore, but his power seems to be even better than previous seasons. He’s led the MLB in homeruns for the majority of the year and currently sits in 2nd with 22 bombs. He’s also 4th in the MLB in RBI with 63. His .291 average and 57 runs make him a very well rounded player.
Dan Uggla has become the blue print for a power hitting 2nd baseman this year. His hot streak of late has allowed him to surpass Utley and take the MLB lead in HR with 23. He’s 9th in the league with 57 RBI and has 57 runs to go with his .294 average.
The Reds and Rangers aren’t likely to be in contention when the playoffs roll around, but look for Utley and Uggla to battle it out for the NL East title. Both the Phillies and Marlins know that the added bonus of having a power hitting 2nd baseman could provide just the boost needed to make a postseason run.
Take it Deep:
www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
White Sox Musings!
We all know that the Chicago White Sox were swept by their cross town rivals this past weekend! What most of you don't know (unless you're from Chicago) is that the "cry babies" on the south side couldn't go back to the Cell without having some crass parting words for the Chicago Cubs organization and their fans!
Listed below are some parting comments made by Ozzie Guillen & crew before they offically crawled their way back to "The Cell" with their Bibs, Rattlers & Diapers on!
Ozzie Guillen: "The rats at Wrigley Field have gotten bigger, they must be lifting weights".
A.J. Pierzynski: "Cubs Fans are all idiots".
John Danks: "Their Clubhouse smells like someone urinated in it"!
Too bad the rest of the organization didn't have a s much class as their GM Kenny Williams! Oh well, I guess they'll NEVER get used to being eternally known as "The Other" team that plays in Chicago.
Go Cubs!
http://www.letsgodeep.com/
http://www.passitdeep.com/
Listed below are some parting comments made by Ozzie Guillen & crew before they offically crawled their way back to "The Cell" with their Bibs, Rattlers & Diapers on!
Ozzie Guillen: "The rats at Wrigley Field have gotten bigger, they must be lifting weights".
A.J. Pierzynski: "Cubs Fans are all idiots".
John Danks: "Their Clubhouse smells like someone urinated in it"!
Too bad the rest of the organization didn't have a s much class as their GM Kenny Williams! Oh well, I guess they'll NEVER get used to being eternally known as "The Other" team that plays in Chicago.
Go Cubs!
http://www.letsgodeep.com/
http://www.passitdeep.com/
Monday, June 23, 2008
MLB Injury Report: 6/22/2008
Take it Deep: www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
Injury Report 6-22-08
Chipper Jones
Jones will sit out his 3rd straight game due to his quad. He should return soon.
Eric Byrnes
Byrnes should be back with Arizona very soon and he’s had plenty of time on the DL to recover.
Hideki Matsui
Matsui had his knee drained recently, but isn’t expected to land on the DL.
Hank Blalock
Blalock has been on his rehab assignment for 3 days and should rejoin the big club early in the week.
Albert Pujols
Pujols seems to be recovering nicely and a return date is scheduled for Thursday.
Alfonso Soriano
Soriano should be back in the Cubs lineup by the end of this week to get ready for a big series against the White Sox. Get ready for some high scoring games and the Cubs are going to need Soriano's big back to stay in these games!
www.passitdeep.com
Injury Report 6-22-08
Chipper Jones
Jones will sit out his 3rd straight game due to his quad. He should return soon.
Eric Byrnes
Byrnes should be back with Arizona very soon and he’s had plenty of time on the DL to recover.
Hideki Matsui
Matsui had his knee drained recently, but isn’t expected to land on the DL.
Hank Blalock
Blalock has been on his rehab assignment for 3 days and should rejoin the big club early in the week.
Albert Pujols
Pujols seems to be recovering nicely and a return date is scheduled for Thursday.
Alfonso Soriano
Soriano should be back in the Cubs lineup by the end of this week to get ready for a big series against the White Sox. Get ready for some high scoring games and the Cubs are going to need Soriano's big back to stay in these games!
Week 12 Review of The All American Home Run Derby
Take it Deep: www.letsgodeep.com
www.passitdeep.com
Week 12 Review
Dilldocks is now starting to find some separation in the standings and leads the way with a total of 221 homeruns. AllorNothin is hanging tough with 216 HR. Mr. Papa Georgio remains in the mix with 214 HR. #1Philsfan is just one back of Mr. Papa G, while The Shockers rounds out the Top 5 well off the pace with 204 HR.
Our pool player breakdown is as follows…
1 player with 23 homeruns
1 player with 22 homeruns
3 players with 20 homeruns
2 players with 19 homeruns
2 players with 18 homeruns
2 players with 17 homeruns
5 players with 16 homeruns
5 players with 15 homeruns
4 players with 14 homeruns
5 players with 13 homeruns
4 players with 12 homeruns
9 players with 11 homeruns
6 players with 10 homeruns
6 players with 9 homeruns
9 players with 8 homeruns
7 players with 7 homeruns
5 players with 6 homeruns
3 players with 5 homeruns
4 players with 4 homeruns
3 players with 3 homeruns
2 players with 2 homeruns
3 players with 1 homerun
2 players have failed to go deep
Dan Uggla now leads the Majors with 23 homeruns and fellow 2nd baseman Chase Utley is just one shy of his mark. Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman and Adrian Gonzalez all have 20 HR.
Sixteen players have between 15 and 19 round trippers. Hanley Ramirez represents the middle infield with 16, while Ryan Howard(19) and Pat Burrell(18) give the Phillies 3 players in the Top 9.
The 10-14 HR group has 28 members. Miguel Cabrera(10) remains at a snails pace, but Corey Hart(11) has turned around a slow start. Joey Votto(12) and Brandon Phillips(13) show that Dunn and Griffey aren’t the only power hitters in Cincy and ARod(14) continues to climb the leaderboard.
Thirty players comprise the 5-9 HR crew. Eric Byrnes(6), Vernon Wells(7), Matt Holliday(8) and Brad Hawpe(9) are all looking to make up for time lost on the DL. Khalil Greene(7) is showing that last year’s HR total was just a fluke and Justin Upton(9) is out to prove that he’s the real deal.
The fifteen players with a total of 5 or less HR continue to disappoint. Not surprisingly, 10 of the guys have spent time in the minors or injured, but Kosuke Fukudome(5) and Delmon Young(1) can’t use that excuse.
The only players that have failed to go deep are Josh Field, who is still in the minors, and Victor Martinez, who is out until after the break. Barry Bonds will no longer be mentioned barring his return.
www.passitdeep.com
Week 12 Review
Dilldocks is now starting to find some separation in the standings and leads the way with a total of 221 homeruns. AllorNothin is hanging tough with 216 HR. Mr. Papa Georgio remains in the mix with 214 HR. #1Philsfan is just one back of Mr. Papa G, while The Shockers rounds out the Top 5 well off the pace with 204 HR.
Our pool player breakdown is as follows…
1 player with 23 homeruns
1 player with 22 homeruns
3 players with 20 homeruns
2 players with 19 homeruns
2 players with 18 homeruns
2 players with 17 homeruns
5 players with 16 homeruns
5 players with 15 homeruns
4 players with 14 homeruns
5 players with 13 homeruns
4 players with 12 homeruns
9 players with 11 homeruns
6 players with 10 homeruns
6 players with 9 homeruns
9 players with 8 homeruns
7 players with 7 homeruns
5 players with 6 homeruns
3 players with 5 homeruns
4 players with 4 homeruns
3 players with 3 homeruns
2 players with 2 homeruns
3 players with 1 homerun
2 players have failed to go deep
Dan Uggla now leads the Majors with 23 homeruns and fellow 2nd baseman Chase Utley is just one shy of his mark. Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman and Adrian Gonzalez all have 20 HR.
Sixteen players have between 15 and 19 round trippers. Hanley Ramirez represents the middle infield with 16, while Ryan Howard(19) and Pat Burrell(18) give the Phillies 3 players in the Top 9.
The 10-14 HR group has 28 members. Miguel Cabrera(10) remains at a snails pace, but Corey Hart(11) has turned around a slow start. Joey Votto(12) and Brandon Phillips(13) show that Dunn and Griffey aren’t the only power hitters in Cincy and ARod(14) continues to climb the leaderboard.
Thirty players comprise the 5-9 HR crew. Eric Byrnes(6), Vernon Wells(7), Matt Holliday(8) and Brad Hawpe(9) are all looking to make up for time lost on the DL. Khalil Greene(7) is showing that last year’s HR total was just a fluke and Justin Upton(9) is out to prove that he’s the real deal.
The fifteen players with a total of 5 or less HR continue to disappoint. Not surprisingly, 10 of the guys have spent time in the minors or injured, but Kosuke Fukudome(5) and Delmon Young(1) can’t use that excuse.
The only players that have failed to go deep are Josh Field, who is still in the minors, and Victor Martinez, who is out until after the break. Barry Bonds will no longer be mentioned barring his return.
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