Category Archives: mlb

Who Will Win American League Cy Young?

The American League Cy Young race is full of the usual suspects. You usually have a dominant picther from the Yankees and Red Sox (check), one from the AL Central division leader (check), and a few dark horses that are no longer in the divisional race (check). Check out who are the favorites and who could come from behind over their last 7 or 8 starts of the season.

Leading Candidates

Justin Verlander – He is tha anchor of a nice pitching staff in Detroit. He currently 14-7 with a 3.38 ERA and has an alarming 211 strikeouts in only 181 innings of work this season. He had a dismal 2008 season and it is nice that he bounced back. The Tigers are currently winning their division, but it could hurt him that he won’t get as much exposure as pitchers on the Red Sox and Yankees. I think he will at least finish in the top three in voting and could take the award.

C.C. Sabathia – He had a rough start to the season, but over the last two months, he has been great. It helps him that he gets a lot of run support from the modern-day “Murder’s Row” the Yankees have assembled. He has a fairly high ERA to be up for the Cy Young, he’s currently at 3.59. He is leading the league in wins (15-7) and his WHIP is 1.13, which is great. It will help him that he’s on the Yankees and that he probably should have won the award last season, but he switched leagues mid-season.

Roy Halladay – His season has been marred with “Am I getting traded?…okay, how about now?” banter all season. He has had a great year despite all of the distractions, he’s 13-7 with a 3.03 ERA. He has been a workhorse with five complete games and will easily get to 200 innings this year. He’s still a leading candidate for the Cy Young, even if his chances aren’t as great as Verlander or Sabathia’s at getting another Cy Young.

Zack Greinke – If the season ended at the beginning of June, then Greinke would have been the unanimous winner, but the Royals hit bottom and Greinke had a few bad starts. He still had a great year and is still leading the AL in ERA with a 2.43, a full .3 a head of the next guy on the list, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez at 2.73. Greinke has a 12-8 record with 5 complete games, if he were on a contender, I am confident that he would be a 20-game winner. He is also currently 2nd in the AL in strikeouts with 197. If he had run support, Greinke would be in stronger position to win the AL Cy Young.

Dark Horses

Josh Beckett – The Red Sox may not win the AL East this year, but they are fighting for their Wild Card life. Beckett has helped them by pitching well, but he has been erratic at times. He has a 3.65 ERA, but is 14-5 this year. He had a month-long stretch that he barely gave up any hits, but that streak has ended and he’s hittable again. I would say that he’s a dark horse to win it, unless he can pull out a perfect game between now and the end of the season.

Scott Feldman – The young ace of the Texas Rangers isn’t used to being considered for end of the year awards, but he deserves a little recognition. He’s currently 13-4 with a 3.87 ERA for the Rangers, but only has 84 strikeouts, but that isn’t his expertise. He has helped the Rangers contend for the AL Wild Card and with Kevin Milwood, Dexter Holland, and Tommy Hunter has transformed the Rangers starting rotation. He has too high of an ERA to win, but should garner some votes.

Jared Weaver – Weaver had a horrible first couple weeks of the season. At one point his ERA was nearing double digits. Over the last few months, he has trimmed his ERA down to 4.03. He is 13-5 with 143 strikeouts for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Over the course of his dominance, they have bolted all the way to the best record in the American League. Weaver also has a high ERA to win this award, but the way he has pitched lately could change some minds.

Jeff Niemann – At the beginning of the year, The Tampa Bay Rays were needing to trim down their starting rotation and Niemann was almost the odd man out. He has pitched great this year and especially at home in Tropicana Field, he has a 2.67 ERA at home. This season, Niemann is 12-5 with a 3.87 ERA, something that the Rays didn’t expect from him, those numbers were expected out of David Price, Scott Kazmir, or Andy Sonnanstine. He’s not a sexy pick for the Cy Young, but if can get the Rays into the playoffs and dominantly pitch the rest of the way, there’s a slim chance.

I would say that award is Justin Verlander’s to lose. He just has to stay the course and pitch consistently and he should take it home. C.C. Sabathia should finish second, but as much press that the Yankees garner, he could leapfrog Verlander if they keep winning and getting ample run support for their pitchers. At this point it’s too close to call, but when it’s all said and done, Verlander should finally win the AL Cy Young.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

2009 Un-All-Star Team

Last year, I did my 2008 Un-All-Star Team post in early May. A lot of my team ended up turning things around and a few of them actually ended up with career numbers. I wanted to do this year’s post a little deeper into the season. They are currently about 70 games in right now and some great players are looking like they need some extended spring training to regain their usually consistent form. About this time of year you can throw out the term “slow-starter” and begin using “bad year.”

Some of these players do have some power numbers, but I’m looking at average mostly. If you are still floating around the Mendoza Line and it’s almost July, you are having troubles. A few of these players have been trying to play through injuries (Alfonso Soriano), but his season isn’t living up to expectations.

Here is my list of the 2009 Un-All-Star Team sorted by position. The number next to the position players is their batting average as of today and the number next to the pitchers are their ERA.

Catchers
Kelly Shoppach .194
Dioner Navarro .218
Geovany Soto .222

First Base
Conor Jackson .182
Carlos Guillen .200
Chris Davis .200
Jason Giambi .212
Lance Berkman .241

Second Base
Alexi Casilla .180
Dan Uggla .216
Howie Kendrick .231
Kelly Johnson .227

Third Base
Garrett Atkins .205
Alex Rodriguez .212

Shortstop
Mike Aviles .183
Khalil Greene .213
Jimmy Rollins .223
Orlando Cabrera .235

Outfield
Ken Griffey Jr. .220
Grady Sizemore .223
Alfonso Soriano .229
B.J. Upton .229
Ryan Ludwick .234
Pat Burrell .236

Starting Pitchers
Chien-Ming Wang 12.30
Oliver Perez 9.97
Scott Kazmir 7.69
Fausto Carmona 7.42
Ricky Nolasco 7.15
Andy Sonnanstine 6.60
John Lackey 6.10
Francisco Lirano 5.91

Bullpen
Brad Lidge 7.27
Troy Percival 6.35
B.J. Ryan 5.71
Manny Corpas 5.40
J.J. Putz 5.22

If anyone has any recommendations for the 2009 Un-All-Star Team let me know.

I’m sorry if you found this post in hopes of trying to find shirtless photos of Grady Sizemore of any other of our players. It’s kind of a running joke on this blog, since it seems like I get a lot of hit from google from people trying to find shirtless photos from players from Grady Sizemore and Ryan Braun to the confusing duo of C.C. Sabathia and Prince Fielder.

Designated Hitter
David Ortiz .207

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Ibanez’s Reaction Is What We Want

Midwest Sports Fans had a story a few days ago that lead to speculation about Raul Ibanez and performance-enhancing drugs. The story was thorough and well thought-out. The writer tried to convey both side of the argument and gave interesting facts that support both sides of the opinion. Jerod Morris, the writer of the post on Midwest Sports Fans, is getting wrongly accused of throwing out accusations that he believes that Ibanez is on something illegal. If people would just read the entire article, and not just snippets, they would leave with the opinion that Morris doesn’t know the answer himself, but understands why someone would think something is fishy. This isn’t really a story about Ibanez as much as a story about the past ghosts that will continue to haunt Major League Baseball players until they allow blood testing for testing. Until the public have 100% certainty that players are clean, it will always be the elephant in the room.

On the otherhand, I love Ibanez’s response to the post. If the alleged accusation was a Stephen Strasburg heater, he hit it out of the park. He is taking the approach that I wish Bonds, McGwire, or any other player should have taken. I do admit that Ibanez’s “mother basement” line was out-of-line, but I do acknowledge his passion for proving his innocence. I want him to go a step farther. I would like to see him ignore the player’s union and accept an independent drug-test, the kind that would be as strict as the Olympic-testing.

This story is very unique. You don’t see a blog causing a stir, unless your Deadspin, let alone this kind of exposure. It proves that bloggers are increasing their reach and gaining more notablity in mainstream media. I love it. I do think that about 85% of sports blogs are poorly written and are just out to slam sports figures, but there are some great ones out there.

Before I finish this post, I would like to submit my opinion on Ibanez. I believe he had something to prove. He has never been on a contender before, most of his career was with Kansas City and Seattle. The motivation to do well and finally win a championship was there this year, more than past seasons. He also knew that he was in a line-up with Utley, Howard, and Rollins, the pressure isn’t going to be there, as he has bats around to protect him. My last point would be that he went from the American League to the National League. History tells us that players who take the leap over to the National League do better. I think all these factors add up to Ibanez’s hot start to the season. We have to remember that the season isn’t even halfway over. Many players have had just as good 2nd-halfs, but it flies under the radar usually, since most fans just look at the season average and totals.

I would like to congratulate Jerod Morris for the great article. The response is a little mixed as a whole, but this will go down as the top blog post of 2009.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Gregg Makes Cubs Lose Wood

It looks like the Kerry Wood Experiment is officially over in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs acquired Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins for the minor-leaguer, Jose Ceda. Gregg has been the closer in Florida the last two seasons and he will be the set-up man for Chicago next season with Carlos Marmol assuming the closer role. This is a cost-cutting move by the Cubs in hopes of landing a left-handed power bat this offseason and re-signing Ryan Dempster. Wood is looking for a three-year deal in hopes of receiving $10 million a season.

GM Jim Hendry didn’t close the door to Wood in the future but thinks he should go get what he deserves in the open market. The New York Mets and Texas Rangers appears to be a good fit for Wood and have the money to sign him.

Kevin Gregg isn’t as good as Kerry Wood, but for a team that is cutting a few corners while spending large amounts of money, they feel like this is needed to keep Dempster and get a power left-handed bat to replace Fukudome in right-field. Gregg will have an ERA around 4.00 and give up a few extra homers in Wrigley Field. If he stays healthy, which he couldn’t do last season, he could help Chicago this year.

Jose Ceda has been in the Cubs farm system for a few years. The Padres traded him to Chicago when he was 18 years old for Todd Walker. Many baseball experts believe that Ceda could be a future closer and could become a Lee Smith type of pitcher. It looks like the Cubs could get the best out of this trade this season, but Ceda could be a beast for Florida for many seasons to come, until he hits arbitration, then they’ll trade him for another future star.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

Top 10 Future Baseball Stars

I recently wrote an article asking who is the top 10 future superstars in Major League Baseball. I decided that my list was going to include players under the age of 25. I composed a list of about 25 and narrowed it down. The guys who didn’t make the cut were Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Braun (still not 100% sold), Conor Jackson, Hunter Pence, and A’s future phenom, Carlos Gonzalez. I think my list is pretty solid. If you want to read the entire article CLICK HERE.

1. Hanley Ramirez, IF, Florida Marlins
2. B.J. Upton, IF/OF, Tampa Bay Rays
3. Tim Lincecum, RHP, San Francisco Giants
4. Geovany Soto, C, Chicago Cubs
5. Evan Longoria, IF, Tampa Bay Rays
6. Joba Chamberlain, RHP, New York Yankees
7. Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
8. Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles
9. Max Scherzer, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
10. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

I think all of these guys will make multiple All-Star teams, possible Cy Youngs, and future MVPs. Leave a comment if you think I left any of your favorite young players off of my list.

CLICK HERE if you want to read the entire article.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

The White Boy Fantasy Update

It was a pretty slow newsday, so I will update you with my progress in my fantasy baseball league.

I’m currently tied for first in my league of 10 teams. I posted my draft results in a previous post and of course my team has changed since. I have picked up Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Carlos Gomez of the Minnesota Twins. Reynolds has already hit five homers and has a good amount of total bases. I remembered how Reynolds torched the Cubs in the playoffs and it’s hard for me to forget such a thing. I have him on the trading block currently in hopes of landing Brian Roberts. Roberts will help me more in the long run with his high average and stolen bases. The addition of Gomez came after the first game of the season. He was a speed demon on the bases. I added him when only 4% of people owned him in the ESPN leagues and now over 95% of the leagues have him picked up. I like to think that both of these players were my sleepers.

My pitching has been solid so far. My closers Corpas, Wood, and Gagne have been pretty rough. They have blown about as many saves than they have earned. My starters have been pretty decent so far. Zambrano, Lincecum, and Hudson have racked up some innings with a decent ERA. I’m not expecting many wins from Lincecum, since the Giants will be last in the league in runs scored.I’m pretty happy that I stayed away from the Detroit Tigers so far. A few of their players were sitting there as I drafted, but I couldn’t pick any specific player to pinpoint. I thought their offense was going to be so explosive that their RBIs were going to come randomly throughout the lineup. I knew their one weak spot was going to be Edgar Renteria. He played poorly in his lone season in the AL with the Red Sox. He has proven me correct so far this season.

This will be a long season for me, but I’m looking pretty good so far.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.

MLB Managers Love Their Uniforms

A lot of people who don’t follow sports ask why baseball managers dress up in uniforms like the players. I’ve never really had an answer for it. I can see why 1st-base and 3rd-base coaches wear the uniforms, they are in the field of play and are more like players than the manager. The argument is that the manager has to come out on the field for pitching changes, double switches, and the occasional heated argument with the umpire.

I know I can’t imagine Pat Riley wearing a basketball uniform or Bill Belichick wearing football gear (He would like the lack of sleeve). I guess I’m just used to seeing overweight, old guys trot out in cleats and stirrups.I’m torn with what the MLB should do if they ever re-think the manager’s uniform. I know baseball tried to fine the Red Sox manager, Terry Francona, for not wearing a uniform under his pull-over. Could you imagine Sparky Anderson or Earl Weaver coming out to argue balls and strikes with the umpire and they were wearing a Pat Riley suit? That is the argument that I like to throw back at the nay-sayers. It is easier to switch rules in the NFL and NBA than in baseball. Baseball fans are purists, they hate anything new. I’m surprised that the DH rule has lasted as long as it had.

If baseball does change the rule, I would like the manager to be able to wear a retro-jersey of a Hall of Fame player from their team’s history. This would be fun to watch and tie in the game of the present with something great from the past. I think I would like to see Bobby Cox sporting a retro Warren Spahn jersey as he’s getting tossed from another game.

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NL Central Preview

NL Central Projections
Cubs – 99-63
Brewers – 88 74
Astros – 83-79
Cardinals- 78-84
Reds – 73-89
Pirates – 59-103

I know people reading this will probably think that I am being a “homer” by predicting the Chicago Cubs having a good year. I have been a Cubs fan since I was born, but I am usually the first person to say if we’re going to have a bad season. I am a fan, but I am extremely critical. I try not to have a bias when i write any material on the Cubs and I think I am being true about my prediction on the NL Central.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs had to rally to win the NL Central last season. The Brewers had a lock on the division until the last month of the season. The Cubs pitching was key over the entire season. Only the Padres allowed fewer runs last season and they play on a field that could be considered as a county itself. Once the winds die down in May, the pitching should be solid. The addition of Kosuke Fukudome is a question mark, but could pan out. They needed another outfielder last year, but couldn’t pull the trigger on a deal before the trading deadline. Cliff Floyd and Matt Murton weren’t very good options and Fukudome should be solid. The 2nd base position is there biggest flaw. Mark DeRosa isn’t an everyday player, but very good as a platoon. A deal for the Orioles Brian Roberts have been rumored for months, but the Cubs are shy about parting ways with many key prospects. If the Cubs get off to a slow start this season, look for Roberts to be in Chicago by the All-Star break. If Soriano, Ramirez, Zambrano, and Lee stay healthy, the Cubs are the team to beat in the Central.

Milwaukee Brewers – Milwaukee has had the best farm system the past few years and it’s about time for them to shine. They proved their depth in prospects by bring up a few players that proved to be worth their shot in the major leagues. Braun, Hart, Hardy, and Gallardo had good seasons last year and should improve this year with a little experience under their belt. Their big question mark is at 2nd base. Rickie Weeks is a high-touted prospect and he had his shot last season to play every day. He started out with a bang and had a good couple months of the season. Weeks started to slump and he never regained his early-season form. The Brewers ended up sending him back down to the minors for awhile and brought him back up at the end of the season. Weeks needs to last an entire season of the Brewers hope to contend. The pitching staff could see a few more additions this season. Sheets and Gallado are a solid #1 and #2 starters, but the rest of the staff is weak.

St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals started to look their age last season. Larussa started to lose his team a little at the end. They got rid of Scott Rolen and Jim Edmunds in the offseason. They hope Chris Duncan and Rick Ankiel can boost their lineup with Pujols rumored to be struggling through injuries this offseason. Adam Wainwright should have a good season this year. He started to really pitch well towards the middle to end of last season. The Cardinals may need this year to see what they have. They are putting the pieces together, since they traded some of their prospects away when they were building their World Series team.

Houston Astros – The Astros have been pretty active this offseason. Miguel Tejada was acquired this offseason just a few days before his name was mentioned in the Mitchell Report. The Astros are getting younger, but their talent has kept at a high level. Hunter Pence was a nice surprise last season. He ended up missing some time due to injury, but he plays hard every play. The Astros ended their ties with the erratic Brad Lidge and picked up Jose Valverde, which is much more dependable. The Astros also landed Kaz Matsui in free agency. He had a comeback season last year with the Rockies and will help Houston with speed. Speed should be the overall theme of the Astros offense, even Carlos Lee will steal some bases to keep the runners moving.

Cincinnati Reds – Cincinnati added manager Dusty Baker, who has led the his last two teams (Giants, Cubs) to the playoffs. The Reds are not overly optimistic about this season, but their future looks very bright. Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez, and Johnny Cueto are the four glimpses of what the future could be in Cincinnati. Volquez was a key piece of the trade that sent Josh Hamilton to the Rangers. Dunn and Griffey Jr. are still great power hitters and put runs on the board. Look for the Reds to be competitive in most games, but they are focused on the future.

Pittsburgh Pirates – It has been a long time since Pittsburgh has seen October, even late September. They have a great park, PNC Park, and the fans are yearning for something to cheer about. After saying that, I still don’t think the fans in Pittsburgh will be cheering much this season. As usual, the fans will be looking forward to football season by June. Jason Bay had an off-year last year, but many teams could be interested in him. The Pirates could end up moving him by the trading deadline for some much-needed prospects.

A Sports & Entertainment blog that focuses on absurdity in sports, snarky banter, updates on Tim Tebow’s virginity, and decent sports gambling advice.