I realize we are not even to the All-Star break but there are several teams that should already be thinking about next year. For these teams, this year is probably already lost not even halfway through the season.
In the American League, the season is probably all but lost for the Red Sox, the Twins and the Mariners. These teams are all more than 7 games out in the respective divisions. The Red Sox are 7.5 games back in the AL East. That might not seem like a lot but in that division it’s like an ocean of space. The top three teams in the AL East are separated by 3.5 games. They are all playing well. The Red Sox 7.5 games in this division look like some other teams 11 games back. They just don’t have the team to compete with the Rays or Yankees this year and they are not going to anytime this season most likely. Read more... (541 words, 1 image, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)
The Phillies have to be the Braves‘ kryptonite. I thought that it was the Mets…but that’s just crazy talk. It’s the Phillies. I has been the Phillies for years. The Braves just cannot seem to shake them no matter what they do.
In a series that contained just about everything a baseball series can hold, the Phillies once again bested the Braves. The Phillies took the first game 4-2. In true Phillies fashion, they didn’t get a lot of opportunities for runs but when they did they got them and held the Braves bats almost silent. Phillies winners game 1. Read more... (438 words, 1 image, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)
The Braves have been on a roll for a while now and that three game loss to start the season is looking more and more like early season nerves. The further along the season gets the more into beast mode the Braves seem to be.
The team is now 13-7. They reside in 2nd place in the NL East still behind the surprising Nationals but now at only 1 game back. For their last 10 games, the Braves have gone 8-2. They have also posted three wins in a row. The team is a scorching 6-1 at home. Read more... (352 words, 1 image, estimated 1:24 mins reading time)
In baseball, pitching wins games. It’s just that simple and just that difficult. Opening Day showcased yet again that outstanding pitching will win games and that will probably be the statement uttered most during the 2012 season, another year of the pitcher.
As much as people like to talk about the power hitters and those going to games love to see the long ball, what most baseball watchers and writers will see this year is another phenomenal display of pitching. Opening Day showcased that very thing yet again. Pitching dominance ruled the day and most all the games. Even the stomach flu couldn’t stop a great pitcher from giving it 110%. Read more... (421 words, 1 image, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)
They are the players on the sports media’s radar. The players that fans want to see. The players that can change the course of a season for the good if they do well or for the bad if they don’t. The “breakout” players. The “ones to watch.” Let’s look at a few of them for 2012.
Jason Heyward – Atlanta Braves – Heyward suffered an abysmal 2011 season with injury plagued woes. In the offseason, he has been working to get healthy and to change his swing. Heyward and the Braves are both hopeful he returns to the 2010 version of himself when he posted a .393 on-base percentage. If he stays healthy, Heyward could be that guy for the Braves this year. Read more... (701 words, 1 image, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)
Spring Training officially opened up yesterday and there were some things that stood out and some players as well.
Prince Fielder had two hits and reached based in all three at bats while helping the Tigers to a 2-0 win over the Braves.
Closer Jonathan Papelbon made his debut appearance in a Phillies uniform throwing a perfect fifth inning in the Phillies loss to the Yankees.
The Twins were able to utilize a healthy Morneau, Mauer and Span to come away with a 7-3 win over the Rays. The trio combined to go 4-8 with two RBIs in the win for the Twins.
Curtis Granderson homered and doubled in the Yankees win over the Phillies. Read more... (339 words, 1 image, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
The first round of the MLB postseason begins today. In what is sure to be either games of blowouts and sweeps or down to the last game battles, the MLB postseason is ready to kick off later today.
Since I don’t have a favorite horse in the race, I will attempt to pick objectively who I think will win each matchup of the first round of the playoffs. Sounds easy enough….though picking baseball rarely is. Read more... (663 words, 1 image, estimated 2:39 mins reading time)
For Red Sox and Rays fans, okay Red Sox fans, this weekend is HUGE. Not just a little huge. Not just maybe huge. It is HUGE and that might not cover it.
The Red Sox and Rays face off this weekend in what could determine which team ends up in the post season as the wildcard. As it stands right now, the Red Sox are only 3 games ahead of the Rays for the wildcard spot in the American League. The Rays have been keeping it close and inching closer all week. In fact, the series started yesterday and the Rays won. This series will determine the postseason. It’s just that simple. The Red Sox have lost 2 in a row. They are 2-8 over their last 10 games. The Rays on the other hand are 7-3 over their last 10. Momentum is certainly in the Rays favor, but the Red Sox cannot be counted out. This is going to be a great series. Read more... (443 words, 1 image, estimated 1:46 mins reading time)
In one of the biggest series of the season, so far, the Braves and Phillies face off in an NL East matchup. Unfortunately for the Braves, it was not a good start at all.
The Braves were blanked by Cliff Lee and the Phillies to the tune of 9-0 in the first game of the series. Adding insult to injury, the Braves had a total of 5 hits for the game.
Derek Lowe didn’t have a good game at all giving up 8 hits, 7 runs with 5 earned, 4 walks and 4 strikeouts. Not a good game at all. Linebrink and Vizcaino both gave up runs in relief for the Braves. Overall, it was not a good night for the Braves pitchers. Read more... (256 words, 1 image, estimated 1:01 mins reading time)
My favorite baseball team is still bipolar. They still win and lose, win and lose. They still lose to teams they shouldn’t. But when they win, they do it with a blast, or two.
The Braves love the long ball. They regularly hit them to win games. They regularly hit them to help win games. They hit them with the middle of the lineup and the expected players, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann and they hit them with those you would least expect, Derek Lowe. Read more... (514 words, 1 image, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)
