Tag: MLB

  • No Dodging L.A.

    No Dodging L.A.

    The Los Angeles Dodgers are leading 3-0 in the World Series and they have a lot to feel excited about. They have shut down Mr. MVP Aaron Judge and seen the only success come from Juan Soto and Gian Carlo Stanton.

    The Yankees have been struggling and even from a managerial standpoint, Fox analyst Derek Jeter argued that primed starter Gerrit Cole should have remained in the game longer by Aaron Boone but there has been no dodging Los Angeles.

    During Game 3, Freddie Freeman hit a long shot out to the Judge row for a two-run home run. He has been a huge difference maker as well as Walker Buehler.

    Teams that lead 2-0 are 44-10 in these dire situations so watch out for what happens in Game 4 now as a hobbled Freeman in Game 1 hit a grand slam to even the odds.

  • The Meaning of Topper

    The Meaning of Topper

    What is the meaning of topper? Simply, Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson but what does it also mean to be him?

    Well, nobody has gone exclusively inside the mind of Thomson but for one, he likes to devote all his time and energy to the players.

    What is a topper anyway? But, sounds cool for a coach that has become the winningest manager in Phillies history in three short seasons with a .575 win percentage and there have been many great managers such as Dallas Green, Larry Bowa, and Charlie Manuel.

    Topper is a genius with his cards. He goes to work and now has led Philadelphia to three consecutive postseason appearances. And every time he returns, Thomson comes fierce like a shark but with an iota.

    This year, the Philadelphia Phillies had to get pegged down an iota from the postseason but Thomson, with his contract restored beyond 2025, will indeed have plans to fish in huge.

  • Abe..rr..hm

    Abe..rr..hm

    Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been demoted to AAA. Why? Nobody really understands except Abrams was spotted at a Chicago area casino only hours before a day game.

    This is arguably inexcusable when Abrams was a former all=star and presented the team in the fashion he did. GM Mike Rizzo will not disclose what happened to Abrams but demote him and keep things ‘in-house.’

    Losing catches up to any player but for it to spoil Abram’s career is not good. In the second half of this season, he hit 203 with a .586 OPS. He will report to the team’s spring training facility.

  • Outwitt and Be the Judge

    Outwitt and Be the Judge

    Bobby Witt Jr has stormed the baseball universe. Aaron Judge, meanwhile, electrifies it. These two are in a race for AL MVP and there is no misjudging based on Judge’s pathed trail of home runs (51), record-high OPS (1.141), and succinct 9.5 WAR. WAR was exceptionally better in 2022 but also in that year, Judge rose to 55 home runs through that period of September

    OPS is far much better for Judge today but do not be outwitted by Bobby Witt Jr.’s outstanding performances soon become the first Kansas City Royal since George Brett in 1993 to win a batting title. Brett was a sensational hitter that eventually matured into 3,154 career hits lifetime.

    Witt has replicated the same formula by becoming a challenging hitter and working on his all-around craft. This year, he has amounted to 40 doubles, 30 homers, 30 steals, and 10 triples and he is only 24 years old to go along with Gunnar Henderson who is another league of his own.

    The race might feel classy but what this means for Witt can only be judged.

  • Molinaless Winemixer

    Molinaless Winemixer

    Yadier Molina was born in PR and then migrated to play for the St. Louis Cardinals which lasted 18 MLB seasons as a backstop. He is truly respected by every figure across the league. Fast forward to today, there is a shift being substituted in Molina’s place. It is called the Molinaless winemixer.

    Something in simple terms where liquors are mixed but the caveat is this year’s ball club. The 2024 St. Louis Cardinals are currently five games back of a wild card berth but lack some talent including Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, Brandon Crawford, and now catcher Wilson Contreras.

    Contreras has easily been St. Louis’ biggest star this year with a .849 OPS despite missing seven weeks and now likely the remainder of 2024 due to a hit pitch by Pablo Lopez. It has not bode healthy for St. Louis ever since Molina left as a non-manager especially.

    Jobs are at stake including Oliver Marmol, John Mozeliak, and others who have played a part behind the scenes. St. Louis fans can only retort a bit of vitriol at the moment and strive with new catcher Ivan Herrera who was originally graded as the Cards’ sixth top-rated prospect.

  • Seattle Strong

    Seattle Strong

    Mr. Wilson is standing tall for Seattle and this does not imply talking about the days he stood next to Randy Johnson as a catcher. He is standing so to represent the team, days removed from Scott Servais’ long awaited firing.

    Servals was not as abysmal with a .514 winning percentage and one playoff appearance but that did not suffice the purpose of ultimately reigniting good times known as the ‘glory days’ of Seattle.

    Servais is gone. Dan Wilson in. There is no exceptional way of calculating it. Wilson has never served as a upper level coaching staff member but as fondly connected Servais’ exiting letter was to the Seattle community, Wilson is casted the same.

    Wilson is beloved by Seattle fans, execs, co-workers to erase the five lead deficit currently in the division and accomplish: one or two things.

    Try and definitively improve the offense that is heeding off a major league best 3.26 rotation ERA and prove that glory days are still on the horizon for a Seattle ball club within reach time in and out.

  • Stone Unturned

    Stone Unturned

    It is a smooth sailing Monday afternoon in Santa Monica, CA. Nothing could wrong beside the potential earthquakes that surround and locate the area from time to time. Gavin Stone is a major league pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has been attending this rodeo for less than two years and executing fine.

    This comes off the heels of a Jack Flaherty trade, and injury stints to River Ryan Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Clayton Kershaw. It cannot go without mentioning, Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler have thrown their arms out.

    There is a stone unturned however in the stretch of August to October and his name is Gavin Stone. Stone has pitched a solid 3.63 ERA, 4.04 FIP and lately struck out 10 batters in a seven innings pitched win over Seattle.

    Stone accredited Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior for overcoming easy adjustments as well as learning from Clayton Kershaw. Stone has cleaned some things on his delivery, in the case of not spinning the ball off.

    Bobby Miller was the Dodgers hopeful delivery man last year but considering him and Buehler have combined for 17 ineffective starts, Kershaw is back as always, Yamamoto will likely return, and Tyler Glasnow should be ready.

    The race is on for October.

  • Bryce Harper’s Approach is Unsettling

    Bryce Harper’s Approach is Unsettling

    It is August 11. The summer is winding down. The Olympics is tuned at a high volume but meanwhile, Phillies baseball is in the Arizona desert, and is meant to be played with one objective. Do not get mortified but as it turns out on a 103-degree indoor afternoon, the fielders retreated extra ground and the opposing batters covered the price. The final score resulted in being Philadelphia 5 and Arizona 12.

    The Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald did throw more than 15 pitches and earned a successful team victory otherwise. (Arizona won 3 of 4 against Philadelphia.) The focus lies on the Philadelphia Phillies. They are 24-30 in their last 54 games and now possess a 69-49 overall record. If the summer were to start today so June 11, the Phillies would be at least 10 and 15 games ahead of where they are currently.

    The Phillies must crush the Mets and Braves now. It is their only hope.

    Bryce Harper said during the All-Star break that the Phillies are destined to compete for a World Series every year and denied the notion that they are World Series or bust considering the Phillies might need to think of changes.

    For example, JT Realmuto was seen aching behind the plate during the recent Arizona game and he has been a backbone for Philadelphia. He suffered a right knee injury that required meniscectomy surgery.

    Another example is the man himself, Harper. No full injury status has been given beyond notice but Harper is an instrumental part of any organization. Since his arrival, Harper has ranked in the top ten of MLB OPS and played most recently at first base begging the question if Harper is willingly built for outfield.

    While Harper might be settled in terms of the Phillies faithful and confidence, it is not too hard to believe if his future is adjacent from ending in red pinstripes soon. The Phillies might be inclined to move forward without Harper to continue their chase at other high profile free agents including Juan Soto.

    There is one sign for certain however and that is the Philadelphia Phillies have a World Series pennant to chase.

  • Jack Flaherty Realizes his Boyhood Dream

    Jack Flaherty Realizes his Boyhood Dream

    Jack Flaherty has pitched for numerous teams such as the Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, and Detroit Tigers but now that he is a Los Angeles Dodger, his boyhood dream is finally realized growing up thirty minutes from L.A. and living in nearby Burbank, CA sporting Dodgers gear.

    Flaherty has pitched a 2.95 ERA in 106 innings pitched to go along with a 3.12 FIP. Again the key has been to motorize the exact zones Flaherty has felt comfortable going on the mound. He pitches these days with different resilience and utmost slickness.

    The main question on Dodgers fans’ minds will be how he handles team injuries going forward but just like his days in St. Louis, Baltimore, and Detroit he is used to the pressure and recently for the first time in Dodgers uniform shutout six innings which means he is obviously off to a good start and for the life of sporting Dodgers blue.

  • Rafael Devers Broke Seat

    Rafael Devers Broke Seat

    The Boston Red Sox picked up a 5-4 win before the MLB All-Star break and as that happened, Rafael Devers broke a seat.

    This is read correctly as Devers hit a home run (114.7 mph) and broke the back of a chair in Fenway Park. Photos can be seen below.