Category: MLB
AL West Weekend Recap, Takeaways
The weekend series between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim certainly lived up to the hype. The A’s took the first two games of the series – both of which were very tense for all nine innings – while the Angels coasted to a lopsided victory in the third game.
As these teams fight for a division crown over the last five weeks of the season there will be plenty more head-to-head matchups, but after watching the weekend series, here are some quick takeaways:
Athletics: 76-53, 1 Game Back In AL West, 5 Game Lead In Wild Card
Good:
The Athletics limped into the weekend series having lost eight of 10 and were fresh off watching their four-game division lead turn into a two-game deficit.
While taking two of three from the first place Angels, the A’s showed they are not going to roll over in this division race and in the first two games of the series they resembled the team that had the best record in baseball for the bulk of the year – not the team that has struggled in August.
It’s no secret what the A’s are capable of this season, but a rough patch had some people questioning the team’s future. Oakland used the weekend showdown against the Angels to answer some of those questions and remind everyone that they’re a playoff-caliber team.
Bad:
Over the course of a 162 game season, blowout losses – like the A’s 9-4 loss to the Angels on Sunday night – are going to happen. However, with the momentum of two straight wins against a division rival, a blowout loss can take the wind out of the sails a bit.
But, perhaps more importantly than one August loss to the Angels is the health of some of the A’s key players.
Prior to Sunday’s contest, the A’s put closer Sean Doolittle on the Disabled List with a right intercostal (the muscles between the ribs) strain.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson also had an MRI on Sunday, but manager Bob Melvin said the MRI revealed no structural damage of Donaldson’s left knee.
Melvin did say Donaldson’s knee just had a little “instability” but added that he expected the third baseman to be in the lineup Monday against the Astros.
Angels: 77-52, 1 Game Lead In AL West
Good:
After dropping the first two games of the series, the Angels offense came to life Sunday. The Angels scored eight runs in the first four innings and finished the game with nine runs on 13 hits.
While it’s always nice to see the entire offense break out in such a way, the Angels have to be pleased with the way some of their stars are swinging the bats.
Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and Erick Aybar all had multi-hit games Sunday.
When Trout, Pujols and Hamilton are all hitting, the Angels offense is extremely dangerous and it looks like that may be on the verge of happening.
Hamilton singled in his first at-bat and then homered in his second at-bat while Trout singled in his second at-bat and hit a 417 blast to center field in his third at-bat.
In the same way it was good for the Angels to see their offense break out, it was also good for Mike Scioscia to not see a couple of his relievers on the mound.
Kevin Jepsen, Joe Smith and Houston Street did not have to pitch in Sunday’s finale which was vital for the Angels as they had all pitched extensively on the road trip.
Jepsen pitched in five of the 10 games on the trip, Smith pitched in six and Street pitched in five. Street did start to warm up in the ninth, but never came in the game.
Bad:
The Angels leave Oakland with a one game lead in the division, but are just 4-8 against the Athletics this season. The Angels finish the season with 43 games in 45 days and seven of those games will be against the A’s.
The Angels and A’s will face off four times next week in Anaheim and then in late September the teams will play three in Oakland – where the Angels are just 1-5 this season.
Sometimes teams just don’t match-up well against other teams, but if the Angels want to hold on to the division lead, they are going to need to find a way to beat the A’s head-to-head.
Mariners:
The AL West race has been centered on the Angels and the Athletics, but by no means is this only a two-team race.
Seattle is arguably playing the best baseball of any team in the division right now and with a very strong pitching staff, the Mariners are more than capable of catching either the A’s or the Angels.
The Mariners have a 2.28 ERA – the best in baseball – since the All-Star break, have won seven of their last 10 games and still have six games left against the A’s and seven left against the Angels.
As ESPN’s Buster Olney noted on Twitter, the Mariners were 11 1/2 games back of the A’s on July 27th. On August 25th, they’ll wake up with a one-game lead in the second Wild Card spot and also find themselves just five games behind the Athletics and six games behind the Angels.
For The Love Of The Game
Instead of egos and salaries, we are treated to teamwork and camaraderie.
Instead of stoic athletes, we are treated to smiles and tears.
No one is mistaking the Little League World Series for a Major League Baseball game, but that doesn’t mean the annual event in Williamsport, Pennsylvania isn’t worth watching.
The Little League World Series is truly a world event – nine different countries were represented this year – and while the diversity is certainly an appealing aspect, the most fun rewarding part of watching the event is the emotions of the kids and the friendships that form between players of different teams.
No one is worried about steroid testing, future contracts or impending free agency.
Instead, it’s just a bunch of kids playing a game they love. This is evident throughout the game as the field is often littered with kids flashing beaming smiles and appreciating the opportunity they have been blessed with.
On the other end of the spectrum, we are occasionally shown kids crying in defeat, but often times those kids are accompanied and consoled by a coach or a teammate – a lesson for all of us about helping others in tough times and making sure you are there for your teammates.
The Little League World Series is not perfect and although the kids are very skilled, they often make “little league” mistakes, but the experience of watching the Little League World Series isn’t necessarily always about the baseball.
Major League Baseball is big business can often be stressful for fans and players alike, but in Little League, odds are most fans don’t have a rooting interest in any of the games.
The Little League World Series provides baseball fans the opportunity to just sit back and watch the game without worrying about who is on deck, up in the bullpen or even caring about who is winning or losing.
Anytime baseball is on television, I am likely to check it out for at least a little bit. The relevance of the game and possible story lines will impact how long I watch, but when it comes to the Little League World Series the skill level and score don’t make a difference.
There is something special about watching those kids have so much fun playing baseball and as long as the big, genuine smiles continue to flash across the screen, I’ll continue to watch.
Custom All-Star Game Hats Are The Way To Go
When it comes to sticking to their ways, baseball is about as staunch as it gets for a major sports organization.
However, Major League Baseball subtly strayed from the norm at this year’s All-Star Game and if that change continues into the future, it would certainly be welcomed.
In years past the players wore their standard uniform and hat while participating in the All-Star Game, but this season, the All-Star wore two-tones hats that mirrored the Twins’ batting helmets from the 60s and 70s.
It was a small change – one that has no impact in the grand scheme of things – but it was cool to see a tiny tribute to the history of baseball in the host city, Minneapolis.
The 2015 All-Star Game will take place in Cincinnati and some have speculated that the hats could be of the pillbox style that Mr. Red wore when he debuted in 1955.
The Cincinnati Enquirer recently put out images of what every hat would look like in a pillbox style, and most of them look pretty good.
There are a few I don’t like (why do the Dodgers have a red stripe? White would have looked better) but either way it would be cool to see.
Hats are a big part of baseball – and fashion in general – and if baseball can come up with a way to consistently make the All-Star hats a small tribute to the host city, it’d be a pretty nice touch to the Midsummer Classic.
Five National League Storylines To Watch
Believe it or not August is halfway over and the baseball season is racing to a finish. There are plenty of players, story lines and themes expected to develop over the final six weeks of the season as teams make their final pushes toward playoff berths.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are five things – in no particular order – worth watching in the National League as the season winds down.
The Cubs:
The Cubs aren’t making the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth a look. When the Cubs called up prized prospect Javier Baez they instantly made themselves an entertaining team to watch.
With Baez, Starlin Casto, Anthony Rizzo, Arismendy Alcantara, Jake Arrieta and Kyle Hendricks the Cubs are full of young talent.
What makes the Cubs intriguing the rest of the way is the fact that expanded rosters are coming and the Cubs have even more talent in their farm system.
Depending on who the Cubs bring up in September, baseball fans – specifically Chicago fans – will get a glimpse of the future and see what those within the Cubs organization are so excited for the next few years.
The Brewers Pitching Staff:
The Brewers have a two game lead in the NL Central and an 85.2 percent chance of making the playoffs according to Baseball Prospectus, but losing a key member of the starting rotation is never easy.
Pitching is always important, but it seems this time of year the value of a strong staff is amplified. With Matt Garza on the DL (left rib cage strain) there has been a bit of extra pressure on the Brewers pitching staff to fill the void.
In the 11 games since Garza has been out, the Brewers have a team ERA of 2.78 so they are doing a good job of holding it together, but how long can that last?
The Brewers have been in first place for 143 days this season, but are only two games up on the Cardinals.
Cardinals Injuries (Molina, Wacha, Motte):
The Cardinals are two games back in the NL Central and have a game and a half lead in the NL Wild Card race, but how long can they keep it up?
St. Louis has been hit hard with injuries to key players this season and it makes some wonder how they’ve managed to stay afloat.
Michael Wacha has been on the DL since late June with a stress reaction in his right shoulder, Yadier Molina has been on the DL since early July after having thumb surgery and Jason Motte was recently sidelined with a lower back sprain.
While the injury news has been grim for the Cardinals this season, the good news is it looks like they are getting healthier.
Molina caught a bullpen session earlier this week and hopes to start swinging a bat next week while Wacha threw off flat ground this week and has a follow-up MRI set for Monday.
If all goes well, the Cardinals could get Wacha and Molina back in September which would obviously be a huge lift to the organization.
In the meantime, the team needs to continue to find ways to win games and hope there aren’t any setbacks.
The Giants:
The Giants are only a half game out of the Wild Card, but they’re lost six of their last seven games, are just 11-15 since the All-Star break and are falling fast.
San Francisco got off to a hot start this season, but but was sub-.500 in both June and July and are on track to do so again in August.
The Giants have won the World Series in two of the past four seasons so it would be foolish to count out a team with that sort of late-season experience, but lately they are not playing like a team poised for a deep October run.
Clayton Kershaw:
The Dodgers look to be on their way to a second straight NL West crown and if that turns out to be the case, it will be in large part thanks to Clayton Kershaw.
The Cy Young Award frontrunner is 14-2 with a 1.78 ERA this season and has won 11 straight decisions.
Kershaw is widely regarded as the best pitcher in baseball and although everyone knows how good he is, he’s on the list for one plain and simple reason.
Whenever he pitches, you should watch.
Regardless of how you feel about the Dodgers, watching Kershaw pitch is a great experience for any baseball fan.
Kershaw is truly one of those very special players that only comes around every so often and as the season winds down, it will be fun to watch him pitch on meaningful October nights.
Five American League Storylines To Watch
With roughly six weeks left in the baseball season, playoff chases are heating up and every call, game and managerial decision of contending teams will be under intense pressure and scrutiny.
As the games seemingly get more important, some teams in the hunt are going to need players to step up while other are going to look at their leaders and simply hope they continue to do what they’ve done all season long.
Here’s a quick look at five American League players and trends to watch as the season winds down. (Note: This list is in no particular order and a National List will be compiled this weekend as well)
Hisashi Iwakuma:
The Mariners enter play Friday a half game out of the Wild Card, but according to Baseball Prospectus, Seattle has a 50.6 percent chance of making the postseason. Everyone knows Felix Hernandez is the ace of the staff and all indications suggest Hernandez will finish the season strong and pitch like the player everyone knows he is.
However, the AL Wild Card race is likely going to come down to the very end and if the Mariners need Hernandez to win a game in the final week of play, Iwakuma may be pitching in a single elimination Wild Card contest.
Iwakuma is 11-6 with a 2.72 ERA this season and is 6-2 with a 1.83 ERA over his past nine starts.
The 33-year old right hander may not get the recognition of King Felix, but if the Mariners are able to get into October, Iwakuma will have played a major role.
Garrett Richards:
With each passing day, it’s looking more and more likely the Angels will be in the postseason for the first time since 2009. Baseball Prospectus calculates the Angels as having a 98.9 percent chance of playing in October. However, the real question is whether they will win the AL West and play in a best-of-five series, or clinch a Wild Card berth and play in a win or go home game against the other Wild Card winner.
The Angels begin play Friday two games back in the AL West and five games up in the Wild Card.
A large part of the Angels success this season can be attributed to the breakout season of Garrett Richards, who is 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA this season. Although Richards has been great all season, he enters Friday’s start having thrown 159 2/3 innings – the most in his professional career, including the minors.
Richards threw 145 innings in 2013 and exceeded the 140 inning mark twice in the minors (2010 and 2011) but as the season wears on, his work load is something to look at.
The 26-year old has a 2.48 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break so he has not shown any signs of slowing down, but as the innings continue to mount – and the pressure associated with each inning rises – it will be important for the Angels to keep an eye on arguably the most important member of their rotation.
A’s Offense:
Odds are the Oakland Athletics are going to play in October for the third consecutive season, but if their offense doesn’t get going, their postseason may be brief – for the third consecutive season.
Pitching wins in October and Billy Beane has made sure the Athletics rotation will be formidable come the playoffs, but offense is still a big part of the game and right now the A’s don’t have a very good one, at least not consistently.
Since the A’s traded their power hitting left fielder, Yoenis Cespedes, to the Boston Red Sox, they have gone 7-7 and averaged just 3.8 runs per game. When Cespedes was on the Oakland roster, they had averaged five runs per game.
But, by no means is it time to panic for fans of the green and gold.
Jon Lester has been as advertised, going 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA since the trade and the A’s still have the best record in baseball.
There is time to get the offense rolling again, but if the A’s struggle to score for the rest of the season and exit the postseason in the first round again, many will blame the Cespedes trade.
Justin Verlander:
With David Price, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, the Tigers rotation is among the best in the game, but something just hasn’t been the same this year.
Recently, when you thought of the Tigers pitching staffs, the thought process always centered around Justin Verlander.
However, Verlander’s 2014 season has been atypical as he is 10-11 with a 4.76 ERA. The Tigers right-hander was recently diagnosed with inflammation in his right shoulder, although he is not expected to go on the Disabled List, instead it looks like the Tigers will just give him some rest and skip him once in the rotation.
Baseball Prospectus says there is a 65.9 percent chance the Tigers will make the playoffs – they are currently a half game back in the AL Central and a half game up in the AL Wild Card – but if they get there, how will they use Verlander?
The right-hander is 7-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 15 postseason starts, but will the Tigers treat him like the ace of their staff who has proven himself in October? Or, like a 31-year old with an ERA just a bit under 5.00?
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season develops for Verlander and looking ahead it is also worth watching what the Tigers do as they owe Verlander $28 million a season for the next fie years.
The Royals:
Could this be the year?
The Kansas City Royals have not been in the postseason since 1985, but have won nine of their last 20 games and find themselves with a half game lead in the AL Central.
Baseball Prospectus gives the Royals a 58.8 chance at making the playoffs and while it would be cool to see the Royals win the division because a one-game playoff could not only present a one-and-done scenario, but it may also present a situation where they play on the road and the folks of Kansas City do not get to experience a home playoff game.
However, with the playoff drought creeping up on 30 years, anyway the Royals manage to wiggle into the playoffs would be a great story.
Kansas City is 18-8 since the All-Star break and although they may lack some postseason experience, it’s going to be fun to watch this team try to close out the AL Central.
Mike Trout Birthday Facts
Mike Trout is so polished as a baseball player and has accomplished so much that it’s easy to forget how young he is.
If one was to simply scan through his list of accomplishments, they’d likely assume he had played a full career. Never would they guess he turns 23 tomorrow.
While most people are figuring out life after college when they turn 23, Trout’s resume already consists of the following:
- Trout joins Jimmy Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Ott and Ted Williams as the only players to have multiple seasons of at least 25 home runs, 80 RBI, 100 runs and a batting average over .320 before the age of 23.
- Becomes the seventh player all-time with 210+ extra base hits before turning 23 (Mel Ott, Ken Griffey Jr., Ted Williams, Alex Rodriguez, Cesar Cedeno, Jimmie Foxx, Al Kaline).
- Is the only player ever with 80+ HR and 80+ stolen bases before age 23.
- He joins Cesar Cedeno as only players with 200+ extra base hits and 80+ stolen bases before turning 23.
- Joins Mel Ott and Orlando Cepeda as only players with three 60+ extra base hit seasons before turning 23.
- Is the fourth AL outfielder to make three All-Star teams before age 23 joining Ken Griffey Jr., Al Kaline and Mickey Mantle.
- Only player to have a season of 30 HR, 40+ SB, 120+ R and a batting average over .320 (2012) before the age of 23.
- Joins Jim Fregosi as the only Angel to accrue 20+ triples before turning 23.
- According to Fangraphs WAR, his 27.4 WAR before age 23 ranks first all-time, ahead of Ty Cobb (25.9), Mel Ott (25.1) and Jimmie Foxx (21.0)
- Mike Trout and Alex Rodriguez are the only two players to amass 80 home runs, 90 steals, 300 runs, and 500 hits before turning 23.
- Trout is one of four players (Mel Ott, Eddie Matthews, Frank Robison) to accumulate three season of 25 homers before their 23rd birthday.
- Trout is one of six players (Mel Ott, John McGraw, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Ted Williams) to have 500+ hits and 240+ walks before his 23rd birthday.
- Trout is also the youngest American League player in history to hit for the cycle.
- He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and is the youngest player to ever win the award
- Trout was awarded a Silver Slugger in 2012 and 2013
- Was also named the MVP of the 2014 All-Star game.
- Has finished second in MVP voting twice
- Is the only player to hit 30 or more homers and steal at least 40 bases in his rookie season
- Is the only player to hit 30 homer, steal 45 bases and score 125 runs in a season – a feat he also accomplished in his rookie year.
- Trout homered on both his 21st and 22nd birthday’s.
Oh, and that six year, $144 million contract isn’t too bad either.
Special thanks to the Angels PR department for providing a lot of the facts in this post.
Felix Hernandez Is Must Watch TV
Just because something is the best doesn’t mean it is the most entertaining.
Peyton Manning may be the best quarterback in the NFL, but I’d much rather watch Colin Kaepernick roll out of the pocket and make a play with either his legs or his arm.
It’s more exciting.
Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball, but if Felix Hernandez is pitching in Seattle, I’m watching.
It’s a party.
Hernandez picked up the win against the Braves on Tuesday night as he threw eight innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight.
It was his 15th consecutive start of seven or more innings while allowing two or fewer runs – the longest streak in Major League history.
The American League Cy Young Award frontrunner is 12-3 with a 1.97 ERA, but this is not all about the numbers.
Although the numbers are really, really good.
Whenever Hernandez takes the ball the Mariners wish their fans a “Happy Felix Day!”
The Mariners also have a section of fans devoted to Hernandez known as the “Kings Court,” which collectively wears the same yellow shirt, waves “K” signs and always gets nice and rowdy when King felix gets two strikes on a hitter.
If Hernandez finishes that hitter with a punch out, the party continues.
There are plenty of great players that are exciting to watch in baseball, but the way the Mariners have marketed and promoted Hernandez makes all the difference.
Every fifth day there seems to be a certain electricity around Safeco Field and the Mariners organization. It is present in the fans wearing the shirts, in the team’s social media accounts and in Hernandez’s demeanor on the mound.
The Mariners concluded play Tuesday just one game back in the Wild Card and if they continue to stay in the hunt late into the season, I can only imagine the party will continue to grow.
There are a lot of great players in various playoff races worth watching over the next two months, but make sure you tune into the Mariners game next time it’s Felix Day in Seattle.
Hall Lives Diamondbacks Mantra
When you’re a public figure, the spotlight is always on.
It’s easy to volunteer, donate to charity and put on a good face when the cameras are rolling and the PR team is directing every action, but when people exhibit good deeds without recognition – that’s a true sign of their character.
That’s what separates people.
A lot of teams have catchy sayings to unify fans and build support, but it is always special to see those sayings played out. The Arizona Diamondbacks like to refer to themselves as “The Most Fan Friendly Team In Sports” and in the midst of Tuesday’s 12-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, Dbacks President and CEO, Derrick Hall, beautifully exhibited that manta.
In the bottom of the third, Wade Miley lined a foul ball just over the first base dugout and into the stands.
In an instant, Hall – who was sitting a section over – got out of his seat and walked over to the area where the ball went into the stands.
It appeared the ball had glanced of some fans, so Hall wanted to make sure they were okay. He spent about five minutes talking with the fans, shook some hands and walked back to his seat.
Although it was an incredibly small and simply gesture, Hall’s initial reaction was to go check on the fans and make sure no one was hurt.
Plenty of people would have inquired and made sure there were no injuries, but Hall’s desire to do it himself showed he doesn’t just say the Diamondbacks are fan friendly, but rather he lives it.
Not a lot has gone right for the Diamondbacks on the field this season, but on Tuesday, Hall showed some things off the field are going just fine.
The Cubs Are Exciting
I’m excited to watch the Cubs.
There I said it. It’s August 4th, the Cubs are 16 games under .500 and 13 games out of first place, but the last two months of the Cubs season are sure to be worth watching.
The Cubs will promote infielder Javier Baez, ranked as the Cubs No. 2 prospect on MLB.com’s list of the Top 20 Cubs prospects, and he is expected to make his Major League Debut on Tuesday.
Baez, the ninth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, is batting .260 with 23 homers and 80 RBIs in 104 games at Triple-A Iowa this season. He’s also hitting .283 with runners in scoring position.
However, in the 20 games since the Triple-A All-Star break, the 21-year old has hit .342 with nine homers.
Baez got off to a slow start this season, but his average has increased each month – .172 in April, .250 in May, .275 in June, .300 in July and .300 in three games in August – showing not only his talent, but his ability to adjust, learn the league.
Although the numbers are impressive, Baez’s call-up is about more than statistics.
It’s about hope. It’s about the future.
Yes, Cubs fans have been waiting for future for a long, long time and other prospects such as Arismendy Alcantara (the No. 4 prospect) and Kyle Hendricks (No. 19) have already debuted this season.
But this feels different.
Baez – along with Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Jorge Soler – is one of the most hyped Cubs prospects in awhile.
Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein have long had a plan to rebuild the Cubs and although it may have been too lengthy for some – as baseball rebuilds often are – the prospects are starting to come up and that is always an exciting time.
Baez’s promotion doesn’t guarantee wins, it doesn’t guarantee the Cubs will win the World Series in 2015 or even in 2016, but it does make the future a lot brighter.
It is always exciting to watch a new player come into the league especially one with the hype and talent of Baez.
With a line-up that consists of Alcantara, Baez, Rizzo and Castro the Cubs have become a team that die-hard fans and those interested in the building blocks of franchises should watch over the next couple of months.
I’ll be watching as well.
Farewell To Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez, a six-time Gold Glove winning third baseman announced his retirement Wednesday in the same way he spent the bulk of his career – with very little limelight and a bit under the radar.
Chavez won six straight Gold Glove Awards while excelling defensively for the Oakland A’s, where he played for 13 seasons. Chavez then went to New York as a role player for two seasons and finished up his 17-year career with the Diamondbacks.
While Chavez was most known for his glove, he old had nine 20 or more home run seasons before he turned 30 and was on pace for a really good MLB career before injuries derailed his later years.
The 36-year old played in 100 or more games once just past eight seasons after having done so for eight straight years.
Chavez’s retirement likely flew under the radar and was missed by plenty, but all baseball players, reports and fans fall in love with the sport at some time grow up watching either a team or a few favorite players.
For me, Chavez was one of those players.
My mom used to take my brother and I to Oakland A’s games in the late 90s and early 2000s (Chavez debuted late in the 1998 season) and those fun, youthful “Moneyball” teams were my introduction to the sport.
While Tim Hudson, Jason Giambi and perhaps a few others from those teams are still playing, every time someone for that era retires it is a little reminder that those teams from your childhood don’t always last and not every player that you admire will have a long, accolade-filled career.
Chavez had a really good career. Sure, he would have loved to be healthier toward the end, but a 17-year career with a .268 batting average and six Gold Gloves is certainly nothing to scoff at.
As excited as I am about the new wave of stars entering the sport, it’s a bit strange every time a player I grew up watching fades off into the sunset.
Boor on Baseball 