The All-Star Game Counts, But Do We Act Like It? Posted by Nate Kreichman (07/03/2012 @ 3:56 pm) It’s the tenth anniversary of the travesty that was the 2002 MLB All-Star Game. You know, the one that ended in a 7-7 tie and led to the decision that from then on, the winning side in the game would receive home-field advantage in the World Series. Prior to 2003, the year the rule was implemented, home-field advantage alternated between the AL and NL from year to year. It’s one of three separate but inarguably connected rule-based controversies that dog the “Midsummer Classic” year in and year out. The second being that popular fan vote decides the starting hitters for each side. The third is that all 30 teams must have at least one representative in the game. The rules are linked because what was formerly an exhibition game meant to showcase baseball’s best and brightest (in other words, a money-making scheme) now has actual value. As such, many take issue with the game’s starters being decided based on fans clicking mouses and sticking mini pencils through holes. Equally many argue that requiring a player from each team often leaves superior players off the rosters, which detracts from the notion that the contest spotlights the game’s best. It’s impossible to gauge the impact of playing the first and last two games of the World Series at home. In the nine years the rule has been in effect, the American League has won the All-Star Game seven times. The AL won the game every year from 2003-2009, but its representatives were only champions in four of those seven years. The rule’s effects were minimal, if it had any, as the World Series never saw a seventh game. But in the past two years, the National League has had home-field. In 2010, the San Francisco Giants quickly won their first two home games, and had the Rangers playing scared en route to a 4-1 series victory. Last year was the first time the Series went seven, and the St. Louis Cardinals won the game, and the series, at home. Even if it is impossible to truly gauge the effects, if you’re a fan of a contending AL team, does it sit right with you that Billy Butler might be in a position to decide if your team gets home-field advantage with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth? Or if your team’s in the NL, that Huston Street (who has only pitched 21 innings this season) might have to get that final out? Those are just some examples of the possibilities of the “one from each team” rule. Let’s take a look at who the fans chose, and decide whether they deserve to be starting, or in some cases, even playing. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in: MLB Tags: A.J. Pierzynski, Aaron Hill, Adam Jones, Adrian Beltre, All-Star Game, Asdrubal Cabrera, Billy Butler, Bryce Harper, Buster Posey, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Ruiz, Chipper Jones, Curtis Granderson, Dan Uggla, David Ortiz, David Wright, Derek Jeter, Edwin Encarnacion, Fan Vote, home field advantage, Huston Street, Joe Mauer, Joey Votto, Jose Altuve, Jose Bautista, Josh Hamilton, Matt Kemp, Melky Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Napoli, mike trout, Pablo Sandoval, Prince Fielder, Rafael Furcal, Robinson Cano, Starlin Castro, Tie, World Series, Yadier Molina
2010 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Second Basemen Posted by Anthony Stalter (03/04/2010 @ 10:10 pm)
All 2010 Fantasy Articles | 2010 Position Rankings Stop us if this scenario has ever played out during one of your drafts: You’re in the first round and Chase Utley comes off the board. With so many good players available at other positions, you don’t even blink an eye. But then Ian Kinsler is taken a few rounds later and then maybe even Brandon Phillips or Robinson Cano are selected and all of a sudden you start to feel the second basemen death grip on your shoulder. “No problem,” you think to yourself. “I’ll just address other positions and figure out second base later. After all, what’s the difference now? The production will be roughly the same for anyone I draft from here out, so I might as well wait.” The problem with that mindset is that you’re probably passing on players that are essentially locks for certain stats. Once those players come off the board, you run the risk of suffering through major bouts of inconsistency (think Dan Uggla) or unspectacular production (think Jose Lopez) at the second base position. If you miss out on Utley or Kinsler, we recommend snagging one of these four second basemen and reaping the benefits of what should be locks for certain stats. These four might not give you the same production as Utley or Kinsler, but they’re safer bets to than ’09 heroes Aaron Hill and Ben Zobrist, who may not duplicate the success they had last year. We know they look like locks, but we value the four players below more. (Side note: Depending on what stat you’re looking for, these four players might be interchangeable, so don’t get too hung up on where we have them ranked. They’re all solid options at second base.) Brandon Phillips, Reds Phillips has produced three straight 20/20 seasons and chances are, he’ll accomplish that feat again this year. If you’re hoping he’ll slug 30 home runs and steal 30 bases this season, you’re expectations are probably too high. But getting 20 dingers and 20 steals from your second baseman is nothing to scoff at. Phillips often gets overlooked because of his batting average, but at .275 he’s right around the league average – if not better. Plus, he should drive in 90-plus RBI again this year and score 80-plus runs. What else are you looking for out of your second baseman? Read the rest of this entry » American League All-Star voting–who is leading and who should be Posted by Mike Farley (06/27/2009 @ 2:00 pm) It’s always funny how the voting for the Major League Baseball All-Star game shakes out, and it’s generally more of a popularity contest than anything. That, or the more familiar names like Derek Jeter, David Wright and Manny Ramirez always generate lots of attention. Well, since we’re about 75 games in, and the mid-summer classic is two and a half weeks away, I decided to look at the current vote leaders and make my own picks of who I think should be in there. First the American League — and next week, the National. Here we go…. First base Leader: Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees Mike’s pick: Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins. It’s kind of hard to argue with Teixeira’s numbers, short porch in right or not. He’s got 20 homers, 57 RBI, 20 doubles, and a .280 average (and in the field, zero errors). You can make a case for Carlos Pena (22 homers), but he’s batting .236. Morneau is batting .315, and has 16 homers (let’s say he’d have 20 if he played in Yankee Stadium), and more RBI than Teixeira (58). And he’s only made one error. Second base Leader: Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers Mike’s pick: Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays. I love a good comeback story, and this is it. Hill doesn’t have as many homers as Kinsler (17 to Kinsler’s 18), but he is hitting for a higher average (.306 to .268) with more RBI (52 to 49). Sure, Kinsler has 16 steals to 2 for Hill, but I’m sticking with my comeback story. Shortstop Leader: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees Mike’s pick: Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay Rays. Jeter’s having a good season, but Bartlett is leading the American League in batting with a sick .363 average. Even after spending some time on the DL, Bartlett still has 7 homers, 35 RBI, 13 doubles, 3 triples and 15 steals…..pretty awesome numbers for a shortstop. Third base Leader: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays Mike’s pick: Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays. With a nod to Chone Figgins and his .325 average with 23 stolen bases, Longoria has delivered at a power position with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 24 doubles and a .312 batting average. Catcher: Leader: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins Mike’s pick: Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins. Hey, these voters aren’t doing a bad job after all! This is an easy one, though. Mauer is batting almost .400 (.396) with 14 homers and 43 RBI, and a staggering .695 slugging percentage that leads the American League. Outfield Leaders: Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Mike’s picks: Jason Bay, Boston Red Sox—It’s hard to argue with 19 homers, 69 driven in (leads the AL) and a respectable .278 average, especially when Big Papi has struggled. Manny who? Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels—He’s currently fourth in the voting, but he should be higher. 17 dingers, 56 RBI, and he’s batting .309 with 12 stolen bases. Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays—The Rays are running on everyone, and this guy leads them and the world with 38 stolen bases. He’s also batting .314 with 6 homers and 35 RBI. Starting pitcher As you all know, pitchers are chosen by the managers and announced shortly before the all-star break. Mike’s pick: Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals. The guy got off to a blistering start, when the Royals stunned everyone by spending more than a few days in first place. He’s cooled off, but Greinke is still 9-3 on a team that’s 31-41, he has a stellar 1.90 ERA, and he’s second in the AL with 111 strikeouts to just 18 walks in 109 innings. Relief pitcher Mike’s pick: Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox. Okay, so he’s not leading the league in saves (he has 17 and the Angels’ Brian Fuentes has 20). But Papelbon sports a 1.97 ERA and 33 K’s in 32 innings. And he just has that sick “you can’t hit me” demeanor. Source: Baseball Reference Posted in: Fantasy Baseball, Happy Hour, MLB Tags: Aaron Hill, AL all-stars, All-star vote leaders, All-star voting, All-stars, American League All-stars, Boston Red Sox, Brian Fuentes, Carl Crawford, David Wright, Derek Jeter, Evan Longoria, Ian Kinsler, Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Bartlett, Jason Bay, Joe Mauer, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Hamilton, Justin Morneau, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Torii Hunter, Toronto Blue Jays, Zack Greinke
Top 5 MLB surprises and Top 5 busts in 2009 so far Posted by Mike Farley (05/23/2009 @ 8:23 am) We’re approaching Memorial Day and are already about a quarter of the way through the baseball regular season. Some players historically take a while to get going, and some start off blazing hot and then cool off. Here we take a look at five pleasant surprises, and five busts through the first 40 or so games of the 2009 season. Top 5 Suprises 1. Zack Greinke, SP, Kansas City Royals—One of the reasons the Royals are off to a great start is that Greinke has found his rhythm, to the tune of 7-1 with a 0.82 ERA, as well as 73 strikeouts and 12 walks in just 66 innings. Greinke has given up a microscopic six earned runs so far. Six! It’s not like the kid wasn’t talented, but his career record before 2009 was 34-45 and his ERA 3.96. 2. Jason Bartlett, SS, Tampa Bay Rays—Before this season, Bartlett was a career .285 hitter with 16 career home runs. So far this season, he’s off to a wicked start–.376 batting average, 6 homers, 23 RBI, 9 doubles, 12 stolen bases and an OPS of 1.004. 3. Raul Ibanez, OF, Philadelphia Phillies—This is looking like the free agent signing of the off-season. Or maybe coming over to the world champs from soggy Seattle was a good move. Ibanez was a respectable .288 hitter and was averaging 22 homers and 95 RBI, but so far in 2009 he’s hit 15 home runs and driven in 40 runs, while hitting .349 with 10 doubles, 4 stolen bases and a .724 slugging percentage. You think the Mets should have made a run at the guy instead of wasting all that money on P Ollie Perez? Read the rest of this entry » Posted in: Fantasy Baseball, Happy Hour, MLB Tags: Aaron Hill, baseball, baseball busts, baseball surprises, Boston Red Sox, Brian Giles, Chien-Ming Wang, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, David Ortiz, Jason Bartlett, Jason Giambi, Jimmy Rollins, Kansas City Royals, Major League Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB 2009, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Raul Ibanez, San Diego Padres, Shairon Martis, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Trevor Hoffman, Washington Nationals, Zack Greinke
2009 MLB Preview: #22 Toronto Blue Jays Posted by Anthony Stalter (03/19/2009 @ 10:30 am)
Click Here to see Previews of all 30 MLB Teams Offseason Movement: The Jays added pitchers Brian Burres, Matt Bush, Matt Clement and Ken Takahashi as well as catcher Michael Barrett, outfielder Jason Lane and first basemen Kevin Millar. Outside of Barrett, Millar and maybe Lane, none of Toronto’s offseason additions are expected to make the Opening Day roster. And Barrett started 1 for 16 in spring training, so, good luck with that. Top Prospect: Travis Snider, OF Snider is a true power hitting prospect who has a long swing but above average plate discipline. The Jays hope he can develop into an player that hits for extra bases and who can drive the ball to all parts of the field. He’ll probably never hit for average, but his power should more than make up for it and he has a great arm for the outfield. Thus far, the 21-year old is hitting .371 with six extra-base hits in 35 at-bats in spring training. Read the rest of this entry » Posted in: MLB Tags: 2009 MLB Predictions, 2009 MLB Preview, 2009 MLB Team Previews, Aaron Hill, Alex Rios, Casey Janssen, David Purcey, Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch, Lyle Overbay, Marco Scutaro, Matt Clement, Michael Barrett, MLB Preview 2009, Roy Halladay, Scott Richmond, Travis Snider, Vernon Wells
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