The Baseball season is here at last. Finally I can out from winter hibernation.
The season began last night with an American League West match up between the Texas Rangers and the newest member of the AL, the Houston Astros. They might make less than Alex Rodriguez combined but they certainly know how to start the season off right. They were up 4-2 yesterday in the bottom of the 6th when Rick Ankiel managed to hit a three run home run to basically seal the victory for the 'stros. Houston wins their first game as part of the America League 8-2.
As for season predictions, lets stick with the AL West for a second and just say I fully expect the Angels to float away with it. The Rangers are weaker and the Angel's are stronger while the A's might challenge them for the top spot. Tommy Hanson might be more of an impact than Josh Hamilton's bat but that lineup is to be the one to fear now in the AL West.
Moving to the AL Central, how could you not pick the Detroit Tigers. They were impressive leading up to the World Series and it's not likely they won't manage to win the division. The team I'm watching, however, is the Indians. They started off well last season and then fell off the face of the earth. I would like to see if Terry Francona will be able to get this club back on pace.
The AL East, all the attention is going to the Toronto Blue Jays after scoring big at that clearance sale the Marlins were having. It might be them or the Rays but don't forget about the O's or the Yanks either. The O's will want to prove last year wasn't a fluke while the Yankees are, uh, well let's just say to never underestimate the Dark Side. Everyone but my Red Sox seems to have a fair shot at the division crown heading into the race. My pick is ultimately the Rays but their hitting has to come alive just enough in order for that to work. Great pitching may win titles but you still have to get to October first with fair hitting.
Moving to the National League East, all signs point to the Washington Nationals (that's right, the "Nationals") will take the division with Strasburg coming off the leash and Bryce Harper set for a sophomore year. The intrigue here, however, is with Atlanta and the arrival of the Upton brothers in the outfield. If their pitching comes through, they might be able to challenge the Nationals. Still picking Washington, however.
In the NL Central, I'm going bold in saying the Milwaukee Brewers will take the division. There has been no repeat winner in the division for a few years now and I think the Brewers could surprise some with Yovani Gallardo and Kyle Lohse in the Rotation. You can't sleep on St. Louis or Cincinnati but I'm going with Milwaukee.
Lastly, the NL West and who else am I going to pick besides the San Francisco Giants? Nobody. Go Giants!!!
Perhaps the Dodgers do present a challenge with Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in their rotation but Kershaw is the only one there that is consistent. While Greinke will probably end up with an ERA around the 3's, the rest of the rotation is shaky. They can't be written off completely but they will likely be playing in the Wild Card playoff game.
As for my World Series picks, Rays over Giants. I love my Giants and seeing how they will themselves through the playoffs last year, I can't ignore them for another pennant. Plus they've played a season after winning a title before and are used to it. But I have a feeling about the Rays and their rotation. They'll be playing playoff type baseball all year round like the Giants usually do and they have a better rotation as well. Got to pick the Rays.
P.S. Don't kill me at the Park, Giants fans. Look at my Final Four picks: I'M WRONG ALL THE TIME!!!
Showing posts with label Blue Jays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Jays. Show all posts
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, December 17, 2012
R.A. Dickey Traded to Toronto
It's official: the Mets never want to be relevant again.
R.A. Dickey had a great season in 2012 with that Knuckleball fooling many batters across the majors. It got him a 20-6 record with a 2.73 ERA, 230 K's, and the NL Cy Young Award. He became a sensation across the majors for both his achievements and his life story. Everything that happened in 2012, however, didn't seem to be enough for the Mets to keep the 38 year old right hander.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquire R.A. Dickey through a trade with the Mets and after agreeing to a two year contract extension with Dickey worth $25 million. The Mets in return get catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, Class A right-hander Noah Syndergaard, and 18-year-old outfielder Wuilmer Becerra from the Jays. Dickey becomes another piece added in a off season and major additions for the Blue Jays.
This move along with the others are clear signs that Toronto is going all in. The pitching rotation could be great with R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero. Though Romero and Johnson needs rebound seasons for this to work, the Blue Jays might have a postseason shot if the rotation works out. Their hitting looks alright with Jose Reyes, Jose Bautista, and Melky Cabrera (provided that the PED's weren't doing most of the work) but it will have to be R.A. Dickey and Toronto's pitching carrying them to October.
P.S. As for the Mets, who cares. They certainly don't.
R.A. Dickey had a great season in 2012 with that Knuckleball fooling many batters across the majors. It got him a 20-6 record with a 2.73 ERA, 230 K's, and the NL Cy Young Award. He became a sensation across the majors for both his achievements and his life story. Everything that happened in 2012, however, didn't seem to be enough for the Mets to keep the 38 year old right hander.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquire R.A. Dickey through a trade with the Mets and after agreeing to a two year contract extension with Dickey worth $25 million. The Mets in return get catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, Class A right-hander Noah Syndergaard, and 18-year-old outfielder Wuilmer Becerra from the Jays. Dickey becomes another piece added in a off season and major additions for the Blue Jays.
This move along with the others are clear signs that Toronto is going all in. The pitching rotation could be great with R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Brandon Morrow and Ricky Romero. Though Romero and Johnson needs rebound seasons for this to work, the Blue Jays might have a postseason shot if the rotation works out. Their hitting looks alright with Jose Reyes, Jose Bautista, and Melky Cabrera (provided that the PED's weren't doing most of the work) but it will have to be R.A. Dickey and Toronto's pitching carrying them to October.
P.S. As for the Mets, who cares. They certainly don't.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Big Trade Means Blank Canvas for Marlins and Great Expectations for the Blue Jays
The baseball off-season has been relatively quiet so far but that ended today with a big boom.
The Marlins time as big spenders lasted only one season. When they opened their new stadium, they had high hopes for their franchise to become elite signing new players and Ozzie Guillen to the team. It didn't last long with attendance far from expectations, the team under performing, and Ozzie being infatuated with Fidel Castro.
So what are the Marlins going to do? Reboot their operating system to their last known save and that was when they were cheap. In a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Marlins are getting rid of Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio. All of them are going to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yunel Escobar and at least two prospects. According to a source telling ESPN "Just about any (Marlins) player making money is going to Toronto."
One season later it's new look, new stadium, same BS. Seeing that the Marlins finished last in the NL East and the Red Sox unloading all their financial burden on the Dodgers, it's easy to understand the decision the Marlins made getting rid of all these players. The Marlins look like they're not getting the fan attendance they were hoping for and because of that, it was probably best for them to go back to their small ball and farm system ways (you know, where every other team is farming their crop).
As for the Blue Jays, they seem to be taking on over $175 million worth of contracts. Not as much as the Dodgers were taking on in August but enough to turn heads. It might end up being the biggest deal done among the teams in the AL East. Because of this move, the Blue Jays will be expected to go farther this season than any other in recent memory. The pressure is now on them rather than the Marlins.
The Marlins time as big spenders lasted only one season. When they opened their new stadium, they had high hopes for their franchise to become elite signing new players and Ozzie Guillen to the team. It didn't last long with attendance far from expectations, the team under performing, and Ozzie being infatuated with Fidel Castro.
So what are the Marlins going to do? Reboot their operating system to their last known save and that was when they were cheap. In a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Marlins are getting rid of Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buerhle, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio. All of them are going to the Blue Jays in exchange for Yunel Escobar and at least two prospects. According to a source telling ESPN "Just about any (Marlins) player making money is going to Toronto."
One season later it's new look, new stadium, same BS. Seeing that the Marlins finished last in the NL East and the Red Sox unloading all their financial burden on the Dodgers, it's easy to understand the decision the Marlins made getting rid of all these players. The Marlins look like they're not getting the fan attendance they were hoping for and because of that, it was probably best for them to go back to their small ball and farm system ways (you know, where every other team is farming their crop).
As for the Blue Jays, they seem to be taking on over $175 million worth of contracts. Not as much as the Dodgers were taking on in August but enough to turn heads. It might end up being the biggest deal done among the teams in the AL East. Because of this move, the Blue Jays will be expected to go farther this season than any other in recent memory. The pressure is now on them rather than the Marlins.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Red Sox Hire John Farrell as Their Manager
The Red Sox for a second time in a row have to start their off-season hiring a new manager.
The lucky guy to be the next manager for the Boston Red Sox is John Farrell who was the manager of the Blue Jays until a deal was made to bring him to back to the nation (both US and Red Sox). Farrell goes to Boston (and possibly an unnamed Blue Jays player as well) while Mike Aviles goes to Toronto. Now the news isn't official yet but unnamed sources seemed to be confirming this report. Before becoming the Blue Jays manager back in 2011, Farrell was the Red Sox pitching coach from 2007-2010. While the pitching the coach, the team was 1st in Opp Batting Average, Strikeouts, and Shutouts in the AL while also maintaining the 3rd best ERA in the AL.
It seems that the Red Sox got the guy they wanted. Farrell seems to be a pretty good choice as he has experience in the Red Sox dugout and will be able to get a grip over these players. Plus, while the pressure will be added being in Boston than Toronto, it will still be less than the pressure than Bobby Valentine had as the immediate successor to Terry Francona. This doesn't solve all the problems of the Red Sox but what it does do is bring some stability back to clubhouse and perhaps bring that pitching staff back to form.
The lucky guy to be the next manager for the Boston Red Sox is John Farrell who was the manager of the Blue Jays until a deal was made to bring him to back to the nation (both US and Red Sox). Farrell goes to Boston (and possibly an unnamed Blue Jays player as well) while Mike Aviles goes to Toronto. Now the news isn't official yet but unnamed sources seemed to be confirming this report. Before becoming the Blue Jays manager back in 2011, Farrell was the Red Sox pitching coach from 2007-2010. While the pitching the coach, the team was 1st in Opp Batting Average, Strikeouts, and Shutouts in the AL while also maintaining the 3rd best ERA in the AL.
It seems that the Red Sox got the guy they wanted. Farrell seems to be a pretty good choice as he has experience in the Red Sox dugout and will be able to get a grip over these players. Plus, while the pressure will be added being in Boston than Toronto, it will still be less than the pressure than Bobby Valentine had as the immediate successor to Terry Francona. This doesn't solve all the problems of the Red Sox but what it does do is bring some stability back to clubhouse and perhaps bring that pitching staff back to form.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
My First Trip to Fenway
In all my years as a Red Sox fan, I had never been to Fenway Park. It's kind of hard to do that when you live on the other side of the country and the other half of you is a Giants fan. That being said, it's been a dream of mine to go to the home of the Red Sox and I can finally say that I have done that.
I attended my first game at the 100 year old Fenway Park and it was amazing. I got to see Lansdowne Street and all the shops and people there. Then I went into the park through Gate C and went out to see the Beauty of the park. It was a great view from the Bleacher section as I looked into the field and the Grandstands. It was a wonderful view from there as I got to see all of the Ballpark: Pesky's Pole, the Green Monster, the Nachos in front of me. The Fans were great too except for the Blue Jays fans.
As for the game itself, it didn't go that well. Josh Beckett was on the mound and he didn't have his best stuff. He allowed 4 runs in the first two innings of the game but settled in a bit after that. Still allowed one more run later on. Aaron Laffey of the Blue Jays just stumped us. We managed to get plenty of hits but just couldn't group them together to get some runs. Laffey just kept stranding us on base the whole night. We managed to scrap in one run in the 9th inning to avoid a shutout but the result was still the same. Blue Jays beat the Red Sox, 6-1.
Despite the loss, I still enjoyed myself as I took in the experience around me. The atmosphere was great and I got to see the Red Sox at home. What more can you ask for?... A WIN!!! Going to Fenway again tonight. GO SOX!!!
I attended my first game at the 100 year old Fenway Park and it was amazing. I got to see Lansdowne Street and all the shops and people there. Then I went into the park through Gate C and went out to see the Beauty of the park. It was a great view from the Bleacher section as I looked into the field and the Grandstands. It was a wonderful view from there as I got to see all of the Ballpark: Pesky's Pole, the Green Monster, the Nachos in front of me. The Fans were great too except for the Blue Jays fans.
As for the game itself, it didn't go that well. Josh Beckett was on the mound and he didn't have his best stuff. He allowed 4 runs in the first two innings of the game but settled in a bit after that. Still allowed one more run later on. Aaron Laffey of the Blue Jays just stumped us. We managed to get plenty of hits but just couldn't group them together to get some runs. Laffey just kept stranding us on base the whole night. We managed to scrap in one run in the 9th inning to avoid a shutout but the result was still the same. Blue Jays beat the Red Sox, 6-1.
Despite the loss, I still enjoyed myself as I took in the experience around me. The atmosphere was great and I got to see the Red Sox at home. What more can you ask for?... A WIN!!! Going to Fenway again tonight. GO SOX!!!
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