It’s that time of year. Summer is just around the corner and baseball season is at full swing. Now that more and more teams are having full capacity in their stadiums it is a great time for a trip to the ballpark. Anyways we have a few things to go over.
First of all this has been the most dominant pitching season that baseball has seen since 1967. Strikeouts are up, the average ERA is getting lower, and there is consideration that the MLB will move the mound back to help hitters avoid the slumps they are in at the plate. Also there have been 7 No-Hitters that have been thrown this year which is the most in a season since 1990. (6 are official though Madison Bumgarner threw a Double-Header No No) Everyone is going to say that it’s either Home Run or Strikeout in the minds of hitters but I think the pitchers have gotten smarter. Anyways let’s get to the storylines regarding the contenders and pretenders.
The AL East to no one’s surprise is loaded, leading the way at the moment are the Rays. A team that has been blessed with excellent starting pitching and Randy Arozarena is proving that last October was no fluke. Chris Archer is free from the baseball hell that is PNC Park and is back in 2015 form. And not to mention Tyler Glasnow and the rest of the pitching staff is effective as well. Despite giving up one of their best defenders in Willy Adames to the Brewers they still look potent with a generational talent in Wander Franco soon to be called up. If he becomes Ben Zobrist from 2008 look out!
The Red Sox, nonsense like this was why I was afraid to give up on them. Because whenever you think they should rebuild the team, they find ways to win regardless of what people say. Leading the way are Rafael Devers, Xander Bogarts, and the return to form of JD Martinez. Can we mention Alex Verdugo as well. (Even if Mookie Betts is long gone they still have a potent offense) Since they re-hired Alex Cora Boston has returned to contention status. Plus they finally found a legit bullpen to support the pitching staff. And most of this has been without Chris Sale. If he comes back and dominates everyone like in 2018 they should be locks for the playoffs.
Then there are those Damn Yankees! After a rough start in which the New Yorkers were throwing Aaron Boone and Giancarlo Stanton under the bus and everyone thought they should potentially blow it up. Then led by Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole they stormed out of the basement and returned to competing for 1st place in the high powered AL East. Also Aroldis Chapman looks like a beast as expected and the rotation has improved thanks to Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon. (In fact Kluber threw a No-Hitter against a team he pitched only 1 game for) The rest of the baseball world is in shock of this pinstripe revival.
The Blue Jays following their hot start have cooled off but are still looking to keep up with the big boys. George Springer despite his early season injury has produced his usual numbers and is still a demi-god in the field. Cavan Biggio has been quiet but just give him time for him to wake up from his slump. Leading the hit parade so far is Vladimir Guerrero Jr who has been crushing the ball at all costs. Even if the pitching has been weak thanks to playing in their hitter friendly spring training home they still have an outside chance at a Wild Card spot. Just tell the Canadian Government that they need to open SkyDome as soon as possible.
I wonder if the AL East is a 5 team race with the Orioles having a decent start in April. How was their May? (Looney Tunes Baseball) The predictable outcome of playing at the home of “Challenge Hitting.” Despite John Means becoming the O’s first left handed ace since Scott McGregor the rest of the pitching staff has once again gotten hit around. What I find fascinating is that most of their struggles during their rough month have been at Camden Yards. That park is pitching hell! Also a majority of their schedule has been against their own division. Tanks come out of your shed please. Baltimore at least you have the Ravens. (I don’t want to hear another word from Browns fans about how they will crush Lamar!)
The AL Central has a few surprises but unlike the AL East it has been very weak. Leading the division right now are the White Sox. As a fan of their crosstown rivals I hate that they are getting most of the attention in Chicago but it’s mostly because of their young core. Even if Eloy Jimenez has been out, Jose Abreu, Yermin Mercedes, Luis Robert, and Tim Anderson have produced in bunches. The pitching staff has been solid with Lucas Giolito leading the way but Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech have been solid. As long as they keep up their strong play despite the unwritten rules of Tony La Russa they should be good.
Their main challenger this year is the Cleveland Indians. Once again boasting an impressive pitching staff led by Shane Beiber plus a rock solid bullpen. The only concern that I have for the Tribe is their hitting core. Yes Lindor may be gone and Amed Rosario has fit in nicely but losing Fremil Reyes is a huge blow. They are going to need Jose Ramirez and Cesar Hernandez to carry the hitters if they have any chance at a deep run. Just do me a favor, please keep up with the Chi-Sox. I would laugh if they caught them in the standings. (I’m just being a salty Cubs fan that’s all)
Let’s see how the Twins are doing. BOOM! They imitated the Minnesota Wild’s performance in Game 7 against Vegas. Despite the continued prime of Nelson Cruz and Josh Donaldson plus the emergence of Byron Buxton the pitching staff has been very bad. (“4 legs good, 2 legs BAD!” -Animal Farm/White Sox fans) Try a starting rotation ERA of over 6! Kenta Maeda is literally doing everything he can to save this rotation from falling apart but it hasn’t stopped the other team. They still have time to turn it around but how long until the fans get angry. 6 weeks.
The AL West as expected by my analysis has been a 2 team between the major powers of the division. Leading the way are the A’s. Even if Matt Chapman has yet to produce in bunches Matt Olson has been a wrecking machine at 1st Base. The rest of the hitting core isn’t far behind especially if Ramon Lauriano continues his solid development into a 5 tool player. The only issue that Oakland has at the moment is their stadium situation. The rumors of them moving have grown louder by the week and they could possibly join the Raiders in Las Vegas in the future. Just don’t let the off field nonsense take away how likeable this team is.
Their biggest adversary once again just happens to be Houston. This year the Astros have returned to being a solid contender for a World Series run. Even if fans have been booing them this season they are out for blood. The top hitters on the squad just happen to be Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, Yuli Guriel, and Yordan Alverez. The pitching has been ok but once Justin Verlander and Roberto Osuna come back they should be good to go. I like their chances considering their experience on the team. That includes Dusty Baker who is still looking for that elusive title. I just hope they can make it to October.
What’s going on with Mike Trout and the Angels? (YoYo Sound!) Did anyone besides me see this ineptitude coming from Anaheim? (Nerds: NO) The issue hasn’t been Trout getting injured and Albert Pujols leaving for the Dodgers, those 2 things were coming. The issue like most years has been TERRIBLE STARTING PITCHING! Excluding the “Japanese Bambino” having a season for the ages, the rotation has been awful and Dylan Bundy went from ace to being what he was in Baltimore during 2018. At least Jared Walsh looks like an absolute god at the plate.
The NL East as expected is a 5 team bloodbath with no end in sight. At the head of the pack are the Mets. That I didn’t see coming, even if Francisco Lindor has not lived up to the hype there have been plenty of reasons for optimism in Queens. Jacob DeGrom is putting in a season that hasn’t been seen since Dwight Gooden, (CRACK!) That is if he isn’t injured. Jeff McNeil has produced again and Pete Alonso isn’t as bad as he was last year. Not to mention the bullpen has been solid with Edwin Diaz returning to 2018 form and Seth Lugo continuing his rise as a star reliever. I don’t know how long it will be before someone will leapfrog them, for their fans sake let’s just hope they can maintain the lead in the division.
The Phillies meanwhile are trying to keep up despite dealing with a sketchy bullpen again. Bryce Harper has been solid in the field but at the plate he has been a bit off. (I think it’s mostly due to how many walks he has drawn this year) Alec Bohm so far has lived up to expectations and even if Zach Efflin has served up cookies to opposing batters Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler have been solid yet again. Once the trade deadline comes, I’m going to ask Dave Dombrovsky 1 question. Can you please get a real closer? Hector Neris isn’t it. (If they get Felipe Vazquez they could be a serious threat!)
I wonder what is going on with the Braves? BOOM! Well they still have plenty of time to play up to their potential. Even if Ronald Acuna has been the NL’s Mike Trout this season the rest of the team excluding Freddie Freeman has struggled to live up to the hype. Marcell Ozuna decided to be an idiot and get arrested for domestic violence. Like the Phillies, their concerns have been pitching. Max Fried isn’t as good as he was last year, and Charlie Morton is suffering a massive decline. As long as the bullpen plays up to expectations and keeps them in games they should be out of the doghouse in no time.
The NL Central has been a 3 team race at the moment. In 1st place we have the Chicago Cubs. Many people were calling these guys done but having covered this team for the last 7 years they have a tendency to play well especially in the summer months. Kris Bryant went from a strikeout king last year to being a legit masher again and Javy Baez is playing for a massive extension. The rotation led by Kyle Hendricks and Zach Davies have been the backbone for them during their recent rise back to the top of the NL Central food chain. By the way, when did Craig Kimbrel become a beast at closer again. If there is one thing David Ross knows how to do it is develop solid pitchers. That will be the key to their success this year. Who is Patrick Wisdom and how is he mashing the ball like Ryne Sandberg? (Another genius move by the Ricketts’)
In 2nd are the St Louis Cardinals. So far the Nolan Arenado trade has been the best bang for the buck. Not to mention Paul Goldschmidt has produced his usual numbers. If they are going to keep up with a white hot Cubs team they need the pitchers especially the bullpen to continue their rise to stardom. If they get a few more contributions to their hitting core besides their duo at the infield corners they have a shot.
As for the Brewers, all I can say is my gosh they have the best pitching staff in baseball. Corbin Burnes has flashed his inner Greg Maddux by putting the ball wherever he wants to put it despite his lack of a high 90s fastball. Brandon Woodruff has also been solid this year despite his trend to give up too many homers. The bullpen led by Devin Williams and Josh Hader is once again leading the strikeout revolution with a combined ERA of under 3. The hitting core hasn’t been as good as they were 3 years ago but Christian Yelich hasn’t been as bad as he was last year. Even if Lorenzo Cain has been out for a few weeks, they still have a chance because of the rotation. And it could only get better if they call up their top prospect Ethan Small. (Even as a fan of a rival I have to admire the work that Craig Council has done to form this excellent pitching machine)
The NL West has been more competitive than expected. Leading the way right now are the San Diego Padres. A star filled roster playing up to expectations despite a mediocre start. Fernando Tatis has been a god (CRACK!) whenever he has been healthy. Not to mention Manny Machado has produced his usual numbers in the field and at the plate. Despite the lack of an elite closer since Kirby Yates left they have taken matters into their own hands. With Yu Darvish continuing his arc from last season they have some of the best pitcher depth in the NL. Now who will stand in their way?
That answer is the LA Dodgers. Despite the talent on paper they struggled after their white hot start but they have found their groove once again. Mookie Betts doing his usual things, Trevor Bauer has lived up to expectations this season, and the bullpen has overcome their rough start to the season. Despite the hype in San Diego, the Dodgers still are regarded as the team to beat in the NL West since they won it all last year. I just hope that Cody Bellinger overcomes his recent slump, he is too special of a player to go through that stretch.
The Giants, a roster that has overachievers and older players still producing in bunches. When I look at this squad I get flashbacks to the 2018 LA Kings, the old guard playing well, the young stars blossoming, and the pitching staff benefiting from the pitcher friendly Oracle Park. Buster Posey has rediscovered the art of being a great catcher again, and Mike Yaztremski has evolved very nicely. I was wrong about Gabe Kapler as a manager, when he was in Philadelphia his confidence was ruined by the hitter friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park. Now in San Francisco he has built a team in his own image. A squad of no names and players with upside plus a few key vets. I don’t know if they can compete with the Dodgers and Padres but I like their chances.
Now it’s time for a BASEBALL BLOOPER! The winner this time is the Pittsburgh Pirates. One afternoon against the Cubs Javier Baez grounded into what should have been an inning ending out. Instead the 3rd baseman threw wide to 1st, then Baez dodged the tag from Will Craig numerous times, plus Willson Contreras broke for home and scored, meanwhile Jacob Stallings throw to Adam Frazier went into Right Field, and Baez was allowed to take 2nd Base. And then he scored on a bloop single by Ian Happ the very next at bat. All the guy had to do was touch 1st base and the inning was over. This is why the Pirates are considered a minor league team to the naked eye. No wonder why Yinzers aren’t showing up to games even if they allow a full capacity.
Bragging Rights Sports 