The Philadelphia Phillies take down the Astros 10-3, winning the NL East title for the third year in a row. Pedro Martinez lasted four innings, giving up all three Houston runs, while Kyle Kendrick came in with three shutout innings to get the win. The offense knocked out nine hits, six for extra [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:37 pm | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Indecision
The Braves moved a step closer to elimination as they fall to the Marlins 5-4. Down 5-2, Atlanta mounted a comeback in the ninth, scoring two runs and loading the bases with two out. With Matt Diaz on third, Brendan Donnelly comes into the game, and his first pitch goes between the legs [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:21 pm | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Twins on the Cliff
Joe Mauer grounds out to end the game and the Tigers win 7-2, putting the Twins on the edge of elimination. Detroit’s magic number drops to two, and if they defeat Minnesota Thursday the Tigers are the AL Central champions.
Eddie Bonine got off to a rough start as five hitters reached by a single [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:14 pm | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Getting Out of Cleveland
Do you think the White Sox and Indians wanted to get out of Cleveland as soon as possible? They played game two of their double header in just 2:02, a 1-0 White Sox victory. Justin Masterson pitched a great game, going the distance and striking out 12. Buehrle ended his season with [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 9:21 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Another Big Double for Double G
Magglio Ordonez gets his second big double in as many games as he clears a bases loaded situation in the fifth inning. That gives the Tigers a 7-2 lead and chases Carl Pavano.
That hit may have won the division for the Tigers. If the Twins lose this game, the Tigers magic number goes [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:55 pm | Games, Players | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
No Halladay
The Red Sox put a weak lineup on the field, probably so David Ortiz can play a game where he has the highest OBP in the order. Roy Halladay is mowing them down with a no-hitter through five innings. He’s walked two and hit a batter. He’s only struck out two.
The Blue [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:52 pm | Games, Pitchers | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Justin Maxwell hits a grand slam off Francisco Rodriguez as the Mets closer blows his seventh save and the Nationals walk off with a 7-4 victory. Rodriguez gave up five runs in the ninth inning.
K-Rod has now allowed 16 hits with the bases loaded in his career, five of them grand slams.
For Maxwell, this [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:21 pm | Games, Pitchers, Players | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Moving the Odds
Theo Epstein spoke about his trade philosophy this afternoon:
“I think it’s more gratifying for the organization because of the process that’s in place. Virtually any trade you make is a crapshoot. When things don’t work out, people like to give us a hard time. That’s their right, and I would do the same thing as [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 6:46 pm | Management | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Dr. Fausto’s Deal
It appears Fausto Carmona made a deal with the devil that if Eric Wedge got fired, he’d start pitching well. Carmona went seven innings today, allowing just one run while he struck out five and walked two. If he pitched like that all year, Wedge might still have a job.
Either that, or the [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 6:30 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Blue Jays Waive
Via Drunk Jays Fans, more layoffs in the Toronto front office:
While fans and observers speculate on the fate of general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the National Post has learned the team on Wednesday trimmed several dozen workers from the business side of its front office.
Interim CEO Paul Beeston, the man in charge when the Blue Jays [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 6:06 pm | Management | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Reyes not Improving
Jose Reyes suffered a set back in his rehabilitation:
New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is being evaluated by doctors after feeling discomfort in his injured right hamstring while running.
Reyes has been on the disabled list since May. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said before New York’s game at Washington on Wednesday that doctors are trying to [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 5:57 pm | Injuries | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Eating Throught the Minors
Tonight’s episode of Man v. Food on the Travel Channel is a culinary trip through the minor leagues.
Posted by David Pinto at 5:30 pm | Broadcasts | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Moyer’s Dream
I received an e-mail today about an auction held by Jamie Moyer’s Foundation:
Americana Magic – Anything but the Dog Days with the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs
It’s a triple! – DREAM experiences with three of the League’s oldest teams and most classic American stadiums. Enjoy (4) field box tickets and photos on the field [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 5:20 pm | Charity | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
In the Playoffs, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The series on playoff teams continues with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, henceforth referred to as the LAnaheim Angels.
Strengths
This is an unusual Angels team in that their success is based on their offense. Under Scioscia, the team hacked a lot. They tried to put the ball in play, minimizing both strike outs [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 4:17 pm | Post Season, Team Evaluation | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Why Does Baseball Need a Salary Cap?
Baseball, without a salary cap, has more different teams making the playoffs and winning championships than the more controlled NFL and NBA. Salary caps benefit the owners, not the fans.
Update: I think that the problem of teams getting stuck in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox, or the Braves, or the Angels [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 1:41 pm | Baseball, Management | Permalink | 13 Comments
September 30, 2009
Wedge to be Lame Duck
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians will announce Eric Wedge’s firing today, but leave him on the bench for the rest of the season. I find that odd. If I were Wedge, I’d pack my bags and go home.
I think this firing should have happened a few years ago. The [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 1:18 pm | Management | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2009
Games of the Day
Robinson Tejada starts for the Royals against Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees. This is Joba’s last start of the regular season, and maybe his last unless the Yankees reach the ALCS. With the Royals as his opponent, Joba should show everyone he can dominate a poor offensive team. Tejada is having a [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 12:38 pm | Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Now That’s a Losing Streak
The Orioles lost 12 in a row in grand fashion. They’ve scored two runs or less six times, and allowed nine runs or more five times. They lost the game in which they scored six runs and lost the game in which they scored eight runs, both by one run. The good [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 11:58 am | Streaks | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Mr. Mets Head is Easy to Roll
Via MetsBlog.com, the Mets are already cleaning house and more heads are going to roll when the season ends:
Last week, Minaya fired Ramon Peña, a special assistant in charge of Latin America operations, as well as Luis Aguayo, the minor-league field coordinator in Port St. Lucie. But he didn’t stop there. A person familiar with [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:45 am | Management | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 30, 2009
In the Playoffs, Los Angeles Dodgers
The series continues with a look at the likely NL West champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers magic number is one to clinch the division and three to clinch home field through the National League playoffs, as they won the season series from both the Rockies and the Phillies.
Strengths
The Dodgers lead the National [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 9:16 am | Post Season, Team Evaluation | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Massive Tie Scenario
The Giants won late Tuesday night to keep three teams in the hunt for the National League Wild Card. Bengie Molina hit two home runs to bring his season total to 20. Both he and Pablo Sandoval collected for hits and the two combined to score six runs and drive in six as [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 8:14 am | Division Races | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Wednesday Update
The Day by Day Database is up to date.
Posted by David Pinto at 7:56 am | Day by Day | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
NL West Still a Race
The Padres bullpen throws four no-hit innings as San Diego defeats the Dodgers 3-1. Coupled with the Rockies win, the Dodgers magic number to clinch the division remains at one. They need to play full force one more day.
Posted by David Pinto at 1:18 am | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 30, 2009
Texas Loses, Red Sox Win
Sean O’Sullivan allows Texas two runs in five innings and the Angels bullpen holds them the rest of the way for a 5-2 LAnaheim victory. That loss by Texas makes Boston the AL Wild Card. It also means one series is set as the Red Sox will play the Angels in Anaheim next [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 12:55 am | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 29, 2009
Kendall Connects
The Braves, Marlins and Giants all owe Jason Kendall a thank-you as he hits a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to tie the Rockies at five. It’s only his second home run of the season and raises his slugging percentage to .302. I think it’s safe to say the Rockies [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 11:29 pm | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 29, 2009
Roberts at 56
Brian Roberts picked up his 56th double of the season and scored the Orioles only run in a 3-1 Tampa Bay vicotry. The Orioles play five more games, and Roberts needs four doubles to become the first player since the 1930s to knock out 60 two-baggers.
Posted by David Pinto at 11:15 pm | Games, Players | Permalink | 1 Comment
September 29, 2009
Refuse to Lose
The Yankees came back in the bottom of the ninth against their old teammate, Kyle Farnsworth, to score two runs and defeat the Royals 4-3.
Little-used Juan Miranda got the game-winning hit off ex-Yankee Kyle Farnsworth (1-5), an infield single that caromed off the reliever’s leg and into foul territory between home plate and first base.
Miranda [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 11:09 pm | Games, Team Evaluation | Permalink | No Comments
September 29, 2009
Braves Bow
The Marlins put a damper on the Braves playoff chances with a 5-4 win in Atlanta. That reduces the Phillies magic number to one to clinch the division, and the Rockies magic number to four to clinch the wild card.
Jason Johnson was a bit wild coming back from the flu, walking four in five [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:49 pm | Division Races, Games | Permalink | No Comments
September 29, 2009
Close, but no Cigar
The Red Sox score five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, three on a J.D. Drew homer, but lose to Toronto for the second night in a row, this time 8-7. The Blue Jays hit six homers in the game, three by Adam Lind. Boston fails to clinch the wild card [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:39 pm | Division Races, Games, Pitchers | Permalink | No Comments
September 29, 2009
Slam Man
Pedro Feliz hit his second grand slam of the season and the seventh of his career as the Phillies get an important win, downing the Astros 7-4. Jamie Moyer and Ryan Madson combined for 3 1/3 scoreless inning in relief, Madson getting a two-inning save.
The win reduces the Phillies magic number to two, and [...]
Posted by David Pinto at 10:28 pm | Games, Players | Permalink | No Comments
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