baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
So About That Cubs Dynasty
The 2016 Cubs were something remarkable. For everything that the World Series brought to Cubs fans, I’m sure it meant so much more when talk of a dynasty was present from both traditional and saber analysts. And why not? An incredibly young core of position players headlined by the reigning league MVP and a 103 win season is freaking amazing.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Adam Eaton is Not a Centerfielder (Or a closer, for that matter)
This offseason, after their trade proposal for Chris Sale fell through, the Washington Nationals decided to pull the trigger on a different deal with the White Sox: OF Adam Eaton in exchange for SP Lucas Giolito, SP Reynaldo Lopez, and SP Dane Dunning.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Andrew Triggs: The Most Underrated Pitcher on the Most Underrated Staff
For most of you reading this I’m sure the last time you said anything about the A’s, you put your GM hat on and concluded that the Josh Donaldson trade wasn't a good one after he won the MVP award. Wow what a great analysis there, you should work in baseball! Or you noticed that Khris Davis hit 42 HRs last year and thought “Huh, neat,” and moved on with your life.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Breaking Down the WBC: Pool D
The “World Series” is a misnomer — the final round of the MLB playoffs only determines the best team in America/Canada. The true “World Series” is the World Baseball Classic, where the top baseball teams from all across the globe compete.The WBC isn’t like Olympic Baseball, where only the best amateurs compete — instead, countries draw on the best professional talent tied to the nation and assemble powerhouses of teams to compete with one another.The first round of the WBC consists of four pools of four teams who compete in a round robin tournament. The top two teams from each pool move onto the next round. For the next week, I’ll be ranking each WBC team, pool by pool, to see who might be best poised to make it to the next round. Teams are sorted from 1st to 4th by their ability to contend in the WBC. I’m looking at the final pool, Pool D, having reviewed Pool A, Pool B, and Pool C already.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Building a New Future for Baseball
Every year we debate how baseball must adapt to save itself from dying and draw a wider audience. Pace of play comes to the forefront, and for good reason, as the casual fan can grow tired of sitting through a 3+ hour game, and there are sensical ways to change the game. I am a big fan of the two-minute clock for between innings, but when I hear talk of the 20-second pitch clock and automatically putting a runner on 2nd in extras, I cringe. Major League Baseball doesn’t need rule changes, it needs to embrace the true talent of its players.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Nolan Arenado Is the Best Third Basemen in the MLB
There are many talented players that patrol the hot corner in baseball: Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, and Adrian Beltre, amongst many others. But Colorado Rockies’ third basemen Nolan Arenado is the best of the best. This guy does it all. He absolutely rakes at the plate, and makes highlight reel plays on a weekly basis.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Who Is the Culprit Behind #RallyDildo?
On Friday, Cinco De Mayo, the New York Mets had every reason to be celebrating — they had just completed their biggest come from behind victory of the year, overcoming a 6 run deficit to beat the Miami Marlins. Someone, however, on the Mets must have partied a little too hard, because that night, parties unknown placed a large, black, curved, ribbed sex toy in backup catcher Kevin Plawecki’s locker (WARNING: NSFW images to follow):
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Hunter Strickland and Bryce Harper Got Into a Fight and it Was Equal Parts Hilarious and Disappointing
First off the Nationals won the game 3–0, but who cares because you came here for a good ol’ fashioned fight! Before we get into it I just want to make clear that I will NOT get into any discussion on bat flips vs respecting the game or whatever you want to call that argument. And I don’t want to give out or hear your stupid takes on how Buster Posey is a terrible teammate for not stopping Harper.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Breaking Down the WBC: Pool A
The “World Series” is a misnomer — the final round of MLB playoffs only determines the best team in America/Canada. The true “World Series” is the World Baseball Classic, where the top baseball teams from all across the globe compete.The WBC isn’t like Olympic Baseball, where only the best amateurs compete — instead, countries draw on the best professional talent tied to the nation, and assemble powerhouses of teams to compete with one another.The first round of the WBC consists of four pools of four teams who compete in a round robin tournament. The top two teams from each pool move onto the next round. For the next week, I’ll be ranking each WBC team, pool by pool, to see who might be best poised to make it to the next round. Teams are sorted from 1st to 4th by their ability to contend in the WBC. Up first? Pool A.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Optimizing the WBC
The World Baseball Classic is having one of its best tournaments ever. From surprise contender Israel to dramatic extra-inning victories, with a healthy bit of rules drama sprinkled in for good measure, there’s been no shortage of entertainment. And as a dedicated baseball fan, I’ve been following almost every game (hey, it beats fake baseball where shit like this happens).
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
