baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
With Clayton Kershaw Out, Justin Verlander Could Be the Answer for the Dodgers
The LA Dodgers have been on fire this season. They currently boast the best record in all of baseball at 71 and 31, an astounding 40 games over .500. This past week their starting pitching took a hit though when ace of the staff and arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, went on the shelf for 4 to 6 weeks with a back strain. Just a short time before that, they also lost Brandon McCarthy to the disabled list.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Getting the Mariners to the Playoffs. Top Story - September 2017.
Heartbreak for any baseball team is tough. For years, it has been the Cubs’ heartbreak that has been glamorized and somewhat sought after by north siders. It’s weird, holding onto and being fond of that “lovable losers” title. Unless you are a Mariners fan — especially in the Jerry Dipoto era. All the Mariners have known is heartbreak. Just take a look at the logo for their SB Nation based blog, Lookout Landing:
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
The MLB Players Weekend Uniforms are Great and Eh, Ugly
MLB Players Weekend will be August 25–27, and the teams will be repping bright and potent colors as their teams take the field that weekend. The MLB is channeling some kid’s mind on MLB The Show 17 on his online franchise customizing his made-up team with the brightest and most annoyingly, terribly designed uniforms. Some of these Players Weekend unis should be used as alternates, and some look like a guy played on photoshop for the first time for all of three minutes. Here are the best and worst hats, jerseys and nicknames from the newly released MLB Players Weekend uniforms.
By Stone Strankman8 years ago in Unbalanced
Aaron Nola: Changed and Better Than Ever. Top Story - September 2017.
Everyone knows the Phillies are rebuilding. It’s a bleak time for any franchise, but it generally looks even worse especially considering the Phillies are supposed to better than their record right now. The few bright spots? Well you really have the Aaron’s to thank: Alther and Nola.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Chicago Cubs Are Not the 2017 World Series Favorites
Heading into the 2017 season one thing is clear: Vegas loves the Chicago Cubs’ odds at winning back-to-back World Series’. According to the Vegas based sports betting website Bovada, the loveable losers from Chicago have the best odds at winning the 2017 World Series at +400. Followed by the Boston Red Sox at +500. Then the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians at +800. Given how well the North Siders have performed over the last two seasons and how well Theo Epstein has the team set up for the future, +400 odds doesn’t sound too crazy. I’d argue that it is crazy and the real favorite has the same odds as the San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros at +1400, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
By Dylan Svoboda8 years ago in Unbalanced
Joey Gallo Is Killing the Importance of Batting Average. Top Story - September 2017.
We’ve talked a lot about the “fly-ball revolution” lately — the idea of elevating and making hard contact to increase production. Yonder Alonso has used it to his benefit, as have players like Mike Moustakas and Brett Gardner.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Aaron Judge Cinderella Story Continues. Top Story - September 2017.
It’s the type of start that every big league rookie dreams of. Your first full season in the Majors, leading the league in homers, and becoming the talk of the city. New York City, to boot. Well Aaron Judge has done just that. They even created a specific section for Judge in right field at Yankee Stadium called the “Judge’s Chambers”. Your own section in honor of how great you are at baseball? Must be nice. But the former first round pick deserves it. He’s taken the baseball world by storm, hitting mammoth home runs and making diving catches in the alleys of Yankee stadium. When Judge began the season on this kind of tear, a lot of people thought it would slow down. But it hasn’t. Judge is hitting .335 with 24 bombs, and was just asked to participate in the Home run derby at the 2017 All-Star game. For good reason, too. He currently holds the longest hit home run of the 2017 season at an astounding 495 feet.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Zach Britton Could Win the World Series for the Dodgers (Or Whoever Else Wants Him)
The 2016 playoff series was unique in how we saw relievers used. We saw Buck Showalter punished brutally for not bringing his closer into a high-leverage situation in a tied game on the road; we saw Terry Francona ride his relievers all the way to Game 7 of the World Series; and we even saw Clayton Kershaw come out of the pen and dominate.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Unbalanced Trade Deadline Series: Todd Frazier
We’ve discussed plenty of really big names for the Unbalanced Trade Deadline Series so far — Andrew McCutchen is a household name, and Sonny Gray and Jose Quintana are known league-wide as aces for their respective teams (or former teams). But today, we’ll discuss a rather quiet vet who could be on the move very soon — Todd Frazier.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
J.D. Martinez Could Hit a Lot of Homers in the Sultry Arizona Air
Another blockbuster deal emerged yesterday, with the Arizona Diamondbacks receiving the power hitting corner outfielder they have been looking for while pushing to make a playoff appearance. J.D. Martinez will add some much needed pop in the middle of the D-Backs lineup to compliment Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb, who are both having outstanding seasons for Arizona.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
