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2012 MLB Power Rankings – Week 6

Posted by on 18 May 2012, 3:09 am

The 2012 MLB season is about to hit the quarter mark, and a lot of teams who were considered ‘playoff contenders’ are still struggling to find their footing.

A lot of baseball fans are counting out the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Tigers but be warned, there is a ton of baseball left to play and all five of these teams will lean on their experience to pull through in the end.

Still, it is week 6 and Orioles, Indians and Nats fans are living the dream so far. I hope they don’t get to ahead of themselves just yet, but can also enjoy their team’s moment in the spotlight.

Inter-league play is up next and that always makes things more interesting.

AL pitchers love to hit; and NL teams can take advantage of adding a DH to their line-ups.

Overall, the 2012 season has been a blast even if my Yankees are a pain in the RISP….

Here are my power rankings for week 6…..ENJOY!!

And always feel free to give your opinion in a comment.

Lady Loves Pinstripes - MLB Power Rankings - Week 6 - #1-15

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New York Yankees: Are you going to sink or swim?

Posted by on 7 May 2012, 3:17 am

Nick Swisher - 'roll call'

SUNDAY SUMMARY:

The New York Yankees wrapped up the four game series in Kansas City with a 10-4 win, splitting the series 2-2 with the Royals.

Phil Hughes got the win, and he did pitch better but reality is the Yankee bats were really responsible for the win yesterday.

As Ibanez and Granderson each had a RBI; followed by Cano’s much-needed grand slam and Swisher’s solo shot both in the third; and finally A-Rod joined the party with a three-run bomb in the eighth.

It was great to see Cano break out of his slump, as that was only his second shot on the season but hopefully a sign of good things to come.

The Captain’s hot bat showed zero signs of slowing down, hitting a double off the first pitch thrown in the game and had a successful bunt in the third. Teixeira also helped out by drawing two walks in the game.

REALITY BITES:

The excuse of ‘it still early in the season’ has about worn its welcome but even more so for teams who live in the AL East.

Reality bites and it will sooner than you think if the Yankees don’t get the ball rolling here. They sit at 15-13 on the season, fourth in the division and four games back of the 19-9 Orioles. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Are you going to sink or swim?’ »

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Yankees Universe trumps Red Sox Nation

Posted by on 22 April 2012, 6:33 am

DON’T MESS WITH TEX…

Don't mess with TEX....just ask any Red Sox fan.

What started out as a Yankees blowout in Fenway Park, ended in New York win.

Starting pitcher Freddy Garcia was worse than horrible, as he even made Phil Hughes look good.

The Red Sox feasted on Garcia’s inability to pitch. Boston had a 9-0 lead come the 5th inning and things were not looking good for the Yankees.

Than Mark Teixeira hit a homer in the 6th inning, score was 9-1.

Next came Nick Swisher who hit a grand slam in the 7th inning, score was 9-5.

Same inning still and Tex wasn’t down yet as he hit another bomb, with two men on base, score was now 9-8.

By the bottom of the 8th inning, the Yankees had a comfortable 15-9 lead.

Rafael Soriano took over the mound for Boone Logan in the middle of the inning, finished out the game, and got the W.

Overall, it was a great day in Yankee Universe.

SO…. WHO IS TO BLAME IN RED SOX NATION? Continue reading ‘Yankees Universe trumps Red Sox Nation’ »

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2012 MLB Power Rankings: Preseason

Posted by on 4 April 2012, 1:51 am

The 2012 MLB Season has technically already started but since today is the official Opening Day in the states, I deemed it still proper to post my preseason power rankings.

Lady Loves Pinstripes Weekly Power Rankings will be up every Friday, all season long and please note that giving your opinion in a comment is encouraged.

Please note that just because the power rankings are posted weekly does not necessarily mean the rankings are based on that week’s results. For example, if the Astros sweep the Phillies that does not mean the Astros move up to the top 10 teams; nor does it mean the Phillies be moved to the bottom. UNLESS the series is part of a pattern, like if the Astros have swept multiple series in a row, or if the Phillies have lost multiple series in a row.  Catch my drift…I am looking at the bigger picture, and teams will be ranked accordingly.

2012 MLB Power Rankings: Preseason

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Boston Red Sox

Posted by on 19 March 2012, 11:56 am

The Boston Red Sox were the talk of sports after the 2011 season, but for all the wrong reasons.

Boston Red Sox logo.

After missing the playoffs on the last day of the season, revelations started pouring out about players’ lack of discipline in the clubhouse, as a collective group took to partying during games instead of supporting their teammates.

For Boston Fans, the humiliation from last season’s nightmare still lingers and now it is up to the players to earn back their trust.

Nothing is worse than underachieving when you have oodles of proven talent but lack the attitude to go with it.

As the great Vince Lombardi once said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”

Now the question is do the 2012 Red Sox have the drive to work themselves back to the top in the face of adversity?

Let’s see how things are shaping up in Beantown:

THE POSITIVES:

The biggest positive for the Red Sox is that 2012 brings a fresh start so they can get things back on track again. The organization needs to show that last season will never be repeated, as their loyal fans deserve that. This has been a contending team enough times in the last decade to know how to win and there are no more excuses…THE PARTY IS OVER.

The Red Sox offense is almost the same as 2011, which is a good thing as the bats were the best in baseball. Collectively the Boston bats led the Majors last season in RBIs (842), doubles (352), hits (1600), runs (875), total bases (2631), OBP (.349), and slugging (.461). They hit the third most homers with 203 and had the second best batting average posting a .280. This line-up is terrifying and is littered with All-Stars like Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz.

THE NEGATIVES:  Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Boston Red Sox’ »

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New York Yankees: Leave Bobby V to the Bombers fans

Posted by on 13 March 2012, 12:41 am

English: Bobby Valentine signing a ball at the...

The New York Yankees are hosting the Boston Red Sox today in a meaningless Spring Training game, but one that you might not want to miss.

Yankee fans will tune in and not for the baseball but to see what crap Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine will pull during the game.

Valentine has already started a feud, at least in his head, by taking jabs at both the Yankees Captain Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

It seemed a little desperate even by Valentine’s standards but he attempting to create a semi-diversion from the Boston booze-hounds that were so sauced they forgot to play baseball last season; which ultimately led to the Red Sox blowing the season and missing the playoffs.

Just yesterday, Valentine decided it was a smart move to say, “See ya,” and wave goodbye to Miami Marlins Ozzie Guillen as he was walking by the Red Sox dugout after being ejected from the game for having a rift with the first base umpire.

Ozzie told the Sun Sentinel’s Juan Rodriguez that he didn’t hear Valentine but did make sure to strike back by stating:

“I would have told him to go f— himself, too. That’s the way Ozzie Guillen is.”

Whether yesterday was a dress rehearsal or not, odds of Valentine pulling something in Tampa are high and expect it to directly aim to piss off Yankee fans.

Valentine will do about anything to get both his players and everyone else focused on the now, but is he going to far, to soon? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Leave Bobby V to the Bombers fans’ »

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2012 MLB Team Preview: Tampa Bay Rays

Posted by on 8 March 2012, 12:16 am

Tampa Bay Rays logo.

The Tampa Bay Rays had a typical quiet off-season, as they don’t have the money to be flashy or newsworthy but you wouldn’t know it from the way this team competes.

Through utilizing high draft picks after years of losing as the Devil Rays, the franchise has built a team that is a force to be reckoned with. The Rays have proven this by playing in the postseason three of the last four years and ironically it all happened the day the word devil came off their jerseys.

The youngsters have a few years under their belts now, including losing to the Phillies in the 2008 World Series and evidently they are hungry to get back there after watching them fight their way into October last season.

The Rays have made the AL East a three-team race and have certainly earned the respect of the Red Sox and Yankees, as well as being now considered one of the élite teams in baseball.

So, will 2012 lead to another postseason berth for Tampa Bay?

Let’s take a look…

THE POSITIVES:

The Rays starting rotation features young and electric arms that only look to be getting better. In 2011 the starting five held batters to a .234 and averaged a 1.24 WHIP, which was second best in all of baseball in both categories. Expect James Shields and David Price to be bigger studs this season, as neither of the two has even peaked yet. Following them is Jeremy Hellickson who had a great rookie campaign last year, making 29 starts, and finishing 13-10, with a 2.95 ERA and pitching just shy of 190 total innings. After Hellickson comes Wade Davis and Jeff Neimann who won a combined 22 games, as the duo is one of the more solid four and five in baseball. The real buzz everyone is watching is 22-year-old Matt Moore who is one of the most promising pitching prospects.

In my opinion the Rays batting line-up will be better this season, and that they are getting undervalued. Led by homegrown star Evan Longoria who at just 26-years old is already deemed one of the best hitters in baseball. The Rays need big seasons at the plate from BJ Upton who hopefully can stop free swinging at everything. And I like that they brought back Carlos Pena, who played for the Cubs last season, as he should bring some added power. They need solid performances from Matt Joyce, Ben Zobrist and xxx. Also, expect big things from rookie Desmond Jennings who finally provides the team with the everyday leadoff hitter they have needed.

The biggest strength that the Rays hitters have is speed, as they stole the second most bases in baseball in 2011 with 155 in total. Nothing irritates or agitates an opposing team more than pesky base runners, as it can be a game changer. The Rays should focus on stealing bases more successfully this Spring, as they also got caught 62 times last year.

THE NEGATIVES: Continue reading ‘2012 MLB Team Preview: Tampa Bay Rays’ »

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