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Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB First-Half Season’s Winners And Losers

Posted by on 10 July 2011, 11:53 pm

The MLB All-Star Break features a game played based on the fans favorite players and the winner gets home field advantage in the World Series. It also represents the halfway point of the grueling 162 game-season.

So, with 81 down and 81 to go, how was the first-half of 2011?

Well, it has exceeded my expectations, as it has been competitive across the board with all six divisions still up for grabs.

Without further a due, here are LADY LOVES PINSTRIPES HALFTIME BASEBALL AWARDS:

The Hottest Double Team Award:

1B Mark Teixeira/OF Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees have 51 homeruns combined and there are still three games left before the All-Star break so don’t be surprised if they tack on a few more.

“It’s Not My Job, Oh Yes It Is” Award:

C Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants won the 2010 ROY Award doing his job behind the plate superbly. So, after an unfortunate collision in May that put him on the DL for the rest of 2011 Posey says that blocking the plate is not part of the job. Earth to Buster….it certainly is.

WAB Award (“What A Bust”):

The mighty Boston Red Sox were anticipating that SP John Lackey would show that he is worth the $82.5 million paycheck entering the 2011 season. Lackey just lacks everything he used to have. Lackey’s 6.84 ERA and 6-8 record has Red Sox fans booing. Many will say his last start was better, which is true but definitely not enough to trust him yet. Lackey heads into the break having hit 11 batters, which is the most in the Majors.

Kiss My Bat Award:

OF Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays is proving that his 54 homeruns in 2010 was no fluke, as the slugger has 31 already this season and remember Bautista has more three games to add to that total till it is officially baseball’s halftime. Joey Bats also leads the majors in walks (74), OBP (.468) and SLG (.702), so it’s fair that we should all be kissing Bautista’s bat.

Up My Ante Award:

A lot of good players contracts are set to expire at the end of 2011, so the better they play the bigger the paycheck. No one is upping his ante like SS New York Mets Jose Reyes, who is showing teams just how beneficial he can be. Everyone knew Reyes was a natural ball player, but not this good. If Reyes can get active right after the All-Star Break it won’t hurt his worth if he keep playing at the same level.

Batter’s Beware Award:

When any of these three pitchers take the hill, opponents tremble with every at-bat because these guys can flat-out pitch. Utter any of their names and you are almost guaranteed a win…Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies; Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers; and CC Sabathia, New York Yankees. Continue reading ‘Lady Loves Pinstripes: 2011 MLB First-Half Season’s Winners And Losers’ »

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Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams

Posted by on 28 June 2010, 5:37 am

The AL East is proving itself worthy of it’s reputation as the toughest division in baseball.

It is difficult to imagine the post-season will be without either the Yankees, Red Sox or Rays, who have each have won the ALCS the last three seasons. (2007-BRS; 2008-TBR; 2009-NYY)

Let’s take a look at this three-headed-beast:
 Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox were counted out way too soon, as they have been on a leap to get back into the AL East race. The crucial difference has been Boston’s middle line-up is finally hot , as Big Papi, Victor Martinez and Marcus Scutaro are taking some pressure of Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.

The Red Sox have missed the rapid lead-off bat of center-fielder Jacob Ellsbury. Ellsbury has only played for nine games this season due to broken ribs. He is set to return after the All-Star Break, which will only help the Red Sox get better.

The greatest surprise is the pitching rotation, sans ace Josh Beckett, who’s been plagued by a bad back for a few seasons. John Lester has filled in as the team’s ace, with solid starts by Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and the pleasant surprise of Clay Buchholz, who leads the team with a 2.45 ERA.

Buchholz left during his last start after hyper-extending his left knee but is said to be fine. Boston has gotten solid outings from the Boston bullpen, and closer Jonathan Papelbaum has been substantial, but he cannot give up back-to-back saves like he did in Colorado anymore.

J.D. Drew is back since being on the DL since June 18th, but the Red Sox recent luck has not fared regarding injuries. All-star second-baseman Dustin Pedroia was placed on the 15-day DL with a fracture of the navicular bone in his left foot, which is typically a minimum six-week recovery. This is a monumental loss as Pedroia is the best player, both athletically and emotionally on the team.

Add Victor Martinez  to the injury list, but not the DL yet as the catcher took two foul tips off his left thumb. Martinez says it is just pain and plans not to miss any time, but will know more after he gets checked out.

Terry Francona is saying all his prayers before bed tonight.

The replacements players like Bill Hall , Darnell McDonald and Daniel Neva are getting the job done, but Youks and Big Papi have to take this team on their shoulders right now.

One thing is for sure it’s doubtful anyone will ever question GM Theo Epstein again.

Tampa Bay Rays

Heading down south to Tampa Bay, home of the Rays who finally proved that their human by losing. The problem is their also developing and can’t seem to grasp the concept of defeat. It took them an entire season after losing the World Series in 2008 for the Rays to stop pouting, so Joe Madden needs to get attitudes in control now. Continue reading ‘Reviewing Top Three American League East Teams’ »

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Perturbed In Pinsrtipes

Posted by on 17 December 2009, 1:57 am
English: Hideki Matsui

Image via Wikipedia

Have you heard the news today?

Roy Halladay and John Lackey have new places to call home, as two of baseball’s top free agents current deals leaked all around the news today.

That was HUGE.

There was one thing definitely missing from the sizzling MLB hot stove today?

That would be the Yankees.

For once Cashman and company were not in the mix of doing anything at all, signing no one and actually letting players freely be swept away.

For many Yankee fans, complete confusion is starting to set in.

What the hell are we doing allowing Hideki Matsui to sign for one season at $6.5 million with the Angels?

The Yankees could have, and should have offered the MVP of the World Series at least that.

The Angels line-up just got better and even more popular.

In addition to Matsui’s undeniably clutch batting, the entire Japanese press follows their icon wherever he goes. Matsui also has huge fan base that come to the ballpark and Los Angeles will experience his Godzilla-like effects immediately.

I was very sad to learn of Hideki Matsui’s departure today.

My utter respect for him as a player, but even more so as a person will stay in my heart.

No matter what uniform Matsui wears, Yankee Universe will always cheer for our Godzilla. Continue reading ‘Perturbed In Pinsrtipes’ »

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Oh Roy, Oh Roy Will Be What Team’s Newest Toy

Posted by on 30 November 2009, 4:27 pm

Rumors are swirling around the baseball world; about Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.

The possibilities of who, where and what it will take to get this stud are endless.

WHO – is in the running? Any GM with a pulse is going to weigh options.

This inevitably becomes Halladay’s decision as he has a no-trade clause. Toronto has limitations in regards to their excitement because if a team is not on Roy’s short list he will play thru his contract thru 2010 and become a free agent for 2011.

Halladay has said whom he won’t be resigning with in 2010; that is the Blue Jays. So, getting players is almost emanating for the team’s future. The Jays know what is possible to expect in return and so it is ideal to get it done.

Everyone knows that Roy wants a ring and a fruitful contract so Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox and Angels are the logical choices.

WHERE – the answer is EVERYWHERE, as all teams are drooling over just the possibility or the dream of Hallady playing in their uniform.

It has been reported that Halladay is a tad jealous of his old teammate’s year-old uniform, blue and white pinstripes. Oh and I am sure AJ Burnett’s World Series ring as a New York Yankee is very appealing.

If not the Yankees, the next best thing would be to shove it in the Bombers face and it has been said that Boston Red Sox made the cut as well. Boston’s GM Theo Epstein is supposedly willing to comply. It’s been heard that December 7th kind-of quickly, as Epstein wants Roy secured in Bean-town before the Winter Meeting that start in a week.Hallady has other “where” possibilities to choose from as both Los Angeles teams are supposedly displaying major interest.

The Angels chances are slim to none on taking John Lackey back, so Halladay would be an above and beyond replacement on the mound.

Joe Torre’s Dodgers need a big time, game winner like Halladay. This was evidently their biggest issue that needs to be addressed after this past post-season.The Dodgers are supposedly scraping together an offer with the hopes the Jays desperation will go into effect, if the big teams offers flop. The Dodgers have some solid prospects, but it will come down to if Chad Billingsly’s included in the mix or not. This makes up for the lack in finances in going up against the endless bank accounts of baseballs richest. Also have to consider if Roy’s idea of playing with Manny will be any kind-of a factor here.
Two other National League teams with big interests are the Mets and Phillies, who are fully joining this hunt too.

The Phillies cannot afford to give any more chances for Cole Hamels because losing the World Series was enough. Pair that with Hamels bad attitude and you can’t rely that he will ever be back to where he was in 2008. With a huge and surprising disappointment now on the team’s shoulders, Halladay would be a perfect solution. Continue reading ‘Oh Roy, Oh Roy Will Be What Team’s Newest Toy’ »

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ALCS GAME ONE: It's Starting To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

Posted by on 17 October 2009, 1:29 pm

Christmas season is months away, but abnormally cold temperatures in NYC in addition to taking the first game in the ALCS Friday night, sure felt like it in the Bronx.

The stadium was freezing. Everyone bundled up but the fans enthusiasm was at an all time best. The team followed as the Yankees beat the Angels 4 to 1.

The game MVP was clearly CC Sabathia as he was lights-out and reigned again following his first start this post-season. The hot bats Angel bats of Chrome Figgins and old friend, Bobby Abreu went 0-8 with three of those strike-outs.

The Yankee bats raked in 11 hits and scored 4 enough to make it safe for CC to succeed.

John Lackey’s Angels lacked in every-way for their game-one starter.

The Angels made it relatively easy for the Yankees by committing three errors on textbook plays. It seemed like the cold might have literally frozen L.A.’s Halos right off their heads.

On a pop-fly hit by Matsui, Glove candidates Erick Aybar and Chrone Figgins stood there dumbfounded. The visible and textbook out hit the grass, not the glove.

Angels skipper, Mike Scioscia, must have read the riot act as that is just not Angels baseball. Angels get the least errors 85 on the season and errors like that will not make it in the post-season.

No one is taking Friday nights performance as any evidence for anything because it is just one game. The Yankees need to keep their business to Yankee baseball. This team shows up to play which is evidently on display anytime they take the field.

This Yankees team has the desire and the battle similar to the past 90′s teams, that made so accustomed to fans. The entitled days of winning are over and the Yankees have to prove themselves all again.

The expensive fresh faces of guys were just the breath of fresh air the Yankees needed to see that swagger back again.

Would I love to see the Yankees win the World Series this year? Yes, what fan would not want that.

Will it take to anger and criticism if the group does not?

Disappointment is a given. Finally, the demons of the past few seasons lack of spirit is gone.

I am at peace with the fact that this team gives it their all every game. The last couple years teams are ultimately gone.

The Yankees are champions for their fans already by playing with so much enthusiasm, giving not only the fans our spirit back but to an entire city.

*all photos in this post were taken at the ALCS game at Yankees stadium by LadyLovesPinstripes.com*

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MLB: The Final Four

Posted by on 14 October 2009, 4:36 am

Unlike past October’s, for the first time in years the final four teams that remain are the top four in baseball. It will something not to miss as any one of the teams has a shot to win. There is no currently hot team making a run of it; all four are hot and loaded with talent.

Each will be fighting to win the American or the National League Championship Series, beginning later this week. The winner of each advances on to play in the World Series, getting the opportunity to possibly be the world champions.

The match-ups go as follows:

ALCS
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @New York Yankees

NLCS
Philadelphia Phillies @Los Angels Dodgers

Here are some things to keep in about each team:
(no specific order)

1.Los Angles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels play tough baseball. How?
In games, opponents tend to make errors against the Angels because the game pace is set to fast from the start. Angel players only committed 85 errors in the regular season, the least in the majors might give you an idea of the raw talent defensively.

Aggressive base-running is the name of the game in Anaheim. In addition add one of the most powerful line-up, who ended the season with a combined .285 which includes nine guys hitting over .300 each. Bobby Abreau has fit like a glove since joining the club this year and he is notorious at running up the pitch counts and gets walked more than any other player.

Jared Weaver and John Lackey will start the first two games in New York and the two righties will be key in the team’s October success. Lackey has the experience and Weaver has the stats to go all the way but both need to start out throwing strikes from the get-go or it could be the fall of an Angel.

2.Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are champions and want it to stay that way. Ibanez, Howard and Utley are three of the best lefty hitters in the game. The team needs all three to hit because it makes the rest of the line-up thrive too.


The key for the champs is pitching. Cliff Lee is ace who was picked up mid-season. I do not think this club could have made it with out Lee’s additional, CY Young arm. That is because Cole Hamels has been up and down all season. Hamel’s needs to step it up in L.A. And get back to his MVP Championship form if the team’s reign shall continue.

Even more shaky than Hamels is closer Brad Lidge. Lidge was a perfect 48 of 48 last year but he has been far from that this season. He seemed to have that nasty slider back against the Red Sox but his scary season gives him no street credit. Lidge can easily erase his messy numbers by getting back to the old school in October.

3.Los Angles Dodgers

Joe Torre is the manager of the Dodgers and he seems to have a knack for getting to the post-season.

Now Torre and his Dodgers all reside in a place called MANNYWOOD.


As a manager in MANNYWOOD, your job entails keeping Manny from being Manny. Basically, don’t show a hint of any disagreement towards Ramirez or Manny will pout in the corner. L.A. Needs big production from Ramirez who got his swagger back playing against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers have quality left-handed arms which need to offset opposing lefty bats. The team has no certified ace but starters good enough for five or six innings which works due to the depth and talent in the bullpen.

4.New York Yankees

For the Yankees just refer to the above picture. Arod hits the team plays better. It is just a fact and I hope the pressure doesn’t get to the third baseman. Whatever Kate Hudson is doing is working.

The other key performance which the team needs is from starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. He is a star when he throws like a star but Burnett needs to be the biggest star this week against the Angels. Burnett pitched well against the Twins, his first post-season game ever so that is promising. Joba can be thrown in if needed but if Burnett is game on, throwing for strikes he is one of the best in the game.

Four Teams, Two League Championships, One World Series…..WELCOME TO OCTOBER!!!

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