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World Series Rematch? Why Phillies Would Be Favored Over Yankees

Posted by on 28 September 2010, 7:48 am

Monday night, the Philadelphia Phillies won the NL East for the fourth straight season in a row.

Up in Toronto, the New York Yankees evening could have been a champagne party too. Instead, AJ Burnett imploded worse than ever on the mound and the Blue Jays won the game 7-5.

Burnett could not even get out of the third inning, and he was to blame for all seven runs scored.

Rock bottom?

I thought that already happened for Burnett, as he showed glimpses of why the Yankees acquired him in the first place just a week ago.

Well, whatever it is holding AJ back seems to be an off the field issue that is eating away at him. The best Yankee fans can do is just hope Burnett figures himself out, as he is a big piece of the playoff puzzle.

Looking at the playoff picture so far, the Phillies are unanimously the NL favorites to make it to the World Series for the third year in a row.

It would be hard for anyone to disagree with that predictions, considering how hot a September the Phillies are having posting a 19-5 record.

A lot of that success has to do with the pitching rotation, which includes Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and Roy Oswalt. It is by far the best threesome in baseball and they keep getting better.

This month their combined record is 13-1, pitching just shy of 95 innings, have a strikeout total of 87 and the month is not over yet.

Another critical component on any team is the closer, and the Phillies have been a roller coaster ride with Brad Lidge since 2008 ended.

Now Lidge has found his swagger again. His 27 saves this season don’t do how he is pitching justice, as Lidge only earned the team’s trust back the last two months. He admitted he needed to change due to loss of velocity on his pitches.

No need to explain how good the Phillies hitters are because the proof is in the names alone: Utley, Howard, Werth, Rollins, Ibanez, Victorino, Ruiz, Valdez, and I think you get the point.

So, could it be a rematch from last year’s World Series?

Sure it could, but the Yankees need to clinch officially and for any team to match-up with Philadelphia my advice is to bring your A-Game.

It would be a treat to fans to see a Yankees-Phillies World Series, because if it is anything like 2009, it is sure to be exciting for baseball as a whole.

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Note To AL East: Better Keep An Eye On The Toronto Blue Jays

Posted by on 8 August 2010, 1:09 am
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Right now, the team playing the best baseball in the AL East Division is without a doubt the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the last week the Blue Jays won series against the two best teams in baseball; first they were in New York winning two of three against the Yankees, then headed home and pounded on the Tampa Bay Rays.

By now this is a broken record in Toronto, the ball club plays well, but is always missing that something to make it into the post-season.

So what is the problem with the Blue Jays?

Thus far in 2010, we know the Blue Jays can hit home-runs. The team leads the majors with 175 as of August 7th.

The sting of losing ace Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies was just a figure of speech because the Blue Jays have quality young arms that have made his absence almost forgettable. The pitching prospects are top notch, but this group needs to stay together in 2011 for their talent to really start to show.

They can hang in the AL East because they continually prove it.

My theory is all the Jays do is hit home-runs, so the inevitable slumps hit deeper because they don’t play small ball.

Toronto’s starting rotation has given up only 93 home-runs this season, second in the AL behind the Chicago White Sox who have the lowest in the majors with 78.

So, please explain how the team who hits the most home-runs and gives up the lease can’t even contend for the postseason?

Could the Blue Jays stay hot and make a miracle-type of run for October?

Toronto’s typical behavior over the last few seasons is a hot streak that ends just before the All-Star break and that is about it.

This is not the case in 2010, as the Blue Jays are making another go at it and doing it against baseball’s elite.

Hey in sports, you never know what can happen. Maybe Toronto fans should go cheer because the team is surely giving them reason now.

JUST A NOTE….One AL East team has a four game winning streak and it’s the Baltimore Orioles. New skipper Buck Showalter will inspire good things to come in Camden Yard. It’s about time the loyal depressed O’s fans had something real and good to look forward too.


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Four MLB Teams to Watch Down the Stretch

Posted by on 26 July 2010, 3:13 pm

Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies have had a lot of bad luck with Jimmy Rollins out twice in first half, Chase Utley out till September and just a string of other continual mishaps. Positive note is that Cole Hamels is pitching like 2008 again…..which is good as the Phillies are winning again.

Rumor is the Phillies are offering up OF Jayson Werth on the trade market, but no bites as of yet but surely teams have to be interested in Werth, like the Boston Red Sox. Werth carried the team into two back to back World Series in 2008 and 2009.

His production has definitely picked up since the All-Star break, but so far in 2010 he has a .286 batting average, with 13 home-runs, 52 RBIs and seven stolen bases.

Just to compare, his 2009 season totals were 36 home-runs, 99 RBIs, 91 walks and 20 stolen bases.

His average is better because he has hit 32 doubles, which already tops his 2009 total which was 26. Werth is on track to hit around 25—26 home-runs and steal around 14—15.

I had a feeling when the Phillies started to play better Werth would step it up, which is what is happening right now.

Boston Red Sox

Injuries have run through Fenway Park like a virus, as the DL list is better than the active roster. Slowly, the players are coming back. Once Pedoria and Ellsbury return the team can start to win all the time again.

The question remains is there enough time to play catch-up or will the gap in the standings be to wide already?

Guess we willl see but GM Theo Epstein has been silent, but I would expect some kind-of move before July 31st trade deadline. That is unless the Red Sox are looking towards 2011, which I would highly doubt. Continue reading ‘Four MLB Teams to Watch Down the Stretch’ »

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Philadelphia Phillies Are Dumb To Trade Jayson Werth

Posted by on 23 July 2010, 7:50 pm

The last week before the MLB trade deadline on July 31st is usually an eventful and dramatic couple of days up until the last second.

The players who are on the trading block are not exciting and certainly bring no guarantee.

The only proven difference-maker was SP Cliff Lee, who was traded to the Texas Rangers two weeks ago. Lee was 2010’s diamond in the rough, or technically on the mound, because the fact is, he makes a team better.

The rest of the rumored players on the chopping block, minus Philadelphia Phillies right-fielder Jayson Werth, do not come with any certificate of guarantee. With Lee a goner already, this makes Werth a very popular guy.

It would be hard to believe the Phillies’ for sale sign is out on Werth. With 2B Chase Uttley on the DL till September and leadoff hitter SS Jimmy Rollins not 100 percent healthy, it doesn’t make much sense to me.

You can bet one thing for sure: The Phillies wish they had never let Cliff Lee go in the first place.

It’s crazy that a pitcher of the caliber and talent of Cliff Lee has worn four different uniforms in less than two seasons. That number be five after 2010 is over because Texas cannot afford Lee, or themselves for that matter.

Going back to Werth, he is not putting up the numbers he is capable of at all. Surely not the best timing, as Werth is a free agent at the end of 2010.

Is Werth to blame for his sub-par stats and should teams be proceeding with caution?

Absolutely not, considering the Phillies flipped Werth the bird and handed 1B Ryan Howard a blank check a year before his current contract is up, which isn’t till after 2011. Continue reading ‘Philadelphia Phillies Are Dumb To Trade Jayson Werth’ »

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Two MLB Teams Not To Give Up On

Posted by on 19 July 2010, 10:31 am

MLB’s second-half of the season is officially in full swing.

Thus far, in 2010 is proving to be one for the books. With so many tight division races, fans will have plenty of excitement to keep them occupied.

Still, fans tend to throw in the towel and write-off their teams chances of playing in October. A few teams stand out that might not be division leaders now, but still have the potential not to be counted out yet.

Remember, that pennants are not won in July and baseball can look decidedly different from week to week.

Here, are two teams, one from the AL and the other from the NL that should not be counted out:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels lost their best player for the season, 1B Kenny Morales, which has finally impacted the team. Still, this is a group who has won the AL West six of the last seven years and it would be foolish to consider them out this soon.

Even with the first-place Rangers acquiring SP Cliff Lee, the back of rotation is not significant. The Angels have an ace in Jered Weaver. Weaver beat out Seattle’s King Felix for the third time this season, but the Angels have to give Weaver some run support. The vets need to step it up now specifically Abreau, Hunter and Matsui to stay in the mix.

Truthfully, they are not the same Angels from 2009. They lost a lot of speed on the bases, which played a enormous role in their past successes. The Halos should pick-up a solid bat before the end of July. Rumors that Red Sox Mike Lowell or Orioles Miguel Tejada are possibilities, but are a tad too old to get that excited or could be the difference makers.

The Angels remain just four and a half games out, and the next two weeks are the time to make a move on Texas. Angels are a second-half team, with a proven history and now’s time to prove it.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies, even worse than the Angels, have been hit with injuries. So far 12 players have seen the DL, including three All-Star hitters, the closer, a setup man, two starters and both their starting and backup catchers. Things have been far from sunny in Philadelphia. Continue reading ‘Two MLB Teams Not To Give Up On’ »

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New York Mets: Baby Steps Are Not Enough

Posted by on 15 July 2010, 2:07 am

Baseball’s second-half is just 48 hours away from starting, and fans are filled with anticipation for the season’s end.

Some fans want it to end because there team is already out, while others have hopes for a post-season berth.

Well, even if your team is in last place just wish for a miracle? Crazier things have happened in sports. There is plenty of time remaining that, unless you are an Orioles fan, anything is still possible. 

Okay, but what do you say to a New York Mets fan?

Before I answer let me state, as a New York Yankees fan I am not trying to be mean. This is a question I am ask all the time, as I have many Mets-fan friends.

Some examples: “Are the New York Mets trustworthy now?” or “Will this Shit last?”

Now, I will share my answer is below:

Mets fans might detest me, but you know in your heart this 2009 team is not good enough yet. 

The Philadelphia Phillies will pass the Mets in the standings almost immediately, as only a half-game separating the two. When allowed, the Phillies gap will grow by mid to late August.

See, the Phillies are mentally tougher than the Mets, because the Mets are sore losers. This cannot be totally blamed on the Mets players, as no example of respect has been set by anyone.

Once the ‘amazins’ fall a little, they will start to pout. Which will be followed by Jose Reyes going back on the DL (which he is already flirting with now). Continue reading ‘New York Mets: Baby Steps Are Not Enough’ »

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New York Yankees vs. Cliff Lee

Posted by on 28 June 2010, 3:14 pm

Personally witnessing Cliff Lee manhandle the New York Yankees in two different uniforms, at both Yankee Stadiums was far from fun. All I can say is Cliff Lee is that good.

Our first time in 2008 was like a blind date, as Lee wore a Cleveland Indian uniform back than and I was just going to see a regular season game. The Yankees made contact with the ball three times.

The next time was Game One of the 2009 World Series. Lee was a Philadelphia Phillies, but he dictated the entire game and left Yankees in awe once again.

The impression Cliff Lee has made on me is that he is the best pitcher in baseball.

Not Halladay, Sabathia, Santana, The Freak, Johnson Greinke, or Jimenez, it’s Lee any-day of the week, no matter the uniform.

Why?

In 2010 Lee has faced 336 batters, struck-out 76 and given up just three home-runs. His strikeout to walk ratio is a remarkable 19:1. Understand that only one other pitcher in the history of baseball, Brett Saberhagen ended the season in double digits back in 1901. Lee is well on his way to being the second pitcher to hold that record.

Lee leads the AL in complete games with four, has a 2.39 ERA. Lee has not walked a single batter in his last four starts and has only walked four this entire season.

Continue reading ‘New York Yankees vs. Cliff Lee’ »

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