Skip to content

2011 MLB All-Star Rosters Announced

Posted by on 3 July 2011, 5:37 pm

American League:

Starters:

Alex Avila (C, Detroit Tigers), Adrian Gonzalez (1B, Boston Red Sox), Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees), Alex Rodriguez (3B, New York Yankees), Derek Jeter (SS, New York Yankees), David Ortiz (DH, Boston Red Sox), Jose Bautista (OF, Toronto Blue Jays), Curtis Granderson (OF, New York Yankees) and Josh Hamilton (OF, Texas Rangers).

Reserves:

1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers, 2B: Howard Kendrick, Angels, 3B: Adrian Beltre, Rangers, SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians, OF: Michael Cuddyer, Twins, OF: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox, OF: Matt Joyce, Rays, OF: Carlos Quentin, White Sox, DH: Michael Young, Rangers, C: Russell Martin, Yankees, C: Matt Wieters, Orioles

Pitchers:

RHP: Josh Beckett, Red Sox, RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners, LHP: David Price, Rays, RHP: James Shields, Rays, RHP: Justin Verlander, Tigers, RHP: Jered Weaver, Angels, LHP: C.J. Wilson, Rangers, LHP: Gio Gonzalez, Athletics, RHP: Aaron Crow, Royals, RHP: Brandon League, Mariners, RHP: Chris Perez, Indians, RHP: Mariano Rivera, Yankees, RHP: Jose Valverde, Tigers

National League:

Starters:

Brian McCann (C, Atlanta Braves), Prince Fielder, (1B, Milwaukee Brewers), Rickie Weeks (2B), Jose Reyes (SS, New York Mets), Placido Polanco (3B, Philadelphia Phillies), Ryan Braun (OF, Milwaukee Brewers), Lance Berkman (OF, St. Louis Cardinals) and Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Reserves:

1B: Gaby Sanchez, Marlins, 1B: Joey Votto, Reds, 2B: Brandon Phillips, Reds, 3B: Chipper Jones, Braves, SS: Starlin Castro, Cubs, SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies, OF: Jay Bruce, Reds, OF: Matt Holliday, Cardinals, OF: Hunter Pence, Astros, OF: Justin Upton, D-backs, C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

Pitchers:

RHP: Matt Cain, Giants, RHP: Roy Halladay, Phillies, LHP: Cole Hamels, Phillies, RHP: Jair Jurrjens, Braves, LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers, LHP: Cliff Lee, Phillies, RHP: Tim Lincecum, Giants, RHP: Ryan Vogelsong, Giants, RHP: Heath Bell, Padres, RHP: Tyler Clippard, Nationals, RHP: Joel Hanrahan, Pirates, LHP: Jonny Venters, Braves, RHP: Brian Wilson, Giants

 

Related articles

Tagged , , , , , ,
Comments Off

Major League Baseball’s Biggest Moment A Year Later

Posted by on 3 June 2011, 1:22 am

One out away from throwing a perfect game; one out for a pitcher to reach an individual milestone and be a lock to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

An easy out at first, and the call is S-A-F-E.

The call was wrong and the perfect game will not be on your resume, your name will not be etched in baseball history anymore and it was all because of a human error by an umpire who thought he got it right.

That was what happened on June 2, 2010 at Comerica Park between Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga and umpire Jim Joyce, but it is what happened after that made this such a great moment for the game of baseball.

Two gentlemen, who displayed such passion for getting it right but such sportsmanship because in reality no one gets it right most of the time.

As bad of a call as Joyce made, it was a great day because it sent the right message and that doesn’t happen all that much anymore-in sports.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tagged , , , , , , ,
1 Comment

Yankees-Rays On The Mound Game One: Ivan Nova Or Matt Garza?

Posted by on 20 September 2010, 1:33 pm
Pitcher Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays durin...
Image via Wikipedia

Tonight marks the first of four games, between the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx.

Rookie pitcher Ivan Nova takes the mound for the pinstripes, as the Rays counter with Matt Garza in a rematch from last week’s slug-fest.

Nova is only making his sixth big-league start, but second in two weeks against the Rays. In their last meeting, Nova kept the Rays at bay for four innings, before imploding in the fifth allowing six runs.

Before that, Nova had only given up three earned runs total in his first four starts. He is 1-0 after five starts, with a 4.30 ERA, giving up 14 earned runs, nine walks and four homeruns over a total of 29.1 innings pitched. Nova has struck-out a season total of 19 which is a solid showing.

Nova needs to keep control on the mound and trust his stuff more. Nova can get the strikeouts when confident, especially if his fastball is on target. Nova is not afraid of the Rays or any other team, which he needs to show when he throws.

Rays Matt Garza is a workhorse, who thrives in hostile environments and Yankee stadium promises to be just that.

Garza can throw hard but as a right-handed pitcher, Garza struggles with lefty bats. So expect the Yankees to be stacked from the left side of the plate.

Garza is known to fall apart mentally and usually no turning back after that happens. He has hit seven batters on the season.

When Garza is in total concentration-mode he has an arsenal of pitches, throws very hard and can shutdown opposing teams bats completely.

In 2010 Garza is 14-8, with a 3.88 ERA and already pitched 185.2 innings on the season. He has allowed 80 earned runs to score, walked 58, with 27 homeruns against him and has struck-out 138.

MY PREDICTION:

Garza’s last two starts he couldn’t get passed the fifth inning, giving up 12 earned runs, walking 4 and allowing six balls go yard. It left him with a 12.00 ERA, with only five strikeouts in the two losses.

Nova blew a 6-0 lead in the fifth inning, but looked better the first four innings than Garza by far.

With the tribute to George Steinbrenner before this game, the Yankees owe the Boss a win because that is what he would want more than anything.

YANKEES WIN 7-3.

NOVA VS. GARZA GET A NO DECISION.

Related articles by Zemanta

Tagged , , , , , , , ,
3 Comments

Yankees-Orioles Pitching Preview: AJ Burnett Needs To Step It Up Tonight

Posted by on 17 September 2010, 2:15 pm

New York Yankees need to turn around this horrid road trip and start winning right now.

The usually easy wins are a thing of the past for the Baltimore Orioles, as the Bombers visit the most-improved team at Camden Yard this weekend for three games.

New York Yankees starting pitcher AJ Burnett, been a mess this season will take the mound that could be a turning point for the team.

Burnett’s usual seesawing has not been even in a bad way and as of now he is deemed unreliable. This season, Burnett is 10-13, with a 5.13 ERA, giving-up 20 home-runs, walking 72 and striking out 132 over 29 starts.

Burnett’s strikeouts have dropped significantly, as in 08’ he fanned 231 batters and last season he posted 195 total in regular season. Watching him pitch loses control much sooner that in the past, as he has hit a career high of 14 batters in 2010 and season is not over yet.

In his career, Burnett’s held batters to a .241 average, but this season it has jumped to .284 when he is on the mound.

Tonight, Burnett has a chance to take the minor improvements he has made since going win-less in August and show us the ace he is capable of being.

Burnett has made three starts in September going 1-1, with an ERA of 4.76, striking out 19 over 17 innings pitched.  His last start was cut after four innings due to rain, but he had already struck-out six and looked a lot better.

The Yankees bats need to cushion Burnett. Even when Burnett is on, he can have one bad inning and it helps take the pressure off a mentally struggling teammate.

Striking-out has been the theme too much lately at the plate. This needs to change ASAP and with Kevin Millwood on the mound for the Orioles there is absolutely no excuse for anything but a marked improvement.

Millwood is 1-7 in 14 starts, with an ERA of 5.38 at Camden Yard this season.

Overall in 2010, Millwood’s totals over 28 starts read 101 earned runs, 27 home-runs, walking 57 and striking-out 114. Opposing batters have a .301 average against the O’s veteran and a Yankees win is almost mandatory.

Related articles by Zemanta

Tagged , , , , ,
2 Comments

New York Yankees Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Can CC Break The Shields

Posted by on 1 August 2010, 8:06 am

New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia will square off against Tampa Bay Rays James Shields, in the third and final game of this series.

Let’s checkout this match-up:

Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields (9-9)

Rays James Shields is a lights-out pitcher if you are referring to his high strikeout numbers.

In 2010 Shields has posted 122 strikeouts over 135 innings. He maintains a minimal number of walks with 31.

So what explains Shields ERA being 4.79?

It is because Shields has given up 22 home-runs this season, along with 72 earned runs. His weakest pitch is his fastball and it gets hit hard. Shields change-up is his strongest pitch, but without it he is very hittable.

Over his last three starts, Shields is 2-0, pitching 19 innings, allowing nine earned runs, while walking five and striking out 13. Still, he has been better after a horrible June and he has won his last two starts.

If Shields doesn’t shield his pitches and is predictable the Yankees bats will eat him alive. Jeter and Cano have done it in the past, so look for them to go after Shields from the start.

New York Yankees: CC Sabathia (13-4)

Yankees ace CC Sabathia had his first loss since May 23rd, but he actually pitched very well. Lack of run support, along with some sloppy fielding behind him was to blame for the result.

Sabathia has a 3.15 ERA in 151 innings this season. The Yankees ace has two complete games, giving up 53 earned runs, 12 homers and 124 strikeouts. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Can CC Break The Shields’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
5 Comments

New York Yankees Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Vazquez Faces Garza

Posted by on 31 July 2010, 12:08 am

The New York Yankees Javier Vazquez will face Tampa Bay Rays Matt Garza on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

Let’s take a look at game two’s match-up:

Tampa Bay Rays: Matt Garza (11-5)

Fresh off throwing the franchiser’s first no-hitter in its 13-year history, SP Matt Garza’s overall outlook doesn’t change much. Garza is still trying to get back to his 2008 form.

Garza likes pitching at home, even if home is Tropicana Field. At the Trop Garza has a .230  OBA against batters with runners in scoring position.

This season Garza has a 4.06 ERA in 128 innings. He has allowed 118 hits, 58 earned runs, giving up 18 homeruns and 41 walks. Four of the homeruns were given up on July 20 against the worst team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. Garza has also thrown two complete games and a no-hitter.

Garza relies a lot on his fastball, as he threw it 99 out 120 pitches during his historic no-hitter. Well, why stop what seems to be working as in his last three starts Garza 2-0, going 21 innings, with a 2.95 ERA with 13 strikeouts and only walking two batters.

Garza might not find success against a hot Yankees line-up, who tend to hit fastballs out of the park. Garza needs to throw a variety of pitches to keep the Bombers on their toes, or it will be ugly.

New York Yankees: Javier Vazquez (9-7)

Javier Vazquez has turned his season around after a horrible April. Finally, Vazquez is that durable pitcher the Yankees wanted in the rotation.

Vazquez’s 4.54 ERA for the season is not reflective of how he is currently pitching. He has pitched 107 innings, giving up 92 hits, 54 earned runs, 118 homers and 41 walks. Vazquez and Garza are well matched looking at stats only. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Vazquez Faces Garza’ »

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,
Comments Off

New York Yankees Vs.Tampa Bay Rays: Battle Of The Young Guns

Posted by on 30 July 2010, 2:04 am

Friday night, the New York Yankees are at Tropicana Field to face the Tampa Bay Rays, and it will be a true battle of the young guns on the mound.

Since pitching and defense will dictate the outcomes of all three games, the match-ups on the mound will set the tone. Let’s look at the Friday night’s pitchers.

Ironically, both the Rays and the Yankees have their “young guns” squaring off. Both players are 24 years old, both stand at 6’5 feet, and both are right-handed pitchers.

Tampa Bay Rays: Wade Davis (8-9)

Davis didn’t look very good this season, after losing all five of his starts in the month of June. Davis’ June numbers included an ERA of 6.0, and batters were hitting just shy of .270 against him.

Since the start of July, Davis has looked like a different pitcher. He has gone unbeaten. Over his last three starts, he has posted an ERA of 2.11. For the month of July, Davis has pitched 25 innings, faced 110 batters and allowed nine earned runs, six walks and 12 strikeouts. Eleven of those 12 strikeouts were in his last three starts and a monthly ERA of 3.12. That is pretty impressive stuff.

Davis is suddenly throwing with a lot more confidence. Davis is not afraid to throw hard because he is locating the ball much better.

Davis faces a potent Yankees lineup who have seen him before. This works in the Yankees favor because Davis is not new, and they have hit him successfully.

Davis needs to be careful with Cano, Gardner, Granderson, Thames, A-Rod, and Jeter because all have multiple hits in the few at-bats they have had against him.

New York Yankees: Phil Hughes (12-3)

Unlike Davis, Phil Hughes started out the season on fire. Hughes was an 2010 All-Star and his name was frequent in Cy Young discussions.

 He was the Yankees most reliable pitcher through the month of May. As they say, all good things must come to an end, or in Hughes’ case, back down to baseball-reality. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Vs.Tampa Bay Rays: Battle Of The Young Guns’ »

Tagged , , , , , , ,
5 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. 5
  7. 6
  8. 7