The Durham Bulls quickly dispatched the Helena Hot Pockets via the long ball. Durham may have swept Helena but didn't look very sharp at the plate. That didn't sit well with the Bulls miffed coaching staff, as timely home runs was the difference.
Durham now goes home to rest and get some practice in as they await their next opponent. They are guessing Boston, but that doesn't mean much.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Zephyrs Foghat Braves
In Atlanta, the Bravos jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but wiley veteran Mel Wagner had his KY and Prep-H ball working to his benefit and limited damage. The Top Hats chipped away at the lead and tied it in the top of the 7th followed by Zachrey Jerzembeck 3-run blast that is still rolling down Peach Tree. That was all it took as the Zephyr pen kept the Braves off their happy hunting trails the rest of the game.
For Mel Wagner, that is his second win of this young post season. The most wins in a playoff season. It also raises his post season record to 5-9 in 18 starts. Could he get another ring? What a storied HOF career!
New Orleans must now travel to Miami to face their dreaded division rival, the Florida Marlins. This could be the most exciting post season ever in MLB history.
For Mel Wagner, that is his second win of this young post season. The most wins in a playoff season. It also raises his post season record to 5-9 in 18 starts. Could he get another ring? What a storied HOF career!
New Orleans must now travel to Miami to face their dreaded division rival, the Florida Marlins. This could be the most exciting post season ever in MLB history.
Hot Pockets Out Microwaves Corn Dogs
The Hot Pockets surprised the MLB world today with a come from behind victory in the bottom of the ninth. Big innings plagued both teams as Helena pounced with 6 runs in the fifth for 6-1 lead. After trading 1-run recipes in the 6th, Monterrey pounded relievers Don Zhou and Earle Magadan in the 7th for 5 runs highlighted by Ariel Serra's second dinger blast of the game to tie the game. The silent Corn Dogs took the lead in the 8th with a lone score. Then the amazing heroics in the 9th saw a blooper over the head of the infield, a walk, a double steal then little used Alex Arrojo pinch hit single plated both runners to win the game. The play at the plate still has everyone up in arms, did the ump get the call right? The replay has been shown on HBD-ESPN all night and morning, with absolutely no conclusive evidence either way. Did his fingers touch the plate before the tag? Everything was a dusty blur even in slo-mo.
Helena has little time to celebrate as they now go to Durham to face the #1 Bulls.
Helena has little time to celebrate as they now go to Durham to face the #1 Bulls.
Monday, February 1, 2010
GM of the Season
NL:
chase39 - Pittsburgh Pirates
6 win improvement
NL North title
sdhizzle - Florida Marlins
24 win improvement
NL South title
knucklebones - New Orleans Zephyrs
19 win improvement
Wild Card
sjr456 - Atlanta Braves
0 win improvement
NL East title
josepaco - Chicago Cubs
Wild Card
AL:
pfontaine - Boston Red Sox
15 win improvement
AL East title
dhatt1080 - Dover Dung Beetles
9 win improvement
Wild Card
soxfan121 - Durham Bulls
0 win improvement
AL South title
hatton98 - Syracuse Sycamores
9 win improvement
edham55 - Monterrey Corn Dogs
Wild Card
chase39 - Pittsburgh Pirates
6 win improvement
NL North title
sdhizzle - Florida Marlins
24 win improvement
NL South title
knucklebones - New Orleans Zephyrs
19 win improvement
Wild Card
sjr456 - Atlanta Braves
0 win improvement
NL East title
josepaco - Chicago Cubs
Wild Card
AL:
pfontaine - Boston Red Sox
15 win improvement
AL East title
dhatt1080 - Dover Dung Beetles
9 win improvement
Wild Card
soxfan121 - Durham Bulls
0 win improvement
AL South title
hatton98 - Syracuse Sycamores
9 win improvement
edham55 - Monterrey Corn Dogs
Wild Card
Barracudas Eat Dung Beetles
St Louis rebounds after the series opening home defeat to sweep away the Beetles. Funny, Ray Luke was the loser and Hub Strange lost to Atlanta again, both are Injun castoffs. Gerald Gibbs was the star of the series batting .526, going 10 for 19 with a double, 2 tater classics and 5 thefts. St Louis now goes to Boston for round 2, don't think the Bean Towners will take very kindly to a Barracuda invasion.
In other news: The Hot Pockets kept their playoff hopes alive, downing the silent Corn Dogs 7-5. In New Orleans, the Atlanta Redneck went to the mound and shut down the Zephyrs 3-2 for his second playoff win of the series.
In other news: The Hot Pockets kept their playoff hopes alive, downing the silent Corn Dogs 7-5. In New Orleans, the Atlanta Redneck went to the mound and shut down the Zephyrs 3-2 for his second playoff win of the series.
Cubs Ousted
The Chicago Cubs got ousted quickly in an unheard of three shutouts as the Kansas City Royals move on to the next round. What happened to the Cubbies? Jose said it nicely, he forgot to set the pitching staff. I tend to agree as Sam Strittmatter probably should have been the opening starter in the series. One thing playing in KC, a negative home run park is tough on a line up consisting of power hitters. Though I am surprised that Nicky Sierra performed so well in game one. The one-two punch of Satou and Veras was too much for the Cubs pitching staff and the Cubs offense was befuddled by the steady off-speed stuff they couldn't hit.
Kansas City now moves on to Pittsburgh to take on the #1 seeded Pirates. Don't expect three shutout victories by the Royals there. Though IMO there could be four 1-run games in this series.
Kansas City now moves on to Pittsburgh to take on the #1 seeded Pirates. Don't expect three shutout victories by the Royals there. Though IMO there could be four 1-run games in this series.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Season 15 Indians
Wait til next season is the cry in Cleveland! Really couldn't put my finger on the real reason they were not in the playoffs this season other than they sucked during the stretch run. The late season trade for Pascual Berroa was a perfect fit as everyone kept putting him in a position to fail. He is happy being an Injun and has claimed LF as home. The pickup of B.C. Bennett was also another fine acquisition but (always one) he doesn't really have a position to call home on the roster. Could a trade next season be imminent? Mickey Greer was a great pickup in the Rule V draft as he can play both CF and 2B, maybe not the greatest. So what will the Indians look like next year?
The Field
C - Bart Ross of course.
C - Albert Valenzuela makes a great backup. However him and Bennett could be used as trade bait for a good pen pitcher. Jose Blanco could be given the backup job as he finally displayed his DITR ability at AAA this year and could be more valuable to the pen.
1B - Deivi Silva started the season playing LF and did an admirable job. After the Berroa deal however, he gets to play 1B. Management and fans were excited about this rookie but had a less than stellar season at the plate.
2B - Mickey Greer or Eswalin James as management is quite unsure which should play where.
3B - Karim Quevedo has been told it will be his home next season, the fans didn't like the move. The fans fell in love with Trace Wallace as the thong factory will tell you.
SS - Sean Smalley has temporarily won the job. Coaches tell me he could be a GG SS if I leave him be.
RF - Giovanni Jackson is the reigning GG and really the actual Silver Slugger also if you ask me. So no doubt in my mind he will be there again.
CF - Eswalin James is the player I think should be here but may wind up on 2B if Greer stumbles too badly.
LF - Pascual Berroa gets the position readily as he proved to be an awesome lead off hitter.
Bench
Trace Wallace is a fan favorite but undersized for 3B but can play several positions very well.
B.C. Bennett is a good 1B with no place to play other than DH.
Pascual Zapata like Wallace is a jack of all trades and plays a better 3B.
The Starting Pitching Staff
Brant Brede, Roy Little, Tito Gao and Anthony Riley have solidified their hold as starting pitchers. The starting staff was a minor irritation as I couldn't find anyone that wanted the 5th spot in the rotation.
The Pen
This has been a thorn in my side for a long time and will go under major reconstruction next year one way or another.
Ross Bland and Johnny Zeile are the only ones that have secured a spot for next season.
Jose Crespo is the only other player that may have a spot but is a FA and will wait and see during the off season.
Matt Brooks, Pedro Roque and Boomer Thomson are in the coaches dog house big time.
Quilvio Olivares had a good season in his limited action but at 39 may find retirement a better option.
Grant Simon can find a job at the local pancake house as far as management is concerned.
A look at the minor bubble. Overall we have some nice prospects in the minors and a couple that could be trade bait, no, Boone is not for sale or trade.
AAA coaches were high on Ivan Blasco but after arriving the coaches didn't really like what they saw in him and didn't give him a chance to show off, maybe next year he gets a chance.
Virgil Lee couldn't handle the Bigs so he was sent down and showed his displeasure and may find his way to the trade block next season or the burger bar.
Hugh Maloney displayed great defensive catching abilities this year and will move up the ladder to see how he does.
Johnny Brown has the AA coaches on his side, but will need to have a great roll and ST to impress at the ML level.
Dean Boone could he be the 5th starter next year? He is young and maybe another year in the minors could be a better choice.
Rudy Bryne was a DITR this year, can ya tell? A good roll and ST could garner him a job at the ML level after 3 muck years in the Rookie League. Coaches don't like his splits but the potential is there. Like most DITR's that show promise, might have to wait til he is 26 or 27.
Manny Wagner and Brad Cook, both could find themselves on the roster in a short roll.
Felix Higashioka could find his way onto the ML roster also as the backup SS and primary versus lefties.
Overall analysis shows we have a good defensive line up though underachieving at the plate. Pitching is a problem area especially in the pen. Be sure the Indians owner and GM will be after FA pitching next year and will have the money to do so. Possibly a monster power hitter also.
The Field
C - Bart Ross of course.
C - Albert Valenzuela makes a great backup. However him and Bennett could be used as trade bait for a good pen pitcher. Jose Blanco could be given the backup job as he finally displayed his DITR ability at AAA this year and could be more valuable to the pen.
1B - Deivi Silva started the season playing LF and did an admirable job. After the Berroa deal however, he gets to play 1B. Management and fans were excited about this rookie but had a less than stellar season at the plate.
2B - Mickey Greer or Eswalin James as management is quite unsure which should play where.
3B - Karim Quevedo has been told it will be his home next season, the fans didn't like the move. The fans fell in love with Trace Wallace as the thong factory will tell you.
SS - Sean Smalley has temporarily won the job. Coaches tell me he could be a GG SS if I leave him be.
RF - Giovanni Jackson is the reigning GG and really the actual Silver Slugger also if you ask me. So no doubt in my mind he will be there again.
CF - Eswalin James is the player I think should be here but may wind up on 2B if Greer stumbles too badly.
LF - Pascual Berroa gets the position readily as he proved to be an awesome lead off hitter.
Bench
Trace Wallace is a fan favorite but undersized for 3B but can play several positions very well.
B.C. Bennett is a good 1B with no place to play other than DH.
Pascual Zapata like Wallace is a jack of all trades and plays a better 3B.
The Starting Pitching Staff
Brant Brede, Roy Little, Tito Gao and Anthony Riley have solidified their hold as starting pitchers. The starting staff was a minor irritation as I couldn't find anyone that wanted the 5th spot in the rotation.
The Pen
This has been a thorn in my side for a long time and will go under major reconstruction next year one way or another.
Ross Bland and Johnny Zeile are the only ones that have secured a spot for next season.
Jose Crespo is the only other player that may have a spot but is a FA and will wait and see during the off season.
Matt Brooks, Pedro Roque and Boomer Thomson are in the coaches dog house big time.
Quilvio Olivares had a good season in his limited action but at 39 may find retirement a better option.
Grant Simon can find a job at the local pancake house as far as management is concerned.
A look at the minor bubble. Overall we have some nice prospects in the minors and a couple that could be trade bait, no, Boone is not for sale or trade.
AAA coaches were high on Ivan Blasco but after arriving the coaches didn't really like what they saw in him and didn't give him a chance to show off, maybe next year he gets a chance.
Virgil Lee couldn't handle the Bigs so he was sent down and showed his displeasure and may find his way to the trade block next season or the burger bar.
Hugh Maloney displayed great defensive catching abilities this year and will move up the ladder to see how he does.
Johnny Brown has the AA coaches on his side, but will need to have a great roll and ST to impress at the ML level.
Dean Boone could he be the 5th starter next year? He is young and maybe another year in the minors could be a better choice.
Rudy Bryne was a DITR this year, can ya tell? A good roll and ST could garner him a job at the ML level after 3 muck years in the Rookie League. Coaches don't like his splits but the potential is there. Like most DITR's that show promise, might have to wait til he is 26 or 27.
Manny Wagner and Brad Cook, both could find themselves on the roster in a short roll.
Felix Higashioka could find his way onto the ML roster also as the backup SS and primary versus lefties.
Overall analysis shows we have a good defensive line up though underachieving at the plate. Pitching is a problem area especially in the pen. Be sure the Indians owner and GM will be after FA pitching next year and will have the money to do so. Possibly a monster power hitter also.
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