ummm looks like the DBacks aren't taking this being 10 games behind lightly..big acquisition of Martinez might not mean they'll catch the Dodgers but sure makes them better and they'll need it to win the wildcard.
:idea: :arrow: re: J.D. Martinez trade The Dbacks had to do something fast. They're a very good team with a very big weakness: they're the worst team in MLB against lefties. They got swept out of LA in three one-run losses to three lefties: Kershaw, Wood and Hill. Martinez is a rental who has been brought in to solve that problem... re: ten game lead The Dodgers won again today. They've now won 30 of their last 34. This is the greatest stretch in their history and the greatest in MLB since KC in 1977, forty years ago. Kershaw won his 15th and Kenley saved another...
8) 8) 8) Speaking of trades... I see the White Sox made a trade with the Yankees after the game. The Yanks got rid of Tyler Clippard. I don't think George will miss him. Remember what I said about winning by subtraction?
The Yankees are definitely a better team after that trade. Carlos Correa is gone till the end of Sept with that thumb, having surgery. We should be OK as his replacement (Marwin Gonzales) has been a valuable player all season. The better news is that we are getting Colin McHugh back this weekend. He was counted as a starting pitcher but elbow issues have kept him in permanent rehab. This will be his first start of the season, he will be on a limited pitch count. Dallas Keuchel should be ready in August sometime depending on how his minor league rehab starts go for him.
:idea: :arrow: AZ loses again and loses JD Martinez who was hit on the wrist with a fastball in his 2nd at-bat... The Dodgers destroyed what's left of the White Sox to win 9-1 in a rain-shortened game. This makes 31 of 35: the best streak in MLB since the 1906 Cubs...
The Yankees made out well on the trade for sure. I think whenever Aaron Hicks comes off the DL the lineup will start clicking again.
Check out Aaron Judge's HR Friday night at Safeco. Last row of the upper deck. Almost out of the stadium.
re: Judge I saw that HR...it was ridiculous. Sabermetricians say that the theoretical limit for a human being to hit a HR on planet earth is 565ft, if I remember right. This kid has to be getting close. re: Dodger losing streak Last night was the team's first really bad performance of the year. It included a dropped infield pop fly; a dropped routine fly ball in left field; and the pitcher with the lowest ERA in MLB giving up 9 earned runs in 5 innings, driving his ERA from 1.56 to 2.17! Except for that he did great. The Braves have not only cooled off the hottest team in MLB, they're now the hottest themselves...
Everything returned to normal today. The best unknown player in MLB is the Dodgers Chris Taylor. He entered the game late and hit a HR and a triple. He's now batting .310 and, like Bellinger and Seager, the team can't really afford to put him on the bench. He's one of the best players in the league... Kershaw goes for win 16 tomorrow...
I see the Cubs are taking it too the Cardinals so far this wekend, great pitching duel yesterday. I think the Cards are done this year, I wonder if they will have a new Mgr next year.
I was watching the game yesterday when the Cubs' announcer said that the Cardinals have the best record either in MLB or the National League (can't recall which) since 2012. I don't think this season will put Matheny's job on the line. It's not like they've flopped. They still are alive, just a few games under .500. They always are a tough out. By the way, Terry, they beat the Cubs 11-3 Friday night, as the Cubs took it from, not to, the Cardinals.
Ugh... Dodgers win in 10 after Kenley blew his first save of the year. Kershaw is lost after only 2 innings to back tightness. His status is uncertain. Watch for the Dodgers to go after Verlander or Gray now, after they said they wouldn't... re: Cardinals I watched them blow a late inning game to Chicago and the broadcasters noted that St. Louis has lost 20 games this year in the final two innings. Compare that with the Dodgers who're something like 98-0 with a lead after the 5th inning the last two years. The Cards don't need a better manager, they need a better bullpen... BTW- so many of the Dodgers bullpen pitchers were obtained for nothing after other teams gave up on them. The players swear by their pitching coaches: Rick Honeycutt and Matt Herges down in AAA.
It's one game at a time in Cubbieland. We quietly hope for a second half surge - that so far is off to a good start - which will propel us into the playoffs, while we watch the amazing play of the Astros and the Dodgers, who have to be the odds-on favorites at this point in time to reach the World Series. There still are 60+ games to be played.
I was looking at the AL standings and the whole league is pretty much playing .500 baseball right now with the exception of the White Sox and Blue Jays. In last 10 games all teams are either 6-4 or 5-5. Red Sox are 4-6. Dallas Keuchel is going to be evaluated today and likely brought back from the DL and be worked into the rotation. He's had 2 successful starts in the minors. Colin Manor the rookie who the Astros brought up this weekend and had a promising start at 3rd with Correa on the DL and Bregman playing short fouled a pitch off his face and is now on the DL. What a bummer, this was a big opportunity for him and now it's to the DL. Still lots of talk about making a move to acquire more pitching but nothing specific.