Today, the Dodgers finally made a little noise in the trade deadline bustle by acquiring outfielder Scott Podsednik from Kansas City.
Keyword: little.
Podsednik has been very good for Kansas City this year, that's for sure. He's got a .309 AVG with 30 stolen bases so far. But he's not the bat the Dodgers needed at this year's deadline. Effectively, he's another Juan Pierre, with a little more power. He will help with Manny and Reed Johnson on the DL, but he can't be the sole solution for the Dodgers. He just can't.
As well as the team has been pitching lately, it is clear that the Dodgers still need bullpen help, and most certainly another starter. James McDonald or Carlos Monasterios will not get the Dodgers to the playoffs. Fortunately, Vicente Padilla has really started to pick it up over his last three starts (which needs to continue tomorrow in the series finale vs. San Diego), but another halfway decent starter puts the Dodgers over the top. It doesn't have to be Roy Oswalt, but perhaps Ted Lilly? Or Jake Westbrook?
Bottom line: Podsednik is a band-aid. Band-aids are only temporary. The Dodgers need a cure. Cures are permanent. Cures, as always, are pitchers.
July 28, 2010
July 26, 2010
Lee, Rangers Hardly a Whimper
My father whom I love very much is a Texas Rangers fan. Ever the pessimist, he posted on here two weekends ago that the Cliff Lee trade, which I have already said will give the Rangers the AL West and a playoff birth, is a "mere whimper almost lost in the hot days of summer." Elegant words from a fan with a defeatist attitude. After this weekend's four game set against the Los Angeles Angels, I think all of baseball would disagree with my father's assessment of his beloved Rangers. Three wins, two outstanding pitching performances with a very good third one, and two games gained in the division standings later, the Texas Rangers are sitting pretty in the AL West. Just like they were when they acquired Cliff Lee. The Rangers are 17-8 against AL West teams this season, which is the best mark of any American League team against division opponents. Only my beloved Dodgers have a better division record overall (24-8 against the NL West). A continuation of that performance against the AL West will cement the division for the Rangers by mid-September.
Meanwhile, a big development directly related to this story is the Angels' move to acquire Dan Haren from Arizona. Haren was arguably the best pitcher left on the market during this approach to the trade deadline, but that's hardly saying much. Haren has had problems giving up home runs all year, which leads me to believe the Angels won't benefit much from his presence. I mean, who would you rather have at the top of your rotation, Cliff Lee or Dan Haren? The Rangers are just one step ahead of the Angels in almost every facet of the game imaginable right now, and that's a big deal. We've seen the Angels make the postseason year in and year out due to being in a weak division, but they can't make the World Series because they're not built for that. They're built to win the AL West. This year's Rangers are a different story. They have everything, from good young pitching (did you see CJ Wilson's eight-inning gem on Friday?) to a balanced and powerful lineup featuring do-it-all Josh Hamilton. I've said it once and I'll say it again...the Rangers are for real.
So here's a message for you, Dad: warriors may not win, but the Rangers do, and they are. They're taking care of business in the AL West. They're going to the playoffs this year. And hey, you might have to worry more about the A's than the Angels, because they're playing a heck of a lot better right now! Gear up for a memorable August and September, and then brace yourself for October, because the Rangers will be there, with Cliff Lee roaring - not whimpering.
Meanwhile, a big development directly related to this story is the Angels' move to acquire Dan Haren from Arizona. Haren was arguably the best pitcher left on the market during this approach to the trade deadline, but that's hardly saying much. Haren has had problems giving up home runs all year, which leads me to believe the Angels won't benefit much from his presence. I mean, who would you rather have at the top of your rotation, Cliff Lee or Dan Haren? The Rangers are just one step ahead of the Angels in almost every facet of the game imaginable right now, and that's a big deal. We've seen the Angels make the postseason year in and year out due to being in a weak division, but they can't make the World Series because they're not built for that. They're built to win the AL West. This year's Rangers are a different story. They have everything, from good young pitching (did you see CJ Wilson's eight-inning gem on Friday?) to a balanced and powerful lineup featuring do-it-all Josh Hamilton. I've said it once and I'll say it again...the Rangers are for real.
So here's a message for you, Dad: warriors may not win, but the Rangers do, and they are. They're taking care of business in the AL West. They're going to the playoffs this year. And hey, you might have to worry more about the A's than the Angels, because they're playing a heck of a lot better right now! Gear up for a memorable August and September, and then brace yourself for October, because the Rangers will be there, with Cliff Lee roaring - not whimpering.
July 14, 2010
2010 Midseason Predictions
The following represent my midseason playoff picks for the 2010 MLB season. Now that the All-Star game has finished, and as teams look to improve themselves before the July 31 trade deadline (like the Braves did today by acquiring Alex Gonzalez from Toronto), the time is ripe for predictions. Here they are:
American League
1. AL East Champion: Tampa Bay Rays
2. AL West Champion: Texas Rangers
3. AL Central Champion: Chicago White Sox
4. Wild Card: New York Yankees
Rays over White Sox in 4
Yankees over Rangers in 4
Rays over Yankees in 7
National League
1. NL East Champion: Philadelphia Phillies
2. NL Central Champion: St. Louis Cardinals
3. NL West Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Wild Card: Atlanta Braves
Phillies over Dodgers in 4
Cardinals over Braves in 5
Phillies over Cardinals in 6
World Series: Rays over Phillies in 6
There you have it. A rematch of two years ago. We'll see how it plays out.
American League
1. AL East Champion: Tampa Bay Rays
2. AL West Champion: Texas Rangers
3. AL Central Champion: Chicago White Sox
4. Wild Card: New York Yankees
Rays over White Sox in 4
Yankees over Rangers in 4
Rays over Yankees in 7
National League
1. NL East Champion: Philadelphia Phillies
2. NL Central Champion: St. Louis Cardinals
3. NL West Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Wild Card: Atlanta Braves
Phillies over Dodgers in 4
Cardinals over Braves in 5
Phillies over Cardinals in 6
World Series: Rays over Phillies in 6
There you have it. A rematch of two years ago. We'll see how it plays out.
July 13, 2010
All-Star Pitching Fits in Just Right
In the middle of the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, my brother texted me to ask how a 1-0 All-Star game was exciting. I immediately responded: "Pitching duels are always exciting."
Tonight's game was a magnificent clash of that aspect of the game which has come to dominate the 2010 MLB season: pitching. In this way, the All-Star game was essentially a microcosm of what we've been seeing across baseball for the past three months.
Tonight, it was the National League that wielded the pitching weapon to end thirteen years of All-Star futility. The big guy, Jonathan Broxton, picked up the save, culminating nine innings of spectacular baseball. And it really was spectacular. Exciting even. For this writer, pitching duels are a thrill, a greater expression of the game than any 9-8 shootout, which made this All-Star game one of the best I've seen.
What was really amazing about the pitchers this year was how hard they could throw. I can't remember ever seeing so many guys that could hit 95+ on the radar gun on the same field. David Price reaching 100 mph in the first inning set the tone for the fireballers that were to come in the later innings.
And a stat offered by Joe Buck during the game puts pitching dominance even further in the spotlight. Jose Bautista leads all major leaguers with 24 home runs at the break, but that's the lowest total in baseball since 1993. This year, it's a pitchers game, whether fans like my brother like it or not.
After the game, once my boy Broxton saved it, my brother sent me another text: "Padres get home field advantage in the Series!"
See my second-half predictions tomorrow to find out if I agree with him.
Tonight's game was a magnificent clash of that aspect of the game which has come to dominate the 2010 MLB season: pitching. In this way, the All-Star game was essentially a microcosm of what we've been seeing across baseball for the past three months.
Tonight, it was the National League that wielded the pitching weapon to end thirteen years of All-Star futility. The big guy, Jonathan Broxton, picked up the save, culminating nine innings of spectacular baseball. And it really was spectacular. Exciting even. For this writer, pitching duels are a thrill, a greater expression of the game than any 9-8 shootout, which made this All-Star game one of the best I've seen.
What was really amazing about the pitchers this year was how hard they could throw. I can't remember ever seeing so many guys that could hit 95+ on the radar gun on the same field. David Price reaching 100 mph in the first inning set the tone for the fireballers that were to come in the later innings.
And a stat offered by Joe Buck during the game puts pitching dominance even further in the spotlight. Jose Bautista leads all major leaguers with 24 home runs at the break, but that's the lowest total in baseball since 1993. This year, it's a pitchers game, whether fans like my brother like it or not.
After the game, once my boy Broxton saved it, my brother sent me another text: "Padres get home field advantage in the Series!"
See my second-half predictions tomorrow to find out if I agree with him.
July 12, 2010
Big Papi Rules the Derby
As I write this, David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez are slugging it out in the 2010 Home Run Derby. Man, Ortiz looks good. He's been ripping home runs into right field all night. Four in the final round before his first out. He's the oldest guy in this year's group, and his experience is showing. What a performance in the final round. 11 home runs. Wow.
Now Hanley Ramirez, Bobby Valentine's man-crush. By the way, would you rather have anyone else calling home runs in this contest other than Chris Berman? I wouldn't. Back to Hanley. First ball falls just short. As another quick side note, what a shame about Corey Hart, huh? Great first round performance, and then no dingers in the second round. Is there really something to be said about long waiting periods between at-bats? Meanwhile, Hanley is in trouble. Three outs and only one home run. Big Papi's looking good right now. And what a season he's had after a horrid April. He's even giving Hanley some love mid-at-bat. Three outs left, and Hanley needs seven. Not looking good for him. And....it's over, and Big Papi has won it. Good for him. Look for my reaction to the All-Star Game tomorrow.
Now Hanley Ramirez, Bobby Valentine's man-crush. By the way, would you rather have anyone else calling home runs in this contest other than Chris Berman? I wouldn't. Back to Hanley. First ball falls just short. As another quick side note, what a shame about Corey Hart, huh? Great first round performance, and then no dingers in the second round. Is there really something to be said about long waiting periods between at-bats? Meanwhile, Hanley is in trouble. Three outs and only one home run. Big Papi's looking good right now. And what a season he's had after a horrid April. He's even giving Hanley some love mid-at-bat. Three outs left, and Hanley needs seven. Not looking good for him. And....it's over, and Big Papi has won it. Good for him. Look for my reaction to the All-Star Game tomorrow.
July 10, 2010
Lee is the Answer in Texas
In an almost improbable turn of events, the Texas Rangers acquired Cliff Lee yesterday along with reliever Mark Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor league prospects. What makes the trade so improbable is that the Rangers not only outbid the Yankees last minute, but that they are a team that's bankrupt and barely capable of pulling off a deal like this. I guess GM Jon Daniels wasn't interested in hearing that sob story anymore. Cliff Lee makes the Rangers a dangerous contender in the American League, as he slides into a rotation that already boasts the young talents of Tommy Hunter, CJ Wilson, Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison, and Derek Holland when he's healthy. Add to that the Rangers' dynamic offense with a resurgent Vladimir Guerrero and a nearly unstoppable Josh Hamilton and you've got yourself a potential World Series team.
Yet if the last two nights are going to be any indication of what the Rangers can expect in the last two-and-a-half months of the season, they're in trouble. Their bullpen blew late leads Thursday and Friday, against Baltimore of all teams, including All-Star closer Neftali Feliz's ninth inning meltdown last night in which he surrendered a game-tying grand slam to Corey Patterson. The Ranger bullpen is decent, but they have to pitch better if they're going to hold off the Angels in the West.
The addition of Cliff Lee by the Rangers sends a message to the rest of the American League, and perhaps all of baseball. The Rangers are easily dismissed this time of year, regardless of their place in the standings, because they have failed time and again to win in August and September. This trade shows the Rangers are ready to reverse that trend. We always hear about the Rangers, and the old "Oh, if they only had pitching" remarks. Well, now they do, and even better, they have an ace. A proven ace. An ace who will take the ball every five days and give you a great chance to win, and one who has proven his worth in the playoffs, in the big games where it really counts. That makes the Rangers beyond relevant in the American League. When you have someone like Cliff Lee in your rotation, you don't have long losing streaks. We've seen what he's done with the Indians, with the Phillies, and with the Mariners. His stint with the Rangers will only add to the legacy he's building. And maybe, just maybe, he'll bring the Rangers some much-needed wins in August and September and push the team into the playoffs.
In their history, the Rangers have never been to the World Series. They've never won a playoff series. In fact, as a franchise, they have just one playoff win to their name. Expect that to change in 2010. The Rangers are for real, and with Cliff Lee, they'll be eradicating the plague of late-season and postseason futility.
Yet if the last two nights are going to be any indication of what the Rangers can expect in the last two-and-a-half months of the season, they're in trouble. Their bullpen blew late leads Thursday and Friday, against Baltimore of all teams, including All-Star closer Neftali Feliz's ninth inning meltdown last night in which he surrendered a game-tying grand slam to Corey Patterson. The Ranger bullpen is decent, but they have to pitch better if they're going to hold off the Angels in the West.
The addition of Cliff Lee by the Rangers sends a message to the rest of the American League, and perhaps all of baseball. The Rangers are easily dismissed this time of year, regardless of their place in the standings, because they have failed time and again to win in August and September. This trade shows the Rangers are ready to reverse that trend. We always hear about the Rangers, and the old "Oh, if they only had pitching" remarks. Well, now they do, and even better, they have an ace. A proven ace. An ace who will take the ball every five days and give you a great chance to win, and one who has proven his worth in the playoffs, in the big games where it really counts. That makes the Rangers beyond relevant in the American League. When you have someone like Cliff Lee in your rotation, you don't have long losing streaks. We've seen what he's done with the Indians, with the Phillies, and with the Mariners. His stint with the Rangers will only add to the legacy he's building. And maybe, just maybe, he'll bring the Rangers some much-needed wins in August and September and push the team into the playoffs.
In their history, the Rangers have never been to the World Series. They've never won a playoff series. In fact, as a franchise, they have just one playoff win to their name. Expect that to change in 2010. The Rangers are for real, and with Cliff Lee, they'll be eradicating the plague of late-season and postseason futility.
July 9, 2010
Furcal Providing Dodger Summer Heat
There may not be anyone in baseball hotter than Dodger shortstop Rafael Furcal. Furcal has had a tremendous two weeks, and has been doing a little bit of everything in the process. Last night's game against the Cubs was a microcosm of Furcal's recent accomplishments, as he had three hits, a home run (which turned out to be the game-winner), and a stolen base. And of course we all know what he can do with the leather. It's too bad he's turning it on so late, he would have been a great replacement for Troy Tulowitzki in this year's All-Star Game.
Speaking of the All-Star Game, I'm glad Joey Votto got voted in as the last NL player. There's no question he deserved it. Nick Swisher...not so sure.
And speaking of last night's game, let's not overlook Clayton Kershaw's performance. After last night's 12-strikeout gem, Kershaw is now third in all of baseball in strikeouts, trailing only Tim Lincecum and Jered Weaver. There seems to be some question as to why Kershaw didn't finish the game...personally, I think it was absolutely the right move to go to Broxton in the ninth. Four right-handed batters were scheduled to hit. The matchups favored Broxton more than they did Kershaw. Broxton's an All-Star, he's got 18 saves this year (19 now), give him the ball. End of story.
Speaking of the All-Star Game, I'm glad Joey Votto got voted in as the last NL player. There's no question he deserved it. Nick Swisher...not so sure.
And speaking of last night's game, let's not overlook Clayton Kershaw's performance. After last night's 12-strikeout gem, Kershaw is now third in all of baseball in strikeouts, trailing only Tim Lincecum and Jered Weaver. There seems to be some question as to why Kershaw didn't finish the game...personally, I think it was absolutely the right move to go to Broxton in the ninth. Four right-handed batters were scheduled to hit. The matchups favored Broxton more than they did Kershaw. Broxton's an All-Star, he's got 18 saves this year (19 now), give him the ball. End of story.
July 5, 2010
Strasburg Not an All-Star Yet
There is a debate raging right now in Major League Baseball over whether rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg should be in this year's All-Star Game. Personally, I'm not in favor of it.
Strasburg has been great since his debut with Washington several weeks ago. There's no arguing that. However, his six starts are just a sample from which to draw from - hardly the 17-18 starts most pitchers get by this time in the season. We don't know how Strasburg will be the rest of the way. We don't know if these six starts are merely an aberration. However unlikely that might be, we just don't know. You can't call a guy an All-Star just because he's flashy and strikes out a lot of hitters. Strasburg doesn't belong there yet. If he really is as good as he's been and as good as advertised, he'll be in plenty of All-Star games to come. For now, the pitchers who were chosen deserve to be there. Strasburg, as good as he's been, doesn't.
There were some question marks in my mind among the All-Star selections this year, but when you have fans voting for the players, that's always going to happen. People tend to vote for names, not accomplishments. Nevertheless, this year's game should be entertaining and eventful when the teams take the field next Tuesday.
Strasburg has been great since his debut with Washington several weeks ago. There's no arguing that. However, his six starts are just a sample from which to draw from - hardly the 17-18 starts most pitchers get by this time in the season. We don't know how Strasburg will be the rest of the way. We don't know if these six starts are merely an aberration. However unlikely that might be, we just don't know. You can't call a guy an All-Star just because he's flashy and strikes out a lot of hitters. Strasburg doesn't belong there yet. If he really is as good as he's been and as good as advertised, he'll be in plenty of All-Star games to come. For now, the pitchers who were chosen deserve to be there. Strasburg, as good as he's been, doesn't.
There were some question marks in my mind among the All-Star selections this year, but when you have fans voting for the players, that's always going to happen. People tend to vote for names, not accomplishments. Nevertheless, this year's game should be entertaining and eventful when the teams take the field next Tuesday.
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