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Friday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 3, 2009 | MLB Notebook

The Fourth of July Weekend kicks off with a full schedule of games. The Yankees look to start a new winning streak against the Blue Jays. The Brewers and Cubs continue their seesaw NL Central battle. The Brewers need wins to stay ahead in the division because the Cardinals and Reds are battling for positioning in the division. The Mets and Phillies begin a series that will determine which team is in first in the NL East on Monday. These games, and many more, can be found in Friday's Games of the Day. Toronto at New York Yankees: The Mariners...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: AJ Burnett, Boston Red Sox, Brian Tallet, Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Curtis Granderson, Derek Lee, Detroit Tigers, Felix Hernandez, Franklin Gutierrez, Games of the Day, Gordon Beckham, Hideki Matsui, Homer Bailey, Houston Astros, J.J. Hardy, Jeff Suppan, Joel Pineiro, Jose Lopez, Kansas City Royals, Kevin Slowey, Luke French, Mike Cameron, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Paul Konerko, Philadelphia Phillies, Rodrigo Lopez, Ryan Sadowski, San Francisco Giants, Scott Kazmir, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Tim Wakefield, Toronto Blue Jays, Zack Greinke

Chase Headley And Adrian Gonzales Spot Astros A 3 Run Victory

By Lisa Gray | July 2, 2009 | The Astros Dugout

For the first 3 innings, it seemed as if the Padres young rookie would pitch a perfect game needing less than 80 pitches - swings and misses, weakass grounders (Sliva actually looks like a sinkerballer.) Then stuff happened. When you are a sinkerballer, the worst thing that can happen, besides the sinker not sinking, is that grounders find holes (which is what happens to Sampson, usually, when he gets hit) and singles happen. So in the 4th, Bourn hit a screaming liner to first, then Tejada (thankfully back in the 2-hole instead of Keppinger) and Berkman hit ones that got by, then (although I was dreading the usual GIDP) Carlos singled to right and Tejada scored from second - Lance went to third on the bad throw, which SHOULD have been to the cutoff man. Yes, Evelyn, the cutoff man is a VERY important man. You see, he is supposed...

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Notes at Noon: Aviles, Ayala, Keppinger

By Zach Sanders | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Royals shortstop Mike Aviles will undergo Tommy John surgery and faces 9-12 months of rehab.The Twins have released Luis Ayala after failing to deal him after designating him for assignment.Jeff Keppinger is ready to play whenever the Astros put him in the lineup.Thoughts:Aviles hadn't been playing well this year, and the Royals need to hope he comes back strong from surgery.For teams looking for cheap bullpen help, look no further. Ayala is super consistent, with FIPs of 4.37, 4.47, and 4.37 the last three years.Just another bench player who wants to get back into the action now that the player...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Houston Astros, Jeff Keppinger, Kansas City Royals, Luis Ayala, Mike Aviles, Minnesota Twins, MLB

Thursday's Games of the Day

By Jonathan Etkowicz | July 2, 2009 | MLB Notebook

Thursday brings us another short schedule with only nine games scheduled. Thursday is still filled with good games. The Mets and Pirates finish a series that began in June. Houston and San Diego face off in a matchup of teams just out of last place in their divisions. The Phillies look to beat the Braves and stay in first in the NL East. And the Brewers and Cubs renew their rivalry. Those games and more can be found below. New York Mets at Pittsburgh: This game is a makeup of the June 3 game that was postponed. If Paul Maholm and...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Adam LaRoche, Adrian Gonzalez, Albert Pujols, Atlanta Braves, Barry Zito, Bruce Chen, Carlos Beltran, CC Sabathia, Chase Utley, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Games of the Day, Houston Astros, Ichiro Suzuki, J.J. Hardy, JA Happ, Jason Vargas, Javier Vazquez, Kansas City Royals, Mark Buehrle, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Paul Maholm, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Ryan Dempster, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tim Redding, Wandy Rodriguez

Can anybody please tell me what is going on?

By JD | June 30, 2009 | Restore the Roar

Seriously? This is an honest question. Instead of me writing a blog today since I am super busy at work, I want to know what you think has happened to the Tigers bats? Pratically shutout by some no-name stiff and the bullpen in Oakland last night. Handcuffed by mediocre pitching all weekend in Houston and we did not exactly light up the Cubs either. With the Twins on the horizon something needs to give. Can anyone explain to me why the bats have gone silent? We hav enot exactly been lighting it up for much of the year either but lately scoring has been a challenge. Magglio's hair cut does not seem to be helping either as he has looked lost, almost searching for an answer why. Maybe it is just THAT time for him, who knows? Lets turn it around and build that lead back up.... ...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Astros, bullpen, Cubs, hitting, Magglio, Oakland, outage, Tigers

Dealing

By Zach Sanders | June 30, 2009 | MLB Notebook

There were some great pitchers going last night, and some great performances from them. Let's take a look.PitchersIP H RERBBSOHRPC-STERAT Lincecum(W, 8-2)9.020008095-602.37Pitchers IP H RERBB SO HRPC-STERAR Harden(W, 5-4)7.0911190102-654.57PitchersIP H RERBBSOHRPC-STERAJ Lester(W, 7-6)7.0500080108-704.35PitchersIP H RERBBSOHRPC-STERAR Oswalt(W, 4-4)9.0211280110-744.02PitchersIP H RERBBSOHRPC-STERAR Nolasco(W, 5-6)8.0422081106-745.99PitchersIP H RERBBSOHRPC-STERAG Floyd(W, 6-5)7.250025095-594.12Two seperate two-hitters, and some great work by the others. It's a good day if you owned one of these guys on your fantasy team....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Jon Lester, MLB, Rich Harden, Ricky Nolasco, Roy Oswalt, San Francisco Giants, Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum Channels Greg Maddux--The Rest of Baseball Watches Nervously

By Nuschler | June 30, 2009 | SF Giants Pride

"Oh, the places you'll go...there are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."--Dr. SeussUh oh.Don't look now, but a bad situation for Major League Baseball just got, potentially, a lot worse. Particularly if you earn your paycheck hitting in the National League. And if you suffer the ultimate indignity, if you have the misfortune of operating in the NL West?My sincerest condolences. Truly.Because Tim Lincecum seems to have found a new toy.I'm not really taking about the sinister slider he's featuring more heavily in his growing repertoire. Although the Freak's newest out pitch was in full effect during Monday night's masterpiece against the St. Louis Cardinals, it must play second fiddle on this night.The real star of the show was a different culprit--Lincecum's stumbled across the Greg Maddux Pitch and he seems to like it. ...

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Roy Oswalt Pitches A "Thriller"

By Lisa Gray | June 30, 2009 | The Astros Dugout

(with apologies to Rod Temperton) It's close to midnight and Roy Oswalt is dealin on the moundUnder the floodlight, the fans hear only swishing soundsYou try to hit, but that fastball has some wicked movementYou start to freeze as curveballs seem to be right at your eyesYou're paralyzed'Cause this is Roy-O's thriller nightAnd no one's gonna save you from his throwing yet another strikeYou know it's thriller, thriller nightYou're fighting for your hits inside a killer, thriller tonightYou hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to runYou see the slider and wonder if he'll ever hang just oneYou concentrate, and hope that Roy will finally lose itBut all the while, he's getting better by the pitchYou're out of time'Cause this is Roy-O's thriller nightThere ain't no second chance against the curveball you can't hitThriller, thriller nightYou're fighting for your hits inside a killer, thriller tonightDarkness falls on Padre landThe 9th inning is now at handLast chance at comeback has gone todayCuz A-Gon didn't...

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MLB Great Debates: Which Playoff Contender Needs a Trade to Stay in the Race?

By Staff Report | June 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which contending team most needs to make a deal before the July 31 trade deadline in order to stay in the race? Jaymes Langrehr argues that the Brewers desperately need starting pitching:As we get closer to the trade deadline, a good number of teams are developing clear needs that need to be addressed if they're going to stay in playoff contention. Some teams will be able to cope with their weaknesses and still make the playoffs due to their other strengths. Other clubs will need to make a move if they have any chance at contending in the second half.The Milwaukee Brewers are a prime example. Heading into this season, they knew that their pitching wouldn't be as good as it was down the stretch last season. Given the strength of their offense, however, they figured to be in okay...Read more

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MLB Top 10: Will the Rockies Ever Lose?

By Jaymes Langrehr | June 15, 2009 | MVN Outsider

For most teams, the MLB season includes multiple peaks and valleys. Ultimately, you're never as good as you are when you're playing at a peak, and you're never as bad as when you're playing in a valley. Right now, the Colorado Rockies are riding a peak that's a mile high (har har), winning eleven games in a row. Whenever the "L10" column in the standings reads "10-0", you know you're playing really good baseball. It's no surprise that the Rockies take the top spot in this week's top ten list, but who else has been putting together hot streaks while the Rockies steal the headlines?1. Colorado Rockies (31-32)At this point, there's really no one else you can put at the top of this list. I always thought that their run in September two years ago was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and would never be repeated, but it looks like the 2009...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, MLB Outsider, MLB Top 10, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays

MLB Outsider Mock Draft: Houston Astros Select Jiovanni Mier

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider is hosting a 2009 MLB mock draft, where bloggers from all over come together in an attempt to project the draft results that will take place June 9. Following the Astros' Richard Stubbe picks for the Houston Astros at No. 21. A team in need of everything starts with shortstop Jiovanni Mier from Bonita High School in La Verne, California. Follow the mock draft here. The Astros have a short list of needs for their farm system: everything. After years of neglect, the team started the hard work of replenishing the majors' worst farm system after the 2007 season, hiring Bobby Heck from the Milwaukee Brewers to run the team's scouting and drafting. Heck is now an assistant general manager.The Astros are in the unfortunate position of having baseball's worst farm system and oldest team. The last player of significance to come up through the farm system is...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: The Ballpark Experience

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Which experience is better, going to a Major League Baseball game or going to a minor-league one?Jaymes Langrehr says MLB's quality is top-notch:Where I grew up, I was about a three-hour drive east away from Milwaukee County Stadium, and a three-hour drive west away from the Metrodome. I was literally stuck in the middle of nowhere when it came to the MLB map, and looking back, I was definitely jealous of the kids who were able to spend their summers buying cheap Brewers tickets and move their way up to field level (because it's not like anyone was sitting in those seats, anyway). Still, the few major-league games that I was able to attend were incredible -- even though the home team almost always got crushed. Even when your team stinks, there's something special about a Major League game that...Read more

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MLB Draft: National League Central Team Needs

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

This is the third in a series of posts authored by guest columnist Josh Lacey leading up to the 2009 MLB Draft. Today, he considers the needs of organizations competing in the National League Central. Previously, he profiled 20 top draft prospects and reviewed NL West team needs.Chicago CubsLeft-handed PitcherThe Cubs are currently without a single impact lefty in their farm system and this year's draft is stocked with high upside southpaws, so I'd be surprised if they don't look that way early. With 3/5 of their rotation locked up long term the team has the luxury of taking a high upside high school project to develop. Tyler Matzek, Matt Purke and Tyler Skaggs are the highest rated prospects who fit the bill, though there's a chance all three will be off the board when the Cubs are on the clock at 31. First BaseDerrek Lee has a contract...Read more

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, MLB Draft, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals

MLB Great Debates: Steroids and the Hall of Fame

By Staff Report | May 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Should the BBWAA look past the use of performance-enhancing drugs and vote known "steroids guys" into the National Baseball Hall of Fame?Jaymes Langrehr says the writers will eventually have no choice but to vote in tainted players:Once again, the game of baseball has been rocked by a star testing positive for a banned substance. Every time this happens, everyone ends up trying to decide if that player is going to be allowed to enter the Hall of Fame. And every time this happens, all the old time-tested baseball writers voting for the Hall say that the player will get in over their dead bodies.It's getting to the point now, though, that eventually they're going to have to lighten up, or risk enshrining some undeserving players. If they stick to their word, we won't be getting Alex Rodriguez and Manny...Read more

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MLB Great Debates: Which Unlikely Leader Can Keep Pace All Season Long?

By Staff Report | May 8, 2009 | MVN Outsider

MLB Outsider's Jaymes Langrehr and Kurt Evans debate the issue: Of the teams who raced out to hot starts in 2009, which is most likely to stay relevant and maintain a lead in the division deep into the season? Jaymes Langrehr picks the Florida Marlins:Sure, the St. Louis Carinals may be the easy choice. They've jumped out to a lead in a division that seems to be filled with fairly average teams. They have the best player in the game. They've got one of the better managers in the game. They seem like the best bet, right?I'm not taking the Cards -- put me down for the Marlins being the best bet to keep up with their hot start.Like the Cards, the Marlins are playing in a division that's pretty wide open. Like the Cards, they were able to jump out to a huge lead early in the season.They've been...Read more

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Fantasy Baseball: The Week Ahead

By Jeff Freels | May 3, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Sixty pitchers are scheduled to make two starts in week five of the 2009 season. As usual, most of them are useless except for in the deepest of AL or NL-only leagues. If I do not list them here, then consider them too risky to start unless you are utterly desperate. MUST START PITCHERS should be in your lineup no matter what: Tim Lincecum at Chicago Cubs, at Los Angeles Dodgers - Tiny Tim is back in the saddle and he has been awesome in his last couple of starts. Zack Greinke vs. Chicago White Sox, at Los Angeles Angels - I loved him this preseason and he is paying off big. The kid has Cy Young stuff. Felix Hernandez vs. Texas, at Minnesota - King Felix always seems to start the season strong before something goes wrong. Here's to hoping he keeps it together. Yovani Gallardo at Pittsburgh, vs....Read more

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