baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Ken Giles Is Losing It
If you're an Astros fan, odds are Ken Giles nearly put you into a coma or gave you a heart attack during Game 2 on Wednesday night. Regardless, everything worked out for Houston in the end, and the Astros came out on top of one of the greatest World Series games ever.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Power Breaking Ball Proves McCullers Jr. Could Be the Future of the Astros' Rotation
Lance McCullers Jr. has been absolutely outstanding for the Astros this postseason. The 24-year-old has thrown 13 innings in the playoffs with a 2.08 ERA. This was highlighted by his amazing performance out of the bullpen in Game 7 against the Yankees, where he shut down a powerful New York lineup for four innings in a rare relief role.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
The New Home Field Advantage Rules Stink as Bad as the Old Ones
Thanks to years of complaints by fans and media alike, for the first time since 2002, home-field advantage for the World Series was determined not by the All-Star game results, but instead by regular season record. I'm sure everyone out there who lobbied for this change is patting themselves on the back for getting a change that, in their minds, fixed the All-Star game. I'm hesitant about the new CBA, however, because I fear that in fixing the All-Star game, the MLB broke the World Series.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Numbers Say Lance Mccullers' Future Is in the Rotation
After stymying the Yankees offense over the course of four shutout innings in the decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, questions have arisen regarding Lance McCullers. Is he durable enough to be a starting pitcher? Is he effective enough over the course of a game to be a starting pitcher? If the answer to either or both of those is no, does that mean McCullers will end up being a reliever who can go multiple innings?
By Matt Mocarsky8 years ago in Unbalanced
The 2017 Chicago Cubs Lacked That 'It' Factor
2017 wasn't necessarily a banner year for the Chicago Cubs. Well, for some teams, it would be considered a good year. But for the defending World Series champions, they fell short of their goal: to repeat. They just slid by the Washington Nationals in the Division series. Then come the NLCS, they weren't any competition for baseball's best team in the regular season: the LA Dodgers.
By Quinn Allen8 years ago in Unbalanced
Aaron Judge Has Been Great in October. Umpires Have Failed Him.
After a record-setting rookie season that may earn him the American League Most Valuable Player award, Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge has put himself in the record books in the postseason. The record he broke? Most strikeouts in a postseason series. Judge managed to do that in the five game ALDS against the Indians, striking out 16 times in only 20 at-bats. It’s incredible that he struck out 80% of the time in that series, and he’s continued that trend into the ALCS as well. Through five games, Astros pitchers have struck out Judge eight times in 16 at-bats, which is good for a 50% strikeout rate. Overall, he’s running a 60% strikeout rate in the playoffs, and yet he somehow has put up a .847 On Base+Slugging% (OPS).
By Matt Mocarsky8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Dodgers' Schedule will Win Them the World Series
If you've been a Dodgers fan since the last time the Dodgers won the World Series, you've been through a lot. You've seen Hershiser's career ruined by injuries, you've seen Jamie McCourt drive the team into financial ruin, and you've seen Manny Ramirez be, well, Manny. You've also had only three losing seasons in the past 25 years, so things haven't been all doom and gloom. But, in spite of eight postseason appearances since 1988, you've never seen the Dodgers win a pennant. And I can assure you, Dodgers fans — that long-promised World Series title is coming this year, too.*
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
Justin Turner: Postseason Great
The Dodgers are going to the World Series for the first time since 1988. It's remarkable how potent their offense has been, or rather how good Justin Turner has been in the absence of Corey Seager in the NLCS. Yasiel Puig has frankly been just as good, and Kiké Hernandez put on a show for the ages, but Turner is continuing a stretch of postseason dominance that is rare.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Dusty Baker: Forever Cursed. Top Story - October 2017.
The Nationals lost one of the most gut-wrenching games in recent playoff history (or at least it must feel that way). In what was becoming something to celebrate after another miraculous Michael A. Taylor homer was gutted by seeing Max Scherzer get beat by bloop singles. What was built up in that eighth inning rally was ripped away by Jose Lobaton getting his cleat awkwardly caught in first base leaving millimeters of space.
By Owen McGrattan8 years ago in Unbalanced
Tinkering with the Yankees' ALCS Roster
After an impressive win in the American League Division Series against the Indians, Joe Girardi is a good manager again! Like many baseball fans were last Friday after Game 2, we will be playing “manager” as the Yankees set themselves up for the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros. There are a quite a few things to consider, but before we do, let’s have New York’s ALDS roster on hand for reference:
By Matt Mocarsky8 years ago in Unbalanced
It's Time To Talk About Fenway
Fenway Park is quite the odd beast. The Pesky Pole sits only 302 feet from home plate with about a four-foot high wall separating the fans from the field, and the Green Monster is, well, the Green Monster. The strange dimensions of Fenway have led to some memorable moments — Fisk waving it fair, Ortiz's incredible grand slam, etc. And now, we have Fenway to thank for possibly drastically changing the outcome of the ALDS.
By John Edwards8 years ago in Unbalanced
