Category: Weekly Storylines

Top Weekend Series

During this upcoming weekend their are a plethora of compelling series to watch. Here are my top three most interesting:

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Angels vs. Texas: This weekends headline series consists of the two AL west preseason favorites. While the Angels have struggled so far this year, they still possess a lot of talent and could begin their rebound with a strong weekend performance against Texas. This series is highlighted by Friday’s pitching match-up, which pits former ranger C.J. Wilson against Japanese import Yu Darvish.

Nationals vs. Reds: The Nationals, thus far 2012’s biggest surprise, will go up against the Reds this weekend. This compelling series will give the Nationals pitching, which has been very strong so far, one of their biggest tests. For the Reds, it will be interesting to see whether their struggling pitchers, such as Fridays starter Mike Leake, can return to form. This series should be a compelling match up and a potential postseason preview.

Braves vs. Cardinals: This is a battle between division leaders as the Cardinals travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves. This series should be a closely contested series as both sides are well rounded ball clubs. For both these clubs, this series also offers a chance to test themselves against very strong competition and offers a likely playoff preview.

3 Great Weekend Series

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This weekend there is a plethora of great baseball. Here are the three headline series:

Milwaukee vs. Cardinals: NL Central rivals compete this weekend in the first match up of the season between division rivals. Last year, these two fought all year, eventually meeting in the NLCS, but they are vastly different clubs after losing important stars during the offseason, and it will be interesting to see who maintains the edge after the offseason.

New York vs. Detroit: Two of the American Leagues top teams compete in New York this weekend in a reamatch of last years ALDS. The series is highlighted by tonight’s match up between Justin Verlander and Ivan Nova, both their teams most consistent and best pitcher so far this season.

Rays vs. Texas: Another ALDS rematch, the Rays elite pitching takes on the best offense in the league this weekend in a battle of American League powers. While the Rays pitching has been superb so far this year, they face a huge challenge slowing down Josh Hamilton and the impressive Texas offense.

So those are the series to watch this weekend. Who do you think will win their respective series?

Three Red-Hot Hitters

So far this season, we have seen a lot of hitters both struggle and excel. At the current moment, here are three hitters who are hitting the ball better than anyone.

Matt Kemp: The reigning MVP has started the year on-fire, hitting .449 with 10 home runs in only 69 at-bats. Kemp is clearly the most dangerous hitter in the league at the moment, as he uses the whole field well and hits for great power. Beyond this, Kemp also has decent speed, making him an all-around offensive threat.

Photo from Wikipedia

Josh Hamilton: Much like Kemp, Hamilton has hit for both an incredibly high average and with good power so far this season. Hamilton is currently hitting .390 with 8 home runs and a strong 19 RBI. While the left-handed Hamilton may strike-out a lot, his blend of high average and high power are an amazing offensive threat.

Derek Jeter: Unlike the previous two hitters, Jeter is a contact focused hitter without dominant power. So far this season the 37 year old shortstop is hitting an impressive .420 with an equally impressive .642 slugging percentage. Right now, Jeter is using the whole field extremely well and consistently hitting line-drives.

So there, in my opinion, are the games three hottest hitters. What is your opinion? Which of these three will have the best season?

2 Weekend Storylines

After yet another great weekend of baseball, we will take a look at the two biggest developments from the weekend:

Red Sox Crumbling: On the one-hundredth anniversary of Fenway Park, the Red Sox clearly disappointed against the Yankees. On Friday the Red Sox lost 6-2 while giving up a jawdropping five homeruns. On Saturday, the tide appeared to turn, as the Red Sox jumped out to a 9-0 early lead, but one of the worst bullpen performances in club history lead to a pair of 7 run Yankee innnigs and a 15-9 loss. After this weekends debacle, the Red Sox fell to 4-10 on the year and many of the clubs passionate fans demanded a change from first year manager Bobby Valentine.

Photo from Fansided

Humber’s Perfect: On Saturday, Phillip Humber completed one of baseballs most difficult and most spectacular feats. The White Sox right-hander threw major leagues baseball’s 21st perfect game in Safeco Park against the Mariners. Not only did Humber accomplish this feat, but he also did so on an incredible 94 pitches. On Saturday, Humber embodied both efficiency and execution on each of his pitches and threw one of the greatest games in recent memory.

So those were the two moments form this weekend that stood out to me. What were your significant moments from this weekend for you?

2 Weekend Storylines

This was yet another exciting weekend of baseball. Here were the two prevailing headlines:

Valentine does it again: Everyone knew that Bobby Valentine would bring controversy to Boston, and it didn’t take long, as

Photo from Baltimore Sports Report

he called out Kevin Youkilis for not being “physically or emotionally in the game.” This new-found approach managing approach was not recieved well in Boston, as superstar second baseman Dustin Pedroia called out his manager saying “That’s not the way we go about our stuff around here. He’ll figure that out. … Maybe that works in Japan.” With Pedroia calling out his manager, there is clearly a lack of respect for the man in charge in Boston. This will be a story to watch in the coming months.

Dodgers stay hot: On the field, the Dodgers stayed hot this weekend with Matt Kemp leading the charge with two homers Saturday and another Sunday. The Dodgers currently have the best record in the league at 9-1 and have yet to lose at home. With new ownership in the mix, the Dodgers could be in play to add a bat at the trade deadline, leaving them as a serious contender in the NL west.

So what were your opinions on this weekends baseball? What stood out to you?

2 Opening Weekend Headlines

This opening weekend was an exciting one, full of suprising failures and success’s, and most of all, great baseball. Here are the headlines:

Yankees and Red Sox Falter: For both the Yankees and Red Sox, this weekend will be one to forget. The Yankees struggled from the beginning against the Rays, with Mariano blowing a save in the opener and then struggling to score runs in the ensuing ballgames. On the other hand, the Red Sox had no trouble scoring runs, but were unable to even slow down the powerful Detroit

Photo from BingImages

lineup, getting lit-up for 27 runs in the series. Although neither will panic about their 0-3 start, a quick turnaround is clearly needed for both clubs.

Mets and Diamonbacks Soar: Unlike their American League counterparts, the Mets and Diamonbacks both had dominant

opening weekend series. While neither club was perfect, especially defensively, they were able to circumvent their mistakes by limiting walks and strong offensive performances. Especially for the Diamonbacks, who swept the San Francisco Giants, the strong opening weekend gives a clear-cut advantage early in the season.

So there are two of the opening weekends top storylines. So what were your thoughts on this weekends games?

4 Top Story lines of the Week

This week was certaintly an eventful one in the Major Leagues, both on and off the field. Here are the top story’s of the week:

1. Matt Cain Extension: On Sunday, Cain agreed to a 5 year, $112 million dollar deal that I outlined earlier in the week. The deal was a significant turning point for a Giant franchise that appeared they may lose there two aces. The deal will also have huge ramifications for the future contracts of Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, and Cain’s teammate Tim Lincecum.

2. Joey Votto’s Extension: Cain wasn’t the only gargantuan extension this week, as Votto agree to ten year, $225 million dollar deal earlier in the week. The deal has received surprising backlash around the industry, as many believe that the deals length and shear size, the fourth largest contract ever, is to big of a risk for the mid-market Reds.

Photo from Ballparks of Baseball

3. New Park in Miami: Wednesday marked the opening of the new Marlins stadium in Miami. The opening was filled with a flashy, extravagant pregame show, but the club did not follow suit, falling 4-1 to the Cardinals. While the club may have lost, the ballparks first game was a great success and marked a turning point for the organization.

4. Opening Day: On Thursday, opening day finally came. The day was started with an exciting game that led to a 3-2 Tigers win, and continued through six more good games, ending with the dodgers defeat of the Padres at Petco park. While there were only a few games on opening day, it was nice to finally see baseball back.

This Weeks Top Storylines

Photo from Chicago Baseball Report

YOENIS CESPEDES

Cespedes, arguably the most sought after Cuban free agent ever, is expected to make a decision soon, possibly this week. The Marlins are currently the frontrunner, and have already made their first official offer Friday. Obtaining Cespedes won’t be easy for any team, as it is rumored that bidding could reach nearly $60 Million.

WILL OSWALT SIGN?

Roy Oswalt, widely considered the best starter left available, should agree to a contract within the next week. Oswalt is a veteran who could have a big year but comes with the risk of frequent back injury, which caused him to miss time last year. The most likely landing spot is the Cardinals, as their appears to be mutual interest. As usual though, the issue is money, as Oswalt wants $10 million and, so far at least, the Cardinals have not been willing to meet his asking price. If the Cardinals and Oswalt don’t get a deal done, the Red Sox and Reds seem like good alternatives.

BURNETT TO PIRATES?

Photo from NY Daily News

Over the last few days we have heard lots of buzz that the Yankees might finally unload A.J. Burnett and his contracts to the Pirates. The Yankees will likely have to eat all but $10 million of the $33 million left on Burnetts contract, and they appear ready to do so. The only hold up in the deal is the players the Pirates will send in return. The Yankees asked for Garret Jones, but he appears to be a deal-breaker for the Pirates. Personally, I feel this deal is bound to get done by the end of the week, as the opportunity is to great for the Yankees to pass up.

BASEBALL IS BACK

For the first time since the world series major league baseball is back, sort of at least. The Mariners kicked off the year Saturday as their pitchers and catchers reported. Over the next week, the rest of the teams will finally meet in camp and baseball will begin.