Madison Bumgarner isn’t who you think he is.
He’s ACTUALLY a rodeo roping CHAMPION!!
And, his name is REALLY Mason Saunders.
This HAS to rank as one of the dumbest things that has ever happened in the history of the world.
I hope the Diamondbacks void his contract before it even starts!!
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By making ZERO moves at the trade deadline, the Yankees have made a FATAL MISTAKE!!
The New York Mets still thi….HAHAHAHA….think they can mak….HAHAHAHA….make the playof….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
MLB might as well get it over with and give the Houston Astros The World Series trophy now.
Did I mention I am ANGRY?!?!
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Adrian Peterson has pissed away over 100 Million Dollars!!
That’s a special kind of stupid.
The New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins in the ‘Game of the Year’.
Aaron Hicks is the ‘Player of the Day
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We’ve saved the worst….for last.
Yesterday, we broke down the good half (American League). Today, we’ll get to the half that still (inexplicably) lets pitchers hit (National League)….
National League
Best Team – Arizona Diamondbacks
This was harder than it looks. Figuring out the best team in the National League is like ranking your favorite diseases. At 47-34, the Diamondbacks have the 2nd best record in the National League (Milwaukee Brewers: 47-33). While the Diamondbacks, and Paul Goldschmidt, had a May to forget (Goldschmidt hit .144 in May, and the team went 8-19), they’ve bounced back to the tune of 19-7 in June.
Robbie Ray is back. Zack Godley is pitching to his abilities (again). And the other Zack (Greinke) is 5-1 since May. While the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants are nipping at their heels, expect the Diamondbacks to win their 1st NL West Division Title since 2011.
Biggest Surprise – Milwaukee Brewers
I knew the Milwaukee Brewers were a good baseball team. I just didn’t know they’d be THIS good. To have the best record in the National League, with THIS pitching staff, is no small feat. If you can name the entire starting rotation for the Brewers, I’ll make your next car payment. I’m serious. GO ahead. I’ll wait….
Even ‘The Google’ doesn’t know.
The Brewers’ roster is filled with a long list of good players. No superstars. No CY Young Award candidates. Just good, do a little bit of everything, players. Only time will tell if they can hold off the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central Division.
MVP – Freddie Freeman
Until May 14th (my birthday), A.J. Pollock was running away with the NL MVP Award. And then he got hurt. Now, your guess is as good as mine….
While the aforementioned Paul Goldschmidt has turned his life around, he’s not the MVP. Freddie is. Freddie Freeman is having the best season of his career. He’s on pace for 31 home runs, 111 rbi, and 12 sbs with a .318 batting average.
Oh, and the Atlanta Braves are in 1st place in the NL East (45-34).
CY Young – Max Scherzer
As deserving as Jacob deGrom is of a CY Young Award, Max Scherzer is THAT much better than deGrom. If this was the ‘I Feel Really Badly For You Award’, deGrom would be the unanimous victor. However, Max Scherzer is the best pitcher in MLB.
Now, OPEN YOUR EARS AND LISTEN:
Max Scherzer has been the best pitcher in MLB for the past seven years.
Yes, I’m aware Clayton Kershaw has been in MLB for the past seven years as well. But I’m also aware that you can’t win baseball games from the trainer’s room. While Clayton Kershaw’s stuff is unparalleled, Max Scherzer’s durability makes him the best, most consistent pitcher in MLB.
Do you think I’m crazy?!?! Explain yourself in the comment section below….
J.D. Martinez, come on down! You’re the next contestant on the Price Is Righ….
No no, the price is wrong. Yes, Martinez has a lot more money today than he did two days ago, but he accepted a deal significantly less than he was seeking. For months, J.D. Martinez and his agent, Satan (ahem), I mean Scott Boras, played hardball. They stood tall and said they wouldn’t take less than 7 years, $210 million. They claimed they’d be willing to sit out the season to garner a “fair” contract.
Someone should explain the meaning of a standoff to Boras and Martinez.
Martinez, who hit a career best 45 home runs with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks last season, signed a 5-year, $110 million contract with the Boston Red Sox Monday afternoon.
One of these numbers is not like the other….
The deal is front-loaded, so Martinez will earn $50 million over the first two years. The deal also includes an opt-out clause for Martinez after two years. With a full outfield in Boston, Martinez will serve as the primary DH, granting an occasional day off for Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, or Jackie Bradley Jr.
On the exterior, I graciously doled out a golf clap for the Red Sox, while the Yankees’ fan in me considered smashing a vase against the wall. Martinez is a solid run producer. If he’s afforded an opportunity as the full-time DH, glaring at the “Green Monster”, he’ll duplicate his 40 home run season.
Speed Kills
Upon losing Martinez to free agency, the Diamondbacks wasted little time finding a new outfielder. Monday night, they signed Jarrod Dyson to a 2-year, $7.5 million deal. Despite never exceeding 350 at-bats in a season, Dyson has stolen at least 25 bases in 6 consecutive seasons. He’ll likely serve in a platoon with Yasmany Tomas in left field.
“The Freak” Is Back!!
Tim Lincecum, “The Freak”, is making a comeback!! After holding a pitching showcase for a handful of MLB teams (he hit 93 m.p.h. on the radar gun), Lincecum has reportedly received a guaranteed offer to return to the mound in 2018. No team has been named in the report, however, the San Francisco Giants reportedly aren’t the winners of the Lincecum sweepstakes.
Lincecum’s last stint in MLB didn’t go smoothly, as he sported a 9.16 e.r.a. in 9 starts in 2016. In fact, he hasn’t pitched a season with a sub 4.00 e.r.a. since 2011. At 33 years old, “The Freak” has his work cut out for him, but we want to wish he and his mystery team the best of luck.
What do you think of these free agent signings?? Post your opinion in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
The dirtiest, 4-letter word in professional sports has crept its way into Major League Baseball.
Cleveland Browns fans simply know it as the “T” word. This word is banned from schools in Philadelphia, as it makes 76ers fans quiver in fear. Parents, please shield your children’s eyes….
TANK.
To TANK is the act of losing intentionally. In the NFL and NBA, teams TANK in an attempt to secure the #1 pick in the draft. This can be a quick and effective way to turn a franchise around (if done right). In MLB, TANKING isn’t common. MLB teams generally become “sellers” at the midseason trade deadline by trading away expiring contracts and veteran players. This allows teams to restock their farm systems in order to rebuild for the future. However, it isn’t often that a team enters a season in full TANK mode.
Enter the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Over the past 3 days, the Pittsburgh Pirates have traded away 2 of their best players; Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen. And something tells me they’re not done moving anything not nailed down.
Gerrit Cole
For real this time. After a fake report that Cole had been traded to the Houston Astros Wednesday, Cole was actually traded to the Houston Astros Saturday.
Astros Get: P Gerrit Cole
Pirates Get: P Joe Musgrove, P Michael Feliz, 3B Colin Moran, OF Jason Martin
Cole, 27, doesn’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2020. This is a great deal for the defending World Series Champion, Houston Astros, as they bolster an already formidable starting rotation (the Yankees’ fan inside me is screaming at the top of his lungs). The Pirates, however, elected for quantity over quality.
Joe Musgrove has bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen, struggling in his 2 years in MLB. Michael Feliz is a strikeout machine, reliever whose career e.r.a. (5.13) doesn’t match his talent. Colin Moran, the former #6 pick in the 2013 draft, has yet to be given a chance to prove himself. Colin, your chance is here. Jason Martin, a former 8th round pick, has showed flashes of a solid speed/power combo between Single-A and Double-A.
Andrew McCutchen
Monday afternoon, McCutchen followed Cole out the door, making his way to San Francisco.
Giants Get: OF Andrew McCutchen (Pirates will pay $2.5 million of $14.75 million owed in 2018)
Pirates Get: P Kyle Crick, OF Bryan Reynolds, $500,000 International Bonus Pool Space
Despite McCutchen’s talent, he is potentially a rental, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2019. The Giants hope he can return to his 2013 NL MVP form.
Kyle Crick is a hard-throwing, middle reliever. He carries potential to be a staple in the Pirates’ bullpen if he can work out his control issues. Bryan Reynolds, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft, is a solid average hitter with stolen base potential.
With the Pirates not picking up any star prospects in these trades, expect a slow, probably painful, rebuild in Pittsburgh.
What do you think of these trades?? How would you feel if your team decided to TANK?? Post your thoughts in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
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Drumroll please!
And the winner, of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes, is….
Nobody yet. But stay tuned. The answer to everyone’s question is coming soon. At some point in the next 15 days to be exact. Ohtani’s window to negotiate with Major League teams closes at 11:59 P.M. EST, on December 22nd. Christmas will come early for 1 lucky MLB franchise. As of now, Ohtani has narrowed his choice to 7 teams:
This list speaks volumes about Ohtani’s thought process:
Proximity To Home
Yes, Shohei Ohtani will be relocating to the United States of America to play MLB. However, it appears he would like to reside as close to his homeland of Japan as possible. Outside of the Cubs and Rangers, his prospective teams are located on the West coast.
Who’s Missing?
In skimming this list, you’ll also notice something glaring: The New York Yankees are missing!! I’m not saying this because I’m a Yankees’ fan, but I thought the Yankees would’ve been a great fit for Japan’s Babe Ruth. Last time I checked, Babe Ruth played for the Yankees. What better way to follow in the footsteps of the greatest baseball player in MLB history than to play for the same team??
Lack of Companionship
As you dig a little deeper into these teams, you’ll realize they lack something. None of these teams have a notable, Japanese star. Yu Darvish is a free agent, so he doesn’t play for the Dodgers. My educated guess is he doesn’t want to play in the shadow of another Japanese star.
That’s A Surprise
I’m surprised the majority of this list is comprised of 4 National League teams. We all know Ohtani is a 2-way player. He’s a starting pitcher, an outfielder, and a designated hitter. I’m not inside the head of the 7 general managers/owners of Ohtani’s potential landing spots, but I figured he would pitch and strictly play DH. To allow Ohtani to pitch, hit, and play the field is extremely risky, and is something a National League team would be forced to do.
Show Me What You’re Made Of!!
I have to be honest. For a player to forego a potentially 9-figure contract (in just 2 years) by coming to MLB “early”, it would be nice if he’d land in a big market. Because nothing says ‘show me what you’re made of’ quite like the spotlight of Yankee Stadium, or Fenway Park, or CitiField. That’s why if he goes to any team not named the Dodgers, I’ll be slightly disappointed in the young man.
Prediction
I don’t think he’ll wind up in the National League, so cross the Dodgers, Cubs, Padres, and Giants off the list. I think he wants to be the best player on a bad team, so cross the Angels off too. This leaves the Rangers and Mariners. On Wednesday, the Mariners acquired an additional $1 million in International Bonus money, so they look more enticing. However, the Rangers are still the leaders in the clubhouse in terms of International Bonus money.
Ultimately, I believe Shohei Ohtani will end up playing for the Seattle Mariners next season. They’re a mediocre team, that plays on the West coast, in the American League. As long as they allow him to pitch once every 6 days, and play DH 4 times per week, the Mariners have this thing locked up.
What do you think?? Where will Shohei Ohtani play baseball next season?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
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It’s do or die! Win or go home! All or nothing! This one’s for all the marbl….Well, you get it. Tonight, the New York Yankees (91-71) will host the Minnesota Twins (85-77) in the American League Wild Card Game. In this 1-game elimination format, tonight’s winner will take on the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series.
Don’t worry, my prediction is coming. First I must let my inner Lewis Black out….
I HATE THE 1-GAME WILD CARD FORMAT!!!!
I know, I know, hate is a very strong word, but when applicable, I’ll throw it out there. This format pins 2 teams against each other in a 1-game, winner take all format. This works in the NFL for a multitude of reasons, but there’s no place for it in a sport like baseball. In MLB, the regular season consists of 162 games. The majority of teams and players go through slumps as well as hot streaks, but generally regress to the mean.
Baseball is a game of series’. Best-of-3 or 4 in the regular season, best-of-5 or 7 in the postseason. The point is, any team, on any given day, can win a baseball game. The San Francisco Giants had the worst record in MLB this season (64-98), while the Los Angeles Dodgers had the best record (104-58). The Giants beat the Dodgers 8 times!! However, they played each other 19 times (being in the same division), and the better team prevailed over time. I’m not suggesting every postseason series be best-of-7. I live in reality, and I’m aware of the logistics of travel and playing baseball in November, but this has to change. At the bare minimum, give me a best-of-3 series.
Oh yeah, there’s a game to talk about….
The Yankees are better than the Twins in every conceivable way, but all it takes is 1 pitching gem from Ervin Santana, and the Yankees’ season is over. That won’t happen tonight. Seemingly everyone on the Yankees’ roster contributed to their 91-win season, including Luis Severino (who will take the hill tonight), however no one was more vital to the Yankees’ success than Aaron Judge. Judge is the runaway AL Rookie of the Year, and is in a 2-man race for AL MVP (Jose Altuve).
The question asked of Judge, isn’t if he has the skill set, rather, can he handle the pressure??
There will be no bigger test than tonight.
The regular season in New York inherently shines brightly, however, the spotlight shines brightest in October (or November), in the Bronx. We are going to learn a lot about Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino this evening. Will they fall or take this talented Yankees’ team to new heights??
I know who MLB is rooting for. I’m not a biased Yankees’ fan, but ratings are ratings. No one, outside of Minnesota and Cleveland, would tune in to that ALDS. There’s a reason why the Yankees’ hat travels more than any other.
Luis Severino will parlay his successful regular season into a quality start: 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 7 k’s, and 1 walk. Girardi will then go through his robotic 7th, 8th, and 9th inning moves; Robertson, Betances, Chapman. If, on the odd chance Dave is wrong, and Severino gets in early trouble, Girardi will either bring in another starter, or get the ball to Tommy Kahnle or Chad Green. This game will be a microcosm of Aaron Judge’s season. Expect him to draw a walk, strikeout, and hit a baseball really, really far….
Prediction: Yankees 8, Twins 4
Tune in to ESPN tonight @ 8:00 P.M. EST to catch the action.
Who do you think will win?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
The West coast is silly. Their games and events start at 10:15 P.M., and they don’t end until 1:30 or 2:00 A.M. It is not possible for us normal folk to watch more than 3 innings, or the 1st quarter, or the 1st period of these games. And then, there are the West coast games that are still happening, from the night before (!), when I get to work.
Who Doesn’t Enjoy A Little Lightning Delay??
The San Francisco Giants (the 2nd worst team in baseball), played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers (the best team in baseball), on Monday night. Thanks to a 3 hour and 34 minute rain-delay, Monday night turned into Tuesday morning. The game was originally delayed 42-minutes prior to first-pitch. But then, thanks to the infinite wisdom of the decision makers in San Francisco last night, the game was delayed again, after just 1 batter!! After Curtis Granderson struck out to lead off the game, the heavens opened up again, this time handing us a 2 hour and 52 minute rain and lightning delay.
The total rain delay was longer than the actual game.
When they finally played baseball, the Dodgers proceeded to lose their 11th consecutive game (8-6). The game ended at 5:10 in the morning!! Despite this horrid stretch, they’re still 40 games over .500, and hold the best record in MLB. Anybody else dislike roller coasters??
We’re Going Streaking!!
On the other hand, not all streaks are made the same. The Cleveland Indians are in the midst of a winning streak for the ages. With their 11-0 win over the Detroit Tigers Monday night, the Indians have won 19 consecutive games. They now stand 2 wins shy of tying the MLB record for most consecutive wins. This record belongs to the 1935 Chicago Cubs (they finished with a record of 100-54). The Indians should moonwalk their way to a share of the record with 2 more games against the hapless Detroit Tigers. If the Indians were to break the record, it would take place Thursday night, as they host the Kansas City Royals. I never thought I’d say this, but I’ll be watching. Who knew the Cleveland Indians were Must-Watch-TV?!
Tampa Bay Hosts New York….In New York????
Due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, the Tampa Rays are not able to host the New York Yankees this week. Instead, MLB decided to shift the Rays/Yankees series to a “neutral” site. Anyone care to venture a guess as to where they moved this series??
“Anyone?? Anyone?? Bueller??”
The answer is Citi Field. Yes, as in where the Mets play, in Queens. Listen, I’m a Yankees’ fan, so I’m not flipping park benches over this, but how is this fair to the Tampa Bay Rays?? I fully understand the situation due to the impact of Hurricane Irma, but MLB couldn’t find a stadium outside of the New York area for this series?? I find that hard to believe.
To accommodate fans, ticket prices for this series will be capped at $25, and only the lower deck will be open. Monday was the 1st of the 3-game series, as 15,327 fans promptly booed the “home” Rays. The Yankees went on to win 5-1, and have now won 3 games in a row. Game 2 will be played tonight @ 7:10 P.M., as Blake Snell will take on Sonny Gray.
Hopefully the Yankees can capitalize on these completely logical, rational, reasonable, fair circumstances.
What were you watching on Monday?? Baseball?? More Football?? Let me know in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Some would say the west coast is the best coast. I wouldn’t say that, nor would anyone with a brain, but it applies to the world of baseball — for now. The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed themselves firmly in the record books this season. They’ve accomplished something that hasn’t been done in 105 years. Before Sunday night’s game, the Dodgers were 43-7 over their last 50 games, matching the 1912 New York Giants for the best record over a 50-game stretch in MLB history.
The Dodgers beat the New York Mets (duh) last night, completing a 3-game sweep of the Mets. The Dodgers posted 2 shutouts in the series, outscoring the Mets 21-4. The Dodgers are now 44-7 over their last 51 games, and are in the midst of a 4-game winning streak. Along the path to the record books, they had 3 lengthy winning streaks of 9, 10, and 11 games. They currently have the best record in baseball and have a strangle-hold on the NL West division.
Their record of 79-32 gives them a winning percentage of .712. Since MLB expanded to a 162-game season, that is the 2nd best winning percentage only to the 2001 Seattle Mariners who finished with a record of 116-46 (.716). This is all the more impressive because the NL West is currently the best division in baseball. If the season ended today, the Arizona Diamondbacks (63-48) and Colorado Rockies (64-48) would be the 2 Wild Card Playoff teams in the NL. Side note: The Dodgers have also lapped the San Francisco Giants about 5,000 times on the racetrack, as the Giants stand 36 games back in the NL West. 36 GAMES BACK!! You’d have to try to be that bad.
Let’s meet the cast of characters on the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Cody Bellinger
Bellinger is the rookie sensation who, like Aaron Judge from the AL, is in the running for Rookie of the Year and MVP. He currently has 32 home runs, 75 r.b.i.’s while hitting .264.
Justin Turner
The bearded one is hitting .349. Need I say more?? Apparently leaving the Mets is the best career move anyone can make. Just ask Daniel Murphy….
Yasiel Puig
Just when you thought he was going to go Brady Anderson on us, and disappear into the sunset, Puig has had a nice resurgence this season. His 21 home runs are a career high, through just 111 games.
Pitching Staff
Despite being on the DL, Clayton Kershaw is having an incredible season. He stands at 15-2, with a 2.04 e.r.a. Yeah, he’s decent.
The Dodgers have as stable a closer as a team could hope for in Kenley Jansen. He has 28 saves in 29 chances. Oh yeah, and he throws 101 m.p.h!!
The most underrated starting pitcher in MLB is Alex Wood. Wood started the year in the bullpen, but even the Dodgers injuries bring forth good fortune. Rich Hill’s early season blister problem opened up a rotation spot for Wood. Wood ran with the job and never looked back. He’s now the owner of a 13-1 record, and a fashionable 2.33 e.r.a.
And just over a week ago, the Dodgers traded for Yu Darvish. Sounds fair. Sounds totally fair.
Will the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series this season?? Post your World Series prediction in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel called DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Dave Talks Sports 