Archive for the ‘baseball’ Category

Dynasty 100 Loss All Futility League Report: East Divisions

Posted: April 19, 2020 by datechguy in baseball, dynasty baseball, entertainment, fun, gaming, online gaming, Sable Baseball, Sports
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The latest of a weekly series on the teams in my Online (or in person) Dynasty baseball simulation leagues I run. If you have an interest in joining one leave a message in comments.

This week we visit the Dynasty All Pathetic 100 loss league consisting only of teams that lost 100 games in a season. We are in the home stretch here with about 40 games to go of a 154 game season.

AL East

1970 Chicago White Sox

With 38 games to go the Mariners are just one series away from tying. Can the White Sox continue to hold their lead with a few big bats and and the best pitching in the AL or will a suspect defense at the corners let them down?

Heroes: Bill Melton (29 HR 98 RBI ) and Ed Herrmann (30 HR 80 RBI) may be the 2nd best HR duo for a team but they have made the difference in game after game. Meanwhile on the mound Tommy John has been an innings horse 208 innings, 10 complete games and a respectable 3.72 ERA

Zeroes: Barry Moore has been much worse than his 5-5 record indicates, with a 5.69 ERA and a .296 batting avg against he’s kept many a door open. Meanwhile while Sid O’Brien has been acceptable at the bat when occasionally starting his .933 percentage at 2nd and .930 at 3rd has helped extend plenty of rallies but when it come to bad defense Walt Williams takes the cake with an .897 in left and a 917 in right.

Wild Cards: The best arms in the White Sox bullpen are looking tired as the season nears its end. That could spell disaster shortly.

Coming attractions: The Pale Hose finish a 4 city roadtrip with a pair against the 1st place 1982 Twins before a quick stop at home for a pair vs the 2003 Tigers before heading off to Baltimore for a 4 game series that will likely make or break the 2018 Orioles.

2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Tampa under it’s new manager has risen to within three games of Chicago and on occasion even closer. Can the timely hitting overcome an average pitching staff?

Heroes: No question who the heroes are on this team Aubrey Huff leads the league in batting (.358) Slugging .631 OB+Slugging (1.053) and Runs Batted in. and is top five in Runs, Hits and On Base Percentage. The only reason he’s not a lock for the MVP is teammate Randy Wynn who leads the league in Runs, Triples, Stolen bases 2nd in Avg, .(356) Hits (172) Doubles (37) and is top five in two others.

Zeroes: Estaban Yan may have 21 saves but he’s also blown 8 on the way accounting 4.11 ERA & 6-10 record, and of course a lot of runs don’t help a lot when you have starters Joe Kennedy (6-9 ERA 5.00 AVG .302) and Tanyon Sturtez (7-7 ERA 4.99 Avg .304) helping the other guys along.

Wild Cards: Almost half of their remaining games are against teams currently in or tied for 1st place in a division.

Coming Attractions: It’s two in Minnesota against the 1st place 1982 Twins before a 9 game home stand vs 2008 Mariners (4), 2018 Orioles (2) and the 2005 Royals (3).

2018 Baltimore Orioles

Despite losing their manager early in the season the Orioles still have an outside shot (a very outside shot). Can this ship without a rudder steer itself straight in the closing weeks of the campaign?

Heroes: Jonathan Villar has provided the triple crown numbers for the team (.325, 21HR 71 RBI) while leading the team in runs by more than 40 and stealing 37 bases. While reliever Mychal Givens has proved to be not only a workhorse but one of the best closers in the league with 23 saves with only 4 blown and a 6-2 record to go along with it.

Zeroes: Having a great closer doesn’t help if you can’t get to him and the O’s boast the worst pitching in the AL as David Hess (7.58 ERA 19 HR allowed .316 avg) Dylan Bundy (5.95 ERA 19 HR .305 allowed ) and Andrew Cashner (5.22 ERA .290 AVG 13 HR allowed) just haven’t done the job.

Wild Cards: What as bad as having the worst pitching in the league, having the lowest fielding percentage in the majors (.978)

Coming Attractions: after a pair vs the slugging 1973 Texas Rangers the O’s have 4 at home vs the 1970 White Sox and then start a road trip that begins in Tampa Bay with a pair against the 2002 Devil Rays. If they are to climb back into the race this will be their chance.

2003 Detroit Tigers:

The math still says that the Tigers have a shot but with pitching only slightly better than Baltimore and Hitting that is meh. It will take a real run of luck for these cats to roar into the playoffs.

Heroes: Dimirti Young has been at the top of his game all year with 26 HR 91 RBI a .341 abg and an OPS of .992 On a bad pitching staff Wil Ledezma has managed to put together a 6-3 record mostly from the bullpen with a few starts for good measure and Chris Spurling has thrown 106 innings all in relief with an era under 4 on a team whose ERA is over 5.

Zeroes: While Omar Infante (.205 0HR 25 RBI in 111 games is an obvious choice if you list the Tigers pitching by ERA their four primary starts are at the bottom with only Jeremy Bonderman with an ERA below six (5.45) but Nate Cornejo (9-11 6.14 ERA .343 avg) Gary Knotts (3-10 6.28 ERA 16 HR allowed) and Mike Maroth (6-16 6.75 ERA 24 HR allowed .327 Avg) have been the gifts that keep giving to opposing batters.

Wild Card: Whatever is to blame for Detroit’s problems it’s not the glovework as the Tigers are tied for the best fielding percentage in the league.

Coming Attractions: If Detroit is going to make a move the best time for them is now with a pair at Chicago followed by 4 at home vs the last place 2005 Kansas City Royals and then back on the road for the 1973 Texas Rangers.

National League East

2009 Washington Nationals

The Nationals have dominated the National League since almost the start beginning with a pair of 4 game win streaks to start and never looking back. The only question left is can they sustain this level of winning when the playoffs come around?

Heroes: Adam Dunn has been a monster a the plate with 36 HR and 105 RBI’s meanwhile Morgan Nyjer has not only hit .335 but has stolen 63 bases and scored 96 runs meanwhile John Lannan’s 13-5 record is driven by a .203 batting avg against and 2 k’s for every walk 114 vs 57 (despite 17 HR)

Zeroes: It’s hard to find zeros on a team that has only lost 37 games but while starter Livan Hernandez has given up just one less HR than Lannan he’s also allowed a .312 avg against and a 6.41 ERA on a team that has outscored their opponents by over 175 runs certainly qualifies. How good is this offense? Their “Zero” in the hitting column Elijah Dukes is hitting .235 with 13 HR 83 RBI and 24 doubles. Even their least productive overall hitter Wil Nieves whose .261 avg 1 HR & 39 RBI in 353 AB are not impressive is hitting .315 with runners in scoring position.

Wild Card: Since acquiring their new manager the Nationals who were already solidly in command have won 12 of their last 14.

Coming Attractions: The Nats welcome the NL West with series vs the 1st place 2012 Houston Astros (2) and the 1973 Padres (4) before heading off to a three city Road stand that will take them to Milwaukee, Florida and Pittsburgh.

1998 Florida Marlins

If you moved the Marlins to any other division in the league they would be leading by anywhere from 3 to 8 games instead they find themselves 10 games back with 38 to play. Can they recover?

Heroes: The Marlins have won with pitching (3.72 team ERA) and Starter Livan Hernandez (12-9 2.68 ERA .140 avg .228 avg against) has been the biggest part of an excellent staff, it helps when your closer Matt Mantei is 14 of 16 in save chances with a 9-3 record and workhourse reliever Vic Darensbourg with a 1.51 ERA in 101 1/3 innings and a 9-2 record in relief. Of course Cliff Floyd’s 18 HR and 92 RBI’s haven’t hurt either.

Zeroes: The only dark spot on the rotation has been Andy Larkin (0-7 in 15 starts with an era of 6.63 almost double the team avg. At the plate Derrek Lee has 14 HR but has only hit .201, .180 with runners in scoring position and managed an OBP of .288 while Gregg Zaun has managed only .212 with 4 HR and 44 RBI.

Wild Cards: If you’re going to beat the Marlins you had better do it in nine innings. They are a perfect 15-0 in extra inning games.

Coming Attractions: Florida finishes a home stand with 2 against the 1973 Padres and a pair against the 2002 Brewers before heading on the road to try and knock the 2012 Astros off their perch at the top of the NL West.

2010 Pittsburgh Pirates

After a horrible start the Pirates have somehow managed to make it back to .500. With only 38 games to go can they rally to make a respectable finish?

Heroes: Brian Giles (.327 20 HR 72 RBI) numbers are nothing to sneeze at but for pure power i’s been Aramis Ramierz with 30 HR (2nd in NL) and 117 RBI (1st) that has really done the job

Zeroes: While the injury bug has not been kind to Bronson Arroyo it’s not a good excuse for an ERA 2 full runs over the team avg and a .310 avg .062 above the rest of the staff. Jack Wilson has been a disappointment with a .221 3 28 triple crown line and an OBP under .300 (.291)

Wildcard: The Pirates have been incredibly average everywhere with identical 29-29 records at home and on the road, but have blown 22 out of 56 save chances.

Coming Attractions: Pittsburgh’s quest to go beyond avg continues with a pair vs 2004 Arizona and then 4 at 2002 Milwaukee before they come home for a nine game set that begins with the 1967 Mets

1967 New York Mets

In a league of 100 loss teams the 1967 Mets have been a loser among losers as with 38 games to go they are a single loss away from being mathematically eliminated. Dare I say Amazing?

Heroes: No question who the hero is on this team Tom Seaver is 15-8 with an ERA of 3.36 and 167 K’s vs only 58 walks he’s also pitched 8 complete games which is seven more than the rest of the rotation combined. Despite playing in 103 games Bob Johnson has only managed 167 at bats but in those limited at bats he’s hit .365 with an OPS of .880

Zeroes: At the plate Jerry Grote has been the lowest of the low lights for the gothamites (.170 1 HR 26 RBI in 317 AB) on the mound despite Jack Fisher’s 2-16 record the biggest villains in the rotation are Don Cardwell (4-12 3.16 avg 5.58 ERA) and Dennis Bennett (4-10 6.26 ERA 19 HR in 100 2/3 innings)

Wild Cards: Polhittingly Correct The Mets bats are careful not to offend anyone. They are not only the last in the league in HR, but last in Runs, Doubles RBI’s OBP Slugging and OPS

Coming Attractions: the 1974 SanDiego Padres get the honor of trying to officially eliminate the Mets at their home but if they fail to do so, the 2004 Arizona Diamondback get four chances to do it in Shea before they head off to Houston to face the 2012 Astros.

DaTechGuy’s AM Court Livestream 9:30 AM Friday Topics MSM Reade or Not @POTUS the man with a Opening plan, WHO are you fooling

Posted: April 17, 2020 by datechguy in baseball, business, DaTechGuy's Quick Thoughts, economy, entertainment, News/opinion, podcast, politics, primaries, Sports, trade
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It’s time for the lastest edition of DaTechGuy’s Friday Morning Court now permanently moved to 9:30 AM EST on Friday’s

Today’s topics

  1. MSM Reade or not?
  2. Trump the Man with an Opening Plan
  3. WHO are you fooling?
  4. and misc including Catching Mike Trout and product placement

You can watch the livestream here starting a 9:30 AM EST

Remember this is completely a tip jar operation we’re looking to pick up an extra $180 a month via dapodcast we need another $135 for April so if you like what you see consider hitting DaTipjar and if you’re not in a position to then like the video or spread it around and subscribe as I’m a few hundred Youtube subscribers away from qualifying for ad cash on the channel.

Dynasty Players Choice League AL / NL Div C Report

Posted: April 11, 2020 by datechguy in baseball, dynasty baseball, gaming, online gaming, Sable Baseball, Sports
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The Latest of our reports from my Dynasty Players Choice league by division. Next week we’ll bring you updates from our all futility league but for now. Division C in the Players Choice League:

AL Division C

2015 Kansas City Royals

After a slow start the Royals not only have 1st place in the AL Division C but the best record in the American league. Can their one run heroics (7-3) in one run games continue to keep them on top?

Heroes: It’s hard to pick one hero on this team but but Kendrys Morales is a great candidate. with his team leading .315 avg. 15 RBI while hitting .364 with runners in scoring position. On the Mound Johnny Cueto is 4-0 with a team leading 43 2/3 innings 2 complete games and a WHIP of only 1.17. While Wade Davis is 4-4 in save chances twice as many k’s as BB and has yet to give up an earned run.

Zeroes: Salvador Perez is a reluctant choice for a zero. His .214 avg is last on the team and 17K’s in 84 AB is a lot but he’s driven in 9 runs (.333 with 2 outs & RISP) and has caught 2 of 7 who have tried to steal off him. However there is no doubt about Starters Danny Duffy (1-3) .398 avg against 8.35 ERA and Jeremy Guthrie (0-2 .410 avg against 12.00 ERA) their seven starts are the reason this team is not a lot farther ahead.

Wildcard: Ben Zobrist was hitting .455 with runners in scoring position and .333 with 2 outs and runners in scoring position with 5 HR in only 13 games before going on the DL. Now that he’s back a team expect the teams -2 Run differential to change dramatically, particularly against opponents with a combined 28-33 record.

Coming attractions: A quick 3 game homestand vs the 2009 Yankees is followed by a six game road trip to opposite ends of the Country against the 1988 A’s in Oakland and then the 2013 Redsox in Boston.

1924 Washington Senators

A just over .500 record might be good enough and even stats might be a big improvement over last seasons epic 4-21 finish to the season but if they expect to do better than fighting for the last playoff spot they will have to surge.

Heroes: Roger Peckinpaugh’s 3 HR is more than all he hit last year. Combine that with a dozen RBI, a dozen walks and the team lead in runs despite batting 6-9th and he’s looking good. Tommy Taylor might be a part time player but he’s hitting .297 and shares the league lead in triples with teammate Sam Rice with 4. On the Mound George Mogridge is 4th League ERA (2.38) 2nd in wins (4) 3rd in avg against (.216) and is the reason why the Senators are only 1 1/2 out.

Zeroes: Curly Ogden has been nothing short of disaster both as a starter and a reliever 0-3 8.27 ERA Seven walks and 4 HR allowed vs only one strikeout. Bucky Harris has scored 13 runs but is batting only .234 with a .237 slugging percentage and with .077 avg when leading off isn’t getting the table set. Not that it would matter for Joe Judge whose slump which started at the end of last season keeping him from 100 RBI’s continues. He has only 5 RBI a .237 avg and an anemic .111 avg with runners in scoring position and is hitless with runners in scoring position with 2 outs.

Wild Card: Walter Johnson has been a workhorse 3rd in inning pitched in the league holding batters to a .217 avg (4th) & a WHIP of 1.18 (6th) in the lead while hitting .364 with 1 HR and 4 RBI’s off the bench but only has a only a 3-3 record thanks to a 3.61 ERA and six homers. Will he settle down or will the use of him on 3 days rest mean an average Johnson.

Coming Attractions: The Senators finish a home stand vs the 2009 Yankees, Fly off to Oakland to face the 1998 A’s for a series before beginning a long 21 game homestand staring against the 2013 Redsox.

2009 New York Yankees

After losing six of their first 8 the Bronx Bombers are only a game under five hundred winning six of their last 8. Are they poised to make their move or are the roadblocks ahead too big?

Heroes: Derek Jeter’s .337 avg coupled with his team lead in hits high RBI & runs scored totals coupled with error less play at short are huge although perhaps not as huge as Mark Teixeira’s league lead in HR and 8th spot in the RBI race. Meanwhile on a Pitching staff that has been avg or worse reliever Alfredo Aceves WHIP of 1.09 and 2.87 ERA is a breath of fresh air.

Zeroes: Mariano Rivera‘s four blown saves vs 3 saves and ERA over 5 (5.52) is a big reason why the Yanks are under .500 but with AM Burnett (2-2 6.39 ERA .310 avg against) Andy Pettitte (0-3 6.67 ERA .339 avg against) and Joba Chamberlain (0-2 7.45 ERA .316 avg against) putting up these kind of numbers over 13 starts it’s a wonder there they are only a game under .500. of course Jorge Posada .130 avg and single HR coupled with 6 bases stolen against and two errors doesn’t help much either.

Wildcards: The Yanks are 7-5 in games outside the division but with an unbalanced schedule that can be fatal, however they are a perfect 2-0 in extras.

Coming Attractions: The Yanks get a chance to climb back in the race with a 12 game road trip that starts with a pair of division rivals ahead of them as it takes them to Washington to face the 1924 Senators and the 1st place 2015 Royals before heading off to Chicago to face the 2005 White Sox and Toronto for the 1993 BlueJays

2002 Anaheim Angles

The Angels are one of two teams still without a full time manager and it shows. With both the worst record in the league and the worst run differential is it a lost season or can the Halos turn it around.

Heroes: David Eckstein’s .327 avg and .412 OB is a big reason why he leads the teams in runs and a .333 avg with runners on isn’t bad either (although those five errors haven’t helped) much. On the pitching side Brendan Donnelly has been spectacular in relief with a 3-0 record and a WHIP of 0.91 in 6 games has been one of the few reasons to cheer.

Zeroes: Oh the Agony of choice on this team for this dishonor but let’s begin with starters Kevin Appier (1-4 8.77 ERA .342 avg against ) and Jon Lackey ( 0-1 8.71 ERA only 10 1/3 innings in 3 starts) who haven’t done the job on the mound, while Ben Molina’s 3 errors behind the plate while batting .171 at it have been disastrous.

Wild Card: The lack of a full time manager makes things harder but not as hard as Left handed pitching. The team is 1-9 against southpaws.

Coming Attractions: A 9 game road trip might just be the thing to get their minds off their troubles. They’ll start in Chicago to face the 2004 White Sox head north to Detroit for the 1968 Tigers and then to Cleveland against the defending AL champs the 1954 Indians.

NL Div C

2016 Chicago Cubs

With a team Tied for the 2nd best record in the league and in first place it would seem like smooth sailing for the Cubs however when despite all this you share 1st with another team it looks like this season is going to be a fight from 1st to last.

Heroes: On a Team that’s only batting .232 Dexter Fowler’s .311 avg 2 HR 11 RBI and four triples (2nd in the league) stands out. But with a team ERA of .263 there are a bunch of candidates, so we’ll name John Lackey (3-0 .182 avg 1.98 ERA) and Jon Lester (2-0 2.10 ERA and 31 K vs 11 walks to start) with Aroldis Chapman (1-0 2 sv 22k vs 3 BB and no runs allowed in 11 1/3 ) leads the way.

Zeroes: the only dark spot in the rotation has been Kyle Hendricks with a 4.15 ERA and a 2-3 Record and a fielding percentage of .667. Javier Baez .191 avg and .242 OB is the worst of a bad lot

Wild Cards Despite the 2nd best record in the league the Cubs OBS of .666 is the 2nd worst. Jake Arrieta has been the teams hard luck loser at 1-4 with a 2.06 ERA but he’s had even harder luck in his two away starts with an 0-2 record despite a 1.72 ERA and 21k vs 5 walks.

Coming Attractions: the Cubs put their incredible ERA to the test in Cincinnati against the 1975 Big Red Machine before coming home to face power hitting 2019 Nationals and then Hank Aaron’s 1957 Braves.

1962 San Francisco Giants

The defending division champs want another chance that the Pennant but despite the 2nd best record in game those pesky Cubs won’t give in and Philly is even in the loss column. Can they make some distance.

Heroes: Willie McCovey has been pounding the ball with a .397 avg 7 HR and 22 RBI’s and Felipe Alou at .375 6 HR and 24 RBI is right behind. While on the mound Juan Marichal (3-1 1.93 ERA in six starts) leads the way.

Zeroes: Don Larson two blown saves in two chances are no accident with hitters batting .320 vs him and and a 9.00 ERA. While Bobby Bolin’s ERA is a full run better (7.85) five HR in 18.1 innings means trouble but so does Jose Pagan .170 avg with but a single dinger

Wild Cards: The Giants have feasted on right handers with a 12-5 record and have really shined in day games at 6-2.

Coming Attractions: It’s a nasty road Trip for the Giants: with three in Philly vs the 2008 Phillies followed by a trip to Brooklyn for the 1955 Dodgers and before finishing back in their old stomping ground of New York against the 1986 Mets.

2008 Philadelphia Phillies

Sitting even in the loss column with both the Giants and Cubs The Phillies just on burst away from heading right to the top.

Heroes: Shane Victorino has been an RBI machine driving in 19 with a .326 avg while also scoring a team leading 14. Closer Brad Lidge has been the warrior with 6 saves in 7 chances, a 1.35 ERA and 17k’s in 13 1/3 innings over 13 games. In 19 games Geoff Jenkins is hitting .418 with 2 homers and 12 RBI’s

Zeroes: Kyle Kendrick only managed 14.2 innings in four starts with a 10.43 ERA and 11 walks vs 5 k’s. Rudy Seanez ERA is almost 5 runs better at 5.82 but he’s 0-3 with a blown save in 13 games of unimpressive relief.

Wild Cards: Ryan Howard is only hitting .152 but with 12 hits but with those 12 hits he’s managed 5 HR and 9 RBI while scoring 13 runs.

Coming Attractions: It’s 3 on the road with the 2005 Astros before heading home with a shot at the 1962 San Francisco Giants before heading on the road again first to face the 1975 Cincinnati Reds and the 2019 Washington Nationals.

2005 Houston Astros

A 9-12 start isn’t a disaster this early in the season but with the three teams ahead all in single digits for losses there are a lot of people to pass to get back in this race.

Heroes: Orlando Palmeiro is hitting .362 over 18 games while Morgan Ensberg has managed five homers and 14 RBI’s and an .885 OPS to lead the team in all three categories. Willy Travers 24 hits leads the team and he has 9 SB to go along with it. Roger Clemens has an 1.88 ERA with three complete games and three wins in six starts.

Zeroes: Andy Pettitte’s 4.66 ERA doesn’t sound bad but on a team with an ERA of 3.03 it’s been good for a 0-4 record thanks to six HR allowed, a full half the amount of the entire staff. Meanwhile Brad Lidge has been the opposite of his Philadelphia twin blowing 2 of 3 save chances with a team worst 4.82 ERA. Brad Ausmus .164 avg is the worst on a bad team of those who qualify.

Wild Cards: The good news is the Astros are holding their opponents to a .219 avg with only 9 HR over 21 games. The bad news is they’re only batting .215 with 9 HR themselves.

Coming Attractions: It’s three games at home vs the 2008 Phillies then it’s on the road to NYC 1st to Brooklyn vs the 1955 Dodgers, and then to Shea for the 1998 Mets then it’s south to Florida for 3 vs the 1997 Marlins

Dynasty Players Choice League AL / NL Div B Report

Posted: April 5, 2020 by datechguy in baseball, dynasty baseball, fun, gaming, online gaming, Sports
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Continuing our weekly reports on the teams in the various Dynasty leagues I run this week Division B in the all time any time great teams league

AL Div B

1968 Detroit Tigers

After a slow start the tigers find themselves at the top of the AL B standings with a game and a half over the defending AL champ Indians. Can they keep this winning pace up?

Heroes: Willie Horton is has been a one man wrecking ball with the bat with 8 HR and 22 RBI while playing an errorless left field adding an outfield assist into the mix. Denny McLain has gone 4-0 only allowing a .208 batting avg while leading the league in wins, and being top 5 in 3 other categories. Ray Oyler being perfect in the field at short is no surprise as his reputation for defense is well known but seeing him add a .364 to the mix has been a shocker.

Zeroes: Don Wert isn’t known for his bat so his .170 Avg might be forgivable but combine it with a .925 fielding percentage with as many errors as his net two teammates combined, now that’s a worry. Mickey Lolich & Earl Wilson both with 2-2 record as starters wouldn’t seem like likely candidates for this list but if their ERAs were not 6.84, and 6.17 respectively Detroit’s lead might be a lot bigger.

Wild Card: Detroit’s next three series are against teams with a combined 22-29 it’s s great chance to widen that league.

Coming attractions: The Tigers travel to Yankees Stadium for a 3 game set aginst the 2009 Yanks before heading back home for a 9 game homestand facing 1988 Oakland and the 2013 Redsox who are with striking distance before finishing the stand against the 1970 Orioles.

1954 Cleveland Indians

The defending AL champs are right in the thick of it again, a game and a half out of 1st place and currently holding a wild card spot which isn’t bad for a team that has played 80% of their games on the road to this point but can they turn on the heat on the surging Tigers?

Heroes: With a team ERA under 4 (3.97) it’s hard to name a single pitching hero but Bob Lemon with a 3-0 record and a 2.88 ERA certainly fits the bill, and that .750 batting avg in interleague play and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage isn’t too shabby either. There are people hitting for a higher avg on the team than Larry Doby but when you are leading the team in both runs scores AND runs batted in along with HR, Slugging and OB+Slugging you are the really doing the job (oh and by the way 1.000 fielding plus two outfield assists and a range factor of 2.62)

Zeroes: It doesn’t look at that good for Billy Glynn as he both leads the team in errors and is sitting below the Mendoza line with a .195 batting avg but he has one thing going for him, at least he’s not Wally Westlake because not only is he batting a mere .184 but unlike Glynn who is hitting .286 with runners in scoring position Westlake is hitting a mere .130 when the big moment comes.

Wild Card: They only have one series against a division opponent in their next 8.

Coming attractions: the Indians bask in the glory of a brief 3 game homestand against 1st place 2015 Kansas City Royals before hitting the road agai to battle the 2005 White Sox and the 1993 Blue Jays.

2013 Boston Redsox

Boston had lost 4 series in a row before taking two of three from their arch rival New York Yankees. Will that be the spark that puts the team back on track?

Heroes: If anyone told you that after 18 games Danial Nava would lead the Red sox with a .389 average .500 OBS a .593 slugging percentage and be the only player on the team with an OPS over 1.000 1.093 while hitting only one HR you wouldn’t believe it. On the other hand John Lackey’s ERA of 2.38 and modest .264 batting avg against in 4 starts, that’s entirely believable.

Zeroes: Jon Lester was expected to be the Redsox ace but he’s so far been more akin to the twenty minuters  of WW1 infamy with a 1-2 record an ERA of 6.00 a hitting against avg of .309 along with five homers, one every 5 1/3 innings. Meanwhile Mike Napoli is not only devoid of HR with only 5 RBI in 16 games but with runners in scoring position is hitting an anemic .222, .125 if there are two outs.

Wild card: Boston has only seen a left handed starter once every six games, which is a good thing because they have yet to win a game against a lefty but at 4-2 they have the best record in the American league in one run games.

Coming Attractions: A quick trip to Oakland to visit the 1988 A’s is followed by a 3 game homestand against the 1970 Orioles before going head to head with Detroit and a chance to close the distance a bit.

2010 Texas Rangers: The Rangers broke a six game losing streak in style with a sweep of the (then) 1st place Washington Senators. Is this the start of better things to come? Or will the team without a manager continue to be rudderless?

Heroes: Vladimir Guerrero‘s reputation as one of the most feared bats in the game has not been affected by the Rangers poor record. His .408 avg and 18 RBI’s talk and opposing pitchers are listening. Even though the starting rotation has been a horror the Texas Bullpen has put up good number with Michael Kirkman leading the way. In six appearances he’s held opponents to a .205 avg while striking out 17 in 11 1/3 innings with a 1.50 ERA and no homers allowed and a win to his credit.

Zeroes: While his play behind the plate has been acceptable Matt Treanor has impressed nobody with his .216 avg and .313 OBP not to mention .200 with runners in scoring position but if you want to talk Zeroes you have to talk the starting rotation with Cliff Lee’s 5.13 ERA and .347 avg (despite a 2-1 record) C.J Wilson’s 16 walks in 28 innings and 5.97 ERA and if that’s not bad enough you have Tommy Hunter who has in 18.2 innings over 4 starts struck out fewer batters (6) than he’s given up homers (7) with a horrible ERA of 7.81.

Wild Card: Rich Harden was recently promoted back to the majors after a short stint down, can he return a semblance of steadiness to a rotation with a damaged reputation?

Coming Attractions: It’s a time away from the division for Texas as they conclude an 18 game road trip with three at the 2015 Royals and 3 more vs the 2005 Chicago White Sox before heading home to welcome the 1993 Blue Jays before facing a division foe again.

1985 St. Louis Cardinals

After a 9-0 start they have returned to earth going 5-7 since. Can that early lead hold up when the month of April is over or will they cool as the weather warms?

Heroes: Tom Herr’s line is deadly .407 avg 3 HR 26 RBI 10 sb with only one caught and an OBP of .484 and an OPS 1.089. Oh and he’s been perfect at 2b in the field with a range factor of 4.59. It’s the kind of performance that makes opposing pitchers crazy. It that wasn’t bad enough for St. Louis’ foes John Tudor is 5-0 with five complete games in six starts with a 1.94 ERA to drive enemy batters absolutely nuts.

Zeroes: It’s hard to find zeroes on a team that’s performed so well but St. Louis’ Catchers sure helped me along. Darrell Porter with a .138 avg in 12 games he wasn’t doing much before his injury and has failed to catch the only person trying to steal against him. Meanwhile while he was out Tom Nieto did the job and while his .209 avg was slightly better than Porter he not only was batted .200 when men were in scoring position but allowed seven of nine people to steal off of him while committing 2 errors.

Wild Card: St Louis has been patient at the plate, their 103 walks are a full 60% ahead of the #2 team and their stolen base total of 61 is 44 greater than the current runner up. That’s likely why they also have the most hits in the league

Coming Attractions: A huge series at Brooklyn against the defending World Series Champion 1955 Dodgers is followed by the 1986 Mets at home and then they travel to Florida for a shot at the 2nd place 1997 Marlins who are itching for revenge. Can the NL Div A do what Div B could not?

1997 Florida Marlins

If the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals did not Exist Florida would have both a winning record and the lead in their division. Instead they are at .500 and if the season ended today would not even snag a wildcard. Can they manage to expand their winning ways to include the Cards?

Heroes: Felix Heredia has stood out in a staff that hasn’t with two saves in as many chances, a 1-0 record more strikeouts than innings pitched and an ERA of 1.86 while in a team full of hitting hitters Moises Alou stands above the rest hitting for avg (.378) power (7 HR) and leading the team in RBI’s Runs scored and Walks.

Zeroes: While Devon White and Luis Castillo have both been excellent in the field they are hitting .131 and .183 respectively which is unimpressive to say the least although in fairness to White his eight walks have contributed to nine runs scored. Meanwhile in a team where no starter has more than one win there are many zero candidates but the biggest has to be closer Rob Nen with two blown saves a WHIP of 1.86 and a 6.43 ERA in the most critical moments of a game.

Wild Card: With Al Lieter injured and out for at least two starts can anyone in the rotation step up?

Coming Attractions: It a visit to the NL east with series at Brooklin vs the 1955 Dodgers and the 1986 Mets before coming home to face the 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks before their big rematch with St. Louis. Will they have a permanent manager by then?

1957 Milwaukee Braves

The Braves managed to turn things around after a dismal 1-9 start, but is that turn about permanent or was their defeat by the 2005 astros in their last series a sign of things to come?

Heroes: Nobody will be surprised to see Hank Aaron at the top of this list. With a .351 Avg 5 HR and 12 RBI the advice on how to pitch pitch to him: “Make sure nobody is on when he hits it out” seems awfully accurate. The second non surprise is Warren Spahn whose 3-1 record 2.54 ERA and 28 1/3 innings in five starts have done the trick.

Zeroes: Ernie Johnson certainly has been a workhorse for Milwaukee appearing in 10 of their 18 games. Unfortunately he’s also been a disaster in the bullpen with more than twice as many hits as innings pitch and ERA of 13.50 and a .417 avg against. Many people thought it would be a fight between Frank Torre and Joe Adcock for the starting job at 1st, but Torre’s .111 avg no runs batted in and two hits on the season certainly hasn’t given anyone a reason to leave him in a lineup.

Wildcard: Bill Burton’s injury is going to keep him out of the lineup for at least the next three series forcing Aaron to play center. This means that the Braves will see more of Andy Pafko’s unimpressive bat .171 avg but steady defense (2 assists) or Wes Covington deadly bat .318 avg but lead glove .846 fielding percentage in right.

Coming Attractions: The Braves visit the streets of San Francisco to face the 1962 Giants before coming home for 9 against the 1975 Reds 2013 Arizona and Division rival 2019 Nationals.

2019 Washington Nationals

Washington has lost 10 of their last 12 and are owners of the worst record in the majors, which is kind of what was the case in 2019 before the stormed back to win 1st the Pennant and then the series. Can history repeat itself?

Heroes: There is plenty of blame to go around for Washington’s start but neither Trea Turner nor Juan Soto deserve any of it. Turner has hit .342 stolen 3 bases in 4 tries and hit three HR while scoring almost double the runs of the next leading player who would be Soto who has crushed 5 HR and walked enough to get an OBP of .405

Zeroes: Max Scherzer has been a pleasant surprise at the plate with a .400 avg and a pair of RBI’s but the nats would happily trade that for the pitcher they expected as an ace. With a 1-3 record a .347 avg against and a .887 ERA and fewer strikeouts than runs allowed 19 vs 22 it’s been a dismal start. Meanwhile don’t let the fact that Daniel Hudson owns 2 of Washington’s 5 wins fool you. in 11 appearances his ERA is 11.68 his WHIP is a solid three and he’s managed to blow two saves in as many chances.

Wild Card. Both Gerardo Parra and Anthony Rendon have spent time injured early and Washington has a new manager who took over during their losing streak. Can these three men make the difference for a team that is 1-10 against right handed pitching this season?

Coming Attractions: Home has not been where the heart is for the DC team (2-10) while they’ve played .500 ball on the road, so a trip to Cincinnati to face the 1975 Reds might just be what’s needed, then after a brief stop back home to face the 2013 Diamondbacks it’s back on the road for 3 against the 57 Braves in Milwaukee and 3 against the 2016 Cubs at Wrigley.

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