When the Los Angeles Angels announce over the winter that they had agreed to a deal with former Rangers’ slugger Josh Hamilton, the first thought that ran through my head was “Good God, pitchers aren’t going to stand a chance against this modern day murderer’s row.” Those thoughts didn’t change much throughout the spring and by the time April rolled around I, like so many others, felt that a lineup including the legendary Albert Pujols, the powerful Josh Hamilton, and the electric Mike Trout would be piling up runs like they were going out of style. After all, if they could rank among the 3 or 4 best scoring lineups in 2012 without Hamilton, just imagine how scary they would be with him plopped in the #4 hole.

But as we sit here on May 16th, nearly 40 games deep into the regular season, the Angels enter play with the 11th ranked scoring attack in the American League and one of the worst records in baseball. So what’s been the deal in L.A.? The Angels have done a solid job making contact at the plate (their 103 OPS+ is 6th best in baseball) and they’re starting to work the long ball, averaging just over 1 home run a game, so why are they stuck with one of the most mediocre looking attacks in the league? The answer, I believe, lies somewhere as simple as the base paths.

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@Yankees 4, Mariners 3: How did Seattle lose this game? They topped New York 10-7 in his, 3-2 in doubles, 1-0 in HRs (a 2-run shot), 2-1 in DPs turned, and 2-1 in hits with RISP.

The M’s did lead after 6 innings, 3-1. King Felix was “ordinarily” sharp, while CC Sabathia‘s outing reflected both his declining fastball and his unstinting work ethic. But the game turned over completely from the top of the 7th through the top of the 8th.

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Here’s something I’ve never understood:

This is the average innings pitched by the starting pitcher, by year, broken down by leagues.

There are at least two things about this plot that make no sense to me. Click through for more.

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Hi! My name is David Hruska and I’m a Springfield, MO resident who’s new around these parts. I’ve been a baseball fan for as long as I’ve been able to breathe and I’m very excited to be working with the great people at High Heat Stats. When I’m not watching baseball or at work I tend to spend my time with my college sweetheart grilling the most delicious BBQ that you can possibly imagine. You can catch more of my musings, thoughts, and ramblings at thecutoffman.mlblogs.com.

Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria talked a big game just one offseason ago, acquiring big-name free agents like Heath Bell, Jose Reyes, and Mark Buehrle while making a run at the biggest fish in the sea, Albert Pujols. While Loria’s attempts to lure Pujols to South Beach would ultimately prove unsuccessful, the message was sent nonetheless: these new Miami Marlins were finally willing to open the pocketbooks to win. But the wins never materialized and dysfunction quickly set in. The Marlins slummed their way to a dismal 69-93 record which was good for a 2nd consecutive last place finish in the NL East.

The Marlins, as they are notorious for doing, decided that this current roster wouldn’t get the job done. They opted to leverage nearly all their usable roster pieces into future assets, making multiple trades that left the big league roster in tatters. Out the door went Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Heath Bell, Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, and their combined 13 All-Star appearances, only to be replaced by a handful of minor league prospects plus some veteran placeholders. If the Marlins could only muster 69 wins with that group of players, it was worth wondering how low they could go with an even less talented group. Well, if the early returns are worth anything, these 2013 Miami Marlins may make a run at some truly terrible history.

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This post is for voting and discussion in the nineteenth round of balloting for the Circle of Greats.  This round begins to add those players born in 1952.  Rules and lists are after the jump. Continue reading →

George Brett was an overwhelming favorite this round, appearing on a dominating 93.4% of the ballots on his way to induction as the 18th player in the Circle of Greats.   That’s the highest percentage we’ve had for anyone yet.   No need for a pine tar protest this time, George.  More on Brett and the voting after the jump.
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John’s taking a well-deserved night off, so here’s a brief (and pale) imitation of the original.

Rockies 1 @ Cubs 9. The Rox offensive woes continued as they managed just one run or less for the fourth time in five games, and 2 runs or less in 6 of their last 7. If not for a Josh Rutledge homer in the 9th, Colorado would have been shut out for the 3rd time in 4 games, something no Rockies team has ever done. That charge from the gate with 6 or more runs in 10 of their first 15 contests (something only 23 other clubs have done) seems but a distant memory.

More after the jump.

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Here are the highest OPS numbers posted, since 1916, by a major league team over a full calendar month (min. 750 PAs):

1. Yankees (June, 1930) 1.035 OPS
2. Cardinals (April, 2000) .959 OPS
3. Red Sox (June, 2003) .945 OPS
4. Indians (April, 1997) .942 OPS
5. Indians (July, 1936) .940 OPS
6. Mariners (May, 1999) .935 OPS
7. Giants (June, 2000) .932 OPS
8. Cardinals (July, 1928) .931 OPS
9. Yankees (May, 1936) .929 OPS
10. Yankees (July, 1927) .925 OPS

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Cubs 8, @Nationals 2: Stephen Strasburg retired the first 11 Cubs, as if we’re impressed by that any more, and matched zeroes through 4 with Edwin Jackson (which is far more remarkable). With two down and a clean slate in the 5th, Ryan Zimmerman made his daily throwing error …

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Here are a group of dominating pitchers, among the elite in the game’s history. They have distinguished themselves from their live-ball era brethren by dint of achieving a certain seasonal feat.

What is this feat achieved by no other pitcher since 1920?

Hint: some of these pitchers achieved this feat more than once

Congratulations to John Autin! John identified these pitchers as the only hurlers since 1920 with a season of 200+ IP and an ERA+ > 200 x WHIP. Take a look at these spectacular seasons after the jump.

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