@Blue Jays 7, Brewers 4 — Just like old times in Toronto … like, May 1 through June 6, when they averaged 1.6 HRs and 5.5 runs, going 26-9 with three walk-off wins. But something new, too: The long-ball leaders owned none of this year’s 39 walk-off blasts — until Edwin Encarnacion worked a 3-and-1 count against Brad […]
Athletics 9, @Marlins 5 — Oakland blew a big lead in the 6th, but pulled even in the 8th on Josh Reddick’s two-out triple, then scored four in the 9th on five singles off Steve Cishek. A clean closeout by Sean Doolittle — 12 strikes, one ball — ran his season line to 55 Ks and one walk […]
Pirates 8, @Marlins 6 (13 inn.) — Someone pinch Gregory Polanco. The wunderkind’s first home run not only gave him five hits in the game, but also saved the Bucs from a potential loss that would have haunted Clint Hurdle all year. They led by 6-2 after eight, behind Jeff Locke’s career-long outing and the big nights by Polanco and Starling […]
Six team shutouts Sunday, 129 for the season. On a per-team basis, it’s the most shutouts at this stage of a season since 1989. But this year’s scoring average of 4.17 runs per game is no cause for hysteria. The post-WWII median is 4.34 R/G; the expansion-era median is 4.32. The median for the first 20 years of […]
@Dodgers 6, Giants 2 — LA scored twice in the 6th, 7th and 8th to overcome their rivals’ early edge. Fortunes turned quickly after Matt Cain walked Dee Gordon leading off the 6th. He stole, Puig’s popup fell in front of a lumbering Moose, and Han-Ram walked to load the bags for Adrian Gonzalez. Southpaw Jeremy Affeldt got the slugger […]
As play began on Friday, 25 teams stood within two games of a playoff berth, including all 10 clubs in the East divisions. Let’s list the early games in order of the winner’s record: @Brewers 5, Cubs 2 — What’s not to like? Matt Garza turned in Milwaukee’s 18th quality start, tied for the MLB lead. Three […]
To qualify for these lists, a player must have been born in 1984 or later (“Under 30”): Under 30, Most Career Regular Season Plate Appearances: 1. Prince Fielder 5,612 2. Jeff Francoeur 4,959 3. Ryan Zimmerman 4,943 4. B.J. Upton 4,509 5. Brian McCann 4,354 6. Melky Cabrera 4,236 7. Billy Butler 4,208 8. James […]
The LDS series begin later this week. After the jump, a quick look at the players who have historically fared the best and the worst in the LDS round. Also, a look at which teams match up best and worst with which other teams, based on this season’s play.
@Brewers 1, Marlins 0 (13 inn.) — Caleb Gindl led off the home 13th with his first-ever home run, ending the longest 1-0 game in two years and sealing Milwaukee’s third straight shutout, tying a club record set in 1990. The Brewers have not allowed a run since the 5th inning of their last pre-Break […]
Robinson Cano is an outstanding hitter, but much less so when there are runners in scoring position (RISP). This fact is well known to those who follow the Yankees, but the extent of his struggles, compared to other good hitters, might surprise you. To be clear, this is not an anti-Cano piece; I’d be thrilled […]