baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Top 10 Most Astounding Sports Droughts
As the saying goes, "You win some, and you lose some." Such is life in sports. However, some teams do a lot of winning. There's a current NFL dynasty in Kansas City, Florida's two NHL teams have been in the Cup Final every year in this decade, and won four of those times. The Golden State Warriors had a recent string of championships in the NBA, and baseball has the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees among the ultimate "haves."
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
The 2025 Orioles Collapse
At the 2025 All-Star break, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a stunning free fall. With a 43–53 record, they're dead last in the AL East—13 games behind the division-leading Blue Jays and nowhere near the playoff expectations set after back-to-back competitive seasons.
By Michael Phillipsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Recapping a Historic 2025 MLB All-Star Game
We all love the MLB All-Star Game, don't we? Baseball's game seems to stand out over the other leagues in many ways. For one, MLB is the only league whose All-Star Game takes place on a weeknight; the other three leagues have their games on the weekend--either on Saturday or Sunday. Secondly, MLB's All-Star Game is the only one out of the main four where the players wear their team uniforms, and as much as I love All-Star gear, it is nice to see that mixture of team uniforms and colors out there. And third, it's the only game that hasn't really changed formats, it's been American League vs National League forever.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Fever vs. Sun. AI-Generated.
A battle of rising stars and veteran poise highlights what’s shaping up to be the WNBA’s must-watch rivalry. The Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun matchup has become more than just a regular season fixture—it’s fast becoming one of the most compelling storylines in women’s basketball. This week’s clash between the two squads offered fans a perfect blend of star power, strategic finesse, and playoff-level tension.
By Saboor Brohi about a year ago in Unbalanced
A&S Takes Down Dean’s Bridge with 13-10 Victory
See Slideshows Below A&S Slideshow Dean's Bridge Slideshow Summer is here, and Men’s Softball at Reis Park is in midseason form. A&S Softball versus Dean’s Bridge Road, the June 19 game went back and forth, and in the top of seventh, the tying run looked like it was coming to the plate on Brendan Mitchell’s sinking line drive. But on the mound Steve McNamara was happy to do a double take on the drama.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Today’s 2025 MLB Draft: First‑Round Bonus Slot Values & Insights
The 2025 MLB Draft is primed to redefine the future of baseball, not just with top-tier talent, but by showcasing how much clubs are willing to invest. With MLB boosting slot values by 4.8% year-over-year, first-rounders are set for even bigger signing bonuses. Let’s unpack today’s slot-value landscape and how teams are strategizing their pools.
By Waqar Khanabout a year ago in Unbalanced
2025 MLB Season Check-In (First Half)
The first half of the 2025 MLB season has concluded. Which teams will punch their tickets to the Postseason? It's anyone's guess, but the final three months will become even more challenging. So have my picks for each division fared well? We're going to find out.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
My Experiences Attending Minor League Games
I've been writing a plethora of stories related to Major League Baseball, especially during the offseason. In this story, however, I'll share what it's like attending Northwest Arkansas Naturals games. As always, make sure to like this story if you enjoyed it. Follow me on social media, subscribe to my page, and please send me a one-off tip at the end of the story. No tip is ever too big or small. They support creators like me and encourage us to write and publish more stories.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
Mets vs. Orioles: A Game of Surprises and Second Chances. AI-Generated.
Baseball is a game full of excitement, and sometimes, it gives us moments we never forget. One of those moments happened on July 8, 2025, when the New York Mets played against the Baltimore Orioles. What looked like a sure win for the Orioles turned into a shocking comeback for the Mets. Then, to add more drama, the next day’s game was postponed because of bad weather. Now, fans are getting ready for a doubleheader — two games in one day — on July 10.
By sehzeen fatimaabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Somers 12U Shows Fight in Opening Season Loss
On Wednesday June 18, Somers 12u Red Storm opened their season at Reis Park and a good summation of the 10-7 loss came from Luca Ciavardini. “We need more strikes by our pitchers and less mental errors in the field,” the first baseman admitted. But there was still an upside to the defeat that saw the storm fall behind 9-2.
By Rich Monettiabout a year ago in Unbalanced
⚾ Dodgers vs Brewers: Inside the Rivalry Heating Up MLB in 2025
⚾ Dodgers vs Brewers: A Matchup Worth Watching The MLB 2025 season has been full of surprises—but nothing has captured attention quite like the ongoing battle between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. These two powerhouse teams have clashed repeatedly in recent years, but their latest series is turning into something much bigger than a typical mid-season showdown. It's becoming a rivalry that defines this generation of baseball. --- 📊 The Stats Behind the Hype As of July 2025: Dodgers record: 56–33 Brewers record: 52–38 Both teams are in playoff contention Their last five matchups have been decided by less than 3 runs The stats show it’s a close race, but the energy on the field tells another story. These games aren’t just tight—they’re tense, aggressive, and emotional. --- 🌟 Star Players in the Spotlight 🔹 For the Dodgers: Mookie Betts: A constant offensive threat and defensive machine in the outfield Shohei Ohtani: MLB’s most exciting two-way player, dominating both as a pitcher and hitter Freddie Freeman: Still hitting with power and consistency in clutch moments 🔹 For the Brewers: Christian Yelich: Making a comeback season with solid numbers William Contreras: A rising star with solid bat speed and catching skills Corbin Burnes: Dominating the mound with strikeouts and control The talent on both sides is world-class—and when these players collide, it’s must-see baseball. --- 🔥 Why Fans Are So Invested It’s not just the scoreboard. These games have drama, emotion, and momentum swings that keep viewers glued to their screens. Close calls at home plate Dugout shouting matches Manager ejections Fans chanting so loud it rattles the opposing team The rivalry is fueled by passion—from players, coaches, and most of all, the fans. --- 🎥 Viral Moments on Social Media Clips from recent games have exploded on TikTok and X (Twitter): Ohtani’s 450-ft home run off Burnes A controversial umpire call that gave the Dodgers a win Brewers fans chanting “Overrated!” at Betts—who responded with a game-winning hit Each game is producing viral sports content that lives far beyond the stadium walls. --- 🧠 Strategy: Dodgers’ Power vs Brewers’ Precision The Dodgers are built like a superteam—big names, big bats, and big contracts. They overwhelm opponents with offense and firepower. The Brewers, on the other hand, focus on fundamentals—defense, base running, and smart pitching rotations. They’re not flashy, but they’re efficient. This contrast in styles is what makes their matchup so compelling. --- 🗓️ What’s at Stake? With the postseason just months away, these games could determine: Wildcard positions Home-field advantage Confidence heading into October A win in this series doesn’t just help the standings—it sends a message to the rest of the league. --- 📺 Fan Reactions Fans are treating this like a mini World Series. > “These Dodgers-Brewers games have more energy than the actual playoffs.” “Ohtani vs Burnes? That’s baseball cinema.” “Give me a full 7-game playoff series between these two!” With each game, anticipation for a postseason rematch grows stronger. --- 🏆 Could This Be a Future Championship Matchup? Many analysts believe both teams are capable of going the distance. If they meet in the playoffs, it could be one of the most-watched National League series in years. It would also be a redemption arc for the Brewers, who haven’t reached the World Series since 1982, and another legacy moment for the Dodgers, one of the most dominant teams of the last decade. The Growing Cultural Impact of MLB Rivalries Baseball isn’t just a game anymore—it’s a cultural force. Rivalries like Dodgers vs Brewers are not only entertaining on the field, they also shape conversations across the country. In cities like Los Angeles and Milwaukee, baseball is part of identity. It defines how people talk, celebrate, argue, and even dress. Kids wear team jerseys to school, families plan weekends around televised games, and social media explodes with memes and reactions during every inning. In 2025, these rivalries go beyond traditional sports media. TikTokers are doing live commentary. YouTubers are breaking down every pitch in slow motion. Even non-sports influencers are getting in on the conversation, creating viral reactions and fantasy picks. The Dodgers vs Brewers rivalry has reached a point where it's no longer just about runs and outs—it’s about emotional investment. Fans feel like they’re part of the game. Every walk-off hit or strikeout becomes personal. This cultural shift has helped MLB grow its younger audience—something it struggled with for years. Now, thanks to matchups like this, baseball is fun, fast, and social-media-ready. More importantly, these games remind us that sports are about belonging. Whether you’re watching from a stadium seat or your living room, being a fan gives you something to believe in—and someone to root for. --- ⚾ Final Thoughts Baseball may be a long season, but certain matchups make the whole journey worthwhile—and Dodgers vs Brewers is one of them. It’s a battle of styles. A battle of cities. A battle of pride. As we move deeper into the season, all eyes will be on these two titans—and fans across the world will be watching to see who blinks first. --- ✅ Are you Team Dodgers or Team Brewers? Drop your pick in the comments and tell us which player YOU think will be the game-changer this season!
By Abid Ali Khanabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Even More Takes About Clayton Kershaw
Kerchoke. Chokeshaw. Choke Artist. Whatever you want to call him. The Dodgers continue to piss off their critics and their latest stunt proves how desperate they are of receiving even more attention. The MLB All-Star Game is fast approaching and in case you didn't know, Mr. Holy Holy, aka Clayton Kershaw, received the special commissioner's selection (aka the sympathy vote), landing a spot in the midsummer classic, which will be held in Atlanta. Not only that, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will also be managing the NL team. It's so pathetic that MLB is rewarding a heartless bigot something like this. Kershaw is currently in his 18th season in Major League Baseball, and I believe the real reason why MLB gave him that honor is because this might be his final season in the league. This latest move by MLB screamed desperation. Kershaw has been in the league for nearly 20 years and he's one of many players who wasn't deserving of an All-Star nod. I explained in my previous story regarding the All-Star fan voting that it needed to choose players based on their stats rather than their popularity, so as to avoid any bias and make the process fair. The Dodgers have received heavy backlash for having multiple players (some who had no business of being selected) who will be in the upcoming All-Star Game. They are the most selfish, spoiled, delusional, and entitled team in MLB. Them and the Houston Astros are the only two teams I heavily dislike. They (the Dodgers) took their selfishness to another level, because five Dodgers players will be participating in the All-Star Game and I blame the fans and bandwagon fans for this nonsense. Originally, there were eight in the first phase of voting. I also blame MLB for continuously showing favoritism towards the Dodgers. As I've stated in one of my previous stories, the world doesn't revolve around the Dodgers or Shohei. It's not always about them and they're talking over other teams and players who deserve more attention. The Dodgers suffer from main character syndrome, thinking that everything has to be about them. What I found hilarious was that they (Dodgers fans) cried over Fernando Tatis, Jr. being selected to the All-Star Game over Andy Pages, calling the voting a popularity contest. Their claims are hypocritical, because the Dodgers had faced heavy backlash from baseball fans for having multiple players selected to the midsummer classic, also calling those selections a popularity contest. So, pot meet kettle, Dodgers fans. The Dodgers can't have everything. Their offseason and current shenanigans prove that I dislike them even more. I continue to get attacked online by ruthless and delusional Dodgers fans, just for calling them out for their selfish and entitled behavior. It doesn't bother me, and my ongoing criticisms of this team prove that I was right all along. Going back to Kershaw: he didn't have to accept the aforementioned honor. He should finish out the season and retire. To be honest, he, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer aren't the same players as they were when they first debuted in the big leagues. Both Verlander and Scherzer are in their 40s and most likely nearing the end of their careers, while Kershaw is nearing 40. While I won't praise Verlander or Kershaw, due to obvious reasons, Scherzer is definitely a shoo-in to be a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer. He's one of my favorite pitchers and consider him a legend. Scherzer may be a no-nonsense player, but fans like and respect him, a menace (in a good way) any time he takes the mound, and doesn't make everything about himself or the center of attention. The Dodgers and Kershaw should take a page out of Scherzer's book and follow his example.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in Unbalanced
