baseball
Sabermetric analysis of all things baseball - on-and-off the field. Barry Bonds fan club.
Give Edgar Martinez His Due
There is no position more debated than that of the designated hitter. Ever since its introduction to the American League in 1973, fans have been split — should the National League introduce it? Should the AL take it way? Should the DH remain in the AL only to maintain variety?
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedRafael Devers Did the Impossible
Aroldis Chapman is not immune to home runs. He’s given up 19 of them in the regular season in his 8 year career. What’s crazy is that only one has before come off a 102+ MPH, and none have come off of a faster pitch than this.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedWe’ll Be Back: The Most Intriguing Prospects You Didn’t Notice in the MLB Draft
You’ve probably heard a few names tossed around in relation to the MLB Draft, which wrapped up earlier this week — Hunter Greene, the pitcher/batter extraordinaire, Brendan McKay, Louisville baseball standout, and Darren Baker, son of Dusty Baker and the second biggest example of nepotism in Washington.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedTodd Frazier Pulls a Switcheroo, Joins Yankees Instead
The dominant narrative of the Todd Frazier trade market has been that he was going to the Red Sox. Indeed, the Sox were in desperate need of a 3B, having just DFA’d free-agent-mistake Pablo Sandoval. But in a sudden turn of events, the Red Sox’s biggest rivals, the Yankees, landed Frazier and White Sox RPs David Robertson and Tommy Khanle in exchange for Tyler Clippard and a wealth of prospects. Let’s break this trade down.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedRed Sox Acquire Affordable 3B in Smart Move
Eduardo Nunez is not Yoenis Cespedes. He is not J.D. Martinez. He isn’t Carlos Beltran, or Jonathan Lucroy, or anything like the impact bats that we’ve seen moved around before the trade deadline that help teams make the playoff push.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in UnbalancedWith Clayton Kershaw Out, Justin Verlander Could Be the Answer for the Dodgers
The LA Dodgers have been on fire this season. They currently boast the best record in all of baseball at 71 and 31, an astounding 40 games over .500. This past week their starting pitching took a hit though when ace of the staff and arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Clayton Kershaw, went on the shelf for 4 to 6 weeks with a back strain. Just a short time before that, they also lost Brandon McCarthy to the disabled list.
Quinn AllenPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - September 2017
Getting the Mariners to the Playoffs
Heartbreak for any baseball team is tough. For years, it has been the Cubs’ heartbreak that has been glamorized and somewhat sought after by north siders. It’s weird, holding onto and being fond of that “lovable losers” title. Unless you are a Mariners fan — especially in the Jerry Dipoto era. All the Mariners have known is heartbreak. Just take a look at the logo for their SB Nation based blog, Lookout Landing:
Owen McGrattanPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced The MLB Players Weekend Uniforms are Great and Eh, Ugly
MLB Players Weekend will be August 25–27, and the teams will be repping bright and potent colors as their teams take the field that weekend. The MLB is channeling some kid’s mind on MLB The Show 17 on his online franchise customizing his made-up team with the brightest and most annoyingly, terribly designed uniforms. Some of these Players Weekend unis should be used as alternates, and some look like a guy played on photoshop for the first time for all of three minutes. Here are the best and worst hats, jerseys and nicknames from the newly released MLB Players Weekend uniforms.
Stone StrankmanPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - September 2017
Aaron Nola: Changed and Better Than Ever
Everyone knows the Phillies are rebuilding. It’s a bleak time for any franchise, but it generally looks even worse especially considering the Phillies are supposed to better than their record right now. The few bright spots? Well you really have the Aaron’s to thank: Alther and Nola.
Owen McGrattanPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced - Top Story - September 2017
Fox Sports Made a Really Poor Decision
It’s almost certainly not my place to say. But as a writer, I feel the need to criticize Fox Sport’s decision to move their website’s content from text and video based to solely video based.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced The Chicago Cubs Are Not the 2017 World Series Favorites
Heading into the 2017 season one thing is clear: Vegas loves the Chicago Cubs’ odds at winning back-to-back World Series’. According to the Vegas based sports betting website Bovada, the loveable losers from Chicago have the best odds at winning the 2017 World Series at +400. Followed by the Boston Red Sox at +500. Then the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians at +800. Given how well the North Siders have performed over the last two seasons and how well Theo Epstein has the team set up for the future, +400 odds doesn’t sound too crazy. I’d argue that it is crazy and the real favorite has the same odds as the San Francisco Giants and the Houston Astros at +1400, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dylan SvobodaPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced- Top Story - September 2017
Joey Gallo Is Killing the Importance of Batting Average
We’ve talked a lot about the “fly-ball revolution” lately — the idea of elevating and making hard contact to increase production. Yonder Alonso has used it to his benefit, as have players like Mike Moustakas and Brett Gardner.
John EdwardsPublished 7 years ago in Unbalanced