MLB Random Thoughts [6/17 - 6/23]

[Woy]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings

AL EAST
BOS 42-29
BAL 40-30 1.5 GB
NYY 38-31 3 GB
TB 36-33 5 GB
TOR 32-36 8.5 GB

AL CENTRAL
DET 38-29
CLE 34-34 4.5 GB
KC 33-34 5 GB
MIN 30-36 7.5 GB
CHW 28-38 9.5 GB

AL WEST
OAK 42-29
TEX 38-31 3 GB
SEA 31-39 10.5 GB
LAA 30-39 11 GB
HOU 26-44 15.5 GB

NL EAST
ATL 41-28
WAS 34-34 6.5 GB
PHI 33-37 8.5 GB
NYM 25-39 13.5 GB
MIA 21-47 19.5 GB

NL CENTRAL
STL 44-25
CIN 42-28 2.5 GB
PIT 41-28 3 GB
CHC 28-39 15 GB
MIL 28-40 15.5 GB

NL WEST
ARZ 37-32
COL 37-33 .5 GB
SF 35-33 1.5 GB
SD 35-34 2 GB
LAD 29-39 7.5 GB

[JimLeavy59]

The Milwaukee Brewers.

[EmpireWF]

...Alex Wood vs. Matt Harvey in the first game tomorrow.

Pat Maholm vs. Zach Wheeler in the night cap.

[Woy]

...Alex Wood vs. Matt Harvey in the first game tomorrow.

Pat Maholm vs. Zach Wheeler in the night cap.

Between these pitchers (minus Maholm), and Myers' debut, NAHSTE and I have dubbed tomorrow as SPECTFEST.

[Leftwich]

[Warner2BruceTD]

With Broxton & Marshall to the DL, Cingrani is staying with the big team to pitch out of the bullpen for a while. Parra is the only lefty and clearly there is no trust in him in a big spot.

When Cingrani came into the game in the 8th with a man on, I haven't seen the crowd juiced up like this in a non playoff game since Chapman debuted. It's June 17, and this crowd is finally starting to sense that these games are getting to be important. And I think there is a healthy disdain forming for the Pirates.

[Mogriffjr]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/alfonso-soriano-carlos-marmol-used-good-172440405.html

Soriano said the Cubs "have (Marmol's) back," but he wavered when asked if Marmol can succeed again as a closer.
"I don't know," he said. "It depends on him. He used to be good. I think he's good, but he's lost a little bit of his confidence, and this game is all about confidence. … I hope he gets it back and becomes the Marmol I know."

[EmpireWF]

This Mets/Braves game may not start till 11pm. Important b/c tomorrow's double header in doubt due to more rain.

[EmpireWF]

[NAHSTE]

[Obst]

[FedEx227]

Nice route Magellan.

[EmpireWF]

Leo Mazzone had a great spot on the SNY broadcast, talking with Kevin Burkhardt about pitching. Some of the points he brought up:

-The way starters are babied today is terrible and it also means the bullpens are overworked.
-Talked about the old set-up guy with the Braves (forgot the name), a lefty, who was effective against both left and right handed batters thanks to a change-up. None of this lefty/lefty, righty/righty stuff.
-Pointed out how through his entire life in the minors and big leagues, he only had 3 pitchers who had to undergo Tommy John surgery.
-Went into how he coached without pitch counts, going off the pitcher's demeanor, mechanics, behavior to determine whether he had to come out of a game.
-Also talked about when going over scouting reports with his pitchers, he'd "cheat" a little bit by emphasizing that particular pitcher's most effective stuff to boost their confidence.

Could've listened to him talk pitching for the rest of the game.

[SuperKevin]

So Matt Harvey is going to win the NL Cy Young right?

[Villain]

So Matt Harvey is going to win the NL Cy Young right?

Wainwright would get my unbiased vote if I had to choose today.