Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label playoffs. Show all posts

Baseball umpires have hit an all-time low...again

Today's Yankees/Angles game could not have had more drastic umpire errors. You would think these veteran umpires need a lesson on baseball from Tim McCarver; thats how elementary these mistakes are. Fuck, scooter the talking baseball was embarrassed by these calls. Deadspin has the screen shots of the plays


Groundball back to the pitcher. Posada takes off for home and Cano heads to 3rd. Posada gets caught in a run down but cant return to 3rd base because it is now occupied by cano. But as Napoli gets to 3rd base, Cano steps off the bag for some reason, maybe to let Posada take the base, such that both Yankees are off the bad. Napoli tags Cano(out) then he tags Posada(out). Not so much. Tim McClellen calls Posada out but Cano safe. Clearly a mistake of drastic proportions, yet there is no discussion outside of Mike Scoscia shouting at an umpire perplexed for about the 20th time this series. My problem is this. Obviously a mistake was made on the call. Why is an umpire not allowed to change his mind. Is there a rule that the initial, reflex decision is final? Maybe this is why woman should be umpires. They would actually discuss the play with each other and reach an accurate conclusion. Of course, they cannot be trusted because of "that time of the month" hence they cannot be umpires.


Two more plays shown above. A Yankee baserunner(Swisher?) is clearly thrown out at 2nd on a pick off move, yet the play is called safe. Why even have these retards out there. This is not that difficult. Anyone watching on HD could see what happened, why cant these people see in real life. The second play is Nick Swisher scoring on a sac fly in the same inning as the blown pick off call. The Angels protest that Swisher left 3rd before the catch was made, Tim McClellen agrees and calls Swisher out. Replay shows that Swisher actually left after the catch was made, but that wasnt even the worst part. The worst part was replay showing that McClellen was not even looking at Swishers or his feet as the catch was made, but was looking at the outfielder, which is the 2nd base umpires job anyway. So how could McClellen call Swisher out for leaving too soon, if he was not looking at the play? I dont think it even in his peripheral vision. Fucker has some explaining to do. The Yanks are going to win this whole thing cause Arod is god, yeah you heard me McCarver, but sometimes it feels like i'm watching the refs umpire more than the teams play baseball.

Also, last night's baseball games were just horribly officiated behind the plate. The strike zone and the umpires calls were off all the time. Chip Caray even felt the need state that the automated strike zone is an approximation of what the strike zone should be. If by approximation, he actually means completely accurate, then yes it is an approximation. It's still better than what the umpire is doing, which is guessing. And all this goes back to Bud Selig. In 10 years when the games history has been tarnished by horrible calls in playoff games, Selig will hire some dude to run an investigation, purge some clubhouse attendants, and write a 400 page memorandum concluding that Selig is a moron who was specifically hired for his stupidity to maintain the moronic traditions of baseball.

Tim McCarver hates statisctics...statisticians

Tim McCarver and Joe Buck were back at it again, making sure the baseball enthused youth of America know that statistics are evil. And no conversation about the overratedness of numbers can exclude the underratedness of Derek Jeter. McCarver points out that by every statistical measurement, Jeter rates out as the worst defensive shortstop in the major leagues.
You wont find a single person to say that now. All those people with the numbers are hiding in a cave, under a rock, somewhere.
He forgot to mention their mothers basement, too. Then Joe Buck added on, saying any scout that watches Jeter play a single game wouldnt pick any other shortstop to get a ball hit to them in the 7th game of a world series. Huh, let us just forget that the season is 162 games long, plus another 15 or so in the playoffs. Defense in those game does not matter. Only the 7th game of the WS matters. Yeah Joe Buck, these novel baseball fans are retards. Lets set them straight!

*Update* Derek Jeter committed an error in the 8th inning of a playoff game and followed that with a strike out in the bottom of the same inning. But it wasnt the 7th game of the world series so it doesnt really count.

*Update* Since I initially finished this post, there have been 2 more interesting Derek Jeter references. On a single to right, Jeter went from 1st to 3rd. McCarver mentioned that Abreu got the ball back into the infield fast because he knew Jeter was running the bases. Yep, cause if it was anyone else, Abreu would have jerked off first, and then got the ball back into the infield, cause no one would have the inclination to score outside of Derek Jeter. Second reference was on a ground ball to shortstop. Slo-mo showed that Jeter looked at the runner going to 3rd on the play before throwing to first to make sure he didnt try to score. Because of that, McCarver compared Jeter's vision to that of Larry Bird. Bird is a top 5 basketball player of all time. Possibly the best shooter ever. Jeter is neither, but he has won 4 rings! Yogi Berra won 10 championships, whats your fucking point

I hate you Tim McCarver. Could you please go away and never come back

Love,
TBO

Boston Red Sox v. Tampa Bay Rays

Originally I was going to start this post off by saying the Yankees would win the division and this post was dedicated to who would win the AL Wild Card but with no bullpen and no pitching depth and injury risks to Chien-Minh Wang, C.C. Sabathia, and A.J. Burnett, I'd actually say this division is up for grabs. While I still think the Yankees are going to to win the division, here's my "Wild Card" prediction by match ups. A Yankees/Red Sox match up has already been done so I'm going to do Rays/Red Sox

Catcher

Dioneer Navarro v Jason Varitek.

An old washed up player who has trouble getting his OBS over .300 in recent days versus an young up and coming stud. Maybe if this was Veritek a few years ago, I'd go with him, but this is not the Veritek of old, this is the Veritek who is 36/37 years old

Winner: Rays

First Base

Carlos Pena v Kevin Youkilis

Since Kevin "The Greek God of Walks" Youkilis' rookie season, he has never had an OBS under .381. However Pena is no stranger to walking either having an OBS the past two years of .411 and .377. Pena has also had more HRs than Youkilis of last dinging 46 two years ago and 31 last year versus Youk's 16 two years ago and 29 last year. But Youk has had more plate appearance than Pena, who is the past twp years has maxed out at 490 ABs. Youk is also getting better and better as the years roll on, was 4th in the AL in OBS last year, and is much younger than Pena who seems to be inconsistent and showing his age. It's because of this that Youk wins over Pena, but not by much.

Winner: Red Sox

Second Base

Akinori Iwamura v Dustin Pedroia

Iwamura, in his two seasons in MLB has had an OBS of .359 and .349. Pedroia, in his essentially two seasons have had a OBS of .380 and .376. Pedroia has a better career OPS+, SLG, HR, and SB%.

Winner: Red Sox

Shortstop:

Jason Bartlett v Jed Lowrie

In five season, Bartlett's career OPS+ is 85. I actually am not quite sure how to read defensive stats on baseballreference.com, but because he's a former Twins, and from what I've heard, he's a darn good defender. Lowrie only has a handful of starts under his belt, but his minor league numbers shows he has plate discipline but little to no power. I also don't know anything about his defense but I assume because he's a Red Sox it's pretty good. This match up is pretty bad but I'm going to give it to Lowrie because I think he can get on base in the pros

Winner: Red Sox

Third Base

Evan Longoria v Mike Lowell

I don't even need to look up the players stats to know just how awesome Longoria is and just how average Lowell is

Winner: Rays

Left Field

Carl Crawford v Jason Bay

Crawford has a career OBS+ of 101 but is a damn fine base stealer. Unfortunately his career OBS is .330 and he's injury prone. Bay has a career OPS+ of 131, can hit 30+ HRs a year. Bay walks and has power, what more do you want out of a player?

Winner: Red Sox

Center Field

B.J. Upton v Jacoby Ellsbury

More are young guys known for stealing bases. Upton has a better OBS than Ellsbury. But Ellsbury steals more bases and (although limited sample size) at a better rate. Upton has more power capabilities hitting 24 two years ago but last year only had 9. In his four season, Upton's OPS+ is above 100 versus Ellsbuy's which is not. Therefore, I give the edge to Upton. Plus, BJ stands for Bossman Junior

Winner: Rays

Right Field

Matt Joyce v J.D. Drew

Joyce is young and has some pop but doesn't have the best plate discipline. J.D. can walk and has power but is old and can be inconsistent. However, Drew has proven to be awesome and healthy and he was that last year. I think Joyce will be better than Drew soon, but not next year.

Winner: Red Sox

DH

Pat Burrell v Big Papi

Ortiz' career OPS+ is 138 versus Burrell's 119. Ortiz has has seasons of 40-50 HRs and Burrell has never gotten above 33 in the past 6 years. However Ortiz seems to be on the decline, doesn't have Manny hitting behind him, and now is facing steroid allegations. But Burrell isn't without his faults either having streaks of amazingness and streaks of shittiness giving him just above average total numbers. If Burrell could consistently hold his career numbers I'd give him this one but it's just so hard to.

Winner: Red Sox

Bullpen
Dan Wheeler v Jonathan Papelbon
Troy Pervical v Hideki Okajima

The best closer in the game and one of the leagues best set up man versus two old guys. No question

Winner: Red Sox

Rotation
James Shields v Josh Beckett

Beckett's career ERA+ is 116 versus Shields 114. Shields ERA+ is rising every year versus Beckett who can be amazing (2007- 145)or just his normal self (2008- 115). Josh Beckett can be amazing but Shields is younger and will probably be better than Beckett NEXT year.

Winner: Rays

Scott Kazmir v Jon Lester

Both are about the same age but Kazmir has two more years on Lester. Both essentially have the same ERA+. Kazmir edges Lester is K/BB ratio because he can strike out guys but Lester seems to be getting better and better every year and able to (unlike Kazmir) able to be a big game pitcher. It's for this that I barely give the edge to Lester

Winner: Red Sox

Matt Garza v Dice-K

Both essentially have been in the league the same amount of time and essentially have the same K/BB ratio. Dice-K strikes out a lot of guys but also walks a lot of guys. Garza steadily have had an ERA+ of 118 the past two year versus the streaky Dice-K- because in his first year he had an ERA+ of 108 but 159 last year! Dice-K is in his prime but Garza is younger. Because Dice-K can strike guys out and because he IS in his prime and has shown to be great (4th in Cy Young voting last year) and can be GREAT, I'm going to give this one to Dice-K, but another really close one

Winner: Red Sox

Andy Sonnanstine v Brad Penny

Penny has actually sucked in his overall stint in LA and Sonnanstine is young and should only get better. But last year is ERA was mid 4.00 with a 102 ERA+. But because he is younger and Penny last year SUUUUUCCKKKKEEDDD, the young guy beats the old dude.

Winner: Rays

David Price v John Smoltz

I question if both can finish the season next year. Last year in the playoffs Price was sick and his stuff looked amazing. On the other hand, when Smoltz was healthy, he was one of the best pitchers in the game. Smoltz actually doesn't have to pitch everyday and will be on a need by/ if-he-can-pitch basis. When he can't pitch, Tim Wakefield will pitch for him in that case Price will have the edge. But Price is too much of a wild card for me to pick him right now.

Winner: Red Sox

Totals:
Red Sox: 10
Rays: 5

I think the Red Sox have better players overall, are more experienced, have one of the best bullpen's in baseball, a deep rotation, a strong organization, a deep farm system, and a great GM that I have a hard time believing that the Red Sox won't make the playoffs

MLB Owners, Stop Being A Little Bitch

In the wake of the recent Yankees free agent pick ups including C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett, many baseball owners, including the Braves and Brewers owners, have DEMANDED a salary cap to even the playing field. Their logic is that because the Yankees can spend the most amount of money and get get the best players available, they will have the best team and therefore be able to do well.

As Bill Beane as so accuretely pointed out, you don't need money to have a good product on the field. (I think it's called like "Moneyball" or something). Let's take a look at 2008 and see how teams spent their money:

1) Yankees. Payroll: $209,081,579. Finished: 89-73, 3rd in AL East, missed playoffs
2) Tigers. Payroll: $138,685,197. Finished: 78-88, last in AL Central, missed playoffs
3) Mets. Payroll: $138,293,387. Finished: 89-73, 2nd in NL East, missed playoffs
4) Red Sox. Payroll: $133,440,037. Finished: 95-67, 2nd in AL East, lost in ALCS
5) White Sox. Payroll: $121,152,667. Finished: 88-74, 1st in AL Central, lost in ALDS
6) Angels. Payroll: $119,216,333. Finished: 100-62, 1st in AL West, Lost in ALDS
7) Cubs. Payroll: $118,595,833. Finished: 97-64, 1st in NL Central, Lost in NLDS
8) Dodgers. Payroll: $118,536,038. Finished: 84-78, 1st in NL West, Lost in NLCS
9) Mariners. Payroll: $117,993,982. Finished: 61-101 (worst record in AL), last in AL West, missed playoffs
10) Braves. Payroll: $102,424,018. Finished: 72-90, 4th in NL East, missed playoffs

Here's what the top teams were in baseball during the regular season and their payroll ranking:
1) LA Angels. 100-62. 6th
2) Chicago Cubs. 97-64. 7th
3) Tampa Bay Rays. 97-65. 29th (out of 30)
4) Boston Red Sox. 95-67. 4th
5) Philedelphia Phillies. 92-70. 13th
6) Milwaukee Brewers. 90-72. 15th
7) New York Yankees. 89-73. 1st
8) New York Mets. 89-73. 3rd
9) Chicago White Sox. 88-74. 5th
10) Minnesota Twins. 88-74. 24th.

Here's how the playoffs shaked out and their teams payroll ranking:
Won WS: Philedelphia Phillies. 13th
Lost WS: Tampa Bay Rays. 29th
Lost ALCS: Boston Red Sox. 4th
Lost NLCS: LA Dodgers. 8th
Lost ALDS: Chicago White Sox. 5th
Lost ALDS. LA Angels. 6th
Lost NLDS: Milwaukee Brewers. 15th
Lost NLDS: Chicago Cubs. 7th

Notice anything? There is absolutely no correlation between payroll and how a team performs on the field or in the playoffs. AT ALL! In fact, the team with the second worst payroll made it to the World Series! They had a better regular season record that both the Red Sox and the Yankees and made it father in the playoffs than both of them.

The team with the worst payroll, the Florida Marlins, had a winning record at 88-77 and really was in the payoff hunt for a lot of 2008. The team with the second biggest payroll, the Detroit Tigers, a team that was supposed to have one of the best offenses of all time, finished dead last in their division, behind the Kansas City Royals! The Royals! The Twins with the 24th ranked payroll had the exact same record as the team with the 5th and only lost the division based off of the 163rd game. (As David "MVP" Eckstein would say Small Sample Size! Small Sample Size!)

So for all you owners and GMs and managers or whoever who are pissed at how much the Yankees are spending, SHUT THE HELL UP! Instead, maybe you should look within your organization and make that better instead of wasting your time bithching and moaning.

Source: http://blog.sportscolumn.com/story/2008/4/1/231932/3450/mlb/2008_MLB_Payrolls and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings?date=20080929&type=reg&br=9&year=2008&order=false&st=2