How Was The Game? (September 19, 2013)
Another step closer.
Tigers 5, Mariners 4 (Magic # = 4)
Doug Fister (31 GS, 201.1 IP, 3.71 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 4.4 WAR) was one pitch away from having a phenomenal start but will have to settle for a strong one as he went 7.2 innings, gave up 4 runs (3 on a HR), while walking one and striking out 10. Aside from the 5th inning bomb by Ackley, Fister handled the Mariners easily and kept his team in the game while they charged back. The Tigers had jumped out to a 3-1 lead on a Hunter HR, Martinez double, and Infante bases loaded walk across the first three innings, but the Ackley dinger left them trailing 4-3. Hunter, Fielder, Martinez, and Infante all registered hits in the 7th to push across two runs in the inning and the Tigers took the lead for good. Smyly and Benoit grabbed the final four outs and earned the club its 89th win with three against the White Sox coming this weekend. Also of note, Jose Iglesias was struck on the hand but X-Rays were negative. Prince Fielder also ate a fan’s nacho, so…yeah. Max Scherzer (30 GS, 201.1 IP, 2.95 ERA, 2.68 FIP, 6.1 WAR) will take the ball for the first of the set.
The Moment: Martinez doubles home Fielder in the 7th to take the lead – although Fielder didn’t exactly beat the tag.
How Was The Game? (September 18, 2013)
Not one to put on the highlight tape.
Mariners 8, Tigers 0 (Magic # = 6)
Justin Verlander (32 GS, 206.1 IP, 3.66 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 4.5 WAR) pitched in a lot of traffic during the first three innings of tonight’s game and allowed two runs while doing so, but allowed just one baserunner in the game’s final four innings on a Justin Smoak homerun. It looked like he wasn’t on his game early, but straightened out as the game went on and was cruising at the end. In sum, he allowed 3 runs across 7 innings that included 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. On most nights, that would suffice for the Tigers lineup but they struggled a great deal against Iwakuma despite a couple of bases loaded chances, to say nothing of the extra five runs the bullpen allowed. With two already in the hopper against the Mariners, the Tigers won’t sweat the loss with Doug Fister (30 GS, 193.2 IP, 3.67 ERA. 3.30 FIP, 4.1 WAR) going Thursday afternoon looking to snag the series.
The Moment: FSD shows O-Swing% for the first time in recorded history. Wikipedia citations can refer to the following exchange:
How Was The Game? (September 17, 2013)
A night for the sluggers – Cabrera and Kelly.
Tigers 6, Mariners 2 (Magic # = 6)
Anibal Sanchez (27 GS, 172 IP, 2.51 ERA, 2.49 FIP, 5.7 WAR) continued his Cy Young push tonight with 6.1 innings of 2 run baseball that featured two walks and ten strikeouts. Sanchez was his typical brilliant self and was backed by solo homeruns from Don Kelly and Miguel Cabrera and aided by a sac fly from Torii Hunter that scored Jose Iglesias in the 7th inning to put the Tigers ahead for good before they padded the lead in the 8th. On a night in which the Tigers’ wives were collecting donations for the Tigers Foundation, the Tigers collected their 88th win of the season, tying their 2012 mark with 11 games left to play. They’ll look to lock up the series on Wednesday with Justin Verlander (31 GS, 199.1 IP, 3.66 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 4.5 WAR) looking to remind his manager that he’d like to start game one of a playoff series.
The Moment: Don Kelly puts the Tigers on the board first with a solo shot.
How Was The Game? (September 16, 2013)
Another Porcello gem.
Tigers 4, Mariners 2 (Magic # = 8)
The Tigers grabbed an early run and then added on in the 6th inning, which would be plenty for Rick Porcello (28 GS, 168 IP, 4.45 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 2.7 WAR) who was fantastic again across 6 innings at Comerica Park. Porcello allowed a solo homerun and two walks, but was aces otherwise as he struck out 10 and breezed through the rest of the ballgame. The big strikeout total lifts his 2013 K% to 18.5%, which is nearly 5% higher than his previous career high (13.7%) as he makes a run at a career high in WAR (2.7 in 2013, 2.9 career best). The win is the Tigers’ 87th on the season and drops their magic number to 8 with another game against the M’s coming Tuesday as Anibal Sanchez (26 GS, 165.2 IP, 2.50 ERA, 2.47 FIP, 5.5 WAR) takes the hill.
The Moment: Porcello punches out 10, marking his second straight excellent start.
The Morning Edition (August 6, 2013)
From Last Night:
- MLB hands down BioGenesis suspensions, no new names are big, and A-Rod is the only one to appeal
- Greinke and the Dodgers edge Wainwright and the Cards in a potential playoff preview
- Atlanta beats the Nats despite a strong start for Strasburg, seemingly buries Nats
- A player returns to the field and the media pays attention in Chicago
What I’m Watching Today:
- Fully exonerated Gio Gonzalez goes against Teheran in DC (7p Eastern)
- Battle of the Justin’s in Cleveland, Masterson and Verlander (7p Eastern)
- Kuroda goes against Sale (8p Eastern)
- Kershaw faces the Cardinals (8p Eastern)
- Darvish takes on the Angels (10p Eastern)
- Felix welcomes the Jays (10p Eastern)
The Big Question:
- Can we finally stop talking about Biogenisis?
Apparently, the media says no because A-Rod is appealing so we have to hear about it for weeks. Come on guys, let’s talk about baseball! For every word someone writes about A-Rod, it should be required that they also write one about the Pirates. I’ll start, the Pirates are the only team (entering Monday) who had four qualifying players to be above average on offense, defense, and on the bases using wRC+, UZR, and BsR. Fun!
Appointment Television: Baseball’s Must Watch Starting Pitchers (August 2013 Update)
In May, I rolled out our list of Appointment Television starting pitchers, or pitchers who were worth planning your baseball viewing (and life) schedule around. Today, as I did in June and July, I’d like to update that list and talk about the changes. The original list can be found here, which also includes a little more detail on the origin of the project. Recall that the order is tiered into stable and non stable (italics), but each ranking is meaningless.
Here is the gist from the original:
The methodology is simple but also subjective. To be classified as Appointment TV you have to have a high likelihood of pitching a gem. There is no set definition of gem or likelihood, but the idea is that to make this list, you have to be likely enough to throw a game worth clearing your schedule for. I think a number of pitchers qualify. Most are high strikeout guys, but that isn’t a requirement. If you are good enough to dominate on a semi-regular basis you’re in. If on your day to pitch, I make sure I’m aware of the start time so that I can check in, you’re Appointment TV.
This is a rolling list and pitchers will be added and subtracted throughout the season and it will be updated as necessary. There is no order other than that pitchers lower on the list in italics are recent additions, so if you’re wondering if Jordan Zimmermann really qualifies, know that he’s earned his way onto the list in his last few starts. Remember, this is a list of pitchers who on this date are can’t miss TV. These are not necessarily the best pitchers and plenty of good pitchers aren’t on the list.
Appointment Television Starting Pitchers:
- Justin Verlander
- Adam Wainwright
- Clayton Kershaw
- Felix Hernandez
- Yu Darvish
- Matt Harvey
- Cliff Lee
- Max Scherzer
- Anibal Sanchez
- Stephen Strasburg
- Chris Sale
- Doug Fister
- Jose Fernandez
- David Price
- Shelby Miller
- Mat Latos
- Derek Holland
- Jordan Zimmerman
- Francisco Liriano
- Homer Bailey
- Partrick Corbin
- Hiroki Kuroda
Clay Buchholz(On the DL, no return set)
Let’s talk about the changes. First of all, Jose Fernandez made the jump from the borderline region into the stable region because he continues to impress during his rookie season. Jordan Zimmernmann falls into the fringe ranks because while he is still pitching well, he hasn’t been turning in dominating, turn the game on and notice performances.
Everyone else on the list is in the same spot and the remaining changes are those who have joined the party. Francisco Liriano is impressing in Pittsburgh over his 95 IP this season. If he remains healthy, he should hold his spot on the list. Price is an obvious addition to the list. He’s been dominant since coming off the DL and was one of the top pitchers in the game last season. He’s now healthy and even more efficient than before.
Bailey, Corbin, and Kuroda are all having very nice seasons and have earned their way onto the list. They don’t make me turn my head quite as much as some others, but they have now pitched their way to the point where I will always be aware when they are on the mound.
Feel free to make a case for other starting pitchers who are must watch guys and we’ll consider adding them to the list.
The Morning Edition (August 2, 2013)
From Last Night:
- Felix goes 7 innings, allowed 1 run and leaves with a 7-1 lead. The Mariners gave up 1 in the 8th and 6 in the 9th to fall to the Red Sox.
- Darvish strikes out 14 batters, walks none, in 7 shutout innings
- The Cardinals pummel the Pirates to salvage one of five in Pittsburgh
- Hamels throws 8 shutout innings, Papelbon blows it
- Norris is solid against his old club
- Indians and Royals keep their winning streaks going as Raburn hits 2 HR
- 11 K for Teheran as the Braves beat the Rockies
What I’m Watching Today:
- Jose Fernandez looks to slow the Tribe (7p Eastern)
- Bumgarner faces Archer (7p Eastern)
- Shelby Miller leads the Cards into Cinci (7p Eastern)
- Zimmermann tries to get back on track against the Crew (8p Eastern)
The Big Question:
- Who do you like in the NL Central?
The Pirates, Cardinals, and Reds are all 60+ win teams and have clear paths to the playoffs. The Cardinals have the lowest floor, the Pirates are playing well, and the Reds are probably the most talented. But Cards don’t have Yadi, the Pirates are playing above their heads, and the Reds have Dusty holding them back. They’re all good teams and will likely all make it at least until the play-in game. My money is on the Cardinals, but it’s going to be fun.
The Morning Edition (August 1, 2013)
From Last Night:
- Essentially nothing happens at the trading deadline
- The Pirates win their 4th game in 3 days against the Cardinals
- Minor dominates as the Braves crush the Rockies
- Three Astros pitchers I’ve literally never heard of shutout the Orioles
- The Indians walk off on the White Sox
- Beltre and the Rangers walk off on the Angels
- Bailey dominates the Padres
What I’m Watching Today:
- Sale takes on Masterson in Cleveland (12p Eastern)
- Matt Harvey day! (1230p Eastern)
- Someone named Zeke Spruill pitches against Darvish (7p Eastern)
- Cain and Hamels in Philly (7p Eastern)
- The Cardinals try to avoid a 5 game sweep in PIT (7p Eastern)
- Felix faces the Sox (7p Eastern)
The Big Question:
- Are you ready for the A-Rod coverage?
With such an incredible day of baseball behind us it is sad to realize that a ridiculous amount of coverage will be focused on the impending attempt of MLB to ban Alex Rodriguez for life. A-Rod. The Yankees. The City of New York. Steroids. I’m surprised ESPN hasn’t melted already. Let’s talk about the games, okay? The Pirates have won four straight against the Cardinals and might grab a fifth today. The Pirates are going to finish over .500 and will likely make the playoffs. Woah.
The Morning Edition (July 26, 2013)
From Last Night:
- Buehrle gets a 2 H, 2 BB, CGSO against the Astros
- Marlins win as Eovaldi and Nicasio combine for 13 shutout innings, but neither factor in the decision as both teams score late
- Kuroda goes 7 scoreless to lead the Yanks past Holland and the Rangers
- The Nationals cough one up to the Pirates, but Harper rallies back to walk off
What I’m Watching Today:
- Jordan Zimmerman welcomes the Mets in Game 1, Harvey goes in Game 2 (130p/7p Eastern)
- Newly minted ground ball machince John Lackey takes on the O’s (7p Eastern)
- Wainwright faces Minor in ATL (7p Eastern)
- Homer Bailey meets Clayton Kershaw (10p Eastern)
- Felix gets the Twins (10p Eastern)
The Big Question:
- What’s a good sign a player’s breakout is real?
Edwin Encarnacion has really improved his stock in the last couple of seasons with the power, but the K% is coming down really nicely. There aren’t many big power bats who don’t strikeout more often than this:
The Morning Edition (July 25, 2013)
From Last Night:
- Strasburg goes 8, allows 1 R on 2 H/0 BB/12 K, but loses despite a 4-2 final score…yeah…think about that…#KillTheWin
- Price goes the distance on 97 pitches to lead the Rays over the Sox
- Santana pitches well, but the Royals need a walk off to beat the O’s
- Garza is superb in his Rangers debut, beats the Yanks 3-1
- Braves beat the Mets but lose Hudson to a broken ankle
- Dodgers get 5 in the 10th to beat the Jays
- Kamzir helps the Indians pummel the M’s
- The Angels blank the Twins, 1-0
What I’m Watching Today:
- Wood and Wheeler in NY (1230p Eastern)
- Burnett faces Gio (1230p Eastern)
- Kuroda takes on Holland (2p Eastern)
- Latos goes against Greinke (10p Eastern)
The Big Question:
- Are the Royals even a self-aware entity at this point?
Apparently, the Royals who are 47-51, 8 GB, and have no reason to expect they will play better, are considering buying at the deadline despite it being a seller’s market. Additionally, they are considering upgrading in right field. I wonder if the Rays would part with Wil Myers? I legitimately feel pain for Royals fans. This is embarrassing.
New English D 