This Week in Baseball

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Huge week in the AL East for all five teams.

 

Baltimore-New York Monday throuh Wednesday offers some interesting scnearios, as both teams need some wins to prove they're the real deal, evem though i can honestly see both of them in the picture in September.

 

Toronto-Tampa also in a 3 game set. Maybe a series win can revitalize an underrated Tampa team? A series win for the Jays would certainly give them momentum heading into a potentially HUGE weekend set with the BoSox. Even though I'm a fan, I consider the Jays to be a legit threat for October, with a little luck.

 

I can't see Boston having much trouble with the Wigwammers. But any kind of extended Bosox lead in the AL East only makes the wildcard race that much more intersting.

 

Mind you, the next 10 games will decide how the trade deadline day plays out.

[KingPK 0]

Another week, another baseball thread. Red Sox have a chance to hold or even increase their AL East lead as the Yanks and O's go at it.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Prediction: Phillies continue to suck ass, and prove what a fluke the 12-1 homestand was. I will, however, be attending the 7/3 game vs. the Braves.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

If this week's Indians/RedSox is anything like last week's, we've got some really exciting games from Fenway coming up.

[iggymcfly 0]

I think this Yankees series could be just what the Orioles need to get out of their slump. They've played really well against them this year, they have the series at home, and the Yankees are about the only team they could find right now that are slumping as bad as they are.

 

I expect them to right the ship here, but if they lose 2 or even (GASP) 3 games this series, they might be on the long road to missing the playoffs.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Ridiculous Phillies quote from mlb.com:

 

"Any deals we make will have to improve our club at the Major League level," said assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "We're not going to be out there looking for prospects. We're looking for players who are going to help us win a championship. That's the priority here."

 

Well, glad to know Mr. Wade's past 12 seasons have been goal-oriented.

 

And they end it with....

 

"As always, it could be a month with many phone calls for GM Ed Wade."

 

Too bad he is sleeping.

[LooseCannon25 0]

It's make it or break it time for the Mets this week. A 6 game homestand hosting the Phillies and Marlins. They need to go at least 4-2 this week.

[Guest Mosaicv2]

Red Sox are getting embrassed by the Indians 6 to 0, how bout that apples PK.

[Guest Smues]

Julio Franco hits pinch hit grandslam. Go old guy go.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Steve Kline gets called for a balk, gets tossed.

 

This game, at 4-4 in the 8th, is as good as over.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Man, you really gotta suck to get called for a balk these days.

[Guest Brian]

I'mwatching the game, what was the balk called for? Was it shoulder movement in the stretch?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I caught the Scranton/Charlotte game live tonight, and took home a Gavin Floyd bobblehead.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Man, you really gotta suck to get called for a balk these days.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The Os have been called for 9 of them so far this year, 3 of which cost them the game directly. Tonight's balk which led to a run and Cabrera's bases loaded balk last week which was the difference in a 3-2 game.

 

Tonights balk was just nitpicky, and Im at least glad Kline showed some emotion and got tossed because the O's have been mailing it in for the last week or so, and a 6 game losing streak is the result.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Man, you really gotta suck to get called for a balk these days.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Prior balked yesterday.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Must've missed that one. I listened to most of the game in the car, and the wind was blowing pretty loudly.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

I heard Pavano balked for the Yankees as well? Didn't see the game till about the 6th when I got home from work.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

Man, you really gotta suck to get called for a balk these days.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Prior balked yesterday.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Well, he got called for one, but it really wasn't.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Yes it was.

[Cuban Linx 0]

Texas fell to shit in a hurry, from a 10 game winning streak and the division lead, and barely a week or two later they've let the Angels run away with a Cardinals-esque 7.5 game division lead. At this rate they'll be back in the basement with Oakland and Seattle soon, especially if they let Anaheim beat up on them 32-10 like they have over the past 4 games.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Phillies signed Doug Glanville to a minor league contract so he could retire as a Philly. First time I've seen that in baseball.

[Mik 0]

Potential MLB trade. It was apparently almost a reality and is now on hold, but still possible...

 

Orioles get:

Eric Reed (AA OF)

Juan Encarnacion

AJ Burnett

 

Marlins get:

Either Daniel Cabrera or Hayden Penn

Larry Bigbie

Jorge Julio

 

Not sure what to make of it.

[Brett Favre 0]

I don't like that trade for the Marlins really. Well, they probably want to get something for AJ Burnett who's going to be a free agent after this year, so I guess I understand.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I like the deal better if the pitching prospect is Hayden Penn. It depends on what they do with the money that would've gone to signing Burnett long term.

 

While I like the deal, it's worth noting that the last time the Marlins dealt a star, they got burned (Derrek Lee for Hee Seop Choi).

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I remember how mad I was they dealt Choi. Christ, I was so stupid back then.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article...t=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

NL balloting update. Bobby Abreu is now FIRST in the NL outfield vote. Recognize.

 

I remember how mad I was they dealt Choi. Christ, I was so stupid back then.

 

Well, even the "Choi is a platoon hitter" crowd never thought Lee would hit .380 in half a season and drag the Cubs into the wild card chase kicking and screaming.

[iggymcfly 0]

I like the trade. The Orioles need something to wake them up right now, and obviously, if they want to make any noise in the playoffs, they need another top-flight starter. The O's won't be missing out on a lot with losing Cabrera, but at least he'll do the Marlins more good than having Burnett stick around for three months and then walk out the door.

[Mik 0]

Al's right. Watching Derrek Lee for all those years, I never thought he was capable of a season like this.

[Precious Roy 0]

Yeah, but he was OBVIOUSLY better than Choi at the time, consistent .280 hitter with a good OBP, close to 30 homers a year, and great D. And the last couple years in Florida he even became a 20-20 threat. Choi has shown potential at times, but he's still best known for getting knocked the FUCK out against the Yankees a couple years ago. I remember thinking Florida got fleeced on that deal. It's really incredible that Chicago was able to add their two best hitters and corner infielders, guys on the verge of stardom, and give up next to nothing in the process.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Rain delay in Baltimore.