Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - March 7, 2013

The Washington Nationals seem to be the trendy pick to win the 2013 World Series. If the past few years are any indication, that is bad news for the Nats and their fans.

 That’s the topic for today’s podcast.

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Sully Baseball Daily Podcast - March 7, 2013

A fact about the Yankees offense

Through 3 in Game 2 of the ALCS here is how the Yankees scoring has broken down.

In the Division Series and ALCS the Yankees have scored 10 runs in 6 innings against the closers Johnson and Valverde and 10 runs in 55 innings against everyone else.

If the Orioles and Tigers closers could have closed out their innings, the Yankees offense would be historically bad.

Here's a tip. Leave in the 8th inning pitcher against the Yankees.

Tweeting the disaster in Washington

There is so much to say about last night's debacle and soul crushing loss by the Washington Nationals. And frankly I don't have the energy to write another post.

So here is a sampling of things I wrote on Twitter right afterwards. I guess there is wisdom in some of stream of conscious observations.

COMPLETE GAME VICTORIES TO CLINCH DIVISION SERIES (Updated with Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia)

In 2010, I wrote a post about pitchers who threw a complete game victory to clinch the Division Series.

Since then, Chris Carpenter, Justin Verlander and CC Sabathia have been added to the list, so it was time to update this list.

In this day and age of specialized relievers, complete games have become more rare and pitchers finishing a clinching game is even less common.

But these pitchers pulled off the feat. And two were added this year.

Let's update it.

Complete Game Division Series Clinchers

John Smoltz
1997 ATLANTA BRAVES
Game 3
4-1 victory against Houston Astros




Bobby Jones
2000 NEW YORK METS
Game 4
4-0 victory against San Francisco Giants




Curt Schilling
2001 ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Game 5
2-1 victory against St. Louis Cardinals



Cole Hamels
2010 PHILADELPHIA PHLLIES
Game 3
2-0 victory against Cincinnati Reds


Cliff Lee
2010 TEXAS RANGERS
Game 5
5-1 victory against Tampa Bay Rays

Chris Carpenter

2011 ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Game 5

1-0 victory against Philadelphia Phillies

Justin Verlander

2012 DETROIT TIGERS

Game 5

6-0 victory against Oakland Athletics

CC Sabathia
2012 NEW YORK YANKEES 
Game 5
3-1 victory against Baltimore Orioles

The 2001 Series didn’t end with Schilling on the mound getting the last out. The series ended with a walk off single by Tony Womack.

For sticklers of details, they played the Division Series in 1981 as well and two more complete games clinched series THAT year.

Steve Rogers
1981 MONTREAL EXPOS
Game 5
3-0 victory against Philadelphia Phillies


Jerry Reuss
1981 LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Game 5
4-0 victory against Houston Astros

But while relievers were being used more frequently then, the whole specialization of EVERY bullpen role (and the cheapening of the save) didn’t come around until the late 1980s.

So Verlander and Sabathia did the trick this year. If they face off in the ALCS, it should be quite a battle.

Let's see if this gets updated in 2013.

These Reds and Yankee hitters were a swing away from being heroes

The Reds shockingly blew a 2-0 series lead where the Giants were on the ropes.
The Yankees almost as shockingly are playing for their lives in a Game Five this afternoon against Baltimore.

Both teams not only were in control but there were several moments where a single swing of the bat could have made an instant legend out of a player and send their team to the LCS.

A walk off home run would have clinched it. In a few cases, a home run would not have been necessary.

The Reds are going to be stewing over a very long winter wondering what could have been.
If the Yankees lose today, they will be tormented by missed opportunity after missed opportunity.

But we here at Sully Baseball don't just think about things like the players who could have clinched a playoff series with one swing.

We list them in alphabetical order (because some hitters had more than one shot!)

Reds hitters who could have clinched the Division Series with one swing

Jay Bruce

Game 5 Giants leading 6-4, one out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Runners on first and second. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a fly ball to left field.

Ryan Hanigan.

Game 3 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a deep fly ball to center field that was caught.

Scott Rolen 

Game 3 tied 1-1, nobody out, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a deep foul ball that was caught in left field.

Game 5 Giants leading 6-4, two outs, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Runners on first and second. Home run would have clinched the series.

Struckout swinging.

Drew Stubbs

Game 3 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 9 against Sergio Romo. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Hit a pop up to the second baseman.

Yankees hitters who could have clinched the Division Series with one swing

Robinson Cano

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Runner on first. Extra base hit would have clinched the series.

Popped up to shortstop.

Curtis Granderson
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Flew out to deep center field.

Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Struck out swinging, catcher to first after dropped ball.

Raul Ibanez
Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to first base.

Derek Jeter
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to third base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Groundout to third.

Russell Martin
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 9 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded to third base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two out, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Struck out swinging, catcher to first after dropped ball.

Eduardo Nunez

Game 4 tied 1-1, one outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.

Groundout to third.

Alex Rodriguez
Game 4 tied 1-1, no outs, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to shortstop.

Ichiro Suzuki
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to first base.

Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 12 against Pedro Strop. Runner on first. Extra base hit would have clinched the series.
Grounded out to first base.

Nick Swisher
Game 4 tied 1-1, one out, bottom 11 against Pedro Strop. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Flyball out to deep left field.

Mark Teixeira
Game 4 tied 1-1, two outs, bottom 10 against Darren O'Day. Bases empty. Home run would have clinched the series.
Walked.



So four Reds hitters went a combined 0-5 in potential series clinching at bats.
Ten Yankee hitters went a combined 1-13 with a walk in potential series clinching at bats.

If the Yankees join the Reds on the golf course, then they will be wondering what could have been if their at bats went a little differently.

If a drive out of the ballpark would have turned them into instant legends instead of post season footnotes.

Nats... want to shut up all of the Strasburg talk? Win tonight

You know if Edwin Jackson and Jordan Zimmermann pitched as well as Ross Detwiler did yesterday, nobody would be complaining about Stephen Strasburg being shut down.

So it is up to Gio Gonzalez. He needs to shut down the Cardinals, end their reign as World Champions and move the Nationals to the NLCS.

Once there, Strasburg complains are off. This team making it to the NLCS would be quite an accomplishment no matter what.

Win today and the complaints will at least die down.
Lose today and be prepared for the what ifs all winter through the next fall.

A's... wear the yellow unis today

The A's have worn their green tops, gray tops and white tops.
It's time for the yellow tops.

I love the yellow tops. It harkens back to the Reggie Jackson/Vida Blue/Catfish Hunter/Rollie Fingers years.

And it doesn't say "Athletics", which I always found to be a lame name.
They are the A's, and the uniform says so.

And besides, the A's clinched the AL West in those threads.

Break them out. Beat Verlander in bright yellow shirts.

Let's go A's.

Joe Girardi should NOT start Raul Ibanez

It would be irresponsible for Joe Girardi to start Raul Ibanez in Game 4 of the Division Series or any future playoff game for that matter.

And I am not saying this as a Yankee hater who posted the following Tweet last night.

No, if you are rooting for the Yankees, you need to have Ibanez on the bench.
Why? Because he has shown he is valuable coming off the bench as a threat. Lingering, waiting and having the ability to enter the game, tie it and win it.

He did it against the A's on September 22. Game off the bench, homered twice including the 13th inning game tying shot.

He did it against the Red Sox on October 2. He pinch hit in the 9th and homered to tie the game. Then in the 12th he won the game with a single.

Last night he came off the bench, homered to tie the game and then homered to win it.

This is what he does. He's like Dave Roberts with the 2004 Red Sox. Roberts was the looming threat of a stolen base when then needed it.

The Yankees can turn to the bench for a game tying homer.
You know he will do it when he pinch hits today.

Girardi might not be sure when he needs that homer.
Will he need to pinch hit for Chavez? Nunez?

Thinking he can do it for the whole game might be a fallacy.
But you know when Ibanez walks into the on deck circle, the crowd would go berzerk.

That's Ibanez's job.
Don't start him.

Wait... I'm supposed to get WORK done today?

Seriously?

After a day and night filled with shocking homers, debates over benched pitchers, Cy Young award winners coming out of the bullpen, a three time MVP benched and his pinch hitter supplying a game tying and game winning homer, and the lowest paid team in the American League scoring three runs in the bottom of the 9th to stay alive... I'm supposed to concentrate on something other than baseball?

Is this a joke?

I live in California. It is 10:45AM as I am typing this. And guess what? The games have already started!

A potential 12 hours of baseball, two deciding games and the other two potential elimination games.


Baseball is the greatest sport there is. Last night and today is proof. Why?

 Because the Giants played their guts out to stay alive, the Yankees stormed back to take control, the Cardinals broke the Nationals heart and the A's had one of the great 9th innings EVER. When do they all play next? In less than 12 hours.

Take your Bye Weeks and and days in between games. Baseball playoffs are just better.

I wonder if Wily Mo Pena watched the Reds-Giants game last night

My beloved Red Sox are at home this post season, watching the games and pounding beers.

One of the big problems for the Sox the last few years, especially 2011 when they fell just short, was a lack of starting pitching and someone at the back of the rotation who could go deep into games.

Meanwhile the Cincinnati Reds, who unlike Boston made it to the 2010 and 2012 post season, are getting good mileage out of Bronson Arroyo.

In his seven seasons with the Reds, Arroyo has given Cincy 200 or more innings six times.
The one time he came short? 2011, he went 199 innings.

Not every year has been great, but he has won 12 or more games in five of those years and can reach back and have a great performance from time to time.

A case in point? Last night's 9-0 massacre of the Giants in Game 2 of the Division Series. The Reds took control of the series with Arroyo on the mound.

He threw 7 innings of shutout ball, letting up one hit, walking one and striking out four, preventing any Giants rallies.

Man the Red Sox could have used a pitcher like that.
Oh wait.

They HAD him. And right before the 2006 season after he signed a sweet heart extension, the Red Sox traded him to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena.


I called up XM Radio to complain about the trade when it happened, I always hated the trade and I hate it more now.

The Reds got a good innings eating pitcher who gives them flashes of brilliance for seven years and two division titles and the Red Sox got a crappy fourth outfielder for a year and a half.

FYI, while the Reds are probably on their way to the NLCS, Pena has played 39 games in the majors since 2008 and spent last year with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japan Pacific League.

I bet the Red Sox can resign him at a good price.

I hope he watched the game last night.

 

Post Season Managers and Their Hall of Fame Chances - A Bleacher Report Slideshow

A s the 2012 post season starts, the focus will be on the players and who will take home the World Series title. But for the managers, a ring not only is a crowning achievement for a season, but it could be a building block for a Hall of Fame career.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I take a look at the skippers and imagine what the 2012 championship would mean to their reputation.

You can read the whole article HERE.



 

Ten-Year Veterans Playing for First World Series Ring - A Bleacher Report Slideshow

Every year there is a respected veteran looking for their first World Series ring.
It could be a superstar or it could be a journeyman.

A few years ago Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia finally got their rings.
Last year Lance Berkman, Arthur Rhodes and Octavio Dotel got theirs.

In my latest for Bleacher Report, I run down the players who have logged in a decade of big league service who are in the post season and looking for championship #1.

At least one person on the list will get their dreams fulfilled.

Read the whole story HERE.