Baseball Me Love

Ghost of 62 073118

2018-07-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The eight teams entering week 18 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Miami Marlins and New York Mets.

The Orioles are 32-74, 42.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 49-113. The team is hitting .234/.297/.393 and have scored 407 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.82 and have given up 548 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 32-73, 25.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 49-113. The team is hitting .241/.302/.374 and have scored 384 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.33 and have given up 580 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 37-68, 20.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .244/.302/.406 and have scored 430 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 5.04 and have given up 571 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Padres are 42-67, 18.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .232/.295/.365 and have scored 403 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.43 and have given up 522 runs or 4.8 per game.

The Tigers are 45-62, 13.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .242/.300/.380 and have scored 415 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.43 and have given up 496 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Rangers are 46-62, 21.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 69-93. The team is hitting .241/.321/.407 and have scored 495 which is 4.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.82 and have given up 566 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Marlins are 46-62, 13.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 69-93. The team is hitting .244/.311/.365 and have scored 413 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 544 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Mets are 44-59, 12.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 69-93. The team is hitting .228/.309/.377 and have scored 407 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.27 and have given up 469 runs or 4.6 per game.

Chasing 50-50 072518

2018-07-25T07:37:00.004-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season is in week 17 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. Added Jose Ramirez of the Indians, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Javier Baez of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, Didi Gregorius of the Yankees and Christian Yelich of the Marlins in week 13. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .317/.360/.540 with 17 HR, 3 RBI, 47 R, 0 SB in 97 games

Games Dodgers played: 101

Home Runs: 17 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 1 HR, 4 SB

This season he is hitting .305/.457/.599 with 26 HR, 54 RBI, 73 R, 19 SB in 102 games

Games Angels played: 102

Home Runs: 26 --- Projected Home Runs: 41

Steals: 19 --- Projected Steals: 30

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .300/.363/.576 with 12 HR, 40 RBI, 33 R, 10 SB in 52 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 102

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 16

Francisco Lindor

This week: 0 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.367/.559 with 25 HR, 63 RBI, 87 R, 15 SB in 99 games

Games Indians played: 100

Home Runs: 25 --- Projected Home Runs: 41

Steals: 15 --- Projected Steals: 24

Jose Ramirez

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .299/.402/.628 with 30 HR, 73 RBI, 70 R, 20 SB in 99 games

Games Indians played: 100

Home Runs: 30 --- Projected Home Runs: 49

Steals: 20 --- Projected Steals: 32

Tim Anderson

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .250/.302/.418 with 14 HR, 42 RBI, 53 R, 21 SB in 97 games

Games White Sox played: 100

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 21 --- Projected Steals: 34

Starling Marte

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.337/.503 with 16 HR, 54 RBI, 57 R, 25 SB in 90 games

Games Pirates played: 102

Home Runs: 16 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 25 --- Projected Steals: 40

Tommy Pham

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .254/.337/.410 with 14 HR, 41 RBI, 67 R, 10 SB in 94 games

Games Cardinals played: 101

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 16

Mookie Betts

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .351/.437/.668 with 24 HR, 52 RBI, 81 R, 18 SB in 83 games

Games Red Sox played: 103

Home Runs: 24 --- Projected Home Runs: 38

Steals: 16--- Projected Steals: 25

Andrew Benintendi

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .302/.386/.520 with 14 HR, 61 RBI, 71 R, 17 SB in 96 games

Games Red Sox played: 103

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 17--- Projected Steals: 27

Javier Baez

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .293/.326/.552 with 19 HR, 74 RBI, 63 R, 19 SB in 91 games

Games Cubs played: 100

Home Runs: 19 --- Projected Home Runs: 31

Steals: 19--- Projected Steals: 31

Trevor Story

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.354/.546 with 20 HR, 68 RBI, 51 R, 13 SB in 99 games

Games Rockies played: 100

Home Runs: 20 --- Projected Home Runs: 32

Steals: 13--- Projected Steals: 21

Didi Gregorius

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .262/.323/.471 with 17 HR, 56 RBI, 59 R, 10 SB in 94 games

Games Yankees played: 99

Home Runs: 17 --- Projected Home Runs: 28

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 16

Christian Yelich

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .308/.376/.500 with 13 HR, 52 RBI, 63 R, 13 SB in 87 games

Games Brewers played: 103

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 20

Steals: 13--- Projected Steals: 20

Ghost of 62 072418

2018-07-24T07:48:00.004-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The nine teams entering week 17 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds.

The Orioles are 28-73, 42.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 45-117. The team is hitting .228/.290/.382 and have scored 360 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.88 and have given up 526 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 30-69, 24.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 49-113. The team is hitting .239/.301/.368 and have scored 356 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 5.32 and have given up 545 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 35-64, 19.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .242/.302/.399 and have scored 397 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.86 and have given up 524 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Padres are 42-61, 15.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .232/.297/.366 and have scored 383 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.33 and have given up 485 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Mets are 40-57, 14.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 67-95. The team is hitting .227/.307/.376 and have scored 378 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.28 and have given up 446 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Rangers are 42-59, 23.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 67-95. The team is hitting .238/.320/.398 and have scored 443 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.82 and have given up 527 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Tigers are 43-59, 12.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .243/.302/.382 and have scored 397 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.38 and have given up 470 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Marlins are 43-59, 13.5 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .244/.312/.367 and have scored 390 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.78 and have given up 516 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Reds are 44-56, 14.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .258/.338/.401 and have scored 468 which is 4.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 521 runs or 5.2 per game.

Chasing 50-50 071818

2018-07-18T07:36:00.002-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season is at the All Star break and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. Added Jose Ramirez of the Indians, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Javier Baez of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, Didi Gregorius of the Yankees and Christian Yelich of the Marlins in week 13. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .310/.352/.522 with 15 HR, 60 RBI, 42 R, 0 SB in 92 games

Games Dodgers played: 96

Home Runs: 15 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .310/.454/.606 with 25 HR, 50 RBI, 71 R, 15 SB in 97 games

Games Angels played: 97

Home Runs: 25 --- Projected Home Runs: 42

Steals: 15 --- Projected Steals: 25

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .285/.348/.575 with 12 HR, 38 RBI, 26 R, 9 SB in 52 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 97

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 20

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 15

Francisco Lindor

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.367/.562 with 25 HR, 62 RBI, 85 R, 13 SB in 94 games

Games Indians played: 97

Home Runs: 25 --- Projected Home Runs: 42

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 22

Jose Ramirez

This week: 4 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .302/.401/.628 with 29 HR, 70 RBI, 68 R, 20 SB in 94 games

Games Indians played: 97

Home Runs: 29 --- Projected Home Runs: 48

Steals: 20 --- Projected Steals: 33

Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .246/.302/.414 with 13 HR, 39 RBI, 51 R, 21 SB in 92 games

Games White Sox played: 95

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 21 --- Projected Steals: 36

Starling Marte

This week: 3 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .285/.333/.480 with 13 HR, 44 RBI, 52 R, 25 SB in 85 games

Games Pirates played: 97

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 25 --- Projected Steals: 42

Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .243/.326/.396 with 13 HR, 35 RBI, 60 R, 9 SB in 87 games

Games Cardinals played: 94

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 16

Mookie Betts

This week: 1 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .359/.448/.691 with 23 HR, 51 RBI, 79 R, 18 SB in 78 games

Games Red Sox played: 98

Home Runs: 23 --- Projected Home Runs: 38

Steals: 16--- Projected Steals: 26

Andrew Benintendi

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .297/.380/.517 with 14 HR, 57 RBI, 68 R, 17 SB in 91 games

Games Red Sox played: 98

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 17--- Projected Steals: 28

Javier Baez

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.326/.566 with 19 HR, 72 RBI, 61 R, 18 SB in 91 games

Games Cubs played: 93

Home Runs: 19 --- Projected Home Runs: 33

Steals: 18--- Projected Steals: 31

Trevor Story

This week: 3 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.353/.557 with 20 HR, 68 RBI, 50 R, 12 SB in 95 games

Games Rockies played: 96

Home Runs: 20 --- Projected Home Runs: 34

Steals: 12--- Projected Steals: 20

Didi Gregorius

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .263/.326/.474 with 17 HR, 52 RBI, 58 R, 10 SB in 90 games

Games Yankees played: 95

Home Runs: 17 --- Projected Home Runs: 29

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 17

Christian Yelich

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.364/.459 with 11 HR, 43 RBI, 60 R, 12 SB in 82 games

Games Brewers played: 98

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 18

Steals: 12--- Projected Steals: 20

Royals spiral

2018-07-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

This season has been difficult as a fan of the Kansas City Royals. At the All Star break they are already digging the hole and carving the tombstone for the 2018 season. But how deep a hole are they digging for themselves the rest of the season?

My latest Ghost of 62 segment shows them at the bottom of the MLB looking up at the All Star break. The Baltimore Orioles are right there with them and initially appear to be worse because they play in the AL East with the two teams with the best records this year in the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Yet the Royals lack of accomplishment has been in the AL Central where the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are also among the bottom six in the MLB and the Cleveland Indians have the fewest wins of any division leader.

The headlines the past couple weeks give constant updates how the Orioles are about to trade away their best player Manny Machado. The fire sale looming at Kauffman Stadium will soon have Dayton Moore on tv like a used car saleman as every one must go. I have faith in Moore because he was the mastermind behind the original Royals rebuild that garnered the World Series Championship only three seasons ago. The trades he made that season were the right ones to make that Championship run getting rentals like Cueto and Zobrist. Now it is about making the right trades to build for the future.

The question will be how bad will the Royals be after that fire sale? The depths they plummet to the rest of the 2018 could be historical.

Ghost of 62 071718

2018-07-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The nine teams entering the All Star break are the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds.

The Royals are 27-68, 25.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 46-116. The team is hitting .239/.299/.368 and have scored 337 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 5.40 and have given up 530 runs or 5.6 per game.

The Orioles are 28-69, 39.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 47-115. The team is hitting .227/.290/.379 and have scored 345 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.87 and have given up 504 runs or 5.2 per game.

The White Sox are 33-62, 19.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 56-106. The team is hitting .244/.303/.402 and have scored 384 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.92 and have given up 510 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Padres are 40-59, 14.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 65-97. The team is hitting .232/.298/.368 and have scored 365 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.29 and have given up 465 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Mets are 39-55, 13.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 67-95. The team is hitting .228/.307/.378 and have scored 363 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.29 and have given up 431 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Tigers are 41-57, 12.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .245/.303/.386 and have scored 386 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.42 and have given up 456 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Marlins are 41-57, 13.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .246/.313/.368 and have scored 376 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.74 and have given up 491 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Rangers are 41-56, 22.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 69-93. The team is hitting .236/.319/.395 and have scored 424 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.61 and have given up 487 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Reds are 43-53, 13.5 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 73-89. The team is hitting .260/.341/.405 and have scored 461 which is 4.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.69 and have given up 493 runs or 5.1 per game.

Chasing 50-50 071118

2018-07-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 15 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. Adding Jose Ramirez of the Indians, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Javier Baez of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, Didi Gregorius of the Yankees and Christian Yelich of the Marlins in week 13. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .312/.354/.538 with 15 HR, 58 RBI, 41 R, 0 SB in 87 games

Games Dodgers played: 91

Home Runs: 15 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .314/.457/.656 with 25 HR, 50 RBI, 68 R, 14 SB in 92 games

Games Angels played: 92

Home Runs: 25 --- Projected Home Runs: 44

Steals: 14 --- Projected Steals: 25

AJ Pollock

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .287/.351/.596 with 12 HR, 37 RBI, 26 R, 9 SB in 47 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 92

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 21

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 16

Francisco Lindor

This week: 1 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .296/.370/.568 with 24 HR, 59 RBI, 80 R, 12 SB in 89 games

Games Indians played: 90

Home Runs: 24 --- Projected Home Runs: 43

Steals: 12 --- Projected Steals: 22

Jose Ramirez

This week: 1 HR, 4 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.391/.592 with 25 HR, 60 RBI, 61 R, 19 SB in 89 games

Games Indians played: 90

Home Runs: 25 --- Projected Home Runs: 45

Steals: 19 --- Projected Steals: 34

Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .246/.304/.416 with 13 HR, 35 RBI, 49 R, 21 SB in 88 games

Games White Sox played: 91

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 21 --- Projected Steals: 38

Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 5 SB

This season he is hitting .282/.332/.460 with 10 HR, 38 RBI, 47 R, 23 SB in 79 games

Games Pirates played: 91

Home Runs: 10 --- Projected Home Runs: 18

Steals: 23 --- Projected Steals: 41

Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .246/.331/.405 with 13 HR, 33 RBI, 59 R, 9 SB in 83 games

Games Cardinals played: 90

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 16

Mookie Betts

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .346/.435/.675 with 22 HR, 44 RBI, 74 R, 16 SB in 73 games

Games Red Sox played: 93

Home Runs: 22 --- Projected Home Runs: 38

Steals: 16--- Projected Steals: 28

Andrew Benintendi

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .298/.383/.523 with 14 HR, 57 RBI, 67 R, 17 SB in 89 games

Games Red Sox played: 93

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 17--- Projected Steals: 30

Javier Baez

This week: 1 HR, 4 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.326/.557 with 17 HR, 65 RBI, 56 R, 17 SB in 87 games

Games Cubs played: 89

Home Runs: 17 --- Projected Home Runs: 31

Steals: 17--- Projected Steals: 31

Trevor Story

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .286/.349/.535 with 17 HR, 62 RBI, 45 R, 11 SB in 90 games

Games Rockies played: 91

Home Runs: 17 --- Projected Home Runs: 30

Steals: 11--- Projected Steals: 20

Didi Gregorius

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .261/.324/.462 with 15 HR, 48 RBI, 53 R, 10 SB in 85 games

Games Yankees played: 90

Home Runs: 15 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 18

Christian Yelich

This week: 0 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.366/.467 with 11 HR, 40 RBI, 57 R, 12 SB in 76 games

Games Brewers played: 92

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 12--- Projected Steals: 21

Ghost of 62 071018

2018-07-10T07:40:00.001-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The nine teams entering week 15 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds.

The Orioles are 25-66, 37.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 45-117. The team is hitting .227/.291/.380 and have scored 324 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.89 and have given up 475 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 25-65, 24.5 games back and 0-10 over their last ten games. That projects to 45-117. The team is hitting .238/.298/.363 and have scored 311 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 5.33 and have given up 499 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 30-60, 19.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 54-108. The team is hitting .243/.302/.401 and have scored 359 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.93 and have given up 484 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Marlins are 38-55, 14.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .246/.313/.370 and have scored 355 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.82 and have given up 472 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Mets are 36-52, 13.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .228/.307/.379 and have scored 341 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.31 and have given up 407 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Padres are 39-54, 12.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 68-94. The team is hitting .232/.297/.366 and have scored 343 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.28 and have given up 434 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Tigers are 40-53, 11.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 70-92. The team is hitting .248/.307/.390 and have scored 375 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.38 and have given up 432 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Rangers are 40-52, 20.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 70-92. The team is hitting .237/.319/.397 and have scored 408 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.61 and have given up 464 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Reds are 40-51, 14.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .258/.338/.403 and have scored 429 which is 4.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.66 and have given up 461 runs or 5.1 per game.

Chasing 50-50 062718

2018-06-27T08:19:00.005-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 13 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. Adding Jose Ramirez of the Indians, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Javier Baez of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, Didi Gregorius of the Yankees and Christian Yelich of the Marlins in week 13. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .311/.351/.539 with 13 HR, 47 RBI, 34 R, 0 SB in 76 games

Games Dodgers played: 78

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .324/.459/.651 with 23 HR, 48 RBI, 62 R, 13 SB in 80 games

Games Angels played: 80

Home Runs: 23 --- Projected Home Runs: 47

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 26

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 79

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 18

Francisco Lindor

This week: 3 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.367/.545 with 19 HR, 44 RBI, 64 R, 10 SB in 77 games

Games Indians played: 78

Home Runs: 19 --- Projected Home Runs: 39

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 21

Jose Ramirez

This week: 2 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.398/.605 with 23 HR, 52 RBI, 55 R, 12 SB in 77 games

Games Indians played: 78

Home Runs: 23 --- Projected Home Runs: 48

Steals: 12 --- Projected Steals: 25

Tim Anderson

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .244/.307/.435 with 13 HR, 32 RBI, 42 R, 15 SB in 76 games

Games White Sox played: 78

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 15 --- Projected Steals: 31

Starling Marte

This week: 0 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .267/.321/.447 with 9 HR, 34 RBI, 41 R, 16 SB in 68 games

Games Pirates played: 79

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 18

Steals: 16 --- Projected Steals: 33

Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .252/.330/.420 with 12 HR, 26 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 72 games

Games Cardinals played: 78

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 19

Mookie Betts

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .338/.424/.688 with 20 HR, 41 RBI, 60 R, 14 SB in 60 games

Games Red Sox played: 80

Home Runs: 20 --- Projected Home Runs: 41

Steals: 14--- Projected Steals: 28

Andrew Benintendi

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.374/.522 with 13 HR, 51 RBI, 55 R, 12 SB in 76 games

Games Red Sox played: 80

Home Runs: 13 --- Projected Home Runs: 26

Steals: 12--- Projected Steals: 24

Javier Baez

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .276/.315/.555 with 16 HR, 56 RBI, 45 R, 13 SB in 75 games

Games Cubs played: 77

Home Runs: 16 --- Projected Home Runs: 34

Steals: 13--- Projected Steals: 27

Trevor Story

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .267/.334/.518 with 16 HR, 58 RBI, 42 R, 10 SB in 79 games

Games Rockies played: 79

Home Runs: 16 --- Projected Home Runs: 33

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 21

Didi Gregorius

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .259/.330/.478 with 15 HR, 43 RBI, 47 R, 9 SB in 72 games

Games Yankees played: 77

Home Runs: 15 --- Projected Home Runs: 32

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 19

Christian Yelich

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.366/.473 with 11 HR, 34 RBI, 52 R, 10 SB in 66 games

Games Brewers played: 78

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 21

Ghost of 62 062618

2018-06-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The eight teams entering week 13 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.

The Orioles are 23-54, 28.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 48-114. The team is hitting .226/.292/.379 and have scored 283 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.87 and have given up 398 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 24-54, 19.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 50-112. The team is hitting .239/.302/.367 and have scored 277 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 5.20 and have given up 426 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 26-51, 17.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .239/.300/.394 and have scored 294 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.72 and have given up 399 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Marlins are 32-47, 14.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .240/.306/.363 and have scored 292 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.86 and have given up 401 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Mets are 31-45, 13.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .232/.310/.384 and have scored 303 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.32 and have given up 354 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Reds are 32-46, 13.5 games back and 7-3 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .255/.335/.399 and have scored 350 which is 4.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.76 and have given up 394 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Padres are 35-46, 10.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 70-92. The team is hitting .234/.298/.370 and have scored 304 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.13 and have given up 364 runs or 4.5 per game.

The Rangers are 35-45, 17.0 games back and 8-2 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .234/.318/.391 and have scored 352 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.72 and have given up 412 runs or 5.2 per game.

Chasing 50-50 062018

2018-06-20T07:32:00.002-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 12 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .327/.364/.561 with 12 HR, 43 RBI, 32 R, 0 SB in 70 games

Games Dodgers played: 72

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 4 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .335/.469/.689 with 23 HR, 48 RBI, 60 R, 13 SB in 74 games

Games Angels played: 74

Home Runs: 23 --- Projected Home Runs: 50

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 28

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 73

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 20

Francisco Lindor

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.362/.529 with 16 HR, 40 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 71 games

Games Indians played: 72

Home Runs: 16 --- Projected Home Runs: 36

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 20

Tim Anderson

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .233/.300/.414 with 11 HR, 27 RBI, 36 R, 14 SB in 70 games

Games White Sox played: 72

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 29

Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .280/.332/.470 with 9 HR, 33 RBI, 36 R, 13 SB in 62 games

Games Pirates played: 73

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 20

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 29

Tommy Pham

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .272/.353/.453 with 12 HR, 26 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 66 games

Games Cardinals played: 71

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 21

Ghost of 62 061918

2018-06-19T08:03:00.001-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The seven teams entering week 12 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and New York Mets.

The Orioles are 20-50, 27.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 46-116. The team is hitting .228/.294/.375 and have scored 248 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.87 and have given up 361 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 22-50, 16.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 50-112. The team is hitting .243/.305/.372 and have scored 265 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.38 and have given up 404 runs or 5.6 per game.

The White Sox are 24-47, 14.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .240/.302/.397 and have scored 267 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.65 and have given up 356 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Reds are 26-45, 15.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 59-103. The team is hitting .251/.328/.388 and have scored 301 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 4.88 and have given up 368 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Marlins are 29-44, 14.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 64-98. The team is hitting .235/.303/.356 and have scored 258 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 366 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Rangers are 30-44, 19.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .231/.316/.392 and have scored 321 which is 4.3 per game. Their team ERA is 4.89 and have given up 396 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Mets are 31-38, 10.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 73-89. The team is hitting .229/.306/.380 and have scored 267 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.05 and have given up 301 runs or 4.3 per game.

2018 College World Series Preview

2018-06-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

The 2018 College World Series will be played in Omaha, NE at Ameritrade Park from June 16 thru June 26 or 27 if necessary. Defending champion Florida made it back to go for the repeat. Six of the national seeds made it to Omaha including top seed Florida. There are three former champions and one team making their first trip.

The first game Saturday has 49-10-1 third seed Oregon State against 43-18 sixth seed North Carolina. Oregon State swept Minnesota 8-1 and 6-3 to earn a return trip to Omaha. North Carolina swept Cinderella hopeful Stetson 7-4 and 7-5.

The Oregon State Beavers are led by Head Coach Pat Casey. They had a 20-9-1 conference record in the PAC 12 and their campus is in Corvallis, OR. Their top eight hitters are Nick Madrigal (.397), Adley Rutschman (.386), Steven Kwan (.357), Trevor Larnach (.336), Cadyn Grenier (.322), Michael Gretler (.316), Kyle Nobach (.303) and Tyler Malone (.273) with Larnach leading the team with 18 home runs followed by Gretler and Rutschman with seven each. The team batting average is .320 and they average 7.7 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Luke Heimlich (16-1, 2.32), Bryce Fehmel (10-1, 2.87) and Grant Gambrell (5-1, 4.40) with Jake Mulholland being their main closer with 15 saves. Their team ERA is 3.26 and they have given up 3.7 runs per game. In the 2017 MLB draft they had six players taken: Madrigal (White Sox, 1st round), Larnach (Twins, 1st), Grenier (Orioles, 1st), Kwan (Indians, 5th), Drew Rasmussen (Brewers, 6th), and Gretler (Pirates, 10th). This is their seventh CWS appearance and they won the title in 2006 and 2007.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are led by Head Coach Mike Fox. They had a 22-8 conference record in the ACC and their campus is in Chapel Hill, NC. Their top eight hitters are Kyle Datres (.344), Michael Busch (.333), Ike Freeman (.295), Brandon Riley (.294), Cody Roberts (.276), Zack Gahagan (.274), Brandon Martorano (.247) and Ashton McGee (.246) with Busch leading the team with 13 home runs followed by Martorano with nine. The team batting average is .286 and they average 7.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Austin Bergner (7-2, 4.28), Tyler Baum (4-1, 4.55) and Cooper Criswell (6-2, 2.82) with Josh Hiatt being their main closer with six saves. Their team ERA is 3.60 and they have given up 4.4 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: Rodney Hutchison (Yankees, 6th round), Roberts (Orioles, 11th), Datres (Rockies, 12th), Criswell (Angels, 13th), Riley (Cardinals, 14th), Hiatt (Blue Jays, 16th), Brett Daniels (Astros, 17th), Bergner (Diamondbacks, 32nd), Jason Morgan (White Sox, 35th), and Gahagan (Cardinals, 39th). This is their 11th CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The second game Saturday has 35-24 Washington against 37-27 Mississippi State. Washington started their super regional with an 8-5 victory over Cal State Fullerton, then lost 5-2 before advancing to Omaha with a 6-5 win. Mississippi State faced familiar SEC conference foe Vanderbilt revenging a regular season sweep by beating Vanderbilt 10-8 in the first game, slipping 4-3 in the second then claiming the ticket to Omaha with a 10-6 victory.

The Washington Huskies are led by Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. They had a 20-10 conference record in the PAC 12 and their campus is in Seattle, WA. Their top eight hitters are AJ Graffanino (.373), Mason Cerrillo (.335), Joe Wainhouse (.312), Braiden Ward (.309), Levi Jordan (.302), Nick Kahle (.293), Christian Jones (.269), and Willie MacIver (.243) with Wainhouse leading the team with 19 home runs followed by Jordan with eight. The team batting average is .274 and they average 5.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Joe DeMers (7-3, 2.56), Lucas Knowles (6-5, 3.89) and Jordan Jones (6-4, 3.99) with Alex Hardy being their main closer with eight saves. Their team ERA is 3.70 and they have given up 4.4 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had four players taken: Graffanino (Braves, 8th round), MacIver (Rockies, 9th), DeMers (Athletics, 11th), and Jordan (Cubs, 29th). This is their first CWS appearance.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Gary Henderson. They had a 15-15 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Starkville, MS. Their top eight hitters are Jake Magnum (.353), Rowdey Jordan (.333), Hunter Stovall (.319), Elijah MacNamee (.318), Tanner Allen (.298), Josh Hatcher (.259), Marshall Gilbert (.257) and Justin Foscue (.256) with MacNamee leading the team with eight home runs followed by Jordan with seven. The team batting average is .281 and they average 6.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Ethan Small (5-3, 3-11), Jacob Billingsley (5-3, 4.92) and Konnor Pilkington (2-6, 4.56) with closing duties split with Blake Smith and Cole Gordon having three saves each. Their team ERA is 4.39 and they have given up 5.0 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: Pilkington (White Sox, 3rd round), JP France (Astros, 14th), Stovall (Rockies, 21st), Small (Diamondbacks, 26th), Zach Neff (Twins, 31st), Magnum (Mets, 32nd), and Billingsley (Astros, 32nd). This is their 10th CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The first game Sunday has 44-19 fifth seed Arkansas taking on 42-21 13th seed Texas. Arkansas faced SEC foe South Carolina winning he first game 9-3, losing the second 8-5 before dominating the deciding game 14-4. Texas gave Cinderella Tennessee Tech hope by dropping the first game to them 5-4 before taking straight games 4-2 and 5-2.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are led by Head Coach Dave Van Horn. They had a 21-12 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Fayetteville, AR. Their top eight hitters are Casey Martin (.344), Carson Shaddy (.341), Heston Kjerstad (.340), Eric Cole (.329), Luke Bonfield (.307), Jax Biggers (.287), Dominic Fletcher (.282) and Grant Koch (.251) with Cole and Kjerstad leading the team with 14 home runs each followed by Martin and Shaddy with 13 each. The team batting average is .301 and they average 7.2 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Blaine Knight (12-0, 2.84), Kacey Murphy (8-5, 3.12) and Isaiah Campbell (4-6, 4.19) with Matt Cronin being their main closer with 12 saves. Their team ERA is 3.60 and they have given up 4.3 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had 11 players taken: Knight (Orioles, 3rd round), Cole (Royals, 4th), Koch (Pirates, 5th), Biggers (Rangers, 8th), Shaddy (Nationals, 10th), Murphy (Tigers, 11th), Evan Lee (Nationals, 15th), Barrett Loseke (Yankees, 17th), Jake Reindl (Cubs, 17th), Campbell (Angels, 24th), and Zack Plunkett (Diamondbacks, 37th). This is their ninth CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The Texas Longhorns are led by Head Coach Philip Miller. They had a 17-7 conference record in the Big 12 and their campus is in Austin, TX. Their top eight hitters are Cody Clemens (.356), Duke Ellis (.297), David Hamilton (.294), Zach Zubia (.277), DJ Petrinsky (.261), Masen Hibbeler (.256), Ryan Reynolds (.252) and Jake McKenzie (.246) with Clemens leading the team with 24 home runs followed by Zubia with 11. The team batting average is .272 and they average 5.9 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Nolan Kingham (8-4, 4.34), Chase Shugart (6-3, 4.07) and Blair Henley (6-6, 3.32) with Andy McGuire being their main closer with seven saves. Their team ERA is 4.09 and they have given up 4.6 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had five players taken: Clemens (Tigers, 3rd round), Kingham (Braves, 12th), Shugart (Red Sox, 12th), Josh Sawyer (Cubs, 16th), and McGuire (Blue Jays, 28th). This is their 36th CWS appearance and have won six titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002 and 2005.

The second game Sunday has 42-17 top seed Florida taking on 39-17 ninth seed Texas Tech. Florida came out on top in yet another all SEC super regional beating Auburn 8-2 in the first game, losing 3-2 in the second and flipped the score to advance in another 3-2 game. Texas Tech took on another baseball Cinderella in Duke taking the first game 6-4, took a step back losing 11-2 and claimed the super regional with a 6-2 win.

The Florida Gators are led by Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan. They had a 20-10 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Gainesville, FL. Their top eight hitters are Jonathan India (.354), JJ Schwarz (.325), Austin Langworthy (.294), Deacon Liput (.291), Nelson Maldonado (.278), Nick Horvath (.270), Will Dalton (.266) and Brady Smith (.259) with India leading the team with 20 home runs followed by Dalton with 19. The team batting average is .278 and they average 6.7 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Brady Singer (12-1, 2.30), Jackson Kowar (9-5, 3.24) and Tyler Dyson (5-3, 4.47) with Michael Byrne being their main closer with 15 saves. Their team ERA is 3.46 and they have given up 4.0 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: India (Reds, 1st round), Singer (Royals, 1st), Kowar (Royals, 1st), Schwarz (Athletics, 8th), Liput (Dodgers, 10th), Byrne (Reds, 14th), and Horvath (Orioles, 25th). This is their 12th CWS appearance and they won the title last year.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are led by Head Coach Tim Tadlock. They had a 15-9 conference record in the Big 12 and their campus is in Lubbock, TX. Their top eight hitters are Josh Jung (.390), Grant Little (.372), Gabe Holt (.352), Zach Rheams (.348), Cameron Warren (.327), Brian Klein (.323), Cody Farhat (.294) and Michael Davis (.288) with Rheams leading the team with 17 home runs followed by Davis, Jung and Little with 12 each. The team batting average is .311 and they average 8.3 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Caleb Kilian (9-2, 3.04), Davis Martin (7-5, 4.50) and John McMillon (5-3, 4.01) while having a committee closer approach as Ty Harpenau has four saves while Caleb Freeman, Dane Haveman and Ryan Shetter have three each . Their team ERA is 4.40 and they have given up 5.0 runs per game. In the 2018 MLB draft they had 11 players taken: Little (Padres, 2nd round), Steven Gingery (Cardinals, 4th), Shetter (Braves, 9th), Jose Quezada (Padres, 10th), Martin (White Sox, 14th), Harpenau (Braves, 16th), Kilian (Orioles, 20th), Farhat (Indians, 23rd), Davis (Twins, 24th), Dylan Dusek (Giants, 27th), and Rheams (Mets, 27th). This is their third CWS appearance and have yet to win the title.

While not as dominating as they were in 2017 Oregon State has a good chance of advancing out of bracket one to the championship round. Bracket two is a deeper talent pool but Arkansas may have what it takes to advance over defending champ Florida and the two Big 12 schools. Can't wait to see how the games unfold.

Chasing 50-50 061318

2018-06-13T06:54:00.003-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 11 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .333/.366/.556 with 10 HR, 41 RBI, 30 R, 0 SB in 64 games

Games Dodgers played: 66

Home Runs: 10 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 4 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .310/.438/.682 with 23 HR, 44 RBI, 56 R, 13 SB in 68 games

Games Angels played: 68

Home Runs: 23 --- Projected Home Runs: 55

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 31

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 66

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 22

Francisco Lindor

This week: 0 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.365/.534 with 14 HR, 35 RBI, 49 R, 8 SB in 64 games

Games Indians played: 65

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 35

Steals: 8 --- Projected Steals: 20

Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .232/.297/.425 with 11 HR, 26 RBI, 33 R, 13 SB in 53 games

Games White Sox played: 65

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 32

Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .286/.340/.475 with 8 HR, 30 RBI, 35 R, 13 SB in 56 games

Games Pirates played: 67

Home Runs: 8 --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 31

Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .271/.355/.431 with 9 HR, 23 RBI, 47 R, 9 SB in 60 games

Games Cardinals played: 65

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 22

Ghost of 62 061218

2018-06-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Chasing 50-50 060618

2018-06-06T07:26:00.002-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week ten and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .344/.374/.568 with 9 HR, 34 RBI, 24 R, 0 SB in 58 games

Games Dodgers played: 60

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .315/.447/.671 with 19 HR, 39 RBI, 52 R, 13 SB in 62 games

Games Angels played: 62

Home Runs: 19 --- Projected Home Runs: 50

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 34

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 60

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 30

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 24

Francisco Lindor

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .300/.374/.556 with 14 HR, 35 RBI, 45 R, 6 SB in 58 games

Games Indians played: 59

Home Runs: 14 --- Projected Home Runs: 38

Steals: 6 --- Projected Steals: 16

Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .237/.301/.449 with 11 HR, 22 RBI, 30 R, 12 SB in 57 games

Games White Sox played: 58

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 31

Steals: 12 --- Projected Steals: 34

Starling Marte

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .294/.343/.479 with 7 HR, 23 RBI, 32 R, 10 SB in 50 games

Games Pirates played: 60

Home Runs: 7 --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 27

Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .266/.359/.452 with 9 HR, 23 RBI, 40 R, 8 SB in 53 games

Games Cardinals played: 58

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 8--- Projected Steals: 22

Ghost of 62 060518

2018-06-05T07:18:00.003-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The seven teams entering week ten are the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

The Orioles are 17-41, 23.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 47-115. The team is hitting .231/.294/.388 and have scored 215 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.00 and have given up 309 runs or 5.3 per game.

The White Sox are 18-38, 11.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 52-110. The team is hitting .245/.309/.415 and have scored 223 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.99 and have given up 302 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Marlins are 20-39, 14.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .233/.299/.347 and have scored 196 which is 3.3 per game. Their team ERA is 5.06 and have given up 216 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Royals are 21-39, 10.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .256/.318/.392 and have scored 242 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 5.49 and have given up 343 runs or 5.7 per game.

The Reds are 21-39, 16.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .247/.323/.384 and have scored 245 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 5.00 and have given up 316 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Rangers are 25-37, 13.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 65-97. The team is hitting .228/.306/.388 and have scored 255 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 4.74 and have given up 325 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Blue Jays are 26-33, 14.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .229/.309/.407 and have scored 270 which is 4.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 297 runs or 5.0 per game.

Chasing 50-50 051618

2018-05-16T08:05:00.002-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week seven and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .306/.346/.484 with 5 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R, 0 SB in 39 games

Games Dodgers played: 41

Home Runs: 5 --- Projected Home Runs: 20

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .306/.449/.633 with 12 HR, 25 RBI, 34 R, 8 SB in 42 games

Games Angels played: 42

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 46

Steals: 8 --- Projected Steals: 31

AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 42

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 42

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 34

Francisco Lindor

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .316/.394/.608 with 12 HR, 26 RBI, 35 R, 5 SB in 41 games

Games Indians played: 41

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 47

Steals: 5 --- Projected Steals: 20

Tim Anderson

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .239/.299/.430 with 7 HR, 11 RBI, 17 R, 10 SB in 38 games

Games White Sox played: 38

Home Runs: 7 --- Projected Home Runs: 30

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 43

Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .308/.366/.503 with 6 HR, 19 RBI, 30 R, 10 SB in 41 games

Games Pirates played: 41

Home Runs: 6 --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 40

Tommy Pham

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .308/.420/.533 with 7 HR, 17 RBI, 28 R, 7 SB in 35 games

Games Cardinals played: 39

Home Runs: 7 --- Projected Home Runs: 29

Steals: 7 --- Projected Steals: 29

Ghost of 62 051518

2018-05-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The nine teams entering week seven are the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays.

The White Sox are 10-27, 8.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 44-118. The team is hitting .242/.310/.414 and have scored 147 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 5.35 and have given up 214 runs or 5.8 per game.

The Orioles are 13-28, 15.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 51-111. The team is hitting .236/.301/.405 and have scored 173 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 5.08 and have given up 229 runs or 5.6 per game.

The Royals are 13-28, 7.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 51-111. The team is hitting .259/.322/.394 and have scored 165 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 5.46 and have given up 235 runs or 5.7 per game.

The Reds are 14-28, 11.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 54-108. The team is hitting .247/.325/.386 and have scored 175 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 4.83 and have given up 214 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Marlins are 14-26, 11.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .227/.297/.337 and have scored 138 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 5.12 and have given up 216 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Padres are 16-27, 9.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 60-102. The team is hitting .227/.299/.363 and have scored 160 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.27 and have given up 208 runs or 4.8 per game.

The Rangers are 16-26, 9.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 62-100. The team is hitting .229/.228/.392 and have scored 163 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.84 and have given up 224 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Dodgers are 16-24, 7.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 65-97. The team is hitting .239/.320/.387 and have scored 171 which is 4.3 per game. Their team ERA is 3.97 and have given up 172 runs or 4.3 per game.

The Rays are 17-22, 10.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .261/.330/.397 and have scored 164 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 4.57 and have given up 186 runs or 4.8 per game.

Chasing 50-50 050918

2018-05-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week six and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .353/.385/.569 with 5 HR, 17 RBI, 13 R, 0 SB in 33 games

Games Dodgers played: 35

Home Runs: 5 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0

Mike Trout

This week: 2 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .328/.453/.703 with 12 HR, 24 RBI, 30 R, 7 SB in 35 games

Games Angels played: 35

Home Runs: 12 --- Projected Home Runs: 56

Steals: 7 --- Projected Steals: 32

AJ Pollock

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .308/.361/.677 with 11 HR, 31 RBI, 23 R, 8 SB in 34 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 35

Home Runs: 11 --- Projected Home Runs: 51

Steals: 8 --- Projected Steals: 37

Francisco Lindor

This week: 5 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .289/.354/.544 with 9 HR, 21 RBI, 27 R, 5 SB in 35 games

Games Indians played: 35

Home Runs: 9 --- Projected Home Runs: 42

Steals: 5 --- Projected Steals: 23

Tim Anderson

This week: 2 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .254/.299/.444 with 6 HR, 9 RBI, 15 R, 10 SB in 33 games

Games White Sox played: 33

Home Runs: 6 --- Projected Home Runs: 29

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 49

Starling Marte

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.357/.475 with 5 HR, 17 RBI, 25 R, 9 SB in 36 games

Games Pirates played: 36

Home Runs: 5 --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 41

Tommy Pham

This week: 1 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .323/.442/.535 with 5 HR, 14 RBI, 24 R, 7 SB in 30 games

Games Cardinals played: 34

Home Runs: 5 --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 7 --- Projected Steals: 33

Ghost of 62 050818

2018-05-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. This is the first segment of the 2018 season as the cellar dwellers established themselves well before the All-Star break. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The nine teams entering week six are the Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. That is a record number for a week.

The Reds are 8-27, 13.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 37-125. The team is hitting .239/.322/.367 and have scored 139 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 5.32 and have given up 192 runs or 5.5 per game.

The Orioles are 8-26, 17.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 38-124. The team is hitting .220/.288/.362 and have scored 115 which is 3.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.95 and have given up 187 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 9-23, 7.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 46-116. The team is hitting .242/.309/.413 and have scored 125 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 5.08 and have given up 176 runs or 5.5 per game.

The Royals are 11-23, 6.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 52-110. The team is hitting .249/.316/.377 and have scored 126 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.05 and have given up 184 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Padres are 13-23, 11.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 58-104. The team is hitting .229/.301/.372 and have scored 141 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.48 and have given up 182 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Rangers are 14-23, 8.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 61-101. The team is hitting .233/.302/.398 and have scored 151 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 4.96 and have given up 201 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Marlins are 13-21, 6.5 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 62-100. The team is hitting .225/.295/.327 and have scored 115 which is 3.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.79 and have given up 173 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Tigers are 14-20, 3.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 67-95. The team is hitting .259/.318/.410 and have scored 148 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.21 and have given up 158 runs or 4.6 per game.

The Dodgers are 15-19, 8.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .244/.325/.394 and have scored 151 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 3.83 and have given up 141 runs or 4.1 per game.

update 050818

2018-05-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Decided to come back in a limited capacity. Do miss the daily grind but unable to devote to that right now. Will revive a couple weekly segments.

Albert Pujols reaches 3000 hit milestone

2018-05-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Albert Pujols of the Los Angeles Angels reached the 3000 hit milestone in a 5-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on May 4, 2018. For the game he was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, 1 R and 1 BB while hitting fourth and playing first base. Pujols became the 32nd player to reach the milestone in the fifth inning with a single off Mike Leake. He added another single in the ninth to move past Roberto Clemente on the hit chart.

Over 18 MLB seasons with the Angels and Cardinals he has hit .304/.385/.560 with 620 HR, 1937 RBI, 1738 R, 110 SB in 2606 games. He has 928 hits with the Angels after 2073 with the Cardinals. The accomplishment also puts him in the exclusive 3000 hit/600 HR club with Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round in 1999. Pujols turned 38 on January 16.

My Draft 2018

2018-04-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

I decided to continue the tradition of recapping my results from the annual fantasy baseball draft since it is one of my favorite days of the year. It starts the 13th year of our league and I have known some of the others through work, playing softball or both for much longer than that. The format was changed to head-to-head but that didn't change my draft approach. We have a $300 cap and I had $137 available to fill 15 spots.

Going into the draft my core team was Joey Gallo at first, Kris Bryant at third, Carlos Correa at short, Austin Hedges at catcher, Mitch Haniger, Trey Mancini and Hunter Renfroe in the outfield, Alex Bregman for CI, Trea Turner for MI, and CJ Cron, Matt Olson, Ryan Rua, Eugenio Suarez and Eric Thames available for flex. The initial pitching staff to build on was Alex Wood, Luke Weaver, Mike Clevinger, Sean Manaea, Robbie Ray, Mike Foltynewicz, German Marquez, Edwin Diaz, Corey Knebel and Chad Green.

Needing a second baseman that had to be one of the priorities along with building depth at catcher, outfield and the pitching staff. I also intended to pick up a handful of farm eligible players to build on the future and to be able to bring players like JD Davis, Austin Hays and Gleyber Torres up when necessary. My top prospect target would be Scott Kingery.

The first round consisted of the usual big names plus the typical screwball pick. Clayton Kershaw started off the draft at $37. He was followed by Jose Altuve ($43), Chris Sale ($37), Yu Darvish ($29), Sixto Sanchez ($2), Bryce Harper ($38), Jose Abreu ($26), Evan Gattis ($18), Dee Gordon ($30), Charlie Blackmon ($38), Carlos Santana ($14) and Kenley Jansen ($29). I did some bidding but didn't land anyone. It was bittersweet to seeing Kershaw, Altuve, Harper and Gordon from my team last year go off to new owners. At the draft I said Harper was one of my babies since I had drafted him before the MLB did.

This year I didn't keep track of what round I took players but the first player I took was Tyler Wade of the Yankees for $6 which filled a need at second base. My second pick was Justin Verlander ($29) which immediately gave my pitching staff an upgrade. Took a chance on Matt Harvey ($3) and Alex Avila ($3) who might do good things at the Arizona launch pad. The rest of my first ten picks were Carlos Gonzalez ($4), Tyler Naquin ($5), Adam Eaton ($12), Delino DeShields Jr ($11), Cole Hamels ($15) and Jarrod Dyson ($5).

I had then picked up Jake Odorizzi ($10) and Roberto Perez ($1) when I realized someone had thrown out Kingery for bidding. Ronald Acuna had set a new league record for a farm eligible player a bit earlier going for $22. I wasn't pleased that I was in a bidding war for Kingery but landed him at $17. My initial intention was to start him on the farm but since he already impressed enough to stick with the Phillies he's going to be my second baseman over Wade.

After drafting Kendall Graveman ($1) for the fourth year in a row I filled my final roster spot with Kyle Tucker ($7). Tucker will be the only player I drafted sent to the farm. Truthfully I lost track of how many spots I had because I put Verlander in the wrong spot on my sheet. There is one more farm player I will be secretly tracking this season as he develops.

Draft is over. Fun as always. Now time to enjoy their performances.

Not Farewell

2018-01-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

It is with a heavy heart I decided to severely scale back my efforts on Baseball Me Love. I poured myself into it for seven years especially in 2017 without the results I hoped for. It was especially disappointing that the college showcases for YouTube didn't catch on since NO ONE else was doing that. The previous post was intended to be the cornerstone of the foundation for a premium sister site I never gained support for. Yet I'm not totally shelving it because I will return twice a year to continue the two efforts I am most proud of: The College World Series Preview and the MLB Hall of Fame articles. Now I am trying to focus my efforts to make a greater impact on mankind. Until next time.