With two weeks left in the regular season, the hunt for October is in full swing, and numerous teams are hoping to add at least one more game to their schedule. The second Wild Card allows another team to have a shot at winning it all, which has created additional buzz and excitement, but not all of the buzz has been positive.
"I hate it," Nationals manager Davey Johnson told USA Today a year ago when asked about the Wild Card format.
Not only has Davey Johnson been critical of the Wild Card format, where the two Wild Card teams face off in a one game playoff series, but players have also voiced their displeasure.
"Hopefully, that's one of the things they'll change," Pirates All-Star relief pitcher Mark Melancon told the Boston Globe.
While some managers and players might not be in favor of the current format, I love it. It puts an emphasis on winning your division, while rewarding the division winners with an extra day to prepare and allow them to set their pitching rotation for their first series.
This format also creates additional excitement to the end of the season. Right now in the American League there is six teams within 3 1/2 games of each other for their right to extend their season by just one day. In the National League, the Central is going to come down to the final days of the season with the Cardinals, Pirates and Reds all competing to win the divisional crown.
If it was not for the one game Wild Card playoff series, there would be little importance on winning your division. Instead, it would be a best two out of three series, causing division winner to have to wait an extra two to four days just to play their first playoff game. This would cause teams to play for the Wild Card spots instead of their division, which would eliminate the excitement of division races that come down to the wire like we have this season in the NL Central.
Although some people might not be in favor of the current Wild Card playoff format, it is the best thing for baseball. It creates excitement with multiple teams competing to the end for the possibility to extend their season by just one game. The hunt for October is an exciting time in baseball, and with the current playoff format it adds even more.
Showing posts with label American League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American League. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The American League MVP Award Race
This season there are many American League players who are having a great season. All of these players in my top five were selected to the All-Star Game, and they have a good chance of receiving many MVP Award votes. This race will come down to the last game of the season, and this is how I feel the race is shaping out through the first half of the season:
1st - Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout has definitely been the first half MVP. He is hitting .341 with 12 homeruns, 40 RBI's, and a .397 on-base percentage. He ranks first in batting average and stolen bases (26), and he ranks in the top six in runs (57), slugging percentage (.562), and OPS (.959). Mike Trout has been a huge difference in the Angels lineup. Since being called up, the Angeles are 40-24, which is a huge improvement; because before he was called up they had a record of 8-14. Mike Trout has really energized the Angels, and he can best be compared to Ichiro when he was a rookie with the Mariners in 2001. He won the Rookie of the Year Award and MVP Award that season, and I expect Trout to do the same. Right now there is no question he has been the MVP in the first half of the season, and it will be his award to lose.
2nd- Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton is having another productive season. He is an All-Star again this year, and he is having a MVP caliber season. Hamilton is hitting .308 with 27 homeruns, 75 RBI's, and an on-base percentage of .380. At the All-Star break he ranks first in homeruns, RBI's, slugging percentage (.635), and OPS (1.016). Josh Hamilton got off to a very hot start this season, but in the last month he has cooled off a lot. Even though he has been inconsistent throughout the first half of the season, he is still putting up MVP numbers. If he wants to win the A.L. MVP Award, he has to be more consistent throughout the rest of the season.
3rd - Robinson Cano - New York Yankees: Robinson Cano continues to show why he is one of the best players in the MLB today. He is having another great season, and has been the best offensive player on the Yankees this season. Cano is hitting .313 with 20 homeruns, 51 RBI's, and a .374 on-base percentage. He is ranked in the top ten in the American League, in average, homeruns, runs (57), slugging percentage (.578), and OPS (.953). Robinson Cano is a huge reason why the Yankees are having a good season this year. He will continue to make a strong case to be the American League MVP Award winner if he and the Yankees continue to play well in the second half of the season.
4th - Adam Jones - Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones is one of the only few reasons why the Orioles have been so good this season. If it wasn't for Adam Jones, the Orioles would not have a record anywhere near to what they currently have through the first half of the season. Adam Jones is having a breakout season, and he is hitting .289 with 20 homeruns, 44 RBI's, and an on-base percentage of .330. He currently ranks in the top ten in homeruns and runs scored (54) in the American League. His stats might not be as good as some of the other MVP Award candidates, but because of the way he has carried the Orioles this season, it will definitely put him in the MVP Award picture.
5th - David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz has been the only player on the Boston Red Sox who has had a great first half. At age 36, Ortiz is having another great offensive year. Ortiz is hitting .312 with 22 homeruns, 57 RBI's, and a .406 on-base percentage. He currently ranks in the top ten in batting average, homeruns and RBI's, and he ranks in the top five in runs (62), walks (51), slugging percentage (.607) and OPS (1.013). The Red Sox have struggled in the first half of the season, but they managed to end it with a .500 record at 43-43. If it wasn't for David Ortiz, who knows how bad the Red Sox would have been.
Players who are still in the MVP Award Race: Jose Bautista, Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Mark Trumbo.
The American League has many players who are deserving of winning the MVP Award. I think there also will be some players who I didn't even list, that will make a strong case to be in the MVP Award conversation by the end of the season. Mike Trout is leading the race so far to be named the best player in the American League, and it should be interesting to see if he can win the MVP Award as a rookie.
1st - Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels: Mike Trout has definitely been the first half MVP. He is hitting .341 with 12 homeruns, 40 RBI's, and a .397 on-base percentage. He ranks first in batting average and stolen bases (26), and he ranks in the top six in runs (57), slugging percentage (.562), and OPS (.959). Mike Trout has been a huge difference in the Angels lineup. Since being called up, the Angeles are 40-24, which is a huge improvement; because before he was called up they had a record of 8-14. Mike Trout has really energized the Angels, and he can best be compared to Ichiro when he was a rookie with the Mariners in 2001. He won the Rookie of the Year Award and MVP Award that season, and I expect Trout to do the same. Right now there is no question he has been the MVP in the first half of the season, and it will be his award to lose.
2nd- Josh Hamilton - Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton is having another productive season. He is an All-Star again this year, and he is having a MVP caliber season. Hamilton is hitting .308 with 27 homeruns, 75 RBI's, and an on-base percentage of .380. At the All-Star break he ranks first in homeruns, RBI's, slugging percentage (.635), and OPS (1.016). Josh Hamilton got off to a very hot start this season, but in the last month he has cooled off a lot. Even though he has been inconsistent throughout the first half of the season, he is still putting up MVP numbers. If he wants to win the A.L. MVP Award, he has to be more consistent throughout the rest of the season.
3rd - Robinson Cano - New York Yankees: Robinson Cano continues to show why he is one of the best players in the MLB today. He is having another great season, and has been the best offensive player on the Yankees this season. Cano is hitting .313 with 20 homeruns, 51 RBI's, and a .374 on-base percentage. He is ranked in the top ten in the American League, in average, homeruns, runs (57), slugging percentage (.578), and OPS (.953). Robinson Cano is a huge reason why the Yankees are having a good season this year. He will continue to make a strong case to be the American League MVP Award winner if he and the Yankees continue to play well in the second half of the season.
4th - Adam Jones - Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones is one of the only few reasons why the Orioles have been so good this season. If it wasn't for Adam Jones, the Orioles would not have a record anywhere near to what they currently have through the first half of the season. Adam Jones is having a breakout season, and he is hitting .289 with 20 homeruns, 44 RBI's, and an on-base percentage of .330. He currently ranks in the top ten in homeruns and runs scored (54) in the American League. His stats might not be as good as some of the other MVP Award candidates, but because of the way he has carried the Orioles this season, it will definitely put him in the MVP Award picture.
5th - David Ortiz - Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz has been the only player on the Boston Red Sox who has had a great first half. At age 36, Ortiz is having another great offensive year. Ortiz is hitting .312 with 22 homeruns, 57 RBI's, and a .406 on-base percentage. He currently ranks in the top ten in batting average, homeruns and RBI's, and he ranks in the top five in runs (62), walks (51), slugging percentage (.607) and OPS (1.013). The Red Sox have struggled in the first half of the season, but they managed to end it with a .500 record at 43-43. If it wasn't for David Ortiz, who knows how bad the Red Sox would have been.
Players who are still in the MVP Award Race: Jose Bautista, Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Mark Trumbo.
The American League has many players who are deserving of winning the MVP Award. I think there also will be some players who I didn't even list, that will make a strong case to be in the MVP Award conversation by the end of the season. Mike Trout is leading the race so far to be named the best player in the American League, and it should be interesting to see if he can win the MVP Award as a rookie.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The American League Cy Young Race
The American League Cy Young Award race has not been a huge surprise to most people so far this year. Almost all of the pitchers in consideration this year for the Cy Young Award have been Cy Young Award contenders in previous years. The race to be named the best pitcher in the A.L. will come down to the end, and this is how I feel the race looks right now:
1st - Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox: It is a surprise that Chris Sale is having a Cy Young caliber season, not because he isn't capable of being a great pitcher, but because it is his first season being a starting pitcher in the MLB. He has been one of the most dominating pitchers in the A.L. so far this season with a record of 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and a .95 WHIP. He ranks third in wins, eighth in strike outs with 98, and second in ERA and WHIP. The one problem I have with Chris Sale is that he has already pitched a career high 102.2 innings. We will have to see how he is able to hold up throughout the rest of the season, but if the season ended today he would be the Cy Young Award winner.
2nd - Jered Weaver - Los Angeles Angels: Jered Weaver has been very good to start the season and he is in the Cy Young Award talk again this year. If it wasn't for him going on the DL, he would have been ranked first in my Cy Young Award race. In 14 starts this year Jered Weaver is 9-1 with a 2.13 ERA and a .94 WHIP. He currently ranks fifth in wins, first in ERA and WHIP, and fourth in the A.L. with two complete games. Jered Weaver has been dominate on a good Angels team this year, and if he is able to hold up in the final months of the season, he should make a strong case to be the Cy Young Award winner.
3rd - Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers: Many people think Jusin Verlander is having a down year, but actually he has pitched very well on a struggling Tigers team. His numbers aren't as good as last year when he won both the MVP and Cy Young Award, but they are still good enough to make him a Cy Young Award contender again this year. He is 8-5 with a 2.69 ERA and a .98 WHIP in 17 starts this season. Justin Verlander ranks first in the A.L. in innings pitched (123.2), first in complete games (4), second in strike outs (121), third in WHIP, and fourth in ERA. If he can continue to pitch well and dominate opposing batters he should be in the Cy Young Award conversation at the end of the season.
4th - Jake Peavy - Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy is finally back after years of injuries and inconsistency. He has been pitching very well of late but the White Sox have had trouble scoring runs when he pitches. In his last four starts, a total of 30 innings, he has an ERA of 2.70, allowing a total of nine runs, four walks and 27 hits. Yet he has lost all four starts because the White Sox have scored a grand total of two runs. As a result of him losing four straight starts his record is 6-5, but besides his record his other stats are close to the top in the American League. He currently ranks sixth in ERA (2.96) and fourth in WHIP (.99). He also has pitched the most complete games with four, and he has struck out 101 batters four seventh best in the league. Jake Peavy needs to be able to stay healthy for a whole season, and he can't wear down in the last few months of the season if he wants to be a serious Cy Young Award contender.
5th - David Price - Tampa Bay Rays: David Price continues to develop into one of the best young pitchers in the game. He almost won the Cy Young Award two years ago when he had 19 wins, but end up losing to King Felix. This year Price is making another strong case to be in the Cy Young conversation. David Price is currently 11-4 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He leads the A.L. in wins and is fifth in ERA in 16 starts this year. He also is in the top ten in strike outs and innings pitched. David Price needs to continue to pitch well and hope that some of the pitchers above hm start to struggle if he wants to have a chance at being named the American League's best pitcher.
Pitchers who are still in the race: Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, CC Sabathia, C.J. Wilson, and Felix Hernandez.
The Cy Young Award race isn't over, and any of the pitchers who I don't have in my top five could easily make a push in the second have of the season to take home the award. It should be interesting to see if Chris Sale can hold up through the rest of the season, and if some of these pitchers can remain healthy enough to try to win the Cy Young Award in the American League.
Please follow me on Twitter @DanTheMan4295
1st - Chris Sale - Chicago White Sox: It is a surprise that Chris Sale is having a Cy Young caliber season, not because he isn't capable of being a great pitcher, but because it is his first season being a starting pitcher in the MLB. He has been one of the most dominating pitchers in the A.L. so far this season with a record of 10-2 with a 2.19 ERA and a .95 WHIP. He ranks third in wins, eighth in strike outs with 98, and second in ERA and WHIP. The one problem I have with Chris Sale is that he has already pitched a career high 102.2 innings. We will have to see how he is able to hold up throughout the rest of the season, but if the season ended today he would be the Cy Young Award winner.
2nd - Jered Weaver - Los Angeles Angels: Jered Weaver has been very good to start the season and he is in the Cy Young Award talk again this year. If it wasn't for him going on the DL, he would have been ranked first in my Cy Young Award race. In 14 starts this year Jered Weaver is 9-1 with a 2.13 ERA and a .94 WHIP. He currently ranks fifth in wins, first in ERA and WHIP, and fourth in the A.L. with two complete games. Jered Weaver has been dominate on a good Angels team this year, and if he is able to hold up in the final months of the season, he should make a strong case to be the Cy Young Award winner.
3rd - Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers: Many people think Jusin Verlander is having a down year, but actually he has pitched very well on a struggling Tigers team. His numbers aren't as good as last year when he won both the MVP and Cy Young Award, but they are still good enough to make him a Cy Young Award contender again this year. He is 8-5 with a 2.69 ERA and a .98 WHIP in 17 starts this season. Justin Verlander ranks first in the A.L. in innings pitched (123.2), first in complete games (4), second in strike outs (121), third in WHIP, and fourth in ERA. If he can continue to pitch well and dominate opposing batters he should be in the Cy Young Award conversation at the end of the season.
4th - Jake Peavy - Chicago White Sox: Jake Peavy is finally back after years of injuries and inconsistency. He has been pitching very well of late but the White Sox have had trouble scoring runs when he pitches. In his last four starts, a total of 30 innings, he has an ERA of 2.70, allowing a total of nine runs, four walks and 27 hits. Yet he has lost all four starts because the White Sox have scored a grand total of two runs. As a result of him losing four straight starts his record is 6-5, but besides his record his other stats are close to the top in the American League. He currently ranks sixth in ERA (2.96) and fourth in WHIP (.99). He also has pitched the most complete games with four, and he has struck out 101 batters four seventh best in the league. Jake Peavy needs to be able to stay healthy for a whole season, and he can't wear down in the last few months of the season if he wants to be a serious Cy Young Award contender.
5th - David Price - Tampa Bay Rays: David Price continues to develop into one of the best young pitchers in the game. He almost won the Cy Young Award two years ago when he had 19 wins, but end up losing to King Felix. This year Price is making another strong case to be in the Cy Young conversation. David Price is currently 11-4 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He leads the A.L. in wins and is fifth in ERA in 16 starts this year. He also is in the top ten in strike outs and innings pitched. David Price needs to continue to pitch well and hope that some of the pitchers above hm start to struggle if he wants to have a chance at being named the American League's best pitcher.
Pitchers who are still in the race: Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, CC Sabathia, C.J. Wilson, and Felix Hernandez.
The Cy Young Award race isn't over, and any of the pitchers who I don't have in my top five could easily make a push in the second have of the season to take home the award. It should be interesting to see if Chris Sale can hold up through the rest of the season, and if some of these pitchers can remain healthy enough to try to win the Cy Young Award in the American League.
Please follow me on Twitter @DanTheMan4295
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