Month: October 2015

Arrieta Too Much For Pirates

Crippy Baseball , , , , ,

Jake Arrieta and the Cubs were too much for the Pirates tonight. Arrieta pitched a complete game shutout catapulting the North Siders into the division series against their arch-rivals, St. Louis Cardinals. (I guess as close to an arch-rival as you can have when you haven’t won in 106 years.)

After winning the N.L. Wild Card Game in 2013, the Pirates lost the game for the second straight year and for the second straight year they didn’t score a run. Last year they fell 8-0 to the Giants and this year 4-0 to the Cubs.

Going into the game defense was perhaps an advantage for the Pirates but the Cubbies flashed their share of leather tonight.  They were able to turn two double plays in the sixth and seventh to snuff out any thought of a Pittsburgh rally.

On to The Lou for the Cubs.

Kansas City Here Come The Astros

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The Astros got six shutout innings out of staff ace and Cy Young candidate, Dallas Keuchel, and enough offense last night to move on to the American League Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.

I wasn’t sure about this game.  The Yankees were at home and despite Keuchel’s fantastic season his numbers on the road weren’t stellar and he was pitching on three days rest.  However, he dominated the Yankees all year and last night was no different.

I’m So Excited…

Crippy Hockey, Playoff Baseball , , ,

I feel like I did when I was a little kid and my Dad came home with Tigers or Red Wings tickets. Tonight, the baseball playoffs begin and Thursday the NHL season starts.

I believe I was telling Sark last night at the bar, how despite my propensity to squander money, notwithstanding the $12 Comerica Park, chicken fingers, horrification I was going to start an austerity program.  Hmmm, I’m afraid that will have to wait.

You see, I had my fantasy hockey draft last night. I was able to get Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin.  I woke up this morning so excited that I got on NHL dot com just to peruse the new merchandise. I didn’t plan on purchasing anything, you understand.  Then I ran across this.

Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers Alternate Jersey
Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers Alternate Jersey

What was I to do?

This was unfair trade practices on the part of the NHL and the Edmonton Oilers.  Orange in my favorite color. Royal blue/purple are a close second. I’ve been awaiting the arrival of McDavid for over a year. McDavid was my first draft pick on my fantasy team.  I have tickets to the Wings – Oilers game.  Couple the aforementioned with my excitement, and well, austerity will be there tomorrow.

So long, Sand Gnats

Crippy Baseball

Check this out. I like the name Sand Gnats!

Minoring In Baseball

21852809652_cfb7d1b148_zWith the conclusion of the 2015 Minor League Baseball season, so comes the end of the franchise of the Savannah Sand Gnats of the South Atlantic League. The Sand Gnats played in one of my favorite ballparks, Historic Grayson Stadium. Having been built in 1927, you can really feel the history and ghosts of baseball past as you enter the gate. Unfortunately, the owners believed that the age of the ballpark and it’s 4,000 capacity was no longer conductive to a Single-A baseball team. When the city of Savannah made the decision not to build a new stadium, the owners made the decision to move the team to Columbia, South Carolina to become the Fireflies. Here are some nice ballpark photos HERE at one of my favorite websites.

21676884158_701763ee5c_zI’m disappointed that the Sand Gnats are leaving, because they are one of the reasons that I love Minor League Baseball. It…

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Tigers 6 White Sox 0

Crippy Baseball, Dailies, Detroit Tigers , , , , , , , ,

The Tigers ended a miserable season on a positive note by taking the season finale 6-0 over the White Sox. Daniel Norris and the much maligned bullpen combined on a three hit shutout.

The 74th win of the 2015 campaign was good for a last place Central Division finish and will provide the Tigers with a top 10 draft pick next season.

Here is my Good, Bad and Ugly for the 2015 season:

The Good:

  • James McCann finishes the year without making an error.  He has taken over the #1 catcher position
  • J.D. Martinez followed up last year’s impressive year with another one finishing with 102 RBIs, not bad for a guy the Tigers got for virtually nothing.
  • Justin Verlander looks like he will come back and be the Ace of Tigers staff in 2016
  • Nick Castellanos had a good year at the plate.  Remember this was only his second year.
  • Drew VerHagen, Alex Wilson, and Blaine Hardy look like they will be competent arms out the pen
  • Miggy won is fourth batting title

The Bad:

  • Victor Martinez’s injury riddled season
  • Miggy’s injury ridden power numbers
  • Castellanos’s play at third base
  • The inability to play as a team.  No part of the team “picked up” the other
  • Finishing in last place in the AL Central

The Ugly:

  • The base running – leading baseball in runners thrown out at home plate and just the overall incompetence on the base paths.
  • Hitting into the most double plays in baseball
  • Pitching – 28th in ERA 4.64
  • Bruce Rondon being sent home

The season in over for the Tigers but I’ll still be posting throughout the post season.  I’m predicting a Mets | Blue Jays World Series.  I’d like to see Granderson get a WS ring.

A big Flashin’ Leather Thank You to everyone that reads and comments!  I really appreciate your support!