Archive for the ‘baseball’ Category

Cubs Hammel the Rangers

Posted: July 16, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
Tags: , , , ,
0

Jason Hammel still seeking out his 8th win of the season will have to take on the best in the AL West, the Texas Rangers and back from the disabled list, Yu Darvish.

Hammel would make it a quick 1st inning but goes into the 2cd giving up a single to Ryan Rua.  With two outs Elvis Andrus would send a routine ground ball to Addison Russell who’s throw pulls Rizzo off of first, Rua never stops, Rizzo’s throw home is out of reach for Montero but bounces back to him, Miguel’s throw to second is perfect getting Andrus out at 2cd to end the inning.

That would be the only run Hammel gives up through 6 innings.  He would only give up one more hit, walks one and strikes seven for a quality start.

Yu would have batter luck through the first two innings but give up a leadoff walk to Montero and a one out single to Tommy LaStella.  With two men on and two outs, Rizzo would send a line drive to right scoring both runners.  Yu would only make it 4 and 1/3 innings but he’d strike out 9 Cubs while walking four.

Shawn Tolleson would replace Yu to finish the 5th but it would be in the bottom of the 6th with two outs and two men on, he’d give up a single to Matt Szczur scoring Jason Heyward putting the Cubs up 3-1.  That would be all the Cubs need to fly the W in Wrigleyville.

Hammel would get the win as Adam Warren and Travis Wood score the hold with Hector Rondon scoring his 15th save of the season.  Two down, one more for the sweep.

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Let’s Call it Wednesday

Posted: July 13, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, basketball, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,
0

On Monday Tim Duncan retired from the NBA after 19 seasons. Now after a career like Duncan’s you might expect a little fanfare to announce his retirement. There was no gigantic goodbye press conference called. There was no cool Instagram video posted. There was no picture on Twitter making the announcement. As a matter of fact I don;t think social media was involved in making the announcement at all. So how did Duncan go out; the San Antonio Spurs out out a simple press release announcing his retirement. It’s almost the way you’d expect Duncan to go out. While Duncan wasn’t looking for the spotlight as he was retiring and didn’t seem interested on having one more retirement type season, but after the career he had if he would’ve wanted that who could’ve blamed him.

San Antonio selected Duncan with the #1 pick in the 1997 draft. Duncan entered the NBA after winning 3 player of the year awards in college. He was named AP Player of the Year, Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year and he also won the John R. Wooden Award. Duncan then went on to win the 1997-98 NBA Rookie of the Year award. That was just the start of the awards that Duncan would win throughout his career. He won 5 NBA Championships with the Spurs and was named Finals MVP. 3 times. He won 2 NBA MVP. awards and he did it in back to back seasons; 2001-02 and 2002-03. Besides winning the MVP twice Duncan finished in the Top 5 of the voting 9 other times. Duncan also made 15 All-Star teams and was named MVP of the 1999-00 game. Duncan played in 1392 games; he averaged 19.0 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game while playing an average of 34 minutes a game. Duncan should go down as one of the best to every play the game and I’ve even heard some experts mention he should be in the Top 5 all-time. One of the things I found more interesting about Duncan’s 19 year career was the fact that he played all 19 of those seasons with one team and he had the same head coach Gregg Popovich for all 19 of those seasons. By comparison Kobe Bryant just wrapped up a 20 year NBA career that saw him play for 10 different head coaches. That begs the question; will we ever see a player with this long of a career play for just one head coach?

Now there is no better All-Star game than the Major League Baseball All-Star game. It’s far and away the closet to the actual game that is played during the regular season. While the National Hockey League did improve their game last season and it was a lot more watchable than it had been. Of course it is a three on three game and it’s different than what they do in the regular season. The National Football League Pro-Bowl is a huge joke. In a way it’s almost understandable. Football is a very physical game and the last thing a team or even a fan base needs is for it’s Pro-Bowl player to get injured going all out in an All-Star game. The biggest joke out of all the All-Star games has to be the fiasco the National Basketball Association puts on. There is absolutely no defense played and you have to believe sooner or later we’re going to see an NBA All-Star team score 200 points in the game. Baseball is so different because it’s difficult to fake. In the other All-Star games you can make it look like you’re trying without really trying. In baseball though there’s still a pitcher on the mound and unless he’s willing to serve one up t the hitter and make himself look bad he’s going to pitch to that batter like it’s a regular game. Ever now and then you get a blowout in the MLB All-Star game, but the majority of the time you get a close well played game like last nights.

Tuesday on the Sports Time Radio podcast Dan the Man selected the National League  to win the All-Star game. Of course we know by now that he was on the wrong side of that pick as the American League  picked up a 4-2 victory to claim home field advantage in the World Series. What I still don’t know and I haven’t been able to find out is; why was the NL the visitors? I thought for sure with the game being played at Petco Park in San Diego that the NL would be the home team. I’ll have to do a little more research and try to figure it out. Now the NL got off t a quick start as Kris Bryant hit a solo home run in the Top of the 1st off of Chris Sale to give the NL a quick 1-0 lead. The A.L. turned it around in the bottom of the 2nd inning getting a solo home run by Eric Hosmer to tie the score and then a two-run home run by Salvador Perez put the AL up 3-1 and it turned out to be a lead they would relinquish. Hosmer and Perez both hit their home runs off of their former teammate Johnny Cueto. The AL added a run in the Bottom of the 3rd inning. David Ortiz drew a walk and then Edwin Encarnacion came into to run for him and allow Ortiz to walk off the field to a big crowd reaction in his last All-Star game. Xander Bogaerts doubled to put runners on 2nd and 3rd for the AL It was Hosmer again who came through for the AL with a single to left field off of Jose Fernandez to bring Encarnacion home and put the AL up 4-1. The NL did get a run back in the Top of the 4th inning. Buster Posey drew a one out walk. Anthony Rizzo singled moving Posey to 3rd base. Marcel Ozuna singled to center off of Aaron Sanchez to drive in Posey and cut the AL lead to 4-2. The NL got 10 hits in the game with Daniel Murphy being the only guy with 2 hits. The AL got 8 hits in the game with Hosmer and Jackie Bradley Jr. each getting 2 hits. The AL used 10 pitchers in the game with Corey Kluber getting the win and Zach Britton picking up a save. The NL used 9 pitchers in the game with Cueto being the pitcher who took the loss. Hosmer was voted the games MVP.

The Big Jack Follow me on Twitter!

The Podcast Now on Tune In Radio!  Apple users can download us straight to the Podcast App!

Great Start to the All Star Break

Posted: July 10, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,
0

John Lackey looks to stay above .500 with another win to go into the All Star break on a good note.  Jonathon Niese would get the start for the Pirates and immediately get the ball rolling for the Cubs with singles to lead off man Ben Zobrist, then on one out to Anthony Rizzo and to load the bases Wilson Contreras.  Addison Russell would also smack a single but this one gives him two RBI’s.  Lackey would only give up one single in the bottom half. After the 1st, Cubs 2-0.

Cubs would go down quick in the top of the 2cd but Lackey would allow a solo home run to star off the bottom half to Sean Rodriguez.  Adam Frazier singles and scores on Eric Fryer’s one out double to left.  With two outs, John Jaso sends a line drive to right scoring Fryer.  The Pirates are now up 3-2.  

Kris Bryant stars off the 3rd with a walk and advances to third on Rizzo’s double to right.  Contreras would ground out to first but drives in Bryant to tie the game at 3.  Andrew McCutchen would lead off the bottom half of the 3rd with a solo home run to take the lead.  

The back and forth of leads would stop in the top of the 4th, after Albert Almora, Jr launches his 2cd home run of the season driving in Baez to take the lead, 5-4.  Niese would then give up back to back singles to Bryant and Rizzo prompting his removal for Arquimedes Caminero to end the inning.  

Lackey would make it to the 7th walking Josh Bell and giving up a single to John Jaso.  With no outs, Maddon brings in Pedro Strop.  He gets the first out and the second out from McCutchen but is scored as a sac fly to tie the game at 5.  

Pirates set up man, Tony Watson enters the game and immediately strikes out Almora but gives up a double to Matt Szcuzr.  Zo pops out on a bunt.  With two outs Bryant’s sends a line drive to left scoring Szczur for the Cubs to take the lead again giving Watson a blown save.  

Carl Edwards, Jr and Hector Rondon take the last two innings of the game for the hold and save as Strop is awarded the W with a blown save.  Lackey would go six innings giving up five runs on seven hits but strikes out nine only walking two.  Not the greatest outing but with the bats hitting and the bullpen holding, the Cubs take a game from the Pirates putting their lead at 7 above the second place Cardinals.   
Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Injury Update for the San Francisco Giants:

Posted: July 10, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
Tags:
0

If it seems as though you have been seeing more of the Sacramento RiverCats and less of the San Francisco Giants these days, then you may just realize how serious the injury bug has impacted the Orange and Black. If not for the fact that the backup corps has been stellar, fans would be watching the Los Angeles Dodgers storming up from behind.

As it is the Giants remain six-and-a-half games ahead of LA after their 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Saturday afternoon at AT&T Park. The good news is that Sergio Romo shut down the D-backs in the eighth inning for the second straight game, thus reestablishing his position as the set-up guy for Santiago Casilla.

Here are the most recent developments:

Gregor Blanco: After missing three games with a strained left knee, Blanco was able to pinch-hit in Tuesday’s game against the Rockies. He punctuated his recovery Friday night, by hitting his first home run of the season, also his first as a pinch-hitter. He is listed as day-to-day.

Angel Pagan: Pagan was kept out of last Sunday’s lineup for general soreness. He had played in nine straight games. He returned to the lineup for Monday’s day-game against the Colorado Rockies, and was the difference with his two-run home run.

Denard Span: Span had an old neck injury resurface, aggravated while evading a pitch during the Oakland series. It was looking as though a return to the disabled list was in order, before he made rapid improvement this week. 

Span’s MRI results were negative and after being out of the lineup for a week, he returned Friday, going 0-5, but making a superlative back-handed catch in right-center field. The catch off the bat of Ricky Weeks occurred in the ninth inning with a runner on board, and after crashing into the wall, Span almost doubled the runner off first base.

Hunter Pence: Pence took batting practice last Saturday, the first step toward rehabbing his surgically repaired torn hamstring in his right leg. He reported no discomfort when working the weight machine, but that he can not yet drive off the leg when he swings a bat. Pence is slated to return in late July or early August and would appear to be on that time-line.

Joe Panik: As of June 29th, Panik was placed on the 7-day DL for concussion symptoms suffered in mid-June when he was struck by a pitch. After passing the concussion tests the first three times, Panik showed symptoms the fourth time they ran the battery of tests. He is expected back after the All-Star break.

Matt Duffy: Duffy was reported by Andrew Baggarly to be out of his walking boot and now taking ground balls, and seemingly on track to return to the lineup after the All-Star break.

Kelby Tomlinson: Tomlinson has been rehabbing in Sacramento with the RiverCats; he will return to the Giants after the All-Star game.

Matt Cain: Cain is on track to return after the All-Star break. He made a rehab start a week ago Saturday in an Arizona (Rookie) League game. He went three-and-one-third innings, giving up two runs on three hits, one of them a home run, and struck struck out six.

Sergio Romo: Romo hurled his second consecutive scoreless eighth inning, Saturday afternoon against the D-backs, indicating that his return from the 60-day disabled list is obviously a great success.

Ehire Adrianza: Out since April 15th, Adrianza’s recovery from a broken left foot has gone slower than intended. It was originally thought that he would miss six-to-eight weeks.

The replacements:

Ramiro Pena: 16 G, 44 AB, 5 R, 16 H, 7 RBI, .364/.378/.477/.855. Pena missed four games with a sprained ankle but is back, fully recovered.

Conor Gillaspie: Gillaspie had nine hits in 18 at-bats, at one point earlier this week, with six runs scored. In his last thirty games, his line looks like this: 21 G, 51 AB, 9 R, 17 H, 9 RBI, .333/.370/.490/.861 (quite similar to that of Pena).

Grant Green: Stats since being called up: 8 G, 30 AB, 9 H, 5 RBIs, .300/.344/.433/.777. Grant hit the decisive two-run home run in Saturday’s win over the D-backs.

Ruben Tejada: Stats in his last seven games as a Giant: 6 G, 17 AB, 2 R, 4 H, 1 RBI, .235/.278/.412/.690. Tejada doubled home Gregor Blanco in Saturday’s game, in the sixth inning, for a much-needed insurance run.

Jarrett Parker: Last 30 games: 52 AB, 9 R, 15 H, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, .288/.422/.423/.845

Mac Williamson: Since he has been recalled: 17 G, 46 AB, 10 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .217/.333/.370/.703

Albert Suarez: 3-1, 6 Games started, 49 IP, 3.67 ERA, 13 BB, 34 SO, 1.10 WHIP

Derek Law: 3-1, 2.90 ERA, 32 G, 1.10 WHIP

Unlike last season, when the Giants staggered and eventually dropped out of the race after losing Pence, this season there has been no let-down.

The club’s record was 33-21(61.1%) on May 31st. Since Pence went down, the team has gone 23-12 (65.7%), so you can see that not only is there no let-down, the team has picked the pace up.

Part of the explanation is the improved starting pitching, though Jeff Samardzija has continued his inconsistent streak, but the main reason is that the replacements have been stellar.

One of the hardest roles to perform in baseball, is to step in cold to replace a regular in the lineup, especially if you are coming up from the minor leagues. Not only are you on a new team, you are playing at a considerably higher level.

From Pena’s .364 batting average to the home run power supplied by Parker and Williamson, to the 3-1 record of Suarez and his 1.10 WHIP, those entrusted with the task of not allowing the team to sag, have collectively done their jobs to infuse fresh enthusiasm into the clubhouse. 

The result is that San Francisco remains six-and-a-half games up on Los Angeles, the Dodgers contending with the injury bug themselves with the shelving of Clayton Kershaw. His lower back flared up recently and he was placed on the 15-day DL on June 29th.

One of the earmarks of championship teams is that they have depth. It’s an intangible that often separates the top dogs from the dead dawgs. The day he replaced Matt Duffy in the lineup, Conor Gillaspie went 4-5, after riding out an 0-for27 stretch.

He has been hot ever since.

Derek Law and Albert Suarez have been huge, and though he was sent down when Sergio Romo was activated, Suarez is back, having established himself as legitimate.

As long as the guys who are busing back and forth from Sacramento to San Francisco, can continue to help rack up the wins, there is no need to panic. Just don’t let that bus get “…stuck in Lodi, again.”

Mark O’Neill

Grand Slam Loss

Posted: July 9, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,
0

The Cubs have just dropped five games and the first the series against division rival Pittsburgh Pirates.  Jon Lester gets the nod looking for his first win since June 18th with the Pirates in Chicago.  He’s also looking to have a better start since July 3 when he only went 1 & 1/3 innings.   With just his third start for the Bucs, Chad Kuhl is looking for his second win of his young career but it would not start off smoothly with a one out walk to Kris Bryant who would score on Ben Zobrist putting the Cubs up by 2 in the first.  

Lester would get through the the 1st with a walk to David Freese but gets out of it quick with a ground out double play.  He would then start the 2cd off with a walk to Jung Ho Kang, then a single to Starling Marte, then another walk to Sean Rodriguez.  He give the Bucs their first run by hitting Josh Harrison.  Eric Fryer would send a fly ball to center, scored as a sac fly scoring Marte.  With Kuhl in the box, Wilson Contreras would attempt a pick off a throwin error would allow Sean to score the third run of the inning, Bucs up by 1.  

Anthony Rizzo starts off the 3rd with a triple.  Wilson would make up for the run he gave to the Bucs by driving Rizzo home on a ground ball between short and third.  Jason Heyward bumps him up to second as he singles to left.  With an early pitching change, Juan Nicasio enters the game and it would be Javier Baez with two outs drives in Wilson to take the lead by 1.  

Lester starts the 3rd off by giving up a lead off home run to Andrew McCutchen to tie the game.  Sean Rodriguez with two outs, also smacks a solo shot to left center but he gets out of the inning.  Pirates 5-4.

Juan gives up a leadoff double to Bryant that scores on Rizzo’s line drive double to right.  Arauimedes Caminero would enter the game to close out the top half.  Lester would be pulled for Adam Warren ho gives up a single and a walk and it would be McCuthen’s single that brings in both base runners to put the Bucs up by 2.  

Caminero strikes out the side in the 5th.  In the bottom half, Warren would load the bases walking Marte, intentionally walking Matt Joyce and a single to Eric Fryer.  Josh Bell Would enter the game pinch hitting for Caminero.  On a 1-1 count, Bell would take Warren out of the park and into the Alleghany River for a Grand Slam for his first major league home run.  Jody Mercer would follow with a solo shot to add to the lead, 12-5 Bucs.  

A.J. Schugel would enter the game waking Bryant who advances to third on Rizzo’s single and scores on Zo’s double play ground ball. Bucs 12-6.  

Spencer Patton, Justin Grimm and Hector Rondon each take an inning each seeing three batters with Rondon striking out the side.  

The Cubs would get a base runner in each of the last three innings but no one crosses the plate or brings them within reach to winning.  The Pirates move to second place putting themselves within 6.5 games.  The Cubs need a W on Sunday and to be honest, need the All Star break off to gather themselves but maybe the festivities can be a good change of pace for them breaking up the recent string of losses this month.   

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

How was your Week?

Posted: July 9, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in Auto Racing, baseball, NASCAR, sports, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,
0

For the second weekend in a row the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will race on Saturday night. This week the drivers go to the Kentucky Speedway for the Quaker State 400 Due to inclement weather qualifying was cancelled so the field was set according to owners points. That puts Kevin Harvick on the pole with Brad Keslowski joining him in the front row. In the row behind them Kurt Busch will start 3rd and Keslowdki’s teammate Joey Logano will start 4th. Carl Edwards rounds out the Top 5 as he’ll start the race 5th. In the 4th and final practice Edwards posted the fastest time at 187.448 MPH, he was followed by Martin Truex Jr. at  186.528 MPH Kyle Larson was third fastest at 186/387 MPH while Dale Earhardt Jr. 186.091 MPH and Kyle Busch 185.989 MPH rounded out the Top 5 fastest times in practice. Counting tonight’s race in Kentucky there are 9 races left before The Chase starts. There are 11 drivers with a win this season and an automatic spot in The Chase and that includes Tony Stewart who is currently 30th in driver points, but has his win to get into The Chase. Remember now that Stewart has a win he has to stay in the Top 30 in driver points to qualify for The Chase. This is no lock for Stewart as he finds himself 31 points behind 29th place David Ragan, but just 3 points ahead of 31st place Brian Scott. Ryan Blaney is currently holding on to the last spot in The Chase. Blaney has a 4 point lead on Jamie McMurray for that last spot. Right now McMurray would be the driver would make The Chase if Stewart was to fall below that 30th place spot. Can a driver pick up their 1st win of the season tonight in Kentucky and punch there ticket into The Chase or will it be a driver who already has a win heading to victory lane at the end of the night?

It looks like the Boston Red Sox are getting a jump on the July 31st trading deadline as they’ve made three deals in the last three days. On Thursday the Red Sox sent two minor league players, pitcher Aaron Wilkerson and second baseman Wendell Rijo to the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Aaron Hill. To make room for Hill on there 40-man roster the Red Sox designated outfielder Ryan LaMarre for assignment.

Milwaukee picked up Hill this off season in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Hill was having a bounce back season for the Brewers. Hill was hitting .283 with 8 homers and 29 RBI’s for Milwaukee. His slugging percentage was .421 and his on base percentage was .780. Hill is capable of playing all the infield spots, but it looks like the Red Sox acquired him for help at 3rd base. It’s doubtful that Hill would take over as Boston’s everyday 3rd baseman, but could end up in a platoon with Travis Shaw. 

On Friday, the Red Sox started the day by picking up utility man Michael Martinez from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Martinez has played 2nd, 3rd and all three outfield positions for the Indians this season.  In 32 games for Cleveland this season Martinez was hitting .283 with 1 home run and 3 RBI’s.  His slugging percentage was .383 and his on base plus slugging was .690 for Cleveland. Martinez is 33 years old and it’s a little unclear what his role with the Red Sox will be. 

Then a little later on Friday the Red Sox sent minor league pitcher Jose Almonte and minor league middle infielder Luis Alejandro Basabe to the Arizona Diamondbacks for closer Brad Ziegler. The big rumor was that the Red Sox would make a deal for a starting pitcher and they still might, but with Craig Kimbrell unavailable for Friday’s game because of knee soreness, Ziegler would be a quality fill in. 

With Kimbrell unavailable, former closer Koji Uehara recieved the save chance. Don’t forget that Boston lost Carson Smith to Tommy John surgery after he pitched just 2 2/3rd innings this season. Also the Red Sox main set up man Junichi Tazawa  was unavailable Friday due to shoulder discomfort.  Ziegler has appeared in 36 games for the Diamondbacks this season covering 38 1/3rd innings. His ERA is 2.82 and he’s saved 18 games. Ziegler has set up man experience; so while Kimbrell is the full time closer in Boston Ziegler should have no trouble at all slotting into a 7th or 8th inning role.

Now being a baseball fan I am a fan of stats. As a young baseball fan I learned to do multiplication and division by figuring out batting averages and ERA’s along with any other baseball stat I could find. Sabermetrics have a stat for just about everything and I really think things have gotten out of control. Here’s my example and you’ll have to let me know f you agree or disagree. I was listening to the local Chicago sports talk station and the host was explaining how RBI’s are meaningless because you’re just driving in your teammates who got themselves into scoring position. He then went on to explain that there’s no such thing as clutch hitting in baseball. 

While I don’t agree with either of these arguments I’ve heard them enough now to just kind of let it go. There was no reason to call into his show as anyone who didn’t agree with the host was called “stupid” and hung up on. Now the thing that really got me and just pushed me over the edge is when the host used fielding independent pitching stats to say that Jose Quintana was the best pitcher in the American League. Quintana has an ERA of 3.06 in 17 starts this season and has a record of 6-8, but they’ll tell you to throw the record out, so we won’t look at that. I do think that Quintana is a top of the rotation starter for any team in baseball but the best in the American League is a little much for me to believe.  There are quite a few people who will tell you he’s not even the best pitcher on his team, the Chicago White Sox. If you had your choice of starting pitchers off of the White Sox roster wouldn’t you take Chris Sale before Quintana?  

I understand that no matter what I think or try to do, Sabermetrics are the way baseball is going and teams are even using them to build their rosters. Again I have no problem with stats as a whole. I just have a problem with stats that lead me and or my favorite team down the wrong path.

The Big Jack Follow me on Twitter!

The Podcast Now on Tune In Radio!  Apple users can download us straight to the Podcast App!

Bucs Beat Cubs

Posted: July 8, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, Minor League Baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
Tags: , , , ,
0

The Cubs are not starting the month of July very well losing six out of the last seven games and hope to break the streak with a trip to Pittsburgh.  Jake Arrieta takes on the Pirates Ace, Francisco Liriano.

Jake would start off great striking out the first two batters and getting it out of the first 1-2-3 but the not so lucky in the 2cd giving up a lead off home run to David Freese.  Starling Marte would reach on a single and score on Sean Rodriguez’s eighth home run of the season.  Pirates 3-0.

Through 3 innings, the Cubs would have 5 base runners but it’s not until the 4th when Jason Heyward would smack his first triple of the year and scores on Javier Baez’s ground out.  It wouldn’t be until the 6th,when Heyward would reach again on a single.  He would score again but this time on Miguel Montero’s 5th home run of the season to tie the game at 3.  Anthony Rizzo would put the Cubs in the lead in the top of the 7th with his 21st dinger of the year.  Cubs 4-3.

But Jake would tie the game back up in the bottom of the 7th with John Jaso’s single to left scoring Adam Frazier.  Travis Wood enters the game.  Gregory Polanco would send a grounder to Rizzo who throws a wild won to Wood that gets passed him allowing Josh Bell to score and the Bucs to take the lead.  Carl Edwards, Jr would enter the game giving up a single to Andrew McCutchen adding another one to the board.  Starling Marte would add another run scoring Eric Fryer.  Edwards gets out of the inning.   Pirates 7, Cubs 4.

Trevor Cahill enters the 8thand walks the first 2 batters to load them by hitting Andrew McCutchen.  With David Freese at the plate, Cahill throws a wild one allowing Matt Joyce to score.  Pirates 8-4.

A.J. Schugel enters the game to get the first two outs but Bryant reaches on a single and moves to 2cd.  Rizzo would reach on a walk.  With two out and and two on, Wilson Contreras up at the plate to give the Cubs a chance to rally but he’d go down swinging to end the game.

Tonight would be the first time since June 17 for him to go passed 5 innings.  With 6 innings, he gives up 6 earned runs on 9 hits.  He gives up only 1 walk but strikes out 6 for his 4th loss of the year.

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Make up Day

Posted: July 8, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
Tags: , , , ,
0

Today’s make up game between the Cubs and Atlanta Braves starts late due to rain.  The game gets under way with Jason Hammel taking to the mound against 31 year-old Lucas Harrell making his second start of the season looking for his second win of the year.

Well I wrote everything last night and I didn’t save which is very disappointing to say the least.  So here’s a quick recap.  The Cubs would be held to no runs and four hits by Lucas who makes it 7 and 2/3 innings but after hitting Kris Bryant would be pulled from the game.  Hunter Cevenka comes and hits Anthony Rizzo the Zobrist doubles driving in Kris.  Jim Johnson enters the game to give up a two RBI triple to Wilson Contreras to put the Cubs up by 1.  

Jason Hammel would give up a two run homer in the first to Nick Markakis but would only make it 5 innings.  Wood, Hendricks and Grimm would help preserve it to 2 runs for the Braves but it would be Hector Rondon who blows the save giving up a solo home run to Markakis in the top of the 9th.  He’d close out the 9th and Spencer Patton would enter for extra innings receiving the loss after 11 innings.  With two men on he gives up a single to Tyler Flowers that scores Freddie Freeman for the win.  We wrap up the first half with the Pirates.  

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Reds Take The Series

Posted: July 6, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
Tags: , , , ,
0

It hasn’t been the greatest series for the Cubs.  Adam Warren moves out of the bullpen and gets his first start of the season and for the Cubs despite having a couple wins.  He would be going against Anthony DeSclafani.

Adam Warren would perform greatly but be taken out after 5 innings.  He would give up only 1 run and it comes in the 1st inning as Zach Cozart would start the game with a lead off home run.  He would give up only two more hits that came in the second inning with singles to Brandon Phillips and Jose Peraza.  The next 3 innings would be lights out for the Reds.

Addison Russell would start the Cubs scoring off in the 2cd driving in Tommy La Stella on a double.  He would score the 2cd run off of Miguel Montero’s single.  The 5th inning would see Ben Zobrist smacking his 12th home run of the year.

The Cubs would only see 3 more base runners after the 5th inning but no more runs.  Through 5, it would be Cubs 3, Reds 1.

Trevor Cahill would enter the 6th almost striking out the side but walks Joey Votto in between.  He would get the first out in the 7th but gives up singles to Brandon Phillips and Jose Peraza who steals 2cd base with Tucker Barnhart at the plate.  Tucker launches his 3rd home run for 3 runs putting the Red sup by 1.  Cahill gets out of the inning but is pulled in the 8th for Carl Edwards, Jr.

Carl starts the 8th off getting the 1st out but walks Adam Duvall. He gets the 2cd out but gives up a single to Brandon Phillips pushing Duvall up to 3rd.  Carl would have the unfortunate luck of throwing a wild pitch scoring Duvall.

There would be no more runs passed this inning and the Cubs would lose the series to the Reds.

Thursday will see the Braves in town for a make up game.  Then it’s off to Pittsburgh before the All Star break.

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast now on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Let’s call it Wednesday

Posted: July 6, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, basketball, football, sports, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , ,
0

Did Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors ruin the upcoming NBA season? I’ll be the first to say that I don’t like what Durant did, but in the end it was his choice. I’m not a fan of players chasing a championship and I like to see them earn them where they’re playing at. Now I’ve seen a lot of experts and just other people I know that are saying let’s just skip the NBA season and get right to the finals of Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers. Now the Warriors are coming off the best regular season in the history of the NBA, but a failure to win the title more or less makes the season an asterisk. Now Golden State has added Durant to a line up of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Now Golden State did have to trade Andrew Bogut to get Durant’s contract under the salary cap. This Golden State team could end up being the highest scoring team in NBA history and I actually heard one expert say they wouldn’t lose a regular season game next season and sadly he wasn’t kidding.

What I am wondering now is if the way to beat the Warriors is to beat the Warriors up. Physical play isn’t really something you see in the NBA anymore, but Golden State is going to be a small team and you have to wonder if teams will see that and try to go that route. While Bogut wasn’t any type of offensive force with the way the Warriors play he was a true rim protector on defense. Now Durant is a 7-footer he now that type of a defender. Can Festus Ezeli fill that role of rim protector or will Golden State need to try and resign Marreese Speights or Anderson Varejao to try and do that job. It wouldn’t be a big surprise to see either Speights or Varejao brought back as Ezeli is the only center currently listed on the Warriors roster. There really isn’t a big time center left on the free agent market.It is possible that a veteran like Kendrick Perkins would take a low dollar contract to play with the Warriors and have a chance at another title, but how much help would he be?  I’m sure there are NBA head coaches especially in the Western Conference that are already looking at ways to beat Golden State. Would physical play be the answer and would the referees allow a tam to play physical enough against Golden State to beat them. Right now the only thing I’m looking forward to this coming NBA season is to see how a team beats Golden State. Is there anything else to look forward to?

After sitting out the last two NBA seasons there are reports that Ray Allen could be interested in returning to the league. The report said that Allen’s representatives reached out to two teams; the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Allen turns 41 on July 20th and while he’s not absolutely sure he wants to return he is intrigued by the possibility of playing for another championship. While the Warriors and Cavaliers have been contacted to see if they are interested in Allen’s services the report said that Allen would also consider joining the Los Angeles Clippers or San Antonio Spurs. Allen averaged 9.6 points per game for the Miami Heat in 2013-14, his final season. For his career Allen averaged 18.9 points per game and shot 40 percent from the 3-point line. Allen is a 10-time All-Star and won championships with Boston in 2008 and Miami in 2013.

Can the Denver Broncos and Von Miller come to a contract agreement before the July 15th deadline for franchise players to come to terms on long-term deals. Broncos General Manager John Elway reached out to Miller over the 4th of July holiday weekend and the two had a 10-15 minute conversation on the phone. Elway wanted to let his franchise player know that the Broncos still love him and still want to re-sign him, league sources said. Elway told Miller that Denver would reach out to his agents this week in an effort to jump start talks and procure a long-term deal, a source said. Until this weekend, the last time the two sides spoke was June 7. About a month ago Miller stated that he would not play this season under the franchise tag, and all contact between the sides had ceased. The Broncos placed the exclusive franchise tag on Miller March 1st. Unless Miller and Denver can reach agreement on a long term deal by July 15, Miller will make the average of the top-five salaries of his position for this year. And since it’s an exclusive tag, that will prohibit Miller from talking to any other teams. Miller had 11 sacks, 35 tackles and four forced fumbles and was elected to his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2015. He has 60 career regular-season sacks. Miller was the MVP of the Super Bowl 50 as the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers. Miller had 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the Super Bowl. Miller also recorded also had 2.5 sacks and an interception in the Broncos’ win over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

The Major League Baseball All-Star teams where announced yesterday. As always there where players that belong on the team that didn’t make it, but when you use fan voting like baseball does you’re going to get that. There is still one open spot on each roster and there are five players in each league up for it. In the American League it’s between Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers, Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays, Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox, Michael Saunders of the Toronto Blue Jays and George Springer of the Houston Astros. Over in the National League the five are Brandon Belt of the San Francisco Giants, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, Jake Lamb of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Starling Marte of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies. Who do you got for the last spot in each league?

The Big Jack Follow me on Twitter!

The Podcast Now on Tune In Radio!  Apple users can download us straight to the Podcast App!

Older Entries
Newer Entries