Blame it on the Rain

Posted: July 1, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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We’re a couple days off from being half way through the season. The Cubs are looking to come back after losing late last night to the Mets.  Jason Hammel is looking for his 8th win of the season and he can, if the bats are flying tonight in Citi Field.  The Cubs hitters are facing Jacob deGrom, who is looking for just his 4th W of the season.

After a rain delay, the game got under way to a quick start for both pitchers deGrom would walk Kris Bryant in the first but strikes out 4 batters in the first 2 innings.  Hammel gets through the first quickly but gives up back to back home runs to James Loney and Asdrubal Cabrera to start the second but gets out of the inning.  As the 3rd inning starts, the rain would start lightly but begin to pour causing another delay over an hour.  Mets 2-0.

Hammel would lead off the 3rd for a quick top half of the inning. He would start the bottom half strongly getting the first 2 outs but gives up a single to Neil Walker then walks Yoenis Cespedes. Two men on for James Loney who sends a screamer to center field for a double scoring 2 more runs.  Mets now up by 4.

With one out in the 4th, Kris Bryant would launch a solo home run to the second deck to finally put the Cubs on the board.  Hammel would strikeout the first batter in the bottom of the fourth but walks Wilmer Flores, them gives up a single to Travis d’Arnaud.  Jacob moves them both up on a sac bunt.  Brandon Nimmo would launch his 1st home run of the season.  Mets up 7-1.

Hammel ends the top of 5th with a line out.  He starts the bottom half with a lead off home run to Cespedes, then a single to Loney who is now 3 for 3.  Asdrubal would bring him in with his 10th home run of the season.  That would be enough for Maddon as he brings in Spencer Patton to get out of the inning.  Mets 10-1.

The top of the 6th starts off great for the Cubs with Albert Almora getting a single then moves to 2cd on Matt Szczur’s single to left.  But with Heyward at the plate, the rain would come down again causing yet another delay.  Hopefully for the Cubs, the game isn’t called.

After the delay, Terry Collins would bring Jerry Blevins in to replace deGrom to get the next 3 batters out.  Trevor Cahill enters the bottom half giving up a single but gets out of the inning quickly.  

Hansel Robles enters the 8th, giving a lead off double to Wilson Contreras who makes it to 3rd on a passed ball.  Addison Russell brings him home on a sac fly for the Cubs.  That’s all the action, Cubs 2, Mets 10.  Cahill stays in for the 7th putting one man on but gets out of the inning.  

Jason Heyward is the only one to reach base in the top of the 8 against Seth Lugo.  Trevor Cahill stays in putting 2 runners on but gets out of the inning.  

Seth Lugo stays in the top of the 9th giving up a single to Baez then hits Russell.  Maddon would leave Cahill in to bat, watching the third strike and Almora would pop out to end the inning and the game.  

Not the best outing for Hammel going only 4 innings giving up 10 runs on 9 hits.  That’s 2 for the Mets with 2 to go.  

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

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Mets 1

Posted: June 30, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in sports
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With the Cubs coming off of the sweep in Cincinnati, they hope to continue their streak starting a 4 game series against against the 2015 NL East Champions, New York Mets.  John Lackey heads to mound against Steven Matz with both men looking for their 8th win but Matz is starting 2 days late due to bone spurs.

The Cubs start it off hot with Ben Zobrist sending a ground ball to left field.  Second at the plate, Kris Bryant launches his 22cd home run deep to left center putting the Cubs up by 2.

Matz would cool the Cubs bats between the 2cd and 5th walking two and giving up 2 doubles but no additional runs until the top of the 6th leading off, Javier Baez would send one to left field for a solo home run adding to the lead.  Cuns 3, Mets 0.

John Lackey would get rolling real quick averaging a strike out per inning through five and allowing a handful of base runners.  It would be the bottom of the 6th before the Mets would strike back, when Yoenis Cespedes takes Lackey to left center for his 19 home run of the season.  John starts the 7th off getting Wilmer Flores to ground out but gives up a single to Travis d’Arnaud.  That would be enough for Joel Maddon as he brings in Joel Peralta to walk Alejandro De Aza, then gives up a single to Brandon Nimmo that scores d’Arnaud.  Maddon then brings in Pedro Strop who allows Neil Walker reach first and then moves to second on a throwing error by Baez that scores 2 more runs.  Strop ends the inning but the Cubs are down by 1.

The Cubs would not be able to produce any runs in the 8th but Trecor Cahill enters the bottom half of the inning making it a quick 1-2-3 inning.   Jeurys Familia enters the 9th for save opportunity but leads off by walking Miguel Montero.  Travis Wood enters the game as Montero’s pinch runner and advances to third on Zo’s double to right.  Kris Bryant would go down swinging.  Terry Collins would decide to intentionally walk Anthony Rizzo to get to Wilson Contreras who also goes down swinging.  Javier Baez would be the last hope for the Cubs but goes down on a pop up to first baseman James Loney to end the game.

There always tomorrow.

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!

Cleaning up in the Queen’s City

Posted: June 29, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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Last night took them into 15 innings and today is the early afternoon start and then it’s off to New York for 4 but not before Kyle Hendricks takes to the mound in hopes of helping the Cubs sweep the Reds and getting his 6th win of the season jumping to a .500 record against 23-year-old rookie Cody Reed searching for his 1st win of the season.

Ben Zobrist would start the game off with reaching on a bunt back to Cody and would make it to 3rd on Kris Bryant’s line drive to center.  With two men on, Anthony Rizzo would send a deep fly ball to left center bouncing off of Adam Duvall’s glove smacking Billy Hamilton in the face, the ball gets away from them allowing Rizzo a 3 run inside the park home run to put the Cubs up.  This play would pull Billy out of the game to be replaced by Brock Holt.

Zo would then lead off the 3rd with another single but this time to center field.  He would score his 2cd run of the game when Wilson Contreras sends a two out double to center for his 1st RBI of the day and then grabs his first run of the day when Javier Baez sends a sharp ball to center.  Cubs up by 5.

Addison Russell would lead off the 4th inning on a 1-0 count and sends a fly ball to left center field for a solo home run to add to the Cubs lead.  Kyle Hendricks grounds out for the first out of the inning but after taking 2 pitches Albert Almora would smack his first home run of the season to right center.  Kris Bryant would get a single but that would be all the scoring for the Cubs that inning.

Hendricks would offer up a quality start making it into the 7th inning with two outs to go.  He would strike out 5, walks 2 and gives up only 2 runs on 8 hits.  Adam Duvall would get the first run for the Reds smacking his 22cd home run of the season to left field.  With one out and Eugenio Suarez on third and Tucker Barnhart on second, Zack Cozart would ground out but Suarez would score.  Cubs 7-2.

The top of the 7th would see the Cubs score thier last two runs of the game.  With one out, Baez would smack his 10th double of the year scoring then on Matt Szczur’s single to center.  Russell would walk and advance to 2cd with Matt to 3rd on a passed ball by Keyvius Sampson who enterd the game in the 5th.  Hendricks would lay down a perfect sac bunt to the 1st base side of the diamond scoring Szczur.  Cubs up 9-2.

As I stated earlier, Kyle went 6 & 2/3 innings.  Justin Grimm finishes the 7th but not before loading the bases with a single and two walks. Carl Edwards, Jr would finish the last two innings giving up 1 walk and striking out 2.  

A sweep for the Cubs!

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!

The Gotham City Sweep

Posted: June 29, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Cubs are looking to avoid the regular season sweep in what many are calling the “rematch.”  Jon Lester takes to the mound against Noah Syndergaard.  Lester is looking to get his 10th win of the season.  The game would seem to start off in the Cubs direction in the first inning, starting with Jason Heyward’s double to left and scores on Anthony Rizzo’s line drive to right.  The Mets would tie it up in the bottom half with Curtis Granderson’s 14h home run of the season.

Baez would start the second inning with a single but gets picked off, then David Ross and Jon Lester would strike out to end the inning.  Wilmer Flores would start the bottom half off with a solo home run to Center.  Loney would strike out for the first out.  Matt Reynolds would belt a double to right and score on Rene Rivera’s 3rd home run of the season.  Syndergaard would reach on a walk.  Juan Lagares would double.  With only one out, Curtis Granderson’s would send a line drive to center scoring Noah.  Then Yoenis Cespedes would drive in Lagares with a single to right.  Lester them gives up back to back singles to Neil Walker and Flores driving in two more runs.  This prompts Maddon to pull Lester for his shortest outing of his career 1 & 1/3 innings putting him in position for the loss.  Spencer Patton would enter the game and get out of the second inning.  After 2, it’s Mets 8, Cubs 1.

Patton would make it through the 5th, adding a run in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th to make it 11-1, Mets.  Joel Peralta would take the 6th and the 7th adding 2 more runs in the 7th by hitting Brandon Nimmo who scores on Kelly Johnson’s home run.  Mets 13 to 1.  Maddon would go with one of his interesting moves, I can only assume to preserve the bullpen by bringing in Miguel Montero to pitch the 8th.  He loads the bases but only allows 1 run, giving the Mets 14 runs.

Logsn Verret would enter the game in the top of the 9th giving up a leadoff home run to Wilson Contreras.  This is the start of a 13 run rally as Javier Baez would double with one out.  Matt Szczur would reach on a throwing error but pitcher Montero, would flyout.  Addison Russell would single to load the bases.  Jason Heyward would step into the box with bases loaded and Logan Verret would throw a wild pitch that would score Baez for the 3rd run of the game in the Cubs rally, however Heyward would ground out to end the inning and the game completing the sweep for the Mets.  Hopefully, they can start the 4th of July with a bang in Cincinnati!

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: June 29, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in baseball, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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It seems as though just a short time ago everyone was sold on the Chicago Cubs where easily the best team in baseball. The Cubs have hot there first real rough patch of the season and that seems to have allowed other teams to come back into the conversation. The Cubs still have the best record in the National League at 50-26, but the San Francisco Giants aren’t too far behind at 49-30. It is an even number year, so that makes San Francisco the World Series favorite, doesn’t it?

The Washington Nationals have the third best record in the NL at 46-32. While one of these teams should be the odds on favorite to make it to the World Series out of the NL they all seem to have a common weakness, the bullpen.

The Cubs bullpen issues showed up last night, but they where able to over come them and win the game in extra innings. Hector Rondon entered the game with a 2-0 lead, but allowed the Cincinnati Reds tie it up blowing his 3rd save chance in his last 4 opportunities. While Rondon has had his issues as of late he does still have an 1.65 ERA for the season. While Rondon has stayed healthy and is the only Cubs reliever to record a save, the Giants have had 5 different pitchers pick up at least 1 save.

Santiago Casilla is San Francisco’s closer, but he’s blown 4 saves this season and has missed some time with injuries. Casilla’s ERA is 3.23 and you have to wonder at age 35 if his time is running out as the Giants closer. The Nationals are in full on juggle the end of the game mode as their closer Jonathan Papelbon is current on the disabled list. Papelbon was 16 out of 18 in save chances before getting injured. While Papelbon has been out Shawn Kelly has 3 saves in 4 chances while Yusmeiro Petit and Felipe Rivero have both picked up 1 save in 2 chances while Papelbon has been out. Papelbon started a rehab assignment on Monday and should be back with the Nationals this weekend as long as things go as planned.

With these teams bullpen’s rough shape, are they looking to make a trade?  Any time you talk bullpen everyone goes to the New York Yankees and expect them to deal Andrew Miller and or Aroldis Chapman. Of course with the Yankees in contention for a wild card spot why would they break up their bullpen. So if any of these three teams are looking to make a trade is there a team out there selling?

Now I have started to hear and read that the Oakland A’s may be ready to start making deals. If you’re looking for bullpen help would Ryan Madson be someone your team should take a look at. Madson has converted 15 of 18 save chances and has an ERA of 3.00 and is 3-2 this season. If you’re not interested in Madson should your team or a team take a chance on Sean Doolittle. Doolittle has pretty much miss the last two seasons with injuries, but this season he has converted 4 of 5 save chances and has a 2-2 record with an ERA of 2.93. Both Madson and Doolittle can close or set up; so there’s some versatility for your bullpen. You could give the rebuilding Atlanta Braves a call, but I don’t think they’re going to trade 25-year-old Arodys Vizcaino as he appears to be the closer of the future. The Braves do have Jason Grilli in their bullpen, but do you want your team going that route?  The Minnesota Twins lost their closer Glenn Perkins for the season with an injury; so there probably out for bullpen help.  Jeanmar Gomez has been a surprise at the back-end of games for the Philadelphia Phillies converting 21 of 23 games with an ERA of 3.00 and has a 2-2 record. It’s the first time Gomez has closed on a regular basis; so it would be tough to see a contender going out to get him. Will one of these teams make an early move or will they stand pat and wait to see if the Yankees or another team with some possible bullpen help fall out of contention?

In the American League, the Texas Rangers have really put everyone on notice with the best record in baseball at 51-27. The Baltimore Orioles are 46-30 and where looking like the next best team in the AL until the Cleveland Indians went on an 11 game winning streak to equal the Orioles at 46-30. I wasn’t sold on the Indians at the start of the season.  I wasn’t sure they would hit enough to support the pitching staff they have.  Cleveland has the 14th best team betting average at .260.  They are tied for 12th in home runs with 96 and tied for 2nd in stolen bases with 62.  Don’t forget that the Indians have done this with their best player Michael Brantley playing just 11 games.  

Now the Orioles seem to be doing it with smoke and mirrors on the mound.  Chris Tillman has been very good for them, 10-1 with an  3.52 ERA in 16 starts. Other than Tillman the rotation is a mess.  Ubaldo Jimenez has an 6.63 ERA with a 5-7 record in 15 starts. Kevin Gausman has a solid 3.93 ERA and just had his first solid outing of the season, but has a 1-5 record in 13 starts.  Tyler Wilson has made 12 starts and is 4-5 with a 4.50 ERA.  Yovanni Gallardo has been injured and has made just 6 starts after being signed as a free agent in the off-season.  It’s amazing that Baltimore’s record is what it is when you look at their starting rotation.  

The Rangers are starting to look like the best all around team, but the question with them, can they stay healthy. The everyday line up has stayed healthy and with the addition of Jurickson Profar, they look good.  Starting pitching is where the injury bug has caught the Rangers.  Nine different pitchers have made starts this season. Currently, starters Colby Lewis, Derek Holland and Yu Darvish are on the disabled list.  Lewis isn’t scheduled to start throwing for four weeks, while Darvish is scheduled to throw a simulated game today and Holland is supposed to start playing catch today.  

So it seems as every top team has questions.  Can the Indians hit enough to win?  Do the Orioles have enough starting pitching to win?  Can the Rangers stay healthy enough to win? 

The Big Jack Follow me on Twitter!

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Late Night Cap

Posted: June 29, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Cubs took the previous game and hope to rake game two from the Reds to break thier recent skid.  John Lackey looking to get win number 10 of the season against John Lamb hoping to get his second win. 

Lester gets immediate help with Ben Zobrist starting the game off with his 10th home run of the season.  After that Lamb would keep the Cubs bats quiet adding a couple base runners but no runs until the 5th when Matt Szczur would lead off with a double and helping his cause, Lester drives him in on a single to center.  Cubs up by 2.  

Lester would put together a great performance through 7 innings giving up 1 hit, walking 1 and hitting 1 but with one out in the bottom of the 8th, he give Billy Hamilton his 3rd home run of the year.  Cubs 2, Reds 1.  

Hector Rendon replaced Lester in the bottom of the 8th for 1 out and stays in for the 9th and he starts it off well with an out but hits Brandon Phillips and gives up a single to Jay Bruce.  He gets the second out but gives up another single to Eugenio Suarez who brings in Phillips to tie the game.  

We head to extra innings!  Fast forward to the 15th, J.J. Hoover in for the Reds, walks Zo who moves to third on Jason Heyward’s single to right.  Kris Bryant drives him in on his single to left.  The Reds decide to put Rizzo on to load the bases for pinch hitter Jason Hammel, who forces out Heyward at home but makes it to first.  With two outs and bases loaded Javier Baez, gets into a pitcher’s count but takes Hoover deep to straight away center for a grand slam to put the Cubs up 7-2.  Hoover gets out of the inning but is on the hook for the loss.  

After Rondon is credited with a blown save, the Cubs would use Justin Grimm, Carl Edwards, Jr, Trevor Cahill, Joel Peralta, Spencer Patton and Travis Wood through 15 who combine for 9 K’s and 3 hits but no walks with only Trevor and Travis giving up hits.  The bullpen holds it together and Spencer gets his first W as a Cub.   

Late night just means early day tomorrow for the Cubs and Reds, it shouldn’t affect them because we’re looking 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!

Cubs Clean the Queen City!

Posted: June 28, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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The Cubs look to break the hole they dug themselves losing 6 out of 7 games.  The Great One, Jake Arrieta is seeking his 12th win of the season against the Reds Dan Strailey.  The Cubs wouldn’t let the former Cubs get past the 4th inning.  Kris Bryant would start the scoring in the top of the 1st with his 18th double bringing in Jadon Heyward and he’d score on Miguel Mobtero’s sac fly.  The Reds would strike back and tie it up in the bottom of the first with Adam Duvall’s 17th double to left scoring Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto.

In Kris Bryant’s second at bat in the top of third, he’d send a fly ball to left center for his 19th home run of the year.  Just like chess, in a counter move Jay Bruce would send Zack Cozart across home on a ground ball single to center, tieing the game at 3.

After Chris Coghlan and Arrieta start the first with singles on one out, Heyward drives in Chris on a line drive to center.  Bryant would jack his 20th homer of the season to left driving in Arrieta and Heyward.  After just 3 & 2/3 innings, Strailey would be pulled to make it a bullpen day for the Reds.  Jumbo Diaz would get out of the inning after giving up a single to Russel.  Jake would allow to baserunners in the bottom half but does not allow any runs.  Cubs 7-3.

With Michael Lorenzen on the mound and two outs, Arrieta cracks his 2nd home run of the season adding to his lead but would cut his lead to 3 in the bottom half by walking Billy Hamilton then giving up a home run to Jay Bruce.  He does get out of the inning.  Cubs 8-5.

Bryant would continue his in game hitting streak with a double to lead off the 6th but wouldn’t cross the plate.  Trevor Cahill enters the bottom of the 6th walking Jose Peraza who then scores on Tucker Barnhart’s double to right.  He would get two outs but after a single to Billy Hanilton, Joel Maddon would bring in Travis Wood.

Russ Olendorf enters the 7th getting the first 1-2-3 inning of the game.  Wood gets the first out in the bottom half but gives up a double to Duvall who makes it to third after Pedro Strop comes in getting the second out of the inning.  Duvall does score from 3rd on Pedro’s wild pitch.

Olendorf seems to be calming the Cubs down by retiring his 5th batter in a row but with two outs gives up back to back dingers to Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo but does get out of the inning.  Strop makes it a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th after a bunch of defensive changes by Maddon.

Albert Almora, Jr entered the game in the bottom of 8th leading off the 9th with a single against Blake Wood.  Russel would cause Jose Peraza to commit an error to reach 1st.  Javier Baez would send a line drive to center scoring Almora but trying to stretch it to two gets caught at 2cd base.  Wood gets out of the inning.  Cubs 11-7.

Joel Peralta enters the game for the Cubs to shut down the Reds and gets Billy Hamilton to strikeout but gives up a solo homer to Joey Votto.  He gets the next out but Maddon brings in Hector Rondon to get Duvall to pop out to end the game.

While the Cubs did win, not the best outing for the Great One and the bullpen.  Jake goes only 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 4 hits striking out 4.  The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 4 hits.  It may have been a different outcome if not for Kris Bryant’s 5 for 5 with 3 home runs driving in 6 RBI’s.   Either way, Cubs win!

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast no w on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

Marlins Hook the Series

Posted: June 26, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio, Uncategorized
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Cubs sought to split the series in Miami to start this 11 game road trip in a wining fashion.  Jason Hammel and the Cubs would hope to split the series with the Marlins, who had their Ace scheduled for the Sunday ballgame.  Hammel is also serving for his first win since June 4th against the Diamondbacks.   That would not be the case today as the Marlins would win and take the series 3-1.

Let’s just get the offensive side out of the way.  Fernandez would get his 10th win of the season on 7 innings giving up only 1 run on 4 hits.  He would walk 3 but strike out 13 batters.  Rizzo would get the first hit in the second inning.  He’d give up the second hit of the game to his counterpart, Hammel, walks Ben Zobrist and gives up a single to Jason Heyward to load the bases.  Kris Bryant would score the second out of the inning but the first and only run of the game.  Contreras would score the second walk on Fernandez in the 4th but gets caught stealing second base.  Heyward would snag a single in the 6th and Rizzo would try to get things going in the top of the 9th with a single but that would be all the action the Cubs would see for the day.

Jason Hammel and the bullpen would not have their best outing with everyone contributing to earned run category.  The Marlins would strike first as Hammel walks Justin Bour and then scores on Derek Dietrich’s double center field.  He would put 4 batters on in the 3, 4, and 5th innings but would start the 6th off with a double to Giancarlo Stanton and moves to third as Bour flys out.  Dietrich would get beaned to get on first.  With a man on 1st and 3rd, Andy Hechavarria would ground into an RBI double play that is challenged and overturned to be scored as just a force out.  After 6 complete innings, Hammel giving up only 2 runs on 4 hits striking out 3.  In the beginning of the year that would have been enough with the Cubs offense securing the win but not today.

Travis Wood enters the 7th inning striking out a batter but gives up 2 hits and a run to have Maddon bring in Justin Grimm also strikes out a batter  and gets Bour to groundout to end the inning.

After Grimm gives up a single to start the bottom of the 8th, he would be replaced by Spencer Patton who gets the first two outs of the inning but gives up a single to Miguel Rojas.  That would be enough for Maddon as he brings in Gerardo Concepcion who walks Ichiro Suzuki.  Martin Prado would smack a double to center scoring both Dietrich and Rojas but would get Christin Yelich to ground out to end the inning.

After 8 innings, 6 runs would be all the Marlins need to knock off the Cubs and take the series.  Let’s hope the series goes much better in Cincinnati.

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

The Podcast no w on Tunein.com, Download the app today and follow us or Apple users can download us in the Podcast app today!

 

July Fireworks vs. October Bonfires:      No San Francisco Giants starters, Chicago Cubs dominating.              

Posted: June 26, 2016 by Sports Time Radio in sports
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Heart don’t stop. No Giant leading the vote at his respective position in 2016? Is nothing sacred? With San Francisco in first place, seven games in front of Los Angeles in the NL West, shouldn’t there be at least one? Buster Posey, maybe?

The more important question is, does any serious Giants fan care?

Recent history clearly demonstrates that the Orange and Black have been disrespected since the beginning of their successful binge in the National League, back in 2010. Every single series has listed the Giants as underdogs, including all three of the World Series confrontations.
In the current MLB Power Polls, San Francisco still takes a back seat to Chicago, a team most recently swept in a three-game series by the St. Louis Cardinals. I find this interesting because the 31-9 (77.5%) record posted by the Giants over the past 40 games compares rather favorably to that of the Cubs during the same stretch: 23-17 (57.5%).

And the Cubs are still ranked first?

So now Chicago fans have stuffed the ballot boxes to get their darlings onto the All-Star squad, and Giants fans are supposed to be miffed? 

Speaking for myself, I prefer the bling that is attached to the playoffs, rather than that which is attached to individual accolades. Do I think Buster Posey is the best catcher in the league?

I know he is.

Do I care that he may have to take a back seat to Yadier Molina? 
Not one iota.
Do I care that the Cubs have Anthony Rizzo (1B), Ben Zobrist (2B), Addison Russell (SS), Kris Bryant (3B), and Dexter Fowler (CF) starting the mid-season Classic, ahead of Brandon Belt (1B), Joe Panik (2B), Brandon Crawford (SS), Matt Duffy (3B) and Denard Span (CF)?

Not one iota.
I could look up the names of the Giants All-Stars from 2010, 2012 and 2014, but I could not name one for certain off the top of my head. It all kind of blends together. On the other hand, I haven no problem remembering who won the World Series each of those three years: the Orange and Black.
You get my drift?
It’s the big picture I am focused on, not the immediate one. In July I am thinking only of barbecues, beer and fireworks. I like to watch the All-Star game as much as the next guy, but not to see Giants players. No way. I want to see which league gets home-field advantage during the playoffs, because I prefer October’s Big Stage to July’s.
So let the Cubs bask in the glow of their July fireworks, with all the glitz and glitter of the All-Star game in San Diego, and let their fans enjoy the thrill of their players’ success. Giants players can use the All-Star break to rest up for the second half of the season, one which extends into October, when the smell of wood-smoke lingers in the air. 
I prefer those October nights when I have to bundle up if I want to see major league baseball. I enjoy the fall colors radiating in the late afternoon sun, shadows making their presence known. You know, Orange and Black.
And I love the smell of that wood smoke from the Giants’ victory bonfires.
 

Mark O’Neill

Marlins net the Cubs

Posted: June 25, 2016 by Daniel Kupres in baseball, fantasy, post season, sports, Sports Time Radio
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Joel Maddon would go back to his pitcher batting in the 8 hole  with Albert Almora, Jr batting 9th and keeping Wilson Contreras in the game in left field.  Kris Bryant would be batting 2cd and would start the game with a double but wouldn’t reach again until he walks in the 9th. Aside from Contreras’s walk that would be all in the 1st.  Lackey would lead off the bottom of the first walking Ichiro Suziki who would score on Chrstian Yelich’s sac fly to center.  The Cubs would strike back in the second with Miguel Montero’s solo shot to right tieing the game at 1 at run a piece.

The top of the third would see the patient rookie Wilson walk on two outs, Javier Baez would get hit by a pitch setting up Addison Russell for a three run blast to left center.  Cubs up 4-3.

Lackey would retire 7 straight batters until he walks Giancarlo Stanton in the bottom of the 4th, then Justin Bour launches his 14th homer run of the season bringing the Cubs lead to 1.  John gets the first out in the 5th but gives up a single to Ichiro who scores again on Martin Prado’s double to left.  With the game tied, Lackey walks Yelich prompting Maddon to visit the mound but he after gives up an RBI single to Stanton, Maddon would pull him for Gerardo Concepcion, who on his 4th pitch gives up an RBI double to Bour.  Derek Dietrch would join in the RBI fun with a sac fly to left scoring Stanton.  Marlins up 7-4.

Spencer Patton enters the 6th making it quick but gives up a 2 RBI double to Stanton scoring Prado and Yelich to put the Marlins up by 4 in the 7th bringing Justin Grimm in to finish the inning.

Russel would lead off the 8th with walk and moves to third on Montero’s single to left and then scores on Chris Coghlan’s 3-6-3 double play.  Carl Edwards enters the bottom of the 8th for the Cubs making it a quick 1-2-3 inning.

Dustin McGowen who gave the Cubs a run in the 8th comes back out for the 9th and is the pitcher who gave up the lead off walk to Bryant.  After Anthony Rizzo’s ground out, Wilson Contreras gets his first double of the year scoring Bryant.  This would have the Marlins bring in A. J. Ramos who hits Russell but gets his 24th Save of the season.

John Lackey would only go 4 and 1/3 innings striking out 5 and only walking 3 but gives up 7 runs on 7 hits which 1 was a home run.  The Cubs have the opportunity to split the series on Sunday.

Go Cubs Go!

Dan the Man

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