Archive for July, 2010

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Pennant Race Gazette 7/21/10

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Yesterday’s Results:

LA  10  NY 2 (1st Tier);  TEX  8  DET  0 (1st T);  TOR  13  KC  1 (East);  BAL  11  TB  10 (13);  CHI  4  SEA  0 (West);  CLE  4  MIN  3 (Not Tier);  OAK  5  BOS  4 (NT)

ARI  3  NY  2 (2nd T);  COL  10  FLA  0 (1st T);  STL  7  PHI  1 (1st T);  CIN  8  WAS  7 (East);  SF  7  LA  5 (West);  CHI  14  HOU  7 (Not Tier Schedule);  ATL  4  SD  1 (NT);  PIT  11  MIL  9 (NTS)

East                             W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay      36     20        —
  2. New York         35    21           1
  3. Boston               35    31           6
  4. Toronto             30   27          6.5
  5. Kansas City       19   19          8
  6. Detroit                19   21          9
  7. Cleveland           22  25         9.5
  8. Baltimore           14  44        23

West                               W   L         GB

  1. Minnesota           23  17       —
  2. Texas                     25  20         .5
  3. Oakland                 23  20        1.5
  4. Los Angeles         28  27        2.5
  5. Chicago                  20  22        4
  6. Seattle                    17   31      10

East                                   W    L        GB

  1. Atlanta                    31   24      —
  2. Cincinnati               29   23        .5
  3. Philadelphia          29   29      3.5
  4. Florida                     29   30     4
  5. Washington            28   29     4
  6. New York                27   32    6
  7. Houston                   18   25     7
  8. Pittsburgh                15  28   10

West                                    W    L     GB

  1. Los Angeles             36  24   —
  2. San Diego                  35  24      .5
  3. St. Louis                     28  23   3.5
  4. Colorado                    33  28   3.5
  5. San Francisco          26   24   5
  6. Chicago                       27  26   5.5
  7. Milwaukee                 24   27  7.5
  8. Arizona                       21   41 16

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 2 Comments »

Pitch in For Baseball

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Over the past few months Baseball  Bloggers Alliance has been working with Pitch in For Baseball to promote this worthy organization’s work with disadvantage youth.

Recently, Pitch in For Baseball’s Exec Dir David Rhode said:  “Pitch in For Baseball is the central organization for the collection and redistribution of new and gently used equipment to children in underserved commuities both here and around the world.”

During this year’s Home Run Derby, State Farm announced a program where contestants could win World Series tickets and help pick a charity that will receive significant financial contributions.

In our effort to help Pitch in For Baseball we are urging all to go daily to www.statefarm.com/gotobat and participate for your chance to win World Series tickets and assist in having them become a recepient of money from State Farm.  To select Pitch in For Baseball for the contribution pick  “Public Benefit” under “Category”,

Posted in Around the World of Baseball | No Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/20/10

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Best Series:

Texas at Detroit, Colorado at Florida, and Philadelphia at St. Louis are three  more examples of how  replacing Wild Cards with Tiers augments the entire league structure.  Instead of weak wild card competition, Colorado, Texas, Philadelphia, and St. Louis  are all competing for pennants;  Detroit and Florida are trying to return to the 1st Tier.

This shows how overall competition intensifies with Pennant Races and Tier Chases as opposed to Wild Cards.  Teams are fighting for fewer chances at the post season; while  the number of consolation prizes, if they don’t  make it to the top, is increased.

Yesterday’s Results:

TB  8  BAL  1 (East);  KC  5  TOR  4 (10) (East);  TEX  8  DET  6 (14) (1st Tier);  CHI  6  SEA  1 (West);  CLE  10  MIN  4 (Not Tier);  BOS  2  OAK  1 (NT)

ARI  13  NY  2 (2nd Tier);  STL  8  PHI  4 (1st Tier);  FLA  9  COL  8 (1st T);  CIN  7  WAS  2 (East);  SF  5  LA  2 (West);  MIL  3  PIT  1 (Not Tier Schedule);   HOU  11 CHI  5 (NTS)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay        36    19         —
  2. New York          35    20           1
  3. Boston                35    31           6.5
  4. Toronto             29    27           7.5
  5. Kansas City      19     18            8
  6. Detroit               19     20           9
  7. Cleveland         22     25         10
  8. Baltimore         13     44         24

West                             W       L           GB

  1. Minnesota         23      17         —
  2. Texas                   24      20           1
  3. Oakland               23     20           1.5
  4. Los Angeles       27     27          3
  5. Chicago               19      22          4.5
  6. Seattle                 17      30          9.5

East                                W        L            GB

  1. Atlanta                 31      24           —
  2. Cincinnati           28      23              1
  3. Philadelphia       29     28              3
  4. Washington         28    28              3.5
  5. Florida                  29    29              3.5
  6. New York             27   31              5.5
  7. Houston                18   25              7
  8. Pittsburgh            15   28            10

West                                 W      L             GB

  1. Los Angeles           36    23           —
  2. San Diego                35    24              1
  3. St. Louis                  27    23             4.5
  4. Colorado                 32    28             4.5
  5. San Francisco       25    24             6
  6. Chicago                    27    26            6
  7. Milwaukee               24    27            8
  8. Arizona                     20    41          17

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 5 Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/19/10

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Pennant Races vs. Wild Cards:

I keep hearing sportscasters eluding to the fact that the wild card is great because more teams are in the chase further into the season.  Let’s take a look at how this shakes out with pennant races and wild cards.  We will use 7 games or less behind as being in competition for pennants or wild cards. If a team is 7 games behind after the next to last Sunday of the season, they would still have a mathimatical shot at winning.

There are a total of 12 teams in all divisions who fit this criteria in the wild card chase.  Not bad.  But in the pennant race league, 22 teams are either at the top or within 7 games of it.  So if we are talking about teams in contention, the wild card league has nothing on the pennant race league. 

Furthermore, the pennant race league has the strength of pennant races; and the fact that the wild card league leaves the top 6 teams out of the equation.  This shows the great advantage pennant races have with regard to the quality of the overall product.

Last Night’s Results:

NY  9  TB  5 (East);  CLE  7  DET 2 (East);  MIN  7  CHI  6 (West);  SEA  2  LA  1 (10) (West);  TEX  4  BOS  2 (Not Tier Schedule);  OAK  9  KC  6 (NTS)

COL  1  CIN  0 (1st Tier);  FLA  1  WAS  0 (East);  PIT  9  HOU  0 (East);  STL  5  LA  4 (West);  SD  6  ARI  4 (West);  NY  4  SF  3 (Not Tier);  ATL  11  MIL  6 (NT);  CHI  11  PHI  6 (NT) 

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay         35    19         —
  2. New York             35    20           .5
  3. Boston                   35    31          6
  4. Toronto                29    26          6.5
  5. Kansas City         18    18          8
  6. Detroit                  19     19         8
  7. Cleveland            22     25        9.5
  8. Baltimore             13     43      23

West                               W       L        GB

  1. Minnesota              23     17       —
  2. Texas                       23     20        1.5
  3. Oakland                  23     20        1.5
  4. Los Angeles             27     27        3
  5. Chicago                    18     22        5
  6. Seattle                      17     29        9

East                                    W      L         GB

  1. Atlanta                       31   24        —
  2. Cincinnati                 27   23          1.5
  3. Philadelphia              29  27          2.5
  4. Washington               28   27         3
  5. Florida                         28   29         4
  6. New York                    27    30        5
  7. Houston                      18    25         7
  8. Pittsburgh                 15    28       10

West                                     W      L        GB

  1. Los Angeles                  36    22      —
  2. San Diego                     35     24       1.5
  3. Colorado                       32     27       4.5
  4. St. Louis                        26    23       5.5
  5. Chicago                         27    26       6.5
  6. San Francisco              24    24       7
  7. Milwaukee                    24    27      8.5
  8. Arizona                          19    41     18

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 7 Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/18/10

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Last Night’s Best Series:

Take a look at the COL @ CIN series.  By having Tiers rather than Wild Cards, we”ve taken this mid-season series and tansformed it from the weak competition between two rivals for the same wild card, into an exciting match-up between contenders for two pennants!

Last Night’s Results:

TB  10  NY  4 (East);  CLE  4  DET  3 (East);  CLE  2  DET  1;  MIN  3  CHI  2 (West);  TOR  3  BAL  2 (East);  LA  7  SEA  6 (West);  BOS  3  TEX  2 (11) (Not Tier Schedule);  OAK  6  KC  5 (NTS)

STL  2  LA  0 (West);  FLA  2  WAS  0 (East);  CIN  8  COL  1 (1st Tier);  PIT  12  HOU  6 (East);  SD  8  ARI  5 (West);  SF  8  NYM  4 (Not Tier);  PHI  4  CHI  1 (NT);  MIL  6  ATL  3 (NT)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay         35    18         —
  2. New York             34    20           1.5
  3. Boston                   35    31           6.5
  4. Toronto                28    26           7.5
  5. Detroit                  19    18           8
  6. Kansas City         18    18           8.5
  7. Cleveland             21    25        10.5
  8. Baltimore              13    42        23

West                               W      L          GB

  1. Minnesota               22   17         —
  2. Texas                        23   20           1
  3. Oakland                   23   20           1
  4. Los Angeles             27   26           2
  5. Chicago                    18   21           4
  6. Seattle                      16   29           9

East                                   W     L            GB

  1. Atlanta                      31  24           —
  2. Cincinnati                27   22            1
  3. Washington              28  26            2.5
  4. Philadelphia             29  27            2.5
  5. Florida                        27  29            4.5
  6. New York                   27  30            5
  7. Houston                     18   24            6.5
  8. Pittsburgh                14   28           10.5

West                                   W     L             GB

  1. Los Angeles                36   21           —
  2. San Diego                    34  24             2.5
  3. Colorado                      31  27             5.5
  4. St. Louis                       25  23            6.5
  5. Chicago                        27  26            7
  6. San Francisco             24  24           7.5
  7. Milwaukee                   24  27           9
  8. Arizona                         19  40         18

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 6 Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/17/10

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

Last Night’s Best Series:

This weekend’s Tampa Bay@ New York series is a perfect example of why pennant race baseball is superior to the wild card.

In the wild card league, Tampa Bay started the series 3.5 games behind New York.  In the pennant race league New York was 1.5 games behind Tampa Bay.  Looks pretty similar, with both teams needing to win to keep things close. 

The big difference is that with pennant races, there is only one path to the post-season, finishing on top.  In the wild card race league both teams will most likely get into the post-season.  How exciting or important is the series when you realize that?  Not at all.  In the pnnant race league Tampa Bay and New York are battling it out to make it to the post-season.  One goes on, one goes home.

Yesterday’s Results:

NY  5  TB  4 (East);  MIN  7  CHI  4 (West);  CLE  8  DET  2 (East);  TOR  4  BAL  2 (East);  LA  3  SEA  2 (West);  OAK  5  KC  1 (Not Tier Schedule);  TEX  5  BOS  4 (NTS)

CIN  3  COL  2 (1st Tier);  WAS  4  FLA  0 (East);  STL  8  LA  4 (West);  SD  12  ARI  1 (West);  HOU  5  PIT  2 (Easst);  SF  1  NY  0 (Not Tier);  CHI  4  PHI  3 (NT);  MIL  9  ATL 3 (NT)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay        34     18        —
  2. New York            34     19          .5
  3. Boston                  35     31         6
  4. Detroit                 19     16         6.5
  5. Toronto               27     26         7.5
  6. Kansas City       18      18         8
  7. Cleveland          19       25       11
  8. Baltimore          13       41        22

West                            W       L          GB

  1. MInnesota           21     17         —
  2. Texas                    23    20           .5
  3. Oakland               23    20          .5
  4. Los Angeles         26    26          2
  5. Chicago                18    20          3
  6. Seattle                  16    28          8

East                                W      L          GB

  1. Atlanta                  31    24         —
  2. Cincinnati             26   22          1.5
  3. Washington          28    25         2
  4. Philadelphia         29    27         2.5
  5. New York               27    30         5
  6. Florida                    26    29         5
  7. Houston                  18    23         6
  8. Pittsburgh              13   28        11

West                                 W      L        GB

  1. Los Angeles             36     20      —
  2. San Diego                 33    24        3.5
  3. Colorado                   31    26        5.5
  4. St. Louis                   24    23        7.5
  5. Chicago                    27    26        7.5
  6. San Francisco         24   24         8
  7. Milwaukee               24   27         9.5
  8. Arizona                     19    39      18

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 6 Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/16/10

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Yesterday’s Results:

CHI  8  MIN  7 (West);  LA  8  SEA  3 (West);  TEX  7  BOS  2 (Not Tier Schedule)

STL  7  LAD  1 (West);  SF  2  NY  O (Not Tier);  ATL  2  MIL  1 (NT);  CHI  12  PHI  1 (NT)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay         34    17         —
  2. New York             33    19          1.5
  3. Detroit                  19    15          6.5
  4. Boston                   35    31          6.5
  5. Kansas City         18    18          8.5
  6. Toronto                 26    26         8.5
  7. Cleveland             18    25       12
  8. Baltimore              13    40       22

West                                W      L         GB

  1. Minnesota               20    17        —
  2. Texas                        23    20       — 
  3. Oakland                   23    20       —
  4. Los Angeles              25    26        2
  5. Chicago                     18    19        2
  6. Seattle                        16   27        7

East                                     W      L        GB

  1. Atlanta                       31     24      —
  2. Cincinnati                  25    22        2
  3. Washington                27    25       2.5
  4. Philadelphia               29    27       2.5
  5. Florida                          26    28       4.5
  6. New York                      27    30       5
  7. Houston                        17     23       6.5
  8. Pittsburgh                    13     27     10.5

West                                       W       L         GB

  1. Los Angeles                   36     19         —
  2. San Diego                       32     24          4.5
  3. Colorado                         31     25          5.5
  4. Chicago                          27    26           8
  5. St. Louis                         23    23           8.5
  6. San Francisco               24    24           8.5
  7. Milwaukee                     24    27         10
  8. Arizona                           19    38         18

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 1 Comment »

George Steinbrenner 1930-2010

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

I spent a couple of days trying to figure out what to write about, or even whether I should write anything at all.  I’ve decided that it would be an injustice for any baseball blog to let George Steinbrenner’s passing go unnoticed. Such was his impact on the sport.

First, I’d like to give my heartfelt condolences to the family.  While we all knew he had been in poor heaith for a while, the suddeness of his passing was both shocking and saddening.  I can’t begin to imagine the impact his death had on his many family members.  I’m sure the strength of the man and his relatives will see them all thorugh these sad days.

George Steinbrenner was a baseball pioneer and cultural icon.  As a Yankee fan I can say that his presence in the day to day affairs of the club were already missed  for several years, even before his final passing .  Positive or negative, his energy was greatly productive and certainly interesting to speculate about and follow.  His passionate devotion to his team, his behind the scenes philanthropic activities, and his ability to laugh and let himself be a part of the joke,  made for a complex person who will always be remembered and admired.

If he could hear me now I would just add, “Thank you Mr. Steinbrenner for all the enjoyment you helped to bring to this life-long Yankee fan.”

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/12/10

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Last Night’s Best Series:

Boston’s 3 runs in the 6th was powered by HR s from Darell McDonald and David Ortiz gave them a 3-2 win over Toronto.  Daisuke Matsuzaka was the winning pitcher; while Jesse Litsch was the loser.

Philadelphia scored the only run of the game in the 3rd, as they beat Cincinnati 1-0.  Cole Hamels was the winning pitcher.  Matt Maloney took the lose.

Yesterday’s Results:

BOS  3  TOR  2 (East);  TB   6  CLE  5 (10); OAK  5  LA 2 (West);  NY  8  SEA  2 (Not Tier);  MIN  6  DETS  3 (Not Tier Schedule);  CHI  15  KC  5 (NTS);  BAL  4  TEX  1 (NT)

NY  3  ATL  0 (East);  PHI  1  CIN  0 (East);  SD  9  COL  7 (West);  LA  7  CHI  0 (West);  SF  6  WAS  2 (NT);  STL  4  HOU  2 (NT);  MIL  6  PIT  5 (NTS);  FLA  2  ARI  0 (NT)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay         34    17         —
  2. New York             33    19           1.5
  3. Detroit                  19     15           6.5
  4. Boston                   35     31           6.5
  5. Kansas City         18     18           8.5
  6. Toronto                 26     26          8.5
  7. Cleveland             18     25         12
  8. Baltimore             13     40         22

West                               W       L          GB

  1. Minnesota              20     16         —
  2. Texas                       23     20          .5
  3. Oakland                  23     20          .5
  4. Chicago                   17     19          3
  5. Los Angeles             24    26          3
  6. Seattle                      16    27          7.5

East                                   W      L           GB

  1. Atlanta                      31    24         —
  2. Cincinnati                25    22           2
  3. Washington              27    25          2.5
  4. Philadelphia             29    27          2.5
  5. Florida                        26    28          4.5
  6. New York                    27    30         5
  7. Houston                       17    23         6.5
  8. Pittsburgh                  13    27       10.5

West                                     W      L           GB

  1. Los Angeles                  36    18         —
  2. San Diego                      32    24           5
  3. Colorado                        31     25          6
  4. Chicago                         27     26          8.5
  5. San Francisco              24     24         9
  6. St. Louis                         22     23        9.5
  7. Milwaukee                     24    27       10.5
  8. Arizona                           19    38       18.5

The Pennant Race Gazette will be on vacation during the All-Star Game break.

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | No Comments »

Pennant Race Gazette 7/11/10

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Last Night’s Best Series:

Toronto went ahead for good with 2 runs in the 5th, beating Boston 9-5.  Shawn Camp was the winning pitcher, John Lackey the loser.

Atlanta beat New York, 4-0.  Tim Hudson pitched 7 innings of shutout ball for the win.  Mike Pelfrey took the lose.

Yesterday’s Results:

TOR  9  BOS  5 (East);  TB  4  CLE  0 (East);  OAK  15  LA  1 (West);  SEA  4  NY  1 (Not Tier);  CHI  5  KC  1 (Not Tier Schedule);  BAL  6  TEX  1 (NT);  DET  7  MIN  4 (NTS)

ATL  4  NY  0 (East);  CHI  7  LA  3 (West);  PHI  1  CIN  0 (11) (East);  COL  4  SD  2 (West);  HOU  4  STL  1 (NT);  MIL  4  PIT  3 (NTS);  SF  10  WAS  5 (NT);  ARI  5  FLA  4 (NT)

East                              W      L          GB

  1. Tampa Bay         33    17         —
  2. New York             33    19           1
  3. Detroit                  19    15           6
  4. Boston                   34    31           6.5
  5. Toronto                 26   25           7.5
  6. Kansas City          18   18           8
  7. Cleveland             18    24        11
  8. Baltimore              13    40        21.5

West                               W      L          GB

  1. Minnesota              20    16        —
  2. Texas                       23    20         .5
  3. Oakland                  22   20         1
  4. Los Angeles             24   25        2.5
  5. Chicago                    17   19        3
  6. Seattle                      16   27        7.5

East                                   W      L          GB

  1. Atlanta                     31    23         —
  2. Cincinnati                25   21           2
  3. Washington              27   25          3
  4. Philadelphia             28   27          3.5
  5. Florida                        26   28          5
  6. New York                   26   30          6
  7. Houston                     17    23          7
  8. Pittsburgh                13    27         11

West                                    W      L          GB

  1. Los Angeles                 35    18        —
  2. San Diego                    31     24         5
  3. Colorado                      31     24         5
  4. Chicago                       27     25         7.5
  5. San Francisco            24    24          8.5
  6. St. Louis                       22    23         9
  7. Milwaukee                   24    27       10
  8. Arizona                         19    38       18

Posted in Daily Pennant Race News | 5 Comments »

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