SportsNation Blog Archives
Florida Marlins
Are the Braves about to get their own Washington bailout in the wild-card race?
As recently as last week, the NL wild card was a done deal in SportsNation's eyes -- 59 percent of voters said the Rockies were headed to the postseason. And now ... well, actually the Rockies remain the overwhelming popular pick to win the wild card. But after loss No. 8 in the their last 12 games, the wild-card lead is down to 3.5 games over the Braves. And guess who the Braves play seven times in the season's final stretch?
Your 100-loss Washington Nationals!
Meanwhile, the Rockies play both the Cardinals and Dodgers down the stretch. And far be it from us to suggest those teams would think of such things, but since one might end up facing the wild card, what's really in their best interests?
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“best case scenario the Braves are only .5 games behind the Rockies after the weekend.
” -- sneller01
“The Rockies can't defeat the AAAA Padres... AGAIN! Hilarious! Rockies are a joke! Good thing they aren't in the AL because they would have NO CHANCE in making the playoffs.
” -- Friars_Win
So has anyone seen our divisional races in baseball? We seem to have misplaced them; we swear they here a minute ago. Aside from the AL Central, which is shaping up as less of a sprint and more of a stumble to the finish line, the new week begins with every division leader in possession of at least a 4.5 game cushion. A month ago, only two teams could claim that honor. And a year ago, two races were within a game on Aug. 17.
We can only assume it's the Tigers people have in mind when more than 70 percent of SportsNation predicts at least one current division leader will fall because the rest of the landscape looks about as eye-catching as a Kansas highway in the middle of an overcast night (in other words, dull). Thank goodness for the wild card.
At the outset of a three-game series between the Rangers and Red Sox in Texas, voters predicted the Red Sox would lead the wild-card race after the weekend. Oops. But never a body to be deterred, SportsNation still thinks the Red Sox will end up in the playoffs.
- Rockies lead NL wild-card race; SportsNation still prefers Giants.
- Vote: Add your take to the hot issues of the day in MLB.
- Groups: Top of the Chop | Texas Rangers | PHILADELPHIA SPORTS
“The Rangers are getting healthier, Kinsler's time off looked like a well needed rest. Hamilton's coming back around. Pitching looks good for them. And there's no way the Angels can keep up the pace they're on. Or can they? I love the fact that the Rangers are still relevant in mid August. Things look good for them.
” -- xlxcrowxlx
“the rockies whole team is overated, them playing at coors inflates all their stats tulowitzki cant clean hanleys shoes and helton is good cause hes in coors and there gonna fall apart in the end while we stay hot and by the way this was the worst officiated game in the history of baseball, the rocks stole this one from us
” -- jgoodman222
"Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand in a hurry." -- Ron Burgundy
Nobody on the Yankees killed a guy, or threw a trident, during a four-game weekend set against the Red Sox, but behind SportsNation's AL MVP pick the Bronx Bombers did their best in a sweep to extinguish whatever remaining life their rivals had left in the division.
After Thursday's loss, we looked at how SportsNation's faith in the Red Sox had faded over the past two months, but that was in the context of winning the AL East. But when the Mariners are closer to you in the playoff race than you are to the Yankees, it's time to start worrying about just making the playoffs.
- Only 52 percent of SportsNation predicts the Red Sox will make the postseason.
- Voters split as to whether Rangers or Rays are the main wild-card competition.
And the Dodgers, who once held a seemingly insurmountable lead in the NL West, head to San Francisco having lost three of four to the Braves and with their lead down to 5.5 games over the Giants and Rockies.
- A month into the season, only 22 percent of voters expected an NL West fight.
- Giants now slight favorite to earn the NL wild card over Cubs and Rockies.
- Vote: Weigh in with your take on the issues of the day in MLB.
- Chat: Buster Olney talks about all the pennant races at 1 p.m. ET.
- Groups: Florida Marlins Rock | National league | Dodgers Fan Club
“NL East is going to get tight. Both the hot Marlins and the even-hotter Braves (who just destroyed the NL's best team in a four-game set) are catching up quick. Marlins are only 4 back. Braves are 4.5 back. September's going to be awesome.
” -- aneternalenigma
“if the dodgers lost 3 of 4 to the pirates, i'd be a little more worried...the braves are always competitive, so there's no shame in losing this series...today's game could of been a little closer, but that happens...hell, the phillies lost by 9 today
” -- thomas9577
“As dominant as this 4 game sweep may seem by the media and some of the fans here, credit must be given to the Red Sox. They threw their struggling # 5 on Thursday. Friday was an epic adventure and an instant classic of a game. Saturday was a solid victory for the Yankees and CC Sabathia dominated. Last night was quite the duel that came down to the Sox pen (Bard in particular) not being able to settle down in a high pressure situation. What scares me even after this 4 game sweep is that the Yankees scored 1 run against Lester and Beckett in 14 innings, and only 3 total in 20 against Beckett, Lester and Buchholz.
” -- zoukis05
There is, of course, baseball being played outside the Bronx this weekend. For instance, the Pawtucket Red Sox square off against the Norfolk Tides, and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees -- fresh off taking three of four from Pawtucket -- face the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. And people say there are no good nicknames anymore.
Sorry, we got a little caught up in the Sox-Yankees quagmire for a second. What we meant is that there are plenty of perfectly compelling MLB series taking place this weekend without the participation of either Terry Francona or Joe Girardi. Not surprisingly, exactly which of those series matters most depends on where you live, but the Rangers and Angels hold a slight edge on the rest of the field nationwide.
Almost a month ago, SportsNation tabbed the Rangers as the second-best bet to overtake a division leader, behind only those inescapable Yankees. And just this week, the team from Texas ranked No. 7 overall in SportsNation's MLB Power Rankings. But at 4.5 games behind the Angels in the AL West, a bad weekend in Anaheim would be costly.
- Tigers still lead Central but SportsNation picking White Sox to win in the end.
- 67 percent say a healthy Jake Peavy would give White Sox pitching edge on Tigers.
- Another shoe to drop? Half of SportsNation expects a major August waiver deal.
- Beyond the Nation: Detroit Free Press' Michael Rosenberg on the AL Central race.
- Groups: Texas Rangers | Tiger Den | THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS GROUP
“No one else I'd rather have start off the series than old Feldy. Going to be a lot of frustration coming from the Angels' bats tonight as about half of them will end up in two pieces on the field.
” -- ohcomeon21
“I'm not one to predict wins and such, but I have an eerily good feeling about this series for the Angels. Though it could just be my homer-ness talking.
” -- slyintine
“The Twins and White Sox didn't help their cause yesterday, while we ripped off a win. Hopefully we can keep this roll going against Minny this weekend, the top of the pitching order rolls over again tomorrow too. Nice!
” -- KaneBowman
The dog days of August are in their infancy, but it's shaping up as a big week on the baseball diamond for reasons other than tests taken in 2003.
As you may hear a word or two about between now and then, the Yankees and Red Sox renew acquaintances later this week in the Bronx. But that's hardly the only act worth watching. Before even getting to the Big Apple, the Red Sox have to visit the Rays. Most of SportsNation already feels it's a two-team race in the AL East, but the defending AL champions ranked No. 7 in SN's Power Rankings last week and aren't out of things.
Over in the National League, has anyone actually noticed that the NL West seems to control the wild-card race? The Giants just took three out of four from the Phillies, and SportsNation's disdain for the Rockies should either intensify or wither after a week that sees them square off against the Phillies in Philadelphia (now with more Cliff Lee!) and Cubs in Denver.
- At the All-Star break, voters liked the Giants much more than the Rockies.
- Two months ago, voters weren't buying the Rockies' turnaround under Jim Tracy.
- Chat: Buster Olney answers your MLB questions at 1 p.m. ET
- Groups: THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS GROUP | ROCKIES ROCK!! | Fans of the Rays
“good luck to the Philly fans. Murder the Rox for us please!! no hard feelings, I realize its tough to lose. I usually deal with it by locking myself in my room and crying with my head under the pillow. we all handle losses differently!
” -- comeoutandplaaay
“great homestand and great series for the giants, the only reason pittsburgh, i mean philadelphia beat us friday is because they got lee and he was pitching against our triple a pitcher, if not a sweep would have been. great job ZITO, VELEZ AND ROWAND AND WINN HAD A NICE GAMe. go giants now lets winn on the road.
” -- Adam Heavens
We're poised on the precipice of the second half, caught between the cold reality of the first half of the season and the limitless potential of the second half. We're ... bored. Seriously, the Triple-A All-Star Game is all we get today? Couldn't the Nationals and Pirates play at least? It's not like their rosters are exactly swamped with All-Star Game obligations.
A practice round from the British Open? A midweek NASCAR race? Give us something.
It's the slowest day in sports, but that does give us the chance to look back and look ahead. We've been surveying SportsNation for the best each team had to offer before the break. Some of these votes are closer than the Minnesota Senate race, but the leaders as of Wednesday morning are as follows:
National League Team MVP
Dodgers: Andre Ethier
Phillies: Raul Ibanez
Giants: Tim Lincecum
Cardinals: Yadier Molina (non-Pujols)
Rockies: Brad Hawpe
Brewers: Prince Fielder
Marlins: Hanley Ramirez
Astros: Miguel Tejada
Cubs: Derrek Lee
Braves: Brian McCann
Reds: Brandon Phillips
Mets: David Wright
Pirates: Freddy Sanchez
Diamondbacks: Dan Haren
Padres: Adrian Gonzalez
Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman
Frustrated that the Mets traded away a clutch chemistry guy like Ryan Church for the enigma that remains Jeff Francoeur -- whose swing made him the best football player the Braves employed since Brian Jordan -- SportsNation blogger BirishB says the trade effectively sums up a year of things going wrong in New York.
We think that's selling it short; it pretty well sums up the entire NL East.
Only in the NL East could a team with a losing record at home and some of the worst pitching numbers in baseball find itself in control of the race. And only in the NL East could a pair of Braves pitchers who reached the break ranked in the top 10 in ERA have a combined 13-14 record.
But through it all, the Phillies have maintained SportsNation's support. On June 22, the team woke up having lost six in a row and with a scant 1.5-game lead on the Mets but still held a commanding lead among voters.
- If the Rays switched leagues, they would edge the Phillies in the NL East.
- SportsNation still confident Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg.
- Which of the Phillies' All-Stars is team MVP? Vote on the NL East.
- More midseason reviews: AL East | AL Central | AL West | NL West | NL Central
- Groups: Florida Marlins Rock | Top of the Chop | Die Hard Phillies Phans
“im a braves fan that loved frenchy but this was a great trade for the braves. no one in the braves system could get his swing worked out and he was turning into andruw jones with less power. to bring in a good quality bat and teammate such as church is a great trade. now we just need to find a power bat to stick in the middle of the lineup
” -- nrbradley
“I think people have a hard time staying marlin fans because you can't get attached to players. Everytime we have a solid group of guys, or some great young prospects we get rid of them. It's hard to watch a team, when the players you like keep leaving....just my opinion.
” -- mblally
“The NY Mets have an excuse for having poor years the last 3 years. Especially this year has been the worst because of countless injuries to their Top Players. Not like the NY Yankees and Other top teams whose Top Players are perfectly healthy and should be way ahead of the Dodgers as the best team in MLB. But they are not because they are a bunch of spoiled brat punk era generation of overpaid players no thanks to what Curt Flood and Donald Fehr started.
” -- ontario925
“Last year getting inning eater Blanton worked for the Phils instead of getting Sabathia or Harden. They're trying to do it again this year. Get a less expensive, worse pitcher who will give you innings. The Phils won't try to get Halladay with or without possibly getting Pedro. This year is different. While the NL is terrible this year the Phils need better pitching to get past the Dodgers.
” -- eaglesandceltics
“Acta is just the scapegoat. The manager is always the one who gets thrown under the bus. Either way, that roster is capable of winning more games than they have, but nowhere near playoff contenders. I don't care if you resurrect Connie Mack, no one would have led the Nationals to anything more than a 90 loss season.
” -- tybae40
SportsNation is clear on two things when it comes to tonight's All-Star Game in St. Louis. First, the American League is going to win. And second, a good chunk of the 'Nation isn't happy about it.
Just like political elections (only with much younger combatants, except in the cases of Jamie Moyer and Tim Wakefield), the All-Star Game brings out the regional divisisions in all of us. From sea to shining sea, there are distinct bands of support for the American League and National League. And just like the elections, there are some familiar swing states.
Florida: With both the Marlins and Rays, the state is up for grabs. But barring a recount, the AL holds a 53-47 edge, perhaps thanks to AL East retirees.
California: The A's and Angels never stood a chance against the longstanding order of the Dodgers, Giants and Padres (sound familiar in the Golden State?). The National League holds a commanding 65-35 lead for the hearts and minds of Californians.
Ohio: What should be a battlegrouind between the Reds in the south and the Indians in the north is surprisingly one-sided, 62-38, in favor the American League.
Wisconsin: It hasn't taken Wisconsin long to adapt to life in the National League. In fact, at 82 percent support, it's the NL's biggest stronghold in the country.
Next week in chat: James Carville and Mary Matalin on the wild-card races! (not really).
- Have you switched league alleigances in your life? Vote on All-Star Game issues.
- Voters don't think the All-Star Game should decide home-field advantage.
- 'Nation agrees with Roy Halladay over Zack Greinke for American League.
- Chat: Ask Joe Morgan about the National League's golden years at 1 p.m. ET.
“Thanks Bud Selig for making baseball to make no sense whatsover compared to other sports. If you win 105 games in the regular season , then your team should be rewarded for having home field advantage in the World Series. What a Joke!!!! You did a good job in dividing up the leagues and having a wild card, but you can change this crap.
” -- bondsbay
“I'm glad that Maddon decided against Greinke, considering Greinke has about as good of a chance at mattering in the postseason as I do. Halladay is going to win Home Field for the American League, then get traded to the Phils . . .clutch
” -- nslynch713
As the saying goes, the more things change, the more the Cubs struggle to find .500. At least, that's how we learned it. And by "we," we mean anyone born since 1909.
With the baseball season pausing for its official midpoint at the All-Star Game and its less official one in the firing of the Nationals manager, consider how SportsNation sized up the field after the first week of the season.
1. Florida Marlins
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Chicago Cubs
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Toronto Blue Jays
At least the Nationals were properly slotted at No. 30. Congrats on getting that gig, Jim Riggleman. Now the Cubs, Marlins and Braves are fighting for wild-card relevancy, hoping a division leader stumbles, and the Blue Jays are listening to offers for Roy Halladay.
- A Mariners fan, blogger Dawgman0387 gets a little excited about the team's winning record at the break and starts throwing out terms like "World Series run." But hey, with a top three like Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn, maybe he's on to something.
- Things aren't quite as rosy for the Reds. SportsNation blogger xubugg pleads for more "patients" at the plate. We're guessing that's supposed to be "patience," but when it comes to Dusty Baker's lineup experiments, you never know.
- We're all a little worse off having an All-Star Game without "Kung Fu Panda," but a Giants blogger upset that the so-nicknamed Pablo Sandoval won't be in St. Louis takes out his frutrations on the frauds that he feels are the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Love the Mariners, Wakamatsu, Fedex, Ichiro, Branyan, Griffey Jr., Aardsma, Branyan, "Gutierez", and everyone who has helped turn this year's team into an entertaining winning club.
” -- J.Bertelli
“[Jim Tracy] took the Rockies from double-digit games under .500 to Wild Card contenders. Not to mention the fact that the Rockies have the best record in baseball over the span that Tracy has been manager. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, expected the Rockies to be in the position they are now. Thus, Tracy definitely deserves to be National League Manager Of The Year, so far, and it's not really that close.
” -- JTRMS45
We salute NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for summiting Mount Rainier, although running a league that includes the Bengals does give him at least a little experience with things that tend to erupt and leave a swath of destruction in their wake. But as the MLB All-Star Game approaches, Goodell's trip takes second place to the high-altitude exploits of Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis.
Passing the still-frozen bodies of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle (proverbially speaking, of course) on his way to the summit, Marquis is a legitimate Cy Young contender with 11 wins. We get that the humidor makes Coors Field slightly less ominous than the setting for the next "Saw" for pitchers these days, but there's still not exactly a line forming to go face batters a mile above sea level.
- Continuing the self-proclaimed third annual "Half-way Awards," blogger whitstatman hands out hardware in the NL, where a familiar (baby) face loses out to a teammate in the Cy Young race and the Mets ... stink.
- SN midseason awards: Rank AL MVP contenders | Rank AL Cy Young contenders
- Groups: ROCKIES ROCK!! | The Arizona Diamondbacks | National league
“Vazquez is, and has been, an over-rated bum his whole career. Can't win with run support, can't win without it. There's a reason why his career numbers hover around .500, and its nothing to do with the rest of any team he's been on.
” -- JeffSigmaChi
“Start Tim Lincecum for the NL. The man is a serious freak of nature and an amazing picture. Just ask the last 3 teams he has pitched against.
” -- jaws2355
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