SportsNation Blog Archives
Arizona Diamondbacks
Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?
Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series
Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?
World Series repeat?
The Cardinals prevailed over the Rangers in the 2011 World Series, but St. Louis lost its biggest gun this past offseason ...
Best player?
... which is a pretty big loss, considering he might be one of the best players of all time.
Odd one out?
The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season after an epic September collapse. Will they be on the outside looking in once again?
AL's best?
Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols were probably the two biggest additions to teams in the American League, meaning the balance of power could shift.
NL's best?
Likewise, the addition of Jose Reyes to the Marlins could give the team a huge upgrade -- offensively with new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, and defensively at shortstop.
The Packers rolled to a Super Bowl championship last season and appear headed back for more this season. Wisconsin rocked Nebraska and Camp Randall Stadium last week to solidify the Badgers as title contenders. Are the Brewers next as Wisconsin takes over the world of sports? It will require a Game 5 win against the Diamondbacks.
- "If the Crew lose this game it will be one of the biggest CHOKES ever! All that swagger. They are the better team by far and they can't be beat at home!" -- SN commenter packerbob74
- "Kennedy doesn't have to lose the game for the Dbacks to lose. Gallardo's performance will have more impact on the game than Kennedy's. If the game is tied or within one run after six, the Brewers win." -- SN commenter maverick8948
Ian Kennedy or Yovani Gallardo?
Kennedy went 21-4 in the regular season but allowed eight hits and four runs in Game 1, while Gallardo allowed just one earned run in eight innings in the opener.
Momentum or a familiar environment?
The Diamondbacks piled up two grand slams and an 18-7 advantage in runs to even the series, but is that more valuable than a season of success at Miller Park?
Root, root, root for the home team?
The Brewers were SN's favorite NL team when the playoffs commenced, but have the Diamondbacks won you over by rallying from a two-game hole?
How do you pick your poison?
Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder have combined for seven RBIs and 23 total bases this series. With the game on the line, how do you deal with them?
ALDS: Tigers vs. Yankees
Jose Valverde was perfect in the regular season, but is he second-best in this series?
Vote: Five questions for Tigers vs. Yankees
ALDS: Rays vs. Rangers
The Rays used one ace just to make it, but does starting rookie Matt Moore on the road make sense?
Vote: Five questions for Rays vs. Rangers
NLDS: Cardinals vs. Phillies
Albert Pujols' slow start turned into MVP-type numbers, but does pitching rule a short series?
Vote: Five questions for Cardinals vs. Phillies
NLDS: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
Ian Kennedy won 21 games for Arizona, but do the Brewers have the depth?
Vote: Five questions for Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
Fans in San Francisco watched meaningful baseball deep into October a year ago. Will the season be all but over by Labor Day this time around? The holiday weekend brings a three-game series between the Giants and Diamondbacks at AT&T Park, with the latter leading the NL West by six games over the defending champions.
- "hoping the giants show up and sweep this weekend, I would love to see the Gaints, Cards and Braves put some pressure on the division leaders, or we are in for one boring Sept.." -- SN commenter Korzaggl
- "They put the whole season on the pitching staff and Buster Posey. When the reigning ROY that hit fourth and led the Giants over the two-time NL champs in the playoffs went down, Sabean was exposed. But let's not pretend like Posey isn't one of the most valuable players in baseball." -- SN commenter SFeleven
What needs to happen?
The NL West has seen memorable comebacks, but even with three more games between these teams, is it sweep or bust for the Giants?
The collision that changed a season?
The Giants led the division on May 25, the same day Buster Posey found himself on the wrong end of a collision with Scott Cousins.
Architect of a dethroning?
Diamondbacks ace Ian Kennedy faces Tim Lincecum on Saturday, but is Kennedy already his own team's MVP?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
- Rank 'Em: Who are the biggest prizes rumored to be on the market?
- Vote: How will the playoff race unfold in each league?
- Chat: MLB Insider Keith Law sets you straight in chat, 1 p.m. ET.
There may be plenty of shopping days left until Christmas (163 if you're counting), but time is running out for baseball teams hoping to find that special something for the pennant race. The end of the month brings the non-waiver trade deadline and the opportunity for general managers to make the kind of mark Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. did last summer in trading for Cliff Lee -- or, you know, the kind of impression the Cubs made in trading Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio in 1964.
Perhaps hoping lightning strikes twice, the Rangers made a big splash by landing Lee before the All-Star break, while the Braves used the pause to trade for slugging shortstop Alex Gonzalez. But could a player like Prince Fielder or Roy Oswalt tilt the scales enough in favor of another team willing to make a move?
Kevin Larson (Oak Lawn)
What kind of players are available for Kenny Williams to grab before the trade deadline? What about Adam Dunn coming to Chicago?
ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine
I have talked about Dunn for a month. the problem is his defense is poor and his baserunning is plodding. That's not exaclty Ozzie Ball type material. The part that Kenny Williams likes is the home run power from the left side. The Sox have lacked offensive balance all season long. When Quentin hits the team seems to score. Full transcript
Brandon (Springfield)
Should the Braves make a move for Corey Hart? Do you believe he is having a fluke season so far?
Rob Neyer
A little bit, maybe. But I think last season was the bigger fluke. Hart's a legitimate power hitter and could help a lot of clubs. Full transcript
J.B. (Dunmore, PA)
Can you see either Matt Kemp or Josh Willingham going to the Braves for the stretch run?
Jayson Stark
I don't. I keep hearing that the Nationals are telling teams interested in Willingham that they prefer to move Adam Dunn if they move either of them. And it's very unlikely Matt Kemp gets traded. If he does, he'll be very expensive. Also, the Braves can't add much payroll. Full transcript
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
B.J. Upton's had a pretty good career so far, but his brother Justin might be the best talent in the family. Justin definitely made his mark in 2010; in a Diamondbacks lineup loaded with high-K, high-power hitters, Upton may have been the most well-rounded of them all. B.J. suffered from injury last season, but he's had success in the majors before and has the speed advantage over his younger brother. SportsNation ranks the Uptons as the best brother combo currently playing, but which Upton will end up with the more valuable career?
“m glad somebody is finally giving J-Up some repsect on a national level. As a dbacks fan i can say hes a joy to watch
” -- ccdog4
“this guy is legit. i played against him in high school down in a tournament in florida. he went 4 for 5 with 3 bombs.
” -- jwood1776
“This manchild will be an MVP in this league someday
” -- southsideirish08
- Your Rankings: How do you rank MLB general managers? | Granderson good move?
- Live from winter meetings: ESPN's baseball experts weigh in from Indianapolis
- Local chats: ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes, 11:30 ET | ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, 7 ET
Unless you're a diehard Tigers fan or savored his occasional postseason television work (or his blog), chances are you're hearing a lot more about Curtis Granderson this week than, well, ever before. Granderson, who hit 30 home runs for the Tigers last season, is apparently on the verge of heading to the Bronx in a three-team deal to either replace or join free agent Johnny Damon.
The NFL may be king in this country, but when it comes to offseason interest, SportsNation says MLB is on equal footing with its gridiron peer. And that leads to an obvious question. With seemingly so few teams actually in contention to win once pitches start being thrown, is baseball's hot-stove season actually more interesting than its regular season?
And for those looking for a little more insight on Granderson, we're here for you. If by insight, you mean his Wrestlemania memories and favorite foods. If you insist on the baseball stuff, Keith Law chats Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
Craig (Norwich, CT)
I've been a big fan of yours ever since I found out that you are a pro wrestling fan, and I was just wondering how much fun WrestleMania 23 really was. It must have been such a great time.
Curtis Granderson
I got a chance to sit ringside. To be there in front of 80,000 people and be inches from the whole show, was one of the best times I've had. It didn't stop from the start to the end. They delivered and satisfied the whole time. Full transcript from April 13, 2007
Jeffrey (Rochester)
What's your favorite thing to do on a road trip? Do you have any spots in certain cities that you have to visit?
Curtis Granderson
The food in every city, I look forward to. KC for the ribs, Seattle for the fish and chips. Chicago for the pizza. Baltimore for the crab cakes. My big thing is getting the food that a city is known for. I love to eat. Full transcript from April 13, 2007
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
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