BASEBALL - PLAYOFF PUSH
Keeping this brief since it is basically a national holiday, first full day of College Football! While the Cardinals are middling, TOB cannot wait for the CFB season to get rolling.
Various Team TOB observations:
St. Louis Cardinals: This segment is basically the same every week (i.e. month). Somehow they were able to trade Mike Leake, while only eating about $17MM of his remaining $55MM. Pham has to be a starter going into next year, or get moved with his value being at it’s all time high (.930 OPS in about 100 games this season). Fowler has been fine, though a different player than advertised. Hopefully they can move either Randy or Piscotty to clear up the outfield for the young guys. Seems like this team is in a major transition with Waino getting too old to be even moderately effective, and Yadi ideally turning over the reins to Carson Kelly.
Clayton Kershaw: He’s back! Looking for another Cy Young. Could end up 19-2 with a sub 2.50 ERA, unreal.
Carlos Martinez: Another couple of underwhelming starts for the Cardinals “Ace.” Don’t say that too loudly, apparently criticizing Martinez makes you a racist in the eyes of 101.1 ESPN Radio.
Heyward vs. Fowler Update:
Heyward: .697 OPS – This just may be who he is now. A below average hitter, above average fielder. Not bad for $23MM/YR
Fowler: .830 OPS – He may be the exact opposite of Heyward at this point, below average fielder, above average hitter. Thank God we only bet on offense!
Manfred Mann’s League of The Blind Update:
Silky Johnson’s Player Haters (Cubs, Yankees, Tigers, Angels, Braves, Padres): Wins – 389 / Pace – 474.
Dexter’s Laboratory (Red Sox, Rangers, Cardinals, Royals, Diamondbacks, Reds): Wins – 407 / Pace – 495.
Synderhard-on for Kershaw (Dodgers, Mets, Blue Jays, Pirates, Rays, White Sox): Wins – 393 / Pace – 477.
Blake Street Bombers (Nationals, Giants, Rockies, Orioles, Brewers, Twins): Wins – 404 / Pace – 495.
Cano Corn (Astros, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Phillies, Athletics): Wins – 396 / Pace – 482.
Best Moment of the Year (to date):
More hilarious Cardinals baserunning. The video isn’t on Youtube yet, don’t worry TOB will get it to you when it’s available…it’s bad…so bad.
What’s Annoying TOB this Week:
Nothing this week. Baseball is finally important again (aside from the Cardinals), College Football is getting started, Fantasy Football drafts are happening, Holiday weekend...life is pretty good.
Raging Bulls Update:
Bulls finish the season 18-18. Lampel with only 1 ejection this year so he will be available for all playoffs games. Way to go Adam! Bulls finish 3rd in the FOY and will play the Reds in the first round starting 9/5.
Look out for TOB’s college football preview coming soon! Picks are back, Mizzou may win more than 6 games, Notre Dame may win more than 4 games, Illinois may win more than, well, maybe 2 games…
-Tony on Ball
