My 2016 MLB predictions were the mixed bag they always are.
Sure, I thought the Boston Red Sox would win the AL East, the Texas Rangers would win the AL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers would win the NL West and that New York Mets would reach the post-season albeit as repeat NL East champs rather than through the NL Wild Card.
But I also picked a post-season berth for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the AL pennant for the Minnesota Twins who ended up with 103 losses and the worst record in MLB.
So with that in mind here are my 2016 MLB Post-Season Predictions.
AL Wild Card Game - Baltimore Orioles vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Winner: Toronto)
ALDS - Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers (Winner: Rangers in five)
ALDS - Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians (Winner: Red Sox in five)
ALCS - Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers (Winner: Rangers in six)
ALCS MVP - Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
NL Wild Card Game - San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets (Winner: New York)
NLDS - New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs (Winner: Mets in three)
NLDS - Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington Nationals (Winner: Dodgers in five)
NLCS - New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Winner: Dodgers in seven)
NLCS MVP - Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Dodgers
2016 World Series - Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Winner: Dodgers in seven)
World Series MVP - Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
Riding Off In The Sunset - Vin Scully, Los Angeles Dodgers
Let the fun begin tomorrow night in Toronto.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Will The Braves Give Brian Snitker a Raw Deal?
Why haven't the Atlanta Braves named Brian Snitker their manager for crying out loud?
Snitker took over the club on May 17th after the Braves got off to a 9-28 start under Fredi Gonzalez. The Braves went 59-65 the rest of the way. OK, that doesn't look impressive and the Braves did finish in last in the NL East a distant 26.5 games back of the Washington Nationals. But they did go 37-35 after the All-Star Break and went 18-10 in September/October.
The Braves were on pace to lose more than 100 games. Not only did Switker prevent that, he also prevented the club from having the worst record in the NL (the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds share that honor). Pete Mackanin essentially did this with the Philadelphia Phillies last year and the Phillies gave him a vote of confidence. There's no reason the Braves shouldn't do the same with Switker.
But instead they have interviewed Terry Pendleton, Eddie Perez and Bo Porter as well as former Padres manager Bud Black and ex-Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Brian Snitker has been with the Braves' organization for 40 years. He's given the Braves his heart and soul. The very least the Braves can do is give him a vote of confidence. But I've a bad feeling the Braves will give Snitker a raw deal.
Snitker took over the club on May 17th after the Braves got off to a 9-28 start under Fredi Gonzalez. The Braves went 59-65 the rest of the way. OK, that doesn't look impressive and the Braves did finish in last in the NL East a distant 26.5 games back of the Washington Nationals. But they did go 37-35 after the All-Star Break and went 18-10 in September/October.
The Braves were on pace to lose more than 100 games. Not only did Switker prevent that, he also prevented the club from having the worst record in the NL (the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds share that honor). Pete Mackanin essentially did this with the Philadelphia Phillies last year and the Phillies gave him a vote of confidence. There's no reason the Braves shouldn't do the same with Switker.
But instead they have interviewed Terry Pendleton, Eddie Perez and Bo Porter as well as former Padres manager Bud Black and ex-Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington.
Brian Snitker has been with the Braves' organization for 40 years. He's given the Braves his heart and soul. The very least the Braves can do is give him a vote of confidence. But I've a bad feeling the Braves will give Snitker a raw deal.
Weiss Parts Way With The Rockies; D'Backs Dismiss Hale & Stewart
Now the regular season is over there are two NL West teams that are already changing course after a disappointing 2016 season.
Walt Weiss has resigned as manager of the Colorado Rockies after four seasons. During his tenure, the Rockies did not have a winning season going 283-365. To be fair, the Rockies haven't had a winning season since 2010. But Weiss' relationship with GM Jeff Bridich was strained. Bridich, who took over as Rockies' GM in 2014, wants his own man.
The Arizona Diamondbacks took it a step further firing both manager Chip Hale and GM Dave Stewart. Hale was only at the helm of the D'Backs for two seasons and had a record of 148-176. But the dismissal of Stewart is even more telling. The D'Backs went all in on Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller and they disappointed and their offense couldn't make up for it. At this point, Tony LaRussa has been spared, but that could change.
This is only the beginning of the changes in Denver and Phoenix this off-season.
Walt Weiss has resigned as manager of the Colorado Rockies after four seasons. During his tenure, the Rockies did not have a winning season going 283-365. To be fair, the Rockies haven't had a winning season since 2010. But Weiss' relationship with GM Jeff Bridich was strained. Bridich, who took over as Rockies' GM in 2014, wants his own man.
The Arizona Diamondbacks took it a step further firing both manager Chip Hale and GM Dave Stewart. Hale was only at the helm of the D'Backs for two seasons and had a record of 148-176. But the dismissal of Stewart is even more telling. The D'Backs went all in on Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller and they disappointed and their offense couldn't make up for it. At this point, Tony LaRussa has been spared, but that could change.
This is only the beginning of the changes in Denver and Phoenix this off-season.
So Much For That "New & Civilized Donald"
It was just over six weeks ago that I resigned from The American Spectator after Bob Tyrrell told me to "lay off Donald".
When Bob issued this edict he told me, "A new and civilized Donald is heading down the homestretch."
Well how is that new and civilized Donald working out for you?
Yeah, he kept it up for a little over a month. But the moment Hillary Clinton brought up Alicia Machado the wall came tumbling down and so did his punches. After being restrained about Hillary's illness, he saw fit make fun of it. It's one thing for Trump to question Hillary's fidelity to the law, but for a serial adulterer like Trump to criticize Hillary's faithfulness to Bill takes sheer chutzpah.
Count me unsurprised that Trump would attack veterans with PTSD for not being strong and being unable to handle things. If he was willing to attack John McCain who spent seven long years in the captivity of the Viet Cong then he's willing to attack any soldier. Shame on Trump!!! He's not worthy to lick their boots.
There is no new or civilized Donald. How can there be when a 70-year old body plays host to a 7-year old child.
When Bob issued this edict he told me, "A new and civilized Donald is heading down the homestretch."
Well how is that new and civilized Donald working out for you?
Yeah, he kept it up for a little over a month. But the moment Hillary Clinton brought up Alicia Machado the wall came tumbling down and so did his punches. After being restrained about Hillary's illness, he saw fit make fun of it. It's one thing for Trump to question Hillary's fidelity to the law, but for a serial adulterer like Trump to criticize Hillary's faithfulness to Bill takes sheer chutzpah.
Count me unsurprised that Trump would attack veterans with PTSD for not being strong and being unable to handle things. If he was willing to attack John McCain who spent seven long years in the captivity of the Viet Cong then he's willing to attack any soldier. Shame on Trump!!! He's not worthy to lick their boots.
There is no new or civilized Donald. How can there be when a 70-year old body plays host to a 7-year old child.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Robin Ventura Bows Out as Chisox Manager; Rick Renteria Expected To Take Over
After five seasons at the helm of the Chicago White Sox, Robin Ventura has stepped down and is expected to be replaced by bench coach Rick Renteria.
Following the drama with Adam LaRoche's abrupt retirement after the organization's dispute with his son, the Chisox got off to an 18-8 start. But the team fell apart in May and never really recovered. They finished 2016 78-84, 11 games back of the Cleveland Indians. The Chisox never reached the post-season under Ventura and had only one winning season during his inaugural year in 2012. The White Sox were last in the post-season in 2008. Under Ventura, the White Sox were 375-435.
Picking Renteria would be an interesting choice. After all, Renteria managed the crosstown rival Cubs in 2014 only to be unceremoniously dumped in favor of Joe Maddon. Of course, with the Cubs's success under Maddon the fans at Wrigley don't care too much. But Renteria surely has something to prove and nothing would hit the Cubs harder than success with the Chisox.
Following the drama with Adam LaRoche's abrupt retirement after the organization's dispute with his son, the Chisox got off to an 18-8 start. But the team fell apart in May and never really recovered. They finished 2016 78-84, 11 games back of the Cleveland Indians. The Chisox never reached the post-season under Ventura and had only one winning season during his inaugural year in 2012. The White Sox were last in the post-season in 2008. Under Ventura, the White Sox were 375-435.
Picking Renteria would be an interesting choice. After all, Renteria managed the crosstown rival Cubs in 2014 only to be unceremoniously dumped in favor of Joe Maddon. Of course, with the Cubs's success under Maddon the fans at Wrigley don't care too much. But Renteria surely has something to prove and nothing would hit the Cubs harder than success with the Chisox.
Vin Scully Says He Has Said Enough For a Lifetime, But He Left Us Wanting More
After Giants outfielder Angel Pagan snugged Rob Segedin's fly ball in his glove securing a Giant victory over the Dodgers and a NL Wild Card berth, Vin Scully signed off by saying, "I have said enough for a lifetime." Thus ended Vin Scully's 67-year broadcasting career which began on the East Coast and ended on the West Coast.
Scully's sign off was typically modest. Yet I must disagree. He left me and millions of Americans wanting more. In a year where too many people have said too much, Vin Scully had so much more to say and share with us - young and old alike.
But all good things must come to an end. At least, he has signed off on his terms rather than be shown the door. Sadly, never again will anyone call a baseball game all alone. Never again will we hear the kind of non-partisan language. Never again will we be asked to simply pull up a chair and just listen.
I hope Vin Scully has a happy & healthy retirement, but both baseball and America will be the poorer for his absence from the public space.
Scully's sign off was typically modest. Yet I must disagree. He left me and millions of Americans wanting more. In a year where too many people have said too much, Vin Scully had so much more to say and share with us - young and old alike.
But all good things must come to an end. At least, he has signed off on his terms rather than be shown the door. Sadly, never again will anyone call a baseball game all alone. Never again will we hear the kind of non-partisan language. Never again will we be asked to simply pull up a chair and just listen.
I hope Vin Scully has a happy & healthy retirement, but both baseball and America will be the poorer for his absence from the public space.
Mets & Giants Face Off in NL Wild Card; Blue Jays vs. Orioles Soar to AL Wild Card
The 2016 post-season picture was settled on the final day of the regular season.
On Vin Scully's last game, the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 7-1 to the San Francisco Giants who will face the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday.
The Giants had a horrible second half. After leading the Dodgers by 6.5 games at the All-Star Break, the Giants went 30-42. Much of their troubles centered on the bullpen. But Sergio Romo reclaimed the closer' job and the Giants won their last four games & managed to hold off the St. Louis Cardinals. Then again it's an even year.
The Mets, on the other hand, were under .500 as late as August 19th and it didn't appear a tirade by Terry Collins had the desired impact. But the Mets went 27-13 despite the absence of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and even Noah Syndergaard. But the bullpen and the return of Jose Reyes kept the Mets in contention. The winner of the Giants-Mets match up will face the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.
The Toronto Blue Jays spoiled David Ortiz's final regular season game at Fenway Park with a 2-1 victory. Despite a mediocre 13-16 record in September, the Jays will host the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card match up on Wednesday. The Orioles clinched their Wild Card spot with a 5-2 victory over the New York Yankees. The winner of this game will face the Texas Rangers in the ALDS. If Toronto prevails then it will be a rematch of last year's ALDS. Given Jose Bautista's bat flip and Rougned Odor striking Bautista in the face there is unfinished business between these two clubs.
On Vin Scully's last game, the Los Angeles Dodgers fell 7-1 to the San Francisco Giants who will face the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card Game on Tuesday.
The Giants had a horrible second half. After leading the Dodgers by 6.5 games at the All-Star Break, the Giants went 30-42. Much of their troubles centered on the bullpen. But Sergio Romo reclaimed the closer' job and the Giants won their last four games & managed to hold off the St. Louis Cardinals. Then again it's an even year.
The Mets, on the other hand, were under .500 as late as August 19th and it didn't appear a tirade by Terry Collins had the desired impact. But the Mets went 27-13 despite the absence of Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz and even Noah Syndergaard. But the bullpen and the return of Jose Reyes kept the Mets in contention. The winner of the Giants-Mets match up will face the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.
The Toronto Blue Jays spoiled David Ortiz's final regular season game at Fenway Park with a 2-1 victory. Despite a mediocre 13-16 record in September, the Jays will host the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card match up on Wednesday. The Orioles clinched their Wild Card spot with a 5-2 victory over the New York Yankees. The winner of this game will face the Texas Rangers in the ALDS. If Toronto prevails then it will be a rematch of last year's ALDS. Given Jose Bautista's bat flip and Rougned Odor striking Bautista in the face there is unfinished business between these two clubs.
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