Riots Create an Empty Stadium

Wednesday, 4/29/15.

Baltimore, the community unrest, resulting in riots and widespread looting, had cancelled Tuesday's game between the White Sox and the Orioles at Camden Yards. On Wednesday team and league officials have decided to not cancel the game, but to close the gates to the public, in order to save the City of Baltimore from having to pull over 200 police officers from the front lines of the turmoil. Earlier in the week the Maryland Governor had requested additional police officers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York to respond and assist the law enforcement presence in downtown Baltimore. 

Prior to last nights game with an Official attendance of zero, the MLB record low was six. Players and broadcasters described the experience as surreal.

TANAKA Out for At Least One Month

The Yankees announced that after an MRI today the Yankees are placing MASHAHIRO TANAKA on the 15 day DL. He is expected to be out at leat one month with a grade 1 strain on his pitching elbow.

Numerous sources are reporting that its very likely to be extended beyond the one month announcement and might be much more serious.

Last July (2014) Tanaka partially tore the UCL in his pitching elbow, and elected to not have surgery.

Week 3 Sumary

STANDINGS

NL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
NYM	14	5	0
ATL	9	9	4.5
MIA	8	11	6
PHL	7	12	7
WSH	7	12	7

NL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
STL	12	5	0
CHC	10	7	2
PIT	11	8	2
CIN	8	10	4.5
MIL	4	15	9

NL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
LAD	11	7	0
COL	10	8	1
SD	11	9	1
ARI	8	10	3
SF	8	11	3.5

____________________________________________________________________

AL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
NYY	11	8	0
TB	11	8	0
BOS	10	9	1
BAL	9	10	2
TOR	9	10	2

AL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
DET	13	6	0
KC	12	6	0.5
CHW	8	9	4
MIN	8	10	4.5
CLE	6	11	6

AL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
HOU	11	7	0
LAA	9	10	2.5
OAK	8	12	4
SEA	7	11	4
TEX	7	11	4

_________________________________________________________________________________

AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

MARK TEXIERA- 1B - NYY                                  8/24 - 5 hr - 10 rbi 

NL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

ADEINY HECHAVARRIA - SS -  MIA                 12/24 - 1 hr - 10 rbi - 1 sb

AL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

CHRIS ARCHER  -  TB                                              2-0  -  0.00 era  -  16k

NL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

ANTHONY DESCLAFANI - CIN                              2-0  - 0.69 era  - 10 k


TRADE/INURY NOTABLES

LA Angels trade JOSH HAMILTON to Texas Rangers for cash considerations
STL SP ADAM WAINWRIGHT injures Achilles running to first base. Out indefinetly.

Great Post from ThePostGame.com

MLB's most lopsided mid-season trades.

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/list/201107/mlbs-most-lopsided-midseason-trades-ever?utm_source=Outbrain&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=sportsslideshows&utm_campaign=sportsslideshows

Multiple News Outlets reporting that a Deal has been made to Send JOSH HAMILTON to Texas

The unreported deal would supposedly burden Texas with only $15mm of the $83mm remaining on the slugger.

Apparently the Angels have tired of the off the field antics and machinations of the troubled all star.

NL EAST SIGNIFICANT INJURIES

NL EAST INJURIES

METS

VIC BLACK (RP)      Shoulder / Possible return late April
JERRY BLEVINS (RP) Fractured Arm / Mid-season at the earliest
JOSH EDGIN (RP)   Tommy John Surgery / Out til 2016
BOBBY PARNELL (RP) Tommy John Surgery / May
CESAR PUELLO (OF) Back Fracture / June at the earliest
ZACH WHEELER (SP) Tommy John Surgery / Out til 2016
TRAVIS D'ARNAUD (C) Fractured Hand / June

NATIONALS

ERIK DAVIS (RP)      Tommy John Surgery / September
NATE MCLOUTH (OF)            Shoulder / Late April
ANTHONY RENDON (3B)   Knee  /  May
CRAIG STAMMEN (RP)  Forearm Surgery / Out til 2016

MARLINS

AARON CROW (RP)    Tommy John Surgery  /  Out til 2016
JOSE FERNANDEZ (SP) Tommy John Surgery / Late June

BRAVES

MIKE MINOR (SP )     Shoulder  / Late May
SHAE STEVENS (RP) Tommy John Surgery / Out til 2016

PHILLIES

CHAD BILLINGSLY (SP)  Elbow Surgery / Late May
MARIO HOLLANDS (RP ) Tommy John Surgery / Out til 2016
CLIFF LEE (SP)    Flexor Tendon  /  August

WEEK 2 UPDATE

STANDINGS

NL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
NYM	10	3	0
ATL	8	4	1.5
WSH	6	7	4
PHL	4	9	6
MIA	3	10	7

NL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
STL	8	3	0
CHC	6	5	2
PIT	6	6	2.5
CIN	5	7	3.5
MIL	2	10	6.5

NL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
LAD	9	3	0
SD	8	5	1.5
COL	7	5	2
ARI	7	6	2.5
SF	4	10	6

____________________________________________________________________

AL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
BOS	7	5	0
BAL	7	5	0
NYY	6	6	1
TB	6	7	1.5
TOR	6	7	1.5

AL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
DET	10	2	0
KC	9	3	1
MIN	5	7	5
CLE	4	7	5.5
CHW	4	7	5.5

AL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
HOU	6	6	0
OAK	6	7	0.5
LAA	5	7	1
SEA	5	7	1
TEX	5	8	1.5

_________________________________________________________________________________

AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

NELSON CRUZ - OF - SEA                                     12/24 - 6 hr - 10 rbi 

NL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

HOWIE KENDRICK - 2B -  LAD                            10/22 - 2 hr - 8 rbi

AL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

SHANE GREENE - DET                                           2-0  -  0.60 era  - 6 k

NL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

JACOB DEGROM - NYM                                          2-0  - 0.00 era  - 11 k

Tanaka zeros in with 7 shutout innigs

From BRYAN HOCH @  MLB.com

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com | @BryanHoch | 12:30 AM ET

ST. PETERSBURG -- From a distance of 60 feet and six inches, Brian McCann peered between the bars of his catcher's mask and saw the most encouraging thing that the Yankees could have put on display Saturday evening: a healthy and efficient Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka was not thrilled with his first two outings of the year, but even the harshest critic could not find much to be upset about in No. 3. Tanaka handcuffed the Rays to two hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out eight and walking none in a 9-0 victory at Tropicana Field.

"I feel like this is what he's been doing since he got over here. ... I really do," McCann said. "There's no questions in here about it. The guys that are in this clubhouse, that watch him prepare on a daily basis, that see him go about his business, he's ready to go."

After allowing a first-inning single to David DeJesus, Tanaka retired 15 straight until Brandon Guyer's double leading off the sixth. Tanaka pinned him there, setting down the last six batters he faced before handing over a big lead to the bullpen after 85 pitches.

"I'm happy with the results, happy with the way I pitched today," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "I have to get ready for the next game."

Tanaka caused a minor stir this week, mentioning that he is still building arm strength as a result of a light spring workload, but the right-hander was thrilled with his fastball on Saturday. He reared back for 28 four-seamers and 12 two-seamers, while showing off nasty sliders and splitters.

"I think it's all about the mechanics," Tanaka said. "The way that I was pitching, the mechanics were working well. That was probably the reason why I was able to pitch the way I pitched."

When the Yanks examined the radar gun, they found that Tanaka averaged 91.7 mph with his four-seamer and maxed at 93.9 mph; about 1 mph lower than where he was in his third start of the 2014 season.

"I think for him it's important; for all of us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "But I think it's really important for him to see, 'When I have my stuff, I''m going to pitch extremely well,' and that's what he did tonight."

McCann said Tanaka seemed to have more tilt on his slider and could throw his curve for a strike at any time. Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tanaka worked differently than their expected game plan, noting that Tanaka used his two-seamer to lefties more than usual.

"He was better. The command of the fastball was better," Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "I thought he had a better downhill plane on it, and threw some fastballs down and away to the spot to right-handers very well. That means that he's getting through pitches pretty well."

Rothschild called it "a real good step in the right direction," and it was the kind of outing that allowed the Yankees to dream big about having that version of Tanaka on the mound for 30 to 32 starts. It's no overstatement to say that could be the difference between competing in October or heading home.

As such, the Yanks will protect their prize when possible; Girardi and Rothschild said there has been no decision on if Tanaka will pitch on four days' rest Thursday at Detroit, or perhaps giving him an extra day and pushing that start back to the next evening in New York.

"I felt pretty good about him once we got through Spring Training," Girardi said. "Obviously, the only question we probably need to answer is going every fifth day. That's the only question, how his body responds continually. He seemed to do OK with it last year, and it's going to happen this year. I feel pretty good about it."

The Cubs will promote top prospect Kris Bryant

Several sources have indicated that top prospect KRIS BRYANT (3B) will join the club for this weekends series against the Padres.

Wright to get MRI after pulling right hamstring

Looks like DAVID WRIGHT will be heading to the DL after pulling his right hamstring on a funny slide into second base last night. Wright who successfully stole second on the play was able to walk off the field without assistance. However the severity of the injury is noticiable because the Mets flew ERIC CAMPBELL to NYC last night in an anticipated roster move. The Mets injury woes continue adding to the list containing front line players such as; ZACH WHEELER, BOBBY PARNELL, JENRRY MEJIA and both WILMUR FLORES and MICHAEL CUDDYER who are both day to day after getting struck in the hands by pitches thrown by the Phillies in last nights game.

ALEX RIOS FRACTURES HAND

It has been widely reported that Royals right fielder ALEX RIOS has fractured his hand and will be placed on the DL. The Royal who have started 2015 sizzling hot at 7-0, will miss Rios hot bat. He was batting .321 prior to the injury. 29 year old rookie PAULO ORLANDO will probably get the bulk of the playing tim ein Rios absence.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/10/2015;

Catcher:                                    JONATHAN LUCROY                                        R/R  Age 28

First Base:                                ADAM LIND                                                        L/L  Age 31

Second Base:                            SCOOTER GENNETT                                         L/R  Age 24

Third Base:                               ARAMIS RAMIREZ                                            R/R  Age 36

Shortstop:                                 JEAN SEGURA                                                    R/R  Age 25

Left Field                                 KHRIS DAVIS                                                      R/R  Age 27

Center Field:                            CARLOS GOMEZ                                                R/R  Age 29

Right Field:                              RYAN BRAUN                                                    R/R Age 31 

Batter Bench Notable:             GERARDO PARRA                                              L/L  Age 27

Starting Pitcher 1:                     KYLE LOHSE                                                      R/R Age 36

Starting Pitcher 2:                     MATT GARZA                                                    R/R Age 31

Starting Pitcher 3:                     WILY PERALTA                                                 R/R Age 25

Starting Pitcher 4:                     JIMMY NELSON                                                 R/R Age 25

Starting Pitcher 5:                     MIKE FIERS                                                        R/R Age 29

Closer:                                      FRNCISCO RODRIGUEZ                                   R/R Age 33

Pitcher Bench Notable:            JONATHAN BROXTON                                     R/R Age 30

NOTABLE INJURIES: No significant injuries to start the year.

PROJECTION:  4Th place in the NL Central. Projected wins = 80.

MVP:         CARLOS GOMEZ                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT:  Closer COREY KNEBEL is just about major league ready.

COMMENTS: This great outfield will have to deliver a ton of runs to outscore opponents because of a very weak and very righty starting rotation.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/14/2015;

Catcher:                                    YASMANI GRANDAL                                        S/R  Age 26

First Base:                                ADRIAN GONZALEZ                                          L/L  Age 32

Second Base:                            HOWIE KENDRICK                                            R/R  Age 31

Third Base:                               JUAN URIBE                                                        R/R  Age 36

Shortstop:                                 JIMMY ROLLINS                                                S/R  Age 36

Left Field                                 CARL CRAWFORD                                             L/L  Age 33

Center Field:                            JOC PEDERSON                                                   L/L  Age 23

Right Field:                              YASIEL PUIG                                                       R/R  Age 24 

Batter Bench Notable:             ANDRE ETHIER                                                   L/L  Age 33

Starting Pitcher 1:                     CLAYTON KERSHAW                                      L/L Age 26

Starting Pitcher 2:                     ZACH GREINKE                                                R/R Age 31

Starting Pitcher 3:                     BRANDON MCCARTHY                                  R/R Age 31

Starting Pitcher 4:                     BRETT ANDERSON                                          L/L Age 27

Starting Pitcher 5:                     MIKE BOLSINGER                                            R/R Age 27

Closer:                                      JOEL PERALTA                                                  R/R Age 39

Pitcher Bench Notable:             JP HOWELL                                                        L/L Age 32

NOTABLE INJURIES: Closer KENLEY JANSEN is out til mid may, HYUN_JIN RYU is also expected back in May. Super Utility man JUSTIN TURNER is day to day with a hand issue.

PROJECTION:  2ND place in the NL West. Projected wins = 88.

MVP:         YASIEL PUIG                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: JOC PEDERSON in the starting lineup will be significant for the Dodgers, injuries and age might give opportunities for COREY SEAGER (SS) and CHRIS ANDERSON (RHP) in 2015.

COMMENTS: Built to win it now, the 2015 Dodgers will be very tough to beat if their aged infield and big 3 pitchers all stay healthy.

WEEK 1 SUMMARY

STANDINGS

NL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
ATL	4	2	0
NYM	3	3	1
PHL	3	3	1
WSH	2	4	2
MIA	1	5	3

NL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
CIN	4	2	0
CHC	3	2	0.5
STL	3	3	1
PIT	3	4	1.5
MIL	2	5	2.5

NL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
COL	5	2	0
SD	4	3	1
ARI	3	3	1.5
LAD	3	3	1.5
SF	3	5	2.5

____________________________________________________________________

AL EAST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
BOS	4	2	0
TOR	4	2	0
BAL	3	3	1
TB	3	3	1
NYY	2	4	2

AL CENTRAL

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
DET	6	0	0
KC	6	0	0
CHW	2	4	4
CLE	2	4	4
MIN	1	5	5

AL WEST

TEAM	WINS	LOSS	GB
HOU	3	3	0
SEA	3	3	0
OAK	3	4	0.5
TEX	3	4	0.5
LAA	2	4	1

_________________________________________________________________________________

AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

SALVADOR PEREZ - C - KC                             10/24 - 3 hr - 8 rbi - 1 sb

NL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

ADRIAN GONZALEZ - 1B -  LAD                     14/23 - 5 hr - 7 rbi

AL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

SONNY GRAY - OAK                                             1-0   -  0.59 era  -  7 k

NL PITCHER OF THE WEEK

JOHNNY CUETO                                                     0-1    - 0.64 era   - 14 k

Mejia suspended 80 games

Mets closer Jenrry Mejia faces a 80 game suspension for using a banned substance. Already the would be closer is on the 15 day DL, waiting for Bobby Parnells return. The closing job will now be Jeurys Familia initial Parnell returns.

LA ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/10/2015;

Catcher:                                    CHRIS IANNETTA                                        R/R  Age 32

First Base:                                ALBERT PUJOLS                                          R/R  Age 35

Second Base:                            JOHNNY GIAVOTELLA                              R/R  Age 27

Third Base:                               DAVID FREESE                                            R/R  Age 32

Shortstop:                                 ERIK AYBAR                                                S/R  Age 31

Left Field                                 MATT JOYCE                                                 L/R  Age 30

Center Field:                            MIKE TROUT                                                 R/R  Age 23

Right Field:                              KOLE CALHOUN                                          L/L Age 27 

DH:                                          CJ CRON                                                        R/R  Age 25  

Batter Bench Notable:             EFREN NAVARRO                                        L/L  Age 28

Starting Pitcher 1:                     JERED WEAVER                                          R/R Age 32

Starting Pitcher 2:                     CJ WILSON                                                   L/L Age 24

Starting Pitcher 3:                     MATT SHOEMAKER                                  R/R Age 28

Starting Pitcher 4:                     HECTOR SANTIAG                                     R/L Age 27

Starting Pitcher 5:                     GARRETT RICHARDS                                R/R Age 26

Closer:                                      HUSTOM STREET                                        R/R Age 31

Pitcher Bench Notable:             CORY RASMU                                             R/R Age 27

NOTABLE INJURIES: JOSH HAMILTON starts the season on the DL/Suspension list, nagging injuries have kept GARRET RICHARDS and CORY RASMUS on the 15 day DL coming out of the spring..          

PROJECTION:  2ND place in the AL West. Projected wins = 88.

MVP:         MIKE TROUT                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT:  ANDREW HEANEY (LHP) and KYLE KUBITZA (3B) might break into the mix in 2015.

COMMENTS:  The Angels will miss the protection JOSH HAMILTON provides because they are very thin on the bench. They will be very competitive in the best division in baseball.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/10/2015;

Catcher:                                    SALVADOR PEREZ                                        R/R  Age 24

First Base:                                ERIC HOSMER                                                 L/L  Age 25

Second Base:                            OMAR INFANTE                                             R/R  Age 33

Third Base:                               MIKE MOUSTAKAS                                       L/R  Age 26

Shortstop:                                 ALCIDES ESCOBAR                                       R/R  Age 28

Left Field                                 ALEX GORDON                                               L/R  Age 31

Center Field:                            LORENZO CAIN                                              R/R  Age 29

Right Field:                              ALEX RIOS                                                      R/R  Age 34 

DH:                                          KENDRYS MORALES                                    S/R  Age 31  

Batter Bench Notable:             JARROD DYSON                                             L/R  Age 30

Starting Pitcher 1:                     YORANDO VENTURA                                  R/R Age 23

Starting Pitcher 2:                     DANNY DUFFY                                              L/L Age 26

Starting Pitcher 3:                     EDINSON VOLQUEZ                                     R/R Age 31

Starting Pitcher 4:                     JASON VARGAS                                             L/L Age 32

Starting Pitcher 5:                     JEREMY GUTHRIE                                        R/L Age 36

Closer:                                      GREG HOLLAND                                           R/R Age 29

Pitcher Bench Notable:             WADE DAVIS                                                R/R Age 29

NOTABLE INJURIES: KRIS MEDLEN coming off Tommy John surgery is on the 60 day DL.          

PROJECTION:  2ND place in the AL Central. Projected wins = 83.

MVP:         YORANDO VENTURA                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT:  LHPs BRANDON FINNEGAN and BRIAN FLYNN are expected to be the first callups should any starters miss significant time.

COMMENTS:  A very cohesive team, this team has shown it plays above its metrics, behind some strong young arms and more on the way they should stay in the mix all year.

HOUSTON ASTROS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/10/2015;

Catcher:                                    JASON CASTRO                                        L/R  Age 27

First Base:                                CHRIS CARTER                                         R/R  Age 28

Second Base:                            JOSE ALTUVE                                           R/R  Age 24

Third Base:                               LUIS VALBUENA                                     L/R  Age 29

Shortstop:                                 JED LOWRIE                                              S/R  Age 31

Left Field                                 COLBY RASMUS                                       L/L  Age 28

Center Field:                            JAKE MARISNICK                                    R/R  Age 24

Right Field:                              GEORGE SPRINGER                                 L/L Age 25 

DH:                                          EVAN GATTIS                                           R/R  Age 28  

Batter Bench Notable:             MARWIN GONZALEZ                              S/R  Age 24

Starting Pitcher 1:                     DALLAS KEUCHEL                                 L/L Age 27

Starting Pitcher 2:                     SCOTT FELDMAN                                   L/R Age 32

Starting Pitcher 3:                     ASHER WOJCEICHOWSKI                    R/R Age 26

Starting Pitcher 4:                     COLLIN MCHUGH                                  R/R Age 27

Starting Pitcher 5:                     ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                        R/L Age 34

Closer:                                      LUKE GREGERSON                                 L/R Age 30

Pitcher Bench Notable:             PAT NESHEK                                           S/R Age 34

NOTABLE INJURIES: BRAD PEACOCK and EVAN GATTIS will start the season on the DL.          

PROJECTION:  5TH place in the AL West. Projected wins = 80.

MVP:         CHRIS CARTER                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT:  CARLOS CORREA (SS) and RHP MARK APPEL should be on the club by season end.

COMMENTS:  The Astros are still nowhere but rebuilding. The bubblegum and shoelace starting lineup will offer little protection to budding superstar CHRIS CARTER.

NATHAN SIDELINED FOR AT LEAST A WEEK

Bad news for the Detroit Tigers,JOE NATHAN says he will not even be picking up a baseball for a week because of right elbow problems.

Anytime a pitchers throwing elbow is the issue, you have to hold your breath. With the plague of Tommy John issues the past four years, you never know when a mild day to day problem becomes a season ender.

Marlins Pitcher AARON CROW had season ending Tommy John surgery today.

ADRIAN GONZALEZ's hot start lands him in the record books.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/117138878/los-angeles-dodgers-adrian-gonzalez-first-player-in-mlb-history-to-hit-five-homers-in-first-three-games

MIAMI MARLINS

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/9/2015;

Catcher:                                    JARROD SALTAMACCHIA                    S/R  Age 29

First Base:                                MICHAEL MORSE                                    R/R  Age 33

Second Base:                            DEE GORDON                                           L/R  Age 27

Third Base:                               MARTIN PRADO                                      R/R  Age 29

Shortstop:                                 ADEINY HECHAVARRIA                       R/R  Age 26

Left Field                                 CHRISTIAN YELICH                                L/R  Age 23

Center Field:                            MARCELL OZUNA                                  R/R  Age 24

Right Field:                              GIANCARLO STANTON                         R/R Age 25 

Batter Bench Notable:              ICHIRO SUZUKI                                       L/R  Age 41

Starting Pitcher 1:                     HENDERSON ALVAREZ                        R/R Age 25

Starting Pitcher 2:                     MAT LATOS                                             R/R Age 27

Starting Pitcher 3:                     TOM KOEHLER                                       R/R Age 29

Starting Pitcher 4:                     DAN HAREN                                            R/R Age 34

Starting Pitcher 5:                     JARRED COSART                                    R/R Age 24

Closer:                                      STEVE CISHEK                                        R/R Age 28

Pitcher Bench Notable:             MIKE DUNN                                             L/L Age 29

NOTABLE INJURIES: Ace JOSE FERNANDEZ coming off Tommy John surgery is expected to join the club in the late spring.          

PROJECTION:  3RD place in the NL East. Projected wins = 85.

MVP:         GIANCARLO STANTON                               

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: RHP JOSE URENA might have a chance to come in and shore up a questionable rotation.

COMMENTS:  Resigning GIANCARLO STANTON to a long term contract has committed the MArlins to win now. Suddenly the NL East has become a strong division, but the Marlins need more starting pitching, especially if JOSE FERNANDEZ is delayed coming back from TJ surgery.