Archives for March 2021

Baseball Roundtable Presents A Baker’s Dozen Favorite Opening Day Moments

March 25, 2021 by David

As Opening Day approaches, Baseball Roundtable traditionally looks at some highlights from past MLB season-opening contests. This season, BBRT would like to present its Baker’s Dozen Opening Day Moments – a purely subjective exercise which does, however, consider the performance, personalities involved and historic significance. I’ve also included a additional first-day-of-the-season tidbits at the end.

Number-one … A “One and Only” … Bob Feller’s Opening Day No-Hitter

On April 16, 1940, 21-year-old Bob Feller (already in his fifth MLB season) threw the first – and still only – Opening Day no-hitter in MLB history – topping the White Sox 1-0 in Chicago. It was the first no-hitter (of an eventual three) for Feller, who walked five and struck out eight. The “No-No” becomes even more significant, when you consider that Feller needed to shutout the opposition to get the win. During the season, Feller would go on to lead the AL in wins (27), ERA (2.61), strikeouts (261), games pitched (43), games started (37), complete games (31), innings pitched (320 1/3) and shutouts (4).

Feller’s “One and Only” Almost Wasn’t

This would make a good trivia question: Who was the first starting pitcher to toss nine no-hit innings on Opening Day? Nope, not Bob Feller. On April 15, 1909 – as the Giants opened against the Superbas (Dodgers) in Brooklyn – Giants’ righty Red Ames started and, with ANY offensive support at all, could have made history. Ames held Brooklyn hitless for nine innings, but got nary a run of support from his batsmen. Ames finally gave up a hit with one out in the tenth and, while he kept the shutout going through the 12th inning, eventually lost 3-0 in 13 innings. Both Ames and Brooklyn starter Irvin “Kaiser” Wilhelm went the distance. Ames had a 17-season MLB career (1903-10), going 183-167, 2.63. His best season was 1905 (Giants), when he went 22-8, 2.74.

Number-Two … Moments Stacked on Top of Moments… Frank Robinson’s 1975 Opening Day Home Run

On April 8, 1975, Frank Robinson and the Cleveland Indians opened the season (at home) against the Yankees. In the bottom of the first, Robinson (DH-ing and batting second) took Yankee starter Doc Medich deep to left for a home run. Why does this solo shot rate so high on the BBRT list? Consider:

The 39-year-old Robinson was not only playing, but also managing his first game as MLB’s first-ever Black manager … and his homer helped his Indians to a 5-3 win.
It was the eighth Opening Day homer of Robinson’s career – making him the first player to hit eight Opening Day dingers. (The record still stands, but has since been tied by Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr.)
The long ball made him the first – and still only – MLB player to homer on eight different Opening Days. (Dunn and Griffey have eight Opening Day homers, but each also includes at least one multiple-homer Opening Day.
The homer made Robinson the first – and still only – MLB player to homer on Opening Day for four different teams (Reds, Orioles, Angels, Indians).

Side Note: Robinson won pretty much every MLB accolade available: NL Rookie of the Year (1956); NL Most Valuable Player (1961): AL Most Valuable Player (1966); AL Triple Crown (1966); World Series MVP (1966); All Star Game MVP (1971); Gold Glove (1958); American League Manager of the Year (1989).

Number Three … The Longest Day … Walter Johnson’s 15 Shutout Innings

Photo by pingnews.com

On April 13, 1926, the Senators’ Walter Johnson pitched a 15-inning, complete-game shutout (six hits, three walks, nine strikeouts) as Washington topped the Philadelphia Athletics 1-0 in Washington. It’s the longest Opening Day outing by a starting pitcher ever. The opposing starter, Eddie Rommel. tossed the second-most innings in an Opening Day appearance – going 14 1/3, as Washington scored the winning run with one out in the 15th. Johnson, by the way, was 38-years-old at the time. This one was particularly momentous:

It was the last of Johnson’s’ MLB (still) record nine Opening Day wins.
It was Johnson’s (still) record seventh Opening Day shutout.
It marked sixteen seasons between Johnson’s first and final Opening Day shutouts.

Number Four … Move Over Babe … Aaron’s 714th Home Run

On April 4, 1974, Hank Aaron and the Braves opened the season at Cincinnatti, with Aaron sitting on 713 career home runs – one short of then record holder Babe Ruth. In the top of first inning, Aaron hit a three-run home run on his first swing of the season season (3-1 count) – tying the immortal Bambino. Aaron finished he career with a .305 average, 755 home runs and 2,297 RBI. He was an All Star in 21 f his 23 seasons – missing only in his rookie and final season.

Number Five … Knock Three Times … Most Home Runs in an Opening Day Game

BBRT is giving a four-way tie for number-five on this list. The Blue Jays’ George Bell, Cubs’ Tuffy Rhodes, Tigers’ Dmitri Young and White Sox’ Matt Davidson all hit an MLB-record three home runs in a single Opening Day game.

On April 4, 1988, George Bell – batting clean-up and serving as the DH – became the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game, as his Blue Jays topped the Royals 5-3 in Kansas City. Bell’s power outburst was no surprise. He was coming off a 1987 season in which he hit 47 homers, drove in 134 runs and was the AL MVP. Bell went three-for-four with three runs scored and four RBI, hitting all three home runs off Royals’ starter Brett Saberhagen.

On a windy April 4, 1994, Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes (leading off and playing CF for the Cubs in Chicago) hit three solo shots off Mets’ starter Dwight Gooden. Rhodes also had a single and a walk in five plate appearances. Despite Rhodes’ record-tying performance, the Cubs lost to the visiting Mets 12-8. At the time, Rhodes had played 107 MLB games in four seasons – hitting a total of five home runs. His MLB career consisted of 225 games in six seasons, with a .224 average and just 13 round trippers (with a high of eight in 1994).

On April 4, 2005 the Tigers’ Dmitri Young joined Bell and Rhodes on the list of batters with three home runs in an Opening Day game – as the Tigers topped the Royals 11-2 in Detroit. Young started at DH and went four-for-four with four runs scored and five RBI. Young, an All Star in 2003 and 2007, hit a total of 21 home runs in 2005 – and 171 in 13 MLB seasons.

On March 29, 2018, as the White Sox topped the Royals 14-7 in Kansas City, DH and cleanup hitter Matt Davidson opened the season with a three-homer, five-RBI game. He went three-for-four with a walk, four runs scored and five RBI. Davidson went deep off three different pitchers: solo shots in the fourth and fifth off Danny Duffy and Blaine Boyer and a three-run blast in the eighth off Brian Flynn. Davidson, in his fourth MLB season, went on to a .228-20-62 campaign. In his 293 MLB games (2013, 2015-18, 2020), Davidson has just three multi-homer contests and a total of 52 round trippers.

Number Nine (remember that four-way tied for Number Five) … Whiff ‘N Poof … 15 Strikeouts on Opening Day.

On April 18, 1960, Camilo Pascual (known for his sweeping curve ball) took the mound to open the season for the Washington Senators (against the Boston Red Sox). In 1959, the Senators had finished in last place in the AL, but Pascual had gone 17-10, 2.64, leading the league with 17 complete games and six shutouts. As the Senators’ Opening Day starter in 1960, Pascual picked up right where he left off – tossing a complete-game three-hitter, walking three and striking out a still Opening Day record 15 batters in a 10-1 win.

Pascual pitched 18 MLB seasons (1954-71), winning 174 and losing 170, with a 3.63 earned run average. He was a five-time All Star, two-time twenty-game winner and led the league in complete games, shutouts and strikeouts three times each.

Leave Me in Coach

On Opening Day 2020 (thanks to COVID, it took place July 24), Cleveland’s Shane Bieber almost made Opening Day history. Starting at home for the Indians (against the Royals) Bieber pitched six shutout innings (four hits and one walk). He also fanned 14 batters – just one shy of the MLB Opening Day record (see Number-Nine above). The Indians won 2-0 and Bieber got the victory. In line with BBRT’s contention that “in baseball we count everything,” it was reported that Bieber’s 14 whiffs were the record for an Opening Day for a starter who didn’t surrender any runs. Small consolation there.

Number Ten … They Call Him the Streak … A 14-game Opening Day Hitting Steak.

Ted Williams collected nicknames like he collected base hits – The Kid, Splendid Splinter, The Thumper, Teddy Ballgame.

On April 18, 1960, Ted Williams started in LF (batting fifth) for the Red Sox as they opened the season against the Senators in Washington. In his first at bat (second inning) against Washington ace Camilo Pascual, Williams smacked a home run to deep CF. Heck of a way for the 41-year-old Williams to start his final major-league campaign. But there are other reasons the Splendid Splinter is on this list.

It was Teddy Ballgame’s 14th Opening Day start – and his home run enabled him to retire with a 14-game Opening Day hitting streak. (Yep, he never wore the collar on Opening Day.) A career .344 hitter, Williams was even better on Opening Day. He compiled a .449 Opening Day average (22 hits in 49 at bats), with three home runs, eight doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, 14 RBI and eleven walks. His Opening Day on-base percentage was .550 and his season-opener slugging percentage was .837.

Number Eleven ,,, Bringing the Boys on Home … Seven RBI on Opening Day

A two-way tied for Number Ten. The Opening Day single-game record for RBI (seven) is shared by the Twins’ Brant Alyea and the Cubs’ Corey Patterson.

On April 7, 1970, Twins’ LF Brant Alyea drove in an Opening Day record seven runs as Minnesota topped the White Sox 12-0 in Chicago. Batting fifth, Alyea went four-for-four, with two home runs, two singles and two runs scored. The game, it turned out, would foreshadow a strong April for Alyea. In 17 April games that season (his first as a Twin), he hit .415, with seven runs, 23 RBI, four doubles and five home runs.

On March 31, 2003, the Cubs’ CF Corey Patterson tied Alyea’s record. In a 15-2 win over the Mets in New York, Patterson, batting seventh, drove in seven runs, going four-for-six with two home runs and two runs scored.

Nothing Like Opening Day to Bring out the Best

Corey Patterson, a career .252 hitter (12 seasons), was a true Opening Day All Star. In seven Opening Day appearances, Patterson hit .440, with seven runs, 12 RBI and three home runs.

Number Thirteen (remember, the tie at eleven) … On the Side of the Angels … Franchise’s First-ever Long Ball

On April 11, 1961, the expansion Los Angeles Angels played the first-ever game in franchise history (at Baltimore). Batting in the clean-up spot and playing first base was 36-year-old , four-time All Star, Ted Kluszewski (in what would be his final MLB season). “Big Klu” got the franchise off on the right foot, rapping a two-run home run to RF with two out in the top of the first. Then, in the top of the second, he struck again – belting a three-run shot to right. Two innings into the season and he had two home runs and five RBI – helping the Angels to a 7-2 win in their inaugural game. A good way to bring a new franchise into the league.

Kep Ties the Klu

Ted Kluszewski remained the only player with two home runs in the first two innings of a season until July 24, 2020 (Opening Day of that short season), when the Twins’ RF Max Kepler tied that mark. Kepler, leading off the top of the first against the White Sox’ Lucas Giolito, homered on the first pitch of the season. He came to the plate again in the second fame, with the Twins up 4-1 and popped a second solo shot.

So, there’s BBRT’s top Baker’s Dozen Opening Day moments. Now for a few additional Opening Day tidbits.

–————————————————————————————–

How Did That Get By Me?

On March 31, 1996, White Sox’ catcher Ron Karkovice set an MLB Opening Day record by striking out five times as Chicago lost 3-2 in Seattle. Karkovice, however, may have been a victim of circumstance. First, future Hall of Famer (and flame thrower) Randy Johnson started on the mound for the Mariners – striking out 14 in seven innings (including Karkovice three times).

Second, the White Sox could muster only two runs on four hits over the first nine innings – taking a slim 2-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth (at that point, Karkovice had fanned just three times).

Third, the Mariners tied the contest in the ninth, and the game went to 12 innings before the Mariners prevailed 3-2. In those three extra innings, Karkovice struck out against Norm Charlton (tenth inning) and Edwin Hurtado (twelfth inning) to set the Opening Day record.

Walk Don’t Run

On April 16, 1957, Cleveland southpaw Herb Score set the Opening Day record for pitcher’s walks, delivering eleven free passes to the visiting White Sox. Despite Score’s wildness, the white Sox didn’t score a lot. (Pun intended). Score went the distance in a 3-2, 11-inning loss. He struck out ten and gave up just seven hits and two earned runs – stranding 14 Chicago base runners.

Ouch, that’s Just Not Nice

On April 9, 1990, Astros’ first baseman and cleanup hitter Glenn Davis was hit by a pitch an Opening Day record three times. Davis came to the plate six times and never put the ball in play – but still made only one out. Davis (who led the league in HBP that season with eight) was hit by a pitch three times, walked twice and struck out once as the Astros lost to the visiting Reds 8-4. Davis finished Opening Day with a batting average of .000, but an on-base percentage of .833.

Tough Loss Tigers

On March 30, 2018, the Detroit Tigers lost their season opener 13-10 to the Pittsburgh Pirates (in Detroit) – in a five-hour and 27 minute, 13-inning marathon. Not a major surprise, as the Tigers went 64-98 that campaign. Why is this loss significant? It was the first Opening Day loss for the Tigers’ squad since 2008 – breaking a string of nine straight Opening Day wins. The loss left the Tigers tied with the Reds for the most consecutive Opening Day wins. . (The Reds’ streak stretched from 1983-1991).

Let’s get this Party Started

No pitcher started more Opening Day games than Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (16). Seaver opened for Mets eleven times, the Reds three times and the White Sox twice. Seaver recorded seven wins, two losses and seven no decisions on Opening Day,

Opening Day Starts – Gimme Five!

Gaylord Perry was honored by the most teams with Opening Day starts. He started on Opening Day for an MLB-record five different teams (Giants, Indians, Rangers, Padres and Mariners).

U Can’t Touch This – 7-0 on Opening Day

Jimmy Key holds the record for Opening Day wins without a loss at seven – and he did in the minimum seven starts (Blue Jays, Yankees and Orioles). In those seven wins, he threw 44 1/3 innings, with a 3.05 ERA.

Eight is Enough

On Opening Day 2019 (March 28), as the Dodgers topped the Diamondbacks 12-5 in Los Angeles, the Californians launched an Opening Day record eight home runs (two by LF Joc Pederson, two by 2B Enrique Hernandez and one each by C Austin Barnes, SS Corey Seager, 1B Max Muncy and RF Cody Bellinger). Before the Dodgers’ outburst, the Opening Day record for team long balls was six (1988 Mets and 2018 White Sox.)

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com, Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; MLB.com

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Baseball Roundtable 2021 National League Predictions and Watch List

March 23, 2021 by David

We continue to close in on Opening Day – of a full major-league season. With that in mind, Baseball Roundtable is presenting its 2020 “Watch List” – players from each team I am particularly interested in keeping an eye on in the coming season. In addition, I’m sharing my pennant race predictions, as well as a list of players I think will be among the finalists for key MLB awards. This post focuses on the National League. For the American League version, click here.

Let’s start with the pennant race predictions.

NL EAST

Braves … 91-71

Mets … 88-76 Wild Card)

Nationals … 85-77

Phillies … 80-82

Marlins … 68-94

Everyone talks about the Dodgers’ potent lineup. In 2020, The Dodgers did lead the major leagues in runs scored at 349 – but the Braves were just one run (yes, one) behind. The Braves also led MLB in hits (556), were second in home runs (103 to the Dodgers’ 118) and second in average (.268 to the Mets’ .272). And, they’ve brought the offense back, led by: NL MVP Freddie Freeman (1B); the power and speed of Ronald Acuna, Jr. (RF); Marcell Ozuna (LF); Ozzie Albies (2B); and I could go on. The re-signing of Ozuna (.338-18-56 last season) was key – providing protection for Freeman in the middle of the lineup. The Braves’ rotation will be headed by Max Fried (24-6 over the past two seasons) and 23-year-old Ian Anderson , who looked very good in his 2020 rookie campaign (3-2, 1.95 with 41 whiffs in 32 1/3 innings). The Braves also brought in veterans Charlie Morton and Drew Smiley to bolster the rotation (and Mike Soroka should be back sooner rather than later). There’s work to do in the bullpen, but the Braves should have enough to top the East.

The Mets made some serious moves in the off-season, adding power-hitting, Gold Glove SS Francisco Lindor, starter Carlos Carrasco, hard-throwing reliever Trevor May, C James McCann, starter Taijuan Walker and more). They are much improved – with a lineup that also features Pete Alonso (who hit 53 home runs as a rookie in 2019) at 1B, rising star Dominic Smith in LF and the solid bat of Michael Conforto in RF. Carrasco (who will start the season on the IL) will join a rotation that brings back two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and veteran Marcus Stroman. The Mets should make the post-season, but do not quite have the depth of the Braves. For the Nationals, a rotation headed by Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin is a good start (no pun intended) – and newcomer Brad hand should handle the closer’s role after leading the AL with 16 saves (for the Indians) in 2020. The lineup also has some pop with RF Juan Soto (perhaps the most exciting young hitter in MLB), SS Trea Turner, new 1B Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber (expected to rebound from 2020). Unfortunately, the Nationals are playing in a tough and competitive division. They could make the playoffs if all falls into place, but I don’t see them catching the Braves. The Phillies have a potentially strong rotation (Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Zach Elfin at the top, but need a big turnaround from their bullpen (tagged at a .315 pace by opponents a year ago). Like the Phillies, the Marlins have some interesting pieces in the rotation – Sandy Alcantara, Elieser Hernandez and Sixto Sanchez should make some noise. I’m just not sure there enough offense to compete in this division.

NL CENTRAL

Brewers … 87-75

Cardinals … 85-77

Cubs … 83-81

Reds … 77-85

Pirates … 62-100

This was a tough call, depending on how things break out (including injuries and “rebounds.’ I could see the Cardinals or Brewers topping the Central. I’m going with the Brewers based on a better combination of offense and pitching (although that assumes a bit of a rebound from Brewers’ batters (who hit only .223 a year ago). The Brewers’ rotation will be headed by Brandon Woodruff, who went 3-5 a year ago, but deserved better (3.05 ERA and 11.1 whiffs versus just 2.2 walks per nine). In the two slot will be Corbin Burns – who went 4-1, 2.11 a year ago, with 13.3 strikeouts per nine. The rotation thins out after the top two, but newcomer Brett Anderson (free agent), a 12-year MLB veteran, should help. In 2021, with starters coming off a short season, the bullpen should expect to be busy – and the Brewers have one of the best relief staffs, headed by closer Josh Hader and set up man Devin Williams – who both fan about 15 batters per nine innings. On offense, the Brewers will be looking for LF Christian Yelich to return to MVP form, They’ve also added Kolten Wong (free agent), whose Gold Glove skills at 2B will improve the Brewers’ defense – and also allow Keston Hiura to shift over to first base, where his bat may come back to life (Huira hit .303-19-49 in 84 games in 2019, but .212-13-32, with a league-topping 85 whiffs in 2020). The Brew Crew offense should also be boosted by the return of CF Lorenzo Cain (who opted out early in 2020). Newcomer (free agent) Travis Shaw at 3B can also plug in at 1B and 2B). Overall, the Brewers seem to have enough to win the Central – but it will take rebounds form the likes of Yelich, Cain and Huira, as well as continued solid performance out of the pen, to hold off the always tough Cardinals.

The Cardinals, who parlayed defense and pitching into a second-place finish a year ago (St. Louis scored the third-fewest runs in all of MLB last season and still managed to finish above 500). In the off-season, they went out and traded for a 3B Nolan Arenado – improving both offense (Arenado is a three-time NL home run leader and two-time RBI leader) and defense (he’s won eight Gold Gloves in his eight MLB seasons). There is some concern with the starting rotation, with number-two starter Kwang Hyun Kim (back) and number-three Miles Mikolas (shoulder) not guaranteed for the opening of the season. Still, there’s Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright and Carlos Martinez – as well as a bullpen bolstered by the return of fireballer Jordan Hicks. One thing the Cardinals could use is more offense from their defensively gifted outfield. Last season, the three outfielders expected to get most of the 2020 garden work (Tyler O’Neill, Harrison Bader and Dylan Carson) hit a combined .197). If they’re in a tight race, we may see the Cardinals make a move there. The Cubs won the Central Division in 2020 and still have some championship-caliber pieces in place (we’ll get to that in a minute). What’s missing for a repeat? How about Yu Darvish (trade), who was their best starter one year ago, as well as SP’s Jon Lester, Tyler Chatwood and Jose Quintana (all free agency). Also missing (free agency) will be closer Jeremy Jeffress and OF Kyle Schwarber. Still, the rotation will be headed by veterans Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and Zach Davies – and SS Javier Baez, 1B Anthony Rizzo, 3B Kris Bryant, CF Ian Happ and C Wilson Contreras will be in the lineup. Some players to watch, but I don’t think enough to get the Cubs to the post season. The Reds are going to miss Cy Young Award Winner Trevor Bauer, starter Anthony DeSclafani and reliever Archie Bradley. They now have Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo – both capable starters (3,70 and 3,21 ERAs in 2020, respectively) – at the top of the rotation, after that the rotation has some question marks. The Reds also traded away closer Raisel Iglesias (72 saves over the past three seasons), but southpaw Amir Garrett has shown steady improvement and appears ready to move into the role (2.45 ERA and 26 whiffs in 18 1/3 inning last season). The Reds’ lineup has some bright spots in the power bats of 1B Joey Votto, SS Eugenia Suarez, 3B Mike Moustakas, RF Nick Castellanos and OF Jesse Winker. Still, last season, the Reds produced the National League’s third-fewest runs and that does not look to improve. As you might expect, there are few bright spots on a Pirates’ squad that scored the fewest runs in MLB in 2020 and gave up the NL’s sixth-most tallies – and was pretty quiet in the off-season. The offense, in fact, may have regressed with the trade of Josh Bell and the pitching took a step back with the trades of starters Jameson Taillon and Joe Musgrove. The Pirates will be looking for some offense from 2B Adam Frazier and young 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes. An inexperienced Pirates’ pitching staff looks to be led by Mitch Keller (1-1, 2.91 last season, but with only 16 MLB starts under his belt, and “veteran” 28-year-old Steve Brault (12-15, 4.68 over five MLB seasons … 45 career starts).

NL WEST

Dodgers … 103-59

Padres … 96-66 (Wild Card)

Diamondbacks … 77-85

Giants … 74-88

Rockies … 63-99

The Dodgers, in 2020, won the most games in MLB (43-17), scored the most runs (349) hit the most home runs (118), gave up the second-fewest runs (213) and had the lowest earned run average (3.02). And, they pretty much brought the whole squad back for 2021. Then, to top if off, they added 2020 National League Cy Young Award Winner Trevor Bauer to the rotation. The 2021 Dodgers sport a rotation with three former Cy Young Award winners (Trevor Bauer, Clayton Kershaw and David Price), a solid bullpen and a lineup featuring lots of star power (RF Mookie Betts, CF Cody Bellinger, 1B Max Muncy, SS Corey Seager) and no real “holes.” The Dodgers have finished first in the NL West for eight consecutive seasons. The streak should continue.

Who can challenge the Dodgers in the West? If anybody, it’s the much-improved San Diego Padres. The Padres had the third-best record in MLB in 2020, have solid lineup (including what many say is MLB’s best infield – emerging star Fernando Tatis, Jr. at SS, four-time All Star Manny Machado at 3B, four-time Gold Glover Eric Hosmer at first base, and switch-hitting Jake Cronenworth, who hit .285 as a 2020 rookie, at second. Saving the best for last, the Padres added a pair of Cy Young Award candidates– Blake Snell and Yu Darvish – to the rotation (through trades). They should challenge the Dodgers and capture a Wild Card spot. The Diamondbacks, Giants and Rockies are in – or should be in – rebuilding mode. I give the Diamondbacks an edge in the race for third place. Not a lot of star power there, but they have more balance than Colorado or San Francisco. If Madison Bumgarner bounces back from a dismal 2020, they could have a solid top of the rotation with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. RF Kole Calhoun provides 30-homer power (but not much average), while LF David Peralta, CF Ketel Marte and 1B Christian Walker are steady performers at the plate. Then there is SS Nick Ahmed ‘s Gold Glove skills at SS. Questions remain in the bullpen. The Giants, Although they are aging a bit, have solid hitters in their lineup, led by rising star Mike Yastrzemski and a couple of “Brandons” with power (1B Belt/SS Crawford). The question is the pitching. There’s not enough there to catch the pitching-rich Dodgers and Padres. With Kevin Gausman at the top of the rotation and some rebound by the likes of Johnny Cueto and Anthony DeSclafani, there might be enough for the Giants to catch the Diamondbacks, but I’m betting against it. The Rockies without Nolan Arenado – just doesn’t seem right, does it? They do have some interesting pieces; German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela at the top of the rotation and the reborn Daniel Bard at closer – as well as Trevor Story at SS, Charlie Blackmon in RF and newcomer C.J. Cron at 1B. Still, the pitching and power pools in Colorado seem a bit shallow to compete in the NL West – particularly the bullpen, which put up a 6.77 earned run average.

Now, let’s move on to BBRT’s Team-by-Team National League Watch List.

——Baseball Roundtable 2021 National League Watch List ——

Arizona Diamondbacks – Nick Ahmed, Zac Gallen

Zac Gallen – Poised for a breakout season.

It will be nice to see a full-campaign of Nick Ahmed at shortstop. Ahmed was a Gold Glover in 2018 and 2019. Although he doesn’t deliver average, his bat should be good for 15 home runs; AND he will certainly flash plenty of leather. Another bright spot worth watching in Arizona is 25-year-old right-handed starter Zac Gallen – who seems poised for a breakout season. He has a moving fastball, as well as a change, curveball and cutter. In two MLB seasons (2019-20), he is 6-8 in 27 starts … but has a nifty 2.78 earned run average and 178 strikeouts in 152 innings. In 2020, Gallen was 3-2, 2.75, which included six “no decisions” in which he went at least six innings and gave up two or fewer runs.

How About a Little Help from My Friends?

After eight starts in 2020, Zac Gallen had just one win (1-0), despite a 1.80 ERA, a .182 batting average against and 54 strikeouts in 50 innings.

Atlanta Braves – Max Fried, Ronald Acuna, Jr.

Ronald Acuna, Jr. - Fueling the Braves''offense.

Ronald Acuna, Jr. – Next 40-40 player?

There are a couple of players, BBRT will watch here. The first is right-handed starter Max Fried – to see if he can continue to translate his curveball into top of the rotation results. In 2010, Fried went 7-0, 2.25 in eleven starts and gave up just two home runs in 56 innings. This follows up a 2019 season in which he went 17-6, 4.02 (but did give up 21 long balls in 165 2/3 innings). BBRT will be watching to see if Fried continues to rack up wins – and, whether he continues to keep the ball in the park like he did in 2020. Just 27-years-old, he may be entering his prime. BBRT will also be watching one of MLB’s true rising stars – 23-year-old Ronald Acuna, Jr. – who came just three stolen bases shy of a 40-40 season in 2019 (.280-41-101, with a NL-topping 37 steals). In 2020’s short campaign, his average dropped to .250, but he did put up 14 home runs and eight steals in 45 games. He’s got the potential to be the major league’s next 40-40 player.

A Nice Walk in the Park

The Braves tied the Reds for the most walks (received) in the National League (239) in 2020. Three Braves were among the league’s top six in walks – Freddie Freeman (third with 45); Marcell Osuna and Ronald Acuna, Jr. (tied for sixth with 38). Bryce Harper of the Phillies led the league with 49 free passes.

Chicago Cubs … Javier Baez, Kyle Hendricks

Javier Baez – Could be best of the Cubs. Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

Javier Baez is the player to watch on this Cubs’ squad. The Cubs shortstop slumped at the plate last year, but still came home with a God Glove. Keep in mind that he was an All Star in 2018 and 2019, when he hit a combined .286-63-196. (He hit just .203-8-24 in 2020). Baez should bounce back and be the most exciting player in the Cubbies’ lineup. Kyle Hendricks doesn’t throw hard, but he pitches smart. Last season he was 6-5, but put up a nifty 2.81 ERA in 12 starts. He struck out 7.1 batters per nine innings, but walked less than one (0.9 per nine frames). If you like to watch a pitcher “pitch,” Hendricks could be your guy. His four-seamer tops out at about 88 mph, but he has good command of that middle-of-the-road fastball, as well as of a sinker, change and curve.

Gone, but Not Forgotten

Yu Darvish, Tyler Chatwood, Jon Lester, Jeremy Jeffress – all Cubs a year ago, all with other teams in 2021 – recorded 17 of the Cubs 34 wins in 2020 and eight of the teams 16 saves.

Cincinnati Reds – Tyler Mahle, Nick Lodolo

Tyler Mahle – Slider made a difference.

Twenty-six-year-old righty starter Tyler Mahle added a slider to his repertoire last season (to go with a mid-90s fastball, splitter and change). The addition seemed to work. He went from 3-12, 5.14 in 2019 to 2-2, 3.59 in 2020 (with 60 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings). BBRT will be interested in: 1) Seeing if hitters catch up to the new pitch mix; and 2) If Mahle can improve his command (he walked four batters per nine innings a year ago). I’ll also be watching to see if the Reds’ 2019 top draft pick, southpaw pitcher Nick Lodolo is called up – or if he ever walks anyone. In his lone minor-league season (2019), Lodolo pitched 18 1/3 innings, fanning 30 and walking none. Who knows, if the Reds fade early, the 23-year-old could see some major-league action. Besides, a pitcher with three “O’s” in his name is a find.

One For “Ever”

In 2020, Trevor Bauer became the first member of the Reds to win the National League Cy Young Award.

Colorado Rockies – Daniel Bard, Trevor Story

Daniel Bard – Great comeback story.

The Colorado Rockies without the leather and lumber of Nolan Arenado to watch. It just doesn’t seem right. When I watch the Rockies, I’ll have to get one of those “Old Guys Rule” hats. Number-one on my Rox watch list is 35-year-old closer Daniel Bard. Why my interest? Bard first made it the majors in 2009 and was a serviceable reliever over his first three seasons (5-13, but with a 2.88 earned average and 213 whiffs in 197 innings). Then, in 2012, the Red Sox decided to make him a starter – and the wheels came off. In his first 11 appearances of the season, he pitched 55 innings (5.24 ERA), walking 37, hitting eight batters and striking out 34. He was sent down to the minors in June, where he continued to struggle. Bard came back up, in a relief role, in August and still could not find the plate (six more appearances, 4 1/3 innings, 18.69 ERA, six walks and four whiffs). To make a long story short, Bard pitched only one MLB inning in 2013 – and pitched in the minors until he retired as a player after the 2017 season. Then came the short 2020 season – and opportunity. He threw for Rockies’ scouts, was signed for 2020 and, after a seven-year absence, was back on a major-league mound picking up a win (1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief) on July 25. He went on to win the closer’s job, going 4-2, 3.65, with six saves in six opportunities – using a mid-90s fastball, a wicked slider and a change. BBRT will be watching to see if this comeback tale continues.

I’ll also keep an eye on Trevor Story, the Rox power hitting shortstop – a threat to put up a 30 (HR)/ 30 (SB) season. In 2020, Story went .289-11-28 and led the NL in triples (4) and steals (15), I’ll be watching both Story’s storied performance, and whether the trade rumor that continue to swirl around him become reality.

High Mountain Irony

In 2020, the Rockies had the National League’s highest earned run average (5.59), Yet the Rox starters recorded 28 quality starts, second in the NL only to the Cubs 30.

Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers’ Rotation, Mookie Betts

Clayton Kershaw – Three-time CYA winner part of Dodgers’ vaunted rotation. Photo by SD Dirk

The Dodger rotation had the NL’s lowest starters’ ERA in 2020 (3.29). Not only did the principals return, the Dodgers added the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner to boot. So, who do you watch? How about the entire starting rotation – which should include three former Cy Young Award winners: Clayton Kershaw, newcomer Trevor Bauer and David Price, as well as Walker Buehler (14-4, 3.26 in 2019) and probably Dustin May (3-1, 2.57) or Julio Arias (3-0, 3.27 a year ago). The most interesting to watch may be 2012 CYA winner Price, who opted out of the 2020 season. In his most recent season (2019), Price missed time with elbow tendinitis and wrist issues. If you prefer to watch a position player, I’d go with RF Mookie Betts – who does it all – a .301 average over seven seasons, a good bet(ts) for 30 home runs, 80+ RBI and 20 stolen bases. (He’s also a five-time Gold Glover.) Prefer to watch prospects? you may get a chance to see Baseball America’s 2019 Minor League Player of the Year Gavin Lux (.347-26-76 in 113 games at Double A and Triple A). Note: Lux has been over-matched in two call ups to the Dodgers, but he’s just 23 – and we’ll be seeing him again.

Lots of No-Doubters

The Dodgers had MLB’s largest positive run differential in 2020 – outscoring opponents by 171 runs. The next best? The Padres and Braves at a plus 73.

Miami Marlins – Jon Berti, Sixto Sanchez

Sixto Sanchez – Young Pedro Martinez?

Jon Berti tops BBRT’s Marlins’ watch list. Berti started 35 games last season: 17 at second base; seven in centerfield, seven in right field; two at third base and two at shortstop. I’ll be anxious to see what the Marlins have in mind for this speedster (he’s stolen 27 bases in 116 MLB games over three seasons). Young (22-years-old) right-hander Sixto Sanchez has drawn comparisons to a young Pedro Martinez. He brings a fastball that can reach triple digits, a hard (and moving) change and a plus breaking ball. In his 2019 rookie season, he went 3-2, 3.46 and fanned 33 in 39 innings. (Look for that whiff rate to go up as he develops).

Start ‘Em Young

In five minor league seasons, Sixto Sanchez has gone 23-18, 2.58 with 294 strikeouts in 335 1/3 innings. The amazing thing is, he had five minor-league seasons under hit belt by age 21.

Milwaukee Brewers– Josh Hader & Devon Williams, Christian Yelich

Christian Yelich – Brewers need a rebound from 2018 MVP. Photo by IDSportsPhoto

If you like to see fireballers come out of the pen and dampen rallies, join BBRT in watching Brewers’ front line relievers – closer Josh Hader and 2020 NL Rookie of the Year Devon Williams. In 2020, Hader led the NL in saves with 13 – going 1-2, 3.79 and fanning 31 batters in 19 innings. In four MLB seasons, he has a 2.54 ERA and has fanned 15.3 batter per nine frames. That’s “lights out.” Rookie of the Year William worked in 22 games this past year – going 4-1, with a minuscule 0.33 (yes, that’s a zero in front of the decimal point) earned run average. Not only that, he fanned 53 batter in 27 innings – 14.8 per nine. I’ll also be watching Christian Yelich, who came to the Brewers from the Marlins (trade) in 2017 and immensely was the 2018 NL Most Valuable Player (.326-36-110) and then followed by finishing second in the 2019 MVP voting (.329-44-97), wining the batting title both years. Yelich slumped to .205 in 2020’s short and strange season, but I expect he’ll return to something closer to .300-30-100, with 15 steals in 2021 – giving the Brewers quite a boost.

Backing In

In 2020, the Brewers and the Astros (both at 29-31) became the first two MLB teams ever to make the playoffs with losing records.

New York Mets – Jacob deGrom, Francisco Lindor, Dominic Smith, Pete Alonso

Francisco Lindor – New force in Mets’ lineup.Photo by Keith Allison

Lots of new faces (via trade and free agency) to watch in New York (SS Francisco Lindor, RHP Carlos Carrasco, C James McCann, RHP Trevor May – to name a few), BBRT starts its watch list with holdover Jacob deGrom – a two-time Cy Young Award winner and arguably the best pitcher in the National League. I’d like to see what he could do with a little better run support. (Over the past three seasons, deGrom has a 2.10 ERA and has fanned 628 batters in 489 innings. Yet, he’s only six games above. 500, at 25-19.) BBRT wants to watch him work and win. I’ll also be watching to see what newcomer Francisco Lindor means to the Mets’ lineup (and, of course, deGrom’s W-L line). The 27-year-old, four-time All Star brings a powerful bat and a pair of Gold Gloves to the Mets. And, he stays in the lineup – missing only 31 games in the past five seasons. Look for .280-30-100. BBRT is also interested in the continued development of outfielder Dominic Smith. Smith (26-years-old) was .316-10-42 in 50 games a year ago. Then there’s 1B Pete Alonso, who hit 53 home runs as a 24-year-old rookie in 2019 and 16 in 2019’s short season (which translated to 43 in a 162-game slate). Lots t see in The Big Apple.

Why Stop at First?

Of Dominic Smith’s 56 hits in 2020, 32 were for extra bases (21 doubles, one triple, ten home runs). His .616 slugging percentage was tops on the Mets and fourth in the National League.

Philadelphia Phillies – Spencer Howard, Bryce Harper

Spencer Howard - Phillies' top prospect.

Spencer Howard – Phillies’ mound prospect.

BBRT’s Philadelphia watch list is topped by 24-year-old prospect Spencer Howard. Just 1-2, 5.92 (with shoulder issues) a year ago, he’s shown swing-and-miss stuff in the minors. In three minor-league seasons, he’s gone 13-10, 2.23 – but, more important, has averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings (281 whiffs in 211 1/3 frames). I might also keep an eye on Bryce Harper, who is capable of an MVP-worthy season when he puts it all together. (In 2015, he was .330-42-99).) We haven’t heard a lot about Harper recently, but it’s clear he gets plenty of respect at the plate. He led the NL in walks last season (49) and has three times topped 100 free passes in a campaign. Hard to believe Harper – just 28-years-old, is entering his tenth MLB seasons.

Should I Make that Call?

The Phillies bullpen ERA of 7.06 was the highest in the majors.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Ke’Bryan Hayes

BBRT will be watching Pirates’ 23-year-old third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes – a leading NL Rookie of the Year candidate (who hit .376-5-11 in 25 games in 2020). In five minor-league seasons, Hayes has hit .279-25-202, with 66 steals in 461 games. The Pirates expect good things from Hayes – also a potential Gold Glover – who is having a great spring.

Nice Numbers, Kid

In 2020, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit .314 with two strikes, .308 with two outs, and .364 with runners in scoring position.

Saint Luis Cardinals – Nolan Arenado, Dylan Carson

Nolan Arenado – Bringing lumber AND leather to St. Louis. Photo by jenniferlinneaphotography

Newcomer Nolan Arenado’s combination of leather and lumber is well worth a watch in St.Louis. In eight seasons with the Rockies’, Arenado has won eight Gold Gloves and hit 235 home runs (five seasons of at least 37 round rippers and five seasons of 110 or more RBI.). It will be interesting to see what the move from Colorado will mean at the plate. (Arenado was .322-136-461 at home and .263-99-299 away). Last season, the three outfielders expected to patrol the green in Saint Louis hit a combined .197-14-53 (playing in a combined 135 – of a potential 180 – games). The Redbirds need more offense from the outfield and the best bet is number-one prospect 22-year-old Dylan Carson. In 2019, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, Carson hit .292, with 26 home runs and 68 RBI, 95 runs scored and 20 steals in 126 games. Last season, Carson started slow (.162-1-5 in is first 23 games), was sent down to the alternative site for some work and came back to go .278-12-11 in his last dozen games. BBRT will be looking to see which Carson shows up in 2021.

Oops! Two that Got Away

It’s a bit ironic that the Cardinals are in need of some outfield offense, In January of 2020, they traded OF Randy Arozarena and OF/1B Jose Martinez to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor-league pitching prospects Matthew Liberatore and Edgardo Rodriguez and a supplemental second round draft choice. Arozarena went on to a .281-7-11 in 23 games for the Rays and then burned up the post season with a .377-10-14 line in 20 games (setting a record for the most home runs in a single post season.) Arozarena would look pretty good in a Redbirds’ uniform right now.

The Cardinals also let Of Marcell Ozuna slip away (via free agency) after the 2019 season. All he did in 2020 was lead the National League in home runs (18) and RBI (56), while hitting .338.

San Diego Padres – Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Fernando Tatis, Jr. – On everybody’s watch list. Photo by KA Sports Photos

Now, here’s a TEAM to watch in 2021. The Padres made it clear they are focused on the post season – and a couple of off-season trades brought in a pair of very “watchable” starters – both potential Cy Young Award candidates. BBRT will be watching to see the impact of Blake Snell and Yu Darvish on the balance in the West. Snell won the AL CYA in 2018, with a 21-5, 1.89 record. Darvish has twice finished second in Cy Young voting (2013 and 2020). Last season, Darvish went 8-3, 2.01 and fanned 93 hitters in 76 innings. BBRT will also – along with most fans – be watching the development of SS Fernando Tatis, Jr. The 22-year-old seems like more than a rising star – perhaps a comet. In his first 143 MLB games, he’s hit .301, with 39 home runs, 98 RBI and 27 steals. Can’t wait to see what he can do in a full season.

Slamming “Around the Horn”

The Padres set an MLB record in 2020 by hitting Grand Slams in four straight games (and five in a streak of six games). On August 17, it was SS Fernando Tatis, Jr.; on August 18, RF Wil Myers; on August 19, 3B Manny Machado; on August 20, 1B Eric Hosmer. After the Padres went without a Grand Slam on August 21, 2B Jake Cronenworth hit a four-run dinger on August 22. So, the infield went around the horn in Grand Slams in six days. Tatis’ Slam seems like a “chip off the old block.” His dad, Fernando Tatis, Sr., is the only MLB player to ever hit two Grand Slams in one inning (April 23, 199).

San Francisco Giants – Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson

Mike Yastrtzemski - Pretty good genes. Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Mike Yastrzemski – Pretty good genes.
Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Lots of familiar names to watch in MLB this year (Biggio, Guerrero, Tatis, Bichette), you get the idea. In San Francisco, it’s Yastrzemski. RF Mike Yastrzemski was arguably the Giants’ best player on 2020, when he hit .297, with 14 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 35 RBI. He should be fun to watch in 2021. (In his first 161 MLB games – 2019-20 – the new “Yaz” has gone .297-31-90.) I also may check in on OF Alex Dickerson, who came over from the Padres in a 2019 trade. He may be finding his stride. While he has a .273 career MLB average (four seasons), in 108 games since joining the Giants, he has hit .294, with 16 home runs and 53 RBI.

Is Thirty the new 25? Maybe in San Francisco

When you look at the Giants’ projected Opening Day lineup (assuming Kevin Gausman gets the start on the mound), only CF Mauricio Dubon is under 30 (the lineup averages just shy of 32 years of age).

Washington Nationals – Juan Soto, Stephen Strasburg

Juan Soto – Best of the Nationals.
SotoPhoto by pdeonarain

Juan Soto. Juan Soto. Juan Soto. The top three players on BBRT’s Nationals’ watch list. Just 22-years-old, Soto already has a NL batting championship on his resume (.351 in 2020), as well as a 30+ homer, 100+ runs scored and 100+ RBI season (.282-34-110, with 110 runs scored as a 20-year-old in 2019). Just have to watch this rising/shooting star scorch across the National League. BBRT will also be monitoring Stephen Strasburg recovering from carpel tunnel issues – double-digit winner in seven of the past nine seasons, he was 0-1, 10.80 in 2020.

Say Goodbye to that One

In 2020, Nationals’ pitchers gave up 94 home runs – the most in the National League. Nationals’ hitters poked 66 long balls – tenth-highest in the league.

—–2021 POTENTIAL NL AWARD WINNERS —–

Here are BBRT’s favorites for key NL Player Awards.

Most Valuable Player

1) Ronald Acuna, Jr.; 2) Mookie Betts; 3) Fernando Tatis, Jr.; 4) Juan Soto.

Cy Young Award

1) Jacob deGrom; 2) Max Scherzer; 3) Blake Snell

Rookie of the Year

1) Ian Anderson; 2) Ke’Bryan Hayes; 3) Sixto Sanchez

Again, for BBRT’s 2021 American League predictions and watch list, click here.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Baseball Roundtable 2012 AL Predictions … and Players to Watch

March 18, 2021 by David

Okay, so Opening Day won’t be quite the same. At least, it’s on the way.

It’s getting close to Opening Day and it’s time for Baseball Roundtable to look ahead (and make predictions) for the 2021 season. We’ll start with American League won-loss predictions, move on to a look at some of the players (on each AL team) that BBRT will be watching in the coming months, and wrap up with BBRT favorites for some key junior circuit awards. So, let’s get started.

Note: For the National League predictions and Watch List, click here.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Yankees … 98-61

Blue Jays … 87-75 (Wild Card)

Rays … 85-77

Red Sox … 81-81

Orioles … 64-98

The Yankees have a deep and powerful lineup (they could have seven players with 25+ home runs), with plenty of quality replacements when needed. Plus, they have a solid rotation (particularly after adding Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon) and a plus bullpen. The Bronx Bombers may get a stretch-run boost with the return of Luis Severino and Zack Britton. They should top the AL East.

Now, smart money would put the Rays (last year’s AL World Series’ representative) in – at least – the second place/wild card spot. But I’m going out on a limb and picking the Blue Jays for second – based on an exciting young lineup, augmented by veteran acquisitions George Springer and Marcus Semien. How their pitching holds up will tell the tale. It is hard to go against the Rays who, year-after-year, seem to be able to translate defense, a solid (if, at times, unconventional) pitching strategy and equally strategic lineups into a wining record. Still, I think the loss of Blake Snell and Charlie Morton at the top of the rotation may cost the Rays a spot in the standings. The Red Sox should be more competitive than a year ago – particularly if Chris Sale is back in form – but I don’t see them passing any of the top three. The Orioles seem to be in the early innings of a rebuilding project.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

Twins … 91-72

White Sox … 87-75 (Wild Card)

Indians … 84-78

Royals … 70-92

Tigers … 67-95

Maybe it’s because they are my “home team,” but I’m expecting the Twins to repeat as AL Central champs. However, it won’t be easy as the White Sox are coming on strong. The Twins still have one of the AL’s most powerful lineups and should be improved on defense with newcomer (four-time Gold Glover) Andrelton Simmons now at shortstop, Josh Donaldson back at third base and Jorge Polanco moving to second (and let’s not forget Gold Glover Byron Buxton in center). The rotation will be again headed by Kenta Maeda and Jose Berrios – and looks to include Michael Pineda, J.A. Happ and Randy Dobnak. (or Matt Shoemaker). A revamped bullpen looks solid.

Coming on fast are the White Sox with a deep batting order; a rotation headed by Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn and Dallas Keuchel; and a bullpen featuring new (and elite) closer Liam Hendriks. It’s going to be a dogfight at the top of the Central Division, but I expect the Twins experience to give them a slight edge. Carlos Carrasco, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana are gone from the Indians and, despite a solid bullpen and a rotation headed by Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac and the emerging Triston McKenzie and the addition of slugger Eddie Rosario, the Indians are likely to finish behind both the Twins and White Sox. The Royals look to be improved with a lineup that includes professorial hitter Whitt Merrifield, slugger Jorge Soler and newcomer Carlos Santana. They are also looking for a rebound from OF Andrew Benintendi (acquired via an off-season trade). The Tigers will have to wait from some of their young pitching prospects – Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning and Franklin Perez to develop before moving up in the standings. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mize and Skubal break camp with the Tigres.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

Astros … 91-71

A’s … 86-76

Angels … 84-78

Mariners … 69-83

Rangers … 65-97

The Astros will miss George Springer (now with the Blue Jays) and Justin Verlander (Tommy John surgery), but still seem to have enough to win the West. The lineup has some star power with Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa – not to mention Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. Jake Odorizzi is a nice addition to a rotation that also offers Zack Greinke, Cristian Javier, Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers and Jose Urquidy. Ryan Pressley heads a bullpen that will need to prove itself over the long season. It looks like another division title for Houston, but they’ll have to hold off the pesky A’s.

Losing closer Liam Hendriks and shortstop Marcus Semien put a dent in the A’s playoff hopes, but there is still reason to expect them to be in contention. There is potential in the rotation (Mike Fiers, Scott Manaea, Frankie Montas, Jesus Luzardo, Chris Bassitt, A.J. Puk), as well as some power in the lineup (led by the double Matts – Olson and Chapman – who are also both superior defenders. Still, there are questions in the bullpen and the lineup could use a bit more punch. The Angels should be improved, but there are still too many question in the starting rotation (which has had the second worse ERA in MLB in each of the past two seasons). The Mariners are on the cusp of making some noise, and are anxiously awaiting the arrive of such prospects as OFs Jarred Kelenic and Taylor Trammel, RHP Logan Gilbert and RHP Emerson Hancock. In the meantime, enjoy the performance of southpaw Marco Gonzalez, 3B Kyle Seager and CF Kyle Lewis. Finally, the Rangers appear to be in rebuilding mode, so we’re likely to see a handful of young players getting a chance to develop on the big league diamonds.

— BBRT 2021 AL Watch List —

Now, some players BBRT will be watching on each team.

Baltimore Orioles – Trey Mancini, Ryan Mountcastle

Trey Mancini – Ready to lead Orioles’ offense. Photo by docjeffhyde

Trey Mancini missed the 2020 season missed the 2020 season due to a bout with colon cancer. His 2021 comeback is one of those “feel good” stories you just have to watch play out. In 2019, Mancini (DH/1B/OF) went .291-35-97. BBRT will also follow the development of 24-year-old 1B/OF Ryan Mountcastle. As a rookie in 2020, Mountcastle went .333-5-23 in 35 games. This followed a .312-25-83 2019 season at Triple A. He looks ready to contributed to an Orioles’ offense and (since he only appeared in 35 games last season) should be in the running for Rookie of the Year.

Why You Need to Stay and Watch the Whole Game

On August 1, 2020 – thanks to MLB’s short-season, extra-inning rules – the Rays opened the top of the tenth inning of a 4-4 game against the Orioles with Ji-Man Choi on second base. The first batter, Yoshi Tsutsugo flied out to Cedric Mullins in LF. Choi tried to advance to third, but was thrown out. It was the first time in MLB history that the leadoff hitter in an inning hit into a double play.

Boston Red Sox – Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale

Bobby Dalbec – Adding power in Boston.

Southpaw starter Eduardo Rodriguez went 19-6, 3.81 in 2019 and then lost the 2020 season to COVID-related heart issues (myocarditis). The Red Sox absolutely need Rodriguez to bounce back if they are to finish above .500. BBRT will also be watching to see when Chris Sale (Tommy John surgery) returns to the mound (expected in late June or July). BBRT is also interested in the development of Red Sox’ 25-tear-old 1B Bobby Dalbec, who hit eight home runs in just 23 games a year ago – and is having a strong spring (to date). In 2019, Dalbec his 27 round trippers in 135 games at Double-A and Triple-A. If he can cut down on whiffs, he can add notable power to the BoSox lineup.

The Red Sox gave up 351 runs in 2020, the most in the American League.

Chicago White Sox – Nick Madrigal, Tim Anderson

Nick Madrigal – Young table setter in Chicago.

Lots of big boppers to watch in the White Sox lineup (Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert), but BBRT is going to be watching a couple of players more suited to be table setters. 2B Nick Madrigal (just 24-years-old this season), hit .340 as a rookie in 2020 – after hitting .311, with 35 steals in three minor-league stops (120 games) in 2019. He had shoulder surgery in the off season (October), and BBRT will be looking to see how he bounces back. I’ll Also be watching SS Tim Anderson, the 2019 AL batting champ (.335, with 18 long balls and 17 steals), who hit .322-10-21, with five steals in 49 games a year ago. One thing of interest with Anderson will be to monitor his splits against lefties and righties. Over his five MLB seasons, he has hit .323 against lefties and .265 against right-handers – and, last season, that was even more pronounced (.449 against lefties and .283 versus righties). No matter, these two middle infielders should spend a lot of time creating problems for opponents.

In 2020. the White Sox led the American League in home runs with 96. American League MVP Jose Abreu led the way on the ChiSox with 19, followed by Eloy Jimenez with 14. Abreu also led the league in hits (76), RBI (60) and total bases (148).

Cleveland Indians – Shane Bieber, Eddie Rosario

Shane Bieber – On everyone’s CYA watch.

How can you not get excited about watching Shane Bieber, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, who led all of MLB in wins (8), strikeouts (122 in 77 1/3 innings) and ERA (1.63)? In his three MLB seasons, Bieber. Just 25-year-old, is 34-14, 3.32 with 499 whiffs in 406 1/3 innings pitched – and he seem to be getting better. He’s on everyone ‘s Cy Young watch list. With Francisco Lindor (trade) and Carlos Santana (free agency) gone, the Indians will be looking for some new sources of offense. Being a Twins fan, I’ll be watching former Twin Eddie Rosario, who has shown 30-home run/100-RBI power in the past.

The Indians recorded the American League’s lowest team ERA in 2020 at 3.29.

Detroit Tigers – Miguel Cabrera, Casey Mize

Miguel Cabrera – Adding to HOF credentials. Photo by Kevin.Ward

Number one on my Tigers’ watch list is DH Miguel Cabrera – entering his 19^th season just 134 hits shy of 3,000, 13 home runs short of 500. It will fun to watch the four-time batting champion, two-time Most Valuable Player and 11-time All Star add these landmarks to his Hall of Fame credentials. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ll be watching the 2018 MLB Draft first overall pick – RHP Casey Mize. A star at Auburn, Mize put up a 2.74 ERA with 120 strikeouts (and just 26 walks) in two minor-league seasons (2018-19). He got a brief, not so impressive, look-see in 2020 – going 0-3, 6.99 for the Tigers. Still, Mize has a devastating splitter, mid-90s fastball, slider and curve. If he can bring the command he exhibited in college and the minor leagues to the Detroit mound, he should be a mainstay in the Tigers’ rotation. He may not start the season in Detroit, but they need pitching, so you can expect to see him in the Motor City sooner rather than later.

From 2009-2016, Miguel Cabrera averaged .330, never hitting under .313 in a season.

Houston Astros – Kyle Tucker, Jake Odorizzi, Jose Altuve

Kyle Tucker – Adding to the Astros’ offense. Photo by Ken Lund

The Astros will open the season without ace starter Justin Verlander (Tommy John surgery), a well as without a big run-producing bat (George Springer, free agency). BBRT will be watching a couple of players the Astros hope will take up some of the slack. OF Kyle Tucker (24-years-old) may be ready to blossom. In 58 2020 games for Houston, Tucker hit .268, with nine home runs and 42 RBI, while also stealing eight bases and leading MLB with six triples. Oh, and he was also a Gold Glove finalist. It would be no surprise to see Tucker turn in a 25-homer, 80-RBI, 25-steal campaign. Free-agent Jake Odorizzi was signed to bolster the rotation. A 15-game winner with Twins in 2019, Odorizzi needs to bounce back from an injury-interrupted 2020 season, when he pitched only 13 2/2 innings. For a little extra (watching credit), take a look at three-time batting champion Jose Altuve, who hit just .219-5-18 in 48 games last season. Those are not Altuve-like numbers (.311 career average), and the Astros are looking for a rebound from the 31-year-old in both the average and power departments. Can’t wait to see what the mighty-mite has in the tank.

Ten pitchers made their major-league debuts with the Astros in 2020.

Kansas City Royals – Whit Merrifield

Whit Merrifield – Professional baseman. Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

Whit Merrifield is a professional hitter, an accomplished base runner and a versatile defender – as well as player who stays on the field. He is, for BBRT, an “0ld-school” kind of guy, well worth watching day-in and day-out. Consider, over the past three seasons, Merrifield has played in 380 of the Royals 384 gamers. Over that time, he has averaged .300 (486 hits) and stolen 77 bases – while leading the AL in hits twice and triples and steals once each. He’s also taken the field at second base, first base and all three outfield positions.

The Royals turned 62 double plays in 2020, tops in the American League.

Los Angeles Angels – Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani

Shohei – Something to watch on the mound and at the plate. Photo by shinya

How can you not watch three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, who’s never finished lower than fifth in the MVP voting in his ten MLB seasons? Don’t expect any surprises – just a solid .300, 30-home run, 90 RBI campaign (or even a little better). BBRT also will be watching 2018 AL Rookie of the Year Shohie Ohtani, who looks to be both in the starting rotation and seeing regular duty at DH. You may recall, in his rookie season, Ohtani hit .285 with 22 home runs in 104 games AND went 4-2, 3.31 in ten starts on the mound. Ohtani is more than one year removed from Tommy John surgery and seems fully recovered from last year’s elbow/forearm strain. I’ll be watching to see how far he can take this two-way approach (20 homer runs/10 mound victories?).

Angels’ Pitching Woes

You might want to monitor the entire Angels’ rotation, which turned din MLB’s second-worst earned run average in 2020 (5.52) – and that wasn’t a short-season fluke. They also put up MLB’s second-worst ERA in 2019 (5.64, only the Rockies starters were worse). They are hoping for a boost from Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound, as well as from newcomer (free-agent) Jose Quintana (3.73 career ERA, over 254 appearances).

Minnesota Twins – Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton, Alex Kiriloff

Nelson Cruz – Betting his age-41 seasons will be a thing of beauty. Photo by andywitchger

In 2019, Twins’ DH Nelson Cruz (who turned forty on July 1) went .303-16-33 in 53 games. He recorded the American League’s seventh-highest average, fifth-most home runs, third-highest on-base percentage and fifth-highest slugging percentage. BBRT will be watching to see what he can do in his age 41 season,

Others to watch in Minnesota include center fielder Byron Buxton – a multi-tool player whose all-out style of play has made him injury prone (he has played in at least 100 games in only one of six MLB seasons). Last season, Buxton hit 13 home runs in just 39 games. Buxton is a Gold Glove outfielder, who – if he stays in the lineup – could easily put up 25 home runs and 25 steals. The fact is, when he is on the field, he changes the game. Let’s see if he can stay off the IL. I’ll also be watching 23-year-old rookie OF Alex Kiriloff. Kiriloff has a .317 average, with 36 home runs over three minor-league seasons (279 games) and the Twins would like him to replace departed outfielder Eddie Rosario (.257-13-42 in 2020 and .276-32-109 in 2019). A .280-25-75 campaign from Kiriloff would do the trick.

The Twins have lost a record 18 consecutive post-season games.

New York Yankees – Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino

Giancarlo Stant0n – big bat (when he’s) in the Yankee lineup. Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Plenty to watch in the Yankee lineup (they could run seven 25+ home run hitters out there). So, BBRT will be watching to see who is NOT in the lineup. That includes: RF slugger Aaron Judge – who has played in just 63 percent of the Yankees’ games over the past three years – and DH Giancarlo Stanton, who has appeared in just 52 percent of the Bomber’s games over that time. (Consider, Judge – as a rookie – hit 52 home runs in 2017. He hasn’t hit more than 27 in a season since. And Stanton, who hit 59 home runs as a Marlin in 2017 and 38 as a Yankee in 2018, has hit seven homers, while playing in just 41 games, over the past two seasons.) BBRT will also be watching to see when potential staff ace Luis Severino (a 19-game winner in 2019) returns from Tommy John surgery.

In 2020, the Yankees led the American League in run scored (315), walks (251) and on-base percentage (.342)

Oakland A’s – Trevor Rosenthal, Jake Diekman, Matt Olson, Matt Chapman

Matt Olson – Bringing leather and lumber to the A’s. Photo by mwlguide

Over the past two seasons, Liam Hendriks has owned the ninth inning for the Oakland A’s. He appeared in 99 games, won seven (five losses), saved 39, put up a minuscule 1.79 ERA and fanned 161 batters in 110 1/3 innings. Hendriks is now going to come in from the pen for the White Sox (free agency) and the scramble is on to replace him at closer. BBRT will be watching to see who moves into the spot. Candidates seem to be free-agent signee Trevor Rosenthal (132 career saves/11 saves and a 1.90 ERA in 2020’s short season) and Jake Diekman (a 0.42 ERA in 21 appearances last season). Always worth watching are the A’s two Matts – Olson and Chapman – a pair of Gold Glover corner infielders (Olson 1B, Chapman 3B), both proven capable of 30+ homer power (and keys to the A’s offense and defense).

Over the past three seasons Matt Olson and Matt Chapman have won four Gold Gloves and hit 149 home runs.

Seattle Mariners – Marco Gonzales, Rafael Montero

Marco Gonzales – Mariners’; ace. Photo by Minda Haas Kuhlmann

Marco Gonzales will again be the ace of the Mariners’ staff. (He was 7-2, 3.10 in 2020). Gonzales is not overpowering (64 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings), but he gets the job done (59 hits and just seven walks). He’s the guy you want on the mound if you’re headed to a Mariners’ game. BBRT will also be watching new closer Rafael Montero (trade with Rangers) to see if he’s the real deal. The 30-year-old Montero is a converted starter, who didn’t have a save in his first five MLB seasons and then saved eight games in eight opportunities in 2020. He’s got a high-90s fastball, a sinker and a change up (his 4.08 Era in 2020 is a bit concerning). The closer role was a bit of a revolving door for the Mariners last season. If Montero grabs the role full-time it will help stabilize the Mariners’ bullpen.

The Mariners led the American League in stolen bases last season with 50 and had five players with five or more steals.

Tampa Bay Rays – Randy Arozarena, Rays’ Free-Agent Starters

Randy Arozarena – Post-seasons hero.

Rays’ rookie OF Randy Arozarena set the post-season on fire – hitting .376, with ten home runs and 14 RBI in 29 games, setting a record for the most home runs in a single year’s post season. This performance, contrary to some observers, did not come out of nowhere. Arozarena hit .281-7-11 in 23 games for the Diamondbacks in the regular season and .300 (6-for-20) in 19 games for the Cardinals in 2019. (He was traded from the Cardinals to the Rays in January of 2020.) The 2020 post-season, in fact, was not even Arozarena’s first post-season experience. He got in five post-season games for the Cardinals. Further, Arozarena posted a .292 average in three minor-league seasons, including a .344-15-53 line in 92 (AA-AAA) games in 2019. He looks like the real deal – and well worth watching.

BBRT will also be keeping an eye on Tampa Bay free-agent signees Rich Hill, Chris Archer, Collin McHugh and Michael Wacha. The Rays, who lost their two top starting pitchers (Blake Snell by trade, Charlie Morton to free agency) are once again rebuilding their pitching staff and it will be interesting to see how the rotation fleshes out (which may determine if the Rays or Blue Jays make it to the playoffs).

On September 11, 2020, the Rays starting lineup against the Red Sox was: Austin Meadows, LF; Joey Wendle, SS; Brandon Lowe, 2B; Ji-Man Choi, 1B; Kevin Kiermaier, CF; Yoshi Tsutsugo, 3B; Nate Lowe, DH; Brett Phillips, RF; Michael Perez, C. Uniquely, they were all left-handed hitters. Oh, and the Rays’ starting pitcher was southpaw Blake Snell. Righty Andrew Triggs started for the BoSox and gave way (after one scoreless inning) to left-hander Matt Hall. Hall surrendered four runs in 2 1/3 innings and took the loss.

Texas Rangers – Joey Gallo

Joey Gallo – Texas-sized power. Photo by mikelachance816

Will Joey Gallo lead the league in home runs, strikeouts or both? The a question is worth considering – and watching for the answer to. In the two full seasons, Gallo has played for the Rangers (at least 140 games), he hit .208, with 81 home runs AND 403 strikeouts. I’d love to see Gallo make more contact (that could lead to a 50-HR season). Notably, the free-swinging Gallo has added another reason to put him on you watch list. In 2020 the Ranger RF was a Gold Glover.

The Rangers’ 224 runs scored in 2020 were the fewest in the American League. They also had the leagues’s fewest hits (420), lowest batting average (.217) and fewest total bases (704).

Toronto Blue Jays – George Springer, Kirby Yates

Geroge Springer – Big Bat/Veteran presence. Photo by Stabbur’s Master

The Blue Jay have lots of emerging young players who deserve a look, many with familiar last names – SS Bo Bichette, 1B Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 3B Cavan Biggio. BBRT, however, will be keeping an eye on a couple of newcomers. The Jays made a big splash in the free-agent pool, led by the six-year, $150 million contract they gave to former Astro George Springer. Springer brings a proven bat to the middle of the Blue Jays’ lineup. He averaged .270-35-93 for each 162 games over a seven season MLB career – and, in 2019, went .293-39-96. He also brings a veteran presence to this young squad – and the Blue Jays hope he can lead them to the post-season. The Blue Jays also brought in closer Kirby Yates (free agency). In 2019, Yates led the NL in saves (as a Padre) with 41, along with a 1,19 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings. Bone chips in his elbow (requiring surgery) limited Yates to six appearance in 2020. The Blue Jays expect him to come back with a vengeance in 2012 – and so does BBRT.

Other Blue jays to put on your “bird watching” list include outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, who surprised in 2019 with a .289-16-34 season (50 games). Going into the season, Hernandez has a .237 average in 327 MLB games over four seasons. The Blue Jays would like to see the 2019 version. Also, keep an eye on top pitching prospect Nate Pearson with his triple-digit fastball and wicked 90-mph+ slider. His emergence could bolster the Jay’s rotation.

In 2020, the Blue Jays had MLB youngest roster or position players and fifth-oldest roster of pitchers.

— MAJOR AWARDS —

Finally, predictions on BBRT favorites for American League Awards.

Al MVP: 1. D.J. LeMahieu; 2) Matt Chapman, A’s; 3) Aaron Judge, Yankees; 4) Alex Bregman, Astros; 4) George Springer, Blue Jays

AL Cy Young: 1) Gerrit Cole, Yankees; 2) Shane Bieber, Indians; 3) Lucas Giolito, White Sox; 4) Tyler Glasnow, Rays

AL Rookie of the Year; Randy Arozarena, Rays; Casey Mize, Tigers; Alex Kiriloff, Twins; 4) Wander Franco, Rays

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com.

Coming Soon; BBRT’s National League Predictions/Watch List.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. To see the full list, click here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here. More baseball commentary; blog post notifications.

Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized

Tom Glass’ Remarkable (and only) Win …. and a Look at Some of MLB’s “Backs-Against-The-Wall” Comebacks

March 6, 2021 by David

Not Likely to See that Again

Right-hander Tom Glass left the mound after the eighth inning of his Athletics’ June 15, 1925 game against the Indians with his team down 15-4, but still came away with his only major -league victory.

Shibe Park … Home of the Philadelphia Athletics.
Photo by The Library of Congress

Tom Glass had what can best be described as a brief major-league career. It encompassed all of two appearances with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925. His final stat line was 1-0, 5.40, giving up nine hits and three earned runs in five major-league innings. That one victory was memorable, however, coming in what Baseball Roundtable would judge as MLB’s greatest-ever, late-inning comeback. It came on June 15, 1925, with Glass’ Athletics taking on the Cleveland Indians in Philadelphia. Glass came into the game in the top of the sixth, with the Athletics trailing 12-2. When he tossed his last pitch of the game (also his last pitch in the major leagues), he had given up three runs on seven hits over three innings – and the Athletics were facing a 15-4 deficit. And yet, Glass was about to pick up his one and only MLB victory – as the Athletics were about to put together a 13-run eighth inning comeback. In the frame:

There were seven singles, a triple, a home run and three walks.
Ten different players crossed the plate.
In one stretch, ten straight batters reached base.
The Athletics used just one pinch hitter – Sammy Hale, who hit an RBI single, stole a base ans scored a run.
Al Simmons had two hits in the frame, a single and a three-run home run.

The inning went like this:

With Jake Miller pitching, Athletics’ SS Chick Galloway led off with a walk.
Pitcher Tom Glass flied out to right.
2B Max Bishop walked.
3B Jimmy Dykes hit a two-run triple to center.
By Speece replaced Miller the mound, and LF Bill Lamar greeted him with a run-scoring single.
CF Al Simmons singled, sending Lamar to third.
RF Frank Welch singled, scoring Lamar and sending Simmons to third.
C Charlie Berry (no, not Chuck Berry) singled, plating Simmons.
Carl Yowell replaced Speece and and walked Jim Poole, loading the bases.
Galloway got his second plate appearance of the inning and hit a two-run single.
George Uhle replaced Yowell on the hill and PH Sammy Hale (hitting for Glass) singled home Poole, with Galloway going to third. (Hale then stole second).
Bishop hit a two-run single in his second plate appearance of the inning.
Dyke hit into a fielder’s choice (shortstop to second) and was replaced buy pinch runner Walt French (with the score now 15-14).
Lamar walked.
Simmons popped a three-run homer to give the Athletics a tw0-run lead.
Welch flied out to right to finally end the inning.

Rube Walberg then set the Indians down, giving up a lone single, in the ninth and the Athletics had their comeback win (and Glass his major-league victory). Glass was released by the Athletics one week later and never again took the mound in a major-league game.

Notably, the Athletics came back from a 12 run-deficit (15-3) going into the bottom of the seventh (tying the MLB record for the largest run-deficit ever “recovered from.” The others to accomplish this feat? On June 18, 1911, the Tigers trailed the White Sox 13-1 going into the bottom of fifth and came back for a 16-15 win. On August 5, 2001, the Indians trailed the Mariners 14-2 after six innings and came back for a 15-14 win in 11 innings. Still, the 1925 Athletics came back from a 12-run deficit later in the game than either the Tigers or the Indians – and being behind by 11 in the eighth (and making it all up .. and then some … in one inning) just adds to their edge in the BBRT “comeback” rating. (While their backs weren’t against the wall in the eighth – they did have one more inning to bat if they needed it – they were about as close to the wall as you can get.)

Baseball Roundtable would like to dedicate the remainder of this post to truly “backs-against-the-wall” MLB comebacks. (This is just another example of BBRT’s research philosophy of “one thing least to another.”) As I approached this post, I first had to define my criteria. For me, backs-against-the-wall meant games in which the maximum deficit was in place in the ninth inning (or later). Baseball-Reference.com showed 41 games in which the ultimate winning team was down by five or more runs in the ninth inning (and either won or tied the game in that frame) – and one contest in which that five-run deficit criteria was met in the bottom of the tenth. That seemed to be too many games for a single blog post, so I narrowed the field a bit more – going for games in which the winning team was down by five or more runs, with two outs and no one on base in the ninth (or an extra) inning. I also added the stipulation that the team had to not just tie the game, but score the winning run in the comeback inning – and decided to focus on just the biggest comebacks under those circumstances (which proved to be overcoming a six-run deficit). Now, I had a workable set. Then, as I put this together, I decided to add one more game – the biggest comeback with two out in the bottom of the ninth, regardless of base runners.

___________________________________________

Biggest Comeback with Two Out and No One on Base in the Ninth Inning – Six-Run Deficit

Bottom of the Ninth … Pirates, July 28,2001 … Fifteen Pitches/Seven Runs

Brian Giles Grand Slam topped this comeback. Photo by ewen and donabel

The biggest comeback with two outs and no one on in the bottom of the ninth belongs to the 2001 Pirates. On July 28 of that season, the Pirates went into the bottom of the final frame trailing the Astros 8-2. The Astros had racked up 12 hits – led by 3B Vinny Castillo’s three home runs (giving him 15 on the season). The Pirates had just seven safeties and had not gone yard.

Michael Jackson (no, not that Michael Jackson), who had come on to pitch in the eighth (and set down the Pirates 1-2-3 ) was on the mound for the Astros. He retired 3B Aramis Ramirez and a fly to left and John Vander Wal on a fly to center – five up and five down in his appearance to this point. The Pirate were down six runs – and down to their last out. Yet, just fifteen pitches later, they would be celebrating a victory.

Over the next ten pitches from Jackson:

1B Kevin Young doubled on the first pitch he saw.
2B Pat Meares homered on a 1-0 offering.
PH Adam Hzydu singled on the first pitch he saw.
CF Tike Redman walked on four pitches.
SS Jack Wilson hit an 0-1 pitch for an RBI single.

After this barrage, the Astros brought in closer Billy Wagner. But Wagner, who would save 39 games that season, could not save this one. Here’s how his (five-pitch) outing went:

C Jason Kendall was hit by a 1-1 pitch, loading the bases.
Pirates’ clean-up hitter Brian Giles smashed a game-winning Grand Slam home run (1-0 pitch). Notably, six of the final seven Pirates’ batters were hitting .250 or under at the close of the game. (Giles was the lone exception at .326).

Top of the Ninth … Cubs, June 29, 1952 … Church Can’t Close it Out on a Sunday

On Sunday, June 29, 1952, the Cubs were facing the Reds in a doubleheader in Cincinnati. They had, appropriately, started Bubba Church on that Sunday. The Reds seemed to have the first game in hand, taking an 8-2 lead into the top of the final inning. At this point, they had collected 15 hits to the Cubs’ six. Church was on the hill for the Reds – looking for hit looking for his first win of the season. Despite the big lead, it was not to be.

Brief Break: One Rough “Comebacker” … One Gritty Comeback

Phillies’ rookie pitcher Emory “Bubba” Church – somewhat famously – bounced back from a viscous line drive to the face off the bat of slugger Ted Kluszewski. On September 15, 1950, the Phillies hosted the Reds, with Church (8-4, 2.22) getting the start (in Philadelphia). Church took a 1-0 lead into the top of the third – although he wasn’t particularly sharp, having already surrendered two walks and two hits. With two outs in the third, he walked Johnny Wryostek bringing up Kluszewski, who lined a ball up the middle – and off Church’s face. The ball was hit hard enough that it caromed off Church’s head and into right field – on the fly.

Church spent eight days in the hospital and, just one day after his release, was back on the mound for the Phillies – going five innings in a 11-0 loss to the Dodgers. He got one more start that season, but lasted only 2/3 of an inning, Still, it took one tough cookie to come back to the mound so soon after the Kluszewski smash. Note: Church came back to have his best season in 1951 (15-11, 3.53, with 15 complete games and four shutouts)

Trivia Tidbit: On May 25, 1951, Church was the first MLB pitcher to face highly touted Giants’ rookie Willie Mays – and he struck Mays out looking in the future Hall of Famer’s first MLB at bat. (Mays went 0-for-4 against Church that game.

The top of the ninth started out fine for Church, who got Cubs’ C Toby Atwell on a ground out and RF Bob Addis on a strikeout. Then, just one out away from victory, his afternoon went south – like this:

3B Bill Serena – double.
SS Roy Smalley – walk.
PH Gene Hermanski – single, scoring Serena, Smalley moving to third.
2B Eddie Miksis, bunting, safe on error, with Smalley scoring and Hermanski gong to second.

The Cubs now brought in Frank Smith to pitch – and he didn’t stop the bleeding. Smith faced just two batters:

CF Hall Jeffcoat hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
1B Dee Fondy – two-run single.
LF Hank Sauer – RBI double.

With the score now 8-7, the Reds brought Ken Raffensberger to the mound.

PH Bruce Edwards was gifted an Intentional Walk, loading the bases.
Johnny Pramesa (hitting for Addis who opened the inning) rapped a two-run single – (putting the Cubs up 9-8).
And, finally, Bill Serena popped out to third base to end the inning.

Dutch Leonard came on for the bottom of the ninth and gave up a lone walk, while holding the Reds Scoreless.

______________________________________________

Biggest Comeback Bottom of an Extra Inning with Two Out and N0 One on Base (five-run deficit) … Dodgers, September 27, 2011

Roberts’ Grand Slam iced this win.

On the evening of September 27, 2011, the Dodgers faced off against the Diamondbacks (in Arizona) with Hiroki Kuroda on the mound for LA and Jarrod Parker starting for Arizona. By the top of the seventh, both starting pitchers were gone – but neither had been roughed up. In fact, after nine innings (and a dozen pitchers), the two teams were knotted at 1-1.

Then came the top of the tenth inning – and the bats seemed to wake up and leave the cave. The Diamondbacks brought in Micah Owings, their seventh pitcher of the contest. Two singles, a double, a triple, a walk, one pitching change and three outs later, the Dodgers had a 6-1 lead (and, undoubtedly, a significant number of fans were headed for the exits).

The Dodgers brought in Blake Hawksworth, their seventh pitcher, and he quickly got the first two batters on a pair of weak ground outs. However, the Dodgers were not to retire another batter.

RF Cole Gillespie hit a ground ball single.
Then Hawksworth got ahead of C Miguel Montero 0-2 (putting the D-backs down to their last strike – and still down five runs), but Montero hit the 0-2 offering for a groundball single through the hole between second and short – putting runners on first and third.
Montero scampered to second (no throw) on the first pitch to CF Chris Young, who ended up walking on four pitches, loading the bases.
John McDonald then pinch hit for Micah Owings and was safe on an error by 3B Aaron Miles.
The Dodgers had seen enough and brought in Javy Guerra to pitch to 2B Aaron Hill, who walked to force in a run.
Next up was 3B Ryan Roberts, who hit the first pitch he saw from Guerra for a game-winning, walk-off Grand Slam (his 19^th and final round tripper of the season). So, after being down five runs, with two outs and no one on in the bottom of the tenth, the Diamondbacks had come back for a 7-6 win. On a bit of side note: The walk-off Grand Slam was the only Grand Slam of Ryan’s nine-season MLB career, during which he went .243-46-169 in 518 games.

_____________________________________________

Biggest Comeback with Two-out in the Bottom of the Ninth (no limit on base runners) … June 18, 1961 – Red Sox (down by seven)

On June 18, 1961, the Senators faced off against the Red Sox at Fenway and took a slim 7-5 lead into the top of the ninth. The Senators then put cross five runs in the top of the final inning – fueled primarily by CF Willie Tasby’s Grand Slam.

Trivia Note: Senators CF Willie Tasby (.304 average coming into the game) was the only .300 hitter (position player) to appear in the game. Senators’ reliever Marty Kutnya, who didn’t bat in the game, came in hitting .400 (four-for-ten) on the season.

That set the stage for the greatest, two-out-in-the-ninth comeback ever. With Carl Mathias pitching, Red Sox’ 1B Vic Wertz opened the inning by grounding out pitcher-to -first; SS Don Buddin followed with a single to right. Next, Bill Harrell pinch hit for pitcher Ted Wills and Mathias fanned him – putting the Red Sox down to their last out – still trailing 12-5. Now the fun begins:

2B Chuck Schilling singled, sending Buddin to second.
LF Carroll Hardy drove in Buddin with a single to center.

A Brief Break from Our Story: Carroll Hardy and Ted Williams

Can anybody replace Ted Williams? Carroll Hardy gained a degree of notoriety – and a spot in the Trivia Hall of Fame – on September 20, 1960, when he became the only player ever called upon to pinch hit for Ted Williams. (Williams had fouled ball off his foot and had to leave the game). Hardy, by the way, hit into a double play. Just over a week later (September 28), when Williams was called in from left field (in order to set the stage for a standing ovation as the Splendid Splinter left his final MLB game), Hardy replaced Williams in left. Thus, also becoming the final player ever to replace Williams in the field during an MLB game.

CF Gary Geiger walked, loading the bases.
Dave Sisler came in to pitch and walked RF Jackie Jensen to force in a run.
3B Frank Malzone walked to forced in a run.
C Jim Pagliaroni, hit a Grand Slam to deep left – tying the score.
Wertz walked in his second plate appearance of the inning.
Marty Kutnya replaced Sisler on the bump and gave up single to Buddin, putting runners on first an second.
Russ Nixon pinch hit for Harrell and singled in the winning run.

How the game had changed. The 25-rum, 24-hit, contest took only two hours and 47 minutes to complete and only six pitchers took the mound.

__________________________________________________________

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Society for American Baseball Research.

Interested in other “surprise endings” to ball games? Click here.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

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Baseball Roundtable 2021 National League Predictions and Watch List

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Tom Glass’ Remarkable (and only) Win …. and a Look at Some of MLB’s “Backs-Against-The-Wall” Comebacks

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