Major League Baseball: 2016 Season

[JohnBM01]

I actually wanted to make some assessment of my Astros and allow you all to assess your team(s) so far yesterday. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. So it is time for all 30 teams to get back to work. Every game from here on out goes towards the championship. Nobody has clinched anything or has been eliminated from postseason play. Let's continue the 2016 season!

Good luck to all of your teams. Time once again to...

PLAY BALL!

 

[JohnBM01]

Second half of the season for the Houston Astros Baseball Club began late because we're in Seattle to take on the Mariners. Our record heading into Friday night's game was 48-41. Make that 49-41 after we won 7-3 in Seattle. I knew the damage started early when I was poking around Twitter and saw "#SpringerDinger" among the trending Tweets. It was actually a lead-off jack by George Springer that put the Astros up 1-0 in the Top of the 1st. The Astros even led 6-3 at one point. We end up winning by a football-like score of 7-3; a touchdown and a PAT by us and a field goal by Seattle. This would be the Houston Texans leading the Seattle Seahawks if this were the NFL. Silly chatter aside, Doug Fister picked up another win for HOU. The loser for SEA was James Paxton. Game 2 of 3 of this series is Saturday afternoon in beautiful Seattle.


Congratulations to Friday's other winners, including the Chicago Cubs taking down the Texas Rangers in the north side of Chicago.

 

[JohnBM01]

Runs were tough to come by today in Seattle. The Houston at Seattle series game today ended up being a 1-0 victory for the Seattle Mariners. You can't win if you can't score. We'll have a Rubber Game to settle this series tomorrow afternoon. Hisashi Iwakuma picked up the win for SEA and gets a Save from Steve Cishek. For HOU, it was Lance McCullers who picked up the loss.


Congratulations to Saturday's other winners up to and beyond the time of this post.

 

[JohnBM01]

Seattle was looking for back-to-back wins when they hosted my Astros today. Didn't happen. We got our golden (50th) win of the season with an 8-1 victory. The big difference maker in this one was the Astros banging a Grand Slam to put the Astros up 8-0 in the Top of the 7th. Seattle had four errors in this game. We would have had a shutout had it not been for a run scored by the Mariners in the Bottom of the 8th. Collin McHugh was the winner for HOU as we won this series 2 out of 3. The loser for SEA was Mike Montgomery. We are now 50-42 on the season still a bit back in the AL Wild Card race.

Up next for the Houston Astros Baseball Club... we're in Oakland starting tomorrow night to play against the Oakland Athletics. So more AL West division action coming up for Houston.


Congratulations to all other winners from Sunday, including the Pittsburgh Pirates winning in an 18-inning marathon at Washington and a pair of 1-0 wins at home by Cincinnati and Atlanta.


[UPDATE] "18-game" replaced with "18-inning." Remember- I'm human after all. Changes made nonetheless.

 

[Blitz24]

Seattle was looking for back-to-back wins when they hosted my Astros today. Didn't happen. We got our golden (50th) win of the season with an 8-1 victory. The big difference maker in this one was the Astros banging a Grand Slam to put the Astros up 8-0 in the Top of the 7th. Seattle had four errors in this game. We would have had a shutout had it not been for a run scored by the Mariners in the Bottom of the 8th. Collin McHugh was the winner for HOU as we won this series 2 out of 3. The loser for SEA was Mike Montgomery. We are now 50-42 on the season still a bit back in the AL Wild Card race.

Up next for the Houston Astros Baseball Club... we're in Oakland starting tomorrow night to play against the Oakland Athletics. So more AL West division action coming up for Houston.


Congratulations to all other winners from Sunday, including the Pittsburgh Pirates winning in an 18-inning marathon at Washington and a pair of 1-0 wins at home by Cincinnati and Atlanta.

FTFY.
Jacob deGrom pitches a 1 hitter as the Mets take 2 out of 3 from Philadelphia.

 

[JohnBM01]

I'll admit... you're a good proofreader. Also today, the Texas Rangers avoided getting swept at the Chicago Cubs. So that doesn't help the Astros too much in the AL West race. I think Texas is at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for their next series. We will get LAA this coming weekend here in Houston.

 

[Dolph Drago]

The Reds took 2 of 3 from the Brew Crew for their first series win after the break. After getting pounded last night, today was much better, pitching-wise. Straily has been a pleasant surprise this season. He gave up only 3 hits in 7 innings today. With DeSclafani back and pitching very well and soon-to-be-back-in-the-rotation Iglesias (and Homer on down the line), the second half of the season should be much, much better than the first. Lamb got optioned down to Louisville to work on his stuff after the beating last night. But I'm hoping Finnegan can get things figured out (just throw the ball over the plate and you'll be good!). We're hosting the Braves for a 3 game set starting tomorrow, so it's a good chance to take another series and continue our momentum.

 

[JohnBM01]

It was a 7-4 final in Oakland as the Athletics took Game 1 of this three-game set. We actually were ahead early 2-1 in the 4th inning or so. The A's just really let us have it since. The winner in this one was Kendall Graveman for OAK and gets a Save from Ryan Madson. HOU's losing pitcher was Mike Fiers. We'll suit up and go again Tuesday night to continue the series.


Congratulations to Monday's other winners, including the New York Yankees holding serve at home against the Baltimore Orioles.

 

[JohnBM01]

Next week, MLB Network is supposed to cover all the goings on leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline. One thing I read is that the Los Angeles Dodgers may be interested in shipping off Yasiel Puig. I wonder what team would pick him up if indeed he gets traded.

Yesterday or so, Christopher Correa was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for his role in hacking into the Houston Astros' computers in the whole recruiting process between 2013 and 2014. Chris Correa was of the St. Louis Cardinals' executive department.


Other than that, enjoy the new series as well as series in progress. Good luck to all of your teams.

 

[Sanji Himura]

We nearly had a record broken yesterday, Aroldis Chapman tied the MLB record for fastest pitch ever recorded. MLB started tracking pitch speeds back in 2008, and Chapman set the record for Cincinnati in a game against San Diego on Sept. 24, 2010, MLB said Tuesday. That pitch was 105.1 mph. Last night's pitch was also at 105.1 mph in a New York Yankees game against Baltimore.

 

[JohnBM01]

Back-to-back wins for Oakland, and back-to-back losses for Houston. This one ended 4-3 in 10 innings in Oakland. We were up 3-0 until things just fell apart for the Athletics to stage a comeback. Then in Extras, Oakland found the winning magic and only needed one extra inning to put us away. So we're stuck on 50 wins and have back-to-back losses (first time since June 10 or so, I believe I read) as Marc Rzepczynski got the win for OAK. Pat Neshek was HOU's loser. The series concludes Wednesday afternoon in Oakland.


Congratulations to Tuesday's other winners.

 

[Dolph Drago]

As expected, the Reds took 2 of 3 from the Braves. Very good pitching throughout the series for Cincy, as the most runs we gave up for any game was 5 in game 2, which resulted in a loss over 11 innings. Even Reed pitched fairly well last night, at least better than usual for his season so far.

Next we get to entertain Arizona as the D'backs come into town, followed by what should be a tough series in San Francisco. I'm not sure when Cueto's scheduled to pitch, so I don't know if we'll get a chance to see him or not. I would kinda like to see him, but at the same time not. He'll probably throw a no-hitter if given the chance against us.

After going 4-2 after our two series' wins since the break, our record is 36-59. Still bad, I know, but looking like we're heading in the right direction with much improved pitching and surprising amount of offense lately (especially with Votto doing the same thing he did last year after the break, just going on a terror getting on base). Players finally coming off the DL has helped immensely in that aspect. Hopefully we'll keep it rolling.

 

[JohnBM01]

San Francisco has quietly had a great season. First things first with Arizona, but that's going to be a tough one for the Reds going to the Bay Area. Good job winning the series against the Braves. Now, on to my beloved team...

The Houston Astros are trying to avoid getting swept by the Oakland Athletics this Wednesday afternoon. On this Hump Day, it was... TOUCHDOWN ASTROS! 7-0 victory at Oakland for the Houston Astros today as we avoided getting swept. If this was the NFL, this would be the Houston Texans leading the Oakland Raiders (we do match up this upcoming NFL season in Mexico City). Anyhow, winning for the Houston Astros Baseball Club was Doug Fister. Losing for the Oakland Athletics Baseball Club was Daniel Mengden.

Up next for Houston... we're back at Minute Maid Park to host Patrick's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. It's a three-game set after we get a day off tomorrow. Then after that series, we host some team called... the New York Yankees.


Congratulations to Wednesday's other winners up to and beyond the time of this post, including brutal AL-on-NL routs by Toronto (at Arizona) and Tampa Bay (at Colorado).

 

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Astros welcomed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for a three-game weekend series after taking Thursday off. Tonight's game ended up being a 2-1 victory for the Houston Astros. Lance McCullers struck out 10 batters tonight. He would have had a complete game win, but Will Harris came in relief later. Lance McCullers got the win along with a Save from Will Harris. For the Halos, it was a loss for Matt Shoemaker.


Congratulations to Friday's other winners, including the Kansas City Royals taking down the suddenly floundering Texas Rangers in Kansas City, MO.

 

[JohnBM01]

It was 7-2 here in Houston as the Houston Astros cruised to a win. Collin McHugh picked up the win for HOU. Jered Weaver took the loss for LAA. I once read this is the first time the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have lost 10 or more successive games to one opponent since losing to Kansas City 12 straight times in 1975.


Congratulations to all other winners from Saturday, including Seattle absolutely whacking Toronto in Torono and back-to-back wins for Dolph Drago's Cincinnati Reds against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. Sweep opportunity for the Reds tomorrow afternoon... imagine that. I wonder when was the last time the Reds swept somebody and against who.

 

[IforceV8]

So Chris Sale of the White Sox went postal today and was pulled from his start and sent home because he was mad about the throwback jersey's they were planning on wearing tonight and started cutting them up. This is also the guy that went off in spring training because the GM decided that it was inappropriate for a 14yr old to spend every day hanging around in the locker room with grown men.

 

[Jahgee]

Get them while you can

 

[Omnis]

"I got my jersey half off!"
"How?"
"It was on Sale."

 

[Blitz24]

"I got my jersey half off!"
"How?"
"It was on Sale."

Loria should be running to get this Sale... and then still haggle and get tossed.

 

[Omnis]

At least Sale knows how to throw a strike.

 

[JohnBM01]

Today, Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Congratulations to both players.

And elsewhere, good luck to all of your teams as this weekend of baseball concludes.

 

[IforceV8]

Sale suspended 5 games by the White Sox, he will sit in the corner holding his breath in protest and call on Drake La Roche on how to deal with this setback.

 

[JohnBM01]

The series finale between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Houston Astros goes to... the Astros, with authority. We won 13-3 over the Halos in sweeping the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Astros hung a couple of four-spots on the Angels in the 1st and 2nd innings to lead 8-0 early. The Astros had no problems with this one except for Marwin Gonzalez having a sprained ankle. Hope he'll be alright. My man Mike Fiers was the winning HOU pitcher. My other man, Tim Lincecum, was LAA's loser. In this sweep, we outscored the Angels 22-6.

Up next for the Houston Astros... we welcome the one, the only, New York Yankees. Yep. The Bronx Bombers will get some Dirty South hospitality as the Yanks come on down to H-Town.


Congratulations to all other winners from Sunday up to and beyond the time of this post. And once again, congratulations to Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza making the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Despite scoring 8 runs, the Reds couldn't complete the sweep today, losing by 1. So we've taken the first 3 series since the break, collectively going 6-3 over that period. Granted it was against the 3 worst teams (other than ourselves) in the NL, but it is still a positive sign. As mentioned earlier, we're headed to the Bay to take on the Giants. That will be no easy task. Even in our better playing days, we've always struggled on the west coast. There will be a tough matchup against Bumgarner in game 3, but it looks like we'll miss Cueto. Whew.

Congrats to ex-Red Ken Griffey Jr. on his Hall of Fame induction. 👍

 

[JohnBM01]

Yeah, the Reds couldn't sweep the Diamondbacks, but I still would feel confident if I'm a Reds fan about this performance against the Snakes. Again- at San Francisco is almost NEVER easy. I still remember my Astros losing 10-0 in a Perfect Game by Matt Cain and his S.F. Giants years ago. Taking positives from negatives, the Reds should feel at least confident to put up a fight against the Giants in their house.

 

[JohnBM01]

Aroldis Chapman used to be with the Cincinnati Reds before the New York Yankees picked him up. Now, Chapman is back in the National League, back in the National League Central division... but now with the Chicago Cubs. He was picked up by the Cubbies for a few NYY prospects. I guess this is a good deal for the Cubs.


Enjoy this final full week of baseball for July 2016. Good luck to all of your teams.

 

[Ken]

He was picked up by the Cubbies for a few NYY prospects. I guess this is a good deal for the Cubs.

It's a good deal for both sides. The Yankees got the Cubbies top draft pick and three other players. Plus, we don't have to deal with being a free agent at the end of the year. The Cubbies get a left hander in the bullpen they have been desperately needing.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Ugh. I do not look forward to seeing Chapman back in the Central. If the Reds don't have the lead going into the 9th against the Cubbies whenever they see them, you can count on 3 strikeouts to end it.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Houston Astros welcomed the New York Yankees tonight. After a lead-off homer by George Springer ("Springer Dinger") on the very first pitch in the Bottom of the 1st, all seemed well for the Astros. However, the Yanks scored two unanswered runs to win 2-1. So the Astros have fallen to 54-45 thanks to a win by Michael Pineda and a Save from Andrew Miller for NYY. Dallas Keuchel picked up the loss for HOU. Damn Yankees. Well, we'll continue the series tomorrow night.


Congratulations to Monday's other winners, including the Detroit Tigers doubling up the Boston Red Sox in Boston.

 

[IforceV8]

Melvin (B.J.) Upton likely going to Toronto for a A-ball player.