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Two undefeated teams going into All-Star break
The Yankees (3-0) and the Rays (4-0) are undefeated going into the 2015 All-Star break. Both teams are scheduled to face off towards the end of the regular season and neither show signs of slowing their torrid pace. "We are feeling really good about our game right now; we just hope we can continue this into the second half of the regular season." said Rays Team Captain Clay Fox in a recent interview. The Rays historically have always been a batting powerhouse but after Drew Moore's departure after the 2009 season, have struggled to put points on the board. Last season marked the Rays reemergence of the dominant team the league remembers. The Yankees in the other division are being fueled by Drew Moore's hot start on the mound and in the box. Will the Corey Clay duo be enough to stomp out the Yankee's fire when they clash?
Here we go again..
The Dodgers seem to have the toughest breaks in the league. Plaugued by all sorts of injuries and losing in the last inning are the least of their worries. Last reported the Dodgers were steamrolling through the South in their post-season extravaganza. They even managed to beat the best team in wiffle ball... only once. The Bronx Bombers managed to recover and take home the SLCS. They later went on to win the World Series and win majority of the awards. The Dodgers, well, walked home after another hyped season ending in the SLCS. The Dodgers have made it past the first round of the playoffs since they joined the league but seem to choke in the SLCS. Their All-Star Nick Lee is a Free Agent now along with the remainder of their staff. The Dodgers needed at least a World Series apperance to possibly keep some of their talent. Only time will tell how the Dodger blue will fare in the '11 season.
Could They Go All The Way?
As the Dodgers went 0-5 in the regular season, many thought that it would be the beginning of a long re-building stage. But the Dodgers had other plans. They went into the wild-card game against the A's. The Dodgers were down early, but rallied back scoring 9 runs. It was unthinkable since the A's were heavily favored to win the SLDS. Then with 1 win under their belt they turned their sights to the white hot Yankees. After going undefeated during the regular season, they keep things going with a win in game 1 of the SLCS. The Dodgers down but certainly not out come back with a nail biting win. After being down 11-6 going into the last inning, things weren't looking good for the Dodgers. The Yankees record 2 quick outs and hope seems lost. Then the Dodgers get settled in and fire up their magic touch. With the wind a factor all game, the Dodgers get a few walks and then get within reach of a second chance. Then with 2 outs and bases loaded, Blake blooped a ball at 3rd sending Nick home and with the win. With the win the Dodgers force a game 3, and possibly the Yankees chances of a World Series appearance.
Are The Dodgers Cursed?
We all know that the Dodgers have been that team this year that just cant seem to do anything right offensively. Until their last game (@ the Athletics) in the top of the 2nd inning, Nick gave a breath of life in the Dodgers offense after launching a bases clearing grand slam putting them up 13-5 going into the bottom of the 2nd. Then the unthinkable happened. Just like the Cubs in the playoffs in 1969, a black cat crossed right in front of Nick Lee on the mound before he threw the ball in the bottom of the 3rd inning . After this he gave up 4 runs before recording an out. With the score 13-9 it was starting to get hairy. The bases were loaded and only one man down. Nick gave up 3 more then recorded another out. Classic 2 out bottom of the 3rd, bases loaded situation. Nick jammed Anthony at the plate grounded to the shortstop and he rifled it at Anthony. On a complete bang bang play at first, the Dodgers believed they had their first win in the bag. Then the Athletics appealed the call because the runner always wins a tie. The umpires reviewed the call and had to overturn and cause a repitch. Then Nick gave up the tying run and then the winning on a slap down the line. This is another case of the Dodger blues.
Red Sox 6 Braves 13
The Braves sent the Red Sox packing yesterday after a visit to Braves Stadium. The Red Sox jumped out to a huge 6-0 lead after the top of the 1st. Matt Raymond tattooed a grand slam to cap the inning off. But the braves with all the experience they have where able to answer with a six spot of there own. "We didn't panic and we played our game, after that I was able to settle in on the mound." Said Braves team captain Nick Roth. Roth loaded the bases up with no outs in the 2nd but struck out 3 in a row to get out of the jam. In the bottom of the second Tommy Roth blasted a 3-run shot to left."I just stayed within myself and put a good swing on it." Tommy said after the game. The Red Sox would go quietly in the last inning. With the win the Braves improve to 1-1 and pull within a game of the Rays in the Division. "Were going to take it one game at a time." Said Nick after the game.
Sayvon Brett Farvin'?
Sayvon announced his retirement about 2 months before the season's first pitch. "I have had the time off and realized that this is something that I want to continue. I will accept my old contract with the Dodgers, and I will see it out until the contract is up." Sayvon in a recent press conference, announcing his return. The Dodgers are negotiating with Sayvon on his contract and with the extensive league return notes. If the league allows him to return, he would be the first player to come out of retirement. The MLWB released on Tuesday "We are reviewing the documents the Dodgers organization has sent us on Sayvon's return. We hope to re-unite him with the league by the end of the week." With Sayvons return, it could mess up some of the early dominance from the Yankees. Most of the league is expecting the Dodgers to make it back to the SLCS, upon his return, facing Drew and the Yankees.
Rays 14 Red Sox 13
Even with all the departures in free agency, there pick-ups were the ones who led the Rays to a win. The games started out like the Rays of old, jumping out to a dominating lead. Powered by 3 home runs (2 grand slams) by recent pick-up, Kalen Baker, the Rays jumped out to a 11-2 lead after 2 innings. But the Red Sox never gave in and scored 11 in the last inning. Powered by the combination of All-Star Darren Raymond and Matt Raymond, they ate up Kalen's pitching. Going into the last half inning the Rays needed 2 to tie and 3 to wrap up the victory. They would do just that behind the bat of Heather Roth who they acquired in an off-season trade with the Braves. "Give credit to the Red Sox for never giving up, but we were able to pull out a close one today." Said Kalen Baker the team captain for the Rays.
Yankees live up to preseason hype
The Yankees made the trip to Rays Stadium, a familiar place for the recently departed Rays staff. "It feels like a classic Rays v. Braves showdown." said Sydnee a former Rays outfielder. "Only there's more pressure to perform because of the fact that we're playing for a new ball-club." The game started off slowly for the visiting Yankees, only scoring 1 run in the first inning. When the Braves came up to bat, it was a different story. Posting a 5 run first, they had most thinking they were what the Rays used to be until the second inning when Drew settled in. He shut the door for the Braves offensively, only allowing 2 runs to cross the plate the rest of the game. Sydnee got it started when she strung together a few base hits. Drew was back with a 2nd inning 3 run blast to left center. He homered in the next 3 at bats breaking away from the Braves. After the dust settled the former champions scored 14 runs leaving the Braves to make some considerations in their roster.
All-Star Selections, Easy Right?
Its that time of year again when All-Stars are beginning to be selected and the festivities begin. This also comes with some of the deserving candidates getting shut out of the All-Star game. In the North Division, Nick Roth was the obvious first All-Star. Then Darren Raymond had a strong year and was named the Second All-Star. Then the third spot, well it wasn't an easy choice. The 3 candidates for the third and final spot were: Kalen Baker (AVG 0.751 HR 3 RBI 10) then there was Matt Raymond (AVG 0.625 HR 1 RBI 11) and Tommy Roth (AVG 0.615 HR 1 RBI 9) This made the third spot exceptionally difficult. In the end Kalen was named the third All-Star of the North. Now to the South. Drew Moore was an automatic All-Star after his league leading home-run and RBI totals (HR 10 RBI 26). Then was Anthony Coleman with the Athletics. Once again the third spot was a highly debated selection between Nick Lee and Wesley Murray. These two were selected by almost every aspect of their games. Pitching, fielding, hitting, base running, etc. Nick prevailed with the third and final naming for the South Division winning by a thread.
