Rain has once again washed out some games tonight. There have been more rainouts already this year than all last season.
That means a ton of double headers in the hot months ahead. Get ready for some potentially higher scoring games as the pitching thins. But it could be fun to watch and it could inflate some pathetic batting averages.
When the trash and re-cycle days were changed by my community it totally disrupted my life. I have no idea what day of the week it is now. One day just seems to blend to another. A way of keeping things straight involved the trash cans. Now even that has changed. Doesn't anything ever stay the same?
I feel badly for Vin Mazzaro. He was asked to take one for the team. And for his career. He went 2.1 innings yesterday and gave up 14 earned runs on 11 hits and 3 walks. That's a season for Doc Halladay. Mazzaro now sports an ERA of 22.74 Yikes!
The approaches to the game of two very good ballplayers were recently showcased. On a hit to CF by Ryan Braun, Dodgers CF Matt Kemp loafed after the ball while Braun hustled to 2B. Same play spoke volumes to everyone in the stands. If you want to be great you have to play like you're great. Eventually people may believe. I believe Ryan Braun is great. And he shows it when he plays.
Brandon Wood is blowing his chance. He's convincing everyone that it wasn't a fluke he didn't hit well in Anaheim. He's been given a chance in Pittsburgh and he still can't hit.
Tommy Hanson is showing us again why we all thought he was such a stud. He's now got an ERA of 2.35 but there really isn't lots of buzz around him. I guess I'll get to see Julio Teheran on Wednesday here in Phoenix. I'll let you know what I think on twitter.
It's amazing that the Twins will be in Phoenix at the time their All Star icon Harmon Killebrew is laid to rest. Killebrew lost his battle with cancer and he'll be laid to rest this coming weekend. It will be great that some of the Twins family will be here to pay their respects. The Phoenix community is going to miss a great ballplayer and a great human being.
Dallas McPherson and not Dayan Viciedo got the call in Chicago when the White Sox placed Mark Teahen on the disabled list for an oblique injury. Omar Vizquel had been starting a few games and had done his usual good job.
Rafael Soriano landed on the disabled list today. Some in New York might say he's been disabled all season.
So where does Prince Fielder end up next season? Back with the Brewers? With the Cubs? Isn't that spot reserved for Albert if he leaves St. Louis? Dodgers and Mets? No $$$. How about the Angels? That works. I do think the market for some of the big free agent types might suffer a bit with the financial situation of some major clubs.
Are you asking if I'm sad that Houston's owner has a gazillion dollar deal for his club and will be out of baseball? Don't ask. I guess that answer tips my hand a bit.
Chris Dickerson is getting a chance to play again. He started in the outfield tonight for the Yankees. I'm not a big fan, but he can run. Problem is he doesn't get on base enough.
Adam Lind's bad back has driven him to the disabled list.
Pujols or Bautista? Great question.
On last Thursday's Sports Buzz show (thepulsenetwork.com) with Butch Stearns I mentioned my concern about John Lackey's health. I mentioned that when the Angels failed to sign him to an extension it sent a message to me. I believe he was hurt when he was in his final days with the Angels and he hasn't been 100|PERCENT| since. Now he's back on the disabled list.
Cameron Maybin left yesterday's game with a knee issue. That's significant because Maybin's game depends upon his wheels. He's not in tonight's lineup for the Padres vs. the Diamondbacks.
Speaking of the DBacks, pitcher Armando Galarraga threw a bit of a hissy when he was asked by a reporter if he thought his spot in the DBacks rotation was in jeopardy. The answer is yes. He couldn't locate his fastball again and he was throwing straight darts at hitters. Both Zach Duke and Micah Owings are waiting in the Diamondback wings. I'm pulling for Owings. Galarraga's response last night was surprising. He has shown much more cool in the past.
Willie Bloomquist is still not ready to return to the lineup.
What does the Tribe do about Grady Sizemore's contract extension? This is the team that rid themselves of healthy team favorites
Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia among others. Why wouldn't they say goodbye to Sizemore who now has been hurt in the past 3 seasons? It wouldn't surprise me if they decided to pass on the extension and turn CF over to Michael Brantley.
My article on RotoWire this week will be on Yankees prospect Jesus Montero. I take a look at his situation in depth. I hope you'll stop by and give a read. Should be up later this week.
Please feel free to ask questions, comment or communicate with me in the comments section below. Also, please follow me on twitter @BerniePleskoff. Catch you on Thursday morning when I speak with Chris and Jeff on their Sirius/XM Fantasy show and with Butch on thepulsenetwork.com. Sports Buzz. Take care.