Mayer: Rivet Fans A Great Example of Small School Support

Courtesy: football.isport.com

Vincennes Rivet has pretty incredible fan support. No matter the sport, Patriots' fans turn out in droves to cheer on student athletes representing their community. It does not matter if it's boys or girls playing, the Rivet community binds together.

The Patriots will play in the 1A baseball state title game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Victory Field is a bit of a different setting compared to St. Vincent's Field where Rivet usually plays. For that matter, Victory Field is on a whole other level compared to the very nice complex at Plainfield which hosted semi-state. Rivet was here before in 2009 playing the role of under dog against a powerhouse; Lafayette Central Catholic. LCC won and will once again be the opponent that stands in the way of Rivet returning with a baseball state title.

This blog post is not about the impending baseball match up, it's about the fans love for Rivet athletics. In the last nine months or so I have had a great deal of experience seeing the Rivet community support their student athletes first hand. Covering the Patriots basketball games was always fun. They play in a tightly packed gym that seemed constantly over capacity. Fans plan their weekends and nights around Rivet athletics. It becomes a source of family and community pride.

I don't want to take away from other schools who also have similar pride and community relevance. I won't try to name them all, but off the top of my head Linton, Loogootee, Barr-Reeve, Rockville, and North Daviess come to mind. Of course all the Vigo County schools are no slackers. High School sports across the entire Valley have an incredible following.

Courtesy; coachesaid.com

But back to Rivet. I may be biased simply because of my interactions with these Patriots lovers. There is such an incredible sense of extended family. Everyone is a joy to be around and they never fail to make their presence known despite being the perennial underdog.

It all started when I did a feature on Will Sievers (check out this story, it's my favorite) who is probably the biggest Patriots fan around. The Sievers have been involved with Rivet for a long time. Father Joel and son Matthew played for Rivet while mother Leanne and second son Will are a constant presence. Through the Sievers, I truly got a sense of what the school and athletic teams mean to the community.

The examples continued when the Rivet girls basketball team made a run to the state finals. Rivet faced Barr-Reeve in the Vikings home gym, but the fans showed up in full force and saw the Lady Patriots prevail. The next week I was shocked to see the small school haul a contingent of supporters across the state to regionals. The all day venture was rewarded when the Lady Patriots advanced to semi-state. Of course a 58-50 victory over Southwestern led to a fourth title game in five years. The Patriots fell in that contest, but Patriots fans filled the Hulman Center and saw the girls make a valiant late comeback.

That leads to the baseball team behind beloved coach Bill Beard. Well, all the coaches at Rivet seem to be beloved, but you get my point. The Patriots may have been to the title game in 09', but this is a true underdog story. There is only one senior on the Rivet squad. They came together and started playing their best ball recently leading to their semi-state victory over favored Rising Sun last weekend. Yesterday, the community held a pep rally in support of the baseball team. It was straight out of a John Mellencamp song.

It's always tough to single out a certain player, team, or fan base because it's obvious there are many others who care as much or have faced just as much adversity. In my time working in the Wabash Valley, Vincennes Rivet has come away as extra special. Win or lose on Saturday, the players and coaches will be praised. The support will be endless and great memories will be made.. It's the Rivet way.

Mayer: What is Holding Sycamores Baseball Back?

(Stats effective 4/24/13 not including game vs IU)

I've been able to cover a good amount of Indiana State baseball games this year. Maybe it's because I have seen a disproportionate amount of wins (although I follow the non home games as well), but I get the feeling this squad is not living up to its potential. Indiana State is 10-3 at home, 5-11 away, and 2-3 in neutral territory. Those records definitely have meaning.

Courtesy gosycamores.com

Including the contest today at Indiana, ISU has 17 games remaining until the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Currently, the Sycamores are in the bottom three of the MVC with an overall 17-17 record and a 7-8 mark in conference games. That just doesn't seem right to me.

When I see the Sycamores play, it looks like a pretty solid and mostly complete ball club. Rick Heller has a great pulse on his team and has garnered a great deal of respect. ISU has one of the best pitchers in the country, a lineup based on small ball and speed, and has played good defense for the most part. The Sycamores are not a bunch of mashers and seem committed to small ball, but that approach fits the players skill sets well.

Let's dive into the numbers a bit and see if we can find out what is holding the Sycamores back.

Starting Pitching

Courtesy: gosycamores.com

ISU has a pretty nasty 1-2 punch. Sean Manaea has been stalked by major league scouts all season and is expected to be a top five pick in the draft. Manaea is 5-3 over nine starts while accumulating a 1.57 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP (walks + hits/innings pitched). Hitters are batting only .195 against the big lefty with 72 strikeouts and 20 walks. In conclusion, Manaea is dominating as expected although he has seemed a bit off his last two outings (this could have to do with a hip injury sustained earlier this month).

Devin Moore has gone a bit unnoticed pitching behind Manaea, but the senior right hander is having a fantastic 2013. In 53 IP he is 3-4 (but we all know the win stat is greatly flawed) with a 2.89 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2/1 strikeout to walk ratio, and a .206 batting average against. Those numbers are better then many top starters across the country.

Daniel Peterson (51.2 IP, 4.53 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 42 Ks, 10BB, .321 BAA) and Tyler Fehringer (27.1 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 27 Ks, 13BBs, .261 BAA) have the majority of the other starts and have not done nearly as well. However, with Manaea and Moore plus a not terrible combination in the third slot, ISU has a strong starting core.

Relief Pitching
The bullpen is a bit more of a mixed bag and this is a place ISU needs to improve. While it may be overshadowed because the Sycamores rely on their starters, not having a strong bullpen has been a season killer for countless baseball teams.

Courtesy: gosycamores.com

Kurt Kudrecki is the standout reliever throwing 27 innings with a 1.67 ERA, .96 WHIP, .189 BAA, 22Ks, and 8BBs. To put it lightly, that is dirty and Kudrecki can be considered an elite reliever. Unfortunately for the Sycamores no one else really qualifies as even a "good" relief pitcher. Aside from his six starts, Fehringer has made eight relief appearances (his stats are above). Greg Kuhlman has 23.2 IP out of the pen with a 6.08 ERA and a .301 BAA. Josh Dove has pitched 16 innings with a 4.50 ERA and .333 BAA. Josh Negele has tossed 13.2 innings with six walks and two strikeouts while allowing a .315 BAA. The rest of the bullpen is similar with unimpressive numbers, so we have definitely found a weak spot.

Offense
As I mentioned earlier, the Sycamores are not Earl Weaver's Orioles waiting for the three run home run. There is not much power on this club, but they play to their strengths showing a great deal of devotion to small ball by advancing runners and using speed to score runs.

Courtesy: indianastatesman.com

Robby Ort is the most recognizable name in the lineup and he is putting together a solid campaign although nothing incredible. Ort is hitting .299 with a .322 on base percentage, .438 slugging percentage, 26 runs batted in, 21 runs, and 5/7 in steals. By no means is that a bad line, but if Ort is considered one of the better hitters (with only one home run) his on base percentage should be higher. 

Koby Kraemer is putting together a very nice season with the bat. He is hitting .314, .393 OBP, .462 SLG, 20 R, 17 RBI, and 6/9 in steals. Can't ask for much more; he's getting on base and finding ways to score. Jordan Pearson has hit a bit with a .289 BA, .357 OBP, but it is only in 18 games with 38 at bats. Owen Conway is in a similar boat hitting .274, .337 OBP, but has only scored nine runs with two steals in 84 at bats.

Landon Curry has shown excellent speed and ability to do damage on the base paths stealing 15/20 and scoring 22 runs. The problem is that Curry is hitting .254 with a .346 OBP. The OBP isn't terrible, but for a game predicated on speed Curry needs to find more ways to get on first. Mike Fitzgerald plays catcher so you don't necessarily expect monster numbers, but a .202 BA, .325 OBP, .298 SLG won't cut it. Fitzgerlad and Tyler Wampler both have 104 at bats with similarly questionable production. Wampler is also hitting .202 with a .308 OBP and a .212 SLG.

Looking at the rest of the offense I see similar issues with players simply not getting on base enough or hitting for a high enough average to compensate for the Sycamores' lack of power.

Defense
I've seen Indiana State play some excellent defense in certain games while making troublesome errors in others. I figured they played pretty decent defense and obviously the sampling of defensive metrics in college baseball are few and far between. Overall, the Sycamores are fielding at a .976 clip compared to .974 for their opponents. ISU has made 32 errors while their opponents have made 34. With that I would deem ISU's defense right at average or above average.

Courtesy: gosycamores.com

Conclusion
Indiana State does not have issues in the starting rotation even though the third slot is below average. Manaea and Moore are two top starters who give the Sycamores a chance to win games. Relief pitching is definitely a problem for the Sycamores with only one top caliber reliever surrounded by guys who can be scarcely relied on. If ISU gets into a situation where multiple relievers are needed it probably won't end well. As expected, the offense is all about speed and moving runners over as ISU only has five total homer runs. The biggest issue is players are not getting on base enough for that to be effective. For the small ball game to work hitters need to be showing OBPs around .370 not .330. The defense may not be a major issue, but for a club that is trying to win with pitching and small ball an elite level defense is necessary. Don't forget the big differential for ISU at home and away. They clearly are much more comfortable at Bob Warn field where they play 12 of their remaining 17 games. I get the feeling that the Sycamores are capable of more, especially hitting and getting on base. They still have time to make a move in the MVC, but the numbers say around .500 might be their destiny.

Mayer: World Baseball Classic Displays Unique Baseball Cultures

Courtesy worldbaseballclassic.com

I think there will come a time when the World Baseball Classic grows significantly and baseball fans across this country come to look forward to the event. There are true baseball junkies that have already enjoyed the tournament which is approaching the championship round in San Francisco. (Japan and the Netherlands punched their tickets already with the Dominican Republic joining them after a win yesterday. USA and Puerto Rico will battle for the last spot tonight.)

There are a ton of reasons to love the World Baseball Classic and as we have seen, there are definitely flaws to the tournament. Let's remember that the WBC is still in its infancy, this is only the third time it has been played. Most complaints revolve around the best American players staying with their teams in Spring Training, but that's not what I want to talk about.

While the mere fact that highly competitive baseball is being played in March is enough to get me excited, one of the best aspects of the WBC is seeing the different cultures of baseball. We view baseball solely through the MLB prism, but as the sport grows in other countries it has taken on different forms.

Courtesy: Getty Images

Many complained about the high energy Dominicans who jump out of the dugout after every big hit and show no fear in gazing at home runs or gesticulating on the mound. In the MLB all of this would be perceived as a slight towards the opposition. The DR has no intention of showing anyone up, they are just having fun. The DR fans are the same way; standing for extended periods, constantly chanting, and blowing horns and a vast array of other instruments. They are a group of free swingers and hard throwers. Homers, stolen bases, and strikeouts oh my!

Puerto Rico may not be as demonstrative as the Dominican Republic, but they are on the field having fun. The passion from Latino fans is undisputed and brings the feel of a big soccer match to baseball. The Netherlands is one of the most interesting countries. Baseball has really gained traction for the Dutch. They play an American style and have a similar demeanor. With word of a multi-million dollar baseball facility being built, the Netherlands could become a surprising hotbed for international talent.

Take a look at the Italians who kiss each other on the cheek as part of celebrations after scoring runs. I mean, how is that not cool. The Godfather has finally made its way into baseball. It seems like this group is a full roster of Nick Puntos and Marco Scutaros. They aren't the most talented or athletic, but they might very well play the hardest willing to sacrifice their bodies and make the extra hustle plays to win.

Courtesy: Bleacher Report

On the other hand, the Asian countries including Japan, Korea, and Chinese Taipei attack the competition with a fierce competitiveness not often seen. They are all business and play the game all small ball all the time. Pitchers are more about breaking pitches then attempting to blow hitters away. Obviously their style works well, Japan has won both WBCs (beating Korea last year in the finals) and are in the championship round again this year.

Then there are the Americans, who play and are run exactly as you would expect. USA is stacked with talent and has a great deal of national pride, but are understated in their play. They essentially play and operate as a top MLB squad would. More then any other team, the Americans put emphasis on getting all players work and protecting them from injury to ensure that no MLB team has any qualms. Capitalism and politics at its finest.

I'll be honest, concerning the culture of baseball, I'm pretty old school. I don't think that celebrating every run with near dog piles, noise makers, showboating, cheek kissing, illegal undercover scouting (looking at you Chinese Taipei) have any place in the MLB. I love the dignity and respect that must be shown in major league baseball, it's one of the reasons the league is so great. Tradition. If you messed with a Dodger or showed someone up, Don Drysdale was putting one in the next hitters' ribs. Cole Hamels will do the same today.

Courtesy: Fox Sports

But this is not the MLB, this is the World Baseball Classic. It's not about the American way, which is the original way. The WBC is about sharing and embracing all baseball cultures and all styles of play. Once Americans and baseball junkies all over the World accept this and embrace the tournament it will only become more successful and meaningful.

Mayer: A Beautiful Day for Baseball

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. Pitchers and catchers are reporting and spring training is about to start. Baseball is about to return which means I am once again a whole person.

Courtesy MLB

I love spring training for two main reasons. The first is obvious and essentially stated above. Baseball is back and I love baseball...a lot. The Great American Pastime is the sport I follow closest, played my entire life, and really is the source of my passion for sports. I love the history, the strategy, and the grind. Baseball is the best.

Spring training is a time when every fan can have hope (except the Astros, that is honestly going to be one hell of a dumpster fire). But even Houston fans can salivate during spring training analyzing their young prospects who soon will be counted on to reinvigorate the franchise. The lead up to the season gives fans a chance to dream of championships, get to know new acquisitions, study the depth of the entire farm system.

We argue back and fourth about who should grab the last bench spot, if the non roster invitee or the kid who only got to double A last season should be the last man in the bullpen, and what is the most efficient way to set a lineup. We play owner, general manager, and manager during spring training, even if it's only through debate with friends.

Courtesy MLB

The lead up to the season is fun and I look forward to reading and probably writing predictions of division standings, playoff outcomes, award winners, and all that good stuff. However, the second reason I love spring training gets to the heart of the matter. It's a time where we can step back from professional baseball and look at the MLB through a different lens. That was kind of vague, I know, but allow me to explain.

While I love the MLB and love my Dodgers, that is not why I fell in love with baseball. It is why I fell in love with football for instance. My introduction to football was Brett Favre and the Packers. But with baseball, the sport at a grassroots level is what drew me in. When I think about baseball, the first image that comes to my mind is the final scene in "The Natural." Roy Hobbs in a field playing catch with his son; a majestic sunset as a backdrop. THAT is baseball.

While spring training is still corporate and still about preparation for the MLB season, at no other time are fans able to look at professional players in that way. You can go to a spring training site and watch superstars mingle with unknowns and washed up veterans, then get a picture, autograph, and have a chat with all three as they come off the field. I'm sure people who are not big baseball fans couldn't care less about spring raining. For me and my baseball brethren, it's magical.

Courtesy The Natural

Mayer: The President of Sports

In case you didn't notice we just had a presidential election come to a close yesterday. This got me thinking about a potential President of Sports. So, basically someone that is the head hancho of sports everywhere; from little league to Yankee Staduim, from high school soccer to the Premier League, the Olympics, cricket, skateboarding, football, and everything else you can think of. I haven't gone through the process of figuring out how this sports government would work because it's not really necessary for this exercise. However, we won't call this Sports President a dictator. Commissioners and players from every league would have some kind of say and ability to veto the president and vice versa in a similar fashion to the United Stated Government.

Moving on. I, Lucas Mayer, do hereby accept the position as the first ever Sports President and swear to honor the traditions of sports while helping to grow all sports to the best of my ability.

Usually it would be a good idea for the President of Sports to start slow and bring up bills and new laws that in time will help sports excel. However, as my first act as President I must take immediate action.

Courtesy theunticket.com

EXECUTIVE ORDER #DEATHTOTHEBCS
    My first act as President is to dismantle the BCS. Effective immediately plans for a four team playoff will take effect and discussion about a possible expansion of said playoff will take place after the season. This could not be more perfect with Alabama, Oregon, Kansas State, and Notre Dame still undefeated ( as well as Louisville) along with a slew of talented and deserving one loss teams.
   Additionally, the way in which bowl game revenues are distributed will be changed. Bowls will now take volunteers, that's right volunteers, to be in charge. The absurdity of men doing little work and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars to "organize" bowl games is a thing of the past.
   There will be great outrage and backlash from certain people among this matter, but I should have the support of the fans, players, and coaches. In my sports government money doesn't buy votes, so deal with it fat cats.

Courtesy intothefuture.onmason.com

THE GREAT AMERICAN PASTIME BILL
   I will propose that instant replay will start effective 2013 for Major League Baseball and all other baseball outlets from college up. Strikes and balls will stay in the umpires hands, other then that anything can be replayed. The call for replay will come from an extra umpire who sits above the field. He will page the head umpire if a call is questionable and the chief umpire will take a look. In addition, if a manager feels a call was wrong and the replay umpire does not initiate replay, said manager will have one "challenge" each game. The manager simply has to inform the umpire he's using a challenge.
  This might take some time to be passed as many have not accepted replay as a necessary part of baseball, but give me some time and I'll convince them.

Courtesy ncaa.org

THE NCAA IS A JOKE BILL
  If there was ever an entity that defined the wrong way to deal with discipline it's the NCAA. Everything is backwards, idiotic, absurd, or unfair. Reggie Bush accepted impermissible benefits at USC so Trojans playing at the school half a decade later are punished. Sexual assault allegations against Jerry Sandusky result in 14 years of vacated Penn State football victories. As of yesterday, Hanner Perea and Peter Jurkin must sit out because a legal guardian bought some IU stickers before either player was born.
  We'll need to create a special committee to fix everything that's wrong but to start.... the notion of vacating wins is over. NCAA athletes will be given a monthly stipend equivalent to the hours they would be able to work if time was not consumed by athletics. Therefore, future teams will no longer be penalized if players accept illegal benefits that go beyond their stipend. Instead the NCAA will make deals with all professional sports that will punish the player at whatever time the evidence comes forward. Better reason for teams to do thorough background checks. Coaches who commit recruiting violations will suffer the same fate wherever they are currently coaching, the future team will not be penalized. I'm going to stop here, but we could go at this one for days.

Courtesy blakestreetbulletin.com

THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG ACT OF 2013
  This is pretty simple. The loopholes are being closed effective immediately. All athletes from high school up will be tested by urine, blood, hair, or any other form at anytime without warning. This may be a little too "Big Brother" for you, but it's time to eradicate the virus that is cheating through drugs in sports. All athletic and personal trainers for any team or athlete are subject to investigation if there is suspicion and must go through a rigorous performance review each year and in order to be certified. If found positive for any performance enhancing drug, the player will be suspended from the sport for a year for first offense, two years for second offense, and banned for life after the third offense. There will be an extensive appeals process put in place in case the result is faulty.

Courtesy the-cool-table.com

THE SPORTS NETWORK BILL
  The process of creating a channel for almost every sport in the mold of the MLB and NFL networks will begin. Some of these channels already exist, but for the major sports that are still waiting, their time is now. Smaller sports that can not carry an audience by themselves will be grouped together. Possibly Olympic Sports and Extreme Sports type channels. In addition, a general sports network will be created to rival ESPN. Since the "mother ship" has become so transfixed on entertainment, leaving us with Tim Tebow and Skip Bayless 24/7, a network that refocuses on the actual sports will be made. Some of what ESPN does is incredible, some of it is a whole lot of fluff. Each of these networks will be highly involved, online and with social media.

This is only the beginning! During my four years as the first Sports President I hope to create a Sports World that gives us the best out of all sports and provides for fans as much as possible. Thank you America!

Mayer: A Giant Success

The San Francisco Giants are really good. As a Dodgers fan, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. There aren't many things in this World I despise more then those orange and black #HalloweenIdiots, who played follow the leader many years ago traveling westward behind the Dodgers. Sorry, but if I'm going to write a positive blog post about the Giants some insults need to be thrown in.

Courtesy USA Today

I tweeted before game one of the World Series that Detroit had a better team on paper. San Francisco has the superior defense and bullpen, other then that it's Tigers all the way. Before the season began you would put a check mark next to the Giants starting pitching, but not coming into the World Series. Detroit's rotation has been stellar through these playoffs while the Giants have relegated Tim Lincecum to the bullpen and pulled Madison Bumgarner out of the rotation.

Obviously Bumgarner got back into rhythm last night, but that doesn't change my opinion. The Giants are simply executing better. In fact, San Fran may be playing the best baseball of any team all season. I mean, it's almost comical how fundamentally sound the Giants are. They make every play. Every. Single. Play.

Some have pointed to multiple breaks going San Francisco's way, which is true. In baseball, when a team is playing so flawlessly, this tends to happen. No one, including the baseball Gods, are handing out a championship. The orange and black are playing immaculate defense, hitting every cutoff man, stealing every crucial base, making every pitch, moving every runner over, hitting every sacrifice fly just far enough...you get the point.

High school coaches are giddy watching these guys play baseball. When you pay attention to details and hustle on every play, good things happen. Beyond their on field performance, what a great group of players. The Giants have fun and just won't go away. They truly work until the last out and seem to have a Charlie Hustle at every position.

Courtesy TIME

They have already written themselves into the history books coming back from the brinks of elimination in the NLDS and NLCS along with Pablo Sandoval's three homer performance in Game 1. Simply put, San Fran does it the right way. The coaches coach it the right way and the front office builds the roster in the right way. Heck, even the fans do it the right way, setting an example for every other club on what building a beautiful ballpark that is well maintained can do for attendance and enthusiasm.

By no means is this series over. The Giants and Tigers both know that. Detroit still has Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, and  Prince Fielder returning home for three games. However, the Tigers will have to overpower the Giants. Meaning, the pitchers will have to dominate and the hitters will have to knock some out of the park because San Francisco won't be out executed on the smaller stuff.

Courtesy SB Nation

I hope the Tigers stars turn it around and I expect the series to get back to the West Coast. Although, at this point, I'm preparing to see another parade in San Fran. It's disgusting and makes me envious in so many ways, but as a baseball fan, it's nice to know a deserving franchise is having success.

NBC 2 Sports: MLB Playoff Outlook

Jason Pensky:
For the second year in a row I look at the MLB playoffs and can legitimately talk myself out of thinking each individual team has a shot to win the title. Last year I believe Chris Carpenter is the only reason the Cards won the World Series. He's the most underrated player in the history of baseball, and if he played for New York or Boston, he would already be in Cooperstown, even though he's still playing. With no Chris Carpenter in this year's playoffs (the real Carp isn't healthy), I will offer a thought on each team:

Nats....No Strasburg, no title.

Reds...stud-filled staff.

Braves....Hollywood is hoping for Chipper to Hoist.

Cards...Their baaaack, but the magic isn't.

Giants...this isn't 2010.

Yankees....these aren't your father's Yanks.

Tigers....2 v 2 they'd win it all with Verlander/Cabrera.

Rangers.....something just doesn't seem right.

A's....their surge has been historic.

O's.....my favorite team. Not objective!

World Series Picks:

Yankees over the Reds 

                                    

Reds over the A's (plan B)  

Grant Pugh

October baseball: The "Land of Hopes and Dreams."  That also happens to be the name of this year's theme song by Bruce Springsteen. Just like "The Boss,"' playoff baseball stands for everything that's right in America. Watching teams go toe-to-toe for our national pastime brings hope, fear, cheers, and tears. 

Major League Baseball and Bud Selig have implemented a new system this year, and it has a taste for the theatrical. The additional wild card playoff game is fun, but add in the fact that the lower seeds will get to start the division series at home in a 2-3 format, this could get crazy dramatic. 

It's only fitting that the Cardinals and Braves square off for the NL Wild Card after what happened last year. The game takes place in Atlanta, and the Braves always seem to win when Kris Medlen starts, but the Cardinals have the experience. Prediction: Redbirds walk out of Atlanta with a win. 

In the AL, my oh my how the Rangers have fallen. They went from leading the AL West to fighting for their playoff lives. One good thing, at least they get the Orioles at home. What Buck Showalter has done with this team is nothing short of incredible, but what Showalter hasn't done is win in the postseason. Prediction: Rangers take care of business at home. 

Now on to the 2 Division League Series in the National League. The Nationals are the #1 seed, and congratulations, you get to travel to St. Louis and face one of the toughest teams in baseball. The Cardinals lineup is the strongest in the NL, and no Stephen Strasburg will come back to haunt Washington. Prediction: Cardinals move on to the LCS. 

The Cincinnati Reds and Dusty Baker are back in the playoffs as National League Central Champion. However, the Reds will have to travel to San Fran for the first 2 games against Matt Cain and company. The Giants are an overlooked team heading into the postseason which makes them very dangerous. Prediction: Giants get it done and move on to the LCS. 

Over in the American League, The Oakland Athletics are the best story in baseball. Bob Melvin and crew come out of nowhere to not only make the playoffs, but knock the Rangers out of the division on the final day of the season. If the A's are the best story, Miguel Cabrera is the best chapter of the baseball season. He's the first triple crown winner since 1967, and leads a Tigers lineup full of power. The Tigers and A's met in the 2006 LCS, and I expect a lot of theatrics in this one, too. Prediction: It's hard to go against these A's, they are red hot and may end up knocking Jim Leyland into retirement. A's move to on to the LCS. 

The New York Yankees needed some late magic to clinch the AL East over Baltimore. If Texas beats Baltimore, a Texas-New York matchup is something the networks will drool over. These two teams have some playoff history in recent years, and I expect this one to be another exciting chapter. Prediction: Yankess move on to the LCS. 

How good would a Cardinals vs Giants LCS be? These are the past 2 World Champions with some of the best pitching in baseball. The format goes back to normal for the LCS, which gives the Giants the home field, but I like the road warriors under the Arch. Prediction: St. Louis moves on to the Fall Classic. 

Everyone remembers the Jeter flip vs the A's several years ago. No flipping part two this time, but I like the Yankees over the A's based on experience. Prediction: Yankees go back to the Fall Classic. 

So let's go to the World Series (because this post is getting long). The last time there was a Triple Crown winner (1967), the Cardinals won the World Series. On the other side, the last 6 times Kentucky has won the National Championship in Basketball, the Yankees won the World Series. We've had a chalk year in sports with Kentucky and the Miami Heat, and I think the trend continues. Prediction: Yankees over Cardinals in 6.

Lucas Mayer

Since the Wild Card era began after the strike season, Bud Selig and company have been on a constant mission to create parity. It makes sense, the more teams that have a chance at winning, the more fans keep watching. The only issue was the wild card teams' only disadvantage was lack of a home field advantage in the playoffs. This isn't the NFL and that proved to not be a big deal at all. Wild Cards teams have had no issue finding their way to and winning the World Series ( Marlins 97' Angles 02' Cardinals 11' to name a few). So the baseball minds decided to create a second wild card. Now the two wild card teams will play a sudden death game to enter "the real playoffs". I love this idea. It puts the wild cards teams at a severe disadvantage, which is appropriate and gives a bunch of clubs a chance as the season winds down. The move also creates the need to win the division as opposed to the past when teams coasted by not caring how they made it into the second season. So here we are, about to embark on this MLB post-season experiment. The start has been tremendous (how about those A's!) and I expect the roller coaster ride to continue.

Wild Card

Cardinals vs. Braves

A tough match-up, but I'll side with Atlanta. The Cardinals have offensive depth. Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday can get hot and carry the team at any moment and Kyle Lohse is no slouch, but Kris Medlen hasn't lost since 1900, or so it seems. The Braves are playing to send Chipper Jones out on a high note and the back end of their bullpen is absolutely filthy. Shortening the game to six innings could be the key to a deep run for Atlanta. 

Orioles vs. Rangers

In the American League the Texas Rangers will face off against the Baltimore Orioles, who have had a magical season, reaching the playoffs for the first time since the infamous Jeffrey Maier incident. The Orioles have been astounding in one run games and extra inning affairs and came close to taking the AL East away from the Yankees. The Rangers on the other hand, just went through one of the worst collapses in history giving up the division to Oakland on the last day of the season. I still have to go with Texas. They are the better team, but mainly I can't pick Joe Saunders over Yu Darvish in the Texas heat, I just don't see it.

Division Series

Giants vs. Reds

My gut tells me whoever wins this series will represent the senior circuit in the World Series. It's really hard to choose mainly because the teams are similar. Both have strong starting pitching with Matt Cain and Johnny Cueto being two of the best starters going. Will the real Tim Lincecum show up? What Bronson Arroyo do we see? Mat Latos or Madison Bumgarner, that may hold the key to who wins. Buster Posey has been the best player of the second half and Marco Scutaro single handedly eliminated the Dodgers. The Reds will look for Brandon Phillips to ignite the top of the order for Joey Votto and Jay Bruce. Both bullpens can be overwhelming. I flip my coin and it comes up Cincinnati's way (I'm sure my Dodgers bias doesn't help).

Nationals vs. Braves

Here is where you miss Stepehen Strasburg. The rotations match-up pretty closely and the fire-baller probably would have put Washington over the top for me. However, without him, I like Atlanta's solid bullpen advantage with the struggling Tyler Clippard in the back end. Does Drew Storen close? Offense could go either way. I can see Michael Bourne heating up, causing chaos on the base paths and Jayson Werth getting some big hits. It will be fun to see what Bryce Harper does and I expect fireworks from Chipper Jones. All in all, the Nationals go into the off season wondering if Strasburg could have pushed them over the top.

Tigers vs.Athletics

This should be the Tigers series. They have the best pitcher in baseball with Justin Verlander and the Triple Crown winner in Miguel Cabrera. Those are only two of a slew of weapons for a team that underachieved. The A's have an all rookie rotation, Yoenis Cespedes and Josh Reddick. With respect to those guys, Cespedes has never experienced anything like October and the rest of the Athletics lineup is not exactly house hold names (this is a team with another stellar bullpen). So of course, I am going with Oakland. Sometimes there are special teams and the A's are exactly that. They play together and are riding a special wave that may take them all the way. 

Yankees vs. Rangers

The Bronx Bombers may be more dangerous then ever. They are healthy and CC Sabathia and Robinson Cano are firing on all cylinders. The New York offense is plain scary in the playoffs especially in the House That A Lot of Money Built. They will miss the best closer of all time in a big way. If we talked in the beginning of the year, I would have picked the Rangers in this match-up. Texas can equal the offensive firepower of the Yanks, but have better starting pitching depth. However, with the way these teams are playing I don't see New York having much of an issue, they advance.

Championship Series

Braves vs. Reds.

The parity in the NL is pretty outrageous, it gets harder as the match-ups advance. I'll go with the Reds hitting some key home runs at Great American and getting some lights out performances from Cueto and Latos along with Chapman blowing away the Braves lefties late in the game. 

A's vs. Yankees.

Is this deja vu all over again? I feel like I'm in the early 2000's and Derek Jeter is running across the field on the famous flip play nailing Jason Giambi at the plate (How can you not slide there? HOW?!?). Not this time, The A's magic continues. That's right I'm taking the rookie starters Jarrod Parker, Tommy Milone and A.J Griffen going into the hostile Bronx and coming away alive. This one goes seven games. 

World Series

A's vs Reds

I think I stepped into the time machine once more and got sent back to the late 80's/early 90's. Wheres Barry Larkin and Dennis Eckersley when you need them. Anyway, I'm going with the Athletics. Yep that's right, I'm picking Oakland to go all the way and shock the Sports World. Maybe I just want it to happen because it would be one of the best stories EVER....EVERRRRRR, but look at what they have done. They came back from 13 games down to the two time AL Champions. They are easily the hottest team in the MLB and that makes a difference going into the playoffs. The pitching is young and dominant, maybe too young to comprehend the pressure they should feel. The bullpen is lights out and while the Athletics offense is nothing to get very excited about, they have been hitting for power (clutch home runs have become commonplace). I sense something special. In 2012 the A's will become the sports story of the year.   

 

Mayer: It's more then a game

Courtesy: The New York Times

 It's just a game. I've always hated that term. To many of us, it's more then a game and those who don't understand need only look at the healing of this country after September 11, 2001.

There are countless reasons that people are drawn to sports. I believe sport can bring people together like nothing else. In the face of turmoil or celebration sports help us unite; putting race, religion, political preference, and all biases aside.

While sport has it's own issues with bigotry, it can act as a major step in the healing process or an outlet for people from different places and cultures to fight for a common goal.

After the attack on the World Trade Center, the citizens of the United States needed a way to show resiliency and strength. American flags were waving from every car and benefits were being held in secret locations to raise money, but the threat of another attack still loomed over the country long after the attack.

The New York Yankees reached the World Series in 2001 and one of the greatest moments you will ever see in sports happened before the start of game three.

President George W. Bush stepped onto the field and prepared to throw the ceremonial first pitch. No matter the security and prior protection arrangements, the leader of the Free World was putting himself at risk in a stadium of over 50,000 people in an effort to show strength.

The outlet he used was baseball, the American Pastime. A sport that means so much to so many people in so many ways. When Bush took the mound it didn't matter if you were a Yankees fan. It didn't matter if you were a Republican, what your religion was, or the color of your skin. We were in it together and despite our differences we would fight to pull through.

It's more then a game. We grow up with sport, it helps motivate and inspire us; through the good times and bad.

bostinno.com

 

Mayer: A New Era of Dodger Baseball

Let's start this off with a disclaimer: I am a serious Los Angeles Dodgers fan. I grew up in LA and baseball is the sport that inspired my passion. As you can imagine, the news of the mega deal involving the Dodgers and Red Sox which brought Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Nick Punto to Southern California was a bit jarring. This comes after the Dodgers picked up Hanley Ramirez and his 30 plus million dollar contract along with Shane Victorino, Joe Blanton, Randy Choate, and Brandon League for the rest of the season.

Courtesy Sports Illustrated

 It may be hard to understand for non Dodgers fans, but the ownership transition and ability to spend money appropriately for a team in the second largest market is a complete shift in what fans are used to. While the Dodgers had a decent payroll for a number of years before and sometimes during the McCourt era, it was never close to what is appropriate for the market size. In the last two years, clouded by the Frank McCourt soap opera divorce, along with his pillaging money from the team, LA operated like it was in Minneapolis.

When I saw the amount of money the Dodgers would be taking on (near 300 million) in addition to giving up two great pitching prospects in Ruby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, my first reaction was fear. Adrian Gonzalez is well worth his contract, but Carl Crawford (and his 100 million dollar deal) has struggled in the past two seasons and just had surgery. Josh Beckett was no longer welcome in Boston, but even if he recovers in a new atmosphere, he's not worth 15 million dollars each of the next two seasons.

I trust Stan Kasten, the new team president who helped lead the Atlanta Braves to a decade of domination. When I listened to his interview and explanation for the move it alleviated my concerns a bit. The thinking of the Dodgers front office and ownership is as follows: The LA farm system, scouting, and international player development departments have been devastated. The lack of financial support due to McCourt using that money to buy mansions number four and five will make rebuilding a long term process.

 Principal owner Mark Walter, Magic Johnson, and company want to win now. They paid an astronomical price of over two billion for the franchise and will not hold back on spending in any way to improve the team. In the eyes of Kasten and general manager Ned Colletti, this move gave them an elite hitter and first basemen for the foreseeable future in Adrian Gonzalez. They believe Carl Crawford, playing in a more relaxed environment and finally injury free, will return to the all-star form he showed while in Tampa Bay. Josh Beckett could be a solid pitcher, but no one expects him to regain elite status. When you have pockets as deep as these new Dodgers, taking on an extra 30 million seems to be no big deal.

I still am not totally sure how I feel about the trade. I'm happy to hear that the move was done in part to compete, while focusing on rebuilding and revamping a badly depleted farm system. In baseball there is no better way to create a constant winner than by drafting smart and dominating the international market. There is no doubt the Dodgers overpaid, but seemingly, with the new ownership group, LA has stepped into the upper echelon of wealth alongside the New York Yankees. It's hard for me to complain about a lineup that could look like this: Carl Crawford, Mark Ellis, Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Andre Ethier, A.J. Ellis, Dee Gordon. I mean...WOW that's just incredible.

 There is one thing that is definite after the flurry of moves and revamping of the Dodgers roster which has already led to an image of the "Yankees West" in terms of wealth. The expectations have changed mightily. I won't say LA needs to make the playoffs this year because everything happened so suddenly, but many fans will label anything but a deep October run a failure. In my mind, the Dodgers now must reach and probably win a World Series within the next five years or these moves were a flop. By taking such a risk, and adding salary near equivalent to what the previous owner spent to buy the team, massive pressure is on everyone wearing blue.

If you want to spend like the Yankees, you better win like the Yankees. Welcome to a new era in Dodger Baseball.