Strasburg Ks 10, but ChiSox win in 11 (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 June 2010 06:21:31 PM. © MLB News Blog

Stephen Strasburg set a strikeout record in front of President Barack Obama — but both had left the game by the time the Chicago White Sox won it in the 11th. The baseball holiday — every fifth day — known as Strasmas was again a spectacle Friday night. The 21-year-old rookie sensation struck out 10 [...]

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Indians hand Pirates 12th straight loss (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 June 2010 06:06:34 PM. © MLB News Blog

Carlos Santana reached base four times and hit an RBI double to help the Cleveland Indians extend Pittsburgh’s second-longest losing streak in 55 years to 12 games with a 4-3 win over the Pirates Friday night. Fausto Carmona won his second consecutive start, and Santana capped a four-run seventh inning put Cleveland up 4-0.

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2010/06/18/indians-hand-pirates-12th-straight-loss-ap/

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Matchups For The Series Ahead

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 18 June 2010 06:02:32 PM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 p.m. | TV: MY9 & SNY | Radio: WCBS & WFAN
RHP Javier Vazquez (6-5, 5.43) vs. LHP Hisanori Takahashi (5-2, 3.48)

Game 2: Saturday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES & WPIX | Radio: WCBS & WFAN
LHP Phil Hughes (9-1, 3.11) vs. RHP Mike Pelfrey (9-1, 2.39)

Game 3: Sunday @ 1:05 p.m. | TV: YES & TBS & WPIX | Radio: WCBS & WFAN
LHP CC Sabathia (7-3, 4.00) vs. LHP Johan Santana (5-3, 3.13)

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-ahead.html

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Are we wrong

post from Royals Review on 18 June 2010 06:02:28 PM. © Royals Review

It's highly unlikely, I know.

And I certainly don't want to even consider the possibility.

He's not fun to watch, his approach at the plate seems hideous, and his work ethic is poor. But...

could we (the majority of RR readers) be wrong about Yuniesky Betancourt?

Allow me to play Devil's Advocate...

BNSY (Batter Nine You Sucky) is probably my favorite anagram name on the team. The first time I heard it, I couldn't believe how perfect it was. I mean, this guy is HORRIBLE. Everyone but GMDM knows it. He's blocking one of my favorite players - lovable overachiever Mike Aviles - to repeatedly demonstrate a ridiculously bad approach at the plate, zero situational awareness, and limited range. But let me ever so briefly state the case for one of my least favorite Royals ever.

His "traditional" stats aren't that bad. As a matter of fact, among SS with at least 200 PA this year, his .276 BA ranks ninth, only .006 behind Derek Jeter and Hanley Ramirez. And there is only one SS in this group hitting over .289 (Troy Tulowitzki - .306). He's 7th in RBIs and Slugging % in this group. Yes, his OBP is bad, but even so, his OPS is 8th with the 200 PA filter applied, making him a fairly valuable SS. He's middle to upper-middle of the pack among all ML shortstops.
We can't see the value in him because of the "Aviles effect". Mike Aviles has been one of the few things that we Royals fans could be happy about for the last few seasons. He represents what we all wish we were, the "everyman" who has worked hard to achieve his dream. He plays hard all the time and refuses to accept AAA, no matter how hard the brass want him to be there. He is the anti-Yuni (a player handed everything based on potential). All that being said, this "Aviles effect" causes us to unfairly discount the achievements of the Yuni-bomber.
We have no real alternative. As much as we love Aviles, he's better suited as a second baseman. That being said, who is better than Yuni at his position right now that the Royals could have? A free agent acquisition? Doubtful. Someone from the farm? Irving Falu is a 27 year-old who probably tops out as a utility guy. Seratelli and McConnell aren't even in the consideration set. Bottom line - Yuni is clearly our best option.

Okay, that's as much as I can bear to write. I so dislike poor YuBet that it took all I had to complete that piece of advocacy. That being said - what say you, Royals Review Nation? Are we wrong on Yuniesky Betancourt?

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Troy Tulowitzki to the DL

post from Purple Row on 18 June 2010 06:02:27 PM. © Purple Row

More photos » Andy King - AP

Yep, right there. You can actually see the point where our collective spirits broke.

Browse more photos »

According to Tracy Ringolsby, Troy Tulowitzki has indeed broken his wrist and will be sent to the DL.

SS Chris Nelson is being called up from AAA Colorado Springs to take his roster spot.

So far this season, Tulo has posted a .306/.375/.502 line with 9HR, 34RBI. Tulo's .386 wOBA was 3rd best on the team, and his 2.3 WAR ranked 2nd.

Word is that Clint Barmes will slide to SS. I'd like to see Nelson take some reps there as well.

Ringolsby reports Tulowitzki will be out 6-8 weeks.

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http://www.purplerow.com/2010/6/18/1525261/troy-tulowitzki-to-the-dl

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Series Preview: New York Mets

post from Zell's Pinstripe Blog on 18 June 2010 06:00:29 PM. © Zell's Pinstripe Blog

In come the red hot Mets (9-1 in their last 10) to play the Yankees who come off a series loss to the Phillies and now are 7-3 over their last 10. It isn’t two hard to win 9 out of 10 when 6 of those games are against Baltimore and Cleveland. Either way, a [...]

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http://zellspinstripeblog.com/2010/06/18/series-preview-new-york-mets/

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Mariners activate DH Sweeney from DL (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 18 June 2010 05:15:37 PM. © MLB News Blog

The Mariners have activated designated hitter Mike Sweeney from the 15-day disabled list and optioned left-hander Luke French to Triple-A Tacoma. The 36-year-old Sweeney took batting practice before Friday night’s game against Cincinnati to test his sore lower back, and was available in the series opener.

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Obama sees Strasburg fan 10 in 7 innings (AP)

With President Barack Obama watching, Washington Nationals sensation Stephen Strasburg has set a record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in his first three major league starts. The 21-year-old right-hander had 10 strikeouts Friday night against the Chicago White Sox. That gave Strasburg 32 strikeouts, beating the record of 29 set by the Houston Astros’ [...]

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Preview: Mets at Yankees June 18, 2010

New York Mets (38-28) at New York Yankees (41-25) 7:05 pmHisanori Takahashi (5-2 3.48) vs Javier Vazquez (6-5 5.43)TV: SNY Radio: WFANWhat to watch: The Mets roll into the Bronx winners of six straight games and the Yankees just lost two of three to the Phillies. After some serious questions about Takahashi starting, he ... Continue Reading

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Tigers 1B Cabrera leaves with dizziness (AP)

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera left Friday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks because of dizziness. Cabrera went 0 for 1 with a walk in a pair of plate appearances against former teammate Dontrelle Willis before being replaced by Don Kelly for the top of the fifth inning. The Tigers said he was day to [...]

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http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2010/06/18/tigers-1b-cabrera-leaves-with-dizziness-ap/

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