Reds finish 2-8 trip with loss to Braves (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 29 May 2011 11:04:27 PM. © MLB News Blog

Jair Jurrjens outpitched Johnny Cueto, Martin Prado hit a two-run homer and the Atlanta Braves beat Cincinnati 2-1 on Sunday night, putting an end to the Reds’ damaging road trip. Prado also helped on defense by throwing out Paul Janish at the plate in the eighth inning to protect the lead. Janish tried to score [...]

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Verlander helps Tigers split with BoSox (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 29 May 2011 11:02:26 PM. © MLB News Blog

Justin Verlander took a shutout into the eighth inning as the Detroit Tigers beat the Boston Red Sox 3-0 to get a split of Sunday’s day-night doubleheader. Verlander (5-3) allowed four hits and walked two in 7 2-3 innings, throwing a career-high 132 pitches. The pitch count matched the highest by a Tigers pitcher since [...]

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Maybe Mitch Maier Should Be Playing More

post from Royals Review on 29 May 2011 11:01:39 PM. © Royals Review

After going 2-3 with a walk on Sunday, Mitch Maier raised his season triple slash line to .348/.483/.478. Maier is a good defensive player who can handle all three outfield positions. However, MITCH has started just four games this season, and he's still only come to the plate 29 times.

While Maier's success has come in a tiny sample, in a way that speaks to how well he has played. There's a documented negative effect on pinch-hitters, yet Mitch has hit.364/.462/.636 as a PH this year. I doubt it's been easy to hit well when you start once every three weeks either, but on the whole Mitch has played well. His batting average isn't going to stay this high, but he's taking his walks and has a good all around game.

With Jarrod Dyson now gone, there's no reason why Mitch shouldn't become a super-sub for the regular outfield trio of Gordon-Cabrera-Francoeur. Gordon has started 50 of 52 games. Melky has started 49 games. Francoeur has started 50 games. There's room for Maier to start two or three games a week, with no one's feelings getting hurt.

It sometimes seems as if Yost is in one of those roto leagues where you can only adjust your lineup once a week, so I don't think this will happen. As always with this regime, the rhetoric and the reality don't line up. Getz and Escobar play regularly because they're developing or learning or whatever. Chris Getz turns 28 this season, which doesn't matter. Kila didn't get the same treatment. I'm sure Brayan Pena will be burned alive in a postgame ceremony after today's loss. Dyson arguably needed regular playing time as well, but the Royals made a promise to Melky Cabrera five months ago, for no reason, and word is bond. For whatever reason, the Royals feel obligated to revive the careers of Francoeur and Cabrera, who aren't under long-term contracts. And on and on.

The outfield trio could use a dash or two of MITCH.

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PITCHf/x :: Prado v. LHP Offspeed

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 29 May 2011 09:57:52 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

Take it for what it’s worth due to small sample size – Prado has struggled against LHP’s offspeed stuff. Courtesy of JoeLefkowitz.com.

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PITCHf/x : Prado v. LHP Offspeed

post from Capitol Avenue Club on 29 May 2011 09:57:52 PM. © Capitol Avenue Club

Take it for what it’s worth due to small sample size – Prado has struggled against LHP’s offspeed stuff. Courtesy of JoeLefkowitz.com.

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Ramirez ends homer drought in Cubs win (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 29 May 2011 08:52:24 PM. © MLB News Blog

The string of bad weather continued at Wrigley Field. Several other trends show signs of reversing. Aramis Ramirez ended a long home run drought, Ryan Dempster threw six solid innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 in a rain-delayed game Sunday. “I have a long way to go,” Ramirez said.

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CC helps Yankees avoid sweep in Seattle (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 29 May 2011 08:18:22 PM. © MLB News Blog

Even though it came on a day CC Sabathia didn’t need much, he’s not going to complain about the run support he’s been receiving. So far, at least, his teammates aren’t giving him grief about it. “I don’t think anybody has realized it yet, but I know,” Sabathia said. The Yankees ace continued his domination [...]

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Dodgers Kershaw 2-hits Marlins in rout (AP)

Clayton Kershaw had the Florida Marlins guessing all day, and they usually were wrong. Kershaw pitched a two-hitter for his second shutout and complete game in the majors, and the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the Marlins 8-0 on Sunday. “I just pounded the strike zone and made them try to beat me instead of beating [...]

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Yankees dispatch Ms in series finale

As predicted, the Yankees avoided the sweep by stealing the finale. It was actually a rout, led by CC Sabathia and co. Scoreboard Says: Yankees 7, Blue Jays 1 Win: CC Sabathia Loss: Jason Vargas One Step Closer: I haven?t[...]

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Clayton Kershaw, You Complete Me

post from LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Rumors on 29 May 2011 08:01:42 PM. © LADodgerTalk.com - Daily Dodger Talk, LA Dodger News, Dodger Minor League Reports and Dodger Rumors

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