Tales from around the Red Sox Blogosphere:
- Fire Brand of the American League – In case you missed it this week…Mike traces Lavarnaway’s success back to one conversation; Troy discusses Papelbon’s contract push and explains the difference a week can make; Charlie gives us five reasons to believe Buchholz will turn it around and discusses role reversal; and I broke down Buchholz’s last start and took a detailed look at the Red Sox defense.
- Red Sox Beacon – Matt Kory shares his thoughts on Carl Crawford’s contract and the pressure with contract like his.
- Over the Monster – Ben Buchanan wonders if we can be confident with in the Red Sox pitching staff.
- Surviving Grady – The Red Sox are getting so close to .500, Denton can taste it.
- Red Sox Thoughts – Matt Collins breaks down the Red Sox’s 6-2 win over the Orioles.
- Joy of Sox – Allan wants to remind you that everyone else keeps reminding you that Carl Crawford is making $142M.
- The House that Dewey Built – Jimmy discusses the joy of bursting Luke Scott’s birther bubble.
Tales from around the Yankee Blogosphere:
- It’s About the Money, Stupid – In case you missed it this week…Josh tries to explain why Jeter’s hitting so many ground balls; Will relishes in the idea that Bartolo Colon’s critics have been silenced; Brien wonders if the New York media has been spoiled by Mariano Rivera’s presence; Hippeaux explains why he’d have Fielder over Pujols; Tamar recaps Colon’s last start; Jason shares pictures from his trip to the Hall of Fame (Red Sox fans, avert your eyes); and I took a deeper look at Swing and O-Swing rates as they relate to pitching performance.
- Yankee Analysts – Moshe revisits the debate about the wave, and William explains why it’s dumb to blame Soriano’s struggles on his contract.
- Pinstriped Bible – Jay Jaffe searches for clues regarding Phil Hughes’s Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
- River Avenue Blues – Mike Axisa wonders if the Yankees are susceptible to off-speed pitches.
- Replacement Level Yankee Blog – Has Bartolo Colon been getting lucky so far?
- Pinstripe Alley – Is the starting pitching a mirage or a reality.
Tales from the Sweet Spot Mother Ship:
- David Schoenfield – David exposes the real national pastime—bashing baseball. Very nice work from the new Lord of the Sweetspot.
- Christina Kahrl – Christina breaks down the closer situation in Dodgerland. Like everything else Dodger related, the closer role is fraught with drama.
- Steve Berthiaume – Steve examines Justin Masterson’s accession to ace-hood.
- Jason Rosenberg – In this tremendous piece, Jason explains that whether or not we allow PED users in to the Hall of Fame, there needs to be an exhibit dedicated to cheating in baseball.
- Matt Phillip – Matt explains why blown saves are overblown. Look at the Cardinals? Blown saves aplenty, and they’re 15-11.
- Troy Patterson – Troy looks inside a classic matchup between two young pitchers.
Tales from around the Sweet Spot Network:
- The Platoon Advantage (MLB) – The Common Man explains how he learned to love the Mallpark and gives us player transaction trees for Chuck Knoblauch and Glenn Davis. Bill re-projects Jose Bautista.
- Crashburn Alley (Phillies) – Bill Baer statistically regresses the Phillies offense. Read the whole thing, but the outlook isn’t encouraging.
- The Ray Area (Rays) – Brendan and Mark do a point–counterpoint on Tropicana Field.
- Nick’s Twin Blog (Twins) – With Mauer on the DL, Morneau not hitting, and Liriano struggling, Nick laments the Twins as a faceless franchise.
- Capital Avenue Club (Braves) – Peter revisits his 2011 offensive projections for the Braves.
- Fungoes (Cardinals) – Matt names Kyle Lohse the Cardinals most pleasant surprise. That’s quite a turnaround considering he suggested the Cardinals go with a four man rotation and leave Lohse out. It’s nice to see someone who’s not rigid in their opinions.
- Royals Authority (Royals) – Craig discusses the Alex Gordon position change. Can I ask just one question? Why mess with something that’s not broken?
- Bay City Ball (Giants) – Otis explains that there haven’t been any good surprises on the Giants in April.
- Dodger Thoughts (Dodgers) – Josh shares is thoughts on McCourt’s second divorce.
- Weaver’s Tantrum (Orioles) – No update this week.
- B-List Indians Blog (Indians) – Steve recaps Thursday’s Indians-Royals game. He kind of states the obvious, but it’s worth noting—Kyle Davies is not good at baseball.
- Daily Fungo (Tigers) – Mike ponders a mid-week pounding by the Mariners.
- Baseballin’ on a Budget (Athletics) – Dan wonders who the A’s are?
- Pro Ball NW (Mariners) – Jon gives his thoughts on the Mariners season thus far.
- Baseball Time in Arlington (Rangers) – Joey has an existential crisis moment—oh, and he talks about Colby Lewis too.
- Ghostrunner on First (Blue Jays) – This article is worth clicking just for the t-shirt shown in the picture. This needs to be a law—I’m serious.
- View from the Bleachers (Cubs) – Alfonso Soriano calls his shot? That’s freaking amazing—and ballsy considering his propensity for striking out.
- Redleg Nation (Reds) – Chad gives his thoughts on Dusty Baker irritation for having to justify his lineup to the press.
- Austin’s Astros 290 Blog (Astros) – Austin gives a recap of the Cardinals-Astros series.
- Disciples of Uecker (Brewers) – Corey Hart is back! That might not sound exciting to you, but to Brewers fans, anything’s better than watching Mark Kotsay and Eric Almonte roam right field.
- Mets Today (Mets) – Roland puts together a piece on the head first slide.
- Ducksnorts (Padres) – The Padres are overachievers—they’ve been shut out seven times in 2011.
- Nationals Baseball (Nationals) – Harper thinks it’s time Rick Ankiel rides the pine.
Tales from around the Baseball Blogosphere:
- Fangraphs – Eno Sarris wonders if certain pitchers are throwing too many sliders; Chris Cwik asks is John Danks an ace; Dave Allen looks at the number of cutters Roy Halladay is throwing and examines Matt Garza’s change as a pitcher; and Dave Cameron thinks Peter Bourjos can hit.
- Rob Neyer – Rob reacts to the news that Francisco Liriano may be down to his last chance to get back on track.
- Joe Posnanski – Joe examines the team with the lowest payroll in baseball. Yes, that’s right. It’s the Kansas City Royals.
- NBC Hardball Talk – Craig Calcaterra reacts to George Vescey’s theory that the Dodgers are suffering from the Flatbush Curse; Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the bizarre Mike Leake situation;
- CBS Eye on Baseball – What to do about Vernon Wells? Evan Brunell shares his thoughts.
- Baseball Analysts – No update this week.
- Hardball Times – Steven Booth asks “Does Roberto Alomar really belong in the Hall of Fame?” Vince Carmella reviews Cardboard Gods by Josh Wilker.
- Splashing Pumpkins – Julian Levine laments his Giants being beaten by the hapless Jason Marquis. Relax Julian. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often.
- Camden Crazies – Daniel Moroz wonders if Derrek Lee is the new Garrett Atkins.
- Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness – Mike weighs in on the Dodger closer situation.
- USS Mariner – Dave Cameron has a common sense idea…for the love of god, please bench Jack Wilson! Ok. He didn’t say it quite like that, but I did.
- Beyond the Boxscore – Daniel Moroz takes a (recent) historical look at April’s best pitcher, and how he fares over the rest of the season.
- The Outside Corner – Joe Lucia wonders if Andre Ethier’s hitting streak is really all that impressive.
- DRaysBay – Steve Slowinski admits that maybe it’s time for him to lower his expectations for B.J. Upton.
- Chop n’ Change – Mark takes a look at Craig Kimbrel’s disappearing slider.
- Aaron Gleeman – Aaron provides his “Twins notes”
- McCovey Chronicles – Grant Brisbee shares his thoughts on the rumor that the Giants’ willingness to entertain trade offers for Nate Schierholtz.
- Dodger Divorce – This is fun! Jamie McCourt moves to block Frank McCourt’s Fox financing.
- Tiger Tales – Lee laments the Tigers’ insistence on sending the same impotent lineup onto the field every day.
- Rany Jazayerli – Rany cries “May Day!” a day in advance.
- The Process Report – James Shields dazzles again.
- Brew Crew Ball – What’s wrong with Yovani Gallardo?
- Monkey with a Halo – Garrett shares the top ten ways to not freak out about Kendry Morales’ doctor visit.
- Don’t Bring in the Lefty – Lucas examine’s Kyle Drabek’s curve.