100 Games In - Predicting the Rest of the 2015 MLB Season

I'll do this again at 120 games.  Here's were we are.

AL

East
1. NYY 89
2. Toronto 84 WC2
3. Baltimore 82
4. Tampa
5. Boston

Central
1. Kansas City 92
2. Minnesota 82
3. Detroit
4. CWS
5. Cleveland

West
1. Houston 88
2. LAA 87 WC1
3. Texas
4. Seattle
5. Oakland

NL

East
1. Wash 88
2. NYM 84
3. Atlanta
4. Mia
5. Phil

Central
1. StL 98
2. Pitt 90 WC1
3. Chi 85
4. Cin
5. Mil

West
1. LAD 91
2. SFG 86 WC2
3. Ariz
4. SD
5. Col

And the Best Players of 2015...

Catchers
1. Buster Posey SFG 5.6
2. Stephen Vogt Oak 2.7
3. Russell Martin Tor 2.65
4. Yadier Molina StL 2.5
5. Yasmani Grandal LAD 2.4

First Basemen
1. Paul Goldschmidt Ari 6.4
2. Adrian Gonzalez LAD 4.55
3. Joey Votto Cin 4.45
4. Miguel Cabrera Det 3.9
5. Anthony Rizzo ChC 3.8

Brandon Belt SFG 3.05

Second Basemen
1. Jason Kipnis Cle 3.8
2. Dee Gordon LAD 3.65
3. Jose Altuve Hou 3.35
4. Brian Dozier Min 3.3
5. Joe Panik SFG 3.2

Shortstops
1. Brandon Crawford SFG 4.8
2. Jhonny Peralta StL 2.7
3. Xander Bogaerts Bos 2.65
4. Carlos Correa Hou 2.25
5. Andrelton Simmons Atl 2.2

Third Basemen
1. Manny Machado Balt 5
2. Josh Donaldson Tor 4.4
3. Nolan Arenado Col 3.95
4. Todd Frazier Cin 3.85
5. Justin Turner LAD 3.7

Matt Duffy SFG 3.25

Left Fielders
1. Yoenis Cespedes Det 3.4
2. Brett Gardner NYY 3.3
3. Justin Upton SD 2.9
4. Alex Gordon KC 2.65
5. David Peralta Ari 2.65

Nori Aoki SFG 1.7

Center Fielders
1. Mike Trout LAA 6.25 AL MVP
2. Lorenzo Cain KC 5.05
3. AJ Pollock Ari 3.75
4. Kevin Kiermaier TB 3.75
5. Mookie Betts Bos 2.75

Angel Pagan SFG -1.45

Right Fielders
1. Bryce Harper Wash 6.5 NL MVP
2. Nelson Cruz Sea 3.9
3. Giancarlo Stanton Mia 3.7
4. JD Martinez Det 3.2
5. Jose Bautista Tor 2.8

Hunter Pence SFG 1.5

DH
1. Alex Rodriguez NYY 2.9
2. Prince Fielder Tex 2.65

SP
1. Zach Greinke LAD 6.15 -Cy
2. Dallas Keuchel Hou 5.55 -Cy
3. Max Scherzer Wash 5.45
4. Dallas Keuchel Hou 5.55
5. Sonny Gray Oak 4.6
6. Jacob DeGrom NYM 4.5
7. Felix Hernandez Sea 4.05
8. Chris Sale CWS 3.9
9. Gerrit Cole Pit 3.9
10. Carlos Martinez StL 3.85

Madison Bumgarner SFG 2.85
Chris Heston SFG 2.05


RP
1. Wade Davis KC 3.15
2. Mark Melancon Pit 2.75
3. Dellin Betances NYY 2.75
4. Trevor Rosenthal StL 2.7
5. Aroldis Chapman Cin 2.65

Tendown July 26, 2015

184 is here.  This is Tendown 185.

 

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JUST IN: ABC/WP Poll. The Front Runner - @realDonaldTrump Trump 24 Walker 13 Bush 12 Huck 8 Rubio 7 Paul 6 Poll taken Thu-Sun (1/2)

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5:00 PM - 20 Jul 2015

1. Every Week Until he Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders
2. So, what's the difference between this and the GOP supported religious objections to serving gay people?  Except that if a county clerk doesn't want to fill out your marriage license you have to go to the next town and there's a gun shop on every block in Florida.
3. The Bonds Prosecution is Over.
4. And now, a few thoughts from Brooke Hogan...

Brooke Hogan ~If You Knew My Father~ By Brooke Bollea If you knew the dad I knew, you'd know his tender heart. He'd never want to hurt his fans, or family from the start. If you knew my father, you would know how hard he fought... and the way it brought a smile to people light, medium and dark. We always fight a battle that people never see, and sometimes when you're hurting, you don't think logically. Human isn't perfect, and perfect is not he, but I can tell you one thing, it's just not what it seems. Cause If you knew the dad I knew, you'd know he raised me well. He taught me folks are so much more than shades could ever tell. And If you knew my father, you would know he's down to earth. He may have slammed the giant, but remembers life's true worth. If you knew my father, if you just walked in his shoes... then you would know that microscope that comes with yellow boots. If you knew my father, you would see your own in mine. And if he was your father, you could never find divide. Cause me- I bet your father or someone that you love Maybe regrets something they wish they'd never done. So if you know my father, remember he's a man, and you would crave relief if people judged everything you did. The lord says to forgive them, don't be the one to stone... so please remember his strong arms when you were all alone. The lives he's changed, the friends he's made, the people he's inspired... It makes me sad to see my dad defeated and so tired. If you knew my father, you would know just how he's hurting... For he loves every one of you, regardless of your story. And if you met my father, I know he'd give you love! He'd lift you up, apologize and give you all a hug. For those who think you know my father, remember who you are. We all can make mistakes and carry ugly scars. Because I know my father, I can promise this- Just like you and I, things we don't mean can sometimes slip. We all continue learning. This life can be so rough... So if you know my father, please try not to be tough. My father has a daughter, and I have feelings too. And if I knew your father, I would do the same for you.

5. What happened to Sandra Bland?

6. 

7. I'm waiting for the poll of evangelical Christians that says Trump's a better Christian than the Pope.

8. Lets Deport His Relatives.

9. Guns.

10. Meanwhile, in Florida...

And one more...

Blame. The. South.

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time....if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Will Brady Actually Serve A Full Four Game Suspension?

The following is a sponsored post. 

Will Brady Actually Serve A Full Four Game Suspension?

The NFL seems to be in no hurry when it comes to coming to a conclusion on Deflate Gate. They originally handed

out a bunch of fines and suspensions, and that included a four game suspension 

for Tom Brady for his part. He decided to go through an appeal process, which has been now dragging on for a 

while. As we wait, what suspension will Brady actually be facing?

Missing four games in a 16 game season is obviously a pretty big deal. People in fantasy football 

are very hesitant to invest into him, and New England could possibly lose some games during that stretch. It would be 

frustrating to say the least, but they are feeling confident that it will be reduced at least a little bit.

It has been extremely frustrating to follow this drawn out process, as the NFLPA officially

 appealed the suspension in the middle of May. We are now more than two months after that 

appeal process started, and the preseason is right around the corner as well. New England should

be informed whether or not they will have their starting quarterback available to play.

The most common thought right now seems to be that the suspension will be cut in half, and 

Brady will only serve two games. He is obviously fighting to have the entire suspension

 removed, but they might not be able to pull that off. Keeping it at four games seems a little bit absurd, especially 

when you look at some of the suspensions handed out for other more serious and severe issues. It is always going

to be somewhat of a judgment call, but the vast majority feel like four games is overkill.

For now, New England is preparing Jimmy Garoppolo to start the season. The second year player out of Eastern

Illinois obviously lacks experience, but New England has been teaching him the system for over a year now. As long

as he can act as a game manager, the team should still do  well with their schedule.

Look for a definite answer sooner rather than later from the NFL. It seems unlikely that they 

would be able to drag this into the month of August. In a way, it pretty much feels like last 

season is still not over until this is all settled. Considering New England is trying to defend their title, 

it is a pretty big decision.

July, 2015 Athlete of the Month

June is here.

Serena Williams.  Runners-up: Carli Lloyd, Novak Djokovic, Zack Greinke

The year's coming into focus.  Here's where we stand in the race for 2015 Athlete of the Year.

January - Marshawn Lynch
February - Malcolm Butler
March - Breanna Stewart
April - Steph Curry
May - Floyd Mayweather
June - American Pharoah

     July - Serena Williams

Who will be Athlete of the Year?

Tendown July 19, 2015

183 is here. This is Tendown 184.

1. What don't 95% of women regret?  Having an abortion.
2. Coates.
3. Lame according to Scott Walker?  Having a minimum wage.
4. This is outside a hotel in Oklahoma City.  Who do you suppose is staying there?

If you guessed the first black President, then you're paying attention.

5. The Best Infield in Baseball
6. Want a perfect microcosm of GOP economics for the past 30 years?  Think about sports stadium financing.
7. Every week until he stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders.
8. What happened to Worker's Comp?

9. 

10. 

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time...if there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Tendown July 12, 2015

182 is here. This is Tendown 183.

Can you name every Giants All-Star since 2000?

SCORE41/41TIMER00:39

You got 100% correct

YEAR ANSWER POS. 2000 Barry Bonds OF 2000 Jeff Kent 2B 2001 Rich Aurilia SS 2001 Barry Bonds OF 2001 Jeff Kent 2B 2002 Barry Bonds OF 2002 Robb Nen P 2002 Benito Santiago C 2003 Barry Bonds OF 2003 Jason Schmidt P 2004 Barry Bonds OF 2004 Jason Schmidt P 2005 Moises Alou OF 2006 Jason Schmidt P 2007 Barry Bonds OF 2008 Tim Lincecum P 2008 Brian Wilson P 2009 Tim Lincecum P 2009 Matt Cain P 2010 Tim Lincecum P 2010 Brian Wilson P

YEAR ANSWER POS. 2011 Tim Lincecum P 2011 Matt Cain P 2011 Ryan Vogelsong P 2011 Brian Wilson P 2011 Pablo Sandoval 3B 2012 Matt Cain P 2012 Buster Posey C 2012 Melky Cabrera OF 2012 Pablo Sandoval 3B 2013 Madison Bumgarner P 2013 Sergio Romo P 2013 Buster Posey C 2013 Marco Scutaro 2B 2014 Madison Bumgarner P 2014 Tim Hudson P 2014 Hunter Pence OF 2015 Madison Bumgarner P 2015 Buster Posey C 2015 Brandon Crawford SS 2015 Joe Panik 2B

1. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders.

2. Which is better - Bernie Sanders America or Scott Walker's?

3. The first line of Cosby's obit.

4. 

5. Meanwhile, in Florida..

6. In Alito's dissent in the gay marriage case, he expressed concern that Christians would now face the same persecution that gays had faced.  Here's being gay in America right now.

7. Jeb Would Like You to Work More, Thanks.  Workers were 25% more productive in 2012 than in 2000.  Their monetary gain was 0.

More work from us = more corporate profit and executive salary.  If there's one economic takeaway from the last 35 years, that needs to be it.

8. Here's what tyranny looks like.

9. I'm no scientist, but...

10.  

And one more...

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal,

Jim

Okay, Who Got Screwed?

The final fan pick is still left.  Here's where we stand.

NL
C Posey
1B Goldschmidt
2B Gordon
SS Peralta
3B Frazier
LF Holliday?
CF McCutchen
RF Harper

3B Bryant
OF Pederson
1B Gonzalez
3B Arenado
SS Crawford
C Molina
C Grandal
1B Rizzo
2B LeMahieu
2B Panik
OF Pollock
OF Upton
Inj Stanton

Votto, Turner definitely should have made the team.  I also would have picked Granderson, but he'd go if that third catcher was needed.  

P Scherzer
P Greinke
P Cole
P Bumgarner
P Wacha
P DeGrom
P Miller
P Burnett

RP Rosenthal
RP Chapman
RP Melancon
RP Papelbon
RP Rodriguez

All Star teams have ridiculous numbers of relievers, this is no exception.  Hamels winds up getting left off at the expense of Papelbon.  Cueto lost his for Chapman, which is not that big a deal.

1. Votto
2. Turner
3. Hamels

All should make the team. 

AL
C Perez
1B Pujols
2B Atluve
SS Escobar
3B Donaldson
LF Cain
CF Trout
RF Gordon
DH Cruz

3B Machado
OF Jones
DH Fielder
OF Bautista
C Martin
2B Kipnis
C Vogt
OF Holt
1B Teixeira
SS Iglesias
OF Martinez
Inj Cabrera

The AL. Miller and Gardner should be starting and neither made the team. Miller's a small crime, best of a bad lot - but Gardner should have made the team. Dozier should have definitely made the team. I'd have Bogaerts over Iglesias, but again, shortstops.  And then backup outfielders - Kiermaier, Pillar, Cespedes over Holt, Martinez, Tex.  None of those changes are dire, but Kiermaier really should have made this team.

SP Sale
SP Keuchel
SP Gray
SP Hernandez
SP Price
SP Archer

RP Betances
RP Boxberger
RP Britton
RP Davis
RP Herrera
RP O'Day
RP Perkins

Seven Relievers!  Awful.  I had Price just missing the team; Gallardo's having a better year and should make it - I'd take four relievers off the roster and replace them with starters, but outside of Gallardo none of the left out starters has a real beef.  Even Gallardo can't say he got screwed.

1. Gardner
2. Dozier
3. Kiermaier

Tendown July 5, 2015

Tendown 181 is here. This is 182.




1. Slow down on how much you love this Court.

2. How Many Small Government Republicans Are in Favor of This?

3. Even the Klan wouldn't say that immigrants are rapists.

4. Obama - Yeah, This Has Actually Been a Heck of a Presidency.

5. Christianity continues to be attacked.

6. A Half Century of Maria.

7. Okay - it's not her fault - but the balls on this girl...

8.

9. Lies About the Confederacy

10. Every Week Until He Stops - Vote for Bernie Sanders.

And one more..

This week.  Yikes.  Finger infection.  I went to a Giants game in Miami, which, for longtime readers, ended as you'd think it would, the same way if did in four playoff games in '97 and '03, with a walkoff loss.  The other thing that happened is I blew an interview for a job I didn't want.

So - I have a job, but I need two, 'cause money. To get an an online adjunct job in 2015 means 3 rounds of interviews plus an additional essay round (fortunately, I didn't have to take the personality tests that have been required from other schools, which is a word I nearly put in quotation marks).  I was in the final round with, who I believe would have been my boss's boss, had what happened not happened.  Going in, given the surrounding circumstances, I felt confident the last interview was largely a formality.

"Karen" began with a harmless "hey, you live in Florida, how's the weather?" question and I responded with a similarly noncontroversial, "Hot - the planet's on fire!" 

And that was it.  She said "well, it is summer" which is what people say when they don't understand climate change isn't a thing they can disbelieve any more than they can reject the concept of Thursdays "well it is pre Friday".  I heard the clicking of her computer and about ten minutes later it struck me that she had totally checked out of the interview.

Did I assume that someone in a hiring position for a school which has four rounds of an interview process would not be a global warming denier?  Yup.  Was this error?  

I guess.  The trouble with these online adjunct jobs is you're paid a flat rate for each course, and then what schools look to do is inflate your responsibilities.  I've done that second teaching job for six years and I can't claim a ton of enthusiam for staying on that wheel.  

"It is summer.  And don't get me started on 9-11 and vaccinations."

That's all for this time.  I'll be back next time.  If there is a next time...

Your pal, Jim