SoB MLB Power Rankings 8-31-10

The Rays and Yankees are still tied with 31 games to go; the Red Sox are 7.0 games back. The Cardinals (and pretty much the Giants) have seemingly died. The Padres have too, but they still had a huge division lead built up to eat the blow. And assuming Manny doesn’t help the White Sox [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 21

With just over a month left to go, things are finally starting to fall into place. Baltimore has officially been eliminated, and Pittsburgh could still win their division, if they win their last 32 and Cincinnati loses their last 32. The Yankees were the first team to 80 wins, but were joined hours later by [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 20

With just six weeks to go until playoff time, the divisions are finally starting to see some separation. The Yankees are a game ahead of the Rays, but the Reds are finally 3.5 games ahead of the Cardinals. The Phillies have opened up a 2.0-game lead over the Cardinals and Giants, and the Orioles are [...]

SoB MLB Power Rankings 8-16-10

The races are starting to open up. Minnesota is 3.0 games ahead of their competition, and the Cardinals and Reds are a vast, vast 1.0 games apart. The NL Wildcard is now in a tie, while it’s still easily the Rays and Yankees in the American counterpart. San Diego did well against San Fran to [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 19

Well under 50 games remain in the season, and we’re starting to get towards the final stretch. A few of the division leads are widening a little, but the Reds and Cardinals are still as close as ever. Minnesota is back in command, and the Orioles are no longer the worst team in baseball. The [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 18

Just eight weeks are left in the season, and only one division is led by more than 1.5 games: Texas is beating Oakland by 8.0. For all the talk, the BoSox neither gained nor lost ground over the Yanks, and are now in danger of falling behind the White Sox and Twins. The Cardinals/Reds saga [...]

Beckett, Red Sox Drop Second Straight in the Bronx

So much for that thunderous roar back into the standings. While a sweep would have been the nail in the proverbial coffin for your 2010 Boston Red Sox, the best that this team can hope for at this point is a split of the series. Doesn’t it taste just as bitter?
As Josh Beckett and the Red [...]

Sox, Lackey Fall in New York

If you were wondering how long the Sox could keep it up against the hated Yankees, wonder no more; New York struck back against Boston’s relatively poor bats and pitching. Oh sure, it started well enough; Victor Martinez started the scoring in the 2nd with a jack out to left, followed by doubles from Adrian [...]

The Couch Potato Report: Touchdowns, Tiger, and the first TJ

People call this time of year “the dog days of summer.” Looking back at the last few weekends of televised sports, I’d have to agree… there have been some definite dogs in there. But finally, this weekend, the best televised sport of them all returns to the air waves.
I speak of [...]

SoB MLB Power Rankings 8-03-10

Just when you thought it was over, you get rebuked by teams that want back in. Minnesota is notably back in the race, and the Cardinals and Reds are still too close to call. Tampa and New York are tied, with the Rays getting the tiebreaker by virtue of leading the season series 6-5. Not [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 17

Just two months are left in the regular season, and the trade deadline (without waivers) has passed. Texas has a firm grasp on their division, but it looks like we may have to have a playoff game with the Cardinals and Reds. The Twins have come roaring back, the Phillies are trying to do so, [...]

Yankees Get Kerry Wood from Indians

The Yankees took one of the top bullpen arms on the market in getting reliever Kerry Wood from the Indians. It was the second deal between the teams in two days after Austin Kearns was shipped to New York.

Yankees Get:
Indians Get:

RP Kerry Wood
Player to be named or cash

Will Wood fill in the eighth inning role [...]

Yankees Trade for Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns

The AL-East leading New York Yankees have added some bench depth and a former All-Star hours before the trade deadline. Lance Berkman is likely headed to the Yankees, but the Astros and Yanks are working out the final kinks. Here’s the trade in principle:

Yankees Get:
Astros Get:

1B/OF Lance Berkman
$4 million

RP Mark Melancon
IF Jimmy Peredes

The Astros plan [...]

If the Playoffs Started Today – MLB Week 16

The season has almost reached 100 games and the trade deadline, and still much is up in the air. Texas and Atlanta are the only teams with at least a 5.0-game division lead. Dan Haren will help the Angels try to say something about that, though. Minnesota is back within a game of their division, [...]

SoB MLB Power Rankings 7-20-10

With the next SoB power rankings here, it’s been fairly easy to pick teams. The White Sox have widened their division lead, the Cardinals have taken one again, and the Giants have quietly punched their ticket to the Wild Card race. The Rays are back in form, the Braves, Padres, and Rangers are all still [...]