I secretly wondered/fantasized if someone went into the visitor’s dugout and told the team they had clinched or if the person who changes the manual scoreboard was the one to deliver the news. I can picture a few Braves fans in Wrigley cheering as the green and white painted numbers changed, and Cubs fans looking bewildered at them.

The remaining series are against the Milwaukee Brewers (which I will be attending in less than 24 hours) and Philadelphia Phillies, both at home (EDITORS NOTE: So the Braves won’t be playing any Professioanl Baseball Teams?). Though it doesn’t matter, I always like to see my Bravos win and I always like to see the Phillies lose, so it should be an enjoyable rest of the season. I will also joyfully be aware of the Wild Card Game and the fact that the Braves need not be subjected to that this year (I refuse to watch such nonsense).

That being said, of much more importance is the upcoming NLDS and NLCS. I think it’s really arrogant to believe one can predict the Wild Card game due to its single game nature, but regardless of who advances, I think the Braves have a pretty good chance at crushing either the Pirates or the Reds in a series. If I had to choose which winner of the Wild Card game the Braves will be eliminating based on gut, it would be the Pirates, and I won’t be surprised whether I’m wrong or right.

Meanwhile I’ll take the Dodgers over the Cardinals any day, partially over hatred of the Cards and their arrogance/tenth man on the field, umpire Sam Holbrook (#NeverForget). However, Yasiel Puig, unsavory character as he is, Clayton Kershaw (14-9/1.94 ERA), Zack Greinke, and Matt Kemp are amazing. But if a few impressive players made a World Series team then I’m pretty sure the Yankees would be undefeated. A series between the Dodgers and Braves is sure to be a pitchers’ duel throughout. As much as the Braves are known for their incredible pitching staff, the Dodgers starting rotation holds the lowest combined ERA in the Majors at 3.18. I’m still going to go with the Braves because at the end of the day their overall ERA is 3.20 and the Dodgers overall is 3.34. And because if Yasiel Puig gets a World Series ring I might go into a deep depression and question the Baseball Gods’ existence.

I’m not even going to delve too deep into my American League picks because it’s not real baseball and I kind of like to pretend those teams don’t exist 99% of the time. However, I’m on board with the Red Sox going all the way to the World Series, which would be a dream come true for MLB and its waning viewership. The two teams with the most loyal and most spread out fan bases coming together for the World Series? The Cinderella story of Boston’s emotional rise to the top, and the Braves, with their eight year delayed winning season, who I’m pretty sure has a hold on the entire Southeast portion of the U.S. (What’s that you say? I should be a Marlins fan since I grew up in Florida? How dare you). The Braves have a home record of .703 (52-22) and road record of .500 (41-41), so even without home field advantage they should hold their own; however, I refuse to jinx their chances by naming them my pick.

The Atlanta Braves are the only original National League team the Red Sox haven’t played in a World Series, though it came close once when the Braves were still in Boston. Watching the two best teams in baseball this season compete in the World Series is what baseball needs right now.

Here’s what my predictions look like. Agree? Disagree? Comment with your picks.

or possibly last year’s Rays-Red Sox brawl in which Luke Scott went after some Boston fans allegedly talking about his mother (mysteriously, or suspiciously you might dare say, I haven’t been able to locate a recording of this since I saw it live in my Grandma’s kitchen). Wednesday’s brawl may not have been nearly as violent; however, I think it was probably the most entertaining, most dramatic one I’ve seen.

The defining part of this particular brawl is that it spanned many innings. It was like a story, with build up, and a climax; it even had a denouement. To really give you the effect of what happened without sitting through a rerun of the 162 minute ball game, I will break down how this played out.

Jose Fernandez, the Marlin’s theatrical starting pitcher, was pitching a shut out against the Braves. Based on Miami’s year, and their less than redeemable record, this was clearly a big deal for the rookie. It was also his last game for the season.

Then Gattis comes up and clubs a baseball out just below the outfield window. Well out of the park. And here the troubles began…Gattis stood and watched the ball clear the wall, and then noticeably stared down Fernandez.

Chris Johnson stepped up to the plate and Fernandez shot him a fastball at 98mph. Johnson stepped back and shook his head seemingly communicating that he wasn’t impressed. Second fastball, fly out, and Johnson once again shook his head at Fernandez in that same seemingly condescending manner.

As Fernandez sat down with his pitching coach in the dugout he was clearly worked up and making no effort to hide his annoyance. At one point it appears he leads the coach to the tunnels to avoid the cameras capturing his behavior. Obviously I have no way of knowing what was said, but I would not be surprised to learn Fernandez was plotting revenge and his coach was cautioning him against it.

Then what happened next no one expected. As if this game was a scene from a fictitious classic sports movie, Jose Fernandez hit his first major league home run, to almost the same spot as Gattis, and put Gattis’s stare to shame with his lingering stare, lips slightly parted as if he was posing for a Calvin Klein ad, or looking at himself shirtless in the mirror. (On a side note: I’m pretty sure he was going to stare even if it was a fly out; I know Gattis knows what a homer feels and sounds like, but did Fernandez?)

As if that wasn’t crazy enough, as Fernandez is rounding third base Johnson (allegedly) spits at him, and Fernandez (allegedly) spits back.

Fernandez barely touches home before he and Brian McCann face off. Then, and this is my favorite part of the video, Johnson comes sprinting in crazy fast in the weirdest upright position like he’s ready to deck the kid, but he comes around with the umpire between them, when he could have easily grabbed Fernandez from the back. Good for him for holding himself back, we have to watch ourselves with October approaching.

Then, obviously, the benches clear.

 

At least two media sources reported that Chris Johnson said later that night he heard a whistle in the parking lot and turned around to see that it was Fernandez coming to apologize. I like to think that Chris Johnson returned the favor. Baseball is supposed to be classy, spitting definitely is not. I also like to think that Gattis didn’t intend any upstaging; we all know has had an unconventional rise to his position and is still just a rookie, and I’m sure someone sat him down for a reminder about road games.

Now I’m holding my breath as I say this, because we all have been burnt before, but I dare say that the Braves are going to the Postseason. AND without having to participate in the Wild Card Playoff Game (that ridiculousness warrants its own article later). The question now is when we they clinch.

I’m hopeful for the Milwaukee series for somewhat, okay maybe entirely, selfish reasons; I will be there. I’d also like to say I have hope that the Braves will win every game making the clinch during the Washington series. However, realistically, my best educated guess would be for the Cubs series. The Braves have won 75% of the time they played Washington, and they’ve done extremely well against the Cubs.

Mathematically, their numbers put them on the fence between  winning two and sweeping the Nats series, but a little too close to two for comfort. And as far as the Cubs, the Braves have swept them in the sole series match-up but that was the first week of April, and might as well been an entirely different season. However, I still think the Braves have the Cubs series in the bag. My prediction is that the Braves will clinch on the second game of the Cubs series (still definitely hoping for the first of the Milwaukee series though).

I asked my twiends (I’m adopting @JimDerochea’s so much better term for ‘twitter followers’), and they seemed pretty divided, although all believed it would be before the Milwaukee series. I was pleased, and a little worried, when most stated with certainty it would be the last game of Washington series, meaning the Braves would have to win pretty much nonstop for a few days. I love my Braves; I believe in them. I also know that, like any of us, they have bad days. Sometimes life hits you with a curveball, sometimes Jon Niese hits you with a fastball. So I will wait, with bated breath, for that magic number to hit 0.

The 20 inning game was the longest Marlins game and longest of any game at Citi Field in history. A combined total of 16 pitchers threw out 561 pitches to 31 different batters 152 times. By the end of the game, 2/3 of the fans were gone (not surprising as 13 of those innings were after beer sales were cut off). And the closer complained of being hungry “not just for a win, but actually hungry”.

Both teams’ offenses brought to mind two teams trying to let the other win, resulting in no scoring for 17 of the 20 innings. It actually seems more like the two teams are battling for last place than hoping to improve their standings. A remarkable 32 players were left on base (10 Marlins; 22 Mets). I will say that I was impressed that over 20 innings neither team was charged with any errors, although I have a sneaking suspicion that the official scorekeeper may have gone home after the 11^th inning.

The Marlins currently sit at last place in all of major league baseball, and the Mets stand only slightly above them (the Astros save the Mets from the runner up spot, which isn’t really something I’d personally brag about if I were the Mets).

Rather than a list of stats describing this boring record-breaking game with just an embarrassing number of zeros, I decided to make it more interesting by doing some fun fact face-offs about the two teams. Dear potentially offended Mets fans, please don’t look up my address and come throw grapefruits and batteries at me. Dear potentially offended Marlins fans, you don’t exist, so I’m safe.

1^st INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The Marlins are the second best team in Florida, and the best National League team in Florida.

Bottom: 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors

The Mets are the second best team in New York City and New York State, and the best National League team in New York City and New York State.

2^nd INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The Marlins are not only in last place in their division, but last place in their league and last place in all of major league baseball.

Bottom: 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Go Mets!

John Buck caught all 20 innings of last Saturday’s game.

*Bonus Fact About the Scorer: John Buck is undoubtedly the best pie man in baseball. At least the Mets have something they’re the best at because it’s certainly not anything baseball-skills related.

3^rd INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Marlins Park (aka “The Fish Tank” because they can’t seem to find a sponsor) looks like a giant toilet bowl from the adjacent highway when the roof open (and kind of smells like one too).

The sub-contractor hired by the Marlins was sued last March because they allegedly owed approximately $67,000 in unpaid wages to the construction workers who built the Park. A county inspector noted that the workers were not being paid properly as early as 2011 and that they felt intimidated when they questioned the payroll “mistakes”. One worked said, “I can’t even look at it when I drive by,” and I think all of Miami agrees with him.

Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves (who have a rivalry with the Mets) actually named his son “Shea” after Shea Stadium because he hit so well against the Mets there.

4^th INNING 

Top: 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors

Go Marlins!

Marlins Park is the cheapest ballpark to see a game, if you to see your team visiting Miami. The upside is there’s almost a 70% chance you’ll get to see your team win, and with deals like “buy one upper bowl seat, get a future home plate seat free” and Crazy Eights $8 tickets, it actually might be worth leaving your car parked in Little Havana (if you have better insurance than I do).

*Bonus Fact About the Scorer: Derek Dietrich was originally drafted by the Astros (who have a slightly better record than the Marlins) as their first round pick, but chose not to sign with them. Also, he’s a juggler and gives performances.

Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

In 1966, the Mets bypassed future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson for Steve Chilcotti. Don’t recognize the name Chilcotti? That’s because he never even played in the majors.

*Bonus Fact: All 3 out for the Mets’ outs this inning were strike outs, with the batter looking.

5^th INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors

The Marlins, apparently, were featured on a Showtime reality series called “The Franchise”. The series was canceled early due to the Marlins unfortunate season allegedly with mutual agreement from the Marlins and Showtime. Something tells me Showtime may have made the decision alone; the Marlins don’t seem to have any shame. One viewer compared watching the show to “driving by a flaming accident on the side of the road and not being able to look away, but it’s still an accident, and it’s still bad.”

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The Mets were formerly called The Amazin’s. Perhaps the name change originated when they were no longer “Amazin’”? They were also more appropriately called The Miracle Mets, as in, ‘it would take a miracle for the Mets to lead the standings’.

The only things saving the Mets from being runners up to the Marlins for last place are the Astros.

6^th INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

This exists at Marlins Park:

ART!

Supposedly it lights up when the Marlins hit a home run (I can’t personally verify this). Supposedly it also costs $2.5 million dollars and was paid for by the county’s Art in Public Places department. Also it’s called simply “Home Run Feature”.

Bottom: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Speaking of no hits, the Mets notoriously have had bad luck with (throwing) no-hitters. Many pitchers have gone on to throw no-hitters, and even perfect games after they’ve left the Mets. The Mets went 8,019 games without a no-hitter (the most of any MLB team in history) until their first on June 1^st of last year.

(Editors Note:  It was a one-hitter.  It was a one-hitter.  It was a fucking One-Hitter)

7^th INNING 

Top: 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Marlins Park has a freaky Bermuda triangle in which players actually leave the view of the cameras. If only the Home Run Feature would disappear into it…

Bottom: 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

In 1993 Todd Hundley, the Mets’ catcher, and Gary Sheffield, the Padres’ third baseman, ignited a bench clearing brawl after Hundley accused Sheffield of peaking at his signs. Sheffield then told Hundley to concentrate on catching, to which Hundley allegedly “called him a couple of names,” and cursed him out.

8^th INNING

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

The Marlins Park deal cost the (former) mayor of Miami his job. Norman Braman spearheaded the recall effort and sued over the deal citing a violation of Florida’s constitution, which prohibits public funds from being designated for projects used exclusively for private purposes. Over $500 million in tax payers’ money was spent on Marlins Park, plus $250,000 a year in recurring maintenance, and to top it off, the City of Miami will be paying the interest on the loans which is expected to be at least $1.2 billion. I’ve yet to determine what Miami gets out of this deal other than a gaudy baseball palace.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Proving they make bad decisions baseball and non-baseball related, the owners of the Mets were alleged to be involved in Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme. Shortly after this incident, they had to sell 48% of the team’s shares to stay afloat.

9^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

The Marlins’ mascot is a fish.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, ruled that “the Mets stink”. And she’s actually a big Mets fan.

10^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

I’m pretty sure Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is one of the most hated men in Miami.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Mets owner, Fred Wilpon grew up in Brooklyn as a Dodgers’ fan and admits to going overboard showcasing the Dodgers’ legacy over the Mets’ at Citi Field. Dear Mets, even your owner doesn’t like you.

11^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Attendance is so low at Marlins Park that, even with the crazy cheap deals they’re offering, they are now resorting to closing the upper deck during some weeknight games. They haven’t had a sell out since the park’s opening day in 2012, and are reportedly averaging 10,000 less tickets sold per game this year than in 2012.

However, the Marlins fans have found an upside to the low attendance problems; they have developed a cheer/jeer (I’m not entirely sure) that involves pounding on the abundant empty seats in the Park.

The good news is the Marlins are talented at something: making matters worse with bad publicity. A fan paid $25,000 for a pair of season tickets at Marlins Park. However surprising this may be, what’s more is that the Marlins sued the fans over a minor complaint. For a team that’s hurting for attendance, bad publicity is just not affordable right now (literally).

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Mets fans actually threw grapefruits and batteries at a certain former Atlanta Braves pitcher during the playoffs. He may not be considered a most loved player, but still, how about a little class Mets fans? (Bonus points if you remember that pitcher, triple bonus if you read his new book).

(ED:  If the answer if John Rocker, you ain’t getting no sympathy.  It’s a minor miracle that the grapefruits didn’t have razorblades in them)

12^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Do I really need to mention Ozzie Guillen’s infamous Fidel Castro remark?

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Former Mets player Vince Coleman both hit Dwight Gooden while recklessly swinging a golf club in the clubhouse.  Karma bit back though as he is the only player I’ve ever heard of getting seriously injured on field by an automatic tarp machine.

13^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The Marlins payroll went from $57 million in 2011 to $107 million in 2012, before dropping to a bare $33 million in 2013 leading to what Marlins fans have called “a AA team in the Major Leagues.” At the last Marlins game I attended I may have saw some people taunting the remaining Marlins players about not being good enough to get traded to the Blue Jays along with the other half of the team; I may have been with those people.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors

The intro of the Mets Wikipedia page is almost entirely negative. It’s worth a read if you’re the type that gets amusement out of other peoples’ misfortunes and failures.

14^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

Owner of the Marlins, Jeffrey Loria, said of Marlins Park said, “if our ballpark could speak it’s first words would be “Hola, Miami!” I understand the Latin influence on Miami and “beisbol” (as it’s posted around the Park), but baseball is America’s pastime. Also I’m pretty sure that if the City of Miami could respond, it would tell the ballpark to shut up.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

The Mets’ record in 1962, their inaugural season, was 40-120, the worst record in MLB history (since MLB went to 162 game seasons).

15^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

The first time the Atlanta Braves played at Marlins Park it was noted by the announcers that Freddie Freeman had to be transported to a nearby hospital with an injured finger because the Park did not have an x-ray machine. The announcer also noted that perhaps some of the $2.5 million spent on the home run feature could’ve been put to better use for an x-ray machine. Later, the other half of Fruggla, Dan Uggla got vengeance for his best buddy by hitting his 200^th home run off of the Home Run Feature.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

In what was coined the “Midnight Massacre”, the Mets traded away Tom Seaver. In a Bambino-like curse, the Mets maintained last place for several years following yet another err of judgment.

16^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

This isn’t the first 20 inning game for the Marlins.

*Bonus Fact: All 3 outs for the Marlins in this inning were pop outs

Bottom:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

In the 1986 NLCS game six, the Mets when 16 innings but won (on an error) making it longest playoff game in history at the time.

17^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The batters eye at Marlins Park was originally lime green, like pretty much the rest of the park; however, Major League Baseball forced them to change it to a dark color. Now it’s an awkward, out-of-place looking black rectangle.

What also looks out-of-place at Marlins Park? The aquarium backstop behind home plate.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors

In 2007, the Mets had a 7 game lead going into the final 17 games. They managed to blow it.

18^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The parking garages at Marlins Park are designed with special touches to “bring Little Havana in” according to the designer (the genius behind glittery sidewalks, lime green paint, and columns intended to make the ballpark appear to ‘breathe’). I don’t know about you, but if there’s one place in which I’d rather not be reminded that I’m in Little Havana, it’s in a dark desolate parking garage.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors

Speaking of hits, Wally Backman called out Darryl Strawberry in the press for feigning illness to get out of games, which prompted the six foot, six inch Strawberry to threaten to “bust that little redneck in the face”. Though I will never accuse the Mets of class, I will say I was impressed to learn that the five foot eight inch Backman told the press he wouldn’t back down.

19^th INNING 

Top:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

The Marlins decided to put real grass in Marlins Park for some reason. Patches in right field promptly died from lack of sunlight. The head groundskeeper stated his regrow strategy consisted of grow lamps and talking to the grass to encourage it to grow.

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

Prior to 2012, Citi Field was a pitcher’s park. Jeff Francoeur (whom I make no attempt to hide my deepest affection for), once called the park’s dimensions “a damn joke”.

20^th INNING 

Top:

1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors

Go Marlins!

Marlins Park has A/C, which might not mean much to game goers who didn’t grow up sweating in muggy Miami, Florida. (Bad news is I’m pretty sure they’re claiming the weather is nice enough to open the roof just to not run the A/C and save on their power bill). 

Bottom:

0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors

During the 20 inning game, the Mets went 0 for 19 with runners in scoring position.

*Bonus Fact About the Winning Team: The batter, and the runner who scored, have the two of the funniest sounding names in baseball: Adeiny Hechavarria and Plácido Polanco. Go ahead, try to say them aloud. Gesundheit!  Oh wait, you didn’t sneeze? You were just saying the Marlins infielder’s last name you say? Right. And what was that about placentas?

(ED:  The Funniest of course, is CANNONBALL TITCOMB)

Apparently the Marlins are also better at brawling than baseball. Who knew…

 

By the way, can anyone tell me why Matt Diaz is stuck on the Marlins AAA team? Do the Marlins have some superiority complex where they believe their Blue Jays rejects make up too good a team to call up Diaz?

*All facts are alleged and, in the tradition of baseball, were passed down mostly through angered baseball fans. Every effort was made to validate the facts, but the writer only alleges them to be true to the best of her knowledge.

@HeyHaylzzz he is huggable lovable and most all can drop a Freddie bomb at anytime

— SouthGa Alan (@SouthGaAlan) May 23, 2013

Freddie Freeman has gained quite a reputation both on the field and off. For the third year now, he has gained a reputation as one of the Atlanta Braves’ power hitters. He has also developed a reputation for his customary Freddie Freeman hugs bestowed when his teammates hit home runs.

Courtesy: http://lizthebooknerd.tumblr.com/

Courtesy: http://lizthebooknerd.tumblr.com/

Freeman, the youngest in the family, spent much of his childhood without motherly hugs. His mother, Rosemary, passed away in 2000 from melanoma when he was just ten years old. Almost every game he can be seen in long sleeves, no matter what the temperature, that shield his skin from the sun’s harmful rays to lower his chances at also developing melanoma. He’s also partnered with many organizations to help spread awareness of melanoma, and volunteer to spend time with children who have also lost parents at a young age. He often tweets about both of these causes.

Less than two years after his mother passed away, he saved his father’s life. At the threat of losing both of his parents at such a young age, he packed clothes and convinced his father to go to the hospital, after Fred Freeman had trouble breathing when he stood. Doctors credited his quick thinking and persistence with saving his father’s life, who they believe would’ve died the same night if he hadn’t quickly checked into the hospital.

The hardest part of his life took another blow with his grandmother’s death just a year after he almost lost his father.

Earlier this month, Freeman sported pink on mother’s day with his mother in mind. He’s mentioned her in countless interviews and talked about how he tries every single day to make her proud.

It was his mother who saw the potential for little Freddie to be a powerful left-handed batter when he was just six years old. She pulled him off the field when his T-ball coach directed him to hit right handed because he threw right-handed.

Freeman has spoke of his first over-the-fence hit at eight years old. After practice, with his father throwing to him, he slugged a ball over the outfield fence where it pinged off a light pole. Rosemary was walking their dog just a few feet away. Freeman says the memory of his mother’s pride in her little boy is his most vivid memory of her.

Freeman’s abundance of heartfelt hugs are focused mostly on Dan Uggla. Their close friendship has led many to refer to them affectionately as “Fruggla”.  MLB even put out a commercial about the two refining their well known hugs.

Since recently joining Twitter, Freeman has lived up to his reputation as powerful on the field, but sweet and humble. He recently publicly tweeted an apology to a fan who had posted a photo of a black and purple bruise sustained by one of his foul line drives.

@sarahtiana I apologize! I'll try and keep the ball between the lines next time :-/

— Freddie Freeman (@FreddieFreeman5) May 21, 2013

It’s reassuring to know that his on-field success and fame he’s experienced for the third year in a row as a power hitter for the Braves hasn’t changed his off-field endearing personality and cause-related  work.

To contact Hayley or any AFRSports contributor, E-Mail: Contact@AFRSports.com

FIRST INNING WEAKNESS

First innings have proven to be Strasburg’s biggest weakness so far this season. On his April 24^th start he gave up three runs in just the first inning. In his first six starts he allowed seven earned runs in first innings, more than he had in the other 31 innings he’s been on the mound combined, leading him to hold a first inning 10.80 ERA, and a 1.85 ERA in the rest of the innings of his first six starts.

Some are theorizing that his first inning struggles could be attributed to not getting ahead on the count. In the first inning of the April 24^th game he only got first-pitch strikes on 5 of 7 faced batters; however, of the remaining 19 batters he faced, he threw first-pitch strikes on 13.

(In all honesty, when the Mets score, it should count double against your ERA)

FOREARM TIGHTNESS OR EXCUSES?

Following Strasburg’s disappointing performance on April 29^th, the Nationals didn’t say much more than he was suffering from forearm tightness. Strasburg was noticeably bothered by his forearm; he often rubbed or shook it after a badly controlled pitch, and, considering he’s recently returned from Tommy John surgery in the off season, it’s certainly possible, but I have my doubts when watching him hurl 97 mph fastballs.

The problem with Strasburg’s 97 mph fastball is that, when he can’t seem to find home plate, it makes for a very nervous experience for the batter, catcher, and umpire in the line of fire. The silver lining to his first inning performance was that it made for a great distraction to batters more focused on not being beamed than making a solid swing.

After allowing 10 base runners in the five innings, Strasburg appeared to be gaining control in his last inning. His unpredictability seems to have everyone unsure if he’s improving or deteriorating at this early point in the season.

At the end of last Saturday’s game facing the Cubs there were signs Strasburg was not happy with his own performance. During two RBI’s he seemed to barely make his way to backup the plate, looking all but defeated. He’s known to be a perfectionist and very critical of himself, which leads one to believe his struggles may be originating more from a mental block than “forearm tightness”.

INABILITY TO RECOVER

Giving up only one hit and allowing only one baserunner in the first four innings of Saturday’s 8-2 loss to the Cubs, Strasburg was a near reflection of his previous season’s glory. Until the fifth inning when Ryan Zimmerman committed his sixth error this season, causing the third out to not be made. Even with two outs, Strasburg couldn’t seem to get his mind back in the game.

The remainder of the fifth inning saw Strasburg walk two batters, and allow two singles, a double, and four runs. His inability to recover when his team is struggling exposed a serious weakness for the previously untouchable pitcher.

He did not struggle through the first inning, as he obviously has been this season (remember that 10.80 first inning ERA?), but I wouldn’t count on that being the end of his first inning struggles. Before facing the Cubs in Saturday’s start, he had given up 17 earned runs, 7 of which were in the first inning.

Though Strasburg may have been able to stay in for seven innings pre-Tommy Johns, five seems to be his limit post-Tommy Johns. Saturday he finished his outing at 95 pitches, with 53 pitches (and 7 strikeouts) in the first four innings, and 42 pitches in the fifth alone. With almost half of his pitches being in the fifth, Strasburg failed to get back on track and was relieved. Post Zimmerman’s disappointing error and Strasburg’s downward spiral, the Nats did manage to score in the firth and six innings but their fate was already sealed.

TROUBLING LOSS

Though the Cubs are not in the Nationals division, they are last place in theirs, trailing 8.5 games behind the Cardinals. With another loss on Sunday to a team that should have been like batting practice for the Nationals, one wonders if possibly Strasburg’s effectiveness also lives and dies with the Nationals, in which case, if he can’t get himself on track, it looks like he might need steadier backing to rely on.

Share Tweet

To Contact Hayley, or any AFRSports contributor, please E-Mail: Contact@AFRSports.com

How do I explain to my 9 year old that Brian McCann is on the All Star ballot and Evan Gattis is not?

— Faux Frank Wren (@fauxfrankwren) April 25, 2013

I quickly checked in disbelief and sure enough, there’s Brian McCann as the Braves catcher option.

Evan Gattis has had an incredible season on the Braves roster, with six home runs (14^th best in the league), thirteen RBI’s, a .235 batting average, and an awesome nickname, El Oso Blanco. Braves fans love Brian McCann, they stuck with him during his struggles, and he’s not undeserving of great baseball honors. Except this season.

McCann has spent the entire season thus far on the disabled list. He has not played baseball this spring in a single game, minor or major league level. He’s a great catcher. He deserved to be in the All-Star game the five times he’s been selected before.I’d like to be able to say no one saw Gattis’ breakout performance coming, and that’s why he slipped through the cracks on the ballot.  However, batting In Spring Training he was only outperformed by Justin Upton. And honestly, being out-batted by Justin Upton this season is like being outpitched by Greg Maddux: no one’s really comparing you.

From cleaning up as a janitor to batting cleanup, Gattis has held special interest and developed quite a following. He never played in AAA before his first major league performance. I’ve heard many rumors that Evan Gattis is actually a lumberjack in the off season. I’ve heard the announcers talk endlessly about how big his bat is, and that a normal sized back would look like a toothpick in his bare hands. During Sunday’s game an announcer referred to his bat as a tree trunk after a ten minute discussion.

This season specifically many are noting the shortcomings of the All-Star Ballot selection process. With the ballot coming out in April (when no team had played over twenty-one games mind you), MLB had to finalize the nominations before Opening Day. This resulted in some embarrassing nominations aside from McCann’s.

Yankees’ first baseman Mark Teixeira injured his wrist in March during the World Baseball Classic and, at the time, was told he could be out anywhere from eight weeks to the entire season. Teixeira’s teammate, outfielder Curtis Granderson, has also been out due to a right arm injury. Marlins’ first baseman Casey Kotchman injured his left hamstring and was put on the DL in early April. Brewers’ first baseman Corey Hart had knee surgery in January and was placed on the fifteen day DL, then the sixty day DL in April. Phillies’ catcher Carlos Ruiz was suspended for 25 games for using a banned amphetamine in late November keeping him from playing with the Phillies until April 28.

Another injured Yankee, shortstop Derek Jeter, may be the exception to embarrassing nominations. Though he is injured (fractured left ankle), it would have been a travesty not to bestow the honor on this fan favorite and highly respected ball player even though he probably won’t be able to play in the All-Star Game. (EDITORS NOTE: OR just skip it, as he is wont to do)

Mets’ Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Astros’ Brett Wallace are also on the ballot, and were actually in the minor leagues when the ballot was released. Some bloggers are encouraging fans wishing to exploit the ballot to vote for these two to embarrass MLB. (ED:  I wholeheartedly endorse this!)

Most surprising is the glaring absence of players, like Evan Gattis, that many feel should be on the ballot. Athletics’ outfielder, Seth Smith, not being nominated seems like a mistake considering he has a slugging percentage over .600. Red Sox catcher, Kurt Suzuki, seems to have gotten snubbed in the same way as Gattis with his backup, Wilson Ramos, being nominated instead. A-Rod is suspiciously absent leading a conspiracy theorist to believe that MLB and the Yankees may be attempting to distance themselves from him.

It’s ridiculous that every team has to have a nomination for every position. In the case of Gattis, he probably doesn’t deserve to be in the All Star Game over other great National League catchers like the Giant’s Buster Posey, who was last year’s NL MVP.  Mets catcher John Buck would be an excellent choice in case of a walk off; he IS the best pie man in baseball right now. Even the Marlin’s catcher Rob Brantly wouldn’t be undeserving, not necessarily because of any stand out talent but because he has to deal with whatever the Marlin’s leftover pitchers are throwing out this season. At least we have the write in option.

If we’re basing our All-Star ballots on performance, Gattis should be there. If we’re basing our All-Star ballots on most loved players, Gattis should be there. With #VoteForOso trending on Twitter, maybe we’ll see Gattis in the All-Star game because people will write in vote.

These guys want you to.

These Sane, Rational People

Share Tweet

To Contact Hayley, or any AFRSports contributor, please E-Mail: Contact@AFRSports.com