Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
scott@scottlongonline.com
I decided to look at the American League statistics through April 28 games. These are the stats that jumped out at me for each team.
Baltimore has 3 of the top OPS' in the AL, with Roberts (1176), Tejada (1032), and Lopez (1005).
The two pitching heroes of last season's playoffs, have been the two worst pitchers for the Red Sox this year. Schilling's ERA is 7.13 and Foulke's is 7.20.
The left side of the infield has statistically been carrying the Yankees offense. Derek Jeter's OBP (.464) and SLG (.465) are virtually the same. Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada have similarly terrible stats, which add up to OPS' of .639 and .655, respectively.
Who would have guessed at this point that the best hitter for the Blue Jays would be Shea Hillenbrand, with a .951 OPS, while Vernon Wells would be sitting with a .248 OBP?
Devil Ray Starting Pitchers ERA's: Brazleton (5.53), Nomo (6.58), Rob Bell (9.18). Are we sure they're accurate enough to hit anyone on purpose?
Up in Minnesota, Jacque Jones OPS is 1.107, while on the other end, they have Micheal Cuddyer (.594) and Luis Rivas (.440). Johan Santana has 45 K's and 3 walks.
The White Sox have had a lead in all 24 games they've played, despite Jermaine Dye scuffling away with an OPS of .517. Jon Garland is 4-0, with an ERA of 1.80. 9 of 11 on their pitching staff have ERA's under 3.90.
Unlike last season, the Indians have gotten off to a terrible offensive start. 7 in their starting lineup have OPS's under .691, with Aaron Boone sporting a .123 BA. Their bullpen has been great, except for closer Bob Wickman, who has an ERA of 7.36.
Detroit has 6 starters with SLG averages over .490. In case you missed it last year, Carlos Guillen is really good. (1.005 OPS)
Kansas City Royally Sucks.
Allegedly the Rangers have the best young offensive team in baseball, but so far their team OBP is .325. Richard Hidalgo has really been awful, with an OPS of .515. Kenny Rogers has walked more hitters than he has struck out (12 to 11), but still has an ERA of 2.67.
The Angels' Steve Finley has a .237 OBP. Francisco Rodriguez WHIP is 0.58, which happens when you have 16 K's and no walks.
Outside of Scutaro and Kotsay, the A's have no starter with an OPS above .671.
Joe Blanton has an ERA of 1.75 in his 4 starts, but has a record of 0-2.
The biggest offensive, off-season free agent move was the Mariners signing Adrian Beltre. Beltre's OPS is .644 and is slugging .153 points less than Ichiro.
Yes, I'm fully aware it's just one month of the season, but there are some players with some serious uphill climbs to crawl out of some major holes.
PLEASE Willie ... move Reyes out of the leadoff spot ....!!!
Is it just me, or is Miguel Tejada really the best player in the game?
Schilling is still hurt, more than he would admit. Foulke will be OK ... give him time.
The left side of the Yankee infield is the only thing keeping the Yankees in the hunt. If Jeter and ARod get hurt or go into a slump, I don't see anyone who can drag them up. Bernie Williams has been a drag for some time, and I'm not sure why Torre/Cashman hasn't done something by now.
Shea Hillenbrand is a fair journeyman player. Give him time and he'll have the stats of a fair journeyman player.
The Devil Rays have a plan to beat out Kansas City for the first draft pick, who will refuse to sign with them.
Other than Santana, is there anyone on the Twins line up that you would kill to get on your team. How about Ron Gardenhire?
Props for Ozzie Guillen in Chicago. The same comment regarding Gardenhire can be added here, substitute Burhle for Santana.
Not sure what the problem is in Cleveland. I thought they were ready to compete. If CWS and MIN stay hot, it will be another long season in Cleveland.
Why doesn't Trammel get more credit for what he's done in Detroit?
The mess in Kansas City will ruin Tony Pena's managing career, and that's sad.
In their division, Texas can stand a lousy month. They're only 2.5 back. And has anyone noticed this pitcher 3-1, 3.86, 1.29 whip - yes ... its Chan Ho Park.
Could age be catching up with Finley, just as greatness catches up to FRod.
Joe Blanton has the unique talent of getting the first batter of virtually every inning he pitches out. That's a stat that would appeal to Billy Beane.
Everyone in the world thought that Beltre would come down from his lofty perch of last season. He's still a good player though, and suspect he will be again. Not a superstar though.
Anyway, after they fire Pena, they'll get some one who wants to be a manager in the worst way.
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