Baseball in the Daytime: The First Day of Fall

We're down to the last eight or nine games of the regular season for most teams, and this is where the shoestrings must be tied tight, the eye black painted thickly if your day baseball has implications of October in it. There's but one game on tap today. Details after the jump.

Philadelphia @ Florida, 3:10 Central: Today's lone feature contains the N.L. East first-place, and still defending-champion Philadelphia Phillies and the Florida Marlins. A pair of righties are your starters today, and they're a pair with great numbers on the season. Big Joe Blanton goes for the Phils. He's 10-7 with a 3.97 earned-run average. Okay, not great, but good. His counterpart, Josh Johnson, has won 15 while only losing for, averaging 3.01 earned runs per contest. The Marlins still have a chance to get into playoff baseball, but they'll need to play near-perfect baseball. As of today, they, along with Atlanta, sit five games back of the Rockies, and they have the four-games-back Giants to leapfrog in the Wild Card race. Today's match, available for viewing on DirecTV 732 (heard on XM 185) gives Florida one of their best shots to gain some ground, as they'll play two today with Philly. Jamie Moyer and Anibal Sanchez are slated to start game two.

Other N.L. standings news includes the St. Louis Cardinals 10 ahead of Chicago in the Central, while the Dodgers hold a five-game lead over the Rockies. In the American League, Los Angeles is eight games in front of the Rangers in the West, New York has five games over Boston in the East, and Detroit's Central lead has been whittled down to two and-a-half games. Minnesota has nothing but division road games left: two more with the White Sox, a three-spot with the Royals, and a season-closing visit to Detroit, which should be nothing shy of fantastic. Thw Twins have won five of six, while the Tigers have dropped six of their last 10.

That's the day-baseball news for now and I...am...outta here.
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Baseball in the Daytime: 5-1-09

Yes, it is in fact that time of year when Friday's slate of afternoon baseball features only one contest, and it's between somebody and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. There're a number of angles to take with a lone Windy City tilt. I'm gonna use it for some advertising. The pictured foursome will be playing at Toyota Park in Chicago on August 11. I plan on seeing the sold-out show (Editor's Note: This is where you come in with news of your brother's cousin's girlfried who has a ticket.), but have not yet procured a ticket. The following night, the World Champion Phillies are in town and I've never seen a game at Wrigley either, so, you know, hook a brother up. Actual information you might care about, after the jump.

Florida @ Chicago, 1:20 Central: That's right. It's the first-place Marlins in town today, and they're won three in a row, so look out. On the hill in the top of the first will be lefty Graham Taylor, who I think recorded a solo acoustic album in 1975, which was really impressive considering he's only 24 today. And today, he hopes to shed some of that 9.82 E.R.A., while home-team hurler Rich Harden seeks win number three, and hopes to keep his average under four. I gotta believe this tilt is on WGN, but you can also catch it on DirecTV 721 or 722. XM subscribers -- get your one eight three on.

That's your day baseball for the day. Feel free to e-mail us here if you know anything about those tickets. I'm just looking for a single.
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Baseball in the Daytime: 4-22-09

After a single-game Patriot's Day special to start the week, and no pre-evening contests yesterday, day baseball is back with four matches for your Wednesday. Catch the jumps after the detail, or something to that effect, and take note, while you're there, just why any and all things prediction-related should be left to Cecil the Soothsayer.

Marlins @ Pirates, 11:35 Central: Ricky Nolasco and Paul Maholm are your starters in today's only pre-noon extravaganza. The home team has won two in a row and hovers a few notches above .500, while the visiting Floridians have, um, the best record -- 11-3 -- in baseball? I imagine nobody predicted such success. Maholm looks for win number three while Nolasco seeks his second. Catch the action on DirecTV 721, XM 183.

A's @ Yankees, 12:05: Due northish, it's lefty Brett Anderson for the visiting Athletics, and CC Sabathia gets the nod for the Bronx Bombers. Anderson, the 21 year-old lefty is still hungry for his first victory heading into his third big-league start, while King Happy Meal will attempt victory number two on the season. Oakland currently sits in third in a bizarre A.L. West, while the Yankees have been surging of late, bumping themselves within a game and-a-half of first-place Toronto. DirecTV has this one on 722 and 723. XM does its thing on channel 176.

Rockies @ Diamondbacks, 2:40: It'll be Dan Haren vs. Jorge de la Rosa this afternoon in Arizona. Both clubs have struggled thus far, and neither starter has logged a victory. The Rockies' lefty hasn't looked terrible, and has a decent history against Arizona, while Haren has an impressive 1.89 E.R.A., having given up only four runs through three starts and generating 17 Ks and 3 BBs in 19 innings pitched. DirecTV 724 has the cures for your ails. XM adds some elixir on 184.

Padres @ Giants, 2:45: Last but not least, we'll see the 2-0 righty Chris Young on the hill for San Diego, while the Giants call on 0-2 lefty Barry Zito. The Pads, another surprise, are but a half-game back of L.A. in the West, while Zito and his 10-even E.R.A. hasn't helped San Francisco much in their four wins, eight losses. Seven twenty-five is your DirecTV source for satellite arousal, while XM carries the tilt on 185.

That's your day baseball for the fourth of five hump days in April. Remember that while you're listening today, and see if you can't hump a co-worker's leg en route to the john.
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Baseball in the Trade Time: Snot on the Ball II

Welcome to the inaugural 2nd post of “Snot on the Ball.” Here we will discuss the relevance of our nation’s pastime, the pennant races, trades, farm systems, socio-economic systems, and most of all, why all of this is important. That being said, your author understands the “rough focus” of this blog revolves around a rivalry between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos. Since there appears to be no chance at a Chiefs Super Bowl victory in the next decade, I believe I have been brought aboard to mock and ridicule in the absence of a 2nd Kansas City homer. Thank you for stopping by. Your comments are welcome.

Hello again! This week has been a tremendous stew of rumor and intrigue, hasn’t it? There were manny rumors floating about, mostly concerning the disgruntled Boston Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez. According to Old No. 7, this is nothing new. Seven has been a part of the Red Sox Nation since 2003’s tragic “Aaron Fucking Boone” incident, and in his words, “I like Manny, he got us 2 rings, but it may be time to go.” We’ll touch on this later, but first let’s discuss the other moves made in the last 24 hours. Shall we?

First up was the hated New York Yankees. Looking for a steady bat to replace the injured Jorge Posada, the Yanks scored a sweet little deal that almost nobody saw coming. In sending Kyle Farnsworth to Detroit, New York picked up certain Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. This was a surprise to many, and certainly strengthens an already resurgent Yankee squad. Pudge will prove to be a much improved bat over a defensive minded Jose Molina.

The second big trade was made earlier today when the Reds of Cincinnati sent Ken “the Kid” Griffey, Jr. to the Chicago White Sox for two minor leaguers. Surprisingly, the White Sox are expecting the 38 year-old future Hall of Famer to patrol center field at U.S. Cellular Field. The oft-injured Griffey was once the best defensive center fielder in the game, but with age comes brittle ligaments; this should be interesting.

Finally we have the swollen, bulbous, veiny, throbbing, erection that is “The Manny Ramirez Trade Rumors”. Late last night, while I was scanning the sports wire for future stories to cut and paste for your reading pleasure, our Boston Bureau Chief, Old No. 7, sent me a frantic text from deep inside the bowels of Fenway Park. “He pulls this shit every year,” he said. “Manny being Manny is a complete, franchisewide (sic) mindset. If they moved on, got a young bat, and built around Papi & the kids, fine.” Apparently, loafing to first base on infield ground balls, urinating inside the Green Monster during pitching changes, and high fiving fans after catches in left fieEdild is perfectly acceptable behavior for a $20 million franchise player.

Throughout the past 24 hours, I have neglected my wife and young son, scouring all outlets of baseball-related sources to be the first to break the impending blockbuster. The teams rumored to be interested in the services of the immensely talented, but playfully juvenile Dominican were rumored to be the Florida Marlins, the New York Mets, and (not-so-seriously) the Los Angeles Dodgers. The stage was set, my clothing was on the ground, and I was ready to pounce on the first syllable out of Peter Gammon’s mouth as if it were the nymphomaniac love child of Rue McClanahan and Mike Scioscia. Then came this buzzkill from 7 (again): “I’m telling you it’s nothing new. He’s a baby, and every once in a while he throws tantrums. When they don’t trade him, he goes back to mashing like before.”

Boner: gone.

Could this be true? Have I swallowed the hype from the four-letter network, hook, line, and sinker?

Back to the blogwire.

Manny to the Marlins, Jeremy Hermida or Josh Willingham (and some minor leaguers) to the Pirates, Jason Bay to the Red Sox. That was the deal that was supposed to happen anyway. I don’t know the details of why it didn’t work, but today I ate a PB&J while watching the clock expire on trade deadline 2008 without a Manny movement (Editor’s Note: Is that what he calls his dumps?). Seven was right.

Wrong! I don’t know how, but the LA Dodgers (pronounced Los Doy-ers in Humberto’s neck of the woods) somehow managed to swing a biggie. Details as follows: The Dodgers get attention-starved Manny Ramirez from Boston. The Pirates get Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris from the Dodgers and Craig Hanson and Brandon Moss from Boston. The Red Sox receive the coveted Jason Bay from Pittsburgh. Wowsers. In addition, Boston will pay the remaining $7 million Ramirez is owed this season. Sure smells like Boston wanted to get rid of Manny to me! The ramifications are endless. How will Jeff Kent welcome Manny to the Dodger clubhouse? How will Joe Torre manage this clubhouse? Does LA even care? What will Red Sox Nation do without their patron saint? Was Jason Bay the secret weapon Boston desperately needed to avoid a sweep at the hands of Los Anaheim earlier this week?

React to me, House of Georges. React to me.

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Baseball in the Daytime: 7-25-08

Time to talk Cubs baseball. It's Friday, you ain't got no job, and you ain't got sh*t to do. Indeed. Wrigleyball is our lone BitD topic today, so take me out to the ball game you worthless chump.

Florida @ Chicago, 1:25: The loner feature today pits Mr. Ryan Dempster of the solid 11-4 mark against the fresh-off-Tommy John-surgery Josh Johnson. This is the Marlins youngster's third outing since his recovery, and he'll be looking for a decision in this match, as he's yet to earn one.

The Cubs still maintain their first-place NL Central lead, but the Brew Crew has won eight freaking games in a row, and now only sits one game behind them. Likewise, this match will be important for Florida, a mere two games behind Los Mets in the East, so pitching will be key. The Cubs could use some solid work from the mound, having sent Kerry Wood to the DL yesterday for the 12th time in his 10-year career.

Also sent to the DL was Kansas City Royal Joey Gathright. Team sources say Gathright has a shoulder bone bruise. I call it a horrible case of permanent suck.

Dear Dayton Moore: His speed on the basepaths is a stupid desire because he never gets on base. The outfield is in great shape without him; he's never going to amount to a hill of beans. Just cut your losses. Please. I'm begging you.

Anyway, Cubs-Marlins. Catch it on DirecTV 722, or channel 186 on XM. Whatever you do, kill da' ump!
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Baseball In The Daytime: 8-24-07

Man, yesterday really sucked. The Red Sox were rained out, the Yankees didn't lose (or even play), and the Rockies dropped a series to the God damned Pirates. That's not a nail in the coffin for the Colorado nine, but there is a standing order at the hardware store for a pound of eight-pennys.

On the bright side, we do get a Friday matinee. Now I don't have any idea if this Red Sox-White Sox game was scheduled before the rainout and the night game was added or vice versa, but who really cares? Josh Beckett aims to become the majors' first 16-game winner against inconsistent Jon Garland.

Beckett won 16 games all of last year, so he's really picked up the pace in '07. You can find this game at noon Mountain on XM 177. DirecTV only has the night game listed (on 743), so that leads me to believe that this early contest is the rescheduled one. Poke around the 730's, as well as WGN (307) and NESN (623) and see what you can find.

Now I'm going to go caulk a roof and try not to fall off, so's I can enjoy the game later. Cheers!
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