Book Review: Insight Pitch: My Life as a Major League Closer

/ Baseball, Book review, Jordan Branson

Have you ever been at a baseball stadium or at home watching a game and get the strongest urge to be gripping an old, worn-out baseball? True baseball fans know exactly what we are talking about. You want to feel the laces under your index and middle fingers. You want to smell the dirty leather. We’ll be completely honest with you; we made it through the first chapter of this book, closed it, set it down, and headed straight for the garage. We needed to grip a baseball.

Book Review: Insight Pitch: My Life as a Major League Closer Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Dylan Bundy Finally Starting

/ Baseball, The Wire Troll

Well, we’re finally getting our wish Sunday as Bundy will start — and get a very favourable matchup against the Rays, to boot. Taken fourth overall in 2011, the rookie hurler has a chance to stick in the rotation, at least for a time being. He’s only about 40 innings shy of the innings cap Baltimore has set on its prized prospect, so this is likely going to be a short-term pickup. But if you need pitching help with major upside, Bundy’s your man.

The Wire Troll: Dylan Bundy Finally Starting Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Luis Valbuena Responding to the Pressure

/ Baseball, Jordan Branson, The Wire Troll

Since coming off the DL after undergoing 2015 Tommy John surgery, McCarthy has had his strikeout pitch working, fanning 14 in 10 IP while going 2-0 with a sparkling 2.70 ERA. Watch for the Dodgers to slowly stretch him out in the second half, which will make him even more valuable. With good veteran pitching hard to come by, McCarthy won’t last long, so pounce while you can.

The Wire Troll: Luis Valbuena Responding to the Pressure Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Bud Norris Seeks Redemption

/ Baseball, Jordan Branson, The Wire Troll

We’re not saying Chisenhall has been hot over the past month, we’re just saying we saw two hobbits throw a ring at him. The lefty is hitting .560 with three homers over his last five games, and a cool .342 BA over the last month. Chisenhall is hustling righties as usual, but has also been respectable in limited time against the southpaws. He has filled in admirably for the injured Michael Brantley and played a large role in the Indians’ recent historic win streak.

The Wire Troll: Bud Norris Seeks Redemption Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Oh My, a New Closer in St. Louis?

/ Baseball, Jordan Branson

But if Moya keeps up his current torrid pace, he could finally be up for good. Since his call up, the 6’7”, 260-pound mammoth is hitting .370/.433/.778 with three homers through seven games. Moya’s current BABIP is extremely high, but even in Triple-A he was sporting a .298 BA, a product of much better plate discipline compared to previous campaigns. Even if his playing time gets cut dramatically once Martinez returns in 4-to-6 weeks, the power potential from Moya is more than worth your attention.

The Wire Troll: Oh My, a New Closer in St. Louis? Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Whit Merrifield an Unlikely Hero for Royals

/ Baseball, Jordan Branson, The Wire Troll

The second Royal currently keeping the offense’s heart beating is Orlando. The second year flyhawk is hitting a ridiculous .486 over the last two weeks, along with five extra-base hits and nine RBI. Over the week, Kansas City has scored the fourth most runs in the league compared to ranking 26th for the season — certainly not a trend you would expect with three starters out. Like Merrifield, Orlando is a must add in deep league formats, and even worth a pickup in standard leagues as long as he is on this impressive tear. If Orlando cools off, he could still warrant a roster spot in leagues that allow daily roster moves, as he is always a great start when facing southpaws (he’s a career .303 hitter against LHP).

The Wire Troll: Whit Merrifield an Unlikely Hero for Royals Read Post »

The Wire Troll: Steve Pearce Returns to Spark the Rays

/ Baseball, Jordan Branson, The Wire Troll

Bour is finally beginning to regain his 2015 power stroke (when he bashed 23 dingers). In May, he has already gone yard five times and cut his strikeout rate in half from the first month. Bour is seeing the ball much better, as evidenced by his ridiculous 46.3 Hard hit percentage over the past three weeks, and this could be heading to a power surge into June. Get him before he’s gone for good, but have a backup plan for when the Marlins face southpaws. Bour owns just two hits against lefties this season.

The Wire Troll: Steve Pearce Returns to Spark the Rays Read Post »

Scroll to Top