If Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom stay healthy, I expect them to put up similar numbers, if not better, than the duo of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling posted for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2001 season.
In 2001, Johnson and Schilling combined for 69 starts, a 43-12 record and a combined 2.79 ERA. That duo was the main reason why the Diamondbacks went on to win the World Series in seven games over the Yankees.
Aaron Judge needs to heed the warning from Major League Baseball on tampering rules but he also needs to learn not to volunteer information to the New York media. I’m sure that was also made clear to the AL Rookie of the Year when General Manager Brian Cashman laid down the law. It was an innocent mistake from a player who is an absolute “gem” and a really good kid.
Judge is going to play left field against the Phillies on Saturday. He will only play the field to get him ready in an unfamiliar position. It’s not as easy as it sounds to go from right field to left field and vice versa.
Angels are (expletive deleted) bricks over what’s gone down with their prized acquisition from Japan, Shohei Ohtani.
The so called “two-way” player has struggled mightily this spring and, perish the thought, the Angels may have to send him to the minors to start the season.
As a batter (if I may paraphrase Barry Manilow) “OH’-Tani” is 2 for 20 with no extra base hits. He has not looked at all like a major league hitter in his at-bats. On the mound, the 23 year old was rocked for seven earned runs in 1.1 innings pitched yesterday. Ohtani has made two spring starts and has given up 9 runs in 2.2 innings.
So there will be a runner placed on second to start extra innings in minor league games this season. Heaven help us if that’s even a mild consideration for Major League games. Can we leave our great game alone?
Spring Things:
I get the feeling Randall Grichuk is going to have a break out year with the Blue Jays. Toronto acquired the outfielder from St. Louis during the off season but he has had some injuries during the spring which have set him back….Tough break for young A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton. The 26-year old right hander was diagnosed with a sprained UCL, a precursor for Tommy John surgery…..Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish touched 98 MPH on the radar gun but take that reading with a “grain of salt.” Chicago signed Darvish to a six year, $126 million dollar deal. It says here the 31-year old will not live up to the contract…..Padres “rookie” reliever Kazuhisa Makita may be an interesting watch.The 33-year old who comes over from Japan has a “funkier than most” kinda delivery. His release point comes from below the knees and he throws a tantalizing 53 MPH slider. It almost resembles a reverse “Eephus” pitch….