Quick thoughts on Monday's games ... Did you see the final pitch of the Rangers' 5-4 victory over the Rays? Ump Marty Foster rung up Ben Zobrist on a 3-2 curveball low and off the outside corner, a call so bad that even Rangers closer Joe Nathan was seen mouthing, "Wow.
The Tigers need one. The Brewers thought they had one. The Cubs already have a new one. Some teams probably wish they had a different one. Closers are already melting down in rapid fashion. On Monday afternoon, with closer Jason Motte sidelined with a sore elbow (he'll get a new MRI on Tuesday), the Cardinals' bullpen imploded in a 13-4 loss to the Reds, led by Mitchell Boggs giving up seven runs in the ninth inning.
The Atlanta Braves playing a wild-card game where they committed three throwing errors, got burned on a controversial umpire’s call, and saw their fans delay the game after littering the field with debris?
Not that I have a vote, but if I did, Aroldis Chapman wouldn't be on my Cy Young ballot. Look, his numbers look like a fast-pitch softball pitcher's, only the last time I checked he's not pitching from 43 feet.
First base: Nathan's hot run. Joe Nathan allowed two hits in picking up his 14th save in the Rangers' 2-1 victory over the Padres, but the save was memorable for another reason. Nathan now has a higher career save percentage than Mariano Rivera -- 89.
How did we get here? No, I don't mean "What's on the other side of the universe?" kind of here. How did we get here? June 8: The Mariners lead the Dodgers 1-0 in the eighth inning. They're working on a combined no-hitter, but the Dodgers have runners at second and third with one out.
With the announcement that Joe Torre will manage Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, let's have a little fun and project who could form the 28-man squad in March. Before we get to my suggested roster, a few notes and thoughts: 1.
This exercise has no scientific value whatsoever. But it's fun. Let's go position by position and see whether the Texas Rangers or Los Angeles Angels rate higher. For the purpose of this discussion, we'll assume the Rangers will sign Yu Darvish.
It's not in Nolan Ryan's nature to give in. Throw a 3-2 fastball down the middle of the plate? No way. Let up on his fastball -- just a little -- to throw a few more strikes? Are you kidding? He was not going to give in to a hitter.
The American League Central may have a reputation as baseball's skinflint division, but such is not the case: The White Sox, Twins and Tigers each had payrolls over $100 million in 2011 and ranked in the top 10 of highest-salaried ballclubs.
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