Madison Bumgarner rakes, MLB power rankings and changing lineup norms

Madison Bumgarner is the best player alive, what we learned on Opening Day, sabermetric league leaders, power rankings and more.

Finally, baseball games that count.

Well, the World Baseball Classic counted outside the states. Here in Puerto Rico, the island ran low on blonde hair dye because roughly one quarter of the male population dyed its hair and a welcome back parade for a second-place finish the day after a 8-0 loss to Team USA in the championship game added even more excitement to what is already death defying rush hour traffic in San Juan.

But officially, with a slate of Opening Day games spread across two days in order to give every team its time to shine, the games really do count now.

The first big story of the 2017 MLB season? With apologies to Mike Trout, who did Mike Trout things in his first game, Madison Bumgarner made his case to be named Greatest Player Alive.

Bumgarner made his fourth straight Opening Day start for the San Francisco Giants, putting him in a tie with Tim Lincecum and Juan Marichal atop the all-time club leaderboard. The lefty looked dominant through the first five innings of his start against the Diamondbacks. He sat down 16 hitters in a row to open the season, briefly flirting with what could have been the first perfect game ever on the first day of the season.

The bid ended when he allowed a triple, a single and a two-run homer to three straight hitters in the third inning, but Bumgarner left the game with a lead after seven strong innings in which he allowed six hits without a walk. He struck out 11. Of course, Bumgarner’s strong pitching performance wasn’t the story. Neither was the blown save (well, it kind of was. More on that later).

Bumgarner, who entered the day as the MLB active leader in home runs by a pitcher with 14, launched a pair of 400-plus-foot bombs, both of which gave the Giants the lead. His first, a fifth-inning shot off of Zack Greinke tied him for the franchise record for homers by a pitcher. The second gave Bumgarner 16 for his career, more than any pitcher in Giants history.

With the power display, Bumgarner became the first Giants hitter to hit two long balls on Opening Day since Barry Bonds. He also became the first pitcher ever to hit two home runs in an Opening Day game.

For those wondering, Bumgarner is 21 homers shy of Wes Ferrell’s record for the most home runs ever hit by a pitcher.

With one game down and 161 to go, we’ve got a pretty good idea of how the entire season will shake out, right?

First things first

The first game of the 2017 season featured the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Because what better way to showcase the national pastime than playing an indoor game in St. Petersburg?

Naturally, most of the “firsts” of the 2017 occurred in that abandoned factory building, including the first:

• Pitch: a ball inside by Chris Archer.
• At bat: a fly out to left field by Brett Gardner.
• Base runner: Greg Bird, who reached on a walk against Archer.
• Hit: Corey Dickerson, a single off Masahiro Tanaka.
• Run: Dickerson scored on an RBI sac fly by Evan Longoria.
• Home run: Longoria, on a laser over the short wall in left field very similar to the famous Wild Card-winning 12th inning walk-off homer he hit to beat the Yankees and knock the Boston Red Sox out of postseason contention on the final day of the 2011 season.
• Error: Gary Sanchez, whose throwing error on a Mallex Smith bunt allowed the Rays to push their lead to 7-2.
• Win: Archer, who allowed two earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk in seven innings of the 7-3 victory.
• Loss: Tanaka, who was shelled to the tune of seven earned runs, including two home runs, in just 2.2 innings.
• Replay: A botched challenge in the top of the first when the umpires held up the incorrect call on the field that second baseman Brad Miller’s throw to first beat Matt Holliday to the bag.

But there were several other first time feats that happened in later games Sunday, as well as Opening Day, Part II on Monday, including the first:

• 2-homer game: Bumgarner
• No-pitch intentional walk: Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, who became the first in baseball history (trivia answer alert). Cubs Jake Arrietta was tagged with the IBB.
• Rainout: Tigers at White Sox
• Walk-off win: Diamondbacks, who overcame a 5-4 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to win 6-5.
• Walk-off home run: Mark Trumbo, whose winner, as MLB Stat of the Day noted, was the first Opening Day walk off home run in Orioles history.

 The two-hole

Lineup construction is always evolving across Major League Baseball. For example, Kyle Schwarber is the new man atop the lineup for the Chicago Cubs. As our Joshua Sadlock discussed this week, Schwarber comes from a far different mold than his predecessor Dexter Fowler, but the big outfielder/catcher/DH might just signal a modern day revolution atop the batting order.

Manager Joe Maddon is well known for using various unorthodox lineups to take advantage of matchups. Like he did almost exclusively in the second half last season, Maddon slotted reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant into the two-hole behind Schwarber on Opening Day.

It isn’t typical for big league managers to put a slugger that hit 39 home runs the previous year so high in the order, but Maddon isn’t alone in his forward thinking decision-making to give his best hitters as many plate appearances as possible.

Here’s a quick rundown of the two-hole hitters for all 30 teams on Opening Day:

• Angels: RF Kole Calhoun
• Astros: 3B Alex Bregman
• Athletics: RF Matt Joyce
• Blue Jays: 3B Josh Donaldson
• Braves: SS Dansby Swanson
• Brewers: 1B Eric Thames
• Cardinals: SS Aledmys Diaz
• Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant
• Diamondbacks: SS Chris Owings
• Dodgers: SS Corey Seager
• Giants: 1B Brandon Belt
• Indians: SS Francisco Lindor
• Mariners: RF Mitch Haniger
• Marlins: C J.T Realmuto
• Mets: SS Asdrubal Cabrera
• Nationals: CF Adam Eaton
• Orioles: CF Adam Jones
• Padres: 1B Wil Myers
• Phillies: LF Howie Kendrick
• Pirates: CF Starling Marte
• Rangers: DH Shin-Soo Choo
• Rays: CF Kevin Kiermaier
• Red Sox: LF Andrew Benintendi
• Reds: 2B Jose Peraza
• Rockies: 2B D.J. LeMahieu
• Royals: 3B Mike Moustakas
• Twins: DH Robbie Grossman
• Yankees: C Gary Sanchez

Some of the names make perfect sense. Reigning NL batting champion D.J. LeMahieu is built in the move ‘em over, move ‘em around prototype that defined the prototypical No. 2 hitter for decades. Francisco Lindor is also an ideal fit, as is Andrew Benintendi, though as Benintendi showed Monday, the rookie can go long as well. Dansby Swanson also fits the traditional model.

Adam Eaton is basically a second leadoff hitter behind Trea Turner in Washington, which is a nice option to have, especially considering some teams don’t have one leadoff hitter (See White Sox: Saladino, Tyler).

However, there are quite a few power-hitting run producers on the list as well. In addition to Bryant, Josh Donaldson, Corey Seager, Wil Myers and Gary Sanchez all hit second in their club’s season-opening game. That group combined for 150 home runs last season. For non-math majors, that comes out to an average of 30 dingers apiece. Mike Moustakas is also a non-traditional slugging two-hole hitter.

Perhaps the most intriguing name is Eric Thames, who was a 40-40 player in Korea last year and played his first major league game since 2012 after signing with the Brewers over the offseason. Others are less than ideal. The biggest head-scratcher is probably Twins DH Robbie Grossman, though the switch hitter may have been a matchup call against Royals lefty Danny Duffy.

Three things we learned

1. Bullpens are already a huge storyline

After a painfully frustrating season a year ago in which the club led the major leagues with 30 blown saves, the Giants targeted the bullpen as the team’s No. 1 need over the winter. San Francisco allocated $62 million over four seasons to sign All-Star closer Mark Melancon to stop the bleeding in the late innings. Though it’s just one game, early indications are that the bullpen is still an issue in San Francisco.

Other than a hiccup in the sixth inning, Bumgarner pitched brilliantly and thanks to his bat, the lefty handed the Giants bullpen a lead to protect. Derek Law promptly blew it in the eighth by allowing three hits without recording an out. Still, Ty Blach and Hunter Strickland held the Diamondbacks in check the rest of the frame, and the Giants manufactured a run in the ninth to regain the lead.

In his first official action with his new team, Melancon recorded two quick outs, and Giants fans probably let themselves believe their ninth inning troubles were behind them. Alas, the righty allowed four hits, including an RBI single by pinch hitter Daniel Descalso and the walk off single by Chris Owings.

And the Giants aren’t the only team with bullpen troubles already in 2017. In that very game, D-Backs closer Fernando Rodney worked with a tie score and walked two, threw two wild pitches and allowed two hits to lose the lead before poaching a win.

Later that evening, Seung Hwan Oh couldn’t complete a five-out save (though Mike Matheny’s making the right move for the wrong reasons played a role). Oh blew a terrific Carlos Martinez performance when he surrendered a three-run bomb to Willson Contreras in the bottom of the ninth. St. Louis still pulled out the victory and Oh, like Rodney, got credit for no reason.

Also, last season, the Texas Rangers posted a 36-11 record in one-run games, and a solid bullpen led by Sam Dyson and Matt Bush were a big reason why. However, the pair combined to allow five hits, including a homer, and four earned runs in two innings against the Cleveland Indians to blow a 5-4 lead in an 8-5 loss.

But, there is hope. It appears that Orioles manager Buck Showalter learned his lesson and pitched Zach Britton in the ninth inning of a 2-2 ballgame (and left him in for the 10th). It paid off as Britton and the rest of the Baltimore bullpen posted a combined 6.2 scoreless frames and kept the game tied until Trumbo came through with the walk-off.

1. Bryce Harper is good at baseball, as are several other young superstars

Yeah, yeah, it’s just one game. Harper was rumored to be playing trough injury last season as his numbers fell off sharply. But Harper’s Opening Day home run – not to mention the seven homers he hit in Grapefruit League action this spring – are a clear indication the 2015 NL MVP is in prime form in 2017.

Elsewhere, Andrew Benintendi, Willson Contreras, Carlos Correa, Rougned Odor, Joc Pederson, Jose Ramirez, Miguel Sano and Corey Seager all homered – with Odor twice going yard. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the group combined for an Opening Day record 10 homers hit by players under the age of 25.

1. Mets pitching injuries look like a major issue

With one of the best pitching staffs in baseball as the primary catalyst, the New York Mets have made back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 1999-2000. However, injuries could derail a shot at the first playoff three-peat in franchise history.

Noah Syndergaard was dazzling against the Braves Monday. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed five hits and struck out seven hitters in six innings, but left with a blister and a no decision. It doesn’t look like Syndergaard’s blister will sideline him long, though manager Terry Collins indicated he may be pushed back an extra day before making his next start.

The Mets still have Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Robert Gsellman available, but other injuries to other starters have hurt the rotation’s depth. Seth Lugo reportedly has a “significant elbow problem,” and will be out for an extended period. Steven Matz is likely to miss more than a month with a sore left elbow. Both pitchers were expected to compete for spots in the starting rotation this spring, but both opened the season on the disabled list instead.

Zach Wheeler won the job almost by default, and is expected to make his first start in more than 30 months this week following Tommy John surgery and a series of setbacks. Also, Harvey didn’t pitch after July 4 last season. Both starters have huge talent and ability, but it’s difficult to trust them to stay healthy in 2017.

Should something significant happen to Syndergaard or deGrom, the Mets could be in for a difficult season. Therefore, it’s perfectly reasonable for fans to be nervous about a blister.

Quotable

"“…These players have pride. They have high expectations. They want to come out and win every game. They do not want to lose. Losing is not sexy. Winning is sexy.”"

– New NBC Sports California pregame and postgame in-studio analyst Jose Canseco, on the A’s reaction to low expectations.

Canseco is back in baseball – at least until he says something incredibly stupid and/or profane into a hot mic. With the A’s coming off consecutive 90-plus-loss seasons, fans in Oakland are nostalgic for the good ole days, and have brought Canseco, Dave Stewart and Dallas Braden into the mix for the newly-branded television broadcasts.

Canseco wasn’t the only A’s legend on hand in Oakland on Opening Day, however. Rickey Henderson was back in his hometown to be honored.

Play of the Week

There will be prettier catches this season (Byron Buxton made one look effortless on Opening Day), and his Blue Jays still lost the game in extra innings, but Jose Bautista made a five-star diving catch to preserve a tie score in the bottom of the ninth against the Orioles.

Statcast data said Bautista – a 36-year-old with a less than stellar defensive reputation – had just a 21 percent chance of making the play.

League Leaders

I wrote a little about my own journey to understanding some of baseball’s newer stats for our 2017 MLB preview in a post titled A Beginner’s Guide to Baseball Analytics.

I’m not the only one trying to expand my statistical horizons. In Cincinnati, the Reds are posting WAR, OPS+, BABIP and ISO on the scoreboard, and helping define the terms for fans.

With that in mind, each week we take a look at the top five players in the big leagues in a couple of selected categories. First up, the all-important wins above replacement.

WAR (Hitters)

• Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics (0.3)
• Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants (0.3)
• Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers (0.3)
• Yasmani Grandal, Los Angeles Dodgers (0.2)
• Logan Morrison, Tampa Bay Rays (0.2)
• 16 others tied at (0.2)

It’s obviously extremely early, but there are intriguing names listed among the top 10 in the league in WAR. Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal joined Bumgarner atop the NL home run leaderboard when he homered from both sides of the plate in a 14-3 victory over the Padres.

Rougned Odor took the AL lead in home runs after he homered in his first two at bats of the season for the Rangers. Khris Davis tied Odor in the nightcap Monday as the Oakland A’s beat the Los Angeles Angels.

Among those tied for second in WAR after one game are familiar names like Mike Trout, Freddie Freeman, Kevin Kiermaier and Mark Trumbo, as well as a few unlikely to ever be mentioned again: Jeff Mathis, Sandy Leon, and Ryan Schimpf.

 WAR (Pitchers)

• Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals (0.6)
• Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets (0.3)
• Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox (0.3)
• Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants (0.3)
• Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays (0.3)

The leaderboard for pitchers is much more traditional with five Opening Day starters making the cut. Carlos Martinez was the most impressive as he shut out the Cubs over 7.1 innings. Facing one of the toughest lineups in baseball, Martinez struck out 10 without surrendering a walk.

Of course, Bumgarner had 10 K’s without a free pass also. And, notice Bumgarner’s name on both lists.

Who throws the hardest?

Fastball Velocity according to PITCHf/x

• Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets (98.5 mph)
• Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox (98.1 mph)
• Hunter Strickland, San Francisco Giants (98.1 mph)
• Michael Lorenzen, Cincinnati Reds (98.1 mph)
• Jose Ramirez, Atlanta Braves (97.2 mph)

Random MLB Power Rankings

Ranking the rosters of the eight rebuilding clubs

Entering the 2017 season, odds makers set the over/under win totals for all 30 big league clubs. The bottom eight teams were each projected to win fewer than 75 games this year because each of the eight clubs is in various stages of a rebuild.

Basically, all eight have no shot to make the postseason each front office is already looking ahead to 2018. But, some have made more progress than others.

1. Atlanta Braves
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Oakland A’s
6. Philadelphia Phillies
7. Cincinnati Reds
8. San Diego Padres

The Braves have attacked their rebuild from both sides, quickly building arguably the best farm system in baseball through a series of trades (thanks in large part to Arizona and San Diego), and also added several key (or, old…very old) veterans that have some fans dreaming of a Wild Card berth in SunTrust Park’s inaugural season. It isn’t likely to happen, but the Braves are on the right track.

Despite coming off a season in which they posted the worst record in baseball, there’s reason to be optimistic about the Twins as well. If Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano come close to reaching their potential, Minnesota can shoot up the standings in the AL Central. Buxton, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Eddie Rosario and Danny Santana make the Twins one of the most athletic clubs in baseball.

The division rival White Sox made some impressive offseason moves to land Yoan Moncado, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, but they had to give up Chris Sale and Adam Eaton to do it. Chicago still has Jose Quintana and a few other tradable assets, which will make them a fun team to watch in July.

The Brewers are likely to lead the majors in stolen bases again this season, and Eric Thames will be fun to watch. But the pitching staff isn’t great and Opening Day starter Junior Guerra is already headed to the DL.

Oakland’s Khris Davis is set for another massive year, and the Athletics also revamped their roster to fix clubhouse issues that plagued the team last season. The A’s have a sneaky strong starting rotation as well, plus a bullpen with four veteran big league closers.

The Phillies overachieved last season, though this year’s club got off to a strong start with a 4-3 win over the Reds. Cesar Hernandez and Freddy Galvis (who shockingly hit 20 homers last season) both went deep and Odubel Herrera is one of the most exciting players most common fans don’t know.

Cincinnati still has Joey Votto, and Billy Hamilton is fun to watch in the outfield and on the base paths, but the Reds was forced to start Scott Feldman on Opening Day. The club also hasn’t yet found the identity of its rebuild, though general manager Dick Williams is an interesting baseball thinker that should get the franchise moving in the right direction soon.

Padres GM A.J. Preller blew up the San Diego farm system in 2015, then quickly gave up on the high-priced veterans he acquired in the process. The farm system is getting better, but the on-field results aren’t going to be good in 2017. The Padres were helpless against Clayton Kershaw, again, on Opening Day. San Diego looks like a lock to lose 100 games.

Useless Info

The Padres have three Rule 5 Draft selections on their active roster: Shortstop Allen Cordoba, pitcher Miguel Diaz and catcher Luis Torrens.

The average age of the Yankees’ Opening Day lineup was 29 years and 63 days – the youngest for the club since 1992. New York also started four players under the age of 25 for the first time since 1932.

The Minnesota Twins snapped an eight-game Opening Day losing streak with a 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at Target Field.

San Francisco outfielder Jarrett Parker became the 11th different player to start Opening Day in left field for the Giants in the last 11 years. The last left fielder to start two seasons in a row for the club? Some guy named Barry Bonds.

Fernando Rodney threw two wild pitches in his first outing with Arizona. In his first 28 outings with the Padres last season, Rodney was credited with only one wild pitch.

Phillies starting Jeremy Hellickson became the first pitcher to hit a triple on Opening Day since 1963.

The Brewers became the 11th major league team since 1913 to use seven pitchers in a nine-inning Opening Day game.

Next: FanSided 2017 MLB Preview

Finally, with runners on second and third and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mets turned a rare 1-3-6 double play to seal a 6-0 victory over the Braves on Opening Day. Pitcher Robert Gsellman fielded a Brandon Phillips slow roller on the first base side of the mound, and threw to first for out No. 2 in the inning.

First baseman Lucas Duda then noticed Matt Kemp stuck in no man’s land off second base, and threw to Asdrubal Cabrera, who tagged Kemp out sliding back into second to end the game. Kemp was caught in a lurch when base runner Freddie Freeman broke for home on contact, but fled back to third instead of trying to score.