MLB News and Notes: Best from around the FanSided network
Power rankings, post-game analysis, hope for the future, betting advice, and other MLB news and notes from around the FanSided network.
It’s been another busy week in Major League Baseball, and the MLB team at FanSided is continuing to grow to cover it from every angle. As a result, the content available is getting better by the day.
Which is the best team in baseball today? It’s no longer the Cubs, as Josha Sadlock shared in this week’s MLB Power Rankings. Of course, there’s still a long way to go. Sadlock also looked into which teams we believed to be contenders in the preseason should already hit the panic button, and why.
We’re all trying to determine which teams are good, and which aren’t. Right now, the Yankees look like one of the good ones. As for players, Eric Thames has been great for the Brewers, and many other observations here.
Looking to make a few bucks from baseball? Keep up with Matt Whitener’s detailed daily picks, and Matt Zylbert offers a daily best bet of the over/under variety.
MLB News and Notes from the FanSided Network
Being a fan is often like riding a roller coaster. The Cubs recently hit a rough patch and suffered through a four-game losing streak, though Robert Davis of Cubbies Crib pointed to the numbers to see what could be learned from it.
The Blue Jays are off to a horrific start, and as a result, fans and analysts are quick to use the R word. However, as Chris Henderson wrote for Jays Journal, it’s too early to think about a rebuild in Toronto.
The division rival Yankees have done a little bit of rebuilding, specifically by allowing some of their impressive homegrown talent to shine, and so far in 2017, the results are good. As Steve Contursi said at Yanks Go Yard, something feels right about this team.
The Boston Red Sox are in good shape in the early weeks of the season, but as Sean Penney wrote for BoSox Injection, the team’s starting pitchers have been giving up runs in the first inning at an alarming rate. Of course, that doesn’t apply to Chris Sale. FanSided newcomer Justin McGuire took a quick look at the wiry lefty’s most recent dominant start.
And yes, the early season is overreaction season. At Dodgers Way, Cesar Becerra analyzed five overreactions from Dodgers fans thus far. Also, three players have underperformed for the Astros so far, according to Cody Poage of Climbing Tal’s Hill.
The team at Redbird Rants explored the St. Louis Cardinals from every direction, and is always analyzing different ways to improve the club. This week, Tito Rivera-Bosques discussed three big names the Cards could add as an upgrade at third base, and what it would take to acquire each of them.
Starling Marte’s 80-game PED suspension was one of the biggest news items of the week. Brad Kelly dove into the fantasy fallout of it for Fantasy Cracker Jacks.
At Venom Strikes, Mark Brown took a look at some of the Diamondbacks prospects off to a strong start in the minor leagues this season.
With the Atlanta Braves in rebuilding mode, fans are often looking ahead to the future. Prospects Mike Soroka and Kolby Allard are among the exciting names that fans may see at SunTrust Park in the coming years, and Andrew Scherer had an opportunity to speak with them for Tomahawk Take.
The Rays have played frustrating baseball often in 2017, and at Rays Colored Glasses, Althea Pashman pointed to poor judgment and sloppy play as reason for fans to be concerned.
Managers do frustrating things as well, such as hitting Aaron Hill leadoff when Eduardo Nunez and Joe Panik are better options, according to Daniel Sperry at Around the Foghorn.
Elsewhere on the network, Michael Lecolant took up an interesting cause for Rising Apple: Previewing the 1887 season for the New York Metropolitans. Also on a historic note, Jim Sutter dove into the history between the Pirates and Yankees for Rum Bunter. David Hill of Call to the Pen recalled an interesting tidbit about the Angels from 2000.
Quick Hits
There has been a lot of talk about the “face of baseball,” recently, though our Sarabeth Pollock asked if MLB really needs such a face.
On that note, Jordan Ison made his case for Miguel Sano to be the face of the Twins for Puckett’s Pond. Marlin Maniac‘s Phil Kimmel took a look at the options available in Miami.
The Kansas City Royals hosted the San Francisco Giants this week, and it appears that Royals fans are still upset about KC’s loss in the 2014 World Series. At Kings of Kauffman, Colby Wilson put together a top 10 list of reasons to hate the Giants.
Bullpen issues have caused Nationals manager Dusty Baker to overuse his starters, according to Drew Douglas of District on Deck. Speaking of struggling bullpens… Texas lost another series this week, and Connelly Bock found three takeaways for Nolan Writin’.
The Rockies have been very good so far, but aren’t getting the love they deserve, according to Kevin Henry of Rox Pile.
The Cleveland Indians have too many outfielders, and Duane Rohrbacker makes a separate case against Lonnie Chisenhall, Abraham Almonte and Tyler Naquin for Wahoo’s on First.
Matthew Dewoskin looked behind the number of everyone’s new favorite player, Eric Thames, for Reviewing the Brew. The hottest in hitter not named Thames might be Avisail Garcia, and Brian Draus broke down the White Sox outfielder’s blazing start for South Side Showdown.
Center field was the biggest question mark for the Tigers coming into the season. Ben Rosener examined JaCoby Jones’ early defensive impact in center this season for Motor City Bengals.
Fans in Cincinnati are excited about the Reds strong start, though as Nick Vorholt exclaims for Blog Red Machine, it’s put up or shut up time.
Jon Huskey looked into the many reasons the Angels are struggling for Halo Hangout.
Players get the bulk of the attention, unless they don’t. Umpire C.B. Buckner’s rough week makes a case for an auto strike zone, according to Steve Herl of Call to the Pen. Of course, not all concerns stem from the field. Diane Calkins of Friars on Base shared thoughts on the Padres decision to switch to a new radio broadcast station.
Next: MLB rankings: the top 25 players in the game
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