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The Case For Johnny Cueto As The National League’s Best

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Prior to the start of this baseball season, I texted a friend with a simple question—allowing for good health, was Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto the top starter in the National League? My friend, though a Reds fan, responded as though I was nuts, saying that while he hoped Johnny would have a big year, that the answer to the question was clearly the Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw.
I was mystified by why Cueto was so casually dismissed…

MLB Instant Replay: Keep The Manager In The Dugout

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My big-picture issue with the way MLB instant replay is being handled by the managers themselves. Every time a call is close, we see the skipper take a slow walk to visit the umpire, all the while looking back over his shoulder at the bench coach, as the replays are being reviewed, waiting for a signal on whether to challenge or not.

2013 World Series Game 6: Boston Strong As Red Sox Close Out A Title

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A World Series–indeed, an entire postseason that has been marked by tense pitching battles–had a finish on Wednesday night that for baseball fans was anticlimactic, but for the city of Boston was one long night of letting off steam, tension and ultimately celebrating its third championship in ten years. The Boston Red Sox used three-run outbursts in both the third and fourth innings to easily dispatch the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Game 6 and win the 2013 World Series.

2013 World Series Game 5: Les(ter) Is More For The Boston Red Sox

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If Games 3 & 4 of the battle between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals were filled with decisions, nuance and room for scrutiny and second-guessing then 2013 World Series Game 5 was one that was simply about the battle. It was Jon Lester and Adam Wainwright, the two aces of each staff and each pitching like it. The Red Sox found just enough offense to win 3-1 and move to within one win of claiming what has been an outstanding Fall Classic.

World Series Game 4: Another Thriller, Another Strange Ending

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Red Sox manager John Farrell made a lot of pitching decisions last night that were unorthodox and please note that is neither criticism nor compliment. It’s simply a statement of fact. Farrell pulled Clay Bucholz when the starter had pitched four effective innings. Farrell pulled Felix Doubront after the latter had retired eight straight hitters and then given up one hit. Farrell brought in presumed Game 6 starter John Lackey to pitch the eighth inning.

World Series Game 3: Breaking Down The Game That Led Up To The Call

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I think it was absurd to interpret the rule in that way in that situation. But there was also an extraordinary baseball game that took place leading up to that, so this post will focus on everything that happened right up to the final umpires’ decision.

2013 World Series: St. Louis Bumbles About In Game 1

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Jon Lester was brilliant, Mike Napoli was clutch and David Ortiz was locked in at the plate. These three heroes led the way in the Boston Red Sox’ 8-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the 2013 World Series, but the enduring image of the Series opener are the uncharacteristic mistakes made in the field by St. Louis.

MLB Coverage: Another Slam Triggers A Grand Celebration In Boston

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Throughout Game 6 it had the feel of a night that didn’t quite belong to the Boston Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia missed a three-run homer by inches when a ball just went foul down the left field line. David Ortiz and Mike Napoli missed chances to tie a 2-1 game in the sixth. Max Scherzer wasn’t as dominating as he’d been in Game 2, but the Detroit starter and presumptive Cy Young winner was still pitching extremely well.

MLB Coverage: A Celebration In St. Louis

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The St. Louis Cardinals solidified their status as the major league baseball version of the New England Patriots or the San Antonio Spurs. Just ruthlessly efficient, always in the mix and moving forward like a steamroller. That’s exactly what St. Louis was on Friday night, burying the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-0 and clinching the National League pennant for the fourth time in ten years

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