Brandon Phillips helped preserve a one-run lead in the seventh inning with Ryan Braun at the plate by bare-handing a ball, dropping a knee on second base for out number one, and finding a way to fire a throw to first. Yeah, Phillips might be the most exciting second baseman in the game.
Archive for the ‘HardBall Talkin’’ Category
Watch Brandon Phillips Make an Incredible Double Play
Posted by Scott Lewis under Brandon Phillips, HardBall Talkin' on May 11, 2013
The Toronto Blue Jays Find New, Exciting Ways to Disappoint
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', Scorn, Toronto Blue Jays on May 09, 2013
There are few things in baseball more anticlimactic than a walkoff walk (unless you happen to know what “shrimp” means, then it’s TOTALLY THE OPPOSITE.) But for most, normal, functioning people, a walkoff walk is a missed opportunity to whoop it up and celebrate a dramatic victory.
The Toronto Blue Jays of 2013 have been just that – anticlimactic. After a roster overhaul landed them squarely in the middle of playoff favorites in the winter, the real baseball season has provided only heartbreak. Disappointment. Let down.
What better way for the Blue Jays to lose then by walkoff walk? Brad Lincoln misses low and the Rays win! The Blue Jays slink off the field as defeated men. The Rays, meanwhile, halfheartedly celebrate around Luke Scott, who drew crucial base on balls.
Walkoff walks are the best and the worst. The Blue Jays are mostly just the worst. At least they aren’t protesting a game against the freaking Astros, as Mike Scioscia‘s Angels are currently playing their game in Houston under protest after an illegal pitching change. Or something. God, what disastrous seasons for both these sad-sack teams.
To say nothing of the Astros, the team happiness forgot. Misery follows that pathetic outfit around like a lost puppy.
Important: Hovercraft/Spaceship Cruises McCovey Cove
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', San Francisco Giants on May 09, 2013
BARRY BONDS HEAD SIZE JOKE GOES RIGHT HERE.
But seriously, this is amazing. Nerds, man. There is nothing they can’t do.
Video: Vernon Wells Plays Third Base. Seriously
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', New York Yankees, Vernon Wells on May 09, 2013
There are two ways to write the “words” part of this video-based post. One angle would be to marvel at the ability of a player like Vernon Wells, to take a “these guys are good!” approach.
After all, Vernon Wells, he of more than 13700 career innings as an outfielder and zero career innings playing as an infielder, took up the hot corner for the Yankees last night after a flurry of Binderism left the Yankees one infielder short. Vernon Wells stepped in to serve as the Yankees third baseman for the ninth inning, where he helped protect a one-run lead and secure the W.
Awesome, right? No.
Matt Harvey: Really Good
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', Matt Harvey on May 08, 2013
Um, 12 strikeouts, no walks, one infield single over nine innings? Welp. Maybe those Mets fans chanting “Harvey’s better!” as Stephen Strasburg were on to something.
It only took 105 pitches to retire 27 of the 28 White Sox set before him on this fateful night in Flushing. Harvey carried a perfect game into the seventh inning, retiring the first 20 batters he faced before Alex Rios legged out an infield single. That would be all the White Sox would get against Harvey, who induced 16 swinging strikes and eight ground balls en route to posting a 97 game score on the ChiSox.
Matt Harvey, making his case for his own semi-religious celebration ala Stramas. Hell, I think Harvey Day might already be on that level. The Elias Sports Bureau, via ESPN Stats & Info, reports Matt Harvey is the first big league starter in 100 years to strikeout out 125 batters while allowing 25 or fewer runs across their first 17 starts.
Does that sound like a bunch of random nonsense? Of course. The takeaway: Matt Harvey is really good. Now you’re up to date.
Video: Matt Kemp is a Good Dude
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', Matt Kemp on May 07, 2013
There isn’t much else to say about this video, which comes via the magic of Vin Scully is My Homeboy by way of Hardball Talk. Matt Kemp gives a fan going through “a tough battle” an autographed ball, hat and the jersey right off his back on his way off the field. Awesome stuff.
Definitely made that guy’s day, something not everyone can do with a simple yet kind gesture. Good on Kemp, bringing smiles in the midst of a tough season, though Kemp clearly understands that it’s all relative.
Could the Mets Allow Matt Harvey to Skip Game to Attend a Hockey Match?
Posted by Scott Lewis under HardBall Talkin' on May 07, 2013
The New York Rangers have themselves a good luck charm of sorts in the New York Mets’ Matt Harvey. The Rangers have not lost at home in games which Harvey has attended. The 24-year old stud was in attendance for the Rangers’ 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, the team’s first win of the 2013 playoffs. Lucky for the Rangers that the Mets had Monday off.
So what now for the Rangers? The Mets are reportedly willing to allow Harvey to skip their Tuesday night contest versus the Chicago White Sox… or are they?
Matt Harvey has Mets permission to skip game tomorrow and be at MSG to root on Rangers. Matt has not seen Rangers lose at home. 6-0.
— Jay Horwitz (@Jay_HorwitzPR) May 7, 2013
