So I've got a ton of links this morning. There were over 1300 unread in my reader this morning, plus a dozen or so I found before I decided to observe the holiday yesterday. So why did I spend 15 minutes reading Joe Posnanski's thoughts on candy bars?
Monday's Win Expectancy Graph
Monday's BR Box Score
Sunday's Win Expectancy Graph
Sunday's BR Box Score
Saturday's Win Expectancy Graph
Saturday's BR Box Score
Friday's Win Expectancy Graph
Friday's Box Score
Ok, 3 1/2 days of links. Where does one start?
Everyone wants to talk about the game that was or wasn't a no-hitter on Sunday. This seems like a good time to bust out the bullet points:
- Tom H. has the official scorer's explanation.
- Chuckie Hacks says it wasn't a hit, but will settle for a 20-win month.
- In-Between Hops thinks we all have bigger things to worry about.
- The Brew Town Beat thinks MLB should reverse the call.
- Two Fisted Slopper also thinks it was the wrong call.
- Jim Powell says, and I quote: "We wuz robbed."
- Baseball Musings asked another official scorer for their opinion, and said it should be a hit.
- Bugs and Cranks wants to know what you think. Right now about 52% of voters are voting "error."
- Murray Chass wants his prune juice NOW!
- Peter Schmuck says MLB shouldn't change the call after the fact.
A couple of other notes on Sabathia: Beyond the Box Score is comparing Sabathia and...Ricky Nolasco? Also, MLB FanHouse thinks Sabathia is "flying under the radar" as a Cy Young candidate. How is that possible?
This is almost certainly bigger news: Ben Sheets left yesterday's game with tightness in his left groin. I haven't seen any updates on his condition yet, but obviously we'll be watching.
The rosters also expanded over the weekend. The JS has a quick profile of the ten players the Brewers have called up.
Looking ahead, The Brew Town Beat takes a look at today's Mets starter, Jon Niese, who will make his big league debut. TheJay has a FanPost on him too.
Could the Brewers play low-A ball in the Midwest League again next season? Via Al, I found this story that would suggest the Brewers and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are waiting for the MLB-sanctioned window to open negotiations.
On Power Rankings:
WhatifSports has the Brewers 4th.
Phil Rogers has the Brewers 5th.
The Whisnant Rankings have the Brewers 8th.
Two Brewer voices are up for consideration for the Ford Frick Award, getting them a place alongside Bob Uecker in the Hall of Fame. I'm not sure Jim Powell is quite ready for enshrinement yet. And Bill Schroeder? Really?
On injuries:
Padres OF Scott Hairston has a torn ligament in his thumb.
Jeff Kent will have surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus and is out for the season.
Rangers P Vicente Padilla is on the DL with a strained hamstring.
And, instead of linking it 3 times, I'll just tell you that The Disabled List Informer has injury news on Carlos Zambrano (shoulder fatigue), Kevin Gregg (left knee inflammation) and Wandy Rodriguez (oblique).
MLB Trade Rumors has sorted likely free agent pitchers by strikeout rate, giving us the first list of likely free agent pitchers that doesn't have CC Sabathia at the top. At the same time The Junkball Blues asks if free agent pitchers are worth it.
Cliff Lee won his 20th game yesterday, making him 20-2 for the 66-win Cleveland Indians. Baseball Musings is calling it the best pitching performance in the AL since Pedro Martinez in 1999.
Brandon Webb couldn't pick up his 20th win again yesterday. But the organization has stepped up behind him and acquired some grit.
I was looking for something offbeat and unrelated to post here in the close, then I realized I used the candy bar thing in the open. Please do not protest.
Drink up.