I have a ton of press releases to wade through and post, so let’s do those before getting to the links. I’m actually at work, but thanks to the office building having DirecTV, I’m in the kitchen watching College Gameday (any way to see Lee Corso’s picks at the end). I’ll post press releases and after doing some paperwork, I hope to get some links in. Some good stories out there today.
Let’s check out what’s on the networks for MLB this weekend. First, Fox has three game and current Mets radio voice Howie Rose will join former Mets analyst Tim McCarver for the Mets-Phillies game today.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
RED BIRDS MARCH TOWARDS NL CENTRAL CROWN – On Saturday, September 12 at 4:00 PM ET, Albert Pujols, the NL MVP favorite, leads the Cardinals in a matchup with Brian McCann and the Braves. Out west, the Angels look primed to secure another AL West title, but all is not certain as the Rangers continue to push them to the limit. Los Angeles aims to keep the lead in the playoff race as they welcome Paul Konerko and the White Sox to Southern California. Also, David Wright and the Mets visit Chase Utley and the World Series champs in Philadelphia. This week, the pregame show originates live from Busch Stadium in St. Louis with host Chris Rose. Once game action begins, Rose joins analyst Mark Grace to handle play-by-play duties. For instant updates during the week and games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX.
ROSENTHAL: BRAVES’ HUDSON HAS OPTION TO TEST MARKET – MLB on FOX insider and FOXSports.com senior writer Ken Rosenthal reviews the upcoming free-agent class focusing on Saturday’s starter for the Braves, Tim Hudson and his options after this season (below). According to Rosenthal, the lack of “top-of-the-rotation types in this off-season’s class – combined with Hudson’s near-certain status as a non-compensation free agent – could make him more tempted to test the market this time.”
For Rosenthal’s complete breakdown of potential off-season pitching moves click here: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10043446/Braves’-Hudson-has-the-option-to-walk-away.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12
Atlanta Braves at St. Louis Cardinals, Chris Rose & Mark Grace, going to 49% of USABusch Stadium – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels, Josh Lewin & Eric Karros, going to 30% of USA
Angel Stadium – Anaheim, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Providence, Seattle, Tampa
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, Howie Rose & Tim McCarver, going to 20% of USA
Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Buffalo, Hartford, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Richmond
The Mets-Phillies night session of a day-night doubleheader will be ESPN’s Sunday Night game, but the alleged worldwide leader did not send a press release on announcing assignments this week. You know Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips will be there to call the game. Instead, I received this release giving us Morgan and Phillips comments on the to MLB storylines for the rest of the season.
ESPN’s Morgan and Phillips Discuss Top MLB Storylines
ESPN Sunday Night Baseball analysts Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips offer their analysts on some of the top Major League Baseball storylines in the final month of the regular season, including their postseason outlook and MVP and Cy Young predictions.
Top storylines of the season, heading down the stretch:
Matt Holliday’s impact on the CardinalsPhillips – “When you look at all the deals the Cardinals made at the trade deadline, Matt Holliday transformed the team. Mark DeRosa is a good player and Julio Lugo gave them some depth, but Holliday has given them something they haven’t had – protection for Albert Pujols. Holliday’s production in one-run games has been fantastic – hitting .400 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and 22 hits – and the Cardinals are 11-4 in those games; 31-11 since the trade.
“Holliday has also helped the team take pressure off of its starting pitching. They are scoring more runs and providing a larger margin for error, which has made a huge difference.
“Their front office gave Tony LaRussa what he has been asking for – veterans to help plug holes and make an impact – to immediately separate them from everyone else in their division.”
Cardinals team to beat in N.L.Morgan – “At the beginning of the season, everyone thought the Chicago Cubs would win the Central Division as they did last year, but they haven’t played up to their potential. The St. Louis Cardinals, with a healthy Chris Carpenter, experienced Adam Wainwright and the rest of their pitching staff stayed close because of the greatness of Albert Pujols. Then, when they added Mark DeRosa and Matt Holliday, they became the best team in the National League.”
Consistency of the RangersPhillips – “The Texas Rangers have been an unbelievable story, sitting two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the wild card race. Ron Washington deserves so much credit for keeping the team together and maintaining their confidence. He is one of the most upbeat, positive people. When everyone else says no, he says yes. He once said that everyone else thought they were sinking, but they didn’t know his team was a submarine. I don’t think they have the pitching to beat the Red Sox, but they don’t believe that because of their manager.
“Pitching coach Mike Maddux is one of the most underrated acquisitions of the offseason. Dave Duncan is the best in baseball, but Maddux may become the next version of him. Pitching has become more of a priority under Nolan Ryan and one of the most significant factors to their success is Maddux. They’ve always been an offensive team and pitchers lost confidence in that ballpark, but they have been consistently good this season. They have overcome a lot of adversity. Scott Feldman, who used to be a submarine-style pitcher, is now throwing over the top and is having a career year leading their rotation.”Yankees’ ballpark perfect for their teamMorgan – “The Yankees have become almost unbeatable at the new Yankee Stadium because it fits the strengths of their team. They have a lot of guys that hit fly balls, especially left-handed hitters. Derek Jeter has taken advantage of the short right field wall. They also have good strikeout pitchers who keep the opposition from duplicating their approach.”
Yankees’ World Series questPhillips –
About Ken Fang
