Category: MLB

San Francisco Giants preview: Pirates Await Giants in Three Game Series At PNC Park

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling gets the call against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Friday night as both clubs return to action for the second half of the season on Fri Jul 13, 2023 (file photo from the Toronto Star)

Pirates Await Giants in Three-Game Series

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Francisco Giants (49-41) begin their first series after the All-Star break taking on the Pittsburg Pirates (41-49).

San Francisco is coming off a series win over the Colorado Rockies just prior to the All-Star game winning the second and third game of that series.

The Giants remain in third place in the NL West while the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for first place right now.

Probable pitchers for this game looks to be Ross Stripling 0-2 for the Giants. Right now he has an ERA of 6.37. Rich Hill will take the mound for the Pirates. The 43-year-old has a 7-9 W/L record and a 4.78 ERA.

This game could very well be the start of a close series. Michael Conforto has hit 13 home runs for the Giants this season with a .236 batting average. J.D. Davis is hitting at .277 and has 46 rbi’s to his credit.

The Pirates threat at the plate for the long ball is Jack Suwinski with 19 homeruns and a .235 batting average. Andrew McCutchen has a .268 batting average and is also a home run threat having hit 10 this season.

The Giants spearheaded the NL’s dramatic win in the All-Star game thanks to the pitching effort of Alex Cobb and Camilo Duval’s seventh inning performance. Cobb and Duval hope to continue their winning ways in the second part of the season in their next appearance at the mound.

San Francisco will try to stay on track as they head into the second half of the season with 72 games left. It’s hard to believe that they already have 90 games under their belt. The first part of the season has literally flown by. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.

Oakland A’s preview: A’s host Twins open up second half of season at Coliseum Friday night

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Oakland A’s starter Paul Blackburn pitches against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Tue Jun 27, 2023. Blackburn is slated to start against the Minnesota Twins on Fri Jun 14, 2023 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s begin the second half of the 2023 season by hosting the Minnesota Twins for three games starting Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s find themselves with the worst record in all of baseball. They have won 25 games and lost 67.

The team could break the 1962 New York Mets’ record of 120 losses in a season. The A’s have the lowest team batting average in all of baseball. They are 30th in runs scores, 28th in on-base percentage, 30th in slugging, 30th in runs batted in, 30th in hits, and 30th in OPS.

The pitching staff has the highest ERA (6.04) in baseball. The WHIP (walks, hits divided by innings pitched) is 1.56, 30th in baseball. The A’s have committed 92 errors, the most in baseball. They are 28th in fielding. A’s manager Mark Kotsay sends his players out every night, and the players do their best, but the A’s may have to bring up players from the minor leagues and see if they can help the team improve.

Oakland will start a ten-game homestand against the Minnesota Twins Friday night. The Boston Red Sox will follow for three games, and the Houston Astros will play four to conclude the homestand.

The Twins, currently in second place in the AL Central Divison, are 45-46 and 1/2 game behind the Cleveland Guardians. Twins ‘manager Rocco Baldelli will send Kenta Maeda (2-5, 5.18 ERA) to the hill Friday night. The A’s will counter with Paul Blackburn (1-1. 4.86. The Twins’ Pablo Lopez will pitch on Saturday, and Joe Ryan will go on Sunday. The A’s have yet to announce their starters for those two games.

The key players for the Twins are shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Donovan Solano, Left Felder Joey Gallo, right fielder Max Kepler, and DH Byron Buxton. Unfortunately for the Twins, Correa, Gallo, Kepler, and Buxton are not having a great season.

After failing to get a long-term contract, Correa, with the Twins, is hitting .225 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs. Gallo is hitting a meager .186. Gallo has blasted 15 dingers and knocked in 28. Kepler is at 2.07 and has 12 home runs and 30 RBIs. Buxton’s average is .208. He is hitting .208 with 15 big flies and 34 RBIs.

Other players to watch are:

  • First baseman Alex Kiriloff.
  • Catcher Christian Vasquez.
  • Second baseman Edouard Julien.
  • Kyle Farmer.

Closer Jhoan Duran has 12 saves so far this year. Griffin Jax is the setup guy. Other relievers include Jovani Moran, Jorge Lopez, Emilio Pagan, Cole Sands, Jordan, Balazovic, and Oliver Ortega. 

The A’s are rested and hope to take two out three from The Twins. The A’s then face the Red Sox for three. Last week the Red Sox swept the A’s at Fenway Park. The Astros have owned the A’s for the last several years. The A’s will have their hands full trying to get wins over the Astros.

The A’s would love to play spoilers and upset the apple carts of the three teams coming to the Coliseum. The A’s have a team full of hungry players that would love to show everyone they can be Major League players. It will be interesting to see if the A’s can get their act together and make strides in becoming a better team.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Ohtani coming to SF would be just as big as Bonds signing

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Alex Cobb San Francisco Giants pitcher (left) said Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani (right) is headed for San Francisco and that could happen as early as the trade deadline this month (USA Today file photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, Giants pitcher Alex Cobb pitched a scoreless inning in the All Star Game for the National League he showed off his wears to the nationally televised audience going an inning with a walk and a strikeout.

#2 The talk of the town coming out of the All Star Game was Cobb speaking with Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani about joining the Giants before this month’s trade deadline. Cobb said, “he’s coming to San Francisco.”

#3 A Ohtani acquisition would be a boon for the Giants after the Carlos Correa and Aaron Judge no goes.

#4 Michael talk about how acquiring Ohtani would help San Francisco in the pitching department they’ve got Cobb and Webb as their top starters this could push the Giants over the top as a World Series contender with Ohtani in the rotation.

#5 The Giants open the second half of the season at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The Bucs are eight games below .500 at 41-49 fourth in the NL Central and 8.5 game off the pace. They lost five of their last ten games. No starters have been announced for Friday. How do you see these two teams matching up.

Join Michael Duca for San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Will Thao meeting with Manfred save the A’s from leaving Oakland?

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao with 31 books of documents she presented to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and 30 MLB owners at the MLB All Star Game over the weekend at the Seattle Four Seasons Hotel (@MayorShengThao photo)

On Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Mayor Sheng Thao presented where the deal was between the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s at the time when A’s owner John Fisher announced a binding deal with Las Vegas. MLB Commissioner gave Thao an hour with other MLB owners at the All Star Game in Seattle. Thao presented documents to the Commissioner and some of the owners showing the A’s were close to getting a deal done at the Oakland waterfront ballpark location.

#2 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred as well as the other 30 MLB owners documents showing that the City of Oakland was close to making a deal worth well over what the Las Vegas deal was worth and that the City and A’s were just 10% close to getting a deal done.

#3 Thao made it clear to the Manfred and the owners so there was no misunderstanding that the city did have a plan to finance the Howard Terminal ballpark and that document showed what studies and legal avenues were going to be taken to finance and how infrastructure and construction of the ballpark how it all was going to work and it was proposed to the A’s. This presentation by Thao shows the Commissioner and the owners that she is serious about getting a deal done and that the A’s are Oakland’s team.

#4 Manfred who heard it from the fans at the MLB draft at Lumen Field in Seattle (the home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders) where the draft set up to “Sell the Team” and “Stay in Oakland.” Mayor Thao’s timing also couldn’t have been better to meet with Manfred to present documents showing the City was close to a deal with John Fisher and the A’s.

#5 Oakland A’s fans handed out protest cards asking fans to stand with them chanting “sell the team” during the game. This chant was echoed throughout T Mobile Field during the All Star Game will this protest have any influence on any of the owners to vote no on the A’s Vegas relocation?

Join Jerry Feitelberg who does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: José Canseco to participate in the Battle for Vegas

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Jose Canseco trying a juice at a Las Vegas promotion will be participating in the Battle for Vegas. Canseco a Las Vegas resident will be involved in the community event. Canseco will joined by members of the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, at the local event. (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

By Amaury Pi-González

Ex-A’s star, first 40-40 man in baseball history, World Champion and MVP José Canseco will participate in the Battle for Vegas. In its fourth year, a popular community event that brings members of the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Vegas Raiders, and this year the A’s are joining the local event. The event will take place on July 22 at Las Vegas Aviators Ballpark.

The A’s Community Foundation was added as a sponsor for the Battle for Vegas 2023 charity softball game, which will benefit the Public Education Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters this year. A’s President David Kaval said in a statement according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “As the A’s work toward finalizing relocation to Las Vegas, we are proud and honored to support Reilly Smith and members from Vegas Golden Knights, along with Maxx Crosby and his teammates as they engage in a friendly game of softball at our affiliate team’s ballpark while raising funds for deserving nonprofits.”

The Oakland A’s are getting its community efforts going in Las Vegas ahead of their potential relocation. Commissioner Rob Manfred in Seattle, for the All-Star Game, said that the A’s had begun their relocation efforts, later to be voted by MLB team owners.

Canseco is a resident of Las Vegas, where he owns and operates a popular Car Wash off the strip. Kaval added about the A’s participation in this community event: “We can’t think of a better way to start engaging with the Las Vegas community scene and the charity softball game.” While James Sullivan, co-founder of the Battle for Vegas, said: “We are thrilled to have the A’s Community Foundation as a Battle for Vegas partner.”

Team Reilly includes the NHL Champions Golden Knights Jack Eichel, Adin Hill, Keegan Kolestar, Nicolas Hague, Logan Thompson, and Zach Whitecloud, Shea Theodore, and fan favorite Ryan Reaves. Team Maxx includes Crosby and Raiders Nate Hobbs, AJ Cole, Daniel Carlson, Tre-von Moehrig, and Dylan Parham. The A’s will be represented by Canseco, who will be in both, the game and the home run derby.

This Las Vegas charity event has raised more than $550,000 since 2018 for local nonprofits. Gates open at 5 PM July 22, with the home run derby starting at 6:30 pm and opening pitch for the game at 7:30 PM, all at the A’s Triple-A Affiliate Las Vegas Aviators Stadium.

This year’s competition will benefit the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, distributing funds to Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, and The Public Education Foundation of Las Vegas.

Note: The Teachers Union and vote in Las Vegas efforts won’t affect A’s ballpark, according to the LVCVA, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for Oakland A’s play by play action on the A’s Spanish radio network on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB All-Star Game: National League wins 3-2 for first time in 11 years

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Photo credit: @MLB

By: Mary Anne

The wait was finally over as the 2023 MLB All-Star Game was underway at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday.
The National League defeated the American League 3-2 for the first time since 2012. Elías Díaz delivered the game-winning home run in the eighth inning. Díaz earned the All-Star Game MVP.

The NL’s starting lineup featured Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Nolan Arenado, Luis Arráez, Sean Murphy, Corbin Carroll, and Orlando Arcia.

The AL’s starting lineup featured Marcus Semien, Shohei Ohtani, Randy Arozarena, Corey Seager, Yandy Díaz, Adolis García, Austin Hays, Josh Jung, and Jonah Heim.

After a scoreless first inning, Yandy Díaz hit a solo home run to give the AL a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

J.D. Martinez helped the NL tie the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Martinez scored on a Luis Arráez RBI single.

The AL regained their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Salvador Pérez singled for a 2-1 lead. Pérez now has three All-Star Game hits — the second-most by a Kansas City Royals player.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a game-tying home run, and the NL tied the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning. However, Gurriel Jr.’s home run was overturned and called foul. The score remained 2-1 AL.

Elías Díaz hit a two-run shot to give the NL a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning. Díaz’s two-run home run sealed the NL’s win over the AL.

Notes
Zach Gallen struck out Shohei Ohtani for his first All-Star Game shutout.

Up Next
The second half of the 2023 MLB season will start on Friday, July 14.

The San Francisco Giants will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series at PNC Park, while the Oakland Athletics will welcome the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series at Oakland Coliseum. The Giants’ series opener will start at 4:05 pm Pacific, while the A’s series opener will start at 6:40 pm Pacific.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: All Star Doval shutting the door as closer; Now with 26 saves

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San Francisco Giant reliever Camilo Doval is tied as the Majors top fireman with 26 saves. His most recent recorded save came on Sun Jul 9, 2023 at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Colorado Rockies (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, talk about the Giants All Star representative Camilo Doval who has 26 saves under his belt going into tonight’s All Star Game in Seattle. Doval will be joined by teammate pitcher Alex Cobb who was selected on Sunday.

#2 Doval picked up his last save against the Colorado Rockies last Saturday at Oracle Park in San Francisco throwing just ten pitches eight of those for strikes to close the door on Colorado.

#3 Doval in that ninth inning struck out Rockie hitters Nolan Jones and Harold Castro for his eighth consecutive save.

#4 Doval in picking up his 26th save is now tied for the MLB lead with the Cincinnati Reds reliever Alexis Diaz for saves.

#5 What will it mean for Doval to come out as a National League relief pitcher representing the Giants and taking those 26 saves to the mound with him at the All Star Game?

#6 Stephen talk about the home run derby on Monday with the Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr who won the contest talk about the contest.

Join Stephen Ruderman for the Giants or MLB podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Opposing teams might have problem playing in minor league parks if A’s leave Coliseum; All Star Game in Seattle tonight

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Major League Players Association Executive Director Tony Clark said that the relocation of the Oakland A’s will impact players, front office personnel, stadium employees, fans, visiting teams. No one will be left out from the effects of the A’s moving to Vegas. (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury it’s been since early June when Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the MLB owners will take a vote on the Oakland A’s relocation move to Las Vegas here we are second week of July day of the 2023 All Star game no vote is planned. Is this an indication to you that the 30 owners are far apart on this relocation move to Las Vegas and more than eight teams are voting no on the relocation idea.

#2 Tony Clark of the MLB Players Union says that one of the issues of relocating to Reno or Las Vegas to play games in over 100 degree heat in temporary homes for the A’s during the 2025-27 seasons is a concern for visiting MLB teams who come to Nevada to play the A’s.

#3 Clark also said that there are a lot of people affected by the A’s move to Las Vegas, the players, manager, coaches, visiting ball clubs, fans, Oakland Coliseum employees and front office personnel. This move will have those groups having to move and accept a lower pay scale and possible pay cuts in because of lower wages offered in Nevada.

#4 Amaury do you think one of the factors that is stalling the owners from taking the vote is that Manfred has waved the relocation fee and that teams will take in less revenue since the A’s will now play in the 40th and smallest market in MLB and have the smallest ballpark in MLB.

#5 Bally’s who owns the Tropicana site has offered four more acres of land space making it 13 acres to build the new ballpark on it and giving it more room for the retractable roof. Does such an offering from Bally’s sweeten the deal for the A’s getting more space?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB All-Star Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeats Randy Arozarena 25-23 in MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

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The Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr waves to the T Mobile Field crowd in Seattle during the 2023 All Star Game Home Run Derby during introductions. Guerrero Jr was the winner for this year’s home run derby on Mon Jul 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, better known as the most anticipated baseball event of the summer, got underway at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez, also known as J-Rod, was especially popular with the crowd in Seattle. Julio Rodríguez lost in the finals against then-Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto last summer but he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby.

Other sluggers included Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García.

Bracket
#1 Luis Robert Jr. vs. #8 Adley Rutschman
#4 Adolis García vs. #5 Randy Arozarena
#6 Mookie Betts vs. #3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#7 Pete Alonso vs. #2 Julio Rodríguez

Round 1
Arozarena defeated García 24-17.

Robert Jr. defeated Rutschman 28-27.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Betts 26-11.

Rodríguez defeated Alonso 41-21.

Round 2
Arozarena defeated Robert Jr. 35-22.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Rodríguez 21-20.

Final
Guerrero Jr. defeated Arozarena 25-23.

Up Next
The American League and the National League will battle each other in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants take rubber game from Rockies; Rocky pitcher Freeland leaves with shoulder injury

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeman withering in pain from an apparent shoulder injury in the bottom of the seventh against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Giants pitcher Logan Webb was great Sunday. He pitched a complete game shutout against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. The Giants won, 1-0, capping his performance by striking out the side in ninth. 

#2  Webb scattered seven hits and struck out 10 of the 31 batters he faced. 75 of his 103 pitches counted as strikes. The effort improved Webb’s record to 8-7, 3.14.

#3 Colorado starter Kyle Freeland threw a beautiful game for the 6-1/3 innings he was able to pitch before he injured himself fielding Casey Schmitt’s bunt in the bottom of seventh, an attempted sacrifice that went into the books as the sixth hit allowed by the Rockies’ starter. Freeland suffered a dislocated shoulder.

#4 The Giants had broken a scoreless tie in the bottom half of the fourth with JD Davis’s 421 foot home run to left center fielder. It came on Freeland’s first pitch of the frame, an 85.4 mph sinker that rose on a 30 degree angle leaving the Giants’ third baseman’s bat at 109.1 mph. 

#5 The Giants are off for the All Star break and return to action on Fri Jul 14th at PNC Park in Pittsburgh to start the second half of the season. Talk about Giants All Star representative Camilo Doval who been lights out in relief with a 2-2 record and a 2.63 ERA.

Join Marko for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com