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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Have the Young, Exciting Players the Giants Lack

Published on July 7, 2018July 7, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @AthleticsPR

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

The San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics are two totally different ball clubs that play on opposite sides of the Bay Area. The Giants are one of the oldest teams trying to capture the same magic with most of the same cast: Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Brandon Crawford, Madison Bumgarner. Meanwhile, the A’s have a refreshing, talented bunch of young players with their best years ahead of them, like Matt Chapman, Matt Olson, Mark Canha, Chad Pinder and Khris Davis. The A’s young squad is one of the most prolific home run squads in the game, as they can score so much in order to win.

In case you need a refresher, the A’s play in the American League West, which is one of the strongest divisions in baseball. The Giants play in the National League West, which is pretty much just a bunch of teams barely above the .500 mark and trying to survive July. Yet, the Giants are still constructed to win it all, while the A’s are a couple of years away. But this season, the A’s might even finish in second place, after finishing as cellar-dwellars in the last three years.

And yes, it is a different game today, as hitters do not choke-up at the plate trying to make contact. The hit and run (and a stolen base, for that matter) is rarely seen. Also, the bunt is like a the typewriter–it is a conversational topic, but when somebody actually bunts, it is like a breaking news headline.

Let’s face it, in our Statcast world, it is all about the home run today, and there is no dishonor of striking out. Hence, the many .220 and .230 averages we have seen in every lineup. During the last few years, teams have been building bullpens and starters and have a hard time when they face the hitters for the third time around.

The A’s third baseman is Matt Chapman and the first baseman Matt Olson. They are two of the most exciting, all-around ballplayers in the game today, since they both can hit with power, and will likely win a few Gold Gloves. Moreover, Mark Canha can play in the outfield and has shown his excellent power on display. It is getting better–the more he plays. Additionally, Chad Pinder could play everyday, but he is the young super-utility player who plays six different positions for Bob Melvin’s team.

Melvin continues to be one of the best managers in the game, not because he has won two Manager of the Year awards–one with Arizona the other one with Seattle–but because of his tremendous ability and patience to manage young talent.

Davis is one of the most consistent sluggers in the MLB and obviously doesn’t get the same respect other sluggers get. In 2016, he hit 42 home runs and drove in 102 in his first season in Oakland, Calif. In 2017, he hit 43 homers and drove in 110. And, this season, he is on a pace to repeat for the third year in a row. He is a DH because he does his job–he hits and drives in runs. He is as dangerous of a hitter in a game situation as there is today.

As we get close to the All-Star Game on July 17th at Nationals Park–home of the Washington Nationals–both the A’s and Giants have the same goal to make the postseason. For the A’s, is much more difficult because among the AL super teams this year, two are in their division–the World Champion Houston Astros and the much-improved Seattle Mariners. The A’s record today would put them neck-and-neck with the Cleveland Indians, who are on top of the Central Division. And, with a 49-40 record today, the A’s would be right at the top of the NL West.

There are approximately 70 games left for most of the teams at this junction of the season. Both the A’s and Giants are still hoping for a wild card berth. I believe in the AL West, everybody is playing for second place, but only God knows in the NL West.

The Giants are probably going to go the second half with what they have on hand right now, and I do not expect to see any trades. For the Giants, the challenge will be this winter when they will have to re-direct their future.

For the A’s, they could be buyers or sellers, most likely division sellers, but they have to keep playing as good as they have been doing as of late, because I do not know if the Seattle Mariners have a collapse coming during the second half.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Yankees and Red Sox Rivalry Is Always an Epic Battle

Published on June 20, 2018June 20, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @MLB

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Forget the curse of the Bambino.

For over 100 years, the Yankees and Red Sox rivalry has arguably been the most fierce in baseball. This year is no exception as both clubs are on their way to more than 100 wins. The American League East is probably the only division in either league with such numbers. Both teams should be in the playoffs–one will win the division, the other one will finish second and advance as one of two wild card teams in the American League.

This is a very glamorous battle for top dog. As of today, the Yanks have the most home runs as a team in the MLB with 118, while the Red Sox are second with 106. Both teams are among the top five in pitching as they both sellout with frequency. There is a buzz in Yankee Stadium at the Bronx like in the 1960’s with Mantle and Maris. It’s just that this time, it’s Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and an impressive supporting cast of Gary Sánchez, Didi Gregorious, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres. They have the potential of beating the current MLB record for most home runs in a season by a team, which belongs to the 1997 Seattle Mariners, who had 264.

The Red Sox picked up J.D. Martínez in the offseason after the Yanks inked last year’s NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. It is all working out like both teams wanted and this epic battle could be neck-and-neck for the entire season. It’s a terrific summer spectacle for two of the great franchises in American sports.

This rivalry is so big that MLB scheduled the first regular season baseball games in Europe in 2019. The Red Sox and Yanks will face at London Stadium in England on June 29th and 30th next year.

I am sure there will be lots of stories and commentaries on English radio and television when these two teams play in the U.K.. After all, cricket is very similar to baseball with 11 players on each team and also use a bat and a ball.

Most historians would agree that baseball was an American invention. But playing in London will probably revive all the speculations on the origins of the game. So, Big Ben will time the breaks between innings during the Red Sox vs. Yanks games. We all understand that baseball was invented in the U.S.A., but we have to give credit to soccer (or fútbol) to the British since it’s their invention. Though, the Chinese have claimed that they played a similar game many centuries ago. Can we all get along and just play ball?

Those two games in London should sell out. After all. London is the largest city in Europe with a population of 14 million. But we are still about a year away from those games.

Back here in this hemisphere, the Yanks and the Red Sox are two of just a handful of teams picked by Las Vegas odds masters to win the World Series, alongside the Astros, Nationals, Dodgers, and Indians.

Just for the fun of it, these were the odds to win the World Series before the season began: Houston 21-4, Cleveland 7-1, Dodgers 7-1, Cubs 8-1, Yanks 9-1, Nats 9-1 and Red Sox 13-1. And, for our local teams, in the Bay Area: Giants 200-1 and A’s 300-1. Moreover, the Marlins have the longest shot of 1,250-1.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Will the Giants Trade Bumgarner?

Published on June 17, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Covers

By: Amaury Pi-González

Will the San Francisco Giants trade Madison Bumgarner? Many Giants fans would give an answer like “Never, preposterous!” or something of that sort. But it’s understandable as they are fans and they would probably react with emotion to the glorious past of one of the most successful pitchers in the MLB postseason.

Though, the Giants are in a very interesting situation. Although, they are not far from first place in a very feeble NL West division where everybody–except the Giants and Padres– have occupied first place at one point in the 2018 season so far.

That being said, the clock is ticking. The trade deadline is on July 31st, just a couple of weeks after the MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Bumgarner could be the finishing touch to postseason regulars like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and vice versa. Bumgarner could be that guy with the postseason experience to bring one of those teams a World Series title.

Remember what the Houston Astros did late last season? They picked up Justin Verlander at the end of the season and Verlander gave the Astros that extra push to win their first ever World Series. So there is a precedent for this, Bumgarner could be the next Verlander this October!

Let’s face it: This is a last go around for this Giants’ roster with guys like Bumgarner, Crawford, Posey, Pence, and Belt that have gone to the October Dance; but it doesn’t seem they have enough to make it this year.

To me, the Giants look like maybe another .500 club in a 2018 season where there are a handful of super teams like the Astros, Red Sox, Yankees, Nationals, and maybe Dodgers, but a majority of teams are currently stuck in mediocrity.

The NL West is not the best division in baseball and might not be this season. In life, timing is everything.

So what is the limit for the Giants on trading Bumgarner for some young players? That is the question. The Yankees are loaded with young talent and some of that young talent has developed faster than they have imagined. The Yankees could be the perfect trading partners with the Giants for a Bumgarner deal. The Yankees are in the American League East, so Bumgarner will not be able to face the Giants on a regular basis unless if there’s an unlikely situation where the Giants will meet the Yankees this October in the World Series.

Things can turn around very quickly in baseball and I am sure the Giants are hoping that their team will wake up soon and put out a good winning streak even if it is not 15 in a row. The Giants have played over half of the road games already, so they have plenty of games left at cozy AT&T Park. It seems they cannot catch a break, Brandon Belt has returned while Evan Longoria has left with a broken hand and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Pablo Sandoval is doing whatever he can, but he is not a regular anymore and most of his hits are batting left-handed. Gorkys Hernández has exceeded expectations, but he is not a regular. Samardzija and Cueto have been hurt this season. And, to be fair, when was the last time the Giants had their rotation together this season? Never.

Bumgarner made his first start two months and weeks into the season, Cueto will not be back until the MLB All-Star Break and Samardzija has not found his groove yet. Although personally I was never high on “The Shark,” who signed with the Giants in 2015 on a five-year contract for $90 million. He owns a career record of 69-91 with a 4.16 ERA, and his best year with the Giants was 2016 when he won 12 and lost 11. Amigos, that is one expensive contract.

I like Bumgarner. He is a great competitor, but he is the biggest bait for trade that could make an aging club, younger and maybe more competitive in the future. The clock might be running out sooner that many believe on this 2018 Giants.

As far as trading Bumgarner and getting some good, exciting prospects go, it might be like the famous #1 Elvis song in 1960, “It’s Now or Never.”

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball–The Designated Hitter and the Shift

Published on June 14, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: mlb.com

By: Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Let’s face it.

Like it or not, the Designated Hitter is inevitably going to the National League. The DH began as an experiment that was going to be tested for three years, but it was permanently adopted by the American League and later by most amateurs and minor league teams.

As a matter of fact, the DH is used in most professional baseball leagues around the world today. Some exceptions include the NL and Little League’s rules.

The first time the DH rule was used was on April 6, 1973, on Opening Day when New York Yankees’ Ron Blomberg was inserted in the lineup as a DH, and hit for the pitcher. Since then, the DH has been used in the AL for the last 46 years.

Purists say that the DH takes away from the all-around performance of a big league player while some say a DH should never go into the Hall of Fame. Others argue that it is not fair during postseason for an AL team playing at a NL park, since pitchers–who often are not good hitters–don’t even bat for a whole season in the AL, and they have to come to the plate.

From my memory, I recall these pitchers as decent hitters: Ken Brett, Mike Hampton, Carlos Zambrano, Fernando Valenzuela, Zack Greinke, Madison Bumgarner and many others that pitched prior to 1973 when they had to hit on both leagues.

Overall, the ninth position has been reserved for the pitcher because is usually the weakest hitter in the lineup. Majority of pitchers on both leagues have a limit pitch count, bullpens have become essential for winning, part of the transformation of the game. The older you are, the more traditional you are when it comes to this topic.
Now that one generation of people have seen the DH, and because the game currently is much more about home runs than hit and run, steal and bunt–the brainwash has been fully executed.

But, again, the DH will sooner than later will be implemented in the NL.

The Shift
In 1941, Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams hit .406. Nobody has come near that since. The history books told us that the Shift was born when Cleveland Indians’ manager Lou Boudreau used it in July 1946. That was a more extreme version with six defenders stationed on the right side. 1946 was the first season for Ted Williams after serving the previous three years in World War II, and he ended that season hitting just .342.

Today, you do not to be Ted Williams to see everybody on one side of the field. You can be a .240 hitter and see close to what “Teddy Ballgame” used to see. Some guys now are finally learning to go the other way, but not enough yet.

Maybe in a few years, the shift can be part of the past and in history could be considered an experiment like the DH was originally intended to be. Today’s batting averages are lower while home runs and strikeouts are higher.

If that continues, what good is the Shift if you either hit the ball over the fence or you strikeout?

I have to confess I do not care much for the Shift that we see today and I believe it will not last as long as the DH. That is only my opinion. I could be wrong, but I am not a dictator, so I will welcome and respect your opinion.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: World Cup Russia 2018 and USA 1994

Published on June 3, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @DailyMirror

By: Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The United States did not qualify for this upcoming World Cup. However, I did have the privilege of covering the 1994 USA World Cup for Telemundo Bay Area–the only World Cup ever in the USA–and had great memories of that event.

Like, for example, my exclusive one-on-one interview with the great Edson Arantes do Nascimiento, who’s better known as Pelé. The Brazilian forward is also known as the greatest fútbol player of all time. He came to the USA as an ambassador to FIFA and I recall that he was wearing a sports jacket with the MasterCard logo, one of the biggest worldwide sponsors at that time. I have a photo with him and he even autographed his photo for me. You could not ask for a better person to represent his country of Brazil or the sport in general. I was lucky and privileged to cover the Brazilian team that won the 1994 US World Cup since their plane arrived at San José International Airport. That year (1994), Brazil had the great Bora Milutinovic as their head coach. Milutinovic was born in Serbia and previously coached México, Costa Rica, USA, Nigeria and China.

Brazil also had great players, whom I interviewed as a sports anchor for CH 48 San José, like Bebeto and Romario. It was truly a pleasure to cover that 1994 World Cup in person. A truly unforgettable experience.

The World Cup is arguably the greatest sporting event in the world. Billions of people watch on television and listen on radio all around the world. This World Cup in Russia is just around the corner as it starts on 14 June and ends on 15 July.

From our continent, these are the teams that qualified for the event: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Perú and Uruguay.

Brazil has won the World Cup five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Argentina has won two in 1978 and 1986. Uruguay has won two in 1930 and 1950. Colombia, Costa Rica,México,Panamá and Perú have never won. The official languages of the World Cup are English and French.

How come the USA did not qualify? Back in October 2017, the US men’s national team was embarrassed as they lost 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago. The USA only needed a win or a tie, to qualify for the World Cup. Trinidad and Tobago is a small island in the Caribbean with a population of 1.3 million people. It’s incredible to believe that a small island with very limited resources would beat the USA with all the money and resources in the world. But it happened.

But FIFA is not free of scandals. In November 2017, they were found guilty of millions of dollars in “inducements” to secure contracts to televise matches in a New York City courtroom. This includes the bribes sought by FIFA executives with the power to determine World Cup hosts. There were a number of death threats for cooperating with investigators. Also, dozens of individuals along with two corporations have been indicted, including nine FIFA officials and five businessmen. Anyway, the corruption has been well-documented around the world in many courts of law.

In less than two weeks, Russia will host the 64 matches that spread over 1,800 miles in 12 stadiums in the 2018 World Cup. Their largest venue, Luzhniki Stadium (Moscow), is one of the newest ones with a 81,000 capacity. The stadium reopened this year and it is here that the first game on June 14 will take place as well as the last game and final 31 days later.

Luzhniki Stadium was also the main venue for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games and had a capacity of 103,000 at that time. In 1992, the stadium was renamed Luzhniki Stadium. In 1996, extensive renovation saw the construction of a roof over the stands, and the refurbishment of the seating areas, which resulted in a decrease in a capacity to 81,000.

Germany was the last World Cup Champion. I do not have a favorite on this World Cup, but I wish you all the very best and may the best team win.

In the United States, FOX and Telemundo have the rights for this World Cup.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: When Hollywood Comes to Oakland

Published on May 31, 2018May 31, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nba.com/warriors

By: Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND, Calif. — For the first time ever in the history of the United States, the same two teams are meeting for the fourth consecutive time in a series that will decide the champion. The Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers open the NBA Finals at the Oracle Arena Thursday night. The rivalry began in 2015 when the Warriors wiped out the Cavaliers in five games. In 2016, the Cavaliers rebounded as Lebron James, arguably the greatest player in the planet, defeated the Warriors in a grueling seven-game series. In 2017, the Warriors eliminated LeBron and company in six games.

Soon touching down at the Oakland International Airport, there will be many Lear jets bringing Hollywood celebrities to “the place to be.” Kim Kardashian, who just met with President Donald Trump in the White House to discuss prison reform, will likely be seen at Oracle Arena.

Like the previous three finals, we’ll probably see rapper Jay-Z, singer Rihanna, actor Kevin Hart, comedian Dave Chappelle, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar and NFL players Marshawn Lynch, Solomon Thomas and Odell Beckham Jr. We could also could see rapper Drake, actor Matt Damon and many more.

Oakland is closer to the “jet set” from Hollywood, so I am pretty sure we will see more stars in Oakland than Cleveland. It is only a one and a half hour flight. That’s good enough for these celebs to have breakfast in LA and dinner in the Bay with the game in between.

I remember in the 90’s, I traveled with the Warriors as their Spanish play-by-play announcer and saw guys at mid-court like Jack Nicholson in LA and Billy Crystal in New York. Nicholson was a fixture at the old Forum in LA at every Lakers game.

The Warriors were a popular team who always sold out at home, but never won a title. The last one was under Al Attles’ 1975-76 team, who swept the Washington Bullets.

The last four years the Oracle Arena has become a “Fantasy Island” for Warriors fans in the Bay Area. They’re now are the undisputed leaders in flag displays on thousands of cars, no matter where you drive in San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose, there’s a car with one or more Warriors flags. The Warriors have become larger than life in the greater Bay Area. There will be watch parties in bars, restaurants and private homes all over the Bay Area. It is like a second Super Bowl every year. Nobody expects the Warriors to lose.

It was a long season for both of these teams. Both were taken to seven games in their respective Conference finals: Warriors by the Rockets, who really did as good as they could against a superior team, and the Cavaliers in seven games against a young and promising Boston Celtics team.

Lebron James will really have to be Superman and have all of the Marvel Heroes support him again this time if he wants to take the Cavaliers to the promised land again like in 2016.

ABC producers are busy, as they are getting the camera locations and angels during rehearsals. They will also give you a couple shots of the celebrities. They will carry the series and I will be surprised if the Cavaliers can stay with the Warriors for five games.

All games on ABC, Channel 7 for the Bay Area, in PST.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NFL Owners Say Players Must Stand for National Anthem

Published on May 24, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @theMMQB

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference that team owners unanimously agreed that the NFL can fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the National Anthem, but that each team will set its own rules regarding players who want to kneel. Players will not be fined individually by the league and will have the option to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.

Hopefully, this is the end of a story that has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or field goals. However, it did started a conversation nationwide that still is going on and it even spilled to high school kids–many who can’t find Washington D.C. on a map–but who also took a knee in school.

The First Amendment should always be protected because it is indispensable in a free Republic like the United States of America. However, the NFL is a private business and owners handsomely pay their players to play what is today the most popular sport in America and they also have a right to demand the conduct of their players.

The NFL has been besieged with players in trouble with the law. It seems that in the MLB, it is the suspension for the use of illegal substances, one of their biggest problems, while in the NFL, it is tons of their players getting in trouble with the law on and off the football field. As I remember, the main reason for the protest was police brutality towards African-Americans. Although, this also changed later to other topics.

The NFL Players Association, which was not included in the talks with owners, said the union will review the new policy and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Owners discussed the topic for two hours on Tuesday and one hour on Wednesday, according to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

We can only hope that this controversy is settled once and for all. I remember when Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa opined on this matter, when it was happening and was a story all over the country.

LaRussa said: “I know that there’s a constitutional right to express yourself, but I think you have a right as an organization to have a certain philosophy about respecting, whether it’s our Constitution, whether it’s our country, whether its our soldiers…our flag.”

LaRussa added: “I would not, to the best of my ability, I would not sanction somebody taking a knee.”

LaRussa earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1978. Although he never practiced law, he is one of only two managers in history, Sparky Anderson being the latter, to win World Series titles in each league.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Diuretics Taint Robinson Cano’s Hall of Fame-Worthy Career

Published on May 21, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @mlbtraderumors

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND, Calif. — A future Hall of Fame player’s career was recently tainted when Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Canó was suspended for 80 games for using a diuretic. Here is the description of what caused his suspension. He tested positive for the diuretic furosemide, violating MLB’s joint drug agreement. Furosemide is a diuretic, commonly known as Lasix, that is used to treat horses.The Mariners open a three-game series this Tuesday at the Oakland Coliseum against their western division rivals, Oakland Athletics.

There is a good chance Canó will make his return against the A’s when they visit Oakland again in the middle of August. Born in the Dominican Republic, the veteran Canó has been one of the best second basemen in the game since he arrived and played with the New York Yankees in 2005. A stylish-fielding veteran of 14 seasons, 2005-13 with the Yankees and since 2014 with Seattle. He is on his fifth year of a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. 24 million per year. And he will be sitting for a while under suspension. His friend, who played with him in New York, Alex Rodríguez said: “It will be a long road back for Robinson,” but he believed he will land on his feet. He knows about the situation, Rodríguez is no novice to the word “suspension” as he also was suspended for the use of PEDs.

Dee Gordon has been playing second base for the Mariners since Canó’s suspension last week. The absence of Canó could be costly for this Mariners team who has been playing very well recently, just like the A’s, and this will be a very interesting first series of the season between these two divisional rivals.

The A’s return home after a triumphal road-trip that took them to New York, Boston and Toronto, winning seven and losing three and now have a 14-13 record on the road and 11-9 at home. The A’S will open this 10-game homestand tomorrow, three vs. Seattle, three vs. Arizona and four vs. Tampa Bay.

Currently,the A’s hold a 25-22 record and are in fourth place with 4.5 games from first place Houston, while Seattle is in second place 27-19 just two games behind the World Champion Astros and have been playing well on the road with a 15-9 record outside Safeco Field.

Tuesday’s game will match a pair of veteran right-handers: For Seattle, Mike Leake 4-3 6.00 ERA, who had a no decision against the A’s on April 13 in Seattle. For the A’s Trevor Cahill will make his sixth start of the season with 1-2 and 2.79 ERA. The Golden State Warriors will also be playing next door at the Oracle Arena as they have a 2-to-1 game advantage over the Houston Rockets in the Western Finals. I recommend you take BART to avoid the traffic jams.

Listen to the Atléticos in Spanish on KIQI 1010AM/990AM covering the Bay Area and Sacramento/Stockton.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: American League West–Everybody Is Playing for Second Place

Published on May 9, 2018May 9, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @astros

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

After the Houston Astros visited the Oakland A’s for the first time this season, I came to the early conclusion that everybody except for the Astros is playing for second place in AL West.

The world champion Houston Astros lineup leads with three of the very best players in the game. George Springer, the current World Series MVP, as well as José Altuve champion batted last year for the third time and perhaps the most talented of them all. shortstop Carlos Correa. The world champion Astros paid their first visit to the A’s in Oakland this week. The three-game series came right after the A’s dismantled the Orioles, sweeping them and collecting a total of 40 strikeouts against the wounded birds.

However, a significant change in play from the Orioles to the Astros might as well be like from Earth to the Moon. The reigning champion Astros is a better team compared to the 2017 club as they won the World Series in seven exciting games against the Dodgers. The Astros just swept the A’s in Oakland, outscoring the Green and Gold 24 runs to five runs. The A’s did not face Justin Verlander or Charlie Morton.

This season, the Astros have Gerrit Cole, the #1 pitcher of the Pirates until last year. They have had Justin Verlander from the very beginning, unlike last season when he joined the team at the end. But it is obvious that everybody here in the AL West is playing for second place because even the Angels’ highest aspiration would be to advance to the postseason as a Wild Card team. At this time, there is no better pitching rotation in baseball than the Astros with Cole, Verlander, Keuchel, Morton and McCullers along with a very efficient bullpen.

Teams that have set starting rotations are those that advance and go all the way and that was what the Astros have this season. For the Angels to take this division from the defending champions, they need much more pitching that they have shown so far. Mike Scioscia’s team is a better team that last year. They addressed their infield, acquired Zack Cozart and Ian Kinsler, and two-way Japanese rookie Shohei Ohtani.

Scioscia told me this when his Angels visited Oakland: “I really like my team this year.”

You might want to keep an eye on the Mariners as they seem to have some magic this year and could be a serious contender this summer. If the Angels cannot finish second, the Mariners are the most likely candidates for that position and a possible Wild Card team.

In other words: the race for second place here between Angels and Mariners could prove to be the most interesting. That could be the story this season.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball–In Dodgerland, a tram could be in the works

Published on April 28, 2018April 28, 2018 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A rendering shows a gondola car carrying passengers from Union Station to Dodger Stadium. (Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies LLC)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the most visited stadium in the world, according to Eric Garcetti, Mayor Los Angeles,with 3.7 million people attending each year. Los Angeles also leads the country in the category of traffic gridlock. During Dodger games the 5 and 110 Freeways are basically bumper to bumper for hours, all around Dodger Stadium and this project hopes to ease such gridlock.

The proposed Tram (gondola system) will be totally privately financed, under a tag of $125 million. It will be from Union Station to Dodger Stadium a 1 1/4 mile trip and the Tram(s) will carry 5,000 passengers per hour and will take only 5 minutes. Currently, they have express buses going to Dodger Stadium, but the word “express” when it comes to traffic in LA is only a La La Land dream.

The only thing that is espresso in LA is coffee. All reports from Los Angeles say that most Dodger fans and residents are elated by the news, which they overwhelmingly support. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisor is on this project and hope to have an Environmental Report ready by the end of the year. It everything goes “Gondola-like” (according to the powers-to-be) this will become a reality by year 2022. Good luck LA!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com