ATM report--Rolen deal could be very close

[nyy26wc]

1) Yesterday's games--

AL
Mariners 3, Angels 1
Redsox 4, Orioles 0
Devil Rays 7, Yankees 4
Whitesox 9, Royals 1
Tigers 5, Indians 1
Twins 5, BlueJays 4 (10)
Rangers 10, A's 6 (10)

NL
Reds 2, Mets 1 (11)
Cubs 7, Cardinals 3
Braves 5, Phillies 3
Dodgers 5, Giants 1
Diamondbacks 4, Padres 3
Brewers 6, Rockies 5 (10)
Marlins 7, Expos 2
Astros 3, Pirates 0

2) Standings--

AL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Yankees          64   38  .627   -     33-17  31-21  30-22 17-03 06-06 LOST 1
Redsox           30   42  .588   4     27-24  33-18  36-16 11-09 08-04 WON  1
Orioles          48   52  .480  15     24-26  24-26  15-23 11-09 13-11 LOST 1
BlueJays         44   57  .436  19 1/2 25-27  19-30  22-25 04-08 09-15 LOST 2
Devil Rays       33   69  .324  31     19-31  14-38  15-32 06-07 05-19 WON  1

AL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Twins            63   42  .600   -     34-18  29-24  10-09 28-15 15-10 WON  3
Whitesox         49   56  .467  14     29-23  20-33  06-07 25-24 10-15 WON  2
Indians          44   58  .431  17 1/2 25-26  19-32  12-08 21-31 05-07 LOST 3
Royals           43   60  .417  19     29-22  14-38  02-11 24-23 12-13 LOST 5
Tigers           40   62  .392  21 1/2 24-27  16-35  06-14 24-29 04-07 WON  5

AL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Mariners         63   41  .602   -     30-22  33-19  20-16 07-06 25-12 WON  1
Angels           61   41  .604   1     33-19  28-22  09-03 23-12 18-19 LOST 1
A's              59   45  .573   4     32-21  27-24  17-19 08-05 18-19 LOST 4
Rangers          44   59  .422  18 1/2 25-26  19-33  09-03 14-23 13-24 WON  2

NL EAST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Braves           67   37  .644   -     34-18  33-19  31-18 13-08 08-08 WON  1
Mets             53   50  .515  13 1/2 28-22  25-28  23-26 12-08 08-08 LOST 1
Expos            51   53  .490  16     31-19  20-34  22-27 13-08 04-12 LOST 1
Marlins          51   53  .490  16     30-23  21-30  24-25 09-12 08-08 WON  1
Phillies         48   55  .466  18 1/2 25-26  23-29  22-26 08-10 08-11 LOST 1

NL CENTRAL      WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Cardinals        57   44  .564   -     32-19  25-25  05-07 29-24 15-09 LOST 1
Reds             54   49  .524   4     25-26  29-23  12-11 33-23 07-05 WON  1
Astros           52   51  .505   6     30-22  22-29  09-09 33-29 05-07 WON  3
Pirates          47   57  .452  11 1/2 23-29  24-28  08-04 31-31 05-13 LOST 5
Cubs             44   58  .431  13 1/2 23-28  21-30  10-14 23-31 05-07 WON  1
Brewers          37   67  .356  21 1/2 21-31  16-36  02-10 23-34 10-13 WON  3

NL WEST         WON  LOST  PCT  GB      HOME   ROAD   EAST  CENT  WEST STREAK
Diamondbacks     63   41  .606   -     34-18  29-23  12-07 11-07 29-20 WON  6
Dodgers          59   45  .567   4     29-24  30-21  07-06 14-10 26-23 WON  2
Giants           57   47  .548   6     29-23  28-24  10-06 11-10 28-21 LOST 3
Rockies          48   56  .462  15     32-20  16-36  11-08 10-07 20-30 LOST 5
Padres           43   61  .413  20     28-26  15-35  07-09 08-13 20-29 LOST 3

3) Today's schedule--

AL
Orioles (Scott Erickson) at Redsox (Derek Lowe), 1:05
Tigers (Mark Redman) at Indians (Danys Baez), 1:05
Yankees (Andy Pettitte) at Devil Rays (Tanyon Sturtze), 1:15
Royals (Jeff Suppan) at Whitesox (Rocky Biddle), 2:05
BlueJays (Esteban Loaiza) at Twins (Johan Santana), 2:05
Angels (Kevin Appier) at Mariners (Jamie Moyer), 4:35
A's (Barry Zito) at Rangers (Ismael Valdes), 8:05

NL
Phillies (Vicente Padilla) at Braves (Tom Glavine), 1:05
Reds (Jimmy Haynes) at Mets (Steve Trachsel), 1:10
Marlins (Julian Tavarez) at Expos (Bartolo Colon), 1:35
Rockies (Mike Hampton) at Brewers (Jamey Wright), 2:05
Pirates (Kip Wells) at Astros (Wade Miller), 2:35
Dodgers (Andy Ashby) at Giants (Jason Schmidt), 4:05
Padres (Brett Tomko) at Diamondbacks (Brian Anderson), 4:35
Cubs (Matt Clement) at Cardinals (Matt Morris), 8:05

4) Yesterday's HRs--

Alex Rodriguez--#33 & #34
Magglio Ordonez--#21 & #22
Robin Ventura--#21
Adam Dunn--#21
Todd Helton--#19
Jose Hernandez--#19
Jeff Bagwell--#18
Chipper Jones--#11
Jermaine Dye--#10
Jared Sandberg--#10
Todd Hundley--#10
Carl Everett--#9
Erubiel Durazo--#9
Kevin Millar--#9
Tony Graffanino--#6
Damion Easley--#6
Edgar Martinez--#5
Ramon Hernandez--#5
Charles Johnson--#5
Lou Merloni--#3
Aaron Rowand--#3
Hiram Bocachica--#1

5) HR leaders--

AL
1) Alex Rodriguez--34**
2) Jim Thome--30
3) Rafael Palmeiro--27
4) Jason Giambi--26
5) Alfonso Soriano--25
6) Torii Hunter--23
T7) Paul Konerko--22
T7) Ellis Burks--22
T7) Miguel Tejada--22
T7) Magglio Ordonez--22**

NL
T1) Sammy Sosa--31
T1) Lance Berkman--31
T3) Barry Bonds--28
T3) Brian Giles--28
5) Shawn Green--27
6) Vladimir Guerrero--26
7) Pat Burrell--25
T8) Albert Pujols--23
T8) Andruw Jones--23
T8) Richie Sexson--23

**--hit 2 yesterday
*--hit 1 yesterday

6) The Mariners passed the Angels to reclaim 1st place in the AL West.

[nyy26wc]

1) The Phillies and Cardinals are reportedly very close to a trade that would send Scott Rolen to the Cardinals for Bud Smith, Placido Polanco and pitching prospect Jimmy Journell.

2) The Rockies claimed P Mark Watson off waivers from the Mariners.

3) Cubs 1B Fred McGriff was given a day off yesterday, due to the heat.

After 9 RCAA/.826 OPS and 36 RCAA/.930 OPS seasons the past 2 years, the future Baseball Immortal is off to a .504 SLG, .355 OBA, .859 OPS, 10 RCAA start in his first 97 games. He has a .894 career OPS, compared to his league average of .750, and 487 RCAA in 2298 games.

4) Whitesox P Todd Ritchie was scratched from his start today, due to shoulder inflammation.

After 4.81 ERA/-5 RSAA and 4.47 ERA/-3 RSAA seasons the past 2 years, with the Pirates, Ritchie is off to a terrible 6.12 ERA/-20 RSAA start in his first 22 games and also ranks among the leaders in unearned runs. He has a 4.65 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.53, and -10 RSAA in 171 games.

5) Redsox MGR Grady Little says Rolando Arrojo is being sent to the bullpen and will be replaced in the rotation by Tim Wakefield.

After 5.63/0 RSAA and 3.48 ERA/12 RSAA seasons the past 2 years, Arrojo's off to a 4.64 ERA/-1 RSAA start in his first 23 games (8 starts). He has a 4.51 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.68, and 35 RSAA in 152 games.

After 5.48 ERA/-9 RSAA and 3.90 ERA/12 RSAA the past 2 years, Wakefield's off to a 3.23 ERA/10 RSAA start in his first 33 games (4 starts). He has a 4.35 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.60, and 62 RSAA in 345 games.

6) The Indians activated RF Matt Lawton from the DL and sent 1B Earl Snyder to the minors.

After 22 RCAA/.865 OPS and 14 RCAA/.797 OPS seasons the past 2 years, Lawton's off to a .414 SLG, .353 OBA, .767 OPS, -5 RCAA start in his first 82 games. He has a .799 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 43 RCAA in 82 games.

7) The Rangers activated P Francisco Cordero from the DL and sent P Reynaldo Garcia to the minors.

After a 5.35 ERA/-2 RSAA in 2000, Cordero was limited to just 3 games in 2001 and has a 2.95 ERA/5 RSAA in 16 games this year. He has a 4.58 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.83, and 6 RSAA in 95 games.

8) The Royals activated P Blake Stein from the DL and sent P Brad Voyles to the minors.

After 4.68 ERA/5 RSAA and 4.74 ERA/3 RSAA the past 2 years, Stein's off to a 9.11 ERA/-11 RSAA start in his first 13 games (2 starts). He has a 5.37 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.70, and -29 RSAA in 103 games.

Voyles has a 6.51 ERA/-3 RSAA as a 25 year old rookie and also had 7 games of major league experience as a September callup last year.

9) Braves CF Andruw Jones had to leave yesterday's game, due to the heat.

After 31 RCAA/.907 OPS and -7 RCAA/.772 OPS the past 2 years, Jones is off to a .493 SLG, .363 OBA, .856 OPS, 13 RCAA start in his first 104 games. He has a .828 career OPS, compared to his league average of .778, and 55 RCAA in 931 games.

10) The Expos called up Ps Zach Day and Britt Reames, placed P Tony Armas Jr. on the 15 day DL and sent 2B Henry Mateo to the minors.

Armas has a strained muscle in his back. After 4.36 ERA/3 RSAA and 4.03 ERA/14 RSAA seasons in his first 2 years in the majors, the 24 year old is off to a 4.38 ERA/-2 RSAA in his first 22 starts.

Day, a 24 year old rookie, had a 5.40 ERA/-2 RSAA in his first 4 major league games (2 starts) and is off to a 3.50 ERA start in AAA.

After 2.88 ERA/8 RSAA and 5.59 ERA/-10 RSAA in his first 2 major league seasons, the 28 year old Reames is off to a 6.69 ERA/-10 RSAA start in his first 28 games (2 starts).

Mateo, a 25 year old rookie, is off to a .573 OPS/-1 RCAA start in 16 games (22 PA).

11) The Giants placed P Jay Witasick on the 15 day DL, called up P Manny Aybar and moved P Jason Christiansen from the 15 to the 60 day DL.

Witasick's 3.30 ERA/8 RSAA season in 2001 was the first time in his 6 year career that he had a positive RSAA. He's off to a 2.16 ERA/9 RSAA start in his first 26 games and has a 5.00 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.69, and -22 RSAA in 181 games.

Aybar's had 4.31 ERA/5 RSAA and 6.35 ERA/-5 RSAA the past 2 years and hasn't made his 2002 debut yet. He has a 5.14 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.42, and -24 RSAA in 168 games.

12) The Diamondbacks activated 1B Erubiel Durazo from the DL and placed C Damian Miller on the 15 day DL.

Durazo's off to a .568 SLG, .377 OBA, .946 OPS, 6 RCAA start in his first 31 games and has a .912 career OPS, compared to his league average of .786, and 38 RCAA in 242 games.

Miller has a strained lower back.

13) The Braves activated P Darren Holmes from the DL and placed P Kevin Gryboski on the 15 day DL.

After missing the entire 2001 season, due to a back injury, Holmes is having a 1.51 ERA/11 RSAA career year in his first 35 games. He has a 4.31 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.22, and 32 RSAA in 36 games.

Gryboski has a sore elbow. The 28 year old rookie is off to a 2.27 ERA/9 RSAA start in his first 42 major league games.

14) According to the Contra Costa Times, the Giants are interested in Marlins P Brad Penny.

15) The Yankees may activate P Sterling Hitchcock from the DL today, with Randy Choate going to the minors.

16) Diamondbacks P Curt Schilling got his 150th career win.

Over the past 2 years, Schilling's benefited from good run support. His 22-6 record in 2001 projects out to 19-9, with his performance plus just average run support, while his 18-3 start in 2002 projects to 15-6. But, over the course of his career, his performance projects to 157 wins, if he had average run support.

After a career high 47 RSAA in 2001, Schilling's off to a 2.86 ERA/30 RSAA start in his first 23 starts. He has a 3.34 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.18, and 245 RSAA in 413 games.

Schilling's 11.78 SO/BB ratio is on pace to break Bret Saberhagen's record of 11.00, set in 1994. His rate is also 9.86 higher than the league average of 1.92, which puts him on pace for that record, too--

STRIKEOUTS/WALKS              YEAR   DIFF  PLAYER LEAGUE
1    Bret Saberhagen          1994    9.05  11.00   1.95 
2    Pedro Martinez           2000    7.20   8.88   1.67 
3    Greg Maddux              1997    6.86   8.85   1.99 
4    Pedro Martinez           1999    6.78   8.46   1.68 
5    Greg Maddux              1995    5.87   7.87   2.00 
6    Curt Schilling           2001    5.41   7.51   2.10 
7    Ferguson Jenkins         1971    5.37   7.11   1.74 
8    Cy Young                 1905    5.30   7.00   1.70 
9    Walter Johnson           1913    5.11   6.39   1.28 
10   Cy Young                 1904    4.97   6.90   1.92 

[Max Power]

What does it say that all of the Top Six K/BB marks (soon to be 7) have come in the last 8 years?

[nyy26wc]

Reports of the on the field game's demise have, like always, been greatly exaggerated.

Also, I had the sabermetric baseball encyclopedia give me the list of SO/BB above the league average rate and that's the list I presented. But, Steve is also correct that the top 6 (about to be 7) for just SO/BB, and not for above the league average, have also come since 1994.

[sweaver]

It says that we are in an era of historically high strikeout rates, and that some of those strikeout pitchers also have excellent control.

[JamesI]

Players don't care about striking out anymore. 100 strikeouts in a season was once a bad thing, now its decided that a strikeout can be tolerated in exchange for homeruns and the walk rate a lot of players have now. We may see a player strike out 200 times in a season sometime soon.

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by sweaver
It says that we are in an era of historically high strikeout rates, and that some of those strikeout pitchers also have excellent control.

Being in an era of high SO rates works against pitchers for that list. It drives their league average total up, while others get a lower comparision rate.