Category Archives: MLB

MLB, Tyler Englander, Uncategorized

The Two Greatest Words in Sports: Game Seven

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After 2464 games played this season (including the postseason), the 2016 MLB season comes down to one game. One game to determine which team, the Indians or the Cubs ends their long World Series drought. The task is simple for both teams, win. All the work and preparation that started in February comes to conclusion on an unseasonably warm November night in Cleveland. Players and coaches have spent nine months preparing for a game that will most likely last three and half hours. With so many story-lines and the unpredictability of a Game Seven, it’s anyone’s guess who will hoist the commissioner’s trophy later tonight.

First, lets analyze the Cubs biggest advantage: momentum. The Cubbies come into game seven on a tear. Not only have they forced a game seven when it appeared they were down and out facing a 3-1 deficit, but there stars have been playing like stars. Since falling into that 3-1 hole, the Cubs have picked it up at the plate with Kris Bryant homering in two straight games and Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell getting off the schneid in a game six rout. While it’s not impossible for teams to switch momentum in a series (just ask the 2014 Giants who lost game six of the World Series by ten and came back the next night to win it all), it could prove difficult for the Indians to brush Game Six aside and get focused for Game Seven.

Now, let’s take a look at what will happen on the field. Both teams send Cy Young candidates to the mound for this all important game seven. The Indians send 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the mound for his third start of this World Series. Kluber will try to become the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in 1968 to win three games in a single fall classic. The Cubs counter with 26 year old righty Kyle Hendricks who won a career high sixteen games this season. This matchup is interesting for several reasons. Kluber is on short rest and may not be able to pitch deep in the game, but that may not be a disadvantage for the Indians. Although not ideal, the Indians need to get only three good innings out of their ace before they turn it over to their potent bullpen. If the situation arises, Terry Francona could use his top three relievers, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller, and Cody Allen for six innings tonight. On the other hand, the Cubs need to get a little bit of length from Kyle Hendricks. While they do have both Jon Lester and John Lackey in the bullpen, their pen, particularly closer Aroldis Chapman have been taxed in this series. Chapman threw twenty pitches last night only two days removed from throwing 42 pitches in an eight out save in Game Five. While Chapman will be available tonight, you have to wonder for how long and to what degree of effectiveness. 

Prediction: Both teams have struggled at points to score runs in this series and I think that it continues to some extent tonight. With Kluber facing the Cubs for the third time in a little over a week, I would expect the Cubs to get good at bats off of him and maybe even score a couple of runs. With that being said, the Indians get a second look at Kyle Hendricks who didn’t give up any runs in 4.1 innings in Game Three. However, the numbers are a little deceiving for Hendricks because he allowed nine baserunners and needed a huge double play induced by Justin Grimm to get out of the fifth inning unscathed. I think both starters will struggle and that plays into the hands of the Indians. The Tribe have a superior bullpen and will be able to shut down the National League’s best offense. In my opinion, future Hall of Fame skipper, Terry Francona, will push all the right buttons and at the end of the night the Indians will be celebrating their first World Series title since 1948. 

MLB, Tyler Englander

Remembering Jose Fernandez

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On Sunday Morning, I, like so many of you, woke up to the worst news possible. I read an update that said Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez died in a boating accident. I had to read it over several times before it sunk in. I became upset and depressed about a man that I had never met or seen play in person. Fernandez played in a small media market and yet still had a profound effect on so many people around the world. The reason this tragedy affected so many is because of the person Jose Fernandez was. On and off the field Jose Fernandez loved baseball and loved life and taught us all to enjoy every day to the fullest.

While Jose Fernandez’s achievements on the field are impressive and maybe even Hall of Fame worthy, ( if his success continued for the remainder of his career) I want to focus on what made us fall in with number 16, his intensity and all that made him the person he was.

The Jose Fernandez story that we appreciated starts with a young man living in oppressed Cuba.  Fernandez was arrested three times trying to defect from Cuba before being successful on his fourth try, achieving his goal of being free and having a chance to pitch in the major leagues. On one of those trips a woman fell from the crowded boat and was in danger of dying, but Jose jumped in to save the woman’s life. That woman was Fernandez’s mother. This event exemplified who Jose was as a person: He was unselfish and cared more about the well being of others than himself.

When Jose Fernandez took the mound he was tenacious, fearless, and fun to watch and that’s what we liked so much about him. He is the reason people love sports. We like people who battle and give their teams all they have to offer and that’s what Fernandez did. Fernandez passion was unmatched, he was fired up when he pitched and even more telling he was always on the railing cheering on his teammates. He was filled with positive energy and his smile and attitude were infectious.

It’s unfortunate now that when you think of Jose Fernandez you think of a man who died too young and in the most tragic way because Fernandez should always be remembered as someone whose love for baseball and for life was unmatched. He should be known as a joyful person who positively affected the lives of so many. The one lesson that Jose Fernandez taught us all is to live life to the fullest and do everything you do with heart and passion. Rest Easy Jose, your love for life will never be forgotten.

MLB, Tyler Englander

Analyzing the National League Wild Card Picture

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Much like the American League, the division races are all but over in the National League with the Nationals and Dodgers leading their divisions by a handful of games. In addition to that, the Cubs have already locked down the Central and seem to be on pace to reach one hundred wins. Although there is little intrigue in the division races, the National League has three teams fighting for two wild card berths in a race that will surely go down to the seasons final weekend. Currently the Giants, Cardinals and Mets are all tied atop the wild card standings but, only two will have the chance to play in October.

San Francisco Giants: The Giants, who held baseball’s best record at the All Star break have taken a huge 180. The Giants who are 23- 38 since the break are in free fall and in serious trouble with a week and a half to go. The Giants have struggled offensively since the break and their bullpen has been putrid. Just twenty days into the month, the Giants have lost five games when leading in the ninth inning, which is the most of any Giants bullpen ever in a single month. If the Giants want to battle in the Wild Card playoff, they will need to rely on lefties Madison Bumgarner and Matt Moore to get them there.

New York Mets: The defending National League champions have had a relatively quiet 2016, but they can change that by playing their best baseball for their final ten games. The Mets may be in the best position of any of the teams fighting for a wild card spot, due to the fact they have games remaining against the Braves, Marlins and Phillies. The Mets have relied on guys like Yoenis Cespedes to carry the load offensively and youngster Seth Lugo on the mound, with guys like Matt Harvey and Jacob Degrom out for the season. The Mets may also get a boost with Steven Matz expected to return as early as Friday from a bone spur injury in his left elbow.

St. Louis Cardinals: The Cards, just like the Mets have played their best baseball in the second half of the year. The Cardinals have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way, as the play the Reds and Pirates at home, but they still have to face the Cubs three more times at Wrigley. The Cardinals have pitching that should be good enough going down the stretch with 16 game winner Carlos Martinez and veteran Adam Wainwright leading their staff. Wainwright has struggled to go deep in games as of late but I would expect the veteran to rebound and help pitch his team into the postseason.

Prediction: I expect both the Cardinals and Mets to secure the National League’s two wild card spots for one reason, consistency. Both have been playing good baseball in the second half of the year and should continue that trend with relatively weak schedules the rest of the way. The Giants won’t make the playoffs due to the fact their bullpen puts too much pressure on their starting pitching and even when their starters to pitch well, they always find a way to blow it in the ninth.

 

MLB, Tyler Englander

Analyzing the American League Playoff Picture

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A baseball season that’s lasted nearly six months is coming down to the wire, with playoff teams yet to be determined. Due to the relatively new two team wild card format, sixteen teams are still “in it” which in my book is a team that is either in a playoff spot or four games out of one. With that being said, almost all of the excitement is centered around the wild-card race since all of the divisions have essentially been locked up. Today we will take a look at the teams in contention in the American League and tomorrow we will analyze the National League.

AL East: Boston Red Sox: Having pulled away from both the Orioles and Blue Jays within the last ten days, the Sox now have a four game lead on their AL East rivals. At this point with only twelve games remaining, anything but a division crown for the Mookie Betts led Sox would be a disappointment.

Prediction: Red Sox win AL East

AL Central: Cleveland Indians: The Tribe sit comfortably in the Central with a seven game lead over the Tigers. While the lead is large it might not be that secure. The Indians have lost two of their best starters, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco to injury, and the Tigers still have four games against Cleveland to try and make up ground. Even with that threat, Cleveland will hold onto their lead and win the central.

Prediction: Indians win Central

AL West: With nearly a ten game lead on the rival Astros, the Rangers can throw it into cruise control until October. Barring one of the greatest collapses of all time, the Rangers can sit back until the division series begins.

Prediction: Rangers win the West

AL Wild Card: The wild card race in the American League is where things get interesting. Right now the Orioles and Blue Jays sit tied atop the standings as far as the wild card is concerned. While both teams should feel comfortable, they can’t get complacent because teams like Detroit, 2.5 games back, as well as Seattle and Houston sitting three games out of the picture. The team that should be concerned the most is the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays have the worst record of any team in September and is a team that relies on their offense, yet it’s last in baseball when it comes to runs scored this month.

As far as teams on the outside looking in, Seattle is in the best position. The Mariners have a relatively easy schedule with two of their final three series against the lowly Twins and Athletics. With that being said they have to take advantage of their two remaining games against the Jays. If they don’t win both of those the Mariners can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Prediction: Orioles and Mariners win the two AL Wild Card spots

 

Jeffrey Siegler, MLB

Could 2015 be Christian Yelich’s Breakout Year?

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After two full years in the majors, has Christian Yelich’s  time come to be a household name in baseball?

Yelich’s first two seasons weren’t bad for such a young player. Last season Yelich hit .284 and had 9 HRs. These are average numbers for a starting left fielder in the majors. Yelich is a part of arguably the league’s best outfield with Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton. The name that stands out in this group is obviously Stanton’s but who else contributes to being the best outfield in baseball? It’s Yelich who has has been playing like he has been in the league for years.

Although Yelich doesn’t have much power he can still be an everyday starter because he makes up for this by getting on base frequently, not striking out often. This makes up for Stanton and Ozuna who were both in the top ten for strikeouts in the MLB. In addition to his consistent fielding Yelich was also statistically the best left fielder in baseball. He had only one error at a position where defense isn’t always stellar. All of this great defense contributed to him being awarded a Gold Glove last year. The last time a Marlin won this award was Mark Buehrle in 2012.

If Yelich continues to play the way he has for the rest of his career then he will be comparable to players like J.D. Drew an average left fielder. Both don’t hit many home runs but get on base. The other scenario is that Yelich improves his power and starts to hit homeruns like J.D. Martinez did this past year. Both did not hit for much power earlier in there career. Also similarly Martinez had his breakout year in his third season.

Whether or not Yelich improves his power he is still a very valuable part of the team. He won four games last season for the fish based on WAR. It will be very exciting to see how is career plays out.

MLB, Scott Siegler

The Chicago Cubs are Officially Playoff Contenders

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The Chicago Cubs will be playoff contenders starting immediately.

While this may come as a surprise to you, it shouldn’t. After making the Boston Red Sox winners after 86 years of agony and frustration, Theo Epstein joined the Chicago Cubs organizations as General Manager and President of Baseball Operations; a move that signified a readiness for an even greater test. Four years later, it appears he was up for the challenge.

My prediction here is not just based on the Cubs’ acquiring a baseball sage in manager Joe Maddon and a lefty ace in starter Jon Lester. No, those moves are actually just the finishing touches on three years of shrewd bargaining and meticulous attention to detail that have brought the Cubs to the position they are at right now.

You see, when Epstein took over the Cubs in 2011, it was a completely different situation than when he took over the Red Sox in 2002. The 2002 Boston Red Sox were a ready-to-win roster. After making some minor, yet profound, adjustments, he had won Boston two championships in a five-year time span.

Coming to Chicago, it was clear that it would take more.  And Theo was prepared.

The main indicator of this has been his productivity.

Over the past three years, the Cubs have sat in the basement of the NL Central averaging around 100 losses per season. While this is a pretty sad statistic, the Cubs have also been among the most dynamic teams in baseball during the same time span.

Since 2011, Theo has managed to clear out a slew of huge contracts for declining veterans, lock down promising young stars to long term contracts, and grow what has become the #1 farm system in all of baseball.

That’s a lot of work for just three years, and here’s a breakdown of all of it.

Getting Rid of the Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Pena Contracts

While these three were 35, 33, and 33 years old, respectively, and collectively produced a batting average of .261 in 2011, it was clear that they weren’t the future of the franchise. So why were they getting paid like they were? Well that’s what Theo thought, at least.

While the Cubs were limping their way to a 71-91 finish 2011, these declining veterans collected an astonishing $43,599,997.  To offer some perspective, that’s more than David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and Yoenis Cespedes combined to make during the 2014 season. Change was necessary, and change is what happened.

Getting rid of Ramirez’s contract and Pena’s contract was easy. All Theo had to do was not resign them. Wisely, he chose not to. After making $10 million with the Cubs in 2011, Pena has managed to hit just 36 home runs since while averaging a negative WAR. And the Brewers quickly snatched up Ramirez with a 3-year $36 million deal and have received only one season of 500+ at bats in return.

Getting rid of Soriano’s contract, however, was a trickier ordeal. However, Theo managed to tap into his Boston roots and capitalize on the Yankees being the Yankees. While many would look down at a fourth place Yankees team with the highest payroll in baseball with no pity, Epstein saw an opportunity; an opportunity to finally unload the Soriano contract. Desperate for anything to help them win, the Yankees were more than willing to cooperate. While he didn’t get much in return, the process of ushering in his new vision for the team was well under way.

Locking the Young and Talented 1B Anthony Rizzo and SS Starlin Castro into Long-Term Contracts

Soon after taking the job in 2011, one of the first orders of business that Epstein oversaw as a Cub was the acquisition the young first basemen who had just had a less than stellar rookie campaign with the San Diego Padres (1 HR, 9 RBI, 46 strikeouts, 128 AB). This player was Anthony Rizzo. And after giving up an unproven pitcher in Andrew Cashner and a minor league player to acquire a 23-year-old unproven prospect, all of the sudden the Cubs had their franchise cornerstone?

Yes. Yes they did. And from that point forward, Rizzo has made Epstein look like a genius with nothing but steady improvements. In fact, the young first baseman’s WAR has improved over the last three seasons from 2.2 to 2.6 to an incredible 5.1 in the 2014 season. To offer some perspective, NL MVP Candidate Andrew McCutchen finished 2014 with a WAR of 6.4.

At the beginning of the 2013 season, after seeing his investment pay out, Epstein rewarded Rizzo with a seven-year, $41 million contract extension that kept him in Chicago’s control through 2019.

In a similar manner, the Cubs inked the talented SS Starlin Castro, who has averaged over 10 home runs and 30 doubles per season while maintaining a .286 career batting average during his five year career with the Cubs to a seven- year contract that would keep him in the Cubs control through 2020.

With two franchise players in place for the long-term, it is now a matter of building around them, which brings up the next aspect of the Cubs organization that Epstein has developed.

Growing the #1 Farm System in All of Baseball

If you don’t believe me, just look at the Cubs depth chart. There you’ll find four rookies, all under the age of 25, who have demonstrated promise at such an early stage of their careers. Outfielder Arismendy Alcantara and second basemen Javier Baez weren’t quite at a major league level when they were given their first dose of the big leagues towards the end of the 2014 season, but still represent lots of potential for the Cubs, whether it be on the field or the trading block. Furthermore, outfield Jorge Soler and starter Kyle Hendricks have already began demonstrating the types of contributions that they can make at the major league level.

In 89 at bats, Soler managed a .292 BA while hitting 5 home runs and driving in 20 RBIs. Projecting this small sample size out to a full season (600 AB) would put Soler in the 30 HR/100 RBI club easily.

Then, there was Hendricks. I had the privilege of seeing the 25-year-old Dartmouth alumnus shut down the New York Mets at Citi Field in a 7 inning, 3 hit, 1 earned run performance, but this was no exceptional start for Hendricks. In fact, Hendricks gave up 2 or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 starts last season and finished with an ERA of 2.46 and a WHIP of 1.08. Again, a small sample size, but it still offers a whole lot to be optimistic about.

The scary things is, even if this wave of prospects doesn’t pan out, the Cubs still have a whole other wave of prospects waiting in the wings, including guys like Addison Russell, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber.

……………………………………………………………………………

With these pieces in place, Epstein successfully laid the foundation upon which he plans to build his vision of the Cubs organization.

So far this winter, we’ve seen lots more construction taking place. First, there was the addition of Joe Maddon. Maddon enjoyed great success as the Tampa Bay Rays manager and demonstrated that he is the type of manager that can make a lot out of a little. However, after dishing out big money for prized free agent Jon Lester, the Cubs have made it clear that Maddon won’t need to do that anymore. The Cubs have also added starter Jason Hammel, who posted a solid 3.47 ERA and 1.12 WHIP between the Oakland Athletics and the Cubs in 2014, and catcher Miguel Montero, who has averaged a career .342 OBP.

However, these are not the moves that are turning the organization around. No, this is an organization that has already been on the up and up. These are the finishing touches being made to an organization that Theo Epstein has gutted and built from the ground up. After this most recent wave of additions, it’s clear that the Cubs are now a playoff caliber team. As the pieces continue to fall into place, they’ll only get better.

 

Jarod Kilgore, MLB

Fixing the Designated Hitter Debate: A Submission

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I like tradition. I like that the man who invented basketball coached at my favorite school, even if he was probably the worst coach in the school’s history. I like Notre Dame because of what they used to be, though it has little to do with what they are today.

I like the old ways. I like reading stories out of books, while acknowledging a tablet would be more convenient. I like meeting friends over coffee to talk in person, even if I already text them regularly.

I also like sports. I like when my teams are good because I like when they win. When I watch professional sports I want to watch two teams play each other at their best, with all their stars healthy and their artillery available.

When I watch sports, especially at the professional level, I want them to play at their highest level. Seeing pitchers who rarely practice hitting, run the bases in windbreakers, and refuse to run hard or slide into bases is not the sport at its highest level.

If the teams and their coaches took pitchers hitting seriously I would be happy with it, I’d probably want it in the American League as well as the National League, but they don’t.

However, I give up trying to convince defenders of these offensive hackers. National League pitchers are going to continue to embarrass themselves as long as their fans want it, and I submit to their stubbornness. At least that’s what I’d tell them if I made the rules.

And then submit a work-around.

Make the Designated Hitter optional in the National League. If the home team is from the NL they will have the option of both teams either having or not having the designated hitter.

The strategy traditionalists esteem is still present but on a larger scale, because the home NL team would have to factor their prospective designated hitter with that of their opponents.

The big market teams in the National League would spend money on a “most-time” DH that could be used at home and during interleague play. If the Dodgers employed a Victor Martinez-quality player at DH, it would force medium-market NL teams to keep pace by having a decent 9th batter as well. This would continue to trickle-down to the bottom market teams in the same way. In a matter of only a few years every NL team would have made attempts to acquire a “most-time” designated hitter, who they would choose to deploy in their home ballparks depending on the strategy of the situation.

The NL team will make this decision for the duration of the series – so if the San Francisco Giants have a 3 game home series against the Boston Red Sox they must decide when submitting their lineup card for the first game if the DH will be used in that series.

Once more teams have a 9th hitter worthy of playing every day but weak in the field, MLB would introduce the idea of a full-time DH for both leagues. The use of a some-time DH would make the transition to full-time designated hitters in both leagues more palatable to the NL and its fans.

And I would no longer have to watch pitchers in windbreakers embarrassing themselves on the base paths.

Jarod Kilgore, MLB, NBA, NFL

Equal Playing Field: How long until women are just another guy

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Hundreds or thousands of years from now every member of the human race may be an androgynous blob of mass and energy, a la the Drej in Titan A.E., with no discernible differences between male and female, but right now there are real (and imagined) differences between the genders. Women will be a part of popular men’s professional sports. But which will be the first to have its deflector shield broken? And how long will it take?

It takes a long time for sweeping societal change, but once it begins, it happens quickly. It works the same in sports: Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947 – after 63 years of segregation, but 12 years later every MLB team was integrated.

I readily admit this is going to be an incomplete examination of the issue. I’ll barely talk about the social obstructions surrounding gender integration, and that may be a mountain of an obstacle compared to the molehill that is physical ability, but this is merely a musing to start a discussion.

I think the greatest obstacle to a woman playing a major men’s sport is social perception, but there are hurdles firmly planted in the tangible portion of reality as well. Here are some arguments for each of the three major American sports (sorry, hockey/soccer fans. You may deserve an in-depth analysis on this topic, but I’m not the guy to do it) and my unscientific assessment of what the future will bring.

NFL

Why it will be first:

There are multiple examples of women playing high school and college football as a kicker, and since it is a low-contact position it’s the likeliest spot for a woman to earn playing time. But that’s not the only option.

The examples are rare, but there have been some women playing contact positions with men in college and low-level professional leagues. For example, Shelby Osborne is a 5’6” 140 lb incoming freshman cornerback for Campbellsville University. She sounds small, but if 59 year-old Mike Flynt can play linebacker at Sul Ross State, there is a position for a physically developed, highly athletic young woman. On top of that, many people don’t realize it but there is an all-women full-contact professional football league (actually, there’s three) with more than 40 teams.

Why it won’t:

There are only 32 kickers in the NFL, and those currently employed are annually breaking records for accuracy and distance – resulting, somewhat ironically, in a perpetual undervaluing of their position on draft day. Because of this, even if a young woman proves her ability as a kicking phenom at a high-college level I don’t believe they will be given a realistic chance due to the culture surrounding the most macho American sport.

Yes, there are some women who’ve played college football at positions other than kicker, but there are few on record (I found three, going back to the ‘70s), and nowhere near the highest level of collegiate competition. The physical demands of the sport of American Football at the NFL level is too great to be overcome in any reasonable amount of time.

Verdict:

Never/100+ years. These guys are huge. The physical gap between NFL players and other world-class male athletes is enormous, they’re level 90 Orc Warriors and regular people are basically squirrels.

I think the NFL in its current form will never have a female player. There is too much competition for the undervalued non-contact positions, and with the growing public awareness of long-term health risks associated with the sport I believe American Football in its current form will cease to exist before a female player will play at its highest level.

MLB

Why it will be first:

For one, it doesn’t possess the physical boundaries of football. Further, it has a past of fording the controversy surrounding integration – of which it’s very proud.

When Johnny Manziel (28th round) and Michael Vick (30th) get drafted despite not playing baseball in college and high school, respectively, then the 40 round MLB draft might be 15 rounds longer than needed. However, you would expect a franchise to take a chance on a talented young woman, whenever one is deemed worthy. They may be willing to take this chance because baseball franchises have by far the best developing system for their prospects. Every MLB organization has at least five minor league affiliates (1/3 have six) – this is the best possible training ground for a successful baseball career

It’s hinted in a previous B4andMore article that Little League World Series phenom Mo’ne Davis could lead a trend of female baseball players in the Majors. I believe with her dominating performance and enchanting personality she very well may start a trend of young girls playing with 12-year-old boys on the baseball diamond.

Why it won’t:

Mo’ne Davis may seem a good argument for a female pitcher in the Big Leagues, but at 12 years of age girls are typically more physically developed than boys. I think Davis could certainly be a trailblazer for more young girls to play in the Little League World Series, but in the coming years she will be surpassed physically by her male classmates. There have already been 16 girls to play with the boys in Williamsport other than Davis, and you may have noticed none made it to the Majors.

Verdict:

Second most likely. In the next 50 years a woman will play in a Major League Baseball game; a woman will be drafted in the next 40 years.

Davis said, in an interview with ESPN, her true dream is to play basketball for Geno Auriemma at the University of Connecticut. I believe if she, or any young woman, is to further blaze trails through male-dominated sports, she’s made a good choice for her future sport. In my opinion, basketball is the most likely major sport to have a female join its ranks.

What a perfect segue!

NBA

Why it will be first:

The NBA’s reputation for drafting unrealized potential exists because they’re willing to take chances other sports might not. Further lessening risk, second round picks aren’t guaranteed a contract, making a difficult decision easier. Though the NBA’s developmental league is nowhere near that of baseball’s minor leagues, it is quickly improving.

The NBA has some of the best athletes in the world, but you don’t need to jump out of the gym to perform at a high level for a long time (Paul Pierece, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash). However, the prototype for a barrier-breaking woman in basketball isn’t the 6’8” dominating force that is Brittney Griner. She’s simply not tall or long enough to succeed near the basket in the NBA. Instead, it will be someone more like Candace Parker, a 6’4” guard with an all-around game, possessing uncommon but not unbelievable athleticism (I first learned her name when she won the McDonald’s All-American dunk contest against all-male competition, less than a year after she’d torn her ACL).

Now that we can imagine what she might look like, the biggest reason why she can succeed is simply because the men’s and women’s game is so similar – essentially being as different as the NBA is to FIBA rules. Differences include ball-size, 3-point arc, and a 30-second shot clock – with the right player, these could certainly be overcome.

Against:

Despite not having the physical barriers of football, an average male NBA player would still have multiple advantages over most potential female NBAers: height (and length), strength, and possibly speed.

Candace Parker winning a dunk contest against men (though she clearly completed less difficult dunks) and Brittney Griner slamming basketballs all over her competition is obviously a harbinger of the talent becoming a part of the women’s game. However, the fact these physical feats are still recognized and written about shows how far away the women’s game is from the men’s on an athletic level.

Verdict: I believe there will be a female basketball player playing in a regular season game in the NBA in the next 15 years.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, mentioned he was interested in drafting Brittney Griner in the second round in 2013. Griner left only dust and debris in her wake during her time at Baylor as she was clearly the most dominant force in women’s NCAA basketball history. There may not be a better player than her in the next couple decades, but there will be a better NBA prospect. I expect a woman to be drafted by a team in the next 10 years. Though that woman may never actually make a game day roster (think Michael Sam in the NFL) I believe a talented young woman will fully break the next invisible barrier and play real minutes in the NBA in 15 years or less.

MLB, Tyler Englander

From Worst to First, Twice? Not Quite

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It was a good Monday for Red Sox Nation. They signed both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval today to five year deals, and almost instantly Red Sox fans were boasting about going from first to worst for a second time after doing it in 2012 and 2013. I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but the Red Sox of today are not even close to winning another championship, yet alone even making the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong the Red Sox are much better today than they were when you went to bed last night, however last time I checked pitching is still part of baseball.

First, lets take a look at what these recent signings bring to the Red Sox. I think that the signing of Pablo Sandoval is a steal for the Red Sox. Last year in a very spacious AT&T Park, Sandoval hit 16 homers, in a hitter friendly Fenway Park he will be able to use the Green Monster and the short wall in right to add possibly 10 homers to that total; which is a major upgrade from Will Middlebrooks. Forget the numbers, Pablo Sandoval will be a major fan favorite among Red Sox fans and should contribute to a positive clubhouse attitude. The more interesting signing to me is Hanley Ramirez. The reason this signing doesn’t make sense to me is the Red Sox pride themselves on team chemistry and Hanley is the exact opposite. Ramirez has always had an attitude problem and I’m not sure that he will fit in with the core group of guys that the Red Sox have. Also it’s important to recognize that Hanley Ramirez is an injury prone player. Ramirez who has played an average of 107 games a season over the past two years is entering his age 31 season and will need to play more than 107 games for his five year deal to become worthwhile for the Red Sox.

The biggest reason why as of now I don’t see the Red Sox as a playoff team is they have nobody to pitch, we saw it last year when the Yankees signed Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran, but they had nobody to pitch and they ultimately didn’t make the playoffs. Right now the Red Sox pitching staff is led by Joe Kelly and Clay Buchholz, while Joe Kelly is a decent pitcher, he is a number three starter at best and if Buchholz pitches like he did last season he should be a good number two starter on the PAWTUCKET Red Sox. All of these signings are good and great, but they are essentially worthless if they don’t get a number one starter and another better than average pitcher. The option that makes the most sense it to bring back Boston hero Jon Lester, but the question is can they outbid former friend Theo Epstein for the lefty’s talents. Whether or not they get Lester, the Red Sox have a plethora of outfielders as well as prospects, most noticeably Yoenis Cespedes to trade. There is no place for Cespedes to fit in any more now that Hanley Ramirez will be in left field for the foreseeable future and he should bring in a good return in the trade market. I spoke to a source from Philadelphia who said “it’s always a possibility,” concerning Cole Hamels as a potential fit in Boston. You would also have to think that the Red Sox will speak to the Nationals about Jordan Zimmermann and the Reds about their arms that include Johnny Cueto and Mat Latos.