Gloat-Free Baseball Scores (Sunday, August 23)

[Jack Rabbit]

Baseball Scores

Phillies 9, Mets 7
Atlanta 7, Florida 5
Washington 8, Brewers 3
Reds 4, at Pirates 1
Diamondbacks 7, Houston 5
Rockies 4, Giants 2
St. Louis 5, Padres 2
Cubs 3, Dodgers 1

American League Scores

Cleveland 6, Mariners 1
Toronto 8, Angels 3
Texas 4, at Tampa Bay 0
Orioles 5, at White Sox 4
Twins 10, Kansas City 3
A's 9, Tigers 4
Yankees 8, Red Sox 4

[Forkboy]

1. I'm in the uncomfortable position of having to root for the Yankees this week.

The Sox aren't going to win the division, but Texas is still hot on their heels for the Wild Card. So if the Yanks want to sweep the Rangers I guess I'll just have to live with it.

[Auggie]

2. Smoltz won in his Cardinal's debut; 9 Ks in 5 innings

A.P. SAN DIEGO -- John Smoltz cleared his mind of all the bad things that happened to him in Boston, fixed his delivery and had a brilliant debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.

<snip>

When he was working out in Atlanta after being released by the Red Sox, Smoltz said someone noticed that his heel was coming away from the rubber, which was affecting his delivery. Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan then fixed what he called "some minor things."

STORY: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=290823125

[DaveinMD]

3. that just proves

how inferior the national league is. The top three teams can probably play with the AL teams, but other than that the teams pale in comparison to the American League.

[Auggie]

4. It proves Dave Duncan can coach pitchers

You're correct in your assessment of American League domination though. Over the last two years the A.L. leads in victories with 286 compared to 217 losses. That's a winning percentage of .759.

To be fair, it helps that Smoltz made his debut against the Padres too. But I'm sure that was totally planned.

[DaveinMD]

5. it happens with non Dave Duncan coached pitchers

Look at how Pettitte completely dominated in the NL. Sabathia and Cliff Lee as well. Pitching in the NL is like AAA compared to the AL.

[Auggie]

6. I don't buy it. That's a generalization based on the success of three

pitchers. It's not that cut and dry -- look at Barry Zito.

[DaveinMD]

7. Zito was declining for years

look at his K rates. As a whole, pitchers have a much tougher time adjusting to the American League. Even Josh Beckett pitched to an ERA over 5 his first year in the AL.

[Auggie]

8. I'll give you that the D.H. means those transitioning from the N.L.

to the A.L. face tougher line-ups. And if that accounts for more runs scored, so be it. But I still don't buy the adjustment angle. If you can provide proof to support your argument I'm all ears.

Zito was not in decline. In his last year at Oakland he was 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA.

[DaveinMD]

9. look beyond

the traditional stats. His K rate was declining for 3 years. He pitched in luck his final year. But when your K rate declines like it did, your luck will catch up.