Javier Baez y J.D. Martinez: Hombres del Momento 2018 en las Grandes Ligas

El mes de Julio está en los libros de historia. Desde este corriente mes de Agosto es que comienza como el dicho a separarse los hombres de los niños en ruta hacia el Clásico de Otoño.

Si estuviésemos en tiempos del mes de Octubre nuestra columna de análisis de equipos de post-temporada al presente en la Liga Americana son los Medias Rojas de Boston, Indios de Cleveland, Astros de Houston, Yankees de Nueva York y Marineros de Seattle.

A estas fechas, nadie debe descartar a los Atléticos de Oakland y los sorpresivos juveniles Rays de Tampa Bay.

Por otro lado, nuestras distinciones en la Liga Nacional en este momento en son de post-temporada son los Phillies de Philadelphia, Cachorros de Chicago, Dodgers de Los Angeles, Cascabeles de Arizona y los Cerveceros de Milwaukee.

Tal como ante escrito falta mucho béisbol y nadie todavía debe excluir a otros muchos entre otros los Rockies de Colorado, Piratas de Pittsburgh, Nacionales de Washington ni los Cardenales de San Luis.

Falta en el calendario cuales de estos equipos serán los que llegarán a la Serie Mundial pero mientras a la entrada de un nuevo mes hay una serie de sangre latina que están dando que hablar y escribir y debemos recalcar sus nombres en este momento.

En la Liga Americana de gran mérito si continúan su actual ritmo con J.D. Martínez de los Medias Rojas de Boston y José Ramírez de los Indios de Cleveland para ‘MVP’ en su circuito. Ambos, andan también en buena carrera quien se queda como líder en cuadrangulares, carreras impulsadas y porcentaje de slugging.

En la Americana, también de destaque a estas fechas hay que dar gran virtud de Francisco Lindor y Edwin Encarnación de los Indios de Cleveland, José Altuve de los Astros de Houston y Nelson Cruz de los Marineros de Seattle.

En la Liga Nacional no debe sorpresa de nadie que Nelson Arenado de los Rockies de Colorado una vez más va con paso de otra excepcional campaña pero hay que ser honestos en estos tiempos de redes sociales que una de esas caras del beisbol más seguida en este momento lo es Javier Baez de los Cachorros de Chicago.

El apodado “El Mago” Baez sea por sus excepcionales jugadas defensivas y corrido en las bases y además con su madero de poder no se le puede perder el ojo para grandes reconocimientos y honores.

En el más antiguo circuito también hay que darle gran valía al presente a Eugenio Suárez de los Rojos de Cincinnati, Jesús Aguilar de los Cerveceros de Milwaukee y Gregory Polanco de los Piratas de Pittsburgh.

Que mejor del poder latino de aquí al otoño. Eso el tiempo nos lo dirá.

Latinos Claves en Ruta a las Series Post-Temporada

El mes de agosto esta en los libros de historia y ahora es que comienzan a separarse los hombres de los niños.

Es tiempo de victoria tras victoria en ruta a las series de post-temporada y arribar hasta el gran Clásico de Octubre.

Al momento de escribir estas lineas ni en la Liga Nacional ni en la Americana hay un claro favorito. El diferencial entre los equipos que están en el tope de cada división matemáticamente es mínimo y puede ocurrir cualquier sorpresa.

En el circuito americano aunque los Yankees de Nueva York, Tigres de Detroit y los Angelinos de Los Angeles están arriba en sus respectivas divisiones todos tienen conjuntos detrás de ellos hambrientos por desplazarlos.

Hay un viejo dicho en el béisbol que la pelota es redonda y viene en caja cuadrada y cualquier cosa puede suceder en el mes de septiembre.

En la Americana en el Este, los Bombarderos del Bronx tienen a sus eternos rivales Medias Rojas de Boston y los inspirados Rays de Tampa Bay tocando puertas muy cercános a ellos. En la Central, los felinos de la ciudad automotriz tienen en su cola a los Mellizos de Minnesota y nadie descarte todavia al siempre agresivo Ozzie Guillén y sus Medias Blancas de Chicago. En el Oeste los Angelitos no se pueden desconfiar en ningún momento porque tienen a los aguerridos Rancheros de Texas no muy lejos de ellos.

En la Nacional en el Este, los campeones mundiales Phillies de Philadelphia deben regresar al gran baile de post-temporada pero mucho ojo con los Marlins de Florida y los Bravos de Atlanta. Los Cardenales de San Luis han jugado gran pelota todo el año en su banderín de la central pero deben tener muy cuidado con un despertar a última hora de los Cachorros de Chicago.

También muy buen béisbol han jugado a través de toda la campaña los Dodgers de Los Angeles pero no se pueden dejar caer en la tabla de posiciones. En su gallardete del oeste los Rockies de Colorado y los Gigantes de San Francisco andan demostrando que tienen conjuntos dignos de post-temporada y así de bien están jugando a este momento.

Para llegar hasta la post-temporada siempre todos los equipos cuentan con jugadores claves y a mi entender estos son los jugadores latinoamericanos que pueden hacer la diferencia para sus conjuntos en búsqueda del deseado campeonato mundial.

LIGA AMERICANA
New York Yankees: 3B-Alex Rodriguez; P-Mariano Rivera; 2B-Robinson Cano; C-Jorge Posada
Boston Red Sox: 3B-Mike Lowell
Tampa Bay Rays: 1B-Carlos Peña
Detroit Tigers: 1B-Miguel Cabrera; OF-Magglio Ordoñez
Minnesota Twins: SS-Orlando CabreraChicago
White Sox: Dirigente-Ozzie Guillen; 2B Alexei Ramírez
Los Angeles Angels: OF-Vladimir Guerrero; 1B Kendry Morales; OF-Bobby Abreu
Texas Rangers: P-Neftali Perez; C-Ivan Rodriguez; SS-Omar Vizquel

LIGA NACIONAL
Philadelphia Phillies: 3B-Pedro Feliz; C-Carlos Ruiz
Florida Marlins: SS-Hanley Ramirez; 3B-Jorge Cantu
Atlanta Braves: SS-Yunel Escobar; P-Javier Vazquez
St.Louis Cardinals: 1B-Albert Pujols; C-Yadier Molina
Chicago Cubs-3B-Aramis Ramírez
Los Angeles Dodgers: OF-Manny Ramirez; SS-Rafael Furcal
Colorado Rockies : P-Ubaldo Jimenez; P-Jorge de la Rosa
San Francisco Giants: C-Bengie Molina; 3B-Pablo Sandoval

Albert Pujols y Bobby Abreu: Los Latinos Mas Calientes

Dos tercios de competencia de la temporada de las Grandes Ligas están en los libros de historia y la competencia en general esta ardiente.

En la Liga Nacional en este momento solo los Dodgers de Los Angeles y los Phillies de Philadelphia sí fuese el mes de septiembre me arriesgaria a darlos como fieles contendores a ver acción en las series post-temporada.

En la Division Central la contienda continua bien cerrada cerrada entre los Cachorros de Chicago y los Cardenales de San Luis. Por cierto nadie olvide en este banderín a los aguerridos Cerveceros de Milwaukee ni a los Astros de Houston quienes van con buen paso sino al menos para el puesto de wild-card.

Para el wild-card la lucha esta super fuerte. En contienda actual tambien están los Gigantes de San Francisco, Rockies de Colorado, Marlins de Florida y los Bravos de Atlanta.

En la Liga Americana la mayor sorpresa siguen siendo los Rangers de Texas quienes andan dando lucha en la División Oeste. Al momento estan atras de los Angelinos de Los Angeles en su gallardete pero si no los alcanzan ojo a la tropa tejana que puede ser un fiel contendor para el wild-card.

Otra sorpresa en lo que va de campaña es la División Central. Los Tigres de Detroit y los Medias Blancas de Chicago andan al frente pero ojo con los Mellizos de Minnesota quienes no han dado señales que desean verse como un conjunto eliminado.

En el Este como es costumbre anda siendo esta dominada por los Medias Rojas y los Yankees. Los Rays de Tampa Bay han despertado ultimamente y hay que tomarlos muy en serio como contendores al menos para el wild-card.

LATINOS CALIENTES

Despues de dos tercios de acción, los mejores latinos ofensivos al día en todas las Mayores lo son:1. Albert Pujols, San Luis2. Bobby Abreu, Angelinos de Los Angeles 3. Hanley Ramirez, Florida4. Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco5. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit 6. Miguel Tejada, Houston7. Kendry Morales, Angelinos de Los Angeles8. Juan Rivera, Angelinos de Los Angeles9. Carlos Lee, Houston10. Carlos Peña, Tampa Bay 11. Nelson Cruz, Texas12. Victor Martinez, Boston 13. Robinson Cano, Yankees de Nueva York14. Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego15. Marco Scutaro, Toronto

Despues de dos tercios de acción, los mejores lanzadores latinos al día en todas las Mayores lo son:1. Felix Hernandez, Seattle2. Johan Santana, Mets de Nueva York3. Mariano Rivera, Yankees de Nueva York4. Wandy Rodriguez, Houston5. Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee 6. Javier Vazquez, Atlanta7. Joel Piñeiro, San Luis8. Francisco Rodriguez, Mets de Nueva York 9. Joakim Soria, Kansas City10. Francisco Cordero, Cincinnati

Mike Lowell: Time For A Break

Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun / MLB Notebook

For the first time this season Mike Lowell is accepting a break. Not because he is pulling one of those Alex Rodriguez ‘fatigue’ stories as the ‘A-Rod’ did when the Yankees came to Miami. Lowell’ hip had grown stiff and sore lately and his Manager Terry Francona have offer him to take longer breaks. Not good news for the Puerto Rican four-time All-Star.

Let’s remember this season is one he does not want to finish hurt. Lowell pointed us out back during spring training that he very well know he needs a healthy season and finish with good numbers.

He really wants to demostrate Boston’ management he can still play and would like to be a Red Sox longer than his signed contract through 2010.

"This season is very important to me. I love Boston and I want to stay here. If not I play in Mars along their is big league baseball. After all I'm a major leaguer," Lowell said.

For the veteran Gold-Glove third baseman, up until few weeks ago it look his numbers were amazing hitting over .300 and taking him to the path for a run for American League Comeback Player of the Year. Some Boston media were even talking All-Star Game in St. Louis. However, the last two weeks his hitting has gone down faster than the Titanic. At this moment he’s hitting .281, 10 homers with 41 RBI’s.

According to Lowell, 35, the pain is not constant but some days his hip would feel “locked up”.
For Red Sox Nation fans this is not good news either. Specially right now that they are in command of their East Division pennant. Nonetheless, they have not forgotten that it could be déjà vu all over again as last season.

Last year Lowell went down as they were fighting the surprising Tampa Bay Rays. For most of the 2008 campaign he was hurt to the point he was left off from the Red Sox roster for the American League Championship Series. And in October 20th he decided on to go to surgery for a torn labrum in his right hip with well catalogued Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York.

Remember the Rays won and were the one with the ticket to the World Series. And this year the Red Sox besides the Rays they also have the Yankees and the Blue Jays in their back very close too.

At this moment the Red Sox are planning to put Lowell on a maintenance program starting next week up to the All-Star break where he'll receive at least one day off a week and receive occasional lubricating injections to ease the friction in the cartilage in hip and they want to make sure he's rested accordingly. After the All-Star Game they will check on Lowell’s progress.

The Red Sox acknowledge that they need a healthy Lowell to win it all again. In the other hand, Lowell wants to be healthy enough to go back to a post-season and who knows if he can repeat again his 2007 World Series MVP performance. And of course, stay as a Red Sox.

Last Minute Note: According to various reports Lowell will not play this weekend against the Atlanta Braves.

Boricuas As Cold As Ice

Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun / MLB Notebook

Two months of the 2009 Major League Baseball season are in the books and the first phrase that comes to my mind is the much famous local enquiry que pasa boricua ?

Over 50 games have been played and it is very difficult to find much names of our local stars in the top of the hitting and pitching statistics charts. By now it is well known that golden years of such past as future hall of famers Roberto Alomar and Edgar Martinez and others such as Bernie Williams, Juan Gonzalez, Ruben Sierra, Sandy Alomar Jr.,Javier Lopez and many others are all gone however we ponder sometimes what’s happening with the current crop.




It is very feasible we are concern with the health of Carlos Delgado and when he will come back to play with the New York Mets or as many are following very closely Ivan Rodriguez probable last ride in the Majors with the Houston Astros. It is very genuine they have a huge army of baseball fans watching them day to day but we much need as a pueblo a little more than nostalgia. We also want to see our ballplayers be hot.

If we were going to call this date this season Puerto Rico’s MVP in the Majors it should be Carlos Beltran. The New York Met outfielder is top among the best hitters in the National League and among the best in other three offensive categories. His over .340 average constant pace have kept him at the top among the first five batters in the old circuit with fellow latino Albert Pujols and Miguel Tejada in his tail.

If the Manati native continues his hitting stride there is a good chance it can be seen the first Puerto Rican to win a batting title in the Majors since 1998. That year Yankees’ Bernie Williams hit .339 to win the American League batting crown. Before him was Edgar Martinez with the Seattle Mariners who won the batting champion crowns in 1992 and 1995. The last boricua to win it in the National League was the late Roberto Clemente with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1967. His last of four batting titles.

In the National League other only fellow natives that truly are standing out at this moment of time are D’ Backs second baseman Felipe Lopez and brothers Bengie and Yadier Molina of the Giants and Cardinals respectively.




In the American League no boricua is among the top ten in any offensive category however the leader of the pack exceeding many of the expectations that were written for him this season is Mike Lowell. Many in Boston were not completely sure if he was going to be fully recover from his medical procedure from last season. Lowell missed post-season action and underwent arthroscopic surgery last October 20 to repair his right hip which was said at the time to be a complete success.

At this moment, the Red Sox third baseman is hitting so well for average and power and playing again as a gold glover that he is a strong candidate for American League Comeback Player of the Year. Other islander that is starting to wake up offensively lately is Blue Jays’ Alexis Rios.

Among hurlers, best news so far among leaders in the National League are Javier Vazquez (Atlanta Braves) ,Kiko Calero (Florida Marlins) and Pedro Feliciano (New York Mets). Let’s keep a watch on Joel Piñeiro that if he continues his course could be a strong candidate for National League Comeback Player of the Year.

The Rays: Could They Shine Again ?

Special For The Puerto Rico Daily Sun
A little more than month and a half is gone of the season and many columns have resurface in the national media of whom will be this year Tampa Bay Rays. National media writers have start it questioning if Joe Maddon’ American League championship was a one-year wonder last season.

Much of the buzz is not many were expecting the Rays this season would fall down to the cellar of the American League East Division like in their old days. Well, honestly no one thought either the 2008 Rays were for real. Tampa Bay under the originally named “Devil Rays” for their first ten seasons never had a winning record in their pennant. The best was a fourth place finish in 2004.

After the impressive 2008 season, Joe Maddon acknowledged that the next Rays this season are going to be themselves.

“I’m very optimistic we can be better,” Maddon said. “I will be pleased if we fulfill our goals again”.

Last season the would be 2008 American League Manager of the Year and his squad surprised the baseball world first by winning its East Division pennant, winners over the Chicago White Sox in the wild-card battle, the beat the heavily favored Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. The dream was over when they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.

At the moment many are calling into question if the magic is out. If in reality, the Rays overachieved in 2008.

Arguably, as a team the collective batting and pitching stats are in the middle of the pack in their circuit. Individually Carl Crawford, Evan Longoria and Carlos Peña are enjoying an All-Star caliber season.

So far, the differences are the whole starting pitching core is struggling with a higher opponent and earned run average than last year. The offense is leaving runners in scoring position by a ton. The defense efficiency is not even close to their best in the Majors from last season.

“I’m very optimistic we can turn things around, “ Maddon said. “There is no question we have a very good team”.

“I have the confidence we can get back. We have to fight and keep the intensity up, “ Maddon added.

Maddon, a history buff, knows no World Series loser since 2005 have been in the post-season the next season and he want to break that streak. However, to silence his critics he knows he have to make a run and fast. The Rays at the moment are at present behind the surprising first place Toronto Blue Jays and their nemesis Red Sox and New York Yankees.