Fan News

The NBA FInals are always fantastic. A Lakers-Celtics Finals is all-the-better. A Lakers-Celtics Game Seven is a can't miss.

We understand that you were pre-occupied with basketball last night. That's why we provide this primer on the top 10 things you missed in baseball yesterday.

This is a must read, because some of what you missed was nothing short of historical.

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The Mets are officially on a tear. With their 6-4 win over the Indians tonight, the Mets have won seven in a row and 11 of their last 12. They are 12-2 in June and are 18-5 since May 22.

Once again, the Mets tore the cover off the ball, recording double-digit hits in their fourth straight game. The Mets got it going—no pun intended—right off the bat, scoring three runs off Jake Westbrook in the first inning.

The Oakland Athletics were hanging tight in the race for the American League 
West division title. After the past two series where the A's have lost five games out of six that were played, it has become clear the A's need to make some major adjustments. 

That would involve making trades for a big time bat in the lineup. The only problem is, what self-respecting player would want to play for Bob Geren? This was shown by the most recent trade the A's have made. 

In less than half the year we've had some amazing, and I mean amazing games by pitchers. Three no-hitters from Ubaldo Jimenez, Roy Halladay, and Dallas Braden, with the last two being perfect. Technically we've had three perfect games if you count Armando Galarraga's, which I think we should. Have the pitchers finally taken the lead in fantasy value over batters? Lets take a look…

2010
3 no-hitters (Jimenez, Halladay, Braden)
5 complete game one-hitters (Matt Cain, Johnny Cueto, Jon Niese, Mat Latos, Armando Galarraga)

It's a wonder seeing a starting pitcher winless this far into the season. After 13 or 14 starts, one would expect several wins, losses, and no decisions from them. When you're paying a guy over $7 million to pitch for your team, you expect a few wins, especially if your team's in first place.

The Baltimore Orioles feel this way about Kevin Millwood, certainly. He has 14 appearances, a 5.16 ERA, an 0-8 record, and leads the American League in home runs and hits allowed. It could be that his career is nearing his end.

The game of baseball is rich in history and luster, but in the last two decades or so, the game has fallen out of favor in many baseball cities.

As the trade deadline approaches, teams are going to be pulling the trigger on deals that could have an impact on the rest of the season.

The American League East is always one of the most competitive divisions. Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs have put Kosuke Fukudome on the trade market. The outfielder has a no-trade clause and said he is willing to waive it for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. 

As the MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, we have a greater idea of which teams will be buyers and which will be sellers.

When Ryan Hanigan went on the disabled list with a broken hand on May 29th, it wasn't something that people in many circles discussed.  

The team was playing so well, so what was there to discuss?

I knew the moment it occurred that the pitching staff would greatly suffer.  

Hanigan is THAT good behind the plate with his handling of the pitching staff, skill in blocking errant pitches, and ability to throw out would-be base stealers.

With Hanigan behind the dish, the Reds team ERA is 3.77.