Playing fantasy baseball is fun and helps fans engage more in baseball. I also play fantasy sports and recently, I faced a problem. A closer in my fantasy team just gave up too many walks and in some games, he was frequently behind in count. And, I was thinking of one thing and I would like to know his first-pitch strike rate.
Winning the World Series is not easy. Well, it’s actually extremely hard and 6 teams have never won the World Series. Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers won the first title since 1988. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs became the world champion for the first time since 1908. Additionally, it’s even harder to win it in two consecutive years because no team has done it in this century. The Dodgers would like to win back-to-back World Series championships. But, there is something to overcome.
When I was a kid and turned on the TV to watch a baseball game, it was very common to see a case like this, the first batter got on base and the second batter bunted. Until today, we can still see this case in some leagues. Previously, the player who bats second is usually good at handling bats, so he can bunt or hit, the main goal of the second batter is to move the runner. However, things are quite different these days, each team normally let the team’s best hitter or a player with speed, power and a high on-base percentage bat second. For example, we see Aaron Judge frequently bat second in the Yankees lineup. It’s been almost a month since the 2021 season began. Let’s see who’s the most dangerous hitter when batting second.
A few days ago, we just saw that some teams had some problems against sliders so far this season. I’m also curious to know the slider usage in the 2021 season. So, I went to have a quick check on the statcast website again and there is something very interesting.
A few days ago, I watched a game and the broadcaster mentioned an interesting fact, which is that a team is not good at hitting sliders. That really drew my attention and I went to the statcast website to see if there is something worth noticing.
It’s already been two weeks since the 2021 season began. Last Thursday, it was a special day. Players all wore No. 42 to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson. His legacy is unparalleled and he inspired millions of people. We really don’t have enough words to describe his impacts to society. Jackie Robinson spent his entire career with the Dodgers and in his first season as a Dodger, he won the rookie of the year award. In 1987, the award was renamed the Jackie Robinson rookie of the year award. Last season, Kyle Lewis won the AL rookie of the year award and in the NL, Devin Williams received the award. It might be too early to announce the Jackie Robinson rookie of the year award winners, but some rookies are off to a brilliant start.
Before the 2021 season started, two great shortstops each agreed to a long-term deal. Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, 340 million contract extension with the Padres. Additionally, just before the opening day, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets agreed to a 341 million, 10-year deal. Are these two deals great? How will these two deals impact the free-agent market?
Spring training stats usually don’t really matter because in spring training, some players try to prove their skills to play in the big league and for some players, spring training just allows them to prepare for the new season. However, there are several players who had a bad spring. The 2021 season has begun. Do they do well in the first week of the regular season?
Undoubtedly, most people would name Mike Trout the best player in baseball. At the same, Juan Soto is a rising star for the Washington Nationals. Mike Trout has more than 300 home runs so far in his career. It’s going to be Juan Soto’s 4th season with the Nationals and he already has 69 home runs. Trout and Soto are two very dangerous hitters in the league and these two players have become many pitchers’ nightmares.
So excited. Baseball is back and we already watched several great games. It’s a 162-game marathon and it might be too early to say who has a good season. However, some players have done a great job in the first series of the season.
Baseball is back. Yes, baseball is back. The 2021 opening day is in April and we have baseball in the spring. The first day of the new season, there are many things worth watching.
