The 2025 Fall Classic will begin very soon. The Dodgers just swept the Brewers, who owned the best record in the 2025 season, in the NLCS. In the meantime, the Blue Jays defeated the Mariners after playing 7 games in ALCS. Hence, this October, we are going to see the Dodgers face the Blue Jays in the World Series.
In game 3 of the NLDS, Clayton Kershaw took the mound in the top of the 7th inning. Eventually, he tossed 2 innings in NLDS game 3, giving up 5 runs (4 earned). He allowed 2 home runs this game. Well, his performance was shaky.
This October, I watched several games and of course, some highlights. A Hall of Famer mentioned a player’s great performance in the postseason. In particular, that player has hit outstandingly against the Yankees.
It’s October. The most important thing for baseball fans is to watch October baseball. While watching postseason games, I was just wondering a question.
The League Championship Series already began. After playing well in the division series, 4 teams are fighting hard to get a chance to play in the Fall Classic. At this moment, we still don’t know which teams will win the LCS.
The division series just finished. The league championship series will start very soon. Before the LCS starts, let’s take a quick look at the division series.
A couple of days ago, we just reviewed some pitchers who frequently threw pitches that touched triple digits in the postseason from 2008 to 2024. This time, we shift our focus on the hitters.
It’s October. Watching October baseball is one of the most exciting things to do for all baseball fans. For me, I already watched some Wild Card Series games and Division Series games. Well, I saw some pitchers who threw pitches that were triple digits.
The ALDS is now playing and attracting many eyes around the world. On one side, Aaron Judge and the Yankees play against the Blue Jays. On the other side, Cal Raleigh and the Mariners are playing against the Tigers.
A couple of days ago, we just reviewed pitchers who had done a great job in home games this century. After reviewing the pitching stats, of course, it would be fun to review stats on hitters.
In late September, I watched Clayton Kershaw’s last regular season start at Dodger stadium. He has done so many things at this ballpark and achieved key milestones. While watching Kershaw’s final start at home in the regular season, I began to think about a question.
It’s time for October baseball. The 2025 regular season just came to an end. In a couple of days, the Wild Card Series will begin. So, the postseason will officially kick off. Baseball fans will surely enjoy this month because lots of exciting things could happen.
Around 10 days ago, Clayton Kershaw announced that he will retire after the 2025 season. As a Dodgers fan, I know this day will come. However, I don’t know it will come this way. It’s not so easy to react after hearing the news.
In mid-September, Anthony Rizzo announced his retirement after playing 14 seasons. In the majors. In those 14 seasons, he played 1727 games, hitting .261/.361/.467 with 303 home runs and 965 RBI. Rizzo finished his career with an OPS over .800. Additionally, he’s a 3-time All-Star and a 4-time Gold Glove award winner.
Around 2 weeks ago, we reviewed players who hit well after the All-Star break over the last several seasons. Indeed, some hitters need time to heat up. But, how about pitchers?
Just a few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, a host mentioned a player’s performance. That player saw a first pitch, which was right in the middle of the strike zone. The host indicated that it was a great pitch to swing and he didn’t understand why the batter didn’t swing.
A couple of days ago, I read a media release. In the release, it mentioned a power hitter who hit a ball with an exit velocity over 110 mph. Without a doubt, he hit it really hard. After reading the media release, I began to think about a question.
I just watched some video clips on X. An interesting one is that in a video, it clearly shows that Clayton Kershaw was throwing a split-finger. And he struck out the batter he faced.
The 2025 Topps Series 2 was released in mid-June. This time, I didn’t buy this product immediately once it was released. A couple of months later, I ordered a mega box of the 2025 Topps Series 2 on Amazon. Previously, I used to buy hobby packs, jumbo packs and blaster boxes of this series. But not a mega box. It’s actually the first time that I ordered a mega box of this product.
Just a couple days ago, I read an article, which indicated a player had heated up in the second half of the season. The writer mentioned several key stats. Well, actually, it’s not the first time that I read an article or a report about that player’s performance after the All-Star break.
I watched some tweets on X. A pitcher indicated that he uses sinkers against lefties for some reason. And I watched some clips and it clearly shows that his sinker is a good weapon. He has thrown many strikeouts against left-handed hitters by using his sinker.
The 2024 Topps Heritage High Number was released in late March 2025. Soon after this product was released, I went to a sports card shop. However, the owner told me that there weren’t any products from this series available.
We just reviewed some hitters who have hit very well after the All-Star break a couple days ago. At the same time, several pitchers have been dominant after the All-Star break and let’s see how excellent they have been.
September is coming. Hence, we are soon entering the final month of the 2025 regular season. Some players were off to a great start. Some players heated up a little bit. In the second half of the 2025 season, there are several hitters who have done a good job. Let’s take a look at those players who have hit well after the All-Star break.
We are entering the end of August. Thus, the final month of the regular season is coming. Several teams are fighting hard for a spot in the postseason. Taking a look at the last few seasons, we might have a clue to see which teams actually had played well in September.
Just a few days ago, we reviewed some hitters’ performances after being traded. Now, let’s shift our focus to the mound. Before the trade deadline, several pitchers were traded. And how have they pitched in a uniform?
It’s been almost a month since the 2025 trade deadline. Before the trade deadline, several teams decided to acquire hitters to enhance the lineup depth. Do those trades make an instant impact?
In early August, I listened to a podcast show. A pitcher was interviewed by a long-time reporter. The pitcher was quite honest. He indicated that he threw a lot of sinkers while he was playing for the Pirates. After being traded, his sinker usage dropped significantly.
It was a couple of weeks ago, I was in Japan and passed by a sports card shop. I found some 2025 Topps Heritage hobby packs available. Well, I only bought a blaster box of the 2025 Topps Heritage previously. When I saw some hobby packs of the 2025 Topps Heritage, I was just thinking it would be fun to buy some.
The 2025 Topps Chrome was released in late July. This set is always a popular one that attracts many collectors. Each year, I bought some hobby packs or jumbo packs of this product. A few weeks ago, I was in Japan and I found that there was a sports card shop near the hotel where I stayed.
The 2025 deadline was just a couple of weeks ago. Before the trade deadline, several teams decided to acquire relievers to enhance their bullpens. Moreover, I listened to a podcast show a few days ago. In the podcast, an analyst indicated the importance of the bullpen in the postseason.
Before the 2025 trade deadline, the Cleveland Guardians decided to trade former Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays and acquired Khal Stephen from the Blue Jays. Sending an ace to another team isn’t easy. When I look at this trade, I’m just thinking about a question.
It was a few weeks ago, I was watching a baseball game. In the late innings, a reliever gave up a home run and the game was tied. Suddenly, in a chat group, a friend indicated that the team shouldn’t sign him for a long-term deal.
In late July, the Dodgers visited Fenway Park. This time, it’s a special moment for Walker Buehler because he got the ring of the 2024 World Series Champion. He recorded the final out of the 2024 World Series.
On July 2, 2025, in the top of the 6th inning, Clayton Kershaw threw a slider, which was his 100th pitch in the game. The batter didn’t swing, but Kershaw located it well. It was a strike. Kershaw struck out the batter to end the inning and it’s the 3000th strikeout in his great career.
All right, we have seen strikeout leaders via different pitches from 2008 to 2024. However, I’m just thinking about another thing. How about something different?
July just came to an end. Last month, several teams played very well. With great performance in July, some teams now have become postseason contenders.
So, we have reviewed pitchers who threw a lot of strikeouts via four-seamers, curveballs and sliders from 2008 to 2024. Now, our focus will move on to another pitch.
We just reviewed several pitchers who threw 1000+ strikeouts with their sliders. Now, let’s shift our focus on another pitch.
Just a couple of days ago, we reviewed some pitchers who used their four-seamers to generate a lot of strikeouts. Certainly, their four-seamers are nightmares of many MLB hitters. This time, let’s take a look at another pitch type.
In early July, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, an analyst indicated a pitcher’s pitch and he has used it to strike out many batters. And the analyst emphasized that pitcher’s great pitch.
Around 2 weeks ago, we took a look at some rookie hitters’ performances. Some rookie hitters certainly have drawn a lot of attention. Now, let’s shift our focus on the mound.
A few weeks ago, I was watching a baseball game. The starting pitcher did a good job on the mound. However, his fastball isn’t really fast. Most of the time, his four-seamers didn’t touch 90 mph in a game.
Shohei Ohtani, without a doubt, is a superstar in baseball. Fans around the world all watch his performance. After undergoing his second major elbow surgery in 2023 and going through the rehab process, Ohtani returned to the mound in mid-June.
Last month, I watched a game on TV. A starting pitcher threw a pitch that was just 40+ mph. That pitch looked so weird and surprised many people. What is that?
Well, pitcher usage has been quite different in today’s baseball games. However, no one can ignore the importance of the rotation.
The first half of the 2025 season is almost over. Several rookie players have been off to a good start this season. And it’s certainly worthwhile to see how good they have done.
It's the 4th of July. Happy Independence Day! I believe that lots of people are going to watch fireworks today. In baseball, many teams set fireworks after a player from the home team crushes a home run.
