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Today marks the beginning of the “Battle of the Bay” regular season contests between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. They are always intense games, more so for the fans than the players.

Dave Stewart. Game 3 1989 World Series. Otto Gruele Jr./Getty Images.

Both teams have passionate fan bases (although one team’s fans are much more knowledgeable than the others) and the cross-bay rivalry always gets heated. It’s been a battle since the original “Battle of the Bay” World Series in 1989. The Athletics swept the Giants in four games.

Many a Giants fan will blame the enormous earthquake that rocked the Bay Area just before the beginning of Game 3 as the reason their team lost. Many have told me that it was unfair because the A’s were able to use their top two starters twice; Dave Stewart and Mike Moore, due to the 11-day break the series took so the Bay Area could begin to recover from the death and destruction the earthquake brought with it.

The reality here is that the Giants also were able to use their two best starting pitchers Scott Garrelts and Rick Reuschel so really the argument doesn’t hold water. They start Garrelts in Game 3 and Don Robinson in Game 4, that was their choice. It only says that at that time the A’s had a better pair of top two starters or just a better team as described by Tim Keown of ESPN.com,

“Games 3 and 4 were repeats of Games 1 and 2. The Giants had to face Dave Stewart and Mike Moore all over again, which meant it wasn’t really a seven-game series, but more like a pair of two-game series, and the Giants weren’t built to compete with the A’s under those — or maybe any — parameters. The A’s were the better team regardless of schedule, but the Giants of ’89 will go to their graves believing they’d have made a better showing if they’d been able to get deeper into the Oakland rotation.”

Still, the A’s would have likely swept the Giants anyway as Keown indicates. The 1990 AL Cy Young Award winner and the last pitcher to ever win at least 25 games in a season, Bob Welch (he won 27 games in 1990), would have pitched game three and likely taken home the win.

Things have changed in the Bay Area since then, but the rivalry has not changed. One game out of four is already in the books with the Athletics winning by the score of 8-3 but there is plenty more Bay Area baseball to play!

For a full preview of this week’s Battle of the Bay on BBST CLICK HERE!

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Tags: 1989 World Series, Battle of the Bay, Bob Welch, Daniel Mengden, dave stewart, interleague play, jeff samardzija, Jen Rainwater, Mike Moore, mlb, oakland athletics, Rick Reuschel, san francisco giants, Scott Garrelts

San Francisco Giants Should be the Most Aggressive Team at the MLB Trade Deadline

Jun 6

Posted by Matt Musico

We’ve seen this movie before – it’s an even year and the San Francisco Giants are one of baseball’s best teams. Should we just hand over another World Series trophy to them and get it over with?

There are quite a few teams out there begging to differ – mainly in Chicago, Texas and New York, among others – but it’s hard to ignore the even-year trend going on in the Bay area. Whether the organization puts any stock into it or not, nobody can deny they’ve come out swinging since the end of last year.

Not only have they locked up homegrown players like Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt to affordable long-term deals, they bolstered big needs in the outfield with Denard Span and the front of the rotation by flanking Madison Bumgarner with Johnny Cuetoand Jeff Samardzija.

As well as the Giants have played through the first two months, things are about to get more difficult. Like most contending teams, there are concerns about specific parts of the roster. With outfielder Hunter Pence anticipated to miss at least two months with a hamstring tear, those concerns are only amplified.

The Giants were uncharacteristically one of the top spenders this past winter by committing nearly $300 million to Cueto, Samardzija and Span, but it probably won’t be enough. There doesn’t appear to be a lot of opportunity in the trade market this summer, but if they want a chance at continuing that even-year trend, they’ll have to once again make big splashes.

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Tags: andrew miller, chris carter, Hunter Pence, Rich Hill, san francisco giants

Why Is The Deal Between The Los Angeles Angels And Tim Lincecum Taking So Long?

May 19

Posted by Dynasty_Digest

Which team will sign former Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum? It is a question many baseball fans have been pondering for weeks. It looks like we could have an answer very soon. It was reported a few days ago that Lincecum signed with the Los Angeles Angels, but there is no finalized answer quite yet. The deal is pending a physical, but it has been nearly three days since hearing any verdict of the final decision.

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Tags: agent, angels, baseball, contract, deal, dynasty, dynasty digest, fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, free, injuries, Injury, la angels, los angeles, Los Angeles Angels, mlb, MLB Fantasy, physical, pitcher, rotation, rumor, rumors, san francisco giants, sign, tim lincecum

The Texas Rangers Or Chicago White Sox Need To Sign Tim Lincecum

May 12

Posted by Dynasty_Digest

Many baseball fans are wondering where Tim Lincecum will sign. He threw a bullpen for upwards of 20 Major League Baseball organizations about a week ago, but he has yet to commit to a team. Many teams were impressed with his fastball velocity, which sat in the low-90 MPH range, and his sharp breaking ball. It is only a matter of time before he signs with an organization.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner could greatly improve multiple rotations of competing organizations. The two that come to mind are the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers. Both teams are playing exceptional baseball, but the addition of Lincecum could push them over the top.

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Tags: agent, aj griffin, baseball, bullpen, Chicago White Sox, Cy Young, Derek Holland, fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, free, free agent, miami marlins, mlb, MLB Fantasy, reliever, san diego padres, san francisco giants, seattle mariners, setup, sign, starter, texas rangers, tim lincecum, yu darvish

Tim Lincecum Could Be A Difference Maker For A Rotation In 2016

May 3

Posted by Dynasty_Digest

Tim Lincecum will pitch in front of upwards of 15 to 20 teams on Friday. He has been sidelined since last season due to arthroscopic hip surgery. He has been rehabbing for the last few months, and it looks as if he is finally ready to showcase his talents in front of scouts. There are reports that he is already throwing in the low 90’s, which is great news for the right-handed pitcher. As of right now, some of the reported teams who will be in attendance on Friday include the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, and the Baltimore Orioles.

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Tags: agent, baltimore orioles, chicago cubs, Chicago White Sox, Fantasy Baseball, free, houston astros, Los Angeles Angels, los angeles dodgers, miami marlins, mlb, MLB Fantasy, oakland athletics, pitch, rehab, san diego padres, san francisco giants, scouts, sign, texas rangers, tim lincecum, washington nationals

Odds To Win The MLB 2016 World Series + Best And Worst Bets

Apr 21

Posted by Doug Booth

The Mets made it to the World Series in 2015 after a subpar start heading into the Trade Deadline. With a ton of pitching and some decent positional players still on the roster, they could set themselves up for a lengthy run in the NL East. Especially if they can coordinate a couple of trades near the Trade Deadline. While they may have started slow, the bats are alive and well, and the rotation should come around soon. They are this week’s best odd.

Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_Hunter21 Follow @baseballblogs

The Nationals asserted themselves on this leaderboard thanks to a quick start. They were my 2nd best bet last week at +1100. Now the odd at +650 is not worth any money at all.

Since Washington was able to play so well, this has created the perfect storm to put some more cash on the Mets. At +1300, New York is just begging for a wager.

The strength of schedule to which the Nats have played has definitely factored in. 2 series versus the Braves and Marlins and one against the Phillies already, Dusty Baker‘s club has had about a ‘cupcake itinerary’ as you possibly could find.

It gets better for the District’s squad, as they go home for another series with Philadelphia – that comes on the heels of a weekend Interleague series versus the Twins.

If Washington wins those 2 series, they should be about 15 or 16 wins after 22 games. They should cement themselves in the playoffs with an easy NL East opponents schedule all year. I just want to see them play some tougher clubs.

The Mets offense has sprung to life behind the backs of Yoenis Cespedes, Neil Walker, David Wright and Michael Conforto. When the Pitching Rotation settles in a little bit, they should take off.

While Washington is leading the Division, they have yet to face the NL reigning pennant winners. The division win could come down to the 19 contests between the two clubs.

Terry Collins‘ team has 16 straight games versus squads with losing records. While the Giants are capable of contending all year, New York should be able to match them well for pitching. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: A.J. Hinch, al central, AL East, AL West, All 30 MLB Teams, American league, arizona diamondbacks, aroldis chapman, At and t park, Atlanta Braves, baltimore orioles, bet365.com, boston red sox, busch stadium, chase field, chicago cubs, Chicago White Sox, cincinnati reds, cleveland indians, colorado rockies, Coors Field, dallas keuchel, Detroit Tigers, dusty baker, great american ballpark, houston astros, jordan zimmermann, justin upton, kansas city royals, la angels, la dodgers, max scherzer, miami marlins, michael conforto, miguel cabrera, milwaukee brewers, Minnesota Twins, national league, neil walker, new york mets, new york yankees, NL Central, NL east, nl west, oakland athletics, philadelphia phillies, pittsburgh pirates, pnc park, Rogers Centre, san diego padres, san francisco giants, seattle mariners, st louis cardinals, stephen strasburg, tampa bay rays, terry collins, texas rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, washington nationals, Wrigley Field, yasiel puig, yoenis cespedes

MLB Power Rankings 2016: Week 2 – April

Apr 17

Posted by Doug Booth

Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_Hunter21

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Disclaimer: We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series. Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.

The Cubs will top our list for a second straight week despite losing 2 out of 3 games to the Rockies at Wrigley Field this weekend. The biggest reason is the pitching.

Jake Arrieta is 3 – 0, and has picked up right where we he left off in 2015, and Jon Lester has thrown awesome too. The Bullpen has also been good.

The bats are too solid not to come around and gel as the season moves along. They are playing .750 baseball after a 4 – 2 week still.

Bryce Harper is the best player on the planet, and has homered in 6 straight contests at Citizens Bank Ball Park (4 overall in a row for the MLB this year.)

Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg. Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy are their top players – and all performing like it, the rest of the club is following through in their secondary roles. This team is scary.

I have the Royals as the top American League club. This squad is 8 – 1 in games that are not started by back end of the rotation man Chris Young.

The reigning 2 time pennant winners have company on the top of the Division to make it interesting, however this team has the better pedigree the last few years.

Some may say with a weekend series win – that the Dodgers should be put in front of the Giants, yet they are still only one game ahead of San Francisco.

With the Giants – there is no real weakness, while with the Los Angeles team, the Bullpen is not giving everyone confidence in the back half of games.

The Dodger Blue is still in the top 5, so I am high on them. Kenta Maeda could be the steal of the winter with how this guy is throwing so far. Reinforcements are starting to come back. Read the rest of this entry →