Chasing 50-50 062718

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 13 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. Adding Jose Ramirez of the Indians, Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi of the Red Sox, Javier Baez of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, Didi Gregorius of the Yankees and Christian Yelich of the Marlins in week 13. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .311/.351/.539 with 13 HR, 47 RBI, 34 R, 0 SB in 76 games

Games Dodgers played: 78

Home Runs: 13  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0


Mike Trout

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .324/.459/.651 with 23 HR, 48 RBI, 62 R, 13 SB in 80 games

Games Angels played: 80

Home Runs: 23  --- Projected Home Runs: 47

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 26


AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 79

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 18


Francisco Lindor

This week: 3 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.367/.545 with 19 HR, 44 RBI, 64 R, 10 SB in 77 games

Games Indians played: 78

Home Runs: 19  --- Projected Home Runs: 39

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 21


Jose Ramirez

This week: 2 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .292/.398/.605 with 23 HR, 52 RBI, 55 R, 12 SB in 77 games

Games Indians played: 78

Home Runs: 23  --- Projected Home Runs: 48

Steals: 12 --- Projected Steals: 25

Tim Anderson

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .244/.307/.435 with 13 HR, 32 RBI, 42 R, 15 SB in 76 games

Games White Sox played: 78

Home Runs: 13  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 15 --- Projected Steals: 31


Starling Marte

This week: 0 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .267/.321/.447 with 9 HR, 34 RBI, 41 R, 16 SB in 68 games

Games Pirates played: 79

Home Runs: 9  --- Projected Home Runs: 18

Steals: 16 --- Projected Steals: 33


Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .252/.330/.420 with 12 HR, 26 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 72 games

Games Cardinals played: 78

Home Runs: 12  --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 19


Mookie Betts

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .338/.424/.688 with 20 HR, 41 RBI, 60 R, 14 SB in 60 games

Games Red Sox played: 80

Home Runs: 20  --- Projected Home Runs: 41

Steals: 14--- Projected Steals: 28


Andrew Benintendi

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.374/.522 with 13 HR, 51 RBI, 55 R, 12 SB in 76 games

Games Red Sox played: 80

Home Runs: 13  --- Projected Home Runs: 26

Steals: 12--- Projected Steals: 24


Javier Baez

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .276/.315/.555 with 16 HR, 56 RBI, 45 R, 13 SB in 75 games

Games Cubs played: 77

Home Runs: 16  --- Projected Home Runs: 34

Steals: 13--- Projected Steals: 27


Trevor Story

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .267/.334/.518 with 16 HR, 58 RBI, 42 R, 10 SB in 79 games

Games Rockies played: 79

Home Runs: 16  --- Projected Home Runs: 33

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 21


Didi Gregorius

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .259/.330/.478 with 15 HR, 43 RBI, 47 R, 9 SB in 72 games

Games Yankees played: 77

Home Runs: 15  --- Projected Home Runs: 32

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 19


Christian Yelich

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.366/.473 with 11 HR, 34 RBI, 52 R, 10 SB in 66 games

Games Brewers played: 78

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 23

Steals: 10--- Projected Steals: 21

Ghost of 62 062618

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The eight teams entering week 13 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.

The Orioles are 23-54, 28.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 48-114. The team is hitting .226/.292/.379 and have scored 283 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.87 and have given up 398 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 24-54, 19.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 50-112. The team is hitting .239/.302/.367 and have scored 277 which is 3.6 per game. Their team ERA is 5.20 and have given up 426 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 26-51, 17.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .239/.300/.394 and have scored 294 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.72 and have given up 399 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Marlins are 32-47, 14.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .240/.306/.363 and have scored 292 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 4.86 and have given up 401 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Mets are 31-45, 13.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .232/.310/.384 and have scored 303 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.32 and have given up 354 runs or 4.7 per game.

The Reds are 32-46, 13.5 games back and 7-3 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .255/.335/.399 and have scored 350 which is 4.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.76 and have given up 394 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Padres are 35-46, 10.5 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 70-92. The team is hitting .234/.298/.370 and have scored 304 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.13 and have given up 364 runs or 4.5 per game.

The Rangers are 35-45, 17.0 games back and 8-2 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .234/.318/.391 and have scored 352 which is 4.4 per game. Their team ERA is 4.72 and have given up 412 runs or 5.2 per game.

Chasing 50-50 062018

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 12 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .327/.364/.561 with 12 HR, 43 RBI, 32 R, 0 SB in 70 games

Games Dodgers played: 72

Home Runs: 12  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0


Mike Trout

This week: 4 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .335/.469/.689 with 23 HR, 48 RBI, 60 R, 13 SB in 74 games

Games Angels played: 74

Home Runs: 23  --- Projected Home Runs: 50

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 28


AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 73

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 20


Francisco Lindor

This week: 2 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .290/.362/.529 with 16 HR, 40 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 71 games

Games Indians played: 72

Home Runs: 16  --- Projected Home Runs: 36

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 20


Tim Anderson

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .233/.300/.414 with 11 HR, 27 RBI, 36 R, 14 SB in 70 games

Games White Sox played: 72

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 29


Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .280/.332/.470 with 9 HR, 33 RBI, 36 R, 13 SB in 62 games

Games Pirates played: 73

Home Runs: 9  --- Projected Home Runs: 20

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 29


Tommy Pham

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .272/.353/.453 with 12 HR, 26 RBI, 54 R, 9 SB in 66 games

Games Cardinals played: 71

Home Runs: 12  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 21

Ghost of 62 061918

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The seven teams entering week 12 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers and New York Mets.

The Orioles are 20-50, 27.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 46-116. The team is hitting .228/.294/.375 and have scored 248 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.87 and have given up 361 runs or 5.2 per game.


The Royals are 22-50, 16.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 50-112. The team is hitting .243/.305/.372 and have scored 265 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.38 and have given up 404 runs or 5.6 per game.

The White Sox are 24-47, 14.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .240/.302/.397 and have scored 267 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.65 and have given up 356 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Reds are 26-45, 15.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 59-103. The team is hitting .251/.328/.388 and have scored 301 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 4.88 and have given up 368 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Marlins are 29-44, 14.0 games back and 6-4 over their last ten games. That projects to 64-98. The team is hitting .235/.303/.356 and have scored 258 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 366 runs or 5.0 per game.

The Rangers are 30-44, 19.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 66-96. The team is hitting .231/.316/.392 and have scored 321 which is 4.3 per game. Their team ERA is 4.89 and have given up 396 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Mets are 31-38, 10.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 73-89. The team is hitting .229/.306/.380 and have scored 267 which is 3.9 per game. Their team ERA is 4.05 and have given up 301 runs or 4.3 per game.

2018 College World Series Preview

The 2018 College World Series will be played in Omaha, NE at Ameritrade Park from June 16 thru June 26 or 27 if necessary. Defending champion Florida made it back to go for the repeat. Six of the national seeds made it to Omaha including top seed Florida. There are three former champions and one team making their first trip.

The first game Saturday has 49-10-1 third seed Oregon State against 43-18 sixth seed North Carolina. Oregon State swept Minnesota 8-1 and 6-3 to earn a return trip to Omaha.  North Carolina swept Cinderella hopeful Stetson 7-4 and 7-5. 

The Oregon State Beavers are led by Head Coach Pat Casey. They had a 20-9-1 conference record in the PAC 12 and their campus is in Corvallis, OR. Their top eight hitters are Nick Madrigal (.397), Adley Rutschman (.386), Steven Kwan (.357), Trevor Larnach (.336), Cadyn Grenier (.322), Michael Gretler (.316), Kyle Nobach (.303) and Tyler Malone (.273) with Larnach leading the team with 18 home runs followed by Gretler and Rutschman with seven each. The team batting average is .320 and they average 7.7 runs a game.  Their top three starting pitchers are Luke Heimlich (16-1, 2.32), Bryce Fehmel (10-1, 2.87) and Grant Gambrell (5-1, 4.40) with Jake Mulholland being their main closer with 15 saves. Their team ERA is 3.26 and they have given up 3.7 runs per game.   In the 2017 MLB draft they had six players taken: Madrigal (White Sox, 1st round), Larnach (Twins, 1st), Grenier (Orioles, 1st), Kwan (Indians, 5th), Drew Rasmussen (Brewers, 6th), and Gretler (Pirates, 10th). This is their seventh CWS appearance and they won the title in 2006 and 2007.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are led by Head Coach Mike Fox. They had a 22-8 conference record in the ACC and their campus is in Chapel Hill, NC. Their top eight hitters are Kyle Datres (.344), Michael Busch (.333), Ike Freeman (.295), Brandon Riley (.294), Cody Roberts (.276), Zack Gahagan (.274), Brandon Martorano (.247) and Ashton McGee (.246) with Busch leading the team with 13 home runs followed by Martorano with nine. The team batting average is .286 and they average 7.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Austin Bergner (7-2, 4.28), Tyler Baum (4-1, 4.55) and Cooper Criswell (6-2, 2.82) with Josh Hiatt being their main closer with six saves. Their team ERA is 3.60 and they have given up 4.4 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: Rodney Hutchison (Yankees, 6th round), Roberts (Orioles, 11th), Datres (Rockies, 12th), Criswell (Angels, 13th), Riley (Cardinals, 14th), Hiatt (Blue Jays, 16th),  Brett Daniels (Astros, 17th), Bergner (Diamondbacks, 32nd), Jason Morgan (White Sox, 35th), and Gahagan (Cardinals, 39th). This is their 11th CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The second game Saturday has 35-24 Washington against 37-27 Mississippi State. Washington started their super regional with an 8-5 victory over Cal State Fullerton, then lost 5-2 before advancing to Omaha with a 6-5 win. Mississippi State faced familiar SEC conference foe Vanderbilt revenging a regular season sweep by beating Vanderbilt 10-8 in the first game, slipping 4-3 in the second then claiming the ticket to Omaha with a 10-6 victory.

The Washington Huskies are led by Head Coach Lindsay Meggs. They had a 20-10 conference record in the PAC 12 and their campus is in Seattle, WA. Their top eight hitters are AJ Graffanino (.373), Mason Cerrillo (.335), Joe Wainhouse (.312), Braiden Ward (.309), Levi Jordan (.302), Nick Kahle (.293), Christian Jones (.269), and Willie MacIver (.243) with Wainhouse leading the team with 19 home runs followed by Jordan with eight. The team batting average is .274 and they average 5.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Joe DeMers (7-3, 2.56), Lucas Knowles (6-5, 3.89) and Jordan Jones (6-4, 3.99) with Alex Hardy being their main closer with eight saves. Their team ERA is 3.70 and they have given up 4.4 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had four players taken: Graffanino (Braves, 8th round), MacIver (Rockies, 9th), DeMers (Athletics, 11th), and Jordan (Cubs, 29th). This is their first CWS appearance.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Gary Henderson. They had a 15-15 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Starkville, MS. Their top eight hitters are Jake Magnum (.353), Rowdey Jordan (.333), Hunter Stovall (.319), Elijah MacNamee (.318), Tanner Allen (.298), Josh Hatcher (.259), Marshall Gilbert (.257) and Justin Foscue (.256) with MacNamee leading the team with eight home runs followed by Jordan with seven. The team batting average is .281 and they average 6.1 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Ethan Small (5-3, 3-11), Jacob Billingsley (5-3, 4.92) and Konnor Pilkington (2-6, 4.56) with closing duties split with Blake Smith and Cole Gordon having three saves each. Their team ERA is 4.39 and they have given up 5.0 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: Pilkington (White Sox, 3rd round), JP France (Astros, 14th), Stovall (Rockies, 21st), Small (Diamondbacks, 26th), Zach Neff (Twins, 31st), Magnum (Mets, 32nd), and Billingsley (Astros, 32nd). This is their 10th CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The first game Sunday has 44-19 fifth seed Arkansas taking on 42-21 13th seed Texas. Arkansas faced SEC foe South Carolina winning he first game 9-3, losing the second 8-5 before dominating the deciding game 14-4. Texas gave Cinderella Tennessee Tech hope by dropping the first game to them 5-4 before taking straight games 4-2 and 5-2.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are led by Head Coach Dave Van Horn. They had a 21-12 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Fayetteville, AR. Their top eight hitters are Casey Martin (.344), Carson Shaddy (.341), Heston Kjerstad (.340), Eric Cole (.329), Luke Bonfield (.307), Jax Biggers (.287), Dominic Fletcher (.282) and Grant Koch (.251) with Cole and Kjerstad leading the team with 14 home runs each followed by Martin and Shaddy with 13 each. The team batting average is .301 and they average 7.2 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Blaine Knight (12-0, 2.84), Kacey Murphy (8-5, 3.12) and Isaiah Campbell (4-6, 4.19) with Matt Cronin being their main closer with 12 saves. Their team ERA is 3.60 and they have given up 4.3 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had 11 players taken: Knight (Orioles, 3rd round), Cole (Royals, 4th), Koch (Pirates, 5th), Biggers (Rangers, 8th), Shaddy (Nationals, 10th), Murphy (Tigers, 11th),  Evan Lee (Nationals, 15th), Barrett Loseke (Yankees, 17th), Jake Reindl (Cubs, 17th), Campbell (Angels, 24th), and Zack Plunkett (Diamondbacks, 37th). This is their ninth CWS appearance and they have yet to win the title.

The Texas Longhorns are led by Head Coach Philip Miller. They had a 17-7 conference record in the Big 12 and their campus is in Austin, TX. Their top eight hitters are Cody Clemens (.356), Duke Ellis (.297), David Hamilton (.294), Zach Zubia (.277), DJ Petrinsky (.261), Masen Hibbeler (.256), Ryan Reynolds (.252) and Jake McKenzie (.246) with Clemens leading the team with 24 home runs followed by Zubia with 11. The team batting average is .272 and they average 5.9 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Nolan Kingham (8-4, 4.34), Chase Shugart (6-3, 4.07) and Blair Henley (6-6, 3.32) with Andy McGuire being their main closer with seven saves. Their team ERA is 4.09 and they have given up 4.6 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had five players taken: Clemens (Tigers, 3rd round), Kingham (Braves, 12th), Shugart (Red Sox, 12th), Josh Sawyer (Cubs, 16th), and McGuire (Blue Jays, 28th). This is their 36th CWS appearance and have won six titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002 and 2005.

The second game Sunday has 42-17 top seed Florida taking on 39-17 ninth seed Texas Tech. Florida came out on top in yet another all SEC super regional beating Auburn 8-2 in the first game, losing 3-2 in the second and flipped the score to advance in another 3-2 game. Texas Tech took on another baseball Cinderella in Duke taking the first game 6-4, took a step back losing 11-2 and claimed the super regional with a 6-2 win.

The Florida Gators are led by Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan. They had a 20-10 conference record in the SEC and their campus is in Gainesville, FL. Their top eight hitters are Jonathan India (.354), JJ Schwarz (.325), Austin Langworthy (.294), Deacon Liput (.291), Nelson Maldonado (.278), Nick Horvath (.270), Will Dalton (.266) and Brady Smith (.259) with India leading the team with 20 home runs followed by Dalton with 19. The team batting average is .278 and they average 6.7 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Brady Singer (12-1, 2.30), Jackson Kowar (9-5, 3.24) and Tyler Dyson (5-3, 4.47) with Michael Byrne being their main closer with 15 saves. Their team ERA is 3.46 and they have given up 4.0 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had 10 players taken: India (Reds, 1st round), Singer (Royals, 1st), Kowar (Royals, 1st), Schwarz (Athletics, 8th), Liput (Dodgers, 10th), Byrne (Reds, 14th), and Horvath (Orioles, 25th). This is their 12th CWS appearance and they won the title last year.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders are led by Head Coach Tim Tadlock. They had a 15-9 conference record in the Big 12 and their campus is in Lubbock, TX. Their top eight hitters are Josh Jung (.390), Grant Little (.372), Gabe Holt (.352), Zach Rheams (.348), Cameron Warren (.327), Brian Klein (.323), Cody Farhat (.294) and Michael Davis (.288) with Rheams leading the team with 17 home runs followed by Davis, Jung and Little with 12 each. The team batting average is .311 and they average 8.3 runs a game. Their top three starting pitchers are Caleb Kilian (9-2, 3.04), Davis Martin (7-5, 4.50) and John McMillon (5-3, 4.01) while having a committee closer approach as Ty Harpenau has four saves while Caleb Freeman, Dane Haveman and Ryan Shetter have three each . Their team ERA is 4.40 and they have given up 5.0 runs per game.  In the 2018 MLB draft they had 11 players taken: Little (Padres, 2nd round), Steven Gingery (Cardinals, 4th), Shetter (Braves, 9th), Jose Quezada (Padres, 10th), Martin (White Sox, 14th), Harpenau (Braves, 16th), Kilian (Orioles, 20th), Farhat (Indians, 23rd), Davis (Twins, 24th), Dylan Dusek (Giants, 27th), and Rheams (Mets, 27th). This is their third CWS appearance and have yet to win the title.

While not as dominating as they were in 2017 Oregon State has a good chance of advancing out of bracket one to the championship round. Bracket two is a deeper talent pool but Arkansas may have what it takes to advance over defending champ Florida and the two Big 12 schools. Can't wait to see how the games unfold. 

Chasing 50-50 061318

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week 11 and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 1 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .333/.366/.556 with 10 HR, 41 RBI, 30 R, 0 SB in 64 games

Games Dodgers played: 66

Home Runs: 10  --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0


Mike Trout

This week: 4 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .310/.438/.682 with 23 HR, 44 RBI, 56 R, 13 SB in 68 games

Games Angels played: 68

Home Runs: 23  --- Projected Home Runs: 55

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 31


AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 66

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 22


Francisco Lindor

This week: 0 HR, 2 SB

This season he is hitting .291/.365/.534 with 14 HR, 35 RBI, 49 R, 8 SB in 64 games

Games Indians played: 65

Home Runs: 14  --- Projected Home Runs: 35

Steals: 8 --- Projected Steals: 20


Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .232/.297/.425 with 11 HR, 26 RBI, 33 R, 13 SB in 53 games

Games White Sox played: 65

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 27

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 32


Starling Marte

This week: 1 HR, 3 SB

This season he is hitting .286/.340/.475 with 8 HR, 30 RBI, 35 R, 13 SB in 56 games

Games Pirates played: 67

Home Runs: 8  --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 31


Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .271/.355/.431 with 9 HR, 23 RBI, 47 R, 9 SB in 60 games

Games Cardinals played: 65

Home Runs: 9  --- Projected Home Runs: 22

Steals: 9--- Projected Steals: 22

Ghost of 62 061218

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The six teams entering week 11 are the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins and Texas Rangers.

The Orioles are 19-46, 25.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 47-115. The team is hitting .226/.291/.375 and have scored 215 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.90 and have given up 339 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Royals are 22-44, 14.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 53-109. The team is hitting .248/.310/.381 and have scored 252 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 5.29 and have given up 362 runs or 5.5 per game.

The White Sox are 22-42, 13.0 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 56-106. The team is hitting .240/.304/.401 and have scored 246 which is 3.8 per game. Their team ERA is 4.75 and have given up 328 runs or 5.1 per game.

The Reds are 23-43, 16.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 56-106. The team is hitting .251/.330/.387 and have scored 277 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 5.00 and have given up 316 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Marlins are 24-42, 13.5 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 59-103. The team is hitting .233/.302/.354 and have scored 231 which is 3.5 per game. Their team ERA is 4.89 and have given up 352 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Rangers are 27-41, 16.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 64-98. The team is hitting .230/.311/.393 and have scored 285 which is 4.2 per game. Their team ERA is 4.75 and have given up 355 runs or 5.2 per game.

Chasing 50-50 060618

This is the seventh year of my Chasing 50-50 segment. It started six seasons ago as we followed Matt Kemp the Dodgers in his self proclaimed attempt to hit 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. The 2018 season enters week ten and we'll check out those with the power\speed combo. As long as he is playing Kemp will always be part of this.

Matt Kemp

This week: 3 HR, 0 SB
This season he is hitting .344/.374/.568 with 9 HR, 34 RBI, 24 R, 0 SB in 58 games

Games Dodgers played: 60

Home Runs: 9  --- Projected Home Runs: 24

Steals: 0 --- Projected Steals: 0


Mike Trout

This week: 1 HR, 1 SB

This season he is hitting .315/.447/.671 with 19 HR, 39 RBI, 52 R, 13 SB in 62 games

Games Angels played: 62

Home Runs: 19  --- Projected Home Runs: 50

Steals: 13 --- Projected Steals: 34


AJ Pollock

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB (on 10 day DL)

This season he is hitting .293/.349/.620 with 11 HR, 33 RBI, 23 R, 9 SB in 40 games

Games Diamondbacks played: 60

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 30

Steals: 9 --- Projected Steals: 24


Francisco Lindor

This week: 2 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .300/.374/.556 with 14 HR, 35 RBI, 45 R, 6 SB in 58 games

Games Indians played: 59

Home Runs: 14  --- Projected Home Runs: 38

Steals: 6 --- Projected Steals: 16


Tim Anderson

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .237/.301/.449 with 11 HR, 22 RBI, 30 R, 12 SB in 57 games

Games White Sox played: 58

Home Runs: 11  --- Projected Home Runs: 31

Steals: 12 --- Projected Steals: 34


Starling Marte

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .294/.343/.479 with 7 HR, 23 RBI, 32 R, 10 SB in 50 games

Games Pirates played: 60

Home Runs: 7  --- Projected Home Runs: 19

Steals: 10 --- Projected Steals: 27


Tommy Pham

This week: 0 HR, 0 SB

This season he is hitting .266/.359/.452 with 9 HR, 23 RBI, 40 R, 8 SB in 53 games

Games Cardinals played: 58

Home Runs: 9  --- Projected Home Runs: 25

Steals: 8--- Projected Steals: 22

Ghost of 62 060518

The reference in the title is the 1962 Mets who are regarded as the worst of the Modern Era for all teams after 1900. The team finished 40-120 and 60.5 games back. For the season the team hit .240/.318/.361 and scored 617 runs which was 3.8 per game. The team ERA was 5.04 and they gave up 948 runs or 5.9 per game.

This is the fifth year of this series where each week I will check in on the MLB teams with the worst win-loss records and how they measure up to 1962. Last year I placed the cut off as teams that have won less than 45 percent of their games. The seven teams entering week ten are the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

The Orioles are 17-41, 23.0 games back and 2-8 over their last ten games. That projects to 47-115. The team is hitting .231/.294/.388 and have scored 215 which is 3.7 per game. Their team ERA is 5.00 and have given up 309 runs or 5.3 per game.

The White Sox are 18-38, 11.0 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 52-110. The team is hitting .245/.309/.415 and have scored 223 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 4.99 and have given up 302 runs or 5.4 per game.

The Marlins are 20-39, 14.5 games back and 1-9 over their last ten games. That projects to 55-107. The team is hitting .233/.299/.347 and have scored 196 which is 3.3 per game. Their team ERA is 5.06 and have given up 216 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Royals are 21-39, 10.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .256/.318/.392 and have scored 242 which is 4.0 per game. Their team ERA is 5.49 and have given up 343 runs or 5.7 per game.

The Reds are 21-39, 16.0 games back and 4-6 over their last ten games. That projects to 57-105. The team is hitting .247/.323/.384 and have scored 245 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 5.00 and have given up 316 runs or 5.3 per game.

The Rangers are 25-37, 13.5 games back and 5-5 over their last ten games. That projects to 65-97. The team is hitting .228/.306/.388 and have scored 255 which is 4.1 per game. Their team ERA is 4.74 and have given up 325 runs or 5.2 per game.

The Blue Jays are 26-33, 14.5 games back and 3-7 over their last ten games. That projects to 71-91. The team is hitting .229/.309/.407 and have scored 270 which is 4.6 per game. Their team ERA is 4.77 and have given up 297 runs or 5.0 per game.