Injury Woes Hitting Texas Hard

After signing outfielder Shin Shoo-Choo, and trading for first baseman Prince Fielder, the Rangers looked like World Series contenders coming into this season. However, everything started to go downhill after two 4 game losing streaks in late April and early May. Then on May 17th, Prince Fielder was lost for the season after injuring his neck. Then the injuries started piling up as starting pitcher Matt Harrison (60 Day DL, back), first baseman Mitch Moreland (15 day DL, Ankle), starting pitcher Derek Holland (60 day DL, Knee), starting pitcher Tanner Scheppers (15 day DL, elbow) all landed on the disabled list. Even though the Texas Rangers have already suffered from a majority of injuries, they're still only three games under .500. Texas is also 4th in the majors in batting average (.267), 5th in on base percentage (.329), 5th in hits (573), but they still lack power as they are 28th in home runs hit (44). Right Fielder Alex Rios leads the A.L. with a .335 batting average and Adrian Beltre, who came back from his injury, is batting .320. While the offense has been decent in Texas, the pitching has struggled. Starter Yu Darvish has pitched phenomenal thus far as he has posted a 2.36 E.R.A. and has struck out 91 batters. Other than Yu, the other eight Rangers starters have a combined 5.00 E.R.A. To make matters worse, the Rangers haven't found consistent production from their catchers, since A.J. Pierzynski left for Boston. They have a combined .185 batting average. All in all, the Rangers are having a very up and down season and are hoping to overcome early struggles soon or after the All-Star break.

Knicks Hire Derek Fisher

The New York Knicks announced Tuesday that Derek Fisher will be their new head coach. Fisher will also be re-uniting with former Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, who is the Knicks president. Fisher has won five NBA championships with Phil Jackson, when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers. On the first day of his job, Fisher stated that he has enough experience to succeed as a coach and help end the Knicks 41 year championship drought. According to ESPN.com and at the press, Fisher said "I am experienced. Basketball is a game that I'm experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people achieve the greatest gift in the world, as a pro". A factor that helped Fisher choose New York was the relationship with Phil Jackson. According to Yahoo Sports, the Knicks and Fisher are finalizing a 5 year, $25M deal. As a player, Fisher averaged 8.3 points, 3 assists during his 18 year career. Fisher will hopefully get the Knicks back on track and into the playoffs after a disastrous 37 win season.

Red-Hot Jays Continue to Pace A.L. East

These are the Blue Jays records, through June 11th, for the past five seasons: 2013: 28-36, 2012: 32-29, 2011: 32-33, 2010: 35-27, and 2009: 35-27. The Toronto Blue Jays didn't make the playoffs in any of those seasons, and haven't been there since 1993. However, this years Blue Jays team has a different feeling and taste than most of their teams. They have brought back their winning ways and have used a new formula to succeeded in 2014. The Jays have sky-rocketed to a 39-28 start (1st in A.L. East, 2nd in A.L.) due to their pitching success and ability to score runs. From Top-Bottom, the Jays fierce lineup has crushed opposing pitching staffs, while their solidifying bullpen and decent pitching staff has proved to be enough to keep them in most games. The first 6 batters for the Jays continue to be a pitchers nightmare as they have combined a hitting line of .285/.359/.494 and have bombed 63 of their MLB leading 91 homers. The Jays also rank 2nd in runs scored (321), 2nd in hits (593), 5th in batting average (.262), and 2nd in slugging percentage (.446). It's also hard to believe that Toronto was only 18-20 a month ago. After May 11th, the Jays have stormed to a 20-8 record and are now atop the AL East. During that 20-8 run, the Jays averaged 4.7 runs per game and surrendered 3.9 runs per game. Closer Casey Janssen converted on 11 saves, Mark Buehrle went 5-1 with a 2.13 E.R.A., the rest of the pitching staff, and their tremendous hitting helped Toronto soar past the American League. The Blue Jays also swept the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Ballpark and the Oakland Athletics at home during that 28 game stretch. During those 6 games the Blue Jays combined for 31 runs (5.1 runs/game) as they faced Scott Kazmir, Jesse Chavez, Drew Pomeranz, Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello, and Justin Verlander. Those pitchers have a combined 33-20 record and a 2.93 E.R.A. The streaking Blue Jays aren't slowing down as they're on pace to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. The improved performance of Left Fielder Melky Cabrera (.305 AVG, 10 HR, 83 Hits), and the production from Jose Bautista (.311 AVG, 15 HR, 44 RBI 51 Walks) and Edwin Encarnacion (20 HR, 53 RBI) has rejoiced this Blue Jays lineup. On the pitching side, Mark Buehrle (10-2, 2.04 E.R.A.) is pitching like Cy Young winner, as he has thrown a gem after gem nearly every start. This 2014 Blue Jays team is dangerous, especially away (19-11 road record), and are going to be a fun team to watch, for the remainder of the season.

A's Quietly Having Their Offensive Ways

The two best teams in baseball are both in the bay-area for the first time since 2002. The Oakland A's hold the best record in the A.L. at 39-26, and a 2.5 game lead over the division rival Los Angeles Angels. The A's have gotten stellar performances from their rotation and bullpen this season, but something else has really stuck out to me from this ball club. That is the A's hitting. The A's have batted in great fashion throughout the 2014 season as they lead the majors in runs scored (328), On-Base-Percentage (.334), and Team RBI (310). They also rank 6th in the majors in Slugging Percentage (.410), 3rd in Home Runs (76), and 4th in Total Bases (922). Third Baseman Josh Donaldson and First Baseman Brandon Moss have provided lots of pop in the middle of the A's lineup this season. Donaldson has jacked 17 dingers and has driven in 50 RBI, while Moss has smoked 16 homers and has driven in 53 RBI. Although Donaldson and Moss have proven that they're capable of powering there way through pitchers, they haven't been the on-base machines that Blly Beane has been asking for. Another Weakness in this A's powerhouse lineup is hitting for average. They don't have a qualifying hitter that has a batting average above .280. Their lead off hitter, Coco Crisp owns the best average on their team, and he's only hitting .269 this season. However, the emergence of catchers John Jaso and Derek Norris have provided solid numbers at the plate this season. Even though both players haven't gotten to 150 At-Bats this season, they've combined a hitting line of .288/.388/.473 and have smacked 12 homers and driven in 42 runs. Statistically and physically, the A's are becoming a power hitting team, which has helped paved the way to first place in the American League.