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The MLB is Sexy TV. The Houston Astros might be the best…
By: Tommy Orme
Tags: Sports, Houston Astros, Baseball, MLB, Television

The Houston Astros might be the best thing to happen to professional baseball in years.

Alex Bregman has been at the center of the Houston Astros’ scandal from the drop. Photo courtesy of Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle

Amidst this offseason’s MLB upheaval, featuring the Houston Astros as the league’s brand new bully, national MLB ratings could see a major spike early this season.

Nothing new here but baseball has been a regional sport for years, especially now, as viewers split more and more time cross-device. Basically, you have your team and you could give a damn about ESPN’s Wednesday Night Baseball match-up.

That may change this spring.

Historically, MLB national ratings pale in comparison to the regular seasons of the NFL or NBA. They’re more comprable to NBC’s Sunday morning English Premier League (and honestly that might be an insult to soccer). Fans might be rabid but the raw numbers just aren’t there.

The sport’s just lost some juice (hah) and, as the MLB league office scrambles for answers with pitch clocks and updated playoff formats, they were just gifted the Houston Astros.
Today in Peoria: Gore’s big league showdown, outfield intrigue
Tags: Fernando Tatis Jr, Mackenzie Gore, MLB, Spring Training, San Diego Padres

Today in Peoria: Gore’s big league showdown, outfield intrigue

By Kourage Kundahl

Taylor Trammell

PEORIA, Ariz. — Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. versus MacKenzie Gore. No pressure, kid.

It was a battle of top prospects: two graduates and one still at the head of the class. Immovable objects against unstoppable forces.

The verdict? Too close to call. But Gore held his own in a live batting practice session against established major league hitters, the highlight of Day 7 at Padres camp.

A week into spring and three days until the first game, the pitchers are well underway. Andres Muñoz, Garrett Richards and Matt Strahm threw side sessions, as did non-roster hurlers Kyle Barraclough, Dauris Valdez, Steven Wilson and Jimmy Yacabonis. Emilio Pagán and Reggie Lawson bookended Gore’s live BP.

Position players continue to get back to basics. What’s a sweeter sound than the crack of the bat against a ball? Try four:

We also ran into a compelling outfield group on Field 3. Edward Olivares and Jorge Oña are both on the 40-man roster, while top outfield prospect Taylor Trammell hopes to make a strong impression in his first full season as a Padre.

THEY SAID IT

“Pretty nasty.” — Tatis’ assessment of Gore

“When we get out there, and we’re all playing on the same team at the same level, it’s going to be fun to watch.” — more Tatis

ON DECK THURSDAY: Dinelson Lamet, Joey Lucchesi and Drew Pomeranz are among those throwing live BP.

PRESS CLIPPINGS

FriarWire — Tingler’s Tidbits: RHP Cal Quantrill to start Padres first spring training game

MLB.com — 5 observations from Week 1 of Padres camp

MLB.com — Notes: Gore ‘nasty’ vs. Tatis; Quantrill gets nod

AP — Padres beef up bullpen with Pomeranz, Pagán

U-T — Padres notes: Second thoughts on Gabriel Arias; Black and brown; Ona’s plan

U-T — Column: Padres bullpens have led franchise revivals, providing hope for 2020 club

U-T — Garrett Richards’ second season with Padres is expected to be the real thing
The NBA crushes the NFL and MLB growth in the last decade!
Tags: Sports News, NBA, MLB, Forbes, NFL

The United States can boast three of the world’s top sports leagues. The attention is drawn every time there is a big rivalry game or a final that is seen for all the spectacle and expectation it generates.

One of them is the NBA. The quintessential league went through a crisis last year. Rating reports pointed to low ratings. The controversy with China over the political comments of the Houston Rockets manager and the unfilled arenas during the season pointed to the fact that the economy would be in the red.

But contrary to what was thought then, the NBA has had an unexpected exponential growth. According to FORBES magazine, the basketball business had a 14% increase with an average of $2.12 billion in the last year.

These figures are below those achieved by the NFL and the MLB. The former had an annual increase of 11% and the latter of 8%. In other words, an average of $2.86 billion and $1.78 billion respectively.

The value of the world’s premier basketball league can boast six times its worth in the past decade. All thanks to the 30 teams generating record revenues of $8.80 million, up 10% from the previous year. A key part of this huge economic investment is due to new stadiums and renovations in properties such as those in Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Washington.

In that study, FORBES also revealed that the New York Knicks are the NBA’s best valued team with $4.60 million, having grown 15% from last year. The Los Angeles Lakers follow with $4.40 million, while Golden State Warriors are third with $4.30 million.

NBA teams have been climbing the sports world’s most valuable list. But it’s still the Dallas Cowboys who hold the top spot with $5.50 million while the closest challengers are the New York Yankees with $4.60 million.
Roster moves: Dodgers add RHP Jake Reed, recall LHP Garrett Cleavinger
By: Rowan Kavner
Tags: Jake Reed, Transactions, Dodgers, Victor Gonzalez, MLB

(Photo by Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Rowan Kavner

The Dodgers made multiple roster moves Tuesday, adding two pieces to their bullpen before their game in Miami.

The Dodgers selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jake Reed and recalled left-handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger. Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was designated for assignment, while left-hander Victor González was placed on the 10-day injured list with left plantar fasciitis.

This will be Reed’s first experience on the active roster. His next appearance will mark his Major League debut. Reed was acquired on a minor league deal by the Dodgers on June 4 after being released by the Angels two days prior. The 2014 fifth-round pick out of Oregon spent the 2014–19 seasons in the Twins organization, reaching as high as the Triple-A level.

Reed had a 2.61 ERA with 11 strikeouts and a walk in nine appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City this year. Between Oklahoma City and Triple-A Salt Lake, he had a combined 5.57 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 21 innings. He has held right-handers to a .562 OPS this year. In his seven-year minor league career, the reliever is 19–14 with a 3.73 ERA and 1.24 WHIP while averaging 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

“I’m really excited for him,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Our guys in the front office sought him out, found him, and he’s going to help us win ballgames.”

The move for Reed came when Souza was designated for assignment after slashing .160/.250/.360/.610 with one home run in 13 games with the Dodgers.

Cleavinger, who returns for his fourth stint with the big league club after being optioned Monday, was brought back when González was placed on the injured list. Cleavinger is 2–3 with a 2.03 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 15 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings in his first season as a Dodger.

González suffered his first career loss Monday night when he allowed his second career home run. The second-year reliever is 3–1 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.36 WHIP this season after going 3–0 with a 1.33 ERA and 0.74 WHIP last season. His 36 appearances this year are the most among Dodger pitchers.
Cleveland Indians vs Texas Rangers Free MLB Pick, 6–17–2019
By: Precision Picks
Tags: Gambling, Sports, Sports Betting, Baseball, MLB

Free MLB Pick by Lyle Orten of PrecisionPicks.com

Cleveland Indians vs Texas Rangers

Line: Rangers +120, O/U 9.5

Game Time: Monday, June 17, 2019, 8:05 PM EST

The Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers meet up for the first time in 2019 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX. The injury-riddled Indians will get a piece of their starting rotation back with Mike Clevinger making his first start since April 7th. Both teams won their weekend series with the Rangers taking 2 of 3 from the Reds while the Indians swept (3–0) the Tigers.

Starting Pitchers 6–17–2019

CLE: Mike Clevinger (1–0, 0.00 ERA) TEX: Lance Lynn (7–4, 4.40 ERA)

The Indians welcome back Mike Clevinger who won a combined 25 games in 2017–18. Clevinger is back in the rotation ahead of schedule and is (0–1) with a 2.79 ERA in three career starts versus Texas, striking out 23 in 19 1–3 innings while holding the Rangers to a .191 batting average. Pitching hasn’t been an issue this season for the Indians but their offense averages 4.29 RPG, .232 BA, and 83 home runs, all ranking them towards the bottom of baseball. Cleveland is (17–16) on the road this season. The Indians are 1–6 in their last 7 vs. American League West, 4–9 in Clevinger’s last 13 road starts and 2–8 in Clevinger’s last 10 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Rangers head home after a seven-game road trip where they went 4–3. Texas has played much better on their home turf (24–12) compared to the road (14–21). Lance Lynn will get the start tonight and he has recorded quality starts in his last seven outings. Lynn has recorded two-straight no-decisions but he is looking for his fourth win in his last seven starts. Despite Lynn’s efforts this season, the Rangers pitching staff ranks near the bottom of baseball. However, the Rangers offense has averaged 5.63 RPG and a team .255 batting average. The Rangers are 14–5 in their last 19 home games and 5–1 in Lynns last 6 home starts.

The Indians are 10–3 the last 13 games vs the Rangers but there are too many variables with this Cleveland team. It’s a big boost to get Clevinger back in the rotation but his stamina could be an issue. Lance Lynn is a grinder and the Indians offense has struggled at times this season which gives the Rangers an edge at home. Take the Rangers (+120) at home where they have thrived this season.

Indians vs Rangers MLB Pick: Texas Rangers +120
All-Star voting update: Bellinger still top vote-getter, Seager in third
By: Rowan Kavner
Tags: Sports, Dodgers, Voting, All Star, MLB

(Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Rowan Kavner

Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich not only remain the obvious early favorites for National League MVP. They also remain the early NL top vote-getters after the latest All-Star balloting update.

Bellinger still leads all players in All-Star votes with 2,184,251. Yelich is second with 2,065,382. No other player in baseball has cleared 2 million votes.

While Bellinger holds the lead in the outfield, a number of Dodger players are right on the cusp of moving on to the next round as the voting period for “The Primary” concludes this Friday, June 21, at 1 p.m. PT.

Corey Seager remains in third place at shortstop with 494,546 votes, just ahead of Colorado’s Trevor Story (457,159). Atlanta’s Dansby Swanson is second with 764,663 votes, while Chicago’s Javier Báez is first with 1,672,062 votes.

Third baseman Justin Turner, second baseman Kiké Hernández and first baseman Max Muncy all find themselves currently in fourth place, just on the outside looking in. Turner (512,237 votes) is within 40,000 votes of third-place Josh Donaldson (550,947).

The top three vote-getters at each position (and the top nine outfielders) will move on to the second phase of voting. During the initial voting period, fans can submit up to five ballots per 24-hour period at MLB.com and all 30 club sites.

“The Starters Election” will begin at 9 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 26, with fans voting among the finalists at each position during a 28-hour window ending at 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, June 27. During this second phase of voting, in which fans can vote once on MLB platforms, vote totals will reset (vote totals from “The Primary” do not carry over).
Dodgers activate LHP Garrett Cleavinger, trade RHP Dennis Santana
By: Rowan Kavner
Tags: Dennis Santana, Transactions, Dodgers, Minor Leagues, MLB

(Photo by Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Rowan Kavner

The Dodgers made multiple moves Thursday morning, activating left-handed pitcher Garrett Cleavinger from the injured list and trading right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana, who was designated for assignment Saturday.

Minor league left-handed pitcher Kelvin Bautista was acquired from the Texas Rangers in exchange for Santana, while outfielder Luke Raley was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to make room for Cleavinger on the active roster.

Bautista, who will turn 22 years old on July 7, has been with the Rangers organization since 2017 and has gone a combined 3–1 with a 3.70 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 51 innings in rookie ball. In 2019, Bautista went 1–0 with a 2.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 29 innings between the Dominican Summer League and rookie-level Arizona League. He originally signed as an international free agent on Oct. 6, 2017, out Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Cleavinger missed 27 games with left shoulder inflammation after appearing in eight games and allowing six runs (three earned) in six innings. He had nine strikeouts and four walks. In four rehab appearances, Cleavinger struck out seven batters and walked three batters in four scoreless innings.

The left-hander was acquired from the Phillies in a three-team trade that also involved the Rays on Dec. 20, 2020. In that deal, Los Angeles sent first baseman Dillon Paulson and a player to be named later to Tampa Bay, while the Rays sent reliever José Alvarado to Philadelphia. Alvarado threw two scoreless innings at Dodger Stadium last night.

Raley went 0-for-2 in two games in his fourth stint with the Dodgers and has a .180/.268/.260 slash line with one home run in 27 games in his first big league season. In parts of five minor league seasons, he is hitting .290/.364/.483 with 52 home runs in 366 games. Raley was acquired by the Dodgers from the Minnesota Twins on Feb. 10, 2020, along with Brusdar Graterol, in exchange for Kenta Maeda and minor leaguer Jair Camargo. Raley was originally a seventh-round pick of the Dodgers in 2016.

Santana appeared in 16 games for the Dodgers in 2021, posting a 6.00 ERA with eight strikeouts in 15 innings. The 25-year-old had been with the Dodgers for parts of four seasons, going 2-2 with a 6.42 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings. He was signed as an international free agent in March 2013 out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.
FriarNotes: Tatis piling up incredible numbers; Items on Cronenworth, Snell, Pham, etc.
Tags: Fernando Tatis Jr, Major League Baseball, San Diego, MLB, San Diego Padres

FriarNotes: Tatis piling up incredible numbers; Items on Cronenworth, Snell, Pham, etc.

Fernando Tatis Jr.

Fernando Tatis Jr. leads the National League in home runs with 21 and is second in RBIs with 48 despite missing 18 of the Padres first 70 games.

If he stays healthy and plays 140 games, Tatis is on pace to hit 56 homers, drive in 129 runs and steal 35 bases — amazing numbers.

Tatis’ homer to left-center Wednesday at Coors Field in Denver traveled 477 feet. It was nine feet longer than the previous longest homer of the shortstop’s career — and the fifth-longest in the major leagues this season.

Tatis has homered in two straight games and four of his last five with nine RBIs. That represents four of the seven homers the Padres have hit in those five games and 43 percent of their 21 total runs.

Speaking of projections, Trent Grisham also homered Wednesday and hit two homers in the three games at Colorado. He has eight homers and 19 RBIs in 41 games — which project to 25 homers and 60 RBIs were he to stay healthy and play 130 games.

NOTABLE

— 2B Jake Cronenworth homered Wednesday at Coors Field after entering the game as a substitute in a double switch. Cronenworth is 5-for-10 in his career when entering the game as a substitute with two doubles and two home runs. Both the home runs have come in his four most recent at-bats when entering the game as a sub.

— LHP Blake Snell matched his career worsts with seven runs allowed and seven hits allowed Wednesday. It marked the fourth time in his career — and the second time this season (also May 30) — that he posted those figures. He also gave up a career-worst six extra-base hits Wednesday. His road earned run average this season is 10.36 compared to a 1.65 ERA at Petco Park.

— Wednesday marked only the second time this season that the Padres have lost when reaching double-digits in hits (13). The Padres are 15–2 when getting 10 or more hits in a game. Wednesday marked the first time since June 7 that the Padres have reached double digits in hits.

— LF Tommy Pham was 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored Wednesday to extend his hitting streak to five straight games. He is 9-for-19 during the streak with three walks, meaning he has reached base 12 times in his last 22 plate appearances.
FriarNotes: Pham’s numbers skyrocket during 17-game surge; Items on steals and sacrifice flies
Tags: Major League Baseball, San Diego, Padres, MLB, San Diego Padres

FriarNotes: Pham’s numbers skyrocket during 17-game surge; Items on steals and sacrifice flies

Padres left fielder Tommy Pham is on a roll.

Since May 21, Pham has hit .305 (18-for-59) in 17 games with 16 walks for a .453 on-base percentage.

He also has two doubles, two triples and three home runs during the surge with six stolen bases, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored. Including the steals, Pham has accounted for 55 bases in the 17 games with a .559 slugging percentage for a 1.013 OPS.

Before the run started, Pham was hitting .182 with a .313 on-base percentage and a .218 slugging percentage for a .532 OPS. The surge has provided a 43-point bump to his batting average (.225), a 51-point boost to his on-base percentage (.364) and a 119-point boost to his slugging percentage (.337).

His OPS has gained 169 points to .701. Pham has exactly as many walks as strikeouts (16) over the last 17 games. Only once did he fail to reach base, that being last Wednesday in Chicago when he came out early after colliding with Ha-Seong Kim in short left.

NOTABLE

— The Padres lead the Major Leagues in two offensive categories — stolen bases (64) and sacrifice flies (21). The Kansas City Royals are a distant second in steals with 43. Eleven different Padres have stolen a base this season with Fernando Tatis the leader with 13 while Pham and Jurickson Profar each have nine. A dozen Padres have hit a sacrifice fly this season with Tatis and Manny Machado sharing the lead with four apiece.

— 3B Manny Machado tied a franchise record with two sacrifice flies in a single game Monday night. He was the 29th Padre to do it. Machado was 2-for-3 and also hit a solo homer for his first three-RBI game since he had five RBIs on May 11. He has two homers in his past three games after going 10 straight games without a homer.

— CF Brian O’Grady also homered with three RBIs Monday night in his return from Triple-A El Paso, where he had just been named the Padres On-Deck Chihuahuas Player of the Week for May 31-June 6. O’Grady, who hit safely in 13 of his 14 games at El Paso, was 9-for-27; last week with three doubles, a triple and two homers for five RBIs in six games. He twice fell one element of the cycle in a six-game span.

— RHP Emilio Pagán has given up one run on one hit and two walks with eight strikeouts over his last eight appearances for a 1.125 earned run average and a 0.375 WHIP. His ERA has dropped from 3.38 to 2.63. He has been scored upon in only two of his last 14 outings.
Padres On Deck: Pitchers Keel, Thompson book-end AAA El Paso win with sharp performers
Tags: Padres, MLB, Padres On Deck, Milb, San Diego Padres

Padres On Deck: Pitchers Keel, Thompson book-end AAA El Paso win with sharp performers

OF John Andreoli

Left-handed starter Jerry Keel gave up one run on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings Monday night to lead Triple-A El Paso to a 4–2 win at Round Rock.

Five Chihuahuas pitchers combined on a four-hitter with right-hander Mason Thompson, the Padres’ №10 prospect, striking out two in a perfect ninth to earn his fifth save. Thompson now has a 5.02 earned run average.

Center fielder John Andreoli (.218) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Catcher Luis Campusano, the Padres №3 prospect and №37 among all minor leaguers in the MLB Pipeline rankings, was 0-for-2 but drew two walks and scored a run. He is hitting .215.

Around the Farm

TRIPLE-A EL PASO (11–16)

Chihuahuas 4, ROUND ROCK 2 — RHP Aaron Northcraft (7.94 ERA) followed Keel and had 3 strikeouts in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Recently acquired RHP Sam McWilliams made his El Paso debut and allowed a run on 3 walks in one-third inning. RHP James Norwood (5.54) retired the only hitter he faced. SS Pedro Florimon (.200) was 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs. DH Michael Cantu (.120) was 1-for0–3 with a RBI. RF Patrick Kivlehan (.245) and 2B Gosuke Katoh (.293) were both 1-for-4 with a run scored.

DOUBLE-A SAN ANTONIO (15–15)

The Missions were off Monday.

HIGH SINGLE-A FORT WAYNE (13–16)

The TinCaps were off Monday.

LOW SINGLE-A LAKE ELSINORE (14–16)

The Storm was off Monday.
The man who refused to strike out
By: Alessandro Zilio
Tags: Sabermetrics, Statistics, Baseball, MLB, Npb

I have a lot of respect for guys who don’t conform to the masses, whether in society or baseball. Maybe it’s because I see myself in them, but looking at someone going his way about it whereas all others drift apart in a sole big conflux makes me proud.

In the Three True Outcomes era of baseball no batter is more interesting than the one who doesn’t walk, doesn’t strike out and can’t, for his life, hit that damn ball out of the park.

The poster boy in 2021’s MLB is Nick Madrigal: Nicky Two Strikes is grit personified, a scrawny second baseman who’ll fight ABs to his death, make absurd amounts of contact with pitches in and out of the zone, put the ball in play and use his wheels to run out infield singles. That’s all 1980s, yet he is incredibly valuable in today’s game too: thanks to his slash, dash and defense he’s being a worthy member of the White Sox lineup, a 1.5 WAR player that projects to be worth 3.5, not exactly a chunk of change.

That said I’m also a dreamer and more than once I desired a simple thing: what if the baseball Gods looked down to Nick and gave him an eagle eye? Or else, what about keeping his epicurean contact and adding 25+ HR power?

In mere numbers: Nicky is running an almost 5% BB rate, a K% less than 8 and has hit, somehow someway, two bombs already. Can you imagine if he had a 15% walk rate? Even better, walk just a tad more and end up hitting 20 homers? That would be videogame-type stuff, a Juan Soto who strikes out much less, unfair even in this talent-loaded league.

Now scratch that and listen: what if there was such a player? Not as egregious but still, a guy who can walk at least at a league-average rate (8–10%), hit up to 20 homers AND strike out under 10% of his PA?

And what if I told you that he exists, plays in Japan and his nickname is none other than “Macho Man”?

Let’s get to know Masataka Yoshida!
Tingler’s Thoughts on O’Grady’s return, Weathers, Stammen’s rough stretch, foreign substances on baseballs
Tags: Major League Baseball, San Diego Real Estate, Padres, MLB, San Diego Padres

Brian O’Grady

Padres manager Jayce Tingler opened his daily pre-game media session by announcing infielder-outfielder Tucupita Marcano is being optioned to Triple-A El Paso with Brian O’Grady coming up and starting in right Monday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Cubs at Petco Park.

“The №1 reason for Tucu going down is age and development,” said Tingler. “It will be good for him to get some outfield time down in Triple-A … good for him to bounce around the field, play infield and outfield and continue to develop a little bit.”

Tingler discussed left-hander Ryan Weathers, who faces the Cubs Monday coming off his worst start: “There was maybe a pitch or two that he’d like to have back. Overall, he’s been progressing well and working deeper into games and doing all the things you want to see. Go out tonight and get on the attack. We have to find ways to get on the board and give him some support early. The fifth inning was the difference last time … that put a blemish on what was going to be a quality start.”

Tingler on the rough patch encountered by Craig Stammen: “He had been exceptional over the first 55 games. As a team, we’ve run into two pockets that have been physically, mentally challenging. The first one was the go-around with the Dodgers and the four or four games after that. Then, the four extra-inning games in four days.

“We can see the light. Hoping we can get to the off day, then 13 days after that and we have some built-in off days. Hopefully, we‘ll be able to bounce back.”

Tingler again discussed the uptick in injuries as baseball goes back from 2020’s 60-game season to the full 162 games: “Look at the number of injuries across the board. Arm issues are rightfully at the forefront. But we have a lot of hamstring, soft tissue injuries as well. There are a lot of things going on. Last year, in a shorter season, we had the expanded 30-man roster and the universal designated hitter.”

Tingler’s thoughts on baseball’s plan to clamp down on pitchers using foreign substances on the ball: “My opinion, I think it’s good for pitchers to have a grip, whatever it is, whatever is fair. The difference is, it’s one thing to get grip on a baseball and another when it turns to competitive advantage and who has the best biochemist. When it’s starting to change shapes, revolutions and breaks of pitches. I don’t think anyone has an issue with tack and texture.

“I do think there is a way to tell. And I think there is a way to make some changes. It might not be pretty for the first 20 days, but everyone wants a level playing field.”

Tingler said the Padres are discussing when Trent Grisham will start a rehab assignment and what it will look like: “Trent is here. In a day or two, we’ll know when he might be back (playing).”
Nats finish roadtrip with two-game series at Tampa Bay
By: Nationals Communications
Tags: Victor Robles, Jon Lester, Game Notes, Washington Nationals, MLB

Washington Nationals (24–32) at Tampa Bay Rays (38–23)

LHP Jon Lester (0–2, 4.37) | RHP Tyler Glasnow (4–2, 2.69)

Tue., June 8, 2021 | 7:10 p.m. | Game #57 / Road #29

Tropicana Field | St. Petersburg, FL

TV: MASN 2 / FS1 | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network

MOVING ON

Following a day off on Monday, the Washington Nationals open a two-game interleague series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night…The Nationals went 3–1 against the Rays in 2020, sweeping a two-game series (Sept. 7–8 at Nationals Park) and splitting a two-game series (Sept. 15–16 at Tampa).

· The Nationals are 5–3 in interleague play so far in 2021.

ROSTER MOVE

The Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Ryne Harper from Triple-A Rochester and placed right-handed pitcher Austin Voth on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to June 7) with a fractured nose on Wednesday.

· Harper’s made two appearances out of Washington’s bullpen across Major League stints this season, posting a 3.00 ERA (1 ER/3.0 IP) with two strikeouts and one walk.

· He’s tossed scoreless relief in five of his last six outings for Triple-A Rochester, pitching a 0.90 ERA (1 ER/10.0 IP) with 15 strikeouts and three hits allowed (.094 opp. AVG).

For today’s complete game notes, CLICK HERE.
FriarNotes: 8 milestones reached by Fernando Tatis Jr. Saturday plus some Padres-Dodgers stats
Tags: Major League Baseball, Tatis Jr, Padres, MLB, San Diego Padres

FriarNotes: 8 milestones reached by Fernando Tatis Jr. Saturday plus some Padres-Dodgers stats

Fernando Tatis Jr. hit two home runs in a second straight game at Dodger Stadium Saturday night.

Among some of the feats reached with that performance:

— He is the first player in Major League history with back-to-back, multi-homer games against former Cy Young Award winners (three-time winner Clayton Kershaw on Friday and 2020 National League winner Trevor Bauer Saturday night).

— Tatis is the sixth player in Major League history with two, multi-home run games against a former Cy Young Award winner in the same season — joining Felipe Alou (1966), Gorman Thomas (1980), Robin Yount (1982), Ken Griffey Jr. (1997) and Manny Machado (2018).

— He is the first visiting player with back-to-back multi-homer games at Dodger Stadium since Barry Bonds on April 2–3, 2002.

— At 22 years and 112 days, Tatis Jr. is the third-youngest player in Major League history with back-to-back, multi-homer games.

— Saturday marked the fifth, multiple-homer game of Tatis’ career.

— His nine career, game-opening homers is one behind Will Venable for the most in Padres’ history.

— Tatis is the fifth Padre to ever have back-to-back, multiple-home run games (Brian Giles was the most recent to accomplish the feat on April 11–12, 2007).

— Fernando Tatis Jr. and Sr. both homered in back-to-back, April 23–24 games at Dodger Stadium (Sr. did it in 1999).

NOTABLE

— The Padres are 3–3 against the Dodgers going into Sunday’s seventh (of 19) meeting of the season. The Padres have a 24–23 edge in runs scored and a 45–40 edge in hits. Through the first 57 innings of the series, there have been nine ties and four lead changes. The teams have been separated by two or fewer runs in all but four innings.

— The Padres pitching staff continues to lead the Major Leagues in five key categories — earned run average (2.60), WHIP (1.053 hits and walks per inning), opponents’ batting average (.197), strikeouts (259) and innings pitched (208). That’s 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings and a 4.1-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

— RHP Aaron Northcraft made his Major League debut Saturday night for the Padres at the age of 30 years, 332 days. He allowed a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. Northcraft, a 10th-round pick in the 2009 draft, was in the Major Leagues with Atlanta for three days previously, but never appeared in a game.

— RHP Blake Snell has allowed two runs in three of his last four starts. Saturday was the first time he pitched into the six this season and his 87 pitches was his second-highest total among his five starts.
Dodgers offer fully-vaccinated zone
By: Rowan Kavner
Tags: Dodger Stadium, Dodgers, Vaccination, MLB, Fans

(Photo of Dodger Stadium on April 10, 2021, by Carrie Giordano/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Rowan Kavner

The Dodgers opened a fully-vaccinated zone for fans and could expand on the locations in upcoming homestands.

Starting Saturday, additional seats were made available in Loge Level sections 166 and 168 for fully-vaccinated fans, where social distancing is not required and fans are seated directly next to other parties.

Fans sitting in these seats must show proof of vaccination and a photo ID. Two weeks must have passed since their final vaccine dose. Face coverings still need to be worn in the fully-vaccinated section except while actively eating or drinking.

“It is an experiment,” said Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten. “It’s going on other places, too — in San Francisco, San Diego. We’re going to have about 500 seats for sale tonight.”

The section is reserved only for fully-vaccinated fans and children between the ages of 2 and 15 who can prove a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of admission. Children under the age of 2 do not need proof of a negative test. Kasten said he hopes the fully-vaccinated zone gives fans who were hesitant about going to the stadium a better sense of comfort.

“They know they will be in sections where everyone is vaccinated,” Kasten said. “For anyone who’s having those types of qualms about it, they won’t have to worry about that.”

While in the orange tier, Dodger Stadium is allowed to operate at 33 percent capacity. However, because the six-foot distance rule remains, the capacity is closer to 27 percent. The fully-vaccinated zone allows for the Dodgers to open the stadium up to more fans.

Kasten said if the experiment goes well, the zone will likely expand to more seats and sections, with the goal of getting as many people in the stadium as quickly and safely as possible. The Dodgers are also keeping tabs on how teh vaccination zones are going in San Francisco and San Diego. He said all 30 teams are learning from one another as stadiums open up.

“We consider this one more marker on the road back to normal,” Kasten said. “That is our hope.”

More information on the fully-vaccinated section is available at Dodgers.com/vaccinationzone.

This homestand, the Dodgers also opened additional concession locations in the Center Field Plaza, including Dueling Dogs, Bao and Bowls, Golden Road Brewing and the Jim Beam Bar. Lil’ Sweet Chick is also open on the Field level.

More concessions are expected to open in upcoming homestands.
Tips for Becoming a Head of Product
By: Roman Pichler
Tags: Skills Development, Head Of Product, Product Management

Photo by Team Fredi on Unsplash

Becoming a head of product and managing a group of product people is a significant career step. In this article, I share my recommendations to help you get ready for the new job and be off to a great start.

🎧 You can listen to the audio version of this article here: https://www.romanpichler.com/romans-podcasts/tips-for-becoming-a-head-of-product/

Be Prepared to Look after People, Not Products

When you become a head of product, you move into a line management position. Consequently, your focus shifts from managing a product to looking after the product people on your team and empowering them to do a great job.

Instead of creating, for example, product strategies and roadmaps and tracking KPIs, you should help the people on your team acquire the right knowledge and develop the right skills so that they can carry out the relevant work on their own. This will allow them to take full ownership of and responsibility for their products, and it will increase their motivation, productivity, and job satisfaction. A great way to do this is to mentor and coach people. For instance, you might show the individuals how they can make effective strategic product decisions, create an actionable product roadmap, and effectively use the right KPIs.

Another key aspect to support the people on your team succeed is to create the right environment for people to succeed. This includes establishing psychological safety, fostering collaboration and trust amongst the product people, establishing clear roles and expectations, which I’ll discuss below, and ensuring that everyone has the right infrastructure and tools available.

Becoming the head of product therefore requires you to let go of your role as a practicing and presumably successful product person and to step away from the many joys and challenges of managing a product. For some people, that’s straightforward. But others find it hard to no longer be actively involved in making product decisions, regularly talking to users, engaging the stakeholders, and working with development teams.

Additionally, being an effective leader requires you to cultivate a genuine caring attitude for the people you want to lead, whether you like them or not. It means that you’ll have to deal with people issues on a regular basis, help and support the individuals who are on your team, constructively address problems and offer advice. To put it differently, to lead means to serve and support others.

If it’s hard for you to let go of being actively involved in managing a product or if you don’t find it rewarding to help and support a group of product people, then becoming a head of product is probably not right for you, at least not at this point in time.
Are University Degrees Becoming Obsolete?
By: Bianca Baum
Tags: Internet, Skills Development, University, Learning, Education

Now hear me out. I’m not stupid, at least I spend copious amounts of my time convincing myself that I’m not, I’m not talking about medical degrees, or law degrees.

There are a number of qualifications that require formal training and evaluation or even access to labs and equipment. That’s not going to change any time soon.

However, there are still a great number of subjects and skills that are completely accessible outside of a university setting.

With access to a computer and internet there is very little that you cannot teach yourself.

Whether it be technical skills on various programs or systems, physical skills, or an understanding of a topic or language. With some self-discipline and time any knowledge is attainable.

As it stands, having a university degree doesn’t guarantee a job, or any sort of security. Though they have become a benchmark for some level of education and training, this doesn’t always hold true, and people in the industry know this.

Nothing beats practical, on the job experience.

University has become more of a badge of honour, of having had the “college” experience is synonymous with being in your late teens to early twenties.

There is enough room within a formal education to glide by without really applying yourself.

In the case of a great amount of people university is just the next thing to delay making a commitment or decision about which direction to head in life.

And I get it, there’s increasingly more and more pressure to make the right life decision about your future at an age when you aren’t always ready. A university education is an expensive way to spend time.

With the internet and some research on available resources, it’s simple enough to form a self-taught curriculum, at a fraction of the price of a course at university, if not for free.

The problem lies with a lack of drive and passion in people. If you don’t really want something enough, you can’t commit to the time you need to put into learning.

There are so many great resources, and so much information on how to even go about the learning process. I hate to make use of this cliché, but the sky really is the limit.
5 E’s of Leadership
By: Ag Lafley
Tags: Strategy, Skills Development, Empowerment, Leadership, Business

GE and P&G were two companies committed to the recruitment of talent, and to the development of leaders, to manage growing companies that were expanding globally and extending steadily into an increasing number of business sectors and categories.

Jack Welch, Jeff Immelt, and I were interested in identifying specific leadership behaviors and capabilities that differentiated and distinguished leadership effectiveness and performance and business and financial results.

While we did not collaborate directly on leadership-development efforts, we did keep abreast of what one another was doing, and we built upon on our own and each other’s learning.

Jack focused on three “E’s”: energy, edge, and execution. He wanted leaders who were not only energetic but also energizing with the team and organization. He deeply believed in the competitive advantage of “edge,” which he would describe as personal courage, “guts” (a word he liked), and the toughness to make the hard calls. And, of course, he wanted leaders who could execute, get the job done, deliver the expected results.

In the late 1990s, Bob McDonald (my successor), Keith Harrison (head of P&G‘s worldwide product supply organization — half of the company’s employees), and I taught a “3E” course in P&G college. Three days for middle and upper-middle managers — the directors who manage the vast majority of PG employees around the world — with one day each on P&G’s leadership behavior model: envision, empower (or energize), and enable. The three of us designed and taught the course. The first offering was the highest-rated course in P&G college history, the only one to receive a perfect 5 rating.

We stuck with it off and on over 20 years, and we ended up landing on five E’s:

Envision Engage Empower or energize Enable Execute

In the middle of a fast-changing, unpredictable, and volatile dual crisis, there is obviously no time for new training programs for managers or employees. However, based on 50 years of experience in business and nonprofits, I believe that more effective employees, supervisors, and managers with more leadership potential exhibit some, several, or occasionally all of the “5E” behaviors. Being on the lookout for these leaders, and encouraging, developing, and growing them, can make a meaningful difference in the performance of your entire organization.
The Art of Speaking
By: Atul Anand
Tags: Speaking, Discourse, Skills Development, Skills, Art Of Speaking

The Art Of Speaking

I am neither a ted talker nor a professional speaker. I am a student who talks to a lot of people all over the world. I tend to read a lot of articles about speaking. Most importantly, I try to improve it.

In today’s article, I will give the tips that you should keep in mind before speaking in public or to a person.

What is On Our Palette?

What is on Your Palette?

Before going into the tips,

There are three things you have unique in you, and they are:-

Your voice

The ways you communicate information

The idea that you are speaking on

Tip 1: Draw Attention of Your Audience

Draw Attention of Your Audience

There are five things you can try to draw other people attention to:-

Speak Confidently

The goal here is the audience should not feel that you are incompetent on the topic you are speaking.

Maintain an even rate while speaking

Maintaining an equivalent rate of speaking will show your merit over the matter.

Make the information digestible for the audience.

The speech should neither be too hard nor too primary for the general audience to understand.

Speak with proper enunciation and pronunciation

Proper enunciation and pronunciation will bring lucidity to your speech, and it will be more reachable to other people.

Last and most prominent, Customize the speech according to the audience.

The audience is both the judge and the jury; if they like you, they will stay with you for the whole speech. So, to achieve that, try to customize the speech according to the audience.

Tip 2: Painting a Picture

Painting A Picture

I heard this from Cecelia, who is a Ph.D. student. Think that you are Bob Ross(A person who paints 🤐), the way he uses to talk about his paintings, immerse the audience into his paintings.

To give a similar impression on your speech, try to follow these methods:-

Iconic imagery

Using images relative to the topic can bring a lot of good towards painting the picture of your speech over the minds of your audience.

Comprehensible Diagrams

The use of good and comprehensive diagrams can create patterns in the brains of the people which will help the audience to understand the speech well. It will also make your speech more interesting.

Creative Slides

A good presentation along the speech will keep the audience engaged and attentive towards the topic.

Make your unique quirk stand out.

If you have any ability that you find unique, try to show it to your audience. This will increase the curiosity among them and, they will try to connect to you.

Tip 3: Use of Humor

Use of Humor

Humor is a topic I have previously talked about that you can check out by clicking here to get a complete understanding of it.

The key things to remember here are the followings:-

Use relevant humor.

Humor is a delicate skill and a double-edged sword. With just a delicate stream-lined mistake you can destroy your speech. So, learning what to use as humor should be paid attention to.

Laugh at yourself.

You can learn to laugh at yourself, you will never be short of humorous material.
Curiosity Skills The Pro
By: Girish Badrinarayanan
Tags: Skills Development, Curiosity, Learning, Learning Design

Have you wondered what drives true learning ? Education is endlessly thought as the mantra for survival, growth and a vehicle to fulfill dreams. However, education seems to be driven with a motive always. The motive could be degrees, social proof of skills, land successful job outcomes and the list is endless. Much has been written about how educational content and pedagogical principles need a total revamp to account for learning styles and learner preferences. There still seems to be a missing link. We still are catering to external preferences and a goal to conquer as a learner. How about learning without an end in mind ? Can learning be a way of life ?

Learning is often seen as a disciplined habit that tends to be naturally burdensome at times till the goal is reached. Tagging an outcome to learning helps accelerate one’s progress but at the same time makes learning devoid of what it should be. Learning intrinsically could be truly uplifting. Any learning experience that does not make for an engrossing read or a watch is time wasted. The cognitive load of learning is undermined at our own peril. Mental exhaustion during exam preps, interview preparations and accreditation based learning are examples of hours wasted without internalization.

In a mad rush for competitive excellence, learning’s true purpose is often forgotten. Any new subject feels abstract, but then gradually grows on us till we relate to it with our own mental maps. At some random stage, we feel and sense that the subject is relatable and has grown on us. That is truly when synthesis of information takes place to build self-engaging learning gears. If we have not reached this point, then all learning measure are trivialities that simply serve their own respective causes. Hence, a learner experience that is devoid of this realization does not instill curiosity in a learner but just creates artificially pleasing milestones.

I have worked with many organizations that are driving learner outcomes but I strangely find that not many are carefully cultivating intrinsic learner motivation. May be this beyond the scope of technology and subject matter expertise. This is evoking the learner to participate in way where learning seems liberating.

Happy Learning !
Everyday Quick Learnings to develop great skills
By: Shipra Chaturvedi
Tags: Microlearning, Skills Development, Benefits Of Microlearning, Product Management

Mark Twain said — ”The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one”

Product leaders need to keep up with the latest techniques and trends for managing the very best product in their respective markets. This is no different from programmers learning a new framework or doctors learning about new methods for treating illnesses. There are many great resources for product managers to stay updated. This includes online courses, blogs, seminars etc. How about getting all these in small bites everyday through just one place?

Yes, you got it right! I am emphasizing the need of microlearning in Product management. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to do in a day. Whether you are a mid-level or C-level professional, there are just too many things competing for your time and attention.

So, how do you break your learning? Studies suggest that “Learning in small steps of 3–7 minutes matches the human attention span”. We have been doodling about the possibilities of the learning techniques for product managers that are cost-effective, time bound and also offer powerful mobile performance support solutions. Microlearning or bite-sized learning is the ultimate solution for product managers to keep up with the latest trends and knowledge , with their large set of responsibilities in the organization.

Micro-learning deals with relatively small learning units and short-term learning activities. Basics of micro-learning includes :

Time-bound (5–10 mins,30–60 mins) Module based (Audio/Video) Engaging , gamified learning with rich media formats add to this. Focus on key concepts and better retention of learning.

If you are a product manager struggling to make time for learning,

Micro-learning is the new age learning strategy for you!