2009 MLB Weekly Forecast
Week One Hindsight: Angels Rookie Has First Start End in Tragedy
Apr 13, 2009 Derek J Griebenow
The Braves and Phillies were the first to start the new season on Sunday, April 5th in Philadelphia. Philly was almost swept, losing the first two games by a total of 8to1. Phillies closer Brad Lidge picked up his first save of the season in a wild 12-11 victory on Wednesday. Philly rallied in the 7th inning, scoring 8 runs to avoid the sweep the day they got their Championship rings.
Things didn't look good on Friday for Phillies ace and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels. Hamels was rocked in Colorado by the Rockies. He had a tough time locating his pitches and was taken out after allowing 11 hits and 7 runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The Phillies rebounded and won the next two games in Colorado to end the week tied with the Mets at 3-3, and 2 games back of the 5-1 Braves and Marlins.
CC Loses Yankees Debut Versus Baltimore, Strikes Out Royals
The Yankees brass experienced pain before pleasure with their $160+ million prized free agent pitching jewel. Some wondered if the man that almost single handedly carried the Brewers in 2008 to their 1st playoff appearance in 26 years, was overworked. It sure appeared that way on Opening Day in Baltimore.
CC Sabathia spent more time taking off his hat and wiping his brow than locating the strike zone. Smothered with high expectations, Sabathia failed to strike out a batter but walked 5, allowing 6 runs and 8 hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Against the Royals in Kansas City on Saturday the real CC stood up. In 7 2/3 innings, Sabathia struck out 6 Royals, walked zero, and allowed no runs on 6 hits for his first win. That's the CC the fans pay to see.
The Yankees ended the week 3-3, behind Toronto (5-2), and the Orioles (4-2). New York will travel to Tampa for a three game series versus the defending AL East Division Champion Rays on Monday.
The Death of an Angels Rookie
On Wednesday, Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher, Nick Adenhart, made his first big league start against the Oakland A's in Anaheim. He looked great striking out 5 through 6 shutout innings. Just barely after midnight Adenhart and three friends were hit by a drunk driver who ran a red light.
Nick Adenhart, 22, was just at the start of what appeared to be a promising future in the Angels starting rotation. Adenhart died shortly after arriving at the hospital, along with two of his friends who died at the scene.
The driver that killed Adenhart is a 22 year-old himself; Andrew Gallo. Gallo could face 55 years in prison for his deadly ignorance.
It is surely a sad time for the families involved and for the Angels organization. The question now for the Angels is if they use this as motivation to succeed for their fallen comrade, or can't shake their sorrow and lose a lot of early games and can't recover. Time will tell.
The Angels did however finish the week by winning their 3 game series versus Boston 2-1. They now trail 5-2 Seattle in the AL West with a 3-3 record. They'll play three in Seattle starting Tuesday and should gain back control of the division.
Brewers Lose Home Opener Series to Rival Cubs
The Brewers got off to a 1-2 start in San Fransisco, and coming home to the rival Chi-Town Cubbies for a weekend series left the Brewers at 2-4 at weeks end. One high for the Brew Crew, pitcher Yovani Gallardo beat Randy Johnson and the Giants with his arm and hisbat on Wednesday.
In the 5th inning of a 1-1 pitching duel, Gallardo made history against the future Hall of Famer with a swing of the bat; a three run home run to propel the Brewers to a 4-2 win.
In twenty-one Big League seasons, twelve in the National League, Randy Johnson had never allowed a home run to a pitcher. The 23 year-old Gallardo also pitched very well, striking out six in 6 2/3 innings and allowing just two runs.
The 45 year-old Johnson will likely retire at the end of the season, the Big Unit is five wins shy of 300 career wins. Johnson is also second to Nolan Ryan in career strikeouts with 4,789. All drug free too!
MLB 2009 Weekly Forecast
A few things to watch in baseball's second week include the Cleveland Indians (1-5) and if they can bounce back from their first 0-5 start in 24 years. Cleveland is the favorite to win the AL Central.
Rickie Weeks has shown glimpses of the player the Brewers expect him to be, but must become more consistent to retain the lead-off role in the lineup. Weeks is batting just .200 but did score the game winning run in the bottom of the 9th on Friday in Milwaukee's home opener versus Chicago.
CC Sabathia will open up the new Yankees stadium versus his old team the Indians on Thursday; a must see for baseball fans. The Yankees Nick Swisher has started the season on fire, batting .538 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, and 6 runs scored.
MLB 2009 Week One Show Stopper Players of the Week
Nick Swisher (NYY): .538 avg. 2HR 9RBI 6R
Yovani Gallardo (MIL): 1-0 2.70 ERA 6 SO - Hit a 3 run home run off Randy Johnson
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