What to Watch

 

Yankees @ Rays. 7:10

Manager Joe Girardi got thrown out last night, on a correct call by the umpire,  as the Yankees lost to the Rays and fell into a tie for the division lead with the Orioles. Tonight's match-up features Hiroki Kuroda vs. Matt Moore. Kuroda, who leads the team in innings,  has been solid for the Yankees, throwing at least 8 innings in his last four starts. For a team decimated by injury,  Kuroda has been a an excellent pick up on a one $10 million deal.  Meanwhile, Matt Moore $1.1 Million for 2012 is providing more value for the dollar, while striking out more batters, with a higher ERA, and nearly and identical FIP.   Moore has gone at least six innings in his last 5 starts and is showing why he was so highly regarded as a prospect. 4.83 ERA in May vs. 2.19 in Aug. Will the Yankees win to keep pace with the Orioles? Yes, read that sentence again. Or do the Rays move within a half of a game of the division lead.

Oriole Magic

The Baltimore Orioles beat the Blue Jays 12-0 and are tied for first place in the A.L. East with the Yankees. The two teams start a four game series on Thursday. While the offense banged out 18 hits and 12 runs, Zach Britton was masterful again as he threw 7 innings of 4 hit shutout baseball. Britton has a four game winning streak himself. The Orioles have won 21 of their past 29 games to move into a tie for the division lead. The Oriole Magic might continue to defy the statistical hurdle, that doubters often reference, and take them to the playoffs and erase some of the stench of the 1990's. Playoff baseball in Baltimore and D.C.,  there should be enough fans to even make Peter Angelos  happy. 

Instant Replay?

 9th inning appeal Another case for using instant replay in baseball? Situation: Top of the 9th inning, no outs, 5-4 Cardinals lead, and Andres Torres hit's what looks to be a lead off double, giving him a very good chance to score. Scoring Chart. The Cardinals choose to appeal that Torres missed first. Torres gets called out without umpires being able to look at a replay, even though the video might be inconclusive, and the umpire was directly on top of the play. This play might allow the Cardinals to get into the playoffs, but the larger issue is instant replay in baseball. Why not let the coaches have two challenges each game. This would add another decision for a manager to be second guessed later. I love the idea of allowing the manager to choose which plays to review.