Catching you up on the best from SB Nation's baseball network:
Previewing the Market: Catchers - Beyond the Box Score's (and MLBDD's) Satchel Price
Price takes an in-depth look at how the market for catching help should stack up this winter; the lead:
Okay. So this season is getting a little dull, to be honest. It's not that I'm not longer enjoying this season by any means, but when September consists of a single playoff race between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels, it might be time to begin to turn our heads towards the future. It's like turning off the game when your team is up 6-1 in the ninth inning; you might see something crazy if you keep watching, but you'll probably see nothing special.
Nats Stats: Michael Morse has it figured out - Federal Baseball's Doghouse.
You want in-depth-number-crunching-analysis? Then check this article out on Michael Morse's legitimate improvement; the lead:
We've been asking whether Michael Morse is legit since his breakout season last year, and more than one baseball analyst has been waiting for him to get "exposed" with regular playing time, with pitchers figuring out the holes in the big man's powerful swing. So far, it hasn't happened (much to the relief of Nats' fans). Current Nats' skipper Davey Johnson believes in Morse, as Patrick reported earlier today.
Jon Lester Reminds You That He's Great, Or Why The Six-Man Rotation May Be Helping Everyone - Over the Monter's Marc Normandin.
Jon Lester is having arguably his worst season as a full-time starter, and it's still pretty good. Normandin wonders if the six-man rotation is helping the ace; the lead:
There have been a lot of questions floating through Red Sox Nation over the last month or so, wondering if something is amiss with Jon Lester. His command has kind of come and gone in the middle of starts, and he's worked up high pitch counts early, though, at least in some of those instances, it's been more on the opposing lineup than Lester. The overall product has been Lester, though, something we were reminded of when he went seven innings and struck out 11 Blue Jays last night.
The San Diego Padres and Heath Bell just hanging out together - Gaslamp Ball's Dex
Closer Heath Bell has appeared in one game since August 23rd, so exactly what's going on with the closer and the Padres? Dex breaks down the scenarios for the two parties; the lead:Friend of the blog, Darren Smith's Facebook Status:
Friend of the blog, Darren Smith's Facebook Status:
"Heath Bell has appeared in ONE game since August 23rd. He's the highest paid player on the team and has pitched one inning in 15 days. Makes no business sense whatsoever."
Oh I dunno about that. I'm sure there's a bunch of ways it makes business sense.
If you missed yesterday's leftovers, go ahead and check it out:
MLB Leftovers: WAR, Strasburg, Giants' September, Fielder's Bomb.