Wednesday, April 25, 2007
How Do the Teams '07 Starts Compare?
How do the major league teams '07 beginnings compare to their past beginnings? Let's find out:Arizona D-Backs: '07- 10-11 (21 games); 10-11 21 game start last year, finished 76-86; have started .500+ in their first 21 games 5 times in their 10 years of existence.
Atlanta Braves: '07- 13-7 (20 games); Best 20-game start since 2000 when they started 14-6 (finished 95-67, lost in NLDS); in 1999 they started 13-7 and finished 103-59, losing in the World Series; in '98 they started 13-7 and finished 106-56, losing in the NLCS.
Baltimore Orioles: '07- 11-9 (20 games); Started 11-9 last year, finished 72-90; started 13-7 in 2005, finished 74-88; Have had at least 10 wins over the first 20 games every year since 2003 (8-12 start in '02)
Boston Red Sox: '07- 12-7 (19 games); Started 12-7 last year, finished 86-76; Started 13-6 in '05, finished 98-64 and won the World Series; Started 13-6 in '03 and finished 95-67, losing in the ALCS; Have won at least 10 of first 19 games every year since 1997- they started 4-15 in '96.
Chicago Cubs: '07- 7-13 (20 games); Worst 20 game start since 2000, when they started 7-13 and finished 65-97; Last time they won less than 7 in their first 20 games: '97, when they started 3-17 (They lost their first 14 games; finished 68-94).
Chicago White Sox: '07- 11-8 (19 games); Worst start since 2004, when they started 11-8 (finished 83-79); Have won at least 10 of first 19 games every year since 2002 (in 2001 they started 7-12; finished 83-79); Started 13-6 last year, finished 90-72; Started 15-4 in '05 and finished 99-63 (won the World Series).
Cincinnati Reds: '07- 10-10 (20 games); Have won at least 10 of first 20 games every year since 2004 (6-14 start in '03); Started 10-10 in '05 and finished 73-89; Started 10-10 in 1995 and finished 85-59, losing in the NLCS in the strike shortened season.
Cleveland Indians: '07- 10-7 (17 games); Started 10-7 last year, finished 78-84; Last time they won more than 10 in their first 17 games: 2002, when they started 11-6 (finished 74-88); Started 11-6 in '01 and finished 91-71.
Colorado Rockies: '07- 8-13 (21 games); Worst 21 game start since 2005, when they started 6-15 (finished 67-95); Started 11-10 last year, finished 76-86.
Detroit Tigers: '07- 11-9 (20 games); Since 2004, they have won at least 10 and less than or equal to 12 every year- in '03 they started 2-18 (finished 43-119; they were 3-25 at one point).
Florida Marlins: '07- 9-11 (20 games); Best 20 game start: 1996, 2003: 13-7 (finished 80-82 in '96; 91-71 in '03); Worst 20 game start: 1995: 5-15 (finished 67-76 in strike-shortened season).
Houston Astros: '07- 9-10 (19 games); Only their 4th sub-.500 19 game start in 16 years (finished 72-90, 84-78, and 89-73 the other 3 times)
Kansas City Royals: '07- 6-14 (20 games); Best start since 2004, when they start 7-13 (finished 58-104); They have won at least 10 of first 20 games only once in the past 18 years (including this year); Started 5-15 last year (62-100 finish) and '05 (56-106 finish).
Los Angeles Angels: '07- 10-10 (20 games); Worst 20 game start since 2003, when they started 9-11 (finished 77-85); First time since 2000 that they have started 10-10 (they finished 82-80); They also started 10-10 in 1998, and finished 85-77; Started 6-14 in '02, the year they won the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers: '07- 13-7 (20 games); Best 20 game start since 2005 (finished 71-91); Started 13-7 in '04 and finished 93-69; Started 13-7 in 1988, finished 94-67, and won the World Series; Last time they won more than 13 of their first 20: 1983, when they started 14-6 (finished 91-71)
Milwaukee Brewers: '07- 13-7 (20 games); Best 20 game start since 1998 (finished 74-88); First start over .500 since '98; Started 10-10 last year, finished 75-87.
Minnesota Twins: '07- 11-9 (20 games); Started 8-12 last year, finished 96-66 (lost in division series); Started 12-8 in '05, finished 83-79; The last time they started 11-9 was 1997, and they finished 68-94.
New York Mets: '07- 13-6 (19 games); Best 19 game start since 1988, when they started 13-6 (finished 100-60); Started 12-7 last year, finished 97-65 (lost in the NLCS).
New York Yankees: '07- 8-11 (19 games); Started 8-11 in 2005, and finished 95-67; Started 8-11 in '04, and finished 101-61; Have not won more than 11 of first 19 games since 2003 (started 16-3, finished 101-61); Last time they did not win at least 8 of first 19 games: 1991 (they started 7-12, finished 71-91)
Oakland Athletics: '07- 11-9 (20 games); Best 20 game start since 2003 (started 11-9, finished 96-66 losing in the ALDS); Started 11-9 in '02, and finished 103-59, losing in the ALDS; Last time they won more than 11 of first 20: 1992 (they started 13-7, and finished 96-66)
Philadelphia Phillies: '07- 8-11 (19 games); Started 8-11 last year, finished 85-77; Started 8-11 in '05, finished 88-74; Have not won more than 10 of first 19 games since 2001, when they started 13-6 (finished 86-76)
Pittsburgh Pirates: '07- 8-10 (18 games); Best 18 game start since 2004 (8-10 start, finished 72-89); Have not won more than 8 of first 18 since '03 (started 9-9, finished 75-87); Have not won more than 10 of first 18 since '02 (started 12-6, finished 72-89).
St. Louis Cardinals: '07- 8-11 (19 games); Worst 19 game start since 1997, when they started 7-12 (finished 73-89)
San Diego Padres: '07- 12-8 (20 games); Best 20 game start since 1998 (16-4 start, finished 98-64, lost in World Series); Started 8-12 last year, finished 86-76 and won the division; Started 9-11 in 2005, finished 82-80 and won the division.
San Francisco Giants: '07- 10-8 (18 games); Started 10-8 last year, finished 76-85; Have not won more than 10 of first 18 since 2003, when they started 15-3 (finished 100-61).
Seattle Mariners: '07- 6-9 (15 games); Started 6-9 last year, finished 78-84; Have not won more than 8 of first 15 since 2002 (started 12-3, finished 93-69).
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: '07- 9-11 (20 games); Best 20 game start since 2002 (started 9-11, finished 55-106); Have not won more than 10 of first 20 games since 1999 (11-9 start, finished 69-93).
Texas Rangers: '07- 8-11 (19 games); Worst 19 game start since 2003, when they started 8-11 (finished 71-91); Last time they won less than 8 of first 19: 2002, when they started 5-14 (finished 72-90)
Toronto Blue Jays: '07- 10-10 (20 games); Started 11-9 last year, finished 87-75; Last time they won more than 11 or lost more than 11 of their first 20 games: 2004, when they started 7-13 (finished 67-94); Started 10-10 in 1997, and finished 76-86.
Washington Nationals: '07- 6-14 (20 games); Worst 20 game start since 2004, as the Montreal Expos, when they started 5-15 and finished 67-96; Last time they won more than 10 of first 20 games: 2003, when they started 12-8 (finished 83-79).
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Here’s a nice article I found online relevant to the discussion on your blog:
Are you dreaming about a career in baseball? Dreaming is the first step, just so you know, together with ambition and determination. But if your dreams and goals are serious and if you are convinced that you belong among the top USA Baseball players, then here are some tips that can help you achieve what you desire! Or maybe you are the parent of a child who presents a great interest in USA Baseball, both in watching it and practicing it. So make sure you don't waste your child's potential!
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You can also find more resources on the following MLB teams on our website: Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners.
Mike