Episode 44 "Hank Aaron Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

5-4 Homestand vs Dodgers/Rockies/Astros 0:00-16:00
Break
Carlos Gomez, Curb Your Enthusiasm? 16:30-27:30
Break
Interview: Jaymes Langrehr of DisciplesOfUecker.com 28:00-49:30
Break
Preview/Around NL Central/Chalet Award Winner 49:30-59:30

Episode 43 "Doug Jones Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

Small Ball & Bunting 0:00-17:00
Break
Dynamic Catching Duo 17:00-31:00
Break
Hot Pitching Prospects 31:30-49:00
Break
Chalet Award Winner/News & Notes 49:30-1:01

2012 Week 2 Power Rankings

Compared to last week the standings are going to change a bit. It’s power rankings and with another week of games in the book some of these have changed quite a bit. I imagine they will become more stable soon enough but for now here they are.

1. Texas Rangers (4)- The second best record in baseball and the best standing in this Power Ranking. The Rangers have it figured out. It’s early but this group can make it a three peat… they just need a title.

2. Detroit Tigers (2)- They don’t have the best record in baseball but with Justin Verlander throwing complete games and strike out after strike out, he can carry this team all the way. Even with a series loss to the White Sox.

3. St. Louis Cardinals (3)- Whatever high they hit last year, they are still on it. They keep rolling, winning every series of the year. It seems that they have found more than enough to replace what they lost over the winter.

4. Washington Nationals (8)- The Nats are dealing, hitting and pitching. We all knew that this would come soon enough just did not know it was coming so soon. It’s early, but they look like they have it all together and a big arsenal waiting to help lower in the system.

5. New York Mets (10)- The Mets could be the surprise team of the year. Right now they are just a team that’s lucky to be doing so well.

6. Los Angeles Dodgers (13)- The Dodgers are playing above themselves. They host the best record in the MLB but are one of the worst. I fully expect them to come crumbling down.

7. Tampa Bay Rays(1)- After a strong start they started getting beaten up by division rivals. They still own the best staff in the majors and a great manager. They should gain some ground pretty quickly.

8. Toronto Blue Jays (7)- They still hold the best record in the AL East but the big dogs are catching up quick. The Blue Jays could see the cellar again soon but their staff could keep them in it for a while.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks (3)- The Diamondbacks are still competing but after losing a series in Colorado they took a small set back. They should pass the Dodgers soon if through nothing other than their bats.

10. New York Yankees (12)- The Yankees are rebounding from their horrible starts. They are coming on strong. The Yanks have all the power to be at number one in their division.

11. Cincinnati Reds (9)- Sharing the same record as Houston has to hurt. Their losses are coming to hot teams right now and because of bad back end pitching.

12. Los Angeles Angels (6)- The Angels added a lot and are falling like their National League counter parts. I think Pujols and their pitching staff will pull them out of it but it will take a lot of work.

13. Seattle Mariners (15)- One of the few winning record teams lest and one of the least deserving. Really they are just beating up on the A’s.

14. Atlanta Braves (20)- They beat up the Brewers and won 5 straight. Their last series showed off their pitching and offense and most of all that bullpen. That pen can keep them in anything.

15. Chicago White Sox (30)- Even though I am upset with confusion you can’t deny their winning style. Beating Detroit may say more than their record. Without Ozzie they could be good.

16. Philadelphia Phillies (11)- Injuries are taking their toll on the Phillies. They can’t even win at home let alone on the road. Something needs to change, mostly someone getting healthy would make a world of difference.

17. Baltimore Orioles (19)- They are the worst team in first. And they will show it soon enough. You can only get so far with Jake Arrieta as your ace.

18. Colorado Rockies (22)- The Rockies beat the D-backs and they haven’t been swept. That’s a lot for a team that doesn’t have a lot.

19. San Francisco Giants (16)- The only thing the Giants have going for them is Matt Capps. Tim Lincecum needs to figure his problems out quickly and they need to replace Brain Wilson. The Giants are in a real bad place, real early.

20. Milwaukee Brewers (14)- The Brewers proved they won’t stand down with a big comeback against the Braves. And then they proved they can’t finish it. The Crew better hope they only play like this is Turner Field.

21. Boston Red Sox (18)- Manager troubles and only one good series. At least the home opener went well.

22. Houston Astros (24)- They’re doing as well as you can ask for a team that has nothing. I’m just surprised they aren’t the worst team in baseball.

23. Kansas City Royals (23)- I really thought they’d play better than this. They are the Nationals of the American League. Just their offense is better than their pitching.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates (17)- They are sinking back down to reality. The Pirates are a bad team because they keep getting rid of everything good with the team.

25. Cleaveland Indians (27)- Going .500 might be a good enough goal for the other Ohio team.

26. Oakland Athletics (28)- They just keep getting beaten up by the Mariners but being above the Angels is something.

27. Chicago Cubs (25)- They haven’t been swept. And I think they think they’re better. Dale deserves better.

28. Minnesota Twins (29)- They aren’t getting better. The other teams are just getting worse.

29. San Diego Padres (26)- The only way they can score runs? Walking them in. No one hits and all the pitches get hit.

30. Miami Marlins (21)- Not winning, no manager, lots of controversy and a crappy stadium. Not much to be happy about.

-Brad

Episode 42 "Scott Karl Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

Cardinals & Cubs Series 0:00-22:00
Break
Greinke/Brewers Table Extension Talks 22:00-42:00
Break
Bullpen Woes 42:00-53:00
Break
Around NL Central/Chalet Award Winner/News&Notes 54:00-1:00

2012 Week 1 Power Rankings

A new feature at View From Bernie's Chalet for the 2012 season. Each week Brad will do his power rankings from the best team to the worst in MLB. Who doesn't love lists? Here is week 1 (well technically weekend 1).

1. Tampa Bay Rays-Have to go Rays here. One of, if not the best, starting rotation in baseball. Dominated the powerhouse Yankees on all aspects of their game. The Rays are playing like they are sick of the wild card and are itching to claim the AL East crown.
2. Detroit Tigers- 5 bombs in 4 innings off Josh Beckett. That will be the story all season for the Tigers. They have a very potent offense and will destroy even the best pitching. And there staff is very strong. We all know how good Justin Verlander is. Don’t worry, Valverde will not keep giving up games like he did on opening day.
3. Arizona Diamondbacks- The D-Backs took it to the top starters of their toughest enemy. They made Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner look like #5 starters. The last place Arizona team from a few years ago is now an after thought. These guys are playing on a new level.
4. Texas Rangers- It’s the offense that keeps producing. I would have put them higher, but wins against Chicago and Seattle aren’t all that convincing. Once they play some tougher opponents they will jump up.
5. St. Louis Cardinals- The reigning world champs are playing tough baseball. Their rotation is still succeeding, even without Dave Duncan or Chris Carpenter, and the offense doesn’t seem to be phased from the loss of Albert Pujols.
6. Los Angeles Angels- The Angels aren’t playing the best out of the top 10 teams, but they are a very tough team. They might be showing their age a little. Some of their prospects might be up in mid-season to kick the old guys to the curb.
7. Toronto Blue Jays- Probably played the most innings in baseball thus far. Over came some early deficits to have a very good opening weekend.
8. Washington Nationals-This might be a little high, but to kill the Cubs with pitching and late inning heroics, they really showed off how tough they are going to be in the coming years. I expect them to fall big from this spot as the year goes on.
9. Cincinnati Reds- Another NL Central team that was not intimidated by the much improved Miami Marlins. However they probably only have a couple of years to succeed, I can’t imagine that deal to Votto will give them much flexibility in the future. Still, can’t blame them for locking up a stud.
10. New York Mets- The Mets can pretend they expected to be at this level all along, but we know the truth. It’s only a matter of time before they come crashing down to Earth, even if Johann returns to form.
11. Philadelphia Phillies- The Phillies were everyone’s favorite a year ago. Now their age and injury problems might have them falling behind in the East already. The East was full of potential… now the Mets are the best team looking down on three playoff contenders. Still a lot of baseball to go.
12. New York Yankees- The Yanks can’t be this bad… Can they? I’m guessing a very young, very tough Tampa team just got the best of them.
13. Los Angeles Dodgers-The Dodgers looked good against a bad team. But we have seen before, teams that pick on bad teams can make the playoffs, even if they aren’t great against the good teams.
14. Milwaukee Brewers- Poor performance on opening weekend. But this team has way too much upside to keep performing at that level.
15. Seattle Mariners- They have a few freebie wins from easy battles against the A’s but are still looking good for the Mariners. The fight only gets harder though, eventually they have to meet the Angels and Rangers.
16. San Francisco Giants-Despite getting swept by the Diamondbacks the Giants still showed a lot… Arizona just showed more. Multiple comebacks in that series show the offense might actually produce this year.
17. Pittsburgh Pirates- They beat a good Phillies team. Now are they going to play all year or just the first half again?
18. Boston Red Sox- The Sox can’t be that bad can they? Starting 0-3 is not a good sign, but they still have all the pieces to be major contenders.
19. Baltimore Orioles-I know I’ve given higher rankings to teams that are just as bad for poor performance. I just trust them more than the Orioles. At least other teams have some good signs in their organization. I can’t find many things to like about Baltimore.
20. Atlanta Braves- This offense really needs to get going to have any hope of success. They look like the Atlanta team that got beat up at the end of the year last year, and it’s hard to see them improving if they can’t put anything together.
21. Miami Marlins- Another dream team stinking it up. They are having a lot of troubles, and the possibility of losing their manager can’t be a good sign.
22. Colorado Rockies-Not much going on here. Jamie Moyer is old, not aged, old.
23. Kansas City Royals- I would rank them higher, but their pitching staff isn’t this good. A lot of success from two bad pitchers. They’ll come down to earth. Most talented bottom 10 team though, without a doubt.
24. Houston Astros- They are bad! And they have too many wins for a bad team. They just look better than any one on the bottom half of this list through the first week.
25. Chicago Cubs-The only reliable part of their team two years ago is now a black hole. What happened to Carlos Marmol?
26. San Diego Padres- Their only big inning started on three straight bases loaded walks. Only one run was driven in with a hit. The Padres are a sad sad team.
27. Cleaveland Indians- The Indians will not be in second place again. They have too many holes to fill and it doesn’t look like anyone is on their way to fill them.
28. Oakland A’s- This team gave it all away. Not their new import is the only thing to watch on a dismal roster.
29. Minnesota Twins- Horrible. This team always seemed to win, even when things were bad. Not even they know what to fix first.
30. Chicago White Sox-The White Sox are this low because they can’t decide whether they are rebuilding or not. Why trade away all your team and then sign people to extensions. Once they figure themselves out or start winning, they can move up.

-Brad

VFBC Podcast Episode 41 "Marco Estrada Edition"

Breakdown of The Show:

AL Preview/Predictions 0:00-44:00

Break

NL Preview/Predictions 45:30-1:30:00

Break

News & Notes 1:31:30-1:37:00