Samardzija’s Rough Day; Sale Sails Along

June 2, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

It seems like only yesterday that Jeff Samardzija was leading the National League in earned-run average, Chris Sale’s last start was a two-hitter, and Mark Buehrle was leading the major leagues in victories with nine. Well, it was — depending what time you are talking about regarding Sunday.

There’s video below of Stephy C for you to see if you’re so inclined (and who isn’t?).

* By allowing eight runs in three innings. vs the Brewers on Sunday in a 9-0 loss at Milwaukee, Chicago Cubs right-hander Samardzija had his ERA rise from 1.68 to 2.54. On the bright (?) side, he threw only 65 pitches and still was able to hold onto his one victory of the season in six decisions. Oh, and his trade value might have declined enough to make a deal more likely.

* White Sox left-hander Sale tossed a complete-game two-hitter in a 2-1 victory vs. the visiting San Diego Padres. He has allowed eight earned runs — total — this season in sevens starts covering 45 1/3 innings. He has allowed four hits — total — in his last four starts covering 25 innings. His ERA is 1.59. No starter has a better ERA than Sale, who has not given up an unearned run. His WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched is an other-wordly 0.60.

* For this who care to stick with the mundane statistics of wins and losses, Toronto left-hander Mark Buehrle pitched six-hit ball over eight innings in the Blue Jays’ 4-0 victory vs. visiting Kansas City. He became the big leagues’ first 10-game winner this season. Buehrle (10-1) lowered his ERA to 2.10. His WHIP is 1.19. Something says the American League will find a place for him and for Sales on its All-Star Game roster. Maybe someone can flip a coin to determine who will start.

* With a 5-4 overtime loss to the visiting Los Angeles Kings, the Chicago Blackhawks ended their season in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Tough way to exit, having given up a third-period lead at home. Still it was a great season for the Blackhawks and especially for their fans, who would be more than glad to assure you the Hawks would have beaten the New York Rangers in best-of-7 Stanley Cup Final in 3 games. OK, maybe 4.

* Not professing to know much (if anything) about hockey, your humble correspondent was slightly confused by the NBC Sports postgame graphic saying the Kings won the series 4-3 with the final score of Game 7 being 4-4. Maybe it has something to do with the Canadian exchange rate or something — even if these were two U.S. teams.

* From the Department of Sour Grapes: Those Hawks fans complaining how the NHL wanted Los Angeles — rather than their beloved heroes — in the Stanley Cup Final, we have one question: Really? Conspiracy theory makes no sense. Certainly not after Hawks fans proclaiming what a wonderful TV market Chicago is for hockey. Unless the NHL really is as clueless as some people give it credit (or discredit).

* Meanwhile back in the world of baseball statistics, Cubs third baseman Mike Olt struck out twice in three at-bats to give him 52 in 130 at-bats. Meaning he is whiffing 40 percent of the time. If he replicates Sunday’s performance, he could raise that total to 50 percent by the time he reaches 180 at-bats. Possibly sooner.

* Not saying Olt is having a tough time at the plate (.162 batting average, .243 on-base percentage) but he has one more strikeout than he does total bases this season.

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