So how does it feel to be on top of the world?

by meercatjohn on Apr 24, 2009 8:21 AM PDT Comment 7 comments

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 23, 2009, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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7 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 23, 2009, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Sometimes research ruins a good story line. I started out expecting to find Billingsley on top of ERA+, Hudson on top of BA, and Manny on top of OBA but it isn't happening so I'm cherry picking my top of the world post.

After 16 games the Dodgers currently have the winningest pitcher in baseball thanks to Chad Billingsley's 4 wins. I wanted to say he had the best ERA+ but shockingly he only ranks in the top ten with the likes of one Wandy Rodriguez a head of him.

Then we have the best closer in baseball where the minimum requirement was three saves.

Orlando Hudson gave way to Carlos Beltran in the Batting Average race but 2nd will do for now. However the biggest shock is that Manny is not on top of the world in OBA but is 2nd to Fred Lewis. Fred Lewis????

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I always like it in the box score

if our pitchers have low ERAs at the end of their line. Last night, I saw:

Billingsley 2.05
Broxton 1.08

That’ll do. That’ll do just fine.

by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was quite irked to find Coffey a head of Big John in ERA+ so I manipulated the save category to make it >= 3. Cherry picking at it’s finest.

by meercatjohn on Apr 24, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Beltran

It feels weird to suggest that someone making $17 million per year is underrated, but I get the sense that most of the baseball world doesn’t realize just how great a player Beltran is.

by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've always been really high on Beltran too

One of the “five tool” guys. Not a bad role model for Kemp to look up to. One reason for his possible lack of press is because he went to the Mets rather than the Yankees and it seems like he has one excellent year followed up by a mediocre (for him) year. Plus, the fans in NY initially turned on him because he wasn’t a psycho NY type guy and he didn’t seem to “care” when things weren’t going his way. Kind of the JD Drew complaint.

P.S. I didn’t research any of the above before I posted. Just going off of memory.

P.P.S That post season he put together his last year with the Astros was absolutely incredible.

by mwhite06 on Apr 24, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of all the free agents who have been available lately I really wanted Carlos Beltran. He really is one of the best players in baseball but still underappreciated which is strange considering he’s in NY these days.

by meercatjohn on Apr 24, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This roto owner would appreciate an attempted stolen base. Talking about roto, I have Dave Bush in both the TB and DT leagues. I sat him yesterday on purpose expecting Utley and Howard to have their way with him. Talk about over managing.