#Phil Maton

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carlos Baerga always had time for reporters when he played for the Indians. Now he's become one. Baerga, who spent 14 years in the big leagues, hosts a popular podcast in Puerto Rico called "I Love Sports with Carlos Baerga and Friends." During the winter meetings in December, Baerga was first with the news that Cy Young winner…

Welcome to playoff baseball, where the "best" team wins the championship far less often than in other sports. To wit: According to Baseball Prospectus odds, no team in the 2021 playoff field has better than a 20 percent chance to win the World Series. With eight deserving teams ready to do battle, let's dive into the reasons each particular team…

The 2021 season will be the last one that the Indians play under the name that they've carried since 1915. It might also end their eight-year streak of winning seasons under manager Terry Francona and their run as a serious postseason contender in the American League. Over the last five years, the Indians have made the postseason four times,…

The Astros are -129 favorites giving them an implied win probability of 56.33%. Both teams are high in the World Series odds as Houston is the third choice at+650 and New York the fourth choice at+700 after the co-favored Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees at+450. The Minute Maid Park roof will likely be closed as the high temperature is…

Chatham Glenwood graduate Phil Maton appeared in the World Series last year with the Houston Astros. His younger brother, Nick, got his turn this year with the Philadelphia Phillies. Both of their teams collided in the most recent edition of the World Series. Although Phil was unable to participate due to an injury, he nevertheless helped the…

This past season the Texas Rangers were lucky to have four prominent players with at least 20 home runs. Of those four players, it was Nathaniel Lowe's first time hitting 20 or more home runs. And he did that while maintaining a batting average over.300. Lowe is a real deal, and he has already proved that in the 2022 season. His 1252 PO (what…

After a first-round bye, the time has come to finish up a roster plan for the American League Division Series. Similar to years past, the Houston Astros could opt for a deeper bench rather than a complete pitching staff. A best-of-five series leaves the Astros ability to drop a pitcher - given a full pitching rotation isn't needed - for another…

HOUSTON (AP) - Another strong start by Framber Valdez allowed the Houston Astros to end the regular season with the two winningest pitchers in the American League. Valdez struck out 10 in five shutout innings to lead the Astros to 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the regular-season finale Wednesday. Christian Vazquez hit a solo homer and…

And then there were six. Games left in the Astros' regular season. Three vs. Tampa Bay then three vs. Philadelphia, all at Minute Maid Park. The first three are important for the Rays as they jockey for Wild Card positioning with the Blue Jays and Mariners. The second three games decide playoffs or no playoffs for the Phillies as they try to stave…

Blame it on whatever you want. The Houston Astros play in an easier division. The Houston Astros have much less of a spotlight than the New York Yankees. Teams have gifted the Houston Astros players in trades. It doesn't matter what's made the Astros so good. It's just been that way since 2015 pretty much, and the Yankees haven't done a single…