MLB's Power Rankings Show Baseball Pitching Machines Should Be Utilized More

07/30/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

The dog days are approaching as MLB’s trade deadline speculations circle the top of the whirlpool. With a few of baseball’s top players either on the DL or out for the season, hitting practice with more challenging baseball pitching machines may end up being the deciding factors down the stretch. Although the power rankings and the standings usually dictate the likely contenders, momentum can carry any given team through the playoffs and into the final dance. The last two seasons have proven to be anything but predictable as the 2012 World Series projections provide plenty of ball-field fodder for analysts to chew on.

Online sports distributor Steve Klein offers a huge selection of pitching machines for sale to a number of different major league ball-clubs. Also a Fantasy team owner, he keeps track of everything from stats and standings to where the teams and players rank from week to week:

“We’ve got some tight pennant races going on right now. The Yankees always look good on paper and on the field. My Fantasy League cohorts all winced in pain when A-Rod went down with a busted hand. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens with his rehab as many of his teammates now line up in front of a baseball pitching machine with some attitude. Dr Kaplan said that he fractured his pinky bone but he should be back in the lineup by mid September. Every time I see players like A-Rod get hurt I always think about how long it’ll take before they’re back, but also which baseball pitching machines they’re using to stay focused.”

The Yanks are ranked # 1 and have the best record in baseball, but not by much. The Rangers and the Nats sit at the top of their divisions but the Nats lack playoff experience. The Rangers are fit to be tied, losing to the Cards and the Giants in the last two World Series. While Rangers fans are hoping the third time will be a charm in Texas, there’s a Washington connection with some added irony.

“Many people don’t know that the Rangers used to be the Washington Senators and the Nats used to be the Montreal Expos,” Klein added. “Back then I sold baseball pitching machines by word of mouth and through newspaper ads; rankings didn’t even matter. Now that we have cyberspace, a new world of connections makes it possible for Fantasy leaguers to hook up with expert speculators and computer generated projections. Even the thought of the Texas/Washington match-up coming full circle gives me Goosebumps.”

The current rankings and standings suggest that the Rangers and Nationals could meet in the Fall Classic, but not so fast. The Yanks adding Ichiro and the Dodgers adding Hanley Ramirez (Dempster, Garza?) puts both teams in a better position. The ChiSox getting Kevin Youkilis and going after Zack Greinke can only add to their depth.

Klein also sees some placeholders in the playoff picture.

“I can see why the Reds and the Pirates made the top ten but their records versus their rankings don’t add up. If either of these two teams make the playoffs they’ll probably be one and done even if they double up on swings from their trusty baseball pitching machines. The Tigers need some mojo and the Braves would love to see Chipper get the ultimate retirement gift. The Angels are on fire right now, and the Giants and the Dodgers are jockeying for position as the rivalry lives up to its name. It’s anybody’s game! That’s my prediction.”