Seriously now. Teams need to stop calling up impactful players. To steal a line from famed politician, crackpot and meme inspiration Jimmy McMillain… These spotlights are making our light bill too damn high! Anyway, if you’re like me, you didn’t know who Oswaldo Arcia was before the season started. I certainly didn’t have him on my radar, but that’s because the 22-year old Venezuelan had never played above AA before this season. Let’s meet him, eh?

As I mentioned above, Arcia is just 22 years old, with just ten AAA games under his belt before his call up this season (he was hitting .394 in those games, at least). He was born in Anaco, Anzoategui, Venezuela on May 9th, 1991. Now that we all feel old… Arcia was signed by Minnesota as a 16 year old in 2007. His climb was kind of slow, as he spent a year in the Dominican Summer League and then two in Rookie Ball for the Twins Gulf Coast League affiliate. He held his own, but it was in 2011 that his climb really began.

He actually began 2011 on the Gilf Coast Twins for the third consecutive year, but moved up to A-Ball after just two games. After hitting .352 in just 20 games, he was pushed up to A+ Fort Myers, where he hit just .263. That’s where he also started the 2012 season, hitting .309/.376/.517 in 55 games before getting the call up to AA New Britain, where he again hit over .300 to end the year.

Arcia trots home on his first major league home run against the Marlins. (Jerry Holt, Dml/Star Tribune)

All of that earned him his trip to AAA to start this season. He was hitting .394/.474/.727 in ten games, when a bit of luck came his way. Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez‘s wife had a baby, and the Twins sent him home on paternity for a couple of days. Needing an outfielder for that short stay, they went with one of their top prospects. It seemed like an odd move, considering the move would only be for a couple of days, but whatever, right? Give the kid a taste of the show. True to their word, the Twins called him up and sent him back down when Ramirez was back, just one game later. Fate smiled upon Oswaldo again just a couple of days later, when outfielder Darin Mastroianni hit the DL with a bum ankle. Arcia came back up, and he hasn’t looked back since.

He’s basically made it impossible for the twins to sit him, hitting .261/.327/.435 with 3 homers and 13 RBI in the 26 games since he joined the team. There’s talk that he’ll be the one to take home the Rookie of the Year this year, but of course that remains to be seen. For now, I’m sure the Twins are content to have him along side their other rookie outfielder, Aaron Hicks, who has really picked things up after a slow start to the year. As far as the future holds for Arcia, scouts seem to think he’ll hit for average and for good enough power to stick as a right fielder for his whole career (he has a good arm in the field as well).

I look forward to seeing what develops in Minnesota, both from Oswaldo and Hicks.

Featured image courtesy of: Charles Krupa/AP

I have something to say about the NY Yankees team that we see playing before us in the Bronx. Don’t worry. This is a good rant. In case you have not been paying attention to baseball yet, this rag-tag bunch of backups, wash-ups, and AAA starters have stepped in to fill the void left by the injured superstars that we, the spoiled Yankees fans, have gotten so accustomed to seeing day in and day out. In fact, they have played well enough to keep the bombers relevant throughout the first month and a half of this season. What are some of the keys to the Yankees’ early success in the 2013 season?

Hitting

Vernon Wells has been a life saver so far. (Kathy Willens/AP)

The biggest surprises in my opinion have been Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay. Wells, who was basically an outcast in LA, was deemed washed up and thought to be the beneficiary of one of the worst contracts in baseball (I even featured it in a post earlier this year). Wells was traded to New York for some bums. All he has done so far is redeemed himself for his terrible play over the past few seasons. He has all but matched his HR total of 2012 and has been hitting .300 while filling in for Curtis Granderson in LF. Granderson, by the way, is the first Yankee star to return from injury!

Next is Lyle Overbay, the Bay was picked up off waivers from the Red Sox near the very end of spring training. He was brought in as primarily a defensive 1st baseman to fill the void left by Mark Teixeira and his torn tendon sheath. Overbay was given a “3-day trial” at 1st, where he instantly ousted Juan Rivera for the job. Could you imagine if we had stuck it out with Rivera at 1st? **Shudders** Overbay has been a pleasant surprise. He’s a tall dude, which makes for a decent target to throw at, plays solid defense and, not to mention, he has been coming up with a ton of clutch hits and has remembered how to mash some taters into right field.

Pitching

RIvera has come back from his injury without problems. (Kathy Willens/AP)

The rotation has really been stellar, except for Nova, and Hughes. Even David Phelps has come in and pitched exceptionally well. I think he has earned a spot in the rotation for good. Let’s not forget that the Yankees will keep getting better once they get Michael Pineda back (probably by the summertime)… and possibly Chien-Min Wang? The former Yankee had a renaissance in the 2013 WBC, which earned him a minor league deal and a trip to Scranton.

The Yankees’ bullpen has been outstanding too. Adam Warren has come in and given them some solid innings when needed. David Robertson has shown why he seems to be the apparent heir to Mariano Rivera, and even Mo has had one of the most storied comebacks of all time. After losing nearly a full year with a torn ACL, he has come in and locked down the 9th inning like old times saving 16 games in 16 opportunities.

The Coaching Staff

Can Joe Girardi be the manager of the year? (Sportsbully.com)

Jobu and I discussed earlier in the week.  I cannot say enough about Yankees Skipper Joe Girardi‘s ability to manufacture a competitive lineup day in and day out like he has done. I have to give him all the credit in the world. We both agreed that he is not the best manager in the world (in fact, I feel he relies too much on that mystery binder of his), but let’s put that aside for a minute. If the Yankees even make it to the post season (let’s not even mention winning the world series), he is an instant candidate for AL Manager of the year, hands down. Six of his nine starting players from 2012 either started on the DL or signed with other teams. Girardi was handed a blank lineup sheet with only Gardner, Ichiro and Canó penciled in, and he’s had to fill in the rest pretty much on the fly.

It is still a long season, but as it stands right now, the Yankees sit atop the AL East and, as my friends and I have been saying so far, we’re “Ridin’ the wave.” Let’s hope that they can keep this up long enough for their superstars to get healthy. If they do, it will only make the Yankees that much more dangerous when it comes time for serious September (and hopefully October) baseball.

Round 2 of the 2013 NHL Playoffs has begun. The field has been whittled down to 8 in the fight for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Let’s take a look at who’s still hangin around.

Eastern Matchups:

(1)Pittsburgh Vs. (7) Ottawa

Can the Senators pull off the upset? (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Penguins got by the New York Islanders… barely. It took six games for the supposed Eastern Front runner to knock off a scrappy Island bunch that just kept hanging around in this series. Starting Goaltender Marc Andre Fleury has been benched in favor of Veteran Tomas Vokoun. The shaky play in net masked the production of the offense in the Conference Quarter Finals. The Pens scored at least three goals in every game. Sid The Kid is leading the way with 9 Points (3 goals, 6 Assists) and Pascal Dupuis has had an electric start to this year’s playoffs, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists for 7 total points.

Round 2 will be tougher for the Pens, as they take on the upstart Sens. Ottawa defeated the listless Canadiens, who were a 2 seed in round 1, and they beat them with ease, in just 5 games. Ottawa scored 6 goals twice, in games 3 and 5. The Senators are playing as a team and are getting great production from everyone. In the Montreal series, 9 different Sens scored at least one goal. I smell a major upset, even with the Pens already up 2 games to none.

Season Series: Pittsburgh 3-0

All-Time Playoff Records: Pittsburgh 2-1 (Pitt in 2008 and 2010, Ottawa in 2007)

Prediction: Senators in 7

(4)Boston Vs. (6) New York Rangers

Can Lundqvist get the Rangers through another series? (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Like the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Boston Bruins struggled mightily at times during their opening round series vs. The Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston started the series strong, winning three out of the first four games, but faltered in games 5 and 6. They let Toronto gain the upper hand. The Leafs could have and should have won this series, they gave and up three goals late in the third period of game 7 and blew it in an epic collapse. Goaltending has been shaky for Boston, and they are not getting the offensive production they need consistently.

New York and Washington were gridlocked in a tight series, but New York showed they were the better team with tremendous efforts in games 6 and 7. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist had back to back shut outs. Derick Brassard has become a major acquisition since coming over from Columbus, registering 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists). The Rangers need more production from others, however, as no other player has more than 5 points besides Brassard. I think the Rangers really get up for this series, and they walk away victorious in this battle of Original Six Franchises.

Season Series: New York Rangers 2-1

All Time Playoff Records: Boston 6-3 (Boston in 1927, 1929, 1939, 1958, 1970 and 1972, Rangers in 1928, 1940, 1973.

Prediction: Rangers in 5

Western Matchups:

(1)Chicago Vs. (7) Detroit

Patrick Sharp has been the man so far for Chicago. (ESPN)

This is another gem series old time playoff hockey. Chicago and Detroit are two Original 6 Franchises with a long and heated rivalry. Chicago is on fire, as they’ve been all season. They dispatched the feeble the Minnesota Wild in just 5 games. In fairness, the Wild did lose starting goalie Niklas Backstrom due to a Sports Hernia. Chicago took full advantage of this, peppering backup Josh Harding with an average of well over 30 shots a game. Patrick Sharp, not Patrick Kane, has been the main contributor for Chicago this post season, registering 9 points (6 goals, 3 assists). Kane does have 6 assists but hasn’t been able to tickle the twine yet in the 2013 playoffs.

Detroit is like that mangy mold or soap scum on your shower: it’s always there and it never goes away. The Red Wings didn’t get much respect to start the playoffs, other than for the fact that they made it. Now, after beating the favored Ducks, they draw the much tougher, much younger, Chicago Blackhawks. This will be a much greater test. If Detroit can somehow stave off what might be the league’s best team, watch out because they would then be able to beat anybody. I just don’t see enough fire power here, as tough as they may try.

Season Series: Chicago 4-0

All Time Playoff Records: Chicago 8-7. (Blackhawks in 1934, 44, 61, 65, 70, 85, 89 and 1992. Red Wings in 1941, 63, 64, 66, 87, 95, and 2009)

Prediction: Blackhawks in 6

(5)Los Angeles Vs. (6) San Jose

Quick has been unbeatable so far these playoffs. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings showed why their world champions after beating the favored St. Louis Blues 4 games to 2 in their opening round series. The Kings won four in a row and dug out of a two game hole to send the Blues crying home. LA has been able to win, and win consistently, despite not having much offensive production. Mike Richards (7 points) has been the only King making waves. Goalie Jonathan Quick and his 1.34 GAA have helped this team stay on the throne.

San Jose has been quite the opposite, blanking the Canucks and sweeping them under the rug 4-0 in their opening round tilt. The Sharks are getting quality play from Centers Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture, who each have 8 points. Everything tells me I should go with them in my prediction analysis but I just can’t. This team has always choked in the playoffs, and the Kings are a better opponent with a stone wall in net. It may be the end of the line if San Jose can’t win this series. Look for major changes to the nucleus of the team aka (Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski). Joe Thornton has just one goal in the playoffs. Also, Raffi Torres will probably face a league suspension based on his recent cheap shot delivered to Jarret Stoll.

Season Series: 2-2

All Time Playoff Records: San Jose 1-0 (2011)

Prediction: Kings in 6

NHL/Playoff Fun Facts:

*Every team in the 2nd round is relatively close to each other geographically. Boston/NY, Chicago/Detroit, San Jose/LA, Pittsburgh/Ottawa. Pittsburgh and Ottawa are the farthest away from each other at a little over 9 hours by car or bus ride.

*The Chicago Blackhawks were known as the Chicago Black Hawks from 1926-1986.

*Blades of Steal team update: 3 teams remain out of the initial 8 that made this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you’re pulling for a B of S Stanley Cup you must root for the Rangers, as they are the only team from the game remaining in the East.

I wasn’t thinking of updating this series for a while, but things have definitely been happening on the Ben Francisco and Shawn Kelley roster spot watch front. Let’s just quickly review and we can all go about our business… Here we go.

Ben Francisco: It’s Alive! It’s Aliiiiiive!

At least he’s made some good catches? (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Yankees made a flurry of roster moves this week. Guys were called up, sent down and even designated for assignment… but Ben Francisco lives! The double header monday allowed the Yankees to call up Corban Joseph as the 26th man (a new rule that allows teams to call up an extra player on double header days). Joseph played first base in the first game and second base in the second game, and did alright. At least he got his first big league hit out of the way. After the games were over, the Yankees sent down LHP Vidal Nuno (after the kid impressed with 5 shutout innings) and put another rookie, Brett Marshall on the roster to serve as the long man just in case (Warren pitched 4 innings in game two of the double dip and needed rest).

Here’s the kicker though. When the Yankees sent down Nuno, they also sent down an outfielder. In fact, they sent down an outfielder with no clear role on the team. One that had been struggling so far this season. They sent down Brennan Boesch. He must feel like a total jerk, and must think Girardi is the ultimate troll. The problem is that Boesch is left handed, and the Yankees need Francisco’s right handed bat to balance out the lineup and ensure the killing of rallies… right? Anywho, the next day they called up Curtis Granderson (which is where Nuno’s roster spot went). On wednesday, they called up rookie third baseman David Adams to basically take over until Youkilis or A-Rod get back. They cut Chris Nelson. Seriously. At this point, Francisco must feel like one of those ducks in the shooting game at the county fair. Everywhere he goes, guys around him are getting shot down. He’s just walking back and forth waiting to die.

Hopefully he’ll be out of our hair soon. I’m willing to start a pool to see when (if ever) the Yankees actually cut him. He can’t possibly last much longer… can he??

Shawn Kelley: Roster Spot Watch Off?

Is Kelley working his way off the Roster Spot Watch? (Getty Images)

I hate to admit it, but I might have been wrong about Shawn Kelley. Well, let’s not get crazy. He was pretty awful to start the year. Flat out stunk up the mound every time out. Something seems to have clicked in the right-hander lately. Along with the rest of the Yankees bullpen, Kelley has looked practically un-hittable of late, and it’s making me consider lifting the watch off of him all together.

Since my first Roster Spot Watch update, Kelley has gotten into two games. In one of them, he did something that no Yankees reliever had done since Goose Gossage. No, he didn’t whine and cry until someone elected to the hall of fame. He didn’t criticize Mariano Rivera for not having to pitch 3 innings for a save every day, in the snow, up hill both ways either. He came in and struck out the first five men he faced against the Royals. Overall, he struck out six of the seven men he faced. He then pitched Tuesday night against the Indians, notching a strike out in 2/3 of an inning. His next game, against Seattle, he gave up a solo homer to Mike Morse, but struck out 5 men in 2 innings. Actually, overall, he has 15 Ks in his last five outings. He just might be turning it all around.

Overall on the season, he’s managed to pull his ERA down to 5.71 and has 30 Ks in 17.1 innings. It might be time to leave him alone for a while… but don’t get too comfortable, Shawn. The Roster Spot watch is always lurking around the corner. Congrats on the turnaround though.

Featured image courtesy of: Mel Evans/AP

The old adage of something being better late than never, was never truer than last Monday night at the TD (or as they called it in Toronto- the GD) Garden. Although I will allow my fellow fans of the Black and Gold to believe it was a matter of heart and true grit showing through, we both know that it was bunch of guys collectively realizing at the same moment, that their jobs were on the line. Milan Lucic, to his credit, admitted as much in his post game interview.

But regardless of what motivated them to finally kick it into gear, be it pride or job security, it was still a moment that demonstrates that hockey can be the most unique and exciting of sports. And, I have to admit… I didn’t watch it! (Hey, Monday night is a big night on the SyFy Channel.) I started to, but when the Leafs scored their second goal so quickly into the 3rd period, I decided that I couldn’t bear to watch it. Although it hasn’t been brought up that much in the post victory euphoria, it was only about three years ago when the Bruins were guilty of blowing a three goal lead in a game 7, after blowing a three game series lead to the Flyers. So I said to myself, “Thank you, but I’ve already seen this act before”, and switched the channel. I kept checking the score, and was completely convinced that they were dead when it got to 4-1. When they started to claw their way back into it, I figured that they were doing so well without me, that I would surely jinx them if I started watching again, so I didn’t.

Lucic and the Bruins got by the Leafs in 7. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

One way or another, I was pleased to see that it was Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic, who helped to spark the comeback and overtime victory. Bergeron has been plagued by concussions, and you can’t help but fear that the next big hit could end his career, so it’s good to see him make the big plays. Lucic, reminds me of a somewhat bigger Cam Neely (6’4″ 220, to Neely’s 6’1″ 200) but they are both the rugged winger type, truly the prototype of the “Big Bad Bruin”, and both real joys to watch when they are on their games. Lucic has been stuggling this year, so hopefully this is just what he needs to be a force in the rest of the playoffs… Playoffs that should last at least two more series, as I’m predicting that the B’s will use this momentum to get past the Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist, in another seven game series. Because, apparently, the Bruins only know how to play a series that last seven games….

HUBLET ALERTS: #1

What on earth is going on with Tiger lately? (Getty Images)

What’s with Tiger Woods? Is he going to turn into that annoying competitor who has to make a distraction of himself when things are getting close? Last weekend he had to get a club out when Garcia was about to make a shot, and at the Masters it was the illegal drop. What bothers me the most was that he had to lie about not actually checking with the marshalls first. I can’t believe that the companies he has endorsement deals with are going to be pleased if his honesty continues to be challenged. This could come back to haunt him.

HUBLET ALERT #2:

Masterson leads a parade of successful former Red Sox. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Sox fans had a couple of reminders this past week on how the “genius” of Theo continues to haunt them. On Monday, Justin Masterson, the 28 year old pitcher that they traded to the Indians for Victor Martinez, threw a complete game, 1-0 shut out of the Yankees. Masterson is 6-2 this year. Following that, the Cubs signed the 23 year old Anthony Rizzo to a 7 year, $41 million extention. In case you forgot, Rizzo was the prospect that the Sox traded to San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez. Granted, the Cubs are basing the signing on what is essentially a half season plus a month, but you have to think the kid (.280, 8 homers in April) would look pretty good at first base at Fenway right about now.