#baseball analysis

The excitement for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is already reaching a fever pitch! With Samurai Japan aiming for a consecutive title, there is so much to discuss regarding the roster and the rising stars of the NPB.

In this update, we break down the latest news surrounding the team:

The Ohtani Factor: Shohei Ohtani is confirmed to lead the squad as a hitter. How will his presence shape the lineup?

The Final Countdown: Coach Iwata has announced 19 members so far. The final 11 players, including key MLB stars, will be officially revealed on February 6th.

Rising Pitching Talent: It’s not just about the big names. We take a close look at the next wave of Japanese aces like Kaima Taira (Seibu Lions) and the "young Darvish" lookalike, Kotaro Kato (Nippon-Ham Fighters).

Heartwarming Stories: Why was Keiji Takahashi wearing a White Sox cap in the bullpen? A great story about teammate bond and support for Munetaka Murakami’s MLB journey.

Will Japan’s depth and talent be enough to conquer the world again? Check out the full analysis in the video below! 👇

Correa and Altuve Celebrate Each Other’s Walkoffs

A walkoff home run in the playoffs is every baseball player’s biggest dream. I love that our guys (especially Correa and Altuve) are always so unconditionally happy for each other’s success. Not for one second are they ever jealous that it was not them in the spotlight. Their egos do not get hurt for not being the one to get the ever-elusive walkoff and all the praise that comes with it. The only thought that crosses their minds is to explode with excitement and to celebrate their teammate for their incredible achievement. It’s beautiful. Completely selfless love and support by teammates like this in any sport is rare.

This right here is a big part of what makes the Astros so successful, and not just with Correa and Altuve. They are all like this. They are all in it for the team. Nobody tries to be a one-man-show. Nobody tries to hog all the attention. Everyone just plays together and celebrates together as one team.

Colorado Rockies-Sugano & Goodman / photo credit @Gooddaysports.com (Denver = Won Jeong) A 9-1 scoreline in baseball is not uncommon. On any given night, a few well-timed hits or a pitching collapse can quickly turn a close game into a lopsided one. But every now and then, a game like this carries more weight than the numbers suggest. The Colorado Rockies’ 9-1 victory over the Houston Astros was…

This power ranking feature establishes the hierarchy for the 2026 Major League Baseball season, placing the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles firmly at the summit. The summary contrasts the two distinct team-building philosophies: the Dodgers' unlimited budget and superstar acquisitions versus the Orioles' sustainable pipeline of elite homegrown prospects. It discusses why these two franchises are the consensus favorites to clash in the World Series.

The analysis moves through the top ten, evaluating the contenders that could disrupt this new duopoly. It looks at the pitching depth, offensive versatility, and bullpen stability of teams like the Braves, Yankees, and Rangers. The piece also identifies the "fallers"—teams that were once contenders but have taken a step back due to aging rosters or budget constraints.

The piece concludes with a full 1-to-30 ranking of every club in the majors. It sets the narrative for the season, framing it as a collision course between the established financial juggernaut of the West and the rising young dynasty of the East.

This statistical deep dive provides a granular analysis of George Springer's offensive production, splitting his career into pre-scandal and post-scandal eras. The summary examines key metrics such as strikeout rate, Hard Hit percentage, and wRC+ to determine if there was a tangible drop-off in performance once the sign-stealing stopped. It contextualizes the numbers against the natural aging curve of an outfielder in his 30s.

The analysis looks at his home/road splits during the controversial 2017 season compared to his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays. It discusses whether the data suggests a reliance on the scheme or if his talent was genuine regardless of the circumstances. The piece also evaluates his postseason performance in both eras.

The piece concludes by offering a data-driven verdict on Springer's legacy. It attempts to separate the noise of public opinion from the objective reality of the box score, providing a nuanced view of a complicated career.

A long time ago, I was listening to an interview with legendary poker professional Phil Ivey and the interviewer asked the question (paraphrasing) How would you recommend a player learning the game get better the fastest? Phil said something to the effect of (paraphrasing) Buy in to a game at much lower stakes than you would normally play, and then play every single hand for an hour. Try and…

A long time ago, I was listening to an interview with legendary poker professional Phil Ivey and the interviewer asked the question (paraphrasing) How would you recommend a player learning the game get better the fastest? Phil said something to the effect of (paraphrasing) Buy in to a game at much lower stakes than you would normally play, and then play every single hand for an hour. Try and…

First and foremost, I see many people trying to paint the picture that Kyle Tucker is a lesser superior defender than Bellinger, and I honestly just don’t buy it. I do think that Tucker has been a bit inconsistent in that department, and Cody is the more versatile defender. However, I will argue here that he is not the best long-term fit, in my humble opinion. I don’t put too much stock into…