Lefty pitchers are baseball’s equivalent of kickers in the NFL.  They are just a little bit different.  However, because we lefties are such a minority in the realm of baseball, it allows us to provide the rest of you with a unique perspective on the game.  Since I have this special ability to provide a different look, I will be giving that to you each and every day.  So, without further ado, here is the first ever issue of “Changeups and Screwballs: A Southpaw’s Perspective.”

-       While it may not be the most honorable reaction, I was thrilled to find out that Bryce Harper’s season was ended early due to a hamstring issue.  I suppose that is what happens when you decide to run hard for a full 90 feet.

-       Seeing Joe Mauer play right field made me laugh.  Any coach that is worth his paycheck could probably teach a monkey to play a corner outfield spot.  Mauer looked like a natural by the third fly ball he caught.

-       Watching A-Rod make a nice barehanded run-through play to get Ben Revere out on Sunday makes me think he will be just fine post surgery.  Did you realize that he is already 36?

-       Big ups to Jered Weaver on that healthy new contract.  Here’s hoping that he turns out to be more like Cliff Lee or C.C. Sabathia, and does not turn in to John Lackey or A.J. Burnett.

-       It finally appears that someone really does want to win the A.L. Central.  The way the Tigers beat down Cleveland, coupled with Justin Verlander leading that staff, leads me to believe that they will find themselves in the ALCS.  Just don’t let Miggy have any champagne.

-       Even though the Astros have the worst record in the bigs, I still believe that they are only the second worse team in the league.  The Cubs are pathetic.

-       I am so happy that my Astros will be getting the first overall pick next June.  I have to find some sort of light at the end of this tunnel.

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With the draft quickly approaching and in light of the incident with Buster Posey at the plate a week ago, I think it makes sense to look at the catcher position and the future of it within the draft.  Granted I probably would not even have considered this if the two best catchers in baseball weren’t currently on the disabled list, but that hardly makes anything about the inherent risks of the position less true.  No reader of this site requires an explanation of these risks and the dangers of the catcher position, but I am skeptical many would disagree that it’s about time the offensive catcher disappears from baseball, and it starts with the draft.

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Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer, Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera, etc.  There are a lot of talented hitters in the AL right now.  I would take Bautista over any of them, at least if the only criteria was offensive production.  Obviously what a guy like Longoria can bring to the defensive side of the game probably trumps the difference between he and any other AL stud, so I still think he’s the most valuable player in that league, but personally I would greatly prefer Jose Bautista to any other hitter.  Here’s why.

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Last evening on The Baseball Show, co-host Clint Evans from Diamond Hoggers and I welcomed Derwood Morris from Off Base Percentage & The Bobby Classifieds onto the show for the first time. This came along with a return visit from our good friend MTD, also over at Off-Base Percentage.

We talked Jose Canseco, Manny Ramirez, Yankees, Reds, Dusty Baker, Vernon Wells, Phil Hughes, Jason Heyward, Atlanta Braves, Buster Posey, Off-Base Percentage, Bobby Classifieds, Fantasy Baseball, Joe Mauer heading to the DL, and much more!

If you had some laughs with us, give Derwood or MTD a follow on Twitter. Thanks to the crew from Off-Base Percentage for coming on the show!

Tonight on The Baseball Show, co-host Clint Evans[Diamond Hoggers] and I interviewed Batting Stance Guy. Just as we anticipated, he offered tons of great stories and was absolutely hilarious. Clint and I thought that we loved the game of baseball more than anyone in this world until we had the chance to talk to BSG.

Topics included:
-His favorite player Kent Hrbek

-How his ‘talent’ came about

-The story behind his faithful “wiffle” bat

-A great story about Joe Mauer

-Derek Jeter & Josh Beckett giving him a hard time

-We talk about those State Farm Insurance commercials with Carlos Quentin

-Joey Votto’s dismount and other players with great dismounts

-His stances to look out for in this World Series

-His thoughts on Brandon Phillips’ ‘pinata swing’

-MANY MORE LAUGHS!

You can follow Batting Stance Guy on Twitter and be sure to get his book Batting Stance Guy: A Love Letter to Baseball.  After reading it, I can honestly say that it is a must read for any passionate baseball fan.