Best of the Baseball Blogosphere: NL East
With Spring Training rapidly approaching, it’s time to familiarize ourselves with the best of the team-specific baseball blogs out there. Need to know the down-low on how that rookie starting pitcher is going to fare against your team? Better know where to go. In the fourth of a six-part series, I’ll go through the NL East, and highlight my picks for the cream of the crop.
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Washington
I wish Ball-Wonk was still a live site. At some point last year, it ceased to be regularly updated, depriving the world of such insights as the history of the Bermuda Basepath, as told by Leonard Nimoy. With Ball-Wonk gone for now, I’ll have to pick Capitol Punishment, a quality site in its own right. Any blog that can come up with this line is good in my book: “Jesus Colome is a hard-throwing right-handed reliever who was the Oakland “Closer of the Future” back in the 1880s. They traded him to Tampa Bay where, like all people not named Crawford, he stunk.”
Florida
Of all the open game thread games and predictions, I think Ichthyomancy might be my favorite. Hey, you’ve got to invent your own fun when your team owner is a slimy bastard and you’re watching a glorified AA team play in a football stadium. At least they have Dontrell Willis and Miguel Cabrera, otherwise there might not be any Marlins blogs.
Philadelphia
From a city infamously known for sports fans who threw batteries at Santa comes a surprisingly professional blog. Reading almost more like a newspaper with charm, Beerleaguer is an outstanding site that almost makes me want to watch Phillies games. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great blog: amusing title, good info, pleasing to the eye, doesn’t take itself too seriously, provides useful links, great analysis and commentary. I suppose there’s a reason it’s been picked as the best Philly sports blog by those that choose these things.
Atlanta
At this point, what hasn’t already been said about SBnation blogs? They’re the best parts of message boards and blogs combined, and Talking Chop is no exception. As much as I usually carry disdain for those that talk about how great the Braves playoff run in the 90’s was, Talking Chop’s ongoing “streak” series is well-done.
New York
In this case, simple is best. Amazin’ Avenue is flashier, but it’s updated less often. Mets Geek has some great analysis, and an even better comments section. I learned more about the Mets bullpen in five minutes there than I did by watching baseball last season. Excellent overview.