MLB: 2014 Regular Season Thread

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

Feck your reds Ollie! :-p

Interesting game last night, good Tv

rockonollie

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Feck your reds Ollie! :-p

Interesting game last night, good Tv

Offense may be suspect......but they sure can play defense.

Actually, there were a few defensive gems on both sides lastnight (even with Werth playing)

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

rockonollie wrote: »

Offense may be suspect......but they sure can play defense.

Actually, there were a few defensive gems on both sides lastnight (even with Werth playing)

Philips diving catch was terrific. Actually both of his plays in the extras were terrific. Hamilton's catch was spectacular in how he managed to get to it. Ridiculous speed.

rockonollie

Chicks dig the long ball.....but I really love great defense......both offense struggled, but from the first pitch the gloves were out

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/8879974/v33005909/?game_pk=381200

jack presley

Drew signs with the Red Sox. Apparently pro-rata salary of what he was offered in the Spring. So does that mean both sides win or both sides lose?

smackbunnybaby

So, eventually Drew will play SS.
Bogaerts to 3B and Middlebrooks loses out?
Bogaerts doesn't play 3B .... Yet...?

jack presley

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

So, eventually Drew will play SS.
Bogaerts to 3B and Middlebrooks loses out?
Bogaerts doesn't play 3B .... Yet...?

I just wonder where those multiple 3 year deals that Boras said were on the table went to.

jack presley

I'm not a fan of the w/l statistic for pitchers but still amazing that Tanaka had his first regular season loss since late 2012 last night.

jack presley

Hopefully not entirely because of the Mets pitchers hitting 0.014 (1 for 70 something), but there's talk again of the NL adopting the DH. It's probably inevitable that it does happen at some stage but even despite of the Mets pathetic effort this season, I still really like pitchers hitting and am not a fan of the DH and hope it remains.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

Nats got to Cueto last night, Impressive showing from Denard Span 5/5 is always impressive but 3/3 against Cueto is particularly impressive!

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Nats got to Cueto last night, Impressive showing from Denard Span 5/5 is always impressive but 3/3 against Cueto is particularly impressive!

It was unrealistic to think he could pitch shut out baseball every start so he's entitled to a poor night every now and then. Still, this performance and Chapman blowing the save the previous night shows they're both human!

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

It was unrealistic to think he could pitch shut out baseball every start so he's entitled to a poor night every now and then. Still, this performance and Chapman blowing the save the previous night shows they're both human!

Absolutely Cueto is off to an unreal start. The reds have some amount of injuries at the moment , both teams have actually. Mets starting to falter Jack?

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Mets starting to falter Jack?

I wouldn't say they're faltering. I'd say they're where they should be. At the start of the season they were a 70 win team so they probably have the record that matches that.

I know they were a couple of games above .500 early on but that was just a small sample. Now that we're nearly 2 months into the season, you get a truer picture of teams and 3-4 games under is about right for the players they have.

In the past few years they've managed to be a game or two either side of .500 until May/June but once they slipped 4-5 games under, they never got back to parity again and I'd imagine this year will be the same.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

I wouldn't say they're faltering. I'd say they're where they should be. At the start of the season they were a 70 win team so they probably have the record that matches that.

I know they were a couple of games above .500 early on but that was just a small sample. Now that we're nearly 2 months into the season, you get a truer picture of teams and 3-4 games under is about right for the players they have.

In the past few years they've managed to be a game or two either side of .500 until May/June but once they slipped 4-5 games under, they never got back to parity again and I'd imagine this year will be the same.

I've thought your guys looked good at times. I think you finish above 70. Its a crazy division right now.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I've thought your guys looked good at times. I think you finish above 70. Its a crazy division right now.

Isn't there a phrase about blind squirrels finding nuts occasionally or something?

I (like most people) expected the Nats and Braves to run away with the division and maybe they will eventually but as they haven't been consistent so far and the Marlins have been better than most thought, it certainly is a crazy division alright.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Isn't there a phrase about blind squirrels finding nuts occasionally or something?

I (like most people) expected the Nats and Braves to run away with the division and maybe they will eventually but as they haven't been consistent so far and the Marlins have been better than most thought, it certainly is a crazy division alright.

yup all the pre season talk of the Al East but its the NL east that to me is the best division right now.

I think the Nats and Braves will pull away but there is no doubting the other three are much better than pre season expectations.

Its been a good year so far. Brewers the only real stand out surprise to me right now. Small surprises from the Mets and Marlins but the rest is as was projected I think.

Boston may improve now that they have a SS that can play defence but I still think they fall short there. I still like the Blue Jays or Orioles to win that division.

jack presley

Runs galore in the first of the early games today. 6-4 to Cleveland against Detroit in the bottom of the second.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Runs galore in the first of the early games today. 6-4 to Cleveland against Detroit in the bottom of the second.

6-5 now as Martinez homers.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

6-5 now as Martinez homers.

I'm not a fan of games like these usually, I much prefer tight pitching battles so if the run fest continues I'll probably switch over to something else.

EDIT - and as soon as I type that, another ball goes over the fence. Not a good day for Max Scherzer.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

I'm not a fan of games like these usually, I much prefer tight pitching battles so if the run fest continues I'll probably switch over to something else.

Much the same myself, Hollidays perfect game was one of the most intriguing games of baseball i'd ever seen at that point. Terrific.

jack presley

I tuned back in, in the 9th and it's actually been quite good since. Tigers have blown 2 saves.

EDIT - And finishes with a walk off balk in the 13th. Glad I turned this back on.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

I tuned back in, in the 9th and it's actually been quite good since. Tigers have blown 2 saves.

EDIT - And finishes with a walk off balk in the 13th. Glad I turned this back on.

I was watching the defenseladen game between the Nats and the Reds. Some series for defence.

smackbunnybaby

Fielder gone for the year ... Probably

Waitsian

Sweep, sweep, sweep!

Jays take all 3 at Fenway and top the AL East.

jack presley

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

Fielder gone for the year ... Probably

Looks like the Tigers got the better of that deal, even before this injury

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Sweep, sweep, sweep!

Jays take all 3 at Fenway and top the AL East.

I know it's only May and things will no doubt change but nearly all the experts had 4 teams in with a shout of the AL East and Toronto was the odd one out.

Benimar

The O's have scored 30 runs in their last 4 games...and got ONE win :eek:

Hard to know how the AL East will go, no team has been too consistent so far. I'd still be surprised if two teams didn't make the playoffs from the division though.

jack presley

Benimar wrote: »

The O's have scored 30 runs in their last 4 games...and got ONE win :eek:

There's been a few funny stats recently. The A's won during the week despite getting only one hit and the pitcher with one of the best (if not the best) ERA in the majors (Jeff Samardzija) hasn't got a win since August.

rockonollie

Reds beat the cardinals.....bryan pena makes one of the plays of the year at first (even though he's a catcher)....... and Aroldis Chapman decided to start throwing a change-up for the first time ever, and it was pretty damn good (though his 90mph change-up is faster than some fastballs) hitters beware

rockonollie

Remember guys......he's a catcher!

http://m.mlb.com/video/v33101311/?query=&game_pk=381259

Itssoeasy

It only takes one person to pick the ball up in baseball last time I checked.

Rays beat the red sox 6-5 after 15 innings.

Poor throw by miller to second in fairness.

jack presley

Itssoeasy wrote: »

It only takes one person to pick the ball up in baseball last time I checked.

Rays beat the red sox 6-5 after 15 innings.

Poor throw by miller to second in fairness.

The Red Sox were 5-1 up when I was watching that one. That's 9 losses in a row for Boston now. Milan must be too distressed to post.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Reds beat the cardinals.....bryan pena makes one of the plays of the year at first (even though he's a catcher)....... and Aroldis Chapman decided to start throwing a change-up for the first time ever, and it was pretty damn good (though his 90mph change-up is faster than some fastballs) hitters beware

Series evened up last night. Yadier Molina definitely is the catcher I like watching most in baseball. Both on defence and with the bat. Another HR last night

jack presley

As much as I love baseball, it is also the most frustrating game to watch.

The Mets left a million men on base yesterday but today's a new day with a doubleheader and surely some of those balls would drop and they'd score a few runs. But hit into five double plays and go 1 for 11 with RISP (14 men left on base) through the first eight innings and then make a stupid error to gift the D'Backs the lead and it's the same old story. I fell like throwing the TV out the window. No way am I going to watch the second game especially as Dice-K goes for the Mets so the game will be as long as a Red Sox-Yankees game

I was thinking of taking up the strategy of only posting here when my team wins or does something good but I'd only get to post about once a week in that case and I need this place to vent!

Edit - Final stats, 1 for 13 with RISP and 15 left on base.

jack presley

But some good news, Josh Beckett gets a no hitter!

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

But some good news, Josh Beckett gets a no hitter!

Yea, they just announced on the Giants/Twins game. Pitching well this season!

jack presley

Red Sox gone to the dogs. They were tied 3-3 against the Rays when I tuned in but about 5 minutes later it's now an 8-3 lead for TB. This is gonna be 10 losses in a row for Boston.

Edit - and now handbags are drawn with a bench clearing. I love this game again.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

Red Sox gone to the dogs. They were tied 3-3 against the Rays when I tuned in but about 5 minutes later it's now an 8-3 lead for TB. This is gonna be 10 losses in a row for Boston.

Edit - and now handbags are drawn with a bench clearing. I love this game again.

Chicken and Beer must be back on the menu in the clubhouse

Waitsian

Sweep! Sweep! Sweep!

This times it's the A's. I could get used to this.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

Benimar wrote: »

The O's have scored 30 runs in their last 4 games...and got ONE win :eek:

Hard to know how the AL East will go, no team has been too consistent so far. I'd still be surprised if two teams didn't make the playoffs from the division though.

To be honest I thought that pre season but the division is not as strong as its made out to be. I think the five teams will take too many games off each other for two to get in.

Benimar

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

To be honest I thought that pre season but the division is not as strong as its made out to be. I think the five teams will take too many games off each other for two to get in.

I still think it will be 2. Oakland and the Angels from the West as well as Detroit seem good bets, but after that who else is there? The rest of the Central is under .500 and I can't see any of them rising too much above it. In the West, Texas just lost their best player and, bar this weekend, have been playing poorly.

It might be tight, but I just can't see a 2nd Central or 3rd West team getting in.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

Benimar wrote: »

I still think it will be 2. Oakland and the Angels from the West as well as Detroit seem good bets, but after that who else is there? The rest of the Central is under .500 and I can't see any of them rising too much above it. In the West, Texas just lost their best player and, bar this weekend, have been playing poorly.

It might be tight, but I just can't see a 2nd Central or 3rd West team getting in.

I can see Kansas or Cleveland pulling it together. I just dont think there is enough in the AL East, maybe I'm wrong there but I just dont see the Yankee's pitching being good enough. If Baltimore get their act together they might just do enough though.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I can see Kansas or Cleveland pulling it together. I just dont think there is enough in the AL East, maybe I'm wrong there but I just dont see the Yankee's pitching being good enough. If Baltimore get their act together they might just do enough though.

I had KC in my pre season picks for a wild card so I hope they do come through!

The whole thing's up in the air really. I have no idea of how it's all gonna work out.

jack presley

As I don’t know anyone in the ‘real world’ who likes baseball, I really like this forum as it’s a great to be able to discuss the game with other fans which I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

One comment I have though and maybe I’m alone in thinking this but I find some of the posting a bit too one sided at times. What I mean is, there are loads of happy posts after a win or a good performance and plenty of analysis when posters are happy with how their team is playing. But when that team gets beaten or the starter gets pummelled etc., there doesn’t seem to be as much of the downcast, demoralised posts.

I’d love to hear what fans think after their team has an awful performance or their clean up guy is in a 5-40 slump and get some of their analysis on what went wrong in the game or what’s going wrong generally and what the team could do to fix it etc. It would certainly add some more balance to the forum. So what do you think? Anyone up for a bit more negativity?

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

As I don’t know anyone in the ‘real world’ who likes baseball, I really like this forum as it’s a great to be able to discuss the game with other fans which I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

One comment I have though and maybe I’m alone in thinking this but I find some of the posting a bit too one sided at times. What I mean is, there are loads of happy posts after a win or a good performance and plenty of analysis when posters are happy with how their team is playing. But when that team gets beaten or the starter gets pummelled etc., there doesn’t seem to be as much of the downcast, demoralised posts.

I’d love to hear what fans think after their team has an awful performance or their clean up guy is in a 5-40 slump and get some of their analysis on what went wrong in the game or what’s going wrong generally and what the team could do to fix it etc. It would certainly add some more balance to the forum. So what do you think? Anyone up for a bit more negativity?

Damn Mets fans looking to bring the rest of us down! :-p

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

On a serious note though Jack here goes some positive negativity.

Been a very up and down season but the last five games have been indicative of the season. Too many injuries. Our bats have gone to sleep and our pitching has been good, but not good enough to win. Its frustrating. This team is far better than their record indicates yet their performances are that of a 500 team, up and down. Jekyl and Hyde if you will. I am glad our ace misses the Marlins, because they have owned him for the last couple of years. Nats need to start putting winning streaks together in longer sequences or we will be talking about another lost season.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

On a serious note though Jack here goes some positive negativity.

Been a very up and down season but the last five games have been indicative of the season. Too many injuries. Our bats have gone to sleep and our pitching has been good, but not good enough to win. Its frustrating. This team is far better than their record indicates yet their performances are that of a 500 team, up and down. Jekyl and Hyde if you will. I am glad our ace misses the Marlins, because they have owned him for the last couple of years. Nats need to start putting winning streaks together in longer sequences or we will be talking about another lost season.

I haven't been paying too much attention to the Nats recently. Is the tinker man still tinkering too much?

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

I haven't been paying too much attention to the Nats recently. Is the tinker man still tinkering too much?

No I cant blame his tinkering right now. We've had a settled side for a while but the problem has been injuries Harper and Zimmerman out was tough but then La Roche gone for 2 weeks and the losing Gio to injury as well. To be fair some of the replacements have looked the part at times. Frandsen, Walters did ok.

To be negative I would say we are underachieving but to be optimistic I would say we are playing well with key injuries!

No more negative right .. we suck!!

Benimar

jack presley wrote: »

One comment I have though and maybe I’m alone in thinking this but I find some of the posting a bit too one sided at times. What I mean is, there are loads of happy posts after a win or a good performance and plenty of analysis when posters are happy with how their team is playing. But when that team gets beaten or the starter gets pummelled etc., there doesn’t seem to be as much of the downcast, demoralised posts.

I’d love to hear what fans think after their team has an awful performance or their clean up guy is in a 5-40 slump and get some of their analysis on what went wrong in the game or what’s going wrong generally and what the team could do to fix it etc. It would certainly add some more balance to the forum. So what do you think? Anyone up for a bit more negativity?

Ubaldos pitching Wednesday. See you Thursday morning so

jack presley

Negativity probably wasn't the word I was after. I'd just like to see some balance in how we post on our teams. If I'm honest, I'm probably too negative on the Mets and don't post enough about the good things that happen them (nice win last night by the way after the disaster in the afternoon and a nice spot start from Dice K) but I'd like to read posts from fans when their team loses and see what they think about it.