MLB: 2014 Regular Season Thread

zuutroy

Good ol' imploding Blue Jays....another year gone I'd imagine.

Waitsian

zuutroy wrote: »

Good ol' imploding Blue Jays....another year gone I'd imagine.

1 bad game is just that - 1 game!

Long way to go yet, don't be so quick to throw in the towel. One series at a time. Hutch hurled a gem last night, series tied at 1. 4 games back of the Os for the East lead and don't forget the wildcard race too.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

1 bad game is just that - 1 game!

Long way to go yet, don't be so quick to throw in the towel. One series at a time. Hutch hurled a gem last night, series tied at 1. 4 games back of the Os for the East lead and don't forget the wildcard race too.

Yeah, any team within 4-5 games can't really count themselves out at this stage.

The Reds went 1-9 out of the ASG and the Braves are on a 0-8 streak at the moment but both are still within shouting distance. It seems more relevant this year with the parity across the league, but one bad week from the sides leading most of the divisions could bring the chasers right back into it.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Yeah, any team within 4-5 games can't really count themselves out at this stage.

The Reds went 1-9 out of the ASG and the Braves are on a 0-8 streak at the moment but both are still within shouting distance. It seems more relevant this year with the parity across the league, but one bad week from the sides leading most of the divisions could bring the chasers right back into it.

The Braves are not catching the Nats now. :D

I have faith ... :D

Although your right the wildcard race in both could be classics especially the American league where 1 games seperates 4 teams , the NL is a bit wider with 3 games seperating 4 teams. Going to be some finish to the season.

Also the media in Washington are nuts. They really asked Williams is he sending Bryce down to the Minors?

MoyVilla9

Scherzer, Price and Verlander the last three nights versus the Yankees and they have taken 2 out of 3 with the third being lost in extra innings. Finally some good baseball on display.

smackbunnybaby

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

The Braves are not catching the Nats now. :D

I have faith ... :D

Although your right the wildcard race in both could be classics especially the American league where 1 games seperates 4 teams , the NL is a bit wider with 3 games seperating 4 teams. Going to be some finish to the season.

Also the media in Washington are nuts. They really asked Williams is he sending Bryce down to the Minors?

While you cant send Harper down, I must say I was surprised by his stats. Ranked over 1000 on Yahoo Fantasy Baseball.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

While you cant send Harper down, I must say I was surprised by his stats. Ranked over 1000 on Yahoo Fantasy Baseball.

He's batting .250 which is not horrific. But he is getting frustrated big time. If he heats up I want it to be in a month not right now. Playoffs are where it will matter!

zuutroy

mod9maple wrote: »

1 bad game is just that - 1 game!

Long way to go yet, don't be so quick to throw in the towel. One series at a time. Hutch hurled a gem last night, series tied at 1. 4 games back of the Os for the East lead and don't forget the wildcard race too.

I've seen enough over the years to make me pretty pessimistic!
Buerhle looks gassed, Dickie is a lottery, Stroman has no experience and Hutchison can be hit and miss too. The likes of Goins, Gose and Reimold aren't the caliber of hitter that a team needs to get to the playoffs. I'd love to be surprised though!

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Also the media in Washington are nuts. They really asked Williams is he sending Bryce down to the Minors?

Won't be going anywhere now...!!!!

smackbunnybaby

jack presley wrote: »

Won't be going anywhere now...!!!!

BOOM!

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Won't be going anywhere now...!!!!

Exactly what Williams was looking for from him!

Games against the Braves now massive. Win the series 2-1 and we'll be 5 1/2 games ahead :-)

Exciting times, I'm not going to lie I am totally organising my September to enable me to fly over if we're in the playoffs

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Exactly what Williams was looking for from him!

Games against the Braves now massive. Win the series 2-1 and we'll be 5 1/2 games ahead :-)

Exciting times, I'm not going to lie I am totally organising my September to enable me to fly over if we're in the playoffs

Might wanna hold off a month. Playoffs in October (but I know what you mean).

Don't be getting too cocky though, the Nats have to visit fortress Citifield next week!

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Might wanna hold off a month. Playoffs in October (but I know what you mean).

Don't be getting too cocky though, the Nats have to visit fortress Citifield next week!

Ah no man I just mean the season is such a pick me up from last years disaster and we havent really started to put it all together yet. Which is encouraging. Its either been pitching or offence that have won us games when we put them both together the team should be formidable!

Benimar

Ubaldo is off the DL. 2 walks in the 1st, followed by a home run in the 2nd.

O's down 2-0 as Jiminez continues his one man quest to keep us out of the playoffs.

Disaster of a pitcher.

jack presley

Benimar wrote: »

Ubaldo is off the DL. 2 walks in the 1st, followed by a home run in the 2nd.

O's down 2-0 as Jiminez continues his one man quest to keep us out of the playoffs.

Disaster of a pitcher.

He has a lead now. Any chance he can hold onto it?

Benimar

jack presley wrote: »

He has a lead now. Any chance he can hold onto it?

He would surpass himself if he loses this one! The bats have bailed him out but he's still a disaster!

smackbunnybaby

Ubaldo could be a good example of a player who has the biggest gap between floor and ceiling.

There was clearly something working for him at Cleveland last year under Francona and whoever the pitching coach was at the time.

They changed his mechanics a bit but more importantly, his approach and mentality.

He moves to Baltimore and he's different.

jack presley

The Nats should seriously consider playing their home games at CitiField. 11 wins in a row there and something like 25 out of 30 over the last few seasons.

jack presley

The season could do with a little bit of a pick me up don't you think? Well on the NL side anyway.

The Nats and Dodgers are pulling away and even though the NLC is close, none of the 4 sides contending there are doing anything exciting and no one seems capable of taking advantage of the others under performing.

At least the AL has something to keep us interested.

smackbunnybaby

Kansas and Detroit battle is great!

jack presley

Fair play to the Rays. After being 18 under, they're now back to .500. 5.5 games out of the wild card and 6 teams ahead of them so probably too late to make the playoffs but great that the players haven't given up.

qwerty87

For the Mets to compete next year I think they need to trade one of their front line arms to get some bats. I see the Cubs as being natural trading partners, with them having a surplus of high end prospects but lacking pitching.

As for who to trade, Harvey would be too much to give up, deGrom has been terrific this year so I'd keep him, which leaves Wheeler as the obvious candidate.

Wheeler for Addison Russell would be a fair trade and would benefit both teams I reckon

jack presley

qwerty87 wrote: »

For the Mets to compete next year I think they need to trade one of their front line arms to get some bats. I see the Cubs as being natural trading partners, with them having a surplus of high end prospects but lacking pitching.

As for who to trade, Harvey would be too much to give up, deGrom has been terrific this year so I'd keep him, which leaves Wheeler as the obvious candidate.

Wheeler for Addison Russell would be a fair trade and would benefit both teams I reckon

I know bats are badly needed but I'd hate to have to give up Wheeler. He's been great this season, especially over the past 8-9 starts or so.

Whoever goes, whether it be De From, Wheeler, Syndegaard or whoever, a great pitcher will be lost. I just hope whoever they get in return isn't a bust. This is one trade that they really need to get right.

And I hope they stay away from Tulo, he's too risky injury wise.

jack presley

What was the story with Chapman yesterday? 4 walks in a row. He doesn't struggle with command usually does he?

rockonollie

jack presley wrote: »

What was the story with Chapman yesterday? 4 walks in a row. He doesn't struggle with command usually does he?

Something was bothering him, he didn't look right warming up and he was stretching after just about every pitch.

jack presley

It's been a while since I had a rant about the Mets but I'm think I'm at the low point of the season. They've now had 5 games in a row with 4 or less hits. That's not a typo, I didn't mean to write 'runs'. They can't even get hits these days, never mind runs. Cudeuyer got 4 hits on his own yesterday for the Rockies and the Mets as a team haven't got as much in nearly a week.

Strangely they've managed to win 2 out of those 5 games but it's awful baseball to watch, they just look like they've never seen a major league pitcher pitch before.

circular flexing

Incredibly enough the A's have lost the lead in AL West to the Angels. Currently on a 5 game losing streak and having a few issues in all areas. Not sure if it's because of the Cespedes trade but they have been under .500 since then.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

Incredibly enough the A's have lost the lead in AL West to the Angels. Currently on a 5 game losing streak and having a few issues in all areas. Not sure if it's because of the Cespedes trade but they have been under .500 since then.

No better way to deal with a losing streak than to have the Mets and their ice cold bats come to town.

BigFatGiant

Some farce in Wrigley field last night!! Cubs beat Giants 2-0 after 4.5 innings as game couldn't be resumed following 15 minutes of rain because Cubs ground staff were "unable" to pull the cover out over the in field. I never realised the result could stand after only 4.5 innings played.

zuutroy

zuutroy wrote: »

Good ol' imploding Blue Jays....another year gone I'd imagine.

mod9maple wrote: »

1 bad game is just that - 1 game!

Long way to go yet, don't be so quick to throw in the towel. One series at a time. Hutch hurled a gem last night, series tied at 1. 4 games back of the Os for the East lead and don't forget the wildcard race too.

zuutroy wrote: »

I've seen enough over the years to make me pretty pessimistic!
Buerhle looks gassed, Dickie is a lottery, Stroman has no experience and Hutchison can be hit and miss too. The likes of Goins, Gose and Reimold aren't the caliber of hitter that a team needs to get to the playoffs. I'd love to be surprised though!

You should know better than to have any optimism

8-10

BigFatGiant wrote: »

Some farce in Wrigley field last night!! Cubs beat Giants 2-0 after 4.5 innings as game couldn't be resumed following 15 minutes of rain because Cubs ground staff were "unable" to pull the cover out over the in field. I never realised the result could stand after only 4.5 innings played.

It's the minimum, never seen it myself, harsh!

mikemac1

Ubaldo Jiminez removed from the rotation and sent to the bullpen.

No suprise realy

boccy23

mikemac1 wrote: »

Ubaldo Jiminez removed from the rotation and sent to the bullpen.

No suprise realy

Has been a huge bust in that deal.
His early career in Coors is a distant memory now.

Waitsian

I think the Blue Jays are done - stick a fork in them!

Aw well, the ride has been fun. It's going to be an interesting winter.

boccy23

mod9maple wrote: »

I think the Blue Jays are done - stick a fork in them!

Aw well, the ride has been fun. It's going to be an interesting winter.

Bats have gone stone cold.
From ESPN - " Through Monday, Toronto is 4-11 in August, with 3.1 runs per game, an MLB-low 1.3 percent HR rate and a wimpy .335 SLG."

jack presley

BigFatGiant wrote: »

Some farce in Wrigley field last night!! Cubs beat Giants 2-0 after 4.5 innings as game couldn't be resumed following 15 minutes of rain because Cubs ground staff were "unable" to pull the cover out over the in field. I never realised the result could stand after only 4.5 innings played.

Benny Hill music always makes things funnier.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

I think the Blue Jays are done - stick a fork in them!

Aw well, the ride has been fun. It's going to be an interesting winter.

You never know, still only 4.5 games back in the wild card (although they would have to pass a number of teams). But any team that can get on a hot streak in September can come from nowhere to sneak a playoff spot.

rockonollie

BigFatGiant wrote: »

Some farce in Wrigley field last night!! Cubs beat Giants 2-0 after 4.5 innings as game couldn't be resumed following 15 minutes of rain because Cubs ground staff were "unable" to pull the cover out over the in field. I never realised the result could stand after only 4.5 innings played.

A game is considered 'regulation' after 5 innings...... in an occasion where the home team leads after 4 1/2, it can be considered regulation because they do not need to complete the bottom half of the 4th to win the game...... much like a team not batting at home in the 9th if the lead

Rare, but legitimate

EDIT: the league have upheld the giants' protest and the game will be completed..... there apparently is an exception to the rule, where a game can not be deem 'regulation' if the failure of the home grounds crew to efficiently protect the playing surface contributed to the game being called.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

EDIT: the league have upheld the giants' protest and the game will be completed..... there apparently is an exception to the rule, where a game can not be deem 'regulation' if the failure of the home grounds crew to efficiently protect the playing surface contributed to the game being called.

Good to see common sense prevail. Otherwise you'd see grounds crews deliberately making a balls of things during rain delays if the home team has the lead.

jack presley

David Price just gave up only one hit and had only one walk and pitched the entire game*. Unfortunately the one hit was a triple that followed an error so resulted in an unearned run but as the offence couldn't score a run for him, he ends up losing.

That can't be something that happens too often is it?

* Only 8.0 innings as the Rays didn't need to bat in the ninth.

EDIT - Sorry, I was slightly wrong. He actually had no walks so his performance was even better.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

David Price just gave up only one hit and had only one walk and pitched the entire game*. Unfortunately the one hit was a triple that followed an error so resulted in an unearned run but as the offence couldn't score a run for him, he ends up losing.

That can't be something that happens too often is it?

* Only 8.0 innings as the Rays didn't need to bat in the ninth.

Speaking of hard luck losses, the Angels lost a game a few years back without given up a hit.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/y2009/index.jsp?gid=2008_06_28_anamlb_lanmlb_1&mode=box

jack presley

Nats walk off again. That's something like 4 out of the last 5 games they've done that. Amazing stuff.

jack presley

When your team are 10 games under, it's easy to get excited about anything positive so the Mets just turning a triple play has put a smile on my face. Ok it was a routine double play and should have been nothing more than that until Yasiel Puig made another stupid base running decision and got thrown out at the plate.

Uncle_moe

and it looks like that was Colon's last game for the Mets, should go to the Angels or Dodgers.

jack presley

Uncle_moe wrote: »

and it looks like that was Colon's last game for the Mets, should go to the Angels or Dodgers.

We should find out today if he's been claimed or not. Oakland could have put in a claim to prevent him going to LAA but if they did they'd risk getting stuck with his contract.

I think it'd be better for the Mets for him to clear waivers so they can deal him to whoever offers the best deal but getting out of paying him $12m next year is attractive I'm sure.

Great performance yesterday from him considering his mother had died and it was in between her passing and the funeral which is on this Thursday.

And if this was his last start, his last pitch was that triple play so not a bad way to finish up!

EDIT - He's cleared waivers so probably not going anywhere.

Uncle_moe

yeah looks like no one wants to take on that contract. Can someone clarify a point about waivers: if a player has been claimed on waivers do they have to take the player on his current contract or can they negotiate a deal with the player's current club?

jack presley

Uncle_moe wrote: »

yeah looks like no one wants to take on that contract. Can someone clarify a point about waivers: if a player has been claimed on waivers do they have to take the player on his current contract or can they negotiate a deal with the player's current club?

There are 3 option for the team that tries to waive a player.

1. Let the claiming team have him and take on his full contract
2. Work out a trade with that team that may involve paying some of his salary.
3. Pull him back off waivers which means he can't be traded until after the season.

So the only way a claiming team could get some salary relief would be option 2 and that would involve his current team agreeing to continue to pay him. It does happen though and I'd say it might happen this season if the Phillies but one or two of their big contracts through waivers.

smackbunnybaby

First Baez, now Soler.

Soler homers to centre in 1st at bat.

As a Cubs fan, this really excites me. Now can the club tie all this together and not just be one off sparks of excitement.

Waitsian

Ouch!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_30_nyamlb_tormlb_1&mode=video&content_id=35795857&tcid=vpp_copy_35795857

circular flexing

The A's are in complete freefall at the moment. About to get swept by the Angels, Scott Kazmir lasts 1 1/3rd innings and leaves with the bases loaded and then their manager gets ejected. Currently 6-0 Angels in the bottom of the second.