MLB 2015 Season Thread

rockonollie

We may have 2 feet of snow.....but IT'S HERE! Spring training games started yesterday....less than 5 weeks to Opening Day.

Morrison J

My way too early first take-away from spring training is Pedroia and Harvey look like good bounceback candidates.

jack presley

Good start to coverage on ESPN.

On Opening night (Sunday) they've got 2 x 1 hour baseball Tonights on back to back then the Cardinals v Cubs live.

Then the following day they have a Baseball Tonight at 4:00 before showing Toronto v Yankees and Mets v Nationals. BT Sport 1 then takes over and shows Indians v Astros and Giants v Diamondbacks

rockonollie

Despite the low media opinion, excited for the Reds this year.

I've got my opening day tickets.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Despite the low media opinion, excited for the Reds this year.

I've got my opening day tickets.

That's the thing about baseball, no matter how bad your team was the previous year there's always optimism in March. I fall for it every year with the Mets (and have done so again this year) only to have it beaten out of me by the middle of May.

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

That's the thing about baseball, no matter how bad your team was the previous year there's always optimism in March. I fall for it every year with the Mets (and have done so again this year) only to have it beaten out of me by the middle of May.

I'm full of optimism this year too but actually am genuinely confident of them earning a first playoff spot since '93. That's the Jays btw.

Edit: If (a big if!) they stay reasonably healthy.

circular flexing

Got my tickets for opening day at Safeco Field. I think the Mariners could do it this year if they keep building on last year.

Should be a great pitching matchup too. Can't wait for the season to begin.

boccy23

Another year, another failure in Dbacks land as far as I can see.

Tomas doesn't look good. Goldi will be pitched around a lot. Trumbo will have a sub 200 average. No offense through the middle infield.

Rotation is very young. Reed could be a disaster.

So all in all for our 18th season, it could be a long one.

jack presley

boccy23 wrote: »

Another year, another failure in Dbacks land as far as I can see.

Tomas doesn't look good. Goldi will be pitched around a lot. Trumbo will have a sub 200 average. No offense through the middle infield.

Rotation is very young. Reed could be a disaster.

So all in all for our 18th season, it could be a long one.

Tough division to be in too, especially now with the improved Padres to go along with the usually good Dodgers & Giants.

Waitsian

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/116076658/mlbtv-2-day-free-preview-coming-your-way

Free games if anyone wants to watch. I'll be tuning in tomorrow evening at 6 for the day game from Montreal between Cincy and Toronto. Should be a fun atmosphere at it.

jack presley

Interesting day in MLB world, off the field anyway.

Ervin Santana gets 80 game ban, Josh Hamilton gets nothing and Jarred Cosart gets fined but for betting but not suspended as it wasn't on baseball.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Josh Hamilton gets nothing

Hamilton is becoming the Angels A-Rod. They're now left with the huge contract and cannot get out of paying it due to suspension.

circular flexing

jack presley wrote: »

Interesting day in MLB world, off the field anyway.

Ervin Santana gets 80 game ban, Josh Hamilton gets nothing and Jarred Cosart gets fined but for betting but not suspended as it wasn't on baseball.

Did Hamilton test positive for anything or did he put his hands up before that came a reality?

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

Hamilton is becoming the Angels A-Rod. They're now left with the huge contract and cannot get out of paying it due to suspension.

Strange hearing their executives coming out and criticising the decision not to suspend him though. We all know they would have loved a big ban to save them a few quid but I never expected them to come out and publicly say they are so disappointed with him getting nothing.

I'm sure the Yankees privately were jumping for joy when A-Rod got banned. Even though they probably publicly they supported the decision I don't remember them actively campaigning for him to be be banned.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

Did Hamilton test positive for anything or did he put his hands up before that came a reality?

I can't remember for sure but I think he owned up before getting tested so technically didn't test positive but I don't know if that's the reason why he got off.

Itssoeasy

Have caught a few of the Mets spring training games and kept an eye on the news in the off season as best I could. I feel optimistic for the Mets this year. Yeah optimistic. Cue me during the summer ranting like a mad man about them giving up a rake of runs in one inning.

jack presley

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Have caught a few of the Mets spring training games and kept an eye on the news in the off season as best I could. I feel optimistic for the Mets this year. Yeah optimistic. Cue me during the summer ranting like a mad man about them giving up a rake of runs in one inning.

Yeah they've looked good but Spring Training is Spring training and means absolutely nothing once the games start for real. Even though I'm more optimistic about them at least being competitive, I've been let down too many times in the past so I'm not fully on board yet.

I'd be happy with them playing meaningful baseball in September and would settle for an 82-80 season

Benimar

Atlanta has traded Kimbrel and Melvin Upton to the Padres for Maybin and Quentin!!

San Diego have certainly got more relevant this offseason.

Coeus

Benimar wrote: »

Atlanta has traded Kimbrel and Melvin Upton to the Padres for Maybin and Quentin!!

San Diego have certainly got more relevant this offseason.

Wow, the Braves are really blowing it up. The Padres really do mean business, not that I didn't like the moves they have made already...

Not to long til first pitch although I'm not sure what this random prematch band @ Wrigley is about

8-10

Kimberly could be sub- 1.00ERA at Petco!

Itssoeasy

That new jumbo tron in wrigley looks so out of place.

InTheTrees

Opening Day today!

And we'll be at Safeco Field in Seattle for the Mariners versus the Angels.

Probably the only sell out of the season...

Itssoeasy

Blue jays have scored five runs in the top of the third against the Yankees. Lead 5-0 on a two run HR,two hits and an error.

mikemac1

I see Ubaldo Jiminez has secured the 5th spot in the Orioles rotation

Kevin Gausman to the bullpen

That wasn't expected not long ago. Maybe Jimenez can pull it together and get some consistency. Doubt it though!

jack presley

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Blue jays have scored five runs in the top of the third against the Yankees. Lead 5-0 on a two run HR,two hits and an error.

A-Rod walks and the crowd act like he's hit a walk off HR in game 7 of the WS.

Itssoeasy

jack presley wrote: »

A-Rod walks and the crowd act like he's hit a walk off HR in game 7 of the WS.

Didn't see it but according to Twitter he got a great hand from the fans.

Benimar

mikemac1 wrote: »

I see Ubaldo Jiminez has secured the 5th spot in the Orioles rotation

Kevin Gausman to the bullpen

That wasn't expected not long ago. Maybe Jimenez can pull it together and get some consistency. Doubt it though!

I'm with you on your last sentence! Gausman will be in the rotation by mid-May I reckon.

jack presley

Anyone been watching the games on ESPN? Just wondering what people's opinions are of their pitch tracker thingy. I'm not sure I like it to be honest. Maybe I'll get used to it but at the moment I think it gets in the way.

Itssoeasy

jack presley wrote: »

Anyone been watching the games on ESPN? Just wondering what people's opinions are of their pitch tracker thingy. I'm not sure I like it to be honest. Maybe I'll get used to it but at the moment I think it gets in the way.

Its a pain in the hole and they seem to have gone the fox nfl graphic route. They are crap.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Anyone been watching the games on ESPN? Just wondering what people's opinions are of their pitch tracker thingy. I'm not sure I like it to be honest. Maybe I'll get used to it but at the moment I think it gets in the way.

Personally I like the box, it's not getting in the way. It's not a FoxTrax-type of introduction.

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

Anyone been watching the games on ESPN? Just wondering what people's opinions are of their pitch tracker thingy. I'm not sure I like it to be honest. Maybe I'll get used to it but at the moment I think it gets in the way.

It's awful in my opinion. It's great for replays but for live action? No thanks. I'd sooner listen to the radio broadcast than watch that. It would seriously put me off watching. I no longer watch NHL games that flash ads on the glass for the same reason.

MoyVilla9

mod9maple wrote: »

It's awful in my opinion. It's great for replays but for live action? No thanks. I'd sooner listen to the radio broadcast than watch that. It would seriously put me off watching. I no longer watch NHL games that flash ads on the glass for the same reason.

Rather listen on the radio instead of see the strike-zone? A bit dramatic.
You can guarantee that people felt the same way when the 1st and Ten lines were put on the NFL broadcasts.

circular flexing

InTheTrees wrote: »

Opening Day today!

And we'll be at Safeco Field in Seattle for the Mariners versus the Angels.

Probably the only sell out of the season...

I was there too! Thought it was going to be a long day when Trout homered after his first at-bat (which was a great at-bat) but then Felix got going and got the 10 strikeouts. Seth Smith had a great game too and going 3 for 3 with a triple is definitely one way to get onside with the fans. Only downside was the bullpen not having a great 8th inning.

There was a buzz there yesterday which I've never experienced at Safeco, there may very well be more sell outs.

InTheTrees

Here's a couple of pics from Last nights opening day game at Safeco Field. Seattle Mariners against the LA Angels.

Felix Hernandez against Jered Weaver. It was a great game, Mariners won it 4-1.

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[IMG][/img]

jack presley

Cool shots. Nice seats by the looks of things.

InTheTrees

circular flexing wrote: »

I was there too! Thought it was going to be a long day when Trout homered after his first at-bat (which was a great at-bat) but then Felix got going and got the 10 strikeouts. Seth Smith had a great game too and going 3 for 3 with a triple is definitely one way to get onside with the fans. Only downside was the bullpen not having a great 8th inning.

There was a buzz there yesterday which I've never experienced at Safeco, there may very well be more sell outs.

I know. That Angels homer in the first was a bit of a shock. There's always that feeling with the Mariners that your optimism has been misplaced. But it went well.

Seth Smith was great wasnt he? Hopefully he can keep that up. It could be a good season.

And the buzz. Omg. Didnt it seem that it wasnt just a sold out stadium but every bar and resturaunt for miles around was crowded.

InTheTrees

jack presley wrote: »

Cool shots. Nice seats by the looks of things.

Thanks. Its such a nice ballpark. There's reasonable views even from the cheapest seats.

And the design is such that there's no "tunnel" to walk through from the concession areas/loos to the seating areas, its all open. If you're in a queue for food you can probably still see the game. So even if you have a cheap ticket you can walk around and stand and watch from anywhere.

jack presley

InTheTrees wrote: »

Thanks. Its such a nice ballpark. There's reasonable views even from the cheapest seats.

And the design is such that there's no "tunnel" to walk through from the concession areas/loos to the seating areas, its all open. If you're in a queue for food you can probably still see the game. So even if you have a cheap ticket you can walk around and stand and watch from anywhere.

I like the guys in the yellow. I remember them from the day of King Felix's perfect game a while back

circular flexing

jack presley wrote: »

I like the guys in the yellow. I remember them from the day of King Felix's perfect game a while back

That's King's Court. If you get a ticket for that section when Felix is playing, the yellow t-shirt is included (and a K card)

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

That's King's Court. If you get a ticket for that section when Felix is playing, the yellow t-shirt is included (and a K card)

That's a cool idea. I didn't realise it was organised by the team. Great way to get people involved.

Was Seattle the first place to do this? It's the first place I saw it anyway but maybe some other team did it before them. I don't know. Something similar goes on at CitiField but that's organised by a group of fans (Mets Marketing wouldn't have the brains to come up with something as clever as this). I'm sure they based it on what they saw in Seattle. They go on the road too and block book sections of a stadium.

Fr Tod Umptious

InTheTrees wrote: »

Thanks. Its such a nice ballpark. There's reasonable views even from the cheapest seats.

And the design is such that there's no "tunnel" to walk through from the concession areas/loos to the seating areas, its all open. If you're in a queue for food you can probably still see the game. So even if you have a cheap ticket you can walk around and stand and watch from anywhere.

The same is the case in Phoenix.
While at the concession stand you can still see down to the field.
As someone who watched 99.99% of my live baseball in Fenway I was awestruck when I went to Phoenix

InTheTrees

I noticed a prominently displayed digital timer yesterday at Safeco Field that began counting down from 2:25 at the middle and end of every inning.

Apparently MLB is trying to speed things up by strictly limiting the "commercial breaks" to 2:25 mins from the last player being called out to the first pitch of the next half inning. I believe there's a penalty for going over the time.

jack presley

InTheTrees wrote: »

I noticed a prominently displayed digital timer yesterday at Safeco Field that began counting down from 2:25 at the middle and end of every inning.

Apparently MLB is trying to speed things up by strictly limiting the "commercial breaks" to 2:25 mins from the last player being called out to the first pitch of the next half inning. I believe there's a penalty for going over the time.

Yeah, a good idea I think. I know it was only one day but on Monday it was great to see the pitcher nearly in his wind up as the ad break ended. Although I think I remember them coming back once and the ball was already in the catcher's glove so they missed a pitch but that might have been the fault of ESPN over here as opposed to the original broadcast. Here is the rule lifted from MLB's website:

"A second new component to the pace of game program is the addition of timers that will measure non-game action and break time between innings and pitching changes during each Major League game. One timer will be installed on or near the outfield scoreboard, and a smaller timer will be installed on the façade behind home plate near the press box. Immediately following the third out of each half-inning, the timer will count down from 2:25 for locally televised games and from 2:45 for nationally televised games. An MLB representative attending each game will operate the timers from the ballpark and will track the following events:

Time Remaining Activity
40 seconds PA announces batter and begins to play walk-up music
30 seconds Pitcher throws final warmup pitch
25 seconds Batter's walk-up music ends
20 seconds-5 seconds Batter enters the batter's box
20 seconds-0 seconds Pitcher begins motion to deliver pitch"

8-10

Batters also now run the risk of automatic strikes being called against them if they don't keep 1 foot inside the batters box, has led to a few dance moves happening when they accidentally stray and then remember the rule! Beltre did it last week and Encarnacion recently also.

jack presley

8-10 wrote: »

Batters also now run the risk of automatic strikes being called against them if they don't keep 1 foot inside the batters box, has led to a few dance moves happening when they accidentally stray and then remember the rule! Beltre did it last week and Encarnacion recently also.

Beltre forgetting again it seems on Monday

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/watch-adrian-beltre-briefly-forget-about-the-new-pace-of-play-rules-215720320.html

8-10

jack presley wrote: »

Beltre forgetting again it seems on Monday

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/watch-adrian-beltre-briefly-forget-about-the-new-pace-of-play-rules-215720320.html

It was that one that I meant, don't know why I said last week!

rockonollie

While we're on the topic.....thought I'd share a couple of my shots from Opening Day in Cinci......great game, good to see the ToddFather picking up where he left off.

Nothing beats opening day in Cincinnati.....added special moment this year was the ceremonial first pitch by the "Nasty Boys"

rockonollie

Jack Presley.....would you mind reminding your Mets that they're supposed to suck and the Nationals are supposed to have an untouchable rotation.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Jack Presley.....would you mind reminding your Mets that they're supposed to suck and the Nationals are supposed to have an untouchable rotation.

To be fair, the best player for them so far this season has been Ian Desmond! Out of the 8 runs scored over the 2 and a bit games so far, only one has been earned with the other 7 being unearned because of errors by Desmond.

EDIT - Sorry, 2 of the 8 were earned runs.

8-10

Been watching the Indians game since the start as I've a bet on them and it's a handy time to watch it, and WOW. Trevor Bauer is pitching terrifically. 6 innings in and he's not even close to being hittable, 11 strikeouts so far

rockonollie

Did somebody say......SWEEEEEP!