2018 Regular Season Thread

circular flexing

jack presley wrote: »

$$$$$$$$

That's pretty much it. Mariners (unfortunately) suffer from being on the West Coast and not being named Dodgers or Giants and it means they get shafted when it comes to national TV coverage. Even the Red Sox colour commentator was joking that he didn't want to travel to Seattle but only went cos his wife wanted to go too.

It is interesting that both Giants and Dodgers who feature on national TV a fair bit are both former NY-based teams.

rebelyell99

circular flexing wrote: »

That's pretty much it. Mariners (unfortunately) suffer from being on the West Coast and not being named Dodgers or Giants and it means they get shafted when it comes to national TV coverage. Even the Red Sox colour commentator was joking that he didn't want to travel to Seattle but only went cos his wife wanted to go too.

It is interesting that both Giants and Dodgers who feature on national TV a fair bit are both former NY-based teams.

I would love to see Sunday night baseball in safeco it is a beautiful stadium,They have already been to saint Louis twice

jack presley

Astros lose! Theyre human after all.

jack presley

Don’t or punching walls lads, never a good idea


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23846007/hunter-strickland-san-francisco-giants-6-8-weeks-breaking-hand-punching-door

jack presley

I love the way there’s always a couple of these each year.


https://twitter.com/adnanespn/status/1009421206276231169?s=21

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Don’t or punching walls lads, never a good idea


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23846007/hunter-strickland-san-francisco-giants-6-8-weeks-breaking-hand-punching-door

couldnt happen to a nicer guy.

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

Don’t or punching walls lads, never a good idea


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23846007/hunter-strickland-san-francisco-giants-6-8-weeks-breaking-hand-punching-door

Whatta maroon. I wonder if he voids some of his contract as a result, heh.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

He is completely wasted on that Angels team.

As well as that last stat, he’s only made 7 outs in his last 8 games.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

As well as that last stat, he’s only made 7 outs in his last 8 games.

He is unreal, so so so good. Amazing really. This Angels team this year will be close to a playoff spot I feel. They need more pieces but they are getting there and he's only 26 .. scary!

jack presley

I don’t think Bob Ryan likes WAR.


https://twitter.com/aroundthehorn/status/1009550206612930560?s=21

rebelyell99

After seeing my mariners get swept by the yanks,i must say them Yankees are scary ,they just seem to be able to go yard whenever the need is greatest.Gleyber Torres is some talent at second base.

8-10

jack presley wrote: »

No takers for Hanley Ramirez so he's been released and is now a free agent. What happens with next year's option if a team signs him? Are they liable for 2019 or is it still Boston's responsibility?

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/06/22/hanley-ramirez-investigation-red-sox/

This one is getting curiouser and curiouser....

circular flexing

Osuna has been suspended for 75 games for violating the league's domestic abuse policy. It's backdated to May 8th (which is when he was placed on administrative leave).

circular flexing

LOLOLOL Nelson Cruz hits 2 home runs (one left the park over the Green Monster), gets 7 RBIs and Mariners still lose by 4 four runs due to inept pitching and awful bullpen management.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

LOLOLOL Nelson Cruz hits 2 home runs (one left the park over the Green Monster), gets 7 RBIs and Mariners still lose by 4 four runs due to inept pitching and awful bullpen management.

This was always going to be a tough stretch for Seattle but even though they've now lost 5 in a row, they're still in a great position to make the playoffs*


(* I know, I know. Waaaay too early to be mentioning playoffs!

circular flexing

jack presley wrote: »

This was always going to be a tough stretch for Seattle but even though they've now lost 5 in a row, they're still in a great position to make the playoffs*


(* I know, I know. Waaaay too early to be mentioning playoffs!

Yeah they are still in a good position to make the playoffs but they need to get over this hump fast. Realistically it's between them and the Angels for the second wildcard spot, Detroit/Oakland/the rest are too far back to claw back and Red Sox/Yankees are too far ahead to get the first spot. I don't think Mariners will catch Astros, Astros are just too good this year. My prediction is that the WC game will be between Red Sox/Yankees and Mariners with homefield going to one of the first two, in which case good night.

What I don't want to see happen is Seattle trading away prospects to try and win the division (and then failing). There's been rumours going around that Mariners are looking to get Happ but they would need to give up Kyle Lewis for that which isn't a good deal, imo.

But as you say, early days!

ShyMets

Hansel Robles picked up by the Angels. So long,Hansel. So many memories. Sadly, few of them good

jack presley

ShyMets wrote: »

Hansel Robles picked up by the Angels. So long,Hansel. So many memories. Sadly, few of them good

Guess how his first appearance went. Yes, by giving up the game winning home run against Toronto.

ShyMets

jack presley wrote: »

ShyMets wrote: »

Hansel Robles picked up by the Angels. So long,Hansel. So many memories. Sadly, few of them good

Guess how his first appearance went. Yes, by giving up the game winning home run against Toronto.

That's my Hansel😀

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

Guess how his first appearance went. Yes, by giving up the game winning home run against Toronto.

Imagine...DFA'd by one of the worst teams in baseball and .... you're not very good. Quelle surprise!

circular flexing

Interesting "rant"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/06/20/mlb-bad-baseball-attendance-strikeouts/718162002/

Igotadose

circular flexing wrote: »

Interesting "rant"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/06/20/mlb-bad-baseball-attendance-strikeouts/718162002/

Some manager somewhere will figure a way to beat the status quo and have some success, and they'll 'buffalo horde' their way in that direction. However, the comment that the NL will have the DH in 5 years, I dunno, I'd love to see it, tired of watching pitchers get hurt swinging the bat and running the bases. Either have it in both leagues, or neither.

What I also liked about the rant, is how he describes my team's approach - beer league swing-for-the-fences and strike out all the time otherwise. Problem is, it's not working.

ShyMets

Igotadose wrote: »

circular flexing wrote: »

Interesting "rant"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/06/20/mlb-bad-baseball-attendance-strikeouts/718162002/

Some manager somewhere will figure a way to beat the status quo and have some success, and they'll 'buffalo horde' their way in that direction. However, the comment that the NL will have the DH in 5 years, I dunno, I'd love to see it, tired of watching pitchers get hurt swinging the bat and running the bases. Either have it in both leagues, or neither.

What I also liked about the rant, is how he describes my team's approach - beer league swing-for-the-fences and strike out all the time otherwise. Problem is, it's not working.

Thought he hit the nail on the head. The game has some serious issues which need to be addressed. Namely getting the ball in play more. Some of the Mets games I've watch this season have been tortuous and not just because the Mets are good awful

Igotadose

ShyMets wrote: »

Thought he hit the nail on the head. The game has some serious issues which need to be addressed. Namely getting the ball in play more. Some of the Mets games I've watch this season have been tortuous and not just because the Mets are ghod awful

As painful as it is for me to admit it, the approach the mid-1980's Cardinals had, seems to be the way to go. Base stealers like a young, pre-stupidity Vince Coleman and the massively underrated Willie McGee caused nobodies like Tommy Herr to hit whatever, over .300 a couple years in a row batting behind them. Get on base and steal, that'll end the shifting. The guys behind them will get pitches to hit, and none of the shifting.

And you can win a lot of games that way, with good pitching. They'll be lower-scoring and require good defense too. Nowadays, it's baseball-for-ESPN-highlights, just hit it out of the park.


But, that was then. Stolen bases are a thing of the past it seems. Gordon led the NL with 60 last year. Only 60! The AL leader Merrifield had 34!

circular flexing

ShyMets wrote: »

Thought he hit the nail on the head. The game has some serious issues which need to be addressed. Namely getting the ball in play more. Some of the Mets games I've watch this season have been tortuous and not just because the Mets are good awful

I think some strikeouts/walks can be exciting, obviously a 4 pitch walk or 3 pitch SO is probably not but think of a longer at bat where there's a few pitches fouled off and the count is full. Is there anything exciting about a routine flyout? I'm really not sure where I stand on the ball in play = more excitement thing.

circular flexing

This interesting - overlay of Edwin Diaz throwing a fastball and a slider. Easy to see how hitters get completely fooled

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1011585637210877955

Igotadose

Sandy Alderson taking leave of absence from the Mets in order to treat his cancer. Will not have decision making input while on leave or in future: https://nypost.com/2018/06/26/sandy-alderson-is-taking-leave-to-battle-cancer-recurrence/. Assistant GM Ricciardi and Omar Minaya to assume his duties.

jack presley

Igotadose wrote: »

Sandy Alderson taking leave of absence from the Mets in order to treat his cancer. Will not have decision making input while on leave or in future: https://nypost.com/2018/06/26/sandy-alderson-is-taking-leave-to-battle-cancer-recurrence/. Assistant GM Ricciardi and Omar Minaya to assume his duties.

Obviously sad on a personal level, hopefully he will make a full recovery.

He more or less said he won’t be back, even if he does regain full health but to be honest I think his hands were tied from up above anyway so was always fighting a losing battle with the team.

jack presley

Jason Werth's announced his retirement today. Didn't realise he was still playing to be honest but apparently he was on the Seattle AAA team.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Jason Werth's announced his retirement today. Didn't realise he was still playing to be honest but apparently he was on the Seattle AAA team.

My wifes' favourite player. Always loved him with the Nats to be honest. Gave 100% all of the time.

jack presley

What a wonderful time to be a NYM fan

https://twitter.com/stevegelbs/status/1013189016869654528?s=21

ShyMets

jack presley wrote: »

What a wonderful time to be a NYM fan

https://twitter.com/stevegelbs/status/1013189016869654528?s=21

I like to think that things can't get any worst. But assuming they go into sell mode at the trade deadline, then the reminder of the season will be even longer and more painful. I just hope they get some decent prospects in return

jack presley

ShyMets wrote: »

I just hope they get some decent prospects in return

You know that’s not going to happen. It’ll all be about salary relief like it was last year.

And would you give up any decent prospects for any of those Muppets (DeGrom and Noah excluded)?

jack presley

1 July, the day everyone on Twitter hilariously points out that the Mets made another $1m payment to Bobby Bonilla, which they will have to every year until 2035.

Yes, it is crazy but what I don't understand is why this payment deals is the only one routinely pointed out, yet there are plenty of other crazy deals out there. Some of which were only made in the past couple of years.

Reds: Bronson Aroyo $1.3m a year until 2021
Nats: Rafael Soriano $2m a year until 2024
Nats: Ryan Zimmerman $2m a year for 5 years after he stops playing
Nats: Jason Werth $11m in 2018
Nats: Max Scherzer $15m a year from 2022 to 2028
Nats: Stephen Strasburg $10m a year from 2024 to 2030
Mets: Carlos Beltran $3m in 2018
Mets: Santana $5.5m a year until 2020
Brewers: Ryan Braun $1.8m a year 2022 to 2031
Mariners: Ichiro $25m total from when he retires until 2032
Rockies: Todd Helton $1.3m a year until 2024
Cardinals: Matt Holliday $1.4m a year 2020 - 2029
Red Sox: Manny Ramirez $2m a year until 2026
Orioles: Chris Davis $3.5m a year until 2032, then $1.4m a year until 2037
Reds: Ken Griffey Jr $3.5m until 2024

jack presley

Ahem.....

https://twitter.com/m_sheldon/status/1013486114601164801

jack presley

Strange Boston - NYY series over the weekend

8-1 NY
11-0 Boston
11-1 NY

ShyMets

Mets undefeated in July. We're on roll:)

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

Nats look to be in trouble in terms of making the playoffs at the moment. Just dont seem to be able to close the gap on philly and Braves. I know its going to come down to the the head to head series in the next couple of months but have to say at the moment we just dont look like a playoff team ... Harper is struggling despite the HR's , Turner, Eaton, Murphy , Zimm not producing enough offence and our rotation while decent enough has given up some games. Funnily enough our relief has been better

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Nats look to be in trouble in terms of making the playoffs at the moment. Just dont seem to be able to close the gap on philly and Braves. I know its going to come down to the the head to head series in the next couple of months but have to say at the moment we just dont look like a playoff team ... Harper is struggling despite the HR's , Turner, Eaton, Murphy , Zimm not producing enough offence and our rotation while decent enough has given up some games. Funnily enough our relief has been better

While we all expected them to be out of sight by this stage, I wouldn't be jumping off the ledge yet. They're only 4-5 games back and all they need to do is stay in touch, which they are doing and are capable of continuing to do. They'll still win the East I'd say and then lose in the first round of the playoffs again!! Only joking about the last bit, as usual October will depend on getting hot at the right time etc. etc. etc.

So the Dodgers have a Wild Card spot at the moment, and only 1.5 games back on the D-Backs. And Matt Kemp was getting "MVP" chants last night. Very odd season so far

Anyway, only 12 days until I'm sitting in Dodgers Stadium for the game against the Angels. Can't wait.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

While we all expected them to be out of sight by this stage, I wouldn't be jumping off the ledge yet. They're only 4-5 games back and all they need to do is stay in touch, which they are doing and are capable of continuing to do. They'll still win the East I'd say and then lose in the first round of the playoffs again!! Only joking about the last bit, as usual October will depend on getting hot at the right time etc. etc. etc.

They dont look like a team capable of winning any division right now to be honest , the only thing that is positive for them is that they have a lot of underperforming parts and if they hit form they could roll of 10-12 straight but at the moment i reminds me of a couple of years ago chasing the Mets. We just never clicked and the Mets stayed enough ahead that it became impossible coming into the last month.

Until we win a playoff series that last part will be true unfortunately. I mean right now we would be playing the team that finishes second in terms of wins .. probably the Cubs... that wouldnt be a good series for us either! Meh .. Hopefully we can turn things around though. So much talent in this roster.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

They dont look like a team capable of winning any division right now to be honest , the only thing that is positive for them is that they have a lot of underperforming parts and if they hit form they could roll of 10-12 straight but at the moment i reminds me of a couple of years ago chasing the Mets. We just never clicked and the Mets stayed enough ahead that it became impossible coming into the last month.

Until we win a playoff series that last part will be true unfortunately. I mean right now we would be playing the team that finishes second in terms of wins .. probably the Cubs... that wouldnt be a good series for us either! Meh .. Hopefully we can turn things around though. So much talent in this roster.

Definitely need to win the Scherzer starts anyway.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Definitely need to win the Scherzer starts anyway.

Last night was another give away.

circular flexing

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Last night was another give away.

You know it's bad when a NL team gets beat by an AL pitcher getting 3 RBIs :eek:

circular flexing

Ohtani is off the DL, DH'ing against Mariners tonight, no timetable for any pitching return yet though.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

They dont look like a team capable of winning any division right now to be honest , the only thing that is positive for them is that they have a lot of underperforming parts and if they hit form they could roll of 10-12 straight but at the moment i reminds me of a couple of years ago chasing the Mets. We just never clicked and the Mets stayed enough ahead that it became impossible coming into the last month.

Until we win a playoff series that last part will be true unfortunately. I mean right now we would be playing the team that finishes second in terms of wins .. probably the Cubs... that wouldnt be a good series for us either! Meh .. Hopefully we can turn things around though. So much talent in this roster.

Classic FP Santanglio there on the Nats broadcast, excusing Herrera for giving up the run because he's not used to pitching when his team are behind. Isn't the plan to get the batter out either way? He really is the commentator with the rosiest tinted glasses out there.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

You know it's bad when a NL team gets beat by an AL pitcher getting 3 RBIs :eek:

Super hit though. They're good friends too so I'd imagine the phone call/text after the game was interesting. Scherzer doesn't seems like the kind of bloke who would be happy if he lost a game of Connect 4 to one of his kids.

circular flexing

I wonder will Mike Trout ever look for a trade - he's clearly wasted at the Angels and they don't seem to be capable of building a team around him. Reminds me a lot of LeBron James and the Cavs, 11 years, all that talent and only one championship to show for it.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

I wonder will Mike Trout ever look for a trade - he's clearly wasted at the Angels and they don't seem to be capable of building a team around him. Reminds me a lot of LeBron James and the Cavs, 11 years, all that talent and only one championship to show for it.

Good question. He's a big Philadelphia fan so with the Phillies improving, I wonder could that be a spot he's like to go to at some stage. How many more years is he under contract for?

jack presley

Nice tribute for Joey Bats by Toronto and their fans last night

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1014284719599452160