2020 Regular Season Thread

Grrrgh, my mlb.tv subscription isn't working
It got autorenewed on Saturday night, but can't watch via the app on either my phone or tv.
Spent almost an hour on webchat with someone from Google App Store, and they couldn't do anything except tell me that they can see my purchase.
It's not listed under my subscriptions. Asked them to cancel, so I could try re-subscribing, but no luck.
They gave me an email address for the mlb app. God knows how long I'm going to have to wait for a response

Oymyakon

That Marlins Braves game was a cracking contest right up to when Alcantara exited

Woke up around 5:30 this morning when I heard my daughter cry.
She stopped almost immediately. Rather than let this annoy me, I got to watch the last 4 innings of the Dodgers game.
Just in time to see the big 6th inning.

This Dodgers team, definitely look like the best team I remember. The batters are so patient against pitchers. I always feel that they will break down any team over the course of a game. And the relief pitchers seem close to lights out.

Totally just jinxed it, as we're only 3 games into the playoffs, but feeling very confident at the moment. Lets see how Kershaw goes tonight

Fair play to the Astros. They're enjoying the villain role thoroughly

circular flexing

Looks like Marlins record of never losing a postseason series is going to be lost.

circular flexing

circular flexing wrote: »

Looks like Marlins record of never losing a postseason series is going to be lost.

Braves throwing 4 shut outs is very impressive

ShyMets

The Padres must be gutted. Went all in this year but the Dodgers were just too good

Igotadose

ShyMets wrote: »

The Padres must be gutted. Went all in this year but the Dodgers were just too good

That franchise has done this in the past, loaded up on talent, even got to the WS once vs. the Y*****s that way, then dumped the talent soon after as they got their new stadium approved. Not sure the ulterior motives for this season, but shows you that there's not necessarily a quick fix for years of mismanagement.

ShyMets

Igotadose wrote: »

That franchise has done this in the past, loaded up on talent, even got to the WS once vs. the Y*****s that way, then dumped the talent soon after as they got their new stadium approved. Not sure the ulterior motives for this season, but shows you that there's not necessarily a quick fix for years of mismanagement.

Good point particularly with the Mets in mind. Cohen throwing only money at the team is not long term fix.

For me its more important to get the right people installed within the Organization, develop a long term strategy and then implement it.

While I expect an improvement with the Mets next year, I'm not dreaming of any Pennants just yet

Igotadose

ShyMets wrote: »

Good point particularly with the Mets in mind. Cohen throwing only money at the team is not long term fix.

For me its more important to get the right people installed within the Organization, develop a long term strategy and then implement it.

While I expect an improvement with the Mets next year, I'm not dreaming of any Pennants just yet

When you see a franchise like the Braves, you get some appreciation for good management in baseball and what it can mean, painful as it is for me to say that. They're never out of contention for many years and back on top again this year.

Dodgers under McCourt were eventually in bad shape, sold the team and it took it a few years to shape up, but it is now. Great luck with the signings of the likes of Justin Turner (grrr....) certainly help. A long history of great pitching, sound familiar? Still want to get revenge for 1988.

Igotadose

Igotadose wrote: »

When you see a franchise like the Braves, you get some appreciation for good management in baseball and what it can mean, painful as it is for me to say that. They're never out of contention for many years and back on top again this year.

Dodgers under McCourt were eventually in bad shape, sold the team and it took it a few years to shape up, but it is now. Great luck with the signings of the likes of Justin Turner (grrr....) certainly help. A long history of great pitching, sound familiar? Still want to get revenge for 1988.

McCourt gets a worse rep than he deserved. Remember, he was responsible for bringing Mannywood to LA. Then him and the wife divorced, and everything got messy. Definitely in better shape since he sold them though.
The guys who came in, have done everything right. Took on Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford in order to get Adrian Gonzalez (sp?) immediately. But the biggest changes were in the office jobs. Brought in Friedman from Tampa Bay, and a guy from Oakland whos moved onto SF since. Both huge supporters of analytical baseball. Dave Roberts came along with the same mindset too. Great having all the backroom staff believing in the same approach.

As for Turner, it seemed lucky, but then did the same thing with Max Muncy and Chris Taylor, and some pitchers. Soon becomes more than luck.

Anyway, still need to win it all, or it has been for nothing.
Looking forward to the Braves series. Starts on Monday, so again, no weekend games for me to watch


Oh yeah, been wanting the Rays to beat the Yankees all series, but there is something to be said for a Yankees vs Astros ALCS. So many fans would have serious issues deciding on who to support

ShyMets

The Braves V Dodgers looks like a very tasty series. No time scheduled yet but I imagine it will be midnight GMT. So I guess it will be the highlights next morning on MLB TV for me

Waitsian

Anyone else hoping for a Yankees vs Dodgers WS, for obvious reasons? Has there ever been one in fact, since they left Brooklyn?

ShyMets

Being a Mets fan I don't want to see the Yankees anywhere near a WS

Waitsian

ShyMets wrote: »

Being a Mets fan I don't want to see the Yankees anywhere near a WS

.

Oh I don't mind so long as they're beat. And the Dodgers are well able to do that. I'm a Blue Jays fan btw.

Igotadose

mod9maple wrote: »

Anyone else hoping for a Yankees vs Dodgers WS, for obvious reasons? Has there ever been one in fact, since they left Brooklyn?

At least one, 1980, Bob Welch Dodgers, Reggie Jackson et al on the Yankees. Dick Howser v. Tommy Lasorda as managers.

I remember this because 1980 was personally not a great year, and a relative telling me 'you've nothing to worry about compared to Howser and Lasorda!'

circular flexing

Igotadose wrote: »

That franchise has done this in the past, loaded up on talent, even got to the WS once vs. the Y*****s that way, then dumped the talent soon after as they got their new stadium approved. Not sure the ulterior motives for this season, but shows you that there's not necessarily a quick fix for years of mismanagement.

You have to remember their 2 best pitchers were carrying injuries into the postseason. In a best of 5 series that's a killer.

Igotadose

RIP Joe Morgan. Wow. Seaver, Gibson, Morgan, Lou Brock, the greats of the 60's and '70s are leaving us. Whitey Ford, too though he was earlier.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30100016/baseball-hall-famer-joe-morgan-dies-77

Booooo Braves.
Hoping the lack of off days will help the Dodgers. Need a win tonight behind Kershaw.
Worst thing about play-off baseball is the time of the games. Has a serious impact on my sleep every year. Must have woken 3 or 4 times last night to check the score on my phone

ShyMets

Deleted User wrote: »

Booooo Braves.
Hoping the lack of off days will help the Dodgers. Need a win tonight behind Kershaw.
Worst thing about play-off baseball is the time of the games. Has a serious impact on my sleep every year. Must have woken 3 or 4 times last night to check the score on my phone :(

In some ways its a nice complaint to have. At least you still have a dog in the fight

Igotadose

Deleted User wrote: »

Booooo Braves.
Hoping the lack of off days will help the Dodgers. Need a win tonight behind Kershaw.
Worst thing about play-off baseball is the time of the games. Has a serious impact on my sleep every year. Must have woken 3 or 4 times last night to check the score on my phone

No Kershaw tonight. Back spasms. Gonsolin to replace him. https://nypost.com/2020/10/13/clayton-kershaw-scratched-from-nlcs-game-2-in-big-dodgers-blow/

I'm ok with that Goslin is good. No matter who was on the mound for the Dodgers tonight, we need to score runs. If there are <4 runs scored in this games, I'm giving the edge to the Braves

First pitch is just after 11 tonight. Will hopefully catch the first hour. Tomorrow is my morning to get up with our baby

ShyMets

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm ok with that Goslin is good. No matter who was on the mound for the Dodgers tonight, we need to score runs. If there are <4 runs scored in this games, I'm giving the edge to the Braves

First pitch is just after 11 tonight. Will hopefully catch the first hour. Tomorrow is my morning to get up with our baby

I remember when the Mets went on their run in 2015. My Daughter was about a year old. I use to volunteer to take the night feeds so I could watch some of the Mets games.

My partner was convinced I was having an affair. Took a while to convince her I was watching baseballðŸ˜.

circular flexing

Really enjoying the ALCS/NLCS so far. It would be nice to get a World Series without one of the Astros and Dodgers involved.

circular flexing

circular flexing wrote: »

Really enjoying the ALCS/NLCS so far. It would be nice to get a World Series without one of the Astros and Dodgers involved.

Could Tampa Bay become the new Boston?
They've already won the Ice Hockey this season, and have Brady in the NFL

ShyMets

Deleted User wrote: »

Could Tampa Bay become the new Boston?
They've already won the Ice Hockey this season, and have Brady in the NFL

Tampa won the NHL! Climate change really is wreaking havoc:)

Good start for the Dodgers.
Still in the top of the first, and Braves are on their second pitcher, and Betts is batting for the second time

Wow 11-0 after half an inning.
Need a 1 2 3 bottom half of the inning, and I can go to bed somewhat comfortable

ShyMets

Dodgers hanging on by a thread. Unfortunately for them Kershaw had a shaky performance.

Not looking good for them

Nope not looking good at all.
Might be closing this thread tonight :P

I'm optimistic that we can win tonight behind May. Then should have Walker Buehler tomorrow.
Definitely need everything to go right. Gotta treat it like the Red Sox in 04 and 07, and just make sure that we win the next game. Luckily Dave Roberts was heavily involved then

Realistic opinion - Braves win tonight
Hopeful opinion - Dodgers in 7

rebelyell99

Have been following the postseason on and off ,after the rout Wednesday night i thought the dodgers might take off especially with Kershaw going last night but give credit to Atlanta . Surely if the Dodgers are beaten here its the end of the line for Roberts ? . Hoping the Rays and Braves get it done tonight would make for an interesting world series .

rebelyell99

rebelyell99 wrote: »

Have been following the postseason on and off ,after the rout Wednesday night i thought the dodgers might take off especially with Kershaw going last night but give credit to Atlanta . Surely if the Dodgers are beaten here its the end of the line for Roberts ? . Hoping the Rays and Braves get it done tonight would make for an interesting world series .

I was thinking that about Roberts too. I wonder who they could get to replace him.
It's generally been pitching that has cost the Dodgers series over the last few years. There hasn't been a playoff pitcher who has gone out and been lights out. Even when the Dodgers shut out a team, there have always been an inning or two where things have looked dicey.

rebelyell99

I mean I like Kershaw I get that hes one of the best pitchers in the game ,but the guy simply hasnt delivered in October time and time again when the pressure has been on . Roberts should have taken him out after the 5th last night .

rebelyell99

rebelyell99 wrote: »

I mean I like Kershaw I get that hes one of the best pitchers in the game ,but the guy simply hasnt delivered in October time and time again when the pressure has been on . Roberts should have taken him out after the 5th last night .

Absolutely. He has had moments of class in the playoffs, but they are few and far between. Even his regular season play over the last 4(?) seasons has been a bit better than average. He's a number 3 or 4 pitcher in a rotation now.
Still love him though
So happy I got to see him pitch a few seasons ago in Dodgers stadium

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Nope not looking good at all.
Might be closing this thread tonight :P

I'm optimistic that we can win tonight behind May. Then should have Walker Buehler tomorrow.
Definitely need everything to go right. Gotta treat it like the Red Sox in 04 and 07, and just make sure that we win the next game. Luckily Dave Roberts was heavily involved then

Realistic opinion - Braves win tonight
Hopeful opinion - Dodgers in 7

Game 7 tonight. Going to be tense.
Game isn't until 1am, so won't get to watch it unfortunately.
Anderson, the pitcher for the Braves tonight has been great during the playoffs. Yet to give up a run.
Say Dodgers will use a flurry of pitchers. Probably starting with Goslin.
Negative prediction is that the Dodgers lead 1-0 in the 8th and Kershaw takes over, and Freeman takes him deep for a 3 run home run, and that's the end of the scoring

ShyMets

Congrets to the Rays for making it to the World Series. And fair play to the Dodgers for leveling the series with the Braves. Should be one hell of a game 7

ShyMets

Deleted User wrote: »

Game 7 tonight. Going to be tense.
Game isn't until 1am, so won't get to watch it unfortunately.
Anderson, the pitcher for the Braves tonight has been great during the playoffs. Yet to give up a run.
Say Dodgers will use a flurry of pitchers. Probably starting with Goslin.
Negative prediction is that the Dodgers lead 1-0 in the 8th and Kershaw takes over, and Freeman takes him deep for a 3 run home run, and that's the end of the scoring

Yeah, pitching looks like its going to be an issue for you. I was reading about the possibility of brining Kershaw in. Its risky but you may have no choice.

On plus you do have momentum.

I'll be back on tomorrow morning hopefully to congratulate you.

Woop woop.
On to the World Series now. Going to be tricky against the Rays.
Imagine it will be a more lower scoring series, than that against the Braves.

With the bank holiday weekend coming up, I potentially might only miss games 1 & 2.
All games look to start at 1am

ShyMets

Deleted User wrote: »

Woop woop.
On to the World Series now. Going to be tricky against the Rays.
Imagine it will be a more lower scoring series, than that against the Braves.

With the bank holiday weekend coming up, I potentially might only miss games 1 & 2.
All games look to start at 1am

Congrats. You must be on cloud 9. Fair play to the Dodgers. That was some come back.

Enjoy the rest of the ride.

ShyMets

ShyMets wrote: »

Congrats. You must be on cloud 9. Fair play to the Dodgers. That was some come back.

Enjoy the rest of the ride.

Cautiously optimistic. Supposed it's our third World Series in the last four years, so not too excited yet.
The sports fan in me, thinks coming back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 is almost a positive omen - Red Sox vs Indians in 07 (or 06?). Cubs vs Indians in 16. Cleveland Cavs vs GS Warriors in 17
Wow, Cleveland has been in a lot of these series
Dodgers vs Rays also reminds me a lot of Galway vs Waterford in the hurling a few years ago. One team who has been in many recent finals, but failed to win one, versus a smaller underdog. All of these point towards Dodgers finally getting across the line

The scientific head on me, realizes that past series have no impact on the World Series this year.

Igotadose

Possible wrinkle in the Mets sale approval - NYC. Apparently one of Cohen's employees ended up with a felony conviction. A clause in NYC leases of 'important cultural sites' or some such require the City to approve sales to people who have employed felons.

Sigh. Only the Mets. And I'm sure this will all wash away in a sea of green.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/10/21/bill-de-blasio-new-york-mets-sale-steve-cohen/6005796002/

Woke up with the wind last night, just in time for the last batter.
Some finish to the game. Hard to be too annoyed.
Just need to get the W tonight behind Kershaw

*dancing*

Itssoeasy

Igotadose wrote: »

Possible wrinkle in the Mets sale approval - NYC. Apparently one of Cohen's employees ended up with a felony conviction. A clause in NYC leases of 'important cultural sites' or some such require the City to approve sales to people who have employed felons.

Sigh. Only the Mets. And I'm sure this will all wash away in a sea of green.

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/10/21/bill-de-blasio-new-york-mets-sale-steve-cohen/6005796002/

You didn’t think it was going to be straightforward did you ? What is it about sports team in that area ending in ETS where if they threw a fiver in the air it’s come up as a summons ? Was shea stadium cursed ?

Igotadose

Deleted User wrote: »

*dancing*

Nothing like that feeling. Congratulations. Grrr...1988...Grrr...

Igotadose

Igotadose wrote: »

Nothing like that feeling. Congratulations. Grrr...1988...Grrr...

It was a strange one. I felt very relaxed throughout the whole series. Always felt like we'd have to beat ourselves rather than the Rays beat us.
Very different from the series against the Astros and Red Sox in 17 and 18.

Stayed up for the first two innings last night. Wife had moved into another bed last night due to the noise of the wind. I couldnt sleep properly, and kept an eye on my phone. Refused to stream the game, as I worried that I wouldn't turn it off.
Finally caved in the 6th, just in time to see both Dodgers runs.

Strange situation with Turner. Wonder will anything come from that.
Interested in seeing where the Dodgers add players for next season. Could improve in left field potentially, and probably need to think about a new closer.

ShyMets

Deleted User wrote: »

It was a strange one. I felt very relaxed throughout the whole series. Always felt like we'd have to beat ourselves rather than the Rays beat us.
Very different from the series against the Astros and Red Sox in 17 and 18.

Stayed up for the first two innings last night. Wife had moved into another bed last night due to the noise of the wind. I couldnt sleep properly, and kept an eye on my phone. Refused to stream the game, as I worried that I wouldn't turn it off.
Finally caved in the 6th, just in time to see both Dodgers runs.

Strange situation with Turner. Wonder will anything come from that.
Interested in seeing where the Dodgers add players for next season. Could improve in left field potentially, and probably need to think about a new closer.

Congrats. Fully deserved World Series. Its not always that the best team in the regular season wins in the Post Season.

Cant believe its their first title since 1988. For some reason I thought they had won one more recently.

Anyway looking forward to a Dodgers v Mets World Series last year

Itssoeasy

Oh so the Chicago white sox hiring tony La Russa as their manager(again) wasn’t stupid Twitter rumour. Well okay then. He’s in his mid seventies so some on that team could be younger then his grandchildren. I take it La Russa isn’t an analytics guy which may be a good thing.

ShyMets

Looks like AJ Hinch will be rejoining the managerial world with the Tigers

Igotadose

Mets sale finally approved! Finally something good happens in 2020

https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/steve-cohens-purchase-of-mets-approved-by-mlb/

ShyMets

Igotadose wrote: »

Mets sale finally approved! Finally something good happens in 2020

https://nypost.com/2020/10/30/steve-cohens-purchase-of-mets-approved-by-mlb/

The Wilpons are gone. A day to rejoice. Free agency starts tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how the Mets approach it. I fully expect them to make some kind of splash.

The only disappointment is that BVW is still there. But hopefully not for much longer