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MLB thread
- Thread starter little gk
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http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog...t=Amjtbs5JDhs5462KXG3jZ1EBbgM6?urn=mlb-268774
i know it's almost an irrelevant statistic but i think it's very interesting at the least. not a single infield popup just throws my brain for a loop considering how many you see a game.
anyway i'm too glad the phillies offense finally decided they remember how to swing the bat. looks like they could potentially make a run for a 3rd straight pennant.
i know it's almost an irrelevant statistic but i think it's very interesting at the least. not a single infield popup just throws my brain for a loop considering how many you see a game.
anyway i'm too glad the phillies offense finally decided they remember how to swing the bat. looks like they could potentially make a run for a 3rd straight pennant.
Yanks-Rays finale today hughes vs shields definately gonna be a slugfest
Troy Tulowitzki now has 14 home runs in September. it is currently September 18.
if the Rockies make the playoffs (and i think they are the best team in the NL), he's an interesting NL MVP vote (not that i would vote for him; only on pace for 123 games) considering this absurd run, coinciding with the Rockies blitz through September.
if the Rockies make the playoffs (and i think they are the best team in the NL), he's an interesting NL MVP vote (not that i would vote for him; only on pace for 123 games) considering this absurd run, coinciding with the Rockies blitz through September.
Right in the middle of fantasy playoffs... nice...
it is gonna be really interesting to see what anthopolous and the jays do with bautista... at 49 HR with about 15 games left, 55 isn't unreasonable considering he is going to try to hit a bomb every at bat no matter what at this point.
Based on talk floating around the team it seems like AA wants to offer him arbitration and let him play one more year before thinking about an extension. I am not sure if this is a mistake or not, but I kind of want him signed. The jays are still about 2 years away from competing for the spot the rays currently have, so if we sign him for like 4 years with a front loaded contract I would probably be happier.
Although no one expects another season even close to 50 HR, I think if he can at least provide 25-30 in this market he is worth 9-10 mil a season.
Based on talk floating around the team it seems like AA wants to offer him arbitration and let him play one more year before thinking about an extension. I am not sure if this is a mistake or not, but I kind of want him signed. The jays are still about 2 years away from competing for the spot the rays currently have, so if we sign him for like 4 years with a front loaded contract I would probably be happier.
Although no one expects another season even close to 50 HR, I think if he can at least provide 25-30 in this market he is worth 9-10 mil a season.
I'm glad the Reds will almost positively make the playoffs this year (I am confident in the ability of St. Louis to lose to vastly inferior teams, particularly the Pirates)...I mean wow, it's been awhile. As a fan I'm happy, but I really hope we get the Braves. The Phillies are just stronger than we are, and even though anything can happen, I'd rather not go up against them. Even the Giants sound like a pain--the last time we played them was in San Francisco and in all three games we gave up double digit runs. Even though that's obviously a fluke (not to mention a small sample size) the Giants also worry me. Our team is young and I think winning a series against the ailing Braves would help our confidence for the gauntlet that would await.
Then again, it's easy to be pessimistic after 15 years of being pretty useless. Having been born after our 1990 World Series title, I'm used to losing seasons, so my expectations are always low. Having a Rays-type run would be great, but ultimately I'd settle for one playoff series. We have a team that will contend for awhile unless we have bad luck with injuries or something =/.
As far as the AL is concerned, I just don't want the Yankees to get to the World Series. I think it will happen though--the Twins don't do well in the playoffs, and I don't think the Rays or Rangers are strong enough to edge them out. I hope I'm wrong!
Then again, it's easy to be pessimistic after 15 years of being pretty useless. Having been born after our 1990 World Series title, I'm used to losing seasons, so my expectations are always low. Having a Rays-type run would be great, but ultimately I'd settle for one playoff series. We have a team that will contend for awhile unless we have bad luck with injuries or something =/.
As far as the AL is concerned, I just don't want the Yankees to get to the World Series. I think it will happen though--the Twins don't do well in the playoffs, and I don't think the Rays or Rangers are strong enough to edge them out. I hope I'm wrong!
It's official, the Twins won the AL central. And the fact that they did this WITHOUT Morneau is mind boggling. The Phillies need a slump i don't want to see another yankees-phillies world series.
>Implying the Twins won't beat the Yankees in the ALCS
I never said that........
Note: "Implying"
That said, I'm pretty disappointed aamto that you think the Rockies are the best team in the NL, more specific, better than the Phillies. Then again, you are a Mets fan. Please tell me, what has changed from last year other than the Phillies being infinitely better?
Of course, the Rockies have to make the playoffs first. Getting swept by the Diamondbacks was HUGE, not to mention, losing to Lincecum yesterday. If they don't win the next 2 games in the series, you can almost put a fork in them. The Giants are determined to not let the division slip past them again this year. Now that Wild Card on the other hand... Well, the Padres and Atlanta don't look their best right now but they're not in the midst of a 5 game losing streak (Well Atlanta has a 4 game losing streak but still).
That said, I'm pretty disappointed aamto that you think the Rockies are the best team in the NL, more specific, better than the Phillies. Then again, you are a Mets fan. Please tell me, what has changed from last year other than the Phillies being infinitely better?
Of course, the Rockies have to make the playoffs first. Getting swept by the Diamondbacks was HUGE, not to mention, losing to Lincecum yesterday. If they don't win the next 2 games in the series, you can almost put a fork in them. The Giants are determined to not let the division slip past them again this year. Now that Wild Card on the other hand... Well, the Padres and Atlanta don't look their best right now but they're not in the midst of a 5 game losing streak (Well Atlanta has a 4 game losing streak but still).
really, the Phillies strength hinges on their pitching. specifically, the Phillies success can be attributed to their 3 headed pitching monster of Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt; all of whom have been essentially lights out down the stretch. their dominance has masked really the biggest problem with the Phillies outside of an inconsistent bullpen (as good as Lidge has been lately, i still don't want him closing games in a playoff atmosphere) which is their aging offense. the Phillies are no longer going to bash a team to death with a high octane assault. they don't steal bases anymore, rollins has been too injured and bad to spark the lineup, Howard's power numbers are down, etc. this Phillie team is not as good as the one in 2008 and is debatable as good as the one in 2009 (that hinges on if Lidge has stopped sucking). the phillies need to hope that the 240+ innings (and counting) on Halladay's arm don't have any ill effects on him for the postseason run and they're gonna need a lights out Lidge. it helps that the rest of the NL is kinda really weak.
i definitely put some hyperbole (and bias) into the statement that they were the best team in the NL...but looking at the their competition, it's really not a stretch to say it. it should be extremely clear that the Rockies and Phillies are far and away the best teams in the NL; the Giants run of success has been due to an absurd (and timely) 1.55 ERA in September. obviously that success can't continue, but the season is drawing to a close at the right time for them. in the end, i believe the Rockies simply have a better lineup and good enough pitching (Jimenez and Chacin have been pretty fabulous so far and DLR has been good) to be at least equal to the Phillies. Maybe you are right, that the Phillies are better than the Rockies this year. but going forward? i think the Rockies are to become a force for the next few years, while Philadelphia will need to evolve its offense (plus Oswalt and Halladay are older as well).
that being said, next year doesn't matter in this year's playoffs. i would take Philadelphia over any other NL team that will likely make the playoffs (SF, SD, CIN).
Cy Young Award: Who's it gonna be?
AL: Felix Hernandez is the best pitcher in the league, he dominates teams completely and if he wasn't on the mariners his record would be like 25-2
AL: Felix Hernandez is the best pitcher in the league, he dominates teams completely and if he wasn't on the mariners his record would be like 25-2
it'll be interesting to see who wins the AL Cy Young. to me, it'll boil down to Jon Lester and Felix Hernandez, which will be decided by old school voters against new age voters.
old school voters will see Lester's 19+ wins and sub 3.00 ERA in the AL East. new age voters will see that wins don't matter, a better ERA (although this is due in part to a 20 point lower BABIP), WHIP, and 40 more IP. they are pretty much the same in every other pitching category: Lester has a higher K/9 but Felix has a lower BB/9, near identical FIP, and same xFIP.
i think Hernandez SHOULD win but it wouldn't be a crime if Lester won. note that i also think Francisco Liriano of the Twins has a decent case, but his is predicated on sabermetrics, which i don't think most voters will go for.
as for the NL Cy Young, the award should already have Halladay's name engraved in it. if he chokes in his last 2 starts and Adam Wainwright is lights out, maybe there will be a competition...but i don't see that happening.
old school voters will see Lester's 19+ wins and sub 3.00 ERA in the AL East. new age voters will see that wins don't matter, a better ERA (although this is due in part to a 20 point lower BABIP), WHIP, and 40 more IP. they are pretty much the same in every other pitching category: Lester has a higher K/9 but Felix has a lower BB/9, near identical FIP, and same xFIP.
i think Hernandez SHOULD win but it wouldn't be a crime if Lester won. note that i also think Francisco Liriano of the Twins has a decent case, but his is predicated on sabermetrics, which i don't think most voters will go for.
as for the NL Cy Young, the award should already have Halladay's name engraved in it. if he chokes in his last 2 starts and Adam Wainwright is lights out, maybe there will be a competition...but i don't see that happening.
Cliff Lee too. His walk rate has climbed from indescribable to otherworldly, but that K/BB is still absolutely ridiculous. Sits at 9.83 and the next best in the AL is Jered Weaver at 4.51. Wow.
Different topic, but is anyone else following the 2011 projected draft class? I know it's still nine months away, but it's been labeled as one of the deepest pools ever, highlighted by Anthony Rendon of Rice University. The guy has almost zero flaws in his game, great bat with gold glove caliber defense. He's been compared to Evan Longoria, and, dare I say it, he's a can't miss prospect. Only problem is, he shattered his ankle pretty badly earlier this year. Speed is not a part of his game, but it could affect his range at third.
The top collegiate arms are Gerrit Cole, Matt Purke, and Taylor Jungmann, and run downs can be found here: http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/7/14/1568824/dissecting-the-2011-top-collegiate
Cole and Purke seem to be loved more than Jameson Taillon, who was the top arm taken taken in this year's draft.
Notable high school stars are Daniel Norris, a power lefty with a great curve ball (though he does have command issues), and Archie Bradley, a right hander who throws bullets with overall great stuff. He also has command issues, and could fall off because of his football scholarship.
There's also Jackie Bradley of South Carolina who I like, a great athlete with a good bat. Should be an easy 10-15 pick and could rise if he develops some power. Doesn't seem like it though because of his small build, but some players just naturally gain power.
Others include RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Trevor Bauer (his delivery is a near carbon copy of Lincecum's), RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Alex Meyer, RHP Jack Armstrong, LHP Henry Owens, OF George Springer, 3B/OF Travis Harrison, and reliever John Stilson, who is probably going to be taken by Arizona with their 7th overall pick because he can sign below slot. Great arm. Overall ridiculous group.
I can't provide a detailed outline for every single player, but those should be fairly easy to find.
It's the only thing that's really peaking my interest right now considering the suckage the D-backs have put forth on the field this season, and they have two top picks next year. I'm already really excited. I just hope they don't screw this up, considering this could be a really great opportunity to build for the future and load up the farm system.
Different topic, but is anyone else following the 2011 projected draft class? I know it's still nine months away, but it's been labeled as one of the deepest pools ever, highlighted by Anthony Rendon of Rice University. The guy has almost zero flaws in his game, great bat with gold glove caliber defense. He's been compared to Evan Longoria, and, dare I say it, he's a can't miss prospect. Only problem is, he shattered his ankle pretty badly earlier this year. Speed is not a part of his game, but it could affect his range at third.
The top collegiate arms are Gerrit Cole, Matt Purke, and Taylor Jungmann, and run downs can be found here: http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com/2010/7/14/1568824/dissecting-the-2011-top-collegiate
Cole and Purke seem to be loved more than Jameson Taillon, who was the top arm taken taken in this year's draft.
Notable high school stars are Daniel Norris, a power lefty with a great curve ball (though he does have command issues), and Archie Bradley, a right hander who throws bullets with overall great stuff. He also has command issues, and could fall off because of his football scholarship.
There's also Jackie Bradley of South Carolina who I like, a great athlete with a good bat. Should be an easy 10-15 pick and could rise if he develops some power. Doesn't seem like it though because of his small build, but some players just naturally gain power.
Others include RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Trevor Bauer (his delivery is a near carbon copy of Lincecum's), RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Alex Meyer, RHP Jack Armstrong, LHP Henry Owens, OF George Springer, 3B/OF Travis Harrison, and reliever John Stilson, who is probably going to be taken by Arizona with their 7th overall pick because he can sign below slot. Great arm. Overall ridiculous group.
I can't provide a detailed outline for every single player, but those should be fairly easy to find.
It's the only thing that's really peaking my interest right now considering the suckage the D-backs have put forth on the field this season, and they have two top picks next year. I'm already really excited. I just hope they don't screw this up, considering this could be a really great opportunity to build for the future and load up the farm system.
well i am actually looking forward to the rangers in the playoffs even though I am an angels fan. even if we made the playoffs we would probably just choke like every year since 2002. i really cant believe the padres are choking this bad, but its whatever id rather see the giants in the playoffs to see tim lincecum do work
I love how Tampa Bay has to beat Baltimore once to clinch...
and they're failing.
and they're failing.
Yeah that stat is great and all but it doesn't tell the true story. Since coming over to the Rangers, Lee has overall struggled almost doubling his Era, cutting his K/BB ratio in half (Still a very good 7.3 ratio, tied with Halladay's season ratio) half the amount of wins and twice the amount of losses that he had in Seattle. I could go on with the numbers but the Rangers have to be alarmed with Lee's drop off this year.
I H8 jered weaver for beating king felix in the strikeout crowd but the AL Cy young is going to Hernandez.
MLB, is your anus prepared?
Oh my fucking god.
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