MLB Post Season 2019

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:28 am

Lorini wrote: ↑Sat Sep 14, 2019 1:04 pm Maddon in/out Cubs fans?

Anything short of making the NLDS, and he's out. Make the World Series, and he's in. Anywhere in between?

I'm fine with Maddon (oddly my biggest complaints about his managing were in the 2016 postseason), but I also think that baseball managers get too much credit when teams win and too much blame when they lose.

Lorini wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:18 am
El Guapo wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:57 pm
Lorini wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:03 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:21 pm Hmmm, if the Red Sox just moved to the National League, they'd only be two games out of a playoff spot.
Bad Idea, the last thing the NL needs is the Red Sox!!!! Their fans think the NL is junior varsity anyway.
I mean, I feel like the fact that the Red Sox would only be two games out in the NL is somewhat confirmatory of that theory.
Naw the NL GM's are just stupider than the AL ones, and tank at the first hint of hard times.

Actually, I think it's more that the AL is very top and bottom heavy. They've got four teams with winning percentages below .400 (including Detroit at .297), while the NL only has one. The NL is a bit more balanced (Dodgers excepted). Move some of the stronger AL teams to the NL and they'd likely have fewer wins due to fewer bottom feeders. Given that the NL has actually had winning records for interleague play the last couple of years, I'm not sure it's fair to say the AL is clearly better.

The Cubs' series was fun this weekend - weekends like this (nice weather with the wind blowing out) are what gives Wrigley its reputation, but even this was extreme.

The Cubs are going to have to earn it if they make it back to the playoffs for the fifth straight year. They're currently two games behind the Cardinals for the NL Central and one ahead of the Brewers for the last Wild Card. Baez is likely out for the balance of the regular season with a broken thumb, and preliminary x-rays on Rizzo's ankle didn't show a break, but it looked like a nasty sprain. Not sure how long he'll be out. Kimbrel may be done for the year, too. Time for the most beautiful man in baseball to put the team on his back! (#FreeKrisBryant)

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:30 am

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:28 am Time for the most beautiful man in baseball to put the team on his back! (#FreeKrisBryant)

It's Nico Hoerner time!

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:58 pm

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:28 am
Actually, I think it's more that the AL is very top and bottom heavy. They've got four teams with winning percentages below .400 (including Detroit at .297), while the NL only has one. The NL is a bit more balanced (Dodgers excepted). Move some of the stronger AL teams to the NL and they'd likely have fewer wins due to fewer bottom feeders. Given that the NL has actually had winning records for interleague play the last couple of years, I'm not sure it's fair to say the AL is clearly better.

I would agree with this. The Red Sox and Yankees get the Orioles how many times?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:04 pm

Scuzz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:58 pm The Red Sox and Yankees get the Orioles how many times?

Nineteen times

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:10 pm

Gleyber Torres vs. the Orioles is the greatest baseball player of all time.

Torres ended up playing 18 games against Baltimore, so multiplying his counting stats by nine gives him 162 games’ worth of numbers. And what numbers they are:

.394/.467/1.045 slash line, good for a 1.512 OPS
81 singles
81 walks
36 doubles
And, oh yeah, ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN home runs
How many home runs is 117? The two largest home run totals this decade add up to 113. In Bonds’s record-setting 2001 season, he would have needed to play an extra 92 games to reach 117 home runs. José Altuve has 119 home runs in his career.

Of course, such a lofty total would give Torres the best batting performance in league history by a wide margin, even after adjusting for park and league context.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:22 pm

Torres is the guy where I wonder, "Did the Cubs really need Chapman to win the 2016 WS? Would they have won anyway and still kept Torres in their system?"

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:26 pm

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:22 pm Torres is the guy where I wonder, "Did the Cubs really need Chapman to win the 2016 WS? Would they have won anyway and still kept Torres in their system?"

Hey, they needed someone to blow their game 7 lead, if they were going to win the World Series in sufficiently dramatic fashion.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:53 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:26 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:22 pm Torres is the guy where I wonder, "Did the Cubs really need Chapman to win the 2016 WS? Would they have won anyway and still kept Torres in their system?"
Hey, they needed someone to blow their game 7 lead, if they were going to win the World Series in sufficiently dramatic fashion.

Hard to believe he would blow that given all of the experience that Maddon had given him in throwing about 100 innings in that postseason (see earlier comments about my complaints on Maddon's 2016 postseason management).

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 2:12 pm

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:22 pm Torres is the guy where I wonder, "Did the Cubs really need Chapman to win the 2016 WS? Would they have won anyway and still kept Torres in their system?"

Jed Hoyer was the special guest at a Cubs trivia contest hosted by a North Side bar. In the category "Unbelievable Trades," the bar became abuzz with reminisces of the legendary Ernie Broglio trade. To which Hoyer replied, "Hold my beer."

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:11 pm

Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 2:12 pm
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:22 pm Torres is the guy where I wonder, "Did the Cubs really need Chapman to win the 2016 WS? Would they have won anyway and still kept Torres in their system?"
Jed Hoyer was the special guest at a Cubs trivia contest hosted by a North Side bar. In the category "Unbelievable Trades," the bar became abuzz with reminisces of the legendary Ernie Broglio trade. To which Hoyer replied, "Hold my beer."

Flags fly forever.

Octavious · Post by **Octavious** » Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:56 pm

I think Mickey is just trying to get fired now. The lineup he put in today made no freaking sense. Bats a guy hitting .200 first. Bats Alonso 5th... Whatever we have some good core players and have something to look forward to for next year. Diaz is still garbage. Didn't play for a week and promptly gives up a run.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:46 am

This scenario (from theathletic.com) would certainly rack up those frequent flyer miles!!

Cubs-Brewers-Cardinals-Nationals tie
This one is especially crazed, because it would be a four-way tie for the NL Central and both NL wild card spots. It’s also impossible to determine yet which teams would play where because the Cardinals still have seven games left against the Cubs and two against the Nationals. But the Brewers could conceivably find themselves going down this wormhole:

Sunday (Sept. 29) – Finish regular season in Colorado. Time Zone: Mountain.

Monday (Sept. 30) – Play a tiebreaker game to determine the NL Central winner. That game could still be in Milwaukee, St. Louis or Chicago. Either way…Time Zone: Central.

Tuesday (Oct. 1) – If the Brewers were to lose that game Monday, they’d still get to play another tiebreaker for the second wild card spot. That game could be in any of those four cities. Time Zones: Central or Eastern.

Wednesday (Oct. 2) – If they win that game, they would finally get around to playing the NL wild card game (which would have to be pushed back a day), also in any one of those four cities. Time Zones: Eastern or Central.

Thursday (Oct. 3) – If they win the wild card game, off the Brewers would head for the airport yet again and fly from one coast to the other, for the NLDS. Because the wild card game was delayed for a day, that would mean playing that NLDS opener on zero days’ rest at least two time zones away. In Los Angeles, naturally. Time Zone: Pacific.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:22 pm

pr0ner wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:11 pm Flags fly forever.

Their "W" flag rarely flies after a "L".

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:24 pm

Filipe Vazquez arrested..

Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested Tuesday in Pittsburgh and is being charged with multiple felonies in both Pennsylvania and Florida, including statutory sexual assault.

Vazquez was initially charged with "computer pornography/soliciting a child" and "providing obscene material to minors" by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

...

The FDLE issued a statement saying it began its investigation into Vazquez in August after obtaining information that he reportedly had a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl in Lee County, Florida. The girl, now 15, allegedly was continuing to have a relationship with Vazquez via text messaging and received a video from him in July in which he is shown performing a sex act, according to the police statement.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Wed Sep 18, 2019 7:38 am

Jeff V wrote: ↑Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:22 pm
pr0ner wrote: ↑Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:11 pm Flags fly forever.
Their "W" flag rarely flies after a "L".

Octavious · Post by **Octavious** » Wed Sep 18, 2019 11:26 am

Mets would have to win out to have any shot as they are 4 games out. Meh at least they didn't totally suck all season. Alonso is at 48 home runs with another game in Colorado and then Cincinnati. He has a legit shot at at least tying the record.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Thu Sep 19, 2019 8:19 am

So our arrogant closer Jansen, gets a couple of saves under his belt and then blows up as expected. His mentality is probably going to lose the Dodgers a key game in the playoffs because he refuses to acknowledge that he needs to work on developing new pitches.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:07 pm

MLB must be loving it that in both leagues there are three teams closely vying for two wild card spots. I can' t believe the Brewers are hanging in there without Yelich. I would invoke Trent Steel and say they have no chance, no chance in the playoffs.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:27 pm

Not that I'd ever want to try to reverse jinx them, but I'd say they have the inside track to the WC (with an outside shot at the NL Central). They're already in the second position and they don't play a team above .500 the rest of the year. Meanwhile the Cubs are sinking fast. I'd say they need to win the next three games against the Cards to stay in the race at all.

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Fri Sep 20, 2019 7:13 pm

Jaymann wrote: ↑Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:07 pm MLB must be loving it that in both leagues there are three teams closely vying for two wild card spots. I can' t believe the Brewers are hanging in there without Yelich. I would invoke Trent Steel and say they have no chance, no chance in the playoffs.

They are benefiting from the weakest opponents.

Octavious · Post by **Octavious** » Sat Sep 21, 2019 12:57 am

$iljanus · Post by **$iljanus** » Sat Sep 21, 2019 9:30 pm

And the Nationals bullpen pisses away a 4-0 lead to the Marlins. 4-4 now. Sigh...

But the Nationals bats wake up in 10th!

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:33 pm

ImLawBoy wrote:Not that I'd ever want to try to reverse jinx them, but I'd say they have the inside track to the WC (with an outside shot at the NL Central). They're already in the second position and they don't play a team above .500 the rest of the year. Meanwhile the Cubs are sinking fast. I'd say they need to win the next three games against the Cards to stay in the race at all.

Yeah...about that... #gocards

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Sun Sep 22, 2019 11:38 pm

So the Cubs apparently had one of those Texas Ranger moments. Doesn't look like the Dodgers will see the Cubs this playoff cycle sadly, always like watching those games.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:56 am

Surprisingly, the Cubs hadn't been swept at home by the Cards in a 4-game series for 98 years...until yesterday.

Timing is everything.

Zaxxon · Post by **Zaxxon** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:00 am

Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:56 am Surprisingly, the Cubs hadn't been swept at home by the Cards in a 4-game series for 98 years...until yesterday.

Timing is everything.

It's also notable that the Cubs have lost five straight games by one run. Craziness.

Congrats, Cards (boy, that hurts). Hopefully Maddon doesn't get shitcanned as I think he's unlikely to be replaced by some mysterious better manager that the Cubs would presume to pick up. He'll probably get shitcanned, though.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:10 am

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:00 am
Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:56 am Surprisingly, the Cubs hadn't been swept at home by the Cards in a 4-game series for 98 years...until yesterday.

Timing is everything.
It's also notable that the Cubs have lost five straight games by one run. Craziness.

Congrats, Cards (boy, that hurts). Hopefully Maddon doesn't get shitcanned as I think he's unlikely to be replaced by some mysterious better manager that the Cubs would presume to pick up. He'll probably get shitcanned, though.

Maddon to the Padres is a big rumor that's already out there.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:11 am

On the plus side, the Cubs' swoon means that the recent spate of injuries, including Bryant's ankle sprain this weekend, isn't going to mean making agonizing personnel decisions in critical games.

Sit em all, get ready for golf.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am

Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:41 am

[*]

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.

At least until Monday Night Football.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:03 am

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.

Sounds like something is badgering you...

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:19 am

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.

I was thinking about you this weekend, not a positive one for your teams

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:21 am

pr0ner wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:10 am
Zaxxon wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:00 am
Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:56 am Surprisingly, the Cubs hadn't been swept at home by the Cards in a 4-game series for 98 years...until yesterday.

Timing is everything.
It's also notable that the Cubs have lost five straight games by one run. Craziness.

Congrats, Cards (boy, that hurts). Hopefully Maddon doesn't get shitcanned as I think he's unlikely to be replaced by some mysterious better manager that the Cubs would presume to pick up. He'll probably get shitcanned, though.
Maddon to the Padres is a big rumor that's already out there.

Padres time honored tradition of hiring after the expiration date.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:04 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:41 am [*]
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.
At least until Monday Night Football.

I'm going to that game tonight. Time to put my undefeated record in person at Redskins games to the test.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:42 pm

Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:03 am
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.
Sounds like something is badgering you...

Cardinal rule:

Baby wolverines are called kits or cubs.

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:31 pm

pr0ner wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:10 am
Zaxxon wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:00 am Hopefully Maddon doesn't get shitcanned as I think he's unlikely to be replaced by some mysterious better manager that the Cubs would presume to pick up. He'll probably get shitcanned, though.
Maddon to the Padres is a big rumor that's already out there.

There's an opening in KC with Yost retiring.

The rumor is that it's Matheny's job if he wants it. I really, really, really hope that doesn't happen.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 2:33 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:42 pm
Jeff V wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:03 am
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.
Sounds like something is badgering you...
Cardinal rule:
Baby wolverines are called kits or cubs.

Ninyu · Post by **Ninyu** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 4:06 pm

The White Sox are soooo close to being a good team. They have some injured pitchers coming back next spring and some good prospects they kept in AAA for the extra year of service time. The future is looking good! It was a fun season to watch even if they didn't win a ton. There is a good core in place with Moncada, Eloy, Abreu, McCann, Giolito, and Cease. Just need a few more pieces.

Edit: I forgot Tim Anderson!! You know, the guy going for the MLB batting title currently. Duh!

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 7:17 pm

Ninyu wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 4:06 pm The White Sox are soooo close to being a good team. They have some injured pitchers coming back next spring and some good prospects they kept in AAA for the extra year of service time. The future is looking good! It was a fun season to watch even if they didn't win a ton. There is a good core in place with Moncada, Eloy, Abreu, McCann, Giolito, and Cease. Just need a few more pieces.

Edit: I forgot Tim Anderson!! You know, the guy going for the MLB batting title currently. Duh!

Stop it! You'll give me hope!

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:42 pm

pr0ner wrote:
LawBeefaroni wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:41 am [*]
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 am Sports are dumb and I have no desire to discuss them.
At least until Monday Night Football.
I'm going to that game tonight. Time to put my undefeated record in person at Redskins games to the test.

Not looking good for the streak.