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2016 MLB Season Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Vertical Limit, Mar 31, 2016.

  1. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

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    Hanley/Pablo/Shaw to start.
     
  2. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Whew!

    That was amazing. This Cubs team is special. Making me sweat bullets, but moving on to the NLCS. They're going to need more from the bats in the next round. I'm pulling for Washington.
     
  3. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I think that, if you aren't a fan of one of the franchises left standing, that this should be an easy post season to root for someone. If Washington wins their series, the LCS will be filled with teams who don't have a lot of championship history.

    >Everyone knows the Cubs story. No WS appearance since 1945. No WS win since 1908. Didn't make the playoffs between 1945-84. Prior to 2015, they had only won one playoff series since '45.

    >Cleveland appeared in the WS in 1995 & 1997 as part of a great run when they went to the playoffs five years in a row and 6/7. However, they lost the 97 series in heartbreaking fashion, after being up 3-1 on the Marlins. They last won the WS in 1948, and didn't make the playoffs between 1954-1995.

    >The Bluejays were born in 1977 (same year as me). They won the WS in 1992 & 1993, but didn't make the playoffs again until 2015. Since they were last in the WS, they've had to watch their division rivals Boston and NYY combine for 16 ALCS appearances, 10 WS appearances, and 8 titles.

    >The Nationals were founded as the Expos in 1969 and moved to DC in 2005. The franchise has only appeared in one NLCS, in 1981, and has never been to the WS. They've had to watch their division rival Atlanta go the playoffs 13/14 years at one point, starting in the early 90s, go to 9 NLCS, 5 WS and win one WS title. The Mets have been to six NLCS since 1986, appeared in 3 WS since then, and won the title in 86. The Phillies went to the playoffs five straight years from 2007-11, have been to 4 NLCS since 1993, made 3 WS appearances in that time frame, and won the title in 2008. Even the Marlins, who have only ever been to the playoffs twice, won the title in both of those years, 1997 & 2003.
     
  4. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    I think the Cubs are gonna do it this year. I thought for sure, when it was 5-2, that the Giants were winning the same and the series. Even year magic and the Cubs curse becoming the perfect storm.

    But the Cubs responded incredibly. I was actually stunned watching that 9th, despite SF's awful bullpen. What a comeback.
     
  5. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'll admit that I had given up, and was focusing on how worried I was about how game 5 was going to go, and how the 103 wins in the regular season were awesome, but to lose in the first round would be such an awful feeling. Being a Dolphins and Cubs fan, I'm not used to my team coming up huge when they're down and its the most important. Its a weird feeling!
     
    Rocky Raccoon likes this.
  6. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    I think itll be cleveland vs chicago.. one team will break the curse
     
  7. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

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    That would truly rock.
     
  8. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Cleveland won the series when my grandparents were in their 20s. Thats like yesterday to a Cubs fan, lol. :lol:
     
  9. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm feeling good about Game 1 of the NLCS for the Cubs. We're starting Lester, and the Dodgers have been pretty terrible against LH pitching all season. Hopefully, that means that the Cubs can save their bullpen. Plus, the Dodgers are likely to start their #3 man, Maeda, who gave up four runs in three innings in his last start. I'm hoping that they have to go to relievers early, and wear their own bullpen out.

    I figure that with Kershaw coming in to close the game last night, LA likely saves him for Game 3 at Dodgers Stadium. Also curious who would be their 4th starter if they go that route. With the first four games of the series being played over a five day span, they likely will have to.
     
  10. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Cubs are clutch, but making me go grey. Let the Dodgers load the bases with no one out in the top of the 8th, eventually let them tie the game at 3, then with 2 strikes and 2 out in the bottom, .200 hitter Montero hits a grand slam. Feeling good about being up 1-0, but they need to score some runs before the opposition ties the game. These post season games are heart wreckers.
     
  11. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Fun stat. Kris Bryant, in his second year in the bigs, now has 8 career postseason extra base hits, which is the most ever in Cubs history. Hopefully, some of his teammates can give him a run for his money the rest of the way :up:
     
  12. LiferYank

    LiferYank New Member

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    Reports are Indians might go with Ryan Merritt for game four... Who is Ryan Merritt? Well even Ryan Merritt doesnt know ;)

    How is a team with so many pitching question marks doing so well? Talk about "gritt"!
     
  13. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    Julio Urias would be the Game Four starter for The Dodgers. Assuming, of course, that he doesn't have to come in for Rich Hill in Game 3. If so, then I don't think The Dodgers even know who would pick up the start for that game. Kershaw probably won't start until Game 6, unless Game 5 turns out to be an elimination game for them, then I think you will see him comeback on short rest. Otherwise, it will be Maeda again, in that game.
     
  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs seemed absolutely helpless vs Kershaw last night. 1-0 might as well have been 10-0.

    The bats still haven't really shown up in the post season at all. They really need to get things going the next two games in LA.
     
  15. jpep13

    jpep13 Coach Of The Year Club Member

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    Interesting series so far. next 2 games in LA,
     
  16. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    Urias will be the youngest player to ever start a playoff game. Going up against John Lackey and the Cubs, is quite a task. The Cubs right now, simply can't hit a curve ball. It is insane how hapless they are. However, I have seen enough of Urias to know that he walks a lot of batters and can get beat up quickly while trying to get a high fastball by professional hitters. I think The Cubs end their scoring drought tomorrow. But they better do it early, because after the fifth inning, if LA is winning, they will go to their pen and try to take a 3-1 lead into Game 5, where I am almost certain Kershaw will be on the rubber, in that scenario.
     
  17. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The last two games have just been miserable. The club has just forgotten how to hit all together. I'm trying to take a deep breath and hope that tonight is better, but its hard to be too optimistic.
     
  18. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    i hope the bullpen is ready tonight, got a feeling a lot of runs from both sides..
     
  19. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    It has to happen early for Chicago. Like first or second inning when the game and atmosphere may end up being too big for the youngster. If he rolls early, I think he can get it to the 6th and hand the ball over to that bullpen.

    Urias throws high strikes with his fastball and is still trying to master control of his breaking balls. Chicago needs to be patient, take pitches and wait for those strikes out over the plate that Urias will be forced to throw.

    Lackey has always been a big game pitcher. As long as he can get Turner and Seager out, L.A. won't be able to score more than two or three runs. The offense hums when those guys are on and stagnates when they are off.
     
  20. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    10 runs later (and 20 men on base during the game), and I feel like I can exhale. Had the Cubs won last night by something like 2-1, I'd be as anxious about the rest of the series as if they were down 3-1. Now, tonights game is huge, but I'm comfortable that they can step up and do what needs to be done, and go back to Wrigley needing to win one out of two games.

    Fun note: Joe Maddon now has as many post season victories as Cubs manager (nine), as every other man who's managed the team combined from 1946-2014.
     
  21. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Reading my original post and man my predictions were way off :lol: Dodgers having as many injuries as they had this season, no one wouldve predicted how far they have gone..
     
  22. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I think that if that were to happen to almost any other team, it would have been disaster. Luckily for LA, they have an unlimited budget, with scores of expensive veteran players who don't start regularly for them.

    They were also saved by the sudden and dramatic emergence of Rich Hill this year. Hill is a guy that the Cubs gave up on at age 28 in 2008. He had promise, but was never a hard thrower, and then also struggled with command, and didn't even make his MLB debut until he was 25. Baltimore have him 13 starts in 2009 before they moved on also. He then went five years in a row, from age 30-34, on seven different clubs, without making a single start. Then Boston gave him a shot last year, and he did well, before becoming a solid starter somehow this season for Oakland at age 36. Then he shuts the Cubs down completely in his most recent start.

    I'm hoping that the clock strikes midnight and he turns back into a pumpkin before Sunday!
     
  23. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Your team can win against Kershaw but your pitcher will have to be near perfect. I see a 2-0 type of score but i dont know who wins honestly..
     
  24. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    With the Cubs having Hendricks and Arrieta starting, I think that if the offense can show up one game, we're solid. If they can hold down the Dodgers long enough and make Kershaw exit the game with the score tied or the Cubs ahead, then the LA bullpen has shown their vulnerable.
     
  25. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    A bit of OMG news as a Cubs fan. The team added Kyle Schwarber to their AFL squad today. Which means that, at a minimum, they feel he's healthy enough to try and start playing organized baseball again. However, the deeper meaning is that if they were to make it to the WS, he would technically be available to be added to the roster to play as the DH in the AL games! Far from certain, but man would that be sweet.
     
  26. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    What a beautiful performance to clinch the NL title, taking it to Kershaw. This Cubs team is special, and full of guys that are not only great players, but such likable guys who are so easy to root for. I have never known this feeling as a sports fan before, and I'm not sure how to process it fully, but its good.

    Now, we need 4 more wins to bring home the big prize.

    [​IMG]
     
  27. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Congrats. I kinda want the Indians to win though just so half the free world will get off the Cubs nuts.

    Plus Major League was a better baseball movie then Rookie of The Year
     
  28. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm not sure that's really reasonable though. The guy has no timing right now in all likelihood and he's coming off a serious injury. Maybe as a PH role?
     
  29. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Its all just speculation right now, but we'll see. They asked Theo about it on the post game, and he didn't reject it.

    Cleveland's pitching is predominantly right handed. Assuming that the Cubs go with their normal lineups, they're limited to RH Soler or Contrares as the DH on days they don't start, unless the want to go with Tommy LeStella or Chris Coughlin. I get what you're saying about timing. Schwarber has a few days to show them something before they have to set the rosters. I don't think that its likely he plays, but its not impossible. He certainly wouldn't play the field, and would be station to station on the base paths, but he has so much raw power. Five homers in last year's playoffs, with eight RBI and a .419 OPB.
     
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  30. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    As someone who doesn't have a horse in the race, yeah outside of Chapman the Cubs are a very likable team. Same can be said about Cleveland too.

    I'm probably still going to root for Cleveland in the WS because of Francona, Napoli and Andrew Miller as I have fond memories of them with the Sox. Of course with the Cubs I can't root against Lester, Lackey, Rizzo (the one that got away), Ross and half of the Cubs FO. The only reason why I wouldn't want the Cubs to win is because of Chapman and Joe Maddon. If those guys weren't on the team I might really be torn on who I'd want to win.

    It should be a good series and hopefully it goes 7 games but I'd have to think the Cubs are going to be the favorites here, especially with Cleveland without Salazar and Carasco.
     
  31. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I totally understand Chapman and his off the field issues. What's in Maddon's past that bothers you? Just don't like him as a rival manager, the same way I hate the Cardinals?

    BTW, it looks like Kyle Schwarber is going to be on the roster and play DH tomorrow night. He's flying to Cleveland now. Its like a movie script almost :up:
     
  32. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I think Maddon is a hell of a manager but I think he's (or at least was) a complete blowhard who loves reading about himself in the papers. I think he's basically another Bobby Valentine where he just talks and talks but is actually a good manager and the players and owners like him. Granted I'm biased because he was with the Rays but yeah he always seemed to have something to say. Again not sure if he's different since he went to Chicago or maybe that's part of his plan to take the focus off of the players but he comes off as pretty unlikable.
     
  33. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I don't think anything you said is factually untrue, but its come off as a very positive thing on the North Side, lol. Cubs fans and media love Maddon, and love to hear him talk. Theo is good in front of the camera, but he's not out there much. Joe is very much the mouthpiece of the team, and its been very effective. The clubhouse is made up mostly of guys who take to his leadership it seems, and they all get along really well. From the outside looking in each day, it really feels like it works, and hes the right man for the job.
     
  34. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Yup, I get that and understand it. Like I said, I think he's one of the best managers in the game today, no question about it. It seems like he's well liked by the players and FO. But as an outsider I can't stand him. I'm sure if he was a career NL manager or didn't manage in the AL East I wouldn't have a problem with him but I had to deal with him for what 8 years or so when he was managing the Rays.

    I truly hope this WS is great. I like both franchises but I especially love the city of Chicago and Wrigley is my 2nd favorite park after Fenway. Good luck tonight.
     
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  35. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    I don't understand why Maddon let David Ross hit with the bases loaded over Miller instead of going to Contreras or Soler in that spot. Not sure it would have mattered but he should have pinched hit there, especially with him having 3 catchers on the roster to begin with.

    Fun game last night though. Hopefully the rain stays away tonight.
     
  36. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Ross was probably less likely to strike out than either of those two. Less likely to his a HR too certainly, but Id say the odds of him getting a single or working a walk were greater. Had he done a better job of checking his swing, he'd have earned the free bag and brought in a run. Had there been one out instead of two, I think he does pinch hit for him.
     
  37. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

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    Ross is a career .229/.316/.423 hitter, odds of him not making an out in that spot aren't good. He should have been pinch hit for. I would have taken my chance with Soler or Contreras.
     
  38. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

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    I ****ing hate Andrew Miller.
     
  39. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm just hoping that they drive his pitch count through the roof now, and can get a run or two.
     
  40. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

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    Run. Out. Of. The. Box.
     

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