1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

2017 MLB Season Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Unlucky 13, Mar 21, 2017.

  1. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    NY made a solid trade to get Jamie Garcia

    And Boston also had a good trade by getting Addison Reed.
     
  2. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    And now the Yankees have Sonny Gray. With Jaime and Sonny on board theyve officially won the trade deadline
     
  3. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Until the Dodgers traded for Cingrani, Watson, and especially Darvish.
     
  4. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    All the trades look to make the league just as top heavy during August and September as last season. If the Cubs hadn't sandbagged their way though the first half, the NL playoffs would already be set, and its still July!
     
  5. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    75,120
    37,638
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    New York
    I am officially proclaiming today Happy Amed Rosario Day! Run, dont walk, to your Fantasy leagues and get him. Think Lindor woth maybe a bit more power and speed. Youre welcome.
     
  6. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    They dont make it to the world series.. bank on it...
     
  7. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    As a Cubs fan, I hope not! However, I think that LA is the runaway team for the top seed in the NL playoffs. Right now, it looks like Chicago and Washington are on a collision course for the playoffs, and the Dodgers will play the winner of the Colorado/Arizona WC game.
     
  8. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    I mean, history says this is true, but they're REALLY good this year. If Kershaw is Kershaw (and obviously healthy) in the playoffs, they could very well win the WS, let alone get there. Their playoff rotation is going to be insane, their bullpen should be pretty lights out, and their lineup is really good as well.
     
  9. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    They're the favorites in the NL, no question, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Look at Cleveland last season. Everyone thought that they could get crushed in the first round.
     
  10. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Absolutely. Baseball is all about who is hot at the right time. But it's also about your pitching, and LA has it in spades.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2017
  11. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    My fear, as a Dodgers fan, is that they hit a lull going into the playoffs.

    The Cubs and Nationals shored up what their biggest weaknesses seem to be, as well. It is going to be a tough road to the WS, regardless.
     
    sports24/7 likes this.
  12. jpep13

    jpep13 Coach Of The Year Club Member

    14,303
    6,244
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
  13. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Cards coming in hot
     
  14. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    If heakthy Stanton will tie or pass Maris.. book it..
     
  15. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    75,120
    37,638
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    New York
    And yesterday was a historic night in Philly:
    Dominic Smith with his 1st career hit
    Amed Rosario with his first GW homer.

    The Mets new Wright and Reyes combo. The hype is real! :)
     
  16. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Nobody is better than Stanton at the plate currently. Its not even debatable. Hes on barry bonds mode right now.
     
  17. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Just a few weeks ago, it looked pretty clear that the Rockies and Diamondbacks were going to be the two NL wildcards, and that the second NL central team had little chance of making it in. But both the teams in the West have faded a bit, and the Cubs are now only a few games back, with the Cards 1.5 back of them.

    Also, I think that the Brewers, just 2.0 games back tonight, are about to die off. They just lost the first game of a nine game West Coast road trip, while the Cubs and Cards face much easier schedules the rest of this month. It wouldn't surprise me if MIL was 8 games back on September 1.
     
  18. Samphin

    Samphin Κακό σκυλί ψόφο δεν έχει

    Dodgers acquire Curtis Granderson. Seems like an odd asset for L.A. on the surface, but if you look at Curtis's numbers against The Nationals pitching staff, it makes more sense, for playoff purposes.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  19. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    The Cubs finished 17-12 in August, and are 30-15 since the AS break, finally playing the way that they should have been all year long. If they can duplicate that 17-12 record in September (which they very much should be able to do, given their opponents), they can get to 90 wins, which should be enough to win the NL Central in a down year.

    With the Nationals and Dodgers basically already in the postseason, and the Cardinals having waived the white flag, we're down to the Cubs, Brewers, Rockies and Diamondbacks fighting for three spots. At the break, the Cubs were so far behind the teams in the West, that it looked like their only hope would be to win the division (which is still most likely), but they've now pulled ahead of Colorado, and are only 2.5 back of Arizona, so should the Brewers suddenly get crazy hot, one of the West teams could still miss out.
     
  20. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    75,120
    37,638
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    New York
    Grandy makes me want the Dodgers to win. There's not a better person in the league that I know of. And as streaky as he is, he came up with some really big hits for NYM.
     
  21. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Its the first Sunday in September, which along with the fact that it should be the start of the NFL season, means that its also a good time to look at Magic Numbers in MLB!

    National League:

    The Dodgers number to win the west is now 13 (vs ARZ). Their number to make the playoffs is only 6, and the number to secure the #1 seed in the NL is 18 (vs WAS).

    The Nationals number to win the East is now 13 (vs MIA). Their number to make the playoffs is the same, as the WC contenders are all in the other divisions, and their number to secure the #2 seed is 21 (vs CHC).

    The Cubs number to win the Central is now 23 (vs MIL). Their number to make the playoffs is the same, however they are now 3 games ahead of COL in the WC standings, if necessary.

    The Diamondbacks number to make the playoffs is now 20 (vs MIL), and their number to earn the first WC spot and host the game is 22 (vs COL).

    The Rockies number to make the playoffs is now 26 (vs MIL).

    The Giants and Phillies have been officially eliminated from winning their division titles.

    The Dodgers and Nationals play each other three more times. The Cubs do not play any of the other top four teams in the NL the rest of the way. The Dodgers play 7 games vs COL and 3 vs ARZ. COL and ARZ play each other four more times.

    American League:

    Houston's number to win the West is now 15 (vs ANA). Their number to make the playoffs is the same, and their number to secure the #1 seed is 25 (vs CLE).

    Cleveland's number to win the Central is now 20 (vs MIN). Their number to make the playoffs is 18 (vs ANA), and their number to secure the #2 seed is 25 (vs BOS).

    Boston's number to win the East is 23 (vs NYY). Their number to make the playoffs is 20 (vs ANA).

    The Yankees number to make the playoffs is 25 (vs ANA), and to secure the #1 WC spot is 27 (vs MIN).

    The Twins number to make the playoffs is 26 (vs ANA).

    The White Sox have been eliminated from winning the Central.

    Houston faces the Angles six more times, and their only remaining games against the other top four teams in the AL are the final four games of the season vs BOS. CLE plays 3 more games vs MIN. They are finished with HOU, BOS and NYY. BOS and NYY play their final regular season game today. NYY and MIN play three more games.
     
  22. finyank13

    finyank13 Reality Check

    30,718
    5,415
    113
    Jan 6, 2010
    The Yankees are rebuilding.
     
  23. Jt0323

    Jt0323 Fins Up! Luxury Box

    12,967
    7,293
    113
    Dec 7, 2007
    Las Vegas
    I tell myself that every time they blow a golden opportunity. 2017 Yankees are getting killed by their inconsistent play. Some days they look great, most they look average at best. Bullpen has been terrible for the Yankees this year, in big moments. Good news is, next season we should be much better.
     
  24. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia


    If the Cubs were able to play the Mets more often, they might lead the majors in offense!
     
  25. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    12 games to get six homeruns... and Stanton is starting to heat up again for a clutch push at Maris.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  26. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    It would be great if he were someday able to knock Bonds out of the top spot.
     
  27. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    In my opinion, Judge will get 70 before Stanton does... once judge figures out the high pitches hes going to be unpitchable.

    Stanton always starts the season slow.. if he cant get off to a fast start hes not going to get 70.

    But next season, if health permits you can bank on them both to get over 60.
     
  28. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    I don't think anyone is breaking 70 anytime soon. It took one of the greatest hitters of all time on performance enhancing drugs to do that. I just want Stanton to get to 60, and if he can get hot again and break 62, that would be amazing. I think most would consider that the real record.
     
  29. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

    13,500
    4,315
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    Who's to say Stanton isn't on any PEDs? Or Maris back in 1961 for that matter. It's a slippery slope to take one record at face value while ignoring another. Sucks that all records are basically 'tainted' but it is what it is unfortunately.
     
  30. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,926
    63,003
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    An excellent point. And I wish there was better, comprehensive testing of every player. But at least he's not a total jerk like Bonds.
     
    Ray Finkle likes this.
  31. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    There's never even been a whisper of Stanton or Maris being involved with PEDs, Stanton doing so in an age when these guys are as under the microscope as you can be with this stuff. On the other hand, there is evidence of Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa doing so. If you don't want as asterisk by your name, don't get involved with this stuff. It's really that simple. If something comes out on those guys, then their records are tainted as well.

    I don't see how it's a slippery slope if someone has been proven to be a cheater. Also, the record will be the record. But people's perception of it is a different story. If Stanton breaks 62, many will perceive it as the true record.
     
    Boik14 likes this.
  32. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    75,120
    37,638
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    New York
    I support this message. Barroid, Sosa and McGwire are all cheaters. Their records will never be valid to me. Why would I recognize someone who cheated to break a record as the record holder? Thats like a teacher catching the student chsating and still giving him the A. Its idiotic.
     
    Unlucky 13 and sports24/7 like this.
  33. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

    13,500
    4,315
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    It's absolutely a slippery slope.

    What would you say if I were to tell you that Player A played 13 seasons, in 12 of them never hit more than 38 home runs, in 10 of those seasons never hit more than 28 home runs, yet in one of those seasons hit 61 home runs. Would you be suspicious? If that happened today that player would be hammered in the media and there would be a PED witch hunt. No one blinks an eye with Maris though.

    Remember when Maris played greenies weren't against the rules, now they are. Much like when Bonds played steroids weren't against the rules either. Hank Aaron admitted to taking greenies, which again are now illegal and tested for in the MLB, so maybe he shouldn't be viewed as the 'real' Home Run King since people want to disqualify Bonds. See it's a slippery slope.

    If you want to believe that just because there aren't any whispers or evidence that means players are clean, that's fine but you'd be wrong. Do you honestly think that these players are all 100% clean because there's testing in place and they are under the microscope? Do you think the only players that get caught are the only ones using them? Just look at Arod, he never failed a MLB PED test since they started testing in 2005. The only reason why he got busted is because he was part of the Biogenesis scandal, not for any test he failed done by the MLB. There are absolutely guys out there using and not getting caught. That's why we should take these records with a grain of salt. That's why I don't get all worked up over these records and can just sit back and enjoy the game for what it is.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2017
  34. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

    13,500
    4,315
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    So who's the real home run recorder holder? If it's not Bonds, it can't be Aaron either. I guess Babe Ruth?

    Regarding your analogy about the teacher and students: What if cheating wasn't against the rules in January, so students cheated and got away with it. Now as of May 1st cheating is against the rules so if the students cheated they get in trouble. Should that teacher go back and punish all the students that cheated before May 1st?

    See what I'm getting at with this slippery slope stuff? It's not just black and white here.
     
  35. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    The player A vs player B stuff is irrelevant. We're talking about information coming out proving cheating, not what the statistics say. It's really that simple. And saying that steroids weren't illegal when Bonds was using them is incorrect. Steroids were illegal, but Bonds and the people at BALCO were trying to skirt the system by using steroids that weren't specifically banned. They knew it was shady, though, because they were being secretive about it. That's different than Aaron using greenies, when no forms of PEDs were banned by baseball. And even if they were, there is no evidence to suggest that Maris was using them, you're just speculating. When you start speculating, that's where the slippery slope happens.

    As far as guys using, and not getting caught, it's the same deal. Until they are caught, you take their stats at face value. If they get caught, that goes away. Again, it's simple.
     
  36. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

    13,500
    4,315
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    And when Bonds used steroids they weren't banned by baseball either, it's not different, that's my point which you just proved.

    Why does someone like Aaron get a free pass when he was using a now banned PED yet Bonds is the poster child of cheating. Both guys used PEDs at the time when they were not against MLB rules nor where they tested for. Those tests started in 2005. Hence again why it's a slippery slope.

    I never said steroids weren't illegal, I said they weren't against the rules of the MLB and weren't until 2005. Now if you want to get into if it was ethical for guys to use something that was illegal that's a completely different topic.

    I wasn't speculating that Maris did or didn't do anything. Just showing that we don't know who does what and when. If Maris had played in the 90s or 2000s even without any whispers or evidence of PED use his 1961 season absolutely would be looked at suspiciously. Just look at the witch hunt that followed Jose Bautista a few years ago when he came out of nowhere. And PEDs/steroids were around in 1961, Mantle was accused of using them that year.

    Bottom line is we just don't know who did what and when. You have to take these records at face value.
     
  37. sports24/7

    sports24/7 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    32,924
    41,461
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    They were banned, though:

    There was no testing, and no clear punishment, but they were deemed illegal at that time. Then Selig restated that they were illegal in 1997.

    So regardless of how strict they were being about it, he broke the rules to set those records.

    And again, we may not know that certain players did not partake with certainty, but we do know some players did partake. And those players should and will lose credibility because of it. Maris has never been caught, or even accused of taking anything, and there hasn't been a hint of it with Stanton either. Again, if that changes, so will the perception of those players and their records.
     
    Boik14 likes this.
  38. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    75,120
    37,638
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    New York
    Being illegal in baseball and against the real law of the land are 2 different things. Greenies are banned from baseball nowadays because they understand the health risks. They always understood many of the risks with Steroids since the Germans tested them on their prisoners in the camps. Steroids are actually against the law, greenies (or some similar equivalent) you can buy in many drug stores. They are not the same. One has a much greater impact on your body.
     
    Unlucky 13 and sports24/7 like this.
  39. Ray Finkle

    Ray Finkle Member

    13,500
    4,315
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    Yeah I know all of that however there was no testing and no punishment. It was basically done because of the Steroid Control Act. Basically lip service so they can say to the government hey see what we did here. But much like stealing signs or pitchers using pine tar, it was a don't ask don't tell type of thing. I blame MLB for not actually enforcing the rule with testing sooner.

    I guess its just me but I really just don't care who took what. If they want to take PEDs whatever. Maybe I'm just burnt out from the topic.
     

Share This Page