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2018 MLB Season Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Unlucky 13, Mar 7, 2018.

  1. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Hey everyone, with Spring Training happening the the start of the regular season only a few weeks away, I figured it was a good time to start a new thread for the upcoming MLB season.

    Who are you excited about with your teams? Is there a division other than the AL East that will actually be competitive this year?
     
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  2. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Well the Mets have a healthy pitching staff for at least the next 3 minutes so I’m excited about that. I’m excited for the beginning of the Mickey Callaway era which I hope doesn’t become the Mickey Callaway error.
    I’m excited for the return of Jay Bruce, a healthy Yoenis Cespedes and eventually a healthy Conforto. Need a healthy Conforto. I’m also happy Cespedes realized he’s not Happy Gilmore and no one really gives a **** about his golf game.
    Brandon Nimmo shows promise. I really like him as a leadoff hitter.
    I’m hopeful Dom Smith continues to use the slim fast I sent him and keeps improving.
    I’m hopeful Amed Rosario shows signs of being another Jose Reyes or Francisco Lindor type at SS for the next decade.
    I hope Juan Lagares can stay healthy and that working with JD Martinez on his launch angle helps his bat. And if he can stay healthy that’s even better.
    I’m excited the Mets will probably hit 200 homers if they’re healthy. I’m not excited we will probably get to 1000Ks by mid season.
     
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  3. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Well the former "hometown" team I lived by in Austin was the Rangers and they look to be terrible lol. My new "hometown" team that I just moved near is ... the Tigers. So yeah, exciting year!

    For real though, it might be nice to hit a few cheaper MLB games. Would love to snag a game against the Cubs for the wife as that's her team.

    Back in Austin we did ticket package to the Rangers' AAA team, which was awesome and affordable, sad to miss out on that.

    Thank god for the season starting soon though, this offseason hotstove has been unbearably dead. Next year will be interesting. Labor disputes are brewing.
     
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  4. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Interestingly, the Mets are the Cubs final road series outside of the division this year, happening August 27-29. I was thinking that maybe MLB was copying the NFL a little bit in that regard, but the Cardinals play at the Dodgers and Giants in September, and the Brewers travel to SF too, so it looks like the Cubs just got lucky.

    Their schedule actually breaks really easy in a lot of ways this season, starting with four in Miami against the AAA team there (sorry, Marlins fans!), then heading to Cincy. And the first home stand is against the Pirates and Braves, so the Cubs have a chance to get off to a really fast start. Hopefully they learned some lessons last year after the hangover from winning the Series, and can just TCOB from the get go this year. While the last few years have been terrific, this one should have the potential to be the best one of the bunch with the current team while they're all young and experienced, before the team has to choose who to move on from and who to sign to big extensions.
     
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  5. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Primarily I'd like to see the Braves get all of their young talent ready for a run next season. I'd also like to see Freddie Freeman stay healthy and make the run at MVP he was making the first month and a half or so last season.
     
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  6. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The good news: Matt Harvey looking like Matt Harvey again. Degrom and Noah loook strong. Conforto looks to be ahead of schedule. Nimmo looks every part of a CF/leadoff hitter.

    The bad: The guy the Mets brought in to be a reliable “innings eater type” Jason Vargas fractured his hand yesterday. 32 starts last year...a month with the Mets..broken hand. Non throwing hand but still...irony :confused2:
     
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  7. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Really weird watching the Cubs play a Spring Training game in Florida. Interesting quirk, given that they open in Miami.
     
  8. Not So Fast

    Not So Fast Well-Known Member

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    If you guys have T-Mobile, you can get a free subscription to MLBTV with The T-Mobile Tuesday app.
     
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  9. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    That's cool. My wife and I are just now out of our contract with AT&T and I'm keeping my eyes open. Looking for a deal where we can get free phones though.
     
  10. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Tomorrow is Opening Day, and my Cubs are on national TV at 12:30. And....I'm reminded that last month, I agreed to help at my daughter's school from 1-3 PM for events on the last day between Spring Break, not realizing at the time about the conflict. Bah. Love my kid, but I wish it was on another day!
     
  11. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    Hope springs eternal.

    Let's go Mets!
     
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  12. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Thursday Thor Time!!!! Hopefully he mows down the cards :up:

    Good to see Conforto looks like he will be back prior to May 1 like Anderson initially thought. And maybe, just maybe Matz and Harvey figured their issues out.
     
  13. JDelenne

    JDelenne Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm sure it's going to be an exciting year to be a Marlins Fan..:001_rolleyes::001_rolleyes::001_rolleyes:

    First Batter of the '18 season and its a home run lmao.
     
  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm actually getting to see the game, after I thought I wouldn't. Lester is really off today. The Marlins still have a few bats that can take advantage.

    But watching Happ hit a HR on the first pitch of the MLB season was fun as a cubs fan.

    Also, go Mets and put the cruds into a 0-3 hole to start the year.
     
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  15. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Well that’s 1-0 for NYM/0-1 for St Louis.

    How do you feel about Lester this year...he’s 34 coming off his worst year but his career pattern has been every 2 or 3 years he’s a little off but he’s never really had 2 bad years back to back?

    I like Happ for the Cubs. He’s got some pop and if he can maintain his playe discipline could be a 30 Hr guy.
     
  16. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Lester is going to be up and down. He was much better in the second half last year after a rough start, but will still sprinkle in a terrible start that kills his stats. Probably the club's 4th best starter, but got the opening day nod based on tenure and experience.

    I like Happ a lot. He was thought of as the next Zobrist, because he can play both the infield and outfield and switch hit, but he's actually developed better than that. As you said, if he can limit his strikeouts, he's not only got 30 hr power , but can set the table for the rest of the lineup too .

    I'm a homer, but the cubs absolutely have a chance to set the NL record for most 30 hr players this season. Currently four. They have six who could.
     
  17. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

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    Mets off to a really nice start. Man, if they can just stay healthy, especially at the top of the rotation, we can make some real noise. With Michael Conforto, Yoenis Cespedes, and Jay Bruce providing legit power, the offense will be able to do some damage and provide some run support. Again though, they have to stay healthy.
     
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  18. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Back of the rotation needs to get their stuff together too. If Harvey can be at least good, if not great, thats a major plus because with Thor, Degrom, Vargas and him all we would have to worry about is the 5th spot.

    What id really like to do is swing Bruce to 1b and Nimmo in CF. Improves the OF defense....id rather Nimmos OBP from the leadoff spot over washed up A Gone in the 7th slot.

    And for the love of god can we stop playing Reyes over Rosario?
     
  19. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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  20. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Sweep of the Gnats in Washington last night :)
     
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  21. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs home opener has been snowed out, and will be played tomorrow. That's why they have these built in off days early in the year. So through April 9th, the team has played only one game in an outdoor stadium, and have played only one game against someone other than the Marlins and Brewers. Weird start.
     
  22. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Scratch next season, these guys are for real this season! Freddie will be a strong MVP candidate, Ozzie Albies is one of the most exciting players in baseball, and I think Markakis is going to finally get an All-star selection. To nitpick I'm not thrilled with Teheran this season. Newcomb is looking like the new ace in Atlanta so far.
     
  23. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Braves are a lot better than I expected them to be, for sure. And in this wacky year for the NL, who knows what's going to happen. The Cubs are treading water and allowing most of the Central to fight for first place, while the Nationals and Dodgers are flat out sandbagging in 4th place. Other than the Marlins, Red and Padres being crap, the rest of the league is still very much in contention, which is something virtually no one expected. 10 different teams have winning records at around the quarter mark.
     
  24. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Newcomb is a stud. Happy i made the investment in my keeper league. Sorry i didnt do it in my auction league. Hes finally gotten hold of his control issues. He has Kershaw/Sale like upside imo.
     
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  25. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Who would have expected that at the end of May, the Brewers would have the best record in the NL, three games better than the Braves, who are next in line, followed by the Rockies.

    In fact, the Brewers are 1-7 vs the Cubs, and 34-13 vs everyone else! That's a .732 winning percentage against the rest of baseball, or 117 wins over the whole season. I'm thinking that they're due for a correction pretty soon.
     
  26. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Their pen is really good and their offense isn’t bad either. Starting pitching is a concern and the correction will come if/when the bullpen wears down.
     
  27. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Add Baltimore, Texas, the White Sox, and Royals to that.

    I think a couple others will probably start falling off soon. I don't see the Giants doing much, the Tigers are only good by comparison to their garbage division, the A's and Jays I don't see as having staying power.

    While there is a large measure of parity and teams willing to keep their foot to the pedal, the cream I think has definitely risen.

    The BoSox, Yanks and Astros are just leagues better than anyone else right now, and I don't see reasons outside of significant injury for that to change.
     
  28. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

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    It’s a shame they planted those PED’s in Cano, he would’ve been huge for the playoffs.

    M’a barring another barrage of injuries are looking a lot like a playoff team.
     
  29. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    So here we are on June 12th, and four teams in the AL are on pace to win over 100 games! The AL is really crazy in how top heavy it is. Every team with a losing record is at least 5 games under .500, and the third place team in the East is 14 games back already.

    Meanwhile in the NL, the Cubs are the only team with a winning percentage over .600, and teams are bunched much more closely. The third place team in each division is no more than 3 games back. In fact, depending on how things play out, there could be as many as 11 teams in the NL with a winning record in a couple of days. Lots of teams in contention could lead to an interesting trade deadline.

    And the poor Oakland A's are in 4th place in the AL West, 7.5 games back. But they'd be in second place, just 1.5 games back in the NL West.
     
  30. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

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    Whats crazy is one of those four first place AL teams is the Mariners. When we lost Cano I thought we were done, but they got better without him. Mariners had a chance to be leading the league this weekend. Still 2nd right now with 3 @ Yanks, 3 @ Red Sox and 4 @ Orioles coming up. This stretch could mean the difference between AL west champs and wild card status If we can come out of this trip winning 2 outta 3 series and being competitive I'll think we are real contenders. Crunch time boys!
     
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  31. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm pulling for them in the AL. They've had a lot of players that I've liked over the years, and their aqua jersey mixed with the blue hat and base layer is the best uniform in all of sports :up:

    Its only the middle of June, but its weird that the team with the 4th best record in the majors is currently the second wild card. But they're 8 games up on the Angles, so its not like they're in danger right now. And if the season ended today, the Angels would be the only team in the AL with a winning record left out. So weird. There are going to be a TON of teams selling off in July.
     
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  32. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

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    I like their Sunday uniform best
     
  33. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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  34. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    With just over half their games played, the Cubs are on pace to score more than 800 runs for the third season in a row. They only scored 800+ runs three times between 1938-2015. They're also on pace to be at least +180 in score differential for the second time in the last three seasons, and the third in the past 11, after doing it zero times between 1935-2007.

    They're also on pace to win 90 or more games for the fourth season in a row (actually 92+), after doing so only four times total between 1946-2014. And they have a chance to make the post season for the fourth season in a row, which has never before happened in club history.

    Its literally the best time to be a Cubs fan in over 100 years. I can't wait until the Dolphins make this happen as well. :up:
     
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  35. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    You would really think that this was not sustainable, but they've been doing it for half the season now. Just one of those magical years for a squad.
     
  36. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm a NL fan, so I don't pay nearly as close attention to the AL, aside from watching highlights and whatnot. I had no idea until today just how bad Baltimore and Kansas City were. Sheesh! The very worst team in the NL, Miami, has 13 more wins than Baltimore does right now. The O's would have to play .500 ball the rest of the season just to avoid losing 100 games.
     
  37. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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  38. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Man I just wanna see some crazy trades already!
     
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  39. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Looking forward to seeing some trades too! I really wonder where Manny's going to go. Somebody told me that he said he wants to sign with the Yankees next year. If true I wonder how much that might hurt his trade value as a rental. With the team knowing he likely won't be open to signing with them long term.

    On another note, as a Braves fan i'm not thrilled to see Freddie Freeman in the home run derby. I hope Harper beats him in the first round and he doesn't end up taking many extra swings. I know there's a lot of debate on whether or not home run derbies actually mess up a player's swing or wear them out or whatever but i'd rather not risk it....
     
  40. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    I'm wary of Baez and Schwarber in the derby too. It does seem to mess with some players.

    Machado does seem to want to go to NY or another big club in the offseason. As you said, it will be interesting to see if someone else is willing to pay Baltimore a king's ransom in order to rent him for a few months. And especially since he says that he only wants to play SS going forward.

    In the AL, the playoff field is almost already decided, with the Mariners holding a three game edge over the A's for the final Wild Card spot. The Rays and Angels are still alive, but if they come out of the gate slowly after the break, they'll be done. The rest of the league is already playing for next season.

    With the NL, its much more competitive. The fact that both the Phillies and Braves are this far ahead of the Nationals is shocking. And then you still have seven teams within 5.5 games of the second WC spot, so almost anything could end up happening. The Cubs, with the best record, are only 4 games up on being out of the playoffs entirely.
     

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