2015 MLB Thread

metaldams · **Reply #75 on:** September 10, 2015, 03:05:29 PM

Quote from: Lefty on September 10, 2015, 02:39:16 PM

I wish I did not have to make those comments. I would not have had any problem if Rube the Boob had been the best GM in Phillies' history.

As for Buck Buchanan, typical Amaro idiocy -- and that of the coaches, scouts, etc.

Oh yeah -- how about the timing of the firing -- not until the Phillies were mathematically eliminated from the post-season.

I don't blame you for not wanting to make those comments, it's gotta be rough, especially after a World Series and five consecutive division titles. Watching them against Boston, I will say you have a good young lead off hitter in that Herrera kid.

As for the Red Sox, they're at least making me proud and fun to watch again. Too little, too late for this year, but they have a ton of good young players 25 and under. Interesting to see how Dombrowski builds around them in the off season and if he can trim the fat. For the remainder of the 2015 season, AL East wise, go Blue Jays.

Diesel, you gotta be happy right now.

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #76 on:** September 10, 2015, 03:32:05 PM

I should be feeling good after that big sweep of the Nats, but I don't think I'm ready to call the NL East race just yet--I still have bad memories of 2007 I believe it was, when the Mets gagged big time coming down the stretch. Of course, we have a much better team now than that Mets teamed that failed 8 years ago, but I won't be able to relax until the Mets officially clinch....

Lefty · **Reply #77 on:** September 12, 2015, 10:25:52 AM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on September 10, 2015, 03:32:05 PM

I should be feeling good after that big sweep of the Nats, but I don't think I'm ready to call the NL East race just yet--I still have bad memories of 2007 I believe it was, when the Mets gagged big time coming down the stretch. Of course, we have a much better team now than that Mets teamed that failed 8 years ago, but I won't be able to relax until the Mets officially clinch....

Naturally I enjoyed the Mets' meltdowns in 2007 and 2008, which was surprising in that the Mets were used to October action, having been in the playoffs in 2006. This year, with no experience in late-season situations, they seem to be handling it well (or the Nats flat-out choked). Still, the Mets are basically a .500 team when one takes away their performances against the Phillies and Rockies. A playoff series against the Dodgers would be quite interesting -- Utley's Corner, Jimmy "We're the Team to Beat" Rollins, and Mr. May, Curtain Klayshaw [sic], making no one remind him of John Smoltz in October.

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #78 on:** September 12, 2015, 10:31:19 AM

Yeah, it's Kershaw's failures in October that would have me feeling good about a Mets/Dodgers NLDS--of course, if Harvey is taken out of the rotation come playoff time because the Mets want to preserve his arm for the future, I would be a lot less confident--but, as it stands right now, I wouldn't sweat Dodger Blue in the postseason....

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #79 on:** September 26, 2015, 06:11:54 PM

New York Mets--2015 NL East champions...

Bring on the Dodgers....

Lefty · **Reply #80 on:** September 27, 2015, 09:53:46 AM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on September 26, 2015, 06:11:54 PM

New York Mets--2015 NL East champions...

Bring on the Dodgers....

1. Mazel Tov! And best of all, the loudmouth Gnats are out, and the Mets cannot win the division in Philly.

2. Be careful what you wish for. Chutley and Little Jimmy are out there -- somewhere.

Lefty · **Reply #81 on:** September 28, 2015, 02:23:51 PM

After the 8th inning ended in yesterday's Phillies/Nationals game, with the score tied 4-4, Jonathon "The Miz" Papelbon and Bryce "Don't Call Me Luke" Harper got into a tussle in the dugout. Paps probably berated Harper for not running out a pop fly, Harper yelled back at Paps, and Paps grabbed Harper and choked him into the wall before coach Rick Schu and players separated them, while soon to be ex-manager Matt Williams was at the other end of the dugout.

Williams let Papelbon pitch the 9th inning, in which he allowed 5 of the 8 runs the Phillies scored in an eventual, but meaningless, 12-5 win. Today the Nats suspended the Miz lookalike for 4 games, added to the 3 he must serve for whacking Manny Machado with a pitch last week, so that is the end of the season for him. I'm sure he'll find some way to keep the $11 million he is to receive in 2016.

Papelbon may have been wrong in going after Harper physically, but Harper should not have Jimmy Rollins'ed that pop fly. You makes your money and you takes your effort, or something like that.

Lefty · **Reply #82 on:** October 03, 2015, 10:52:45 AM

One more win, or enough rain to prevent them from playing at least one game, and the Phillies will avoid the century mark for losses. However, the Reds seem intent on getting the top pick in the draft next year. Who to root for? Also, the teams will open the 2016 season against each other in the traditional (if not earliest time-wise) baseball opener in Cincinnati.

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #83 on:** October 05, 2015, 05:21:00 PM

Postseason time right around the corner--time for predictions:

AL Wild Card: Houston

ALDS: Kansas City over Houston in 4

Toronto over Texas in 4

ALCS: KC over Toronto in 6

NL Wild Card: Pittsburgh

NLDS: Pittsburgh over Cards in 5

Mets over Dodgers in 5

NLCS: Mets over Pirates in 7

World Series: Mets over KC in 6

Lefty · **Reply #84 on:** October 07, 2015, 02:57:31 PM

Mazel Tov to the Yankees on the perfect conclusion to the season -- being shut out at home by a team that (A) lost 111 games just two years ago, and (2) losing to a team that long ago lost playoff series to both the Phillies and the Mets. I guess the Steinbrenner clan will fork over a billion zillion dollars for more position players in the off-season.

JazzBill · **Reply #85 on:** October 08, 2015, 01:00:01 AM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 05, 2015, 05:21:00 PM

Postseason time right around the corner--time for predictions:

NL Wild Card: Pittsburgh

NLDS: Pittsburgh over Cards in 5

oops.....Greetings from Chicago

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #86 on:** October 08, 2015, 08:13:12 AM

Oops is right, JazzBill. Arrieta was filthy last night...

I wonder if Houston will give Kansas City a run for their money...

metaldams · **Reply #87 on:** October 08, 2015, 05:45:48 PM

Seriously, with a 1-2 of Arrieta and Lester, Chicago has a shot. It would make a great story, though right now, I'd be OK with anyone but St. Louis.

JazzBill · **Reply #88 on:** October 08, 2015, 06:27:26 PM

Chicago is all fired up on the Cubs but I don't think they have enough bull pen or a good enough number 3 pitcher to go much farther. But they are a little ahead of schedule and will be a force to be reckoned with for the next few years. Good luck to all my .net friends.

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #89 on:** October 08, 2015, 06:42:50 PM

Not a total shock, but I am surprised a bit about Texas taking Game 1 from Toronto. I forget if these are his career numbers, but David Price in the playoffs, 0-6 with an ERA above 5, I believe....

Tony Bensley · **Reply #90 on:** October 08, 2015, 07:28:06 PM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 08, 2015, 06:42:50 PM

Not a total shock, but I am surprised a bit about Texas taking Game 1 from Toronto. I forget if these are his career numbers, but David Price in the playoffs, 0-6 with an ERA above 5, I believe....

In hindsight, the 11 day rest between starts didn't do David Price any favors, either! His command was as inconsistent as I've seen it since he came to Toronto!

Hopefully, Stroman will fare better tomorrow (Though I can't help but think he's due for a sub par start, himself!), and the Blue Jays can fare better offensively against Cole Hamels, or else it may well prove to be a very short post season for them!

CHEERS!

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #91 on:** October 09, 2015, 10:03:39 AM

Road Warriors so far in the MLB postseason--hope the trend continues tonight with the Mets....

Tony Bensley · **Reply #92 on:** October 09, 2015, 10:26:58 AM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 09, 2015, 10:03:39 AM

Road Warriors so far in the MLB postseason--hope the trend continues tonight with the Mets....

I'm fine with the Mets winning, but frankly, I hope that Toronto bucks the Road Warriors trend this afternoon! What's with them being scheduled for 2 consecutive weekday afternoon games (1st pitch today's at 12:35--are they effing kidding?) in the playoffs, anyway? It makes no bloody sense!

CHEERS!

metaldams · **Reply #93 on:** October 09, 2015, 11:29:39 AM

Speaking of postseason chokers, Clayton Kershaw, 1 - 5; 5.92 ERA in his career. He needs to man up in October, he'll have his chance.

As a Red Sox fan, I'm stoked about Lester vs. Lackey!

Tony Bensley · **Reply #94 on:** October 09, 2015, 01:58:26 PM

As I type this, the Toronto Blue Jays are leading the Texas Rangers 4-3 after 7 innings.

Here's hoping they can buck the Road Warrior trend, as the Jays really need this win!

CHEERS!

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #95 on:** October 09, 2015, 04:07:32 PM

Man, I was really hoping Bautista would have jacked one out of the park, just to see what his reaction might have been, after that little dustup between the Jays and Rangers...

Tony Bensley · **Reply #96 on:** October 09, 2015, 04:35:05 PM

Quote from: Shemp_Diesel on October 09, 2015, 04:07:32 PM

Man, I was really hoping Bautista would have jacked one out of the park, just to see what his reaction might have been, after that little dustup between the Jays and Rangers...

What can I say? While it's been a most flustwatin' game of inconsistent officiating with balls & strikes, plus c'mon, that safe at second call in the top of the 14th should've been reversed for the third out; Toronto has also been playing as if already defeated for the past several innings!

Sometimes, things just don't go your way! Nuff said!

Shemp_Diesel · **Reply #97 on:** October 09, 2015, 04:37:31 PM

Well, I'm not sure many prognosticators had the 2 teams from Texas being up 2-0 in their respective series heading into the weekend, but it looks like that is what is going to happen.

"Home field advantage" doesn't mean shit in 2015...

metaldams · **Reply #98 on:** October 09, 2015, 07:28:04 PM

Tony, I'm rooting for The Cubs this point forward, but still would like to see Toronto make it far. No playoff games since '93 is a long time.

This Cubs vs. Cardinals game is exhibit A as to why Ben Cherrington is no longer Boston's GM. I do like the young players on the team (I give him credit trading Andrew Miller for Eduardo Rodriguez, at least), but losing Lackey and Lester, plus adding Pablo and Hanley, was his final straw.

Tony Bensley · **Reply #99 on:** October 09, 2015, 07:59:47 PM

Quote from: metaldams on October 09, 2015, 07:28:04 PM

Tony, I'm rooting for The Cubs this point forward, but still would like to see Toronto make it far. No playoff games since '93 is a long time.

This Cubs vs. Cardinals game is exhibit A as to why Ben Cherrington is no longer Boston's GM. I do like the young players on the team (I give him credit trading Andrew Miller for Eduardo Rodriguez, at least), but losing Lackey and Lester, plus adding Pablo and Hanley, was his final straw.

That's funny the Cubs are your second as they're mine, also! I would of course, love to see the Jays go further, but in my opinion, they need to be a lot looser than they were in the last several innings today to even have an outside chance, at this point. Our son wasn't even born when Toronto won their last playoff game in that magical World Series, long ago! Fortunately for him, he cares not a whit about sports--just not built that way!

CHEERS!

P.S. I see that KC managed to overcome the Road Warrior trend. Too bad, Toronto couldn't have done the same!