MLB Thread

[cleo]

I see. I don't like a draft lottery. Sounds like a terrible idea so I'm sure Manfred is all for it.

Speaking of the Pirates- didn't Alford go there? I was sorry he got hurt. Jays treated him like absolute garbage. Last year they called him up opening day, said he made the team. He came all the way to TO, ran into someone getting coffee in the morning, and they told him it was a mistake. 

It was either last yr or the year before. Poor guy had tweeted how humble and glad he was to be on the team, his first opening day.

I would really like to see him get it together and succeed.

Edited September 15, 2020 by cleo

[mojoween]

The postseason bubble plan has been approved.  Apparently they did not hear my loud objections.

[cleo]

It blows.

[xaxat]

I actually like the bubble plan. Unlike the "regular" season this year, there is no wiggle room should an outbreak occur. And it insures that the teams will be at full health with respect to covid.

[cleo]

My main beef with it is the time zone, so hopefully they have the common sense to time the games well. But they're not really known for common sense.

[Lantern7]

Was Seattle considered? That would’ve been the only way it would host a World Series.

[Carey]

7 hours ago, cleo said:

I see. I don't like a draft lottery. Sounds like a terrible idea so I'm sure Manfred is all for it.

If Manfred is involved, the MLB lottery would include a stipulation that allows for anybody to get the number one overall pick.  The 10 worst teams would have the best shot, but I can see Rob saying, "If that many teams can acquire the best player, or players, then it only makes sense if the other 20 teams get a shot at it!"

That means the Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, etc could actually win the pennant while drafting first overall.  IMO, that's how I see it playing out in Major League Baseball

[theatremouse]

42 minutes ago, Carey said:

If Manfred is involved, the MLB lottery would include a stipulation that allows for anybody to get the number one overall pick. 

...

That means the Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, etc could actually win the pennant while drafting first overall.  IMO, that's how I see it playing out in Major League Baseball

Do you mean if a lottery is involved in future years? Because the Red Sox currently have the worst record in the AL and I don't see them turning that around much this year.

[Carey]

15 minutes ago, theatremouse said:

Do you mean if a lottery is involved in future years? Because the Red Sox currently have the worst record in MLB and I don't see them turning that around much this year.

Future years.  I'm not a fan of the concept, but if a lottery becomes the norm, I could see a scenario where it's non-exclusive to teams missing the playoffs.  The odds for the best teams would, or should be very low, but I don't think I'd be shocked if a powerhouse somehow won a lottery

[mojoween]

One nice thing about this crazy-ass season is that ESPN and FOX blew their wad early, so it’s been all YES all the time for the majority of the summer.

[catlover79]

The game between the Indians and Cubs was delayed in the 5th inning by a drone flying over Wrigley Field. The game has since resumed. It's 2020. What more can I say?

P.S. Are we sure Trevor Bauer isn't mixed up in this? 😝

[smittykins]

I remember a couple other games this year that have been delayed by drones.

[smittykins]

I called it:

Justin Verlander to have Tommy John surgery

[Carey]

10 minutes ago, smittykins said:

I called it:

Justin Verlander to have Tommy John surgery

At least he got his ring.  I wish him well, nevertheless

[Mittengirl]

Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement today, citing health concerns.  A not too surprising surprise.  I wonder if they have someone in mind?

[ClassicShowsFan]

Longtime baseball pro scout Gary Hughes dies at 79

[mojoween]

I haven’t missed the fans in the stands...until tonight. When I can hear every grunt on every pitch by this Blue Jays pitcher.

[cleo]

I can't stand the advertisements they're projecting onto the field now. It is incredibly distracting. 

[Lamb18]

A few days left of the season and Twins snuck into first place of the conference!

[ebk57]

Does this count as an official 'head for my collection?

https://www.mlb.com/mets/fans/mr-met-bobblehead?partnerId=zh-20200925-246290-NYM&qid=28&bt_ee=CZ7cpwFrw1H9lRR387Qtu7HNaodyu7BQ4aRL5GrIS%2F2IweZpx3IlF4oP2pTX31mn&bt_ts=1601058481907

[Lantern7]

Article on a Spider-Man issue centered on his being a Mets fan. I got the comic somewhere. It's beautiful. It's hard to believe the writer (Paul Jenkins) is British.

Question: should there be individual awards this year? I dunno . . . maybe stats from 2020 could be rolled into 2021 when it comes to voting.

[basiltherat]

There definitely should be individual awards (with or without asterisks) because, while not even half as long as a regular season, having to go through corona protocol, a fast ramp-up and a myriad of injuries makes those who excel in those categories EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE AND DESERVING.

[mojoween]

It’s great that all of the games start at the same time today to ensure maximum drama, and I will concede it’s nice for the west coast that the games don’t start at 10 am, but for someone who loves both sports a tremendous amount, 3:00 is the WORST time to start on football Sunday.  You have to miss the end of the first games, and basically all of the second.  I know football will last to January, but there are some good games today!

[theatremouse]

Whereas for my tennis-watching self, the timing is excellent today for me to also watch baseball.

[cleo]

I just want them to release the schedule (timing) of the post season games this week so I can plan. I'm always interested in more than one series and it takes some thought to work out lol.

[ebk57]

Well, the season here is over.  It was better than I had any right to expect.  Which isn't saying much, but still...

 

[doodlebug]

12 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

Well, the season here is over.  It was better than I had any right to expect.  Which isn't saying much, but still...

 

It just ended here in Cleveland.  And, after a pretty good week of baseball, the Tribe rallied against the Pirates to most likely clinch home field against the Yankees in the Wild Card Round.  Not sure it matters much, but there it is.

Edited September 27, 2020 by doodlebug

[Silver Raven]

I love how Will Smith's walkup music is the theme song from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air".

 

[theatremouse]

Given the "season" started with a bucketful of outbreaks, I'm really astonished it got this far.

[mojoween]

1 hour ago, ebk57 said:

Well, the season here is over.  It was better than I had any right to expect.  Which isn't saying much, but still...

 

Thanks for taking the Blue Jays out of the fifth spot though!

[ClassicShowsFan]

Ron Roenicke won't be Boston Red Sox manager next season

[mojoween]

 Ummm... 

 

[emmawoodhouse]

I find it wonderful that not a single playoff matchup wound up with a division rival. It will be interesting to see how teams adjust to playing teams they haven't played yet.

[mojoween]

The Rays and Blue Jays are familiar foes.

[emmawoodhouse]

15 minutes ago, mojoween said:

The Rays and Blue Jays are familiar foes.

Oops, missed that one! 

[cleo]

I'm happy Jays are playing Tampa, better the devil you know I guess. Although honestly I'm just happy they're in the postseason, however it ends.

I really wanted to see the A's and Astros duke it out. 

[xaxat]

The Pirates missed establishing the lowest win percentage in the franchise's 130 plus year history by a single game.

So, yay?

 

[Lamb18]

According to the schedules above, the Twins play two different teams next (Astros and Indians). But I've been hearing Houston on the radio this morning. So both Vikings and Twins play Houston teams for their next games.

And yay for Twins winning the division!

[ClassicShowsFan]

Former Dodger, Jay Johnstone, 2-time World Series Champion Dies at 74

[mojoween]

I heard a rumor the midges are back in Cleveland and there aren’t many things that can strike fear into the heart of a Yankee fan more than that.

[doodlebug]

5 hours ago, mojoween said:

I heard a rumor the midges are back in Cleveland and there aren’t many things that can strike fear into the heart of a Yankee fan more than that.

We imported them just for the Yanks.

[mojoween]

Oh Minnesota no

[emmawoodhouse]

4 hours ago, doodlebug said:

We imported them just for the Yanks.

Please dispatch of the Evil Empire posthaste. 😁

[AimingforYoko]

57 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Oh Minnesota no

The improbable streak continues.

[xaxat]

Dangit midges! You had one job!

ETA, MLB should have moved the Sox/A's game to a 9 o'clock start. With four games on the schedule, there is no reason for the day to be over before 11 EST.

Edited September 30, 2020 by xaxat

[cleo]

It's funny, the announcers etc keep talking about what it's like with no fans. I have been having a hard time getting into the game and realized that's partly why. With post season baseball I love the insane stadiums and the noise and the pressure, the weird things that happen. It just doesn't seem the same with no fans.

With basketball I didn't notice it, maybe bc I find basketball inherently intense and stressful lol. 

I really hope things are normal next year but I honestly doubt it. At least not by Opening Day.

Edited September 30, 2020 by cleo

[mojoween]

I love the boisterousness of noisy fans but I’m so used to there not being fans by now, I don’t even notice.

Hey there is a lady in the Twins dugout.  I am jealous and also that is very cool.

[cleo]

Jays are probably done. I guess on the upside they're not the Twins? Man that poor team. I guess they're the new Cubs.

Not surprised about the Jays- they wouldn't have been in except for the expansion, which I'm not a fan of, so it was a weird bonus that I figured would not go far.

Can someone please knock out Houston, thanks.

[AimingforYoko]

1 hour ago, cleo said:

I guess on the upside they're not the Twins? Man that poor team. I guess they're the new Cubs.

You mean we have another 79 years of this?!?

Edited September 30, 2020 by AimingforYoko

[Carey]

The Twins are the Cards when you compare them to the Pirates.  At least Minnesota has won a playoff series within the past 3 decades!