Baseball 2015 (3 Viewers)

[lancer]

And also, the way things are going, Brad, Louis and Michael will be the only three around here come playoff time, or at least have a rooting interest as I'm out with the Sox and just about out at this point with the Giants, as is Jason, Sammy is out, Al is out with the Orioles and just about out with the Nationals (just an absolute head scratcher as I had them penciled into the WS; they aren't even going to make the playoffs short a total Mets collapse at this point and with that pitching, I just don't see it happening).

Hey; how about a Mets/MFY's WS, won't that be a joy to watch?

George, my teams may not make it but I'll still be around for the playoffs as there are too many good stories going to miss out on. It is true I have no emotional attachment to teams like Houston, KC, and such but I would watch just to see how the Cubs do or even the Mets and NYY's. The Pirates are interesting, as are the Cards, as usual. Plenty to watch, and, as you say, I've not quite given up on the Nats, or the Giants. Too much happening to throw the towel in completely.
The Nats failure to perform as expected can be summed up in one word; injury. No team has lost as many games to injury as the Nats. The Nats were able to field their preferred starting line-up in exactly 2 games all year. 4 of the 8 projected starters have spent long stretches on the DL, as did 2 of the starting pitchers. 2 of the other starting 8 have had bad offensive years when much more was expected, leaving the Nats offense in the hands of 2 men, Harper and Escobar, most of the season. The team just wasn't as good as was predicted, from starting pitching, to the bullpen, to the offense. The disappointment in DC is quite widespread. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

As a fan with a team who was up by 7 with 17 to play in 2007, nothing is a given until they actually clinch.

As far as injuries, the Mets have had their share: Wright, d'Arnaud (two trips), Cuddeyer, Duda, Murphy and Blevins. Lagares has been playing hurt most of the season. Injuries are part of the game and as the Mets manager (and probably ever other manager) says, no one cares that you have injuries. Had they not had some of those injuries, the race in the NL East would have been over a long time ago.

As far as a Mets Yankees WS, no thank you. Half the country would tune out. As of today, the most likely scenario would be Cards Royals. Again, half the country would tune out. The only team that probably everybody would tune in for are the Cubs. It would be a great story.

 

[lancer]

As a fan with a team who was up by 7 with 17 to play in 2007, nothing is a given until they actually clinch.

As far as injuries, the Mets have had their share: Wright, d'Arnaud (two trips), Cuddeyer, Duda, Murphy and Blevins. Lagares has been playing hurt most of the season. Injuries are part of the game and as the Mets manager (and probably ever other manager) says, no one cares that you have injuries. Had they not had some of those injuries, the race in the NL East would have been over a long time ago.

As far as a Mets Yankees WS, no thank you. Half the country would tune out. As of today, the most likely scenario would be Cards Royals. Again, half the country would tune out. The only team that probably everybody would tune in for are the Cubs. It would be a great story.

I can certainly see a mass tune-out for a Cards/Royals WS. Two small market teams in the middle of the country won't draw squat viewership from the coasts, regardless of how worthy they are. I don't think the same thing happens with a Subway series as there is enough widespread interest in all things NY to draw some viewers. If the Cubs get in, TV has the best possible story going in baseball this year and a winning series from the viewership standpoint. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

If things hold to form (which is saying a lot as like Brad says, you just never know with baseball), the following teams are in;

Mets
Cardinals
Dodgers
Pirates
Cubs
Jays
Royals
Astros
Rangers
MFYs

For me, my preference for who wins it all would be from ten to one;

MFY's; seeing horseface and ARoid with a trophy would put me over the edge.
Jays; baseball is an American sport, so nope, they feel the same away about hockey.
Dodgers; Agone can kiss my rear end, we traded away Rizzo for him, then he *****ed his way out of town, so no thanks, plus, Crawford.
Pirates; When I think Pirates, I think Steelers, so nope, which is too bad as I loved the Pirates as kid, that 1979 team specifically.
Cubs; Lester, Maddon, Theo and Rizzo, no, NO, DOUBLE NO and no (Rizzo is the new Bagwell, another HOF talent we traded away.)
Rangers; they still have a team? Although that 2012 WS collapse was epic, we're talking 1986esk.
Astros; until they got good this year, they played in front of friends and family for years, so no to bandwagon fan bases.
Royals; nice little story last year, but it ends there.
Mets; sorry Brad, 1986 is a wound that will never heal, plus tell their pitchers to get a haircut, this isn't 1970.
Cardinals; best fans in the country, best manager in baseball, best team and organization in baseball, they should win it all.

 

[rekp]

And also, the way things are going, Brad, Louis and Michael will be the only three around here come playoff time, or at least have a rooting interest as I'm out with the Sox and just about out at this point with the Giants, as is Jason, Sammy is out, Al is out with the Orioles and just about out with the Nationals (just an absolute head scratcher as I had them penciled into the WS; they aren't even going to make the playoffs short a total Mets collapse at this point and with that pitching, I just don't see it happening).

Hey; how about a Mets/MFY's WS, won't that be a joy to watch?

Don't forget about the Rangers fan from across the pond .........

 

[lancer]

Don't forget about the Rangers fan from across the pond .........

Maybe they should get The Ryan Express back in the rotation for the playoff push.:wink2: -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

If I had a team that I wanted to see win the WS other than my own it would be the Pirates. I have no love for the Cubs because they still whine about 69 and the Cards I just dislike for many reasons. There is nothing better I would like than to pay them back for 2006 but we are getting way ahead of ourselves. 2000 was payback for 1987.

 

[Warrior]

I have no love for the Cubs because they still whine about 69........................

And 1984..............and 1989...................and 2003...................well, you get the idea.

 

[jazzeum]

Didn't take too many photos yesterday but here's Mr. Met, the original mascot.

 

[jazzeum]

I just said to myself "Ortiz is one guy I don't want to challenge." A split second later he does and boom!

 

[Warrior]

I just said to myself "Ortiz is one guy I don't want to challenge." A split second later he does and boom!

That's ok; the next inning, Miley goes boom and it's 4-2.

Good God he sucks, send him back to the National League please Dombrowski.

 

[Warrior]

That's ok; the next inning, Miley goes boom and it's 4-2.

Good God he sucks, send him back to the National League please Dombrowski.

And then your bullpen gives it right back, score tied 4-4.

Haven't paid much attention to the Mets this year, but watching them this series, that bullpen is going to doom them in the playoffs.

 

[Warrior]

And then your bullpen gives it right back, score tied 4-4.

Haven't paid much attention to the Mets this year, but watching them this series, that bullpen is going to doom them in the playoffs.

And a walk, stolen base and two out base hit later and it's 5-4 Mets.

This bullpen......................infuriating.

 

[jazzeum]

I've been saying for a long while that they have no one dependable before the 8th. They added today a guy from the Dbacks. We'll see how he does.

 

[Warrior]

I've been saying for a long while that they have no one dependable before the 8th. They added today a guy from the Dbacks. We'll see how he does.

I have to say Darling has been great today on TBS, I decided to listen to him instead of the two yahoos we have on local TV.

I heard on the Mets broacast, Cohen said the Sox were going for the sweep today and Hernandez quipped; "They should have done that back in 1986".............then while Ortiz was batting, he made a comment about steroids.

Keep it classy there Keith; the steroids comment was followed up in the next Ortiz at bat with a 440 foot laser......................that was for you fatso.

 

[jazzeum]

Whew! Man, this was tough watching. Hate to say it's a big win but with the Nationals getting hot, they had to win this one.

 

[Warrior]

Whew! Man, this was tough watching. Hate to say it's a big win but with the Nationals getting hot, they had to win this one.

Don't forget to give credit where credit is due and thank Joe West for that absolute ****show behind home plate, called ball four on Shaw strike two, then on the next pitch that was ever more outside, Shaw swung to protect the plate.

AND FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST do I hate bunting; that's National League crap, swing away there with runners on first and second and no outs, you had that closer on the ropes, go for the throat.

Good luck in the playoffs with that bullpen, I've seen enough.

 

[jazzeum]

Let's not forget that Joe West was calling that way on both sides so it's not like a shock.

You're playing in the NL -- big boy rules -- not the pinball we see in the Junior Circuit so you do have to bunt.

The new 7th inning guy gets here tomorrow. If he doesn't work out, they may put Syndergaard in the bullpen for the playoffs if and when they get there so this thing should eventually sort itself out. They're solid for the 8th and 9th. It's the 7th that's the problem.

 

[Warrior]

You're playing in the NL -- big boy rules -- not the pinball we see in the Junior Circuit so you do have to bunt.

Awesome; big boy rules, does that require big boy pants too?

No, you do not "have" to bunt there.

Maybe in the NL in that spot as De Aza was the #8 hitter and the pitchers spot was coming up; in the NL, the 8th and 9th spots are automatic outs and your benches are full of banjo hitters who can steal bases, bunt and are punch and judy hitters.

I wouldn't have bunted in that spot, it was an idiotic, moronic strategy..............

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, you do need those pants :wink2:

You're playing in a National League park and as you know you can't play it the same way as an American League park so the bunt was in order.

8th place hitters are weaker in the NL but not automatics.

It's a different way of playing, that's all.