Baseball 2016 (3 Viewers)

[lancer]

The Phillies are playing very well and their sweep of the Nats was no aberration.

The Mets started out their road trip decently but it's gone to pot the last three games. Not having Matz yesterday obviously hurt; his forearm is hurting and the concern is he may need a second TJ surgery. He is talented -- maybe the best pitcher they have -- but injury prone. Let's hope for the best. Harvey continues to struggle. Another worry. DeGrom was a little better last time. On top of that, this team only seems to be able to score with the HR. Over the long haul, that's just not good enough. Wright has been awful, hitting around 230, with 3 HRs and less than 10 RBIs. He needs to be dropped in the order. He may be close to being finished. As a fellow back sufferer, I can't imagine how he manages to play. You have to give him an A for perseverance.

I just hope that we can one win out of three against the Nats, at a minimum, so we don't get too far behind.

Looks like the NL Central race is over. The Cubs are the team to beat this year. It will be a major disappointment for them if they don't go to the WS. I still think they need to add another starter and I wouldn't be shocked to see them obtain Chapman if the Yankees are still struggling come July.

Brad, I was thinking the same thing about the upcoming series, hoping that the Nats take 1 of 3, to keep it close. Like I said though, didn't count on having Miami and the Phillies in the mix.:rolleyes2: Chapman to the Cubs would be the nail in the coffin. The NYY bullpen yesterday, Betances, Miller, and Chapman, went 3.1 innings, allowed 1 hit, 0 runs and fanned 8. That's a bullpen.:wink2:
Looking forward to the upcoming series. It's Mad Max vs Thor on Tuesday.^&cool -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

Just read an interesting stat regarding Verlander's 1-0 loss last night. It seems that game was the 38th time that he has pitched 8+ innings while giving up 1 or fewer earned runs, and it was the first time he has lost such a game. He had been 34-0 in them. Now he is 34-1. Go O's! -- Al

I have a difficult time feeling sorry for him and the end of this streak. He just got engaged to Kate Upton about a week ago.

Poor guy.

 

[lancer]

I have a difficult time feeling sorry for him and the end of this streak. He just got engaged to Kate Upton about a week ago.

Poor guy.

Life is tough when both partners are gazillionaires. Maybe Verlander is a bit distracted.:wink2: -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Well, a forgettable weekend for Mets baseball.

However, the Rangers and Jays renewed acquaintances this weekend and there's a photo of Odor delivering a nice right cross to Bautista's face. The game featured a few brawls and eight ejections. The Rangers were attempting to get a little revenge for the "bat flip," or so it seems. Suspensions will obviously follow.

 

[jazzeum]

However, the Rangers and Jays renewed acquaintances this weekend and there's a photo of Odor delivering a nice right cross to Bautista's face. The game featured a few brawls and eight ejections. The Rangers were attempting to get a little revenge for the "bat flip," or so it seems. Suspensions will obviously follow.

I watched videos of the fight on the MLB site and it was quite a tussle. Pretty good one, as baseball fights go.

 

[lancer]

Round 1 to Thor and the Mets. Well played, NY. I knew that game was over after 'Gopher Ball' Scherzer's first pitch and my wife was a witness to my statement.^&grin -- Al

 

[lancer]

One thought on the O's game, an ugly loss to Seattle. Jimenez is what he is, either very good or very bad. Seems to be no in-between. My real gripe is with the LH relever Matusz, who has been nothing but a disaster this season. Bring him in and watch him throw kerosene on the fire. Wouldn't be surprised to see him released. -- Al

 

[sammy719]

Seems like the O's and Red Sox are on the same page if one wins so does the other and ditto on losses, the month of June is going to be very telling for the Orioles as they play mostly all AL East teams the entire month, if they can hold their own by the end of June they should be in good shape going into the break, hoping so that is ...Sammy

 

[Panzer ace]

Seems like the O's and Red Sox are on the same page if one wins so does the other and ditto on losses, the month of June is going to be very telling for the Orioles as they play mostly all AL East teams the entire month, if they can hold their own by the end of June they should be in good shape going into the break, hoping so that is ...Sammy

Year in and year out the AL East creates compelling and competitive baseball. I obviously pay the most attention to the NL West but I always take a minute to glance at the AL East.

 

[lancer]

Year in and year out the AL East creates compelling and competitive baseball. I obviously pay the most attention to the NL West but I always take a minute to glance at the AL East.

AL East is always interesting. The NL West has the tightest grouping of teams, just 5.5 games from 1st to last. It promises to be a dogfight all year. The NL East is nearly as tight with 4 teams within 2 games of the lead and only Atlanta being out of it, at the moment. Going to be a fun year. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

At 9-29, the Braves are on a path to beat the Mets 1962 record for ineptitude. I'm sure that with a new manager, things will improve slightly.

I was watching some of the Angels Dodgers game last night and I saw Kershaw throw some of the wickedest curveballs I've ever seen. He threw one to Weaver (a pitcher) that no one, not even the best hitters, could have touched. It may have been the best curveball I've ever seen. The Angels announcers said it just wasn't fair to throw that kind of a pitch to a pitcher. He surgically picked apart the next hitter. It was something to behold.

 

[lancer]

At 9-29, the Braves are on a path to beat the Mets 1962 record for ineptitude. I'm sure that with a new manager, things will improve slightly.

I was watching some of the Angels Dodgers game last night and I saw Kershaw throw some of the wickedest curveballs I've ever seen. He threw one to Weaver (a pitcher) that no one, not even the best hitters, could have touched. It may have been the best curveball I've ever seen. The Angels announcers said it just wasn't fair to throw that kind of a pitch to a pitcher. He surgically picked apart the next hitter. It was something to behold.

Nothing quite as interesting as watching a good curveball pitcher work. It is a real art to be able to bend a ball like that. Koufax and Blyleven were in the same mold. I remember watching Camilo Pascual work when he was with the Senators. I have always loved watching a curveball pitcher work. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

When I said I hoped the Mets would at least 1 out of 3, I wasn't joking as I have little confidence in Colon and Harvey. That's why winning Tuesday was important. I don't think Scherzer pitched badly; I thought he pitched well. Thor was just a little better.

I also have little confidence in the offense. It's a boom or bust offense and Wright is a shell of his former self. At some point, management may have to sit him down. A bad back derailed a HOF career for Mattingly and it will probably derail a productive career for Wright.

 

[lancer]

When I said I hoped the Mets would at least 1 out of 3, I wasn't joking as I have little confidence in Colon and Harvey. That's why winning Tuesday was important. I don't think Scherzer pitched badly; I thought he pitched well. Thor was just a little better.

I also have little confidence in the offense. It's a boom or bust offense and Wright is a shell of his former self. At some point, management may have to sit him down. A bad back derailed a HOF career for Mattingly and it will probably derail a productive career for Wright.

I had the same 1 of 3 hope. Thought we had no chance against Thor (duh) and figured our best chance was against Colon. At 1-1, the rubber match has Strasburg against Harvey. Last year I would have bet on Harvey, this year I'll go with Stras, but that all depends on our bi-polar offense. We can't hit with runners on base. Last night we had 19 baserunners and only scored 7 of them, and that was a higher percentage than usual. We still have 5 regulars hitting under .240 (.096, .222, .239, .237, .222), all bats that were depended on, with good track records, but haven't hit a lick this whole season. I like our pitching, but the offense makes me tear my hair out. Good luck tonight, it should be a good game. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I had the same 1 of 3 hope. Thought we had no chance against Thor (duh) and figured our best chance was against Colon. At 1-1, the rubber match has Strasburg against Harvey. Last year I would have bet on Harvey, this year I'll go with Stras, but that all depends on our bi-polar offense. We can't hit with runners on base. Last night we had 19 baserunners and only scored 7 of them, and that was a higher percentage than usual. We still have 5 regulars hitting under .240 (.096, .222, .239, .237, .222), all bats that were depended on, with good track records, but haven't hit a lick this whole season. I like our pitching, but the offense makes me tear my hair out. Good luck tonight, it should be a good game. -- Al

We sound the same! {eek3}

I wonder if Mets management regrets not signing Murphy. I'd probably say no, because they have a replacement waiting in the wings, Dilson Herrera. However, they were going to sign Zobrist for 3 years so that puts a lie to their theory. I just don't think they valued him highly enough, unfortunately.

I don't know if this was reported in DC but they played a special video on Monday for him and the GM, when he gave him his NL Champions ring, told him that nobody on the Mets would have this ring but for him.

 

[jazzeum]

In response to yesterday's shellacking, the Mets have said that they're not sure they will start Harvey next week. This sounds drastic but maybe he needs to work through problems in the minors. On the other hand, pitchers who pitch deep into the post season like he did don't fare as well the following season. Smoltz called it "emptying the tank." Add into this brew, the TJ surgery and you have a lot of unknowns.

DeGrom has had somewhat similar problems but he's battling through them.

 

[Rutledge]

At 9-29, the Braves are on a path to beat the Mets 1962 record for ineptitude. I'm sure that with a new manager, things will improve slightly.

I was watching some of the Angels Dodgers game last night and I saw Kershaw throw some of the wickedest curveballs I've ever seen. He threw one to Weaver (a pitcher) that no one, not even the best hitters, could have touched. It may have been the best curveball I've ever seen. The Angels announcers said it just wasn't fair to throw that kind of a pitch to a pitcher. He surgically picked apart the next hitter. It was something to behold.

Supposedly the Braves are stacked in the minors. At least that was the rationale behind trading away almost all their marquee players. Prospects have to pan out though.

A new manager may or may not make a difference. Fredi's firing was pure scapegoat, IMO. No doubt he'll come back to haunt us down the line.

 

[lancer]

In response to yesterday's shellacking, the Mets have said that they're not sure they will start Harvey next week. This sounds drastic but maybe he needs to work through problems in the minors. On the other hand, pitchers who pitch deep into the post season like he did don't fare as well the following season. Smoltz called it "emptying the tank." Add into this brew, the TJ surgery and you have a lot of unknowns.

DeGrom has had somewhat similar problems but he's battling through them.

Harvey was a tad unlucky last night. The nightmare 3rd could have been cut short if the Mets SS had fielded and executed that potential DP grounder. By botching it, the floodgates were opened. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Nats won the game, but I prefer they earn it the old-fashioned way. I don't like to see pitchers undone through errors. Just an idiosyncrasy of mine. Anyway, there are 16 more games between the teams and this was just the opening salvo. -- Al

 

[Panzer ace]

Nice to see Lincecum land with the Angels. It seems like a mutually beneficial relationship/contract.

I wish him well with a hearty thanks for his contributions to the Giants.

 

[BLReed]

Max Scherzer made a lifelong fan in Citi Field (of all places) on Wednesday. Before the Nationals’ 7-1 win over the Mets, the pitcher took a break from shagging fly balls in the outfield during batting practice to play catch with a young Mets fan.

Joe La Rocca shared video of his 11-year-old son, who was decked out in a Jacob deGrom jersey and a Mets hat, tossing a ball back and forth to Scherzer from the left field stands.

“Amazing,” La Rocca’s son said. “I’m not giving this ball away, there’s no way.”