No team can afford a starter that can't get outs and has an ERA over 5, and that is what Flaherty brings to the table right now. Plus, the sudden lack of scoring is bad. -- Al
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Panzer ace
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I think the NL is pretty much set for a Braves vs. Dodgers NLCS.
jazzeum
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That’s probably last year’s prediction and we know what happened.
Warrior
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Always a mistake to pencil the Dodgers in for anything; a team that has been loaded for years and has one WS title to show for it, that during the phony baloney 60 game COVID "season"..............they have two of the greatest stars in the game, so we'll see what happens.
Dave Roberts is a God around here regardless, I root for him personally for what he did in the 2004 ALCS; without that steal, they are done.
Speaking of stars ,the Red Sox canned Bloom, the stooge that traded Betts for a bag of balls, a bunch of used bats and a case of chewing gum.
He ran the team like this is Tampa; it's not Tampa, it's Boston, so after 4 years and three last place finishes, he's out.
I saw a poll where a Red Sox fan asked "If you could trade places with any other AL East team, who would it be?"
I voted none.
The leader in the clubhouse is the Orioles; yeah, great, good for them, after stinking on ice for years and spending change for a quarter on payroll (29th out of 32 teams), they drafted very well with all those high picks and have an exciting young team loaded with positional player talent, their farm system is ranked 8th.
We'll see what happens with all their young stars when it's time to pay them; until then, the sky is the limit for the "LET'S GO O'S!!"..................
They have a legit shot to get to the WS, no one in the AL should scare them.
Panzer ace
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Brad/George:
I respect your points.
The Dodgers and Braves have continually underachieved over the past few years. This year however I feel like the rest of the NL is weak.
Essentially Atlanta and LA are beatable on a 1 game basis but until they meet in the NLCS I can’t see anyone beating them in a series.
-Jason
I respect your points.
The Dodgers and Braves have continually underachieved over the past few years. This year however I feel like the rest of the NL is weak.
Essentially Atlanta and LA are beatable on a 1 game basis but until they meet in the NLCS I can’t see anyone beating them in a series.
-Jason
Rutledge
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Nah. Based on the 2023 regular season record, Braves vs Dodgers would seem the NLCS match up most likely to happen. Though the future is unknowable, the two teams with the best records in the NL SHOULD be the last two standing. What did or did not happen last year is irrelevant.
jazzeum
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Those who ignore history, etc. Yes, they should face each other in the NLCS and will be favored to do so but only time will tell. My prediction for the AL would be Houston and Baltimore but, again, time will tell.
Rutledge
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Ignore history? Pshaw. But it’s not always relevant. The Braves are a much different team. A much better team, stats would indicate. Of course nothing is guaranteed, regardless of stats. That’s why they actually play the games. Otherwise we could just run simulations.
In fact the Braves will likely be favored to win the whole thing. Doesn’t mean they will. But this team is easily one of the best we’ve ever had, most would say. So unless some key player(s) get injured, I’ll be rather shocked if it goes otherwise. But I’ve been shocked before, so……
The O's squeak out an OT win to maintain the status quo, the same 2 game lead they started the Tampa series with. Considering they lost the first 2 games of 4, I think it counts as a moral victory, plus they clinched a playoff spot. B-more will take it and be happy with the weekend results. -- Al
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The American League is much more unpredictable than the National League, just about every AL playoff team is going to have a shot at the World Series.
sammy719
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I remember the Orioles 79 team and how fun they were, Roenicke, Stanhouse, Tippy and Dennis, Lowenstein, Flanny, These were not the big names like Murray, Singleton, but they were good players who came through in clutch situations, the 2023 Orioles remind me so much of that 79 team...O'hearn, Mullins, Baumann, Hayes....it's the average guys that are making the plays to win games along with a Adley Henderson, and the young Bucks that are contributing as well...remember the Orioles slogan in 79??? Orioles fever!!! Catch it!!!!!....catching it all over in 2023
sammy719
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Actually I think that last statement is not correct. It was Orioles Magic!!!!
Some of my favorite O's teams were from that era. Loved Scotty McGregor, Palmer, Bumble Bee Bumbry, The Dempster, and DeCinces. What great players on great teams. Then in 81-82, the Cal came along. Great memories and great baseball. -- Al
REVWARBUFF
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I couldn't agree more Sammy!! That 1979 team is among my all time favorites, if not THE most favorite. The year Orioles Magic was born!! A fun season till we had to face Stargell. Still can't get over losing that World Series in '79 after being up 3 games to 1.....^&confuse
This 2023 team is a lot like that '79 bunch. Hope they can win it all this year. Even if they don't, I'm just glad that the 90+ number we've been use to seeing recently isn't in the loss column this year. What a turn around, huh?!!
Mark
sammy719
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Agreed Mark it's nice to see nearly a 100 wins instead of a 100 losses!!!! Those years of 108, 110 losses were some of the darkest days in my baseball life!!!!...and to this day I refuse EVER to listen to Sister Sledge...We are family.
Well guys, whoever we have to face to get to a title, there is no chance that we will have to go through Pittsburg. No ghosts this year, win or lose. Go O's, let's see a little history for Old Baltimore. -- Al
Rutledge
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[FONT="]A particularly spectacular Braves season. In multiple ways, both at the team and the individual level. Acuna is one. Meanwhile Freddy Freeman's "replacement" Matt Olson, set a new Braves record of homeruns in a single season, at 52 and counting.
"Acuña has a Braves record 33 leadoff homers, including seven this season — three on the first pitch. Of his 205 hits this season, 51 have come in the first inning.[/FONT]
[FONT="]No player has ever had 40 homers and 60 steals in a season, much less 40 homers and 70 stolen bases. Fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” after Acuña singled off Michael Lorenzen in the fifth and stole second. (hes at 39 and 67 right now)[/FONT]
[FONT="]“He's just putting together a special, special year,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.[/FONT]
[FONT="]NL East champion Atlanta avoided what would have been its first five-game skid since September, 2017."[/FONT]
"Acuña has a Braves record 33 leadoff homers, including seven this season — three on the first pitch. Of his 205 hits this season, 51 have come in the first inning.[/FONT]
[FONT="]No player has ever had 40 homers and 60 steals in a season, much less 40 homers and 70 stolen bases. Fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” after Acuña singled off Michael Lorenzen in the fifth and stole second. (hes at 39 and 67 right now)[/FONT]
[FONT="]“He's just putting together a special, special year,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.[/FONT]
[FONT="]NL East champion Atlanta avoided what would have been its first five-game skid since September, 2017."[/FONT]
Sad news for O's fans and baseball in general as HOF 3B Brooks Robinson has passed away at age 86. He was always the lynchpin and most popular O on those monster Baltimore teams in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. He was winner of 16 Gold Gloves, an 18 time All-Star, and a 2 time WS Champ. RIP Brooksie, you will be missed. -- Al
Combat
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That is sad news. He was a great one. I watched the O's as a kid. Brooks, Boog, Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, and Earl Weaver. That was a great era.
