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Madtowntripper
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Random Baseball Thoughts
#5946241 - 08/09/06 12:06 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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1. The Dodgers are looking strong. Furcal would have looked DAMN nice in a Cubs uniform. Some nice acquisitions at the trade deadline. Mad-Dog has pitched a few good games in a row, even though I dont think he got the decision tonight. If they can stay healthy, I think they should be able to win that horrible division. And once the playoffs start, anything is possible. Especially in the NL, which is just disgustingly bad. I dont see how they wouldnt be the favorites in a series with anyone except the Cardinals, and even St. Louis has to be at least even odds. They havent been playing well lately either. The pitching is really really bad, and the offense isnt the same as it has been in the last few years.
2. The AL East is going to go down to the wire, I think. Sure, the Yanks are by the far the better team, but I just dont see the Sox lying down and letting themselves get raped. If Beckett can get that long-ball problem under control, they can win. If they can make the playoffs, their rotation troubles arent so bad, because you dont need so many starters. And I dont think many people would argue that Beckett/Schilling is much worse than Wang/Mussina. Dont get me started on the Sox bullpen, which is absolute garbage. They Jays would be contenders in any other division, but they need a serious upgrade at several positions if they want to compete with the big boppers, and I just dont seem them coming up w/ the money. That said, if Roy Halladay pitched anywhere else, he would be considered the best pitcher in baseball and would be a lock for the Cy Young.
3. The AL central is NOT a done deal. All the people jumping on the Tigers bandwagon need to realize that there there are still ALOT of games to play. 50, for most teams. Thats a third of the season. The Tigers have been playing the best baseball they possibly can up to this point. I personally do not believe this can continue. They have to come down to earth eventually, and the White Sox are just hitting their stride. They have the experience and the confidence to make things happen. The next month will be interesting, as the Sox/Tigers play I think 7 or 8 games against each other. That should let you know the true state of the division. The Twins are done.
4. Thank God the cubs are finally playing some younger players. Its nice to see what we have in the system, even though I'd much prefer they sign some free agents. Even though there were a ton of injuries this year, I really cant back Dusty Baker at all. Sure, we had alot of guys hurt and that cant be helped. But you cant tell me that even w/ the injuries we're the 3rd worst team in baseball. The fact is that the team is incompetently managed. And Jim Hendry doesnt help matters when he refuses to make any trades. We should have picked up a first baseman when D. Lee went down, but instead, we wait until he comes back and then pick up Phil Nevin from the Rangers. <WTF> The Cubs make me sick. The only reason I'll be at the game Thursday is because I love Miller Park and hopefully I I can get my "Fire Dusty Baker" sign on the telly. I hope we keep Pierre next year, as I think his early season troubles were just him getting acclimated to wrigley, which is a tough place to play. (Lots of day games, strange field, weird angles, etc) Please get rid of Jacky Jones/Aramis Ramirez/Neifi Perez.
Thats all.
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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zappaisgod
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1. I hate them to death but you may just be overlooking the cunting Mets. They will be the favorite to be the (Inter)national League representative in the Series. They're solid and nobody else is any good at all. There are six teams in the the AL East and Central divisions that are better than anybody in the NL.
2. I don't know, I see the big fade coming for the Dead Sox. As far as Halladay goes he is terrific, but I don't know about lock.
3. The Sox will practically have to sweep because they are too far back to get enough help from Tiger opponents.
4. Dusty Baker is an overrated buffoon and the Cubs will never do anything as long as they are owned by the Trib. Nor, apparently, will the Trib http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14018498/ Very funny. I disagree with your player assessments. Juan Pierre is a dud and I like Jones and Ramirez. But that isn't the Cubs' problem. Pitching is. The destruction of Woods and Prior was tough but they still haven't done anything to replace them. What kind of farm system do they have? Any? And isn't that the Trib's fault. When the Yanks were owned by CBS they sunk so far into the toilet Steinbrenner and friends were able to get them for $12M. The franchise is now worth $1B. Now that's a return on investment
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Madtowntripper
Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers


Registered: 03/06/03
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: zappaisgod]
#5947176 - 08/09/06 11:52 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yeah, I was drunk last night and I did indeed forget about the "cunting" Mets. Mets/Dodgers sounds much more plausible than Dodgers/Cardinals.
Quote:
3. The Sox will practically have to sweep because they are too far back to get enough help from Tiger opponents.
The Sox only needed 6 weeks to blow a *15* game division lead last year. I'm not sure at what point it becomes mathematically impossible, but I dont think they're quite to that point yet.
As for the player things...I used to be an Aramis Ramirez fan, but he's just not doing it for me anymore. He doesnt hustle, he doesnt care, and he isnt stepping up. When D. Lee went down, he should have gotten his act together, instead, his average tanked. I know he lost some protection in the line-up, but you have to show me SOMETHING.
I'm in the minority I think, in not liking Jacque Jones. I'm willing to concede that I havent given him much time, and he does look ALOT better than he did at the beginning of the year, when I would have traded him for someones batboy.
JP is okay by me. If you understood how long the cubs have been w/out an actual lead-off guy, you'd know why i like him. Sure, I'd rather have someone younger who actually got on a base a bit more, but when your team has been built around steroid-ed out sluggers for the last bunch of years, its nice to see some speed on the bases.
But yes. Busty Faker/Jim Hendry/Andy McPhail/Tribune Company are horrific. Mark Cuban was making noises about buying the team...So was Ernie Banks. (!) We'll see if they sell it. If the Cubs keep stinking it up, I think the publicity will get bad. The Tribune Shareholders arent going to like getting their companies name dragged through the mud for a baseball team.
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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zappaisgod
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Did you hit the link? Apparently the Trib shareholders don't even like the way the Trib is being managed.
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kilroy69
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: zappaisgod]
#5947425 - 08/09/06 01:30 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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"The AL central is NOT a done deal. All the people jumping on the Tigers bandwagon need to realize that there there are still ALOT of games to play. 50, for most teams. Thats a third of the season. The Tigers have been playing the best baseball they possibly can up to this point. I personally do not believe this can continue."
I love people like you. Why can't you just be happy that were stomping everyone. Were winning the world series. Take it for what its worth.
-------------------- Yeaaa im still alive.
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Banez
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: kilroy69]
#5948149 - 08/09/06 05:49 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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question... how many teams from each division make the playoffs.. is their wildcard spots kind of like in football?
will someone enlighten me on the how the MLB playoff's work.. i know the games are in series.. im not that retarded.
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Madtowntripper
Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers


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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: Banez]
#5948942 - 08/09/06 09:54 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Baseball is alot different from say, basketball, where half the teams make the play-offs. Its VERY hard to make the playoffs in baseball, which eliminates the shitty first series you see in basketball. It used to alot harder until a few years ago when they started the wild card. I'll explain below.
Baseball is divided into two leages, American and National.
Each league has 3 divisions. Central, East, and West.
There are 4 playoff spots in each league.
The team with the best record from each division gets in, and then there is the wildcard.
The wildcard is the team w/ the best record that ISNT a division leader.
Once the playoffs start, the division leader w/ the best record plays the team with the worst record. UNLESS the team w/ the worst record is from the same division. Like last year, the Cardinals won the NL Central and the Astros had the wildcard. So they should have played each other in the first round. But they're in the same division, so they didnt.
Now, there are 2 series before the World Series. The first is called the League Divisional Series, or LDS. This is what I described above. This is a 5 game series. The LDS is very new, it didnt even exist until 7? 8? years ago when the wildcard was brought into things. Some purists really hate the wild card, but I dont see how. It makes things 10X more exciting.
The next is the League Championship Series, or LCS. This pits the teams that won the LDS against each other, no matter which division they're from. Like last year, the Cardinals and Astros both won their respective divisional series, so they met in the LCS.
The LCS, as well as the World Series, are both 7 games. If you win the LCS, its known as "Winning a Pennant".
So there you have it. So really, only 8 teams make the playoffs in baseball, out of 32. Compare this to basketball, where I think 16 teams get in? Its crazy, the regular season doesnt even matter in basketball.
Hope this explains things. If you have any other questions, ask. I'm a baseball junkie, but its a hard sport to understand sometimes. Lots of screwy rules and things. Dont even ask me to explain the infield-fly rule...
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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Rapmaster
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I believe that the white sox are done as far as the division race is concerned. Although a 7 or 8 game lead is not insurmountable, comparatively speaking, I think the Tigers are a superior team in and out. I live in the vicinity of Chicago and think that the sox are the most recklessly designed team. On paper (looking at primary statistics), they're incredible offensively. However, I would be hard pressed to find anybody in their lineup that's strong fundamentally and considered a great hitter. Even the #2 hitter, Iguchi, couldn't lay down a sacrifice if his life depended on it (look at the 18inning game against het bosox). It's just a ragtag group of sluggers. Podsednik falls under the fallacy of the leadoff man. If he's fast, he leads off. Simply untrue, I find that podsednik is no longer an above-average player since his days in Milwaukee.
The Tigers have been waiting for this starting rotation to mature since 2003. Bonderman, Maroth, Rogers, and Verlander are truly having great seasons. The fear in the white sox rotation comes from past reputation. Contreras is a good pitcher, but cannot matchup well against the more disciplined teams (i.e. the Yankees). Contreras' out pitch is still the forkball away. Although this works wonders against younger players and in Cuba, it does not fool patient hitters. The rest of the rotation is having a statistically correct year (players like Buerhle have always had great ERAs, records, etc... but sabermetrically, did not have a strong season). It was only about time that all the pitchers came down off of their high and back to reality.
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Banez
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: Rapmaster]
#5950592 - 08/10/06 01:22 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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thanks madtown.. thats exactly what i was wondering.. so pretty much.. let me try to recap to understand the main part
each of the 3 conference leaders gets in from each division.. then the best team from each division that wasnt already in is put in.. totaling 4 teams from each division.. total of 8 teams, right?
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zappaisgod
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: Banez]
#5950768 - 08/10/06 02:28 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Substitute "league" for "division" and "division" for "conference" and you're right there.
Frre tutorials on the infield fly rule are available upon request
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Madtowntripper
Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers


Registered: 03/06/03
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: zappaisgod]
#5952332 - 08/10/06 10:43 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yankees questions for a Yankees Fan...
How did the Yankees turn Kyle Farnsworth into a servicable reliever? I swear, when he played for us, he was literally the WORST relief pitcher I have ever seen. And we get ALOT of bad ones in Chicago. Sure, he threw 105, but he had no control. And he absolutely melted down in any type of pressure situation. I laughed uncontrollably when I saw they had signed him and were thinking of making him the set up man for MoRivera. But I just looked at his numbers after seeing him get roughed up by the Sox the other night, and they're actually decent.
Is this a mirage, or does this guy actually have his head screwed on straight?
Seriously, how did that Abrea deal get done. From what I hear, most teams were offering Philly more for LIDLE alone. Did they need to dump salary that bad? That they would just GIVE away Abreau? This is mind boggling to me. If the Yankees win the series, Steinbrenner should buy Cashman a team of his own, because that is one hell of a move. Fucking Yankees.
So, the Yanks just lost, 2/3. A-Rod is an awesome hitter, no doubt, but he looks really bad at third. He threw a ball away tonight, and he really didnt even need to hurry. It was funny for awhile, but he's costing them games now...
On a completely unrelated note, I was at the Cubs game today. I've never been to Miller Park when the roof was closed. Do you realize they have no AC in that place? It was probably 10-15 degrees warmer than it was outside, and the humidity was so high that there was a THICK layer of fog in the air, INSIDE. That place is gorgeous, but whoever didnt think of a ventilation system is crazy...
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
Edited by Madtowntripper (08/11/06 12:24 AM)
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zappaisgod
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Quote:
Madtowntripper said: Yankees questions for a Yankees Fan...
How did the Yankees turn Kyle Farnsworth into a servicable reliever? I swear, when he played for us, he was literally the WORST relief pitcher I have ever seen. And we get ALOT of bad ones in Chicago. Sure, he threw 105, but he had no control. And he absolutely melted down in any type of pressure situation. I laughed uncontrollably when I saw they had signed him and were thinking of making him the set up man for MoRivera. But I just looked at his numbers after seeing him get roughed up by the Sox the other night, and they're actually decent. Is this a mirage, or does this guy actually have his head screwed on straight?
He is an adventure every time out. It seems that if you don't trot him out there on consecutive days he does well. Second day, you better have a big lead and prayQuote:
Seriously, how did that Abrea deal get done. From what I hear, most teams were offering Philly more for LIDLE alone. Did they need to dump salary that bad? That they would just GIVE away Abreau? This is mind boggling to me. If the Yankees win the series, Steinbrenner should buy Cashman a team of his own, because that is one hell of a move. Fucking Yankees.
That's the thing. Lidle alone was worth more to other teams than Lidle with Abreu's contract. I don't think Abreu is what he was supposed to be and he is definitely overpaid, but he is exactly what the Yanks needed because of the injuries. They didn't even have to pick up his 2008 option to get him to approve the deal. Abreu and Philly were both happy to be quit of each other and now there is no question about the return of Sheffield in '07, he's gone. Good player, good bye, thanks for the memories. The Yanks may even re-sign Abreu after next year but it won't be for that moneyQuote:
So, the Yanks just lost, 2/3. A-Rod is an awesome hitter, no doubt, but he looks really bad at third. He threw a ball away tonight, and he really didnt even need to hurry. It was funny for awhile, but he's costing them games now...
That throw reminded me of me. I could catch everything but once it left my hand I took no responsibilty for it. I used to warn the people behind 1st base to pay particular attention when a grounder was hit my way. And yeah, he cost them that game. Anyway, I don't feel stressed about losing 2 of 3 in Chicago, home of the defending champs. 3 one run games, with Rivera and Rodriguez uncharacteristicly the goats. Because the Dead Sox just lost 5 in a row to TB and KC. Now THAT is heavy suckage.Quote:
On a completely unrelated note, I was at the Cubs game today. I've never been to Miller Park when the roof was closed. Do you realize they have no AC in that place? It was probably 10-15 degrees warmer than it was outside, and the humidity was so high that there was a THICK layer of fog in the air, INSIDE. That place is gorgeous, but whoever didnt think of a ventilation system is crazy...
I have never been to a baseball game indoors and hope I never will. Ugggh, that's just wrong.
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Deadmaker
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: kilroy69]
#5955467 - 08/12/06 12:59 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hey kilroy, do you remember saying to me, "Wait until the White Sox face Verlander."? Well, you said it whether you remember it or not. Just so you know, he has 3 losses against them this year now. Going into the game Friday night he had an era of over 11 against the White Sox and he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings.
Shit, I wish that we'd face him every game.
Enjoy first place while it lasts. Enjoy first place while it lasts.
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Randolph_Carter
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: Deadmaker]
#5955515 - 08/12/06 01:47 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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I sure will. Pistons lost. Wings went out in the first series. Its damn nice to see one of our teams continue a success.
Hell, if we even make the playoffs this will be a wildly successful season. With maroth back the pitching lineup will solidify, and just in time to give the youngers another game off to rest for a possible playoff run.
All i know is Dimitri came back and has had stellar production offensively, and the pitching hasn't wavered. Miracle season? Keep your fingers crossed.
-------------------- "..all those molecules thrashing their kinky little tails, hot for destiny and the street." Gibson Nuke baby seals for Jesus! (This has been a +1 production.)
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kilroy69
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He had a focking horrible night last night. Even the best have bad days every once in a while. He still is going to win the ROY and possibly the CY YOUNG.
-------------------- Yeaaa im still alive.
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Deadmaker
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: kilroy69]
#5956251 - 08/12/06 11:57 AM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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WEll, we've beat him 3 times this year, so he consistently has bad days against us. He has some really impressive pitches though. He probably will get ROY with Liriano probably out for the year.
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Madtowntripper
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Re: Random Baseball Thoughts [Re: Deadmaker]
#5957006 - 08/12/06 04:51 PM (17 years, 5 months ago) |
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Sox win again today, 4-3, while not getting a single earned run...
I hope they thanked the Tigers defense after the game.
Kenny Rogers must be pissed. I hope he doesnt beat up a camer-man.
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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Deadmaker
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Yeah, they are starting to look like they did last year with their pitching and situational hitting starting to improve.
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