MLB 2016

[mezzrow]

Every now and then the Nuttings pop their head up to let you know who loathesome and cheap they are. No upgrades on the Pirates, got rid of Alvarez (addition by substraction) and Walker (a solid player) and tried to stiff our ace pitcher out of 20,000 dollars. This despite millions of revenue sharing and the money rolling in from another successful season.

No one expects us to be the Yankees but really all we needed was for Walker or a suitable replacement to be resigned and a good 1B/power hitter. We'll still be good, but good enough to tread water and maybe fight for that No.5 wild card spot.

McCutchen talked about how he wants to stay his whole career here recently and honestly I have no reason why he'd want too.

As a beneficiary of any decline in the Pirates, I should be pleased but I'm not. Cutch will say all the right things and do what's best for him when it's time. No sooner and no later. He's a solid professional on and off.

Baseball is a funny game, though. I'll have to see any decline before I believe it. I would count on a sag in my Cubs if I didn't have a childlike faith in the ability of Joe Maddon to keep the team loose yet focused when everybody thinks they'll win.

It's sad what happens when they remove the bigotry of low expectations.

 

[Rook]

As a beneficiary of any decline in the Pirates, I should be pleased but I'm not. Cutch will say all the right things and do what's best for him when it's time. No sooner and no later. He's a solid professional on and off.

Baseball is a funny game, though. I'll have to see any decline before I believe it. I would count on a sag in my Cubs if I didn't have a childlike faith in the ability of Joe Maddon to keep the team loose yet focused when everybody thinks they'll win.

It's sad what happens when they remove the bigotry of low expectations.

Assuming age doesn't catch up to Liranio and Melacon, the pitching staff/team is built to win a 7 game series. Problem is they'll have to manage a wild card game (in which Cole will in all likelihood be the lesser of the two pitchers) and a 5 game series just to get to it. We have only 2 players (cutch, Kang) who you can trust to get a hit off anyone and one of them who knows when he'll be back or if he'll be the same. I also think the Brewers are going to about a .500 team so the Central is going to be even tougher.

 

[Garrick]

Assuming age doesn't catch up to Liranio and Melacon, the pitching staff/team is built to win a 7 game series. Problem is they'll have to manage a wild card game (in which Cole will in all likelihood be the lesser of the two pitchers) and a 5 game series just to get to it. We have only 2 players (cutch, Kang) who you can trust to get a hit off anyone and one of them who knows when he'll be back or if he'll be the same. I also think the Brewers are going to about a .500 team so the Central is going to be even tougher.

I hope not. Or, maybe we would be .500 in another division, but not in the 2016 NL Central.

GIMME YOUR DRAFT PICKSSSSSS

 

[rascal]

Just signed up for yearly MLB TV. Hopefully the Padres can finish above 500 this season.

 

[mezzrow]

Just dropping by on Opening Day to say (in light of today's effort by our Everton heroes)

Thank God for Baseball. Happy to be 1/2 game down going into tomorrow, because we're not looking up at the Cardinals. Good stuff from the confluence. Oh my - Cespedes having a Dr. Strangeglove moment.

Plus latest news from St. Pete... Toronto just wears you out with that lineup.

Royals unis with the gold lettering is straight dope.

Everybody have a great season out there. Let's play 162. I need a slaw dog.

 

[TheFinnFan]

CMOON BREWERS & ATHLETICS

 

[SerenityNigh]

2016 Predictions? I'm terrible at this, but it's fun to look back months at what you thought.

NL: Mets, Nationals, Giants, Cubs, Cardinals.
AL: Blue Jays, Royals, Rangers... Rays... Indians ?

Have no clue who will be good in the AL. Think the West will be good and tight. Always predict the demise of the Yankees--maybe this is their year to implode. The Sox are terrible (both). In the NL, there will be some really good teams in the Central, but can't see the Cards not making it again. Not really sold on the East, but the Mets and Nats are both talented. We could easily see the D-Backs or Dodgers replace one of them.

WS: Rangers to get revenge over the Giants (or Cards, I'm not picky)

 

[canuckblue]

Weird to start with interleague. Is this scheduled as a WS reprise?

Given that there are 15 teams in either league, at least one interleague series was guaranteed to start the season. MLB opted to do the WS rematch thing. Not a bad idea, actually. Almost like the Community Shield, only the games count.

 

[SerenityNigh]

Given that there are 15 teams in either league, at least one interleague series was guaranteed to start the season. MLB opted to do the WS rematch thing. Not a bad idea, actually. Almost like the Community Shield, only the games count.

Understand that, but given all the options available (different start dates, more days off, more stagger in the schedules, more double-headers, open with a few 2-game series) it seems like there are plenty of ways to accomplish the schedule without beginning interleague. Maybe I'm just progressing well towards being an arl-arse, but I don't like it.

 

[Connor]

I don't know lads, this Bryce Harper is pretty good.

 

[Garrick]

So, I've had all winter to prepare for myself for something I knew would be bad, but there's no preparing for something this bad...



It's gonna be one long summer. Like, literally. The game keeps going if you can't get any outs.

@TheFinnFan Turn back now mate you don't need to subject yourself to this. Please, I'm begging you, turn back now.

 

[ilikecheese]

So, I've had all winter to prepare for myself for something I knew would be bad, but there's no preparing for something this bad...

View attachment 20573

It's gonna be one long summer. Like, literally. The game keeps going if you can't get any outs.

@TheFinnFan Turn back now mate you don't need to subject yourself to this. Please, I'm begging you, turn back now.

Did I just see that the Giants hit three home runs in a row in the 8th?

 

[Garrick]

Did I just see that the Giants hit three home runs in a row in the 8th?

Yep.

Happy opening day, Milwaukee.

 

[rascal]

Did I just see that the Giants hit three home runs in a row in the 8th?

Christ, was @ijjysmith watching?

 

[Garrick]

2016 Predictions? I'm terrible at this, but it's fun to look back months at what you thought.

NL: Mets, Nationals, Giants, Cubs, Cardinals.
AL: Blue Jays, Royals, Rangers... Rays... Indians ?

Have no clue who will be good in the AL. Think the West will be good and tight. Always predict the demise of the Yankees--maybe this is their year to implode. The Sox are terrible (both). In the NL, there will be some really good teams in the Central, but can't see the Cards not making it again. Not really sold on the East, but the Mets and Nats are both talented. We could easily see the D-Backs or Dodgers replace one of them.

WS: Rangers to get revenge over the Giants (or Cards, I'm not picky)

Ooh, yeah should get these in.

NL
East - Mets
Central - Cubs
West - Giants
WC1 - Pirates
WC2 - Cardinals

AL
East - Blue Jays
Central - Royals
West - Astros
WC1 - Rangers
WC2 - Indians

WS Cubs over Astros. It's time @mezzrow

Lot of similar picks. Think having two punching bags in the NL Central this year means we'll have 3 NL Central playoff teams again. Which will be unfair to a lot of other talented NL teams. Seems like the balance of power is really shifting back to the NL after the AL being dominant for quite some time.

Otherwise, it seems like not much has changed since last year.