MLB Daily Thread: 7.8.15 Red Sox surging towards first, Padres lose yet again, Yanks lose in 10

[SlinkyRedfoot]

That, and the Pirates are going to be in it all year. Hard to believe the Pirates have been one of the best teams in the league over the last 2.5 seasons after several decades of mediocrity.

The new owner has really been trying for years. They invested HEAVILY in South America and if I remember correctly, were spending more money in the minor league drafts than any other team in baseball.

 

[navamind]

Three words: Ryan Howard contract.

He should be fired for that alone, and I said that the day it was announced.

Howard was only a top hitter for about three years (06-07, 09). He was basically Paul Konerko with sexier power numbers and crappier defense. It was an awful contract when it was announced.

 

[HammerDown]

Thank you, extra wild card.

I don't know what the consensus is with you guys on the newish wild card format -- on FN it seemed most folks were against it -- but I've been a HUGE fan of it since its inception.

I don't mind. What I fucking HATE is inter-league. The games are virtually meaningless. And if a team loses a key player for the season during a meaningless interleague game, they should protest to the league.
Leave the damn game alone.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Howard was only a top hitter for about three years (06-07, 09). He was basically Paul Konerko with sexier power numbers and crappier defense. It was an awful contract when it was announced.

He was the black Adam Dunn (a little more power, a little less patience), and Amaro Jr extended him almost two full years before he'd have been a free agent AND made him the highest paid 1st baseman in baseball. So, he extended him early AND paid him more than free agency money. Fucking stupid.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

What I like about the Wild Card format:

1. It puts Wild Card teams at a distinct disadvantage heading into the playoffs - thereby rewarding Divisional Winners
2. It adds drama to the playoffs and playoff hunt - which is really what the playoffs are about (well, that and revenue for MLB), because they certainly don't identify the best team any given year.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I'm going to the Mets-Giants rubber game this afternoon....and all I want my mets to do is bring their gloves & bats to the park with them..and hopefully use them properly...like most major league teams do.

I wonder if Sandy Alderson has put out an APB on Lucas Duda yet?
The dude has been missing, and hasn't abided for weeks.....


Jacob deGrom (mets lone all star rep) will be on the hill for the Amazin's, facing Jake Peavy.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

What I like about the Wild Card format:

1. It puts Wild Card teams at a distinct disadvantage heading into the playoffs - thereby rewarding Divisional Winners
2. It adds drama to the playoffs and playoff hunt - which is really what the playoffs are about (well, that and revenue for MLB), because they certainly don't identify the best team any given year.

I've warmed up to the extra WC for the reasons you stated. There is still the emphasis on winning your division, but for that rare great team who is in the same div with an even greater team, you still get a shot at it.

This was the best they could do to expand the playoffs without shortening the 162-game season.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

I'm going to the Mets-Giants rubber game this afternoon....and all I want my mets to do is bring their gloves & bats to the park with them..and hopefully use them properly...like most major league teams do.

I wonder if Sandy Alderson has put out an APB on Lucas Duda yet?
The dude has been missing, and hasn't abided for weeks.....


Jacob deGrom (mets lone all star rep) will be on the hill for the Amazin's, facing Jake Peavy.

Holler good for me, Yoag! See if you can sit near enough to @moxie to pelt her with mustard packs

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I've warmed up to the extra WC for the reasons you stated. There is still the emphasis on winning your division, but for that rare great team who is in the same div with an even greater team, you still get a shot at it.

This was the best they could do to expand the playoffs without shortening the 162-game season.

Most of the detractors I'm aware of say things like, "well, why don't they just let all teams in the playoffs."

By percentage, even with the extra Wild Cards, the fewest teams make the playoffs from MLB than any other major sport. Doesn't NHL and NBA let in over half their teams?

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Most of the detractors I'm aware of say things like, "well, why don't they just let all teams in the playoffs."

By percentage, even with the extra Wild Cards, the fewest teams make the playoffs from MLB than any other major sport. Doesn't NHL and NBA let in over half their teams?

We have a regular season to eliminate the unworthy. If we can't say we honestly have the ten best teams after 162 games...

 

[Clayton]

I was skeptical at first but Baseball playoffs are pretty much perfect right now.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I was skeptical at first but Baseball playoffs are pretty much perfect right now.

For the most part it is.
The only think I'd like to see changed is the one game WC play in game.

It should be at least a best of 3 series. Baseball is a series oriented game.
That one game elimination crap is better served for soccer and football.

 

[chappee11]

what a messed up division

Red Sox are terrible. Terrible! And, yet, somehow they are just 5 out with half the season to go. So much for being in "sell mode", I guess.

 

[chappee11]

That, and the Pirates are going to be in it all year. Hard to believe the Pirates have been one of the best teams in the league over the last 2.5 seasons after several decades of mediocrity.[/QUOTE]

McCutchen is as good as anyone in the game. And Cole is a true ace. That's a very dangerous team.

 

[chappee11]

astros land cueto i think...they are swimming in prospects they can easily part with.

Every contender would love him as a rental. Why not KC for Cueto? Also, the Yankees will need to acquire a pitcher at some point. Maybe it's Hamels. Maybe it's Kazmir. But they will have to make a move for the stretch run.

 

[Mondo Jay]

The Braves are hanging in there despite the loss of Freeman. I wonder if they will go out and get a bat..? They should be passing the Mets by the AS break.

 

[williewilliejuan]

Most of the detractors I'm aware of say things like, "well, why don't they just let all teams in the playoffs."

By percentage, even with the extra Wild Cards, the fewest teams make the playoffs from MLB than any other major sport. Doesn't NHL and NBA let in over half their teams?

I have a different issue with it. I think winning your division is vastly overrated. I hate to see a team with a better record have to play a one game play-in while a team that coasted to winning a weak division gets a day off and a five game series.

 

[Clayton]

For the most part it is.
The only think I'd like to see changed is the one game WC play in game.

It should be at least a best of 3 series. Baseball is a series oriented game.
That one game elimination crap is better served for soccer and football.

But thats the whole point. Being in the WC isnt supposed to be a desirable outcome but if you're good enough then it gives you a chance

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

But thats the whole point. Being in the WC isnt supposed to be a desirable outcome but if you're good enough then it gives you a chance

It needs to be a series....period.

And the silly AS game winning league team getting home field advantage for the world series is altogether another antiquated idea.

 

[Clayton]

It needs to be a series....period.

A play in series sounds like a huge disadvantage because you'd likely be going up in the next series against one of the best teams in baseball with your 3rd or 4th best starter.