2017 NL CENTRAL DISCUSSION

[AllBettsAreOff]

Holy crap, they're super low on the Brewers. If you'd think the Brewers go 30-38 or 31-37 to finish out the season then yeah, the Cubs should make the playoffs but that would be in 'choke job' territory.

Admittedly, I've watched the Cardinals choke away 3 walkoffs to the Pirates in the past month so the number of teams that can challenge the Cubs might be going down soon.

those projections do seem to underrate some of their other players as well, especially Knebel. He's probably one of the best relief pitchers in MLB right now.

 

[Clayton]

This is actually the hottest division in baseball right now. Maybe we are looking at some course correction for the awful play from earlier in the season.

 

[packerzrule]

Cubs on a tear since the acquisition



dem sunzabitches

 

[JohnU]

I think the Cubbos have established that they are in it to win it.
Expect another trade?

 

[scoutyjones2]

Kris Bryant out with busted fingers

 

[packerzrule]

Kris Bryant out with busted fingers

whoa

just saw the replay and it didn't look good at all

 

[scoutyjones2]

whoa

just saw the replay and it didn't look good at all

yep...looked ugly. Hate to see that

 

[scoutyjones2]

My bad...just sprained. I'm shocked!

Kris Bryant, the Cubs' 2016 NL MVP, left the game with a sprained left little finger in the first inning. The team said X-rays were negative and his status is day to day.

 

[navamind]

Ace and Kinesiologist, Jimmy Nelson | FanGraphs Baseball

 

[JohnU]

Bryant isn't going to be playing much ball in the next few days.

 

[navamind]

Matheny on his way out?

 

[Clayton]

Matheny on his way out?

I've been mostly a defender of his until this year but he has had probably about as bad of a year as a Manager can have without a scandal.

Cardinals have an interesting issue. This is only the 2nd season since 2000 that they might (probably) finish under .500. Generally speaking the idea is to either bottom out but they won't do that because they still want to move up a lot of young talent. The preseason rankings were very split on the Cardinals and for once the negative predictions were the correct ones. Its an average team that can't play defense. Park adjusted stats probably make their pitching look better than it is and its hitting not quite as good so I figure that balances out to mediocre across the board.

I'd say Matheny has a 30% chance of keeping his job

(these are the jokes)

 

[Clayton]

Save some of those runs for the next game. 9 run inning thump

 

[BrockForBroglio]

Cardinals acquired OF Tyler O'Neill from the Mariners in exchange for LHP Marco Gonzales.

O'Neill was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 38 prospect in baseball coming into the season. His standing has dropped a bit with a .244/.328/.479 showing so far in his first taste of Triple-A, but he's still cracked 19 homers and is among the better power-hitting prospects in the game. The Cards currently have a glut of outfielders, so it's hard to see O'Neill contributing in 2017. However, he's an interesting prospect

 

[The Derski]

Cubs score 3 in the 8th to win 3-2. Love hearing the arrogant Cardinals play by play douche watch the game slip away.

 

[JohnU]

An NL-C name from the past -- Josh Vitters, who was the Cubs 3B for a time. First round pick in 2007.
Dude just got cut by Sioux City of the independent American Association. Vitters was hitting way below Mendoza at .185 with 2 HR.

thump

 

[JohnU]

I think the Cubs just grabbed the division by the balls. NL pennant to the Nationals?

 

[packerzrule]

I think the Cubs just grabbed the division by the balls. NL pennant to the Nationals?

 

[JohnU]

I just hope you fans aren't all whining about how your team sucks.

 

[LambeauLegs]

Suter has been doing fairly well. He will not be Andersons back up when he omes back is my guess and will be added in the rotation