Is the Empire back?

[OregonDucks]

Yankees starting to get into a groove. Any shot at all at #28 this year?

 

[Sgt Brutus]

No Orioles will take the division

 

[OregonDucks]

No Orioles will take the division

not sure if serious...

 

[Sgt Brutus]

not sure if serious...

Not sure either and I know people look and say "but they are 7 games back"

True.

But for 2 games under .500 they still have a +36 run differential. Yanks are old, it wouldn't be a suprise if they cooled off in the second half of the season. Rays can score and Blue jays cant pitch.

If they make some moves at the deadline, maybe add another bat in the outfield they have a shot. Buck is a great manager.

Realistically the Yanks win the division and the Orioles best chance is pulling the wildcard (4game back).

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Fun fact: only other team with a +run differential below .500 is the Oakland A's at +48

 

[OregonDucks]

Not sure either and I know people look and say "but they are 7 games back"

True.

But for 2 games under .500 they still have a +36 run differential. Yanks are old, it wouldn't be a suprise if they cooled off in the second half of the season. Rays can score and Blue jays cant pitch.

If they make some moves at the deadline, maybe add another bat in the outfield they have a shot. Buck is a great manager.

Realistically the Yanks win the division and the Orioles best chance is pulling the wildcard (4game back).

well with still 2 months left, anything can happen. But NY is looking good right now.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

i dont want to jinx it. but the yanks have been looking good.

 

[navamind]

Yankees starting to get into a groove. Any shot at all at #28 this year?

Sure they could. All they have to do is make the postseason. Unless the Jays add some starters, I'd say the Yanks are probably in the best shape in the AL East.

 

[tducey]

They certainly look good thus far. Don't know if they win #28 this year but I think they win the division.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

They certainly look good thus far. Don't know if they win #28 this year but I think they win the division.

Once you make the playoffs, crazy shit can happen.

 

[packerzrule]

The Yankees are ruining baseball

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

But for 2 games under .500 they still have a +36 run differential. Yanks are old, it wouldn't be a suprise if they cooled off in the second half of the season. Rays can score and Blue jays cant pitch.

Team ERA in June: Toronto - 3.17 Baltimore - 3.53
Team ERA in July: Toronto - 3.77 Baltimore - 3.84

If the Jays' inability to pitch is going to preclude them from the playoffs, I don't see how Baltimore's will take them there.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I can't see them getting past the Angles or the Royals...

 

[Sgt Brutus]

NYY
TOR
BAL

all in the race at the moment. I just don't see the BJ's bats staying so hot in the playoffs but I'll pull for them if/when they make it.

 

[The Q]

Afer what I've seen the Giants do when they've been very clear underdogs in every series in recent history...I will never say a team has no shot once October begins.

 

[msgkings322]

Afer what I've seen the Giants do when they've been very clear underdogs in every series in recent history...I will never say a team has no shot once October begins.

Yeah but this only works with good pitching. The Giants are always picked to lose in the playoffs because their opponents have these gaudy hitting stats....which get built up all year vs bad teams and 3rd 4th and 5th starters. Come playoffs it's all good teams best pitchers and suddenly the favorites aren't scoring runs.

Which is why the teams to watch this year will be St Louis, Pitt, Dodgers, Mets, KC. Even if the Giants get in there this year, their starters are not like the past 5 years, they may falter.

 

[The Q]

Yeah but this only works with good pitching. The Giants are always picked to lose in the playoffs because their opponents have these gaudy hitting stats....which get built up all year vs bad teams and 3rd 4th and 5th starters. Come playoffs it's all good teams best pitchers and suddenly the favorites aren't scoring runs.

Which is why the teams to watch this year will be St Louis, Pitt, Dodgers, Mets, KC. Even if the Giants get in there this year, their starters are not like the past 5 years, they may falter.

the giants only had 1 good starter last year.

Hell Bum threw more innings in the WS than the other 3 SPs combined.

 

[navamind]

Yeah but this only works with good pitching. The Giants are always picked to lose in the playoffs because their opponents have these gaudy hitting stats....which get built up all year vs bad teams and 3rd 4th and 5th starters. Come playoffs it's all good teams best pitchers and suddenly the favorites aren't scoring runs.

Which is why the teams to watch this year will be St Louis, Pitt, Dodgers, Mets, KC. Even if the Giants get in there this year, their starters are not like the past 5 years, they may falter.

The Giants rotation really isn't much worse than it was last year, if at all. It was Bumgarner a bunch of mediocrity (save for an overachieving Jake Peavy).

 

[msgkings322]

the giants only had 1 good starter last year.

Hell Bum threw more innings in the WS than the other 3 SPs combined.

Agree but still, that starter basically did the work of 3, the bullpen was its usual level of brilliance, and again the pitching neutralized the 'favorites' bats. Pitching = rings.

 

[TheRedPlectrum]

I agree. I think a playoff rotation this year of Bum, Heston, Leake, and Peavy would be better than last year's. With a resurgent Vogelsong as a 5th/spot starter.