NL Central thread

[Clayton]

I do think you'll see the Reds and their high run differential work their way out of the basement. Pirates road record and run differential looks unsustainable so they really should bottom out.

Cardinals could make a run if they get more out of Matt Carpenter or Kolten Wong. Carpenter in particular is always important and the fact that he is playing some of his worst baseball and STL isnt totally out of it is at least somewhat encouraging.

 

[tomcat1]

I'm a big believer in run differential at the end of the year for gauging power rankings.

Cards are 2-0 in games I've gone to this year. Good to see a clean game today with good coaching.

I agree with you about gauging run differential at the end of the year for power rankings.

 

[tomcat1]

So far 5 of the top 6 in run differential are winning their division. None of the division winners are in the bottom half.
It's a pretty good gauge. If my wife, who knows nothing of baseball, could guess who the best teams were based only on run differential, she could guess fairly accurately. In fact if she went only by that stat, she would pick 5 of the 6 division leaders and Tampa Bay who is 13 games over .500 and only 1.5 games out of first.

You are correct in saying the only thing that matters is the final standings.

View attachment 207118

Just to give you a heads up in case you didn't already know, the Cardinals at the Cubs on Saturday night is the national game of the week on Fox.

 

[tomcat1]

And as @navamind showed you. By seasons end, the playoff teams are almost all supported by strong run differentials.

You can argue all you want, it’ll never make you right.

First of all, I'm not arguing, I'm discussing. I agree about run differentials being a strong indicator later in the season but not so much this early in the season. Just an interesting discussion to me, that's all.

 

[tomcat1]

I do think you'll see the Reds and their high run differential work their way out of the basement. Pirates road record and run differential looks unsustainable so they really should bottom out.

Cardinals could make a run if they get more out of Matt Carpenter or Kolten Wong. Carpenter in particular is always important and the fact that he is playing some of his worst baseball and STL isnt totally out of it is at least somewhat encouraging.

We all remember what a great second half of the season Carpenter had last season and let's hope he repeats that this season. You're also correct about Wong needing to pick up his game. It is indeed encouraging that we are still in the hunt with the lackluster hitting and starting pitching that we have shown so far.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Time for a sweep by the Cards again...

 

[navamind]

the cardinals problem isn't one-run games, it's that they have an average pitching staff and an average lineup (though Goldy and Carpenter rebounding should help). Hudson and Flaherty have been the only above average starting pitchers and Hudson probably isn't going to sustain a 3.70 ERA.

 

[kburjr]

There are too many nuances that can be extrapolated from run differential. Strength of starting pitching vs strength of bullpen, streaky hitting and some semblance of luck come to mind.

 

[CB3UK]

Reds have a terrific run differential. It's still too early for it to make a difference. Lost too many close/1 run games. Hopefully the worm turns.

 

[tomcat1]

Time for a sweep by the Cards again...

I second that motion even though things haven't started well this afternoon.

 

[tomcat1]

the cardinals problem isn't one-run games, it's that they have an average pitching staff and an average lineup (though Goldy and Carpenter rebounding should help). Hudson and Flaherty have been the only above average starting pitchers and Hudson probably isn't going to sustain a 3.70 ERA.

I certainly don't disagree with you on that.

 

[tomcat1]

There are too many nuances that can be extrapolated from run differential. Strength of starting pitching vs strength of bullpen, streaky hitting and some semblance of luck come to mind.

Exactly! I think your Brewers are a much better team than what run differential says about them at this point in the season.

 

[Clayton]

the cardinals problem isn't one-run games, it's that they have an average pitching staff and an average lineup (though Goldy and Carpenter rebounding should help). Hudson and Flaherty have been the only above average starting pitchers and Hudson probably isn't going to sustain a 3.70 ERA.

The average pitching really isn't too shocking imo but the lineup is really disappointing. Its just kinda wimpy and the depth there should be the strength of the team.

 

[BrockForBroglio]

I have never seen so many swing and misses from STL hitters. This team is a disgrace when it comes to putting the bat on the ball. Third or fourth place at best. Miles walks the lead off hitter, strikes the next two out then grooves a pither to Baez.....Football season is close.

 

[steelerssb]

Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle should be kicked in the nuts for starting Rookie Davis instead of Mitch Keller.

 

[LambeauLegs]

Ok was watching the end of the Brewers/Pirates game on TV and saw the Pirates wearing red caps with a white letter C in front middle of the hat. I have never seen that color hat by the Pirates and have no idea what the letter C meant. Does anyone know about the Pirates red hats?

 

[scoutyjones2]

Ok was watching the end of the Brewers/Pirates game on TV and saw the Pirates wearing red caps with a white letter C in front middle of the hat. I have never seen that color hat by the Pirates and have no idea what the letter C meant. Does anyone know about the Pirates red hats?

Ode to ***** league perhaps???

 

[CB3UK]

Ok was watching the end of the Brewers/Pirates game on TV and saw the Pirates wearing red caps with a white letter C in front middle of the hat. I have never seen that color hat by the Pirates and have no idea what the letter C meant. Does anyone know about the Pirates red hats?

Pittsburgh Crawfords

 

[LambeauLegs]

Pittsburgh Crawfords

Thanks had to google that and then found out there was also a Milwaukee Bears team in the ***** league as well

 

[Markwassillylaugher]

the Pirates need to darn well start winning some games against the Brewers!!
as a fan, I am sick of all this .500 talk!! Pirates draft too many kids out of high school!