quote:Originally posted by Board-O:
Aren't you legally obligated to cheer for the Marlins or Rays now?
Aren't you legally obligated to cheer for the Marlins or Rays now?
Aren't you legally obligated to cheer for the Marlins or Rays now?
Yankees aren't out of it, and certainly have a good shot at a wild card spot. But, Toronto sure looks good.
quote:Originally posted by irwin:
Yankees aren't out of it, and certainly have a good shot at a wild card spot. But, Toronto sure looks good.
Vegas now says the Jays are favourites to win the World Series at 4-1.
So much hype around the Blue Jays. Rightly so to an extent. They have done a lot to improve their team. However, let's keep it in perspective. If they played in the NL Central, they wouldn't even be a playoff team. They would be in 4th place and 2.5 games behind the Cubs for the last wildcard spot.
VM
VM
quote:Originally posted by Vino Me:
So much hype around the Blue Jays. Rightly so to an extent. They have done a lot to improve their team. However, let's keep it in perspective. If they played in the NL Central, they wouldn't even be a playoff team. They would be in 4th place and 2.5 games behind the Cubs for the last wildcard spot.
VM
And if you look at 1st order Pythagorean win percentage they should be 71 & 44 good for 2nd in all MLB behind the Cardinals. And 3rd order totally adjusted Pythagorean would have them 3rd behind the Dodgers and the Astros at 67 & 48...
There was a ton of hype last year about the Jays, and they finished third in the East, 13 games back. Still time for them to blow it 
BlueJays become the first team since the 1954 Indians to post two winning streaks of at least 11 games in the same season.
quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
BlueJays become the first team since the 1954 Indians to post two winning streaks of at least 11 games in the same season.
Rob, how did the Indians fare in the World Series?
Lost in four to the Giants. But this Blue Jays team is the real deal. I can't see anyone catching them.
There's still plenty of baseball to be played.
quote:Originally posted by wine+art:quote:Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
BlueJays become the first team since the 1954 Indians to post two winning streaks of at least 11 games in the same season.
Rob, how did the Indians fare in the World Series?
I think most people in Toronto would be just peachy with loosing the World series to the Dodgers or Cards.
The Royals have lost back to back games. In both those games they led after the 7th inning. Before that they had won 111 straight when leading after the 7th inning.
100 win season for the Redbirds this year?
Ichiro gets his 4192nd hit during his career in Japan and the MLB passing Ty Cobb on the professional hits list and 64 back of Pete Rose. Truly amazing career for Ichiro.
The O’s are a half game back for the 2nd wild card.
One good thing is that the O’s have played more games on the road thus far than at home, and the record is a reflection of that.
They are 34-20 at home (54 games) and 25-36 on the road (61 games).
Meanwhile, Toronto is 39-23 at home (62 games) and 25-31 on the road (56 games)...they have thus played more at home than on the road.
The Yankees remain tough.... They have a winning record on the road as well as at home. They are 32-21 at home (53 games) and 32-30 on the road (62 games)
The LA Angels, with whom we are competing for the wild card are 36-23 at home (59 games) and 24-33 on the road (57 games)
Bottom line.........it’s going to be close, I think.
One good thing is that the O’s have played more games on the road thus far than at home, and the record is a reflection of that.
They are 34-20 at home (54 games) and 25-36 on the road (61 games).
Meanwhile, Toronto is 39-23 at home (62 games) and 25-31 on the road (56 games)...they have thus played more at home than on the road.
The Yankees remain tough.... They have a winning record on the road as well as at home. They are 32-21 at home (53 games) and 32-30 on the road (62 games)
The LA Angels, with whom we are competing for the wild card are 36-23 at home (59 games) and 24-33 on the road (57 games)
Bottom line.........it’s going to be close, I think.
The O’s beat Oakland today 18-2. Just a crazy game. Oddly, Oakland used a position player to pitch, and he pitched to, among others, a pitcher, who walked.
Now, after the Oakland series, the Orioles are 16-19 in one-run games. They are also 2-0 in sixteen run games. (they beat the Phillies 19-3 back on June 16)
Now, after the Oakland series, the Orioles are 16-19 in one-run games. They are also 2-0 in sixteen run games. (they beat the Phillies 19-3 back on June 16)
8/19/15 -- Rookie HR night
Greg Bird, playing in his 5th career game, hit his first two major league HRs for the Yankees. The second was a 2 run shot at a time when the Yankees were down 3-2. They won 4-3.
Henry Urrutia, playing in his 29th career game (24 of which were in 2013) hit is first career HR for the Orioles...a walk off HR in the bottom of the 9th.
Daniel Norris, a Detroit pitcher, hit a home run in his first Major League at bat. Playing in his 14th game, Norris became the first American League pitcher to hit a Home Run at Wrigley Field.
Ever. And, it was his first professional at bat.....he played 4 years in the minor leagues without a plate appearance. The other 13 games he played in were not interleague play, so he did not bat.
The HR was to straight away center, traveling and estimated 404 feet.
19th pitcher in history to hit a HR in his first ML at bat.
Norris left the game with an injury later to an oblique muscle, and was placed on the 15 day disabled list.
Greg Bird, playing in his 5th career game, hit his first two major league HRs for the Yankees. The second was a 2 run shot at a time when the Yankees were down 3-2. They won 4-3.
Henry Urrutia, playing in his 29th career game (24 of which were in 2013) hit is first career HR for the Orioles...a walk off HR in the bottom of the 9th.
Daniel Norris, a Detroit pitcher, hit a home run in his first Major League at bat. Playing in his 14th game, Norris became the first American League pitcher to hit a Home Run at Wrigley Field.
Ever. And, it was his first professional at bat.....he played 4 years in the minor leagues without a plate appearance. The other 13 games he played in were not interleague play, so he did not bat.
The HR was to straight away center, traveling and estimated 404 feet.
19th pitcher in history to hit a HR in his first ML at bat.
Norris left the game with an injury later to an oblique muscle, and was placed on the 15 day disabled list.
quote:Originally posted by irwin:
Daniel Norris, a Detroit pitcher, hit a home run in his first Major League at bat.
You know who else did that? Hoyt Wilhelm. He homered in his first bat, then played 21 years without another home run.
quote:Originally posted by Board-O:quote:Originally posted by irwin:
Daniel Norris, a Detroit pitcher, hit a home run in his first Major League at bat.
You know who else did that? Hoyt Wilhelm. He homered in his first bat, then played 21 years without another home run.
Hoyt Wilhelm homered in his first at bat, on the first pitch!
quote:Originally posted by snipes:
100 win season for the Redbirds this year?
Very likely. Even if they finish out the season at only a .500 clip, they'll end with 98. As good as the Pirates are playing, the Cards will need every win they can get, in order to win the division.
Blue Jays put up 36 runs over the weekend in a 3 game sweep of the Angels. Their offense is scary good at times. Still don't trust the pitching beyond Price and Estrada though.
As long as Tulowitzki stays healthy, the Jays will make it to the world series. He hasn't been hitting as well as his potential, but he's made the team much better with his glove and work ethic.
BTW - the Jays are 21 and 4 since the trade. It might go down as Toronto's best trade ever.
BTW - the Jays are 21 and 4 since the trade. It might go down as Toronto's best trade ever.
The Orioles are only 2.5 games out of the 2nd wild card slot.
Of course, the way they are playing, that’s like saying they are only a step or two behind Usain Bolt.
Of course, the way they are playing, that’s like saying they are only a step or two behind Usain Bolt.
quote:Originally posted by Duojet:
As long as Tulowitzki stays healthy, the Jays will make it to the world series. He hasn't been hitting as well as his potential, but he's made the team much better with his glove and work ethic.
BTW - the Jays are 21 and 4 since the trade. It might go down as Toronto's best trade ever.
Might not even be the best trade this season. Lawrie et. al. for potential (likely) AL MVP Josh Donaldson is looking pretty good right about now.
How about the crybaby Yankees getting their knickers in a twist about Carlos Gomez allegedly showing up their pitcher after recording an out? I'm not going to pretend to know all of the "unwritten" rules of baseball, but this definitely was a new one for me. Girardi's post-game comments about "playing the game right" and "showing professionalism to the pitcher" were even better. This in a game they lost 15-1.
Another no-hitter, this time by Jake Arrietta of the Cubs. Congrats to him.
Speaking of no-hitters, we are getting close (Sept 9) to the 50th anniversary of Sandy Koufax's perfect game over the Cubs. Koufax struck out 14 that day. The Cubs pitcher went the distance, striking out three, walking one, and giving up only 1 run, which was unearned. (Bob Henley was his name). The game took 1:43.
The announcer that day for the Dodgers was Vin Scully, then in his 16th year as a Dodger announcer. Yesterday, he announced that he'll be retiring after 2016, after 67 years as the announcer.
The announcer that day for the Dodgers was Vin Scully, then in his 16th year as a Dodger announcer. Yesterday, he announced that he'll be retiring after 2016, after 67 years as the announcer.
I love MLB Network just for the fact that when they air Dodger games I get to hear
I so enjoy MLB Network just for the fact that when they air Dodger games, I get to listen to Vin Scully. He is amazing. What I've found interesting is that the Bob Costas broadcasts one game a week for the MLBN, and he seems to have modeled his approach after Vin Scully's -- and he is no where close. I was very excited to hear that Scully was coming back for one more year.
quote:The announcer that day for the Dodgers was Vin Scully, then in his 16th year as a Dodger announcer. Yesterday, he announced that he'll be retiring after 2016, after 67 years as the announcer.
I so enjoy MLB Network just for the fact that when they air Dodger games, I get to listen to Vin Scully. He is amazing. What I've found interesting is that the Bob Costas broadcasts one game a week for the MLBN, and he seems to have modeled his approach after Vin Scully's -- and he is no where close. I was very excited to hear that Scully was coming back for one more year.
Listening to Vin (and Jerry Doggett) on KFI while growing up was one of the seminal experiences of my youth. It will be a sad day when Vin is no longer bringing his wealth of information and technique to baseball broadcasting.
The AL East belongs to Toronto. I think they're the best team in baseball now.
Board-O...
You are correct about Toronto.
You also just posted your 38,000th post. Now that you are retired, you can post more often!
You are correct about Toronto.
You also just posted your 38,000th post. Now that you are retired, you can post more often!
quote:Originally posted by Duojet:
As long as Tulowitzki stays healthy, the Jays will make it to the world series.
Ouch.
Ugly Saturday for the team in the Bronx as the Blue Jays take the double header and the Thursday game.
I'm a Yankee fan and also realistic. Toronto is the better team, and with our best slugger gone for the season, holding onto a wild card spot may be a problem.
It'll be interesting to see if Tanaka can hold Toronto's sluggers in check. He did it last time.
It'll be interesting to see if Tanaka can hold Toronto's sluggers in check. He did it last time.
Stroman's back, baby!
quote:Originally posted by GlennK:Yeah, he is crushing it. If he stays healthy he could have a monster year.quote:Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
I'm really enjoying seeing the maturation of Bryce Harper recently. His patience in the box has paid off in spades so far this season. Good job by the coaching staff in guiding the kid. Fun stuff.
PH
I have been very happy with the Dodgers so far this year despite a very shaky start of the season by Kershaw.
And what a monster year Harper is having. Leading the NL in AVG, OBP, HRs, SLG, OPS and Runs. Second in BB, tied for 4th in RBIs, 4th in hits, tied for 5th in 2B. If he isn't the consensus NL MVP something is very wrong.
It's good for baseball that Toronto is back in the AL East, but where have they been for the past 22 years?
Cubs in the post season. Maybe they have a shot. They have some pretty decent pitching.
quote:Originally posted by irwin:
Cubs in the post season. Maybe they have a shot. They have some pretty decent pitching.
I wish they could have picked up Chris Sale and rescued him from the White Sox. Imagine that addition.
I don't think the Yankees will go far this year in the playoffs. I'm glad they didn't trade Severino and most of their prospects. If the SPs stay mostly healthy next year and sign a stud FA who can hit, they'll be a lot more fun to watch.