Baseball 2023

[mountaineer]

The Babylon Bee
@TheBabylonBee
Dodgers Wondering If They Should Have Spent More Time Training For Playoffs And Less Time Honoring Satanic Drag Nuns
https://buff.ly/3rPaEk5

[Polly Ticks]

I don't give a damn what anybody says...getting a week off with a "BYE" translates to "bye-bye"!!

Dodgers...Orioles... two offensively powerful teams are being swept?

And the Orioles...who won 101 games didn't just get swept for the first time in 89 SERIES. 
They got the SNOT beat of the them.

You cannot get your timing back after sitting on your ass for a week.  It takes time.

The opponent...the supposed fodder has been scraping and clawing daily. 

*****************

Tell me I'm wrong.   

You're not wrong. 

I didn't think my guys were going to make it very far this post-season -- we don't have enough good, healthy pitching for it -- but the layoff definitely didn't help them any.  They came out cold as ice.

[DCPatriot]

Just realized how much I miss @EasyAce 's take on things. 

Hope you're doing well out 'there'!   

[Polly Ticks]

Just realized how much I miss @EasyAce 's take on things. 

Hope you're doing well out 'there'!   

@DCPatriot

You can still find them on his website.
https://throneberryfields.com/

 

[catfish1957]

Just realized how much I miss @EasyAce 's take on things. 

Hope you're doing well out 'there'!   

@DCPatriot

Had to search for  it, but he still posts his on blog.  Very knowledgeable fan, but we didn't see it eye to eye due to his coastal team bias, which was evident on an almost continuous basis.

https://throneberryfields.com

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

You can still find them on his website.
https://throneberryfields.com/

 

Thanks, @Polly Ticks !! 

[Hoodat]

Another 100-win season shot to hell.  The Braves never fail to disappoint.

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

Had to search for  it, but he still posts his on blog.  Very knowledgeable fan, but we didn't see it eye to eye due to his coastal team bias, which was evident on an almost continuous basis.

https://throneberryfields.com

   @catfish1957

[AllThatJazzZ]

Just realized how much I miss @EasyAce 's take on things. 

Hope you're doing well out 'there'!   

@DCPatriot

I'm glad you mentioned him. Thanks to @Polly Ticks and @catfish1957 for providing the link to our old friend. I guess I'll stroll over there and see what he's got to say, although, to be honest, much of the joy of this postseason is overshadowed by the terrorist attacks in Israel. Even so, I'm looking forward to my Astros squaring off with their I-45 rivals. Lots of interesting storylines in that match-up.

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

I'm glad you mentioned him. Thanks to @Polly Ticks and @catfish1957 for providing the link to our old friend. I guess I'll stroll over there and see what he's got to say, although, to be honest, much of the joy of this postseason is overshadowed by the terrorist attacks in Israel. Even so, I'm looking forward to my Astros squaring off with their I-45 rivals. Lots of interesting storylines in that match-up.

@AllThatJazzZ

    Good luck!!  Be carefull of Scherzer.  

[DCPatriot]

Here we go again!!  The Game that keeps on giving!
NO Game #1 until Sunday night!!

...another chance to test the theory that batters are at a distinct disadvantage
if they sit on their asses for a week, playing video games.

RANGERS destroyed my ORIOLES...they haven't played for a work week.
ASTROS toyed with the TWINS...

I'm predicting a very low-scoring game.  Maybe even a shutout.  God forbid a no-hitter.

Dusty Baker vs. Bruce Bochy

Both took the GIANTS to the Promised Land.

@catfish1957   @Polly Ticks  @AllThatJazzZ  @Elderberry @Bigun (ya ole grouch)   

@dfwgator   @mountaineer

[mountaineer]

I hate that the World Series won't be decided until sometime in November. Ridiculous. Break out your mittens.

[DCPatriot]

And so it goes in GAME 1 

RANGERS SHUT OUT THE ASTROS, 2-0

Astros provide 5 singles...6 men LOB.

Verlander pitched a good game going 6-2/3 innings.  He takes the loss.

[dfwgator]

And so it goes in GAME 1 

RANGERS SHUT OUT THE ASTROS, 2-0

Astros provide 5 singles...6 men LOB.

Verlander pitched a good game going 6-2/3 innings.  He takes the loss.

Fantastic game.    Go Rangers.  But please, no more Chapman,   he was very lucky that wasn't a home run.

[catfish1957]

Fantastic game.    Go Rangers.  But please, no more Chapman,   he was very lucky that wasn't a home run.

Congrats.  Rangers were smart using a relatively unknown arm (recently from STL).  The Astros have played 97 playoff games in the past 10 years, and aftEr seeing them all, I can vouch I that that was the worst game I have seen for them in plate managment.  Never had I seen them swinging at so many bad pitches, and taking so many good ones. 

[corbe]

   FS1 Free Livestream to watch the Astros/Rangers Game 3, if needed.

https://tv247.us/watch/fox-sports-1-free-stream/

[Elderberry]

Astros always do better on the road.

[AllThatJazzZ]

Astros always do better on the road.

@Elderberry

Can we arrange to play the rest of the ALCS in Arlington?

[catfish1957]

The Rangers have historically been chokers, so don't worry.

I still think they will pull it off.  Outside a weak Max Scherzer, the Astros haven't hit  anybody in this ALCS.  Including what may be one of the worst bullpens in MLB history.  And that sometimes supposed vaulted post season experience, sometimes comes across as lackadaisical play and  over confidence.   Rangers in 7.

OTOH, Yordan Alvarez is a bad ass hitting machine.  Jim Crane......   Pay the man now for 10 more years in Houston.

[AllThatJazzZ]

I still think they will pull it off.  Outside a weak Max Scherzer, the Astros haven't hit  anybody in this ALCS.  Including what may be one of the worst bullpens in MLB history.  And that sometimes supposed vaulted post season experience, sometimes comes across as lackadaisical play and  over confidence.   Rangers in 7.

OTOH, Yordan Alvarez is a bad ass hitting machine.  Jim Crane......   Pay the man now for 10 more years in Houston.

@catfish1957

Astros have been lackadaisical throughout the year. Except when they got hot. But they haven't stayed hot for a sustained period of time. Also, our pitchers are a crap shoot. Just because we recognize the pitcher doesn't mean we recognize his pitches. It's been a white-knuckle year for me and my Astros-watching buddies. If they get scrappy and make it happen this year, I'll consider it a miracle. BTW, I wish we still had Stromy.

[dfwgator]

As I was saying....   

Yep,  Astros found their  mojo, they'll sweep the next two.    Rangers are the Rangers again.

[catfish1957]

The Rangers have historically been chokers, so don't worry.

Even I underestimated the level of gag refex of this team.  Exciting game.

[DCPatriot]

Even I underestimated the level of gag refex of this team.  Exciting game.

This morning....was so sick of reading about "The Great Jose Altuve" all over the MLB channel and ESPN site, I mumbled

"That little Bleep!  Why even pitch to that Midget?  I'd walk him intentionally to START the game...and go for a double play.
Why let that little Smurf beat you??  WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU???

And that was after my 2nd cup of coffee!!

[catfish1957]

Rump Ranger fans on Reddit are claiming Baker cheated by icing Arlington's reliever after his ejection.

Dumbasses....  who does  a one out one on, with a one run lead intentional HBP.  And Game 5 of the ALCS to boot.

[dfwgator]

Rump Ranger fans on Reddit are claiming Baker cheated by icing Arlington's reliever after his ejection.

Dumbasses....  who does  a one out one on, with a one run lead intentional HBP.

Another Rangers "Choketober"

[corbe]

   Reminds me of another Texas playoff, for the Western Division NBA back in 94/95 season where nobody was home~ Rockets/Spurs. Okeem finally won it at home for us over rookie MVP David Robinson.  We went on to beat Shaq/Heat for the final, If I recall correctly.

[AllThatJazzZ]

I literally love Jose Altuve.

Next stop, Minute Maid Park. We don't tend to do too well at home, so we need some 'Tuve haters to show up to boo him. How about you, @DCPatriot?

[catfish1957]

Altuve sems more determined and locked in when fans boo him.

I hope the other 29 team's fan bases continue that practice.  Works out well for us.

[AllThatJazzZ]

Altuve sems more determined and locked in when fans boo him.

I hope the other 29 team's fan bases continue that practice.  Works out well for us.

I was just telling a friend how delicious it is when the ballparks go quiet when Altuve goes yard. I've been known to rewind and savor the moment again.

[catfish1957]

Love it when Kimbrell and his silly pitching routine gets rocked. 

AZ/PHI. 5-5 in the bottom of the 8th.

[catfish1957]

Another Rangers "Choketober"

I do feel sorry for Bochy though.  He is 10X the manager that Crusty Baker is

[DCPatriot]

I literally love Jose Altuve.

Next stop, Minute Maid Park. We don't tend to do too well at home, so we need some 'Tuve haters to show up to boo him. How about you, @DCPatriot?

@AllThatJazzZ

Nah!  Tip my hat to him.

Can Max Scherzer 'find' his SLIDER?  Because without it...future looks bleak for them.

[DCPatriot]

@catfish1957  @Polly Ticks  @AllThatJazzZ @Elderberry  @Jack Russell @dfwgator

Did anyone else find the Diamondbacks' strategy of using EIGHT pitchers fascinating?

I'd never seen that before...and I watched Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder catch in centerfield in 1954 'live' on a 13 inch Admiral B&W television.   

Suppose it was to insure the Phillies' lineup never saw the same "stuff" twice...let alone thrice!

Arizona 6  Philadelphia 5   Series tied 2 apiece.

[catfish1957]

@catfish1957  @Polly Ticks  @AllThatJazzZ @Elderberry  @Jack Russell @dfwgator

Did anyone else find the Diamondbacks' strategy of using EIGHT pitchers fascinating?

@DCPatriot

That was cool.  And this phenomenon is growing in MLB.  Seems the system of "starters", especially in the post season has whittled down to just "competitive starters".   I believe the Rangers will be trying something near this if this thing gets to Game 7 in Houston.  Which is a good chance, since the 'Stros historically struggle against Evoldi.

Not exactly recent history, but one of my favorite examples of this was back in '03 when the Astros no-hit the Yankees with 6 pitchers.  And wow did it bring back memories, where at least that moment in time the Astros had one of the greatest back three tandem in the pen with Dotel-Lidge-Wagner.

And I agree with the once-twice-thrice theor.  I'd guess in 90% of arms, that the averages (ba, slug, ops, etc.) increase with each round of the lineup.  If this game truly is into analytics, I am surprised MLB pitching hasn't turned into more of a staff of no one going more than 3

[DCPatriot]

@DCPatriot

That was cool.  And this phenomenon is growing in MLB.  Seems the system of "starters", especially in the post season has whittled down to just "competitive starters".   I believe the Rangers will be trying something near this if this thing gets to Game 7 in Houston.  Which is a good chance, since the 'Stros historically struggle against Evoldi.

Not exactly recent history, but one of my favorite examples of this was back in '03 when the Astros no-hit the Yankees with 6 pitchers.  And wow did it bring back memories, where at least that moment in time the Astros had one of the greatest back three tandem in the pen with Dotel-Lidge-Wagner.

@catfish1957

 

[catfish1957]

@AllThatJazzZ

Nah!  Tip my hat to him.

Can Max Scherzer 'find' his SLIDER?  Because without it...future looks bleak for them.

We've seen first hand what Scherzer can do in the WS, and it wasn't fun for us.  One thing I am enjoying now days, is watching the body language and facial expressions of pitchers.  Some have ice cold water flowing through their veins, but others?......

And one thing I saw the other night with Scherzer was  that steel eyed scrowl was missing, and you could tell in his eyes, he didn't have his best stuff that night.   I think his career, and great one it is, might be winding down.  Man's too much of a competitior to be a middle inning relief mop up guy.

[Bigun]

@AllThatJazzZ

Nah!  Tip my hat to him.

Can Max Scherzer 'find' his SLIDER?  Because without it...future looks bleak for them.

The Astros have Framber and Christian Javier on deck. I like the odds whatever the Rangers decide to throw at them.

[DCPatriot]

We've seen first hand what Scherzer can do in the WS, and it wasn't fun for us.  One thing I am enjoying now days, is watching the body language and facial expressions of pitchers.  Some have ice cold water flowing through their veins, but others?......

And one thing I saw the other night with Scherzer was  that steel eyed scrowl was missing, and you could tell in his eyes, he didn't have his best stuff that night.   I think his career, and great one it is, might be winding down.  Man's too much of a competitior to be a middle inning relief mop up guy.

Yeah...he's a bit "kinky".

On his starting days, he wears his complete uniform in the pen...and nobody had better try to speak to him.

[DCPatriot]

The Astros have Framber and Christian Javier on deck. I like the odds whatever the Rangers decide to throw at them.

 

Forgot to ping you @Bigun

...you've been 'absent' too long!   

[Bigun]

Forgot to ping you @Bigun

...you've been 'absent' too long!   

Not absent! Just nothing much baseball related to say these days @DCPatriot I absolutely HATE what they have done to a game I once loved!

[catfish1957]

Not absent! Just nothing much baseball related to say these days @DCPatriot I absolutely HATE what they have done to a game I once loved!

Same here.  I find myself yelling like a crazy old man at the TV,  when the woke shit starts.  And wokeness.....there is a plethora of it in MLB, and their marketing arm.   I just try to tune it out the best I can.

Which is why I pretty much why I watch regular season baseball at the 40000 foot level.  In fact the first game I watched this year was Game one of the ALDS.   If this sport wants me back full time, lose the pandering to minorities.

[Bigun]

Same here.  I find myself yelling like a crazy old man at the TV,  when the woke shit starts.  And wokeness.....there is a plethora of it in MLB, and their marketing arm.   I just try to tune it out the best I can.

Which is why I pretty much why I watch regular season baseball at the 40000 foot level.  In fact the first game I watched this year was Game one of the ALDS.   If this sport wants me back full time, lose the pandering to minorities.

The first professional baseball I saw this year was Twins vs Astros. If you are at the 40,000 ft level, I'm at 50 or above.

[catfish1957]

The first professional baseball I saw this year was Twins vs Astros. If you are at the 40,000 ft level, I'm at 50 or above.

Yep, games 1-162, I just pretty much read the game recaps, and box score.  Far cry from my childhood, when my summer calendar pretty much revolved around baseball on the radio

[LadyLiberty]

While all the praise is being heaped up on Altuve for the three run homer, he is humble and gives the  credit to Diaz and Singleton for getting on base first: 

https://twitter.com/MarkBerman_/status/1715535529083572608

[catfish1957]

I think it is a crying shame what happened in '17, but I am enough of a fan and student of the game, to know and realize that back prior to 2017, it is likely 2/3-3/4 of all MLB teams were into high tech, and suspect sign stealing in the day.  The Astros got caught, which is a shame too, because back in 2017, they had enough horses to win it all without cheating.  This is all  evidenced of their success since too, so I have to embarass anyone who claims this is a team that had to cheat to win it all. 

Altuve is a good hearted, great player, who outside this blemish, is one of the most well rounded, must-tooled players of my lifetime.  And a winning personality that is just contagious.  I am guessing the '17 event might prevent him from the HOF, but when and if the truth comes out, I think you will find a major chunk of players prior to 2018 were just as guilty, but didn't get caught.

[corbe]

   I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment @catfish1957  Most of them were cheating with the placement of Hi Tech cameras.

[Bigun]

I think it is a crying shame what happened in '17, but I am enough of a fan and student of the game, to know and realize that back prior to 2017, it is likely 2/3-3/4 of all MLB teams were into high tech, and suspect sign stealing in the day.  The Astros got caught, which is a shame too, because back in 2017, they had enough horses to win it all without cheating.  This is all  evidenced of their success since too, so I have to embarass anyone who claims this is a team that had to cheat to win it all. 

Altuve is a good hearted, great player, who outside this blemish, is one of the most well rounded, must-tooled players of my lifetime.  And a winning personality that is just contagious.  I am guessing the '17 event might prevent him from the HOF, but when and if the truth comes out, I think you will find a major chunk of players prior to 2018 were just as guilty, but didn't get caught.

The ASTROS "got caught" because they were a team from flyover country who had the audacity to knock off teams to which titles rightfully belonged (to hear them tell it) and THAT simply couldn't be allowed!

[catfish1957]

The ASTROS "got caught" because they were a team from flyover country who had the audacity to knock off teams to which titles rightfully belonged (to hear them tell it) and THAT simply couldn't be allowed!

And still we have made it to 7 straight ALCS.  If that's not a big enough middle finger to the BoSox, NYY, Dodgers, COB office, and MLB media clowns, I don't know what is.

 

[catfish1957]

Any team using Creed as their inspiration has to be the silliest damn outfit I have ever seen.

Sloppy crappy corporate rock at its worst.

[AllThatJazzZ]

https://twitter.com/jakedc6/status/1715847172153905599?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

This is personal.   Change my mind.