2015 MLB Thread

[Jagger69]

Congrats to the Cards for winning the NL Central. :glugglug: They won the toughest division in baseball & 100 games with a line up held together with duct tape & chewing gum. Quite an accomplishment. Metheny for NL Manager of the Year.

Much appreciated! However, the regular season is one thing and without Martinez and possibly Molina we're going to be seriously handcuffed in the playoffs. The Pirates and Cubs both have better-hittting lineups than we do and Lynn and Wacha have slid off the radar screen this past month. Martinez being out is a killer; we can't pitch Jaime Garcia and John Lackey every night. Not say we have no shot (I mean, these are the Cardinals after all), but we're in for a world of hurt if we have no Molina and our pitching staff can't match their first-half form. If our offense can come alive, we've got a much better chance but we've won 2-1 and 3-2 games all year. Not gonna happen that often in the post-season unless the pitching is just lights out. Also, I agree, Matheny has done a masterful job of keeping the team from coming off the rails but the real credit for that goes to John Mozeliak.

Otherwise, Twins are toast and the Angels-Rangers game today was absolutely one for the books. If you missed it, Angels led 5-1 in the 4th, Rangers rally and led 10-6 into the top of the 9th, Angels score 5 runs and hold on to win it 11-10!! Astros need a win tonight to keep in contention for the division. REALLY tight race. Love this time of year!

 

[rodfarva]

Insightful post but there's no way Greinke doesn't win the Cy Young, He's been lights out all year.

This is too strong a statement, in my opinion. I think Jake Arrieta is just as good a candidate as Greinke. Frankly, I think the fact that Greinke isn't even the best SP on his team is going to count against him in the voting (even though he's had a better season than his teammate Kershaw).

Also, I think that Arrieta's record-breaking second-half ERA will garner him some votes:

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/152953214/jake-arrieta-posts-lowest-second-half-era

The race for this award is far from decided.

 

[rodfarva]

[video]https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/pillars-outstanding-diving-grab-030015244.html[/video]

This guy is unreal. He started doing this seemingly every other game back in April and he hasn't let up. Can they award two Gold Gloves in the AL this year? They ought to because Kevin Pillar deserves one (too bad he's competing against Kevin Kiermaier and therefore won't win).

 

[barebeaverlover]

[video]https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/video/pillars-outstanding-diving-grab-030015244.html[/video]

This guy is unreal. He started doing this seemingly every other game back in April and he hasn't let up. Can they award two Gold Gloves in the AL this year? They ought to because Kevin Pillar deserves one (too bad he's competing against Kevin Kiermaier and therefore won't win).

Pillar has been unreal this year. To think, if Michael Saunders hadn't of injured his knee in spring training, Pillar wouldn't have gotten a chance. He's starting to mature as a hitter too. I love watching Kiermaier play too. He can go get 'em. Is Trout the 3rd best center fielder in the AL?

 

[rodfarva]

Pillar has been unreal this year. To think, if Michael Saunders hadn't of injured his knee in spring training, Pillar wouldn't have gotten a chance. He's starting to mature as a hitter too. I love watching Kiermaier play too. He can go get 'em. Is Trout the 3rd best center fielder in the AL?

At best. I'd still rank him behind Lorenzo Cain (by a mile) and Adam Jones (only slightly) as well.

 

[Jagger69]

This is too strong a statement, in my opinion. I think Jake Arrieta is just as good a candidate as Greinke. Frankly, I think the fact that Greinke isn't even the best SP on his team is going to count against him in the voting (even though he's had a better season than his teammate Kershaw).

Also, I think that Arrieta's record-breaking second-half ERA will garner him some votes:

The race for this award is far from decided.

I'm sure you're correct. You must remember that I am a Cardinal fan when I make such statements. I still think Greinke has been the more consistent pitcher over the entire year (that's what the award is for, not for half a year). Arrieta has been terrific without question so I'll give him his due. I still think Greinke is more deserving due to his consistency over the season. We'll see who finally wins. In the end, it's a figurehead anointment like so many awards so....doesn't really matter if your team doesn't win the WS. Total consolation prize. Being a hockey fan, you know that better than anyone, Rod! :1orglaugh

 

[barebeaverlover]

At best. I'd still rank him behind Lorenzo Cain (by a mile) and Adam Jones (only slightly) as well.

Cain may be the best center fielder in the game-he's damn good!!

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/10/03/report-mark-buehrle-to-throw-two-innings-on-sunday-then-retire/

The game still means something for Toronto. I think this is a class act by the Jays. It's not like he's going to get shelled in 2 innings. Buehrle has meant a lot to the Jays organization for the last 3 years & the boys love him. Let the man get his 200 innings & his place in history. :hatsoff: You're a class act Mark & a true ball player. Hopefully Cooperstown awaits.

 

[rodfarva]

I'm sure you're correct. You must remember that I am a Cardinal fan when I make such statements. I still think Greinke has been the more consistent pitcher over the entire year (that's what the award is for, not for half a year). Arrieta has been terrific without question so I'll give him his due. I still think Greinke is more deserving due to his consistency over the season. We'll see who finally wins. In the end, it's a figurehead anointment like so many awards so....doesn't really matter if your team doesn't win the WS. Total consolation prize. Being a hockey fan, you know that better than anyone, Rod! :1orglaugh

All too well, my friend... all too well.

 

[rodfarva]

Cain may be the best center fielder in the game-he's damn good!!

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/10/03/report-mark-buehrle-to-throw-two-innings-on-sunday-then-retire/

The game still means something for Toronto. I think this is a class act by the Jays. It's not like he's going to get shelled in 2 innings. Buehrle has meant a lot to the Jays organization for the last 3 years & the boys love him. Let the man get his 200 innings & his place in history. :hatsoff: You're a class act Mark & a true ball player. Hopefully Cooperstown awaits.

I think it's a great move by the Blue Jays and I totally agree that Buehrle should be in the Hall of Fame. He's been a model of consistency in an era when pitchers go from bona fide ace to AAA in the matter of one season and then back again in another season (if not quicker). Ever since his first full season as a SP he's amassed double-digits in wins every season. He's had a losing record only once (12-13 in 2006). Five-time All-Star. Four Gold Gloves. A World Series ring (and maybe another one coming; GO BLUE JAYS!!!). Pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game. He may not have ever been a Cy Young winner, but considering what he did in his career over the years and his consistency in this era, I think he should be a Hall of Famer. There are plenty of electric arms in the game today and yet to come who will never amass 214 career wins. Not in this era.

Also, I think it's surprising (and perhaps ill-advised) to leave him off the playoff roster. He's a veteran with playoff and World Series experience and he had a great year. 15 wins and a 3.82 ERA. He's a great guy to turn to in the playoffs. I'd put him ahead of Stroman in the depth chart if I were running the show. Stroman has made four starts (granted, they were excellent starts) since returning from the long process of recovering from Tommy John surgery, so who knows how he'll hold up.

 

[jaysnation69]

go jays!

 

[Jagger69]

What a finish to the AL West and wild cards! Congrats to the Rangers for taking the West. They have been awesome the past month and a half. No one gave the Astros a chance at the beginning of the year and here they are as the second wild card. Tremendous season....A.J. Hinch is a great candidate for AL manager of the year. Yankee Stadium on Tuesday should be rocking! Now the real fun begins!

 

[barebeaverlover]

I think it's a great move by the Blue Jays and I totally agree that Buehrle should be in the Hall of Fame. He's been a model of consistency in an era when pitchers go from bona fide ace to AAA in the matter of one season and then back again in another season (if not quicker). Ever since his first full season as a SP he's amassed double-digits in wins every season. He's had a losing record only once (12-13 in 2006). Five-time All-Star. Four Gold Gloves. A World Series ring (and maybe another one coming; GO BLUE JAYS!!!). Pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game. He may not have ever been a Cy Young winner, but considering what he did in his career over the years and his consistency in this era, I think he should be a Hall of Famer. There are plenty of electric arms in the game today and yet to come who will never amass 214 career wins. Not in this era.

Also, I think it's surprising (and perhaps ill-advised) to leave him off the playoff roster. He's a veteran with playoff and World Series experience and he had a great year. 15 wins and a 3.82 ERA. He's a great guy to turn to in the playoffs. I'd put him ahead of Stroman in the depth chart if I were running the show. Stroman has made four starts (granted, they were excellent starts) since returning from the long process of recovering from Tommy John surgery, so who knows how he'll hold up.

I agree there should be a spot for him on the playoff roster. You always need a long guy, even in a 5 game series. Having said that, Buherle hasn't pitched well in the 2nd half. He's had some shoulder issues that led to a cortisone shot about a month ago. He has said that he's had problems recovering after some starts. The roster can be re-set after each round. If they get past Texas, & play KC, there is nobody better at shutting down a running game than Buherle.

Stroman was out for a torn ACL in his knee-no arm problems.

Buherle lasted 2/3 of an inning today surrendering 8 unearned runs in the first. There were 2 errors that just killed him. Good try Mark!!

 

[barebeaverlover]

Houston vs. Yankees-I'm picking Houston. Cubs vs. Pirates-tough game to call-too bad it's a 1 game knock out. I'm going Cubs.

 

[pool_hustler]

I'm sure you're correct. You must remember that I am a Cardinal fan when I make such statements. I still think Greinke has been the more consistent pitcher over the entire year (that's what the award is for, not for half a year). Arrieta has been terrific without question so I'll give him his due. I still think Greinke is more deserving due to his consistency over the season.

Totally agree. The guy hasn't missed a beat the entire year.

-------

I really hate that it's going to come down to a one game sudden death playoff between the Pirates and Cubs. Both teams deserve better.

 

[BCT]

As a Cards fan I'm just letting the chips fall where they may in the WC game, you have to be careful what you wish for. It will be a great series down to the wire whether its the Pirates or Cubs.

 

[Ace Bandage]

I'll just leave this here:

So excited for tomorrow. Gerrit Cole is no slouch though. I'm expecting a helluva pitching duel and hopefully some Cubby magic in the late innings to pull out a close game.

Key to the game is Fowler. As he goes, so go the Cubs.

 

[Jagger69]

As a Cards fan I'm just letting the chips fall where they may in the WC game, you have to be careful what you wish for. It will be a great series down to the wire whether its the Pirates or Cubs.

I would concur. Neither team is going to be anything but a huge obstacle for the Cardinals in the NLDS. Pick your poison! However....just imagine how awesome a Cardinals-Cubs playoff series would be!! Hot damn!!!

 

[Jagger69]

The Astros were impressive against what looked like an old and tired Yankee squad last night. If their pitching can hold up, they can give the Royals a run for their money. Amazing turnaround for what was a 100-loss team the past 2 years. A.J. Hinch for AL manager of the year?

 

[BCT]

I would concur. Neither team is going to be anything but a huge obstacle for the Cardinals in the NLDS. Pick your poison! However....just imagine how awesome a Cardinals-Cubs playoff series would be!! Hot damn!!!

It would be ELECTRIC.

The Astros were impressive against what looked like an old and tired Yankee squad last night. If their pitching can hold up, they can give the Royals a run for their money. Amazing turnaround for what was a 100-loss team the past 2 years. A.J. Hinch for AL manager of the year?

This should be a great series but the Astros really own the Royals, I can see them handling KC very easily actually. They take one of the first two in KC which is very possible and that series is over.

 

[Whit]

I would concur. Neither team is going to be anything but a huge obstacle for the Cardinals in the NLDS. Pick your poison! However....just imagine how awesome a Cardinals-Cubs playoff series would be!! Hot damn!!!

Not if you live in central Illinois, the Cub fans already think they've won the WS!