MLB 2017 Season

[MUBurrow]

Really not a hard concept.  The comparison isn't the Cubs pitchers' velocity at home compared to on the road.  It's the Cubs pitchers' velocity in 2017 compared to 2016.  Unless the Cubs "updated" their radars at Wrigley with faulty new radars this season, they were being gunned by the same radars as they were last year so even if they are reading slower velocities, they were also reading slower velocities last season.  Not hard to comprehend, but to some I guess it might be?

[MerrittsMustache]

Really not a hard concept.  The comparison isn't the Cubs pitchers' velocity at home compared to on the road.  It's the Cubs pitchers' velocity in 2017 compared to 2016.  Unless the Cubs "updated" their radars at Wrigley with faulty new radars this season, they were being gunned by the same radars as they were last year so even if they are reading slower velocities, they were also reading slower velocities last season.  Not hard to comprehend, but to some I guess it might be?

I'll probably regretting asking/engaging but I'm genuinely curious about something.

I just need a Yes/No answer to this. Nothing more.

Is your contention that all 5 Cubs starting pitchers were taking PEDs during the 2016 season and then, either collectively or individually, decided to stop using them for the 2017 season?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'll probably regretting asking/engaging but I'm genuinely curious about something.

I just need a Yes/No answer to this. Nothing more.

Is your contention that all 5 Cubs starting pitchers were taking PEDs during the 2016 season and then, either collectively or individually, decided to stop using them for the 2017 season?

[wadesworld]

I'll probably regretting asking/engaging but I'm genuinely curious about something.

I just need a Yes/No answer to this. Nothing more.

Is your contention that all 5 Cubs starting pitchers were taking PEDs during the 2016 season and then, either collectively or individually, decided to stop using them for the 2017 season?

No.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

I'll probably regretting asking/engaging but I'm genuinely curious about something.

I just need a Yes/No answer to this. Nothing more.

Is your contention that all 5 Cubs starting pitchers were taking PEDs during the 2016 season and then, either collectively or individually, decided to stop using them for the 2017 season?

David Ross supplied the pitching staff, (starters only).  The cast of Dancing With the Stars was on the juice for one season for the same reason.

[#UnleashSean]

No.

So then why are all 5 starters velocities down?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'll probably regretting asking/engaging but I'm genuinely curious about something.

I just need a Yes/No answer to this. Nothing more.

Is your contention that all 5 Cubs starting pitchers were taking PEDs during the 2016 season and then, either collectively or individually, decided to stop using them for the 2017 season?

[MerrittsMustache]

[🏀]

[buckchuckler]

The most hilarious aspect is to insinuate Kyle Hendricks used something. It's a great way to reinforce that you're a nutjob with no credibility though.

Not agreeing with Wades...Not at all, but this line of thinking seems antiquated.  I think the cases of Dee Gordon and Raul Mondesi Jr. show that it isn't just power guys that use PEDs. 

[reinko]

So dem Brewers gotta chance, ey?

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Not agreeing with Wades...Not at all, but this line of thinking seems antiquated.  I think the cases of Dee Gordon and Raul Mondesi Jr. show that it isn't just power guys that use PEDs.

You make a good point but I'm referring to Hendricks specifically, not necessarily command/finesse pitchers in general.

[wadesworld]

So dem Brewers gotta chance, ey?

No.

[GB Warrior]

So dem Brewers gotta chance, ey?

Not really, but damnit this team has been a blast to watch. The future is bright.

[robmufan]

Are brewers fans worried about any type of regression by the young players? Kind of like Schwarber. If one or two of them regress and the pitching doesn't comeback as strong (Anderson/Nelson), they are back below .500.

[GB Warrior]

Are brewers fans worried about any type of regression by the young players? Kind of like Schwarber. If one or two of them regress and the pitching doesn't comeback as strong (Anderson/Nelson), they are back below .500.

Not sure there are any really good regression candidates, except maybe Sogard. Thames already regressed to the player he is. Shaw has been good before, but injury prone and is now in his prime.

Worried more about pitching and Nelson returning to form. But the things that made Suter, Davies, etc. good down the stretch are not velocity, so I think they're good for the long haul. If Hader develops consistent 2nd and 3rd pitches, look out.

[TallTitan34]

Arrieta is throwing a sim game Wednesday which means he's likely out for the games in Washington and sets up nicely for Game 3.

I can't decide who I'd like for games 1 and 2. Hendricks is the best pitcher right now, however, with the Nats struggles with left handed pitching I'd consider Quintana and Lester.  Lester though, has been struggling though.

I think I would go Hendricks, Quintana, Arrieta, Lester. 

[mu_hilltopper]

How 'bout them Minnesota Twins?  First team to lose 100+ games the season before and make the playoffs.

I imagine Scoop can unite against the Yankees on Tuesday. 

That being said .. the first at-bat for the Twins in the WC game is house money.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Looking forward to tonight's AL Wild Card game. 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2017/10/03/al-wild-card-preview-yankees-twins

[MU82]

Arrieta is throwing a sim game Wednesday which means he's likely out for the games in Washington and sets up nicely for Game 3.

I can't decide who I'd like for games 1 and 2. Hendricks is the best pitcher right now, however, with the Nats struggles with left handed pitching I'd consider Quintana and Lester.  Lester though, has been struggling though.

I think I would go Hendricks, Quintana, Arrieta, Lester.

Managers usually like to "dance with the girl that brung ya," not to mention favoring veterans who have significant postseason experience. Hard to imagine Lester being the No. 4 starter. But Maddon likes to do things differently, so who knows? Maybe he'll bat the pitcher clean-up!

[CTWarrior]

How 'bout them Minnesota Twins?  First team to lose 100+ games the season before and make the playoffs.

I imagine Scoop can unite against the Yankees on Tuesday. 

That being said .. the first at-bat for the Twins in the WC game is house money.

In one baseball game anything can happen.  I will be rooting for the Twins, because I hate the Yankees.  But based on the way the Yankees just own the Twins at Yankee Stadium, unfortunately, I can't see the Twins winning.  Most confident I've been in one team in a wild card game, at least when Madison Bumgarner was not involved. 

Something like 6-1 Yankees.  Hope fervently that I am wrong (which I usually am).

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Managers usually like to "dance with the girl that brung ya," not to mention favoring veterans who have significant postseason experience. Hard to imagine Lester being the No. 4 starter. But Maddon likes to do things differently, so who knows? Maybe he'll bat the pitcher clean-up!

Arrieta is throwing a bullpen instead of a simulated game, it was reported.  The Cubs insist there is no setback and he is still on target to start ( I would assume game 4 at this point but who knows). 

It's also being reported that Scherzer may be held back until game 3, which means he can't start two times in the series.  Strasburg is a stud though so he would be able to do so. 

[copious1218]

Arrieta is throwing a bullpen instead of a simulated game, it was reported.  The Cubs insist there is no setback and he is still on target to start ( I would assume game 4 at this point but who knows). 

It's also being reported that Scherzer may be held back until game 3, which means he can't start two times in the series.  Strasburg is a stud though so he would be able to do so.

Let's make some predictions before everything gets underway - I'm taking:

Yankees over Twins
Diamondbacks over Rockies

Astros over Red Sox
Indians over Yankees
Cubs over Nationals
Diamondbacks over Dodgers

Indians over Astros
Diamondbacks over Cubs

Indians over Diamondbacks.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yankees over Twins
Diamondbacks over Rockies

Astros over Red Sox
Indians over Yankees
Nats over Cubs
DBacks over Dodgers

Indians over Astros
Nats over DBacks

Indians over Nats

[MUBurrow]

Twins over Yankees
Diamondbacks over Rockies

Astros over Red Sox
Indians over Twins
Cubs over Nationals
Dodgers over Diamondbacks

Astros over Indians
Dodgers over Cubs

Astros over Dodgers