MLB 2018 Season

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I think Maddon's gimmicks are long past their expiration date. He was great for a young, unproven Cubs team but the mad-scientist approach doesn't exactly lend itself to a lineup that should be pretty much set in stone.

If we're being honest, I think this offseason Theo offers Maddon a nice cushy front office job, like head of player development or something like that and hires a new manager. At least, that's what I hope.

Sorry but I think this is absurd.  The set line-up theory is garbage and Hoyer as said as much.  Maddon's teams have also been dominant in the 2nd half of each season since he has been here.  Granted, that doesn't mean that will happen this year but the guy knows how to manage a roster and keep guys fresh. 

Like any manager Maddon has his faults but some of the criticism this season is laughable. 

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Sorry but I think this is absurd.  The set line-up theory is garbage and Hoyer as said as much.  Maddon's teams have also been dominant in 2nd half of each season since he has been here.  Granted, that doesn't mean that will happen this year but the guy knows how to manage a roster and keep guys fresh. 

Like any manager Maddon has his fault but some of the criticism this season is laughable.

+10000

Maddon needs to underachieve before he has passed any "expiration date."  The '15 Cubs were a year ahead of schedule, the '16 team accomplished more than any previous team, and the '17 squad had no right to beat the Nationals and make it to a third straight NLCS.

It's easy to pick on a manager when a team is slumping.  Baseball is a 6-month season, and needs a particular perspective.

[#UnleashSean]

People are really calling for Maddons head because he's in second place in June after 3 straight nlcs's and a world series? K.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

People are really calling for Maddons head because he's in second place in June after 3 straight nlcs's and a world series? K.

Yep.  It's a sh*tshow on Twitter and certain message boards but I guess those mediums do lend themselves to that kind of over-the-top insanity. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This is what Jed Hoyer had to say about lineup construction in The Athletic and he referred to the angst over it as his biggest pet peeve:

"I’ve said this a few times in the media. One of the first things I learned from Bill James when I was working with him in Boston, he would always say, you know, don’t obsess about the lineup. It’s the biggest waste of your time. All you want to do is hit your best hitters the most often. If you do that, don’t worry about it. Any other changes, we’re talking about fractions of runs over the course of a season. So for an individual game, it’s just not going to have enough of an impact. Fractions of runs and people obsess. It’s a sports radio lightning rod, both a consistent lineup and the batting order. I just think people spend too much time thinking about something that doesn’t have a significant impact on winning and losing."

[TallTitan34]

Yep.  It's a sh*tshow on Twitter and certain message boards but I guess those mediums do lend themselves to that kind of over-the-top insanity. 

Exhibit A:  Scoop during college basketball season

[MU82]

An abundance of reasons.  Bad teams, lousy weather in April in the upper Midwest.  I attended a game during the first week of April.  38 degrees.   Spitting rain and ice pellets.  1500 fans there, tops. 


I know the argument you are trying to make.  It translates better when you use NASCAR.

Awww ... way to ruin my fun!

(And yes, I agree with your last line.)

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

It's the Royals....but that Peralta kid can pitch.

[jsglow]

It's the Royals....but that Peralta kid can pitch.

They're studying the record books.  He breaking some from the entire 'live ball' era in baseball history.  And last night his curve was working.  Hitters didn't have a chance.

One more thing.  I simply love his dad.

[TallTitan34]

I'm hoping the Cubs can pick up some games leading up to the break.  Yesterday, the Brewers started a stretch of 21 games in 20 days until the All Star break.  The Cubs are wrapping up a stretch of 17 games in 17 days and have three off days between now and the break.   Neither team plays a particularly difficult schedule going into the break but after that Reds series, oppenent strength doesn't mean much.

Unfortunately, this means the Brewers will have 3 or four extra days off down the stretch.  Hopefully the September callups can help with that.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

It's the Royals....but that Peralta kid can pitch.

It was a rare bright spot in what's been a painful month for the Royals, who are 4-19 since June 1 and have lost 12 of their last 14 games -- six by four or more runs.

"We're all frustrated," Yost said. "I've never seen anything like it. I've never been a part of a month like this. An offensive drought like we've had all month long is pretty puzzling. There's no answer for it."

Yosted

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I'm hoping the Cubs can pick up some games leading up to the break.  Yesterday, the Brewers started a stretch of 21 games in 20 days until the All Star break.  The Cubs are wrapping up a stretch of 17 games in 17 days and have three off days between now and the break.   Neither team plays a particularly difficult schedule going into the break but after that Reds series, oppenent strength doesn't mean much.

Unfortunately, this means the Brewers will have 3 or four extra days off down the stretch.  Hopefully the September callups can help with that.

The Brewers are dealing with this by cleverly having a continuous rotation of players getting injured, ensuring they get plenty of off days throughout the season.  Pure genius.

[Jockey]

The Brewers are dealing with this by cleverly having a continuous rotation of players getting injured, ensuring they get plenty of off days throughout the season.  Pure genius.

Injuries have definitely helped this team.

Thames goes down - we get Aguilar in the lineup every day.
Miley goes down - we get Suter.
Davies goes down - we get Peralta.

[MU82]

Yosted

Still trying to figure out what he promised to Mr. Applegate to be a WS-winning manager.

[Pakuni]

Well, Chris Bosio is available (again)

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that the team has fired pitching coach Chris Bosio.
The team released the following statement:
“Effective immediately, the Detroit Tigers have terminated the contract of pitching coach Chris Bosio for his insensitive comments that violated Club policy and his Uniform Employee Contract. The organization holds all of our personnel to the highest standards of personal conduct both on and off the field. We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The Club will have no further comment on this matter.”

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/06/27/detroit-tigers-fire-pitching-coach-chris-bosio/739555002/

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

An abundance of reasons.  Bad teams, lousy weather in April in the upper Midwest.  I attended a game during the first week of April.  38 degrees.   Spitting rain and ice pellets.  1500 fans there, tops. 


I know the argument you are trying to make.  It translates better when you use NASCAR.

Lousy weather in May also.

[tower912]

Well, Chris Bosio is available (again)

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that the team has fired pitching coach Chris Bosio.
The team released the following statement:
“Effective immediately, the Detroit Tigers have terminated the contract of pitching coach Chris Bosio for his insensitive comments that violated Club policy and his Uniform Employee Contract. The organization holds all of our personnel to the highest standards of personal conduct both on and off the field. We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. The Club will have no further comment on this matter.”

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2018/06/27/detroit-tigers-fire-pitching-coach-chris-bosio/739555002/

I don't know what was said to or about whom.    And I really don't care.    They took a stand.    A shame, because I thought he was doing a decent job with a bad pitching staff.     

However, I can't help but think about this scene and smile....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAXHXJ2WgrQ

[#UnleashSean]

Apparently the Reds owner is plotting to move to Las Vegas and as such put a bunch of no names on the field to drive down attendance. The team just found out and realized even if they do well they will be replaced next year.

So the only thing left to do is win the whole ****ing thing. The brewers should have their hands full on a team that's 9-1 in the last 10 games.

[DegenerateDish]

Watching the College World Series, I’ll happily take a crummy Sox season to get Adley Rutschman in the top 3 in next year’s draft. That is a face of the franchise dude.

[Anti-Dentite]

The Brewers will not be swept by the Redlegs.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Apparently the Reds owner is plotting to move to Las Vegas and as such put a bunch of no names on the field to drive down attendance. The team just found out and realized even if they do well they will be replaced next year.

So the only thing left to do is win the whole ****ing thing. The brewers should have their hands full on a team that's 9-1 in the last 10 games.

To be fair, 4 of those losses where to the Chubbys.

[wadesworld]

Another awesome base running play by the Brewers.

Unrelated, but maybe the Brewers will get healthy at some point this year. That would be cool.

[jsglow]

Another awesome base running play by the Brewers.

Unrelated, but maybe the Brewers will get healthy at some point this year. That would be cool.

That was mostly bad D but it worked out.

Guess Broxton wants to stay.  Helluva night.

[TallTitan34]

Another awesome base running play by the Brewers.

Unrelated, but maybe the Brewers will get healthy at some point this year. That would be cool.

The NL Central has been hit hard with injuries. Luckily for the Cubs Morrow just returned and Bryant, Edwards, and Darvish should hopefully be back sooner rather than later.

[SaveOD238]

That was mostly bad D but it worked out.

Guess Broxton wants to stay.  Helluva night.

Broxton is showing why he might have some trade value left.  If we can swing a deal that includes Broxton instead of a lower prospect with more potential (say...Corey Ray), I will be very happy, especially since the OF spots on the big league club are blocked for the time being (Braun, Cain, and Yelich are all under contract for multiple years).