MLB 2018 Season

[Dr. Blackheart]

De LaRosa with the close.  Let's see if that continues.

Brewers continue to surge. Now at 98% chance of making the playoffs.

Cards now tied with the Dodgers for the last Wild Card.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Don't know where this Brewers/Cubs "rivalry" sprung from.

Mostly from Cubs fans telling Brewers fans that there isn't a rivalry.

[Anti-Dentite]

Honestly, I think it's mostly from Cubs fans filling Miller Park. Tons of Cubs fans bought tickets and had fun in Milwaukee, and Milwaukee fans got upset. The "rivalry" has become more pronounced since the Cubs started winning.

Since the Brewers jumped to the NL, I've never got the sense anyone here cares about the Pirates or Reds. They don't like the Cards because they win, but hate the Cubs because they win and their fans are always present.

It's not that they are present it's how they are present.

[🏀]

It's not that they are present it's how they are present.

[brewcity77]

It's not that they are present it's how they are present.

People say that but I think it's BS. Any time an opposing fanbase takes a significant portion of the seating in a team's home building, the fans get salty about it, especially when it happens every year. It's like how Bear fans hate hearing a "Go Pack Go" chant at Soldier or Bucky fans hate MU fans getting "We Are" at the Kohl.

[jsglow]

No doubt that the rivalry has gotten more intense in recent years.  I do think it has a lot to do with the Cubs being good.  When both teams were lousy, who really cared?  Look, as long as it remains good natured it's all fine.  It means we're both playing meaningful baseball in the September/October.  Game on.

Here's one thing Cubs and Brewers fans absolutely agree on...... hatred for the Cardinals.

[Anti-Dentite]

People say that but I think it's BS. Any time an opposing fanbase takes a significant portion of the seating in a team's home building, the fans get salty about it, especially when it happens every year. It's like how Bear fans hate hearing a "Go Pack Go" chant at Soldier or Bucky fans hate MU fans getting "We Are" at the Kohl.

Think Roman in Great Outdoors 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Watched the highlights of the Crew last night. Can't say I've ever seen a 2 RBI bunt double before.

[dgies9156]

Cards now tied with the Dodgers for the last Wild Card.

Yeah, this sucks.

Time to rally and take two from those pesky Dodgers. C'mon guys, channel your inner Ozzie!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4PB0XoLbm8

[jsglow]

Watched the highlights of the Crew last night. Can't say I've ever seen a 2 RBI bunt double before.

I don't think anyone has seen it before.

Arcia has done a very nice job since returning from Colorado Springs.  .283 in 53 ABs in August.  .333 in 27 ABs in September.  If he can maintain anything close that makes SS a plus position heading into the playoffs.

[jsglow]

So is MVP down to Story, Baez, Yelich, and Arenado?  Do the Colorado guys cancel each other out?

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think that the Miller Park rivalry is different than the Wrigley experience. Miller Park is more of a Bears-Packers rivalry than a baseball rivalry with 162 games. Tailgating, the importance of a win to fans is more like short season football, parking lot pre-gaming, grilling. To the fans, each game is all or nothing for bragging rights it seems (even though it's not), remembering many fans from both sides are bussed in.  This could be their only one or two games they attend per season so it's a bigger deal.

At Wrigley, I think it is more like a baseball game. Sure there are a few drunks but is that any different team to team?  Maybe a bit more but not much.

[SaveOD238]

So is MVP down to Story, Baez, Yelich, and Arenado?  Do the Colorado guys cancel each other out?

Goldschmidt, Carpenter, and Cain all are in the equation too.  The top three pitchers (Scherzer, Nola, deGrom) will also get votes. 

In a crowded field, bank on the best player on the best team, which right now is Baez.   Chicago publicity helps, esp since there aren't really contenders in the other big cities (LA and NYC). 

That said, I would not be shocked to see a very split ballot and an MVP that doesn't even get the most first place votes, but loads up on 2nd and 3rds.

[jsglow]

Of course this is jumping the gun, but I think Puig may have just ended the Cardinal's season.

[jsglow]

Goldschmidt, Carpenter, and Cain all are in the equation too.  The top three pitchers (Scherzer, Nola, deGrom) will also get votes. 

In a crowded field, bank on the best player on the best team, which right now is Baez.   Chicago publicity helps, esp since there aren't really contenders in the other big cities (LA and NYC). 

That said, I would not be shocked to see a very split ballot and an MVP that doesn't even get the most first place votes, but loads up on 2nd and 3rds.

It's one thing to get votes, another to win.  Take LoCain for example.  Special player.  Gold glove.  But not winning up against Yelich (among others).

[4everwarriors]

Nah, know ribbies, hey?

[SaveOD238]

Of course this is jumping the gun, but I think Puig may have just ended the Cardinal's season.

Can't say I'm too upset about that, though I am afraid of the Dodgers in the playoffs.  I would not like having to face Kershaw in a wild card game.

[dgies9156]

Of course this is jumping the gun, but I think Puig may have just ended the Cardinal's season.

Very possible

[MU82]

I think Baez is the NL MVP leader. No. 1 in RBI, great fielder, many big hits throughout season, division-leading team, Chicago market.

And BBWAA voters also are famous for voting for the guy who is best at sliding year after year after year.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Probably more importantly is that Hammels and Lester were both able to go 7 innings. Cubs bullpen is gassed.

[jsglow]

I think Baez is the NL MVP leader. No. 1 in RBI, great fielder, many big hits throughout season, division-leading team, Chicago market.

And BBWAA voters also are famous for voting for the guy who is best at sliding year after year after year.

I agree with that, especially if they win the division.  But I really think Yelich is right there.  His almost unstoppable right now.  Another dinger in the 1st tonight.

[rocky_warrior]

I don't think anyone has seen it before.

Maybe not MLB fans (not sure), but it happened as a walk off just recently (in japan)
https://www.bardown.com/japanese-high-school-baseball-team-wins-game-on-thrilling-two-run-walk-off-bunt-1.1162218
https://www.reddit.com/r/sports/comments/99hsm7/japanese_team_advances_to_the_national_high/

Edit: Sorry that was just a 2 RBI bunt (out).  Not the double.  Still interesting...

[#UnleashSean]

Probably more importantly is that Hammels and Lester were both able to go 7 innings. Cubs bullpen is gassed.

Not just gassed, decimated.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Think if the Crew have any chance of catching the Cubbies, this next set of series is critical. Brewers have to sweep the Reds and hope the D-backs can right the ship and take the series against Chicago. After that, I have a hard time seeing the Cubs losing enough for the Crew to catch them.