MLB 2018 Season

[TallTitan34]

Such as?

I would have saved either Strop or Cishek for that situation and used Wilson earlier in the game.

I know Wilson has save experience, but since coming to the Cubs he walks way too many guys for a closer role.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I would have saved either Strop or Cishek for that situation and used Wilson earlier in the game.

I know Wilson has save experience, but since coming to the Cubs he walks way too many guys for a closer role.

Yeah, can't really do that hindsight there.  Cishek ended up pitching in both games.  Strop came in with a guy on and nobody out in the 7th with Turner up and then pitched the 8th as well.   

Wilson came in during a clean inning with the decent matchups.  The real issue was the Cubs failing in two different situations to add to their lead with guys on 3rd and less than two outs, which has obviously been a season-long issue. 

[MUBBau]

Back tightness.

https://deadspin.com/cubs-reliever-brandon-morrow-says-he-hurt-himself-while-1826985466

[TallTitan34]

Yeah, can't really do that hindsight there.  Cishek ended up pitching in both games.  Strop came in with a guy on and nobody out in the 7th with Turner up and then pitched the 8th as well.   

Wilson came in during a clean inning with the decent matchups.  The real issue was the Cubs failing in two different situations to add to their lead with guys on 3rd and less than two outs, which has obviously been a season-long issue.

I know Cishek, Rosario, and Strop were already used, but if I'm Maddon before the game and I know I don't have Morrow I am setting one of those guys aside to close. 

I agree though, the bats not coming through with RISP was the biggest issue.

[buckchuckler]

^^^ From a Chuch Garfien tweet.  Covey continues to roll!

The Sox are 15-15 in their last 30.  Get the AL Central title ready.

Aaaaaand they haven't won since I posted this.  KC we are coming for you!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Aaaaaand they haven't won since I posted this.  KC we are coming for you!

I drafted Eloy in the 30th round in my keeper league. I hope he gets some time in September.

[auburnmarquette]

Well sorry, being new to the Superbar I actually searched for "Brewers" and when it did not pop up started a new post on the NL central before seeing this "MLB" pop to the top. If the Administrators want to combine that post and I am instead posting it below:

« on: Today at 07:00:06 PM »
QuoteModify
Alright all - I'm usually down the block Hanging in the Al but wandered down the road to The Superbar. I've been using vacation to break down the hitting, pitching and fielding in the MLB and my breakdown of the NL Central is here if anyone has feedback. Obviously this system isn't as developed as www.valueaddbasketball.com, but does have a little methodology to it.

http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/06/20/cubs-wish-list-elite-pitcher-to-replace-arrieta/

Chicago (15.0 of 20) - While the three elite teams all appear to be in the AL in the Yankees, Astros and Red Sox, the Cubs are strong in all four areas that they could contend and match up pretty closely if they make the World Series. If the Cubs can get another top starter or two like Tyson Ross (SD) or Chris Archer (TB), they could truly be a contender.     

Batters (6.9 of 10) - The Cubs stayed pat with a strong line-up.     

Starters (3.6 of 5) - With the loss of Jake Arrieta to the Phillies, the Cubs might need to add Tyson Ross (SD) or Chris Archer (TB) before the trade deadline to truly have the elite rotation to potentially go all the way.  - The gamble assuming Tyler Chatwood would pitch well making the move from the altitude of Colorado to Wrigley, and the rotation is solid but not quite elite. If Yu Darvish comes back strong once off DL it will help as well.             

Relievers (2.0 of 3) - Adding Steve Cishek from Tampa Bay was a big addition to a pen that already included Brandon Morrow and can certainly shut an opponent down for at least a couple of innings.

Fielding (1.8 of 2) - Contender for the best fielders in baseball with Jason Heyward in RF, and Anthony Rizzo (1b), Ben Zobrist (2b) and Addison Russell (ss) all gold glove nominees.

Milwaukee (13.3 of 20) - On paper, the Brewers made substantial moves to improve the line-up, starting pitchers and relievers - and the great defensive improvement in the outfield helps make them a legit playoff contender. 

rest of story ....

http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2018/06/20/cubs-wish-list-elite-pitcher-to-replace-arrieta/

[buckchuckler]

I drafted Eloy in the 30th round in my keeper league. I hope he gets some time in September.

Probably 2 weeks into next season.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Mascot flying weiner warning...

https://www.google.com/amp/6abc.com/amp/sports/phillies-fan-injured-by-phanatics-flying-hot-dog/3627942/

[wadesworld]

The Cardinal Way went whacky tonight.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=23868477

https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1009973874820345856/video/1

[buckchuckler]

The Cardinal Way went whacky tonight.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=23868477

https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1009973874820345856/video/1

Wow.  Pretty rough.  Ozuna is usually a pretty solid defender.

And I don't know how to begin to try to figure out what happened to Martinez.

[GB Warrior]

The Cardinal Way went whacky tonight.

http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=23868477

https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1009973874820345856/video/1

I wouldn't enjoy another team's suffering nearly as much if it wasn't the Cards.

[Its DJOver]

Are the AL playoff teams already decided?  You know both NY and Boston are coming out of the East, only question is who wins the division and who host the WC game.  The lead in the Central is only 5 games, but Cleveland is the only team above .500, and the only team with a + run differential, I don't expect them to get caught.  The West could be interesting, but Houston has too much talent not to win it despite Seattle only being 3.5 back.  I could see Seattle and LA battling it out down the stretch for the second WC, maybe throw in Oakland (I'll admit to not seeing them much), but that's about it.  Obviously a ton of baseball left to be played, but I can't remember a time when divisions were all but decided this early, especially considering how close things are at the top of the NL divisions.

[buckchuckler]

Are the AL playoff teams already decided?  You know both NY and Boston are coming out of the East, only question is who wins the division and who host the WC game.  The lead in the Central is only 5 games, but Cleveland is the only team above .500, and the only team with a + run differential, I don't expect them to get caught.  The West could be interesting, but Houston has too much talent not to win it despite Seattle only being 3.5 back.  I could see Seattle and LA battling it out down the stretch for the second WC, maybe throw in Oakland (I'll admit to not seeing them much), but that's about it.  Obviously a ton of baseball left to be played, but I can't remember a time when divisions were all but decided this early, especially considering how close things are at the top of the NL divisions.

Yeah, seems pretty much done, though I have to say, this was basically the case in the NL last season, with the NL Central the only playoff position not decided by the break.

[jsglow]

Are the AL playoff teams already decided?  You know both NY and Boston are coming out of the East, only question is who wins the division and who host the WC game.  The lead in the Central is only 5 games, but Cleveland is the only team above .500, and the only team with a + run differential, I don't expect them to get caught.  The West could be interesting, but Houston has too much talent not to win it despite Seattle only being 3.5 back.  I could see Seattle and LA battling it out down the stretch for the second WC, maybe throw in Oakland (I'll admit to not seeing them much), but that's about it.  Obviously a ton of baseball left to be played, but I can't remember a time when divisions were all but decided this early, especially considering how close things are at the top of the NL divisions.

Yep.  And I'm not going to do the related attendance work but.......

[jsglow]

So I'll bet some of you guys follow them.  My instincts are the Cards aren't particularly good this year.  Thoughts?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

What a night for Aguilar. Home run to tie the game and break up the no hitter in the 7th. Then he hits a walk off homer to win the game.

[wadesworld]

What a night for Aguilar. Home run to tie the game and break up the no hitter in the 7th. Then he hits a walk off homer to win the game.

That and the bullpen. 4 innings, 8 Ks, 0 hits, 0 walks.

Hader comes in with the Brewers down 1-0, 1st and 2nd and no outs in the 6th and strikes out the next 3 guys. Insane.

[Jockey]

That and the bullpen. 4 innings, 8 Ks, 0 hits, 0 walks.

Hader comes in with the Brewers down 1-0, 1st and 2nd and no outs in the 6th and strikes out the next 3 guys. Insane.

On Intentional Talk today the bet was: what number will be higher this weekend? Ks by Hader vs HRs by Judge, Stanton, and Torres combined.

[jsglow]

A week or two ago my son and I were discussing who the Crew all stars would be.  We both agreed Hader was a lock and that Cain, Yelich and maybe Jeffress were in the mix for the certain second slot.  I revise and extend my remarks.  Aggie's going.  From an offensive perspective, the dude is carrying the team. 

[Jockey]

Who could have imagined that Aguilar and Mitch Moorland would be two of the top 1B in MLB this year?

[jsglow]

Oh, and one more comment.  Bob Uecker is the greatest announcer in history.  I hope God lets him stay forever.


https://twitter.com/i/status/1010492671327027200

[Anti-Dentite]

I think it's time for the Chubbies to concede and start retooling for next year. 

[jsglow]

I think it's time for the Chubbies to concede and start retooling for next year. 

I'm not going down that path.  The Cubs are really, really good.  Are they in the league with the Astros, Yankees, or Sox?  No.  But they still might be the best team in the NL.

[jsglow]

What would be honestly good for baseball would be two knockdown, dragout playoff series this year: Yanks/Sox, Crew/Cubs.  Unfortunately as it stands now, each would be Division Series, not pennant.