MLB 2018 Season

[buckchuckler]

Helluva outing by Q.

Yeah no joke.  And in a huge spot. 

[MUDPT]

Because he has a better slugging percentage than Cain by 120 points and a better OPS by about 100.  Right now he tops the NL in offensive WAR.

Cain has been great, but Yelich has been more powerful without sacrificing batting average.

You ignore defense then for MVP? Not trying to argue, generally curious.

[GGGG]

You ignore defense then for MVP? Not trying to argue, generally curious.

Well yeah I guess I do. Cain is clearly a better defender but Yelich isn't bad.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Greatest Slider of All Time just nabbed stealing 2nd.   

[buckchuckler]

.

Ronald Acuna, in the 2nd half, is leading the NL in HRs, OPS, and fWAR.  Not that he will win the MVP, because of limited plate appearances, but wow.  Between he and Soto, that is two pretty spectacular rookie seasons. 

[wadesworld]

Hader is...good.

[wadesworld]

The Grandy Man can.

[MU82]

And there they go to the exits in Miller Park South!

[Anti-Dentite]

Fly that "L" boys, fly that beautiful "L".

[buckchuckler]

This is just great.

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/willians-astudillo-is-tired-after-first-to-home-run/c-294436502

[MU82]

Brewers had to win this series to have any hope of winning the division. They accomplished that mission. Next couple weeks should be fun!

[GB Warrior]

Counsell really rubbed that off day all up in Maddon's face. That Thursday off day enabled Him to play a deal dacto pitching rotation, and almost everyone should be available Friday.

[jsglow]

This.

[jsglow]

Counsell really rubbed that off day all up in Maddon's face. That Thursday off day enabled Him to play a deal dacto pitching rotation, and almost everyone should be available Friday.

I'd love Couns' take on the pitching rotation last night.  We were at a MU function so I didn't see until the 7th but it seems he wanted his top 5-6 guys to all get an inning or so in order to stay super sharp.  After getting healthy, the pen has again become a source of strength.  Hader is simply unbelievable.

[GGGG]

So has anyone heard if the Cubs made it safely to Washington?  I mean after all the weather reports I read here, I'm assuming they had to fly into the eyewall like one of those hurricane hunters. 

[Jockey]

So has anyone heard if the Cubs made it safely to Washington?  I mean after all the weather reports I read here, I'm assuming they had to fly into the eyewall like one of those hurricane hunters.

Plus, they probably won't be able to stay awake after playing 73 games without an off day.

[LON]

Plus, they probably won't be able to stay awake after playing 73 games without an off day.

Truly a shame the MLB is forcing them to play 162 games this year.

[jsglow]

  All the Cubs fans have run for the hills.  Of course they will be back out in force gloating next time they win a couple games.

I think that's the thing. My perception is that too many of them think of their club like it's the Yankees or something when the reality is that they have been an absolute bottom feeder (especially for a large market team) for most of their history. I get that they're very good to great now.  But for almost all of the last 120 years that hasn't been true.  Which might be why they hate the Cardinals so much.  Talk about a successful midwest franchise.

Seems like Crew fans understand where our boys are in the MLB pecking order.  And we learn to appreciate the modest success we occasionally enjoy.  Let's hope we surpass expectations this year.  A NL Pennant is absolutely not beyond all hope. 

[MUfan12]

Seems like Crew fans understand where our boys are in the MLB pecking order.  And we learn to appreciate the modest success we occasionally enjoy.  Let's hope we surpass expectations this year. 

Agree with this. I'm not getting my hopes up about the Crew winning the Central, but I'm enjoying the hell out of this late push. Obviously .727 ball isn't sustainable, and I think the Cubs will figure it out, like good teams tend to do.

[mu03eng]

So the Brewers have flirted with the post season in recent history, what should be a satisfactory result as fans based on where we are now. If they end up with the WC and lose a single game, I don't hold it against them. I'm cautiously optimistic about being competitive in the division series but i dont think we can discount that 90% of this team has little to no playoff experience which matters I think.

All that to say I think winning the divisional series is the ceiling for this team right now and I'm ok with it.

[GGGG]

So the Brewers have flirted with the post season in recent history, what should be a satisfactory result as fans based on where we are now. If they end up with the WC and lose a single game, I don't hold it against them. I'm cautiously optimistic about being competitive in the division series but i dont think we can discount that 90% of this team has little to no playoff experience which matters I think.

All that to say I think winning the divisional series is the ceiling for this team right now and I'm ok with it.

This team has been to the playoffs four times in my 50 year old lifetime.  And I'm pretty fair weather when it comes to baseball.  So whatever they do once they get there (if they get there) is fine by me.

[Its DJOver]

All the Cubs fans have run for the hills.  Of course they will be back out in force gloating next time they win a couple games.

I think that's the thing. My perception is that too many of them think of their club like it's the Yankees or something when the reality is that they have been an absolute bottom feeder (especially for a large market team) for most of their history. I get that they're very good to great now.  But for almost all of the last 120 years that hasn't been true.  Which might be why they hate the Cardinals so much.  Talk about a successful midwest franchise.

Seems like Crew fans understand where our boys are in the MLB pecking order.  And we learn to appreciate the modest success we occasionally enjoy.  Let's hope we surpass expectations this year.  A NL Pennant is absolutely not beyond all hope.

This.  The way that Cub fans embraced the whole "lovable loser" title for so long, then to completely do a 180 when they get real good real quick (95+ loss team as recently as 2013) rubs me the wrong way.

[jsglow]

So the Brewers have flirted with the post season in recent history, what should be a satisfactory result as fans based on where we are now. If they end up with the WC and lose a single game, I don't hold it against them. I'm cautiously optimistic about being competitive in the division series but i dont think we can discount that 90% of this team has little to no playoff experience which matters I think.

All that to say I think winning the divisional series is the ceiling for this team right now and I'm ok with it.

I agree with you.  They are in year #2 of rebuilding and well ahead of schedule.  Now I DO expect them to finish strong these last couple of weeks and make the playoffs.  Failing to qualify at this juncture would be a major disappointment.  Need to crack this Pirate jinx they've experienced this year.  I'm confident Couns will have them ready for the weekend.

[Its DJOver]

So the Brewers have flirted with the post season in recent history, what should be a satisfactory result as fans based on where we are now. If they end up with the WC and lose a single game, I don't hold it against them. I'm cautiously optimistic about being competitive in the division series but i dont think we can discount that 90% of this team has little to no playoff experience which matters I think.

All that to say I think winning the divisional series is the ceiling for this team right now and I'm ok with it.

As long as they make the postseason this year, I'll be happy (although if they sputter to playing the WC game on the road I'll be disappointed based on where they are right now).  It shows improvement from last year and gives them at least a little postseason experience.  Depending on what they do this October will determine my expectations for next year and beyond.

I think the fact that we didn't go all in on a trade is my reasoning for tempered expectations. In 2011 it was make it to the WS or bust.

[Benny B]

So the Brewers have flirted with the post season in recent history, what should be a satisfactory result as fans based on where we are now. If they end up with the WC and lose a single game, I don't hold it against them. I'm cautiously optimistic about being competitive in the division series but i dont think we can discount that 90% of this team has little to no playoff experience which matters I think.

All that to say I think winning the divisional series is the ceiling for this team right now and I'm ok with it.

I agree with the WC scenario... a loss would be devastating, but the sentiment would be short-lived; otherwise, I'm good with any other outcome should they win the WC. 

If the Brewers win the Central and have home field in the CS, anything short of a WS appearance would evoke feelings of a lost (seemingly) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's going to linger for quite a while, or at least until around the 2019 Opening Day (at which point I'll be too stoked on another once-in-a-lifetime during my upcoming weekend in Minneapolis to care about baseball).

Otherwise, I will be satisfied with an CS appearance with an NL Central title scenario where they don't have home field.


Summary: After WC round, expectations are considered met so long as they don't lose with home field.