MLB 2018 Season

[JWags85]

Absolute masterclass in a crappy team choking. Every bit of momentum they got, the Tigers puked it away. HR to tie and a base runner, then chase Hader...do nothing. Alcantara had been fantastic in Sept, 3 hits no runs and then...Castellano thinks he's on Bradford Beach setting up for the outside hitter to spike.

Kudos to the Brewers for timely hitting. That should be the jolt they need. Won't be caught napping again. As for the Cubs, just win baby. No scoreboard watching

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I know all games matter equally, but with the division on the line here is how Yelich has performed in the last 6 games:

.388 AVG, 8 R, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SO, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, .607 OBP

With the division on the line here is how Baez has performed in the last 6 games:

.240 AVG, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 12 SO, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 SB,  .269 OBP

Personally, I think Yelich had the edge already 6 games ago. I think the end of the regular season might just seal it for him.

[MU82]

I know all games matter equally, but with the division on the line here is how Yelich has performed in the last 6 games:

.388 AVG, 8 R, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SO, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, .607 OBP

With the division on the line here is how Baez has performed in the last 6 games:

.240 AVG, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 12 SO, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 SB,  .269 OBP

Personally, I think Yelich had the edge already 6 games ago. I think the end of the regular season might just seal it for him.

You might be right, and this unbiased observer would have absolutely no problem with Yelich as MVP. He's had a heck of a finish to a heck of a season.

[JWags85]

I know all games matter equally, but with the division on the line here is how Yelich has performed in the last 6 games:

.388 AVG, 8 R, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SO, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, .607 OBP

With the division on the line here is how Baez has performed in the last 6 games:

.240 AVG, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 12 SO, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 SB,  .269 OBP

Personally, I think Yelich had the edge already 6 games ago. I think the end of the regular season might just seal it for him.

The eye test is important too. Baez and Yelich were pretty dang even coming into September. Maybe slight edge to Baez. But as I mentioned before, Yelich went Super Saiyan, and as a result the Brewers caught fire too, which negates the "player on the best/better team" factor. Yelich made a huge leap, is fun to watch, and seems like a good dude/has a great story. I'm fine with him taking the MVP...as long as the Cubs take the division 

[Dish]

I know all games matter equally, but with the division on the line here is how Yelich has performed in the last 6 games:

.388 AVG, 8 R, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 10 BB, 2 SO, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 SB, .607 OBP

With the division on the line here is how Baez has performed in the last 6 games:

.240 AVG, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 12 SO, 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 SB,  .269 OBP

Personally, I think Yelich had the edge already 6 games ago. I think the end of the regular season might just seal it for him.

Problem is the NL MVP race isn't Yelich vs Baez. It's Yelich vs deGrom.

Historically, Yelich (or any hitter in the NL this season) would be the worst performing (by sabermetrics) OPS+ since Mike Schmidt in 83. Yelich is now tied with Cain for NL positional player WAR at 7.0. Only Lucroy in 2014 (6.6) and Sizemore in 2006 (6.6) led their leagues with a lower WAR (neither won MVP). It's not a knock on Yelich, the NL positional field stinks this year.

Of the 4 pitchers who have won MVP since 1969, deGrom's season is clearly the best. Highest WAR (9.6), lowest ERA (1.70) and he will have thrown roughly 20 more innings than Kershaw's MVP season in 2014.

I think Yelich wins the award, but I mentioned it on here last month too, deGrom is right there.

[cheebs09]

Problem is the NL MVP race isn't Yelich vs Baez. It's Yelich vs deGrom.

Historically, Yelich (or any hitter in the NL this season) would be the worst performing (by sabermetrics) OPS+ since Mike Schmidt in 83. Yelich is now tied with Cain for NL positional player WAR at 7.0. Only Lucroy in 2014 (6.6) and Sizemore in 2006 (6.6) led their leagues with a lower WAR (neither won MVP). It's not a knock on Yelich, the NL positional field stinks this year.

Of the 4 pitchers who have won MVP since 1969, deGrom's season is clearly the best. Highest WAR (9.6), lowest ERA (1.70) and he will have thrown roughly 20 more innings than Kershaw's MVP season in 2014.

I think Yelich wins the award, but I mentioned it on here last month too, deGrom is right there.

From a worthiness standpoint, you might be right, but I don't think DeGrom will factor in a ton. It's tough for a pitcher to win MVP period. Tthe fact the Mets haven't been in contention for awhile, makes me think it's difficult for voters to choose DeGrom over Yelich or Baez.

[buckchuckler]

From a worthiness standpoint, you might be right, but I don't think DeGrom will factor in a ton. It's tough for a pitcher to win MVP period. Tthe fact the Mets haven't been in contention for awhile, makes me think it's difficult for voters to choose DeGrom over Yelich or Baez.

The pitcher with the 2nd best ERA in the NL, is whomever starts opposite deGrom.  If the Mets were good he'd have a shot maybe even be the favorite, but they're terrible.

[Dish]

I still can't get over these stats below.

If the Mets had at a minimum scored 4 runs in each of deGrom's starts, he'd be 30-0.

If the Mets had scored a minimum of 3 runs in each of deGrom's starts, he'd be 25-1.

If they had scored minimum of 2 runs (!), he'd be 20-6.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

[#UnleashSean]

An Oct 1st noon game? Little old no working me will be headed to chi town if that happens

[GB Warrior]

An Oct 1st noon game? Little old no working me will be headed to chi town if that happens

Me:

[JWags85]

[jsglow]

As of this moment, the Crew controls it's own destiny to the NL Central title.  Let that sink in.   

[MU82]

Problem is the NL MVP race isn't Yelich vs Baez. It's Yelich vs deGrom.

Historically, Yelich (or any hitter in the NL this season) would be the worst performing (by sabermetrics) OPS+ since Mike Schmidt in 83. Yelich is now tied with Cain for NL positional player WAR at 7.0. Only Lucroy in 2014 (6.6) and Sizemore in 2006 (6.6) led their leagues with a lower WAR (neither won MVP). It's not a knock on Yelich, the NL positional field stinks this year.

Of the 4 pitchers who have won MVP since 1969, deGrom's season is clearly the best. Highest WAR (9.6), lowest ERA (1.70) and he will have thrown roughly 20 more innings than Kershaw's MVP season in 2014.

I think Yelich wins the award, but I mentioned it on here last month too, deGrom is right there.

I am a big believer that starting pitchers can and should be considered for the MVP, but I would only consider one if he had a major, major impact on his team being a contender. Verlander was a great choice a few years ago IMHO.

A few everyday ballplayers on horrible teams have won the MVP, but there has never been a starting pitcher on a horrible team to do so, nor should there be in my estimation.

In 1972, the last-place Phillies won 59 games, allowing a division-worst 4.1 runs per game. Steve Carlton went 27-10 with 30 CG, 310 K and a 1.97 ERA. He was the unanimous choice for NL Cy Young (as he should have been) but he finished a distant fifth in the MVP race (as he should have).

I'd be pretty disappointed if a guy who played 32 games for a team that will finish 15 games out and never contended is selected as MVP.

[Anti-Dentite]

Who's there?

[MUBurrow]

A few everyday ballplayers on horrible teams have won the MVP, but there has never been a starting pitcher on a horrible team to do so, nor should there be in my estimation.

I'd be pretty disappointed if a guy who played 32 games for a team that will finish 15 games out and never contended is selected as MVP.

If you're willing to consider pitchers for the MVP at all - knowing that they'll only start every fifth day - why do you give them an extra demerit if their team's record is bad? That seems really arbitrary to me.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Yelich unreal

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yesterday and today have been entirely too close for my liking.

[tower912]

AAA talent.  One hitter who has played all season with an average above .250.  But the Tigers play hard every game. 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

AAA talent.  One hitter who has played all season with an average above .250.  But the Tigers play hard every game.

Norris looked good, seemed like his mechanics weren't consistent however.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Yelich unreal

x2

[tower912]

Norris looked good, seemed like his mechanics weren't consistent however.

They aren't.  Injured all year.  We will see if he can regain consistency over the winter.

[tower912]

Is Yelich juicing?  (Ducks, runs away giggling)

[4everwarriors]

Still gotta hit da round ball wit da round bat, aina?

[wadesworld]

Is Yelich juicing?  (Ducks, runs away giggling)

Hopefully. And if not hopefully he starts to.