MLB 2019 thread

[buckchuckler]

From The Athletic regarding Yu Darvish.  He's finally healthy and this is the guys the Cubs paid for.

Since May 15, Darvish has a 29.2 percent strikeout rate and a mere 5 percent walk rate. Over that period, among NL starters, only Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom and Walker Buehler have a larger gap between their strikeout and walk percentages. His 89 1/3 innings pitched during that time is topped only by Aaron Nola, German Márquez and Partick Corbin.

The flip side here is Jon Lester.  His last 15 starts he has a 5.98 ERA with a WHIP of 1.54

[MU82]

The flip side here is Jon Lester.  His last 15 starts he has a 5.98 ERA with a WHIP of 1.54

I trust that includes the 1,499 runs he allowed tonight ...

[buckchuckler]

I trust that includes the 1,499 runs he allowed tonight ...

Yeah, it was ugly before tonight, but tonight was an exclamation point.

[BrewCity83]

I think the point was to make it look like the LLWS uniforms. I also saw it was to make their accessories stand out. I have to imagine the sales of hats and jerseys will be pretty low this year.

These all black-and-white jerseys will sell.  That's why they're doing it.  $$$$$$$$$

black + white = green

[Cheeks]

These all black-and-white jerseys will sell.  That's why they're doing it.  $$$$$$$$$

black + white = green

We have a bingo

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Yeah, it was ugly before tonight, but tonight was an exclamation point.

He actually had a 2.77 ERA in July so his last two starts have really skewed it.  He seems to go through these stretches now that he's a bit older but I'm confident he'll work through it. 

[buckchuckler]

He actually had a 2.77 ERA in July so his last two starts have really skewed it.  He seems to go through these stretches now that he's a bit older but I'm confident he'll work through it.

Even dropping out last night's start, his ERA over the previous 14 is 5.15 with an OPS allowed of .843.  Dropping out the last 2, it is still 4.90 over the previous 13, with an .844 OPS allowed. 

That being said, I think you'd still feel pretty confident in Lester once the postseason starts.

[TallTitan34]

Lucroy to Cubs.

[cheebs09]

Lucroy to Cubs.

That's going to be a painful sight. I feel that's a pretty nice pickup for the Cubs at this stage of the game.

[The Sultan]

While it is a good pick up considering the options, he's nowhere near what he was.

[JWags85]

While it is a good pick up considering the options, he's nowhere near what he was.

He's not going to be a game changer, but its decent depth.  The Maldonado trade was great, cause the potential versatility of Kemp outweighs Maldonado's benefit as a backup.  Lucroy isn't that good anymore, but he's not much worse than him.  Hey, he used to be the best pitch framer in baseball, maybe he can teach Contreras some of his ways.

[#UnleashSean]

He's not going to be a game changer, but its decent depth.  The Maldonado trade was great, cause the potential versatility of Kemp outweighs Maldonado's benefit as a backup.  Lucroy isn't that good anymore, but he's not much worse than him.  Hey, he used to be the best pitch framer in baseball, maybe he can teach Contreras some of his ways.

Once willy is back it's probably  bye bye to lucroy

[MU82]

Maybe Lucroy can do for the Cubs what Jim Edmonds did in 2008, Kenny Lofton did in 2003 and Gary Gaetti did in 1998. Probably not ... but maybe.

[buckchuckler]

Once willy is back it's probably  bye bye to lucroy

This seems right to me, but a solid depth move during his absence.  Anyone who can catch at all has value.


Except.probably Wellington Castillo

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Even dropping out last night's start, his ERA over the previous 14 is 5.15 with an OPS allowed of .843.  Dropping out the last 2, it is still 4.90 over the previous 13, with an .844 OPS allowed. 

That being said, I think you'd still feel pretty confident in Lester once the postseason starts.

Good stats. I do expect his numbers to be there by the end of the season. He's shown a knack of correcting any issues he has.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Once willy is back it's probably  bye bye to lucroy

Considering Willson won't be back until after rosters expand I think Lucroy is likely here to stay.

Having a backup like Caratini is a nice luxury. That was a solid trade for the Cubs.

[HouWarrior]

He's not going to be a game changer, but its decent depth.  The Maldonado trade was great, cause the potential versatility of Kemp outweighs Maldonado's benefit as a backup.  Lucroy isn't that good anymore, but he's not much worse than him.  Hey, he used to be the best pitch framer in baseball, maybe he can teach Contreras some of his ways.

This was good trade for both teams
Kemp is very versatile can play infield and outfield He is  very good upbeat guy but Astros had no options on him and his bat couldn't crack our daily lineup. We had Maldonado here before and he was upgrade over Matt Stassi (we sent Stassi to Dodgers for a prospect) Maldi has esp good defense and worked with our pitchers before Both teams upgraded backup quality at the positions Hope Kemp does great for Cubbies Astros like Maldi

[Cheeks]

Lucroy to Cubs.

He sucked for the Halos all year and I am big Lucroy fan....his defense was really poor this year...maybe he can turn it around.

[Pakuni]

White Sox and Yankees will play next year at the "Field of Dreams" ballfield in Iowa.
That's kinda cool. Hopefully in old-timey unis.

[buckchuckler]

White Sox and Yankees will play next year at the "Field of Dreams" ballfield in Iowa.
That's kinda cool. Hopefully in old-timey unis.

Very cool!  Love it!

https://youtu.be/7SB16il97yw

[🏀]

It would better if they played on the actual field.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

It would better if they played on the actual field.

Whats the corn out, 250, 275?

[buckchuckler]

It would better if they played on the actual field.

Also would be better if James Earl Jones called the game.

[Pakuni]

Also would be better if James Earl Jones called the game.

As Mr. Mertle.

[buckchuckler]

As Mr. Mertle.

Or Vader.  Or Mufasa.  Whatever.