2026 MLB Thread

[MU82]

Nice work by the Brewers. And now they get a huge break - a 3-game series at home against the Mariners.

[cheebs09]

Gary might use up all our challenges in the first at-bat of the game.

[Uncle Rico]

Gary might use up all our challenges in the first at-bat of the game.

He can't hit into a double play leading off.

[BM1090]

Gary Sanchez takes a lot of crap because he's Gary Sanchez. But he's been a great backup catcher this year. Fantastic late signing. Average defensively and the third best OPS on the team behind Bauers and Vaughn.

[GB Warrior]

Gary Sanchez takes a lot of crap because he's Gary Sanchez. But he's been a great backup catcher this year. Fantastic late signing. Average defensively and the third best OPS on the team behind Bauers and Vaughn.

He's been good offensively. And is probably a better pitch caller than Bill if we're being honest.

I wish either of our catchers knew the fcking strike zone

[Uncle Rico]

Gary Sanchez takes a lot of crap because he's Gary Sanchez. But he's been a great backup catcher this year. Fantastic late signing. Average defensively and the third best OPS on the team behind Bauers and Vaughn.

He's a perfectly acceptable back up catcher for a contending club

[cheebs09]

He's a perfectly acceptable back up catcher for a contending club

Agreed. He also should never be allowed to challenge.

[TallTitan34]

Juggernaut Dodgers Since July 1:
- 23rd in runs scored per game (4.02)
- 22nd in wRC+ (91)
- 22nd in walk rate (8.0%)
- 20th in on-base percentage (.308)
- 21st in bullpen ERA (4.51)
- 30th in bullpen walk rate (12.6%)
- 30th in blown saves (9)
- 1-6 record vs. Cubs and Brewers

[Pakuni]

Juggernaut Dodgers Since July 1:
- 23rd in runs scored per game (4.02)
- 22nd in wRC+ (91)
- 22nd in walk rate (8.0%)
- 20th in on-base percentage (.308)
- 21st in bullpen ERA (4.51)
- 30th in bullpen walk rate (12.6%)
- 30th in blown saves (9)
- 1-6 record vs. Cubs and Brewers

To be fair, now that they've won the 2026 World Series, there's not much for them to play for this year.

[MU82]

Juggernaut Dodgers Since July 1:
- 23rd in runs scored per game (4.02)
- 22nd in wRC+ (91)
- 22nd in walk rate (8.0%)
- 20th in on-base percentage (.308)
- 21st in bullpen ERA (4.51)
- 30th in bullpen walk rate (12.6%)
- 30th in blown saves (9)
- 1-6 record vs. Cubs and Brewers

On the one hand, they didn't really round into form last year until the postseason.

On the other hand, even after they rounded into form during the postseason, they still needed a confluence of events - some of them flukish - to win the championship.

If I was forced at gunpoint to bet on one team, I'd bet on the Dodgers. They have the most talent. But there have been many, many, many, MANY years in MLB and other pro and college leagues in which the most talented team doesn't win the championship. That list arguably would include the 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Dodgers.

[wadesworld]

Dodgers must not have been trying. I've been told the Brewers (and every other team) can't compete with the Dodgers.

Yeah, just like when the Brewers went 6-0 against the Dodgers last year in the regular season.  They sure scared the hell out of them come Playoff time!

[wadesworld]

Brewers had a good series.  Would enjoy a rematch in October.  If the Dodgers don't win their third WS in a row, I would love to see the Brew Crew win it all.

Skubal got punked?  My sources (i.e. my iPhone) says he gave up one earned run in 6 innings of work.  If that's being punked, more please. 

It's Muggsy.  He was probably asking us who this Skubal guy was going into the trade deadline, and definitely didn't see the game to know whether Skubal was "punked."

[wadesworld]

Juggernaut Dodgers Since July 1:
- 23rd in runs scored per game (4.02)
- 22nd in wRC+ (91)
- 22nd in walk rate (8.0%)
- 20th in on-base percentage (.308)
- 21st in bullpen ERA (4.51)
- 30th in bullpen walk rate (12.6%)
- 30th in blown saves (9)
- 1-6 record vs. Cubs and Brewers

You might want to check how they did in July and August the last 2 years.  And who they have either not playing due to injury right now, or just returning from injury.

But sure.  If the Cubs want to do the job of taking out the Dodgers in the Playoffs I'm all for it.  They're not very good anyway.

[Shaka Shart]

It's Muggsy.  He was probably asking us who this Skubal guy was going into the trade deadline, and definitely didn't see the game to know whether Skubal was "punked."

*the air of an ICU doctor after a mass casualty event* I regret to inform you Muggsy spoke in hyperbole

[Jockey]

Juggernaut Dodgers Since July 1:
- 23rd in runs scored per game (4.02)
- 22nd in wRC+ (91)
- 22nd in walk rate (8.0%)
- 20th in on-base percentage (.308)
- 21st in bullpen ERA (4.51)
- 30th in bullpen walk rate (12.6%)
- 30th in blown saves (9)
- 1-6 record vs. Cubs and Brewers

And we stole Dustin May while they had to settle for Skubal.

[BM1090]

You might want to check how they did in July and August the last 2 years.  And who they have either not playing due to injury right now, or just returning from injury.

But sure.  If the Cubs want to do the job of taking out the Dodgers in the Playoffs I'm all for it.  They're not very good anyway.

I don't think this Dodgers team is quite at the same level. They're the favorite for sure, and their rotation is insane when healthy.

But their lineup isn't as deep. Betts has been on a steady decline and I think he's a low .700 OPS guy now. Same with Hernandez. We'll see about Tucker, but if the pressure is getting to him in LA now, it's not going to get easier in the playoffs.

They are more beatable than last year, IMO. Even with Skubal.

[MuggsyB]

What happened to Seattle?

[GB Warrior]

Nice work by the Brewers. And now they get a huge break - a 3-game series at home against the Mariners.

Wow this wasn't hyperbole

[MuggsyB]

Wow this wasn't hyperbole

Wow.  22 runs, 22 hits?

[MU82]

Wow this wasn't hyperbole

I bet you 5 bucks my boyz hold the Crew to single digits tomorrow, though.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I bet you 5 bucks my boyz hold the Crew to single digits tomorrow, though.

Mariners tying records!

"Tied for largest shutout since 1888"

[GB Warrior]

Wow.  22 runs, 22 hits?

I posted this when it was 11-0 btw

[JWags85]

Tatis is so much fun...

https://x.com/rich_roberts/status/2089896504786124907?s=20

The TV broadcast totally missed the flip out of the glove which made the whole play/celebration.  Oh and he also had 2 HRs.

Pretty incredible that early on Tatis was a good defensive shortstop, great range and athletic but inconsistent, but got the majority of his value from his insane ability at the plate.  Then got moved to RF after his suspension/when they signed Bogarts...and has become the best defensive RF in baseball (arguably best defensive outfielder period).  Basically the opposite of when infielders often get moved to the outfield to hide their defensive flaws but retain their hitting ability.

[Jockey]

Amazing that the runnerup for MVP last year May now be in the lead for worst starting position player in the league.

[BrewCity83]

I've been bandwagoning a bit with the Brewers.  Who would you lead off come playoffs time?  I know they have a few guys out.  Ty.

Murphy usually leads off Turang against righties and Chourio against lefties.  I expect that will continue in the playoffs, but ya never know with Murph--he does like to change things up a lot.