2026 MLB Thread

[GB Warrior]

What a series. I need a couple days to detox.

[MuggsyB]

Let's go! Incredible pitching tonight

Absolutely superb.  I don't think SD had a hit since the 3rd inning?

[MuggsyB]

What a series. I need a couple days to detox.

The Brewers are capable of playing significantly better.  I think people are wrong if they think they have no chance against the Dodgers. 

[Jockey]

A few days ago, I said here that the Brewers had the better bullpen.

Well? 20 IP, 1 earned run.

[MuggsyB]

I'm nitpicking but I do think the Brewers have to do better with the challenge system. 

[SoCalEagle]

Dodgers would roll the Padres. The Brewers are just a better version of the Padres.

I know that's what the stats tell us, but I'm still haunted by the 2022 NLDS. The Dodgers won 111 games, but didn't advance to the NLCS. Oh well, that's the past. Hopefully they're on their way to a third straight WS title.

[CreightonWarrior]

Cooper Pratt double fisting Fanta and plugging the holes so alcohol doesn't get in was hilarious.

[MU82]

Theee of the final four:

Brewers
Rays
White Sox/Guardians

Yup. Only the biggest-market teams have a chance to contend for anything at all when there's no salary cap.

[forgetful]

A few days ago, I said here that the Brewers had the better bullpen.

Well? 20 IP, 1 earned run.

That's pretty ridiculous. What a team.

[wadesworld]

Theee of the final four:

Brewers
Rays
White Sox/Guardians

Yup. Only the biggest-market teams have a chance to contend for anything at all when there's no salary cap.

Well...

[cheebs09]

Theee of the final four:

Brewers
Rays
White Sox/Guardians

Yup. Only the biggest-market teams have a chance to contend for anything at all when there's no salary cap.

Well...

Don't pay any attention to the man behind the curtain.

[MuggsyB]

Gasser was also excellent.  They're a complete team.

[MuggsyB]

Alec Rodriguez just said "The Padres were a couple of inches away from facing the team that didn't want to see them".  Excuse me?   The Brewers were the better team.  Period. 

[cheebs09]

Alec Rodriguez just said "The Padres were a couple of inches away from facing the team that didn't want to see them".  Excuse me?   The Brewers were the better team.  Period. 

I think the obvious plays being inches away impacted the Padres more for the general fan (roof, Chourio's winner, Mitchell catch). However, it ignores all the balls the Brewers smoked that the Padres got a glove on.

[Hards Alumni]

I know that's what the stats tell us, but I'm still haunted by the 2022 NLDS. The Dodgers won 111 games, but didn't advance to the NLCS. Oh well, that's the past. Hopefully they're on their way to a third straight WS title.

[tower912]

Congratulations to the Rays and Brewers.

[Uncle Rico]

Congratulations to the Rays and Brewers.

Half the Brewers fanbase this morning is worried instead of being excited

[Hards Alumni]

Half the Brewers fanbase this morning is worried instead of being excited

What is the sense in worrying when it is already over?

[cheebs09]

Garrett "The Roof" Mitchell

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Turang is not built for the moment.

He has been late/unable to square up on anything the entire series

[Uncle Rico]

What is the sense in worrying when it is already over?

Thinking of Rubie Q...

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Theee of the final four:

Brewers
Rays
White Sox/Guardians

Yup. Only the biggest-market teams have a chance to contend for anything at all when there's no salary cap.

I know there's been people who have made dopey statements like "small market teams have no chance to contend." But Id hope you'd agree that standard shouldn't be "not impossible for a small market team to contend."

What the Brewers, Rays, and to a lesser extent the Guardians (they lucked their way into a bye facing the winner of two essentially .500 teams, despite having a middling overall record themselves) have done this year is extraordinary. The Brewers and Rays are two of the best teams in baseball this season. They had to overcome massive disadvantages that the other top teams didn't have to overcome. Those of us who support a cap just want to lessen some of those disadvantages.

People like to make this debate about all sorts of things that it isn't. The only real questions of the debate are "would a more even financial playing field be good for the sport?" And "If, yes, what's the best way to accomplish that?"

[MuggsyB]

I think the obvious plays being inches away impacted the Padres more for the general fan (roof, Chourio's winner, Mitchell catch). However, it ignores all the balls the Brewers smoked that the Padres got a glove on.

It was a moronic comment.  And A.J. Perzinski was also openly rooting for SD all four games.  Immediate dismissals should be on the table.  Do your job. 

[Uncle Rico]

I know there's been people who have made dopey statements like "small market teams have no chance to contend." But Id hope you'd agree that standard shouldn't be "not impossible for a small market team to contend."

What the Brewers, Rays, and to a lesser extent the Guardians (they lucked their way into a bye facing the winner of two essentially .500 teams, despite having a middling overall record themselves) have done this year is extraordinary. The Brewers and Rays are two of the best teams in baseball this season. They had to overcome massive disadvantages that the other top teams didn't have to overcome. Those of us who support a cap just want to lessen some of those disadvantages.

People like to make this debate about all sorts of things that it isn't. The only real questions of the debate are "would a more even financial playing field be good for the sport?" And "If, yes, what's the best way to accomplish that?"

How the Rays and Brewers spend their money is always overlooked.  I can't speak for Tampa, but Milwaukee spends internationally and in development. They could spend more on payroll, but paying Burnes, Adames, Williams, Hader, and Peralta was never going to happen, and quite frankly, nor should it have.  They maximized the value of all of them and would have gotten diminishing returns had they handed out the contracts they got or will get.

They're going to do it with Contreras and Turang as well.  Those may play out differently as far as what they go on to do but they'll fill those positions on their terms.

I've said this ad nauseam about the Dodgers. They mix large contracts with one of the best run overall organizations in the game.  It mirrors the Yankees of the 90's and the Red Sox of the 00's.  You can spend all you want, but no success is guaranteed.  It's what the Mets have failed to do the past half decade.

What the large markets have, is the capability to absorb bad contracts.  The Brewers can do that with one, maybe two.  That's the difference.  And even the Mets and Yankees can get hamstrung with bad contracts if their organization can't develop young talent.

When Reds ownership bemoaned not being Milwaukee, it's time for a deep dive into your people running the org.  It isn't all luck, there is some of that, but it's about people, process, and understanding how to invest in them and it.

[MU82]

Excellent posts, TAMU and Rico.

My point was that while the big boyz obviously have much more margin for error, numerous little guys can - and do - contend by running great all-around organizations centered on talent acquisition, development and culture.

There is an easy path toward a more financially level playing field, and it's true revenue sharing.

Yes, my post "left something out." But for some, the final eight could be seven small-market teams and the Dodgers ... and if the Dodgers win the World Series on a bloop hit in the 14th inning of Game 7, the conclusion will be, "See, nobody else can even compete!"