2026 MLB Thread

[TSmith34, Inc.]

The Dodgers win back to back titles and we are now worried about a dynasty in LA? Where is this silliness coming from. The Dodgers are just one good team among a number of good teams currently in MLB. Nothing more, nothing less. If they start winning titles like the Yankees of the 1950s then you're on to something. We've got a long way to go before we get there: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958.

It's obviously coming from the Dodgers habit of signing the 2 best available players every year to exorbitant contracts.

Betts, Freeman, Price, Ohtani, Tucker, Diaz, Yamamoto, Snell, Hernandez, Glasnow, and one would certainly guess Skubal will be signed to an insane extension as well, though your point about it possibly being short term due to the owner have some questionable financial practices is spot on.

The problem with the comparison to the 1950s Yankees is of course the existence or lack thereof of free agency.

[MU82]

13 of the previous 16 pre-series betting underdogs to take a 2-0 lead in a LCS since the round expanded to best-of-7 in 1985 have gone on to win the series.

But caution to Brewers fans:

The most recent failure came just last year, when the Mariners fell apart right after Muggsy said Seattle was a lock to win the World Series.

[GB Warrior]

13 of the previous 16 pre-series betting underdogs to take a 2-0 lead in a LCS since the round expanded to best-of-7 in 1985 have gone on to win the series.

But caution to Brewers fans:

The most recent failure came just last year, when the Mariners fell apart right after Muggsy said Seattle was a lock to win the World Series.

Yep this series isn't over by a long shot. Win tonight and I'll breathe easier.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Attendance last night at the Trop was under 32,000.  Sell out is just over 35,000.  But capacity can go up over 40,000 as we saw with the Yankees series.  "Get in" price was under $100 with 90 min before the first pitch.

Will definitely look into tickets for Game 6 if the series gets there, cause its still playoff baseball and the Rays are a really fun team.  And in the event of a Brewers/Rays World Series, will definitely attend at least one game with my father.

The lack of attendance is especially odd, cause living in St. Pete, its not like the Rays are an after thought.  Tons of flags/signs on businesses.  Couple of the main streets, even going north and west well beyond downtown, have Rays signs attached to all light poles during the season.  There is a fantastic bar/restaurant district (you could argue actual main hub for all of St Pete, their Water St) is directly north of Trop (an easy few min walk from part of it, tons of shuttles from others)...yet that doesn't translate to attendance in any way.  We can clearly see from this season that quality of the team doesn't matter.  A new stadium won't change things either, IMO. 

If there is a new stadium, its gotta be in Tampa, IMO, which is unfortunate.  Lightning get good attendance. Bucs get good attendance.  I don't think people not wanting to drive from Tampa/Tampa burbs to St Pete is the ONLY reason attendance for the Rays is bad, but its certainly a major contributing factor.

Wags, I'm pretty sure there is a deal in place for a new stadium next to Raymond James Stadium, Yankees spring training stadium/facility and Hillsborough College.

[MU82]

My cousin lives within walking distance of the Trop. He regularly goes to games, usually  deciding day of game whether he wants to attend. He and his buddies buy cheap tickets online, sit wherever they want, and enjoy rooting for their Rays.

He understands why the team is moving to Tampa, but he's bummed by it. He doubts he'll go to many games there. When you've gotten used to going to just about any game you want at very low prices and without having to get into a car, the prospects of paying $100+ for worse seats and having to drive/park a car ... it just won't be appealing to him.

[GB Warrior]

If

My cousin lives within walking distance of the Trop. He regularly goes to games, usually  deciding day of game whether he wants to attend. He and his buddies buy cheap tickets online, sit wherever they want, and enjoy rooting for their Rays.

He understands why the team is moving to Tampa, but he's bummed by it. He doubts he'll go to many games there. When you've gotten used to going to just about any game you want at very low prices and without having to get into a car, the prospects of paying $100+ for worse seats and having to drive/park a car ... it just won't be appealing to him.

if its Brewers Rays I will be cashing in on travel points to catch a game there.

[Uncle Rico]

Yep this series isn't over by a long shot. Win tonight and I'll breathe easier.

Dodgers aren't going to be phased being down 2-0.  Too many veterans and proud players to roll over.  They overcame 3–2 going to Toronto last year and all of the game 7 drama, 2-0 in a 7-game series is nothing.

[JWags85]

Wags, I'm pretty sure there is a deal in place for a new stadium next to Raymond James Stadium, Yankees spring training stadium/facility and Hillsborough College.

Yes correct, but given everything that has happened with proposals and plans, until groundbreaking (or really actual construction begins) it will still be hypothetical for me and others 

[MU82]

If if its Brewers Rays I will be cashing in on travel points to catch a game there.

That would be a fun trip, with a likely bonus of excellent weather. St. Pete is a really cool place, with an awesome and lively downtown.

[StillAWarrior]

This is exactly what I'm hoping for tomorrow night in Cleveland. I set my number at $100. Currently $145 are the cheapest tickets we're seeing.

They moved tomorrow's game to 1:00 PM, which doesn't work for me at all - but may drive prices down a bit. But...I scored tickets for Saturday night for $99. Bingo!

[The Sultan]

They also moved tomorrow night's NLCS game 4 to 7:00.

[Hards Alumni]

They also moved tomorrow night's NLCS game 4 to 7:00.

Good.  The Padres games getting over after midnight were a ridiculous ask.

[GB Warrior]

They also moved tomorrow night's NLCS game 4 to 7:00.

Dodgers get to start their offseason an hour early

[CreightonWarrior]

Dodgers aren't going to be phased being down 2-0.  Too many veterans and proud players to roll over.  They overcame 3–2 going to Toronto last year and all of the game 7 drama, 2-0 in a 7-game series is nothing.

hopefully they don't use google and don't know about last year.

[wadesworld]

hopefully they don't use google and don't know about last year.

Or 2020 when the Braves were up 2-0 on them in the NLCS.

[The Sultan]

Or 2020 when the Braves were up 2-0 on them in the NLCS.

That was a little different being that it was all at a neutral site. But yeah...

[wadesworld]

That was a little different being that it was all at a neutral site. But yeah...

Yeah I figured it was empty stadiums, but couldn't remember how they were doing the Playoffs.  But they do have the next 3 at home, so the crowd could help get them right back into this series.

I get the logistics of it, but I do hate the 2-3-2 format of 7 game series.

[Shaka Shart]

That would be a fun trip, with a likely bonus of excellent weather. St. Pete is a really cool place, with an awesome and lively downtown.

Thought for a second you were referring to MVPCA

[GB Warrior]

Thought for a second you were referring to MVPCA

He can't obtain sainthood in the Catholic Church after encouraging a woman to engage in oral sex

[MU82]

He can't obtain sainthood in the Catholic Church after encouraging a woman to engage in oral sex

Yeah, that's a priest's job ... if "woman" is replaced with "altar boy."