Probably a giant swing and a miss here but...
Any fans of baseball on the board?
Today is opening day for the new season.
I'm a Chicago Cubs fan so I have very little delusions of grandeur but they have a strong roster this year. Seiya Suzuki, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Patrick Wisdom, Kyle Hendricks, Yan Gomes and new signing Dansby Swanson could click and run riot.
I was excited by the prospect of Seiya Suzuki coming to the majors from Japan last year. He had a dream start, then a stumble but now has had a year to settle in and a lot of time to shake off the minor injury - needs to start earning that massive paycheck.
Swanson has a World Series ring to his name already but the Cubs are a far different organisation than the Atlanta Braves (possibly one of the best run ball clubs in the game). He looks quality in Spring Training though so I hope he hits the ground running.
I feel that the Cubs will miss Willson Contreras though. A power-house, don't fuck with me, war machine. I went to see the Cubs at Wrigley Field a few times last year and he was always fun to watch. Like Charlie Sheen's character Rich "Wild Thing" Vaughn in "Major League" - except Contreras is a catcher.
Outside of personal hopes - I reckon that it's going to be hard to look beyond the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres to get to the World Series - the Padres to edge it.
The Seattle Mariners may give the Astros some competition in the AL West but I can't see a miracle happening there.
The Padres may feel some heat from the LA Dodgers who spend money like a Fianna Fáil TD ordering rounds in the Dáil bar but, again, I think this is the Padres' year in the NL West.
In NL Central - the St. Louis Cardinals will probably do the same as last year - win the division and get battered in post season. I hope the Cardinals make shit of their year because obviously I want the Cubs make a good showing of themselves in the division.
The New York Yankees and Tornto Blue Jays will slug it out in the AL East - I'm going to say the Blue Jays will take the division.
Probably the NY Mets in NL East. Can't see the Atlanta Braves keeping pace although they'll start and finish strong.
AL Central... who the fuck knows? It's like a shoot-out in the old West there.
Come back in November to see how wrong I was... :laugh:
The introduction of the pitch clock will also amp up games. It may even help to bring in some more casual followers.
A lot of (non-US) people that I talk to feel that the games take forever.
The new timing rules will take, on average, 30 minutes off each game. Less time for pitchers to kick up dust on the mound, scratch their bollocks or re-adjust their hat/glove 15 times before each pitch.
I know absolutely nothing about the sport but I work with a guy who went over to the States and played, I am fairly sure it was at a pro level, I'm guessing 20 years ago or so. Fucked if I know how to spell his second name. Matty Goulet/Gouley/Gulet/Gully??? Goo-lay is the pronunciation anyway and he's an Aussie.
I'll leave you to it now ;)
I use to always go to Bluejays games when I lived in Canada it was only $8 for a ticket and was always a good night but I haven't really kept up with the MLB since I moved back home same with the NBA the times the games are on at for the most part is just too awkward.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on March 30, 2023, 10:51:24 AMI know absolutely nothing about the sport but I work with a guy who went over to the States and played, I am fairly sure it was at a pro level, I'm guessing 20 years ago or so. Fucked if I know how to spell his second name. Matty Goulet/Gouley/Gulet/Gully??? Goo-lay is the pronunciation anyway and he's an Aussie.
I'll leave you to it now ;)
Not a name that I'm familiar with - but modern rosters are so big, with players that only get one season to prove themselves before being consigned to the rubbish heap if they're not good enough, that it's impossible to remember every name.
The minor league is also pro/semi-pro so he might have played there.
Quote from: mickO))) on March 30, 2023, 12:23:58 PMI use to always go to Bluejays games when I lived in Canada it was only $8 for a ticket and was always a good night but I haven't really kept up with the MLB since I moved back home same with the NBA the times the games are on at for the most part is just too awkward.
I hear that. When I worked in pubs back in the day - I could watch more games, could even have a few pints in an empty bar room and watch them after closing up.
These days I can just about manage the early games - the ones that start at 1300/1400hrs (EST/CT). Marcus Stroman is the first pitcher up for the Cubs tonight and that starts at 1920hrs Irish time so I can watch it.
Other than that I have to go old school - avoid the result and watch the MLB highlights package. Same with the NFL/NBA/NHL.
The West coast games are a total write off due to time differnce - highlights package only for me on those.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 01:45:42 PMI hear that. When I worked in pubs back in the day - I could watch more games, could even have a few pints in an empty bar room and watch them after closing up.
These days I can just about manage the early games - the ones that start at 1300/1400hrs (EST/CT). Marcus Stroman is the first pitcher up for the Cubs tonight and that starts at 1920hrs Irish time so I can watch it.
Other than that I have to go old school - avoid the result and watch the MLB highlights package. Same with the NFL/NBA/NHL.
The West coast games are a total write off due to time differnce - highlights package only for me on those.
Boxing and MMA are my main sports I already have to stay up late to watch most of those so I can't manage anymore. Use to love the NBA and i was living Toronto the night the Raptors won the Championship it was mental. It took almost 2 hours on the night just to find a pub that had space to watch the game then after the game the entire city was packed and the streets were just insane it was like the footage you usually see in capital city of a country that is just after winning the World Cup.
The Mets v Marlins game is on at 9:10pm tonight so hopefully I'll get to watch it when the kids are gone to bed. I've a passing interest in mlb, mostly down to the game times. The amount of money involved in baseball has become crazy!
Yankees fan here. Expecting them to make it to the postseason, but not much else. Still far too reliant on the long ball.
Watching the game this evening, the pitch clock seems to be working quite well.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on March 30, 2023, 10:16:44 PMYankees fan here. Expecting them to make it to the postseason, but not much else. Still far too reliant on the long ball.
Watching the game this evening, the pitch clock seems to be working quite well.
I agree. The pitch clock definitely livens it up from a TV spectator stand point. Watching the Cubs game last night - I noted that the pitch clock was almost directly off to the pitcher's right hand side - just next to the backstop at home plate. It's fucking huge - I suppose it has to be but talk about adding extra pressure!
The other pitching clock rule - if you don't get a base-stealing runner out from a pre-pitch throw over after three attempts - you concede a walk to the batter on base - will make things livelier as well. I watched a but of the Mets Vs Marlins game last night and Jean Segura (who is definitely NOT a runner) was 2 metres off his plate at 1st every time Max Scherzer was setting up a pitch.
The commentator made a point about the clock not only dialling up the stress on the pitcher but also on the at bat. Something along the lines of "The batter only has a few seconds to pick their grip for the next pitch." Is he saying that a player on a $177M contract isn't honed enough to pick a grip in the time it takes for the opposing pitcher/catcher to decide on a ball?
Stroman had a great 6 innings for the Cubs - a shut out. He also took a pitch clock penalty - interesting to see it in action. Their relief pitchers looked nervous but carried out the job.
The Brewers have handed the Mets' asses to them two nights in a row. 10 - 0 and 9 - 0.
Scherzer's pitching for the Mets was all over the shop in the second game of the series. He allowed back to back home runs.
Cubs @ Reds game last night was a barn-burner.
Top of the 7th the Cubbies trailed 3 - 2. By the top of the 9th they were leading 12 - 3. Finished up 12 - 5.
Looks like the Mets have turned up tonight! I didn't see last night's game but Monday's game was really poor. The Mets seem to be having issues with the clock both pitching and batting.
Manfred doing his best to be as bad a commissioner as Bettman is for the NHL once again. This business with the A's moving to Vegas: "We have shown an unbelievable commitment to the fans in Oakland by exhausting every possible opportunity to try to get something done in Oakland,"
Yeah, by allowing an owner to jack up ticket prices, gut the roster, and then cry "See? I have to move this team to Vegas because the fans suck, the city won't do anything and we're not making enough money!"
The Cubs shit the bed in the last month of the regular season. They were absolutely flying for months after a stuttered start. They ripped up beyond .500 early and kept the Reds at bay but, by Christ, the curse of the Billy Goat came back. September rolled around and they fell apart - blowing leads, bad calls, misfortune. I feel terrible for Seiya Suzuki who made a bad error (after a mighty season) and now seems to be shouldering the blame for the whole Cubs teams who all made bad plays in a long, long season.
Let's look at my regular season calls and see why I have rarely gambled in my life. :laugh:
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMIt's going to be hard to look beyond the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres to get to the World Series - the Padres to edge it.
WRONG: Padres didn't even get the Wildcard in their division. Astros had the same Win % as the Rangers. Both go to the play-offs with the Astros taking top spot.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMThe Seattle Mariners may give the Astros some competition in the AL West but I can't see a miracle happening there.
WRONG(ish): Mariners finished 3rd in AL West. Miles about the Angels and the Oakland A's but not good enough. Shame. Seattle deserved a play-off run.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMThe Padres may feel some heat from the LA Dodgers who spend money like a Fianna Fáil TD ordering rounds in the Dáil bar but, again, I think this is the Padres' year in the NL West.
WRONG: The Dodgers romped the NL West with the Diamondbacks ultimately getting the Wildcard over the Padres.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMIn NL Central - the St. Louis Cardinals will probably do the same as last year - win the division and get battered in post season. I hope the Cardinals make shit of their year because obviously I want the Cubs make a good showing of themselves in the division.
ABSOLUTELY WRONG! : The Cards finished bottom of NL Central.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMThe New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays will slug it out in the AL East - I'm going to say the Blue Jays will take the division.
WRONG: Blue Jays finished 3rd but got a lucky wildcard. Yankees and Red Sox both sucked in the AL East.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMProbably the NY Mets in NL East. Can't see the Atlanta Braves keeping pace although they'll start and finish strong.
WRONG: Braves were the best team in the regular season this year. Winning 104 games. Only the Braves, the Orioles in AL East and the LA Dodgers in NL West broke a century.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on March 30, 2023, 10:40:16 AMAL Central... who the fuck knows? It's like a shoot-out in the old West there.
CORRECT (sort of): A division of mad bastards and another crazy regular season in the AL Central. Only one team broke .500 - the Minnesota Twins - so obviously they're in the play-offs with no wildcard offered to the division given the low win percentages. This is fucking nuts - it's as if the other teams were actively trying to lose.
The Mets were absolute dirt this season. Too much reliance on Verlander and Scherzer before they were traded. They under performed in a massive way, especially when you consider the money they were paid.
Vogelbach is a waste of space too.
It'll be interesting to see who they sign as manager with Showalter gone.
Scherzer was touted as the Mets' saviour in the 2021 trade but did little to show for it. Couple of shut outs but nothing remarkable. He got handed his ass more often than not this year.
They definitely leaned on him too much this season, pinning all hope that he'd right himself along with McNeil and a few others but it didn't happen. Now Scherzer is in Texas with his feet up for the post-season (counting millions of dollars) after getting injured.
Francisco Lindor is probably the one bright light in the Mets' gallery currently. They'll probably trade him... :laugh:
Do you ever look up the pitching roster that the Mets have? It's fucking insane in its number - they have more pitchers than some ball clubs have players!
That's a World Series that very few would've predicted at the start of the Sean!
If I were a Phillies fan, I would be inconsolable today. Especially after the way that they saw off Atlanta in the last series round.
MLB can't be too happy. Wanted Astros v Phillies for the ratings. :laugh:
Funny sort of season, after all the early hoopla about the AL East, it turned out to be a paper tiger of a decision. As for the Yankees, I think we're looking at some years of mediocrity coming up. Unlike his old man or his brother, Hal Steinbrenner puts making money ahead of winning. Can't imagine George allowing Nike putting their logo on the shirt, never mind that huge Starr Insurance patch.
And I see the Mariners (yet again) and the Cork Renegades won the Irish leagues this season, Cork doing it in their first ever season.
11-0 on the road.
Amazing by the Rangers.
Yep. I was hoping for this series to run to Game 7 (so that I could watch one live game at least).
After a close Game 1 and the way that Arizona performed in Game 2 - I thought that it had legs.
The way that he Rangers did it though was phenomenal.
My wife just got tickets for the London Series in the pre-sale. Hopefully, a better season for the Mets next year will make this a trip to look forward to.
Quote from: Naraka on November 27, 2023, 01:06:44 PMMy wife just got tickets for the London Series in the pre-sale. Hopefully, a better season for the Mets next year will make this a trip to look forward to.
Deadly. The Cubs played in the last London series - looked like great craic.
I'm headed to New York again in July. Mets are on the road, Red Sox are @ Yankees (can't imagine I'll score a decent ticket) so I'm gonna go see the Brooklyn Cyclones. I've been to a few MiLB games and they're a lot of fun. Sometimes more fun than the majots - in the case of the Vancouver Canadians game that I went to a few months ago.
The L.A. Dodgers signing Shohei Ohtani on a 10-year deal for $700 million has to be one of the maddest things to happen in US sports for a while. His former team, the Angels, are being bollocked left and right for not tempting him back but they've been going nowhere for over 15 years and not even Shohei could pull them out of it. They haven't made a playoff in nearly a decade.
No doubt that Ohtani is a serious player but he's nearly 30 years old and he won't be a dual option next year because his pitching arm is giving him trouble so he'll be earning his paycheck as a designated hitter only.
Nuts. In my opinion anyway... Come back in 10 months after Shohei has broken Barry Bonds record and won the World Series for the Dodgers.
Though, all that being said, when the Cubs were in for him last week at $300 million over ten years - I was thinking "Bargain!". :laugh:
He's an unbelievable talent but that is crazy money. I read this morning that $680 million is in deferrals.
Now that Ohtani has signed, the Yamamoto drama will begin. I watched some footage of him on YouTube, he's a class pitcher and still only 25 years old. Hopefully, the Mets can sign him. Both Yamamoto and Sengha would be a very tasty partnership.
Great to have baseball back. The pre-season should be interesting. The Senga injury is a big early blow for the Mets.
Looking forward to getting the Spring Training preamble out of the way.
It's something that I'd love to go see in person but I get bored of it fairly quickly sitting at home.
I think that the only way to enjoy pre-season baseball (and not be there) is to have a lot of games running concurrently and then sit in a bar with a beer watching them with your neck on a swivel - like an owl.
Glad to see Cody Bellinger get his contract renewed by the Cubs.
My Cubbies are doing prettay, prettay good (for the Cubs). Mike Busch is the first Cubs rookie since 1901 to hit homers 4 games in a row.
Suzuki, Morel, Swanson, Happ and Bellinger are all stepping up. Imanaga is settling in quite nicely.
The Yankees are looking very impressive so far. 12-4.
The Dodgers aren't running away with the NL West as pundits predicted. Not yet anyway.
New Mets uniforms are out (that City Connect shit Nike are pushing), and they're "inspired by"... concrete. :laugh:
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on April 19, 2024, 10:23:12 PMNew Mets uniforms are out (that City Connect shit Nike are pushing), and they're "inspired by"... concrete. :laugh:
I think it looks class.
Mets have bounced back well after a disastrous start to the season. The injury list is getting crazy though!
That Aaron Boone ejection. :laugh:
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on April 22, 2024, 10:54:22 PMThat Aaron Boone ejection. :laugh:
The umpire obviously turned up to the game in a bad mood😂
This season is already turning into an absolute embarrassment. Lindor, Alonso, Nimmo, Batey and McNeil are crap. Not a single standout pitcher! The injury list is a mile long! Last night was definitely the low point!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GP3gSNCXcAAgke1?format=jpg&name=medium)
https://x.com/JoeKinseyexp/status/1800720105862750628
Yanks on pace for 112 wins at the moment, but the Orioles are right behind them. Could be a division race for the ages. (Barring another second half like last season)
Any big moves for your teams before trade deadline?
I'd love the Mets to get Snell but I can't see it happening.
Quote from: Naraka on July 30, 2024, 11:26:00 AMAny big moves for your teams before trade deadline?
I'd love the Mets to get Snell but I can't see it happening.
The Cubs traded Christopher Morel to the Rays - mid-game, no less. They got Isaac Paredes in return.
I am not happy about this - Morel smashed 18 home runs for the Cubs so for this year. That's more homers than anyone else in the organization - including Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. He's also only second to Happ in RBIs. He has double both Dansby Swanon and Cody Bellinger's HRs this season so far. No doubt that Swanson is a cool head to have in the dressing room with a World Series ring already and his glove work can be immaculate. Belly can really hit them and is a fan favourite.
Paredes is coming in with a slightly higher batting average (but less HRs). I think it's a big mistake.
The Cubs are chasing a playoff spot but are way too inconsistent - bringing in a new 3B and sending out someone with Morel's obvious quality/future potential is a serious gamble and feels like straw clutching.
Cubs are bottom of NL Central with the Pirates, Cardinals and Brewers all .500+ already.
I think that the Cubs thinking that even the wildcard is possible may be delusional.
And I say that as a Cubs fan who thinks "This year will be our year" in March/April and by June/July I'm looking forward to cheap Cubs tickets and the MiLB.
To follow up on above;
Morel's first game for the Rays last night... Morel's first home run for the Rays last night.
The young fella hits like a hammer.
In other news the Cubs traded away Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees for two MiLB prospects. Leiter Jr. has been the best bullpen relief pitcher at Wrigley this year.
Meanwhile the Cubs lost to the fucking Reds last night and remain rooted firmly to the bottom of NL Central. Bellinger homered though so at least he's back with a bang.
Quote from: StoutAndAle on July 31, 2024, 10:27:27 AMIn other news the Cubs traded away Mark Leiter Jr. to the Yankees for two MiLB prospects. Leiter Jr. has been the best bullpen relief pitcher at Wrigley this year.
He came through for the Yanks today. Chisholm hopefully will add to the offence, because it's basically been Soto and Judge since Stanton went down. Though it's beginning to look like they're finally getting back into form, and Stanton's back.
And DJ LeMahieu knocking in all six runs today? WTF?
Quote from: StoutAndAle on July 31, 2024, 10:27:27 AMMark Leiter Jr.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on July 31, 2024, 08:49:05 PMHe came through for the Yanks today.
Against Brandon Marsh - and a once-rampant Phillies who are still .600+ currently despite a poor run recently!
I have a soft spot for the Mariners - I would love to see them go the distance this year over the Texan and Californian teams in AL West.
The Cubs have gone on a phenomenal run since my last post.
11 wins from 15 - clawing game after game back in the standings, playing some of the wildest baseball that you'll see like something out of "Major League" (recent wins include 10-2, 14-2, 18-8, 14-10, 14-1 and 12-zip just last night) and yet will still miss out on a Wild Card position because of poor losses mid-season.
Been a rollercoaster year for the Mets too. Lindor has been phenomenal. Manaea and Severino rock solid for the last couple of months. McNeil finally showing a bit of quality too. Hopefully it's enough for a wild card spot.
Quote from: Naraka on September 05, 2024, 04:30:54 PMBeen a rollercoaster year for the Mets too. Lindor has been phenomenal. Manaea and Severino rock solid for the last couple of months. McNeil finally showing a bit of quality too. Hopefully it's enough for a wild card spot.
Yeah, the Mets are doing the business of late too - I can't see beyond the Braves for that last NL spot - unless the Mets run riot and/or Arizona shit the bed.
The Yankees must be looking at Severino's ERA and wondering what in fuck's name the Mets did to him! :laugh:
Quote from: StoutAndAle on September 05, 2024, 05:12:21 PMThe Yankees must be looking at Severino's ERA and wondering what in fuck's name the Mets did to him! :laugh:
:-[
Looking more and more like we will witness history with the White Sox this year. That "The White Sox have just gone full White Sox." play just summed them up.
So of course they beat the O's last night. :laugh:
American League Champions for the first time in 15 years. :abbath:
Had a ticket for Game 6, if Cleveland had won one more game, cost 220 dollars. For the Series? The Pinstripe Pass (standing only ticket) is already over a thousand dollars, and if the Grimace Crew are able to comeback against the Dodgers, I dread to think how much the price will rise to.
765 million for Soto? Wow.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on December 09, 2024, 08:43:54 PM765 million for Soto? Wow.
Absolutely wild. I thought that the Ohtani deal would stand for a few years but it appears to have opened the floodgates for mental contracts.
At this rate, we'll have a $1bn MLB contract by 2030.
A guy on ESPN tried to rationalise it by say that it's over 15 years as opposed to Ohtani's 10-year deal.
$765m ÷ 15 years = $51m p.a.
$51m ÷ 162 games (reg season) = $314814.81 per game - if Soto played every single regular season game for 15 years.
It is a batshit amount of money - I have no doubts that Soto has Cooperstown in his future but most baseball fans will look as this as another nail in the coffin of the sport.
Also - the Yankees must be losing their fucking minds that they DIDN'T go into contract arbitration with him last year and only signed him to a one-year deal.
No deferrals either!
Welcome back to the Bronx, Nestor Cortes. :laugh:
I am About 25 mins on the Subway away from the Roger's centre where the games are tonight and tomorrow. I'll be heading down town if it looks like the Jays will win tonight. I was here in 2019 when the Raptors won the championship and it was crazy.
Not a massive baseball fan but tried to get tickets for one of the World Series games. Sold out in secs and after 10 mins nose bleed seats were 3k a ticket.
Quote from: mickO))) on October 31, 2025, 11:28:07 PMI am About 25 mins on the Subway away from the Roger's centre where the games are tonight and tomorrow. I'll be heading down town if it looks like the Jays will win tonight. I was here in 2019 when the Raptors won the championship and it was crazy.
Not a massive baseball fan but tried to get tickets for one of the World Series games. Sold out in secs and after 10 mins nose bleed seats were 3k a ticket.
A great series, but the Jays pissed it away. Disappointed for Don Mattingly, the rest of them, not so.
Quote from: Mower Liberation Front on November 02, 2025, 01:09:30 PMQuote from: mickO))) on October 31, 2025, 11:28:07 PMI am About 25 mins on the Subway away from the Roger's centre where the games are tonight and tomorrow. I'll be heading down town if it looks like the Jays will win tonight. I was here in 2019 when the Raptors won the championship and it was crazy.
Not a massive baseball fan but tried to get tickets for one of the World Series games. Sold out in secs and after 10 mins nose bleed seats were 3k a ticket.
A great series, but the Jays pissed it away. Disappointed for Don Mattingly, the rest of them, not so.
It was last nights game was great. Two outs away from winning and they bottled it. Typical Canadians.