2015 Baseball season/Off Season Discussion

[pilferk]

I agree best record should get home field, but that was never the case, was it? Correct me if I'm wrong, but before the ASG decided who gets home field, they alternated years between the leagues. I don't think that makes any more sense.

Correct. Best record never got it. It was alternating.

But a previously bad system doesn't make the current bad (IMHO, WORSE) system good.  I'd actually argue the alternating one was at least better, because it at least alternates the advantage 50% of the time.

That being said, if it's going to change, again, better to advocate for it to change to the "best" system possible (best record).

As for the Rangers...in 2011, they were 23 games over .500 at home..and 7 games over .500 on the road. Thats a 100 point difference in winning %.  Did the home crowd effect Cruz on that particular play? Ability or the yips....the world will never know. And even if he misplays that ball....the Rangers bat in the bottom with a chance to tie or take a lead.  See....that's the thing about home field. It COMPLETELY changes every game, from start to finish.

So, yes, I suspect, if they played games 1 and 2 and 6 and 7 in Texas then...yes..the Rangers would have won the series.  I suspect that not only based on the historical trend of WS winners with home field, but because of the RANGERS, in particular, record and play at home that year AND The fact they would have had the DH rule on their side in games 6 and 7.

It's hard to pin down home field to particular plays here and there, because they change so much of how any game would play out, start to finish.  But...as you can see by looking at the historical numbers, it's an actual, trendable, measureable "thing" in that it seems to effect outcomes.

[TheBaconman]

Love the all star hats they broke out tonight 

I was in the store today. Bought a new jays cap for my trip to Seattle next week and saw them there.  Very nice.   I may have to pick one up

I have the American League winning tonight. 

10-7

[faldor]

I agree best record should get home field, but that was never the case, was it? Correct me if I'm wrong, but before the ASG decided who gets home field, they alternated years between the leagues. I don't think that makes any more sense.

Correct. Best record never got it. It was alternating.

But a previously bad system doesn't make the current bad (IMHO, WORSE) system good.  I'd actually argue the alternating one was at least better, because it at least alternates the advantage 50% of the time.

That being said, if it's going to change, again, better to advocate for it to change to the "best" system possible (best record).

As for the Rangers...in 2011, they were 23 games over .500 at home..and 7 games over .500 on the road. Thats a 100 point difference in winning %.  Did the home crowd effect Cruz on that particular play? Ability or the yips....the world will never know. And even if he misplays that ball....the Rangers bat in the bottom with a chance to tie or take a lead.  See....that's the thing about home field. It COMPLETELY changes every game, from start to finish.

So, yes, I suspect, if they played games 1 and 2 and 6 and 7 in Texas then...yes..the Rangers would have won the series.  I suspect that not only based on the historical trend of WS winners with home field, but because of the RANGERS, in particular, record and play at home that year AND The fact they would have had the DH rule on their side in games 6 and 7.

It's hard to pin down home field to particular plays here and there, because they change so much of how any game would play out, start to finish.  But...as you can see by looking at the historical numbers, it's an actual, trendable, measureable "thing" in that it seems to effect outcomes.

I think the ASG meant a lot more in the 80's, 90's, and prior to that. There was more pride in ones league. There were AL guys, NL guys. Fewer players switched leagues. And obviously there was no interleague play. So I think placing the importance of home field advantage for the WS in the ASG would've gone over a lot better back in the day. Back when the game actually mattered. I remember having American League pride myself and how the AL had lost like 14 years in a row to the NL. I badly wanted the AL to break that streak. They eventually did and went on a streak of their own and I enjoyed that. And I still care to this day, but I realize I'm in the minority.

[tim_m]

Well 6-3 final AL wins again. Will it matter this year? It didn't help KC last year.

[tim_m]

Pretty cool since Trout has led off the last 4 years he's hit for the cycle. That's not likely to be repeated for a long time.

[JAEBALL]

Pretty cool since Trout has led off the last 4 years he's hit for the cycle. That's not likely to be repeated for a long time.

He is a really special player. In comparison to the best player of my childhood (Griffey)... the eye test tells me Griffey was better, but it's hard to argue with what Trout has accomplished at such a young age.

I'm really excited for the second half of the season...

First year of life without Derek Sanderson.. I was not in to the season at all, it's just not the same without him, and never will be for me atleast....but the Yankees have been such a pleasant surprise, that I'm excited to see how the season plays out.

[GeorgeSteele]

deGrom's inning was unbelievable... 10 pitches, 3 strikeouts. 

The Internet comments section is usually an advanced dimension of Hell, but I have to say, this one was spot on:

"Next season the Mets will have five aces ? deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Syndergaard and Wheeler ? all making less than $700K a year. I have no idea how you can fuck this up, but somehow they?re going to do it."

[pilferk]

Pretty cool since Trout has led off the last 4 years he's hit for the cycle. That's not likely to be repeated for a long time.

He is a really special player. In comparison to the best player of my childhood (Griffey)... the eye test tells me Griffey was better, but it's hard to argue with what Trout has accomplished at such a young age.

I'm really excited for the second half of the season...

First year of life without Derek Sanderson.. I was not in to the season at all, it's just not the same without him, and never will be for me atleast....but the Yankees have been such a pleasant surprise, that I'm excited to see how the season plays out.

I, too, think Griffey was better at that age, largely because I think his defense was better (though Trout is no slouch!).

The true litmus will be in 10 years.  Because the knock on Griffey was he was injured so much (and lots of that was because the guy seemed to LOVE to run into walls), it had a marked effect on his career numbers.

If Trout can stay healthy......and productive...watch out!

And I agree, some, on the missing Jetes.  It's weird seeing someone else out there at SS.

[JAEBALL]

Pretty cool since Trout has led off the last 4 years he's hit for the cycle. That's not likely to be repeated for a long time.

He is a really special player. In comparison to the best player of my childhood (Griffey)... the eye test tells me Griffey was better, but it's hard to argue with what Trout has accomplished at such a young age.

I'm really excited for the second half of the season...

First year of life without Derek Sanderson.. I was not in to the season at all, it's just not the same without him, and never will be for me atleast....but the Yankees have been such a pleasant surprise, that I'm excited to see how the season plays out.

I, too, think Griffey was better at that age, largely because I think his defense was better (though Trout is no slouch!).

The true litmus will be in 10 years.  Because the knock on Griffey was he was injured so much (and lots of that was because the guy seemed to LOVE to run into walls), it had a marked effect on his career numbers.

If Trout can stay healthy......and productive...watch out!

And I agree, some, on the missing Jetes.  It's weird seeing someone else out there at SS.

Oh yeah... If not for injury... Griffey would have had 800 home runs...I think he ended up with 630 with all of those games missed in his prime. Sweetest swing I've ever seen, that's for sure. His homecoming in Cinci was a bummer too.

[JAEBALL]

deGrom's inning was unbelievable... 10 pitches, 3 strikeouts. 

The Internet comments section is usually an advanced dimension of Hell, but I have to say, this one was spot on:

"Next season the Mets will have five aces ? deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Syndergaard and Wheeler ? all making less than $700K a year. I have no idea how you can fuck this up, but somehow they?re going to do it."

You know deep down Batman hates that Degrom is getting all of this love. haha!

(I find it amusing that a guy with roughly 20 career wins has a knickname based on Bruce Fucking Wayne!)

[pilferk]

deGrom's inning was unbelievable... 10 pitches, 3 strikeouts. 

The Internet comments section is usually an advanced dimension of Hell, but I have to say, this one was spot on:

"Next season the Mets will have five aces ? deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Syndergaard and Wheeler ? all making less than $700K a year. I have no idea how you can fuck this up, but somehow they?re going to do it."

You know deep down Batman hates that Degrom is getting all of this love. haha!

(I find it amusing that a guy with roughly 20 career wins has a knickname based on Bruce Fucking Wayne!)

GAH...except now, in the comics, Batman is freaking Jim Gordon. Yup, you read that right....

[JAEBALL]

deGrom's inning was unbelievable... 10 pitches, 3 strikeouts. 

The Internet comments section is usually an advanced dimension of Hell, but I have to say, this one was spot on:

"Next season the Mets will have five aces ? deGrom, Harvey, Matz, Syndergaard and Wheeler ? all making less than $700K a year. I have no idea how you can fuck this up, but somehow they?re going to do it."

You know deep down Batman hates that Degrom is getting all of this love. haha!

(I find it amusing that a guy with roughly 20 career wins has a knickname based on Bruce Fucking Wayne!)

GAH...except now, in the comics, Batman is freaking Jim Gordon. Yup, you read that right....

That's a joke right? So who is Bruce Wayne? ha

[pilferk]

That's a joke right? So who is Bruce Wayne? ha

Not a joke. I wish.

Wayne is (I think..still) presumed dead. He and the joker duked it out, and then a cave collapsed on them both. Yup, I'm not making that up.  A cave in killed Batman....

He, maybe, kinda, sorta, is still alive...but he's not Batman.  I don't even think he knows he's Bruce Wayne (I'm guessing/inferring...we don't actually know yet). 

So, yeah.....Jim Gordon is Batman.

 

[faldor]

Well 6-3 final AL wins again. Will it matter this year? It didn't help KC last year.

I enjoyed the game, for the most part. The pitching is so good on each side that it's tough to find much offense. I thought the managers did a pretty good job at getting guys into the game while still trying to win the game. I know all of the position players got into the game. Not sure about the pitchers. Those who didn't ask not to pitch at least.

Some tough AB's for a few first time All Stars. Brett Gardner had the pleasure of facing 2 of the best lefties in the game, Kershaw and Chapman. I believe he struck out both times. Brock Holt also struck out against Chapman. I haven't had the pleasure of watching him pitch much, but it's a wonder anyone ever gets a hit off of him throwing as hard as he does.

Prince Fielder also accomplished the All Star cycle last night along with Trout, becoming #'s 9 and 10 all time.

[Falcon]

I watched with casual interest, beyond my disgust in it deciding home field in the WS it's cool seeing the spectacle of the event.

My favorite part was undoubtedly hearing the Reds fans unmercifully boo every Cardinal during intro's (especially Yadi and his reaction, priceless!) and Albert ta' boot - success breeds contempt. 

Molina's response post game regarding the reception was classic:

"When you spend 12 years coming into Cincinnati and you beat them so many times, they're going to boo you."

Talk about trolling a fan base - awesome.

[tim_m]

Chapman is just absolutely unreal.

[tim_m]

On the Mets. They really have something there with that rotation. If they can keep them and find some offense watch out.

[tim_m]

Well 6-3 final AL wins again. Will it matter this year? It didn't help KC last year.

I enjoyed the game, for the most part. The pitching is so good on each side that it's tough to find much offense. I thought the managers did a pretty good job at getting guys into the game while still trying to win the game. I know all of the position players got into the game. Not sure about the pitchers. Those who didn't ask not to pitch at least.

Some tough AB's for a few first time All Stars. Brett Gardner had the pleasure of facing 2 of the best lefties in the game, Kershaw and Chapman. I believe he struck out both times. Brock Holt also struck out against Chapman. I haven't had the pleasure of watching him pitch much, but it's a wonder anyone ever gets a hit off of him throwing as hard as he does.

Prince Fielder also accomplished the All Star cycle last night along with Trout, becoming #'s 9 and 10 all time.

Teixeira also had the misfortune of having to try and hit Chapman and looked bad on a strikeout to end the 9th.

[GeorgeSteele]

On the Mets. They really have something there with that rotation. If they can keep them and find some offense watch out.

Other than signing Justin Upton this offseason, who would cost $250M minimum, I don't know what they do to significantly upgrade their offense for next season.  There aren't really any great hitters coming up for free agency this off-season.  Even adding Upton would only improve the offense from horrible to barely mediocre. 

I suppose they could trade one of their young stud pitchers for a big bat.  But I'd hate to see that.

[pilferk]

I watched with casual interest, beyond my disgust in it deciding home field in the WS it's cool seeing the spectacle of the event.

My favorite part was undoubtedly hearing the Reds fans unmercifully boo every Cardinal during intro's (especially Yadi and his reaction, priceless!) and Albert ta' boot - success breeds contempt. 

That might have been my FAVORITE part of the whole night.....The reaction, by a traditional rivals fans, was PRICELESS....

Molina's response post game regarding the reception was classic:

"When you spend 12 years coming into Cincinnati and you beat them so many times, they're going to boo you."

Talk about trolling a fan base - awesome.

...Until Yadi said THAT.  Then THAT became my favorite moment. Because you're right...he was trolling the home town fans HARD. And it was HILARIOUS!