2008 MLB Season

[HedleyLamarr]

I didn't notice until just now, but only two NL players hit 40 HR, and zero AL players hit the mark. The number of 40+ HR hitters appears to be dropping in recent years, and now we're getting to a point where it's almost the mid-late '80s again. I don't think pitching is getting any better, and ballparks certainly aren't getting bigger, so there's only one possible explanation. Anyone disagree?

I think the single-player stats are lower because the starting pitchers just aren't going deep into games, so the sluggers tend to face 3-4 pitchers a night, and often are opposed by these speacialist relievers that come in just to face one hitter.

As a whole, though.....are the aggregate homerun totals in MLB dropping per year? I think that'd be the stat you'd want to use in yearly comparisons, not just the homerun leader.

Then again, maybe the pitching is getting better. There were quite a few 1-0, 2-0, 2-1 games this year......

[RyanMcD29]

I'm sick of Yankee fans today going on and on about how their better than the Mets because they had the same record in a better league and would've won the NL West if they were in that and yatta yatta yatta.

Is it me or even when they miss the playoffs, they've gotta find a way to make themselves look better than the Mets and Red Sox?

[jkrdevil]

I'm sick of Yankee fans today going on and on about how their better than the Mets because they had the same record in a better league and would've won the NL West if they were in that and yatta yatta yatta.

Is it me or even when they miss the playoffs, they've gotta find a way to make themselves look better than the Mets and Red Sox?

Well, there is no way to make them look better than the Red Sox but it's a legit argument that the were better than the Mes. You talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs well niether did the Mets.

[FiddySicks]

I'm sick of Yankee fans today going on and on about how their better than the Mets because they had the same record in a better league and would've won the NL West if they were in that and yatta yatta yatta.

Is it me or even when they miss the playoffs, they've gotta find a way to make themselves look better than the Mets and Red Sox?

Well, there is no way to make them look better than the Red Sox but it's a legit argument that the were better than the Mes. You talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs well niether did the Mets.

Howabout this. They both suck

[DEAD!]

I'm sick of Yankee fans today going on and on about how their better than the Mets because they had the same record in a better league and would've won the NL West if they were in that and yatta yatta yatta.

Is it me or even when they miss the playoffs, they've gotta find a way to make themselves look better than the Mets and Red Sox?

Well, there is no way to make them look better than the Red Sox but it's a legit argument that the were better than the Mes. You talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs well niether did the Mets.

Howabout this. They both suck

I disagree. They were both over .500. Yeah, they missed the playoffs, but they're still good teams. Now, about the Bay Area teams....

[RyanMcD29]

I'm sick of Yankee fans today going on and on about how their better than the Mets because they had the same record in a better league and would've won the NL West if they were in that and yatta yatta yatta.

Is it me or even when they miss the playoffs, they've gotta find a way to make themselves look better than the Mets and Red Sox?

Well, there is no way to make them look better than the Red Sox but it's a legit argument that the were better than the Mes. You talk about the Yankees not making the playoffs well niether did the Mets.

Except that us Met fans around here (as in my school) weren't making fun of them last week when they were eliminated cause we knew we were in trouble. Yankee fans were too busy pointing out we were chocking again instead of them getting knocked out

[Cujo]

White Sox 8,

Tigers 2 - Final

The White Sox have taken down the last place Tigers to force tomorrow's one-game tiebreaker for the AL Central crown.

Chicago hosts Minnesota with John Danks going up against Nick Blackburn tomorrow at 6:30pm Central on TBS for anyone interested.

[WJMorris3]

So here we go, for the 12th time in MLB history, we need extra playoff games to decide a spot in the postseason.

[NJTank]

If Jerry Manuel still managed the ChiSox, he'd say Alexei Ramirez is gangsta...

Forget the ChiSox I just hope Manuel still manages the Mets next year

[fiasco!]

Dear Minnesota (especially tajmccall),

We're sorry we suck so bad. Not sure why Leyland took Garcia out. Please forgive us.

Regards,

The Motor City Kitties

[infrared41]

I didn't notice until just now, but only two NL players hit 40 HR, and zero AL players hit the mark. The number of 40+ HR hitters appears to be dropping in recent years, and now we're getting to a point where it's almost the mid-late '80s again. I don't think pitching is getting any better, and ballparks certainly aren't getting bigger, so there's only one possible explanation. Anyone disagree?

I can't speak for anyone but myself and Torii Hunter but for what it's worth, we both agree with you.

[KDubK414]

So here we go, for the 12th time in MLB history, we need extra playoff games to decide a spot in the postseason.

And that my friends, is what makes baseball so exciting. The fact that a team and its fan base can go 161-162 games in a season and it can come down to the last game or games to decide the near future. It's the sport that has the longest season, and the fewest teams that make it to the postseason. I, myself am still riding the adrenaline coaster of this past Sunday. It's been a long time waiting for me to be here in this moment with my team, I can't describe the feeling. The whole city is electric. I get choked up just thinking about it at times. It's awesome. The new season starts Wednesday and with that, something I've never experienced, my team in the playoffs. When this whole thing ends, I'll probably be back to moaning and groaning about what the Brew Crew needs to do to either top this year or equal it, or get better. Till then We are in the postseason and that just rocks.

[CC97]

Dear Minnesota (especially tajmccall),

We're sorry we suck so bad. Not sure why Leyland took Garcia out. Please forgive us.

Regards,

The Motor City Kitties

Garcia was hurting unfortunately.

We'll see you tomorrow night!

[spyboy1]

I was hoping, but not really expecting, some love from the Tigers today.

Oh well, the Twins will just have to try to take care of business themselves I guess. I just wish we had Baker or Slowey pitching.

Let's hope that the real Justin Morneau shows up tomorrow and not the flailing, hacking one we've been watching for the last week.

By the way, what's the forecast for Chicago tomorrow?

[Billy B]

By the way, what's the forecast for Chicago tomorrow?

From what I just checked, upper 50s all day. There shouldn't be any rain during the game, just overnight showers.

[Joshawaggie]

So Minnesota wins the head to head match-up this year against Chicago but have to play IN Chicago for the one game playoff because why? Coin flip. This is one of the most ridiculous rule, is it not?

[See Red]

So Minnesota wins the head to head match-up this year against Chicago but have to play IN Chicago for the one game playoff because why? Coin flip. This is one of the most ridiculous rule, is it not?

It absolutely is. I can't, for the life of me, figure that one out.

[Cujo]

So Minnesota wins the head to head match-up this year against Chicago but have to play IN Chicago for the one game playoff because why? Coin flip. This is one of the most ridiculous rule, is it not?

I was waiting for Twins fans break out with this excuse, but only after the ChiSox punked 'em tomorrow night.

MLB could at least use the head-to-head record to determine who plays at home, not by the flip of a coin.

[OnWis97]

So Minnesota wins the head to head match-up this year against Chicago but have to play IN Chicago for the one game playoff because why? Coin flip. This is one of the most ridiculous rule, is it not?

I was waiting for Twins fans break out with this excuse, but only after the ChiSox win tomorrow night.

MLB could at least use the head-to-head record to determine who plays at home, not by the flip of a coin.

Actually, if I am not mistaken, they split. I thought each team was 8-1 at home. I could be wrong though and I am not looking it up.

I do think it should be head to head, particularly in the unbalanced schedule era (particularly with different divisions going for wild card). But when they split, then a coin flip makes about as much sense as anything.

As for the Twinks, I have no complaints. The sox opened the door for them and they would not go through. Plus, if you told me they'd be in this position a few months ago, I'd never have believed you.

But I really see Blackburn getting roughed up. Chicago will most likely win.

[See Red]

So Minnesota wins the head to head match-up this year against Chicago but have to play IN Chicago for the one game playoff because why? Coin flip. This is one of the most ridiculous rule, is it not?

I was waiting for Twins fans break out with this excuse, but only after the ChiSox win tomorrow night.

MLB could at least use the head-to-head record to determine who plays at home, not by the flip of a coin.

Actually, if I am not mistaken, they split. I thought each team was 8-1 at home. I could be wrong though and I am not looking it up.

I do think it should be head to head, particularly in the unbalanced schedule era (particularly with different divisions going for wild card). But when they split, then a coin flip makes about as much sense as anything.

As for the Twinks, I have no complaints. The sox opened the door for them and they would not go through. Plus, if you told me they'd be in this position a few months ago, I'd never have believed you.

But I really see Blackburn getting roughed up. Chicago will most likely win.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/standings/grid

Twins won the season series 10-8.