2011 MLB Season Thread

[McCall]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Yeah they can.

Yes, Tampa Bay won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years, but almost all the moves they have made have been the right ones, whether it is through the draft, a trade or free agency. If Tampa Bay screwed up once, it may have set them back for years, whereas the Yankees or Red Sox can fix a terrible decision more easily and in some cases, completely.

Tampa Bay and Toronto can win the division, sure, but because of how MLB is currently structured, they have to be perfect or near perfect in ALL of their decision making regarding signings and payroll.

That's life though, isn't it? You get rewarded for making the right moves. In baseball, in anything. But those with more resources (whether it's more money, more power, whatever) are better able to weather setbacks or mistakes, where as those who aren't so lucky, aren't. Simple as that.

I'm an O's fan, but I never complain about being in the AL East. I like the challenge. And if and when the O's ever win the division again, it will be that much sweeter.

Exactly. You make bad moves, you lose. Solution? Make better moves. Not, "feel sorry for us and move us to a weaker division." It's major league baseball, not little league. Man up.

[Lights Out]

Okay, but then don't complain that there's a ton of markets with empty stadiums, because fans aren't willing to go see a team with limited resources and little-to-no chance of winning. That's life. And the funny thing is, decision-making matters more with a salary cap. When everyone has the same budget, you have to spend smart instead of just spending a lot. See: Millen-era Lions, the Redskins, the Knicks under Isiah, etc.

Also, you're ignoring the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox don't really have to make the right decisions to win the division, just make a lot of them. They can spend, spend, spend and see what sticks. The Rays, Jays, and O's don't have that luxury. That's where the unfairness comes in.

[FiddySicks]

I'd be all in favor of swapping the Rockies to the AL West and the Astros to the NL West. That way there wouldn't be two Texas teams in the same division.

So are you saying 6 NL West teams? (Just trying to make sure of what you're saying)

One thing would be to make the NL 6-6-4, with the AL staying 5-5-4. I believe Triple A does that or did that. Just another scenario.

No no, Rockies out of the NL west to the AL west, giving the AL west 5 teams, then move the Astros to the NL west to even all divisions up at 5 again.

[Sport]

I have a feeling the Reds are going to start putting together a little run here. The bats are hot and now the pitchers have finally gotten to where we thought they would be.

I'd be all in favor of swapping the Rockies to the AL West and the Astros to the NL West. That way there wouldn't be two Texas teams in the same division.

So are you saying 6 NL West teams? (Just trying to make sure of what you're saying)

One thing would be to make the NL 6-6-4, with the AL staying 5-5-4. I believe Triple A does that or did that. Just another scenario.

No no, Rockies out of the NL west to the AL west, giving the AL west 5 teams, then move the Astros to the NL west to even all divisions up at 5 again.

I like that plan the best.

[OnWis97]

Rumor I heard today about Joe Mauer: Lyme disease.

(It's just someone who's daugher's friend is dating him...may be BS, but a "weak leg"? I think it must be something more.)

[Breakwood]

Jays were outscored 35-6 in their weekend series against the Red Sox, yes I know the Sawks are on a crazy tear over what seems like the last month but c'mon Jays!

This was a series that I really thought the Jays could set themselves up as a factor in the Wild Card race, granted there is still 3 months of Baseball left but being 7 1/2 back before Interleague isn't the greatest looking number. I figure they're going to have to be at least 5 games above .500 and or within 5 games of the lead at the All Star Break to make a run at this thing.

Future is bright, but I know Jays fans have either learned to cope with this division or have finally reached their patience level.

Tampa Bay has the second lowest payroll in baseball and has won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years. Blue Jays don't really have any place to whine about being in a division with the Sawx and Yankees.

Yeah they can.

Yes, Tampa Bay won the AL East 2 out of the last 3 years, but almost all the moves they have made have been the right ones, whether it is through the draft, a trade or free agency. If Tampa Bay screwed up once, it may have set them back for years, whereas the Yankees or Red Sox can fix a terrible decision more easily and in some cases, completely.

Tampa Bay and Toronto can win the division, sure, but because of how MLB is currently structured, they have to be perfect or near perfect in ALL of their decision making regarding signings and payroll.

That's life though, isn't it? You get rewarded for making the right moves. In baseball, in anything. But those with more resources (whether it's more money, more power, whatever) are better able to weather setbacks or mistakes, where as those who aren't so lucky, aren't. Simple as that.

I'm an O's fan, but I never complain about being in the AL East. I like the challenge. And if and when the O's ever win the division again, it will be that much sweeter.

Exactly. You make bad moves, you lose. Solution? Make better moves. Not, "feel sorry for us and move us to a weaker division." It's major league baseball, not little league. Man up.

Funny how it's always other teams fans complaining that Jays are in an unfair division. Real Jays fans never seem to complain. Sure it's frustrating as hell, but it is what it is.

[TFoA]

The Braves are currently tied for the 3rd best record in baseball with the Brewers, behind the Phillies & the Sox. The Braves are currently doing this w/o their entire starting outfield (Prado, Heyward, & McLouth [who probably won't be starting when he gets back since Jordan Schafer has finally emerged as a useful player] are all on the shelf right now), Uggla being under the Mendoza Line since Opening Week, & missing one of their better relief pitchers (Moylan) in the bullpen. Yet they're here, & it's because of the pitching. The rotation (as awesome as they've been) may not be as good as Philly's, but the entire pitching staff may be better. This staff has been dragging the team to victory at times. It's almost as if they let the offense know "Just get 3 on the board, we'll take it from there."

I think I said it earlier that it's crazy that the Phils, with all of their injury woes on offense, are still in 1st, but it's even crazier that the Braves are almost having the same issues on offense & have been able to keep up. So yeah, when both teams get their best team back, this NL East race is going to be crazybonkerzzzz.

[BJBerthiaume]

Not trying to brag or anything, but my preseason NL picks are looking very good right now:

East: Phillies 40-26, leading division

Central: Brewers 38-28, leading division

West: Rockies 31-34, 5.5 GB

Wild Card: Braves 38-28, leading wild card

The only pick that isn't perfect so far is the Rockies, but with the Giants injury troubles I find it hard to believe they won't catch up, especially given how successful they've been in the second half of the season in recent years. And let's face it, the DBacks aren't a threat.

Okay, maybe I'm bragging a little bit, but I'm smarter than all of you anyways.

[FiddySicks]

As a Giants fan, it pains me to agree with you. The Giants can't keep this up with their entire infield out, no matter how good the pitching is. BUT if Colorado keeps struggling to find some cohesiveness and they keep having pitching problems they might not storm back as big as we may think. And if Pablo Sandoval, Freddie Sanchez, and Brandon Belt can get healthy who knows?

[Gary]

Not trying to brag or anything, but my preseason NL picks are looking very good right now:

East: Phillies 40-26, leading division

Central: Brewers 38-28, leading division

West: Rockies 31-34, 5.5 GB

Wild Card: Braves 38-28, leading wild card

The only pick that isn't perfect so far is the Rockies, but with the Giants injury troubles I find it hard to believe they won't catch up, especially given how successful they've been in the second half of the season in recent years. And let's face it, the DBacks aren't a threat.

Okay, maybe I'm bragging a little bit, but I'm smarter than all of you anyways.

We'll find out this series with the Giants. The DBacks have been playing great ball in the last month, but we will know if they are a threat or not with this series. They take 2 out of 3 from the Giants and people may change their mind.

[CMUBrent]

Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the 8th inning, when Orlando Cabrera broke it up with a single.

[Sport]

Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the 8th inning, when Orlando Cabrera broke it up with a single.

Justin Verlander is the next Billy Chapel.

:-)

[FiddySicks]

Not trying to brag or anything, but my preseason NL picks are looking very good right now:

East: Phillies 40-26, leading division

Central: Brewers 38-28, leading division

West: Rockies 31-34, 5.5 GB

Wild Card: Braves 38-28, leading wild card

The only pick that isn't perfect so far is the Rockies, but with the Giants injury troubles I find it hard to believe they won't catch up, especially given how successful they've been in the second half of the season in recent years. And let's face it, the DBacks aren't a threat.

Okay, maybe I'm bragging a little bit, but I'm smarter than all of you anyways.

We'll find out this series with the Giants. The DBacks have been playing great ball in the last month, but we will know if they are a threat or not with this series. They take 2 out of 3 from the Giants and people may change their mind.

Nope, sorry Gary. The Fraudres hung around the whole season last year and still tanked. No way the Diamondhacks win the division.

[Shumway]

Apparently, Scott Kazmir has been released.

Light up the halo!

[NJTank]

Man did Kazmir fall apart fast.

[BJBerthiaume]

Mauer to return to the Twins lineup Friday vs the Padres.

[Still MIGHTY]

Apparently, Scott Kazmir has been released.

Light up the halo!

Guy couldn't get through 4 innings in friggin Triple A this year in his rehab starts.

Good riddance.

[VandyDelphia Mike]

Apparently, Scott Kazmir has been released.

Light up the halo!

So are the Mets finally off the hook for dealing Kazmir for Victor Zambrano?

[NJTank]

Well it was not as bad as I thought it would be when I thought Kazmir would be an ace and the Rays were certainly smart dealing him when they did.

[The Six]

I don't know if this Arizona team is dangerous enough to remain a threat. They certainly hang in there, but they're like 1-8 against the Giants now. Of course the Padres were 12-6 against the Giants last year, though.