2014 Official Major League Baseball Thread

[Joe.t]

Sorry, i'm not wealthy enough to afford myself the luxury of wagering. However, i have wagered several times on some of my trips to Las Vegas & i lost every time. I have, therefore, learned my lesson in regards to wagering. However, i may change my mind next week when i hit the Vegas casinos for a few days.

If you followed my NFL picks that I post every week last year you would be way ahead, problem solved(are you paying attention anon_vlad?)

 

[anon_vlad]

Again, I will reiterate, "WAGER"?, oops!!, never mind Doc, I keep forgetting, betting is forbidden on MERB, not that you would have the guts to make those bets.

You can take the credit for getting betting forbidden on merb when you made a bet and then boasted about welching on it. Only someone who thinks with his guts instead of his brains would bet with you.

As for the Yankees finishing in last place, I agree with you that it is a little optimistic. I don't think that there is any dominant or push-over team in the East.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Sunday morning game report.........

First the bad news.....

The Boston Red Sox were dominated by the Detroit Tigers in a 6-1 loss. Starter John Lackie continued his season of inconsistency by barely pitching 5 innings & allowing all 6 runs scored by the visiting Tigers. Team leader Dustin Pedroia had one hit & he's hitting .277. Ortiz got a hit, Napoli surprisingly had 3 hits, and the over-the-hill Grady Sizemore, whom for some reason was hitting 5th in the batting order, went 0-for-4 and he's hitting for only .225. This guy wouldn't even me starting on 95% of the other ballclubs. Once again i'll repeat it: why John Farrel has this guy hitting so high in the batting order, who knows why. But of course, we're talking about John Farrell here. Nice guy, but not the brightest of the bunch. Free agent catcher A.J. "The Cancer" Pierzinski didn't get a single hit & he's now hitting .252. Only one team in MLB wanted this guy & he doesn't even have the decency to be productive for them. Shameful!

And finally, Wade Middlebrooks & the equally terrible Jackie Bradley Jr. were both benched by the manager. Finally, a good decision by Farrell. Both of these players have no business playing in the major leagues. They should be in Pawtucket.

In other news, Baltimore lost 1-0 against the KC Royals on a pitching gem by KC starter Danny Duffy. Elsewhere, the LA Angels blanked the visiting Tampa Bay Rays by a score of 6-0 on a complete game shutout by starter C.J. Wilson.

Now the good news.....

The New York Yankees beat one of the worst teams in baseball by a score of 7-1. The Pirates could not keep up with the Yankees & made Yankee starter David "Mister" Phelps look better than he is. Phelps pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits & 3 walks. But since he managed to pitch five innings, he got credited with the win. Jeter was finally productive in going 2-for-4. Texeira got one hit and raised his average to .271. Decent, but an embarrassment considering how much money they're paying this guy. High-priced free agent Brian McCann got a hit & raised his average to an embarrassing .225. Old man Soriano got the start in right field and got two hits. Third baseman Solarte went hitless and you wonder if his 15-minutes of fame aren't up. The bottom line is that the Yankees won. But these were the awful Pittsburgh Pirates, after all. First the Mets, then the Pirates. How much more lucky can a team get?

In other news, the Toronto Blue Jays won their second straight against the hometown Texas Rangers by a score of 4-2. Starter Mark Buehrle left in the 7th inning with a lead, but the pitcher who followed him allowed a game-tying single. However, the Jays bounced back to take a 2-run lead. Steve Delabar & Casey Janssen were perfect to close out the game. Hitting-wise, Jose Bautista got two hits & his batting average is back at .300. He also hit his 11th homerun in the first inning to give the Jays a 1-0 lead. Brett Lawrie & Kevin Pillar also got 2 hits each. Surprisingly, Melky Cabrera was held hitless. Anthony Gose got the start for him in left field and had a hit. It was a well-played game on both sides. Today, the Jays are sending former Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey to the hill.

If i'd be a betting man, here's whom i'd pick today:

Tigers, Pirates, Rangers, Royals, Rays.

Enjoy the games, folks! :thumb:

 

[daydreamer41]

The New York Yankees beat one of the worst teams in baseball by a score of 7-1. If i'd be a betting man, here's whom i'd pick today:

Tigers, Pirates, Rangers, Royals, Rays.

Enjoy the games, folks! :thumb:

Doc,

Please stop embarrassing yourself.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not one of the worst teams in baseball. They were in the playoffs last year. They are not playing well, and have had some players on the DL like Russell Martin and Jason Grilli, but all teams go through injuries. But so are the Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds are playing poorly so far this season. In the playoffs last year, the Pirates were up 2 games to 1 only to lose in the short series with St. Louis, who went on to play in the World Series.

The only team with a decent record in the NL Central is Milwaukee, which has been .500 in their last 10 games. The Brewers got off to a really hot start. I don't know if they can continue their pace.

This may be one of the most evenly distributed seasons of MLB in a long time. With about 1/4 of the games played, only 4 teams are playing over .600. Only 5 teams are playing over .550. 11 teams are playing between .500 and .550. And 14 teams are playing under .500. That 14 number is a lot. But only 3 teams are playing under .400, which is small. The distribution of wins and losses so far says that there are more equal teams than not.

One thing that K said that has some truth to it is Boston does have a more difficult schedule, but that is by design. The teams that finish higher in the season and championship are given a more difficult schedule. It makes repeating more difficult. And Boston has lost some key players from last year, like Ellsbury. At the same token, Boston had a less difficult schedule than New York last year, since the Red Sox finished in last place in 2012. It probably made winning the division easier in 2013, but it doesn't take away that they won the World Series in 2013. They were probably playing their best baseball at that time and they did beat their opponents fair and square.

 

[EagerBeaver]

We are a long way away from the trading deadline. If necessary the Yankees will pick up a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. I thought the Yankees had the best starting pitching in the Al East at the start of the season and then they lost 3 starters, and the Rays have lost 2. There is a very long way to go and with midseason acquisitions and injuries/recoveries it's still too early to say what will happen. To me there is a lot of parity in MLB in general and the AL East in particular. Right now the Yankees' roster depth is being tested, but if the replacements do not pass the test, then the Yankees will pick up some expiring big contracts at the trade deadline to solve those problems. Cliff Lee and Jeff Samardzija are just 2 of the pitchers out there that will be available for the taking, and cash considerations will mainly determine who gets them.

In addition, Manny Banuelos is slowly improving at Trenton and may be ready by midseason. He is still only 23 and coming off Tommy John surgery:

http://www.nj.com/thunder/index.ssf/2014/05/post_115.html

 

[Doc Holliday]

Doc,

Please stop embarrassing yourself.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not one of the worst teams in baseball. They were in the playoffs last year.

First of all, you are free to make your own assessment & predictions. What i wrote was my own personal opinion of the AL East.

Second, the Pirates ARE one of the worst teams in baseball. Last year was last year, this year is this year. Not only have they had injuries (like most teams), but they also lost their best pitcher last year, A.J. Burnett.

Just because they were a good team last season doesn't mean that they aren't a bad team this season. Like the Yankees, Red Sox, Jays & Rays. Yankees, Red Sox & Rays were good teams last season, but not as good this season. Jays were bad last season (many reasons for this including injuries), but a very good team this season and will win the AL East. The Yankees will finish last. Mark my words & if you're a betting man, put some big money on my predictions. :thumb:

The bottom line: the Yankees have recently played two of the worst teams in baseball. The Mets suck, and the Pirates suck. Donkey balls.

 

[Doc Holliday]

We are a long way away from the trading deadline. If necessary the Yankees will pick up a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.

Why bother? They'll be in last place by then & will have become sellers, not buyers.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I seriously doubt anyone in the AL east will be out of contention at the trade deadline and I doubt the Yankees will be in last place. They are not putting a last place team on the field. They are down 3 starters right now and in 1st place. The Yankees have the chance to get better and I do not see any teams that are running away and hiding nor do any appear likely to do so.

 

[daydreamer41]

I agree. The AL East, just like the NL East is going to go down the wire. 88 wins could win the division.

 

[Doc Holliday]

They are down 3 starters right now and in 1st place.

Which 3 starters?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Which 3 starters?

Nova, CC Sabathia and Pineda - all on DL

 

[Doc Holliday]

Nova, CC Sabathia and Pineda - all on DL

I wasn't aware that Sabathia was on the DL. Thanks.

So basically, they're down to the two Japanese guys as the team's regular starters.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Sabathia was pitching with a bad knee. MRI showed fluid and he had fluid drained from the knee and should be back in a few weeks, which is also when Pineda should be back. Until then Vidal Nuno and Chase Whitley are filling those spots. Phelps is likely in for Nova for good, unless Manny Banuelos replaces him second half.

 

[Joe.t]

It's looking like more and more that last year's Red Sox accomplishments were a complete fluke, god do they look awful!!!, I'm sure rumpleforskin cannot be happy, not happy at all.:help:

 

[Doc Holliday]

It's looking like more and more that last year's Red Sox accomplishments were a complete fluke, god do they look awful!!!, I'm sure rumpleforskin cannot be happy, not happy at all.:help:

I've been saying all along since last year that they were a very, very lucky team. Everything seemed to fall into place last season, they had few injuries, and whatever 'move' the inept John Farrell was making seemed to be the correct one. Luck. Pure luck.

This season, they are finally playing to what they really are: a middle-of-the-pack team with a bad manager.

I was looking at Jake Peavy tonight. What has happened to that guy?? He looks like he's 60 years old!!!!!!!

Predictably, the Red Sox lost. Again. Get used to it!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Sabathia was pitching with a bad knee.

I'm not surprised. Most people who have been fat for most of their lives eventually wind up with bad knees prematurely.

I'm actually surprised he hasn't had to deal with bad hips & a bad back yet.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Sabathia Out Until July 1 At Least

Looks like the Yankees will be without Sabathia for 6 weeks and Pineda for 3:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...k-yankees-least-6-weeks-gm-brian-cashman-says

If you listen to what Cashman said, he had stem cell injections from Dr. Andrews, which Cashman said are extremely painful. I am not sure exactly where they stick the needle, but I would not want any needles stuck in my knees.

 

[Doc Holliday]

If you listen to what Cashman said, he had stem cell injections from Dr. Andrews, which Cashman said are extremely painful. I am not sure exactly where they stick the needle, but I would not want any needles stuck in my knees.

Isn't Dr. James Andrews' speciality arm injuries? Tommy John-type injuries? What's he doing looking into knees now? I'm starting to be very suspicious if it's really Sabathia's knee that's bothering him.

On another note, my guess is that he's suffering from a degenerative knee problem caused by excess weight put onto his knees for a long period. He very well may need surgery & any other treatment will likely fail. My guess is that if the injury is indeed legit, they'd give themselves until July to see if it reacts to treatment & if not, to decide if he should go under the knife now or wait while the knee is getting more rehabilitation.

Could a huge man like Sabathia be able to pitch with a knee brace?

Even though he's a shadow of his ol' self, Sabathia's absence will hurt the Yankees. Pineda's absence is also hurting them. I've never thought much of Nova, so i don't think they miss him at all. The guys they have there right now are as good as he is.

I'll say it again:

THE NEW YORK YANKEES WILL FINISH LAST IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST.

Mark my words.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Stephen Drew back with the Red Sox

The Red Sox, frustrated at Bogaerts' defence & Middlebrooks' zero offense, have decided to re-sign former shortstop Stephen Drew until the end of the season.

It's expected that Bogaerts will move to third base & Drew will take up his usual spot at shortstop.

Drew will not play tonight, but will be at Fenway.

The Red Sox will not lose a pick for signing Drew prior to the amateur draft. Reason is, he played for them last season & they did tender him an offer. What they had hoped for, though, was for Drew to sign with another team & then they would have got that team's pick in return. But it didn't happen. The Yankees tried to get Drew for 2 years, but he balked.

Drew will be a free agent once again once the season ends and from what i understand the Red Sox won't be subjected to tender him an offer & he'll be free to sign with whomever wants him without compensation. So it's a win-win for both the Red Sox & Stephen Drew.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Jays easily beat Red Sox; Yankees & Tanaka lose to one of the worst teams in baseball

The Toronto Blue Jays easily beat the Boston Red Sox at Fenway by a score of 7-4. The final outcome was never in doubt & at one point the Jays were leading 6-0. The star of the game was none other than first baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who continued his torrid hitting pace with two huge homeruns to left field. Melky Cabrera also starred in the game by going 4-for-5 with a homerun.

The winning pitcher was J.A. Happ, who pitched five good innings for the visiting team. Taking the loss was the inept Felix Doubront, whom i never liked. He barely pitched 4 innings & allowed 5 runs with included 3 walks. He's terrible & Farrell should send his ass to the bullpen. But this is John Farrell we're talking & his managing skills aren't exactly up to par to other managers like say, Terry Francona, Buck Showalter or Joe Madden. Heck, even John Gibbons!

On the hitting side for the Sox, the slumping David Ortiz went 0-for-4. Mike Napoli still hasn't hit a homerun in over a month. Xavier Bogaerts got a hit, but he was absolutely brutal playing shortstop. It doesn't take a genius to figure out why the Sox just signed former shortstop Stephen Drew for the rest of the season. Bogaerts is expected to be moved to third base to take over for the useless Wade Middlebrooks. If i'm a Sox fan, i'm hoping that Bogaerts plays better defensively at the hot corner, or else they're in trouble. Last night, they had some kid named Brock Holt playing third base & i must admit that i was very impressed by the kid's hustle & determination. He also got two hits. Handling the catching duties was the awful David Ross, who went hitless & is hitting only .167. Why this team didn't re-sign Jarod Saltamachia, i don't know. Farrell probably didn't want him back. And hitting last was none other but the equally awful Jackie Bradley Jr., who got a hit & his now hitting a miserable .207. This kid is a decent centerfielder, but he's way over his head when it comes to trying to hit major league pitching. His hit last night came with two strikes & he got lucky with an opposite-field hit. What can i say? They're ruining this kid. He should be sent to the minors (along with Middlebrooks) a.s.a.p.!!!!!

And finally, believe it or not, but the N.Y. Yankees lost 6-1 to the miserable Chicago Cubs. What was surprising wasn't the fact that they lost, but more importantly, it happened on a night when they sent their ace Masahiro Tanaka to the mound. He got his first loss of the season after barely pitching 6 innings and allowing 4 runs. When Tanaka can't even beat the Cubbies, it shows how bad things are going to be for the slumping Yankees. Some nobody named Preston Claiborne relieved him & didn't fare any better. He couldn't even finish the inning he started & after he departed, the game was lost by then.

Hitting-wise, Jacoby Ellbury's miserable batting slump continued. He went 0-for-4 & is now hitting only .269. My guess is that they're no longer pitching around him considering who's hitting behind him. He better get out of his slump soon or else the Yankees will continue sliding in the standings. Hitting fifth in the lineup (why??) was Brian McCann. Once again, he was hitless & is now hitting a miserable .221. Next in the batting order was old man Soriano (who's likely 50 years old in reality) and he didn't do any better. Solarte got a hit, but you wonder if his 15-minutes of fame aren't up. Nothing much else to report other than adding that i'm still shocked that they managed to get beat so soundly by one of the worst teams in baseball.

In other news, Baltimore destroyed the terrible Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 and the slumping Tampa Bay Rays were blanked by the A's by a score of 3-0.

I'll say it again: THE YANKEES WILL FINISH IN LAST PLACE IN THE AL EAST. Mark my words!