MLB 2012 Season Thread

[Keith]

It's amazing how the two teams who were considered "winners" after the deals they made in the offseason (the Marlins and the Angels) aren't going to make the playoffs.

Even Ozzie Guillen may be done after this season.

[Innovator]

Miami picked up the New York Jets syndrome of trying to be the off season world champions

[YOUR Hero]

My hope is the Jays land a decent starter OR two in the off season.

[Gertner]

My hope is the Jays land a decent starter OR two in the off season.

Jake Peavy is a free agent and would be a welcomed addition short term.

[Corndad]

So Tough being a Buccos fan :( Wild Card is probably gone. .500 is slipping away right before our eyes.

Only bright side is Cutch maybe winning the batting title but the way it was going a few months ago this is a Greek Tragedy.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>No worries, they have 4 games against the Mets coming up.</font>

[Innovator]

Ichiro, so hot right now.

[The Fraze]

If the Dodgers lose their day game, we can clinch the West tonight with a win. I'll be at the ballgame, possibly Tb1 as well. It'll be my third Bumgarner start of the season. Boom.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/338591_10150946160646254_1465677528_o.jpg

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Dickey took a 4-0 lead into the 9th. It's now 4-3 Mets with no outs in the 9th. The Mets bullpen sucks so he probably won't get his 19th win.

Unbelievable...why can the Mets never have good things?</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And they hold on, but barely.

Please R.A., just beat the Pirates on Thursday. Salvage something from this mess of a second half.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

:mad: Aceves

[ClockShot]

Don't think Nova was that bad to have him get yanked after 2.1 innings.

Me thinks Girardi is getting a bit paranoid.

[OssMan]

You know what's fucked up, a pitcher pitches two thirds of an inning and they mark that as .2 ... so a guy pitching two and two thirds innings is 2.2. That's messed up. 2.2 = two and one fifth. A guy going two and two thirds should be marked down as 2.66 repeating.

[Innovator]

The binder will undo us all.

[ClockShot]

This one's a doozy, ain't it?

[ClockShot]

DUMB FUCK!

[Innovator]

JUST GET IT IN THE AIR ROBBIE

[ClockShot]

VICTORY!

[Innovator]

WOOOOO

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>A's will implode after this loss. Inexcusable to score 4 in extras and still lose.</font>

[OssMan]

CHW have a guy named "J. Quintana" lol

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Euaxoe4XMls" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Innovator]

Damnit Ossman, now I have to go watch Big Lebowski

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Didn't even watch the game. Was watching football but I saw a ticker update had the Yankees losing by 4 but they had the bases loaded. That's all I had to see. I KNEW they'd find a way to make the comeback.</font>

[Droford]

16 straight wins in extra innings..

But seriously..fuck the a's..the O's have been within 1 game or td with the Yankees for 3 weeks now and its getting god damned annoying

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I did it! I won the Central! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[SammyG]

Fuck the stupid Dodgers. So mad.

[The Fraze]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536258_10151032431246254_75161728_n.jpg

[SammyG]

Stupid.

[Keith]

Holy shit, my Rays are 3.5 games back in the Wild Card with a week to go.

Amazing what scoring some fucking runs can do to a team.

[The Fraze]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lM3LLCoD34U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Keith]

Thank you, Boston!

The Rays are making this interesting.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets sweep a series at home? Stop the fucking presses!</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Red Sox need just 1 win to have more than what they had last September. Best chance might be on Wednesday if Lester pitches well against Tampa.

[ClockShot]

Angels owner Arte Moreno has come out and said that manager Mike Scioscia and GM Jerry DiPoto's jobs are safe and will be back after this season. Even though they did spend a boatload of cash during the offseason and there's the chance they won't make the playoffs.

Take it for what it's worth.

[Keith]

Dang, Scioscia's been there forever.

[Droford]

Orioles can be in 1st with a doubleheader sweep and a Yankees loss..

Come on Minnesota!

[YOUR Hero]

Angels owner Arte Moreno has come out and said that manager Mike Scioscia and GM Jerry DiPoto's jobs are safe and will be back after this season. Even though they did spend a boatload of cash during the offseason and there's the chance they won't make the playoffs.

Take it for what it's worth.
Scioscia is still relevant. The Angels (IMO) hve a lot of older players whos best years are behind them. They need to be addressing that

[Innovator]

You can't blame Scioscia for Pujols not showing up until the middle of May.

[Evil Vito]

Ike Davis becomes the first Met to have a 30 HR season since 2008.

Cannot believe they're considering trading him. His horrific first 2 months were an anomaly and he's the only guy on the roster with any semblance of power. I expect the Mets to do a lot of roster reshuffling this winter, but I believe Ike should be part of the team's core moving forward.

[Keith]

The only way the Mets should even consider trading Ike Davis is if they can get Felix Hernandez.

Otherwise, keep him, dummies.

[Emperor Smeat]

You can't blame Scioscia for Pujols not showing up until the middle of May.

Yeah the whole team struggled badly early on and it didn't help how big of a jump Texas got on the division. I think their lead was close to 8-10 games over the Angels during one point in the first month I believe.

The ones who benefited the most were the As since they had no expectations going into the season and the Angels screwing up meant it freed up a potential playoff spot for them.

[YOUR Hero]

Part of an artice I read...

The halls of academia are paved with studies featuring results that were known long before a single test was ever conducted.

Along those lines, the Wall Street Journal sports department has released one of the biggest "no duh" findings (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444180004578016652376246198.html) in baseball history: Chicago White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson is the biggest homer in the sport — and by an incredibly large margin.

How large? According to the paper's study, Harrelson and broadcast partner Steve Stone made a total of 104 biased comments as defined by use of the pronouns like "we" and "us" and nicknames for team members. The WSJ also noted instances of "unrestrained glee" and "excessive moping," two of Harrelson's specialties. Those 104 tallies were more than the other 29 television broadcast teams combined.

[ClockShot]

SIR SPEEDY RETURNS!

[ClockShot]

Jack Wilson is gonna call it a career after this season is done.

[YOUR Hero]

Hi Droford

[Droford]

The o's have burned through 2 of the 4 losses in final 10 games that they could lose and still be comfortable in the wc spot...but it sucks losing to the jays.

[Keith]

Rays win their 6th straight and are now 2.5 games back in the Wild Card.

[Evil Vito]

The only way the Mets should even consider trading Ike Davis is if they can get Felix Hernandez.

Otherwise, keep him, dummies.

<font color=goldenrod>Ike is one of only a few guys I definitely want back for next year. Wright and Dickey will have their 2013 options picked up, possibly even signed to long-term deals as they should be.

Beyond that, Harvey will be up for a full season and I can't wait to see how he does. Also, I can go either way with Niese. He's good and under team control for a long time so in that respect he'd be nice to keep. But the deal is extremely team-friendly so I don't think I'd hesitate to flip him for a legit outfield bat, especially since the Mets have a lot of their non-Harvey top pitching prospects close to ML ready.</font>

[Skippord]

The Rockies have a million outfield bats

so maybe they could work out a trade for Niese

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Question about the new one-game playoff for Wild Card Teams:

What if there is a tie for the final wild-card playoff play in game spot?

Do they play a one-game playoff to see who plays for the one game playoff?

[Droford]

https://subscription-assets.timeinc.com/current/1730_top1_155_thumb.jpgdamn it..fuck

[Emperor Smeat]

Question about the new one-game playoff for Wild Card Teams:

What if there is a tie for the final wild-card playoff play in game spot?

Do they play a one-game playoff to see who plays for the one game playoff?

Yeup they would have an extra game or games if the last spot ends in a tie with 2 or more teams.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mlb-wild-card-tiebreaker-rules-2012-200200966--mlb.html

[Innovator]

Yankees win, #90.

[Droford]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A3vi_WHCAAAZki2.jpg

Prime time!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wooooooo David Wright is the Mets' all-time hits leader.</font>

[Droford]

O's scored 12 runs on 7 homers including 2 by Manny machado and Chris Davis.

Plus, the fucking run differential is now just -1, so glad they should be in a positive on that for the playoffs, tired if hearing about it.

[Emperor Smeat]

:-\ well there goes the best chance to have more wins this September than last September and Lester still showing signs of having problems.

Worst home record in a season since 1965 considering they have no more home games left. Almost no shot at being better than the 1992 season (73 wins) considering they would need to win 4 of the last 6 games to just tie it.

Still have a small chance to be spoilers to either the Os or Yanks for the division crown considering they have 3 games left with each to end the season.

[Evil Vito]

The Rockies have a million outfield bats

so maybe they could work out a trade for Niese

<font color=goldenrod>I feel like the Mets and Rockies are involved in trade talks every single off-season and nothing ever materializes - but I could see a match. The Mets won't take on Cuddyer with that contract...so I'd guess they'd ask for Colvin or Fowler. Probably an upgrade over pretty much all of their current internal options.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

One-time only for this off season the first two games of the best of five will be at the home stadium of the play-in team winner. Completely unfair to the division winners, but there's no way around it this year.

[Keith]

http://i45.tinypic.com/flvj84.jpg

[ClockShot]

Astros hire Nats 3rd base coach Bo Porter as their new manager. But he'll stay with the Nats until their postseason run is all over.

[YOUR Hero]

:-\ well there goes the best chance to have more wins this September than last September and Lester still showing signs of having problems.

Worst home record in a season since 1965 considering they have no more home games left. Almost no shot at being better than the 1992 season (73 wins) considering they would need to win 4 of the last 6 games to just tie it.

Still have a small chance to be spoilers to either the Os or Yanks for the division crown considering they have 3 games left with each to end the season.

....and yet they may still finish ahead of the Jays

[Keith]

Astros hire Nats 3rd base coach Bo Porter as their new manager. But he'll stay with the Nats until their postseason run is all over.

Bo Fucking Porter, everybody.

[Evil Vito]

R.A. DICKEY!!! :love: 20 wins now, tying him with Gio for the league lead...which also puts him ahead for the triple crown.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Actually he's up .01 point in ERA from Kershaw, who will probably regain he strikeout lead in his next start. But then Dickey can get it back next Tuesday.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure Dickey's gotta be the Cy Young winner. Doing this on a crappy team with an unpredictable pitch has been fun to watch.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Indians didn't feel like waiting another week and fired Manny Acta from his manager's job. He was given the sole blame for the team's collapse this season from being in first in the division by late July to dead last in the AL right now.

ESPN and FoxSports says Terry Francona is the top candidate and front runner for the job on the Indians list.

[Keith]

I love Evan Longoria.

[Keith]

Rays win.

2 games back in the Wild Card.

Come on, #162Strong.

[Droford]

160-162 are vs the orioles though.

#bucktherays

Oh and as always
#fucktheyankees

[screech]

#162Strong.

What a dumb hashtag

[DaveWadding]

The Orioles are pretty much the team from Angels in the Outfield right now.

[Droford]

The orioles are going to be the Cleveland Indians of major league.

1 game playoff with the Yankees for the division, probably in Baltimore since the o's have a better divisional record. Maybe Wieters will get a walk off bunt..

[Supreme Olajuwon]

thought there was no way the Cubs would lost 100 games a couple weeks ago, but now they're really close

gotta go 4-2 the rest of the way to avoid it

[Innovator]

Go Cubs Go!

[Evil Vito]

Planning on going to Wrigley in May next year for the Mets/Cubs series.

[Droford]

I was hoping the o's would have a trip to Wrigley next year..I think they play the central in 2014 though which is 100 years for Wrigley but my luck the cubs will come to Baltimore.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Homer Bailey with the no-hitter.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Sucks to be the Pirates, another year they looked like they were going to finally have a record above .500 only to once again start collapsing late in the season.


Meanwhile the Red Sox have started to potentially groom Jason Varitek as a future manager today after giving him the new job title of "special assistant to the GM." In reality he'll be mostly training and coaching the younger players on the team and minors.

[owenbrown]

Is it likely that the Reds and Nats will meet each other in the NLCS if not sooner? cause that's a matchup I wanna see

[owenbrown]

playoff picture as it stands right now

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/postseasonpicture.jsp

[SammyG]

Come on Nationals, what the fuck Edwin Jackson

[Triple Naitch]

Planning on going to Wrigley in May next year for the Mets/Cubs series.

Wrigley is cool and the surrounding area is awesome, but I had a way better baseball experience at U.S. Cellular Field when I went to Chicago.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

did u guys see my no hitter tonight? it was on all the popular sports channels

[DaveWadding]

thought there was no way the Cubs would lost 100 games a couple weeks ago, but now they're really close

gotta go 4-2 the rest of the way to avoid it

Yeah, it's been killing me. I don't know what the difference between 98 & 100 losses is at this point, but it seems like a bigger deal.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EaoETTsJ1tc?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Corndad]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/545529_837734960845_1401224935_n.jpg


:(:(:(:(:(

[ClockShot]

Come on, Yankees. You can win this right now.

[ClockShot]

Terry Francona gettin' interviewed for the Indians manager position next week.

[Innovator]

Yankees shit the bed today. They could have ended it in the first. Two bases loaded situtuations only result in two sac flies. Then can't get a run in in the third with the bases loaded. Shit game.

[Droford]

Its crazy to think an o's win tonight and they're tied with the, Yankees and 4 games left..

[Emperor Smeat]

Os and Yanks once again tied for the division lead. Might even be the first year since 2000 that whoever wins the division doesn't reach 95 wins (both need to win all their games remaining).

Doubront pitched well today and overall the last several outings which is good since as a first year starter it looked like weeks ago he was completely fatigued from the season. NESN had a nice stat of him being #2 all-time in Sox history for most strikeouts by a rookie pitcher who was also under 24 (Babe Ruth is #1).

[Droford]

If they both win out, game 163 at opacy on Thursday for the division..Id rather the Yankees just lose again..

[Innovator]

At least the Yankees finish up with the Red Sox who've fully quit on Bobby V and the Orioles are playing against the Rays.

[Droford]

Yankees still got another game vs the jays...

The rays will be all but eliminated tomorrow..they won't be able to draw a good crowd for the series if they're out of it...and the o's will miss Price.

[Droford]

Texas loses 2 tomorrow and the o's win, they'd be tied for best record in AL but Texas wins tie breakers..it's almost inconceivable to me the o's are that close to best record in the AL

[SammyG]

2 games out...

[Corndad]

Nothing like seeing a Walk off HR live. Awesome. For just a second you forget Wildcard gone, winning season gone, Cutch slowly losing batting title. Awesome atmosphere tonight at PNC

[Innovator]

I love when Yankee pitchers routinely walk the #9 batter

[Droford]

O's up, Yankees down 5-1

I cant take it..

[Innovator]

Well Derek Lowe is in, this games over.

[Droford]

Chris Davis homered for 4th straight game

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yanks are winning the division. I can't see the O's sweeping the Rays whereas I would be floored if the Yanks didn't sweep Boston. You'd think the Red Sox would relish the chance to ruin the Yanks' division title hopes, but it's beyond obvious that the players have phoned it in and want to do whatever they can to get Bobby out.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

I don't think they are phoning it in just to get rid of Bobby V although the line up right now is basically Pawtucket plus a few big name players. Pitching has been as bad overall as its been all season and last year.

If they do get rid of Bobby V, might as well keep his assistant as the pitching coach since he's done a better job than the previous guy who barely gave a shit.

Do agree that the Yanks have the better shot right now at taking the division since the Rays are a stronger team than the Sox and the Os would have loved to take a 1 game lead as insurance for the Rays series.

[Innovator]

Don't call it a comeback

[ClockShot]

Mike Trout sets new rookie marks with 30 home runs and 40 steals under his belt.

Let's just give him the Rookie of the Year honors already.

[Droford]

<font color=goldenrod>Yanks are winning the division. I can't see the O's sweeping the Rays whereas I would be floored if the Yanks didn't sweep Boston. You'd think the Red Sox would relish the chance to ruin the Yanks' division title hopes, but it's beyond obvious that the players have phoned it in and want to do whatever they can to get Bobby out.</font>

Red sox have bucholz and Lester pitching, might/should be able to win one of those two.

O's should at least get 2 in TB so the way I see it, worst case scenario is #163 in Baltimore Thursday.

[SammyG]

I'm the biggest Reds fan in the world right now

[Corndad]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A4FsRp0CQAE0vF7.jpg:large

Saddest Picture I've Ever Seen.:( So much Epically Bad with this team, it's crazy.

[Evil Vito]

Mike Trout sets new rookie marks with 30 home runs and 40 steals under his belt.

Let's just give him the Rookie of the Year honors already.

<font color=goldenrod>I'm pretty positive he's going to be the MVP even if Miggy gets the Triple Crown. It'll create a huge debate, but only you see a rookie putting up numbers on this level once in a generation, if that.</font>

[Keith]

This is the year Miguel Cabrera gets wins the MVP.

The Angels aren't even going to make the playoffs.

[Keith]

Well, Baltimore clinched a playoff berth.

It's freaking frustrating, man. The Rays win 10 of the last 11 games, and don't make up ONE GAME. They started this run 3 games back, and that's where they're still.

[Skippord]

Mike Trout should be the MVP 100%

best player

[screech]

The Angels aren't even going to make the playoffs.

This should have no bearing on an individual award.

[Skippord]

and the Angels have a better record than the Tigers anyway

[Keith]

This should have no bearing on an individual award.

But it does.

McGwire hit 70 Home Runs in 1998, setting the record at the time, and Sosa won the MVP because the Cubs made the playoffs, where St Louis didn't.

Hell, look at last season, when everyone thought Matt Kemp would win it, yet Braun did (the Brewers made the playoffs, the Dodgers didn't).

[DaveWadding]

Mike Trout has a much higher WAR than Cabrera because of his defense & baserunning skills.

[screech]

But it does.

McGwire hit 70 Home Runs in 1998, setting the record at the time, and Sosa won the MVP because the Cubs made the playoffs, where St Louis didn't.

Hell, look at last season, when everyone thought Matt Kemp would win it, yet Braun did (the Brewers made the playoffs, the Dodgers didn't).

I know it does. But it should not. Being on a non-playoff team should not discredit individual play. He's still the best no matter how many games the team wins.

[DaveWadding]

Did you know that Mike Trout (10.4) was worth more wins to the Angels than Torii Hunter (5.1) and Albert Pujols (4.7) COMBINED?

[DaveWadding]

and that Justin Verlander (7.6) is worth one more win to the Tigers than Cabrera is? (6.6)

or that Cabrera was worth more wins (7.3) to the Tigers LAST year than he has been this year?

[Triple Naitch]

<font color=goldenrod>It'll create a huge debate, but only you see a rookie putting up numbers on this level once in a generation, if that.</font>

And winning the triple crown isn't a once in a generation thing?

[Keith]

I know it does. But it should not. Being on a non-playoff team should not discredit individual play. He's still the best no matter how many games the team wins.

I know, man. It's all these baseball writers, most of who never even played Little League Baseball, yet make up their own rules and criteria as to who should be voted MVP, who should be voted into the HOF, etc.

[Evil Vito]

And winning the triple crown isn't a once in a generation thing?

<font color=goldenrod>To the voters, it's still not as impressive as what Trout is doing. It wouldn't be the first time a Triple Crown winner didn't win MVP, either.

It's the award for the best player, not the best hitter. That's why Trout will be winning as he contributes a ton on the basepaths and, of course, on defense. A robbed home run is worth just as much as a home run that you hit.

So Trout could very likely walk away with the MVP, ROTY, and Gold Glove awards all in one season. At age 21. Hot damn.</font>

[Shisen Kopf]

If Cabrera wins the triple crown then he has to win the MVP. Plus Tigers are going to be in the playoffs and probably going to the world series bc...well...they are!

[DaveWadding]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>ELIAS: Mike Trout is the first player in MLB history with at least 45 steals, 30 HR and 125 runs scored in a single season.</p>&mdash; Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/252711745624346624" data-datetime="2012-10-01T10:09:09+00:00">October 1, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Triple Naitch]

If Cabrera was still at first, I would understand but he selflessly moved to third base to give his team the best chance of winning. He may be no Brooks Robinson, but he was able to still get the job done. Remember when Cabrera took a liner to the fucking eyeball in spring training?

[Keith]

Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter in the Major Leagues, yet he's never won a MVP award and is kinda underappreciated.

Was he mentioned in one of Jose Canseco's books or something?

[screech]

So glad I don't have to vote for this.

[Emperor Smeat]

If Cabrera actually gets the Triple Crown, it should be enough to win the MVP award. He'd have the benefit of breaking the streak and the prestige from the Crown along with the voters favoring players from playoff teams ever since the ridicule of A-Rod winning on a last place Rangers team.

Stats-wise both are very close to each other but Cabrera has the edge in the big 3 stats which are used for the Triple Crown.

[Triple Naitch]

Can't believe the White Sox collapsed like they did. 2-8 in their last 10 and now 3 back of the Tigers.

[ClockShot]

Connecticut is going gaga with Adam Greenberg getting another at-bat with the Marlins tomorrow. Cubs fans will remember who he is.

[Droford]

Fuck the red sox, this is fucking ridiculous

[ClockShot]

MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

All is going to plan.

[Triple Naitch]

Ironic revenge.

[Innovator]

Pile on!

[Emperor Smeat]

Kind of got foreshadowed to be a really bad game for the Sox if the pitching struggled since no Pedroia or Ellsbury in the lineup while Ortiz hasn't played a game since mid July.

Os really have to regret not having that 1 game lead as a cushion for the Rays series.

[Droford]

1-1 in the 7th..O's have the Rays right where they want em..

[Innovator]

Droford with the jinx

[Innovator]

The reverse jinx is the only stronger wrapon

[YOUR Hero]

Id like to see Cabrera win the MVP, I wouldn't be upset if Trout won it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Didn't take long once the official announcement was made but once again Tampa is getting made fun of for their attendance even though its a good matchup tonight and Rays still have a slim hope at a playoff spot.

Under 14,000 went to see the Rays-Os game.

[YOUR Hero]

They don't draw. Not just tonight.

[Keith]

Miguel Cabrera homers, drives in more runs and raises his average.

Dude's really, seriously making a run at the Triple Crown.

Also, about my Rays: #162Strong, baby.

I'm a HUGE Texas Rangers fan right now.

[YOUR Hero]

Tampa is last in attendance (again) this year. They average under 20K a game

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah Florida is a really bad state when it comes to pro team support. Only the Dolphins are supported well enough but pales in comparison to college sports (mostly football).

I think the Marlins own the record for least ticket sales in the playoffs by a team who won the title.

[Keith]

People down here just aren't really into baseball, they support football and basketball, though.

The Rays don't even sell-out playoff games. Hell, they didn't sell-out the World Series back in 2008.

[Keith]

BRING IN FERNANDO RODNEY, MOTHERFUCKERS.

[Keith]

WHAT THE FUCK, MAN?!

[Keith]

Geeeeet ouutta there, REYNOLDS!

2 down.

[ClockShot]

Nice.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Like I said, the Red Sox couldn't care less about spoiling the Yankees' season.</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I'm the biggest Reds fan in the world right now

Sammy, fuck off with your bandwagon shit. Fuck any bandwagon fan. Find another team.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Weird roster loophole I just learned about today...may have been mentioned earlier but idk. Friday's wild card games are considered their own "round" of the playoffs and as such they have to set a 25 man roster strictly for one game. Could lead to some exploitation with teams deactivating all of their starting pitchers except for the one starting the game, leaving plenty of room for extra relievers or bench guys.

Wouldn't be surprised if it's tweaked for next year to treat the Wild Card play-in game as part of the division series in terms of setting your roster.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Cabrera goes 4-5 with a homer in the division-clinching game. Convinced yet?

[Innovator]

<font color=goldenrod>Weird roster loophole I just learned about today...may have been mentioned earlier but idk. Friday's wild card games are considered their own "round" of the playoffs and as such they have to set a 25 man roster strictly for one game. Could lead to some exploitation with teams deactivating all of their starting pitchers except for the one starting the game, leaving plenty of room for extra relievers or bench guys.

Wouldn't be surprised if it's tweaked for next year to treat the Wild Card play-in game as part of the division series in terms of setting your roster.</font>

Holy crap. If the Yankees have to play in one, Girardi will use 15 relievers.

[Keith]

Cabrera goes 4-5 with a homer in the division-clinching game. Convinced yet?

Nah, man! Trout's WAR, man!

It's all about the WAR, MAN!

[Triple Naitch]

Anybody would have a better Wins Above Replacement number replacing Vernon Wells.

[Keith]

I know. I said Cabrera's gonna win the MVP.

He's about to get the Triple Crown and he's STILL not getting the media coverage he should be getting.

Is it because he's from Venezuela (you know, Hugo Chavez)? Is it because some people in the media think he uses PED's?

What's going on?

[Droford]

The sox are going to win, the o's are going to win...tie it all back up tomorrow.

[Skippord]

it's because he doesn't play in the NFL

[Skippord]

and also Mike Trout should win MVP

[Keith]

The sox are going to win, the o's are going to win...tie it all back up tomorrow.

If Oakland wins tonight, the Rays are done.

So it don't even matter.

[Droford]

Yeah, I'm rooting for Oakland to sweep Texas because if the O's tie the Yankees, win game #163 in baltimore and then force the Yankees to play Texas in texas in the wc game taking one of them the fuck out. The o's would play the tigers but tats OK..

Praying to jobu for that to happen

[Triple Naitch]

What if the Yankees win the division and the O's play the team that makes them look like the Baltimore Orioles circa 1998-2011? Would you still root for Oakland?

[Droford]

O's win their last two and don't win the wc, its a home game on Friday and it suits the orioles because they don't even have a starter to use..

[Skippord]

rooting so hard for the A's to win the World Series

[Triple Naitch]

What if the Yankees win the division and the O's play the team that makes them look like the Baltimore Orioles circa 1998-2011? Would you still root for Oakland?

O's win their last two and don't win the wc, its a home game on Friday and it suits the orioles because they don't even have a starter to use..

Nah, it's cool man. Just totally read my question wrong and shit.

[Droford]

I don't care who they play in the wc game, if the o's win their last two the wc game is in Baltimore..plus, if its Texas, tat means they'd be coming off getting swept..

[Triple Naitch]

Where Josh Hamilton hit 4 home runs in one game.

[Keith]

The two most dangerous AL playoff teams are the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland A's.

[Droford]

Wrong vowel there Keith..

[RoXer]

rooting so hard for the A's to win the World Series

me too! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[RoXer]

Droford are we still on for our bet?

[RoXer]

Droford?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Regardless of the matchups, I think the lower seeds could conceivably be favored to make it past the division series due to the 2-3 format they had to go with this year.</font>

[RoXer]

Droford!

[RoXer]

When are they gunna ban whatever this substance is that is on the bill of the hats of pitchers?

It's right in front of us. How are we looking the other way?

[Keith]

The 2012 Tampa Bay Rays have been eliminated from playoff contention.

FUCK.

[Skippord]

hey the Rockies may actually clinch not losing 100 games

wooooooooooooooooo

[RoXer]

DROFORD

If the A's meet O's in the playoffs and beat them you have to post a video of you doing the bernie lean

<iframe src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?width=400&height=254&content_id=24739917&property=mlb" width="400" height="254" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>2 teams I picked to finish dead last are now in the playoffs. :o May as well have one of them win the World Series now to go all out with it.</font>

[RoXer]

Come on Droford, accept.

And if the O's win I'll do it then

[#1-norm-fan]

Kinda confused on how the MLB playoffs work.

It's an 8 team tournament (The three division winners and one wild card from the AL and the NL)... right?

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp?tcid=mm_mlb_standings

So why do the standings have 5 teams having already clinched a playoff berth in the AL? (Yankees, Orioles, Rangers and A's all have the "clinched playoff berth" x by them while Detroit has their division won, also giving them a playoff berth.)

I thought maybe two teams would have a one game playoff but that definitely isn't a clinch. Oakland could lose to Texas the next two games, leaving them with 92 wins and Baltimore could win just one which would give them 93 wins and that would mean Oakland didn't win their division and also doesn't have the best record of non-division winners to make the wild card.

So confused. TPWW explain.

[Skippord]

there's a one game playoff in each league followed by an 8 team tournament

[Skippord]

the two teams that play in the one game playoff are both technically wild card teams

[#1-norm-fan]

Wait... there's always a one game playoff no matter what? I thought it was just to break ties.

[Skippord]

the one game playoff is new for this year

they would also have one to break ties if necessary though

[#1-norm-fan]

Well. That explains it.

Seems like that could end up being a mess.

[DaveWadding]

I know. I said Cabrera's gonna win the MVP.

He's about to get the Triple Crown and he's STILL not getting the media coverage he should be getting.

Is it because he's from Venezuela (you know, Hugo Chavez)? Is it because some people in the media think he uses PED's?

What's going on?

what's going on is that it's not 1950 anymore and Average, Home Runs and RBI (and ERA and Wins for pitchers) are not the only way to quantify how valuable a player is to his team...

[Innovator]

the one game playoff is new for this year

they would also have one to break ties if necessary though

If both games can't be decided in regulation, two man sack races will be held on Sunday until a winner is declared.

[DaveBrawl]

hey the Rockies may actually clinch not losing 100 games

wooooooooooooooooo
wooooooooooooooooo

[Innovator]

Happy Bucky Dent Day!

<iframe src='http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=13062867&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>So the worst case scenario for MLB tonight would be to see all of the following happen: Yankees win, Orioles lose, Rangers win, and then either the Cardinals win or Dodgers lose. You gotta figure they are praying for at least one division/playoff race to still be up for grabs going into Game 162.

Playoff seeding will probably be at stake on Wednesday no matter what, but that may not be that big of a deal with the weird Division Series schedule.</font>

[Innovator]

Fuck that, Let's Go Big Game James

[Droford]

I heard its raining in new York. Hooray last day of the season doubleheader for the Yankees which would make it a bit harder to win 2.

[Innovator]

It's lightly drizzling. October Baseball weather.

[Droford]

I'm hoping for a monsoon around 7

[Innovator]

I'm hoping the Orioles catch a fever, with the only prescription available being MORE COWBELL

[Innovator]

The rain has stopped and Girardi is sending Phelps to the mound instead of Nova. Good.

[Droford]

2-0 red sox

[Droford]

O's 1-0 on chis Davis hr for the 6th straight game

[YOUR Hero]

picked up Davis(again) for fantasy baseball.

[Droford]

The red sox are both making me happy with their lead and pissing me off with inability to get better than 2-1 lead

[YOUR Hero]

HEY EVERYONE!! Jays up 4-0 in the 6th

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol Adam Greenberg strikes out on 3 pitches after all the hype.</font> :o

[YOUR Hero]

oops.

4-2 now

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Dickey's season has come to an end. 233 2/3 innings, 192 hits, 54 walks, 230 K's, 2.73 ERA, 20 wins. Along with that - 5 complete games and 3 shutouts (2 of which were 1 hitters).

I think the walks are the most eye-popping number. Just ridiculous for a knuckleballer. Hopefully it will be enough for the Cy Young.

Now then, to change the channel and watch meaningful baseball.</font>

[ClockShot]

lol Adam Greenberg strikes out on 3 pitches after all the hype. :o

The state of Connecticut thanks R.A. Dickey. :y:

[ClockShot]

Dammit, can't catch a break tonight.

[Evil Vito]

The state of Connecticut thanks R.A. Dickey. :y:

<font color=goldenrod>Not surprised really. Greenberg even said he'd be swinging at anything close. He likely would have K'ed against anybody, much less one of the best pitchers in baseball.</font>

[ClockShot]

Ben Sheets will retire after he pitches tomorrow.

[Droford]

If I could grow fingernails I'd be chewing on them right now

[screech]

Wait, you can't grow fingernails?

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Dickey's season has come to an end. 233 2/3 innings, 192 hits, 54 walks, 230 K's, 2.73 ERA, 20 wins. Along with that - 5 complete games and 3 shutouts (2 of which were 1 hitters).

I think the walks are the most eye-popping number. Just ridiculous for a knuckleballer. Hopefully it will be enough for the Cy Young.

Now then, to change the channel and watch meaningful baseball.</font>

The walks stat being low isn't that shocking considering the knuckleball in general favors Ks or balls in play than walks with how odd it is to hit. Even Wakefield who was the last great knuckleballer averaged low walks (50s-60s range) once he raked up enough starts per season.

Although Dickey's monster strikeout number this year really makes the low walk number stand out more and well above Wakefield's best for Ks and K-to-BB ratio.

[Droford]

James shields cg 2 h 1 er 15 ks

On the hook for the loss though

[Droford]

Wait, you can't grow fingernails?

Alopecia as bad as I have it makes my nails brittle and crack/splinter too easy

[Droford]

o's win 1-0

Red sox up 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Just realized Matt Holliday comes out to the Big Show's entrance music

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yanks are winning the division. Red Sox are useless.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

:mad: doesn't matter who the Sox toss out there as a closer, end result is almost always a blown save or loss.

[Droford]

Stupid red sox

[Droford]

<font color=goldenrod>Yanks are winning the division. Red Sox are useless.</font>

No! No! No! No!

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The orioles are going to be the Cleveland Indians of major league.

1 game playoff with the Yankees for the division, probably in Baltimore since the o's have a better divisional record. Maybe Wieters will get a walk off bunt..

They don't do one-game playoffs for the division unless it means one is out of the playoffs. If it's a tie, Orioles have the tiebreaker and win the division.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Happy Bucky Dent Day!

<iframe src='http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=13062867&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

Fuck you. :foc:

[Triple Naitch]

They don't do one-game playoffs for the division unless it means one is out of the playoffs. If it's a tie, Orioles have the tiebreaker and win the division.

Nah they're doing tie breaker games now.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Then lets go tie! Tire these two teams up even more woo!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Give it up Dro. There's no chance the Yanks will choke away this division.</font>

[ClockShot]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

[Droford]

They don't do one-game playoffs for the division unless it means one is out of the playoffs. If it's a tie, Orioles have the tiebreaker and win the division.

You're wrong..the orioles already started selling tickets for the game on Thursday.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I wouldnt bet the game will happen. DiceK is pitching tommorrow for the Sox. Get ready for Oakland.

[Droford]

I wouldnt bet the game will happen. DiceK is pitching tommorrow for the Sox. Get ready for Oakland.

As crazyyyy as its sounds I'm rooting for Oakland to sweep Texas and have Texas travel across the country after a 3 game sweep and blowing the division they lead since day one...
IIt would also mean if the Yankees do win, the o's would play them in the ALDS and get the first two games in Baltimore..t

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

"You" are going to be facing Oakland my friend. You're going to finish as one of the Wild-Card Contenders and have to face Oakland in a one-game playoff. There's no way the Yankees lose to DiceK. Oakland can't face Texas until the League Championship either as they are in the same division. "You" can't play the Yankees in the first round either. Everything you said is impossible.

[Skippord]

that's not true anymore

[Skippord]

teams can play each other in the first round even if they're in the same division now

[Emperor Smeat]

Would be a miracle for Dice K to win tomorrow considering he's been horrible this season besides a game or two and the bullpen still sucks. At least the good news is after tomorrow, he's basically a free agent and the Red Sox have zero desire to resign him.

[Triple Naitch]

Get off your playoffs high horse, Damo.

[RoXer]

Droford of TPWW:

I would like to make a bet with you. I need a response from you.

If the Baltimore Orioles meet the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs (I'm talking about a series, not some 1 game wild card nonsense) then I propose this:

The loser of the series has to film themselves doing the "Bernie Lean" for at least 60 seconds. That's all. I'd prefer the whole song but I won't get greedy.

Droford, I need a response.

[screech]

SUPPORT

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The AL West will be decided in one game tomorrow.

O's better hope the Rangers win...cause Darvish might murder them in the Wild Card game.</font>

[Boomer]

Man I don't care if Medlen has a fucking MLB record under his belt for helping a team win the most games in a row, this wild card game sucks and I don't have much confidence in the Braves right now. Stellar pitching, but the bats have been put to sleep.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

All these new rules suck. :)

Go Orioles though.

[ClockShot]

I back this gentlemen's bet Roxer proposed.

[YOUR Hero]

All this hype for a second wildcard in each div. and it's a one gamer. I don't see this 'working'

[Innovator]

I'm pumped for Miguel Cabrera.

[YOUR Hero]

Texas is going to sit Hamilton today so Miggy haas a better chance

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Hamilton won't be sitting. The A's/Rangers game today is for the division. The difference between a division win and a one game Wild Card is enormous.

I think that's why I like it. Puts more importance on winning the division. I'm sure people will bitch if the Braves lose though and have their 6 game lead on the Cards wiped out in the blink of an eye.</font>

[Innovator]

People were asking Girardi why he left Soriano in for two innings.

"We're trying to win the division."

I love it. Game 162 means something.

[Boomer]

I'd just rather it be an actual series as opposed to one game. Three games even. Something more significant than one baseball game.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>There'd be no easy way to implement that. You'd have to block out at least 4 days (3 games plus a travel day). I'd go as far as to say that the wild card team would then have an advantage because the division winners would be sitting around for the better part of a week doing nothing.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

One game playoffs rule. Remember the Tigers/Twins game and Rockies/Padres from 2007?

[Boomer]

I understand your point, but I don't think any team at the end of the season would mind some time off to rest players. The Braves need some damn rest right now (Chipper, Bourn, Uggla, McCann, and probably more). It'd be like fighting for a first round bye.

I just hope they think of something better than this. I don't know what else they could do, but I'd sure as hell rather have it back the way it was before.