MLB 2013 Thread

[Emperor Smeat]

Oh and R.A Dickey sucks.

Lost command over his knuckleball pitch (ex. too many being thrown as "flat" pitches) or him being nowhere close to what he was last year?

[Bad News Gertner]

Chien Ming Wang has allowed no runs into the 5th. The fuck is happening in Toronto?

[Bad News Gertner]

Lost command over his knuckleball pitch (ex. too many being thrown as "flat" pitches) or him being nowhere close to what he was last year?

Someone brought up that maybe it's the Dome that Toronto throws in, but he's got an ERA over 4 and is 3-4 on the road. When you watch him he's all over the fucking place with his knuckleball.

[Emperor Smeat]

Think the ideal conditions for that type of pitch is either little to no wind so it can't be the dome's fault.

If he's lost control, probably going to be weeks to maybe a couple of months before he can get it back using Tim Wakefield as the recent example. When Wakefield lost command over the pitch, that was basically it for the season or wouldn't regain it until near the end of the season.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I've been rooting so hard for Dickey, but he just looks so different from last year. Last year his command was spot on and his "angry knuckler" (knuckleball that went 80+ MPH) was perfect for strikeouts. This year he's just all over the place.

Mets still look like geniuses for that trade, although I'm starting to doubt Travis d'Arnaud makes his debut this year as he hasn't even been cleared to run on ground. If he's back playing by late July I can see him finishing out the Triple A season and then getting a couple of weeks of playing time as a September call-up but that's about it.

I'm more excited about Noah Syndergaard than anything. Got bumped up to Double A yesterday and he seems to be similar to Matt Harvey in that he's an absolute perfectionist. The thought of Harvey, Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Rafael Montero, and Jon Niese all being in the rotation by 2015 has me wet.</font>

[DaveWadding]

Niese needs to have a rotator cuff for that to happen.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Niese has taken a big step back this year. But he's still young, left-handed, and under an affordable contract for a long time. I'd take him as the crafty lefty in a rotation featuring four young righty fireballers.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

JOEY BATS! Get these lightweight Orioles out of our ballpark!

[RoXer]

Pathetic showing from the Diamondbacks last night. Dunno how they expect to ever win a game playing like that.

LOVE BASEBALL

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Diamondbacks showed again that they're overmatched in high pressure situations.

[Innovator]

#OldTimersDay

[Bad News Gertner]

What, are Overbay, Wells, and Hafner starting today?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>One of these years I really wish the Mets would have their own version Old Timer's Day. Not an every year thing, just every once in a while. I realize that people like Francesa would likely overthink it and rip the Mets because it's "a Yankee thing" but it'd be fun. Plus I was to see Keith Hernandez at first base again, dammit.

I know they've sucked for a lot of their history, but the Mets really don't ever do much to acknowledge their history, even the good times. Ray Knight was the goddamn 1986 World Series MVP and with the exception of him being the Reds manager for a couple of years I don't think he's set foot in Shea Stadium or Citi Field since.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

It's really cute that the Jays allowed minor league teams to play at the Rogers Center this weekend.

[The Condor]

<font color=goldenrod>One of these years I really wish the Mets would have their own version Old Timer's Day. Not an every year thing, just every once in a while. I realize that people like Francesa would likely overthink it and rip the Mets because it's "a Yankee thing" but it'd be fun. Plus I was to see Keith Hernandez at first base again, dammit.

I know they've sucked for a lot of their history, but the Mets really don't ever do much to acknowledge their history, even the good times. Ray Knight was the goddamn 1986 World Series MVP and with the exception of him being the Reds manager for a couple of years I don't think he's set foot in Shea Stadium or Citi Field since.</font>

Two words: Benny Agbayani

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays complete the sweep. Incredible. Encarnacion>Davis

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Mat Latos 4 an award

[DaveWadding]

Aaron Hill will be back on Tuesday. :love:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>David Wright and Yadier Molina have overtaken Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey, respectively, in the NL voting. The only race that appears to be over is Troy Tulowitzki as the SS. Shame he's not expected to play.

FIRST BASE
Joey Votto, Reds 2,677,813
Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks 2,270,886
Allen Craig, Cardinals 1,801,138
Brandon Belt, Giants 1,323,511
Freddie Freeman, Braves 1,181,657

SECOND BASE
Brandon Phillips, Reds 2,597,742
Marco Scutaro, Giants 2,272,484
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals 2,251,248
Chase Utley, Phillies 1,136,890
Daniel Murphy, Mets 1,088,224

SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 3,104,285
Brandon Crawford, Giants 1,757,255
Jean Segura, Brewers 1,625,753
Pete Kozma, Cardinals 1,354,974
Andrelton Simmons, Braves 965,016

THIRD BASE
David Wright, Mets 2,917,819
Pablo Sandoval, Giants 2,788,988
David Freese, Cardinals 1,728,322
Chris Johnson, Braves 1,008,552
Aramis Ramirez, Brewers 881,559

CATCHER
Yadier Molina, Cardinals 3,596,858
Buster Posey, Giants 3,506,402
John Buck, Mets 1,087,519
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers 845,519
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks 799,837

OUTFIELD
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals 3,473,030
Justin Upton, Braves 2,453,531
Bryce Harper, Nationals 2,363,965
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies 2,060,388
Ryan Braun, Brewers 2,010,310
Matt Holliday, Cardinals 1,947,864
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates 1,777,568
Hunter Pence, Giants 1,732,843
Shin-Soo Choo, Reds 1,566,597
Angel Pagan, Giants 1,541,055
Carlos Gomez, Brewers 1,393,464
Jon Jay, Cardinals 1,321,149
Gregor Blanco, Giants 1,210,892
Domonic Brown, Phillies 1,107,632
Jay Bruce, Reds 978,994</font>

[DaveWadding]

Cardinals fans are a bunch of homos. No one wants to see Pete Kozma in an All Star Game.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>By rule, if an elected starter doesn't play, the guy who won the player voting (or the runner up in player voting) gets the start.

Jean Segura, Ian Desmond, and Everth Cabrera would be candidates. I figure at least 2 of those 3 make the team with Tulo being replaced.

The worst NL starter on that list is Justin Upton. Had a shit hot start to the season but he's just been so awful lately. CarGo should definitely be starting.</font>

[DaveWadding]

<font color=goldenrod>

The worst NL starter on that list is Justin Upton. </font>

Shut your goddamn whore mouth.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm working on the roster prediction I do every year right around this time. I have no idea who the fuck will be the Marlins' rep. Jose Fernandez has been awesome and is probably the most deserving, but the NL pitching appears to be loaded enough as is.

Marcell Ozuna has probably been their best everyday player. But I'm guessing they'll just give it to Stanton for name value despite the shit year.</font>

[DaveWadding]

IT's going to be Stanton just so he can be in the Derby.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Would be fine with that. Was sad when he had to pull out of it last year.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Ay yo what if the Yankees traded that bum in Double A for Miguel Cabrera? Badda bing badda boom. I'ma hang up and listen.

you forgot "first time long time"

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Munenori Kawasaki's victory dance on a flight taken by Jose Bautista.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BbU-vjHx07g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

God I love this guy so much. Fucking amazing.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Keep on Dancing you kept the Sox in first by beating up on those O's.

[RoXer]

The A's also play Cinci this week so guess what Supreme

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>GM rumors du jour:Garza to Padres(Reymond Fuentes, 2 other Hoyer/McLeod prospects), Nolasco to Giants.</p>&mdash; Peter Gammons (@pgammo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/statuses/349272908448800770">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[RP]

That rumor is horrible. Peter Gamons needs to stop. The Cubs will get atleast one decent prospect. Those guys are poop. Theo has a hard on for Fuentes and he's been in the minors for like 3 years and looks to be headed nowhere.

[ClockShot]

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/3Qdu83X6uyd_ZJulSwOY8w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/cubssoxroof.jpg

[The Condor]

That rumor is horrible. Peter Gamons needs to stop.

Hey, he told me Bobby Crosby was going to be a multiple time MVP and that Kendrys Morales was going to be one of the best hitters of his generation once he defected from Cuba!

[ClockShot]

WBC is picking up the tab again for Teixeira's latest DL stint.

More money to work with at the trade deadline/postseason.

[Innovator]

Yankees have 3 of the worst hitters in the AL right now, good times.

[Innovator]

Austin Romine with a staggering OPS of -7

[DaveWadding]

Cubs DFA Carlos "Nervous Marmot" Marmol :love:

[Bad News Gertner]

Jose Reyes off the DL tomorrow!

Kawasaki better not get DFA :(

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Red Sox demote 3B Will Middlebrooks. His .192 BA ranks 112th out of 113 AL players with at least 200 plate appearances this season</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/349637360809545728">June 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Kind of interested to find out who #113 is although all the jokes seem to be towards Adam Dunn.

[DaveWadding]

MLB.com lsts Adam Dunn at .193.

[Droford]

Thought at first it could of been os 2b Ryan flaherty..but he has finally gotten to .200

[Emperor Smeat]

MLB.com lsts Adam Dunn at .193.

Thought so too but I think theirs and ESPN only have the list ending at around 86 and not 113 like the tweet stated.

Would also mean the tweet was wrong and Middlesbrook was the last guy at .192

[DaveWadding]

No, the tweet says guys with at least 200 PAs, not guys who qualify for the batting title.

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah made the mistake of thinking plate appearances were also batting appearances. Would also explain why those lists didn't have all 113 guys on them.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The A's also play Cinci this week so guess what Supreme

What?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

A's are my #2 or #3 team to root for so I don't care

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Cards, Pirates, Reds still the 3 best records in the game

where u at, baseball

[Droford]

Chris davis has 28 hr and 72 rbi already..had 33 and 82 full season last year

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently Brian Cashman is pissed off at A-Rod for tweeting about his rehab status mainly because it keep contradicting the team's official announcements regarding his status.

"You know what, when the Yankees want to announce something, [we will]," Cashman told ESPN New York. "Alex should just shut the f--- up. That's it. I'm going to call Alex now."

Visit from Dr. [Bryan] Kelly over the weekend, who gave me the best news - the green light to play games again!" Rodriguez tweeted.

On Monday, Cashman shot down a report that Rodriguez had been given the go-ahead to play in games.

"He has not been cleared by our doctors to play in rehab games yet," he said. "He's getting closer. There's no doubt about it. But we don't have a date for him to start playing games yet. It could be July 1. It could also be July 5, or maybe June 25."

Cashman explained that Dr. Kelly had no jurisdiction over Rodriguez's rehab once the third baseman left New York to go to Tampa. Dr. Kelly had been approved by the team to perform the surgery and oversee Rodriguez's recovery in New York.

The main issue seems to be that A-Rod has been medically cleared to be play again but the Yankees don't want him around any time soon which is why they claim he's not been cleared.
http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9422957/fed-brian-cashman-tells-alex-rodriguez-new-york-yankees-shut-up

[screech]

The record for HR before the break is McGwire with 37, right?

[Droford]

Player Team Homers Year
Barry Bonds Giants 39 2001
Reggie Jackson A's 37 1969
Mark McGwire Cardinals 37 1998
Luis Gonzalez D-backs 35 2001
Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners 35 1998
Frank Howard Senators 34 1969
Roger Maris Yankees 33 1961
Sammy Sosa Cubs 33 1998
Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners 33 1994
Matt Williams Giants 33 1994
Mark McGwire A's 33 1987
Albert Pujols Cardinals 32 2009
Sammy Sosa Cubs 32 1999
Frank Thomas White Sox 32 1994
Jose Bautista Blue Jays 31 2011
David Ortiz Red Sox 31 2006
Jose Canseco Devil Rays 31 1999
Mark McGwire A's 31 1997
Kevin Mitchell Giants 31 1989
Mike Schmidt Phillies 31 1979
Willie Mays Giants 31 1954
Alex Rodriguez Yankees 30 2007
Jim Thome White Sox 30 2006
Barry Bonds Giants 30 2003
Mark McGwire Cardinals 30 2000
Greg Vaughn Padres 30 1998
Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners 30 1997
Brady Anderson Orioles 30 1996
Dave Kingman Mets 30 1976
Willie Stargell Pirates 30 1973
Willie Stargell Pirates 30 1971
Willie McCovey Giants 30 1969
Harmon Killebrew Twins 30 1964

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

So Reggie Holds the real record cause the others were on the juice.

[screech]

lol

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Wasn't joking.

[RoXer]

A's are my #2 or #3 team to root for so I don't care

oh

[Droford]

Os have 18 games to the asg so Davis should pass 30 easy. He's been on a tear the last two weeks or so. Also rooting for Manny machado who has 35 2bs which is on pace to break the record still. Davis is also on pace for 50/50 hr/2b

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

A's are my #2 or #3 team to root for so I don't care

If you have to have a list of teams to root for you're #1 must really suck the big one.

[screech]

lol

[Droford]

My list
#2 anyone that beats the Yankees
#3 anyone that beats the Red sox
#4 anyone that beats the Nationals

[screech]

So Reggie Holds the real record cause the others were on the juice.

Your favorite players were probably on the juice at some point. Do we ignore their contributions?

[Droford]

I refuse to ever believe Cal ripken took steroids

[Innovator]

Ichiro with the walk off? Ichiro with the walk off.

[Skippord]

Rockies are getting massacred by the Red Sox

seems familiar

[Supreme Olajuwon]

If you have to have a list of teams to root for you're #1 must really suck the big one.

Nah, you stupid faggot, makes baseball more fun to have side teams to root for. You probably wouldn't understand due to the aforementioned stupid faggotry.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Bro, Sox roll so hard, bro.

[Droford]

Rockies are getting massacred by the Red Sox

seems familiar

You need to root a little harder the next two games..it'd be appreciated

[Skippord]

they're only playing one more in Boston, and I will root fairly hard for them to win

[Skippord]

I root for the Rockies and then pretty much any of the A.L. West teams except the Astros

[Droford]

Even the people in Houston don't root for the astros, why would you?

[Bad News Gertner]

Kawasaki got sent down to AAA to make room for Reyes. I hope Reyes breaks his fucking leg!

[Skippord]

he probably will

[screech]

soon

[The Condor]

A batch of solo shots in the Bronx tonight. Fun game against Darvish

[ClockShot]

Woke up this morning and the headline on my homepage was "Cashman furious over A-Rod". Which led me to hope that they're gonna void the contract.

It wasn't.

But hey, Ichiro with the walk off homer last night. Not bad.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Twice in 4 days the Mets had a game like that. Coming back to tie it in the top of the 9th against all odds only to lose in the bottom of the 9th anyway.</font>

[The Condor]

That "comeback" was due only to the nearly equal incompetence of the ChiSox. Unbelievable 9th inning though. Not really good baseball, but entertaining.

[RoXer]

Wait...

Who let Droford back in here?

[ClockShot]

Well Mark Teixeira is done for the season.

Congratulations Lyle Overbay. Your place on this team has been secured.

[Droford]

-OH NO YOU DON'T-

You still haven't answered my question

[RoXer]

Who do you think is the sexiest player in the league at the moment Droford?

Droford I'm not going to let you post in here anymore until you answer my question.

[The Condor]

Sitting here at the Yankees-Rangers game. Sad that I have to endure Phil Hughes :'(

[ClockShot]

You're there early.

First time there?

[Innovator]

Sitting here at the Yankees-Rangers game. Sad that I have to endure Phil Hughes :'(
I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, I went last year only once to a game and got to enjoy Freddie Garcia.

[The Condor]

You're there early.

First time there?

No been here a bunch, brought my dad early for a belated Father's Day to stroll through monument park.

[The Condor]

I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, I went last year only once to a game and got to enjoy Freddie Garcia.

Saw AJ Burnett about three years ago. After the first or second inning he went down into the tunnel and punched something. Fucked up his knuckles and we had about 5 innings of Dustin Mosely

[ClockShot]

Damn, Hughes showed up to play today. Too bad the offense didn't.

[Damian Rey]

Sitting here at the Yankees-Rangers game. Sad that I have to endure Phil Hughes :'(

I'd take Phil Hughes on the Padres in a heartbeat. His fly ball ratio would play way up not just at PETCO, but Dodger Stadium and AT&T Park as well.

Read on MLB Trade Rumors that the Pads are looking into both Ricky Nolasco and Matt Garza. I'd love Garza, but Hoyer is being his typical self, trying to recoup players he drafted working for Bostom, with the rumored name mentioned being Reymond Fuentes, who Hoyer himself traded for in the Adrian Gonzalez to Boston deal, as well as 2010 Padres draft picks. We shall see, but, considering Garza would be a short term rental, with a very slight chance of resigning, I wouldn't give up a whole hell of a lot prospect wise. Especially with Fuentes putting up good to great numbers in AA San Antonio.

[Skippord]

oh Rockies you need Tulo so bad

[Corndad]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best record in the Majors. Let that set in.

Please at least let them finish over .500 this year. Pitching will need to stay solid. It's amazing how they have kept up the pace with the top 2 in the rotation down on the DL.

[Bad News Gertner]

GUESS WHO"S BACK WITH THE BLUE JAYS!!!!!!!!!!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9df92ffc9bb87922c07517b77691531e/tumblr_movbxba92C1r1spdvo2_250.gif

[The Condor]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best record in the Majors. Let that set in.

Please at least let them finish over .500 this year. Pitching will need to stay solid. It's amazing how they have kept up the pace with the top 2 in the rotation down on the DL.

In the next month they will have Burnett, Wandy Rodriguez, ERA leader Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton and Francisico Liriano in their starting rotation. That's pretty damn solid and, along with their bullpen (Grilli-Cheese!), the reason they are doing so well. If the pitching remains solid this team will continue to be very good. The offense is OK but does not scare you. However it does enough.

[Schlomey]

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best record in the Majors. Let that set in.

Please at least let them finish over .500 this year. Pitching will need to stay solid. It's amazing how they have kept up the pace with the top 2 in the rotation down on the DL.

http://www.walkoffwalk.com/pics/magnetictushes.jpg

[Schlomey]

finally a reason to rejoice!

[ClockShot]

The Tribe that good, or is the Chisox bullpen that bad?

[owenbrown]

19-10 Indians over the White Sox going into the bottom of the 9th and this is only Game 1 of a Doubleheader?! and game 2 is scheduled to start at 9:30 Eastern time?! :wtf:

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tough loss today, but Matt Harvey is fucking sexy.</font>

[RoXer]

The sexiest man in the MLB pitching the 9th for the Dodgers in this 16-1 game

[Skippord]

Angel Pagan is hurt, and he also plays for the Giants :roll:

[RoXer]

Fantastic.

I've been watching this 2nd Indians/White Sox game because I was sure the Indians were coming back and they did. Hawk Harrelson very fatigued/upset.

A millions runs scored between the 2 games.

[road doggy dogg]

Damn. My BTS in a day flamed pretty hard. Got 40 out of a possible 57 hits today. That's what I get for picking my players at work.

Oh and Miguel Cabrera is still pretty good at hitting baseballs.

[road doggy dogg]

Don't think I ever posted it on here but I swear Scherzer's been a better pitcher than Verlander over the past season and a half. 12-0 baby

[Innovator]

I miss Russell Martin

[The Condor]

I miss Russell Martin

With the catching situation the way it is, he would be a Godsend.

[The Condor]

Don't think I ever posted it on here but I swear Scherzer's been a better pitcher than Verlander over the past season and a half. 12-0 baby

If its not absolutely true, it's pretty close. "They" always said he had this crazy potential that he just needed to harness. With the Tigers the past two years I think he really has.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Don't think I ever posted it on here but I swear Scherzer's been a better pitcher than Verlander over the past season and a half. 12-0 baby

He has this year at least for sure. Verlander is an a totally inexplicable rut right now.

Also as far as I’m concerned the Ilitches and Leyland need to make the decision to get José Valverde out of town ASAP. He did save a handful of games this season with his brief call-up back here, but he's also blown completely savable (sp?) games more often than not, and that inconsistency, to me, and I'm sure to a lot of Tiger fans just screams LIABILITY. A few people might not want to hear it, but dammit sometimes the truth hurts and they will just have to deal with it.

Besides we've got Benoit, Rondon, Coke and several others that will be reliable when called upon. Release Valverde or trade him already.

[RoXer]

Josh Satin has Some Fucking Eyebrows on him

[Damian Rey]

Coke is not reliable with the way Leyland uses him, as it stands. Benoit, however, is a stud. Can't understand why Leyland won't just name him the damn closer already. Alburquerque has struck out more batters than innings pitched. There's another guy who moving into an elevated role would be a wise move.

I don't think anything is really wrong with Verlander, per se. Looking at his numbers, his babip is almost 60 points higher than his career number, and that bodes the same against league average. In short, I think he's suffering from bad luck on balls in play. Even with his decreased velocity, we shouldn't expect him to continue pitching this way. Although, he is 30, so I think the Verlander we've seen the previous two years is on his way out the door.

Scherzer's 28. Think that has a lot to do with how dominate he is. Guy is a strikeout machine in his prime.

[Evil Vito]

Josh Satin has Some Fucking Eyebrows on him

<font color=goldenrod>They are quite intimidating. Imagine what they must look like when he gets mad?</font>

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14497593/20130221_mje_su8_735.0_standard_352.0.jpg

[Triple Naitch]

http://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/uncle-leo.jpg

[Schlomey]

I miss Russell Martin

With the catching situation the way it is, he would be a Godsend.

I quite enjoy him on my buccos :)

[RoXer]

You didn't call anything because no one can read your posts

[RoXer]

Who do you think is the sexiest player in the league at the moment Droford?

Droford I'm not going to let you post in here anymore until you answer my question.

[RoXer]

Droford, just answer me and I'll let you post in here.

[RoXer]

This is incredible.

Droford would rather pretend to ignore the question than just answer it and be done with it.

[RoXer]

What was the bet?

[RoXer]

That's not a bet so no, I won't do it.

All you have to do is give me a name and it's over.

[RoXer]

You can "say" what you want but no one can hear you.

[RoXer]

Goodbye Droford.

Come back to us when you're ready to tell us who is currently the sexiest ballplayer in the MLB.

[RoXer]

It's not a bet, idiot.

I'm the one in power.

I have nothing to gain from "winning" your "bet".

[owenbrown]

no offense, RoXer, but why did you have to delete my posts as well?

[RoXer]

quality control

[Innovator]

Oooooooof.

[owenbrown]

ok... but seriously Dro answer the fucking question stop dodging like a fucking politician

[Bad News Gertner]

Jose Bautista! Fuck your couch nigga!

[Shisen Kopf]

Rich Garces, duh!

[RP]

Alfonso Soriano

I have to rethink my position on him

[YOUR Hero]

stop messing with the sports topics with personal bullshit IE: deleting posts. keep that for the crappy casual forum

[YOUR Hero]

Alfonso Soriano

I have to rethink my position on him

whats your current position on him

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Less than a week to go until the All Star rosters are announced, so I’m going to continue my annual tradition of trying to guess the rosters. Most years I just stick with the best players, but we all know there are snubs. This year I’m going to really try and factor in the way the rosters are voted on. The starting lineups for both teams are voted on by fans. Then a backup at each position (including 3 outfielders), 5 starters, and 3 closers are voted on by players. So really the manager selections are limited, and usually their hands are tied with having to make sure each team gets a rep anyway. There will be snubs in my predictions, but such is life.

American League

Most of the AL lineup seems to be set, as the majority of the players have huge leads. The one close battle is for the final outfield spot, with Bautista gaining on Nick Markakis each time a new poll is released. I’m going to guess that Bautista leapfrogs Markakis by the time the polls close on July 4th.

STARTERS
C Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins
1B Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles
2B Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
SS J.J. Hardy, Baltimore Orioles
3B Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
OF Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
OF Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
OF Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
DH David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

The 12-0 Max Scherzer receives the most votes in player balloting and would presumably be the favorite to get the start. King Felix receives plenty of love from the players as expected, as does ERA leader Clay Buchholz. Japanese imports Darvish and Iwakuma round off the player voting. Jim Leyland notices there are no lefties on the team yet, and there are some very good ones out there so Sale and Holland get in. Bartolo Colon is with his 11 wins. Leyland tabs Kuroda as his final starter, easily the Yankees’ most reliable starter this year.

Mo gets the most votes for the relievers, and should be the designated closer. He’s been the best closer in the AL and, even if he wasn’t, he deserves the honor to close with it being his final All Star Game. Pitch him in the bottom of the 8th if the AL is losing, he deserves an appearance certainly. AL West rivals Nathan and Balfour are also voted in by the players. Leyland opts not to take a 4th closer and instead brings along Jesse Crain, who has amazing numbers as the top set-up guy for the White Sox.

PITCHERS
RHP Grant Balfour, Oakland Athletics
RHP Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
RHP Bartolo Colon, Oakland Athletics
RHP Jesse Crain, Chicago White Sox
RHP Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
RHP Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
LHP Derek Holland, Texas Rangers
RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners
RHP Hiroki Kuroda, New York Yankees
RHP Joe Nathan, Texas Rangers
RHP Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
LHP Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
RHP Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

I think the reserves on the AL side will be largely determined by how the players ballot is listed. I believe that the players vote on the same ballot that the fans do, which would mean Encarnacion is technically listed as a DH and is a shoo-in, which opens up Prince to be the backup 1B and make his annual Home Run Derby appearance. Pedroia, Peralta, Longoria, and Cruz seem to be locks to be voted in at their positions. Markakis is voted in despite no longer starting. I think the players would need to write in votes for Daniel Nava which I’m not sure will actually happen, so I’ll say Alex Gordon is voted in, saving Leyland from needing to pick a Royals rep on his own. Santana is voted in as the backup catcher, although Jason Castro of the Astros is having a nearly identical year. Still, Leyland sticks with two catchers and brings along Jose Altuve for additional speed and flexibility. One spot left to fill, so Leyland goes with Adrian Beltre, who is selected as a respected veteran.

RESERVES
C Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
1B Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers
2B Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
2B Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox
SS Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers
3B Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
OF Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers
OF Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
OF Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles
DH Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays

Leyland wraps things up with his final vote choices. Daniel Nava gets a chance to be properly voted in. Manny “Doubles Machine” Machado, Josh Donaldson, and Jason Kipnis are certainly all worthwhile candidates. James Loney is also a viable option after quietly putting together a very good campaign in St. Pete.

FINAL VOTE CANDIDATES
3B Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
2B Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians
1B James Loney, Tampa Bay Rays
3B Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
OF Daniel Nava, Boston Red Sox





National League

I’m going to assume the starters for the NL are the same ones that are currently ahead in the polls. For the starting infield, this is fine as the guys currently slated to start should all be there. But the outfield is unfortunately a mess. Beltran starting makes sense, but at this point I really don’t think Upton or Harper deserve to be there at all, much less starting.

STARTERS
C Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
2B Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
3B David Wright, New York Mets
OF Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals
OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
OF Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves

Harvey, Kershaw, and Wainwright are all shoo-ins to be among the top 5 in the player vote. Cliff Lee gets is voted in as well as he is well-known and is having a very good year. Somewhat controversially, Strasburg gets in as the 5th guy in player balloting. His numbers have been good, but he’s primarily voted in based on reputation. Corbin seems to still be unknown to so many, which is unfortunate as he’s been amazing. He and Zimmermann have been far too good for Bruce Bochy to leave out. Jeff Locke gets in as a surprise contender for the ERA title. Rookie of the Year contender Shelby Miller gets in as well. Bochy has said he will likely pick Harvey as the starter given that the game is in New York, hopefully he follows through with that.

On to the closers, Grilli has been a great story and the best closer in baseball, so he’s the top guy voted in and is the official closer for the NL team. Kimbrel being voted in is a given. Chapman is the 3rd guy voted in, and while he’s been good, I think his reputation for dominant stuff is what pushes him in ahead of some other guys. While Bochy seems to be a reasonable guy, there always seems to be a token favoritism pick – so Sergio Romo is tabbed as the final pitcher on the squad ahead of Mujica or Soriano.

PITCHERS
LHP Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
LHP Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Jason Grilli, Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Matt Harvey, New York Mets
LHP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
LHP Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies
LHP Jeff Locke, Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Sergio Romo, San Francisco Giants
RHP Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
RHP Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals

Posey, Goldschmidt, and Gonzalez are all no-doubters to be voted in. Sandoval also is voted in as 3B options are really slim. Rizzo is selected by Bochy as the Cubs’ lone rep pretty much by default. Matt Carpenter is voted in as the backup 2B, but Bochy also opts to take Scutaro, who brings value as the team’s utility guy. Jean Segura is voted in as the backup SS and, by rule, would move into the starting lineup since Tulowitzki won’t be playing. Knowing Tulowitzki won’t play also makes it easier for Bochy to select the speedy Everth Cabrera onto the team as an extra SS and the lone Padres rep. HR leader Domonic Brown and Cuddyer’s hitting streak get them voted in by the players. That leaves 1 OF spot, and although leaving out Carlos Gomez feels criminal, Bochy has to bring a Miami Marlin, so in comes Giancarlo Stanton.

RESERVES
C Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
1B Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
2B Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals
2B Marco Scutaro, San Francisco Giants
SS Everth Cabrera, San Diego Padres
SS Jean Segura, Milwaukee Brewers
3B Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
OF Domonic Brown, Philadelphia Phillies
OF Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies
OF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies
OF Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

Lastly, Bochy needs to make his final vote choices. Gomez really should both be there to begin with, but the Upton/Harper fan voting cost him – at least he’ll get another chance, as will Jay Bruce. Bochy gives the Giants fans one last chance to vote by putting Pence into the mix. Mujica and Soriano also get another chance after being snubbed for Romo.

FINAL VOTE CANDIDATES
OF Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds
OF Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers
P Edward Mujica, St. Louis Cardinals
OF Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants
P Rafael Soriano, Washington Nationals</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And as I leave off Ian Desmond, he promptly says "fuck you" and hits a 2 run bomb. Could see him making the team anyway once Tulo has to officially be replaced.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Jose Bautista might sneak in. Hit another bomb in the 9th. Up to 19 now.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Wouldn't really say he'll sneak in. He'll almost definitely be on the team. Between the fan vote and the player vote I can't see how he's not one of the top 6 outfielders. Yeah his batting average is subpar, but the Bautista Bombs make up for it.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>There's actually been a bit of a push from the media to get Yasiel Puig in. Don't think it'll happen though. Not enough time for him to receive write-in votes, and Bochy's said he doesn't think 3 weeks makes an All Star, so he won't be a Final Vote option. That leaves only the player vote, and I think a lot of the players feel the same way and will hold off.

Side idea: maybe put Yasiel Puig and Wil Myers in the Home Run Derby as special rookie entrants to generate some extra interest?

David Wright (captain)
Carlos Gonzalez
Giancarlo Stanton
Yasiel Puig
Robinson Cano (captain)
Chris Davis
Prince Fielder
Wil Myers

Would be a pretty fun lineup.</font>

[Corndad]

Pirates Bullpen today threw 12 innings of scoreless ball. Outstanding.

[parkmania]

Well, THAT just figures...

After a 5-year self-imposed moratorium against going to Pirates games due to my dislike of the current ownership's policies, we decided to take my son (now 5) to his first baseball game today. There was a 2-hour rain delay to wait through. Then it went extra innings. After the 12th we went to the clubhouse store to buy the skull & crossbones flag that Alex wanted. We watched the bottom of the 13th inning standing in the concourse, then left. (At this point we've been inside PNC Park for 6 1/2 hours). We walk across the Allegheny River and back to the car. As we're exiting the parking garage with the game still on the radio, the Pirates finally win the game in the bottom of the 14th inning.

[OssMan]

so last night i enjoyed espn's sunday night baseball coverage of yankees vs orioles, and while i mostly conversed and was distracted through a majority of the game, i still sat on the couch in front of the tv while it was on for 99% of it and was having a follow all the same

i'm counting this as a full game watched so my total goes up to now 5 i think... and my total that i've watched on tv is at2 or 3

[OssMan]

can someone check for me, i think it might be 6 and 3

[The Condor]

Might have to apologize to Droford about Chris Davis being pretty good this year. No way he wins the Triple Crown but he has improved himself wildly this year.

[The Condor]

As for Vito Cruz' AllStar masterpiece, I think the Marlins ought to have another representative and make another outfield slot for Andrew McCutcheon. Seems wrong that the best team in baseball only gets a reliever and a starter. 'Cutch is the heart of that team and having a good year.

[ClockShot]

Yankees give Alex Rodriguez the green light to start his rehab assignment.

God help us all.

[Bad News Gertner]

Canada Day. Sold out Rogers Centre vs Tigers. Who gets the loudest ovation? Munenori Kawasaki.

The fascination Toronto fan have with small infielders is hilarious. Kawasaki is basically the Jap Johnny McDonald.

[Innovator]

Yankees give Alex Rodriguez the green light to start his rehab assignment.

God help us all.
Can't hurt at this point.

[ClockShot]

I don't doubt it.

It's what's the reception going to be once he gets back?

[The Condor]

I don't doubt it.

It's what's the reception going to be once he gets back?

I would assume a chorus of BOOs and apathy.

[Evil Vito]

As for Vito Cruz' AllStar masterpiece, I think the Marlins ought to have another representative and make another outfield slot for Andrew McCutcheon. Seems wrong that the best team in baseball only gets a reliever and a starter. 'Cutch is the heart of that team and having a good year.

<font color=goldenrod>The issue is though, who else could go? Jose Fernandez has been really good, but he's hardly been at the level of the other starters on the team. You'd have to bump a guy like Shelby Miller, who has been amazing. I guess the next best guess would be to put Steve Cishek in as the 4th closer on the team, but even then he's been kinda meh. At least Stanton has "star power" despite the shitty year. And I love McCutchen, but by his standards he's having a pretty down year.

I think the whole rule of every team needing a rep is kinda shitty. Yeah now and then your team won't have anybody, but oh well.</font>

[The Condor]

Cishek would be my choice

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Go Todd "The Fraze" Frazier!

[RP]

I went to a Reds v Cubs game in Cinci earlier this season. Frazier hit a fucking bomb dead center that went off the boat in the upper deck. I turned to my friend who was a Reds fan and simply said " Fuck my life... "

[RoXer]

*fart noise*

[Bad News Gertner]

lol wtf

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Btmcah1omZo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ClockShot]

Congratulations to Andy Pettitte. Now the Yankees all time strikeout leader.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Well that was an unexpected win.</font>

[The Condor]

The Yankees team from last night is the team I like seeing; a scrappy group of young guys and discarded veterans with Cano as the crown jewel in the middle of it all. Wish the talent was able to be consistent but with a team like this it's what you get.

[ClockShot]

Jim Thome joins the Chicago White Sox front office as a special assistant to GM Rick Hahn.

Good for him, he's still in the game at some level.

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>There's actually been a bit of a push from the media to get Yasiel Puig in. Don't think it'll happen though. Not enough time for him to receive write-in votes, and Bochy's said he doesn't think 3 weeks makes an All Star, so he won't be a Final Vote option. That leaves only the player vote, and I think a lot of the players feel the same way and will hold off.

Can already count out Papelbon voting for Puig since he publicly stated its a joke to even consider voting for him to be or not be on the team.

The guy's got a month, I don't even think he's got a month in the big leagues. Just comparing him to this and that, and saying he's going to make the All-Star team, that's a joke to me.

[The Condor]

Hate saying this, but: I agree with Papelbon

[The Condor]

Homer. Bailey.

[Frank Drebin]

No comments on any of todays historic trades?

[Bad News Gertner]

And that's about enough Chien Ming Wang for a while.

[The Condor]

No comments on any of todays historic trades?

Arietta might be good, but then again Feldman is pretty good and the O's can definitely use him. As for Marmol, I feel bad for Donny Baseball. Ownership puts on the pressure to win but keep giving him defective parts to work with

[Frank Drebin]

All true. I used to like Arietta more then Matuz and Tillman but he neveg took steps forward and is already 27. The historic part was the cubs obtaining extra cash to use for international free agents and promptly signing the #2 rated guy. Probably sign Jiminez too.

[The Condor]

Other historic occurrences from tonight: the death of Michael Cuddyer's hitting streak and Homer Bailey doing something awesome.

[Frank Drebin]

I always liked Bailey even when he lost some of his prospect shine. I would put feelers out if I were Cincy just to see what you could get for him now.

[The Condor]

The stock probably isn't going to get any higher. They need him though, I would say. With Cueto down he's fairly important, especially in that division. Gotta win as many games as possible

[Frank Drebin]

Totally. Not saying trade him at any cost. Just would see if someone blows you away with something. I used to be on the "trade Rich Hill" bandwagon after his 08 season. No one listened to me. Line you saidx his stock is about as high as it could get so why not test the waters?

[The Condor]

Totally. Not saying trade him at any cost. Just would see if someone blows you away with something. I used to be on the "trade Rich Hill" bandwagon after his 08 season. No one listened to me. Line you saidx his stock is about as high as it could get so why not test the waters?

LOL We've all been there with a guy on our team. I really wish we were able to deal Joba and get something good before he was finally exposed as a useless, fat fuck

[Frank Drebin]

Just goes to show you have to be willing to make a bold move or two to not just stay ahead of the curve...but set it. Looking forward to this trade deadline because I think a lot of teams will try to "go for it"

[The Condor]

I'm most jacked to see what PBurgh does. This is a team that has gone 20 years in the doldrums, are they going to trade some of what it took so long to build into a contender or are they going to be cautious. It's really interesting and I'm amped. All the NL west teams are in it, someone going to get Bud Norris? Alphonso Soriano? It seems that even a guy like Jimmy Rollins might be on the docket.

[Frank Drebin]

Phils will have a bunch of name brands available. They don't seem lime the type that would want to break up a team though

Yer right about pberg. First time in a generation they are serious buyers at this point. What would they want? Starting pitching and maybe a 7th or 8rh inning guy?

[The Condor]

They could trade a pitcher, honestly. Burnett, Wandy, Locke, Morton, Gerrit Cole, McDonald and Jeff Karstens are all on that roster. They need a quality SS bad. I wouldn't put it past them to deal McDonald or Karsten, maybe even Charlie Morton for a possible SS. Rollins comes to mind. We'll have to see

[Frank Drebin]

Starlin Castro for cutch and Cole. We will throw in soriano and Ryan Sweeney.

[The Condor]

Off topic: you feel like 'Cutch is in a good position to be the face of baseball after Jeter retires? My friend and I were weighing the possibilities. My personal hatred of Busted Pussy makes me say yes to McCutcheon

[Skippord]

RIP Michael Cuddyer's hitting streak, Clayton Kershaw is the devil

[OssMan]

Homer Bailey throws a no-hitter and all we get is a back and forth between Frank Drebin and Edgar Crazy?

[RoXer]

Supreme dropping the ball

during kotf season

[RoXer]

Got Homer Bailey on my fantasy team

[The Fraze]

From first to last in a month, ouch. Not to mention our division looks like garbage compared to the rest of the league.

[Frank Drebin]

Off topic: you feel like 'Cutch is in a good position to be the face of baseball after Jeter retires? My friend and I were weighing the possibilities. My personal hatred of Busted Pussy makes me say yes to McCutcheon

If we are going to say Jeter is the face now (and I wouldn't expect anything less from a Yankees fan) it would have to be someone with a long track record of success. Someone who seems like a sure bet to be a hall of fame, has had postseason success and a good amount of media exposure. Does 'Cutch have that yet? He might if the Pirates go on to win it all and he comes up big in the postseason, but would that make him a HOF guy? It's probably Pujols or maybe Verlander as long as they don't fade away quickly.

[Frank Drebin]

Homer Bailey throws a no-hitter and all we get is a back and forth between Frank Drebin and Edgar Crazy?

Crazy Edgar is a forum king in many eyes. His words are like sweet sweet butter dripped all over Ossman and collected in a jar which are then added with house spices and poured over Ossman one more time for a rich, creamery flavor that the Dali Lama himself has described as a flavor that "is as timeless as infinity."

[screech]

Homer Bailey is a great baseball name

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Cuddyer's streak was just reaching the point where ESPN was starting to cover it, so that's usually the death blow right there. Hitting in 57 straight is ridiculous enough as is, but with the media jumping all over it as soon as it gets around 25 it's pretty much impossible to sustain.

Although, I do think if it ever ended that it'd be hilarious if it was a guy like Michael Cuddyer as opposed to a Miguel Cabrera or something.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

I remember when Luis Castillo has a 35+ game hit streak and he didn't even know who Joe DiMaggio was.

[Bad News Gertner]

Starting to think Brett Cecil has an outside shot of making the all-star team. He's friggen unhittable.

37 games. 43 innings only 22 hits, 3-0 record 1.47 ERA 13 walks 50 k's, 0.81 WHIP 7 earned runs all season.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Juan Perez has pitched 17.2 innings and has a 0.00 ERA. That is insane.

[The Fraze]

http://www.bayareasportsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Juan-Perez-Giants-catch.jpg

Did somebody say...JUAN PEREZ?

[RoXer]

From first to last in a month, ouch. Not to mention our division looks like garbage compared to the rest of the league.

Nah. Only recently. I would say the west's worst will be better than the central and east's 4th place teams.

San Diego and Colorado are really screwing this whole thing up. It was supposed to be a 3 team race and they come in and dick around and now it's a god damned free for all the rest of the year. You would think the injuries to Colorado would have slowed them down but they kept going and are bigger pains in the asses. And then the stupid Dodgers finally climbed out of their hole, which we knew was inevitable. I just didn't think it would happen in July, thought they would make a later push.

Fun stuff for the rest of the year at least.

[RoXer]

Does Colorado even have a rival? No. No one cares about Colorado.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Supreme dropping the ball

during kotf season

sorry I was busy celebrating IRL and didn't have time to celebrate on an internet message board :roll:

[RoXer]

:roll:..

[DaveBrawl]

Does Colorado even have a rival? No. No one cares about Colorado.
Now that you mention it, do San Diego or Arizona have a rival either?

I mean I guess the Rockies and Dbacks haven't been around long enough to have much history, especially with so many awful teams but it's wierd thinking the Padres have no rival.

[RoXer]

LA and SF are the big divisional rivals. Back in the day St. Louis wasn't well liked but it's mostly those two.

[DaveBrawl]

Now that I think about it, a lot of the smaller teams don't really have a real rival aside from when they have a few good seasons and one of the big teams fans hate on them for a season or two.

How often do you hear a Yankees or Red Sox fan mention hating the O's or Jays or lately even the Rays when they aren't playing them unless they pose a threat. Same with Giants and Dodgers and the other NL West teams. Cards/Cubs and NL Central. Baseball seems to have 6 or 7 good rivalries and that's it.

[The Condor]

Rivalries only really work when 2 teams are good or have history. A lot of teams in baseball never got a chance to create rivalries because of the league split. In basketball the Celtics and Lakers only play twice a year but at least they play and their histories play a big role. Half of MLB baseball teams have only been around since 1969 and up until this year did not play half if the teams on a regular basis. The Chiefs and Raiders in the NFL have history and a divisional enmity but no one cares lately because they've both been awful.

[DaveBrawl]

That's true, but there should still be a little something there I'd think. At least with the older teams. Like I said I understand Colorado, Arizona, Tampa, Miami not having a history but teams like the Mets have the Braves. The Padres and Brewers and others like them have nothing. I guess it does have to do with a lack of success throughout their history but still in 50 years you'd think they would have had a run in with another team somewhere.

[ClockShot]

Hey, that Manny Ramirez guy signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.

[Emperor Smeat]

A lot of it has to do more with baseball history than anything specific.

The Dodgers and Giants were already big rivals before their move out West in the 1950s. Them staying as major rivals can be explained as them being the first teams in the West and the new fanbase mixing with original fans who also migrated to California.

Outside of Cubs-Cards, and White Sox-Cubs, all the other big name rivalries have their origins in the East.

[Frank Drebin]

Hey, that Manny Ramirez guy signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.

They probably thought they were signing Juan Gonzalez or Pudge Rodriguez to one of those 1 day / retirement contracts. Oops.

[Skippord]

Does Colorado even have a rival? No. No one cares about Colorado.
Hey, fuck you buddy

all I've ever wanted is a rival for the Rockies :'(

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>8th walk-off win of the season for the Red Sox, tying Giants for most in MLB</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/352612779741544450">July 4, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

:D Gomes had the last two walk off for the Sox. Think around the same location as well for both HRs

[Innovator]

CC gets #200, Yankees win 3 in a row. WINNING STREAK

[The Fraze]

Nah. Only recently. I would say the west's worst will be better than the central and east's 4th place teams.

San Diego and Colorado are really screwing this whole thing up. It was supposed to be a 3 team race and they come in and dick around and now it's a god damned free for all the rest of the year. You would think the injuries to Colorado would have slowed them down but they kept going and are bigger pains in the asses. And then the stupid Dodgers finally climbed out of their hole, which we knew was inevitable. I just didn't think it would happen in July, thought they would make a later push.

Fun stuff for the rest of the year at least.

At least it's happening now, and not in September. I mean, 2010 happened and we won the World Series.

[OssMan]

Nats vs Brewer at 11 AM thats some #natitude

[RoXer]

Cody Ross swings his bat either into the stands or onto the field at least once per game

[Bad News Gertner]

J.P Arencibia is such a dick head

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Anthony the Recker</font>

[ClockShot]

Saweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol this game has been ridiculous. Keith Hernandez on commentary clearly wants to go home.</font>

[RoXer]

JUST GET IT OVER WITH

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Brandon Lyon DFA'ed after his season completely got derailed in the past couple of weeks. He was pitching well about a month ago and I actually thought he could have been the Mets' best trade chip.

Gonna be a weird trade deadline for the Mets, actually. They've been playing well lately but they're not going to be buyers as they're too far back and have too many question marks to realistically make a run. But they won't necessarily be sellers either because there's just not much to sell. Marlon Byrd is their best trade chip right now, but as as good as he's been who is going to part with a lot for a 35 year old journeyman outfielder? It'll be the same thing as Scott Hairston last year, they really aren't being offered anything worthwhile so they'll keep him. Probably ditto for LaTroy Hawkins who has been good but a middling Single A player is about all you could expect for a 40 year old reliever.

Everybody assumed John Buck would be trade bait, but he's barely hitting above the Mendoza line and they need somebody to catch until d'Arnaud is ready. Could actually see the Mets trying to re-sign Buck to be a mentor/backup for d'Arnaud next year, actually.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol a catcher who can't hit his weight nor throw out a runner to save his life is perfect for D'Arnaud.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Buck's gotten a lot of praise for his ability to handle the pitching staff. There's more to being a good fielding catcher than throwing out runners. Matt Harvey has credited a lot of his success this year to Buck, and Jeremy Hefner has said Buck's played a big role in his rejuvenation over the past month and a half. He might not have a good throwing arm, but he calls a good game and keeps the ball in front of him.

If the Mets had 7 other good bats in their lineup, they could live with Buck swinging for the fences every AB. But they don't. He'd work much better in a backup role.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>If I hear one more report about the Mets trying to trade for Carlos Gonzalez this off-season I'm going to fucking scream. He would cost the Mets Wheeler AND Syndergaard as a start. Why would the Rockies even entertain trading him? He's young, awesome, and signed through 2017.</font>

[The Condor]

Ivan Nova <3

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The Red Sox. All they do is win. 5 and half game lead over the Orioles and a five game winning streak. Most wins in the MLB to date.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>All Star Game rosters announced this evening. I already made my "official" predictions a couple of pages back, but if I had the ability to fill out the rosters based on who I thought should actually be there (starters listed first, primary reserve second), here's what I'd go with:

AL
C: Joe Mauer, MIN
C: Carlos Santana, CLE
1B: Chris Davis, BAL
1B: James Loney, TB
2B: Robinson Cano, NYY
2B: Jason Kipnis, CLE
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL
SS: Jhonny Peralta, DET
3B: Miguel Cabrera, DET
3B: Evan Longoria, TB
OF: Mike Trout, LAA
OF: Adam Jones, BAL
OF: Jose Bautista, TOR
OF: Alex Gordon, KC
OF: Nelson Cruz, TEX
OF: Nick Markakis, BAL
DH: David Ortiz, BOS
DH: Edwin Encarnacion, TOR
Extra: 2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS
Extra: 3B Manny Machado, BAL

SP: Max Scherzer, DET
SP: Felix Hernandez, SEA
SP: Hisashi Iwakuma, SEA
SP: Yu Darvish, TEX
SP: Clay Buchholz, BOS
RP: Mariano Rivera, NYY
RP: Joe Nathan, TEX
RP: Grant Balfour, OAK
Extra: Jesse Crain, CHW
Extra: Bud Norris, HOU
Extra: Chris Sale, CHW
Extra: Justin Masterson, CLE
Extra: Bartolo Colon, OAK

Final Vote: 1B Prince Fielder, DET
Final Vote: 2B Howie Kendrick, LAA
Final Vote: 3B Josh Donaldson, OAK
Final Vote: P Derek Holland, TEX
Final Vote: P Hiroki Kuroda, NYY

NL
C: Yadier Molina, STL
C: Buster Posey, SF
1B: Paul Goldscmidt, ARI
1B: Joey Votto, CIN
2B: Matt Carpenter, STL
2B: Brandon Phillips, CIN
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, COL
SS: Jean Segura, MIL
3B: David Wright, NYM
3B: Pedro Alvarez, PIT
OF: Carlos Beltran, STL
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, COL
OF: Carlos Gomez, MIL
OF: Michael Cuddyer, COL
OF: Domonic Brown, PHI
OF: Andrew McCutchen, PIT
Extra: 1B Allen Craig, STL
Extra: 2B Marco Scutaro, SF
Extra: SS Everth Cabrera, SD
Extra: OF Jay Bruce, CIN

SP: Matt Harvey, NYM
SP: Adam Wainwright, STL
SP: Clayton Kershaw, LAD
SP: Patrick Corbin, ARI
SP: Cliff Lee, PHI
RP: Jason Grilli, PIT
RP: Craig Kimbrel, ATL
RP: Rafael Soriano, WAS
Extra: Rex Brothers, COL
Extra: Jose Fernandez, MIA
Extra: Travis Wood, CHC
Extra: Jordan Zimmermann, WAS
Extra: Jeff Locke, PIT

Final Vote: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, LAD
Final Vote: SS Ian Desmond, WAS
Final Vote: OF Hunter Pence, SF
Final Vote: P Mike Leake, CIN
Final Vote: P Edward Mujica, STL</font>

[The Condor]

Made a manageable trip to Scranton for the day, going to check out Jeters first rehab game. I'll post a report later tonight

[ClockShot]

I wonder if the Yankees finally figured it out?

[parkmania]

American League

Starters
C: Joe Mauer, Twins
1B: Chris Davis, Orioles
2B: Robinson Cano, Yankees
SS: J.J. Hardy, Orioles
3B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
OF: Mike Trout, Angels
OF: Adam Jones, Orioles
OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox

Pitchers
RHP: Clay Buchholz *, Red Sox
LHP: Brett Cecil, Blue Jays
RHP: Bartolo Colon @, A's
RHP: Jesse Crain *, White Sox
RHP: Yu Darvish, Rangers
RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
RHP: Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners
RHP: Justin Masterson, Indians
RHP: Joe Nathan, Rangers
LHP: Glen Perkins @, Twins
RHP: Mariano Rivera, Yankees
LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox
RHP: Max Scherzer, Tigers
RHP: Justin Verlander, Tigers

Reserves
C: Jason Castro, Astros
C: Salvador Perez, Royals
1B: Prince Fielder, Tigers
2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians
2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
2B: Ben Zobrist, Rays
SS: Jhonny Peralta: Tigers
3B: Manny Machado, Orioles
OF: Nelson Cruz, Rangers
OF: Alex Gordon, Royals
OF: Torii Hunter, Tigers
DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays



National League

Starters
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B: Joey Votto, Reds
2B: Brandon Phillips, Reds
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B: David Wright, Mets
OF: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

Pitchers
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds
LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs
RHP: Jose Fernandez, Marlins
RHP: Jason Grilli, Pirates
RHP: Matt Harvey, Mets
LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Braves
LHP: Cliff Lee, Phillies
LHP: Jeff Locke, Pirates
RHP: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
LHP: Travis Wood, Cubs
RHP: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals

Reserves
C: Buster Posey, Giants
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
1B: Allen Craig, Cardinals
2B: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
2B: Marco Scutaro, Giants
SS: Everth Cabrera, Padres
SS: Jean Segura, Brewers
3B: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates
OF: Domonic Brown, Phillies
OF: Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
OF: Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

NOTES
* Chosen on Player Ballot, injured
@ Injury replacement

[Bad News Gertner]

<font color=goldenrod>Buck's gotten a lot of praise for his ability to handle the pitching staff. There's more to being a good fielding catcher than throwing out runners. Matt Harvey has credited a lot of his success this year to Buck, and Jeremy Hefner has said Buck's played a big role in his rejuvenation over the past month and a half. He might not have a good throwing arm, but he calls a good game and keeps the ball in front of him.

If the Mets had 7 other good bats in their lineup, they could live with Buck swinging for the fences every AB. But they don't. He'd work much better in a backup role.</font>

J.P Arencibia gets the same praise but I wouldn't have him back catch my softball team

[Bad News Gertner]

Cecil fucking made it!!!! Holy shitballs! Good for him!

[ClockShot]

American League gotta win this All Star Game this year.

Hopefully old man Leyland got a few tricks up his sleeve.

[The Condor]

Jeter's first AB= a patient walk. Looks to be in baseball shape. 2 innings without a defensive chance.

[The Condor]

Former NYY beat reporter Kim Jones is here. 100% hotter in person than on TV

[parkmania]

Pirates have almost an equal chance of winning the World Series (5.9%) as they do of MISSING the playoffs (6.1%).

[Boomer]

Braves only having Kimbrel sucks. Justin Upton totally doesn't deserve to be there, but Freeman does (and will probably lose to Puig). Chris Johnson has also been one of the best guys at 3rd in the NL, but I didn't expect him to be in.

[The Condor]

Pineda started tonights game as a part of his own rehab. he was awful in the 1st inning. The last two innings have been terrific. He looks to be in good form, is hovering the 93-95 range and has found a groove.

[The Condor]

Jeter just led off the inning. Rocket line out to 2nd. Bat speed appears to be good.

[Bad News Gertner]

Brett Cecil's performance against the Ttigers this week I think got him in. Totally dominated Cabrera and company.

[ClockShot]

Former NYY beat reporter Kim Jones is here. 100% hotter in person than on TV

I miss Ms. Jones on YES Network. I think she's working at MLB network now.

Oh, and uh, pics or gtfo.

[Emperor Smeat]

Yasiel Puig made it into the Final 5 pool for the fan vote on the NL side.

His competition will be Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond, Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Giants outfielder Hunter Pence.

AL side has Steve Delabar (Blue Jays), David Robertson (Yankees), Koji Uehara (Red Sox), Tanner Scheppers (Rangers) and Joaquin Benoit (Tigers) for its fan voting choice.

[The Condor]

Jeters last AB was a groundouts to third with good hustle. Looks very close to being ready.

After a very rough first inning, Pineda was great. He's also looking good.

[Bad News Gertner]

Delabar has been outstanding but won't win.

[Skippord]

everyone involved in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade sucks

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol the Jays last year traded Eric Thames who was dfa this year for Steve Delabar.

[screech]

Bartolo Colon

[Evil Vito]

The worst All Star this year is easily Ben Zobrist. Shitty numbers, was only picked presumably because Leyland wanted a utility guy. No way should Longoria have been snubbed as the Rays' rep.

[Innovator]

Jeters last AB was a groundouts to third with good hustle. Looks very close to being ready.

After a very rough first inning, Pineda was great. He's also looking good.
Good report here. Yanks need Pineda up.

And 60 year olds Jeter and A-Rod will still be better than what they're putting out there on the left side.

[The Condor]

All the help we can get

[Skippord]

TULO'S GOING TO START A REHAB ASSIGNMENT TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!

[Bad News Gertner]

Rajah Davis should start at left ahead of Melky when he gets back. I know he takes weird routes at fly balls but fuck is he fast and has been clutch.

[Frank Drebin]

Starling Marte goes yard on a 3-2 count with two outs to tie the game. Hard to not root for this Pirate team.

Still hoping for a Garza freak injury to kill his trade value.

[Schlomey]

2 notes about the all star game:

1. i hope Puig makes it in
2. I am baffled and angered that 0 Pirates made the starting line up. 1st place in baseball means nothing I guess......One of these days you fuckers will wise up :P

[Frank Drebin]

Dumbasses holding up "W" flags and signing like they just won the division.

[Evil Vito]

2 notes about the all star game:

1. i hope Puig makes it in
2. I am baffled and angered that 0 Pirates made the starting line up. 1st place in baseball means nothing I guess......One of these days you fuckers will wise up :P

<font color=goldenrod>I'm actually kinda shocked Puig was on the Final Vote. Bochy said a week ago that he didn't feel he'd played long enough to be an All Star, so I figure he'd have been left off entirely. Kinda makes me wonder if MLB urged him to include Puig.

At least the Pirates had 4 reps. The A's are leading their division and only got Bartolo Colon. Grant Balfour not making it is baffling to me. Should have definitely made it in ahead of Glen Perkins.

Josh Donaldson was a huge snub too, but it'd have been hard to fit him in even if they did the right thing and put Longoria in instead of Zobrist. I appreciate Leyland giving props to the unheralded set-up guys, but Donaldson, Longoria, Howie Kendrick, and others all should have been in the Final Vote at least.</font>

[ClockShot]

Trenton Thunder's bat dog Chase retired on friday after 13 years of service. Bit of sad news for us Yankee fans. He's been battling a form of blood cancer. :'(

His son Derby will be taking over.


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[The Fraze]

VOTE PENCE

[The Condor]

<font color=goldenrod>
Josh Donaldson was a huge snub too, but it'd have been hard to fit him in even if they did the right thing and put Longoria in instead of Zobrist. I appreciate Leyland giving props to the unheralded set-up guys, but Donaldson, Longoria, Howie Kendrick, and others all should have been in the Final Vote at least.</font>

Miggy, Machado, and Beltre are all better or equal 3B options than Donaldson. Not so much a snub but he picked the wrong year and position to break out.

[RoXer]

Miggy, Machado, and Beltre are all better or equal 3B options than Donaldson. Not so much a snub but he picked the wrong year and position to break out.

Yeah Fosse was saying last week how a "case could be made" for him to be on the all star team but I don't see that at all. It's like you said, he's having a great year but so are 4 other 3B, one of them a lock for the HOF.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I actually saw there being a chance for 4 3B on the team. Wouldn't be the first time 4 guys at the same infield position made it in. Really not that big a deal considering DH/PH opportunities throughout the game and such. I kinda figured Longoria was well known enough that he'd have won the player vote, which would leave Leyland to sort through the other three for one spot, with Donaldson and Machado having the inside track since they can play other infield positions. Could have actually fit both in had the players not voted in Salvador Perez, essentially forcing Leyland to take a 3rd catcher to take care of the Houston rep.

Apparently Leyland actually called Donaldson and apologized to him for not picking him, since he himself felt it was an unfortunate snub he had to make. So that was pretty cool of him.</font>

[The Condor]

So, Vito, as a Mets guy what are your views on Lastings Milledge? Did you believe the hype?