The Official 2017 Major League Baseball Thread

[WeatherWonk]

I still think CLE is the team to beat in the AL. But they have vulnerabilities, too. Allen is not a great closer. Tito should look at the opposing lineup in the 8th and 9th and use Miller against the strongest threesome. He eats up LH or RH hitters. As I've mentioned before, Allen relies too much on his slider. He needs to throw the fast ball IN on RH hitters more, instead of relying on the slider away.

Also,  LH pitchers force Lindor and Santana to hit from their weaker sides;  while negating Kipnis, Chisenhall and Bruce, somewhat. Ramirez hits everyone, but is slightly better from the right side. Boston has strong LH pitching and could match up well with CLE IF they get past Houston.

I hope this puzzling experiment with Kipnis in CF ends. He is a significant liability out there. Limited range, and absolutely no arm. Runners will take the extra base on him all day. He doesnt turn the DP as well as Ramirez but the alternative is Urshela or Diaz at third and their weaker bats. I'm hoping that Chisenhall returns to the OF with Jackson and Bruce, and Kip goes back to 2nd. I doubt Brantley will be able to play the OF in the ALDS;  maybe the ALCS if the Indians get that far.

I would leave Tomlin off the ALDS roster, in favor of an additional position player. But who is on the bench is a really tough question for Tito. So many capable players;  Allen, Naquin, Diaz, Guyer (if healthy), Brantley, Rodriguez, Almonte. Even the young Mejia looks like a good pinch hitter from either side of the plate.

[Chuck]

[Blarg]

That was really unnecessary.

[Blarg]

Someone should inform the Marlins Spring Training is over and they are supposed to be fielding their major league roster.

[Blarg]

2 minutes ago, ANAHEIMBOB said:

Jose Urena of the Marlins hit three Cubs in the first inning.

Jose Urethra pisses away his opening day start. ~ Marlins Oracle

[LAAMike]

A HR, three hit batters and two walks.  A starting pitching performance that even Ohtani will not be able to match.  And Happ is on my fantasy team - always good to be in first place once in a season. 

[Mark68]

14 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Someone should inform the Marlins Spring Training is over and they are supposed to be fielding their major league roster.

I'm sure their dozens of fans agree.

[Blarg]

RIP Rusty Staub dies on opening day at the age of 73.

[Ohtaniland]

18 minutes ago, Blarg said:

RIP Rusty Staub dies on opening day at the age of 73.

I tried to buy his last Montreal helmet a few years ago but somebody beat me to it.

RIP.

 

 

[Hubs]

Holland signed with the Cardinals. 1 Yr 14M.

[Angel Oracle]

R.I.P., Le Grand Orange.

[Blarg]

Cubs not looking that great. Cubs 5 Marlins 4 after 5. 

[bloodbrother]

Stanton homers in his first AB as a Yankee. What a moment

[m0nkey]

Stanton hit a home run in his first official AB

[Lou]

Damn, I missed it. Too bad they won't be showing the replay anywhere.

All year. 

[Dick Enberg]

Cron Watch: 0 for 2 , with 2 k's....

 

[m0nkey]

The Dodgers have 3 hits right now.  Kershaw has 2 of them

[Billy_Ball]

3 hours ago, Dick Enberg said:

Cron Watch: 0 for 2 , with 2 k's....

 

Cron finishes 0 for 3, but the Rays beat the Red Sox 6-4.

[Dick B Back]

25 minutes ago, m0nkey said:

The Dodgers have 3 hits right now.  Kershaw has 2 of them

The real Babe Ruth of MLB.

[fan_since79]

Tony Watson of the Giants struck out the side in the 8th and Dodgers still trail 1-0. 

Almost 54,000 at the Latrine and it's as quiet as a morgue.

Edited March 30, 2018 by fan_since79

[m0nkey]

32 minutes ago, Dick B Back said:

The real Babe Ruth of MLB.

And he can do it on days he pitches

[Dick B Back]

Looks like Miggy’s back is better.

[fan_since79]

Fans in Detroit endure a 5+ hour game in 44 degree weather and see their Tigers lose 13-10 in 13 innings.

Ron Gardenhire got tossed in the 10th as Detroit's game-winning run was reversed by the umpires.

That was their opener, as yesterday's game was postponed.

[JustATroutFan]

Tigers are in for a long season. At least Miggy is still worth watching. Have him bouncing back big time this season. 

[Dick B Back]

Howie has more hits than Trout and Upton combined.