(04-03-2018 08:47 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  Meanwhile Bryce Harper is on insane, mega fire. If he performs anywhere close to the level of 2015 what do you think he'll get? 10/400? 10/450? One thing holding him back from getting what he wants is that the Yankees are right up against the luxury tax threshold and the Red Sox are up against the super penalty threshold. There's always a wild card like the Mariners or Phillies. Imagine Harper in that Philly ballpark, with Rhys Hoskins?

did you see the video of Sunday, where right before the pitch, a Reds fan yelled out overrated. Harper promtly put the ball in the stands for a homer.

Thing that's scary for Nats haters- Rendon hasn't even started to really hit yet. And same for Zimmerman. And Taylor. Those 3 are a combined 7-43. And yet the Nats have scored 29 runs in 4 games. Oh, and Daniel Murphy isn't even back yet.

(04-03-2018 09:17 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-03-2018 08:47 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  Meanwhile Bryce Harper is on insane, mega fire. If he performs anywhere close to the level of 2015 what do you think he'll get? 10/400? 10/450? One thing holding him back from getting what he wants is that the Yankees are right up against the luxury tax threshold and the Red Sox are up against the super penalty threshold. There's always a wild card like the Mariners or Phillies. Imagine Harper in that Philly ballpark, with Rhys Hoskins?

did you see the video of Sunday, where right before the pitch, a Reds fan yelled out overrated. Harper promtly put the ball in the stands for a homer.

Thing that's scary for Nats haters- Rendon hasn't even started to really hit yet. And same for Zimmerman. And Taylor. Those 3 are a combined 7-43. And yet the Nats have scored 29 runs in 4 games. Oh, and Daniel Murphy isn't even back yet.

Yeah, I saw that. Pretty funny

Doubt there are any Nats haters anymore. That lineup is insane in the membrane and the top 3 starters are so good. But the usual caveat applies: let's see what happens in the NLDS.

The Giants are saying Bumgarner's return is scheduled for early June. I don't know if that means he starts a rehab assignment then, or will be ready to re-enter the rotation at that time. I'm guessing the former

(04-03-2018 02:56 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  The Giants are saying Bumgarner's return is scheduled for early June. I don't know if that means he starts a rehab assignment then, or will be ready to re-enter the rotation at that time. I'm guessing the former

reading things- sounds like re-entering the rotation. Sounds like he's got pins in for 4-6 weeks then probably like 3-5 rehab starts.

so Kershaw gives up 2 homers in 6 innings and takes the loss tonight. 3 homers given up in 12 innings so far this year- after last postseason giving up 8 in 33 innings and 5 in the 33.2 innings after coming off the DL- so in his last 78.2 innings, he's given up 16 homers. That's a huge issue. Consider that for his regular season career- he gives up .598 hr/9 innings- his recent number is 1.831 hr/9 or over triple his career average prior. He's already walked as many guys this year as he did all last April. His ERA since coming off the DL last year 3.43.

In other things- I like how Cora is managing Sale right now. Only let him go 5 innings today. I think that's something that needs to be done. Last year he had only 1 start in 1st 4 months with fewer than 100 pitches(that was 97). This year he's already had 2 starts with 92 and 93 pitches. Maybe not as many innings or strikeouts, but for long term- I think it's something they have got to do.

well so far I think the bold prediction that Ohtani would struggle is a bit off.... right now, he's the only new debut to both hit a home run and win a game pitching.

(04-04-2018 12:55 AM)stever20 Wrote:  In other things- I like how Cora is managing Sale right now. Only let him go 5 innings today. I think that's something that needs to be done. Last year he had only 1 start in 1st 4 months with fewer than 100 pitches(that was 97). This year he's already had 2 starts with 92 and 93 pitches. Maybe not as many innings or strikeouts, but for long term- I think it's something they have got to do.

Completely agree. The season is so incredibly long and competitive, to the point where you're always at risk of burning out your important players. 10 pitches here, 10 pitches there and all of a sudden you've taken 10-11 innings off a guy's workload. A number that isn't insignificant

(04-04-2018 08:59 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-04-2018 12:55 AM)stever20 Wrote:  In other things- I like how Cora is managing Sale right now. Only let him go 5 innings today. I think that's something that needs to be done. Last year he had only 1 start in 1st 4 months with fewer than 100 pitches(that was 97). This year he's already had 2 starts with 92 and 93 pitches. Maybe not as many innings or strikeouts, but for long term- I think it's something they have got to do.

Completely agree. The season is so incredibly long and competitive, to the point where you're always at risk of burning out your important players. 10 pitches here, 10 pitches there and all of a sudden you've taken 10-11 innings off a guy's workload. A number that isn't insignificant

yeah and looking at the raw innings even is a major change...

last year 1st 2 starts- had thrown in 14.2 innings already 212 pitches
this year 1st 2 starts- thrown in 11 innings already 185 pitches

so difference of 3.2 innings even with only 27 more pitches. That's big because that's 4 more warmups between innings even. Small thing that end of the year adds up quickly.

(04-04-2018 09:16 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-04-2018 08:59 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-04-2018 12:55 AM)stever20 Wrote:  In other things- I like how Cora is managing Sale right now. Only let him go 5 innings today. I think that's something that needs to be done. Last year he had only 1 start in 1st 4 months with fewer than 100 pitches(that was 97). This year he's already had 2 starts with 92 and 93 pitches. Maybe not as many innings or strikeouts, but for long term- I think it's something they have got to do.

Completely agree. The season is so incredibly long and competitive, to the point where you're always at risk of burning out your important players. 10 pitches here, 10 pitches there and all of a sudden you've taken 10-11 innings off a guy's workload. A number that isn't insignificant

yeah and looking at the raw innings even is a major change...

last year 1st 2 starts- had thrown in 14.2 innings already 212 pitches
this year 1st 2 starts- thrown in 11 innings already 185 pitches

so difference of 3.2 innings even with only 27 more pitches. That's big because that's 4 more warmups between innings even. Small thing that end of the year adds up quickly.

Considering it's only April 4th, that's an enormous difference. My friend thinks the Sox are a borderline WC team. I think he's nuts and believe they're at least the top WC team (by a wide margin), if not the division winner. They have a very well rounded team and if Price continues to pitch like he did in his first start, they'll easily win 90 games. I mean look at that OF defense for crying out loud

the one thing I'll say with Sale- he's got to get more economical with his pitches. 185 pitches to get 11 innings is almost 17 pitches an inning. Last year Sale had only 10.2 more innings than Kluber did- but threw 487 more pitches. Sale's pitches per inning this year is actually about .80 of a pitch per inning more than last year. Kluber's 1st start this year he goes 8 innings- but only throws 91 pitches.

Amazing that a guy with a BB rate of only 5.1% could throw so many pitches, but then you look at his K rate. An insane 36.2%

yeah but is striking out 36% worth it when you're only taking up 5-6 innings per start, or is it better to strike out 27% like Kluber, but get 8 innings. I'd take the latter all the time.

(04-04-2018 03:03 PM)stever20 Wrote:  yeah but is striking out 36% worth it when you're only taking up 5-6 innings per start, or is it better to strike out 27% like Kluber, but get 8 innings. I'd take the latter all the time.

The latter. I was just saying how insane his K rate is

Man the Dodgers have just not played well so far. It's early, but they're in danger of dropping to 2-5. There's no doubt that the lineup is completely different without Justin Turner.

so with 2 starts-
Sale 185 pitches/11 innings
Kluber 187 pitches/15 innings

Ohtani with another homer today- off of Kluber. He really looks like he's the real deal.

(04-04-2018 05:44 PM)stever20 Wrote:  so with 2 starts-
Sale 185 pitches/11 innings
Kluber 187 pitches/15 innings

Ohtani with another homer today- off of Kluber. He really looks like he's the real deal.

He's must-see TV. I'm gonna try to remember to watch him in his next start on Sunday.

All of a sudden the Dbacks look pretty great. Greinke and Ray are coming off huge seasons, and so far Corbin has been fantastic and Godley apparently looked good in spring training and had a good first start. They have a healthy AJ Pollock and made good pickups in Souza and Dyson. Lamb and Souza are currently hurt, but the team doesn't expect either to be out too long. A lineup with Dyson, Souza, Pollock, Goldschmidt, Peralta, Lamb, Owings and Avila, is pretty darn good. Combine that with a very strong pen and a good defense, and you have a team that could definitely challenge the Dodgers for the division and make some real noise in the postseason. I look at all these teams and think, how the hell could the Giants possibly have a chance?

(04-05-2018 09:38 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  All of a sudden the Dbacks look pretty great. Greinke and Ray are coming off huge seasons, and so far Corbin has been fantastic and Godley apparently looked good in spring training and had a good first start. They have a healthy AJ Pollock and made good pickups in Souza and Dyson. Lamb and Souza are currently hurt, but the team doesn't expect either to be out too long. A lineup with Dyson, Souza, Pollock, Goldschmidt, Peralta, Lamb, Owings and Avila, is pretty darn good. Combine that with a very strong pen and a good defense, and you have a team that could definitely challenge the Dodgers for the division and make some real noise in the postseason. I look at all these teams and think, how the hell could the Giants possibly have a chance?

not to mention they have Shelby Miller coming back midseason from TJ surgery to give them another arm- and he won't have the problem coming back midseason of an innings limit like you normally see from guys returning from TJ surgery.

As far as your Giants- pitching for one. Bullpen has been solid so far outside 2 bad appearances. Top 6 guys have given up exactly 0 ER in 15.2 innings, with only 8 hits and 5 walks. If the rotation improves when gets healthy, and the pen continues- always going to have a chance. And I think the lineup will work it's way up some. I think one thing to watch will be 3b, they bring in Longoria, but he's struggled. A certain Panda could emerge. I know, your favorite player ever.

(04-05-2018 10:12 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 09:38 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  All of a sudden the Dbacks look pretty great. Greinke and Ray are coming off huge seasons, and so far Corbin has been fantastic and Godley apparently looked good in spring training and had a good first start. They have a healthy AJ Pollock and made good pickups in Souza and Dyson. Lamb and Souza are currently hurt, but the team doesn't expect either to be out too long. A lineup with Dyson, Souza, Pollock, Goldschmidt, Peralta, Lamb, Owings and Avila, is pretty darn good. Combine that with a very strong pen and a good defense, and you have a team that could definitely challenge the Dodgers for the division and make some real noise in the postseason. I look at all these teams and think, how the hell could the Giants possibly have a chance?

not to mention they have Shelby Miller coming back midseason from TJ surgery to give them another arm- and he won't have the problem coming back midseason of an innings limit like you normally see from guys returning from TJ surgery.

As far as your Giants- pitching for one. Bullpen has been solid so far outside 2 bad appearances. Top 6 guys have given up exactly 0 ER in 15.2 innings, with only 8 hits and 5 walks. If the rotation improves when gets healthy, and the pen continues- always going to have a chance. And I think the lineup will work it's way up some. I think one thing to watch will be 3b, they bring in Longoria, but he's struggled. A certain Panda could emerge. I know, your favorite player ever.

I don't believe in the bullpen at all. Other than Watson, this is not a different Pen than last year. And I'd like to see how Cueto's doing come June. He faced a scuffling Dodgers lineup with Turner and same with the Mariners without Cruz. I do believe that Blach and Stratton are solid arms at the back of the rotation, but taken as a whole I don't see this team truly competing with the likes of the Dodgers, Dbacks, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Nats or even really the Mets.

Also, are we really mentioning the Panda? He shouldn't even be on a major league roster.

(04-05-2018 10:34 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 10:12 AM)stever20 Wrote:  

(04-05-2018 09:38 AM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  All of a sudden the Dbacks look pretty great. Greinke and Ray are coming off huge seasons, and so far Corbin has been fantastic and Godley apparently looked good in spring training and had a good first start. They have a healthy AJ Pollock and made good pickups in Souza and Dyson. Lamb and Souza are currently hurt, but the team doesn't expect either to be out too long. A lineup with Dyson, Souza, Pollock, Goldschmidt, Peralta, Lamb, Owings and Avila, is pretty darn good. Combine that with a very strong pen and a good defense, and you have a team that could definitely challenge the Dodgers for the division and make some real noise in the postseason. I look at all these teams and think, how the hell could the Giants possibly have a chance?

not to mention they have Shelby Miller coming back midseason from TJ surgery to give them another arm- and he won't have the problem coming back midseason of an innings limit like you normally see from guys returning from TJ surgery.

As far as your Giants- pitching for one. Bullpen has been solid so far outside 2 bad appearances. Top 6 guys have given up exactly 0 ER in 15.2 innings, with only 8 hits and 5 walks. If the rotation improves when gets healthy, and the pen continues- always going to have a chance. And I think the lineup will work it's way up some. I think one thing to watch will be 3b, they bring in Longoria, but he's struggled. A certain Panda could emerge. I know, your favorite player ever.

I don't believe in the bullpen at all. Other than Watson, this is not a different Pen than last year. And I'd like to see how Cueto's doing come June. He faced a scuffling Dodgers lineup with Turner and same with the Mariners without Cruz. I do believe that Blach and Stratton are solid arms at the back of the rotation, but taken as a whole I don't see this team truly competing with the likes of the Dodgers, Dbacks, Brewers, Cardinals, Cubs, Nats or even really the Mets.

Also, are we really mentioning the Panda? He shouldn't even be on a major league roster.

it's more than just Watson. Moronta pitched 6.2 innings last year for the Giants. Johnson pitched with the Cubs. Even Dyson was only in SF for 1/2 the season last year.

Panda is 2-6 so far with a homer this year. After batting .302 in the spring with 4 homers. Considering what the Giants are paying for him, why wouldn't he be on a major league roster?