2012 MLB thread

[pigfarmer]

You don't think Oakland will make it? 3 1/2 lead in the wild card and only 3 behind the Rangers, and no one is playing better than them right now?

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by pigfarmer

You don't think Oakland will make it? 3 1/2 lead in the wild card and only 3 behind the Rangers, and no one is playing better than them right now?

It's not that they don't deserve to. Picking playoff teams in baseball is very difficult. There are four teams worth getting the last WC spot in each league, let alone choosing division winners on top of that. Oakland is a legit threat and they are playing their asses off. I just happen to like the Angels more this year, even though I can't point to any specific reason. Any predictions you hear on MLB Network are no better than mine or yours because it's impossible to justify putting one team in and the other team out. The network guys are just forced to make up silly reasons to back up their guesses.

For example, I can say I like the Angels down the stretch because Trout, Trumbo, and Pujols can really mash the ball. Well, the A's have hit 13 HRs in September to the Angels' 9. I can say I like Oakland because their pitching staff is ranked 2nd in the AL in ERA, batting average against, and WHIP. Well, the Angels' staff has only allowed 17 runs in their last 9 games. See what I'm getting at? How do you justify picking any team? It's all guesswork. I'd love to see the A's make the playoffs.

[Churla22]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

NL MVP: Buster Posey

I know R.A. Dickey is the big cinderella story that everyone loves, and he's put up great numbers, but I would take Cueto, Cain, and Hamels over him any day.

Understand what you are saying, but would either Cain or Hamels deserve the Cy Young over Dickey THIS season?

Nice call on Posey....I think he might soon overtake McCutchen on my list, as well. Depends upon what the Pirates do hereon out.

[smashem]

Heard the media out in LA is saying maybe Boston was right about Gonzo, never heard so much bitching about a guy that is gonna hit 20 Hr's 100 Rbi's and hit over 300. Certainly a better signing than Tex.

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by smashem

Heard the media out in LA is saying maybe Boston was right about Gonzo, never heard so much bitching about a guy that is gonna hit 20 Hr's 100 Rbi's and hit over 300. Certainly a better signing than Tex.

Dude, you should hear the bitching that goes on in Philly about Ryan Howard. The only thing bad about Howard is the $25 million/year contract that starts next season, but it's not his fault Amaro made an insane offer a full two seasons before his CURRENT contract expired. But, I'd still rather have Howard here than somewhere else.

Boston is a mess right now. Not sure why Gonzalez was driven out of town?

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by Churla22

Understand what you are saying, but would either Cain or Hamels deserve the Cy Young over Dickey THIS season?

Nice call on Posey....I think he might soon overtake McCutchen on my list, as well. Depends upon what the Pirates do hereon out.

I don't know man...Dickey does deserve a lot of votes but I just don't think a pitcher who throws junkballs should be considered the best pitcher in his league. It takes a lot more command, control, and strategy to do what the other pitchers I mentioned do: work counts, keep batters off-balance, keep batters guessing, work the corners... It's great to see a worker like Dickey get his moment in the sun, but I'm partial to pitchers who do all the above.

[pigfarmer]

So, I was looking at the wild card standings on yahoo and I have a question:

How come for both wild card teams they have the same 'magic number' even though the team in the first wild card spot is obviously ahead of the second?

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by pigfarmer

So, I was looking at the wild card standings on yahoo and I have a question:

How come for both wild card teams they have the same 'magic number' even though the team in the first wild card spot is obviously ahead of the second?

I think it's because the number refers to the team in 3rd in the WC standings, not to the team in second.

[pigfarmer]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

I think it's because the number refers to the team in 3rd in the WC standings, not to the team in second.

Yeah, but if the first place team is 2 games up on the second place team, then shouldn't their number be 4 less to the third place team?

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by pigfarmer

Yeah, but if the first place team is 2 games up on the second place team, then shouldn't their number be 4 less to the third place team?

Good point, I don't know. The second-best explanation I can give is it's Yahoo.

[pigfarmer]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

Good point, I don't know. The second-best explanation I can give is it's Yahoo.

Thats probably the whole truth right there!

[thruby]

oh my god, Felix is WAY off tonight.

[Churla22]

Originally Posted by Phila26Flyers

I don't know man...Dickey does deserve a lot of votes but I just don't think a pitcher who throws junkballs should be considered the best pitcher in his league. It takes a lot more command, control, and strategy to do what the other pitchers I mentioned do: work counts, keep batters off-balance, keep batters guessing, work the corners... It's great to see a worker like Dickey get his moment in the sun, but I'm partial to pitchers who do all the above.

Well, I was just going by the stats. Looking at the three in question, Dickey shapes up pretty good THIS season - more IP, Ks, and Wins; a lower ERA; and higher WAR. He also has a lower WHIP than Hamels.

For pure effectiveness, I don't think it's a question among the three.

The argument that he is no longer pitching with pressure went out the window when King Felix won the Cy Young in 2010 on a league-worst Mariner club. Plus, Dickey pitched his best when the Mets were still relevant this season.

[chilly666]

gio gonzalez, hands down for cy young

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by Churla22

Well, I was just going by the stats. Looking at the three in question, Dickey shapes up pretty good THIS season - more IP, Ks, and Wins; a lower ERA; and higher WAR. He also has a lower WHIP than Hamels.

For pure effectiveness, I don't think it's a question among the three.

The argument that he is no longer pitching with pressure went out the window when King Felix won the Cy Young in 2010 on a league-worst Mariner club. Plus, Dickey pitched his best when the Mets were still relevant this season.

Dickey's stats are great. But of course he's going to lead the league in those categories when hitters swing through his junk. He has two pitches: slow, and slower junkball. I think the award for best pitcher should go to an ace who throws real stuff and does all the things I mentioned, not a junkballer.

I'm didn't say anything about pitching with pressure. Being on a good team is irrelevant in every category except run support. Pitchers still want to go out and win. Therefore, Felix comparison isn't very good. Aside from that, he has four(?) pitches and uses them all effectively. He spots his pitches, slows bats down, hurls heat, does everything you want an ace to do. He brings it mentally and physically. Nothing against Dickey like I said, but Felix is a far better pitcher, hands down.