The Official 2017 MLB Thread

[JBrax]

We sure laid an egg against the Yankees after playing the O's. Then to top it off blew a 3-1 lead in the 9th against the Twins. It's not looking like this will be a good year for us.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You had to have your little party by dancing on Baltimore.

Oddly, the Yankees left KC and have struggled a bit. Baseball has some weird ebbs and flows. Good news for you is that KC is only 5 games out in May. Quality wins within the Division will pop them right back into contention!

 

[JBrax]

Yeah, good thing we're in the AL Central huh? We'll see how we do but it just doesn't feel like our year. I fully expect Cleveland to win 20 in a row here soon and separate from the pack.

 

[Todd Anderson]

KC has the pieces... sometimes it just takes a little time to get things clicking at the same time. The key will be playing .500 ball out of the division and above .500 in the division.

Look at the hot streak KC went on late season last year...and that was without some major pieces! I think you guys will be a-ok.

 

[JBrax]

Todd, have you ever worked suicide prevention? It sounds like you're talking me out of jumping but it's working! Keep talking please…

 

[Todd Anderson]

LOL. Well, truth be told, I did work at a suicide prevention hotline for two years in college. Talk about a tough job...

In this case, though, I'm particularly experienced at rooting for teams that either "let down" or outright "stink." At this point we're talking several decades of experience (mercilessly strung together)... so I know that feeling of wondering how bad the bad is going to get.

Lucky for you, your Royals look pretty good to these seasoned eyes.

 

[JBrax]

Maybe a set of eyes from the outside looking in is a good thing? As a Royals fan we're not far removed from twenty plus years of futility so maybe my perception is skewed. I don't think we'll return to that level anytime soon because I have faith in our front office leadership. Don't get me wrong I haven't given up on this year but if I was to shake the magic ball…A sweep of today's doubleheader against the Twins would be nice.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Very hard to be objective as a passionate fan, isn't it? I think everyone looks at their own teams with suspect eyes.

Ultimately, you want to see some action in October. Secondarily, you want long term stability.

I think B-more and KC are both looking at a situation where the window could close in a year or two... here, 2018 is the end of contracts for Buck Showalter, Adam Jones, Zach Britton, and Manny Machado and a few others. The farm system is very middling... it could get ugly fast. Fingers and toes are crossed!

 

[JBrax]

You've just invaded my deepest thoughts Todd. Well said and exactly how I feel about the Royals.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Had some nice heroics at Camden last night... and the night before... at the hands of a catcher that replace the catcher we'd all been dreading losing. Just goes to show... unless you're the Yankees, the future is impossible to control or predict!

http://m.mlb.com/video/v1410606983/torbal-castillo-crushes-a-goahead-threerun-homer/?game_pk=490746

 

[JBrax]

Hmm, gotta love those 3 run homers!

 

[Todd Anderson]

Especially against the Blue Jays

No love lost between these two teams, that's for sure.

 

[JBrax]

So easy to root against huh?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Has been for a long time... ever since Cito Gaston (managing the AL All Star team at Camden Yards) failed to put the O's Mike Mussina in the game, even after he got up and and warmed himself up, it has been game on! Lots of other issues have popped up between those two teams since, but it has certainly reached a boiling point in recent years.

 

[JBrax]

We've had our moments with them as well but that's some deep seated stuff right there. You just went way back with that one. Early 90's?

 

[Todd Anderson]

1993

If I'm not mistaken, the only two Orioles on that All Star team were Cal Ripken and Mike Mussina. And for Gaston to not bring Mussina into the game --- in his home town stadium??

That was wrong.

You can still find some street vendors selling anti-Gaston t-shirts when the Blue Jays come to town.

I think a lot of teams have had recent run-ins with them largely because of Bautista. He rubs a lot of folks the wrong way... and the fact that he actually performs at a high level makes it even worse! I wonder how Toronto fans feel about him? I'd imagine he's the kind of player that would make you cringe, but you'd love the fire...

I think Baltimore is 6-1 or 7-1 against Toronto this year... I'm shocked. Toronto is a quality team. Potentially one of the best teams in the AL. Similar to KC, they're like a volcano waiting to erupt... you gotta get your licks in on them while they're down, because you know they're going to create a ton of chaos as some point. When that happens: DUCK! ;-)

 

[phillihp23]

Was disappointed last week when the A's only won one game out of three with the Mariners. Yes, any spanking on Boston is fantastic. Being NY state born and raised.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Houston is looking like a juggernaut.

Poor Baltimore is completely falling apart... I think they've lost 12 out of the last 15 (or something in that realm)... and their next 6-7 games are against the Astros and Yankees.

Crossing my fingers!

 

[JBrax]

Houston does look tough. If they can stay healthy they're going to be hard to beat. Cleveland isn't playing up to their talent and they look like a different team from last year. Who knows maybe that run took something out of them? Todd, thanks for talking me off the ledge but I'm going to need some more outside positive perspective. I'm not seeing it and I think we'll be in sell mode after the draft.

 

[Todd Anderson]

You guys are having a tough time with the Yankees. You have to assume the Twins are going to come crashing back to earth at some point. You guys need some in-division wins!!!

Still only May, Jeff.

 

[JBrax]

Yes, we definitely need some division wins. I know it's only May but this next couple weeks will be quite telling. I'm not normally pessimistic but I'm just not feeling it this year.

 

[Todd Anderson]

They have slipped a bit back in the last week or so.

Same thing with the O's. Only 5 games over .500... and the Red Sox are only .5 behind. I keep waiting for the offense to explode. Where is it???

 

[JBrax]

You're lineup shouldn't be having any problems putting up runs. I was surprised our series with you by the lack of production. Your pitching was expected to be an issue but not the bats.

 

[Todd Anderson]

We're missing a table setter. For some reason, Buckshowlater has decided not to play HS Kim this year... he batted over .300 last year. Riding the bench this year.

Very frustrating

 

[Todd Anderson]

Another loss last night. :-/.

We have a crisis in the making!!