killeverything wrote: ↑Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:19 pm
I love the sabre stuff, but dislike the cycle the game is going into now. It’s like that whole Gorilla Ball era where everyone was juiced to the gills and people like Bret fucking Boone hit 50HRs.
That’s why the strikeout rates are up. Everyone tries to hit it out of the park every at bat. Coincidentally it’s why starting pitchers can’t fucking throw more than 5IP now.
I believe it was Madden ( in Tampa Bay ) that had the no strikeouts-mentality. He thought ( I’m almost positive John Dewan and/or Bill James have written about it too ) that it’s more benefitial to get the batter to fly/ground out, than to strike them out. 3 pitches as opposed to 9+. I’m not sure the Players Union would allow that though. Incentive based contracts, etc.
I personally dig the smallball, move the runner over, old school style of play. Baseball always struck me with the strategy behind it. That’s missing now. Sign of the times I guess. People are getting dumber.
For example, while Aaron Judge is a great player and a fan of any team would be stoked to have him in their lineup. It blows my mind he’s not tore apart from the 200+ strikeouts per year. That’s more glaring than his monster HRs. Not to quote Billy Beane in 2002, but “you are just giving teams an out.” I don’t get it.
Get off my lawn.
I pick Christian Yelich for NL MVP and Milwaukie has been fun to see. Counsell’s comments about them not setting up their rotation sooner for the NLCS comes off as being terrified of Kershaw to me. Kind of bummed me out. I hope the break hasn’t zapped their momentum.
The Brewers are going with Gio Gonzalez GM1, Wade Miley GM2 and Jhoulys Chacin GM3.....Two Lefties then a Righty.
I read the Brewers didn't pick a starter because they don't have a true Ace.....VS the Rockies their SP tossed 12⅔ innings in three games without allowing a run...That Pen worked great out of 5, out of 7 would demand something different I guess.
Dodgers, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler, Rich Hill 2, 3, 4.
ESPN Poll is close LAD 51% VS MIL 49%......I think it could go either way. If the Dodgers bats go quiet it's over, if the Brewers SO rate is still high they'll have problems. If LAD can tax the Brewers Pen early = good, if not it's a short series advantage Brew's. The longer it goes it might tip towards LAD. I can't call this one but betting the farm either team will get smoked in the WS. I would love to see the Brewers Pen blank the Stro's in 5.
Yelich is a monster, a clear MVP.
I miss small ball taking it out makes baseball boring. I don't know the reasons but noticed the Dodger line up over several years didn't have anyone who could steal a base since Dee Gordon built like a young Pedro Martinez ran like the wind weighing 120lbs before finding the needle and was traded. Since then LAD have at best a few players with average speed. It's Greek to me, D-ball was all about Pitching, Defense and small ball for as long as I've been alive...Totally different game.
The SO rate is crazy and I don't think it's great pitching, more like what you was saying....I haven't really looked into it but have seen a lot of stuff about the balls are juiced. Slugging percentage has to be up. Does Chicks and MLB still dig the long ball?
I don't know why teams don't teach pitchers to work more soft stuff around the plate, I keep saying Maddux dominated a generation painting the zone with what the mid 80's?
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CUBS fire hitting coach Chili Davis 1 season.
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Lenny Dykstra to face drug and threat charges before a judge in Elizabeth N.J. on Oct. 22.
Lenny was indicted this week in connection involving an Uber driver in May. He's charged with possession of cocaine and methamphetamine and making terroristic threats. All three charges are third-degree crimes punishable by up to five years in prison.
Dykstra claimed the driver threatened and tried to kidnap him early on the morning of May 23, after Dykstra asked to change the trip's destination. The driver allegedly told police Dykstra held a gun to his head, though no weapon was found.
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Cardinals, Adam Wainwright agree to one-year deal for 2019.........Good luck on making it the season.