Baseball 2008

[Jae Onasi]

I'm not sure how we baseball fans managed to miss out getting started discussing baseball, but we'll make up for lost time, I'm sure.

 

The CUBS are in first place with 17 wins already, and it's only May 1st. Pinella's won his 100th game with the Cubs. Soto's turning out to be a great addition at the catcher's spot, and he made 2 3-run homers last night against the Brewers (sorry Cygnus, I had to say it).

 

So what are your predictions, thoughts, and comments on this year's baseball teams?

[mimartin]

There is no Major League baseball season in the Houston area in 2008.

 

I've attend one Astros game this year and the good guys were up by 5 runs before we took our seats, but that could have been because they were playing San Diego at the time. The last time I felt this bad about a season, the Astros went to the World Series. Not going to happen this year, the World Series team had pitching and this team has only one starting pitcher.

 

So this year I am merely rooting for it not to be the Cardinals winning the central.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Well, those Blue Jays can't score a bloody run so I haven't been able to watch really, that and work + school = no time to watch baseball.

[Jae Onasi]

So this year I am merely rooting for it not to be the Cardinals winning the central.

From your lips to God's ears.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

From your lips to God's ears.

 

...and somehow past Jimbo's.

 

Cards are lookin' good though and I'm a bit taken back by the Cubbies early success, however there's a hot little team that hangs out in the Milwaukee area that have a few hot bats in their line-up as well.

 

Let's see, hmmm, what was the name of that team? Ummm...

 

Oh yeah,

 

THE BREWERS

 

 

Now, if we could just find some late game pitching...

[JediAthos]

Cleveland Rocks! Cleveland Rocks! Cleveland Rocks!

 

GO TRIBE

[mimartin]

Houston was something like 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position yet scored 7 runs in beating Cygnus Q’ol’s Brewers 7 to 4. Take heart my friend, the Astros only have one bullet in the gun and they used Oswalt tonight. But for one night Back to Back to Back!!! was a beautiful sight. At least for a fan of the minor league team from Houston.

 

Now' date=' if we could just find some late game pitching...[/quote'] Just look at the bright side the Brewer bullpen only gave up 1 run tonight.

 

Go Houston Astros!

Go Milwaukee Brewers!

Go Cincinnati Reds!

Go Chicago Cubs!

Go Pittsburgh Pirates!

I wonder who is missing . My father a native of Missouri is turning over in his grave.

 

Update: Sorry Cygnus Q'ol game 2 was Astros 6 Brewers 2. If they could skip the 5th inning the Brewers would have won both games. How do you expect the Brewers to win the central when they can't even beat the Astros?

 

I'm getting out my broom. It is a sweep! 8-6 won with walk off homer in the 12th!

[Rev7]

Hey now,

 

The Angels will take it easy. So far their record is 20-13. They are doing very well.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

I'm getting out my broom. It is a sweep! 8-6 won with walk off homer in the 12th!

 

I just don't even know where to begin.

 

Positives: Youth, power throughout the line-up, especially 2thru7. Deep outfield platoon, solid 3rd baseman, aggressive style mgr, decent farm system. Aquisition of Mike Cameron was huge. Got rid of TurnbLow, finally.

 

Negatives: Yvanni Gallardo lost for season, Absolute zero mid-relief, shaky, overpaid closer, Weeks struggling in field, Hardy, Hart struggling at the plate, can score runs, but can't hold off mid or late game rallys.

Did I mention no late game pitching?

 

I would never concede the season in May, teams have come from alot farther behind the leader and went to post-season, however, with the Cubs playing out of their minds and the Cards eerily looking like that team from a couple of years ago, the loss of Gallardo (our no.2 pitcher) is definately going to make this a much, much harder task.

 

Some people may not understand what one pitcher can do for a squad. This kid has a 98mph fastball that breaks late, a solid change and a slider that bends timespace. He's in his early 20's and has the poise of a 12 year veteran. He's had some great starts only to have them blown by the rag-pen. We can supplant his projected 16 to 20 wins with Dave Bush's double digit losses.

 

His ACL was torn, done for the season.

 

...as for this Houston thing, they just whooped the Brewer's ass.

No if's, and's or but's.

[Jae Onasi]

Wow--the Cubs just signed Jim Edmonds. He's been such a Cub-killer I'm not sure what to think. He's past his prime, however, so I don't know what to think about this change.

 

How about Giovanni Soto and Reed Johnson? They are just hitting machines recently.

 

Lilly and Zambrano have done some impressive things both pitching and making key hits.

[Gurges-Ahter]

I'm more of a Cards than a Cubs fan, because that was the team that I always played for in little league, but I'm happy the Cubs signed Edmonds. He'll be a great addition to the team, and as great as he's been, he's really a part-time player now anyways.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

Wow--the Cubs just signed Jim Edmonds.

 

Geez, another decent bat?

 

Whataya tryin' to do, go to the World Series or somethin'?

 

Brewers were decimated on their homestand. Now, it's off on a 10 game road trip starting with the World Champs in Fenway tonite.

 

...like the lambs to the slaughter.

[Jae Onasi]

Yeah, my son went to the Brewers game yesterday for a school field trip. He thought the video games and the sausage race were very entertaining.

[Rev7]

^

I remember times like that.

 

My Angels have been doing pretty well as of late. They unfortunatly lost today, but are actually still in first place! Hopefully it actually lasts.

[Commander Obi-Wan]

Jon Lester pitched a no-hitter against the Royals earlier today. Kudos to him.

[Shem]

Congrats to Jon Lester. I watched the highlights of his "No No" a few minutes ago.

[Jae Onasi]

What's even more remarkable is that he had to fight a bout of cancer a couple years ago.

[Rev7]

^

Yes, I have to say that his pitching preformance was amazing! Boy, what a gift is that, to pitch a no-hitter on his first game in like two years?! To me, that is quite remarkable.

[mimartin]

After killing the Astros on Tuesday the Cubs lost two in a row in Houston. Maybe the Astros are not as bad this season as I had envisioned. After all they have played 8 more game on the road than at home and they are still 6 games over .500.

 

Only a game and a half behind your Cubs Jae and the Astros are tied with Jimbo’s Cardinals. I was taught not to kick a man when he his down, so I will leave Cygnus Q’ol’s Brewers out of the discussion.

 

After watching the highlights of the St. Louis vs. San Diego game I’m a little worried about the Astros three game series against the Cardinals next week. Pujols took out two San Diego players in one inning. First, he lined the ball off the pitcher nose and then Pujols took out catcher sliding into home. Both were complete accidents and undoubtedly unintentional. Even though I dislike Pujols, it is due to the team he plays for, because his actions after the injuries shows he is a class act.

[Jae Onasi]

I have a great deal of admiration for Pujols as a person--he's done some terrific things on and off the field. I just wish he didn't play against the Cubs.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

I was taught not to kick a man when he his down, so I will leave Cygnus Q’ol’s Brewers out of the discussion.

 

Thanks Mi, you're so thoughtful and considerate.

 

...as if the $10mil Gag-me wasn't a bad enough closer, now he's got a torn rotator.

 

 

If you listen closely, you can hear a train rollin' off it's tracks.

[Jae Onasi]

Well, here's a little consolation--the NL Central is the only division where all the teams have a winning record at home.

[Cygnus Q'ol]

I was taught not to kick a man when he his down, so I will leave Cygnus Q’ol’s Brewers out of the discussion.

 

Well, turnabout's fair play.

 

The Crew has swept out the Astros and narrowly hung, with bases loaded in the ninth, against the D-backs to pull even with the Astros. Gutsy game.

 

Of course, the Cubbies are enjoying their lofted view from atop the division with the Cards hot on their heels.

 

I'm still suspect of the Crews bullpen, however, I do love the way these guys hit, defend and never quit.

 

There's a lot of baseball left. I hope they can at least make it interesting.

I'm sure there are a few surprises coming. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.

[Jae Onasi]

Of course, the Cubbies are enjoying their lofted view from atop the division with the Cards hot on their heels.

 

I'm still suspect of the Crews bullpen, however, I do love the way these guys hit, defend and never quit.

 

There's a lot of baseball left. I hope they can at least make it interesting.

I'm sure there are a few surprises coming. Search your feelings, you know it to be true.

 

Yeah, yeah,, that June swoon thing might come up to bite my Cubbies in the butt. However....

Woods got his 15th save last night, and Zambrano got his 8th win. He also managed to get 3 hits. If he keeps batting like this, Pinella will have to move him up in the batting order.

[mimartin]

Well, turnabout's fair play.

 

The Crew has swept out the Astros and narrowly hung, with bases loaded in the ninth, against the D-backs to pull even with the Astros. Gutsy game.

After watching, the Cards take two out of three against the Astros I was hoping this thread had died. The Astros are back to early season form losing five in a row. It seems the Astros have been on the road most of the early season, I just hope that helps their late season record.

 

At least Houston got back in the race in May mainly thanks to Berkman's .471 batting average for the month. Glad to see Lance received the NL Player of the Month honor.