Re: MLB 2018
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:07 pm
The place for all things HeAthens
http://www.threedimesdown.com/forum/
http://www.threedimesdown.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6015
I like the Braves and think that both they and Philly are on the verge of becoming quite good. I just think Alex Anthopoulos needed a year to assess his young talent before diving in to some trades and FA signings. Foltynewicz had a good spring and really needs to come into his own this season. Sean Newcombe had an even better spring and has long been a favorite of mine among prospects. He looks like a young Jon Lester, if he pitches like one that team could be close to a .500 team. Of course on top of all that is Ronald Acuña who is going to be very special. The rookie of the year race between he and the Phillies Scott Kingery should be a lot of fun.Sterling Bigmouth wrote:Think I agree on 99% of those, but I’ve got the Indians over the Cubs in the WS this season.
On the other hand, I’m hoping the Braves can play .500 baseball over the course of the season.
Agreed. Arrieta and Nola are a nice TOR combo and If guys like Velasquez and Pivetta can pitch well enough to have them in the race in July they will go get help too. The lineup is more than solid and it’s will be fun watching guys like Hoskins and Kingery develop. Plus I love Gabe Kapler and think he’s going to be one hell of a manager. I really like your squad, Clams. They will be a blast to watch.Clams wrote:Watch out for the Phillies, they have an outside chance to be sneaky good this year.
And we've got a shit-ton of cash to spend in the next couple of years, and an owner who wants to win.Tequila Cowboy wrote:Agreed. Arrieta and Nola are a nice TOR combo and If guys like Velasquez and Pivetta can pitch well enough to have them in the race in July they will go get help too. The lineup is more than solid and it’s will be fun watching guys like Hoskins and Kingery develop. Plus I love Gabe Kapler and think he’s going to be one hell of a manager. I really like your squad, Clams. They will be a blast to watch.Clams wrote:Watch out for the Phillies, they have an outside chance to be sneaky good this year.
That's legitimately the best thing I've seen today, probably all week. "Rickey needs Rickey's houses to be clean". Fucking priceless.whatwouldcooleydo? wrote:Rickey needs Rickey’s houses to be clean!
and don't you dare get Rickey talkin' about tenure
being a Giants fan, I expect that all I'll be able to offer to the conversation this year is absurdity and the occasional guffawTequila Cowboy wrote:That's legitimately the best thing I've seen today, probably all week. "Rickey needs Rickey's houses to be clean". Fucking priceless.whatwouldcooleydo? wrote:Rickey needs Rickey’s houses to be clean!
and don't you dare get Rickey talkin' about tenure
Wise words, grasshopper.Shakespeare wrote:dont worry, i havent found the usual level of excitement yet either. not sure if its all the disappointing seasons adding up, the fragile labor environment, the early start, the lack of a real challenger in the division, the fact that i paid zero attention to spring training, or what. it'll come
Back to the days when i played the game, I've always thought it unfair that the runner actually had to touch the plate exactly because of how hard it is to do that when sliding (at least when sliding feet first). Before I knew the words I thought there should be some kind of "breaking the plane" rule.Sterling Bigmouth wrote:Gotta love baseball. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the Braves lose a game after Peter Bourjos slides into home to score the go-ahead run, only to be called out when review shows he didn’t have his leg down on the plate when he slid. Ouch.
Yeah, this was stupid. The no hitter was over, whatever "unwritten rule" there is did not apply.Shakespeare wrote:https://deadspin.com/twins-mad-that-the ... 1824254074
twins put on a shift to close out a game they dominated, oriole bunts against it for a hit. twins mad at the disrespect
sometimes baseball players are the absolute worst thing about baseball
i thought about this a lot this weekendTequila Cowboy wrote:Plus I love Gabe Kapler and think he’s going to be one hell of a manager
Small sample size, but he has been inept so far. I hate this notion that simply playing the game makes one qualified to manage (while nonprofessional experience means you have 0% chance to coach).Shakespeare wrote:i thought about this a lot this weekendTequila Cowboy wrote:Plus I love Gabe Kapler and think he’s going to be one hell of a manager
kapler will rightfully wear it but how did no coach intervene when the infamous bullpen call happened?
Kapler’s debut has been troubled, to be kind, but he did have a year of minor league managing experience as was the Dodgers director of player development. The pitcher thing was weird but the rest have just been quirks so far and by all accounts the players say they like what he’s brought to the team. This is a brilliant guy, my gut tells me ge’ll Be fine.Zip City wrote:Small sample size, but he has been inept so far. I hate this notion that simply playing the game makes one qualified to manage (while nonprofessional experience means you have 0% chance to coach).Shakespeare wrote:i thought about this a lot this weekendTequila Cowboy wrote:Plus I love Gabe Kapler and think he’s going to be one hell of a manager
kapler will rightfully wear it but how did no coach intervene when the infamous bullpen call happened?
Ditto that with color broadcasters
Haven't followed all the ins and outs of Kapler's rough start, but I expect he'll do fine: He does have minor league managing experience and both as manager and in other typical post playing career posts, the Red Sox loved him. And whatever you want to say about the Sox, they are excellent about evaluating and bringing along non-playing talent. From what I saw when he was here both on and off the field I gotta believe he will succeed. But remember that for so many managers/coaches in all sports it's the SECOND job where they finally shine, so that could happen w/ Kapler too. But he really seemed ready and I'll bet he rights this ship.Tequila Cowboy wrote:Kapler’s debut has been troubled, to be kind, but he did have a year of minor league managing experience as was the Dodgers director of player development. The pitcher thing was weird but the rest have just been quirks so far and by all accounts the players say they like what he’s brought to the team. This is a brilliant guy, my gut tells me ge’ll Be fine.Zip City wrote:Small sample size, but he has been inept so far. I hate this notion that simply playing the game makes one qualified to manage (while nonprofessional experience means you have 0% chance to coach).Shakespeare wrote: i thought about this a lot this weekend
kapler will rightfully wear it but how did no coach intervene when the infamous bullpen call happened?
Ditto that with color broadcasters
"Suboptimal" indeed. Yikes! As someone above said, where were the bullpen and pitching coaches when Kapler wanted to bring in a reliever who hadn't warmed up? Seems like more than enough failure to go around.Clams wrote:Yes a very rough start for Kapler. You can read all about it here: https://www.crossingbroad.com/2018/04/s ... ekend.html
I'm sure management will be patient with him. Time will tell.