*** OFFICIAL MLB 2018 Thread ***

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

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Originally Posted by Sanlmar

The Dodgers are in 1st Place?

This false hope followed by their certain collapse isn’t good for Druff’s health.

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First place AND a game ahead in the 2nd wildcard.

The NL is wide open. No real favorites this year, of those likely to make the playoffs.

If the Dodgers do win he World Series, it will feel a little bit cheap -- kinda like how the Giants should have felt in 2014.

Last year a World Series win would have felt much more deserved.

This year, if the champion comes from the NL, it will be a matter of a highly flawed team getting there (no matter which one), and then getting lucky.

Puig picked a good time to get hot. Cardinals didn't see it coming They killed the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium last time, and probably thought it would be a cakewalk.

Now they have Wainwright trying to prevent a 4-game home sweep.

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Don't worry they have literally zero chance of winning the ws

where the fuck is gut to explain this shit? ramos is on the phillies now...so they have basically 5 position guys who would be considered starting players based on WAR, 3 of them barely so...

Sanlmar, what say you about the Dodgers now?

They came into St. Louis -- their main wildcard competition -- and took 3 of 4.

They are playing a 3-game series against the Rockies at home which will probably determine who wins the NL West. They blew out the Rockies in the first game, and Chris Taylor walked it off in the 10th tonight.

Now the Dodgers are 1.5 games in first place, and are sending Walker Buehler to the mound tomorrow, who might just be their legitimate #2 starter at this point (in addition to their star pitcher of the 2020s).

Matt Kemp literally broke the Diamondbacks. The D-backs were in Dodger Stadium a few weeks ago for a 4-game series. They won the first, and were on the way to winning the 2nd when Matt Kemp's late inning heroics gave the Dodgers the win. Next night, same thing -- identical score, identical pitcher (Archie Bradley), and identical late inning hero (Kemp). This sent the D-backs on a tailspin from which they've never recovered. They're 4-14 since winning that first game of the series against the Dodgers, and went from leading the Dodgers by 1.5 games to trailing them by 6.

If the Dodgers can hold first, they will play the Braves in the NLDS -- the same Braves who have lost 4 straight and are looking pretty bad. And the Dodgers lead them by 0.5 games at the moment for the better record.

Another Dodgers/Cubs NLCS? It's starting to look like it.

Some bulldyke lesbian just pulled a Steve Bartman in Oakland.

Robbed the 2nd out of the 6th inning with the bases loaded, and the A's up 4-1, and when it was all over, the Angels were up 7-4.

GET IT OUT NOW, BEFORE THE WILD CARD GAME OAKLAND

::happy thoughts::

I just figured out Druff’s health has a direct correlation with the Dodgers record.

Druff fess up do you have a large wager on them?

Or your body depends on them making the playoffs?

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Sanlmar, what say you about the Dodgers now?

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Last night was enormous for Dodgers and revealed the futility for the Rockies without a healthy Arenado & Story on offense and defense.

Arenado threw the game away. His shoulder isn’t right. He also looks helpless at the plate.

Game should have ended Rockies 2-1 but Arenado was revealed as damaged.

A lucky break for Dodgers.

Maeda looks great in the bullpen. Totally impressed and lord knows Dodgers desperately needed any improvement. Nothing short of a warrior in light of the millions the Dodgers are screwing him out of because he has to backfill the Dodgers front office dereliction with regard to relievers.

Maeda will probably have to close in spots. Is that really how you plan to spend October?

The Braves were projected to be 72-76 and like the Yankees last year they are ahead of schedule. Unlike the 2017 Yankees it’s all offense and pitching is just okay.

The Dodgers are catching some huge breaks from their opponents and will gain a ticket to the post season. It’s fun cause it’s a race. Suspend the reality that none of the NL are particularly healthy or powerful and enjoy the competition. I am.

The NL is a pleasant diversion while the AL spends weeks preparing for the playoffs.

I think people are forgetting that the MLB playoffs are somewhat of a crapshoot.

It's not like the NBA, where usually the best team in each conference makes it to the Finals.

In MLB, a lot of it comes from luck and which team happens to be hotter at the moment.

No doubt the AL will have the advantage this year, but it's not like this year's NBA Finals where everyone knew the Warriors would win.

The NL is interesting because there is no dominant team, yet one of them is going to emerge as league champion.

The AL has two dominant teams, and that number would be three if Judge were back (and at full strength).

Dodgers should be an NLDS favorite against the Braves, provided the Dodgers hold onto the west.

Home field for the cubs

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I think people are forgetting that the MLB playoffs are somewhat of a crapshoot.

It's not like the NBA, where usually the best team in each conference makes it to the Finals.

In MLB, a lot of it comes from luck and which team happens to be hotter at the moment.

No doubt the AL will have the advantage this year, but it's not like this year's NBA Finals where everyone knew the Warriors would win.

The NL is interesting because there is no dominant team, yet one of them is going to emerge as league champion.

The AL has two dominant teams, and that number would be three if Judge were back (and at full strength).

Dodgers should be an NLDS favorite against the Braves, provided the Dodgers hold onto the west.

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Maybe you’re talking about MLB having more parity. I doubt it. I smell a recurrent theme you trot out in the post season.

We go through the same remedial lesson every year.

Look, if religion and ascribing luck to things you don’t understand offers you some kind of peace in a complicated world, I understand.

I think I will reduce this issue to a simplicity that will be accessible to you.

Look at 20 years of World Series matchups. The same names appear in consecutive years etc etc. This isn’t roulette or a poker flop.

I kinda became aware of your odd perception of reality during the Royals V Dodgers feud nobly fought by Sizzle. Boom. KC back to back in the Series.

You feel me?

Honestly, without hope what is the point? Your happiness is important to me. Just don’t get silly. Look, I said I’m entertained by the NL race.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Sanlmar, what say you about the Dodgers now?

They came into St. Louis -- their main wildcard competition -- and took 3 of 4.

They are playing a 3-game series against the Rockies at home which will probably determine who wins the NL West. They blew out the Rockies in the first game, and Chris Taylor walked it off in the 10th tonight.

Now the Dodgers are 1.5 games in first place, and are sending [B]Walker Buehler to the mound tomorrow, who might just be their legitimate #2 starter[/Br at this point (in addition to their star pitcher of the 2020s)..

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you just couldn't wait could you? had to go jinx things by shooting you mouth off...tonight first 3 Rockies up reach to load the bases...2 runs scored on two out single....

listen Druff Bartman, no more Dodger posts (or radio show mention) until after the World Series


***update***somehow the dodgers overcame DruffBart's jinx to win tonight...but the caution still stands, mum up

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

where the fuck is gut to explain this shit? ramos is on the phillies now...so they have basically 5 position guys who would be considered starting players based on WAR, 3 of them barely so...

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I still can't get over the fact that Blake Snell looks like a cancer patient and he will probably win the cy young this year.

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Originally Posted by gut

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

where the fuck is gut to explain this shit? ramos is on the phillies now...so they have basically 5 position guys who would be considered starting players based on WAR, 3 of them barely so...

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I still can't get over the fact that Blake Snell looks like a cancer patient and he will probably win the cy young this year.

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lol I didn't even notice that...6'4/200?!?!? that seems optimistic...

and youre killing me gut, I thought you were gonna be able to explain this shit to me cause I sure as shit have no clue what is going on...I could see if they were the 6th team in the AL central...I mean I guess they got to beat the shit outta Baltimore but that's only like 18 games or something...

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

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Originally Posted by gut

I still can't get over the fact that Blake Snell looks like a cancer patient and he will probably win the cy young this year.

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lol I didn't even notice that...6'4/200?!?!? that seems optimistic...

and youre killing me gut, I thought you were gonna be able to explain this shit to me cause I sure as shit have no clue what is going on...I could see if they were the 6th team in the AL central...I mean I guess they got to beat the shit outta Baltimore but that's only like 18 games or something...

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I mean, its actually not that crazy. They havent been lucky like the Mariners, I think BsR has them as like the 4th best team in baseball. Theyre like 3rd in OBP, and 3rd in ERA....thats pretty damn good.

The WAR is just because theyve had such roster churn that only a few players have even played 100 games with them. If you add up all the positions throughout the year, theyre all 2-3 win spots. Span was around 1 win, he got traded away, they acquire Pham later and he's a 1 win guy after only 30 games there. It all adds up. Only Gomez and Bauers have been significant negatives, and still not horrible compared to most teams "worst" regulars.

Also Ramos 2 wins are still included, that shows only the games he played with Tampa before being traded.

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Originally Posted by gut

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

lol I didn't even notice that...6'4/200?!?!? that seems optimistic...

and youre killing me gut, I thought you were gonna be able to explain this shit to me cause I sure as shit have no clue what is going on...I could see if they were the 6th team in the AL central...I mean I guess they got to beat the shit outta Baltimore but that's only like 18 games or something...

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I mean, its actually not that crazy. They havent been lucky like the Mariners, I think BsR has them as like the 4th best team in baseball. Theyre like 3rd in OBP, and 3rd in ERA....thats pretty damn good.

The WAR is just because theyve had such roster churn that only a few players have even played 100 games with them. If you add up all the positions throughout the year, theyre all 2-3 win spots. Span was around 1 win, he got traded away, they acquire Pham later and he's a 1 win guy after only 30 games there. It all adds up. Only Gomez and Bauers have been significant negatives, and still not horrible compared to most teams "worst" regulars.

Also Ramos 2 wins are still included, that shows only the games he played with Tampa before being traded.

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yeah but that's the thing...im too lazy to add up all their guys based on position, but if they add up to 2 wins (or a little above) per position then they're basically winning 90 games in the 2nd toughest (AL West tougher??) division in baseball with a bunch of AAAA guys...I know they're gonna have some everyday positions that are 3+ win positions, but would guess that most are going to settle in around that 2 win mark, which is just stunning...

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

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Originally Posted by gut

I mean, its actually not that crazy. They havent been lucky like the Mariners, I think BsR has them as like the 4th best team in baseball. Theyre like 3rd in OBP, and 3rd in ERA....thats pretty damn good.

The WAR is just because theyve had such roster churn that only a few players have even played 100 games with them. If you add up all the positions throughout the year, theyre all 2-3 win spots. Span was around 1 win, he got traded away, they acquire Pham later and he's a 1 win guy after only 30 games there. It all adds up. Only Gomez and Bauers have been significant negatives, and still not horrible compared to most teams "worst" regulars.

Also Ramos 2 wins are still included, that shows only the games he played with Tampa before being traded.

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yeah but that's the thing...im too lazy to add up all their guys based on position, but if they add up to 2 wins (or a little above) per position then they're basically winning 90 games in the 2nd toughest (AL West tougher??) division in baseball with a bunch of AAAA guys...I know they're gonna have some everyday positions that are 3+ win positions, but would guess that most are going to settle in around that 2 win mark, which is just stunning...

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well, a 2-win player in WAR is basically a decent starter.

WAR obviously isnt a perfect stat, but IIRC it goes that (with a full season sample size) 0 WAR is your AAAA/replacement level guy, 1-2 a bench guy, 2-4 a quality starter, 4-6 a star player, 6+ an all-star/superstar level guy.

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Originally Posted by gut

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsChafedPenis

yeah but that's the thing...im too lazy to add up all their guys based on position, but if they add up to 2 wins (or a little above) per position then they're basically winning 90 games in the 2nd toughest (AL West tougher??) division in baseball with a bunch of AAAA guys...I know they're gonna have some everyday positions that are 3+ win positions, but would guess that most are going to settle in around that 2 win mark, which is just stunning...

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well, a 2-win player in WAR is basically a decent starter.

WAR obviously isnt a perfect stat, but IIRC it goes that (with a full season sample size) 0 WAR is your AAAA/replacement level guy, 1-2 a bench guy, 2-4 a quality starter, 4-6 a star player, 6+ an all-star/superstar level guy.

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gotcha, was just using baseball reference's definitions...they say 0-2 is reserve, 2+ is starter...

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Originally Posted by Sanlmar

Buehler really looked great last night against the Brewers in the 1-0 Dodgers loss.

So I’d like to pose a serious question:

Who would you pitch on the day of the wildcard if it were played today. Buehler or Kershaw? You have been granted immunity from me on this.

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From back in July. Of course, my question scared Druff.

Assuming the Dodgers lock up the goat rodeo in the NL and face the Braves - who do you pitch in game one if you are the Dodgers?

You KNOW the Dodgers start Kershaw.

:wrong

Mishandling Buehler will be classic Dodgers. The decision will be political and arrived at out of fear. If your best pitcher (Buehler) loses game one and you didn’t pitch Kershaw can the front office survive that? Sprinkle a bit of Kershaw contract negotiation into the flawed decision making.

Definitely want to go with the seasoned playoff veteran. LO fucking L

Buehler is a fearless animal. Baby faced kid. He will bust you inside repeatedly. Kid has the make up Kershaw never found.

Seeing Pedro Martinez gush about Buehler and make comparisons to himself is something I gotta respect.

This prospect of the next Dodger playoff fuckup has turned my frown upside down. No words. I am the boss.

Maeda is huge and will have Andrew Miller-like importance. Even I can’t spin this.

Can you believe Milwaukee is poised to be the scary monster under your bed?

Getting a little nervous about dodgers making playoffs. They are playing good, but they have some tough games against motivated opponents in Az and San FrAn where it would make their season to knock the dodgers out of the playoffs.


Rockies on the other hand are playing the Phillies who have already rolled over and died and the Nationals; who don’t give a fuck about the Rockies or this last week one way or the other.

Dodgers are gonna have to win their games and the Rockies are gonna be handed theirs against opponents who DGAF. Gonna be tough to hold on.

As I type this dodgers in a 2-2 dogfight in the bottom of the 7th with Az and Rockies are closing out their 2nd double digit win in a row against the hapless Phillies. It is what it is.

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Originally Posted by big dick

Home field for the cubs

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:facepalm3

bigdick & verm may both have to endure the nightmare of game 163 Monday

Justin Turner has been a train wreck at third for a while.

Wow, Giants skip Bumgarner’s scheduled start tomorrow so he can face Ryu Friday.

The Giants want to do damage.

Why, oh why can’t we have Kershaw v Bumgarner? Push Bum back to Saturday.


In related news, Bumgarner asked to pinch hit tonight and produces a walk off Hit

Would be insane if Dodgers/Cubs face each other in the wildcard game instead of the NLCS.

I'm getting worried that just might happen.

Rockies are playing a Phillies team which has given up. Dodgers are playing two division rivals who hate them.

Rockies finish at home, Dodgers finish on the road in San Francisco, of all places.

The Cardinals are now shitting the bed, though they're only 0.5 back of the Rockies right now for the wildcard.

Gonna be an interesting final 4-5 games.

Victor Robles 4 hits, a dinger and 5 rbi's. Soto mashing for a half a season at age 19. Eaton (when healthy) a fine CF.

This might be the first case of a "SUPERMEGAFREEAGENT" in Harper where his own team really kinda doesnt want him back. At least he is not worth 30m+/year to them anymore.

Nats should be better next year even without him, and maybe favorites in the East again. That lineup core of Eaton-Turner-Soto-Rendon-Robles-Zimmerman should be pretty damn solid, with scherzer and strasburg as a 1-2. spend the 40-50 mil they should have in budget on some more pitching and they're right back there.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Would be insane if Dodgers/Cubs face each other in the wildcard game instead of the NLCS.

I'm getting worried that just might happen.

Rockies are playing a Phillies team which has given up. Dodgers are playing two division rivals who hate them.

Rockies finish at home, Dodgers finish on the road in San Francisco, of all places.

The Cardinals are now shitting the bed, though they're only 0.5 back of the Dodgers right now for the wildcard.

Gonna be an interesting final 4-5 games.

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Originally Posted by gut

Victor Robles 4 hits, a dinger and 5 rbi's. Soto mashing for a half a season at age 19. Eaton (when healthy) a fine CF.

This might be the first case of a "SUPERMEGAFREEAGENT" in Harper where his own team really kinda doesnt want him back. At least he is not worth 30m+/year to them anymore.

Nats should be better next year even without him, and maybe favorites in the East again. That lineup core of Eaton-Turner-Soto-Rendon-Robles-Zimmerman should be pretty damn solid, with scherzer and strasburg as a 1-2. spend the 40-50 mil they should have in budget on some more pitching and they're right back there.

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You're right about Harper. He seems to be super un-clutch this year, too. Haven't looked at the numbers to support my assertion, but every time I've watched him in a big spot, he chokes.

On the surface, the 2018 season seems better than it really was for him. 34 HR. 100 RBI for the first time in his career. .393 OBP. But he's only hitting .246, and seemingly when the team needs him most, he fades.

Zimmerman's 2017 was a fluke. I don't think they can expect much out of him in 2019. Always felt Eaton was overrated and very injury prone. Played only 115 games in 2017 and 2018 combined. Never hit more than 14 HR in a single year. He can get on base and play defense, but I've always felt like his value was much less than perceived.

I agree that Rendon/Turner/Soto/Robles make up a solid core, and if the Nats ditch Harper and spend some money to solidify the team, they can be right back there competing again.

Dodgers got a bit unlucky schedule-wise.

In the final week, the Rockies get 7 games at home, all against NL East non-contenders. This included 4 with the Phillies, whom have apparently given up on the year and are getting pounded in the ass on a nightly basis. The Nationals likely will not be starting Scherzer again this year, and they will be facing the Rockies in Denver for the final series.

The Dodgers' final week includes two rivals which hate them. Plus they're on the road. They just lost 2 of 3 to Arizona, and then they go to San Francisco to face the team which perpetually hates them most.

The Rockies can now take a 1 game lead by beating the Phillies tomorrow.

If the Rockies win their final 4 games, they win the NL West for the first time in their history.

The Dodgers are fortunate that the Cardinals ran into the red-hot Brewers, so they remain 1 game up in the 2nd wildcard standings. The Cardinals also have a tough assignment, facing the Cubs in Chicago. The Cubs can't relax because they're only 0.5 games up on the Brewers in the NL Central.

yelich is a beast. he's turning into a mega star with his power and a better hitting version of shawn green. ez to expect the next few years to be mvp like

Cardinals are very likely fucked. Sorry Willie.

:knife

Dodgers are the likely 2nd wildcard, and will have to win the game on the road against (probably) the Brewers.

If the Dodgers win tonight, they at least clinch a 2nd wildcard tie.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Cardinals are very likely fucked. Sorry Willie.

:knife

Dodgers are the likely 2nd wildcard, and will have to win the game on the road against (probably) the Brewers.

If the Dodgers win tonight, they at least clinch a 2nd wildcard tie.

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the cards need luke voit back

Rockies appear to be cruising to another easy win and Dodgers already losing to Giants. What else isn't new? Good thing the Cards are pooping the bed, so at least we will most likely get the wild card game.

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Originally Posted by badguy23

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Originally Posted by Sanlmar

Cashman and the Yankees have their head in the right place.

They will land someone plus a few more bits. DeGrom is just an idea to illustrate a point. Gleyber Torres is just an example of their wretched excess of talent

So they have an excess of talent and have historically been a “win now” organization. I’m not talking division but the WS. Thus, the Dodgers v Yankees organizational dichotomy.

Red Sawks are “this year or bust” but really have nothing left to dangle as trade bait. Twilight has fallen on this squad. They may be good enough “as is”. I doubt it

I found it very interesting that the Yankees down 5-4 to the Nats in the 9th committed to keeping Sánchez on the bench to have a full day of rest and stayed with Romine. Romine is .333 but doesn’t have the game winning pop Sánchez promises. This is an example of the long view that delivers rings.

Epic AL East battle.

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Both teams r great if this was a softball league.

I dont trust there starting pitching in a Best of 7. Especially the Yankees.. Moves will have to be made or neither of these teams win shit.

Druff could put together a team who could piss on the BlueJays, Rays and Orioles.

Whoever gets Bundy or Happ will be the front runner only to lose to a AL West team or the Indians.

If Degroom has any sense he never goes over to the AL. Put him on the Dodgers and watch him get lit up like a Christmas Tree at Halloween.

All that being said... Your Ws champs r none other than The Brewers bitches LOL

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Next.

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Originally Posted by Sanlmar

Can you believe Milwaukee is poised to be the scary monster under your bed?

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Oh, I’m on it badguy

10/1/2018 12:21:48 PM
DESCRIPTION:
MOBILE - BASEBALL - MLB - 951 MILWAUKEE BREWERS +114 FOR GAME WIN

I would enjoy more Cubs v Brewers if Cubs win Wildcard.

Dodgers certainly took the long, dramatic way there, but they scored their 6th consecutive NL West title.

They're playing the Braves, in an identical matchup to 5 years ago which produced this GIF:

:what


Cubs are the 1st wildcard, despite having the 2nd best NL record. Unfair, but that's the way it goes.

Pretty amazing that BOTH the Dodgers and Brewers came back from 1.5 behind in the final weekend to win their respective divisions.

Brewers scare me the most of any NL team. Super tough bullpen, and their guys can hit it out just like the Dodgers can.

Kenley Jansen isn't right, and I don't trust him with the ball now. That might be a problem.

Might attend game 2 of the NLDS.

Provided his surgically repaired arm holds up, Walker Buehler will be the Dodgers' star pitcher of the 2020s.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Pretty amazing that BOTH the Dodgers and Brewers came back from 1.5 behind in the final weekend to win their respective divisions.

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yeah, that would be amazing that the Dodgers came back from 1.5 games down the final weekend...because they didn't...they trailed only by 1 game after Thursday, when the Rockies won their game while the Dodgers were off...thus the Dodgers went into the final weekend down only by 1 game, not 1.5 games;

(the 1.5 game lead you mention was the lead the Dodgers had 1 week before the end of the season, and then the Dodgers lost 2 of 3 at Arizona to fall 1/2 game behind the Rockies by Wednesday of that week...the Rockies were sweeping the Phillies 4 straight while the Dodgers were playing Arizona)

At great personal sacrifice I will make myself available for a Dodgers AMA in this thread.

For those who follow only teams with an actual shot at a WS ring I’ll offer a quick recap.

The legacy of Dodger sadness begins another chapter Thursday with Clayton Kershaw in game 1. He will face Foltynewicz.

Game 2 Ryu
Game 3 Buehler
Game 4 Hill


This from Rotowire. The writer provided some comedy for those who follow baseball. The edit is my own provided out of courtesy to those Americans who suffer mental or physical challenges.

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Clayton Kershaw was knocked around for five runs in five innings but was able to escape without a loss in a game his team eventually won against the Giants on Saturday.

It was an uncharacteristically (edit: CHARACTERICTICALLY) poor outing from Kershaw in a game his team desperately needed to win.

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Druff, why can’t you just say Buehler is the Dodgers star pitcher NOW? With practice and a good set of eyes you will find this has an honesty and flow that you will become accustomed to.

One could argue that Buehler is the best pitcher at the start of this post season.

What a tremendous game.

You alright bigdick?

Neither team is willing to stop playing baseball in 2018.

Feels like this will never end.

Moments after I post that, Wolters chops a little single up the middle and it's 2-1 Rockies in the 13th.

Dodgers yank Kershaw and game 1 is now Ryu

Well what do ya know. End of an era

Normally just a football guy this time of year but Braves +180 for the series just seems like too good a price to pass up.

Want to be first in with Dave Roberts in Chicago 2019

S’pose that is a response to Daly too