***Official*** MLB 2025 Thread

[Sanlmar]

Did Druff know that Treinen was warming while the bases were loaded? That if they didn’t cash a run he was coming out for the 12th. Did Druff tell his son this fact or did he not want to spoil the kid’s evening?

If not for Sasaki the Asians would prolly stop coming to the park. Ohtani is awful at the plate. He’s overmatched at the playoff level. He appears to have no plan at all. He never takes a pitch.

Daly’s card value is plummeting.

How the Dodgers cope with their short rotation and a 7 game series and fewer off days will be interesting. From a live wagering standpoint you are going to likely see them punting a game once or twice. They’ve shown a willingness to do that in recent years.

[Dan Druff]

Did Druff know that Treinen was warming while the bases were loaded? That if they didn’t cash a run he was coming out for the 12th. Did Druff tell his son this fact or did he not want to spoil the kid’s evening?

If not for Sasaki the Asians would prolly stop coming to the park. Ohtani is awful at the plate. He’s overmatched at the playoff level. He appears to have no plan at all. He never takes a pitch.

Daly’s card value is plummeting.

How the Dodgers cope with their short rotation and a 7 game series and fewer off days will be interesting. From a live wagering standpoint you are going to likely see them punting a game once or twice. They’ve shown a willingness to do that in recent years.

I decided to take a gander down at the "rich people seats" (the dugout seats), which go for thousands per ticket. They also come with access to an open bar, a beautiful buffet, and a nice lounge full of memorabilia. The average cheap Jew like myself can only see pictures of this stuff, as it's hidden from public view.

Anyway, upon inspecting the crowd carefully, I noticed a LOT of Japanese fans occupying them. Lots of #17/#18 jerseys, but curiously no #11. After having little to cheer about with Yamamoto last night, and given Ohtani's nonexistent bat since Wildcard Game 2, they were especially excited (cameras in hand) to see what Sasaki was doing.

Sasaki's windup reminds me a bit of Hideo Nomo's. It's not as extreme, but it has the same effect of throwing off hitters. Eventually they get used to it, but this hasn't occurred yet. You can see that his opponents' timing is all out of whack. It's a big reason why he's blowing through postseason lineups right now.

Benjamin is unfortunately very aware of Treinen. He was dreading seeing him pop up. We didn't notice he was warming up in the bullpen, because we sit too far from that part of the park to see it clearly.

It has been fun attending one game of each series thus far, and I found reasonable prices both times. I might do the same for the NLCS if I can swing a reasonable price. Otherwise I'll watch at home. Note that I didn't see any World Series games in person in 2024 (and haven't since 2018), but I was fine with that. Yankees vs Dodgers was crazy expensive. Blue Jays, Tigers, or Mariners versus Dodgers, not so much.

A Brewers NLCS will keep the prices a lot lower than will a Cubs matchup.

[Sanlmar]

A Brewers NLCS will keep the prices a lot lower than will a Cubs matchup.

That’s an interesting take. Are there a lot of transplanted Chicagoans in LA? Who cares about the Cubs?

The Brewers have been the story all year. They were the best team from wire to wire. The David vs Goliath storyline is gonna be the lead for sports writers. A divided America is gonna embrace that narrative Yuge.

As well, the style of play between the two teams simply could not be more different. Small ball and defense vs home runs. A clash of analytics. This series can be packaged and sold to Americans more easily than Cubs/Dodgers. Good vs Evil always has universal appeal.

Odds reveal double the love for the Brewers as well. While you’re focusing on seat prices I’ll be interested in gauging the public’s interest (or lack of as you predict) in the Brewers early. Maybe we both scoop a bargain if you’re right.

This was a very narrow series victory by the Dodgers. There were a few tremendous Dodger plays that differentiated the two teams. Next round ought to be fun.

[BCR]

A Brewers NLCS will keep the prices a lot lower than will a Cubs matchup.

That’s an interesting take. Are there a lot of transplanted Chicagoans in LA? Who cares about the Cubs?

The Brewers have been the story all year. They were the best team from wire to wire. The David vs Goliath storyline is gonna be the lead for sports writers. A divided America is gonna embrace that narrative Yuge.

As well, the style of play between the two teams simply could not be more different. Small ball and defense vs home runs. A clash of analytics. This series can be packaged and sold to Americans more easily than Cubs/Dodgers. Good vs Evil always has universal appeal.

Odds reveal double the love for the Brewers as well. While you’re focusing on seat prices I’ll be interested in gauging the public’s interest (or lack of as you predict) in the Brewers early. Maybe we both scoop a bargain if you’re right.

This was a very narrow series victory by the Dodgers. There were a few tremendous Dodger plays that differentiated the two teams. Next round ought to be fun.

I hope we get that Brewers Dodgers. They looked tight last night and they never look tight. Thought throwing Freddy was bad call but wtf do I know? All hands on deck tomorrow. I really want Brewers Dodgers.

[Dan Druff]

A Brewers NLCS will keep the prices a lot lower than will a Cubs matchup.

That’s an interesting take. Are there a lot of transplanted Chicagoans in LA? Who cares about the Cubs?

The Brewers have been the story all year. They were the best team from wire to wire. The David vs Goliath storyline is gonna be the lead for sports writers. A divided America is gonna embrace that narrative Yuge.

As well, the style of play between the two teams simply could not be more different. Small ball and defense vs home runs. A clash of analytics. This series can be packaged and sold to Americans more easily than Cubs/Dodgers. Good vs Evil always has universal appeal.

Odds reveal double the love for the Brewers as well. While you’re focusing on seat prices I’ll be interested in gauging the public’s interest (or lack of as you predict) in the Brewers early. Maybe we both scoop a bargain if you’re right.

This was a very narrow series victory by the Dodgers. There were a few tremendous Dodger plays that differentiated the two teams. Next round ought to be fun.

Yes, there are a fair number of Chicago transplants (not as many as the greater NYC area though). Once LA became bigger and more relevant in the '60s, '70s, and '80s, many families chose to escape the cold weather and seek year round moderate temperatures in California. Chicago weather is actually far worse in the winter than NYC -- something I have to often teach people from this area, who just see it all as "cold".

Anyway, the prices for the Cubs/Dodgers NLCS in 2016 were insane. I didn't go to those games. There are many diehard Cubs fans, and they felt 2016 was their moment. They turned out to be correct.

The Cubs are the 4th most prominent team as visitors to LA. The two more prominent are the Yankees and Red Sox.

The Brewers are in a small market and there are very few fans of theirs in LA. There will be a significant pricing difference. Visiting team fans living in LA feel like they pretty much have to go to playoff series where they get to see their team in the postseason without traveling. There's plenty who will do this for the Cubs, but just not many for the Brewers.

The Dodgers will match up better with the Cubs, though. So I'm not sure which one I'm rooting to see.

[Sanlmar]

That’s an interesting take. Are there a lot of transplanted Chicagoans in LA? Who cares about the Cubs?

The Brewers have been the story all year. They were the best team from wire to wire. The David vs Goliath storyline is gonna be the lead for sports writers. A divided America is gonna embrace that narrative Yuge.

As well, the style of play between the two teams simply could not be more different. Small ball and defense vs home runs. A clash of analytics. This series can be packaged and sold to Americans more easily than Cubs/Dodgers. Good vs Evil always has universal appeal.

Odds reveal double the love for the Brewers as well. While you’re focusing on seat prices I’ll be interested in gauging the public’s interest (or lack of as you predict) in the Brewers early. Maybe we both scoop a bargain if you’re right.

This was a very narrow series victory by the Dodgers. There were a few tremendous Dodger plays that differentiated the two teams. Next round ought to be fun.

Yes, there are a fair number of Chicago transplants (not as many as the greater NYC area though). Once LA became bigger and more relevant in the '60s, '70s, and '80s, many families chose to escape the cold weather and seek year round moderate temperatures in California. Chicago weather is actually far worse in the winter than NYC -- something I have to often teach people from this area, who just see it all as "cold".

Anyway, the prices for the Cubs/Dodgers NLCS in 2016 were insane. I didn't go to those games. There are many diehard Cubs fans, and they felt 2016 was their moment. They turned out to be correct.

The Cubs are the 4th most prominent team as visitors to LA. The two more prominent are the Yankees and Red Sox.

The Brewers are in a small market and there are very few fans of theirs in LA. There will be a significant pricing difference. Visiting team fans living in LA feel like they pretty much have to go to playoff series where they get to see their team in the postseason without traveling. There's plenty who will do this for the Cubs, but just not many for the Brewers.

The Dodgers will match up better with the Cubs, though. So I'm not sure which one I'm rooting to see.

You referencing the 2016 curse breaking World Series Cubs? There’s a good sample. Even I followed Theo Epstein’s Cubs. Can’t say I’ve watched a single Cubs game this year.

Brewers have been utterly irrelevant until this year. Historical sampling is not relevant

[Sanlmar]

One of the great post season games this century.

14th inning deciding game Det/Sea
2-2
Amazing defense

[simpdog]

Unsure how Detroit keeps getting out of jams.

They have alligator blood.

[Sanlmar]

All Canadian ALCS

[Dan Druff]

Yes, there are a fair number of Chicago transplants (not as many as the greater NYC area though). Once LA became bigger and more relevant in the '60s, '70s, and '80s, many families chose to escape the cold weather and seek year round moderate temperatures in California. Chicago weather is actually far worse in the winter than NYC -- something I have to often teach people from this area, who just see it all as "cold".

Anyway, the prices for the Cubs/Dodgers NLCS in 2016 were insane. I didn't go to those games. There are many diehard Cubs fans, and they felt 2016 was their moment. They turned out to be correct.

The Cubs are the 4th most prominent team as visitors to LA. The two more prominent are the Yankees and Red Sox.

The Brewers are in a small market and there are very few fans of theirs in LA. There will be a significant pricing difference. Visiting team fans living in LA feel like they pretty much have to go to playoff series where they get to see their team in the postseason without traveling. There's plenty who will do this for the Cubs, but just not many for the Brewers.

The Dodgers will match up better with the Cubs, though. So I'm not sure which one I'm rooting to see.

You referencing the 2016 curse breaking World Series Cubs? There’s a good sample. Even I followed Theo Epstein’s Cubs. Can’t say I’ve watched a single Cubs game this year.

Brewers have been utterly irrelevant until this year. Historical sampling is not relevant

If the Cubs make it, there won't be epic high NLCS prices like 2016, but it will be higher than the Brewers. It's all about demand, and the demand simply won't be there to see the Brewers from anyone but Dodgers fans. I would say that Laverne and Shirley might want to go, but they're dead.

Last night Benjamin said of the Dodgers game in the 11th, "This feels like another 18 inning playoff game." We were at the 2018 7.5-hour fest against Boston.

He was almost correct... just a day off and 3 innings short.

The Mariners are interesting but I think it's Toronto's year to win the AL.

[lol wow]

greaaaaaaaaaaat story

[Dan Druff]

If it is the Cubs, the Dodgers will play on Monday and Tuesday in Los Angeles.

At the moment, Tuesday is forecasted to have some rain. It's not enough to rain out the game, but it might be a factor and cause a delay.

[Dan Druff]

Cubs now have to decide what to do with Kyle Tucker.

He's going to want a lot of money. He was excellent in the first half, and shit in the second half.

A lot of times that doesn't bode well for a player's future. The guy you want is the one who was hot in the second half, but whose overall numbers weren't spectacular. That's where you often find value. You get reverse value when he had a big decline in the second half, unless there was a good reason for it (such as injury, or bad luck regarding where the ball was landing).

Tucker is expected to talk to the Mets, and maybe they will sink $400m into him, and have yet another bloated contract which doesn't work out. He's also expected to talk to the Dodgers, who are in the market for an OF since Conforto didn't work out.

But guess which other outfielder is almost surely going to be a free agent? Yes, one Cody Bellinger, who will probably have his agent Scott Boras pitch him back to the Dodgers. Bellinger would be a good short-term (3-year) fit for the Dodgers at age 30 3/4 when the season starts, but not much more than that. I have a feeling the Dodgers won't pay what Boras is asking, though, so he's probably going elsewhere. Maybe even back to the Yankees.

[Dan Druff]

As I predicted, prices are plummeting for the Dodgers/Brewers series in the LA games.

At the moment the Brewers won, the cheapest loge (2nd level) seat for Game 4 in mid-outfield was $406. Now it's $357, and falling fast.

The cheapest between-the-bases 1st-3rd row seat in the loge level is now $466. That will also be falling.

I'm just gonna let it keep tumbling and buy when I feel it's either bottomed out or when inventory is getting too low to want to chance it further. Good chance I go to one of these games, if we are seeing prices at this level already, 4 1/2 days away.

If the Dodgers make the World Series, it should also be reasonably priced, as neither Seattle nor Toronto will draw a lot of visiting fans to the stadium.

[Sanlmar]

The Dodgers are paying more in luxury tax ($143.4 million) than the entire payroll of the Brewers ($121.7 million)

Not exactly sure where we see the difference on the field.

Druff should teach Fraudman to be a better consumer. Fraudman would pay $753 for Druff’s seat and defer payment on his credit card at 29.98% interest

:

[Dan Druff]

The Dodgers are paying more in luxury tax ($143.4 million) than the entire payroll of the Brewers ($121.7 million)

Not exactly sure where we see the difference on the field.

Druff should teach Fraudman to be a better consumer. Fraudman would pay $753 for a seat and defer payment on his credit card.

You do realize where the $$ is coming from besides attendance and merchandising, right?

The TV agreement with Charger/Spectrum agreement is a 25-year contract running through 2038, worth approximately $8.35 billion total, or about $334 million annually on average.

This makes it the largest local TV rights deal in MLB.

The Dodgers own a majority stake in SNLA, giving them significant control over programming and revenue. Charter/Spectrum owns the remaining stake and handles distribution.

Unlike many RSN deals affected by cord-cutting, this one includes guaranteed rights fees from Charter, paid in full regardless of subscriber losses. This structure has insulated the Dodgers from the industry-wide decline in cable viewership.

Prior to 2013, the Dodgers broadcast on FOX Sports West, generating about $39 million annually.

Can you believe Spectrum is paying the Dodgers $334m/year until 2038, and can't even reduce it due to cord-cutting?

AND the Dodgers own more than 50% of the channel itself?

LOL!!!

Can you imagine how dumb the rubes were who negotiated this deal in 2013?

[Sanlmar]

Regardless of income you would on principle seek the best deal and pocket the difference.

I’ll write you a reference

If Guggenheim were savvy consumers how many rings would they have by now? Maybe that isn’t the point. I can accept that. Maybe it’s time to sell

[Dan Druff]

Regardless of income you would on principle seek the best deal and pocket the difference.

I’ll write you a reference

If Guggenheim were savvy consumers how many rings would they have by now? Maybe that isn’t the point. I can accept that. Maybe it’s time to sell

Well you have to admit, at least they're not the Mets or Padres.

If you look at the big contracts, everyone is productive (at least for now), except for Tanner Scott. And Scott's contract isn't huge, it's just big.

Now, maybe in 2032 when Mookie, Ohtani, and Yamamoto are all older and still making the same money as today, they might have a problem. But I have to imagine that's all factored in.

Now if you want to talk about stupid spending teams, let's look at the Padres and Mets.

[Sanlmar]

Just getting my reps in off the off day

[Dan Druff]

First ever force out at home on an off-the-wall hit?

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