MLB 2011 Season

The Evil Dead · Post by **The Evil Dead** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 11:29 pm

As Spring Training comes to an end, I'm super-stoked for the regular season to begin. Being a Mariners fan, you may wonder why, but I like to think we can only go up from the mess last season. Either way, it's baseball and it's just something I love to watch. Anyone else getting geared up for the season?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:10 am

I'm interested, but I'm not holding out too much hope for improvement in the Rangers, what with losing the battle for Cliff Lee and CEO Chuck Greenburg getting forced out after a year in which he pretty much was the face of the team's turnaround.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:22 am

REPEAT

The Evil Dead · Post by **The Evil Dead** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:30 am

Yeah, I have a hard time thinking the Rangers will repeat their success of last year. On paper, it looks like the A's taking first with their young rotation now with year of good experience under the belt and some solid offense and defense. As much as I like him, I don't see Matsui being a key player to their success. But on paper, a lot of people had the Mariners winning the west last season, so we'll see

malichai11 · Post by **malichai11** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:40 am

I'm not remotely excited about this season. My wife (who's been a Royals fan for 30 years, her grandpa hooked her when she was little), and I are still boycotting attending a Royals game until Dayton Moore is fired. He'd perhaps make a good head of scouting, but he's still an absolute moron when it comes to constructing a major league team.

ChaoZ · Post by **ChaoZ** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:13 am

The Jays won't come anywhere near the playoffs this year, but I do have tickets for opening night on Friday.

Dramatist · Post by **Dramatist** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:16 am

I'm very excited for the season to begin, even though I'm an Astros fan. I just love baseball. Lots of the sabrmetric sites are predicting the Astros to be the very worst team in MLB this year. But I don't think they'll fall that far. I actually think they've turned a corner and the organization is on the way back up. I'm not sure that will show on the field this year though.

I predict they'll go 75-87 in 2011.

J.D. · Post by **J.D.** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:22 am

They're coming home!

- Two tickets to Jays vs. Twins, opening night in Toronto? Check.
- 54,000 of my closest friends making noise and waving towels? Check.
- A young, exciting team with a bright future? Check.

Can't. Wait.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:47 am

I'm excited for the season. All the talking heads are going nuts for the Red Sox - something like 33 of ESPN's 45 experts picked them to win the world series. Those expectations might get a bit annoying - Boston media's going to go bonkers if they start 10-12 or something.

More of a problem is that my wife and I don't have cable because we can get most of our shows for free on the channel websites. With MLB I can't get it via broadcast, and the options to purchase it online aren't really good enough - at least last season the games on MLB.tv weren't posted until ~ midnight EST, which means I'd be watching each game the next day, and probably have the result spoiled already. I suppose I should check MLB.tv and other online options to see if they've improved.

It's annoying because I like baseball enough for it to hurt not to see it, but not enough to pay exhorbitant cable television costs.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:36 pm

Ethan and I are ready

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:47 pm

I'm stoked for this season. The KC youth movement is starting (4 rookies on the squad including 3 in the bullpen). I can't wait for Moustakas to get his June call-up. Hopefully we'll see Hosmer and Montgomery by September.

EDIT - I was wrong. We've got four rookies in the bullpen.

I fully expect my Royals to lose 90 games this year but for the first time in a long time I can see hope on the horizon.

Next year KC hosts the All-Star game and I'm already thinking about going. I'm thinking I'd go back for a week so I can catch a few games either before or after the ASG.

On the downside Portland no longer has any baseball now that soccer (

) has taken over the Beaver's stadium. I'll have to travel 20 miles south of town to see a short-season rookie squad play when I need my local baseball fix.

Go Royals!

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:48 pm

I have no idea what to expect this season.

Other than Pujols being his usual self, Molina continuing to gun down base stealers, and Carpenter doing his robo-arm thing again, several new faces on the team.

Will LaRussa and Rasmus still not get along? Will Rasmus actually learn to be the line drive hitter which would make him more effective?

How will TLR handle the likes of Tyler Green, David Freese, Daniel Descalso. He has been short with young players in the past. Does he get over that and let them learn by playing or does he bench them for any slight he sees?

Who knows?

Pitching looks like it will be an adventure again also.

Go Cards!

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:50 pm

Going to opening day at US Cellular, will probably even hit Wrigley in the next few weeks.

And just looking forward to the dulcet sounds of The Great Game ringing in spring.

Post by **godhugh** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:55 pm

Very happy about baseball being back, but I can't say I'm terribly optimistic about the Cubs. Spring training was a mess and I'm just not sold on Quade as the manager. Oh well, I didn't expect a ton out of the 2003 squad either and that ended up being the most fun I've ever had during a baseball season (except for the end).

Oh, and I hate this split opening day thing. Give me a real opening day, with all the teams playing, dammit.

Lassr · Post by **Lassr** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:10 pm

I'm optimistic this year for the Braves. I'd be even more optimistic if they didn't have to deal with that Phillies rotation so I'm predicting a Wild Card birth for the Braves.

J.D. · Post by **J.D.** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:12 pm

theohall wrote:I have no idea what to expect this season.

Other than Pujols being his usual self, Molina continuing to gun down base stealers, and Carpenter doing his robo-arm thing again, several new faces on the team.

Will LaRussa and Rasmus still not get along? Will Rasmus actually learn to be the line drive hitter which would make him more effective?

How will TLR handle the likes of Tyler Green, David Freese, Daniel Descalso. He has been short with young players in the past. Does he get over that and let them learn by playing or does he bench them for any slight he sees?

Who knows?

Pitching looks like it will be an adventure again also.

Go Cards!

Rasmus and TLR better get a long this year. I kept Rasmus in my keeper pool thinking this would be his breakout season.

Exodor · Post by **Exodor** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 1:16 pm

J.D. wrote:Rasmus and TLR better get a long this year. I kept Rasmus in my keeper pool thinking this would be his breakout season.

I'm sure he'll have a great year - once TLR forces a trade and KC picks him up.

We have this Jeff Francouer. He's a gritty veteran. TLR loves those guys.

Hrnac · Post by **Hrnac** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:26 pm

The Brewers are off to a good start with back to back homers by Weeks and Gomez to start the game.

-Hrnac

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:48 pm

Heyward poped one. He hit one opening day last year too.

Biyobi · Post by **Biyobi** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:00 pm

naednek wrote:

Ethan and I are ready

I'm going to the Dodgers home opener against the Giants tonight. I really hope they disappoint you.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:05 pm

godhugh wrote:Very happy about baseball being back, but I can't say I'm terribly optimistic about the Cubs. Spring training was a mess and I'm just not sold on Quade as the manager. Oh well, I didn't expect a ton out of the 2003 squad either and that ended up being the most fun I've ever had during a baseball season (except for the end).

The positive thing for the Cubs this year is the division. St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati could all compete this year, but none of them look like the kind of teams that are going to run away with it. It would take a lot things to align just right for the Cubs to make a run at it, but this is the time of year for baseless optimism*, isn't it?

* Baseless optimism not applicable to Pittsburgh.

WPD · Post by **WPD** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:36 pm

Orioles are going to lose less than 90 games... you heard it here first!

tru1cy · Post by **tru1cy** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:38 pm

I'm just hoping the O's have a .500 season. Brian Roberts breaks down again it won't be pretty. Zach Britton looks good, but the O's sent him down so they can control him for 7 yrs instead of 6. Heck, the O's will be worth watching since Buck is running the show. He's already shot his mouth off about Jeter, the yank's and Red Sox's payroll

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:42 pm

I have my fantasy draft tonight.......

In real life I hope the Dodgers have a great year and the Giants fall back where they belong.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:45 pm

tru1cy wrote:I'm just hoping the O's have a .500 season. Brian Roberts breaks down again it won't be pretty. Zach Britton looks good, but the O's sent him down so they can control him for 7 yrs instead of 6. Heck, the O's will be worth watching since Buck is running the show. He's already shot his mouth off about Jeter, the yank's and Red Sox's payroll

They should be. Reynolds will probably hit a HR or strike out every at-bat. Adam Jones should be fun to watch, he could have a great season.

Scuzz wrote:I have my fantasy draft tonight.......

Seems a bit late. Just remember that anyone who hit a HR, got a win, or got a save today will be overvalued.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:48 pm

I think I heard this morning that the Cubs have already been mathematically eliminated. Something about matter/antimatter interactions involving players that will result in obliteration of the team. Combined with financial issues involving the owners and the city, the roster will be replaced by rats who might make unexpected, but ultimately futile, run at the division title.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:50 pm

ImLawBoy wrote:
godhugh wrote:Very happy about baseball being back, but I can't say I'm terribly optimistic about the Cubs. Spring training was a mess and I'm just not sold on Quade as the manager. Oh well, I didn't expect a ton out of the 2003 squad either and that ended up being the most fun I've ever had during a baseball season (except for the end).
The positive thing for the Cubs this year is the division. St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati could all compete this year, but none of them look like the kind of teams that are going to run away with it. It would take a lot things to align just right for the Cubs to make a run at it, but this is the time of year for baseless optimism*, isn't it?

* Baseless optimism not applicable to Pittsburgh.

Isn't baseless optimism *most* applicable to Pittsburgh? You don't get much more baseless than that.

Freezer-TPF- · Post by **Freezer-TPF-** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:03 pm

One game down and the Nats still haven't scored. Awesome.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:26 pm

El Guapo wrote:
ImLawBoy wrote:
godhugh wrote:Very happy about baseball being back, but I can't say I'm terribly optimistic about the Cubs. Spring training was a mess and I'm just not sold on Quade as the manager. Oh well, I didn't expect a ton out of the 2003 squad either and that ended up being the most fun I've ever had during a baseball season (except for the end).
The positive thing for the Cubs this year is the division. St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Cincinnati could all compete this year, but none of them look like the kind of teams that are going to run away with it. It would take a lot things to align just right for the Cubs to make a run at it, but this is the time of year for baseless optimism*, isn't it?

* Baseless optimism not applicable to Pittsburgh.
Isn't baseless optimism *most* applicable to Pittsburgh? You don't get much more baseless than that.

I just can't envision any optimism among that fan base, whether baseless or not. And I say that as a Cubs fan.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:35 pm

Scuzz wrote:I have my fantasy draft tonight.......

In real life I hope the Dodgers have a great year and the Giants fall back where they belong.

How can you be a Dodgers fan living in Fresno...

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:15 pm

naednek wrote:
Scuzz wrote:I have my fantasy draft tonight.......

In real life I hope the Dodgers have a great year and the Giants fall back where they belong.
How can you be a Dodgers fan living in Fresno...

Grew up with an older brother who worshipped Sandy Koufax.....

Although in the last 15 years I have been to many games at either Oakland-Alemeda or AT&T Park. I have a sister who lives up there so we stay with here and Bart into games.

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:17 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote:
tru1cy wrote:I'm just hoping the O's have a .500 season. Brian Roberts breaks down again it won't be pretty. Zach Britton looks good, but the O's sent him down so they can control him for 7 yrs instead of 6. Heck, the O's will be worth watching since Buck is running the show. He's already shot his mouth off about Jeter, the yank's and Red Sox's payroll
They should be. Reynolds will probably hit a HR or strike out every at-bat. Adam Jones should be fun to watch, he could have a great season.

Scuzz wrote:I have my fantasy draft tonight.......
Seems a bit late. Just remember that anyone who hit a HR, got a win, or got a save today will be overvalued.

We always draft as close as possible to opening day to avoid the injuries that can happen. Anyone who takes a player based on a game played today is an idiot anyway.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:51 pm

And Ryan Theriot, former Cub, can't field a simple ball thrown in from the outfield costing the Cards the win in 11. Screw the Cubs.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:12 pm

theohall wrote:And Ryan Theriot, former Cub, can't field a simple ball thrown in from the outfield costing the Cards the win in 11. Screw the Cubs.

Woohoo, Padres undefeated in first place! For a day anyway...

Mr Bubbles · Post by **Mr Bubbles** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:18 pm

Go Dodgers!

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:22 am

Freezer-TPF- wrote:One game down and the Nats still haven't scored. Awesome.

You can blame it on me if you want. I was there.

Biyobi · Post by **Biyobi** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:34 am

Great pitching from both Kershaw and Lincecum. The relievers for both teams completely sucked, and Broxton really tried to throw it all away. I hope the Dodgers aren't making any long term plans with him closing.

The only disappointment for the evening was the National Anthem done by Placido Domingo. He completely played it straight when there was really no better time to do an homage to the great Enrico Palazzo.

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:35 am

Domingo = disappointment? I hope that's sarcasm.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:52 am

pr0ner wrote:Domingo = disappointment? I hope that's sarcasm.

Did you miss the Enrico Palazzo joke?

pr0ner · Post by **pr0ner** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:52 am

ImLawBoy wrote:
pr0ner wrote:Domingo = disappointment? I hope that's sarcasm.
Did you miss the Enrico Palazzo joke?