2019 MLB Regular Season running thread

Yelich set his career high with 36 home runs last season, so yes, I think it is a bit early to talk about him challenging the record. That would be a hell of a jump. Bonds had hit 40 in a season four times, including 46 in 1993 and 49 in 2000, before his 72-homer season in 2001.

By the way, the common belief is that Bonds didn't start using PEDs until after McGwire and Sosa both surpassed Maris in 1998, but he hit 40 home runs three times before that. I'm not trying to argue against the common belief except to say I think he used before 1998 as well.

 

We need Manky here to defend his man Jeter's hiring of this guy:

Rosenthal: Derek Jeter’s right-hand man is tearing up a...

 

Did the Nats fuck up by not trading Harper last season? Not sure what they would have gotten for the rental, but they were nine games out of the second wild card on Aug. 31. Now they're nosediving in 2019 and it sure looks like they missed an opportunity to try to get something for losing the face of their franchise (overrated, though he may be).

 

Ruth never hit more than 29 before belting 54 in 1920.

I'm mostly being facetious because 1998 began the constant "on pace" updates, which have largely subsided in the 18 years since Bonds. But it is fun to think about someone legitimately chasing 73. It would be even more fun if Bellinger (14) could get in on the action.

 

Probably.

The bullpen is a disaster, and now the injuries are seriously mounting. Three-fourths of the starting infield (all three who bat in the top five of the order) has missed significant time. Soto - who is supposed to bat third or fourth - has missed significant time. And we haven't event gotten to the "Strasburg needs a month off" portion of the season.

Martinez is going to be the first fired manager of the season, though I'm not convinced its his fault.

 

It's Rizzo's fault, but he's untouchable.

 

Isn’t the Nats’ manager always first to go? Fun fact: The Nats have had seven managers in the last 12 years and none has managed more than 410 games for the team.

 

Yes. We should start thinking about it because the pace he's on is incredible. But keep in mind Bonds didn't start his 2001 season until April 2. Yelich played his sixth game on April 2 and had four homers (as if that some how makes it insignificant). Let's see where Yelich is by the All-Star break. Of course a million things could happen, but I think if he passes 40 before the break, he's got a real shot at 74 or above.

Just looking at Bonds' run from 2001, he hit six homers in July (granted there was the All-Star break in there). He entered August with 45 and went on to hit 28 more by the end of the season for the record. He hit 28 from April 2 to May 30 and 28 from Aug. 1 to Oct. 7 (with the week suspension of all games because of 9/11 included). He hit 56 in four months. The remaining two months he hit 17. If he kept up with his pace from April to May in June and July, he could have hit 81. Wonder where Yelich ends up if he keeps this pace going.

 

The new normal? Joey Gallo becomes first player to hit 100 home runs before he hit 100 singles.

Rangers slugger Joey Gallo is turning the MLB record book upside down

 

Thank you for this post. Gallo should perhaps note the less than happy fates (except for Howard's money) of his peers on this list.

 

If Yelich only played against the Cardinals, he’d have the record by the All-Star break. At least half of his homers have been vs St. Louis.

 

If Yelich only played at Miller Park, he’d have the record by the All-Star break. All but one of his 16 HRs have been hit at home.