Baseball Thread Rated X -- Mature Audiences Only

Yeah, you're right. The Fish can't possibly win the NL East anymore. But they're still in the thick of the wild card race.

 

They are now 4 behind San Diego in the loss column and also behind the Phils and Giants and are going on a 10-game road trip to Atlanta, New York and Philly.
The Marlins are done.

 

I would guess San Diego wins out for the wild card spot -- pitching normally does.

 

San Diego will win the NL West.

 

You folks are probably right about the Marlins, and that's too bad. They're a fun club to watch. Give them a legitimate closer next season and watch out.

 

Hey, I understand it's a business. A screwed-up business rife with largess while crying about the red ink everywhere, but a business nonetheless. The impressions of my previous rant aside, I don't believe in loyalty in sports and haven't for some time. Doesn't mean I can't be pissed off when a franchise pillar doesn't practice it, though.

 

Wang is 10-2 with a 2.76 ERA at home this season. He's 7-3, but with a 4.58 ERA on the road. Sounds like reason enough to me to make sure he pitches Game 1 or Game 2 of any series when the Yanks have home field. I think you have to account for things like this, especially with a young pitcher, which Wang still is.

 

OOP, you are correct. The problem is that Torre doesn't seem to manage that way.

There is no doubt in my mind that Mussina pitches game 1. I definitely think Wang should go for Game 2, but I don't think Torre goes in that direction.

 

Oh, you had every right to be pissed off -- in 2002-03. Not now, though. It's long past over.

But if you think the Franchise Pillar didn't practice any loyalty by not signing for whatever they offered him, where's the loyalty in the Braves not giving their Franchise Pillar the one extra year he sought on his contract? Wasn't like he didn't give them more than their money's worth from 1984-2002. ... And he wasn't asking for more money than they were willing to give him. He was asking for a guaranteed paycheck for that one year instead of being held at their whim for that one year. ... But those were bungled negotations from the start. Bad on both sides.

He showed no more loyalty than they showed him. And while it pains me to have to cheer for the Mets every five days, well, I understand why he made that decision. ... And I really hope he returns to Atlanta so I have no qualifications about cheering for No. 300 next summer.

 

Jeesus....

Best pitcher in baseball right now (and is it close?): Matt Cain

31 2/3 IP scoreless streak and 1 run in his past 42 innings.

 

The best pitcher in baseball is Johan Santana, and it is not close.

 

Ehh. He's only unbeaten in the second half of the season since, what, 1998?