[Skeletar Spider]

bluetooner, on 15 March 2011 - 12:10, said:

Infante has no power, he doesnt walk (i.e his OBP is so high because his avg was high). His avg is likely unsustainable, and he is terrible defensively. You probably didn't watch that much of him, but about 50% of his hits were ground balls that somehow managed to find a gap. I'm not complaining because a hit is a hit, but the braves sold way high on him, and the player that will have the bigger impact in the deal is going to be Dunn.

That's your call, but all that matters for me is a guy getting on base, and I bet you he'll hit over .300 this year.

[Savage Henry]

lichtie23, on 15 March 2011 - 12:20, said:

I see Milton Bradley is in bother again!

McLouth has been expected to explode in the past and hasn't.....I think he has to hav a good year or his career will peter out into averageness. I still quite like him tho

Milton Bradley is done as a major league player. It should have happened years ago. Except that he's quite good.

I can see McLouth being at AAA by mid-season if he has any options left. I always used to draft him after that great year he had a few seasons back, expecting a bounce, but it never happened.

[lichtie23]

Just read an article on the Atkanta Braves coach who was hit in the eye by a line drive in a spring training game. The poor b*****d has lost his eye

[lichtie23]

The Mets have released Luis Castillo

[lichtie23]

Mets release Oliver Perez.

Phillies have signed former Met Luis Castillo too a minor league contract. Decent depth they have at 2nd base now

[drs]

5Live SX will have commentary each Sunday night during the season and they will also be having a game live from opening day next Thursday.

[lichtie23]

The Yankees have signed Kevin Milwood to a minor league deal.

They have also traded Sergio Mitre too the Brewers for Outfielder Chris Dickerson

[2bobbylinns]

Going to the giants vs dodgers on the 6th of April. Don't know much more than the basics.

Who should I be looking out for in each team?

[Savage Henry]

2bobbylinns, on 26 March 2011 - 09:53, said:

Going to the giants vs dodgers on the 6th of April. Don't know much more than the basics.

Who should I be looking out for in each team?

Nice choice, are you going to AT&T or Dodger Stadium?

Well, for the Giants - my team - everybody is wonderful, and they won the World Series last year on the back of their pitching and their superstar catcher Buster Posey. Tim Lincecum is their Ace pitcher. Andres Torres is a fun guy to watch, and an interesting bloke too. Aubrey Huff, Buster Posey and Pat Burrell are their main home run threats.

The Dodgers aren't quite as loaded with entertaining players, but Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp - if he isn't going nuts over some triviality - are two of the best players in the game, Juan Uribe was a Giant last season and is fun to watch.

Enjoy. And bring spare change... the beers will sting you but are sold in massive quantities.

[Cowshed Chris]

Not long til opening day now! I've already reserved my World Series tickets at CBP.

Looking forward to it!

[bluetooner]

Cowshed Chris, on 28 March 2011 - 12:27, said:

Not long til opening day now! I've already reserved my World Series tickets at CBP.

Looking forward to it!

Are they showing the Braves v Red Sox games on the big screen there? I might have to wander down if they do.

[Cowshed Chris]

bluetooner, on 29 March 2011 - 11:41, said:

Are they showing the Braves v Red Sox games on the big screen there? I might have to wander down if they do.

bluetooner, on 29 March 2011 - 11:41, said:

Are they showing the Braves v Red Sox games on the big screen there? I might have to wander down if they do.

Haha, good one. Before you bring up the Utley injury... the lineup is still strong, even forgetting we have four aces and a reasonable no 3/4 starter as our 5 guy.

I don't think BenFran is as big a drop off from J-Werth as people are making out, infact I reckon they'll put up similar numbers this year.
Obviously Castillo/Valdez are no Chase Utley but I'm confident that Victorino can up his game this year (in the 6 spot, probably) and Rollins can't be any worse than last year.
And I think Contreras will do just fine in the closers role. I'm more worried about when Lidge comes back!

Projected lineup for Friday -

SS - Rollins
3B - Polanco
LF - Ibanez
1B - Howard
RF - Francisco
CF - Victorino
2B - Castillo
C- Ruiz
P - Halladay

Prediction: Low scoring... 3-1 Phillies

[bluetooner]

Cowshed Chris, on 30 March 2011 - 09:36, said:

Haha, good one. Before you bring up the Utley injury... the lineup is still strong, even forgetting we have four aces and a reasonable no 3/4 starter as our 5 guy.

I don't think BenFran is as big a drop off from J-Werth as people are making out, infact I reckon they'll put up similar numbers this year.
Obviously Castillo/Valdez are no Chase Utley but I'm confident that Victorino can up his game this year (in the 6 spot, probably) and Rollins can't be any worse than last year.
And I think Contreras will do just fine in the closers role. I'm more worried about when Lidge comes back!

Projected lineup for Friday -

SS - Rollins
3B - Polanco
LF - Ibanez
1B - Howard
RF - Francisco
CF - Victorino
2B - Castillo
C- Ruiz
P - Halladay

Prediction: Low scoring... 3-1 Phillies

I actually think that the Phillies offense will be far worse this year, Ruiz likely to go back to career norm, Francisco isn't going to be anywhere near as good/important as Werth (and don't start with the RISP crap). No real protection for Howard at all, meaning he isn't going to get much to hit.

However, that isn't going to matter as you are probably going to set a record for ERA by the starting pitchers.

[Sooky]

Was at my first ball game today!

It was the Giants V Oakland. 8 innings in and it's 1-0 Oakland. At the end of the ninth inning it's 2-1 Giants!

[2bobbylinns]

Cheers Savage. Going to AT&T. Can't wait. A lot of people tried to put me off saying it was to slow and like test cricket (actually quite enjoy that).
More going for the atmosphere and general experience of a U.S sporting event but like to know what's going on.
It's the first of the 3 nights.
Glad there's plenty of beerand prob a few hotdogs as well!

[Savage Henry]

2bobbylinns, on 31 March 2011 - 07:11, said:

Cheers Savage. Going to AT&T. Can't wait. A lot of people tried to put me off saying it was to slow and like test cricket (actually quite enjoy that).
More going for the atmosphere and general experience of a U.S sporting event but like to know what's going on.
It's the first of the 3 nights.
Glad there's plenty of beerand prob a few hotdogs as well!

Hot dogs.... bah! Go with the garlic fries or the more original sounding stuff. Get your beer from the bar on the promenade level just behind home plate. Good food sold there as well - enormous portions. Where are your seats? I've been to AT&T Park many times and I can honestly say it's my favourite stadium of any sport. You have a real treat in store!

20/20 cricket is approaching baseball speed. You'll be there about 2.5 hours, though if you go a couple of hours before the game you can wander around, watch battting practice and perhaps catch a ball.

Other suggestions - Vesuvios bar in North Beach is the best pub in the city. A tour of the stadium is value for money. And take spending money, you'll blow it but you'll have a hell of a time doing so! Enjoy!

[Savage Henry]

bluetooner, on 30 March 2011 - 15:48, said:

I actually think that the Phillies offense will be far worse this year, Ruiz likely to go back to career norm, Francisco isn't going to be anywhere near as good/important as Werth (and don't start with the RISP crap). No real protection for Howard at all, meaning he isn't going to get much to hit.

However, that isn't going to matter as you are probably going to set a record for ERA by the starting pitchers.

The Phillies are either going to destroy everyone or fall flat on their faces.

Just to ask baseball fans in the UK, is anyone going to buy the mlb.tv package this year? And if so, do you go for the regular or premium package? $130 for a year for the latter seems pretty decent value to me.

[Clarko_son]

Savage Henry, on 31 March 2011 - 12:54, said:

The Phillies are either going to destroy everyone or fall flat on their faces.

Just to ask baseball fans in the UK, is anyone going to buy the mlb.tv package this year? And if so, do you go for the regular or premium package? $130 for a year for the latter seems pretty decent value to me.

il be getting it, got the premium one last year and its well worth the $20 more, just because you get the multi game view on it. Dont actually have the money for it just now but hopefully be able to get it next week

[calum_gers]

Right, i still can't work out who to back, any suggestions? I'm erring on the side of the Mets, but there's no-one jumping out. I also feel like im discounting the west coast because i'm more likely to go to the east.

[bluetooner]

calum_gers, on 31 March 2011 - 14:11, said:

Right, i still can't work out who to back, any suggestions? I'm erring on the side of the Mets, but there's no-one jumping out. I also feel like im discounting the west coast because i'm more likely to go to the east.

You don't want to go with the Mets. Honest. They are terrible, and are in huge financial problems - without much tradeable talent - and no Minor league system. They will be bottom dwellers for about the next 5-10 years.


If you just want to "stick to the East" the options would be the following:-

If you want to be traditional, Red Sox or Yankees.
If you want a team that is built to win now, but not really in future (i.e. an old team) - Phillies
If you want a team that may win now, but in 2-3 years time will be candidates to win it all - Braves/Rays
If you want a team that are going to be loaded with great young stars - Nationals.

I wouldn't touch the Marlins, Mets, Orioles or BlueJays if i am honest.

Centrally, if you want a team that has the best young players in baseball, go with the Kansas City Royals, but they have a history of never doing anything.


P.s. you should really chose the Braves

Jim, i have my mlb.tv subscription, but it is just the basic. I watch on my laptop, and only care about the 1 game - so that is enough for me.

[ffcsam]

Yay, Its back
Having trouble with my fantasy teams though
Will try and rectify the problem tomorrow

[calum_gers]

I've been listening to ESPN's Baseball today, so i've heard quite a bit of what you have mentioned there. I'm open to any team to be honest, i'm really looking for suggestions. I was drawn to the Mets for a couple of reasons, 1) they were in New York and they weren't the Yankees. I felt supporting Rangers and the Yankees would cast serious doubts on me. 2) When i was in the States last year i bought an Ike Davis tee, (yes because of Steven Davis ). Althought subsequently, what i've found out about the Wilponds and Madoff and the lack of a farm system has made me question that. Should i let that put me off a team though?!

Nationals i do like, i remember sitting a bar in Washington last year and a guy creaming himself over Steven Strausborg (sp). Also Jason Werth was a player i liked, the little i saw of MLB last year.

Thanks for that.

[Sooky]

Savage Henry, on 31 March 2011 - 12:50, said:

Hot dogs.... bah! Go with the garlic fries or the more original sounding stuff. Get your beer from the bar on the promenade level just behind home plate. Good food sold there as well - enormous portions. Where are your seats? I've been to AT&T Park many times and I can honestly say it's my favourite stadium of any sport. You have a real treat in store!

20/20 cricket is approaching baseball speed. You'll be there about 2.5 hours, though if you go a couple of hours before the game you can wander around, watch battting practice and perhaps catch a ball.

Other suggestions - Vesuvios bar in North Beach is the best pub in the city. A tour of the stadium is value for money. And take spending money, you'll blow it but you'll have a hell of a time doing so! Enjoy!

The garlic fries were indeed yummy! It is a great stadium, with an amazing view of the bay.

[Clarko_son]

listening to a podcast and was mentioned that Beckett could well be a huge concern for the red sox this year, bad 2010, terrible spring training. If Papelbon doesn't perform then the bullpen gets put in a strained position yet again and can Saltalamacchia actually throw anyone out?

so who's the potential "weak link (s)" on your team and why?

[David W]

Well excited about tomorrow. The Easter holidays have came at a perfect time - 2 weeks of late nights watching baseball.

I use the premium and when you work out how much baseball you can watch for that price it's a no-brainer.