MLB Discussion Thread

[djp]

One thing that I've taken notice of this year has been the fact that the stars are still being the stars. They're being consistent from the beginning of the season. Whereas, we're finding that a lot of teams that were supposed to be at the top of the division are struggling, but the star players are still playing like stars. I'm specifically talking about guys like Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Jeter. Guys like that are playing consistent. I think that separates them even more from the pack.

On Tim Lincecum

Obviously, he has proven to me that he is going to, he's not yet there, a great pitcher. Being blunt with you, I didn't think he should have won the Cy Young last year. Wainwright, to me, had the best season of a pitcher last year. Lincecum went 2-3 down the stretch. I still believe that he's going to be a great pitcher. All that said, he's phenomenal in the way he handles pitchers this year. He's so much better in that way this year. When he gets behind in the count, the hitters don't have an edge. He goes to a changeup instead of throwing a fastball over the plate.

On who Jason Heyward reminds him of

Probably the only player you could compare him to that young is Joe Mauer. They're different types of players, but they're both young and expected to be great. I don't know if anyone has ever hit a home run in their first at-bat, had a two-out walk off hit, the heroics that he's had in the first month of the season. Being a rookie, he's had off days, striking out three times in one game. But I think he's as advertised in becoming a superstar in the game. The thing that impressed me most was not the physical tools, but after talking to him in spring training, I've never been impressed as much by a young player's attitude. He "gets it."

On the best pitcher in the NL

You have to start with Halladay, until last night. He was undefeated until then. Lincecum has not been defeated. He's pitched great. The stars are being stars. I pointed out the hitters earlier, but the star pitchers are doing well too. The guy who has pitched well and maybe wasn't supposed to is Mike Pelfrey. The Mets were looking for a No. 2 behind Santana and it's been Pelfrey. Brad Penny has pitched well. Barry Zito. There have been a lot of pitchers doing well this year and some haven't gotten wins this year. I've been impressed with a lot of pitchers. That's just to name a few.

On Mike Pelfrey

I go back to something that Herm Edwards, the football coach said: You play to win the game. Pelfrey didn't dominate on Sunday, he still pitched well enough to win. I believe that the pitchers job is to go out there and win the game, not to work on your WHIP or ERA, but to win. In most cases it's harder to win a game 5-4 than it is to win 2-1. I believe that we've gotten to a point where statistics are the only thing that's important, but you play to win the game.

A classic Joe Morgan chat session.

[iowatreat54]

I really wish Joe Morgan would die.

No one would miss him.

[djp]

Twins about to waste a leadoff triple from Span.

[Brodeur]

Liriano has a perfect game everyone. Perfect game. NOW LETS STOP IT.

[djp]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Liriano has a perfect game everyone. Perfect game. NOW LETS STOP IT.

He walked Jackson on 5 pitches last inning

[djp]

Verlander over 100 already. Will the white Dusty Baker leave him out for 125 again?

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by djp

He walked Jackson on 5 pitches last inning

I was not in the room but he got out of the inning so quickly that I assumed.

[djp]

Good god Liriano's slider looks filthy tonight

[djp]

Jim Thome infield hit.

[yo123]

This ump in the Tigers/Twins game is soooooo bad. That ball was closer to the opposite batters box than home plate.

[Hines]

Andy LaRoche has 11 hits in his past 16 at bats. Not too bad. Glad he is actually hitting the ball now. He is looking like a bright spot on a terrible 7 game stretch.

[KCJ58]

watching the dodgers play is like watching the Rams play, very frustrating

[djp]

23 straight scoreless for Liriano.

[Brodeur]

Originally Posted by HinesWardJr

Andy LaRoche has 11 hits in his passed 16 at bats. Not too bad. Glad he is actually hitting the ball now. He is looking like a bright spot on a terrible 7 game stretch.

Past 11 at bats not passed.

[Hines]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

Past 11 at bats not passed.

Thank you, good sir.

[Xiomera]

Originally Posted by djp

23 straight scoreless for Liriano.

Glad we could help him out with that.

[nobodyinparticular]

Cliff Pennington having a great day for the A's in the leadoff spot. A single, two doubles and a home run. Responsible for 4 of the 6 Oakland runs today.

Runs.

Not points.

[yo123]

Liriano is back.

Thanks for playing AL Central.

[Stash]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

Cliff Pennington having a great day for the A's in the leadoff spot. A single, two doubles and a home run. Responsible for 4 of the 6 Oakland runs today.

Runs.

Not points.

Too bad Sheets got rocked, I hate wasting all these points.

[djp]

Originally Posted by yo123

Liriano is back.

Thanks for playing AL Central.

Unfortunately, he can't pitch every inning of every game.

[nobodyinparticular]

Originally Posted by Stash

Too bad Sheets got rocked, I hate wasting all these points.

I assume that was a witty comment in regards to my previous post?

[yo123]

Originally Posted by djp

Unfortunately, he can't pitch every inning of every game.

This division isn't very good. I trust Slowey and Baker to be solid all year and Pavano is a decent enough #4 starter.

Blackburn sucks though. We need to fix this.

[Stash]

Originally Posted by nobodyinparticular

I assume that was a witty comment in regards to my previous post?

But of course.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

The Mets Are A Powerhouse!!

[tjsunstein]

Originally Posted by djp

Verlander over 100 already. Will the white Dusty Baker leave him out for 125 again?

He went 5 and two third with 121 pitches. Why was he trotted out in the sixth in the first place?

/facepalm.