2017 MLB Thread

[ELA]

Really thought Astros-Indians and Nationals-Dodgers would have made for the best pair of LCSs in a while.  Oh well

[medinabuckeye1]

My Indians lost last night.  What makes me sad about it is that while they might be competitive next year the window is closing quickly.  The reality for a small-market team is that the best you can reasonably hope for is to be a serious contender for about a 2-4 year window once every decade or so.  If you don't have the payroll of the Dodgers/Yankess/Red Sox then you have to build a team from the farm system and that takes about 10 years.  For Cleveland specifically:

• They had a great run from 1995-2001 where they went to the playoffs six times in seven years.  Realistically though they lost in the ALDS in 1999 and 2001.  They were only a true contender in the mid-to-late 1990's when they went to two World Series and an additional ALCS.  
• They were a serious contender in 2007 when the lost the ALCS in seven.  
• They were a serious contender in 2016 and 2017 when they lost a World Series in seven and an ALDS in five.  

Unless they can keep this going next year, it will probably be at least 10 years before the Indians are relevant again.  

Playoff teams:

• The Colorado Rockies are in the country's 17th largest media market and have the MLB's 16th highest payroll.  They were eliminated in the NL wildcard game.  
• The Minnesota Twins are in the country's 15th largest media market and have the MLB's 22nd highest payroll.  They were eliminated in the AL wildcard game.  
• The Arizona Diamondbacks are in the country's 11th largest media market and have the MLB's 26th highest payroll.  They were eliminated in the NLDS.  
• The Boston Red Sox are in the country's 10th largest media market and have the MLB's 3rd highest payroll.  They were eliminated in the ALDS.  
• The Cleveland Indians are in the country's 19th largest media market and have the MLB's 17th highest payroll.  They were eliminated in the ALDS.  
• The Washington Nationals are in the country's 6th largest media market and have the MLB's 9th highest payroll.  They are tied 2-2 in the NLDS.  
• The Chicago Cubs are in the country's 3rd largest media market and have the MLB's 8th highest payroll.  They are tied 2-2 in the NLDS.  
• The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the country's 2nd largest media market and have the MLB's highest payroll.  They are in the NLDS.  
• The Houston Astros are in the country's 7th largest media market and have the MLB's 18th highest payroll.  They are in the ALCS.  
• The New York Yankees are in the country's largest media market and have the MLB's 2nd highest payroll.  They are in the ALCS.  

Bottom line, six of the seven teams that made it to a Divisional Series are located in one of the 11 largest media markets in the country.  The Indians located in the 19th largest media market were the lone exception.  

The three teams that have clinched a spot in an LCS are located in largest, second largest, and seventh largest media markets in the country and two still contending for the fourth spot are located in the third and sixth largest media markets.  

[ELA]

So looks like Tigers set to hire Gardenhire, which is very meh.

But I guess if you have a young team, still rebuilding, who won't sniff the playoffs for at least a few years, there's no risk at Gardenhire gagging it away in the postseason as he usually did.

[OrangeAfroMan]

I knew I wouldn't feel confident until LA won a road game in the NLCS.  I guess we're in as good a spot as is reasonable - up 3-1 with Kershaw set to pitch.  

The MLB brass has to be salivating for a Yankees-Dodgers WS, right?

[ELA]

I knew I wouldn't feel confident until LA won a road game in the NLCS.  I guess we're in as good a spot as is reasonable - up 3-1 with Kershaw set to pitch.  

The MLB brass has to be salivating for a Yankees-Dodgers WS, right?

Kershaw, followed by two home games?  I'd feel ok

[FearlessF]

Bill Murray the bozo needs to vanish.

he should stick to the golf course

[FearlessF]

Mrs. 847 is going to watch the Kubbs play today.

I will make her shower when she gets home.

I'm not a cubs fan but, I hate the Dodgers

[ELA]

Alright big strike out Rondon, now a ground ball gets you out of...derp

[MarqHusker]

If it is NY v LA, it may be the 12 WS between the two but it would be the first one since '81.  That's the first WS I have actual memories watching.   I'm sure I was in front of the TV for '80 (Phils/Royals), my older brother says so but I can't recall anything.

[DevilFroggy]

I'm not a cubs fan but, I hate the Dodgers

Better than the angels.

[FearlessF]

Steve Garvey was never on the Angel's roster

[MarqHusker]

Steve Garvey was never on the Angel's roster

While I may join your loathing of Garvey, why must the Dodgers wear that noose around their neck for all of these years?  Are the Padres equally cast with the 'G' letter?

[FearlessF]

why not?  didn't like Davey Lopes, or Dusty Baker or steve yeager

Rick Monday did a great thing for the flag, but thought he was grossly over rated

and yes, the Padres are tainted

[MarqHusker]

You forgot Ron Cey he was a major dbag on those LA teams. I didn't like them either.  Lasorda made me dislike the Dodgers til about 10 yrs ago.  Loved listening to Scully.

Rick Monday, while I associate him as a dodger was actually a cub when he saved the flag at Dodger stadium.  That doesn't make me cheer for the Cubs.