2018 MLB Thread

[847badgerfan]

My oldest son was at the game in Mesa yesterday.

[ELA]

I think the Twins are already a solid playoff team.  

Starting SS Jorge Polanco suspended 80 games for PEDs

[OrangeAfroMan]

Can't believe Matt Kemp is going to be the starting LF for the Dodgers....good on him.

[ELA]

Have to say, I'm not a fan of the current model for success in MLB, leading to seemingly 3/4 of the league just trying to tank.  I've always been a defender (in a city that hates it's effect on the Pirates) of MLB's lack of a salary cap, because I like the ability to watch a team grow together.  I hate how the NFL is basically just a league of 32 quarterbacks and a handful of stars with otherwise rotating rosters.  I don't like wanting to keep a guy you drafted and developed, but not being able to fit him under the cap.  Ideally, I like the NBA model, where it supposedly prevents teams from loading up on free agents, but allows teams who draft well to retain their players, except players forcing sign and trades, sort of messes with it.

Anyway, here are my super chalky picks this year.  But don't blame me, there are only so many teams even trying to win right now.

AMERICAN

EAST

y-Yankees

x-Red Sox

Blue Jays

Orioles

Rays

.

CENTRAL

y-Indians

x-Twins

White Sox

Royals

Tigers

.

WEST

z-Astros

Angels

Mariners

Rangers

Athletics

.

NATIONAL

EAST

z-Nationals

Mets

Phillies

Braves

Marlins

.

CENTRAL

y-Cubs

x-Brewers

Cardinals

Pirates

Reds

.

WEST

y-Dodgers

x-Diamondbacks

Rockies

Giants

Padres

PLAYOFFS

WILDCARD GAME

Red Sox d. Twins

Diamondbacks d. Brewers

.

DIVISIONAL SERIES

Astros d. Red Sox

Indians d. Yankees

Nationals d. Diamondbacks

Dodgers d. Cubs

.

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Indians d. Astros

Nationals d. Dodgers

.

WORLD SERIES

Cleveland Indians d. Washington Nationals

[OrangeAfroMan]

Yeah, the AL is really bad in that respect - only the AL West doesn't seem to have that radical dichotomy.  

I could see PHI and ATL finishing ahead of NYM.  The Giants keep trying, despite a bloated payroll and a total lack of success.  

NYY-CLE-HOU, +BOS, +MIN.......the Twins are really doing a great job lately.

WAS-CHC-LAD, +ARI, +MIL.......fingers crossed for the Dodgers to get a freakin WS.  1988 was a long time ago...

[MarqHusker]

The two Centrals should be the most interesting divisions come September.   I'm not sold on the Brewers staff, will be tight with the Cards for 2nd/3rd.

I think the Dodgers get it done.

[ELA]

Nothing like an Opening Day ppd

[MarqHusker]

Reds called their's off yesterday.   It's been one long week of rain, off and on each and every day.   I'll be at Opening Day on Monday in Milwaukee.  Won't have those problems with the roof.  Of course the tailgate will be raw as usual.

[ELA]

Reds called their's off yesterday.   It's been one long week of rain, off and on each and every day.   I'll be at Opening Day on Monday in Milwaukee.  Won't have those problems with the roof.  Of course the tailgate will be raw as usual.

For fans thinking about going down, that's nice.  Same for Tigers today calling it by 9 am.  I'm sure the local eating and drinking spots would prefer them not do that, and get two Opening Day crowds down there.

[ELA]

Listening to this Marlins broadcast, they have a commercial where the insufferable Derek Jeter comes on and invites Marlins fans to give feedback on what food they want at the games, what music to play, what "gets them hype."  I feel bad for the intern that has to manage that inbox.  I'm guessing 99% of responses don't deal with hot dog toppings.

[MrNubbz]

WORLD SERIES

Cleveland Indians d. Washington Nationals

Please oh please,please - just once before I die  .Tribe's on the Coast late,grabbing some Yuengling and listening to it over the radio - the proper way  

[DevilFroggy]

Unfortunately nothing but mediocrity is all I see for my Rangers (on a side note, I will go to my grave still bitter/angry about that 2011 WS).
As for the rest of the league predictions, I do see the DBacks making it as a wild card again and losing to the Dodgers again. The AL will be a 3 way battle between the Yanks, Stros, and Indians with the Yanks coming out on top to see LA in the WS where the Dodgers' payroll will prevail over New York's.

[OrangeAfroMan]

2018 MLB Payroll Rankings:
1.  Boston
2.  San Francisco
3.  LA
4.  Chicago (NL)
5.  Washington
6.  Anaheim
7.  New York (AL)
8.  Toronto
9.  Seattle
10. Houston

Boy, the Giants are paying a lot of money for all those losses.  And idk what the Jays and M's are thinking.....

[OrangeAfroMan]

This is a horrible thing to say, but I can't be the only one seeing it.

All the announcers and everyone say is how great it is to see Ichiro in a Mariners uniform again, blah blah blah.  I'm sorry, but he looks like a cancer patient out there.  He's very old, and was always a slight man.  But now, he looks sickly compared to those other players.