401 replies to this topic

[Myshkin]

Manhole Eunuchsbane, on 14 April 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Let us know when you beat a real team. 2 series with the Pods and another with the Pirates to kick off the season? Enjoy it while it lasts.

How's them Giants doing?  3-4?  At least you can count on Timmy.  Oh wait.....

[Howdyphillip]

That really sucks about Brian Wilson. I really like watching that guy play.

My Rangers are tearing things up with a 7-2 record. Pitching looks great with the exception of Darvish. He had another bad outing today, and was pretty lucky to have gotten himself out of a few jams with mistakes by the Twins bats. That can't last a whole season. I am also just a little worried about John Nathan as a closer. I know that he was great for the Twins for many years, but he just doesn't look to be on top of his game right now.

[Myshkin]

Dodgers are now 8-1.

[Triskele]

Howdyphillip, on 14 April 2012 - 10:23 PM, said:

That really sucks about Brian Wilson. I really like watching that guy play.

My Rangers are tearing things up with a 7-2 record. Pitching looks great with the exception of Darvish. He had another bad outing today, and was pretty lucky to have gotten himself out of a few jams with mistakes by the Twins bats. That can't last a whole season. I am also just a little worried about John Nathan as a closer. I know that he was great for the Twins for many years, but he just doesn't look to be on top of his game right now.

I'm feeling good about the Cards this year despite losing Albert and possibly Carpenter too.  We have a lot of good stuff going on.  That said, Texas is in supremely healthy shape.  I know you were super bummed after the series last year, but you guys are pretty stacked.

For those who hate the Dodgers, don't assume that this is all some scheduling boon.  The Ghost of McCourt has be (mostly) lifted, and if you don't live in this town, it may be hard to imagine what a relief it is.  They already had Kemp and Kershaw.  Now they have room to breath.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Triskele, on 15 April 2012 - 12:40 AM, said:

For those who hate the Dodgers, don't assume that this is all some scheduling boon.  The Ghost of McCourt has be (mostly) lifted, and if you don't live in this town, it may be hard to imagine what a relief it is.  They already had Kemp and Kershaw.  Now they have room to breath.

I agree that losing McCourt is addition by subtraction, but if you think their record at this point isn't a benefit of the schedule you're kidding yourself. The Padres were what, 71-91 last season? And they have less talent this season. The Dodgers beat up on two teams that they were supposed to beat up on.

Edited by Manhole Eunuchsbane, 15 April 2012 - 10:12 AM.

[ROLF]

They got a pretty young team, so I'm pretty happy with 8-1.  They've got to be feeling pretty good right now, and confidence is a huge factor in baseball.  If you believe in yourself and your team, you can beat anyone.  See the 88 World Series for reference.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Not So Young Wolf, on 15 April 2012 - 10:10 AM, said:

They got a pretty young team, so I'm pretty happy with 8-1.  They've got to be feeling pretty good right now, and confidence is a huge factor in baseball.  If you believe in yourself and your team, you can beat anyone.  See the 88 World Series for reference.

The 88 win was all about dominant starting pitching. This Dodger's starting staff couldn't lift the 88 staff's rosin bag with a forklift.

[ROLF]

I dunno about that.  I think Kershaw could definitely compare with Orel.  After Orel it was Tim Leary and Belcher...and Im not sold on Bret being "back" yet.  If we still had Kuroda I think we'd be fairly comparable with the starting pitching.   Fernando and Sutton are really non-factors that year.  We got all kinds of starts from different pitchers that year...so I'd say the entire pitching staff in 88 > pitching staff now.

Id also say that our fielding positions...at least hitting wise, is much stronger than 88.

Here's our roster in 88 by most times played at position:

1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
Most Games by Position C Mike Scioscia (123) 1B Franklin Stubbs (84) 2B Steve Sax (158) 3B Jeff Hamilton (105) SS Alfredo Griffin (93) LF Kirk Gibson (148) CF John Shelby (140) RF Mike Marshall (90)

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Not So Young Wolf, on 15 April 2012 - 11:25 AM, said:

I dunno about that.  I think Kershaw could definitely compare with Orel.  After Orel it was Tim Leary and Belcher...and Im not sold on Bret being "back" yet.  If we still had Kuroda I think we'd be fairly comparable with the starting pitching.   Fernando and Sutton are really non-factors that year.  We got all kinds of starts from different pitchers that year...so I'd say the entire pitching staff in 88 > pitching staff now.

Id also say that our fielding positions...at least hitting wise, is much stronger than 88.

Here's our roster in 88 by most times played at position:

1988 Los Angeles Dodgers
Most Games by Position C Mike Scioscia (123) 1B Franklin Stubbs (84) 2B Steve Sax (158) 3B Jeff Hamilton (105) SS Alfredo Griffin (93) LF Kirk Gibson (148) CF John Shelby (140) RF Mike Marshall (90)

Agree totally with the position player comparisons. That 88 team was possibly the most anemic team at the plate ever to win a series. I don't think the pitching compares past Kershaw = Hershiser and Orel wins that comparison. You have to remember that the Dodger's added John Tudor for the stretch run as well. That's basically two aces and two solid starters. By my estimation, this years Dodger's staff consists of an ace, a solid starter and three pray for rains.

Please understand that it's part of my job as a Giants fan to nitpick Dodger success. They are playing better than anyone expected, no doubt. That being said, they've been doing it against bums thus far. That's all I'm sayin'.

Edited by Manhole Eunuchsbane, 15 April 2012 - 11:46 AM.

[ROLF]

Though in all fairness, the A's pitching staff was just as lethal, if not better than the Dodgers that year.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Not So Young Wolf, on 15 April 2012 - 11:58 AM, said:

Though in all fairness, the A's pitching staff was just as lethal, if not better than the Dodgers that year.

Very true. It wasn't shocking to me that the Dodger's won that series, but it was shocking that they did it in five games. That Oakland team was a juggernaut. Probably the most impressive underdog win of a World Series in my lifetime. And it pains me to say that.

[Myshkin]

Shush up whiny Giants fans, or Matt Kemp will eat your children.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

Myshkin, on 15 April 2012 - 04:41 PM, said:

Shush up whiny Giants fans, or Matt Kemp will eat your children.

Yes. He is quite the intimidating fellow.

http://flaunt.com/features/matt-kemp  

Edited by Manhole Eunuchsbane, 15 April 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[ROLF]

Manhole Eunuchsbane, on 15 April 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Yes. He is quite the intimidating fellow.

http://flaunt.com/features/matt-kemp  

I think I just got an erection.

[Jaxom 1974]

Triskele, on 14 April 2012 - 05:26 PM, said:

Hey, you got one today!

Damn I should take up playing the lottery more...prediction #2...total of 4 Cubs runs the last two games..."sigh"...but it's baseball!

Manhole Eunuchsbane, on 14 April 2012 - 09:55 PM, said:

Let us know when you beat a real team. 2 series with the Pods and another with the Pirates to kick off the season? Enjoy it while it lasts.

Time will tell, but like you mentioned elsewhere, this is where the good teams make hay, and it doesn' hurt when one of the crummy teams you're taking out behind the woodshed is also in your division.   One never knows with baseball, but that first serious team thay play will make for an interesting series...

[Myshkin]

Manhole Eunuchsbane, on 15 April 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Yes. He is quite the intimidating fellow.

http://flaunt.com/features/matt-kemp  

All this big talk from a guy whose team's FOUR wins have come against the Pirates and the Rockies.

[Myshkin]

And 9-1.

[Lightning Lord]

Jaxom 1974, on 15 April 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Time will tell, but like you mentioned elsewhere, this is where the good teams make hay, and it doesn' hurt when one of the crummy teams you're taking out behind the woodshed is also in your division.   One never knows with baseball, but that first serious team thay play will make for an interesting series...

I read this as "one of the crummy teams you're making out with behind the woodshed is also in your division" and had a moment of confusion, then I thought of incest, then polygamy, then remembered it's godless California, then I had a sandwich.In conclusion, the Twins aren't good.

[Triskele]

Jaxom 1974, on 15 April 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Damn I should take up playing the lottery more...prediction #2...total of 4 Cubs runs the last two games..."sigh"...but it's baseball!

May you make more glorious prognostications.

Jake Westbrook lost 20 lbs. in the offseason.  He's off to a great start.  Has he really improved himself that much?  Way too early to say, but the early returns are good.

The rest of the NL central is looking suitably weak.

[Manhole Eunuchsbane]

And back to under .500... It's going to be a long season, isn't it?