2020 Astros Season Thread

[kevwun 15856]

9 hours ago, TexArcher said:

I mean, we were one of the heaviest favorites in WS history last year and we lost to the hot team.

Why not us now?  It's just a couple more weeks of good baseball.

This is how I see it.  It would make up for last year.

[Scraps 13570]

 

hahaha another fun one:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30064947/so-houston-astros-headed-another-alcs-how-angry-be

In the 1970s, influential psychologist Paul Ekman identified six basic emotions experienced in all human cultures. I'm not sure if he studied sports fans, but I'm guessing you had one of the following six reactions to the Houston Astros beating the Oakland Athletics on Thursday and moving on to the American League Championship Series:

1. Happiness. You're an Astros fan. You're ecstatic. You've gone on StubHub looking to see if any of those 11,000 World Series tickets are available. You have a big smile on your face, you're texting upbeat messages to your friends, you finally dug out that "2017 World Series Champions" T-shirt to wear with pride and you will clear your schedule to watch the upcoming games.

2. Surprise. Maybe you're an Astros fan, but probably not. You're just a baseball fan. You don't really care all that much about the cheating scandal from the offseason. You're just shocked the Astros actually beat the Twins and now the A's -- without an injured Justin Verlander, mind you -- after going 29-31 in the regular season. You have neither a positive nor a negative sentiment about a sub-.500 team possibly reaching the World Series, and you kind of like this NCAA tournament-style bracket. You will keep watching the playoffs because you like baseball.

3. Disgust. You're a baseball fan and you don't like what the Astros did and feel their 2017 title is forever tainted and you certainly didn't want them to advance. You don't really like the expanded playoffs. You don't feel good about it, but you'll keep watching. Plus, it will be fun to have a team to root against in the ALCS.

4. Anger. Everything about the Astros already makes you sick. You didn't think the punishment was severe enough. They soiled the game. The Astros advancing makes you sweaty, you don't want to talk to anyone, and you vow to drink White Claw and watch "Seinfeld" reruns until spring training starts. You definitely aren't going to watch the ALCS.

5. Fear. You can't believe a sub-.500 team will reach the World Series. Maybe it's time to just give up sports altogether and finally read "Heart of Darkness," which you skipped in high school English class and just skimmed the CliffsNotes version.

6. Sadness. You can't believe Brad Pitt isn't going to reach the World Series ... again.

---

Three reasons to root against the Astros in the ALCS:

1. They were cheaters.

"I know a lot of people are mad," Carlos Correa said after the Astros swept the Twins in the first round. "I know a lot of people don't want to see us here. But what are they gonna say now? We're a solid team. We played great baseball. We won a series, on the road, in Minnesota. So what are you gonna say now?"

Correa was a little more diplomatic after Thursday's 11-6 win over the A's, saying the Astros did not use the idea of fans not wanting them here as motivation. "Absolutely not," he said. "We're motivated because we want to win. We want to be able to bring another championship to the city of Houston. We know what it feels like so we want to be able to have that feeling once again. 2017 was such a special year celebrating with the fans in Houston so the thing that motivates us is to get to feel that again."

2. They finished 29-31 in the regular season, outscoring their opponents by just four runs.

This was the potential hazard of a 16-team playoff format -- or of any future 16-team or expanded playoff format. A mediocre or even sub-.500 team can get hot at the right time, and if two of them get hot, suddenly the World Series doesn't feel that important. You are crowning the winner of a tournament, not the best team in baseball. This goes against the long tradition of baseball: It's supposed to be hard to make the playoffs. The more teams that do make the postseason, the less important the regular season becomes.

No matter which side of that debate you stand on, however, we have to acknowledge that this was not a usual season. Is 60 games even enough to evaluate a team? It's possible -- and perhaps even likely -- that the true talent of the Astros is much higher than that of a .500 team. Consider the Astros' worst 60-game stretches over the past three seasons -- seasons in which they won 100-plus games each year:

2017: 29-31 (July 6-Sept. 13, minus-5 run differential)
2018: 33-27 (June 20-Aug. 31, plus-54 run differential)
2019: 35-25 (June 7-Aug. 17, plus-80 run differential)

They didn't have any 60-game stretch like 2020 in 2018 or '19, but they did have a similar stretch in 2017, which they rebounded from to win the World Series (with the help of Verlander, acquired via trade on Aug. 31, and a few garbage cans).

Now, it's pretty clear the 2020 Astros aren't as good as the 2019 Astros. Gerrit Cole is gone. Verlander and Yordan Alvarez were injured. At one point, the Astros had a bullpen with nine rookie pitchers. Last year, the Astros went 50-17 in games Cole and Verlander started in the regular season, but they still went 57-38 in games started by everyone else -- which is still a 97-win pace over a full season.

The Astros went 2-7 in extra-inning games, but a primary culprit to their struggles in the regular season was the offense. Yes, it was minus the prodigious talent of Alvarez, but all the regulars declined in wOBA from 2019, when the Astros had one of the best lineups in MLB history, several significantly so:

Player 2019 2020
George Springer .401 .373
Jose Altuve .374 .274
Michael Brantley .367 .356
Alex Bregman .418 .339
Carlos Correa .380 .303
Yuli Gurriel .364 .276
Josh Reddick .308 .299

What happened? Bregman has said he never felt right all season except for a game or two, but is that an explanation or just something you say? Altuve, for sure, looked awful all season, constantly pulling off the ball. The haters will suggest the Astros were just cheating in 2019. It could be that the players did feel pressure to perform in wake of the cheating scandal. It could be that the Astros lollygagged through the regular season, knowing that in a weak division they were pretty much assured of a playoff spot.

Anyway, as the offense erupted in the AL Division Series win over the A's -- slugging 12 home runs in four games and averaging 8.3 runs against a very good Oakland pitching staff -- we're reminded that, yes, there is a lot of talent in this lineup, no matter the regular-season numbers. In other words, maybe the 60 games were just an aberration and the Astros are back.

"You know, we never gave up because we had a down year offensively," Correa said. "We didn't stop going to the cage, we didn't stop staying motivated out there and I think that helped us in this series. We kept going to the cage every day, we kept putting in the work and it showed in this series and we were able to be successful."

3. You're a Dodgers fan and the thought of losing another World Series to the Astros is unbearable.

---

Reasons to root for the Astros:

1. Dusty Baker. The legendary manager probably needs a World Series win to get elected to Cooperstown, a fitting ending to a great career as a player and skipper. Plus, he's 71 years old and wears wristbands with his photo on them. How can you not root for him?

"It's been a long, tough road but we're halfway there. I'm thankful and happy. But I still have some happiness left to get," Baker said.

2. Altuve and Bregman are still the undersized mighty mites who are so fun to watch.

3. Did you see Correa jump on that hanging slider from Frankie Montas?

4. Framber Valdez's curveball.

5. Springer's annual October brilliance.

6. All those rookies. Eight of their 13 pitchers on the roster against the A's were rookies.

7. Michael Brantley, professional hitter.

8. Zack Greinke starting another Game 7 of the World Series.

9. You rooted for the Stormtroopers.

OK, you're not going to root for the Astros. But in this strangest of seasons, it's perhaps apropos that we have a losing team just four wins from the World Series. No, it's not exactly a Cinderella story. This is not George Mason reaching the Final Four. It's a familiar face, a team with a recent history of great success. They might be the bad guys in the baseball landscape of 2020, but sometimes the bad guys win.

[Bevo&Pevo 5217]

2 hours ago, Gut Wagon said:

Get Yuli going and this whole thing seems a lot easier.

I agree with this.  Yuli is my fave on this squad and it's been hard to watch him under preform.  If he can get going, we'll for sure take it all.  The extra day of rest will be nice for our guys also.

Edited October 9, 2020 by Bevo&Pevo

[Js1 85532]

37 minutes ago, Bevo&Pevo said:

I agree with this.  Yuli is my fave on this squad and it's been hard to watch him under preform.  If he can get going, we'll for sure take it all.  The extra day of rest will be nice for our guys also.

2 days of no Astros for us 

[FondrenRoad 4378]

9 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

I agree in theory. Playoffs should be more like the regular season. There should be no off days in a 5 game series but I do think there should be one off day in a 7 game series.

Usually there are 2 travel days in both series.  And in the regular season, days off are usually travel days too. For a neutral site series during a pandemic, I think its better to just play them all with no days off. Especially if the only reason for the off days is to rest pitchers.  

[Smax 3800]

Lol

[Gourmand 7774]

 

[jkates 316]

I'm loving this. ALCS is going to be tough. Let's do it.

[CycleTex87 2981]

Rooting for a 16 inning 26-25 Yanks Rays game tonight in which both teams plow through all their pitchers, then infielders on the mound.

[The Dog 44125]

Dammit, the Astros Are Really Going to Do This, Aren’t They?

[Focht Up 631]

2 hours ago, Scraps said:

 

hahaha another fun one:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/30064947/so-houston-astros-headed-another-alcs-how-angry-be

In the 1970s, influential psychologist Paul Ekman identified six basic emotions experienced in all human cultures. I'm not sure if he studied sports fans, but I'm guessing you had one of the following six reactions to the Houston Astros beating the Oakland Athletics on Thursday and moving on to the American League Championship Series:

1. Happiness. You're an Astros fan. You're ecstatic. You've gone on StubHub looking to see if any of those 11,000 World Series tickets are available. You have a big smile on your face, you're texting upbeat messages to your friends, you finally dug out that "2017 World Series Champions" T-shirt to wear with pride and you will clear your schedule to watch the upcoming games.

2. Surprise. Maybe you're an Astros fan, but probably not. You're just a baseball fan. You don't really care all that much about the cheating scandal from the offseason. You're just shocked the Astros actually beat the Twins and now the A's -- without an injured Justin Verlander, mind you -- after going 29-31 in the regular season. You have neither a positive nor a negative sentiment about a sub-.500 team possibly reaching the World Series, and you kind of like this NCAA tournament-style bracket. You will keep watching the playoffs because you like baseball.

3. Disgust. You're a baseball fan and you don't like what the Astros did and feel their 2017 title is forever tainted and you certainly didn't want them to advance. You don't really like the expanded playoffs. You don't feel good about it, but you'll keep watching. Plus, it will be fun to have a team to root against in the ALCS.

4. Anger. Everything about the Astros already makes you sick. You didn't think the punishment was severe enough. They soiled the game. The Astros advancing makes you sweaty, you don't want to talk to anyone, and you vow to drink White Claw and watch "Seinfeld" reruns until spring training starts. You definitely aren't going to watch the ALCS.

5. Fear. You can't believe a sub-.500 team will reach the World Series. Maybe it's time to just give up sports altogether and finally read "Heart of Darkness," which you skipped in high school English class and just skimmed the CliffsNotes version.

6. Sadness. You can't believe Brad Pitt isn't going to reach the World Series ... again.

---

Three reasons to root against the Astros in the ALCS:

1. They were cheaters.

"I know a lot of people are mad," Carlos Correa said after the Astros swept the Twins in the first round. "I know a lot of people don't want to see us here. But what are they gonna say now? We're a solid team. We played great baseball. We won a series, on the road, in Minnesota. So what are you gonna say now?"

Correa was a little more diplomatic after Thursday's 11-6 win over the A's, saying the Astros did not use the idea of fans not wanting them here as motivation. "Absolutely not," he said. "We're motivated because we want to win. We want to be able to bring another championship to the city of Houston. We know what it feels like so we want to be able to have that feeling once again. 2017 was such a special year celebrating with the fans in Houston so the thing that motivates us is to get to feel that again."

2. They finished 29-31 in the regular season, outscoring their opponents by just four runs.

This was the potential hazard of a 16-team playoff format -- or of any future 16-team or expanded playoff format. A mediocre or even sub-.500 team can get hot at the right time, and if two of them get hot, suddenly the World Series doesn't feel that important. You are crowning the winner of a tournament, not the best team in baseball. This goes against the long tradition of baseball: It's supposed to be hard to make the playoffs. The more teams that do make the postseason, the less important the regular season becomes.

No matter which side of that debate you stand on, however, we have to acknowledge that this was not a usual season. Is 60 games even enough to evaluate a team? It's possible -- and perhaps even likely -- that the true talent of the Astros is much higher than that of a .500 team. Consider the Astros' worst 60-game stretches over the past three seasons -- seasons in which they won 100-plus games each year:

2017: 29-31 (July 6-Sept. 13, minus-5 run differential)
2018: 33-27 (June 20-Aug. 31, plus-54 run differential)
2019: 35-25 (June 7-Aug. 17, plus-80 run differential)

They didn't have any 60-game stretch like 2020 in 2018 or '19, but they did have a similar stretch in 2017, which they rebounded from to win the World Series (with the help of Verlander, acquired via trade on Aug. 31, and a few garbage cans).

Now, it's pretty clear the 2020 Astros aren't as good as the 2019 Astros. Gerrit Cole is gone. Verlander and Yordan Alvarez were injured. At one point, the Astros had a bullpen with nine rookie pitchers. Last year, the Astros went 50-17 in games Cole and Verlander started in the regular season, but they still went 57-38 in games started by everyone else -- which is still a 97-win pace over a full season.

The Astros went 2-7 in extra-inning games, but a primary culprit to their struggles in the regular season was the offense. Yes, it was minus the prodigious talent of Alvarez, but all the regulars declined in wOBA from 2019, when the Astros had one of the best lineups in MLB history, several significantly so:

Player 2019 2020
George Springer .401 .373
Jose Altuve .374 .274
Michael Brantley .367 .356
Alex Bregman .418 .339
Carlos Correa .380 .303
Yuli Gurriel .364 .276
Josh Reddick .308 .299

What happened? Bregman has said he never felt right all season except for a game or two, but is that an explanation or just something you say? Altuve, for sure, looked awful all season, constantly pulling off the ball. The haters will suggest the Astros were just cheating in 2019. It could be that the players did feel pressure to perform in wake of the cheating scandal. It could be that the Astros lollygagged through the regular season, knowing that in a weak division they were pretty much assured of a playoff spot.

Anyway, as the offense erupted in the AL Division Series win over the A's -- slugging 12 home runs in four games and averaging 8.3 runs against a very good Oakland pitching staff -- we're reminded that, yes, there is a lot of talent in this lineup, no matter the regular-season numbers. In other words, maybe the 60 games were just an aberration and the Astros are back.

"You know, we never gave up because we had a down year offensively," Correa said. "We didn't stop going to the cage, we didn't stop staying motivated out there and I think that helped us in this series. We kept going to the cage every day, we kept putting in the work and it showed in this series and we were able to be successful."

3. You're a Dodgers fan and the thought of losing another World Series to the Astros is unbearable.

---

Reasons to root for the Astros:

1. Dusty Baker. The legendary manager probably needs a World Series win to get elected to Cooperstown, a fitting ending to a great career as a player and skipper. Plus, he's 71 years old and wears wristbands with his photo on them. How can you not root for him?

"It's been a long, tough road but we're halfway there. I'm thankful and happy. But I still have some happiness left to get," Baker said.

2. Altuve and Bregman are still the undersized mighty mites who are so fun to watch.

3. Did you see Correa jump on that hanging slider from Frankie Montas?

4. Framber Valdez's curveball.

5. Springer's annual October brilliance.

6. All those rookies. Eight of their 13 pitchers on the roster against the A's were rookies.

7. Michael Brantley, professional hitter.

8. Zack Greinke starting another Game 7 of the World Series.

9. You rooted for the Stormtroopers.

OK, you're not going to root for the Astros. But in this strangest of seasons, it's perhaps apropos that we have a losing team just four wins from the World Series. No, it's not exactly a Cinderella story. This is not George Mason reaching the Final Four. It's a familiar face, a team with a recent history of great success. They might be the bad guys in the baseball landscape of 2020, but sometimes the bad guys win.

Thanks for posting that.  I enjoy reading stuff like this so much.  The tears continue to flow.

[elguapo 4586]

Start LMC or Valdez game 1?

[Guadaloopy 11012]

LMJ should starts and throw 24 straight curveballs.  

[TexArcher 38031]

I've gotta say, I'm enjoying my peaceful Friday with no Astros playoff game.  This is nice.

[Scraps 13570]

8 minutes ago, elguapo said:

Start LMC or Valdez game 1?

Valdez 

[wood 11243]

3 hours ago, slorch said:

Now that the coast is clear, Fiers is ready again...

Oh yeah, I got that bit. I meant the reference to underaged girls.

[tx ind 7013]

[kevwun 15856]

They really should start Frambler because he's who you want to get the most starts in the series.  Who knows what they will do though because I haven't figured out yet how they are making the starting pitching decisions for the playoffs.  It has worked, but it defies conventional thinking.

Edited October 9, 2020 by kevwun

[Bevo&Pevo 5217]

1 hour ago, Smax said:

Lol

Would it be better if it said Springer Stadium?  I'll accept Astros simply because it does pour some salt in the wound.

[WBT 20653]

f offdays

[tx 3 putt 77341]

game 1 - framber

game 2 - grienke 

game 3 - LMJ

game 4 - urquiday

javier is the first arm up for long relief, you go from there there with the BP 

[UTexasFight 9523]

18 minutes ago, WBT said:

f offdays

I hear ya but enjoy them and rest up....

come next Friday we’d be staring at a win in game 6 to get to the WS or needing a win to get to 7th game in 7 days

[Guadaloopy 11012]

3 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

game 1 - framber

game 2 - grienke 

game 3 - LMJ

game 4 - urquiday

javier is the first arm up for long relief, you go from there there with the BP 

[Guadaloopy 11012]

nm

Edited October 9, 2020 by Guadaloopy

[HtownHorn 14763]

Russo going off on everyone, i.e. Astros. Doesn't think they will win the WS because of the pitching, but thinks the Astros are dangerous right now because the offense is killing people. Doesn't want to hear about cheating anymore.

[UTexasFight 9523]

we’re the only game sunday

why is gametime TBD?

[wood 11243]

siap ... I was wondering if the 24 HR in this series was a record...

A's, Astros combine for record home run total in ALDS https://www.sfchronicle.com/athletics/article/A-s-Astros-combine-for-record-home-run-total-15632632.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

Quote

Their 24 combined home runs — 12 by each team — set a record for a Division Series, breaking the mark of 22 set by the Mariners and Yankees in the 1995 ALDS. Fifteen A's or Astros players went deep in four games this week.

That 1995 series went to 5 games, btw, and 3 of the HRs were hit by Paul O'Neill in Game 5.

[patrickdrinksbeer 793]

we’re the only game sunday
why is gametime TBD?

been trying to figure this out myself. i guess if TB wins they’ll try to get the game in before NFL starts, so an 8am first pitch.

[PantsTent 2002]

7 minutes ago, wood said:

That 1995 series went to 5 games, btw, and 3 of the HRs were hit by Paul O'Neill in Game 5.

[Scraps 13570]

46 minutes ago, UTexasFight said:

we’re the only game sunday

why is gametime TBD?

pretty sure they are just waiting to release the whole weeks schedule at one time

[Gourmand 7774]

Russo going off on everyone, i.e. Astros. Doesn't think they will win the WS because of the pitching, but thinks the Astros are dangerous right now because the offense is killing people. Doesn't want to hear about cheating anymore.

He's surprisingly been one of the only voices in national media pushing against the hyperbolic cheater cheater narrative. I welcome him giving voice to it but it's because he's taking the pushback from his listeners and others at Sirius personally. He's glad to see Astros success just to say how right he is.

 

 

 

 

 

[UTexasFight 9523]

31 minutes ago, Scraps said:

pretty sure they are just waiting to release the whole weeks schedule at one time

Fair

still annoying to have to wait for Sunday when the decision has already been made, I’d assume

 

for the weekdays, I’m sure it’s:

astros/ Rays: 3:07

dodgers/Braves: 7:07

 

astros/yanks: 7:07

dodgers/Braves: 3:07

 

if that’s right, it’s 1 or 5pm local in SD.

does petco have shadow problems like dodger stadium?

Edited October 9, 2020 by UTexasFight

[UTPhil2006 3809]

Could have swore I saw 710 for Sunday

[Nice Guy Eddie 13522]

for what it's worth, TBS is showing a placeholder for Sunday's game at 6pm CT. Pregame at 5.

Other placeholders: 

• Monday 3pm
• Tuesday 7pm
• Wednesday 7pm
• Thursday 3pm
• Friday 7pm

 

Edited October 9, 2020 by Nice Guy Eddie

[UTexasFight 9523]

Annoying to have the flip flops but I could see that being a compromise between MLB and Fox/TBS to guarantee each network some primetime games rather than sticking one with all day games given there are no off days and the potential for 2 games M-F next week  

[tx ind 7013]

3 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

for what it's worth, TBS is showing a placeholder for Sunday's game at 6pm CT. Pregame at 5.

Other placeholders: 

• Monday 3pm
• Tuesday 7pm
• Wednesday 7pm
• Thursday 3pm
• Friday 7pm

 

fify

[Rockethorn1978 6102]

Dodgers president says the Astros are playing the victim card by saying everyone hates us blah blah. Not sure what anyone expects the Astros to say? 
 

But if the Astros are playing the victim card I would say the Dodgers have played the whiny bitch role. From joe kelly crying(even though his team cheated against the dodgers) and more dodger players whining and crying to now the president who comments about the Astros then says “they have moved on”.. haha you guys are the ones always talking so you’ve clearly not moved on babies.

[TonyTexas 10524]

For those that listen to podcasts, The Edge is done by Ben Reiter, the Sports Illustrated writer who predicted the 2017 championship in 2014 and wrote Astroball. Only 2 episodes have dropped but it worth a listen. So far, it’s more of a chronicle of events and stays away from the hysteria that you would get in less capable hands. 
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-houston-astros/id1531522658

[henrygandorf 29194]

5 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

game 1 - framber

game 2 - grienke 

game 3 - LMJ

game 4 - urquiday

javier is the first arm up for long relief, you go from there there with the BP 

this looks right.  you gotta start framber in g1.

lost in all the homers in a lopsided series was the fact that really only framber pitched well of our 4 starters.  our bullpen had good and bad spurts, but framber was the only bright spot in the rotation.  where the f is whitley when you need him?

[tx ind 7013]

28 minutes ago, Rockethorn1978 said:

Dodgers president says the Astros are playing the victim card by saying everyone hates us blah blah. Not sure what anyone expects the Astros to say? 
 

But if the Astros are playing the victim card I would say the Dodgers have played the whiny bitch role. From joe kelly crying(even though his team cheated against the dodgers) and more dodger players whining and crying to now the president who comments about the Astros then says “they have moved on”.. haha you guys are the ones always talking so you’ve clearly not moved on babies.

Astros are completely in the Dodgers heads if he is opining on them right now.

[runthebone 8030]

38 minutes ago, Rockethorn1978 said:

Dodgers president says the Astros are playing the victim card by saying everyone hates us blah blah. Not sure what anyone expects the Astros to say? 
 

But if the Astros are playing the victim card I would say the Dodgers have played the whiny bitch role. From joe kelly crying(even though his team cheated against the dodgers) and more dodger players whining and crying to now the president who comments about the Astros then says “they have moved on”.. haha you guys are the ones always talking so you’ve clearly not moved on babies.

Tell those bitches to worry about scoring against Atlanta first.

[Rockethorn1978 6102]

12 minutes ago, tx ind said:

Astros are completely in the Dodgers heads if he is opining on them right now.

Yea apparently the dodgers president said it today on a podcast.

[Rockethorn1978 6102]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-president-andrew-friedman-says-the-astros-playing-victim-card-is-a-curious-strategy/amp/

here’s the link.

[Gourmand 7774]

59 minutes ago, Rockethorn1978 said:

Dodgers president says the Astros are playing the victim card by saying everyone hates us blah blah. Not sure what anyone expects the Astros to say? 
 

But if the Astros are playing the victim card I would say the Dodgers have played the whiny bitch role. From joe kelly crying(even though his team cheated against the dodgers) and more dodger players whining and crying to now the president who comments about the Astros then says “they have moved on”.. haha you guys are the ones always talking so you’ve clearly not moved on babies.

 

Fucking dbag hypocrites

https://sny.tv/articles/mets-suspicious-that-dodgers-are-stealing-signs-i-think-they-have-a-system#:~:text=The Brewers were reportedly suspicious,to Bleacher Report's Scott Miller.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-postseason-2018-sign-stealing-milwaukee-brewers-los-angeles-dodgers-nlcs-using-video/id64pp2cl80a142c8h3xnwnoh

[wood 11243]

49 minutes ago, Gourmand said:

 

Fucking dbag hypocrites

https://sny.tv/articles/mets-suspicious-that-dodgers-are-stealing-signs-i-think-they-have-a-system#:~:text=The Brewers were reportedly suspicious,to Bleacher Report's Scott Miller.

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/mlb-postseason-2018-sign-stealing-milwaukee-brewers-los-angeles-dodgers-nlcs-using-video/id64pp2cl80a142c8h3xnwnoh

I mean ... we know they've done it, right? Wasn't there an article about how they were using the tv room to "look for weaknesses" in the other team, etc? Yeah, look for weaknesses, like weaknesses in their signs & pitch sequences.

The dipshits crying the loudest are usually the biggest offenders.

Edited October 10, 2020 by wood

[Seasick Sailor 3747]

11 hours ago, Scraps said:

you finally dug out that "2017 World Series Champions" T-shirt to wear with pride and you will clear your schedule to watch the upcoming games.

I never put mine away. 

[Gourmand 7774]

4 minutes ago, wood said:

I mean ... we know they've done it, right? Wasn't there an article about how they were using the tv room to "look for weaknesses" in the other team, etc? Yeah, look for weaknesses, like weaknesses in their signs.

Yeah that was Verducci's SI article in Nov 2018 in which he detailed the widespread suspicions about multiple teams using electronic surveillance to steal signs and how it was a big problem for baseball because of.... pace of play. Nothing about the sanctity of the game or any historic cheating, just how slow play was A Huge Problem Manfred Needs to Address because it didn't sit well with the short-attention span "fans."

[HtownHorn 14763]

1 hour ago, tx ind said:

Astros are completely in the Dodgers heads if he is opining on them right now.

Braves have a talented squad. Wouldn't be shocked to see them advance, especially if the Astros start the ALDS hot. Astros might be up 2-0 before the Dodgers throw their 1st pitch.

[Monty Capuletti 107]

7 hours ago, tx 3 putt said:

game 1 - framber

game 2 - grienke 

game 3 - LMJ

game 4 - urquiday

javier is the first arm up for long relief, you go from there there with the BP 

Greinke pitched yesterday so wouldn't that put him in line to start game 3 on Tuesday?

[wood 11243]

This isn't the one I was thinking of, but it's interesting...

Logan Morrison: 'So Many' MLB Teams Cheat Using Video; Names Yankees, Dodgers

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2871359-logan-morrison-so-many-mlb-teams-cheat-using-video-names-yankees-dodgers

Quote

Logan Morrison doesn't believe MLB's sign-stealing problem ends with the Houston Astros. 

The Milwaukee Brewers first baseman wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post he believes other teams have been guilty of similar infractions.

"I know from first hand accounts that the Yankees, Dodgers, Astros, and Red Sox all have used film to pick signs," he wrote, per NJ Advance Media's Brendan Kuty. "Just want you guys to know the truth. I personally think it's a tool in a tool belt to pick signs, but if we are going to be punishing people for it. Don't half ass it."

ETA: Here's the one I was thinking of before... (didn't see Gourmand's post til now)

MLB Teams Installing Multiple Surveillance Cameras to Steal Opponents' Signs
https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/11/02/surveillance-cameras-sign-stealing-baseball-dodgers-astros

"Electronic surveillance is a growing trend around the league.
Sign stealing is one of the oldest tricks in baseball, but teams today are using technology to find any competitive edge that exists.

According to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci, electronic surveillance is a growing trend around the league, with "many" teams using up to six "high magnification cameras" in their home ballpark specifically for stealing opposing teams's signs.

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers' video room three years ago played host to starter Zack Greinke watching for weaknesses in opposing hitters. This season, the set up has a much different objective.

This year, if you walked into the same room you would have found a small army of 20-something analysts in polo shirts and slacks pouring over video from the in-house cameras, like the security room at a Vegas casino. Most teams train their cameras on the catcher, the pitcher (from several angles), the third base coach and the dugout.

These cameras are not used for training purposes. They are used expressly for stealing signs and deciphering “tells” from pitchers.

"We’ve reached a point,” said one club executive, “where the attractiveness of the sport as an entertainment option has been lost in the quest to find every incremental edge. And video has changed things rapidly. I’m increasingly thinking something has to be done..."

Edited October 10, 2020 by wood