KingPK 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Talk about the Derby on Monday, the game on Tuesday or how your team has fared in the first half of the season and how they can improve going into the stretch run. We'll start the next TWiB thread on Wednesday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vivalaultra 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I'll start with the Astros...since they're alphabetically the first team in the NL. The 'Stros are either going to be 6 games back or 4 games back in the NL Central depending on the outcome of this 5-4 game with the Cardinals, 8th inning. It's not an overly bad position to be in considering that the Astros have been a great 2nd half team the last few years. However, in order to go on a run Morgan Ensberg and Jason Lane are going to have to get their acts together. The Astros offense isn't power-packed as it is, and it doesn't help when two guys that you're counting on to drive in runs. Ensberg's 3rd in the NL in walks and Lane has taken his share of walks, too, but they're both hitting below .240-Lane below .210! There have been some bright spots in the offense, however. Preston Wilson is looking like a decent pickup. He only has 8 homeruns, but he's driving in 46 and he's not striking out at an ungodly rate. Berkman's having a helluva year. Mike Lamb and Chris Burke have found their way into the starting lineup and are probably our two best offensive weapons behind Berkman. Our pitching goes in and out. On paper we have the best top of the rotation in the NL (Clemens, Oswalt, Pettitte). However, Pettitte's struggled, but will presumably get better. Oswalt and Clemens are pitching great, but their low win totals are related to the lack of offense. Wandy Rodriguez leads the staff in wins with 10, but has a high ERA and a terrible K/BB rate. Taylor Buchholz has had some positively awful outings and some spectacular outings. His last few outings have been more spectacular than awful. It looks like Taylor's coming around. We need bullpen help. Lidge just...isn't working. Maybe over the ASB, he can fix his mechanics...or get a job at Denny's, whichever comes first. The rest of our bullpen has been good and bad, lately more good than bad. Brandon Backe should be back after the ASB and, despite some of his less than stellar numbers, I think that will help the team overall. As far as offense, the Astros could use a bat. The only problem is where to play him. We have the infield and outfield pretty much set. If we get an outfield bat, we'd either have to sit Berkman, Burke, Lamb, or Wilson-our four best hitters. If we get an infield bat, we'd have to sit either Berkman, Burke, or Lamb, which would be counterproductive. So, maybe a nice left-handed bench bat would be good, but as far as a starter, I doubt the 'Stros are in the market. There's been wacky trade rumors circulating...the most interesting of which concerns a trade of top pitching prospect Jason Hirsh and a couple of other prospects for Dontrelle Willis. Some other trades involve players like Jason Lane, Willy Taveras, Morgan Ensberg, Wandy Rodriguez, and Fernando Nieve for Houston native Carl Crawford, Phillies benchwarmer David Delluci, and constant trade subject Bobby Abreu. Once again, a trade for one of those guys would be great in theory, but the problem of where to play him arises. All in all, I'm not overly impressed or unimpressed with the Astros first half. It's proceeding about as expected, and I expect them to make a run at both the division and the WC in the second half. The WC is more likely, as I imagine it won't take the 89 wins it took last year, probably somewhere around 85-87. I didn't realize this was such a long post... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 The Reds, despite what it might appear by their record and status in the races(2nd in NL Central and 2nd in WC) they have tremendous bullpen issues they need to solve if they have any hopes of making a serious charge towards the post-season. The trade rumors of Lopez doesn't inspire me all that much and I don't like the whispers about Kearns but if that is what it takes, then so be it. This season has shown what a good GM can do for a team in need of one. Wayne Krivsky, took over in February (well behind the rest of the league) and made the right instant changes to turn the Reds from a likely cellar team to a potential playoff contender. The Arroyo/Pena trade and the Phillips pick up were huge boosts for Cincinnati. I'm not exactly confident they will seriously remain in contention in late September but I have alot of hope for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tominator89 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 With the trade deadline approaching, the Phillies need to become sellers. I'm sure Gillick knows what he has and should start building for next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 With the trade deadline approaching, the Phillies need to become sellers. I'm sure Gillick knows what he has and should start building for next year. We could trade Aaron Rowand, Cory Lidle and David Dellucci, and it might even make the team better in the short term as well. I'm not saying Rowand's bad, but there's little drop between him and Shane Victorino, and we can shore up another spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Up and down season for the Twins. The record isn't bad, but that's because of a great stretch of ball. They've been abyssmal on the road, and are 9-20 against the AL Central. I think they have only three road wins against the Central. On the bright side. They have maybe the best 1-2 combo in the rotation. The bullpen is solid. The young hitters are developing and they have a nice nucleus for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Baseballs Secret Formula airs tomorrow night on the Science Channel at 9pm. Talk about bad programming scheduling. But it does look sort of like a good show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lomasmoney 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 What can I say. The Tigers have the best record in baseball right now. They need to make a few moves possibly in the pen and get a left handed batter and they should be pretty solid to keep up a solid run and contend for a playoff spot the whole way out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 The A's go into the break dead last in the A.L. in runs scored and only the Cubs have a worse offense in all of baseball. Nick Swisher is the only regular that has exceeded expectations although he has leveled off quite a bit after a tremendous start. Frank Thomas has played more than I expected and overall has met expectations when he's been in the line up. Other than that every other player in the A's projected starting line up going into the season has been dissapointing. The biggest problem offensively comes at the top of line up. A's lead off hitters (primarily Mark Kotsay) are hitting at a pathetic .227/.300/.306 clip. I suppose they could make a run at Alfonso Soriano but two problems 1) Soriano has never been a true table setter with his hacking ways and 2) A's farm system is stretched pretty thin right now. The good news is they are in a pathetic division where 85 wins might be enough. Bad news is they didn't bury the Angels and they are right back in it now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NYankees Report post Posted July 10, 2006 What can I say. The Tigers have the best record in baseball right now. They need to make a few moves possibly in the pen and get a left handed batter and they should be pretty solid to keep up a solid run and contend for a playoff spot the whole way out. The Tigers have had a very good season but they didn't impress me much when the Yankees played them a month ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Take the Baseball History Quiz. espn.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 26 out of 50, so pretty good in baseball terms. The ones I got wrong pretty much everyone got wrong according to the results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I scored 36 out of 50. For the older stuff I mostly guessed. Many of the questions were pretty hard but I think they had to fill out 50 by throwing in a couple of softballs like most no hitters and single season record for stolen bases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vivalaultra 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I got a 27 outta 50. I did better than J. Rol and Ausmus. I'm surprised that Ausmus missed the 7 no-hitters question, considering the answer's relationship with the Astros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I didn't notice they had players and ESPN analysts take it. Unfortunently John Kruk didn't take it. Hey I scored better than Steve Phillips. Why am I not surprised? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 40 out of 50. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big McLargeHuge 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 While the Giants are still in both the NL West race and Wild Card race, I don't see them doing anything in the second half, let alone the playoffs. I'm actually hoping they fall out of contention and just rebuild. I know our old guys (and young guys for that matter) won't get much in return, but I say get what you can. At least Schmidt ought get us someone good. I wouldn't mind seeing a new manager and/or GM in 2007, really. I got 26 of 50 on the quiz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Post your mid-season Award winners. This is who you would vote for. AL MVP-Vernon Wells AL Cy Young-Francisco Liriano AL ROY-Francisco Liriano AL MOY-Jim Leyland NL MVP-Albert Pujos NL Cy Young-Brandon Webb NL ROY-Dan Uggla NL MOY-Willie Randolph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MFer 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Great to see the Tigers represented on this board. I'll throw in my 2 cents... 1. Need to improve avg. with RISP and cut down on strikeouts. 2. I've heard rumors about using a 6-man rotation. Not a bad idea with a bunch of young guys and a 41-year-old. 3. It's been said many times, but they do need a LH bat. 4. ppl have been calling for a change at closer. I think Zumaya has the 'stones to get the job done. He just needs to use his breaking ball more effectively. I won't be mad if Jones remains closer though. 5. Leyland is proof that managers can make a difference in baseball. 6. Detroit should have more than two All-Stars (three with Maggs as a replacement). 7. IMO, the playoffs is pretty much a lock. They may not win the division, but they basically have to play .500 ball to get to 95 wins and a good chunk of those games are against KC, TB, Sea, and Bal. Plus they are an exceptional road team. 27/50 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MFer 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Post your mid-season Award winners. This is who you would vote for. AL MVP-Vernon Wells AL Cy Young-Francisco Liriano AL ROY-Francisco Liriano AL MOY-Jim Leyland NL MVP-Albert Pujos NL Cy Young-Brandon Webb NL ROY-Dan Uggla NL MOY-Willie Randolph AL MVP-Jim Thome (Big Papi close second) AL Cy Young-Jose Contreras AL ROY-Liriano AL MOY-Leyland NL MVP-David Wright (Pujols is best player but i feel that Wright is more valuable) NL Cy Young-Webb NL ROY-Ryan Zimmerman NL MOY-Jerry Narron (Reds) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 Post your mid-season Award winners. This is who you would vote for. AL MVP-Vernon Wells AL Cy Young-Francisco Liriano AL ROY-Francisco Liriano AL MOY-Jim Leyland NL MVP-Albert Pujos NL Cy Young-Brandon Webb NL ROY-Dan Uggla NL MOY-Willie Randolph AL MVP: Jim Thome AL Cy Young: Johan Santana AL ROY: Francisco Liriano AL MOY: Jim Leyland NL MVP: David Wright NL Cy Young: Bronson Arroyo NL ROY: Dan Uggla NL MOY: Willie Randolph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vivalaultra 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 AL MVP: Mauer. AL ROY: Liriano AL Cy Young: Liriano AL MOY: Jim Leyland Wow. I didn't know I was such a big Twins' fan. NL MVP: Berkman (I'm not being a homer. Isn't MVP the player that helps his team the most? I honestly shudder to think what the Astros lineup would be without Berkman. The Cards and the Mets and the Phils could get by without Pujols, Wright, and Howard...respectively.) NL ROY: Zimmerman NL Cy Young: Webb NL MOY: Joe Girardi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vampiro69 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 AL MVP Travis Hafner AL ROY Fransisco Liriano AL CY Roy Halliday AL MOY Jim Leyland NL MVP Carlos Lee (Good numbers from a guy on a so-so team) NL ROY Dan Uggla NL CY Brandon Webb (no one great stands out) NL MOY Willie Randolph For AL ROY it is hard to not igone Papelbon and his season, but Liriano has been simply lights out. With Hafner, I see him as the only truly scary hitter in the lineup yet he is still destroying people. For evidence look at the 5 grand slams this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 43/50 on the baseball quiz. Figures I'd get the same score as Rob Neyer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phoenixrising 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 AL MVP: David Ortiz, Boston AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay, Toronto AL ROY: Francisco Liriano, Minnesota AL MOY: Jim Leyland, Detroit NL MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis NL Cy Young: Tom Glavine, NY Mets NL ROY: Dan Uggla, Florida NL MOY: Joe Girardi, Florida 41/50 on the quiz. Probably should have had at least 4 more...I missed some easy ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I'm not so sure I'd say the Mets would be the same team without Wright...sure Beltran and Reyes are kicking ass, but Wright really brings a lot to the table as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I wonder sometimes if moving Zumaya to the closer's role would be a good thing. Eventually it'll be the right move, but I've seen him save so many games in the seventh and eighth inning that if you move him to the ninth, you just give Jonesy a chance to blow it earlier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KGB 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 I got 26/50 on that quiz, which is good for me considering I know very little about baseball. Got 9/10 on the Early Years part, and I had to guess on 4 of them so that was pretty damn good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2006 29/50. Same score as Jimmy Rollins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
