MLB: Opening Day!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Winston
That seems like a weak argument to me, Ming. Do they have a specific rule prohibiting a player from killing an opponent who's on a roll scoring points in a game? I'm not saying the two offenses are comparable, but just because you don't have a specific rule against some practice, it doesn't automatically follow you aren't cheating. Another example would be having someone phone in a bomb threat causing the stadium to be evacuated because your team is losing. I'm sure there's no specific baseball rule against that either, but it'd still be cheating.

There are rules against purposely causing injury and against interferring with the game to make it unplayable (which is usually used against groundskeeping games). Both can reasonably be used in both situations.

A player stripping butt-naked during a football game, leaving his opponents and fellow players equally baffled, snatching the ball and scoring in an empty net - may not be against any specific football rule, but it's still cheating because it's un-sportsmanlike.

Nah, if no dress code, I wouldn't call that cheating at all. Just a smart way to score a goal. Though if the rules had a dress code (and I'm sure they do), then it would be cheating because you are violating that rule.

[Ned]

On the point of the White Sox needing more punch from their lineup, I'll concede that point. Perhaps Thomas's return will help, but they have been getting good production from thier DH position all year.

Also, my point is not that the Twins and White Sox have no All Stars, it is that the fans are not voting for any of these team's players for the All Star game. They can't be doing what they have been doing with pitching and defense alone.

That said, the Yanks, Red Sox and Orioles do have players that have being having outstanding seasons to date.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Also, my point is not that the Twins and White Sox have no All Stars, it is that the fans are not voting for any of these team's players for the All Star game.

I ask the question of which players would you replace with Twins or White Sox players?

[DerSchwarzfalke]

The All Star players on both teams are almost exclusively the pitchers, and the fans have no say in voting pitchers into the All Star game.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

Also, my point is not that the Twins and White Sox have no All Stars, it is that the fans are not voting for any of these team's players for the All Star game.

I ask the question of which players would you replace with Twins or White Sox players?

Konerko from the Sox and Mauer from the Twins.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Ned
Konerko from the Sox and Mauer from the Twins.

And Konerko is close to the top of the 1B voting (his batting average hurts him in fans eyes).

Mauer? Over Varitek? I don't think so!

[DerSchwarzfalke]

As well it should. He's batting .228 without any real power behind that.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Konerko? I agree. His On Base Percentage is only .338 (who cares about batting average?). He does have 14 HRs, which isn't that bad. His OPS, though, is at .805 (ugh).

I think it'll be a shame when Teixeira misses the cut at starting, but the coaches will name him.

[DerSchwarzfalke]

Livan Hernandez has pitched a combined total of 278 pitches in his last two games.

Go Nasties. I never realized what a legitimately good pitcher he was until they became the Nats. He is one of those guys that has always flown under the radar.

[Ned]

Chicago has two Cuban pitichers on its staff as well: Orlando Hernandez and Jose Contreras. Both are pitching well. Actually, all five Chicago starters are pitching well.

[lord of the mark]

Mid Atlantic Annus Mirabilis = Part 2

The O's are in first place in the AL East.

And, God save the mark, the Nats are in first place in the NL East.

This. Is. Simply. Not. Possible.

[Ned]

The Nats are indeed looking good, but clearly, the team to beat in the NL is St. Louis.

In the AL, the outstanding teams are the O's, White Sox and Twins (to date). I suggest that the world series will go to one of these four teams.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Re: Mid Atlantic Annus Mirabilis = Part 2

Originally posted by lord of the mark
The O's are in first place in the AL East.

And, God save the mark, the Nats are in first place in the NL East.

This. Is. Simply. Not. Possible.

The reason being that the Marlins have gone into a tailspin and the Braves can't seem to put it together. The Mets, Phils, and Nats were all supposed to be close in record to each other according to the pundits, just behind the Braves and Marlins.

[Shi Huangdi]

The Nationals being good this season hasn't entirely been unexpected. I read a colum saying the main problem with the 2004 Expos was their awful offense. With the addition of Castilla and Guillen this year, it was expected the Nationals could be signifcantly better this year. The Nats have also been helped turning around the Offense thanks to suprising performances by Nick Johnson and rookie Ryan Church, more then making up for Guzman being a complete disappointment this year. Hopefully, once Vidro gets back we can improve even more and have an even more potent offense.

We have also seen improvements in our Pitching as well. John Patterson has really developed this year as his ERA has sunk to under 3.00. Esteban Loazia, another new acquistion, is also doing a good job even if we aren't getting him run support. Carrasco has been doing a good job as a set-up man. But one of the biggest things is our new rookie Closer, Cordero, who has an ERA of 1.20. He is the reason we are winning so many of these close games.

I really think the Nats aren't a fluke at all this season. It won't be easy given how tight our division is, but I think the Nationals definitely are a serious contender for winning the NL East.

[lord of the mark]

as an O's fan for almost 20 years, I dont buy explanations about good hitting, pitching, etc. The O's have managed to find ways to shut down, usually early, despite all such advantages. I look at the Nats with the same expectations, justified or not. That other times have problems is not the explanation - its the thing that needs explanation - why havent the mid atlantic teams experienced the tail spins instead.

To have both teams in first place in their divisions at this point in the season - is. not. possible. I insist.