Baseball is Here!! MLB 2012!!!!

[SlowwHand]

If I wanted to discuss pythagorean records I'd be posting in Greek.

[Imran Siddiqui]

No, it shows you who won the most games. The best team in baseball could go 0-162 (in theory).

Bull. The reason they play a 162 games is to balance out the streaks and provide you with a big enough sample size to show whose best. Which is why they used to (and should go back to) say you can only go into the playoffs if you won your division. Why have a 162 game season otherwise?

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm well aware of Craig and Freese, but neither is all that consistent - good mixed with occasional terrible (and I rode Freese in fantasy for the non-Longoria times, so I'm well aware; Craig we started the year with but had to switch out for Freese when I had too many OFs and too few 3Bs). Molina has been well known for a while now, but his hitting isn't normally stellar.

It's certainly a well built lineup, though not totally smashing, but the pitching is still a big ??; they've done very well, but they're not really established power arms or anything like that. CIN and WAS both had much better pitching staffs. If Wainwright and Carpenter pitch up to their potential, then it's pretty good; but both are significant injury questions (and Carpenter is just barely coming back from missing the year). Lance Lynn is a big question mark - maybe he'll pitch a no hitter, maybe he'll give up a dozen - and while great for a first year starter (rookie, I think?), not someone you build a rotation around.

Anyway, I don't think the Cards are a bad team, but I don't think they're in the Tigers' league, figuratively or literally of course. The top two hitters for the Tigers are better than anyone on the Cards, and their young outfield has just as much potential as the Cards' young guys.

Like I said, AL bias. The Cards have depth straight through. As I've shown the Cards have above average hitting and fielding that is because everyone in the lineup & rotation pulls their weight. They don't have the Pujols like superstar, but its a dangerous lineup top to bottom. As you pointed out, Washington had a great pitching staff (better than Detroits) and they fell to 'em. And, of course, they have playoff experience. And let's not underestimate defense.

I'm sure in 2006, there were folks who said the Cards weren't in the Tigers league either.

[Guynemer]

I'm not convinced the Nats staff is better than Detroit's; certainly not over the last couple months of the season. At least when looking at top-four guys.

And then, in the playoffs, they have been completely lights out.

I'm not saying the Cards don't have a chance; I learned that lesson the hard way six years ago. I just think the Tigers should win with their superior starting rotation and the (second) best position player in the league.

[-Jrabbit]

I gotta say, at the plate, the guy had an absolutely monster year. Hidden benefit of signing Prince.

My take on the Series: If Detroit doesn't tighten up, they should win. Their pitching so far has been WAY impressive. Mostly. Closer role is the only notable scary bit. Hopefully a little rest will get Valverde right.

Oh, and thanks to Detroit for sending Sabathia home soundly thrashed. Don't know why, but I hate that guy.

[SlowwHand]

Yankees GM: A-Rod no longer untouchable

Maybe not as far as the Yankees are concerned, but unless a club wants poison in their clubhouse, they won't touch him.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Poison in the clubhouse?! Like in 2009 when the Yankees won the World Series with A-Rod as their 3B? I mean the guy isn't Barry Bonds - he is generally considered a pretty likable teammate. Didn't even cause the most minor of fusses when benched in the playoffs.

[SlowwHand]

He's a prima donna. On a team of prima donna's, he just another one.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Prima donnas usually throw fits when benched or given diminished time. A-Rod has been nothing but professional.

[OzzyKP]

I can't remember hearing any big complaints about him personally or professionally (not that anyone should trust my faulty memory). All the beef about ARod just seems to be that he has a monster contract and he doesn't typically play well in October.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Game 7 in the NLCS Monday night! Cain vs. Lohse! Should be fun .

[snoopy369]

Looks like we won't get to in out if StL is in the same league as Detroit...

[Imran Siddiqui]

WOW, San Fran! Talk about putting it in another gear! After going down 3-1, they channeled the 2010 Giants and decided to not give up any runs. 1 run in the last three games after giving up 8 in Game 4... insane!

Kind of funny that the worst Giants starting pitcher these days is Tim Lincecum.

[-Jrabbit]

Wow. Both the Yankees and Cardinals ousted. Unbelievable; my dream scenario.

[Demonbinder]

Yep, totally agree with you on that, JR!