Major League Baseball

[Jason the Yoshi]

I don't expect many of you to appreciate the American phenomenon that is the game of Baseball, but for those select few who possess interest, I welcome you aboard.

In fact, baseball isn't exactly America exclusive. It IS rare worldwide, don't get me wrong, but there are other countries out there like Canada, Japan, South Korea, Venezuela, and there are a lot of places in the Carribean Sea that are absolutely crazy about Baseball.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Nice thread! I plan on checking on it frequently. I hope your efforts in making the board pay off

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

So I know it's probably too early to guess who makes the World Series, but this could be a fun question.

There are a couple of candidates: I think the O's are looking good. Even with the tough AL East, they have still come out on top. In the National League, the Cubs have been really consistent all season. At this point, I'd say it would be a Cubs vs. Orioles WS, but many other teams could easily sneak in there, such as the Red Sox, Nationals, and Rangers. Thoughts?

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

So I know it's probably too early to guess who makes the World Series, but this could be a fun question.

There are a couple of candidates: I think the O's are looking good. Even with the tough AL East, they have still come out on top. In the National League, the Cubs have been really consistent all season. At this point, I'd say it would be a Cubs vs. Orioles WS, but many other teams could easily sneak in there, such as the Red Sox, Nationals, and Rangers. Thoughts?

World Series predictions already? It's not even the All Star break yet.

But I'd be lying if I said I was clueless as to who would be in the playoffs. I dunno about the Orioles being a shoe in though. They'd have a lot of competition with the Rangers, or maybe even the Indians considering they just had their fourteenth straight win. I like the Orioles, but they had to overtake first for the AL East a few times.

As for the national league, I can see the Cubs getting in too. Them, the Giants, and the Rangers have really been on fire this year.

Of course, me just coming back from a Twins loss against the Rangers has me convinced that they have some pretty blatant World Series potential.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Updating thread.
Here are the current MLB standings:

Spoiler

AL East:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. New York Yankees
5. Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central:
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Minnesota Twins

AL West:
1. Texas Rangers
2. Houston Astros
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland Athletics
5. LA Angels

NL East:
1. Washington Nationals
2. New York Mets
3. Miami Marlins
4. Philadelphia Phillies
5. Atlanta Braves

NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Cincinnati Reds

NL West:
1. San Francisco Giants
2. LA Dodgers
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres

Color code: Dark red is <.400, red is losing record, yellow is even record, green is winning record, and blue is >.600

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

Updating thread.
Here are the current MLB standings:

Spoiler

AL East:
1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Boston Red Sox
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. New York Yankees
5. Tampa Bay Rays

AL Central:
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Minnesota Twins

AL West:
1. Texas Rangers
2. Houston Astros
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Oakland Athletics
5. LA Angels

NL East:
1. Washington Nationals
2. New York Mets
3. Miami Marlins
4. Philadelphia Phillies
5. Atlanta Braves

NL Central:
1. Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Cincinnati Reds

NL West:
1. San Francisco Giants
2. LA Dodgers
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres

Color code: Dark red is <.400, red is losing record, yellow is even record, green is winning record, and blue is >.600

Something interesting I've seen lately is that the top teams have been losing lately. Indians losing to Toronto, Rangers losing to the Twins, and the Orioles losing to the Mariners.

Also, I haven't seen Fluttershy around here yet. Things are getting lonely here.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Something interesting I've seen lately is that the top teams have been losing lately. Indians losing to Toronto, Rangers losing to the Twins, and the Orioles losing to the Mariners.

Lookin' like CEO 2016 Smash 4 up in here.

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

Lookin' like CEO 2016 Smash 4 up in here.

I don't think these turns of events will last that long. It is nice to see the Twins improve, but I'm not sure how long it will last.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

I don't think these turns of events will last that long. It is nice to see the Twins improve, but I'm not sure how long it will last.

Yeah, that's true. I'd love to see the Twins have more upsets, tho.

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

Yeah, that's true. I'd love to see the Twins have more upsets, tho.

But the question I have is as follows: Are the Twins really doing better because they found out what they're lacking, or was it all just luck?

 

[Fluttershy]

It'll be fun to see more underdog teams in the post season lol

As long as the Blue Jays and Royals stay out then I'll be happy

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Underdogs in the playoffs always make things more interesting. I like it when it happens because we get to see different teams.

 

[Yashichi]

whatever team this guy plays for

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

So here are the starting lineups for the All Star Game

Spoiler: American League Starters

Mike Trout- CF- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Mookie Betts- RF- Boston Red Sox
Jackie Bradley Jr.- LF - Boston Red Sox
Manny Machado- 3B- Baltimore Orioles
Jose Altuve- 2B- Houston Astros
Eric Hosmer- 1B- Kansas City Royals
Xander Bogaerts- SS- Boston Red Sox
Salvador Perez- Catcher- Kansas City Royals
Chris Sale- Starting Pitcher- Chicago White Sox
Big Papi- Designated Hitter- Boston Red Sox

Spoiler: National League Starters

Carlos Gonzalez- LF- Colorado Rockies
Bryce Harper- RF- Washington Nationals
Marcell Ozuna- CF- Miami Marlins
Kris Bryant- 3B- Chicago Cubs
Ben Zobrist- 2B- Chicago Cubs
Anthony Rizzo- 1B- Chicago Cubs
Addison Russel- SS- Chicago Cubs
Buster Posey- Catcher- San Francisco Giants
Johnny Cueto- Starting Pitcher- San Francisco Giants
Wil Myers- DH- San Diego Padres

So the Royals fanbase failed miserably to rig the ballot in the American League, but it looks like a lot of people like the Cubs.

Here are the reserves confirmed so far.

Spoiler: American League Reserves

Mark Trumbo- OF- Baltimore Orioles
Ian Desmond- OF- Texas Rangers
Carlos Beltran- OF- New York Yankees
Michael Saunders- OF- Toronto Blue Jays
Josh Donaldson- 3B- Toronto Blue Jays
Robinson Cano- 2B- Seattle Mariners
Miguel Cabrera- 1B- Detroit Tigers
Eduardo Nunez- IF- Minnesota Twins
Francisco Lindor- SS- Cleveland Indians
Stephen Vogt- Catcher- Oakland Athletics
Matt Wieters- Catcher- Baltimore Orioles
Edwin Encarnacion- DH- Toronto Blue Jays

Spoiler: National League Reserves

Brandon Belt- 1B- San Francisco Giants (NL Final Vote)
Starling Marte- OF - Pittsburgh Pirates
Odubel Hererra- OF- Philadelphia Phillies
Adam Duvall- OF- Cincinatti Reds
Jay Bruce- OF - Cincinatti Refs
Nolan Arenado- 3B- Colorado Rockies
Daniel Murphy- 2B- Washington Nationals
Paul Goldschmidt- 1B- Arizona Diamondbacks
Aledmys Diaz- SS- St Louis Cardinals
Cory Seager- SS- Los Angeles Dodgers
Jonathan Lucroy- Catcher- Milwaukee Brewers
Wilson Ramos- Catcher- Washington Nationals

Here are the confirmed pitchers.

Spoiler: American League Bullpen

Dellin Betances- RHP- New York Yankees
Brad Brach- RHP- Baltimore Orioles
Zach Britton- LHP- Baltimore Orioles
Alex Colome- RHP- Tampa Bay Rays
Cole Hamels- LHP- Texas Rangers
Will Harris- RHP- Houston Astros
Kelvin Herrera- RHP- Kansas City Royals
Craig Kimbrel- RHP- Boston Red Sox
Corey Kluber- P- Cleveland Indians
Andrew Miller- LHP- New York Yankees
Jose Quintana- P- Chigago White Sox
Aaron Sanchez- P- Toronto Blue Jays
Steven Wright- RHP- Boston Red Sox

Spoiler: National League Bullpen

Jake Arrieta- RHP- Chicago Cubs
Madison Bumgarner- LHP- San Francisco Giants (Might Not Play)
Bartolo Colon- P- New York Mets
Jeurys Familia- RHP- New York Mets
Jose Fernandez- RHP- Miami Marlins
Kenly Jansen- RHP- Los Angeles Dodgers
Jon Lester- LHP- Chicago Cubs
Mark Melancon- RHP- Pittsburgh Pirates
Drew Pomeranz - P - San Diego Padres
A.J. Ramos- RHP- Miami Marlins
Fernando Rodney- RHP- Miami Marlins
Max Scherzer- P- Washington Nationals
Julio Teheran- RHP- Atlanta Braves

Here are the final spot candidates.

Spoiler: American League Final Spot Boys

Ian Kinsler- 2B- Detroit Tigers
Evan Longoria- 3B- Tampa Bay Rays
Dustin Pedroia- 2B- Boston Red Sox
George Springer- OF - Houston Astros

Spoiler: National League Final Spot Boys

Ryan Braun- OF - Milwaukee Brewers
Jake Lamb- 3B- Arizona Diamondbacks
Starling Marte- OF- Pittsburgh Pirates
Trevor Story- SS- Colorado Rockies

Now for the selected players who can't play due to injuries.

Spoiler: Injured Players

Marco Estrada- Blue Jays Pitcher- Replaced by Corey Kluber
Matt Carpenter- Cardinals Infielder- Replaced by Aledmys Diaz
Stephen Strasburg- Nationals Pitcher- Replaced by Max Scherzer
Dexter Fowler- Cubs OF- Replaced by Carlos Gonzalez
Yoenis Cespedes- Mets OF- Replaced by Marcell Ozuna
Noah Syndergaard- Mets Pitcher- Replaced by Drew Pomeranz
Clayton Kershaw- Dodgers Pitcher
Craig Kimbrel- Red Sox Pitcher- Replaced by Aaron Sanchez
Danny Salazar- Indians Pitcher- Replaced by Jose Quintana
Wade Davis- Royals Pitcher

Master List Complete!

 

[Matt11111]

Might as well be Cubs vs. 15 other teams.

Hi. I'm a Yankees fan, but I'm rooting for the Cubs to win it all this year, because the Yankees are just... meh.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

I personally would've liked to see more diversity concerning the line-up, but I'm still excited for all stars anyway.

Btw Jason the Yoshi what is going on with this Royals riggage thing?

 

[Matt11111]

I personally would've liked to see more diversity concerning the line-up, but I'm still excited for all stars anyway.

Btw Jason the Yoshi what is going on with this Royals riggage thing?

Last year, Royals fans went crazy and voted for all their players. At one point, they had EIGHT starters in the AL lineup.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Last year, Royals fans went crazy and voted for all their players. At one point, they had EIGHT starters in the AL lineup.

Oh wow! That is crazy.

 

[Matt11111]

Oh wow! That is crazy.

Fortunately, only four made it into the game. A similar thing happened before the internet method, where some year in the 70s, Reds fans voted all of their players in, and the only position without a Red in it was first base,

Speaking of stupid voting things, one Red Sox fan voted for Nomar Garciaparra over 35,000 times. His votes were discovered and not counted.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Fortunately, only four made it into the game. A similar thing happened before the internet method, where some year in the 70s, Reds fans voted all of their players in, and the only position without a Red in it was first base,

Speaking of stupid voting things, one Red Sox fan voted for Nomar Garciaparra over 35,000 times. His votes were discovered and not counted.

Thank goodness those 35k votes weren't counted. So cheap.

 

[Matt11111]

Thank goodness those 35k votes weren't counted. So cheap.

You're right. Since then, Major League Baseball has been cracking down on illegitimate votes.

(checks Wikipedia)

Whoops, make that 39k. Jeez.

Also the year with the Reds ballot box stuffing was 1957. Oops. Also the first baseman was Stan Musial, sooo...

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

So here are the confirmed players on reserve so far for the All Star Game in San Diego

Spoiler: American League Reserves

Mark Trumbo- OF- Baltimore Orioles
Ian Desmond- OF- Texas Rangers
Carlos Beltran- OF- New York Yankees
Josh Donaldson- 3B- Toronto Blue Jays
Robinson Cano- 2B- Seattle Mariners
Miguel Cabrera- 1B- Detroit Tigers
Eduardo Nunez- IF- Minnesota Twins
Francisco Lindor- SS- Cleveland Indians
Stephen Vogt- Catcher- Oakland Athletics
Matt Wieters- Catcher- Baltimore Orioles
Edwin Encarnacion- DH- Toronto Blue Jays

Spoiler: National League Reserves

Carlos Gonzalez- OF- Colorado Rockies
Odubel Hererra- OF- Philadelphia Phillies
Adam Duvall- OF- Cincinatti Reds
Marcell Ozuna- OF- Miami Marlins
Nolan Arenado- 3B- Colorado Rockies
Daniel Murphy- 2B- Washington Nationals
Paul Goldschmidt- 1B- Arizona Diamondbacks
Wil Myers- 1B- San Diego Padres
Matt Carpenter- IF- St Louis Cardinals
Cory Seager- SS- Los Angeles Dodgers
Jonathan Lucroy- Catcher- Milwaukee Brewers
Wilson Ramos- Catcher- Washington Nationals

ill go ahead and edit this into the other post too.

Might as well be Cubs vs. 15 other teams.

Hi. I'm a Yankees fan, but I'm rooting for the Cubs to win it all this year, because the Yankees are just... meh.

I was surprised about the Yankees early struggles as well. They're the last team you'd expect to do that bad.

But being a Twins fan, I feel that pain too.

 

[Matt11111]

So here are the confirmed players on reserve so far for the All Star Game in San Diego

Spoiler: American League Reserves

Mark Trumbo- OF- Baltimore Orioles
Ian Desmond- OF- Texas Rangers
Carlos Beltran- OF- New York Yankees
Josh Donaldson- 3B- Toronto Blue Jays
Robinson Cano- 2B- Seattle Mariners
Miguel Cabrera- 1B- Detroit Tigers
Eduardo Nunez- IF- Minnesota Twins
Francisco Lindor- SS- Cleveland Indians
Stephen Vogt- Catcher- Oakland Athletics
Matt Wieters- Catcher- Baltimore Orioles
Edwin Encarnacion- DH- Toronto Blue Jays

Spoiler: National League Reserves

Carlos Gonzalez- OF- Colorado Rockies
Odubel Hererra- OF- Philadelphia Phillies
Adam Duvall- OF- Cincinatti Reds
Marcell Ozuna- OF- Miami Marlins
Nolan Arenado- 3B- Colorado Rockies
Daniel Murphy- 2B- Washington Nationals
Paul Goldschmidt- 1B- Arizona Diamondbacks
Will Meyers- 1B- San Diego Padres
Matt Carpenter- IF- St Louis Cardinals
Cory Seager- SS- Los Angeles Dodgers
Jonathan Lucroy- Catcher- Milwaukee Brewers
Wilson Ramos- Catcher- Washington Nationals

ill go ahead and edit this into the other post too.

I was surprised about the Yankees early struggles as well. They're the last team you'd expect to do that bad.

But being a Twins fan, I feel that pain too.

(pats on back)

Also, it's spelled Wil Myers.

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

Also, it's spelled Wil Myers.

Imma fix that while I update about the bullpens and final votes. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Matt11111]

Imma fix that while I update about the bullpens and final votes. Thanks for the heads up.

You got it mate.

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

Whew! All done getting the master list for the All Star Game up to date.

Things still remain unconfirmed, though.

 

[Matt11111]

Whew! All done getting the master list for the All Star Game up to date.

Things still remain unconfirmed, though.

Injuries, Sunday starters, and such.

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

I now have more information. Some players have been injured, and the starters are confirmed.

Starting for the National League will be Johnny Cueto of the San Francisco Giants, and the American League starter is Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox.

 

[Hat N' Clogs]

Time for the All-Star game!

Edit: I've been watching this thread just to see what you guys are thinking about the game...but this thread is dead

 

[Jason the Yoshi]

American League Wins!

MVP: Eric Hosmer: Kansas City Royals

My thoughts: I don't like the Royals very much, but Hosmer and Perez played their game. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant's first inning home run was just luck that ran out when Rangers ace pitcher Cole Hamels, a San Diego native struck him out.

Manny Machado (Baltimore Orioles 3B) and Jose Altuve (Houston Astros 2B) had some pretty close plays in the infield, then there were the AL Outfielders that put on a bigger show, Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) Mark Trumbo (Baltimore Orioles) and Ian Desmond (Texas Rangers). And Desmond I remember when I went to that Friday night game at Target Field when the Twins hosted the Rangers, he hit that home run in an overtime Twins loss. I'm also kinda bummed Eduardo Nunez didn't see much action, but at least we had last year when Brian Dozier hit that home run in the all star game in Cincinnati.

But who I really wanted to shoot some fireworks tonight was Big Papi. If that was his last all star game, why would he want to leave that early? He's clearly having a blast this season, and he's made it pretty blatant he's calling it a career at the end of this season.

Anyway, well deserved win for the American League. Next year, we're going to Miami.