2024 Regular Season- First Half

[Brina]

It seems like 1/2 the Cubs’ roster is on IL. At full strength they can compete with anyone. They beat the Dodgers in a huge schedule earlier this year. And then everyone got hurt. It is getting painful to watch /listen but fortunately they are in the NL central. Otherwise it could get ugly soon.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Brina wrote: "It seems like 1/2 the Cubs’ roster is on IL. At full strength they can compete with anyone. They beat the Dodgers in a huge schedule earlier this year. And then everyone got hurt. It is getting pai..."

Brina; Haven't kept up with players on IL. Are this short-term or long-term injuries?

[Harold]

The Cubs starting pitching is what has surprised me. I had never heard of Assad before this year. And who knew I managed would live up and even exceed expectations. With Steele back, you have a very good staff.

[C. John]

Card Corner for Terry Pendleton.

https://baseballhall.org/discover/car...

[Brina]

You are right, H, starters have been dominate, but they are the only ones who have. Team can’t hit, and the bullpen aside from one pitcher has been horrible. Starters kept getting hurt so two relievers had to start. They are back in pen so that helps but closer well he is a mess and apparently he has been pitching hurt all year too. And now they trade for a middle relief guy from Seattle who isn’t the greatest but better than what they have now.

[Harold]

This is an interesting article about the alarming rise of catchers' interference calls, reignited by Wilson Contreras' injury.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/...

[C. John]

It seems that in yesterday's Blue Jays game when the players took the field they knew there wouldn't be any pinch hitters or pinch runners. There was also, I think, not a full bullpen either. Apparently some sort of virus struck yesterday so the team was forced to go with a bare minimum of players. Yesterday's starting pitcher wasn't even sure until mid-morning that he was good to go.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "...RJ; with your line up and pitching I don't expect another win in this series although I'm always hopeful!"

Your wish came true! Padres got some really good pitching in the series and even with Machado slumping were good enough to get 2 out of 3 games. Dodgers had only like three hits all series, although one was a grand slam. Dodgers are going to have to work to beat the Padres this year. I'm surprised they don't have a better overall record, although they are 5-3 vs the Dodgers.

Harold wrote: "That was a great game."

I agree completely. Padres got the walk-off, not sure why Doc decided to send Grove out there who is definitely not a "leverage" guy but I guess it's better to get him the experience now rather than in the postseason.

[C. John]

And since it was the Padres defeating the Dodgers I suppose the ususal doom and gloomers will be filling the Dodgers Dugout's mailbox with text messages saying the Dodgers are doomed. Mind you it could have been worse. It could have been the Giants instead of the Padres doing the damage.. People have to remember, signing Ohtani doesn't guarantee you a 162 win season.

[Ashley Marie]

I really love the Guardians City Connect jerseys! I think I would've liked the logo better than the lettering on the hat, but overall I'm digging it.

[Brina]

Just what the Cubs’ lineup needs, Chris Sale. He looks just as good as ever. You guys know I always preferred Verlander and Kershaw. Is Sale a HoFer if he can have a second act to his career ?

[Harold]

Brina wrote: "Just what the Cubs’ lineup needs, Chris Sale. He looks just as good as ever. You guys know I always laid Verlander and Kershaw. Is Sale a HoFer if he can have a second act to his career ?"

I think he is borderline right now, but if he has 2-3 more very good years, he has a reasonable chance. His problem is a bad postseason record, and he never led the league in ERA, no Cy Young awards and a middling WAR at best.

[Brina]

He can only play half a season. If he only played in the second half, he would have a stellar post season career. Oh, the cubs are playing a second rate lineup, this is painful to tune in to. Phils look better than Braves, H. I mean they were playing the Mets but they still look better than Braves.

[Harold]

And Trea Turner has been out a week already, and JT Realmuto has missed the last three games with a knee issue. Schwarber also was out for two games with a back spasm. So, yes I like our chances. The pitching has been awesome. I fear the Dodgers in a short series when their pitching is at full strength and Ohtani at Citizens Bank Park.

[Brina]

Dodgers will choke. At least you don’t have 16/26 guys spending time on DL. Cubs have a triple a bench and pen and it’s ugly and they were supposed to contend for division.

[Lance]

*sigh* another typical Twins-Yankees game. It shouldn’t have been Pedro who said the Yankees are his daddy. It could have been any Twin from Joe Mauer as a rookie to Royce Lewis

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Brina wrote: "...You guys know I always laid Verlander and Kershaw...."

Um...

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Brina wrote: "Dodgers will choke. At least you don’t have 16/26 guys spending time on DL..."

I believe we currently have 12 pitchers on DL. That's what we get for signing everyone in the League with two prior Tommy Johns.

[Brina]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Brina wrote: "...You guys know I always laid Verlander and Kershaw...."

Um..."

I fixed it lol. Should have said liked but I used preferred. My phone has the worst autocorrect and I wish I could turn it off.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

C. John wrote: "And since it was the Padres defeating the Dodgers I suppose the ususal doom and gloomers will be filling the Dodgers Dugout's mailbox with text messages saying the Dodgers are doomed...."

Oh I'm sure. They are always there. Nothing is funnier than listening to Dodgers post-game shows where some fool calls in and announces that the Dodgers need to package James Outman and Austin Barnes in a trade for Mike Judge. I cringe every single day at the idiots I have to share my favorite team with.

[C. John]

The following is from the Toronto Star newsletter (one of them anyway). I think this may be of interest to many of us.

Ontario researchers made a breakthrough in the race to cure ALS. Here’s what they found
A team of researchers at Western University have made a major breakthrough that could pave the way to a cure for ALS, a devastating, terminal disease that kills most patients in two to five years. Fueled by a $10 million donation, the scientists believe their treatment could reach clinical trials in just five years. Their peer-reviewed paper may also spark new methods of treating diseases like frontotemporal dementia, given its similarities with ALS, I report. Unaffiliated experts tell me the findings are cause for “cautious optimism” that a cure for the currently irreversible disease could be on the horizon. We break down the findings and why they matter.

What we know: ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, gradually breaks down and kills the nerve cells linking our brains with our muscles. Over time, patients lose the ability to control their bodies and eventually stop breathing.
Tammy Moore’s take: Incidences of ALS in Canada are growing; nearly 4,000 Canadians currently live with the disease. About a quarter opt for medical assistance in dying (MAID), with many citing poor support as the reason. We can do better. We must do better.

There are a couple of links in the article that didn't come through but since the Star has a paywall it likely doesn't matter.

[Lance]

Well, this week is another typical Twins-Yankees series. I always felt that when Pedro Martinez made his famous quote about the Yankees being his daddy, that should have been said by a Twins player - and it can range in time from Joe Mauer or Torii Hunter to Pablo López or Carlos Correa. Doesn’t matter the names - the result is always the same. It’s got to be a psychological issue

[Harold]

That's good news about an ALS cure. I pray it's not too late for Sarah Langs.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Brina wrote: "RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Brina wrote: "...You guys know I always laid Verlander and Kershaw...."

Um..."

I fixed it lol. Should have said liked but I used preferred. My phone has the worst autocorrect and I wish I could turn it off."

I don't know if you've ever seen the "Damn You, Autocorrect" postings on Instagram and elsewhere but they are worth checking out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ttM7ZmOzk...

[Brina]

I’m sure they are. Verlander is my favorite non Cubs player for the last ten years or so. I can’t stand Sale. Kershaw I support because he’s been on the same team his entire career but saying he’s better than Sandy is too much of a stretch. Meanwhile I don’t know what’s up with Cubs they’ll beat the Braves 7-0 and then struggle at home with the wind blowing out.

[C. John]

As they say "Baseball is a funny game".

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

C. John wrote: "As they say "Baseball is a funny game"."

Isn't that the truth! lol! Padres win 2 out of 3 against Dodgers and then get swept by Rockies. Padres are barely holding on to 2nd place in NL West. Oh well, losing baseball is still better then no baseball :)

[Brina]

Exactly although last night was agonizing yet again and I had to switch to hockey, two exciting games. There’s nothing like a weekday afternoon game in summer. I’d rather have a middling team than nothing in the winter. Of course, as the nfl moves to be nearly everyday of the week, I miss baseball less but still.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Brina wrote: "...saying he’s better than Sandy is too much of a stretch...."

You'll get no arguments from me there.

[Ashley Marie]

C. John wrote: "The following is from the Toronto Star newsletter (one of them anyway). I think this may be of interest to many of us.

Ontario researchers made a breakthrough in the race to cure ALS. Here’s what..."

Amazing news!!

[Lance]

Brina wrote: "I’m sure they are. Verlander is my favorite non Cubs player for the last ten years or so. I can’t stand Sale. Kershaw I support because he’s been on the same team his entire career but saying he’s ..."

Is it really? Remember, Koufax's career didn't start off all that promising - it was just his last six years that were mind-blowing. For an overall career protectory, I'd prefer to have one like Kershaw than Koufax.

For a comparison, go to golf. All who follow the sport to any degree have heard the debate of who was better - Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. I have the same thought here - for his overall career, I'd take Nicklaus. But for the peak of his game, no one ever touched Tiger. And, to be fair, what did him in wasn't a decline in his game, but injuries. Still, for the entire career, I'd take Jack.

[C. John]

Brina wrote: "Exactly although last night was agonizing yet again and I had to switch to hockey, two exciting games. There’s nothing like a weekday afternoon game in summer. I’d rather have a middling team than ..."

In regards nfl football, I'd rather watch Aussie Rules or Rugby. Actually the Aussies describe North Amercan football as a game for wusses.

[C. John]

Article from the Infinite Baseball Card Set on Tony Lazerri, or Tony LaZerre as he was once known.

https://infinitecardset.substack.com/...

[Harold]

Houston is now 20-25 and only four games out. They are still the favorite to win that division in my opinion.

[Lance]

I agree - they are too good a team to be playing that poorly for that long. I can see them being second to Texas but they are certainly a playoff team.

[Lance]

Gawd, this is pathetic- Twins are looking so bad right now, I’m switching over to the finals in the National Lacrosse League. At least a team I like ( Albany Firewolves) are in the finals.

[C. John]

Playing Buffalo, I believe.

[Lance]

Yes. Not going so well - but making the Finals after finishing with the worst record last year is great. I have a ticket for game 3 so certainly wanting an Albany win.

[Lance]

Neither game going well. Buffalo leads 8-3 early in 2nd qtr. Twins down 11-0 in the 8th. Guess I’ll wait for the Timberwolves tomorrow night

[C. John]

You also have the PWHL finals to look forward to as well.

[Lance]

True..plus the Lynx have started off 2-0. Beats the baseball right now. Although I did go to opening night for the ValleyCats, our local independent league team. First time I have seen a game at any level with the pitch clock take 4 hours to play 9 innings. The first two innings took almost 1 hour and 45 minutes! But 9 walks between the two teams plus an injury to the starting pitcher were why. Plus a 13-11 game will not be quick.

The injury was painful - heard it in my box seat behind the 1st base dugout. Pitcher was running to first to cover on a ground ball to the first baseman. Force out at second but the throw from the shortstop was high. Pitcher leaped high to catch it. Landed funny on his right ankle and heard a sickening snap. Still cringe when thinking about it.

[C. John]

From today's Morning Brew newsletter

BONUS FOUL BALL: A Seattle Mariners fan caught two consecutive foul balls at a game this week. He’s planning to buy a lottery ticket, stay outside during lightning storms, and write the song of the summer for TikTok.—MM

[Brina]

Watching a game as a casual fan. It’s been awhile. The cubs have been woeful. Too many on DL at once isn’t going to win you too many ballgames. Both the Padres and Braves have owned them and both look like playoff teams. Cubs announcers had noted that Arraez is a great addition for a team with all those power hitters. The Braves are of course the Braves. It is more compelling to watch these teams against each other than against the Cubs.
Two weeks until summer vacation and then it’s eat, sleep, breath baseball.

[Ashley Marie]

I'm actually surprised the Guardians swept the Twins. The bats have definitely been quieter since Steven Kwan went on the IL and despite continued boneheaded baserunning (and fielding - they wouldn't have needed the walk-off today if they could just get an out in the 9th) they still pulled it off, so... yay, I guess?

[Lance]

Ashley Marie wrote: "I'm actually surprised the Guardians swept the Twins. The bats have definitely been quieter since Steven Kwan went on the IL and despite continued boneheaded baserunning (and fielding - they wouldn..."

If you want to talk about cold bats, look no further than the Twins this week. Never could get any kind of rally going. Now to hope for a game 7 win for the Timberwolves

[Brina]

Twins could play Cubs and the final would be 1-0 because someone eventually has to win. Cubs have been ice cold.

[Harold]

I'm happy. The Phillies had their 6th sweep already. Last year they had 7 the entire season. And we have had 27 quality starts in 48 games. Not too shabby.

[Lance]

Well, at least another week to 10 days where baseball will be secondary to the Wolves. Western conference finals start Wednesday

[Brina]

Wish I could say the same. At the moment, the rest of Chicago’s teams are irrelevant except maybe women’s soccer and that’s only because the cubs owner is minority owner and paid for better players. Other than them, well, professional sports in the Windy City is not what it used to be. So the Cubs are it and they need to improve because the next 10 days are Braves, Cardinals, Brewers.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Brina & Lance; There's still a lot of baseball to play. Hope Cubs & Twins can win some series!

Have only been able to occasionally check gameday for Padres box score. So far 3 wins over Braves since Friday!! & 2nd game of doubleheader this afternoon. Will be "over the Moon" if they can pull off a sweep of hated Braves!!