OFFICIAL 2018 MLB THREAD

[Self Jupiter]

Ya lots of action in that game, other than great pitching

[The SnowShow]

Top of the Green Monstah tonight

[SkiBall]

Hell ya. Been on top of the Monster. Just not during a game...yet. Definitely a yet.

[The SnowShow]

Sale with a beauty.

[SkiBall]

Sale with a beauty.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/10172...rc=twsrc%5Etfw

[Supermoon]

Sale is good at baseball.

[Self Jupiter]

That was an amazing at bat by Betts. Something like 12 pitches, hits that ball over everything for the grand slam

[The SnowShow]

Mookie with the grand slam after a 15 pitch at bat 🤪[emoji122]

[Self Jupiter]

I turned the TV on for that at bat. That was something. He almost fell over celebrating on the way to first. That ball was golfed into orbit

[ticketchecker]

Best at bat in baseball this year. #mookie #holyfuckingshit #timetoparty

[The SnowShow]

This team is so fun to watch.

[iceman]

Mookie with the grand slam after a 15 pitch at bat ��[emoji122]

Damn I wish I saw that, first game I haven't seen in a while. Did see Neil Young in Boston tonight, that was good, but I'm a bit more invested in this team than in Neil at the moment.

[SkiBall]

Sounds lik Cora is preaching a "put it in play" philosophy as opposed to the recent trend of "HR or bust (K)". I haven't been able to watch many games or check the stats, but fuck yeah if so. Baseball is trending down, and watching more swing and misses waiting for a HR can test a fans patience. Boston is 2nd only to Pitt for lowest K/game @ 7.61 per. Still, that number put have put them nearly last 10 years ago. About 2 K's per team per game=4 total per on average.
And Sox #1 in total bases/game.
So yeah, keeping baseball fun.
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/sta...eouts-per-game
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/sta...bases-per-game

[iceman]

Them against the Yankees is just such a polar contrast in approach and personnel, it's like a defining moment in the sport. which way are we going? I sincerely hope it's in the direction of the athletic, active, fun baseball that the Sox play and not because I love the Sox, and I do, but because that's the baseball I love to watch.

[Supermoon]

Has any team ever been 40 games back before the All Star break? I think the Orioles might get it done.

[ex-powderbroker]

Them against the Yankees is just such a polar contrast in approach and personnel, it's like a defining moment in the sport. which way are we going? I sincerely hope it's in the direction of the athletic, active, fun baseball that the Sox play and not because I love the Sox, and I do, but because that's the baseball I love to watch.

Really? the personnel and approach are that different? The Sox put the ball in play a bit more but the offenses are both great and powered by fun young players doing their thing. On defense, both squads have players capable of putting on a great show. It's not like the Sox stepped out of Field of Dreams to play a generic modern team.

[SkiBall]

It pains me to say, but I kinda like this Yanks team when I look at it as just a baseball fan. But I still ultimately look at it through RedSox-tinited glasses.

[ex-powderbroker]

I mean the biggest difference between these teams is the way Baltimore has completely rolled over for the Sox going 1-9.

[SkiBall]

O's rolling over for everyone and Sox have been dominating them for a few years now. Don't be mad that Yanks aren't doing the same.

[irul&ublo]

Sox are on a roll, impressive starting staff and timely hitting. As for Yankees Sox, this is the way I see it: Offense is roughly equal, slight edge to Sox; Starters, Boston with more than an edge; Bullpen, Yankees have the best in the majors. Defense, infield, edge to Sox, outfield, with Judge's arm, combined with Gardner and Hicks, edge to Yankees.

I hope the Yankees DO NOT go after Machado. He's great, but Gregorious is pretty good, and they'd have to give up too many prospects. They need to go after another starter, if anything.

[The SnowShow]

My worry with the Sox: relief pitching and Price laying an egg in the playoffs.

[Sirshredalot]

Sox are on a roll, impressive starting staff and timely hitting. As for Yankees Sox, this is the way I see it: Offense is roughly equal, slight edge to Sox; Starters, Boston with more than an edge; Bullpen, Yankees have the best in the majors. Defense, infield, edge to Sox, outfield, with Judge's arm, combined with Gardner and Hicks, edge to Yankees.

I hope the Yankees DO NOT go after Machado. He's great, but Gregorious is pretty good, and they'd have to give up too many prospects. They need to go after another starter, if anything.

I don't think either team has great infield defense, but you need to stop huffing glue if you think the Yanks outfield can hang with the better teams in the league (including Boston). Judge and Stanton move okay for giant goons, but they're both DHs hiding in outfield corners. Gardner used to be able to pick it pretty well, but he's old and busted. Hicks is a 4th outfielder. Boston is rolling three guys out there who can play a high-quality center.

OTOH, I'm reluctant to give the Sox FO or coaching staff too much credit for a low k rate. It's not like other teams see Betts and tell their players not to have a 1:1 k:bb rate while slugging north of .600 as a righty. That is Joe DiMaggio or Albert Pujols in their primes kind of stuff.

[ex-powderbroker]

Hicks is putting up an identical season to Benintendi by WAR. Pretty good for a 4th OF. Also, Gardner, Stanton and Judge are all in the top 20 as well. Maybe they are not as good defensively (I still don't see why Gardner doesn't get more time in CF), but they make up for it at the plate.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/battin...RBR/order/true

[Supermoon]

Hicks is putting up an identical season to Benintendi by WAR. Pretty good for a 4th OF. Also, Gardner, Stanton and Judge are all in the top 20 as well. Maybe they are not as good defensively (I still don't see why Gardner doesn't get more time in CF), but they make up for it at the plate.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/battin...RBR/order/true

Yeah, offensive WAR is a wash, but you were comparing them defensively, which there is just no comparison. Bradley, Betts, Benintendi vs. Garnder, Judge, Stanton is no contest on defense. Throw JD in there, and it's a wash offensively, too.

[AdironRider]

I would kiss Mookie Betts right on the mouth.