2023 MLB Thread: Texas Rangers World Series Champions

[Vampiro138]

Mar 26, 2023 11:57:55 GMT -5 RKTaker said:

hey to people who make fun of Mets for still paying Bobby Bonilla, The Reds are paying Ken Griffey Jr, $3.9 mil. It’s the 4th highest salary on the Reds

This year is the first year since 84 that Bruce Sutter has not been on the Braves payroll, his yearly payout of his contract finally ended in 2022.

[animaniac]

Mar 28, 2023 15:03:22 GMT -5 Confused Mark Wahlberg said:

According to MLB The Show 23, Citi Field has a new scoreboard the size of Wyoming.

Nimmo will feel right at home.

[HMARK Center]

So the Braves unveiled their City Connect jerseys (Texas is next, around the end of April):

Gotta say, going by my own personal metrics when ranking these...ok, look, they don't look bad, because the Braves' throwbacks are superior to their regular jerseys in my opinion, but that's the problem here: it just feels like a 70s throwback Braves jersey/outfit but with the current capital "A" logo. I dig the shoutouts to Hank Aaron they put in there, but otherwise it feels like they really didn't do anything outside of adding "the" next to "A". Feels more like something for the NHL's Reverse Retro program than for City Connect. I'd probably put them on low B tier or high C tier - not bad looking, but not distinct enough from their regular alternates to warrant dropping money on them and not doing enough to feel like there's a connection with the region.

And wait, we're doing predictions now? Hoo boy, alright, might as well, though I definitely admit I haven't stayed on top of changes and whatnot this offseason so I'm going a lot by feel on this:

AL EAST
1. Tampa
2. New York*
3. Toronto*
4. Baltimore
5. Boston

AL CENTRAL
1. Minnesota
2. Cleveland
3. Chicago
4. Kansas City
5. Detroit

AL WEST
1. Houston
2. Seattle*
3. Texas
4. Los Angeles
5. Oakland

Houston's still a no-brainer, Tampa should have a comeback this season after last year's disappointment, and I think Minnesota/Cleveland might be one of the more exciting races for a division title in the entire league, especially since there's a good chance it'll be all or nothing for the winner and loser.
I almost forgot that the schedule is different this year, with fewer intra-division games; that makes me think two WCs will come out of the East, since I think Baltimore will take another step forward this year but still fall short overall, but since they won't have 19 against the Yankees and Toronto they'll be able to spread out who they beat across the league.
That said, I think the AL WC race will be completely insane: assuming I picked the right division winners here, I could easily see the Yankees, Jays, O's, Guardians, and M's all being in the race for the three spots to very end of the season. The Yankees pitching injuries scare me, but they always seem to overcome stuff like that; Jays should be standing at the end but it always feels like they should be better; and I do think the loser of the Minny/Cleveland race will be in a much better spot than the #2 Central team was last season.

NL EAST
1. New York
2. Atlanta*
3. Philadelphia*
4. Miami
5. Washington

NL CENTRAL
1. St. Louis
2. Milwaukee
3. Chicago
4. Pittsburgh
5. Cincinnati

NL West
1. San Diego
2. Los Angeles*
3. Arizona
4. San Francisco
5. Colorado

Like last year, the top of the NL is going to be scary, and there'll be a gap after that, though a couple of the lower tier teams from last season will probably take at least a step forward this time. The Central remains the Cards/Brewers show, but the Cubs will actually be a little bit better this time around, enough to at least be closer to .500. Arizona is the dark horse in the Wild Card race; they have the talent to make some noise, but not enough to catch the big two. Mets/Braves/Phillies will be a brutal fight, but the Marlins will be more annoying to deal with as their pitching takes another step.
I know I did two East WCs and one west WC again, but I feel a little more confident of it in the NL than the AL, which will be more of a circus.
With division winners, the Cardinals now and forever have their devil magic and I need to see more from Milwaukee; Los Angeles is in their version of a retooling year, so the chance is there for the Padres; and while the Mets losing Diaz hurts and while Atlanta is still dangerous as hell, I think the Mets' depth gets the job done this time. I feel like Philly's pitching is a little thin, but compared with the rest of the league I can still see them at least getting the third WC.

[The Captain]

Volpe is going to wear #11 and the Brett Gardner fans are coming out of the woodwork like he's a future hall of famer or something.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Mar 29, 2023 14:37:20 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Volpe is going to wear #11 and the Brett Gardner fans are coming out of the woodwork like he's a future hall of famer or something.

And Bret gave his blessing 

Not that I would have asked anyway. He was an okay long term Yankee overrated 

[sfvega]

Mar 29, 2023 18:42:13 GMT -5 Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) said:

Mar 29, 2023 14:37:20 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Volpe is going to wear #11 and the Brett Gardner fans are coming out of the woodwork like he's a future hall of famer or something.

And Bret gave his blessing 

Not that I would have asked anyway. He was an okay long term Yankee overrated 

Brett screwed Brett.

[Heart of fools gold]

Couple of thoughts regarding the #11 situation, Yankee fans who are upset that someone is wearing Brett's number need to realize that Brett was a roleplayer and was never gonna get his number retired so it's free game. Especially if he gave his blessings over it. As for Gardner the player I liked him, maybe not so much in his last few seasons where he was just eating a roster spot that more impact full players could have occupied.

[Heart of fools gold]

Today is the day Baseball is officially back! How is everyone feeling about their team this year?

Even though the Yankees pitching is injured to hell and back I still got hope that they can still make it to the World Series. New Captain, new era let's kick it off with a ring

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Mar 29, 2023 23:34:11 GMT -5 Heart of fools gold said:

Today is the day Baseball is officially back! How is everyone feeling about their team this year?

Even though the Yankees pitching is injured to hell and back I still got hope that they can still make it to the World Series. New Captain, new era let's kick it off with a ring

I hope The Phillies can run it back. More than that I hope they can hold it down till Bryce is back and the Hoskins hit doesn't hurt as bad as some people fear. It's Darick Hall season till further notice

Really want to start out strong, it won't be easy getting deGrom right out the gate... here's hoping for good vibes after day one.

[HMARK Center]

Ozzie Smith has argued that Opening Day should be a national holiday, and who am I to argue with the Wizard?

Meantime, a hearty @#$% off to Rob Manfred for his whining on behalf of the other owners over Steve Cohen spending a lot of money. Either get your useless cheapskate owners abusing their franchises and cities so they can have a glorified ATM on hand to get their asses in gear, or kindly shut up forever while preferably leaving baseball.

[RKTaker]

happy opening day, it’s gonna be weird not seeing deGrom in a met uniform anymore

[S-Chrome]

MVP picking up where he left off.

[RKTaker]

Justin Verlander going to IL, Mets can not catch a break

[ghost]

Watching the Yankees game, and the pace is great even with strike outs galore on both sides. Pitch clock is going to help the game a lot.

[fw91]

Mar 30, 2023 12:51:50 GMT -5 RKTaker said:

Justin Verlander going to IL, Mets can not catch a break

At least Brian Cashman is vindicated for not signing him.

[RKTaker]

Mar 30, 2023 13:22:13 GMT -5 fw91 said:

Mar 30, 2023 12:51:50 GMT -5 RKTaker said:

Justin Verlander going to IL, Mets can not catch a break

At least Brian Cashman is vindicated for not signing him.

i mean we don't know how long he'll be out for, he's apparently gonna continue to throw and will be rescanned in a week

[hashtagdaley/JudasDay]

We suck.

[Confused Mark Wahlberg]

Kluber more like Boob-er

[Rolent Tex]

Corbin Burnes also is pitching like hot garbage against the juggernaut Cubbies lineup.

[The Captain]

First Yankees shutout win on Opening Day since 1988. Had to keep track of it mostly on Gamecast, but was able to watch the last couple of innings. Good start to the season!