MLB - NEWS & NOTES

Rick Porcello? wow. He's been hit around more times than a kid's pinata at a party. 20-3 is amazing though.

 

why is that so ridiculous? They're a great team who won a ton of games this year. It's Sept 12th? They can clinch as early as next Tuesday, the 20th. It's not that early.

I may be wrong, but I think the 84 Tigers,, who at one point were 35-5, clinched by Labor Day.

 

Cubs magic number is 5. They can clinch with a sweep of the Cards in STL. Starting tonight. While the players don't care, as a fan, it would be so sweet to crush the Cards this week. Probably not going to happen, but I can dream.

 

They can clinch Wed because they play the Cards. The ridiculous side of it is because I expected the Cards and Pirates to be closer. It was no stretch to think that the Cubs wouldn't be better this year. And it wasn't a stretch to think the Cards would take a step back. But to have a 16 game lead on Sept 12 was unexpected.

 

THE PIRATES haven't been close at all and really crapped out all season. McCutchen had a terrible season and their pitching was just okay.

The Cards have put together a nice season, but injuries continue to hurt them. No pun intended.

The Cubs besides losing their catcher, have been injury free. They have a great pitcher staff and aces in Lester and Arrietta and their core nucleus of hitters is the best in the league. Their big lead is nice and all but they need to finally win the World Series. Winning the regular season is a consolation prize to winning the World Series. It's either WS or bust for the Cubbies.

 

Lets say relatively injury free. Yes they haven't lost anyone besides Schwarber (outfielder, not catcher) long term. But during the before the all-star break slump, they were without Fowler for over a month. The only reason the other injuries they have had in the outfield have been glossed over is because of the versatility it Bryant and Zobrist. Plus Almora Jr came up from the minors and hit (which was a surprise). They just got Rondon back after basically 6 weeks without him and Strop is out for 6+ weeks with a torn miniscus he should be back for the playoffs. I know setup men aren't sexy, but about half the Cubs losses in August came from a blown 7th or 8th inning or Chapman pitching 3 days in a row because no one else could be trusted.

Finally, they need to get to the World Series before we talk about winning it. Probably more disturbing than the 108 years without a world series win is the 71 since last making it to the WS. I'm not going to worry about what is or isn't a failure now. I just want to see good baseball (and for the Cards to lose).

 

Cubs have guys like Kris Bryant and Zobrist as MARY mentioned who can play multiple positions. In a long ass season filled with bangups and injuries, it's nice to have those guys who can swap positions.

the A's are going to cut Danny Valancia soon. Don't know why. The guy had 18hrs and a .286 average. And he can play 1b,, ss, 3b and of. if im the Phillies, i sign him in 3 seconds if i could. they have buckets of money and this is a guy i want on my team!!! Cubs are lucky with Bryant and Zobrist. Very versatile.

 

I'd say the Pirates are DONE!!!!!! Time to concentrate on the Steelers and hockey season is around the corner! This is one of my favorite times of the year. NFL, MLB and NHL. Time for another Super Bowl win and another Cup!

 

pfft -- Super Bowl win! *STOP*

you couldn't beat old man Manning last year when that was the year to win it. What makes you think you can win this year a year older at QB ? lol

 

Kyle Hendricks lowered his league leading ERA (among qualified pitchers of course) to 2.03 after 8 innings of no-hitter the Cards. He gave up a home run to lead off the 9th to end his night.

After the home run, Joe Maddon tried to stall a bit to give Chapman some more warm up time. Home plate umpire Joe West took exception and ejected Maddon taking the focus off of Hendricks brilliant night and Joe West. (If you want to be entertained on twitter, follow Kerry Wood and check out all the things he retweeted blasting Joe West).

The best part about a Hendricks start, you can still make it to bed on time. The guy works fast. MLB wants to increase pace of play, make everyone like Hendricks.

 

ST. LOUIS -- Cy Young voters can't overlook Kyle Hendricks any more. The right-hander threw eight no-hit innings on Monday night before serving up a leadoff homer to Jeremy Hazelbaker in the ninth in the Cubs' 4-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. With the win, the Cubs' magic number to clinch the National League Central is now three.

"Unbelievably great," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Hendricks' outing. "It's unfortunate he did not get the no-hitter. They did not get good swings against him all night. He was in charge that entire game. It's got to catapult him in the minds of people voting right now. That was spectacular."
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What a game! Cubs are having one dream season...

 

MICKEY & PAPI

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz hit his 536th home run Monday night, tying Yankees great Mickey Mantle for 17th on the career list. Ortiz connected for the AL East leaders against Baltimore. The series continues at Fenway Park when Drew Pomeranz and Boston take on Dylan Bundy and the contending Orioles.

 

how does a magic # go from 8 to 3 in 1 night?

 

It didnt. It went from 5 to 3.

 

well Mary said the # was 8 yesterday, so that's why i was a little shocked there.

 

No, I said 8 on like Friday. Which I think it was actually 7 on Friday night. Then went to 5 on Sunday (Cubs win, Cards loss) then 3 Monday night.

 

sorry Mary- i just your post from 9/9 stating 8 games. my apologies.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/a...baseball-is-a-white-mans-sport-181954000.html

oh my this is bad. jones goes off the deep end!

 

Cubs in control, up, 4-0.

 

yahoo sports says he's right! ugh. don't start the fire gents.