2009 MLB season discussion*

[Trichocyst]

Lee's four starts have just been mind boggling so far. I know he'll level off, but what a ride so far. I can't wait to see what he does over the span of a whole season. Loving this rotation right now. Happ has been excellent. Blanton is dealing and eating innings. I'm not saying that Hamels has turned it around, but he's certainly pitched better lately.

[Stiker]

Bleh, today was a busy day, wanted to get to the financial stuff that I heard on the radio today, but pohibaba beat me to it.

The $4MM number seems to be nothing more than a rumor and Rangers actually had to settle on $2.4MM or somewhere around there. So the financial troubles came back and bit us in the ass there.

Hicks has also now said he isn't sure if he wants to give up controlling interest in the Rangers right now (report came out Monday I think), so that possibly one of the reasons why Nolan is being mum on the whole investor group thing. At least, I'm hoping that is the case.

As if Hicks hasn't pissed me off before the way he's handled this team, now that we finally have things clicking he is really sending me over the edge. The greedy motherfucker needs to get rid of some of the three franchises he owns (Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Liverpool) and just stick to one.

He's already driven Liverpool into the ground (the fans there seriously tried to assault his son in a pub), the Rangers have been a victim of stupid high dollar signings that we are now hurting from (hi2u Chan Ho Suck for one), and the Stars haven't been able to sign many high dollar players lately either and have been cutting back as well (although they are easily his most profitable franchise).

If after all this time, when we finally develop and keep our young talent, we get to watch it all crumple away because of this bastard, I will be forever pissed. He just needs to get it over with and sell the team.

I seriously hope that MLB doesn't strip the Rangers organization clean like they did with the Expos/Nats.

I seriously doubt that will happen at this point. From the reports I've heard on the MLB bankrolling the Rangers, Hicks does actually have the money; however, it would literally be out of his own pocket. From what has been reported around here on the local sports stations is that Hicks only wants to spend money on the Rangers (and his other franchises) that come from either loans or club profits.

Supposedly though, if push comes to shove, Hicks can pay of any outstanding debts to MLB (his other loans though, I'm not sure of). This is supposedly one of the reasons MLB has been willing to help the Rangers make payroll. Also, I seem to remember something being said about the Rangers being able to still pay MLB partially back with current profits.

Keep in mind though, these reports I'm referencing came out on the radio when MLB first helped the Rangers make payroll months ago. I'm not sure if the situation remains the same though.

tl;dr - Hicks is a greedy bastard and is still trying to profit as best as he can. The club will eventually be sold, and I don't think it'll ever get to the point where MLB takes us over completely.

[Penthesilea]

Lee's four starts have just been mind boggling so far. I know he'll level off, but what a ride so far. I can't wait to see what he does over the span of a whole season. Loving this rotation right now. Happ has been excellent. Blanton is dealing and eating innings. I'm not saying that Hamels has turned it around, but he's certainly pitched better lately.

What's his line for the game?

9.0IP 2H 1R 0ER 0BB 11K 0HR 106-81Pitches - strikes.


He's 4-0, 2 complete games, has an ERA of 0.82.

Oh yeah, and he's batting a solid .385

[Saga]

Red Sox just rocked Halladay tonight -- Blue Jays ace gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, Sox win 6-1. Buchholz finally got some decent run support that we've been waiting for.

[Eliseos]

Brewers Same thing that happens every year, start off hot, fail horribly after the All-Star break.

[Gregorio]

Red Sox just rocked Halladay tonight -- Blue Jays ace gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, Sox win 6-1. Buchholz finally got some decent run support that we've been waiting for.

Blue Jays made the biggest mistake of whats left of their club by not trading Halladay. The offers were plentiful and generous...and now they're stuck with a (slightly slumping) stud pitcher who has no chance at turning their club around and who's trade value and will significantly drop next year.

[Olo401]

Blue Jays made the biggest mistake of whats left of their club by not trading Halladay. The offers were plentiful and generous...and now they're stuck with a (slightly slumping) stud pitcher who has no chance at turning their club around and who's trade value and will significantly drop next year.

Can only really blame Ricciardi for that one. He wanted too much in trade.

Or he wanted whoever took Halliday to take Vernon Wells too.

[Stiker]

Poor Pudge comes back to the Rangers and we are playing like we did when he was still on the roster. Last two games have been painful to watch -- two 4+ run leads blown on consecutive days.

[Cephius]

I'm pumped to see Beckett v Sabathia Sunday night. I think the other two games will be either bullpen wars or blowouts, but this game could be an awesome pitching matchup.

This series is basically do-or-die for the Red Sox if they want a chance at the division, but I highly doubt they can sweep it with the pitching match-ups so lopsided.

[archibaldcrane]

Brewers Same thing that happens every year, start off hot, fail horribly after the All-Star break.

Looking at a series vs. the Pirates, followed by the Nationals, you'd think "Hey, time to get back in the race!"

Then they got swept by the fucking Pirates...

[Viq]

I'm pumped to see Beckett v Sabathia Sunday night. I think the other two games will be either bullpen wars or blowouts, but this game could be an awesome pitching matchup.

This series is basically do-or-die for the Red Sox if they want a chance at the division, but I highly doubt they can sweep it with the pitching match-ups so lopsided.

In all likelihood, the division is out of hand at this point anyway.

[Eliseos]

Looking at a series vs. the Pirates, followed by the Nationals, you'd think "Hey, time to get back in the race!"

Then they got swept by the fucking Pirates...

Yep...coming off a winning streak too lol. Consolation prize: At least they didn't give up 10+ runs in those games?

[fren.]

Papelbon doesn't even try anymore.

"We're 8-4 against them this season," the Red Sox closer said about the Bombers, who begin a three-game set at Fenway Park tonight. "We beat them half the time."

[Penthesilea]

Phillies against the D'backs was really good. Sure they're about the same level as the AAAA Mets, who the Phils happen to get a 4 game series against this weekend. The series against the D'backs, no phillies pitcher (only 5 different pitchers used) issued a walk.

Sure it's against a young team, but not issuing a single walk? Wow.

[Eliseos]

Papelbon doesn't even try anymore.

Clearly, he's not a golfer.

[Olo401]

Have to be honest.. tonight's pitching matchup sucks. I can't fkin stand Pettite.

[Cephius]

Have to be honest.. tonight's pitching matchup sucks. I can't fkin stand Pettite.

Hate him as a Red Sox fan because he's good, or hate him as a Yankee fan?

Because as a Yankee fan, he's been amazing since the ASB:

39 innings
31 hits
10 ER allowed
10 BB
43 Ks

2.04 ERA and holding opponents to a .218 batting average. He may falter tonight, but he's been amazing the last month.

[fren.]

Who else saw Penny mumble "Fuck you" as he got booed off the mound?

[Alderaan]

God i hate the Marlins. Braves just can't seem to beat them.

[Bozo]

I was really hoping Cole was going to pitch well last night, then again if he didn't accidentally hit Pelfry most of those runs probably wouldn't have scored. The Mets still have to put up one hell of a fight in the next 3 games though with J.A, Pedro, and Cliff.