[Other Sport] MLB 2024 Season

[Barry Izbak]

Want a really brave prediction?

The St. Louis Cardinals will not be as bad as last year

There. Remind me of this in September

 

[Badger]

Want a really brave prediction?

The St. Louis Cardinals will not be as bad as last year

There. Remind me of this in September

I actually saw a cardinal and a blue jay hanging out on the same tree when I was on a run last week. Maybe it's a sign they're going to meet in the World Series...

 

[Barry Izbak]

I actually saw a cardinal and a blue jay hanging out on the same tree when I was on a run last week. Maybe it's a sign they're going to meet in the World Series...

We were at the two game series in Toronto in 2022
Lost the first horribly
Won the second and saw my last ever Adam Wainwright win and Albert Pujols HR

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

We were at the two game series in Toronto in 2022
Lost the first horribly
Won the second and saw my last ever Adam Wainwright win and Albert Pujols HR

Even though we are relatively new to the sport, we were chuffed to bits last summer at the London Series when (sitting by the Cards bullpen) my wife managed to get a ball from Adam Wainwright, and an autograph from him on his Topps card we got in the commemorative packs being sold. Will treasure that one.

 

[AZ Gull]

WOW. News broke last night that the Diamondbacks had reached a deal with starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (1 year for $25m with the possibility of a second year but with a player opt-out and various other clauses). They had already spent quite a bit more this off-season than I had expected, so this is a stunning move. We likely have Gallen and Kelly for only two more years (2024 and 2025) so signs that the ownership are "going for it" within that window.

Unfortunately our other starting pitcher off-season pick-up, Eduardo Rodriguez, will start the season on the IL. It will also take Montgomery a little while until he is ready (as he has missed the entirety of Spring Training) but when they are all fit and available a starting rotation of

Zac Gallen
Merrill Kelly
Eduardo Rodriguez
Jordan Montgomery
Brandon Pfaadt

stands up to any 1 through 5 in the big leagues, in my view.

Unfortunately our closer Paul Sewald also starts the season on the IL and will probably miss two months so we still have some things to figure out. However, massively excited for the campaign to start and really looking forward to taking in the pageantry and occasion of Opening Day tomorrow evening at Chase Field. Roof open, fly-over, packed house, nervous expectation - LET'S PLAY BALL!!

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Opening Day!

Really looking forward to a long weekend of action. Padres v Giants should be a good one - especially with the return of Melvin to Petco so soon after leaving. Wonder what sort of reception he will get. Super excited to get the season underway, although I think we will struggle to crack the top 3 in the NL West tbh.

Also got my first ever game on Sunday for Brighton vs New Forest down at Waterhall which should be fun (weather permitting!)

As @AZ Gull says above....

 

[AZ Gull]

When you head to the ballpark you just never know what you are going to witness...

In the 3rd inning last night the Diamondbacks sent 18 batters to the plate, had 13 hits and scored 14 runs (all franchise records for a single inning).
The final scoreline of 16-1 over the Rockies was the joint third-highest opening day winning margin in MLB history.

In the modern era (since 1900) that inning represented:-
The most runs in an inning on Opening Day
The joint fourth-most runs scored in an inning on ANY date
The joint most runs scored in an inning without hitting a home run

The sequence went: Single, single, walk, single, double, single, single, flyout, double, single, single, walk, single, single, double, sacrifice fly, single, groundout

Amongst all that, the Dbacks had a rookie making his MLB debut. Earlier in the day they posted the video of manager Torey Lovullo telling Blaze Alexander (what a fantastic name!) the news and then the lad phoning his parents and other family members to tell them he had made "the show". In the game he went 2 for 5 with an RBI, so what a day it was for him and his family (who were all in the stands).

What a privilege to be there, an amazing offensive performance, an historic night and a game that will live long in the memory. Let's Go Dbacks!!

 

[Stat Brother]

Watching last night.

The commentators were talking of a players ambition for post season play.
At which point the opposition smashed 7 (seven) unanswered runs in the next 2 innings.


Never change Washington sport - never change.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Rockies came second in the Cactus League - can only go downhill from there!

I see your opening day went well. As an As fan I'm used to my team getting pasted but 14 runs in one innings is something else. Our 8-0 drubbing looks tame by comparison. A long season beckons for both of us.

 

[lasvegan]

I see your opening day went well. As an As fan I'm used to my team getting pasted but 14 runs in one innings is something else. Our 8-0 drubbing looks tame by comparison. A long season beckons for both of us.

Are you going to follow them to Las Vegas?

 

[HastingsSeagull]

Fairly casual Rays fan here, but been 'following' since the late 90's since support multiple other Tampa sports. Cracking start and nice to have real games back, but we often seem to start really well. For ages now I've thought of us as 'the Brighton of baseball' but realise it's probably the other way round to most over the pond

Apt or not?

 

[PTC Gull]

And the Braves are up and running with Acuna carrying on with more RBI and stolen bases. A 7 run 8th inning blowing away the Phillies. Which was nice

 

[PTC Gull]

And day 2 sees the Braves hammer the Phillies 12-4 and have now scored 21 runs in the first 2 games. Could be a fun season.

 

[Stat Brother]

Nat'nals eek out a fine win on the back of rookie 3rd baseman.

 

[FCB]

After losing on Opening day Mariners have won next two against Red Sox behind a strong pitching performances from Kirby and Gilbert.

J-Rod with a RBI single to win it in the 10th inning yesterday. First walk-off of his career. Let's go for the series win today.


One stat that has surprised me when I've read it this morning. NYY is 3-0 for the first time since 2003. Six consecutive wins (dating back to last season) in Houston too.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Are you going to follow them to Las Vegas?

I will probably look out for their results but it won't be the same. I support them because I had a friend near Alameda who I stayed with in summer '85 and he took me to my first ballgame.

I'm sure they will be more successful in Vegas and the people of that city will enjoy the journey, but it doesn't sit well with me, everybody seems to have given up pending the move. The As roster is shocking and they could break records for awfulness.

 

[lasvegan]

I will probably look out for their results but it won't be the same. I support them because I had a friend near Alameda who I stayed with in summer '85 and he took me to my first ballgame.

I'm sure they will be more successful in Vegas and the people of that city will enjoy the journey, but it doesn't sit well with me, everybody seems to have given up pending the move. The As roster is shocking and they could break records for awfulness.

Yes, I get it completely. When I first arrived in So Cal I got hooked on the LA Rams and California Angels (as a sports fan) as they shared a stadium and I lived close by. The Rams moved to St Louis and I immediately lost interest (now back in LA). The California Angels then became the Anaheim Angels, then the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, then back to the LA Angels, the original expansion team name (they still play in Anaheim). Mad. Don’t really follow them anymore either.

I’m a big fan of the Golden Knights hockey team as they are an expansion franchise that hasn’t lived elsewhere. And I‘m not opposed to watching the NFL, NHL and MLB at state of the art stadiums, as and when I please, all less than 10 minutes from my house. I‘m expecting the official announcement of an NBA team arrival at any minute.

Viva Las Vegas…

 

[PTC Gull]

Well that was an interesting weekend for the Braves. 2 come from behind (oh err Misses) wins against the Dbacks and a series sweep yesterday. Early days but looks like back to business in the NL East for the Braves. Was impressed with the Dbacks especially Marte. Think they could have a good season.

 

[Barry Izbak]

Cardinals hand the first win of the season to the worst team in baseball

Congrats @Not Andy Naylor

 

[AZ Gull]

Well that was an interesting weekend for the Braves. 2 come from behind (oh err Misses) wins against the Dbacks and a series sweep yesterday. Early days but looks like back to business in the NL East for the Braves. Was impressed with the Dbacks especially Marte. Think they could have a good season.

Bit surprised to hear you say that but I guess fans can be over-critical of their own team. Really disappointing the way the first two games went. I wasn't expecting much from the series because we had our 3 thru 5 starters lining up against your 1 thru 3, but couldn't have asked for more from Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt. It's amazing how many of our runs we score early this season - 62% have come in the first 3 innings. Really shouldn't be losing a game where you lead 6-0 and then 8-2; bullpen hasn't been great so far. Only consolation is, Braves are probably the strongest hitting line-up in the league this year.