[Other Sport] MLB 2025 season

[AZ Gull]

With spring training now underway it is time to fire up another baseball season thread.

I am quietly confident that the D'backs will make the post-season this year. The addition of Corbin Burnes (probably the best free agent starting pitcher on the market this off-season) should be huge - we genuinely have two aces in the starting rotation now (alongside Zac Gallen). Incidentally, that acquisition of Burnes was a MASSIVE surprise given that we already had 6 starting pitchers. Still wouldn't be surprised to see one traded away before, or early into, the season - possibly Jordan Montgomery.

D'backs scored the most runs in 2024. The loss to free agency of Christian Walker and Joc Pederson will impact that but hopefully the addition of Burnes will significantly improve the pitching (which was among the worst in 2024). We could still use a recognised closer but overall I'm expecting fewer runs scored, better starting and relief pitching and a post-season berth via the wild card spots.

How are your teams shaping up?

 

[Coldeanseagull]

Nope

 

[PTC Gull]

With Acuna and Strider coming back from injury I am hoping the Braves go better this year. But as always it depends on the pitching.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

3-1 in preseason so far

However, as someone who follows the Rockies you know it is a false dawn before yet another season of heavy defeats

 

[Han Solo]

How are your teams shaping up?

The team - Oakland - I found some sort of relation to appears to have ceased existing, so despite my zero knowledge of the sport I'm going to have to go with "not great".

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Im concerned. Behind our starters there is very little depth tbh so, if we have a rash of injuries, I do worry if we will keep pace in the West.
I watched the game vs the Dodgers last night and, while we stayed in the game until the 8th, there was very little on show to convince me we have many to call upon if needed. Nice to see De Vries and Salas getting extended time though.

 

[Pavilionaire]

The team - Oakland - I found some sort of relation to appears to have ceased existing, so despite my zero knowledge of the sport I'm going to have to go with "not great".

That's my team too. They've now left Oakland, playing temporarily in Sacramento for 3 seasons, then relocating to Las Vegas.

I cannot see the next 3 years going well on the field.

Sacramento is 81 miles from Oakland, so the distance equivalent would be the Albion relocating to Watford.

Given that I support the A's because I saw them play in the Oakland Coliseum on holiday as a teenager in '85 I'm not sure I'm comfortable supporting a tourist team hereon in.

The story would be if the Blue Jays won the World Series for the 51st state, so I'm hoping for that, but I also have a soft spot for the Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Orioles.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Go Nats...Who knows what lies in store, not a lot again I suspect. Another Washington team stymied by poor ownership. The Lerner's lack Snyder's sleaze but they do have some of his incompetence.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

That's my team too. They've now left Oakland, playing temporarily in Sacramento for 3 seasons, then relocating to Las Vegas.

I cannot see the next 3 years going well on the field.

Sacramento is 81 miles from Oakland, so the distance equivalent would be the Albion relocating to Watford.

Given that I support the A's because I saw them play in the Oakland Coliseum on holiday as a teenager in '85 I'm not sure I'm comfortable supporting a tourist team hereon in.

The story would be if the Blue Jays won the World Series for the 51st state, so I'm hoping for that, but I also have a soft spot for the Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Orioles.

Cubs you say. Well we’ll have promising start and then fall apart, followed by a good run leading towards end of the regular season leading to outside expectations of post-season before inevitably screwing up.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

Not really MLB related - but got my corner display in the lounge sorted at the weekend, using some vintage mitts I have, and a print of Caseys Corner in Disney World. Pretty pleased with it tbh as it didn't cost much at all to do.

 

[BBassic]

I know we complain about Nike and their designs but whoever came up with this lot at New Era needs to take a good long look at themselves.

Any fans of the Los Angeles Anaels or the Bobon Red Sox?

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I know we complain about Nike and their designs but whoever came up with this lot at New Era needs to take a good long look at themselves.

View attachment 198093

Any fans of the Los Angeles Anaels or the Bobon Red Sox?

Looks like the result if you asked Ai to show the caps for all MLB teams with their team name and logo.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

I know we complain about Nike and their designs but whoever came up with this lot at New Era needs to take a good long look at themselves.

View attachment 198093

Any fans of the Los Angeles Anaels or the Bobon Red Sox?

The designer wouldn‘t have the surname of Trump by any chance?

on second thoughts they are spelt correctly …

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

The Houston As'Hos seems to work quite well tbh....

From a design POV, a couple of them do work ok (Blue Jays, Reds for eg.) but the rest just look a mess.

Not a great design concept IMO, and I cant see them being a popular range.

 

[BBassic]

The Houston As'Hos seems to work quite well tbh....

From a design POV, a couple of them do work ok (Blue Jays, Reds for eg.) but the rest just look a mess.

Not a great design concept IMO, and I cant see them being a popular range.

The Ariana one might be a home run with fans of popular singer and actress Ariana Grande

 

[Barry Izbak]

I can't remember I looked forward to the baseball season less.
The Cardinals are a shambles. From the front office to the dugout,
They have succeeded in managing my expectations down.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I can't remember I looked forward to the baseball season less.
The Cardinals are a shambles. From the front office to the dugout,
They have succeeded in managing my expectations down.

One of my team mates was born and raised in St Louis - and he says the same. Says the whole organisation needs to start from the ground up again.

 

[Barry Izbak]

I have been a Cardinal fan since 1985, and this is the worst time since the 90s
But one of the beauties of this sport is that its not always the same teams that win.
In the last forty years just about every team has been to the World Series (OK - not Seattle) or the play offs more than once. Even the Cubbies!
Unlike our own Premier League, there is no Big Six, not even the big market sides on the coasts can count on being up there.
We'll be back. I just hope its not too long we have to wait

 

[Badger]

After last season, I'm not expecting too much from the Blue Jays. They have looked okay in spring training though, so maybe they will be more competitive this season.

I am looking forward to BOOING the US national anthem.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

I know we complain about Nike and their designs but whoever came up with this lot at New Era needs to take a good long look at themselves.

View attachment 198093

Any fans of the Los Angeles Anaels or the Bobon Red Sox?

Just read that the Texas cap has been pulled from store shelves, as it spells out a Spanish "rude" word.

When you see it...LOL!