Standing for something

[batmagadanleadoff]

OK. Then we're good.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I wouldn't go so far as to say we're good. "Intermittently decent," maybe.

[Edgy MD]

But a game closer to first place this August morning.

[Edgy MD]

Youse wanna wave the white flag, at least do when and if the team collapses before the Nats this week. The Flushings beat the Naminals, they make a big splash in the division, especially if the Braves continue to flounder. If they don't, there's a good chance the surging Padres catch 'em from behind. Big ol' week o' baseball.

You look at that NGB column and you see, the team is actually gaining incrementally while seeming to stand still.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Washington	63	53	.543	�	�
Atlanta	60	58	.508	4.0	4.0
Miami	58	60	.492	6.0	8.0
YOUR New York Mets	57	62	.479	7.5	12.5
Philadelphia	53	66	.445	11.5	28.5

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Pittsburgh	63	55	.534	-0.5	-0.5
St. Louis	62	55	.530	�	�
San Francisco	62	56	.525	0.5	0.5
Atlanta	60	58	.508	2.5	4.5
Cincinnati	60	58	.508	2.5	4.5
Miami	58	60	.492	4.5	12.5
YOUR New York Mets	57	62	.479	6.0	20.0
San Diego	55	62	.470	7.0	26.0
Philadelphia	53	66	.445	10.0	47.0
Arizona	51	67	.432	11.5	59.0
Chicago	50	67	.427	12.0	63.5
Colorado	46	72	.390	16.5	108.5

[Ceetar]

it appears the Mets have played 3 more games than the Nats as well. So couple a big series here with a less hectic schedule.

[Edgy MD]

I haven't posted an update in a bit --- I've switched computers, and don't have my template on the new one --- but you know which direction your team has been going.

But not last night. Last night, almost every good thing that could happen, happened, with the Mets winning, and every team in front of them in the division losing, as well as four of the teams in front of them in the wild card. Keep winning, Philly! Get with the program, Colorado! Madison Bumgarner totally garnered your bums last night and handed them to you.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Washington	75	56	.573	�	�
Atlanta	68	64	.515	7.5	7.5
Miami	65	66	.496	10.0	12.5
YOUR New York Mets	62	70	.470	13.5	23.0
Philadelphia	60	72	.455	15.5	31.0

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
St. Louis	71	60	.542	-2.0	-2.0
San Francisco	69	62	.527	�	�
Atlanta	68	64	.515	1.5	1.5
Pittsburgh	68	64	.515	1.5	1.5
Miami	65	66	.496	4.0	9.0
Cincinnati	63	69	.477	6.5	19.0
YOUR New York Mets	62	70	.470	7.5	24.0
San Diego	61	70	.466	8.0	27.0
Philadelphia	60	72	.455	9.5	37.5
Chicago	59	72	.450	10.0	41.5
Arizona	55	77	.417	14.5	82.0
Colorado	53	78	.405	16.0	97.0

Jacob Turner, acquired from the Marlins a few weeks ago, makes his first start on the hill for the Cubs today. More eyes will be on rookie outfielder Jorge Soler, Cuban signee who has torn it up in the minors and is debuting for the Northside today. Beat them Reds, Cubbies.

[Edgy MD]

Hey, did you know we dipped behind San Diego? Well, we did. Would be nice to undo that.

This SHaMarlin team we're playing now is where the SHaMets should be, if the hitting didn't fold, edgin' into the periphery of the Wild Card race. We can un-make that and hopefully get some traction against them that, if it means little up front, could carry over into 2015 when both teams get an ace pitcher back from surgery.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Washington	77	58	.570	�	�
Atlanta	72	65	.526	6.0	6.0
Miami	66	69	.489	11.0	16.0
YOUR New York Mets	64	73	.467	14.0	25.0
Philadelphia	62	74	.456	15.5	31.0

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
San Francisco	74	62	.544	-1.0	-1.0
St. Louis/Milwaukee	73	63	.537	�	�
Atlanta	72	65	.526	1.5	1.5
Pittsburgh	71	65	.522	2.0	2.5
Miami	66	69	.489	6.5	16.0
Cincinnati	66	71	.482	7.5	20.0
San Diego	64	71	.474	8.5	25.0
YOUR New York Mets	64	73	.467	9.5	31.0
Philadelphia	62	74	.456	11.0	41.5
Chicago	61	76	.445	12.5	53.5
Arizona	57	79	.419	16.0	85.0
Colorado	54	82	.397	19.0	115.0

[Edgy MD]

Don't look now, but Milwaukee is totally tanking, looking a lot like the team we maybe thought they'd look like at the beginning of the season. They've lost seven in a row and all of what seemed to be a healthy lead in the NL Central. They're now two games behind the Cards (winners of four straight) and only 1.5 ahead of the Braves for the second Wild Cardy spot.

A lot of hot potato going on with that second Wild Card spot. Anybody who approaches it immediately falls back. San Diego, winners of seven of their last 10 and enjoying a visit from Arizona, are hoping to make the next run, but time runs short.

[Frayed Knot]

* Braves finally get some runs this afternoon and take the final game of their series w/Philly after getting just 0 and 3 [u:37vv1cqp]hits[/u:37vv1cqp] in the first two.


* Brewers and their 7 game losing streak has not only knocked them out of 1st place in the NLC for the first time since April is also exposes them as a sub-.500 team since the end of April
They're also just a game from being dropped from the 2nd WC slot at this point.


* Pirates & Cards scoreless in the 7th in St Loo
IN NYM-related news, Pitt mgr Clint Hurdle sent the just-recalled Chase d'Arnaud in to pinch-run for Ike Davis

[Edgy MD]

The Brewers might join the Brewers and become the second playoff-bound-but-floundering team ever to can their manager with two weeks to go in the season, entering the playoffs with a dude with "interim" in front of this name.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That the SHaMs went halvesies in a home 4-game series with them was not a good sign for the Brewcrew.

[ashie62]

The Cardinals seem to usually edge others out in these tight spots and annoyingly so.

[Frayed Knot]

And they did again today, beating Pitt via a 2-out/9th inning/walk-off single that somehow scored Yadier Molina from 2nd (it usually takes a triple to score him).

Pirates seem to be running into a ton of bad luck lately. Their last six losses have been via five one-run losses and one two-run defeat.
Looked at another way, they're 6-6 over their last 12 games even though they're +13 in runs scored during that time.

[Edgy MD]

St. Louis cockpunches Pittsburgh with a 1-0 victory off a Peter Bourjous walkoff hit in the ninth.

Milwaukee continuing to swoon, down 6-2 to the Cubs in the ninth.

[Edgy MD]

Tonight's win enables the Mets to tie the Padres and the Reds in the win column. Hopefully they both stay within striking distance during the game off.

Framazingly, by taking this series the team gains two in the Wild Card race. Too bad they had to go and give away a win during it, or it might have sparked an imagination or two.

Division play would suggest the Mets ought to be in third, beating up on the Phils, handling the Marlins more or less, getting handled by the Braves more or less, and getting beat up on by the Nats. It usually doesn't work out so... semetrically.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Washington	79	59	.572	�	�
Atlanta	73	67	.521	7.0	7.0
Miami	67	71	.486	12.0	17.0
YOUR New York Mets	66	74	.471	14.0	23.0
Philadelphia	64	75	.460	15.5	29.0

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
San Francisco	76	64	.543	-2.5	-2.5
Milwaukee	73	66	.525	�	�
Atlanta	73	67	.521	0.5	0.5
Pittsburgh	71	68	.511	2.0	3.5
Miami	67	71	.486	5.5	14.0
San Diego	66	72	.478	6.5	18.0
Cincinnati	66	73	.475	7.0	20.5
YOUR New York Mets	66	74	.471	7.5	23.5
Philadelphia	64	75	.460	9.0	34.0
Chicago	64	76	.457	9.5	38.0
Arizona	58	81	.417	15.0	87.5
Colorado	55	84	.396	18.0	117.5

[Frayed Knot]

What a ridiculous game in LA yesterday as a 2-0 Dodgers lead after 8 winds up 8-5 Nationals win

- LA closer Kenley Jansen is unable to hold the 2-run lead, giving up 2 on a PH/2R HR by Adam LaRoche and later a go-ahead single by Denard Span
- Nats closer Soriano returns the favor as Justin Turner's 2-out, game-ending fly ball is dropped by Jayson Werth allowing the tying run to score
- Dodgers load the bases w/one out in the bottom of the 10th but can't score (consecutive Ks by A Gonzalez & J Uribe)
- Nats leave runners on 2nd & 3rd in top 11
- Dodgers again load the bases w/1 out in bottom 11 but again fail (Butera & Gordon this time)
- LaRoche with a 2-run single in the 12th gives the Nats a 5-3 lead
- Nats bring in Tyler Clippard to close it out which works right up until Carl Crawford's 2-out/2R HR
- Dodgers leave the winning run on 3rd in the 13th
- Nats score three times in top 14, triggered by a Justin Turner error, and then close out LA in the bottom half

Various oddities
- 18 pitchers were use (Wash = 10, LA = 8) Welcome to September baseball - and that doesn't even include the pitcher that Washington used as a PH
- The Nats used 15 players in the 9th slot of the lineup: 10 pitchers + 5 PHs
- The original Dodgers 2-0 lead was courtesy of a 7th inning Justin Turner 2R HR. This was only after Mattingly had challenged a non-call on a HBP. they lost the challenge so Justin's AB continued. The red-head was in the middle of a lot of this game.
- Adam LaRoche went 2-3 w/5 RBIs even though he didn't enter the game until the 9th inning. He didn't start because he was injured.

5:34

[Gwreck]

It still baffles me that MLB won't require teams, in the age of expanded rosters, to elect a set 25 players to be eligible for any one game.

[Ceetar]

Gwreck wrote: It still baffles me that MLB won't require teams, in the age of expanded rosters, to elect a set 25 players to be eligible for any one game.

I assume it's part of the CBA? If they did this, teams probably wouldn't call up prospects on 9/1, leaving them in the minors through end of season/playoffs (if at all) and then they wouldn't get the major league pay day, plus there would be a ton of end of the season manipulation of service time.

[Edgy MD]

There would still be teams burning through long benches and deep bullpens. If teams could scratch a player from the eligibility roster on a daily basis, the first four guys they'd put on the taxi squad would be the four starting pitchers not going that day.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: There would still be teams burning through long benches and deep bullpens. If teams could scratch a player from the eligibility roster on a daily basis, the first four guys they'd put on the taxi squad would be the four starting pitchers not going that day.

Also, the relievers they burned out yesterday. Always have 7 -10 fresh arms.

it's basically more hassle to try to put in a rule like that than it's worth probably. Unless you just didn't expand at all.

[Gwreck]

Edgy MD wrote: There would still be teams burning through long benches and deep bullpens. If teams could scratch a player from the eligibility roster on a daily basis, the first four guys they'd put on the taxi squad would be the four starting pitchers not going that day.

Yes, I realize this. This would still be a step in the right direction.

[Vic Sage]

Start with 30 players in April, while guys are still trying to win jobs and get over post-season surgeries, and pitchers aren't really able to go deep, and the weather is bad. Then, cut the roster to 25 on May 1, and keep it there through the end of the year. This way, guys still get major-league service time, and a greater shot at winning a job, but teams don't start screwing around with their rosters just as pennant races heat up in September, when the playing field should be as level as possible and teams that are out of it don't just play their kids to see what they've got for next year without much concern for Ws and Ls down the stretch.

[Frayed Knot]

They should at least start by capping the call-ups. I'd argue for no more than 5, but 3, 5, 7, I don't care, I'm open to compromise but put some limit on it.
And if it takes a compromise with the players by expanding the roster by a few spots in early April [oe: see Vic's post above] then it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned.

As far as designating--NHL style--a certain amount of not-eligible for that day's game, a rule dictating that only post-Sept 1 call-ups are eligible for that one day in/one day out shuffle would solve most if not all of the shenanigans mentioned here. Anyone else who was on the roster as of Aug 31 can still only be removed via normal DL or DFA channels.

[Ceetar]

of course, the other question is, why limit rosters? who cares? Why is having the 9th guy on the relief depth chart in the game something we need to avoid?

[Edgy MD]

Because when somebody with a life to get back to has waited over five hours for the outcome of a game, only to see a guy he never heard of fumble the game away by playing like the minor leaguer he really is, the league is asking more from her fans than she is giving.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Because when somebody with a life to get back to has waited over five hours for the outcome of a game, only to see a guy he never heard of fumble the game away by playing like the minor leaguer he really is, the league is asking more from her fans than she is giving.

I disagree.

[Frayed Knot]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Because when somebody with a life to get back to has waited over five hours for the outcome of a game, only to see a guy he never heard of fumble the game away by playing like the minor leaguer he really is, the league is asking more from her fans than she is giving. I disagree.

I see, so you want longer games AND lesser quality!

[Ceetar]

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Because when somebody with a life to get back to has waited over five hours for the outcome of a game, only to see a guy he never heard of fumble the game away by playing like the minor leaguer he really is, the league is asking more from her fans than she is giving. I disagree. I see, so you want longer games AND lesser quality!

No, but those are the extreme cases, and it's sorta like the exception that proves the rule. Baseball dominates life and part of that sometimes is those drawn out long games that go on for ever. That 2010 20 inning game against the Cardinals is burned into everyone's memory in an otherwise worthless season for example. It's sorta like a purple heart. a badge of honor.

And the intense debate that rages over these things is part of the strength of baseball fandom.

"That guy shouldn't even be in the majors!"

"He throws 95! He could figure it out!"

"Well he ain't figuring it out now. Throw a strike already!"


I'd wager there are more people that will look back fondly on that LA/Was game last night then will grumble about it. Engaged fans don't grumble about the game still going on, they turn it off or leave.

If you want a quick nip of sports entertainment in a pre-defined block at a convenient time with not too many games up against each other to steal you away from 'real life', try the NFL.

[Edgy MD]

The 2010 20-inning game was a horror. The Mets won and Jerry Manuel still should have been fired the next day.

[Edgy MD]

The Mets had the night off --- in fact the whole NL East did --- but it's worth posting the standings again before the Cincinnati series anyhow, because the Mets, by doing nothing, had a very successful night. The Brewers lost --- again --- pulling Atlanta into a tie for the second Wild Card spot and the Mets within 7 games; and the Padres and Reds lost as well, pulling the Mets into a tie for sixth place, and within a game of fifth.

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
Washington	79	59	.572	�	�
Atlanta	73	67	.521	7.0	7.0
Miami	67	71	.486	12.0	17.0
YOUR New York Mets	66	74	.471	14.0	23.0
Philadelphia	64	75	.460	15.5	29.0

Team	W	L	PCT	GB	NGB
San Francisco	76	64	.543	-3.0	-3.0
Milwaukee	73	67	.521	�	�
Atlanta	73	67	.521	0.0	0.0
Pittsburgh	71	68	.511	1.5	3.0
Miami	67	71	.486	5.0	13.5
San Diego	66	73	.475	6.5	19.5
Cincinnati	66	74	.471	7.0	22.0
YOUR New York Mets	66	74	.471	7.0	22.0
Philadelphia	64	75	.460	8.5	32.5
Chicago	64	76	.457	9.0	36.5
Arizona	59	81	.421	14.0	81.5
Colorado	56	84	.400	17.0	111.5

Hoping for the good Bartolo tomorrow.