Subject: Statistical anomaly in baseball

Date: Thu Sep 17 08:47:56 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Once again Arrietta showed why no one wants to face him in a one game playoff

Date: Thu Sep 17 09:04:56 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Pittsburgh and Chicago are simply wrestling for home field in the single, wildcard play-in game. Texas and Houston are in a death match for who gets to go to the playoffs. Houston is crashing, Texas surging, and at least four teams are in contention for the final wildcard slot. But, Snowy is such a homer he is hyperventilating over nearly inconsequential games.

Date: Thu Sep 17 09:18:18 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Is it strange that my favorite team is st. L but I pull for tne cubs against anyone else?

Date: Thu Sep 17 09:41:58 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Yes.

Date: Thu Sep 17 11:54:01 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Well I do have my cubs hat on today. Sink the jolly roger!!!!!

Date: Thu Sep 17 13:32:36 2015
User: firenze
Message:
Speaking of roger, in 1924, Rogers Hornsby batted .424 with an OPS of 1.203, slugging .696, and finished second in the league MVP race.

Date: Thu Sep 17 14:00:44 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
No, Pittsburgh is wrestling for the Division Crown, although if that becomes unworkable they will try to position themselves for the Wild Card. It's safe to say that the Cubs are doing the same, but with weaker odds. St L's recent struggles show that a potentially hot-playing Bucs or Cubs still have a chance. "Homer" or not, that game was intense. Edge-of-the-seat stuff. Some outstanding baseball and some awful baseball on both sides. And the game last night shows that, even with Arrietta starting, both the Bucs and Cards would have a chance. (Tied into the 12th inning.) It would not necessarily be a Cubs Gimme.

Date: Thu Sep 17 14:37:03 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
I have been discussing how the Cubs have been coming on. I now submit that, if the Cubs meet the Cards in a Division series, the Cubs will likely win, and they could win the NL Pennant. They are really putting it together now. Have them acquire another pitcher or two, and they will be the favorites for next season,

Date: Thu Sep 17 14:44:02 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Yes, I watched at it, Homey. Four hours and seventeen minutes worth. If you were on the edge of your seat the entire time, you probably had no feeling in your legs from the thighs down. It was a close game, but one word I've never used to describe the plodding pace of a baseball game -- even one that goes deep into extra innings -- is "intense." Love the Cubbies, but it was just another game. You should be getting the feeling back your extremities with this afternoon's game. The Bucs (in the absence of a big rally) are headed for 5 games back of the Cards with 16 to play. Not an impossible task with 3 remaining games against the birds in Pitt. I hope you have 911 on speed dial.

Date: Fri Sep 18 13:34:29 2015
User: Klepp
Message:
The Pirate's pitching staff should have beaned Coghlan, fair slide or not.

Date: Fri Sep 18 13:43:47 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
That was horrible. Coghlan put the SS out for the season.

Date: Fri Sep 18 14:18:29 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Will almost definitely miss spring training and questionable he will be fit for the beginning of the 2016 season. Fine fielder and a strong hitter, too. The regular short stop before Kang was Mercer who was also disabled the same way this year, except no broken bones Damn shame

Date: Fri Sep 18 15:10:00 2015
User: firenze
Message:
This one's easy. A real baseball fan will not have to look up the answer. In 1941, Ted Williams batted .406 slugging .735, with an OPS of 1.287, a WAR of 10.6 (all league leading) and came in second in the MVP voting. Who was first?

Date: Fri Sep 18 15:36:14 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
The answer explains in part why so many people outside of New York -- and in Boston specifically -- think the Yankees suck.

Date: Fri Sep 18 18:28:36 2015
User: Klepp
Message:
Norma Jean was fresher than a daisy back then.

Date: Fri Sep 18 20:24:09 2015
User: firenze
Message:
Perhaps I shouldn't have bought those tickets to the Yankee-White Sox game next Thursday.

Date: Fri Sep 18 21:39:18 2015
User: firenze
Message:
Last one and this is easy. Who was the last switch hitter to win the MVP award in the American League? You are not a true baseball fan if you don't know this one.

Date: Sat Sep 19 00:01:19 2015
User: FilthyMcNasty
Message:
A little R&R in the Big Apple, fir? Getting away from the heat?

Date: Sat Sep 19 00:05:29 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Is "switch hitter" meant literally or euphemistically?

Date: Tue Sep 22 08:38:14 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
I have discussed the Kang accident with Pirate fans and almost to a person they say it was a clean play that is a result of instant replay and no more "in the area" outs on the double plays

Date: Tue Sep 22 12:11:51 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Only 13 games left in regular season

Date: Tue Sep 22 17:27:39 2015
User: Klepp
Message:
Just because Coghlan's slide wasn't necessarily dirty, doesn't mean PIT can't (sort of) rightfully throw at dude's knees. (No headhunting though, please.)

Date: Wed Sep 23 08:21:59 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
But that always escalates. (see last St L cubs series)

Date: Wed Sep 23 12:05:36 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
The issue is that Kang forgot something about American baseball. Because the runner will try to take you out to break up a double play, you must get some air under you. Kang planted his foot. I think the rule should be you must slide directly at the base, not to the side to take the fielder out. If the fielder is in the way? Well, under today's American practice, then he is fair game. (The Bucs lost Jordie Mercer, the other shortstop, earlier this year for a couple months. Same thing, but no broken tibia.) He's still trying to get his rhythm back, especially his hitting stroke.

Date: Thu Sep 24 08:02:07 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
pirates did clinch last night

Date: Thu Sep 24 12:59:51 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Just in case Snowy hasn't passed out from hyperventilating over his dearest Bucs, we have this: "You’ve carefully screened the standings. You’ve subjected the upcoming schedule to a battery of tests. You’ve palpated the playoff odds reports. And while you still haven’t received a definitive diagnosis, the truth is starting to sink in: Barring a baseball miracle, your beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, who clinched a playoff spot last night, are less than two weeks away from facing neckbearded, nigh-unbeatable Cubs ace Jake Arrieta in the do-or-die NL wild-card game. Given Arrieta’s sub-1.00 ERA over his past 18 starts — 16 of which the Cubs have won — “do” isn’t looking that likely. You’re understandably devastated. What have the Pirates done to deserve this? "

Link: I love pro-sports angst...

Date: Thu Sep 24 22:33:42 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Yes, they did, lambchop. And I was gratified to see they didn't do a champagne-dousing post-clinch celebration. I understand they did drink a champagne toast. As for the Pirates and Arrietta, that all doesn't bother me much. Any pitcher can be beaten, and any pitcher can beat you, and of course the Buccos would throw some heat over the plate, too. And Cole is a much more seasoned pitcher this year than last. Anyway, sooner or later, you have to step up, and that includes stepping up to 9 folks who take the field against you. Hopefully, it will work out okay, but if it doesn't, then there are other things going on. Frankly, I don't see much doom and gloom and rending of garments and pouring dust on heads over here. And, of course, the Division lead is still in play, although nightfall is coming on pretty quick.

Date: Thu Sep 24 22:50:27 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
By the way, re. Baseball Anomalies, the first three teams in the NL Central currently own the three best records in all of the American Major Leagues., both the National and the American. Separated, they would own three different divisions.

Date: Thu Sep 24 23:08:39 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Another baseball statistical anomaly: Since ending their playoff drought, the Pirates have now clinched a playoff spot three times... on Sept. 23 each year.

Date: Fri Sep 25 09:04:06 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
interesting on 23rd. I hope cards can right the ship w/o Molina

Date: Fri Sep 25 20:05:24 2015
User: Klepp
Message:
I think PIT will win the NL Wild Card game, in extra innings.

Date: Sat Sep 26 09:25:26 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
With 3 games head to head with St. L they may not have to play in the play-in game. The cards are reeling. Much hand wringing and alas alack going on for cards fans.

Date: Sat Sep 26 10:48:11 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Good.

Date: Sun Sep 27 01:22:06 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Just wondering. Say the Bucs manage to beat Arietta Sunday night. Would that change anybody's thinking re. an invincible Jake in a one-game play-in? The Bucs seem to be playing the most consistent ball at present.

Date: Sun Sep 27 10:15:25 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Burnett vs, Arietta should be a good match up tonight

Date: Sun Sep 27 10:35:18 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
>>>Snowy: "Just wondering. Say the Bucs manage to beat Arietta Sunday night..." I thought you weren't worrying about this anymore? No one is claiming Arietta is invincible, just a horrid match up for a single elimination game. Beating him tonight is a step toward catching St. Louis and avoiding the Cubs in the wildcard game. This game is meaningless to the Cubs.

Date: Sun Sep 27 11:08:43 2015
User: firenze
Message:
Arietta will be in tonight's game just to keep the arm loose and the rhythm going. Don't expect him to stay in the game more that five or six innings. Buzz is right. The game is meaningless to the Cubs. They are going to start resting the team and getting ready for the one game regardless of the opponent. The most important thing is that nobody gets hurt before the playoffs.

Date: Sun Sep 27 11:25:00 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Mainly referencing your own linked "angst-ridden" article above, Buzz, that seems to reinforce the generally-held impression that meeting Arietta is pretty much tantamount to one-and-done, in the severest sense. And no, I am not "worried" at all. I expect the Pirates to play their best game tonight, and in the wildcard, it it comes to that. Whether their best will be good enough remains to be seen, and of course, the Pirates pitchers in those games will play a role in the result. (Case in point, Liriano yesterday, who continues to impress during his "reclamation." Same with AJ in his own rejuvenation. In any case, it's a heck of a ride.

Date: Sun Sep 27 11:25:00 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Mainly referencing your own linked "angst-ridden" article above, Buzz, that seems to reinforce the generally-held impression that meeting Arietta is pretty much tantamount to one-and-done, in the severest sense. And no, I am not "worried" at all. I expect the Pirates to play their best game tonight, and in the wildcard, it it comes to that. Whether their best will be good enough remains to be seen, and of course, the Pirates pitchers in those games will play a role in the result. (Case in point, Liriano yesterday, who continues to impress during his "reclamation." Same with AJ in his own rejuvenation. In any case, it's a heck of a ride.

Date: Sun Sep 27 12:11:11 2015
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Oh. Ok.

Date: Sun Sep 27 22:46:32 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
Well, it looks like the Cubs will win the wildcard play-in game. Whomever their opponent is will be making golf vacation plans the next day.

Date: Mon Sep 28 01:27:28 2015
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Well.......I happened to catch some of "the game" tonight, and this was my first exposure to Arietta. I had been thinking that this thread had wandered *way* off-topic, but learning what stats he has been putting up in his last 10 starts, and then watching his nasty stuff, I think "anomaly" is accurate concerning him. Wicked, wicked movement, with velocity.

Date: Mon Sep 28 08:08:41 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
Arietta is a beast but now the attention turns to the 3 game stand at Pitt. The cards CANNOT get swept!!!!!

Date: Mon Sep 28 09:40:21 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
They MUST be swept! (Even though unlikely)

Date: Mon Sep 28 09:50:02 2015
User: firenze
Message:
Doesn't the winner of the one game playon play the winner of the division? Too much inbreeding, if you ask me.

Date: Mon Sep 28 09:52:09 2015
User: lambchop
Message:
That would mean Pitt had a good chance to win the division and that would cause a great upheaval in the cosmos. (tongue in cheek)

Date: Mon Sep 28 10:09:22 2015
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Well, we *are* talking anomalies here....

Date: Mon Sep 28 12:10:11 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
If the Bucs "won" the Cards series (taking 2 of 3 games) they would only gain one game on the Cards, with 3 to be played and two games behind. That would be depending on the Cards to do some losing, while the Bucs win. Very unlikely.

Date: Mon Sep 28 13:54:40 2015
User: Snowguy
Message:
If both the Cards and the Bucs were to tie in games won, there would be a one game ,"playoff" to determine the Div. Champions. The loser would then play the Cubs in the wildcard game. The season series leader in head-to-head, as determined by this series starting today, would host that Div. Championship game.

Date: Mon Sep 28 14:02:02 2015
User: firenze
Message:
So, if the Cards and Bucs tie for the division title, and play a 20 inning game to determine the division winner using all their relievers and a starting pitcher or two in the extra innings, then the Cubs would have a major advantage in the playoff game with the loser. Hardly seems fair. I say toss a coin for both games.