Let's go Bucs!!! (college, county, job)

[sskink]

Meh. Burnett, Morneau, Babe Ruth, Sidd Finch, whomever. Bucs made their own bed with a whole lot of dumb baserunning and a bunch of choking in the bullpen in the first half.

Morneau has a 2.2 WAR, or 2 wins better than Davis/Gaby. So yeah, that could've helped, especially in April, which was Morneau's best month. So you might say that Bucs would pretty much be tied with Cards. IMO, Morneau was a dud last year, although he did have "professional" ABs and certainly would've been a better choice than Travis Ishikawa. Never did understand why anyone wanted Loney.

AJ might also have contributed a win in April before he started going downhill. IMO, he would've best served the Bucs by making all of Wandy's starts, then getting traded for something actually useful. Bucs could've/should've done better than Burnett for that kind of money in the FA market (e.g. Jason Vargas).

Anyway, hindsight is 20/20. Fact is, Bucs won season series vs. Dodgers and Giants, went 3-4 vs. Nats (could've easily been 5-2 if they didn't blow two saves), and have played the Cards tight all year. So they can win the NL. They've already beaten Bumgarner in SF (a Worley CG shutout). Sure, they haven't faced Kershaw, but they'd only face him twice in any series vs LAD. They've beaten Grienke and Ryu is on the DL. IMO, they could take anyone in NL, or they could lose to anyone in NL.

AL, different story. Can't see them beating O's and probably not Angels. Then again, I don't see anyone in NL beating those two, except possibly Dodgers, assuming they can win two games Kershaw doesn't pitch. But the Dodgers just don't seem to want to win - all that high-priced talent and they still haven't locked up a playoff spot?

But who knows. That's why they play the game. And if having the tying run in a 1st and 3rd no out hopeless situation in the 9th run himself into an extremely rare obstruction out doesn't smack of "team of destiny", what does, lol?

They way they're playing right now, anything is possible.

[Evergrey]

I think Ike Davis has been quietly productive... especially in the 2nd half. His BA is very low... but he has a 'professional' approach at the plate... and manages to get on base quite a bit.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

I think Ike Davis has been quietly productive... especially in the 2nd half. His BA is very low... but he has a 'professional' approach at the plate... and manages to get on base quite a bit.

Ike Davis is not a quality MLB player. He's cheap platoon filler.

If you truly believe they've got what it takes, lay some money down on them. That's when you truly believe what you say. Talking with your wallet is a lot different than talking with your heart.

While I'm a huge Stillers fan, I have to admit they're not the team yinzer nation thinks or wants them to be.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by sskink

Meh. Burnett, Morneau, Babe Ruth, Sidd Finch, whomever. Bucs made their own bed with a whole lot of dumb baserunning and a bunch of choking in the bullpen in the first half.

Morneau has a 2.2 WAR, or 2 wins better than Davis/Gaby. So yeah, that could've helped, especially in April, which was Morneau's best month. So you might say that Bucs would pretty much be tied with Cards. IMO, Morneau was a dud last year, although he did have "professional" ABs and certainly would've been a better choice than Travis Ishikawa. Never did understand why anyone wanted Loney.

AJ might also have contributed a win in April before he started going downhill. IMO, he would've best served the Bucs by making all of Wandy's starts, then getting traded for something actually useful. Bucs could've/should've done better than Burnett for that kind of money in the FA market (e.g. Jason Vargas).

Anyway, hindsight is 20/20. Fact is, Bucs won season series vs. Dodgers and Giants, went 3-4 vs. Nats (could've easily been 5-2 if they didn't blow two saves), and have played the Cards tight all year. So they can win the NL. They've already beaten Bumgarner in SF (a Worley CG shutout). Sure, they haven't faced Kershaw, but they'd only face him twice in any series vs LAD. They've beaten Grienke and Ryu is on the DL. IMO, they could take anyone in NL, or they could lose to anyone in NL.

AL, different story. Can't see them beating O's and probably not Angels. Then again, I don't see anyone in NL beating those two, except possibly Dodgers, assuming they can win two games Kershaw doesn't pitch. But the Dodgers just don't seem to want to win - all that high-priced talent and they still haven't locked up a playoff spot?

But who knows. That's why they play the game. And if having the tying run in a 1st and 3rd no out hopeless situation in the 9th run himself into an extremely rare obstruction out doesn't smack of "team of destiny", what does, lol?

They way they're playing right now, anything is possible.

I must admit that most of that is a great and factual post.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Ike Davis is not a quality MLB player. He's cheap platoon filler.

If you truly believe they've got what it takes, lay some money down on them. That's when you truly believe what you say. Talking with your wallet is a lot different than talking with your heart.

While I'm a huge Stillers fan, I have to admit they're not the team yinzer nation thinks or wants them to be.

What? We're not talking about the Steelers.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

What? We're not talking about the Steelers.

That's right, we're not. The point that I was making, and was obviously wrong in thinking you would understand, is that predicting with your heart doesn't work.

So since you're so confident in them, will you be betting money on the Bucs?

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by gortonator

I just hope 3 hard games against the Cards has exhausted those Beer-making dudes for this weekend's games.

DH said the same thing!
Here's hoping....

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

Its a real shame these three games aren't against the Cards. One WC game in another team's stadium is a risky proposal.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by SlurmsMcKenzie

Its a real shame these three games aren't against the Cards. One WC game in another team's stadium is a risky proposal.

The Cards just swept them. It's good they've played who they have down the stretch.

[SlurmsMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by erieguy

The Cards just swept them. It's good they've played who they have down the stretch.

"Just" being two weeks ago, an eternity in baseball when it comes to momentum swings. Directly after that series, we swept a cubs team (almost swept them twice) that was one of the hottest in baseball, having swept the O's and Brewers and split a four game series with the Cards. It's less about talent level and more about hitting other teams when they are hot. I'd like our chances of winning a Cards series right now. Just last week they were almost swept in a four game series by the struggling Reds.