Major League Baseball - 2011 Season

**Dashing Bob S** · 23-02-2011 01:29 PM

Thought i'd share a little map with you fellow baseball nuts. It's about the geographic fan base of each MLB club. Always cynical about those things, we get into Jambo 400,000 nonsense, but it's apparently based on ST purchases and fan surveys over a five year period, and it sort of rings true.

For instance, the Cubs are the Illnois suburbanite frat boy club, with the White Sox firmly rooted in Chicago's South Side and the industrial rust-belt South Side diaspora.

The Pirates? Well, they've been kind to us by crediting us with any support at all.

http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.c...22b12cf_b1.jpg

***Sylar*** · 25-02-2011 09:59 AM

Disastrous start to the pre-season for the Cardinals.

First the failure to secure the future of Albert Pujols, then the co-owner of the organisation passes away and a huge blow yesterday with the announcement that their ace pitcher Adam Wainwright will miss the next 18 months, after damaging his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow and will require Tommy John surgery to repair it.

Miguel Cabrera has arrived at camp in Lakeland and is to undergo rehab, as well as consulting with the Detroit medical staff, league commissioner and his family in an attempt to get back to his focus on baseball.

If we're to have any chance of winning the division this year (unlikely ahead of the White Sox and Twins, who are boosted by the return of Justin Morneau) we NEED to keep Cabrera playing on top form. He's one of the 2 players (the other being Justin Verlander) that we just can't operate without.

**James.** · 25-02-2011 05:34 PM

Looks like it's going to be worth the money again this season. Excellent app that's well worth investing in if you have an iphone or ipod. Showing about 150 spring training games, one MLB game a night and radio coverage of every game as well as highlights, news etc. All for less than ten quid!!

***Sylar*** · 28-02-2011 05:16 PM

Good start to our Spring Training over the weekend, with 2 wins and no runs given up against the Blue Jays.

Currently hosting the Yankees in Lakeland and Verlander sounds comfortable again through the first.

Long may this continue!

***Sylar*** · 01-03-2011 06:58 AM

A good, comprehensive victory over a full strength Yankees side for us last night, winning 6-2.

That gives us an early 3-0 standing at the top of the Spring Training AL standings and top of the Grapefruit League

Matters for very little, I know, but it's good to see us still able to win.

***Sylar*** · 01-03-2011 07:53 PM

First televised Tigers game on the MLB.tv network tonight in an away trip to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies put out a very strong roster including starting off with Cliff Lee on the mound, facing a very young and inexperienced Tigers lineup.

The bats were hot, the pitching was solid and we ended up winning 6-2 with a much weaker side than the NL favourites.

This is fantastic to watch right now and I hope it transfers into the regular season!

4-0

**Matty_Jack04** · 01-03-2011 08:42 PM

get in the tigers!!

**James.** · 01-03-2011 08:51 PM

Always promising to see a big rival like Philadelphia lose but I'm not reading too much into these early games. It's nice to have baseball back though. We've lost our last two games to the Nationals, a few positives though especially with some of the relievers we've invited to play looking like decent pick ups especially Pedro Beato.

***Sylar*** · 01-03-2011 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by AyrshireHibs

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Always promising to see a big rival like Philadelphia lose but I'm not reading too much into these early games. It's nice to have baseball back though. We've lost our last two games to the Nationals, a few positives though especially with some of the relievers we've invited to play looking like decent pick ups especially Pedro Beato.

It was interesting to see a lack of comfort between Lee and his catcher today - I got the impression that he's still not settled quite just yet.

You're right in that these mean very little, but you start to get indications, particularly when teams line up in likely starting rotations/orders against one another.

I watched your game last night vs the Nationals and thought you looked OK. Again though, another year where I wouldn't expect you to do much (and unlike the NFL, I'm not willing you to fail

)

**James.** · 01-03-2011 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by The Story So Far...

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It was interesting to see a lack of comfort between Lee and his catcher today - I got the impression that he's still not settled quite just yet.

You're right in that these mean very little, but you start to get indications, particularly when teams line up in likely starting rotations/orders against one another.

I watched your game last night vs the Nationals and thought you looked OK. Again though, another year where I wouldn't expect you to do much (and unlike the NFL, I'm not willing you to fail

)

Yeah, too many questions marks with the whole rotation and some offensive players returning to their previous best (Bay, Beltran, Reyes) Definitely asking for too much to fall into place to challenge Philadelphia and Atlanta (Good teams, something Gang Green don't face in the AFC East

)

Looking at the AL Central, I think you have an outside chance of challenging the Twins. I like the look of your team more than Chicago. Always have liked the Royals though as I have Grienke (now gone) and Soria on my fantasy keeper team.

***Sylar*** · 01-03-2011 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by AyrshireHibs

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Yeah, too many questions marks with the whole rotation and some offensive players returning to their previous best (Bay, Beltran, Reyes) Definitely asking for too much to fall into place to challenge Philadelphia and Atlanta (Good teams, something Gang Green don't face in the AFC East

)

Looking at the AL Central, I think you have an outside chance of challenging the Twins. I like the look of your team more than Chicago. Always have liked the Royals though as I have Grienke (now gone) and Soria on my fantasy keeper team.

You might dislike us, but you'd be hard pushed to quantify us as not being a good team

I don't know who I fear in the AL Central - I expected the White Sox to walk the division, with the Twins challenging them and us taking our usual 3rd spot. Definitely don't see a threat from the Indians and the Royals are usually quick starters, but equally as quick to fall away - take Grienke out of their rotation though, and that's a lot of staying power out of their lineup.

It's anyone from 3 teams right now I'd say.

***Sylar*** · 04-03-2011 09:01 AM

Ah well, after a flying start, we've lost 2 on the bounce now.

One against an Astros lineup, compiled mainly of Minor League callups and last night against a very experienced Braves lineup, in Disney.

Still, we're getting a lot of hits and not giving a large amount up!

***Sylar*** · 05-03-2011 09:15 AM

Definitely beginning to feel like the start of a Tigers Spring Training year now.

Race to a 5-0 start against some big teams and then get blown out by teams I'd expect us to beat.

The only encouraging thing is that I know we're using a lot of Minor League players since our back to back wins vs the Yankees and Phillies.

**James.** · 05-03-2011 11:09 AM

That's us 3-3 after the first week - our pitching staff have performed decently and the runs have been spread around however our big hitters (except for the outstanding Pagan) have been fairly quiet. Couple of good match ups for us over the weekend - Atlanta and Boston - looking forward to them!

**Marabou Stork** · 05-03-2011 12:03 PM

Brewers fan here.

These words may come back to haunt me, but I've got a really good feeling about this year. After a few years to be forgotten, I think we've definitely got a decent chance of making the playoffs at the very least.

**James.** · 05-03-2011 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Marabou Stork

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Brewers fan here.

These words may come back to haunt me, but I've got a really good feeling about this year. After a few years to be forgotten, I think we've definitely got a decent chance of making the playoffs at the very least.

Should be a cracking division between the Cardinals, the Brewers, the Reds and the Cubs. St Louis having a tough Spring training and have the Pujols issue to sort out, the Cubs are as luckless as Hibs so you could be in with a good shout!

Looking forward to seeing what Zach Grienke can do in the NL - I think it could be another CY Young winning season for him. I know he's had major issues with anxiety prolems in the past but hopefully Milwaukee will be a good fit for him, can't ever see him ever ending up at a big market team like the Yankees or Red Sox because of it, so the Brewers could be ideal.

***Sylar*** · 07-03-2011 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by AyrshireHibs

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Should be a cracking division between the Cardinals, the Brewers, the Reds and the Cubs. St Louis having a tough Spring training and have the Pujols issue to sort out, the Cubs are as luckless as Hibs so you could be in with a good shout!

Looking forward to seeing what Zach Grienke can do in the NL - I think it could be another CY Young winning season for him. I know he's had major issues with anxiety prolems in the past but hopefully Milwaukee will be a good fit for him, can't ever see him ever ending up at a big market team like the Yankees or Red Sox because of it, so the Brewers could be ideal.

Pssst - Tigers 2-1 Mets

**James.** · 08-03-2011 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by The Story So Far...

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Pssst - Tigers 2-1 Mets

Didn't see any of it but apparently we pitched well - thought our relief would be a big issue but they've done well so far this ST. Beltran has issues with his other knee now it seems and all he's been doing is DHing. Not good news!! Hopefully today will be Ollie's last day in a Mets uniform!

***Sylar*** · 08-03-2011 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by AyrshireHibs

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Didn't see any of it but apparently we pitched well - thought our relief would be a big issue but they've done well so far this ST. Beltran has issues with his other knee now it seems and all he's been doing is DHing. Not good news!! Hopefully today will be Ollie's last day in a Mets uniform!

That was without a few of your key players it has to be said, particularly David Wright who was still sidelined.

I thought your pitching was pretty comfortable - gave up a few hits, but managed to get out of innings quite quickly in response.

I'm delighted with a lot of our young guns thus far.

***Sylar*** · 10-03-2011 11:06 AM

You should be a happier Mets fan today then AH, as I notice Perez has been taken out of the competition for a starting place!

We lost 5-3 to the Phillies last night in what was actually a very productive game in the batters box for us, racking up 11 hits, but only bring 3 of them home.

We travel to face the Marlins tonight, with them having already beaten us once in Spring Training.

If anyone is so inclined and can find the game (It's on MLB.tv - I'd hoped it would be on ESPN America too, but the Big East QF's are on), then the Red Sox and the Rays are facing off in Tampa today

- these are usually quite fiery games in what has become a really good rivalry in recent years.

***Sylar*** · 13-03-2011 07:13 PM

A good weekend for us in Spring Training, as we jumped to the top of the Grapefruit League in Fl.

A narrow win against a good Blue Jays lineup yesterday (4-3) and a bit of a blowout against the Orioles today, 9-1.

We're managing to get so many hits from the plate just now and for the most part, our defense look unbelievably solid.

Our secondary squad lost to the Astros this afternoon, but even so, still managed 9 hits and only gave up 3 runs, which considering the number of minor league players, is encouraging.

Still a few questions to be answered in our rotation and also a few players we're still waiting news from (Carlos Guillen especially), but we're looking strong early doors

I see it looks like Johan Santana is going to be ready to go quicker than the reports last week suggested, intimating the Mets may be ready to send him out to a special clinic and then redirect him to the minors to get his arm back to full strength.

**James.** · 13-03-2011 08:41 PM

Conflicting reports on Santana - some saying he's on target and others saying that the Mets were shutting him down today and preparing for him missing the whole season.

The Tigers are doing well although have to admit I've not seen or followed them as closely as some of the NL teams - been impressed with what I've seen of the Braves so far too, Hudson was excellent yesterday and Jurjens pitched 5 impressive innings today even if it was only against Houston.

***Sylar*** · 15-03-2011 05:22 PM

Been a good match-up this afternoon between the Tigers and the Red Sox with it being a proper pitching battle thus far between Justin Verlander and Matsuzaka.

Currently, the Red Sox lead 1-0, after a HR from Elsbury in the bottom of the 5th.

I got caught out last night actually as the clocks shot forward an hour in the US on Sunday, so the games are now an hour earlier, so I was quite surprised to tune in at 6.05pm for the first pitch, only to note we were in the middle of the 5th

- Ended up beating the Nationals 4-2 after racking up 3 runs in the 6th.

***Sylar*** · 15-03-2011 05:32 PM

As an aside, if anyone is interested, the first rivalry match-up between the Red Sox and Yankees (from yesterday) is currently showing on ESPN America.

Wasn't the best of games mind you (I watched it live).

**DH1875** · 15-03-2011 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by The Story So Far...

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As an aside, if anyone is interested, the first rivalry match-up between the Red Sox and Yankees (from yesterday) is currently showing on ESPN America.

Wasn't the best of games mind you (I watched it live).

Watched the highlights

. Poor, poor game.

**heretoday** · 17-03-2011 11:33 AM

Cleveland?

Maybe next year......

***Sylar*** · 17-03-2011 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by heretoday

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Cleveland?

Maybe next year......

The heydays of the Indians have well and truly come and gone (which, as a Tigers fan, I ain't hating).

On the plus side for you, at least Grady Sizemore looks likely to return this weekend.