# Baseball Thread May 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [May 1, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618 "2008-05-01T15:50:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/221 "2008-05-19T00:13:54Z")
Reds sweep Cleveland! Winners of 6 in a row, they now take their resurgence to LA to play the Dodgers. Redleggers traditionally suck against the West Coast, so I hope we can at least come home just above .500. Man, we took it to Lee and Carmona! Looks like that trade for Hamilton (Volquez) is really paying off! Volquez now has the best ERA in baseball at 1.22 or something, is 7-1 and is top three in MLB in strikeouts! I’m starting to believe again, although we’re still 20-23… ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/222 "2008-05-19T12:20:35Z")
Ok, time for me to stop bashing Randy Johnson. He was outstanding yesterday. On the other hand, the Milwaukee Brewers look like an absolute train wreck. A team with that much talent just shouldn’t be playing so poorly. Ned Yost will be gone by July unless things turn around very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/223 "2008-05-19T12:26:56Z")
A bad week for Yankee fans. Our team lost 3 of 4 to the Rays and 2 of 2 to the Mets. The only bright spot is that A-Rod should return tomorrow and maybe our offense will wake up a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/224 "2008-05-19T12:35:24Z")
The two walk-off finishes by the Cards against the Rays this weekend were pretty exciting. They’re still two games back of the Cubs, but with a series against the woeful Padres coming up, and the Cubs and Houston in for a mutual bloodletting, maybe the Cards can slip back into first. Too bad the games are on the west coast and I won’t be able to follow them live. The Cards stranded about 900 runners this weekend, which I gotta think is some kind of fluke. Hopefully they’ll snap out of it before they travel to LA this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/225 "2008-05-19T13:39:57Z")
We had a nice 10 game home stand ending this weekend. Soriano is on _fire_, he’s the one man hitting machine, let’s see if he can keep it going on this 6 game road trip. We’ve got a winning percentage of .614, second only to Arizona at .636, so look at that, the Cubbies have the second best record in baseball! Sure, we’re only a game up on the Redbirds, but things have been working nicely. I think that Ryan Dempster could pass Zambrano as our “ace” if Z doesn’t get his head back in the game though. ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/226 "2008-05-19T14:52:52Z")
I’m glad I only sipped the Kool Aide. Even though the Cards took the last two from the Rays, in the past 10 days, some of their flaws have started to show. Starting pirching isn’t looking as strong as the start of the season, the bullpen is showing signs of strain, leaving a LOT of runners on base, etc. And those darn Cubbies actually look like they might be able to make a serious run. I’m starting to hear it from my Cub fan friends, they’re gaining confidence! The end of the world is nigh. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/227 "2008-05-19T14:59:18Z")
[QUOTE=cards] I’m glad I only sipped the Kool Aide. Even though the Cards took the last two from the Rays, in the past 10 days, some of their flaws have started to show. Starting pirching isn’t looking as strong as the start of the season, the bullpen is showing signs of strain, leaving a LOT of runners on base, etc. And those darn Cubbies actually look like they might be able to make a serious run. I’m starting to hear it from my Cub fan friends, they’re gaining confidence! The end of the world is nigh. :eek: [/QUOTE] La-la-la-la-la… I can’t hear you! Yeah, starting pitching, which looked like such a bright spot earlier, is looking pretty mediocre now. On a happier note, Chris Perez looked good yesterday. I wonder if he has a future as the closer, or if he’ll get smacked around once hitters see him a few times. And, can we somehow get Ludwick in the lineup twice? ---
**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/228 "2008-05-19T15:56:52Z")
WSox back in first, wow! I was traveling when this thread came up, so I didn’t make this prediction in the pre-season thread, but I think the World Series will be between the Cubs and the Tigers. At this rate, it looks like I’ll be half right. I would like to see Cubs and Sox, and I would take off work and stay in Chicago during the entire series to see that. Arizona still manages to impress me. I didn’t think they would be that good this year. Also, the same with the Rays. I really should follow off-season more. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/229 "2008-05-19T16:13:59Z")
[QUOTE=FoieGrasIsEvil] Reds sweep Cleveland! Winners of 6 in a row, they now take their resurgence to LA to play the Dodgers. Redleggers traditionally suck against the West Coast, so I hope we can at least come home just above .500. Man, we took it to Lee and Carmona! Looks like that trade for Hamilton (Volquez) is really paying off! Volquez now has the best ERA in baseball at 1.22 or something, is 7-1 and is top three in MLB in strikeouts! I’m starting to believe again, although we’re still 20-23… [/QUOTE] Reds, masters of the failed bunt, walk off home-run strategy. Oh, and that trade has worked out pretty well for Texas too. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/230 "2008-05-19T16:18:15Z")
[QUOTE=mazinger\_z] I would like to see Cubs and Sox, and I would take off work and stay in Chicago during the entire series to see that. [/QUOTE] The city would burn… ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/231 "2008-05-19T16:25:43Z")
[QUOTE=cards] leaving a LOT of runners on base [/QUOTE] Acoording to today’s Sports section, “The Cardinals lead the major leagues by a wide margin in runners stranded.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/232 "2008-05-19T23:58:05Z")
At least they’re getting on base. Lotsa teams would love to have that problem. Wonder how much Bartolo Colon has left? We’re about to find out, Boston fans … ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/233 "2008-05-20T01:39:27Z")
ElvisL1ves: > [@](#): > > At least they’re getting on base. Lotsa teams would love to have that problem. Such as the Royals, who just got no-hit by John Lester of Boston. Crap. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/234 "2008-05-20T01:49:53Z")
Who was that with the final out against Cancerboy? A guy named _Collapse-o?_ ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/235 "2008-05-20T01:50:29Z")
[QUOTE=cmkeller] Such as the Royals, who just got no-hit by John Lester of Boston. Crap. [/QUOTE] Woo hoo! Two no-nos from the young kids in two seasons. ---
**Author:** ![Mumio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@Mumio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumio)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/236 "2008-05-20T01:51:28Z")
Yay, John Lester pitched a no-hitter tonight for the Red Sox win over Kansas City!!! ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/237 "2008-05-20T01:52:57Z")
Just when this team, or anybody one it (yeah, fave team), convinces me that it/they can’t possibly do anything else to amaze me, they prove me wrong. Enjoy it, savor it, drink it in deeply, fellow Sawx fans, as this is indeed the Golden Age. ---
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/238 "2008-05-20T02:30:52Z")
Ah, I dropped Lester from my fantasy team roster a few weeks back. I knew I should have given him some more time… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/239 "2008-05-20T02:57:28Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] Acoording to today’s Sports section, “The Cardinals lead the major leagues by a wide margin in runners stranded.” [/QUOTE] This isn’t an uncommon feature of teams with high on base percentages that don’t hit a lot of home runs. But that said, generally speaking, _good offenses lead the league in runners left on base, and bad offenses don’t._ I mean, it kind of HAS to be that way, right? If you’re a good team you’ll have a lot of innings were you score runs and end up with guys on. You can’t end every rally with a home run. The Cardinals are hitting a little worse with men on than without but it’s just random chance. Contrast this with the Blue Jays, who are hitting \*\*.223 \*\* with runners on, hit badly with runners on LAST year, and hit badly with runners on the year before. It’s actually now beyond the statistical likelihood of being a fluke; the team is legitimately flawed in some way. ---
**Author:** ![Tazmanian\_Devil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@Tazmanian\_Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tazmanian_Devil)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618/240 "2008-05-20T04:21:35Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Who was that with the final out against Cancerboy? A guy named _Collapse-o?_ [/QUOTE] Alberto Collaspo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-thread-may-2008/447618.md?page=13)