# MLB: August 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [August 2, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980 "2023-08-02T21:43:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/81 "2023-08-17T13:11:42Z")
Speaking of tears, the Dodgers’ win streak just broke into double digits. For a team with really erratic pitching, they are managing to put together the wins through sheer offensive power and determination. We will see if that works in the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/82 "2023-08-17T14:55:11Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > the Dodgers’ win streak just broke into double digits. While the Yankees are going in the opposite direction, as others have stated. NYY is 2-8 in their last 10 and has lost five in a row. Their playoff possibility percentage is 2.8%, according to the expanded standings listed on ESPN. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/83 "2023-08-17T15:07:32Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > While the Yankees are going in the opposite direction Last time the Yankees were below .500 this late in the season was 1995. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/84 "2023-08-17T17:14:44Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Last time the Yankees were below .500 this late in the season was 1995 That’s a testament to the overall consistent success of the franchise. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/85 "2023-08-17T17:18:08Z")
I think the Yankees and Red Sox and everyone else in the division for that matter are really missing those automatic 14-15 wins vs Baltimore they’ve been enjoying for the past half-decade. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/86 "2023-08-17T19:11:58Z")
Seeing various reports speculating Wander Franco may be finished in the MLB. Operative word being “speculating” of course, and there’s very few confirmed details, but there’s some ugly shit being talked about. Seeing the word “minor” being tossed around, and they’re not talking about the minor leagues. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/87 "2023-08-17T19:24:08Z")
The reports I’ve seen say that it is “very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against him.” ([cite](https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/08/17/rays-wander-franco-unlikely-to-play-in-mlb-again-report)) ---
**Author:** ![SwissMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@SwissMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwissMan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/88 "2023-08-17T19:49:52Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Last time the Yankees were below .500 this late in the season was 1995. Which is kind of funny, considering the Yankees made the playoffs as a wild-card team in 1995. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/89 "2023-08-17T21:03:34Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > The reports I’ve seen say that it is “very unlikely that Wander Franco will play in MLB again, judging by the results of the investigations that are currently being carried out, which directly commit him to the accusations against him.” ([cite](https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/08/17/rays-wander-franco-unlikely-to-play-in-mlb-again-report)) Well, it’s ONE report. Franco is being linked to a 14-year-old girl, allegedly. (The age of consent in the DR is 18 and there is no Romeo and Juliet exception.) So he is being accused of statutory rape, and if true the guy could go to prison. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2023, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/90 "2023-08-17T21:51:22Z")
If it’s true, then I’d rather he go to Hell instead. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/91 "2023-08-20T01:45:33Z")
The Cubs need to look into starting negotiations to keep Cody Bellinger in Wrigley. After two dismal seasons, he’s making the most of the one-year, “prove it” contract he signed. He crushed another 2 home runs today versus the Royals, and has to be in the discussion for MVP. His agent is Scott Boras, and he may be the most sought-after outfielder on the market not named Ohtani. So he ain’t gonna be cheap to whoever signs him. But I’d try to get the ball rolling now, rather than give him a qualifying offer that he’ll reject, then try to resign him in free agency. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/92 "2023-08-20T08:22:10Z")
NIce rebound season, but not even remotely in any MVP discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/93 "2023-08-20T08:27:29Z")
Maybe not top five, but a potential dark horse, according to [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/insider/story/_/id/38202385/2023-mlb-awards-watch-mvp-cy-young-ohtani-acuna-cole). That said, he doesn’t have a chance of winning. But it’s nice that he’s being mentioned. ETA: [WSN](https://www.wsn.com/mlb/mlb-mvp-odds/) has him as #7 on their list of candidates. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/94 "2023-08-20T20:10:10Z")
Looks like the Dodgers have seen enough of Tony Gonsolin. I agree, take time off, gets his physical health under control and then maybe the confidence will return. Could not see trusting him at all during the stretch for this season. > **[Dodgers' Gonsolin 'unlikely' to pitch again this season](https://theathletic.com/4789381/2023/08/19/dodgers-tony-gonsolin-injured-list/?source=user_shared_article)** > > Gonsolin is heading to the injured list with right forearm inflammation after allowing 10 runs Friday. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/95 "2023-08-21T14:39:56Z")
Yankees continue cratering, losing 8 straight and 9 of their last 10. They’re 4 games under .500; the dream of having the entire division finish above .500 for the first time ever is really going right down the drain. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/96 "2023-08-21T14:48:22Z")
The Mariners have really been surging, and just swept a three game series in Houston. I know it can’t continue at this pace, but damn it’s fun for now. They have 7 games left against Texas and are currently only three games behind them. In June I had very low expectations for this season. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/97 "2023-08-21T19:32:05Z")
I’m not a big baseball guy, but in the absence of football and hockey, I’ve been filling the gap with Mariners game recaps\*. Just in time to see them go a tear, apparently. I might try to meet up with my cousin to go to a game, but demand is going up. \*: and Australian Rules Football ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2023, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/98 "2023-08-22T15:03:43Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The Mariners have really been surging I’m loving it! They hit the bajeebers out of the ball yesterday, and that was with J-Rod taking a day of rest. Raleigh decided to step it up a notch. It’s been fun watching them lately! ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/99 "2023-08-23T12:45:29Z")
With the Rangers losing…again, Ms are 1 game out of the AL West lead. Who’da thunk it? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2023, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980/100 "2023-08-23T15:22:01Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > With the Rangers losing…again, Ms are 1 game out of the AL West lead. And there is joy in Mudville. It’s really quite remarkable after spending most of the season way back in the standings and stuck at .500. Everyone is playing better, espeically the batters. And the Sewald trade is looking like a good move despite a lot of anguish about it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2023/987980.md?page=6)