# MLB: March/April 2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 28, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055 "2012-03-28T16:17:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/1 "2012-03-28T16:17:34Z")
One game down, 2,429 to go. I realize the pre-season is still going on for most teams, but we may as well get this show on the road. Pujols and Fielder and Reyes are settling into their new homes, Dodger fans are waking up to the news of new ownership, and 30 teams are contemplating how they can get playing time in October. Welcome to the 2012 season! ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/2 "2012-03-28T17:08:14Z")
Welp, the Mariners are on pace to win 162 games this year! ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/3 "2012-03-28T17:10:14Z")
The Indians don’t play for another week. I call Bullshit on this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/4 "2012-03-28T17:15:17Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > The Indians don’t play for another week. Tom Hamilton’s already well into mid-season form – as far as I’m concerned, it counts. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/5 "2012-03-28T17:18:21Z")
Nobody does disgust like Tom Hamilton. I like to imagine every old man in NE Ohio grimacing along with him at some terrible call or play. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/6 "2012-03-28T17:28:04Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Dodger fans are waking up to the news of new ownership Seeing as how they spent 2 billion on the team, I fear the price for parking will not go down. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/7 "2012-03-28T17:41:26Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > Seeing as how they spent 2 billion on the team, I fear the price for parking will not go down. I have the same concern. But since I know they’re gonna be desperate to get people back in the seats after last year’s attendance nightmare, I’m hopeful that the new ownership is smart enough to keep any price hikes far into the future. ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/8 "2012-03-28T18:46:59Z")
I didn’t nap and then watch the game last night. Whoever scheduled this sucks. If you wanted to watch it on the East Coast you could get up a little early or catch a little before you went to work. Those in the Bay Area or the PNW had to get up at 3AM. After today’s game, it’s back to Spring Training. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/9 "2012-03-28T18:49:44Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > Welp, the Mariners are on pace to win 162 games this year! LOL, unfortunately they are on pace for only 486 runs…though to be fair, their pitching staff is set to only give up 162 runs. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/10 "2012-03-28T18:57:35Z")
> [@fiddlesticks](#): > > LOL, unfortunately they are on pace for only 486 runs…though to be fair, their pitching staff is set to only give up 162 runs. 😃 One of those numbers actually seems plausible… ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/11 "2012-03-28T19:57:56Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I have the same concern. But since I know they’re gonna be desperate to get people back in the seats after last year’s attendance nightmare, I’m hopeful that the new ownership is smart enough to keep any price hikes far into the future. I finally got around to reading the WSJ article on the sale, and the deal was apparently 100% cash, and I have seen reports of the TV rights being valued at $4 billion, so…prices might not have to go up. If they work things correctly they might be able to cut prices and raise payroll and still be turning a significant profit. This is a good day to be a Dodger fan. Think we can bring in all three Cain, Hamels and Votto next season? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/12 "2012-03-28T20:08:09Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > This is a good day to be a Dodger fan. Think we can bring in all three Cain, Hamels and Votto next season? I know I’m forever the optimist, but I’m not ready to look beyond this season yet. I know, I know, but IF Kemp and Kershaw do what they did last year, IF Loney and Rivera do what they did during the second half last year, IF Ethier and Billingsley return to prior form (and indications this spring haven’t been bad), IF the rest of the rotation behind Kershaw and Billingsley all manage to have above-average years, IF Juan Uribe becomes possessed by an alien form who actually hits, and IF Arizona and San Francisco crumble, then the Dodgers could quite possibly sneak into the playoffs. So let’s hold off on talks of free agent acquisitions until at least the second week of the season, by which time several of those “ifs” will probably be crushed. 🙂 ---
**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:** [March 28, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/13 "2012-03-28T20:20:25Z")
Spoken like a true long-time Dodgers fan! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/14 "2012-03-28T20:29:54Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I know I’m forever the optimist, but I’m not ready to look beyond this season yet. I know, I know, but IF Kemp and Kershaw do what they did last year, IF Loney and Rivera do what they did during the second half last year, IF Ethier and Billingsley return to prior form (and indications this spring haven’t been bad), IF the rest of the rotation behind Kershaw and Billingsley all manage to have above-average years, IF Juan Uribe becomes possessed by an alien form who actually hits, and IF Arizona and San Francisco crumble, then the Dodgers could quite possibly sneak into the playoffs. > > So let’s hold off on talks of free agent acquisitions until at least the second week of the season, by which time several of those “ifs” will probably be crushed. 🙂 Well to turn this from fantasy 2013 free agency to some reality, Kemp and Kershaw will likely continue to be very good if not necessarily as good as last year (though it is possible Kershaw will continue to get better it’s less likely that Kemp will improve on 2011.) I have lost faith in Loney but Rivera and him in a platoon makes sense and is probably workable. Ethier should bounce back, he played hurt almost all season last year, Bills…is a question mark. My fingers are crossed. Juan Uribe had, for him, a historically bad year. If he can stay healthy he _should_ hit a little. That’s a big if. Also, IF Dee Gordon continues to take walks and keep his OBP over .400 and AJ Ellis also continues to walk then the automatic out of Mark Ellis batting #2 in the lineup :rolleyes: might not be so bad. The reality is I am more optimistic about this year than I was about 2011 (where I decided to start watching AL ball in the pre season because I couldn’t face the 2011 team) But even with all that… 84-86 wins? Maybe that’s enough to take the West or a Wild Card. I think both the Giants and AZ overperformed their talent last year so there is a chance, and the NL is looking dire this season but…I am going to continue to dream of 2013… or at least the firing of Ned Colleti. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/15 "2012-03-28T20:47:33Z")
I’m glad to see the Dodgers are approaching the end of the McCourt disaster. While they are not the controlling owners of the team, Magic’s personal charm and Kasten’s baseball expertise could do a lot for the team. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/16 "2012-03-28T21:01:15Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Juan Uribe had, for him, a historically bad year. If he can stay healthy he _should_ hit a little. That’s a big if. Your feelings about Loney are essentially my feelings about Uribe. His batting average (which I realize isn’t everything) has taken a significant hit (40 points) each of the last two seasons, and thus far in spring, where one presumes him to be healthy, he’s hitting .219 with just a solitary XBH in 32 at-bats. I just don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/17 "2012-03-28T21:26:29Z")
ESPN is reporting that Omar Vizquel is likely to make the major-league roster for the Blue Jays. 2012 would be Vizquel’s 24th season and he’s said it will be his last. He is 13th all-time with 2,908 games played. I’d expect him to pass Rusty Staub for 12th (he’ll have to appear in 44 games) and passing Dave Winfield for 11th (65) isn’t totally out of the question. I doubt he can get to Barry Bonds for 10th (79). What I really want to see is Vizquel hitting against Jamie Moyer, who has a good shot at making the Rockies’ rotation. But unless one of them changes teams or the Rockies and Jays make the World Series, it won’t happen this season. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/18 "2012-03-29T02:21:47Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Tom Hamilton’s already well into mid-season form – as far as I’m concerned, it counts. Tom Hamilton seems to be in September 5th Place mode. He was just googly during yesterday’s game. Rosie is in for a long season. I got their autographs earlier this year. Blog post coming soon 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/19 "2012-03-29T05:50:04Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Tom Hamilton seems to be in September 5th Place mode. He was just googly during yesterday’s game. Rosie is in for a long season. > > I got their autographs earlier this year. Blog post coming soon 🙂 Were you in Arizona? Did we miss each other? ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055/20 "2012-03-29T11:09:00Z")
Say what you want about starting the season in Japan, but I’m happy to be at my office at 7am, watching a live game on my computer. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2012/617055.md?page=2)