tmwiese55

And this weekend NYY play NYM, Mets have been playing better. While Tor plays Bal, Sea plays AZ, A's play TX. Also, Red Sox play White Sox. That AL Wild card could get really interesting. Tor is a fun team and Sea is such a weird one as to how are they are winning these games (plus longest playoff drought in bball) so it would be cool if these teams knocked off two of the biggest markets and the teams main media is obsessed with.

When he starts winning against good opponents, he can use coach speak all he wants. Every coach does it, so to say it's the dumbest thing ever is just off. And yea, he has won a lot of big games. Let's not overreact like they're a disaster or something.

I can see disagreeing with not using motion. But the coach giving a completely vanilla answer to "why didn't you do X" by saying "because I didn't think X was the right thing to do" is nowhere close to a laughably dumb answer. It's a complete no-answer coachspeak which is totally common. Guys like Belichek, Popovich, and Saban say the same type of thing all the time.

Especially when it was one of his biggest things in the past when the O was rolling. I don't just mean the guy in motion like a jet sweep action. But he was a huge huge pusher of the get out of the huddle quickly, line up one way, then have like 3-4 people move at once to different spots. Really, it's something that should help a young QB as it's designed to make the D show their hand a bit and probably easily show man vs zone.

Well, I'm not one to just blame QBs, for example as soon as he dropped back he was under pressure all game. But, one of the fumbles was directly him just slipping the ball out of his hands. The other handoff is debatable on who's fault it was, but he was right in the middle of it. If he just completes easy handoffs they probably win this game without much drama.

Yes, the heyday was Gordon running it as he was such a freak. And that was at a time when you had no passing game so it was greatly needed to spread things out a bit. But, it's often been run by WRs too, and generally it's more deceptive if a WR is running it as you can pass out of those lineups. Whereas with an extra RB the D knows before the play to plan for it. Guys like Gilreath and Abby ran it a lot, Erickson too. Think it was Reggie Love who housed one vs LSU. At Pitt they had a WR Boyd, who made the Bengals run it a lot. On the current team, Prior is really good at running it and the other more pitch reverse play they've added the last few years. Seems a combo slot type is a good one to use for this, and if I think Guerendo started at WR so he could be that type. Cruickshank and AJ Taylor were ones in recent years too. ETA: to add to the next post. I fully agree, you don't actually have to give it. In that heavy double RB days let's say they handed it 4-6 times, they probably faked it at least that many time if not 2-3x times as well and it really helped open up the middle for really basic running plays to get a lot of easy yards.

yea number 1 is a huge thing for me the last few years as far as what's gone. One of the things that has made them so predictable. Well, I guess 2 is accurate lately too.

Yea, top of my head (and I didn't go back and rewatch) I didn't think the first was on him, the other big ones were. But again, this isn't a one game thing for Nelson. He's been consistently an issue since he's been playing. They do have a high rated young safeties, so improvement there should come at some point, but maybe not this year.

The dilemma on that is they've been recruiting much better than they ever, so in theory they should be set up to do better or at least maintain their dominant place in the West But it sure seems the development along with actual in game offensive coaching is lacking compared to years past, something seems off in the schemes. But let's not forget in the last real season the team did very well, took OSU to the 4th Q in the title game and went to the wire in the Rose Bowl. It's not like they've been crappy. My biggest concern is that after being back for about 6 years the offense is still blah. They've been winning on D this whole time, waiting on the O to show some semblance of the say 2009-11ish type era, or even the Pitt offenses when Chryst was there. To me the O lines have been overrated the whole time they've been back and they haven't really been producing high draft pick or successful lineman since they've been back(compared to say the 08-14 type era), in spite of having higher rated recruits than ever before. Pass blocking has been a consistent struggle. So, to me you have the OL coach on your staff that made all that happen but he's coaching LBs instead. Letting Rudolph go, bring Bostad back over, and then either have PC being the Coordinator or bring in fresh blood/ideas as the OC (obviously with Chryst heavily involved though) would be my 'shake up' if the O continues to stagnate this year, hopefully it doesn't though. Problem is Rudolph and PC are best friends and overall it seems Rudolph is a good person in general and a big part of recruiting. On D, need to replace Nelson asap. He's been bad for years yet keeps getting to play, don't get that one. Other than that, overall any improvement they can get on speed for CBs is the biggest area of growth in general going forward. Their DBs will be the weakness vs elite teams.

And though they do have money, with how much they have tied up in Arenado/Goldschmidt, assuming Arenado stays, it will be tough for them to pay for elite pitching anytime soon. They'll have to find some hidden gems, or have some young guys come up and work out. But as we know, that's what the Cards do, somehow they'll find a Mikolis type or their next two young guys up will be solid. Their model works great, always be solid, have great minors development, and then if/when you catch a few breaks you can make a legit run. That matt carpenter contract was dumb from the moment it was signed though, basically based off one hot month and it still has a year left. Who knows, if not for that we might not have Wong. I guess it's fair to add that while obviously they've had horrible pitching health luck, one of those is balanced by Waino playing out of his mind this year, no way that was expected.

With the several days layoff waiting for the WC games to happen I'd assume a team like MKE with likely nothing to play for will still play their guys the last few days. First, there isn't 40 man rosters anymore so you're a bit limited on what you can. But yea maybe a classic 'sunday lineup' is feasible or kind of trying to spread one day off for everyone over the 3 days. Quirk I could see though is starting pitchers, you'd probably want them to throw and keep their routine to a degree, but I could see not pushing them and maybe having an 80 pitch/5 inning type target on them. And with that few innings from starters it kind of assures all relievers will get an inning or two in order to not have a super long layoff before game 1.

Haven't been on here during the games this week. But it's kind of crazy to me these guys are leading the league in HRs in this ballpark. So many should have been HRs that weren't in the last few days. Which also, gives more credit to how crazy what Bonds did in this park was too, especially hitting to the huge right center area and the big wall in right.

Right, the logic of this was sound at the time even if it started out poorly and didn't quite go as planned. We'd all been clamoring for years they had to fix SS, traded from an area of seeming depth with Cain/Yeli/Braun set as starters last year to try and fix SS. Knowing that OFs are easier to come by if needed, such as a guy like Avi. Of course it's still on them to get the evaluation on a guy like Urias correct, which didn't look good initially but now seems to be ending up OK/solid. Then of course trading limited and expensive control of Davies for longer/cheaper control of Lauer was sound too. The initial issues came down to Urias struggles and it seems like he just needed some time, and still needs to fix his throwing. As of now it looks like a general win/win for both sides. On Urias topic, it popped in my head too if they decide to sign Escobar on like a 2 year deal instead of Garcia I'd be curious if Urias could put some work in and play some OF to maximize his PT and team roster flexibility. Not saying to be a starter, but as a depth guy when people inevitably get hurt or if Taylor struggles, etc. Has the speed and arm strength for it.

Generally we're overthinking things. It's really as simple as first, as OSS said, avoiding the play in game. Which MKE has done. Second, the Dodgers are the clearly most talented and best team in MLB and have two legit powerhouse aces, plus Kershaw and Urias. Looking at small samples of regular season games is moot. Anything to make their situation more difficult and avoiding them until NLCS is really all that matters. It's tough to for sure predict how that plays out with a month to go, but that's the end goal and exactly what scenario is best or more likely will change as the month goes on. What will really make it interesting is MKE/LAD play each the last weekend.

Yes I agree if LA catches SF then we'd want the 1 seed and with how we're playing it's certainly possible. Problem is LA is on fire right now. Yea at this point they should just say Bauer is done for the year and it will get sorted in offseason. It's bad pr to update the suspension every week. Don't think LA would want to deal with the distraction/headache of him coming back right as playoffs are coming anyway. Scherzer makes up for him being gone and Kershaw will be back soon too. Curious if he's even been keeping up with the baseball aspects at this point where he'd be ready to play. Interesting double header on MLB network today. If STL beats Cin in both games they're .5 game out all of a sudden. STL up 1-0 to start the game.

Today they sent out the option to buy 20 packs for next year to get postseason this year. I had season packages in past years so didn't have to worry about this but don't this year. But my question is, in past years I think I remember you could sign up for a 10 pack next year and get playoff tickets this year. Is my memory off on that? I think I'd rather have 10 than 20 next year if possible. I get how they'd push 20 first, so was curious if say 10 days from now they'll open it to 10 packs too. Thanks in advance

Yea they're not gonna grab him now and pick up that money. But I'd guess he'd be a prime guy for league min that MKE would look at and think they can fix, and I'd have faith they would. I'd guess San Diego might think the same with their history with him. Who knows, maybe someone else will pay above that even after the bad year.

Right, that's the question and if they feel it 'disrespects' him. Though I'd say we might be treating Avi like he's worse at D than he really is based on two plays. I'd be curious what the advanced stats say but he seems fine to me and possibly above average, good arm too. Sure he botched that one last night but remember a week ago he made two great D plays in the same game too. when I thought of the disrespect thing, it made me think maybe they should do it on the hopes he gets mad at it and declines his option (I know, wishful thinking).

We've struggled vs PSU pretty much forever. But yea I also have a good feeling UW will play great in this game and cover. I don't know, for some reason I have it in my head that after big layoffs, time to prep, full strength teams they've done well with Chryst. Thinking of winning all bowls before the RB, massive blowouts to start the last two years, etc. Ridiculous this and ND game are at 11 AM. Almost want to root for realignment just to change up this TV contract that's sticking them with these Fox noon games.

Popped into my head on if they leave JBJ off the playoff roster? Sure late game D could be used but he's a disaster at the plate, still. And it's not like Taylor (assuming he's back and looks fine to finish the year) is bad at D or anything. I'd guess they would do it since Taylor and Peterson can backup OF just fine.

Bingo. Coach Cooper would approve. But, yes I would much prefer Dodgers are WC. Keep in mind that also makes sure LAD are the #1 seed for home field. I believe us as 2 seed would get homefield even without a better record vs LAD (could be wrong on that though).

Yea I think 2-2 is kind of ideal. We don't 1-3 because it's a bad thing for the brewers to not do well vs a contender, and just in general anytime to lose 3/4, especially after losing to Was this weekend. But, kind of don't want to sweep them or 3-1 as you want SF to hold on vs LAD.

Yea he's a guy I used here and there in fantasy in recent years. With how poor offense was this year and so many people doing poorly I couldn't figure out he was stuck in AAA all year or how someone didn't give a chance at an MLB role to start the year. Looks like he did well at AAA for Det just like you'd expect him to. I'm not saying he's a world beater or anything, but a 250/310 guy with 25 HR isn't a bad player these days, especially considering what we've gotten from 1B this year.

Think I was most surprised by Lyles not being the starting C. Or if not C then at a G. Not that I've thought he's been thaaaat good, but just as a senior who's been playing/starting a lot I was surprised. I'm sure he'll still play a lot, depth is always needed. RB was always gonna be a shared spot anyway.

I still disagree with the call. But I guess I can see a logic that he kind got back to the base on the 1B side of the bag. Trying to find a jusification, I can see that but still disagree. I guess at least it's in a non close game, so it was still unlikely to matter.