2020 Hot Stove

Guys might be on 75 pitch counts to start the year. The spring training that pitchers had, in spring, is irrelevant now.

A team like the Rays are best suited to upstart. Their pitching staff has been bred for this kind of thing for a couple years now.

I bet the odds on them winning the AL East gotta be juicy as of now. I say screw it, let's bet it now. What's 1 unit of risk mean to us after this doldrum of non betting activity?

Sac, I may be over-skeptical, but I believe this “agreement “ between the owners and the players is nothing more than a PR move. They know it’s impossible to have any type of a season, but want to blame it on Corona-19 instead of the greed of both parties. They’re trying to save face by saying they were willing to play but it was out of their control because the virus spread. I know I’ll be relentlessly attacked on here if I’m wrong, but I’ll stick to my theory. 

I don't see any Divisional props out yet, who knows what this schedule might look like.

2 bets I'm considering is Rays AL +1100, and Reds NL +1200

sac, they are taking 4 weeks to get going. That is a normal spring training anyway. 75 pitch counts? Travesty. Any guy that is so out of shape he can't be ready in 4 weeks should not even be there. 

4 weeks of BP, wind sprints, pepper, long toss, or actual games?

BINGO  THEY DO NOT WANT TO PLAY AT ALL,OUTSIDE EVENTS WITH NO DISTANCING HAVE BEEN THE WAY ITS BEING SPREAD IN BIG #s ,PLUS THESE RICH BASEBALL OWNERS AND PLAYERS MIGHT ACTUALLY GET TRUE NEWS AND THIS COUNTRY WITH THE CLOWN IN THE WH WHO HAS JUST DONE A BAD JOB WITH EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THIS VIRUS,BEHIND THE SCREENS TALKS HAS THEM JUST STALLING UNTIL THEY SAY WE TRIED SEASON OFF.IT IS CLEAR OUR PRESENT RULERS DO NOT CARE IF PEOPLE GET SICK OR DIE.GOOD NEWS HIS FOLLOWERS SEEM TO BE SMALLER,BUT LOUD STILL.

THEY WERE PLAYING IN MARCH,2 WEEKS FROM SEASON START TIME,JUST PLAY NOW AND 1/2 SEASON EASY,I PITCHED IN GYM AT HIGH SCHOOL TO GET READY FOR GAMES WHEN IT WAS RAINING WATER NOT GERMS.

That's exactly it JEG, all they need is stamina. If you do not pitch against competition what difference is that? Spring Training is not based on competitiveness anyway. It is a workout and you can do that against your own team. Sh/t, where I come from they hold Little League tryouts in the field house at Boys Town in March, outdoor temp in the 20's and 2 feet of snow. High schools tune up, warm up in their gyms and the first day there is a dry infield you play ball! They don't need inter-team games to get ready. If you think there is some unpreparedness, so what? Same handicap for everybody. No more BS excuses, sh/t or get off the pot. 

Furthermore: Spring Training in MLB is the same as pre-season games in the NFL or NBA, they are not necessary, just another way to soak the fans for money. College football does not get pre-season games, you stand responsible for your record from day #1. No matter how you flip it, the handicap is the same for everyone.

Well, I have been in the basement for an hour beating my head against the wall and I may have knocked some sense into my head. The owners may open camp, workout the teams for a week, then discover Covid-19 in four camps. End of season, "Sorry folks, we tried". 

I think this entirely possible, especially with the C-19 pandemic spiking. E-Z out, at a very low price. 

Too bad we won't have ST in Arizona. No masks required, just bring money. Gather with other fans at Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse in Cave Creek. Seats 1,000 (a lot like Gilley's). No masks required and Governor Ducey will ride the mechanical bull while waving a MAGA banner. 

And the three men I admire the most.

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast,

The day, the music, died

Reds World Series

Lots of hype, underachieved last couple of years. 

Reds +1200 to win the NL, +3000 WS

Key, looking at the Reds starting 5 and bullpen, you can't find a better set of arms in the mlb. Imo.

I'd like a better catcher but it's not the end of the world.

2 big question marks:

Shigo Akiyama, who knows how he'll adapt to playing in America. But the skill set is there.

Joey Votto, will he continue to decline or find that magic again? Damn good player and a guy anyone would love to have in that clubhouse.

I like Manager David Bell. There's 3 generations of Bells playing in the mlb. The pedigree is there.

My 2 cents

*3 generations who've played(past tense) in the mlb. David Bell, his father, and grandfather.

I see your case. Maybe take a flyer. What concerns me is who is in charge? If we get a 7 game Yankees-Dodgers series I might be spoiled forever on the game. If we get Reds-Rays, or something similar, it will do a lot to restore my faith. MLB has a lot of integrity to be restored and hype is not going to cut it for me. Anyway, I will watch closely and not pull the trigger on anything until a few days before they actually play. The Bell family is a rarity. Lots of 2 generation families, but 3 is rare. 

 Good night

don't forget that spitting is prohibited. also prohibited is licking your fingers, clearly detailed in the list of rules. lol. pitchers will have a wet rag on the mound

can't see it....he looks lost at the plate and power is long gone.  watching him these past few years I honestly don't know how he still has a big league job other than he's beloved there.  

with this shortened season I also love the rays and will be taking a flyer on them both for the pennant and the series.......GL fellas 

and of course I will stab at the rangers 

Why are you singing American Pie?

The Pirates fired 25 front office employees this afternoon. Seems like an odd move for a team preparing to open the season....You would think that would have been done while the status of this season was still unknown.

Key, I’m one up on JEG53: I survived in a house with FOUR independent & strong willed women (5 if you count our dog.)