All attendees for the Contrarian Mafia Opening Day Bash, please RSVP asap.
where do we sign up?
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#282
Originally posted by BIGRED12
where do we sign up?
PM cell number. We will give you the details as to time and location.
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TheJewBear
SBR High Roller
10-25-10
145
#283
They're Gaambole-ing heere!!
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#284
Thank you Big Red for your reply to the Contrarian Mafia Opening Day Bash. If things work out, let us know.
Baseballs will be officially underway, this is the place for insight and entertaining banter. Selections will be posted here prior to gametime using a 1 to 5 unit system.
You will be able to track the selection success at www.thecontrarianpick.com. (free of charge for SBR thread followers). Since these bastards won't enable the signature on the SBR system, we need to go outside.
The Contrarian
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TheLock
SBR Posting Legend
04-06-08
14427
#285
I smell pine tar
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#286
I smell TheJewBear's bagged lunch.
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#287
Can't wait boys for this MLB. I am on fire with College Hoops but this -110 thing is onerous. Don't forget you will be able to track the Contrarian selection on www.thecontrarianpick.com. Free to my SBR brethren, go register, it's kinda cool. Go see.
The Contrarian
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mlb
SBR Posting Legend
12-04-09
10509
#288
Looking forward to it!!!
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#289
Good morning Contrarians. One step closer to the excitement of MLB. A 3-1 night on college hoops, 6-1 for the last 7 and 12-8 over the last 20. Enough about that.
We have not discussed lately the 96.5 total wins on the Phillies lately. The books are screaming for the over number players. I am thinking about putting a under play on the Phillies. This play is true contrarian in nature waiting for the Joe Square to pound the over.
Your thoughts
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ojj
SBR Rookie
03-05-11
4
#290
Hey im new to Baseball betting so i just thought that this could be a good place to start! gl with your season and i hope to contribute with something!
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#291
Originally posted by ojj
Hey im new to Baseball betting so i just thought that this could be a good place to start! gl with your season and i hope to contribute with something!
Welcome to the Tower, the Contrarian Mafia is always looking for a new guy to serve the drinks.
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ojj
SBR Rookie
03-05-11
4
#292
hehe better then cleaning up :P
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BeatingBaseball
SBR Wise Guy
06-30-09
904
#293
Originally posted by Pair of 5s Sir
Welcome to the Tower, the Contrarian Mafia is always looking for a new guy to serve the drinks.
I'll have a Chivas Rob Roy - sweet - rocks - twist. And a water back.
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ojj
SBR Rookie
03-05-11
4
#294
hmm.. can't you order a Screwdriver instead?
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#295
Good morning Contrarians. Not much to report on MLB. Strapped in and ready to go. Took a split on college hoops going 2-2. In the 13 games, 11-2, tracking on www.thecontrarianpick.com
March Madness just round the corner, then PLAY BALL. I am tempted to make a spring training play, but TheLock would kick my contarian backside, all the way back to Hoboken.
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#296
On opening day, the Contrarian Mafia will be broadcasting live from Gulfstream Park. Those who wish to meet up, PM for exact location and time.
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ojj
SBR Rookie
03-05-11
4
#297
i wish you best of luck in avoiding the spring training
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BeatingBaseball
SBR Wise Guy
06-30-09
904
#298
Originally posted by Pair of 5s Sir
We have not discussed lately the 96.5 total wins on the Phillies lately. The books are screaming for the over number players. I am thinking about putting a under play on the Phillies....Your thoughts
I'm not a futures bettor - but I don't think the 96.5 reflects any irrational exuberance. I actually expected it to open a little higher. Reallly don't see any value in the UNDER at that level. 97 Wins would "only" be .599 ball and, as I've said before, the aggregate "average" year for their Big Four rotation is .636.
That said - this thing that's already going on with Chase Utley's knee has to be a real concern for Philly. He's an integral lineup component for them and he's been absent in all 8 of their spring training games to date (they've already looked at 5 different guys at 2nd).
Utley only appeared in 115 games last year due mainly to the thumb injury and they clearly suffer a big loss of lineup synergy without him (not to mention there have to be lingering offensive concerns surrounding the declining production of Howard, Rollins, Ibanez, Victorino).
The first week or so they were calling Utley's condition "general soreness" in the knee. Now after an MRI and a coritsone injection it's being called "patellar tendonitis." They're still saying "no evidence of structural damage" but the news on these things is often good right up to the point when it's bad. Remember the Cards said Wainwright's elbow was just tender but "sound" the week before it blew out. And even if it's just tendinitis that's bad enough - patellar tendonititis is what shelved both Brandon Inge and Josh Hamilton for significant time in the last year or so.
I do know this - if I was a Philly fan this quote out of Clearwater would have hit me like a double shot of Jack Daniels at 6AM:
"I don't think at this point I'd be much help to our team or to myself." - Chase Utley
So maybe you're right, 5's - maybe they'll win 85 and be a .520 club. After all, you do have to score some runs no matter how good your pitching is. I'm sure Felix Hernandez with his Cy Young trophy and 13-12 (.520) record would attest to that.
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mebaran
SBR MVP
09-16-09
1540
#299
Originally posted by BeatingBaseball
"I don't think at this point I'd be much help to our team or to myself." - Chase Utley[/CENTER]
[/LEFT]
Sad to see one of my favorite players starting to feel the effects of aging.
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#300
Chase has a rough life, boo hoo
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BeatingBaseball
SBR Wise Guy
06-30-09
904
#301
No matter what happens - it cannot be denied that he is:
And yes 5's, I guess in retrospect, I don't feel too bad for him..world series ring and a net worth of about $200 million....
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mlb
SBR Posting Legend
12-04-09
10509
#303
good new stuff ... cant wait for the season boys
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figue
SBR MVP
07-23-10
2524
#304
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#305
We have confirmation that TheLock, TheJewBear and Heart Attack Dan along with yours truly are confirmed for the Opening Day.
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TheJewBear
SBR High Roller
10-25-10
145
#306
I'll be there with a fresh 10k strap
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#307
10k strap, travelling light that day.
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Sherlock2011
SBR High Roller
11-22-10
181
#308
GP? Playing the ponies there too, by any chance?
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#309
Yes indeed. Ponies and bases.
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BeatingBaseball
SBR Wise Guy
06-30-09
904
#310
Originally posted by TheJewBear
I'll be there with a fresh 10k strap
10 dimes?
That's it?
What are you going to do for $ if you lose that first bet?
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Sherlock2011
SBR High Roller
11-22-10
181
#311
Originally posted by Pair of 5s Sir
Yes indeed. Ponies and bases.
Well then. Please don't play any filthy chalk under 4/1. If Chris Clement sends a firster out on the weeds and the price is right, jump on it. Anything new in the Navarro, Walder, and Ward barns is usually live but the crowd knows. Ditto Nick Canani whose daddy can still put one over out west from time to time. This comes from a cousin contrarian from manureville who is a newbie in these parts and is happily looking forward to tagging along virtually speaking. BTW, the handle has nothing to do with Holmes and Conan-Doyle. I'm Sherlock of the N. S. variety.
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jds07v
SBR MVP
10-19-09
1335
#312
This is in reference to the Phillies O/U. Saw an article (either on scout or espn) that outlined the phillies trouble hitting the ball last year. Trouble you might say, they scored 767 runs, which averages to 4.7 runs per game. That's pretty good! But they also went 75 games where they scored 3 runs or fewer, including (i think) 12 shutouts. Doesn't matter if Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels is pitching, those are 12 losses.
The article also had an interview with Charlie Manuel. He said that his team is an excellent fastball hitting team, but teams have adjusted to that. He said that last year, his team would be ahead in the count either 2-0 or 3-1, expecting fastballs and they would get breaking balls and changeups, roll it over. Easy out, no walk, no production. This was evident last year as Howard, Rollins and Victorino all had relative down years. The inability to hit breaking balls was obvious to my eyes from Rollins especially, but also Victorino.
Now we move on to the loss of Jayson Werth. Big right handed power bat, in the middle of the lineup, gone. Gone are his 27 homers (2nd on team) .532 slugging (1st) .388 OBP (2nd) 85 RBI (2nd) and 106 runs (1st). As a throw in, he also stole 13 bases (3rd on team). Hard to imagine that they can replace this production in house, and still provide protection for Howard.
The injuries to Brown and Utley have to be of concern. Broken hand is better than broken wrist, but Brown wont start the season. Francisco will take his place with his .775 OPS, as compared .920 for Werth last year. Francisco is a mistake hitter, who also enjoys seeing the fastball early and often.
This phillies lineup does not scare me very much at all. The pitching staff? Well yes, as a Braves fan that does scare me.
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BeatingBaseball
SBR Wise Guy
06-30-09
904
#313
Utley's condition seems to be getting more problematic every day. Now the possibility of surgery is popping up in the stories out of Clearwater. The Brown injury is certainly far less significant. Still an unproven commodity, he may not have started the year with the big club even if he was healthy.
You're right on re the loss of Werth. He was their best overall athlete and his being a dangerous RH hitter was huge in the middle of an out of balance lineup stacked with lefties.
Also agree that NL pitchers have made the adjustment in the way they go about pitching the Philly hitters - a very dead red bunch. They're no longer seeing nearly as many FBs to hit - even in hitter's counts. Pitching coaches went to showing them FBs off the plate and then "junkin' 'em" late in counts last year and because they don't have a lot of plate discipline as a group they made a lot of weak contact. We'll now see if the Phils adjust to the adjustment. As they say, "everytime you think you found the key to hitting (or pitching) - they change the locks."
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Pair of 5s Sir
SBR MVP
04-20-08
4960
#314
Originally posted by Sherlock2011
Well then. Please don't play any filthy chalk under 4/1. If Chris Clement sends a firster out on the weeds and the price is right, jump on it. Anything new in the Navarro, Walder, and Ward barns is usually live but the crowd knows. Ditto Nick Canani whose daddy can still put one over out west from time to time. This comes from a cousin contrarian from manureville who is a newbie in these parts and is happily looking forward to tagging along virtually speaking. BTW, the handle has nothing to do with Holmes and Conan-Doyle. I'm Sherlock of the N. S. variety.
Thanks Sherlock. The Contrarian Mafia welcomes you. We can always use a detective to hunt down contrarian angles. Welcome to the Tower.
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Sherlock2011
SBR High Roller
11-22-10
181
#315
Thank you kindly. Hope the elevator is working as my 60 year-old knees ain't exactly what they used to be.