The 2020 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

You can probably expect the teams to get the games in as part of scheduled double headers. They haven't announced anything yet but that's the most obvious solution with the teams sharing the same off day and finishing the season against each other.

Hopefully the game is played today and noone on the Padres got Covid from those dirty Giants

[batt33]

Yeah it's gonna be a squeeze

How about back to back double headers!
That would be fun

[stevenash]

Baseball is my number one passion hands down without question but just for one day today MLB is going to take a back seat to the NFL.
I'm curious as to how week one shakes out is the reason.

I'll still have my eye on the in game box scores.

[JMobile]

Why do people hate Jensen when he loses but when he wins, they praise him. I don't get it.

[stevenash]

Why do people hate Jensen when he loses but when he wins, they praise him. I don't get it.

That's the way it is with fans of teams that play under the lights and big city.

I lived in the tri-state NYC area my whole life, NYC when it comes to sports are the same way.
Fans in LA and NYC are very vocal about their teams.
You know is Philly they boo Santa.

[BigSpoon]

Baseball is my number one passion hands down without question but just for one day today MLB is going to take a back seat to the NFL.
I'm curious as to how week one shakes out is the reason.

I'll still have my eye on the in game box scores.

Empty stadiums in NFL seems even more strange than MLB today.

[Stallion]

Home field advantage is pretty much non-existent this season.

[jrgum3]

Baseball is my number one passion hands down without question but just for one day today MLB is going to take a back seat to the NFL.
I'm curious as to how week one shakes out is the reason.

I'll still have my eye on the in game box scores.

I was glued to watching NFL red zone and football so I didn't catch any baseball but I did check some scores. Of course there was a No No on a day that happened to be Week 1 of the NFL season. Congrats Alec Mills you really helped my fantasy teams today.

[EmpireMaker]

Alec Mills entered the record books today when the Cubs right-hander tossed a no-hitter in Chicago’s 12-0 victory over the Brewers. Mills issued three walks and struck out five over his gem of an outing, recording his first career complete game to go along with his no-hit bid. Today marked only the 15th start of Mills’ Major League career, as the 28-year-old has worked as something of a swingman during his four seasons in the bigs, though he became a full-time starter this year in the wake of injuries within the Cubs’ rotation and now owns a piece of baseball history.
More from around the Show…

• Kwang Hyun Kim is scheduled to start the first game of the Cardinals’ doubleheader with the Brewers on Monday, marking his return from an injured list stint that retroactively began on September 2. Kim was sidelined with a kidney problem that required a short stay in hospital, but as MLB.com’s Anne Rogers explains, Kim is now taking a blood thinner and observing other precautions that will allow him to return to action after slightly beyond the 10-day minimum IL absence. In his first season in Major League Baseball, Kim has thus far had no problem adjusting, as the southpaw has an 0.83 ERA over his first 21 2/3 innings, starting four of his five appearances.
• Speaking of returning starters, the Astros listed Lance McCullers Jr. as the starter for Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, indicating that the right-hander’s time on the injured list is nearing an end. McCullers hit the 10-day IL on September 6 due to neck nerve irritation, a rather concerning-sounding issue that left a return date up in the air. After taking an anti-inflammatory injection, however, McCullers now seems on track to get back on the mound after only a minimal IL stint. The former first-rounder has a 5.79 ERA over eight starts and 37 1/3 innings this season, though the Astros will surely welcome whatever McCullers can contribute to a rotation mix that has managed middle-of-the-pack numbers despite multiple injuries.
• There haven’t yet been any contract talks between Cesar Hernandez and the Indians, but the second baseman “would be looking to be part of the team for the coming years,” as he told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hernandez was non-tendered by the Phillies last winter and signed a one-year, $6.25MM deal with the Tribe, delivering a .266/.337/.383 slash line over 210 plate appearances in 2020. While this offensive production is slightly below average (95 wRC+), his bat in combination with his strong second base defense has made for a solid 1.0 fWAR contribution over his 46 games in a Cleveland uniform. There are some other interesting middle infield options in the free market, plus this player pool is likely to grow once teams make their own non-tender decisions. Hernandez is the type of decent but unspectacular player who could potentially be squeezed into a one-year contract this winter if teams tighten their budgets in the wake of this pandemic season, so the Indians (certainly a team looking to limit its payroll) could have room to re-sign Hernandez if the price is right.

[Chi_archie]

Alec Mills entered the record books today when the Cubs right-hander tossed a no-hitter in Chicago’s 12-0 victory over the Brewers. Mills issued three walks and struck out five over his gem of an outing, recording his first career complete game to go along with his no-hit bid. Today marked only the 15th start of Mills’ Major League career, as the 28-year-old has worked as something of a swingman during his four seasons in the bigs, though he became a full-time starter this year in the wake of injuries within the Cubs’ rotation and now owns a piece of baseball history.
More from around the Show…

• Kwang Hyun Kim is scheduled to start the first game of the Cardinals’ doubleheader with the Brewers on Monday, marking his return from an injured list stint that retroactively began on September 2. Kim was sidelined with a kidney problem that required a short stay in hospital, but as MLB.com’s Anne Rogers explains, Kim is now taking a blood thinner and observing other precautions that will allow him to return to action after slightly beyond the 10-day minimum IL absence. In his first season in Major League Baseball, Kim has thus far had no problem adjusting, as the southpaw has an 0.83 ERA over his first 21 2/3 innings, starting four of his five appearances.
• Speaking of returning starters, the Astros listed Lance McCullers Jr. as the starter for Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, indicating that the right-hander’s time on the injured list is nearing an end. McCullers hit the 10-day IL on September 6 due to neck nerve irritation, a rather concerning-sounding issue that left a return date up in the air. After taking an anti-inflammatory injection, however, McCullers now seems on track to get back on the mound after only a minimal IL stint. The former first-rounder has a 5.79 ERA over eight starts and 37 1/3 innings this season, though the Astros will surely welcome whatever McCullers can contribute to a rotation mix that has managed middle-of-the-pack numbers despite multiple injuries.
• There haven’t yet been any contract talks between Cesar Hernandez and the Indians, but the second baseman “would be looking to be part of the team for the coming years,” as he told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hernandez was non-tendered by the Phillies last winter and signed a one-year, $6.25MM deal with the Tribe, delivering a .266/.337/.383 slash line over 210 plate appearances in 2020. While this offensive production is slightly below average (95 wRC+), his bat in combination with his strong second base defense has made for a solid 1.0 fWAR contribution over his 46 games in a Cleveland uniform. There are some other interesting middle infield options in the free market, plus this player pool is likely to grow once teams make their own non-tender decisions. Hernandez is the type of decent but unspectacular player who could potentially be squeezed into a one-year contract this winter if teams tighten their budgets in the wake of this pandemic season, so the Indians (certainly a team looking to limit its payroll) could have room to re-sign Hernandez if the price is right.

so amazing

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Padres have won 7 in a row while Tatis Jr is slumping a bit. The 2nd game of the DH yesterday might have been his worst game of the season all around.

[stevenash]

JP?

How you liking Trevor so far?

I couldn't explain it when he was pitching for KC, and I can't explain it now.

No complaints KC hasn't found somebody to play a good center field since Lo-Cain left and we like the kid Oliveras.
So far both teams made out

Trevor was great with KC, and he's been pretty much untouchable in four games over there in SD.
0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 18 k's per 9 IP.
Not to shabby huh?

Date	Tm		Opp	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Aug 31	SDP	@	COL	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	0
Sep 5	SDP	@	OAK	1	0	0	0	1	2	0	0
Sep 6	SDP	@	OAK	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
Sep 9	SDP		COL	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Sep 13(2)	SDP		SFG	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
				4	2	0	0	1	8	0	0

Like I said we haven't found the guy yet to play CF, and KC liked Oliveras all along.

Alex Gordon is an elite fielder, one the top five defenders in the outfield in MLB for years. But he plays corner outfield, not center.
His power numbers are just ordinary, his BA is just ordinary (lifetime) but we don't need him for power, we have power hitters, he has been playing Gold Glove outfield for over a decade, and that's just as good as any another teams corner outfielders that can hit 30 or more homer but can't run down a ball and catch it.

I love Dozier's power, but he is bad on defense in the outfield we had to move Dozier to third base and put Whit in the outfield to play right field, Whit is one of those put me anywhere an I can play any position on defense all above average too.
Mondesi can play outfield but he is so slick at short stop you can't move him.

I love Soler's power too but he's better at first than the outfield anyway.
KC has been a disaster in center filed like I said since Lo-Cain left and the list of failures there in the past is endless.

KC has been grooming Nick Hearth for replace Lo-Cain in center but he can't hit .250 in the minors so he never got the chance.
Heath is the 5th outfielder now that'll play once a week so Gordon can get a day off and he play corner, but it's Oliverass full time job in center.

Speaking of Oliveras, it's working out OK in KC too.

Batting .342

Date	AB	H	R	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA		Pos
3-Sep	5	2	2	0	0	0	0			CF
4-Sep	5	2	0	0	2	0	1			CF
6-Sep	4	1	1	1	2	0	2			RF
7-Sep	4	2	0	0	0	0	1			RF
8-Sep	4	1	0	0	0	0	2			CF RF
9-Sep	4	2	1	0	1	0	1			CF RF
10-Sep	5	2	1	1	1	0	1			CF
11-Sep	4	0	0	0	0	0	1			LF
12-Sep	2	1	0	0	1	1	0			CF
13-Sep	1	0	0	0	0	0	1			LF
	38	13	5	2	7	1	10	0.34

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Franchy Cordero could play cf if he is ever healthy. I liked both him and Oliveras.

Rosenthal is ok, hope he keeps it up.

[JMobile]

No line yet for Dodgers vs Padres?

[Stallion]

Dodgers -140 Kershaw
San Diego +130 Lamet

[batt33]

Giants vs dodgers in the playoffs...just maybe....

[jrgum3]

Giants vs dodgers in the playoffs...just maybe....

Definitely could happen and in a 2 out of 3 series anything can happen which is why I think you'll see plenty of upsets this year. The Dodgers should win but the Giants would be playing with nothing to lose and that makes any team dangerous.

[jrgum3]

The Braves signed Pablo Sandoval to a Minor League deal. Could be interesting to see if he can help their team as a pinch hitter off the bench in the playoffs.

[EmpireMaker]

The Phillies will place first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a left UCL injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. In better news for the club, catcher J.T. Realmuto (hip flexor) will avoid the IL, while right-hander Zack Wheeler (finger) should return to the mound this week.
The Hoskins news continues a rough few days for the Phillies, who have dropped three in a row – including a 6-2 defeat to the Marlins on Monday. The 27-year-old Hoskins hasn’t played since Saturday, when he suffered a forearm injury, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to take the field again this season. Time’s running out in 2020 for him and the Phillies, who are an even 23-23 but are still in possession of a playoff spot in the National League.
If Philly does break its eight-year playoff drought this season, it’ll have Hoskins to thank to some extent. Although Hoskins is stuck in an 0-for-10 slump, he has slashed a rather effective .245/.384/.503 (138 wRC+) with 10 home runs in 185 plate appearances. That’ll be tough production for the Phillies to replace in the season’s final couple weeks, especially considering Hoskins has played almost every game at first for the team this base. Otherwise, only the now-gone Neil Walker and the historically light-hitting Phil Gosselin have lined up there for the Phillies.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Definitely could happen and in a 2 out of 3 series anything can happen which is why I think you'll see plenty of upsets this year. The Dodgers should win but the Giants would be playing with nothing to lose and that makes any team dangerous.

Rooting for you guys to punk the dodgers in the playoffs

[Chi_archie]

The Phillies will place first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a left UCL injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. In better news for the club, catcher J.T. Realmuto (hip flexor) will avoid the IL, while right-hander Zack Wheeler (finger) should return to the mound this week.
The Hoskins news continues a rough few days for the Phillies, who have dropped three in a row – including a 6-2 defeat to the Marlins on Monday. The 27-year-old Hoskins hasn’t played since Saturday, when he suffered a forearm injury, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to take the field again this season. Time’s running out in 2020 for him and the Phillies, who are an even 23-23 but are still in possession of a playoff spot in the National League.
If Philly does break its eight-year playoff drought this season, it’ll have Hoskins to thank to some extent. Although Hoskins is stuck in an 0-for-10 slump, he has slashed a rather effective .245/.384/.503 (138 wRC+) with 10 home runs in 185 plate appearances. That’ll be tough production for the Phillies to replace in the season’s final couple weeks, especially considering Hoskins has played almost every game at first for the team this base. Otherwise, only the now-gone Neil Walker and the historically light-hitting Phil Gosselin have lined up there for the Phillies.

Hoskins has been fun to watch

[BigSpoon]

Big series starting today between Jays-Yankees. They will play each other 7 times in the last 13 games.

[Cross]

How close are those wildfires coming to the big cities in Cali? I saw some smoky ballpark scenes.

[koz-man]

Why do people hate Jensen when he loses but when he wins, they praise him. I don't get it.

Sounds pretty much like Yankee fans toward most of their players..

[JMobile]

Rooting for you guys to punk the dodgers in the playoffs

Lol. What if the Padres win the NL West?

[batt33]

How close are those wildfires coming to the big cities in Cali? I saw some smoky ballpark scenes.

Nothing to close ... Just flipping smoke everywhere... No matter which way the wind blows

[Stallion]

Go Jays go!! They can beat the Yankees

[BigSpoon]

Go Jays go!! They can beat the Yankees

Dropped the first game by two TD's

[Cross]

Dodger padre race very interesting!

[jrgum3]

Dropped the first game by two TD's

Yeah I was on the Blue Jays today. The Yankees boatraced them and I turned my attention to watching other games before it got too out of hand.

[EmpireMaker]

The Astros have activated second baseman Jose Altuve from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic tweets. Altuve’s batting second in the Astros’ lineup against the Rangers on Tuesday.
Altuve went on the IL on Sept. 5 with a sprained right knee, continuing a trend of recent problems in the joint for the former MVP. He also underwent surgery on that knee after the 2018 season. Of course, the problems don’t seem nearly as serious this time, as Altuve is back after spending the minimum amount of time on the shelf.
The hope for Houston, which is a disappointing 23-24 and clinging to a playoff spot, is that Altuve will serve as a key late-season reinforcement. Altuve, for his part, is surely trying to end the season with a flourish after struggling before his absence. The 30-year-old’s a five-time .300 hitter and a three-time 2o-home run man, but he has slashed just .224/.284/.322 with three homers through 155 plate appearances this season. The Astros turned to Aledmys Diaz and Jack Mayfield at the keystone when Altuve was out, but they’ve also logged underwhelming production this year.

[Otters27]

Jansen almost blew it.

Two ks with bases loaded

[Chi_archie]

Jansen almost blew it.

Two ks with bases loaded

that was quite the roller coaster

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Jansen almost blew it.

Two ks with bases loaded

Put the damn ball in play at least. Disappointing.

[Stallion]

The Blue Jays are not playing well vs the Yankees.