Mega Thread MLB 2019 season thread

[Dixie Flatline]

Starts tonight with the Mariners and the Athletics opening the season early with a two game series in Tokyo, starting tonight 6.35pm JST (8.35pm AEDT).

Lineups for opening day - Mariners: Gordon (2B), Haniger (CF), Bruce (1B), Encarnacion (DH), Santana (LF), Narvaez (C), Healy (3B), Beckham (SS), Ichiro (RF) with Marco Gonzales the starting pitcher; Athletics: Laureano (CF), Chapman (3B), Piscotty (RF), Davis (DH), Pinder (LF), Olson (1B), Profar (2B), Semien (SS), Hundley (C) with Mike Fiers making the opening day start.

Due to the fact the series is being played in Japan, the teams are allowed to have 28 players on their rosters, but must name 25 as active players on the roster. Hence, this allowed the Mariners to name Ichiro on the roster for the series, but he's likely to be cut when the teams return to the US.

I believe both games are being broadcast on ESPN.

 

[robbieando]

Here in Tokyo at the moment and about to head to the game tonight.. Didn't expect Ichiro to get the start tonight, maybe a late game pinch hit to allow the crowd to farewell him but the M's are tanking so might as well have a moment or two along the way.

 

[MatthewB]

Forgot these games was on, flicked past ESPN and saw it was on, why can't they always start at this time

 

[Amazing Racer]

Happy the M's got a first win - they will struggle all year.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Thought that the pitching staff would be the Achilles heel, and it was. The A's catcher was also not good - cannot GIDP twice at crucial at-bats like he did.

Pretty sure the A's will want to tread water around .500 ball for the first three months of the season and then hope some of the pitchers that are currently unavailable come back and make a difference.

A's need to split the series tonight.

 

[CharlieKelly]

In the world's least surprising news, this is Ichiro's final game as a player, in Tokyo, fantastic send off for a legend of the game!

 

[MadTigerFan]

Thought that the pitching staff would be the Achilles heel, and it was. The A's catcher was also not good - cannot GIDP twice at crucial at-bats like he did.

Pretty sure the A's will want to tread water around .500 ball for the first three months of the season and then hope some of the pitchers that are currently unavailable come back and make a difference.

A's need to split the series tonight.

Which pitchers would they be?

 

[robbieando]

Just back from Tokyo Dome, both games were all about Ichiro and giving him a chance to say farewell to his nation and boy did say goodbye to him. If the game went any longer people would've missed trains home. On his final lap people were really waving him goodbye and it was an honour to witness both matches.

As for the games themselves, the A's starters need to go deeper and the M's bullpen will give up whatever offence they are given. But good to have baseball back.

 

[MatthewB]

As for the games themselves, the A's starters need to go deeper and the M's bullpen will give up whatever offence they are given. But good to have baseball back.

usually takes a few starts into the season to go deeper into games

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Which pitchers would they be?

Manaea was our no. 1 pitcher last season. Question as to whether he'll make it back at all this season but he would definitely improve the pitching staff.

Puk was talked about as likely to be promoted to the MLB in the back half of last season if he pitched well enough in the minors, then did his UCL in spring training and missed the season. He's aiming to be back pitching by June after doing some bullpen work in spring training. Jharel Cotton also tore his UCL last season and would be a starter for the A's if he was healthy. Also likely to be back by June.

Unfortunately, not only did the A's lose both games (and really should have won last night), but they're going to be without top pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo for some time after he injured his shoulder and first baseman Matt Olson for a lengthy period with a broken bone in his hand. Sigh.

 

[MadTigerFan]

Manaea was our no. 1 pitcher last season. Question as to whether he'll make it back at all this season but he would definitely improve the pitching staff.

Puk was talked about as likely to be promoted to the MLB in the back half of last season if he pitched well enough in the minors, then did his UCL in spring training and missed the season. He's aiming to be back pitching by June after doing some bullpen work in spring training. Jharel Cotton also tore his UCL last season and would be a starter for the A's if he was healthy. Also likely to be back by June.

Unfortunately, not only did the A's lose both games (and really should have won last night), but they're going to be without top pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo for some time after he injured his shoulder and first baseman Matt Olson for a lengthy period with a broken bone in his hand. Sigh.

2020 for them, expecting far too much for them to have an impact this season.

 

[FRUMPY]

Few brave starters not ready for opening week, so brave going with 2 rookies in game 2 and 3. Was expecting to be relying a bit on young starters but not from first week.

Will get folty, Guasman back within a week or 2 I think.

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[Chicago1]

Nice win by the Cubs down in Texas. Baez two homers. I'll take that.

 

[FRUMPY]

Dodgers with a lazy 8 home runs......wow

I hated the braves had Luke Jackson on their roster and sure gives up 4 runs while not getting any outs to start the 6th. Don't know how he keeps getting put on our roster

 

[MatthewB]

Yankess win, Boston lose, good opening day

 

[JezzasOnTheAsphalt]

Nice win by the Cubs down in Texas. Baez two homers. I'll take that.

No homer first pitch of the season this year though

 

[Persevering Saint]

So, my Rays win 2 out of 3 against the Astros in their first series. That's a very pleasing start to the season.

Having Morton is a really handy addition.

 

[JezzasOnTheAsphalt]

Darvish today was pretty disappointing in his return to Texas for the cubs. 7 walks in 2 and a bit innings

 

[Persevering Saint]

So, my Rays win 2 out of 3 against the Astros in their first series. That's a very pleasing start to the season.

Having Morton is a really handy addition.

Make that 3 out of 4.

Colorado next.

 

[FRUMPY]

Braves swept, great way to start the season.......pitching sucking big time - so may walks and the bullpen is deplorable, that's what happens when you don't want to spend money on an arm or 2 (plus a few injuries)

 

[MadTigerFan]

So, my Rays win 2 out of 3 against the Astros in their first series. That's a very pleasing start to the season.

Having Morton is a really handy addition.

Enjoy him while he's healthy

 

[MadTigerFan]

Braves swept, great way to start the season.......pitching sucking big time - so may walks and the bullpen is deplorable, that's what happens when you don't want to spend money on an arm or 2 (plus a few injuries)

Sign Keuchel so Astros get a compo pick please.

 

[MMAPride Scott]

Terrible start to sox, anyone play fantasy baseball whats the best sites to use alright starting late like Afl ? never done baseball

 

[samFFC]

Darvish today was pretty disappointing in his return to Texas for the cubs. 7 walks in 2 and a bit innings

Representative of the very poor Cubs pitching thus far.

Lots of strong teams struggling early though.

 

[FRUMPY]

Cubs playing some awful baseball today, 6 errors through 7 innings

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