MLB 2026

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

Mat Olson BOMB to walk it off in the 9th last night! But today we lost the getaway game by 3. Elder did great but offense with RISP was not the same today which is ok, we are still the best in MLB, 22-10.

 

[jaylach]

Cleveland ruined the A's streak of not losing 2 in a row whipping then 14-6 to win the first 2 of their series.

 

[jaylach]

Oh, to add on how about José Ramírez's mile stone today?

Ramírez is only the second Cleveland player in franchise history with 300-plus career steals, joining Kenny Lofton (452). He is only the third primary third baseman (minimum 50 percent of games at the position) in the Modern Era (since 1900) with 300 steals, following Chone Figgins (341) and Hans Lobert (316).

Among active players, Ramírez is now one of four with 300-plus steals, following Starling Marte (361, entering Saturday), Jose Altuve (326) and Trea Turner (318). The Guardians’ third baseman now needs just nine home runs to become the ninth player in MLB history with 300 home runs and 300 steals in a career.

When he is done with his career (and he is signed with Cleveland through 2032) he is pretty much an automatic addition to the Hall Of Fame. He is one of those generational players that is just a total joy to watch. He has just one speed and that is all out. Shoot, many of his doubles would be a single for most 'stars'. One of the things I like most is that he doesn't act like a star and is always there to advise and help young players.

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

Spencer returned to the mound. Did solid for his first outing of 26. We just swept the Rockies, headed to Seattle, and then LA (dodgers), ATLs longest road trip of the year, 9 games in the west.

Only team to have no series losses, STILL. Also the first MLB team this year to surpass 200 runs scored as a team. Acuna got hurt, go figure. Left hamstring. 10 day. Fingers crossed.

Jonah Heim and Mateo (bench players) having a day yesterday too. This team is fun to watch.

 

[jaylach]

Only team to have no series losses, STILL. Also the first MLB team this year to surpass 200 runs scored as a team. Acuna got hurt, go figure. Left hamstring. 10 day. Fingers crossed.

The trick to making the playoffs isn't about winning individual games but winning series. Also, you have to beat up the bad teams and play .500, or better, against the good teams. Do these two things and it is pretty much a sure thing that you will be in the playoffs.As an example in 2025 Cleveland won the division with Detroit making a wildcard spot. Cleveland took the season games against Detroit 8-5. If memory serves neither team swept a series but Cleveland won series. Reverse the 8-5 and Detroit wins the division. Let's say that all series are 3 games and you win all of the series 2-1. Ya, teams DID beat you but you end up with a season record of 108-54. That will put you in the playoffs 99.99999999% of the time.

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

The Braves are about to face their biggest challenge yet, and even though on paper, the Braves are #1, the dodgers, are still the dodgers. If we get the series win there, it is looking good for us. Also, the start of the season can set the tone of a year, but the end of the year and who is truly hot at the end, is the game changer.. Philly did this to the braves twice a few years back, both playoff runs ended for the braves because the phillies got hot at the perfect time, playoffs.

Side note, Olson passed 300 home runs! Congrats to him!

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

The trick to making the playoffs isn't about winning individual games but winning series. Also, you have to beat up the bad teams and play .500, or better, against the good teams. Do these two things and it is pretty much a sure thing that you will be in the playoffs.As an example in 2025 Cleveland won the division with Detroit making a wildcard spot. Cleveland took the season games against Detroit 8-5. If memory serves neither team swept a series but Cleveland won series. Reverse the 8-5 and Detroit wins the division. Let's say that all series are 3 games and you win all of the series 2-1. Ya, teams DID beat you but you end up with a season record of 108-54. That will put you in the playoffs 99.99999999% of the time.

Yep, I totally agree.

Even though the BravesThe are the only team over 500 in the east, I still am worried about the phillies catching fire. The Braves have only had two series sweeps, but they always take 2 out of 3, thats huge.

Braves are 5-1 right now against the Phillies, we meet them 2 more times in late season. Anything could happen, that record could be flipped, giving the Phils a better chance to get the title.

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

Braves dropped their first series of the year to SEA. I will not make excuses, I will just say, credit to SEA. All three starter dominated, and the offense came through, sometimes the other team just plays better, and that is what happened this series. It is ok, hopefully we get the series win against the dodgers that is coming up. And end this 9 day west road trip!

 

[bgarthe]

With all this Cleveland and Atlanta talk, I just “have” mention how well my Chicago Cubs are doing…….hopefully this will continue.

 

[jaylach]

With all this Cleveland and Atlanta talk, I just “have” mention how well my Chicago Cubs are doing…….hopefully this will continue.

Yep, the Cubs currently have their longest home winning streak going in 91 years. Mayhaps we can have another 2016 match-up.

Cleveland just beat KC to get another winning road trip. AL Central, so far, is the tightest in the league with the last place Twins only 3.5 games out. Cleveland leads over Detroit by 1.5 games. AL West is close though with the Astros and Angels being 4.0 games back.

 

[bgarthe]

I’d love another 2016 matchup.

 

[Whitecloudminnowguy09]

I am actually pretty excited for the Cubs this year to be having a good start. After losing the NLDS last year. And before last year, their last appearance was in the shortened season, in 2020. I like the cubs, wrigley field, the vibes there, its a cool ball club

 

[bgarthe]

I’ve been a Cub fan since 1967 and can still name the line up. Btw, a good read on the ‘68 Cubs is Ron Santo’s book, “For Love of Ivy”. Having success like this is kinda fun. In the 90s, the Bulls (thanks in large part to MJ) gave me that same fun.

 

[jaylach]

Not sure what happened Saturday but it wasn't good fore Cleveland! There is no possible excuse for having the bases loaded three times and losing 2-1 in 11 innings.

 

[bgarthe]

Ok….back to earth. After two 10 game winning streaks in a month, my Cubs lost last night. I guess it’s time to start another 10 game winning streak. I can dream, can’t I?