***Official*** MLB 2025 Thread

[Dan Druff]

The Bubba Chandler era has started with...

... a 4-inning save.

Not exactly what I expected.

He combined with fellow rookie Braxton Ashcraft (who already has over 40 IP) to throw a combined shutout. Chandler did well -- 2 hits allowed, 3 K, zero walks. He got the save because he pitched more than 3 innings to finish the game, and Pittsburgh won.

Many believed Chandler would be promoted early and be the 2025 version of 2024's Skenes, but he scuffled in the minors, pitching to a 4.05 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this year. Skenes, on the other hand, completely obliterated the minor league hitters last year, and in fact should have been promoted earlier than he was.

Chandler doesn't quite have Skenes' talents, but the Pirates hope he can be a #2 to Skenes and turn the team's fortunes around, with perhaps Ashcraft being a solid #3 guy.

No answer on the offense, though, which has been perpetually horrible for quite some time.

[gut]

The Bubba Chandler era has started with...

... a 4-inning save.

Not exactly what I expected.

He combined with fellow rookie Braxton Ashcraft (who already has over 40 IP) to throw a combined shutout. Chandler did well -- 2 hits allowed, 3 K, zero walks. He got the save because he pitched more than 3 innings to finish the game, and Pittsburgh won.

Many believed Chandler would be promoted early and be the 2025 version of 2024's Skenes, but he scuffled in the minors, pitching to a 4.05 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this year. Skenes, on the other hand, completely obliterated the minor league hitters last year, and in fact should have been promoted earlier than he was.

Chandler doesn't quite have Skenes' talents, but the Pirates hope he can be a #2 to Skenes and turn the team's fortunes around, with perhaps Ashcraft being a solid #3 guy.

No answer on the offense, though, which has been perpetually horrible for quite some time.

.....and they have a returning Jared Jones, and still Mitch Keller for 4 & 5. But it's still Nutting so LOL.

[simpdog]

Bieber 6 innings gave up 2 hits (1 homer), 9Ks, 0BBs.

Granted it's against Miami but if he continues to pitch like that it may have been the #1 trade deadline deal and could be a difference maker in the playoffs.

Bieber, Scherzer, Gausman could be a great top 3 combo and you still have Berrios, Bassitt, Lauer.

[Dan Druff]

Bieber 6 innings gave up 2 hits (1 homer), 9Ks, 0BBs.

Granted it's against Miami but if he continues to pitch like that it may have been the #1 trade deadline deal and could be a difference maker in the playoffs.

Bieber, Scherzer, Gausman could be a great top 3 combo and you still have Berrios, Bassitt, Lauer.

Scherzer is 41, and while he hasn't shown his age yet this year, it inevitably happens. You're actually fortunate he hasn't pitched the whole year, so you have a chance to see good things out of him before the fatigue sets in.

In general you never want a pitcher over 40 to be important for the playoffs.

Bieber could end up a great move if he keeps up this level of control. A little early to say, though. I'm actually surprised at how sharp he is right away. I will say that, last year before he went down, he had struck out 20 and only walked 1, so this is picking up where he left off.

[Dan Druff]

After a lot of consideration, I decided not to go to SD this weekend. Ben had too much schoolwork so it just wouldn't have worked out. Also, I would've had to pay like $235 per ticket to sit anywhere decent, which is pricey for a non-playoff game.

Another big factor was the distance I'd be driving, possibly in traffic. I'll watch it on TV.

Los Angeles having its usual mid-late August heat wave right now, though it should be ending by Monday. San Diego is much nicer. They really do have great weather over there.

[Sanlmar]

After a lot of consideration, I decided not to go to SD this weekend. Ben had too much schoolwork so it just wouldn't have worked out. Also, I would've had to pay like $235 per ticket to sit anywhere decent, which is pricey for a non-playoff game.

Another big factor was the distance I'd be driving, possibly in traffic. I'll watch it on TV.

Los Angeles having its usual mid-late August heat wave right now, though it should be ending by Monday. San Diego is much nicer. They really do have great weather over there.

Dave Roberts makes his home in San Diego. He knows.

Most temperate weather in the US. If you like that sort of thing

[lol wow]

bro sally learning the word temperate in 2025 were super proud of you man

[lol wow]

also every padre fan looks so disgusting on tv who are these people

[Sanlmar]

Kershaw is the Dodgers best starting pitcher.

Just as true today as it was then.

Sorry Druff

[lol wow]

not a great inning but padres fans are hideous

[Sanlmar]

Imagine Tatis still on the juice.

[Dan Druff]

Well my decision not to hassle with the 350-mile roundtrip drive, an expensive hotel room, and expensive tickets ended up being a good one.

[Sanlmar]

Dustin May living in a post Mark Prior world has 13 strikeouts last 2 games. This is so stealthy and inside baseball

+140 Sawks vs Yankees Sunday Night Baseball

Druff will confirm. Gingergaard

[Dan Druff]

Dustin May living in a post Mark Prior world has 13 strikeouts last 2 games. This is so stealthy and inside baseball

+140 Sawks vs Yankees Sunday Night Baseball

Druff will confirm. Gingergaard

Let's not get too excited yet. May had small stretches of brilliance for the Dodgers, too, but then ended up either getting hurt or giving up a million runs.

I'll need to see more data.

[Dan Druff]

Isaac Collins now moved into ROY pole position with odds ranging from -135 to -185.

You can still get Cade Horton (another shutout today) at 22:1 on Bovada.

[country978]

Regarding the rule where there's a guy on 2nd to begin in extras if that guy scores does it count as an earned run for the pitcher or is it treated as an inherited runner?

[Dan Druff]

Poor Gavin Sheets was having a career year, and then the Padres acquired Laureano and O'Hearn and knocked him the fuck out of the starting lineup.

Sheets was in a minor slump at the time, so nobody complained.

Then Merrill got injured (again -- and this might be a problem for his career), and Sheets was back in action. He has owned heads in the week since, including 2 doubles today in the Padres' otherwise losing effort against the Dodgers.

Sheets is actually back to looking more like his rookie year. He was pretty bad in 2023-24, so the Padres had low expectations, but he's become a constant threat with the bat, and has been better than his mid-700s OPS shows.

Anyway, this should be an interesting final month between the Dodgers and Padres. Dodgers will need to get good performances out of their now-mostly-healthy rotation. Padres will need to consistently score runs -- something which has been a problem for this team despite all the talent (though improved since the trade deadline). Dodgers have the better rotation (especially with Michael King out). Padres have the better bullpen. Neither team is really in danger of missing the postseason, so it's just a matter of who wins the division. Barring a collapse, the playoff picture in the NL is set for 5 of 6 teams (Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, Cubs, Phillies).

[Dan Druff]

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