Official 2011 MLB Thread

I know Spring training is just underway, but I have the itch.

What are you excited about for this year?

I'm eager to see the Phillies rotation help them walk through the NL. Probably a 110 win season. Sucks as the obvious Cubs fan.

In the AL, I follow the Rangers and Orioles. Both of which excite me. Baltimore has really made some moves to strengthen their offense and the Rangers will be back with a vengence.

As far as the Cubbies go, I don't think this will be a stellar year, but I'm eager to see their line-up hit the ball. Primarily the middle with Byrd, Ramirez, Pena, Soriano, and Soto. All could have 30+ HR seasons.

With the expiration of some big money contracts next year (Pena - 10M, Fukudome - 14M, and Ramirez - 16M), I'm eager to see what their plans are. I'd like to see Ramirez and Pena put up good numbers and stay, so the Cubs can bolster their Rotation or Bullpen, but I'm also wanting to see Pujols in a Cub's Uniform.

No way you'll see pujols. It'd be nice...but it won't happen. I'm also looking forward to seeing the monster lineup in Philly.

Cubs...pfft. I'm a die hard cubs fan, but I'm getting sick of the way management is handling trades. I watched 2 months last year and quit. I was extremely upset with some of the deals that were made this past off season.

Rays don't look like contenders this year. Back to the basement I think. I'll still go to games though.

Huge Yankee fan, but a greater baseball. Im lucky enough to be in Florida in March and will be able to see some Spring training games. A friend of our who lives about a block from Wrigley got us tickets to the Yankees at Cubs series in June, Ive always wanted to see that park.

Anyway, in a complete objective opinion: if the Red Sox don't at least take the East with the team they have acquired, their organization has some serious problems. The Yankees have some serious pitching and catching issues, so I don't expect them to take the East. I also like to watch the Pirates and wait for that magical season where they finally break their losing record streak, currently at 18 consecutive seasons.

As much as I love my Royals, I'm also a realist, so I'm not expecting too much this year. Hopefully we can our young guys some MLB experience and hopefully next season we can contend for the division.

Funny I just stumbled across this discussion. My wife (who just started brewing) and I (who have been brewing for ~2.5 years), just returned from Clearwater where we saw the Phillies play the Pirates and the Rays. Luckily for us, we were able to see Halladay and Lee pitch a few innings. We're die-hard Phillies fans, so clearly this is a thrill, but the rotation can have its hands full living up to the expectations, especially if the batting order doesn't stay healthy. That said, it will definitely be an interesting year. I'm curious to see what the Giants do, if their offense can do what they did in the playoffs.

Also, as a sidenote for all the beer lovers on here, the Phils ballpark, Brighthouse Field, has a "Beers of the World" stand that sell over 100 bottles and has 6 rotating microbrew taps. We drank Cigar City Jai Alai IPA in 24oz glasses for $6.50; needless to say this was a definite perk to go see the games...

glickmanii said:

Funny I just stumbled across this discussion. My wife (who just started brewing) and I (who have been brewing for ~2.5 years), just returned from Clearwater where we saw the Phillies play the Pirates and the Rays. Luckily for us, we were able to see Halladay and Lee pitch a few innings. We're die-hard Phillies fans, so clearly this is a thrill, but the rotation can have its hands full living up to the expectations, especially if the batting order doesn't stay healthy. That said, it will definitely be an interesting year. I'm curious to see what the Giants do, if their offense can do what they did in the playoffs.

Also, as a sidenote for all the beer lovers on here, the Phils ballpark, Brighthouse Field, has a "Beers of the World" stand that sell over 100 bottles and has 6 rotating microbrew taps. We drank Cigar City Jai Alai IPA in 24oz glasses for $6.50; needless to say this was a definite perk to go see the games...

Click to expand...

Brighthouse Field is a nice stadium - I like it too. Phillies look dominating this year with a hot rotation.

I am looking forward to the Royals losing 90+ games while the team keeps telling us that they have the best farm system in the world. All the while Mr. WalMart refuses to spend any $$$ while we wait for that talent to get here. But I'm not bitter.

go cubs go, go cubs go

Bump this up. Opening day comin up!

Just so-so on the Tigers anymore. It's just baseball in general. I would love to go to a game at the stadium, and I'll def tune in on the radio if there isn't a good song on.

BUt i"m very excited to go watch the West Michigan Whitecaps in Grand Rapids (well, Comstock Park to be more precise). Good food, good baseball, good prices, and even some good craft beer! Thinking about taking my In-Law's former foster kid to a game if his folks don't mind. He's a fan of whatever sport he's currently playing at school. I'm sure he'd love to go.

Cubs started their season in typical Cubs fashion.


*Slaps forehead*