JotCast | Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat

Meg Rowley FanGraphs Chat - 8/13/19

Meg Rowley

2:00

Morning all, and welcome to the chat.

2:01

I have returned from Boston, and most of my summer head cold.

Pro-tip: don't get sick and then have to fly to a conference across the country. It is not fun.

Reminder!!

2:01

Meg doesn't answer fantasy baseball questions!

Meg Rowley

2:01

Promise.

Lunar verLander

2:01

Everyone should strive to find someone who loves them as much as Gleyber Torres hates the Orioles.

Meg Rowley

2:03

See, I don't read those home runs as expressions of hate vs. the Orioles. I think he hates baseballs. Not baseball as a sport, baseballs as a piece of athletic equipment. Hates 'em. Thinks they stink. So he actually loves the Orioles, because they allow him, a person with preferences, to rid himself of a thing he hates, namely the baseball.

Seth Lugo

2:03

How many mlb players do you think look at their xwoba regularly?

Meg Rowley

2:03

I would imagine very few, but that the few who do, like, reallllly dig in.

jkim

2:04

Now that we're than 2/3 into the season, what are your current awards picks for MVP/CYA/ROY?

Meg Rowley

2:05

will refrain from doing the AL ROY because I have a vote this year, and would like to maintain an air of MYSTERY, but

2:08

At the moment, am inclined to Bellinger, Scherzer, Tatis in the NL, and Trout and Lance (excuse I'm going to do a swear, I apologize for the swear, but this requires a swear because truly, what in the good heck?) fucking Lynn on the AL side.

Outta my way, Gyorkass

2:08

Ben's article from this morning about the Pirates' recent run of crapitude had a side effect of illustrating just how much the Cardinals benefited from playing ten games against them during this stretch. Between the 3 STL/PIT series, the Cards added a grand total of +30.1% to their playoff odds (currently 39.2%). Are they able to break through and make it, now that they've exhausted those games and only have one more series left (@PIT)?

Meg Rowley

2:10

That the Cubs have an easier way the rest of the way can't be comforting to them. The Cards have a .505 remaining SOS, while the Cubs have .497. It's not a lot but that race is tight. Suppose it depends on your opinion of Goldy's breakthrough, to name one significant factor.

Outta my way, Gyorkass

2:11

If you would have posited that the Brewers would mount a potentially season saving 5 game winning streak in early August, you would have totally predicted their starting rotation as Lyles/Anderson/J. Wholestaff/Gio/Houser, right?

Meg Rowley

2:12

I would have predicted *a* group of "really, that guy?" but perhaps not this specific groups of "really, that guy"s.

Tyler

2:13

Meg, what Phoebe Bridgers song would make the best walk-up song?

Meg Rowley

2:13

Motion Sickness

Chris

2:13

Kelenic is 3-8 in double A. That is all

Meg Rowley

2:14

He's good! Not because of that itty bitty sample, but he's good!

Chris

2:15

Brodie for executive of the year!!

Meg Rowley

2:16

I promise this is not anti-Mets trolling (the comments on my last chat suggest that a anthropological investigation of modern Mets fandom would make for fascinating reading) but please, Chris, calm down.

Jobu

2:16

I haven't heard a whole lot about Jason Kipnis this season, even though Cleveland has to make a big decision on him this offseason. Since July 1, he has slashed .285/.359/.472, good for a 111 wRC+, and has been worth 1.4 WAR this season. What are the odds Cleveland picks up the $16.5 million option on him next year? They're on the hook for a $2.5 million buyout, so it's essentially a 1-year $14 million deal if they choose to retain him. Does it entirely depend on if he keeps up the recent production, or are they cutting ties no matter what?

Meg Rowley

2:17

I say this without inside knowledge, but I would be very, very surprised if they brought him back. The production is just too inconsistent, the injuries are worrying, he's 32, and they are "budget conscious."

Outta my way, Gyorkass

2:18

The negative WAR leader this season is...not Chris Davis? He's improved to 4th worst!

Meg Rowley

2:18

I don't really keep track of that end of our leader boards because it feels... mean. I am not saying you are mean. I am saying writing 1500 words about it would feel mean. But good for Chris!

Tommy L

2:19

Did fangraphs alter the playoff odds formula to toy with Mets fans emotions? From July 25th to now their odds have jumped 40% and they are now the favorite for the 2nd wild card spot.

Meg Rowley

2:20

We do not. I find that fans, regardless of affiliation, are quite good are whipping themselves into a state of frenzy without us compromising the math.

(not that) James

2:20

I would like to humbly request you add a new section to the site to go along with FanGraphs, RotoGraphs, and NotGraphs (RIP). This new section will be dedicated to the adorable and oft hilarious bromantic/brotherly relationship between Acuña and Albies, and will consist entirely of gifs of said relationship along with cutting edge analysis. You can call it FunGraphs. Thank you in advance.

Meg Rowley

2:20

I'll take it to management.

Jnitz

2:20

Why doesn't Mike Soroka get more fan fair for rookie of the year in the NL? He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and with the changes in the ball, isn't his season more impressive than most hitters?

Meg Rowley

2:21

I imagine he'll get some down ballot consideration, but with Alonso and Tatis' seasons, I think it's tricky.

Squid Vicious

2:22

Man, the opener strategy has really taken off, huh? I'm seeing so many 2-, 3-, or 4-inning relief appearances these days. Seems like there's serious value in bulk relief. Do you think more relievers will be prepped to go multiple innings?

Meg Rowley

2:23

I think you'll def see more pitching prospects with limited repertoires find themselves in longer relief rolls.

Angels

2:23

Is Brads seat getting hot? Team has no identity and they are losing badly to bad teams. They had a real shot at a WC if they would have played well against DET, BAL and PIT

Meg Rowley

2:24

I guess there's always a chance that falls to the manager, and they can make for easy scapegoats, but I don't think anyone looking at the 2019 Angels thinks this is Ausmus' fault.

Em Pathy

2:24

Best of 7 Series: Pirates or Mariners?

Meg Rowley

2:24

good god, the poor fans

2:25

Pirates

some jerk

2:25

You sounded so very sick on the last couple EW episodes so I am just glad to hear you're feeling better!!

Load More Messages