Author Topic: Comedy Central no more  (Read 4975 times)

jasonact

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Comedy Central no more
« on: April 28, 2006, 01:02:44 pm »
It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that the mediots and spexperts dubbed the NL Central as "Comedy Central". Now, the Astros and Cardinals have both made the playoffs each of the last two years, and each has represented the NL in the WS during that time.

Now as I look at the somewhat meaningless April 28 standings, I see HALF of the teams in the NL Central (Astros, Reds, and Cardinals) with better records than the rest of MLB (15-6, 15-7, 15-7, respectively). And two more teams (sCubs and Brewers) each at least 2 games above .500.

I know that will certainly change, and probably this weekend. I fully expect to see the Reds and Cubs finish below .500 when it's all said and done. Astros and 3rdinals may both make the playoffs for the third year in a row, and the Brewers and maybe even Reds could contend after the AS break, but do you think that this division really is the best in baseball, or is it simply an April mirage?

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drew corleone

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2006, 01:12:08 pm »
There's no way it's not better than the West.

JJxvi

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2006, 01:15:13 pm »
The division is currently 31-13 (.705) in inter-division games.

austro

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2006, 01:36:13 pm »
Quote:

The division is currently 31-13 (.705) in inter-division games.




It would be 32-12 if Pujols hadn't hit that homer off of Lidge last fall and hurt his feelings so bad that he doesn't trust his stuff anymore.
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Limey

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2006, 01:37:43 pm »
Quote:

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that the mediots and spexperts dubbed the NL Central as "Comedy Central". Now, the Astros and Cardinals have both made the playoffs each of the last two years, and each has represented the NL in the WS during that time.

Now as I look at the somewhat meaningless April 28 standings, I see HALF of the teams in the NL Central (Astros, Reds, and Cardinals) with better records than the rest of MLB (15-6, 15-7, 15-7, respectively). And two more teams (sCubs and Brewers) each at least 2 games above .500.

I know that will certainly change, and probably this weekend. I fully expect to see the Reds and Cubs finish below .500 when it's all said and done. Astros and 3rdinals may both make the playoffs for the third year in a row, and the Brewers and maybe even Reds could contend after the AS break, but do you think that this division really is the best in baseball, or is it simply an April mirage?

This matters not a wit, of course. Just killing time.




As it's Friday, I'll pick some nits just for laffs.

(1)  It's early, and I fully expect one of the three NL Central powerhouses to fall away.

(2)  The Central is always going to send 1 team to the playoffs anyway.  The fact that the Central has produced the wild card for the last couple of years does suggest strength, but could be argued against by pointing to the number of times the Central division leaders get to play the  Pirates and Reds.

(3)  The argument in (2) gets trounced by the fact that the NL Central has contested the last two Championship series.
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EasTexAstro

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2006, 01:54:55 pm »
I don't know if you ever look at the RPI rankings on ESPN, but they seem to help support your post.  

1    Chicago Cubs    
2    Cincinnati Reds
3    St. Louis Cardinals
4    Milwaukee Brewers
8    Houston Astros
24    Pittsburgh Pirates
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Fredia

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2006, 02:29:45 pm »
a a mirage ? well if it is all smoke and mirrors buy me a cigar and pass me a looking glass alice
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homer

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2006, 02:47:57 pm »
 
Quote:

(2) The Central is always going to send 1 team to the playoffs anyway. The fact that the Central has produced the wild card for the last couple of years does suggest strength, but could be argued against by pointing to the number of times the Central division leaders get to play the Pirates and Reds.




Or the number of times the teams in the east get to play philadelphia and washington/montreal. Or the number of times the west gets to play colorado. Every division has its weak teams, not just the NL Central.
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jasonact

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2006, 03:58:51 pm »
Quote:

I don't know if you ever look at the RPI rankings on ESPN, but they seem to help support your post.  

1    Chicago Cubs    
2    Cincinnati Reds
3    St. Louis Cardinals
4    Milwaukee Brewers
8    Houston Astros
24    Pittsburgh Pirates





Wow. That's one stat I hadn't seen. Every team ahead of the Astros is either in the NL Central or the AL. No teams from the NL East or West are any higher than 12. I'm not smart enough to know specifically what RPI means or how much it matters, but you're right. That certainly does seem to support my post.
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EasTexAstro

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2006, 04:03:49 pm »
Quote:

Quote:

I don't know if you ever look at the RPI rankings on ESPN, but they seem to help support your post.  

1    Chicago Cubs    
2    Cincinnati Reds
3    St. Louis Cardinals
4    Milwaukee Brewers
8    Houston Astros
24    Pittsburgh Pirates





Wow. That's one stat I hadn't seen. Every team ahead of the Astros is either in the NL Central or the AL. No teams from the NL East or West are any higher than 12. I'm not smart enough to know specifically what RPI means or how much it matters, but you're right. That certainly does seem to support my post.





I'm not really sure what the RPI thing is all about, or if it is worth a second look. I like looking at the strength of schedule calculation every once in a while, though.
It's my estimation that every man ever got a statue made of 'em was one kinda sombitch or another.

Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2006, 04:11:27 pm »
Ridicules Pinwheel Interpretation

jasonact

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2006, 04:12:59 pm »
Quote:

Ridicules Pinwheel Interpretation




And what might that be?
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Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2006, 04:14:05 pm »
RPI, just saying that is one of the worst ratings I have ever seen.

And another thing, why the hell are they doing power ratings at this time of the year? (sample size)

jasonact

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2006, 04:23:42 pm »
Quote:

And another thing, why the hell are they doing power ratings at this time of the year? (sample size)  




Because almost all power rankings are at least partially determined by expectations, especially early on. Record and quality of play are overtly only part of the equation (if that). Expectations know no sample size.
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Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2006, 04:26:14 pm »
So let me ask you a question then if it is based on expectations.  Do you expect the reds, the brewers or the scrubs (that one is almost funny to type) to finish above the Astros?

Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2006, 04:29:25 pm »
This is almost as good as the BCS rankings.

jasonact

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2006, 04:30:52 pm »
Quote:

So let me ask you a question them if it is based on expectations.  Do you expect the reds, the brewers or the scrubs (that one is almost funny to type) to finish above the Astros?




nope.

Wait. Are you referring to  the stat, RPI, or the even more subjective  "Power Rankings"? If you're referring to the former, then refer to my previous post about my own ignorance regarding RPI. If you're referring to the latter, then expectations apply, and my answer again is "nope".
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Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2006, 04:31:55 pm »
Okay.

JJxvi

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2006, 04:45:34 pm »
Strength of Schedule in major league baseball? Give me a break...

jb1219

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #19 on: April 29, 2006, 11:07:54 am »
it still stings..doesn't it


Quote:

Quote:

The division is currently 31-13 (.705) in inter-division games.




It would be 32-12 if Pujols hadn't hit that homer off of Lidge last fall and hurt his feelings so bad that he doesn't trust his stuff anymore.




Astroholic

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #20 on: April 29, 2006, 12:12:20 pm »
yeah, but the blue star ointment helps.

astrojo

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #21 on: April 29, 2006, 04:05:47 pm »
card fan, you have been EXPOSED!!!  buh-bye, TROLL!

Quote:

it still stings..doesn't it


Quote:

Quote:

The division is currently 31-13 (.705) in inter-division games.




It would be 32-12 if Pujols hadn't hit that homer off of Lidge last fall and hurt his feelings so bad that he doesn't trust his stuff anymore.






jasonact

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Re: Comedy Central no more
« Reply #22 on: May 01, 2006, 09:52:37 am »
Quote:

it still stings..doesn't it




Only for Co-ards fans, who only point to that because they can't point to an NL pennant.
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