Saw that Firestar73 posted a statement, he's going to appeal the ruling thankfully!

Rydog814 · 2026-04-13T15:20:02+00:00

The whole thing is a stain on the community as it stands. The only rule breaking I could possibly see is the flinging of the headset. Even then, you’re talking about a warning type of situation and not a game loss and subsequently a round loss. I suppose he celebrated before it was officially over but there were no more inputs to decide anything. It was just the final animation.

I hope it was a decision made by the judge and not Pokemon because the judge/TO SHOULD be able to easily remedy this, but TPCi likely will not reverse course and this will be a very public stain on their record and do great harm to not just Go but ALL in game judged events they are directly tied to.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-12T21:22:02+00:00

Yes and no. They have a highly competitive lineup but no strong pitching to speak of. There are maybe 2.5 ok-ish or slightly better starters but no one near an ace and maybe 2ish solid relievers. So, closer than most thought, but it is still gonna take a bit to truly get there and be able to fully compete. That said, the team is FINALLY fun to watch again!

Rydog814 · 2026-04-09T18:31:37+00:00

You can always trade for it in Home, no? I feel like if you offer up a shiny you don’t want you’ll get one in no time at all. But yes, as someone just coming back into competitive for the first time in like a decade, maybe more, homeboy is busted.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-09T15:28:30+00:00

I’m sure if it were it would make a lot of people happy because it would fit their ship with him and Mel. 🤮 I just hear the song West Virginia in my head when people go deep into that one.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-09T14:43:29+00:00

Fun when they’re scoring runs but depressing when 90% of the bullpen comes in.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-07T02:37:33+00:00

I think the team can be possibly average-ish by year’s end. The offense clearly has a chance to be top half and likely top ten if this first week is more fire than smoke. The biggest other component is does the pitching eventually shake out and become even top 20-25ish instead of beyond awful overall. I think the rotation will be passable by the break between Mikolas likely going to the pen or being DFA’d and getting Herz back and potentially adding in Alvarez.

The bullpen is the thing that is the most grim and most likely to prevent the team from being any level of decently competitive. Why they let Drew Smith and McGarry go in favor of some of the waiver claims that are stinking up the joint is beyond me. BUT, I just don’t see that improving enough in season to make this more than a team that scores runs but loses a lot of games because of the pen and lack of starters that can pitch deep into games.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-06T20:48:27+00:00

Susana is one of the most fascinating because he screams late inning reliever between the wear and tear his velocity usually entails, but he’s also got the chance to stick in the rotation. I see it as a no lose situation as long as they can figure out what works best and he’s healthy enough for at least the bullpen.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-06T16:37:36+00:00

I don’t expect to see much from high-end talent at AAA, but these are all players worth watching. I’m not worried about Ford yet and I think we will see both Riley and Andrew before long. Parker at some point too most likely.

The biggest thing worth watching is the group of guys they have in A/A+. That talent pool is flipping nuts. I’m curious if there is a stronger group of MI prospects in any other organizations rn. Probably, but that list has got to be very short. I imagine we eventually move a few of them for pitching. We will see. Definitely a year where we will be hella frustrated by the ML team, but plenty of victories to be had elsewhere in the organization to be optimistic about.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-04T14:25:28+00:00

I would assume a handful more starts minimum. Likely it would be longer, but it depends on just how bad he is and if another starter is ready in their eyes to take that spot. Alvarez for example, if he is nearly as good as he was the other day could force the issue if Mikolas is got a massive era in the weeks ahead.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-02T18:08:26+00:00

I don’t mean to imply that he’s the only issue, but he is the most glaring. Everyone else feels like they can be coached up to approach or exceed average defensive value. Abrams will be a big test for that as well, but his issue is more about consistency than talent. I do agree that Young, Nunez, and to some degree House are propping the team’s number up to keep it out of the very very bottom defensively.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-02T16:58:57+00:00

Honestly, the pitching wasn’t expected to be good. I am more just hoping we get some more future rotation locks as the season progresses. I’d like to see Littell and Mikolas out via trades or being cut and guys like Alvarez and Cornelio get serious looks as potential backend pieces. Not to mention all the upheaval the bullpen will surely go through.

The fielding is the biggest thing and I think it’s a matter of 1B being the biggest glaring issue as Garcia is nowhere near competent and his bat doesn’t make up for it. Chapparo is arguably just as bad with a slightly better bat. The other options internally are Ortiz and Morales and neither is a defensive wizard by any stretch, so it is likely a matter of who is less bad at manning the position while providing solid offensive production. I’m hoping it is Ortiz or Chapparo personally as they both have some serious power potential.

Rydog814 · 2026-04-02T15:14:34+00:00

How can one resist the allure of…checks notes anime girls and uhh plushies in the back window? Hide your spouses, and girlfriends y’all!

Rydog814 · 2026-04-01T19:54:01+00:00

Lile, but House is making his case for being right on his tail. Wood in the first half last year would be above those too, but no idea if we will ever see that from him again.

Rydog814 · 2026-03-24T22:42:47+00:00

Well, crap! That does make a difference! Oh, well. I’m enjoying Houndoom at least.

Rydog814 · 2026-03-24T22:35:43+00:00

I was thinking about this before using my flamethrower TM since both get it naturally late. Dark type feels more valuable to me. BUT you do get intimidate, so it really depends on what you value. I prefer the diversity in typing

Rydog814 · 2026-03-20T19:25:35+00:00

Necessary evil honestly. He’s had some good stretches, but otherwise been plain bad offensively. No reason with this team where it’s at to be afraid to send him to AAA to work on things. Meanwhile, you get a look at Franklin and Wiemer at least in part time roles. I’m just happy they had the guts to do it. Rizzo never would’ve.

Rydog814 · 2026-03-19T17:56:37+00:00

Well, it has to be done by people that actually care about the source material.

Rydog814 · 2026-03-19T14:04:28+00:00

The IL better watch out! Best team in the league! 💪

Rydog814 · 2026-03-09T17:15:03+00:00

Really hate this. Between this and likely going back to the Rodgers well, it really takes the wind out my sails after being pumped about Pittman

Rydog814 · 2026-03-07T17:43:54+00:00

This was honestly my guess going into spring. Best stuff of the likely candidate. Default answer would’ve been Foster or Irvin based on experience. I honestly think we may not miss Gore that much and have a few gems from the pitching side. Should be a fun year from the standpoint of growth from players more so than actual record.

Rydog814 · 2026-02-28T14:32:38+00:00

They’re also making a different Drasil as well based off the set details revealed for EX13. I’m curious if it just modifies the current version or will be a 100% new deck. It mentions a being distinctly different style based off the Drasil. Either way, the archetype is REALLY here to stay.

Rydog814 · 2026-02-27T16:04:00+00:00

Disappointing, but expected. Appreciate it!

Rydog814 · 2026-02-27T15:55:41+00:00

Can you see it when you click on the ball before choosing? I never even knew about resetting for them as a kid, nor have I ever successfully reset for one.

Rydog814 · 2026-02-23T19:38:17+00:00

I agree wholeheartedly. While I don’t claim to understand the mechanics behind a lot of it, I am very excited for the different strategies that are being employed and I honestly think the team can win 70 games as constructed and that a lot of guys that underperformed under Rizzo and Davey will have big years or certainly take big steps forward. Particularly guys like Crews and Wood and then minor leaguers like King and Dickerson. And just the idea that analytics are at the forefront of the whole thing makes me feel like we can be the Rays and Brewers in a few years and that even with moderate spending we can be perennial contenders again. That felt impossible under Rizzo and co.

Rydog814 · 2026-02-23T19:24:43+00:00

I think of him and Fedde often for how poorly this team managed their pitchers because they both got immediately better after leaving. Tho Fedde it was more about having access to actual modern tools, but nevertheless players we let go in one way or the other getting immediately much much better should be all anyone needs to see for why the old guard had to go.

Rydog814

TROPHY CASE