MLB Showdown Cards

#ShotsFriday: Stadiums

               We may have another streak on our hands. It is only a matter of time before cream rises to the top. @Tomwyliehart found his fourth shot with Chris Davis. This would be Chris Davis’s second shot of the year. With any luck he will have a bunch more and earn himself something close to that Mark McGwire 2000 card (which @Tomwyliehart created and I have coveted for almost a decade and a half now). With that we hope you all decide to join in our little game by tweeting in 1 player you believe will homer this Friday. Then sit back and enjoy work with your favorite work appropriate beverage knowing a great weekend of baseball is about to start.

Coors Field- For our last round of stadium cards we have introduced some of the stadiums that really changed the game. Coors Field is one of the scarier places to play because you never know what could happen. Before the humidor it seemed much worse… or better depending on perspective. This card also works great with the Rockies manager Jim Tracy who makes it so relievers are never labeled tired for you. Just a thought and love the pairing.

Minute Made Park- Minute made park is a quirky little place that is hot and can give up runs quickly. Never has been a place where pitchers go really long into games. For our games the question is do you play this with a bullpen heavy team and know your starters will get tired, or do you play this with a staff of Aces and trust your opponent’s starters will. The possibilities are great and give you the chance to trap your opponent with less pitching than they want. No matter the choice your team will come prepared.

The Rogers Center- Nothing like playing the outfield on superball surface. It still amazes me how many looping line drives turn into doubles at that place. It seems like once a series an outfielder watches a ball bounces 14 feet in the air over his head. This card like many promotes outfield defense. Risking 3 cards for a chance of turning a single into a double is pretty weak. Fun in its own right and I think worth a look if you don’t want a game changing stadium.

Turner Field- The site of the 1996 Olympic torch lighting ceremony is also part cow pasture. They have had good pitchers, good defensive outfielders over the years and lots of innings pitched. This is definitely a way to save some bullpen and make sure good pitchers do not get fatigued as quickly. Nothing is worse than paying 550 points for a starter and giving up 3 runs through 2 innings. You know they will find a groove but they have still lost and inning pitched. This helps delay that.

The Polo Grounds- ­With maybe the exception of Fenway Park it is tough to think of another stadium where the dimensions are so legendary. 258 feet to the right field foul pole, 279 feet to the left field foul pole and the amazing 483 feet to dead center. It is hard to think how one may place their outfielders in this setting. Too deep and singles will fall in all day. Too short and doubles in the gap turn into a track mete. For this we decided to turn deep homers to center into triples…unless your defenders misplay it.

Twitterboard

@Tomwyliehart:4

@Jamesmruffin:3

@Roktikitiki:2

@Markrom3: 1

@Eddiezone44: 1

Playerboard

Carlos Beltran:3

Mark Trumbo:2

Chris Davis: 2­

Justin Upton:1

Pedro Alvarez: 1

Miguel Cabrera: 1

Yasiel Puig: 1