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Thursday, June 01, 2023

OMNICHATTER for June 2023

Scoreboards for the Major Leagues and all minor leagues,
courtesy of Jefferson Manship (Dan Lee).

Hombre Brotani Posted: June 01, 2023 at 04:07 PM | 920 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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401. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: June 12, 2023 at 02:07 PM (#6132480)

This might go down as the greatest interview in college baseball history @bigdonkey47 pic.twitter.com/6CdVpFXmo2

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) June 10, 2023

402. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 02:18 PM (#6132482)

Helsley to the IL with the dreaded forearm strain. This could be the final nail for making a "sell" decision and they have plenty of assets to sell.

403. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 03:04 PM (#6132488)

Sidebar: Huh, Hickman was with the Cubs a lot longer than I thought. Some of it before I was really paying attention but still I thought he'd only lasted 2.5 seaosns or so. But it was a full 6 seasons so "long-time teammate" of Billy Williams is accurate.

Cardinal assets: I'm not so sure they have a lot to sell unless they're really gonna blow things up. The main asset is 1.5 years of Goldschmidt, he'd bring a lot back. Standard pending FA players aren't that attractive a bunch -- Montgomery, Flaherty, Hicks, deJong. They can certainly find takers for the first two. Beyond that you have losers in the OF Logjam Lotto but if O'Neill was doing well they'd have a couple more wins (and Carlson is only just entering arb so, unless they're the A's now, it's too early to trade him).

Edman is an interesting trade target. DRS rates his defense as average this year, including at SS and 2B. His baserunning has also "cratered" to average. What do our Cards fans say? Edman without defense and baserunning is definitely "sell this guy before anybody else notices."

So maybe it is time for a bit of a blow-up. Nootbar, Carlson, Walker, Donovan and Burleson in the OF, maybe Gorman to 1B, Arenado probably not going anywhere but you can shop him. We all know there's not much of a pitching staff here and most of it is FA at year's end anyway.

Arenado: I've come to think of him as a much better hitter than he is. I suppose that's because he keeps churning out 7 WAR seasons so it seems like he should post 140-150 OPS+. But this year's 122 and 2021's 119 are spot on his 123 career average. Last year was his only season with an OPS+ over 133. Every other full season after his rookie year has been within 10 points of that career average. The bad news of course is that if the defense ever leaves (and DRS seems to think it's gone ... +19 last year, -2 this year) then he's just a good-hitting 3B, possibly moving to 1B in a couple of years.

Curious about Edman and Arenado, I tracked them down at statcast. Statcast so far agrees on Arenado but still rates Edman above average but nothing special particularly (+3, around 50th overall).

404. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 03:14 PM (#6132494)

Olney speculating that Judge is out until All Star Break

405. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 03:17 PM (#6132495)

With Slaughter running, Walker lined the ball to left-center field, where Culberson fielded the ball. As he threw a relay to shortstop Johnny Pesky, Slaughter rounded third base, ignored third base coach Mike González's stop sign, and continued for home.

What exactly happened when Pesky turned around is still a matter of contention. Some claim that Pesky, assuming that Slaughter would not be running home, checked Walker at first base instead of immediately firing home, while others contend that Pesky was so shocked to see Slaughter on his way to score that he had a mental lapse that accounted for the delay. Whatever the reason, the delay, along with a weak and rushed throw home, allowed Slaughter to score just as Red Sox catcher Roy Partee caught it up the line from home plate.

Culberson hit for the natural cycle

406. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 03:31 PM (#6132497)

Soto for Ohtani. Who says no?

Padres get a much needed pitcher and a chance to lock up Ohtani.

Angels extend Trouts window another year and there is no way they can sign Ohtani (although if they extend Soto maybe they have a chance )

Baseball trade values says it's not an entirely lopsided trade.

If I were the Angels I'd do this to avoid the "they lost Ohtani discussions". If I'm the Padres I might do this. Do the angels have a catcher they can throw in? Looks like they have two minor league catching prospects that could fit

407. JJ1986 Posted: June 12, 2023 at 03:37 PM (#6132499)

The Angels can't possibly trade Ohtani while they're in the playoff hunt, even if it's a huge win value-wise.

408. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 05:14 PM (#6132512)

Soto for Ohtani. Who says no?

Hombre, Rally, every Angels ticket buyer, the entire Anaheim metro area, the entire nation of Japan.

409. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 05:15 PM (#6132513)

Rob Manfred would consider it though.

410. BDC

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 05:31 PM (#6132515)

Well, I'm headed to the BDC Dome in a little bit to see Ohtani before the Angels trade him :) He does not pitch till Thursday, though, so only as DH tonight. Trout is also in the lineup.

MLB has become like the NFL for me – I know one or two players on every visiting team. I barely know any of the Rangers' relievers any more. I go to games as much as I ever did, I still enjoy them (especially with the pitch clock). But following the sport overall has become too much for me. Just my decline phase as a fan :) MLB hasn't changed that much in the past decade, though the move to all-play-all schedules makes the visitors a bit more random.

I actually know some of these other Angels, because they used to come in to Arlington so often. Jared Walsh, he has been good in the past but is hitting .122 this year. Taylor Ward was good in 2022 but also having an off-year. Rendon I know, and Hunter Renfroe. So I guess there's hope …

411. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 05:35 PM (#6132516)

While certainly very good, especially at the top, the all-Juan team is not as awesome as I might have thought ... no guarantee I got them all:

C Centeno (371 career PA)
1B Beniquez, Rivera
2B Samuel
SS Uribe
3B Francisco
LF Soto
CF Pierre
RF Gonzalez
SP Marichal, Guzman, Pizarro, Padron (NeL), Nicasio
RP Berengeur, Acevedo, Agosto, Cruz, Oviedo (aka Leo Nunez), etc. (I decided not to take JC Romero since, far as I know, only known as JC)

Both Beniquez and Rivera are mainly OF but between them had about a full season of 1B starts. I don't see any good candidates unless you want to count Carlos Juan Delgado (which, understandably, the all-Juan team would like to do but the all-Carlos team gets first dibs). I won't be surprised if I missed a better catcher out there than Centeno or better 3B than Francisco.

EDIT: I'm not a NeL afficionado so I don't know Padron but the 146 ERA+ looks good and he's just slated in as 4th starter here. He apparently gave up 0 HR in 141 IP for the 1924 Chicago American Giants.

412. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 05:44 PM (#6132517)

see Ohtani before the Angels trade him :)

Maybe the Rangers can pick him up and shoot for the WS. :-)

413. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 06:00 PM (#6132518)

#410 ... That's about where I was in the mid-late 90s. Grad school then actual work eating up time and living in NC so little local coverage, not sure extra innings existed yet, etc. Then I started playing a bit of fantasy baseball, got me back into the game and getting to know the players. Now I'm closer to the half-ignorance stage but still like to stroll through each team's b-r page a few times a season.

You know, it's not like we had non-anonymous relievers in the past. Of course you always knew your team's closer but, unless he was a stud, it might not be the same guy as last year and he might lose his job halfway through the season anyway. There'd be 1 or 2 setup guys you maybe knew. Then we just pretended the other guys never pitched so we knew a team's "bullpen" because we knew who Lee Smith was.

So looking at the 1984 Cubs page ... one of the NL's best rotations, especially after they picked up Eck and Sutcliffe. Just 19 complete games, just an average of 6.1 IP/start. Smith and Stoddard combined for nearly 200 IP but still plenty for the rest. They didn't have a AAA shuttle, pretty much the same 4 guys filling out the pen all year. Still, it's not like anybody knew who Bordi, Frazier, Brusstar and Noles were. And believe me, as a fan, the less familiar you were with George Frazier, the lower your blood pressure. (Granted, all better known than 2023 anon Jeremiah Estrada.)

414. Walt Davis Posted: June 12, 2023 at 06:21 PM (#6132520)

I'm pretty sure I've done the all-Carlos team before but boy this is a deep offense:

C Santana, Ruiz
1B Delgado
2B Baerga
SS Correa
3B Guillen
OF Beltran, Gomez, Gonzalez (I can't decide who plays which spot)
DH/bench Pena, May, Lee, Quentin, Garcia
SP (in no particular order, kinda all the same guy) Zambrano, Carrasco, Rodon, Martinez, Perez

That's 2 all-stars at C, an AS starting every other position, 4 AS in the rotation (not Carrasco which surprised me a bit), 5 AS on the bench and at least one in the bullpen (Marmol). I'm sure the Charles/Chuck team would be similar but that's an awful lot of talent.

415. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 06:38 PM (#6132521)

Soto for Ohtani. Who says no?
Hombre, Rally, every Angels ticket buyer, the entire Anaheim metro area, the entire nation of Japan.

There are two players I'd quit the team over if they ever got traded. One is Trout, the other is Ohtani.

416. BDC

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 06:44 PM (#6132522)

That's true about bullpens past. I thought I knew the Phillies' rosters 1973-83 backwards & forwards, but I look them up now, and the relievers ...?

And as for other clubs ... for some reason recently, I came across Dale Murray. In Sept. 1974, for the Expos, he had one of the greatest months any pitcher ever had. Just phenomenal. And pitched for a long time thereafter, a lot against the Phillies teams I followed ... no memory of the guy. :(

417. Cowboy Popup Posted: June 12, 2023 at 07:59 PM (#6132525)

Man, Acuna just hit a ball so hard to left field (113 MPH+) that he made the Tigers LFer look like Raul Ibanez trying to track it down. Could not get in front of it as it arced towards the line, but he could not tell that he could not get in front of it.

That LFers last name...Ibanez! But I am pretty sure it's not Raul because he looks 23ish, not 48. It's...Andy Ibanez I think.

418. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 08:07 PM (#6132526)

415. 1/2 year of Ohtani is worth more to you than 1.5 years of Soto? There's an almost zero chance he re-signing with them and it's possible they could get Soto to extend. I doubt the angels chances of actually winning a World Series are that much different. And at least Angels fans can hope on a Soto extension

419. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 08:26 PM (#6132527)

Professional rally killer Dejong managed to not strike out, and still find a way to not advance the runner.

420. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 12, 2023 at 08:38 PM (#6132528)

But following the sport overall has become too much for me. Just my decline phase as a fan

Perhaps a new stadium would perk you up? After all, it’s been almost 3 years.

421. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 08:53 PM (#6132530)

Rally killer with a homerun, he can sometimes help the team, but it's so far and few in between.

422. Howie Menckel Posted: June 12, 2023 at 08:57 PM (#6132531)

"entering tonight" tweet from an ex-STL beat writer:

Mark Saxon
@markasaxon
·
4h
Paul DeJong had a .987 OPS in his first 25 games and he has a .332 OPS in his last 15 games.

...........

for some reason recently, I came across Dale Murray. In Sept. 1974, for the Expos, he had one of the greatest months any pitcher ever had.

I just shuddered involuntarily.

the Mets shipped a washed-up ex-Giants OF Ken Henderson to the Reds in mid-1978 for Murray, who became a decent workhorse in Gotham.

until 1979, that is. he was so inept that, in an homage to the "Rolaids Fireman of the Year" reliever contest of the era, that summer I dubbed Murray "The Arsonist."

any mid-inning 'fire' he arrived at, he always seemed to burn down the whole damn inning.

the Mets "sold" him back to the Expos in August - I imagine for $24 worth of beads and trinkets....

423. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:02 PM (#6132532)

The Tyler Anderson acquisition has not worked out for the Angels.*

*Also applies to every large free agent the Angels sign.

424. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:05 PM (#6132533)

Goldy with a 2 run shot that gives the Cards a 3-2 lead.

425. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:15 PM (#6132535)

Dejong homers because he doesn't like Mark Saxon

426. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:27 PM (#6132537)

rally killer with a two hit game.

427. BDC

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:37 PM (#6132538)

Angels holding their own here, though, with a 5th-inning rally.

428. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:43 PM (#6132539)

It was more that the Rangers had a series of brain farts, and the Angels gratefully gobbled up some free runs.

429. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 09:59 PM (#6132543)

1st and 3rd one out in a one run game in the 8th inning, and of course the Cardinals fail to tie it up. This season has just gotten officially ridiculous.

430. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 10:04 PM (#6132544)

Ohtani is red hot. 19th homer goes 459 ft to left center, and ties the game at 5-5.

431. cardsfanboy

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 10:12 PM (#6132547)

Rally killer with a 9th inning double play. Why couldn't he just strike out like he normally does.

432. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 10:13 PM (#6132548)

In his last 13 games, Ohtani is hitting .392 with 7 homers. Pretty good.

433. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 10:22 PM (#6132551)

Oakland holding their own against Tampa. I'd like to see them go on a run

434. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 11:05 PM (#6132565)

Oof. With a runner on 3rd and one out, Brandon Drury get called out on strikes on a pitch that was very not a strike. The Angels end up stranding the zombie runner, and now they're very possibly boned.

435. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 11:13 PM (#6132573)

OH #### ME WITH THAT ####### REPLAY.

436. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 11:15 PM (#6132576)

Travis Jankowski didn't touch the base, and replays CLEARLY shows he didn't. He's safe anyways. What's the point of these challenges if they're going to get them clearly wrong?

437. The Duke Posted: June 12, 2023 at 11:27 PM (#6132578)

Oakland beating Tampa. Going for 6 in a row

438. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 12, 2023 at 11:34 PM (#6132580)

In the top of the 12th, Ohtani to the opposite field against a lefty, 388 feet and over the wall. 20th homer of the season. 7-5 Angels.

Ohtani now leads the AL in homers.

439. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 13, 2023 at 12:44 AM (#6132590)

J. T. Realmuto cycling for the Phillies in what is now one out from a losing effort.

EDIT: Phillies lose to Diamondbacks, 9-8, although they briefly led 10-9 on a near-HR that was belatedly fixed after umpires conferred, corrected the call to foul, which was then confirmed by replay.

440. Walt Davis Posted: June 13, 2023 at 05:45 PM (#6132677)

I "know" Dale Murray only because he was one of those relievers who could regularly (6 times) survive 100+ innings. He wasn't a closer or anything, a mediocre innings-eater as a reliever, I wouldn't be surprised if he holds the career record for 3-inning blowout saves. A less successful version of Dunning BDC. He'd be useful today in that he'd save a team the cost of about a dozen round trip tickets to their AAA city. Beyond that all I remember is the name and that he was an Expo.

441. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 06:47 PM (#6132685)

To no one's surprise but some posters here, the Nevada legislature will meet shortly to approve the deal which seemingly coincides with a previously scheduled owners meeting. Hmmmmm. Owners saying they won't use this meeting to approve. Hmmmmm

442. BDC

Posted: June 13, 2023 at 07:00 PM (#6132687)

I was asleep by the end of the game last night – not at the Dome, I did manage to get home :-D – but yes, these video reviews can be very odd. At a Cardinals game I was at last week, there was an HBP call challenged. They showed it over and over on the big screen; the ball came nowhere near the batter. Ruling upheld, it went as an HBP.

Maybe there's more deference to umpires as their jobs are more challenged by automation? Or maybe small sample size. Anyway, when they hold up the game like that and do no good in the process, it's annoying.

My two next frontiers for more exciting baseball would be to abolish video-review challenge and mid-inning pitching changes. I know, keep dreaming … but at one time the pitch clock seemed a dream.

443. salvomania Posted: June 13, 2023 at 07:24 PM (#6132689)

for some reason recently, I came across Dale Murray.

Pretty sure he had at least one Topps card with a toothpick in his mouth, maybe more (cards, not toothpicks).

He won 15 games in relief in 1975 while pitching 111 innings, and put up -0.3 bWAR. I should look up his fWAR, because he had a FIP of 2.95. [looked it up. 1.6 fWAR in 1975]

444. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 13, 2023 at 08:17 PM (#6132695)

Max Scherzer? More like Mid Scherzer, amirite?

445. Walt Davis Posted: June 13, 2023 at 08:26 PM (#6132696)

In a preview of the 2023 World Series, the 34-32 Brewers lead 3-0 over the 33-33 Twins in the third.

446. shoelesjoe Posted: June 13, 2023 at 08:28 PM (#6132697)

Gunnar Henderson putting up a 1.500 OPS in June. Only in the 4th inning tonight, he’s already 2-3 with a grand slam against Toronto.

447. Tony S Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:04 PM (#6132702)

Alejandro Kirk is the Smokey Burgess of this era.

The Orioles are still a rotation anchor away from being serious contenders. I can't see them winning the division with the rotation of decentish second/third starters they have now.

448. Walt Davis Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:07 PM (#6132703)

Gunnar Henderson putting up a 1.500 OPS in June. Only in the 4th inning tonight, he’s already 2-3 with a grand slam against Toronto.

We are a fickle bunch ... Elly de la Cruz has one bad game and suddenly we think other players are worth talking about.

449. Brian C Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:43 PM (#6132705)

Nice of Ian Happ to remember that he's notionally a power hitter.

450. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:49 PM (#6132708)

Rangers are just giving away runs. Men on 1st and 2nd, Anthony Rendon hits a bouncer that's going to be an inning-ending DP, but Seager loses the handle on the exchange. Ball bounces of the runner and rolls away. Instead of the inning being over, Ohtani sprints home and the batter is safe. Next guy homers. Three free runs for the Angels and they take a 4-3 lead.

451. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:56 PM (#6132711)

Mets reliever Drew Smith failed the sticky fingers test when he tried to enter the game in the 7th. Ejection, with 10-game suspension to follow.

452. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:58 PM (#6132712)

From The Athletic

Major League Baseball and high-ranking club officials have discussed limiting how much teams can spend in areas other than player salaries, such as technology, player development, scouting and health, multiple people briefed on such discussions told The Athletic.

A real life example of a legal oligopoly at work. "You know guys, all this spending on analytics and coaching is just running up the tab for everyone. Why don't we all agree to get rid of that"

453. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 09:59 PM (#6132713)

Oakland with their largest crowd of the year tonight

454. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 13, 2023 at 10:02 PM (#6132715)

Gary Sanchez with his sixth homer in 13 games for the Pads.

455. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 10:06 PM (#6132716)

It seems like a few teams are starting to separate from the pack. Cards and cubs sinking. Giants, LAA and Marlins beginning to get beyond the gravitational pull of .500. So the sellers and buyers are beginning to become apparent

456. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 10:08 PM (#6132717)

Skip Schumaker going for manager of the year award. Maybe he was the guy who made the Cardinals work last year

457. Howie Menckel Posted: June 13, 2023 at 10:50 PM (#6132720)

interesting dynamic re Mets is that mega-billionaire owner Steve Cohen has been speaking this month about how his modus operandi in business is never to overreact to adversity, ride out the storm, yada yada yada.

and obviously (ethical issues aside), his instincts have been effective.

but while yes baseball is a business, it also is an emotional and seasonal endeavor.

the SNY crew was noting tonight that down a run with 1 out in the 9th inning, why would Vogelbach not be up if it gets to 2 out and nobody on against RHP Holmes (and with lefty Peralta already departed)?

camera crew then got a shot of a beaten-down Vogelbach leaning somberly against the rail of the dugout. he has 2 singles in 27 AB in the last 3 weeks and has not homered since May 7. no one, including Vogelbach, has any idea why he's still on the roster (Luke Voit is now signed to AAA and presumably arrives within days, as he's a better hitter anyway).

2nd out is made, and here comes the utterly uninspiring utility infielder Luis Guillorme, who predictably makes the last out.

old, fat, and contented clubhouse vibe needs to be shaken up - but it's not clear Cohen's ego will allow it to happen.

tonight and tomorrow - both vs the Yankees - might be the last two sellouts of the Mets' sorry season.

458. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 10:57 PM (#6132721)

I'll trade your Mets sorry season for my Cards sorry season. You're still spitting distance from respectability.

459. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:06 PM (#6132722)

TB sitting on a one run lead - this is setting up for a raucous Oakland come from behind victory to extend the streak

460. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:15 PM (#6132723)

The Cubs lineup looks awful. I was just reading an article that they were unhappy with Suzuki. He's got the best OPS in tonight's lineup.

461. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:28 PM (#6132725)

no one, including Vogelbach, has any idea why he's still on the roster

That ‘stolen base’ MLB tv ad doesn’t really work if Vogelbach isn’t on the roster, or Showalter is fired.

462. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:35 PM (#6132726)

Oakland gamely ties it up.

463. Walt Davis Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:36 PM (#6132727)

Cubs break it open with 4 in the 7th. Typical Cubs-Pirate fashion: single by crappy C, flyout, walk, IF single, HBP, IF single, looping liner single. 8-3 Cubs.

464. The Duke Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:49 PM (#6132728)

Oakland three outs away from taking out TB again. Serious small ball. Single, SH, stolen base and ground out to score run. Love the steak of 3rd with less than two out. Wish teams would do it more

465. Walt Davis Posted: June 13, 2023 at 11:54 PM (#6132729)

Stranger things happen all the time but the "separating" Marlins still have a -27 run differential, are losing 8-1 as I type (after losing 8-1 yesterday). They have also yet to play a single one of their games against the ALE and are a combined 3-11 against the Braves and Mets. They are where they are because they just won 8 of 9 from the A's, Royals and White Sox.

The "separating" Giants are tied with the Brewers for the last NL WC spot, a bit ahead of Reds, Padres, Phils and Mets. There is some separation in the AL because there are some legit bad teams but the Angels are currently among 4 teams vying for the last 2 WC spots. So sure they have separated from the Mariners, Guardians and Red Sox.

466. The Duke Posted: June 14, 2023 at 12:01 AM (#6132730)

Oakland wins again! Attendance was almost 30k. They have now won seven in a row. At the same time one half of Nevada leg has signed deal, the other half tomorrow and then gov signature which will surely be followed by an announcement on financing which will then be followed by MLB owners signing off on move

By then, Oakland may have a 10-15 game win streak going !

467. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 12:10 AM (#6132732)

Anthony DiComo
@AnthonyDiComo
·
50m
One thing worth mentioning: Francisco Lindor has been available and accountable every night through what's been one of the worst stretches of his career, both personally and for his team. Credit to him. Many players around the league are not that way.

...............

(hey, it's something)

468. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 12:36 AM (#6132734)

RACE TO THE BOTTOM - worst MLB records

KCR 18-49 L 8 AL Central
OAK 19-50 W 7
STL 27-41 L4 NL Central
WAS 26-39 L1
COL 29-40 W3
DET 27-37 W1 AL Central
CHW 29-38 L2 AL Central
CHC 29-37 W1 NL Central

469. The Duke Posted: June 14, 2023 at 01:49 PM (#6132812)

Giants starting pitcher has recorded 4 strikeouts to start the game. Only 23 to go for an unbeatable record

Five in a row before it ends

470. Cowboy Popup Posted: June 14, 2023 at 02:13 PM (#6132817)

The bottom of the third in the Min/Mil game has been straight up wild, even for an inning where 4 runs were scored. It ended with Joey Gallo getting throw out at second on a sac fly, right after the final run had scored, to give you a sense of how silly it got. Has more than met the threshold to justify turning on a random baseball game on a Wednesday afternoon.

Edit: Sorry, not a sac fly, Gallo was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.

471. salvomania Posted: June 14, 2023 at 02:19 PM (#6132819)

I guess I don't understand the "blocking vs. allowing a path for the runner" on a play at home.

Jordan Walker was just tagged out at home on a play in which the catcher's foot was turned and planted between the plate and Walker, and Walker's hand bounced off the foot as he slid in headfirst. There was no "clear path" per se unless it included sliding through the catcher.

If he had slid in feet first and taken out the legs of the catcher, would there have been any consequences?

472. Cowboy Popup Posted: June 14, 2023 at 02:20 PM (#6132820)

And then Bailey Ober gets three outs in the blink of an eye and Milwaukee has to go back on the field!

473. salvomania Posted: June 14, 2023 at 03:41 PM (#6132839)

Surprise, the Cardinals bullpen gives up a game-tying 2-run homer with two out in the 9th inning.

What's that, like the fifth or sixth time this year they've blown a 9th-inning lead in dramatic fashion? It's at least the second two-out 9th-inning game-tying or -winning homer they've allowed in last couple of weeks.

474. salvomania Posted: June 14, 2023 at 04:02 PM (#6132845)

Hard to believe the Cardinals are about to lose their 10th game in the last 12 after they had seemingly recovered from their horrendous start.

They began 10-24, then won 11 of 14 (or 14 of 20 depending on how you want to slice it) to get back to within 6 games of .500, but have been stinking it up since then.

In one two-week span, they were on the losing end of three walk-off losses, one of those being that other 2-out 9th inning homer I mentioned earlier.

Take away the Cardinals' single two-week hot streak, when they looked to be righting their ship (it was a mirage), they have gone 16-39 in 2024.

They are bad.

475. Dolf Lucky Posted: June 14, 2023 at 04:12 PM (#6132847)

RACE TO THE BOTTOM - worst MLB records

KCR 18-49 L 8 AL Central
OAK 19-50 W 7
STL 27-41 L4 NL Central
WAS 26-39 L1
COL 29-40 W3
DET 27-37 W1 AL Central
CHW 29-38 L2 AL Central
CHC 29-37 W1 NL Central

What’s the likelihood that the owners of the central division teams in both leagues have conspired in some way? They all seem to be targeting mediocrity as a ceiling.

476. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 04:25 PM (#6132853)

#471 ... I'd have to see the play but, based on your description, (a) blocking part of the plate doesn't mean there's no "clear path" to the other part and (b) if the C has received the throw, he gets a lot more leeway -- it was the ball, runner, catcher all at the same time that they were trying to get rid of. But I agree, I've seen plays where I didn't think there was a clear path or at least the C was blocking a lot more of the plate before receiving the throw than I thought he was allowed to. Of course disagreements are unavoidable with judgment calls.

477. salvomania Posted: June 14, 2023 at 04:30 PM (#6132854)

Walt, if in the "old days" I would have seen nothing wrong with the play (and I didn't on this one), then I'm OK with it in 2023. That is, I thought the catcher was fine. He essentially received the throw and planted, and a moment later Walker was at the plate.

I do think if Walker had slid feet first he would have at the very least knocked the catcher off his feet, which I'd rather see than going in hands-first and risking a broken finger.

478. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 14, 2023 at 04:31 PM (#6132855)

The Central teams are "conspiring" by deciding they don't need big budgets to get enough wins against the other sad sacks in the Central divisions to get into the playoffs. They're right often enough -- and don't want to spend money -- so that they keep doing it, but it does mean when things go bad, they go really bad.

The Cardinals shouldn't be this bad though.

479. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 07:01 PM (#6132882)

Also, the Central (i.e. mostly small market teams) may have "over-reacted" to the financial implications of the pandemic. In the 2020 offseason, I think each Central team let a $10 M arb-eligible OF go. Finding they got away with it, why not see how much lower they can go. :-)

As to "just competing among themselves," that's more an AL thing. The NLC contributed a wild card team in 2019 and 2021 and missed by just one game in 2022. And, until a couple days ago, have been in a WC spot all of this season too. It's true that nobody in the NLC is trying to keep up with the Dodgers and also true that none of them have produced 10 all-stars under 25 like the Braves but otherwise they are competitive with the rest of the NL.

I think folks are misunderstanding the NL this year. It is extremely balanced. Probably eventually the Nats and maybe Rox will fall away and probably the Marlins and Pirates have been a bit lucky. Surely the Dodgers will start winning soon. But it's everybody squashed between 400 and 550 winning %ages. The NLC is just -4 against NLE, -9 against NLW and -9 against the AL. That's not inspiring but it's hardly a blowout and it's mostly the Cards being -12 outside the division. Compare that to the ALC who are -30 vs ALE, -4 vs ALW and -20 vs NL (the Royals are -24 overall). The ALC has 4 of the 5 worst records in the AL and the Twins have just the 8th best record in the league (by 1 game over Seattle and 2 over Boston). Pitt being in the playoffs would be a bit "sad" but at least they have the 6th-best record in the league.

But sure, other than the Cubs, the Centrals are pretty small markets and, even worse, some have stagnant populations and tax bases so there's no reason to think it will get better.

480. sanny manguillen Posted: June 14, 2023 at 07:17 PM (#6132885)

Don't know if it's been mentioned: 1960s reliever Jack Baldschun - Phils, Reds, Padres - passed away on June 6 at 86. RIP

481. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 09:12 PM (#6132907)

Baseball is such an up-and-down game. The season is about 11 weeks old. Gunnar Henderson had been struggling for most of it, on OPS around 650 for most of it and back below 700 again as recently as May 21. As somebody pointed out ... over the last 3 weeks, he's hit 377/421/774 with 6 HRs (and a 424 BABIP). That's added 150 points to his OPS and raised his OPS+ to 130. Three torrid weeks out of 11 turns "'disappointing start to 2023" innto "top young hitter.'

482. Hombre Brotani

Posted: June 14, 2023 at 09:15 PM (#6132909)

The Angels have left 9 on base in four innings. That's not great.

483. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 09:36 PM (#6132914)

Don't know if it's been mentioned: 1960s reliever Jack Baldschun - Phils, Reds, Padres - passed away on June 6 at 86.

yes, RIP.

I still remember his 1970 Topps card as one of the more dispiriting "finds" of the year. he looks like a car salesman or he sells insurance or he's a plumber - but he's definitely not a big league ballplayer.

then you look on the back for a possible tidbit of interest - and it's nothing but his entire professional stat line dating back to 1956 with the Thibodaux Senators of something called the [whites-only allowed] Evangeline League, which lasted through 1957.

I think I'd have been interested as a youngster to know (of course I found out a few years later) that he was one of three players (also Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson) sent to Cincinnati in the stupid trade by the Reds of Hall of Famer Frank Robinson to the Orioles.

484. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 14, 2023 at 09:51 PM (#6132917)

Kiner-Falefa steals 2nd, goes to 3rd when the catcher throws it into centerfield, then steals home. Don’t see that much these days. 3-1, Yankees over Mets in 7th.

485. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 09:58 PM (#6132918)

Cubs-Pirates has me thinking about the pitch clock impacts on bullpen management. Pirates lead 5-1 b6 with reliever Contreras coming in. 6 batters and 30+ pitches later it's 5-4, 2 men on, 1 out. He's got to be in there for 3 batters but how much worse can a reliever do through 5 batters than 1 in, bases loaded, 1 out and 30 pitches. Why was he still in to face batter #6?

And part of the reason is that the catcher and pitcher can't waste minutes whle the new guy gets ready. The Pirates pitching coach probably should have come out to burn time. But with the pitch clock, you may need to start warming up guy #2 at the first sign of trouble from guy #1.

Anyway, the new reliever didn't have much more success although he's getting nickeled and dimed. Cubs 7-5 after 6.

486. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:01 PM (#6132919)

And Fulmer on for the Cubs. ERA near 6 despite solid K and GB numbers.

487. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:05 PM (#6132921)

noticing that Kelenic has a 131 OPS+ for Mariners this year, which works nicely even as a corner OF.

this deal has been a rollercoaster:

December 3, 2018: Traded by the New York Mets with Gerson Bautista, Jay Bruce, Justin Dunn and Anthony Swarzak to the Seattle Mariners for Robinson Canó, Edwin Díaz and cash.

tens of millions of dead money changed hands, of course.

talent-wise, boils down to Kelenic for Cano and Diaz.

Cano mediocre in 2019, but All-Star quality hitting in COVID 2020.
then gets suspended for 2021, which saves the Mets $24M.
Cano embarrasses himself in 2022 in 100 AB for the Mets, Padres, and Braves and he's toast.

Diaz is great in 2020, good in 2021, best reliever in baseball 2022 as Mets win 101 games, and out all of 2023.

Kelenic is bad in 2021 (72 OPS+), even worse in 2022 (55 OPS+), and now good this year.

488. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:08 PM (#6132923)

Nico doing something Sandberg (almost) never did -- a throwing error! Sac fly (nice play by Tauchman), 7-6.

489. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:10 PM (#6132925)

Red Sox aiming for their 4th in a row extra inning, Manfred Mann game. Having lost their last 2 in the 10th in spite of scoring in their half each time. Up 1-0 now, but there's hope they can blow that lead and get into extras again.

490. The Duke Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:25 PM (#6132927)

Oakland surges to a 3-1 lead against Tampa. Hope they can hold on. My team doesn't win anymore, or really even compete much. These A's have some spunk

491. The Yankee Clapper Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:27 PM (#6132929)

SHIFT VIOLATION! Mets 2nd baseman was holding runner on 2nd similar to what a 1st baseman would do, and puts his right foot beyond the middle of the base on the SS side of bag. Home plate umpire spotted it, while the 2nd base umpire 10 feet away didn’t.

Is that the first shift violation called?

492. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:40 PM (#6132933)

cool if a little contrived maybe graphic on ESPN:

MOST HR AGE-21 OR YOUNGER SEASON - CATCHERS

Johnny Bench 1969 26
Darrell Porter 1973 16
Johnny Bench 1968 15
FRANCISCO ALVAREZ 2023 12 and counting

so my wife's father is Darrell's first cousin.
does that make her a second cousin of Darrell, or first cousin once removed?

(he died when she was only 30 and never met him - but still)

493. Tony S Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:40 PM (#6132934)

Wild finish in Houston. Astros cough up a 4-1 lead in the 9th with a couple of errors allowing the Nats to tie it. Houston loads the bases in the bottom of the frame with one out, Nats pull in the infield, Meyers taps one to short, Abrams fires it home to get the force at home. But they throw away the ball trying to get the DP at first and the winning run scores anyway. Nats claim Meyers ran inside the lane but call stands. Astros win 5-4.

494. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 10:49 PM (#6132936)

Zach Miller
@ByZachMiller
·
17m
Shift violation on Jeff McNeil for lining up on the wrong side of second base (really just straddling the base) was only the second shift violation of the entire MLB season.

The first was called on Elvis Andrus for lining up on the right-field grass. @andrew_tred

495. Walt Davis Posted: June 14, 2023 at 11:06 PM (#6132941)

Cubs roll on to 10-6 win. That's two in a row which matches our longest winning streak since Apr 19. I'm told that's not very good. But hey, 4 of the last 5, even 8 of the last 15!! That's "hot" by NLC standards.

Reds also roll. Current NLC standings and run diffs

Pirates 34-32 -10
Brewers 34-34 -25
Reds 34-35 -29
Cubs 30-37 -1
Cards 27-42 -13

It's Lake Nogebow where everyone is slightly below-average.

496. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 11:12 PM (#6132942)

Mets and Yankees outdo each other on the same play.

bottom 10, 1 out, Alvarez Ghost on 2nd base.
Yankees playing OF at Little League depth on Nimmo, long fly to the wall, RF of course can't get to it in time.
Alvarez chained to second base because - well, he's only 21 years old. or something.

RF surrenders, CF relays it to Gleyber, who has the fielding IQ of a pencil, so his lackluster toss home doesn't quite beat Alvarez's panicked scramble to score.

weird play. Mets win 4-3

497. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: June 14, 2023 at 11:12 PM (#6132943)

Refsnyder with a bases clearing triple, Sox now up 5-2. Trying to avoid blowing in extras if they can avoid that.

498. Howie Menckel Posted: June 14, 2023 at 11:24 PM (#6132946)

OK, EVERYBODY - MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!

THIS IS NOT A DRILL - I REPEAT, THIS IS NOT A DRILL....

.........................

Daniel Wallach
@WALLACHLEGAL
·
11m
NEW: A fourth woman has accused former MLB pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit filed in Arizona state court, via @TishaESPN

499. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: June 14, 2023 at 11:34 PM (#6132950)

They lost, but Ohtani hit #21. Ruiz of Oakland has 31 SB already.

500. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: June 15, 2023 at 12:06 AM (#6132953)

Red Sox hold on for the 6-3 win, no losing in extras today. Whitlock with a nice 7IP, 7K, 2ER outing. Still firmly entrenched in the AL East cellar.

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