BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: OMNICHATTER for May 2023

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Monday, May 08, 2023

OMNICHATTER for May 2023

A month Chatter will hold ya.

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

Hombre Brotani Posted: May 08, 2023 at 02:34 AM | 649 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: omnichatter

Reader Comments and Retorts

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1. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 09:28 PM (#6127510)

Not sure about a month chatter, fine with a week or would prefer a weekday chatter and a weekend chatter, but it's what we got.

Cardinals and Cubs, Cardinals manage to keep the Cubs to one run scored over 6 innings, the Cards have scored 2. I get that there is a backlash against Contreras as a catcher, but it's a bit early to tell based upon data with the new rules etc...

2. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 09:59 PM (#6127512)

Cardinals up 2-1 into the 7th inning, let's see how long that last, either way, I'm pretty confident the starting pitcher (Mikolas) is going to end up with a no decision in this game.

edit: wasn't really paying attention to the game, missed that Mikolas left in the fifth. before a decision was possible.

3. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:09 PM (#6127515)

Nationals get 7 1st-inning hits, only 1 for extra bases, @ Giants to take a 5-0 lead. Would have been more with better baserunning. That’s against Anthony DeSclafani, who went into the game with a 2.13 ERA.

4. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:11 PM (#6127516)

3-1 with a Contreras rbi on a ground out that probably should have been a double play, but was played poorly (according the the Cardinal radio announcers.... they are saying if the fielder plays it straight up for the double play instead of checking the runner on third, they would have gotten the double play)

5. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:13 PM (#6127517)

Not sure about a month chatter, fine with a week or would prefer a weekday chatter and a weekend chatter, but it's what we got.

I don't think we get the volume to for this to be an issue, and I'm hoping this allows for more sustained conversations.

6. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:19 PM (#6127518)

I know that this early in the season that pyth can be easily distorted, but as of today(before the game started) both the Cardinals and the Cubs were -5 games below their pyth... it's going to be an interesting season as nobody thinks the Pirates are as good as they played, but everyone thinks the Brewers are at least that good.

7. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:29 PM (#6127522)

I don't think we get the volume to for this to be an issue, and I'm hoping this allows for more sustained conversations.

I'm fine ultimately with it, but with the weekly chats, I feel more comfortable rambling within the chat, and breaking it into smaller parts means I can ramble a bit more... with a long chat, I'm afraid my rambling will be too significant portion of it..

we'll see, I'm not locked into anything. The issue is that often times we'll come up with good points within the thread that evolve other places, but then my rambling will slow the flow down...

8. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:37 PM (#6127523)

Cardinals have won two games in a row, it's a festivus miracle.

9. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 10:38 PM (#6127525)

I'm taking a cue from the NBA chatter. I'm biased, but that's the best on-going thread on the site. The conversations can last weeks, and having them roll on and on lets a lot of people participate.

10. Walt Davis Posted: May 08, 2023 at 11:28 PM (#6127532)

I'm afraid my rambling will be too significant portion of it

As long as I'm around cfb, nobody will notice.

We get very little chatter on some days so 2 half-week chatters won't work well I don't think. I don't know yet if I like a month but I'm more than happy to try.

11. Walt Davis Posted: May 08, 2023 at 11:35 PM (#6127534)

Christopher Morel up after putting up a 1200ish OPS at AAA. For some reason this means Velasquez down rather than the end of Hosmer's storied Cubs career. And they couldn't find a way to get Morel into the lineup -- not even as one of 2 PHs (Hosmer and Amaya??) or a mid-game sub (Madrigal as PR and 2 PAs in replace of Hoerner, I assume that's not good news). Maybe Morel had to get up early to beat the Iowa traffic.

12. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 08, 2023 at 11:36 PM (#6127535)

As long as I'm around cfb, nobody will notice.

dude, your comments are the things that actually make these threads great... me, I'm just a rambler, you provide actual value.

13. Walt Davis Posted: May 09, 2023 at 12:41 AM (#6127549)

Throw enough #### at the wall, some will stick. :-)

Here's a vote of confidence for you. I enjoy your chatter "rambling." (Or "enjoyed" given the context that, historically speaking, you are more often rambling about a Cards win.) There is plenty of content in there.

Even if I didn't enjoy them ... there's low traffic, most of us have been here for years, we know what we're in for, it's free ... if Hombre thinks one chatter a month is the way to go, that's fine with me, still allows me to be lazy. If you and Duke and salvo want to have a public conversation about today's Cards game over 40 posts, that's fine with me, worst-case scenario I have "wasted" 5 minutes of my time. Kirstie wants to try to sucker me into clicking on the phishing link? Well, a girlbot's gotta make a living.

You're talking baseball. I think it's safe to say we're all fine with that.

14. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: May 09, 2023 at 01:20 AM (#6127556)

I must admit to being a bit disgruntled(as cranky old men are inclined to be) as we went from a weekly chat to a monthly chat and skipped right over chat's poor cousin the possible fortnightly chat....

15. Doug Jones threw harder than me Posted: May 09, 2023 at 02:05 AM (#6127561)

After looking like they'd turned some kind of corner by winning 2/3 against KC and finally getting a win by a starting pitcher, the A's lose to the Yankees 7-2. Brent Rooker looks good, tho.

16. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 03:48 AM (#6127565)

I've been all geeked about the Lakers game, but the Angels got a big win tonight in spite of themselves. They had a big pre-game meeting about recent sloppiness -- the Angels lead the league in unearned runs and grounding into double plays. Then they went out and made two more errors and grounded into two more double plays, but won anyways. Not sure that's a good sign, but a win is a win.

17. The Duke Posted: May 09, 2023 at 07:21 AM (#6127568)

Last night was the first time in a week+ that the NL central teams won more than they lost on a given night. It's not clear to me that anyone in the division will be over .500 at seasons end

The cubs have an interesting dilemma. I'm sure Smyly, Bellinger and Stroman were viewed as great trade chips at the deadline but they may have to keep them around as it appears they have the best chance to win the division.

I'm a big fan of what the Cubs are doing. A lot of focus on pitching and defense - it's literally taking a page out of the way the Cardinals used to operate.

18. Walt Davis Posted: May 09, 2023 at 04:50 PM (#6127661)

Obviously it depends on how the season shakes out but I'm pretty sure the Cubs' intent is (and was) to ride the season out the whole way with these guys. It's certainly true that trading Stroman in particular was a fall-back plan. But the team was pretty much designed to finish 500ish in a weak division and maybe sneak into a wild card or cheap division title. They have so far had lots of good luck (Cards' and Bellinger's performances especially) but also bad luck (a whopping 5 games below pythag thanks to 2-8 in 1-run games). On the third hand, more than half of that +44 run differential is the series against the A's (Milw, Pitt and StL haven't had the pleasure yet).

But sure the Cubs are a decent bet to limp home with 82-86 wins which just might be enough. They might want to stop shooting themselves in the foot. Poor Nelson Velazquez -- comes up, hits 241/313/621 (149 OPS+) in a part-time role and gets sent down so we can hang onto Hosmer (and of course make sure Velazquez gets everyday PAs because he's clearly struggling in his part-time role). The Cubs have occasionally sat the hot bat of Patrick Wisdom (148 OPS+) and kept the super-hot bat of Morel in AAA to provide ABs for Nick Madrigal (69 OPS+) as the Cubs simply refuse to recognize that (a) he's never gonna hit enough and (b) given long-term contracts to Swanson and Hoerner it doesn't matter if he does because there's no place to play him. Those are fairly minor things overall and if they had their 22 pythag wins instead off 17 real wins wouldn't matter ... but they are in "every win matters" mode for the rest of the year and enough little mistakes eventually add up to 1-2 avoidable losses. There's simply no way Hosmer should have suvived the call-up of Mervis much less the call-up of Morel. Giving Madrigal PAs in favor of Morel or Velazquez (or Wisdom) will never make sense so his PT should drop to almost zero now but I doubt it will.

19. Walt Davis Posted: May 09, 2023 at 04:54 PM (#6127665)

And my "giving it almost no thought" preseason predictions of Wesneski RoY and Hunter Greene CYA are looking a lot better than they did a couple of weeks ago. They both still have a lot of work to do (Greene might want to get over at least 5 IP/start and win a game or two) but vastly improved results for both.

I can't remember my other predictions which I assume means they aren't doing very well.

20. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 09, 2023 at 05:13 PM (#6127670)

Aaron Judge has been reinstated from the IL for tonight’s A’s @ Yankees game. Could help. Oswald Peraza takes his place on the IL with a right ankle sprain.

Also of note, the Mets scratched Max Scherzer from tonight’s start with neck spasms.

21. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 05:15 PM (#6127673)

Cardinals announced their lineup for tonight, outside of Knizner at catcher, it's pretty much my prefered lineup, would prefer Gorman to Dh and Edman at second with Contreras catching, but I get why and what is happening.

I can't remember my other predictions which I assume means they aren't doing very well.

From the prediction thread which I bookmarked....

5. Walt Davis Posted: March 29, 2023 at 04:02 PM (#6121706)
AL
Hou, Cle, NYY
Tor, Sea, Minn

NL
Atl, StL, LAD
NYM, SD, (that coin is still spinning)

WS winner: LAD

AL MVP: wait for it ... BUXTON ... OK, Correa
NL MVP: Ohtani (hedging my bets)

AL CYA: Bieber
NL CYA: somebody with 12 wins ... or Hunter Greene who will be lucky to have 8 wins

AL RoY: Anybody But Gunnar (actually I don't care)
NL RoY: Hayden Wesneski

And that coin has come up Giants just because nobody expects it which seems very Giants-y

22. Walt Davis Posted: May 09, 2023 at 06:58 PM (#6127691)

Bookmarked my predictions??!! A bit of underarm bowling there mate! I take back all those nice things I said about you cfb.

So the Yanks prediction ain't looking so hot. Good god, the Tigers have risen to second place!! At 16-18 but still parade/riot time in Detroit. I still assume Hou will eventually get it together enough to move past Tex and LAA. Tor is still a good bet but looks like my shock prediction of two from the ALC ain't gonna happen and the ALE is more dominant than I expected so Sea doesn't look like a good bet either.

Atl and LAD (barely) are in first, those were bold. I wish that stupid coin had come up Milw but early yet.

Buxton has been healthy and productive but a 135 OPS+ DH ain't gonna win it unless maybe he changes his name to David Ortiz and drives in 140 runs. Correa is gonna need an excellent RoS just to get his OPS+ up to 120. That's what you get for trying to be shocking. Bieber is doing fine but a huge drop in K rate isn't promising. At 5-0, Justin Steele has an excellent shot at 12 wins.

Grrr ... b-r does have a table of all 2023 rookie-eligibles and it can be sorted by WAR ... but by career WAR, not this year WAR. So I don't know who's leading the rookie WAR races. In the NL, seems to be an Outman-Carroll race at the moment. Nobody in the AL seems to be doing much but Gunnar is indeed struggling so far at 0 WAR (and a nearly 20% BB rate which is just bizarre).

23. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 07:26 PM (#6127696)

Bookmarked my predictions??!! A bit of underarm bowling there mate! I take back all those nice things I said about you cfb.

I bookmarked the predictions thread, sadly there was only 19 or so posts in that thread, but wanted to see how it would turn out in the end of the year.

24. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 07:48 PM (#6127697)

Nice start to the game, Gorman with a homerun, too bad they don't have an award for sophomore of the year, he would be in pretty good shape for it.

25. Banta Posted: May 09, 2023 at 08:57 PM (#6127707)

It really is amazing how quickly this Mets season has gotten into really dicey territory. With Canha grounding into a double play to take the momentum out of a potential bases loaded, no out situation down 7-3 in the 7th, I really do feel like Mets management is gonna make a move to bring up one of the young outfielders. Marte and Canha could not be doing more poorly, seems like the Mets are matching worst case scenarios for almost all of their supplementary players, and combined with their minor leaguers tearing it up, it seems like a no brainer to try and get a spark. Or even to move along to the future, as Alvarez has shown tonight with two home runs, the younger players don’t have to do much to outperform what’s been going on so far.

To more about Alvarez, it is something that he can basically do very little for a month, and two swings later is at 245/286/453, which is something I’d sign up for right now given the Mets catchers’ hitting lines the last two years.

And hey, Lindor gets it close. Two run homerun to get us to 7-6.

26. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 09:14 PM (#6127718)

Cardinals score in the top of the inning, Cubs score in the bottom of the same inning, not the same amount every time, but it's clock work for the Cardinals, they score, the other team follows with runs of their own.

27. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 10:21 PM (#6127737)

Zach Neto hits his first career homer, an opposite-field shot into the right field seats. That kid's pretty good!

28. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 10:27 PM (#6127738)

Knizner doesn't get a lot of hits, but when he does, he likes extra bases with them (10 hits on the season, 4 doubles, 1 hr)

29. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 10:36 PM (#6127741)

Cardinals up 6-4 going to the bottom of the ninth, but they scored two runs in the top of the ninth, see if they can break their trend of giving up runs following them scoring.

30. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 09, 2023 at 10:40 PM (#6127742)

don't look now, but the Cardinals are on a winning streak, two games in a row.

31. Sleepy was just looking for porta potties Posted: May 09, 2023 at 10:51 PM (#6127743)

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s actually 3 games in a row. I am full of joy.

32. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: May 09, 2023 at 11:24 PM (#6127745)

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s actually 3 games in a row. I am full of joy.

The Knizner move to full time is paying off, the Cardinals are looking like geniuses once again!

33. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 12:13 PM (#6127777)

I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s actually 3 games in a row. I am full of joy.

I mentioned before that my brain has been foggy for the past year or so. That game against Detroit stuck in my head as we had lost it when they made it 6-3, I just forgot about the comeback, for some reason I thought they lost the series finale to the Tigers by a score of 6-4, even though I remember commenting on it and everything.

34. salvomania Posted: May 10, 2023 at 01:34 PM (#6127786)

The Knizner move to full time is paying off, the Cardinals are looking like geniuses once again!

Back in the day, when Carson Kelly was a hot-shot Cardinals prospect and heir apparent to Yadier Molina (no one knew Molina would play until 40), I was lobbying for the team to trade Kelly because (a) he seemed to have some value as top C prospect, and (b) Kelly hadn't looked like much of MLB hitter in his brief MLB stints and (c) there was this Knizner kid in AAA, a year younger than Kelly, who'd done nothing but hit (much better than Kelly) as he marched through the minor-league system.

I've been surprised how weak a bat Knizner has been; his career minor-league line over 4 years was .303/.369/.461, with decent power and at least an average number of walks.

Through 602 MLB plate appearances, he's at .205/.288/.295, with just 8 homers.

It would be huge for the Cardinals if Knizner could be an average-for-a-catcher bat while Contreras learns how to call a game over the next few weeks, which I assume is what he's working on these days.

35. salvomania Posted: May 10, 2023 at 04:06 PM (#6127798)

Just checking out Adolis Garcia's stats after seeing a comment about how the Cardinals, had they not made certain trades, could have had an OF of Garcia, Arozarena, and Bader, and Alcantara and Gallen anchoring the rotation.

1. Did not realize Garcia was leading MLB in RBI, with 36 in the Rangers' first 35 games. (He's also tied for third in the AL in both home runs and runs scored.)

2. He's tied for AL lead in assists by an OF (4) in 2023, and he tied for 1st in 2021 (16) as well. Last year he tied for 2nd (10).

For those five guys listed above, the Cardinals received Jordan Montgomery (useful), Matthew Liberatore (may be useful someday), Marcell Ozuna (two years of mediocrity--4.7 WAR), and some cash (for Garcia.)

Bader seems to be having fun in the pinstripes.

36. Walt Davis Posted: May 10, 2023 at 04:24 PM (#6127800)

Well, over 3+ baseball months, Bader has mostly been wearing those pinstripes while sitting in his easy chair cashing paychecks while on the DL. :-) Just 21 games for the Yanks so far but, yes, off to a rollicking good start this year.

Rollicking is a good word. Etymologists?

37. Walt Davis Posted: May 10, 2023 at 04:43 PM (#6127803)

Wow, those Rangers! The Rays are of course cruising along, scoring 6.22 R/G.

Which is 2nd in the AL to the Rangers. I had no idea. Now the Rays are carrying a 143 team OPS+ (jeepers!) while the Rangers are at a very good but pedestrian 116, so I assume there's some luck in that Rangers number. But 6.37 R/G is a lot of runs. Is the BDC Dome an indoor Coors?

So, yeah, Adolis Garcia is kinda the new Juan Gone ... or at least Rusty Greer. Marcus Semien has chipped in 28 RBI and catcher Jonah Heim has 27 in just 119 PA (the new Pudge! ... 321/387/557 out of a C is useful). All of this while Seager has missed 2/3 of the season. Meanwhile they'd be better off putting BDC (or maybe even Franmil or Franchy) at DH.

Eovaldi, Gray and Perez are all doing their jobs and deGrom is pitching well on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Ian Kennedy is still on the roster with a 3.22 FIP and 7.20 ERA (and 2 UER) so that's worth celebrating.

It's almost like maybe Jon Daniels was past his prime (at just 45!) ... but I see he landed as a senior advisor for the Rays which suggests maybe he does know a thing or two.

38. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 10, 2023 at 04:43 PM (#6127804)

Yankees win 11-3 today to complete a 3-game sweep of the A’s by a combined score of 28-10. The A’s are looking to be a historically bad team, especially the pitching. Oakland’s 7.43 ERA is last in MLB, almost 2 full runs worse than any other team, and they play half their games in a pitchers park! One can’t help but shudder.

39. salvomania Posted: May 10, 2023 at 04:55 PM (#6127806)

Rollicking is a good word. Etymologists?

From back in the days when couples would furtively hide in barrels to perform oral sex on each other, and mischief makers would turn the barrels on their sides and send them down a hill. "A rolling, licking good time" turned into "rollicking good time."

40. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 05:29 PM (#6127811)

Angels down 5-2 after four. Losing 5 out of 6 to Texas and Houston at home would be very, very bad.

41. TomH Posted: May 10, 2023 at 05:55 PM (#6127813)

Walt #37:
Comparing Rays to Rangers team stats, the Rays have
- 3 more doubles
- 1 more triple
- 29 more home runs
- 6 fewer singles
- 14 more stolen bases but 6 more caught stealing
- even-steven in walks
... and with all of that, only 7 more runs scored.

The Rays' OPS are 139 points lower with men on than when the bases are empty
The Rangers OPS are 230 (!!) points lower with men on than when the bases are empty; including a team batting avg of FOUR EIGHTY THREE (14/29) with the bases loaded; 37 RBI in 29 official at bats.

42. salvomania Posted: May 10, 2023 at 06:12 PM (#6127814)

{Rangers) ... team batting avg of FOUR EIGHTY THREE (14/29) with the bases loaded; 37 RBI in 29 official at bats.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, with the bases loaded Cardinals are 4-for-29 with 10 Ks, including 1-for-11 with less than 2 out. (They've also walked four times, zero SF)

43. salvomania Posted: May 10, 2023 at 06:14 PM (#6127815)

The Rangers OPS are 230 (!!) points lower with men on than when the bases are empty

You've got that backwards---Rangers OPS with men on (.901) is .230 points higher than with bases empty (.671).

44. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 06:42 PM (#6127816)

Down 5-2 in the bottom of the 9th, a Trout single and an Ohtani homer makes it 5-4 Astros. Rendon singles to put the tying run on, Renfroe singles to put the winning run on. Nobody out.

45. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 06:48 PM (#6127817)

And they don't push the tying run across. The Angels lose five out of six at home against division rivals.

P A I N.

46. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 07:47 PM (#6127822)

One thing I hate about the internet and commentors, is how ####### negative they are always are about the thing they support. On a twitter post I read some Cardinal fan complaining that Arenado is the worst number 4 hitter in baseball etc... (Last year he had a streak of 150 pa where he was in the .680 ops range, he's in the 600 range right now, but it's just a stretch, get over it.)

Arenado with a triple to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

47. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 08:11 PM (#6127825)

Montgomery gets out of a bases loaded jam, not watching the game, listening to the radio and the announcers seem to think that the strike zone is inconsistent (for both sides---the Morel called third strike was they thought a ball, but a couple of previous pitches called balls they thought were strikes)

Gameday box supports the ump.

48. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 08:14 PM (#6127826)

Salvo is happy, Knizner has been kicking butt the last three games or so. 18 at bats, 7 hits, 4 doubles, homerun for .388/.388/.777/1.166

49. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 08:19 PM (#6127827)

Cardinals DH earns a paycheck with a base hit to drive in a run amidst the boos of the Chicago fans.

50. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 08:33 PM (#6127828)

Wisdom with his 12th hr of the season to give the Cubs a 3-2 lead.

51. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 08:47 PM (#6127830)

5-2 Cubs after a Gomes homerun, the wind is blowing out in Wrigley and the Cubs players know how to take advantage of that. It's only the 4th so there is still plenty of time.

52. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 10, 2023 at 09:24 PM (#6127832)

Well the Cardinals at least won their first series of the season, expecting a sweep was really too much to ask for. 9-3 Cubs right now.

53. The Duke Posted: May 10, 2023 at 09:36 PM (#6127833)

Bader has changed his swing in some way

5 HRs in 30 at bats last post season
3 HRs in 28 at bats this year

So 8 HRs in 58 at bats (1 HR per 7 AB) vs 51 HRs in the 1600 at bats before that (1HR per 30).

Hard to believe it's SSS as it is happening in two discrete set of at bats. He's not going to maintain this rate but he's a lot more valuable if he's a 30 HR guy with gold glove defense and blazing speed. Looks a lot more like Andruw Jones. If he's can keep this up and not get hurt, he'll get a massive contract

54. NaOH Posted: May 10, 2023 at 09:42 PM (#6127834)

Bader has changed his swing in some way

According to a piece in The Athletic the other day (non-paywall link),

Harrison Bader didn’t feel right. He had hit just .217 in his 14-game Yankees debut before the playoffs began last year. When he gripped his bat, he felt uncomfortable, as if he was squeezing the handle too hard. He didn’t know what to do. So, while at home in the days leading up to the American League Division Series, he picked up an autographed bat given to him by good friend Pete Alonso, the Mets’ slugging first baseman. As he took some practice swings, he liked the flared handle that more resembled that of an ax instead of a traditional knobbed bat. His swing felt smoother than it had in quite some time. In Game 2 against the Guardians, Bader used his own version of the bat, and he stuck with it for the rest of the playoffs, crushing four of his whopping five postseason home runs with the new wood.

55. shoelesjoe Posted: May 10, 2023 at 09:47 PM (#6127835)

Orioles take two of three from the Rays. Yennier Canó with a three up three down save on 8 pitches in the 9th after getting five outs on 18 pitches yesterday. Cano has now pitched 18.2 innings this season, 22 Ks, 0 BBs, 3 hits allowed, 0.00 ERA, 0.16 WHIP, 1.7WAR. As a comparison, Edwin Diaz accumulated 3.0 WAR last year in 62 innings pitched.

56. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: May 10, 2023 at 10:35 PM (#6127845)

Red Sox pick up a split in Atlanta behind 6 solid from young guy Bello, pen shuts down Braves for last 3 and Jansen picks up save #400. I've got to admit I found the Jansen signing perplexing, but happy to be wrong about it as he's been pretty darn solid. Sox need to keep winning to avoid the dreaded cellar in the AL east where NY resides at 21-17.

Sox starter ERA is 3rd worst in MLB at over 6, reliever ERA a much better at 3.4 and in the top 10. Of course a lot pitching sins can be negated when you're averaging nearly 5.7 RPG.

Other observations: I see Pittsburgh has become, well, Pittsburgh again, going 1-9 in their last ten. This would normally facilitate a great fall in the standings, however over the last 10 games the entire NL central is 14-36; that is bad.

57. Walt Davis Posted: May 10, 2023 at 10:39 PM (#6127847)

Only 8 Ks total in the Cubs-Cards game. Only 8.5 innings but still that's the first time there have been fewer Ks than innings since 2017. (I made that up.)

On the opposite end of the spectrum, with the bases loaded Cardinals are 4-for-29 with 10 Ks, including 1-for-11 with less than 2 out.

At the end of the other spectrum, with the bases loaded, A's pitchers have given up a line of 455/509/841 with 4 HR, 8 BB, 2 HBP and 6 K in 59 PA. The BABIP is 410.

58. The Duke Posted: May 10, 2023 at 11:09 PM (#6127850)

45. But you swept the Cards. Imagine how we feel

59. The Duke Posted: May 10, 2023 at 11:24 PM (#6127853)

The NL central is spiraling down quickly. Within two weeks we could have no teams over .500. The bloom is off the Pirates rose. The Cubs just lost 2 of 3 to one of the worst teams in baseball and Mil has no depth to withstand pitching injuries. I wonder if the Reds could make a run. They have three players sucking up a lot of negative value offensively. The pitching looks ok. They could use a revitalized Votto.

60. Walt Davis Posted: May 11, 2023 at 01:42 AM (#6127858)

Outside the division:

Pit 14-13
Mil 16-15
Chi 15-14
Cin 12-15
StL 8-20

So it's still really only the Cards who've stunk outside the division. No NLC team has played more than 11 games in the division, the Brewers only 6. Obviously those all turn out 500 for the division overall but if the Brewers, say, turn out better than the others or if the Cards are as bad in-division and outside of it, then somebody is likely to finish above 500.

Other notables outside their divisions:

Rays 21-4 (just 8-5 in the ALE)
As regularly noted, the ALE is 88-42 vs everybody else
Even the Yanks 17-12 and Jays 17-10 are crushing other divisions
Pretty amazing, basically the other 2 AL divisions have a starting point around 3 games under and we're not even a quarter way through. If they keep ths up (surely not) an average non-ALE team would be looking at 76 wins. If not for the Rangers at 22-14, the ALE would have the 5 best records in the AL.

Det 2-14 vs ALE but 9-2 vs NL
CWS 9-20
KCR 8-20

Oak 5-20 (you knew that was coming)

Phils are just 1-2 within their division. We're more than a month in, 3 games.

LAD have yet to play an AL team

Not including today's games, AL 72-69 vs NL. As in all things, the Rays 8-1 is balanced by the A's 1-8.

I suppose we can also do all that with run diferential since obviously, intra-division the ALE has a 0 run different, their overall run differential is against other divisions.

ALE +202
ALC -157
ALW -14

NLE -40
NLC +13
NLW +6

The ALC is 53-83 vs the rest of baseball. The ALE and ALC have played each other considerably more so things will even out some (e.g. the ALC is nearly 500 against everybody else) but not a big challenge identifying the best and worst divisions so far.

61. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 11, 2023 at 05:58 PM (#6127918)

Speaking of the AL East, the Rays visit the Yankees for a 4-game series starting tonight. If the Yankees are going to make up ground, now would be a good time to start, although that may be difficult if the Rays continue at a better than .750 clip. Unfortunately, the Yanks still have a dozen players on the IL, including 3 starting pitchers & 4 useful bullpen arms, but the return of Bader & Judge provides some hope. A split would look pretty good with the currently depleted roster, but the Yanks will probably need to get healthy before we’ll know how good they really are.

62. Walt Davis Posted: May 11, 2023 at 06:15 PM (#6127919)

Speaking of the Tigers big tunaround, since the benching on Apr 13, Javy has hit 321/383/488 with a K-rate < 20% (miracle even in just 94 PA), 5 BB, 4 HBP, 3 HR. That's brought him up to a 96 OPS+, 0.9 WAR, 0.5 WAA with statcast agreeing on the +4 defense.

Looking at statcast outs above average -- it's a weird year so far. The top 3 are all 3B. Eugenio Suarez is +6. A bit further down, Bogaerts is tied with Javy and Wander as best SS and JD Davis shows up at +5. Christian Walker, a 1B, is also +5.

At the other end, the statcast lead glove leaders (outs above average ... I think qualifiers only)

1B Vlad -4
2B Albers -5 (or Pirates -8)
SS Abrams -7 or Kike -7
3B Steer Cin -5 or Miranda Min -5 or O's -8
LF Schwarber -5 or Profar -5
CF Straw -2 (remember statcast compares with average OF, not average CF)
RF Lane Thomas -6

The Pirates have Mark Mathias and Ji Hwan Bae both listed as 2B and both at -4; similarly both Gunnar and Urias are listed as 3B for the O's, both at -4.

Does statcast have an easy-to-find team total OAA table? Eyeballing a team sort, as we might expect teams tend to be about average overall with a good fielder here balanced by a bad fielder there. The Reds look pretty bad; the Pirates look bad despite Hayes doing great; the O's look bad and the Braves are terrible. Ms, Rays, DBacks, Cubs and Brewers look good.

Atlanta's bad defense is a bit surprising to me. Per statcast, qualifers only:

Arcia -1
Grissom -4
Acuna -3
Rosario 0
Riley -2
Albies -5
Olson 0

I guess the O's are just as bad, -11 on the IF (Mateo doing fine but the rest terrible).

63. Walt Davis Posted: May 11, 2023 at 06:40 PM (#6127920)

Doing the hard work so MLB statcast powered by Google Cloud doesn't have to (lazy bastards), here seem to be the best/worst defensive teams based on players with at least 10 attempts

Brewers +13
Mariners +12
Padres +12
DBacks +11 (either excellent or lousy)
Rays +9
Cubs +7
Giants +7
Tigers +7

A's -7
Marlins -7
Nats -7 (not bad considering Abrams & Thomas are -13)
Red Sox -7 (good or bad)
Twins -8
Reds -9
Rox -11
Braves -14
Orioles -14

Here's a useful table :-)

64. The Gary DiSarcina Fan Club (JAHV) Posted: May 11, 2023 at 06:46 PM (#6127922)

And they don't push the tying run across. The Angels lose five out of six at home against division rivals.

You're right that the end of that series sucked, but they went 1-2 in both series. They didn't get swept by the Rangers.

65. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: May 11, 2023 at 09:26 PM (#6127957)

Well that Rays/NY game went pear shaped fast for NY. After 0-0 through five, the wheels fell off for NY and the Rays now lead 8-0. I know its still kind of early, but holy cow are they good.

66. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 11, 2023 at 11:41 PM (#6127981)

Here's a useful table

Drilling down from that link I was able to get oaa for each team(you have to do it manually, but for example overall the Cubs are +6 oaa while the Rays are +8 and the Cardinals are - 2, and the Orioles are -14

(just put the name of the team in the search bar

67. Walt Davis Posted: May 12, 2023 at 01:49 AM (#6127991)

Ahh, thanks for the tip and that leads to an even better solution. You can get a team-only table. Go to outs above average leaderboard and under "view" choose "fielding team." This might work.

You can also group by "batting team" which I guess tells you who has faced the toughest defenses ... although I'm not sure if +13 means they've faced tough defense (13 more outs against them) or weak (they've gained 13 extra outs). Anyway, Dodgers +13 and Red Sox at -19. That's quite a big swing but will presumably even out as the season goes.

68. salvomania Posted: May 12, 2023 at 04:46 PM (#6128050)

Gonna walk over to Fenway with my wife in about an hour and a half and sit in the monster seats for the very time to see the Cardinals battle the Red Sox.

It's a beautiful day here, currently 83 and sunny, with a gametime forecast of around 75.

Since I moved to Boston in 2000, the Cardinals are the visiting team I have seen the most at Fenway. Last year they were in town on Father's Day (the whole family went), this year, Mother's Day.

69. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 12, 2023 at 08:21 PM (#6128070)

Shohei Ohtani just recorded his fifth catcher's interference call of the season. The single-season record is nine. Another record is about to fall at the feel of the World's Most Special Boy.

70. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 12, 2023 at 08:35 PM (#6128072)

Angels load the bases in the 5th with no outs.

K. DP. Inning over. Aaaaaagggghhhh.

71. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 12, 2023 at 09:34 PM (#6128076)

The Angels have let about 94 people on base. They deserve to lose this game by so many runs.

This'll be six losses out of seven. They're gonna lose Ohtani. I'm going to throw myself into the ocean. Everything is the worst.

72. The Yankee Clapper Posted: May 12, 2023 at 09:50 PM (#6128077)

Yankees earn a hard fought 6-5 win over the Rays. The Force was with Anthony Rizzo who had 2 HRs on his Mandalorian Bobblehead Day.

73. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 12, 2023 at 09:51 PM (#6128078)

The Angels rally against Classe! Two runs on a double, single, and aggressive baserunning on an FC and then a sac fly!

Everything is the best!

74. The Duke Posted: May 12, 2023 at 10:09 PM (#6128080)

Cardinals beat Red Sox in a comeback ?

75. Walt Davis Posted: May 12, 2023 at 10:58 PM (#6128087)

The Cubs broke it open in the 9th and beat the Twins 6-2. Morel, who was not good enough for the opening day roster despite a 910 spring OPS or to be the first or second offensive call-up despite his 1200 AAA OPS is now 6-13 with 2 HRs since being called up. Time to send him down so he can play every day. :-)

76. salvomania Posted: May 12, 2023 at 11:12 PM (#6128091)

Just got back from one of the more fun ballgames I've been to.

Cardinals score 3 in the 9th of Janssen to beat the Red Sox, 8-6, with Nolan Gorman (supplanted from the DH spot by Contreras) hitting a go-head two-run pinch-hit homer.

Five homers, a few lead changes, a couple steals, a nice start by Paxton and some shaky bullpen work by both teams.

The monster seats at Fenway are awesome---you still feel close to the action, and there's zero fan "interference"---nobody's sitting right in front of you, nobody's climbing over you (and you're not climbing over anyone else), and food/beer/restrooms are extremely convenient. You've got essentially a bar counter in front of you, and the seats are rotating bar stools. A splurge I was happy to make, once, and maybe again.

77. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 12:50 AM (#6128106)

I think Yordan just broke statcast. As the White Sox pbp guy said "he hit it through a ring of Saturn." It was very high and very deep.

78. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 12:54 AM (#6128107)

By the way, the Sox add a little circle with the pitch clock on it at the edge of the mound, disappears with the pitch. I like it. For some reason they also stick a pitch clock up in the score, etc. box.

79. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 12:59 AM (#6128109)

Apparently an EV of 113, dist of just 428, a LA of 40 which I think gives an idea of how high it was hit. Would have been out of 30/30 parks and over most skyscrapers.

Meanwhile Dusty wasting Pressly with a 5-1 lead.

80. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 01:37 AM (#6128111)

That was a nice win for the Cardinals, they did all the mistakes they have been making this season, but actually managed to keep the pressure on and work it into a win. Second series in a row that the Cardinals won the first game of the series, much better than the 0-11 start. Now if they can just get on a streak of winning series and they might actually make a run in the division.

81. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 02:26 PM (#6128147)

The Yanks enter the day with a 550 winning percentage ... and in last place.

Looks like they will no longer be a 550 team at the end of the day.

82. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 03:07 PM (#6128151)

Yanks storming back, have gone from 0-6 to 7-6. Two 2-run HRs from Judge, one from Hagashioka and Volpe nicely created a run (bunt single, 2 steals, wild pitch).

83. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 03:09 PM (#6128152)

Paul O'Neill discovering that guys who hit lots of HRs tend to have lots of multi-HR games.

84. Walt Davis Posted: May 13, 2023 at 03:37 PM (#6128155)

Cubs-Twins have finally begun so I will leave the Yanks-Rays to sort it out themselves. All games free today on MLBtv so indulge.

85. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 05:17 PM (#6128161)

Cardinals announce Contreras will return to catching duties on Monday.

86. mathesond Posted: May 13, 2023 at 05:48 PM (#6128164)

Whit Merrifield just stole 2nd and 3rd, without drawing a throw either time. He's getting some really good jumps today.

(Edit) And he scores on a double by Danny Jansen. He might have been able to score from 1st the way he's been running today, but why take the chance?

87. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:03 PM (#6128165)

Sale went 8 innings, giving up 1 run, a HR to Arenado in the 7th. He looked great.

88. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:18 PM (#6128168)

Jansen is really having issues though.

89. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:22 PM (#6128169)

Gorman has Jansens's number, just a double to make it 3-2 2nd and third one out.

90. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:25 PM (#6128170)

Cardinals tie it up and take the lead in the ninth inning with Burleson hitting into a potential double play with bases loaded, and an error allows the second runner to score. 4-3 in the top of the ninth. Jansen is struggling with the new pitch rules. (or the ump is just being a dick)

91. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:36 PM (#6128172)

The batter wasn't ready at the 7 or 8 second mark of one of the calls, when the ump called a ball 2 seconds after the batter got into his stance. That call should have went against the batter. I'm gonna rewind and look.

Yup, Contreras had one foot out of the box when the ump called a violation on Jansen. On the next pitch, Goldschmidt stole 2nd (just for pinpointing when the ump ###### up). How can you call a violation on the pitcher when the batter has one foot out of the batter's box?

92. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:37 PM (#6128173)

That is a winner, 4-3 final score, when the Cardinals were down 3-0 going into the 7th inning. 10 games below .500 and at worse 7.5 games behind the first place Brewers, (Brewers and Pirates lose today and the Cardinals are only 6.5 back----and yes I know, never pay attention to the standings before June)

93. Commissioner Bud Black Beltre Hillman Fred Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:39 PM (#6128174)

That top of the ninth in Boston is the first baseball I've watched this year. Came away very, very confused about the pitch clock.

94. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 06:40 PM (#6128175)

That call should have went against the batter. I'm gonna rewind and look.

Cardinal radio announcers said pretty much the same, kinda, they implied that Contreras was squared to the pitcher, but not in the box, and it rattled Jansen so he almost quick pitched or something like that. (they said it wasn't at the 8 second mark)

Contreras has been trying to play the rules for the last couple of series, which makes me dislike the rules a little bit, lawyer ball is not playing a game.

95. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: May 13, 2023 at 07:00 PM (#6128179)

and it rattled Jansen so he almost quick pitched or something like that.

I don't think they were calling a quick pitch. Jansen was getting into his set when he was called for a violation. It's very confusing.

96. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 07:22 PM (#6128182)

Jose Ramirez just got picked off second base because shortstop Zach Neto was blocking the bag with his foot. A quick review would show that there was obstruction, but Cleveland already failed a challenge earlier in the game.

97. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 07:23 PM (#6128183)

I'm just going by what the radio announcers were trying to figure out, by their estimate it was before the 8 second mark, and Contreras was squared facing Jansen, but his foot was out of the box. From what I could make out, Jansen then started his wind up and was called, because Contreras wasn't in the box yet, which would be a quick pitch violation. (Contreras was trying to do this against the Angels also)

98. Captain Joe Bivens, Pointless and Wonderful Posted: May 13, 2023 at 07:26 PM (#6128184)

I hope Contreras gets drilled in the nuts tomorrow.

99. cardsfanboy

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 07:32 PM (#6128187)

This is why I think some of the new rules need to be subjective, it should be up to the umpires discretion to make a call if in their opinion someone is gaming the system. What Contreras is doing is clearly gaming the system, and it's similar to what a few pitchers said they were going to try and do to game the system, at that point in time you are violating the spirit of the rules and should be ruled against. Whether it's a warning and restarting the clock or even going the other way with the penalty by giving an automatic strike etc.

Basically what Contreras is trying to do is waste as much time in the box, appear to be ready by facing the pitcher, even though his foot is out of the box(which he is allowed up until the 8 second mark) and if the pitcher in a rush decides to go through with the pitch thinking that Contreras is "ready" because of the pressure being put on the pitcher to throw on time, that the pitcher ends up going into his motion when technically the batter isn't ready and getting a quick pitch violation, when it was clearly egged on by the batters actions.

100. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 13, 2023 at 08:08 PM (#6128190)

Mickey Moniak was upset he didn't make the big club out of Spring Training. First game of the season after promotion, and Moniak is 3-3 with a walk, a homer, an RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases.

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