MLB: 2014 Regular Season Thread

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

rockonollie wrote: »

But under the new rules, the catcher can't position himself where he's blocking the plate until after he has the ball.

I think this rule is going to take some time and common sense by umps. In this case I think its the right call, the ball gets there a split second before the runner in my opinion. So technically he can position himself there. But like all rule changes its open to interpretation. Funniest thing in that game was the cameraman missing the steal by Hamilton because it was so quick. Ridiculous. I still think he steals 100 bases. I know he is having trouble getting on but he's ridiculously quick

rockonollie

Quote from the Pirates catcher........

"No one knows exactly what's going on. Everyone's confused. It's creating more nonsense than it should. Personally I'd rather go back to the way it was. I'll take that hit right there, roll over, cross my fingers and hope nothing bad happens. That play right there, when he called him out, I was like, well, I was blocking the plate and they're going to call him safe."

rockonollie

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Funniest thing in that game was the cameraman missing the steal by Hamilton because it was so quick. Ridiculous. I still think he steals 100 bases. I know he is having trouble getting on but he's ridiculously quick

It's pretty bad when the Reds send two batters up in the first inning and score a run without a bat ever touching the ball.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

rockonollie wrote: »

It's pretty bad when the Reds send two batters up in the first inning and score a run without a bat ever touching the ball.

I play in a fantasy team for a bit of money and one of the lads had this to say about Hamilton - " he only needs to get on base 70 times to steal 100 bases" .. that could be true. :D

rockonollie

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I play in a fantasy team for a bit of money and one of the lads had this to say about Hamilton - " he only needs to get on base 70 times to steal 100 bases" .. that could be true. :D

If not stolen bases, he's going to score alot of runs......now that Votto is behind him and pitchers have to throw him fastballs. (3 homers and 7 RBIs in 5 games suggest it's working)

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I play in a fantasy team for a bit of money and one of the lads had this to say about Hamilton - " he only needs to get on base 70 times to steal 100 bases" .. that could be true. :D

As long as he can improve his OBP, he could be one of the most valuable players in the league. Very small sample size I know (like it is for rating any player at this stage, whether you're praising or slating a player) but his OBP is only .220 so if he improves that, he's nearly almost a guaranteed run.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

(3 homers and 7 RBIs in 5 games suggest it's working)

Too small a sample size to be jumping to that conclusion yet I'd say. Pitchers are clever and they figure things out so I wouldn't expect that rate of success to be sustained.

rockonollie

jack presley wrote: »

Too small a sample size to be jumping to that conclusion yet I'd say. Pitchers are clever and they figure things out so I wouldn't expect that rate of success to be sustained.

Yes pitchers will adapt, but they still have limited options........unless they are willing to let Hamilton steal at will, they will have to limit off-speed pitches and throw votto mostly fastballs......of course if hamilton makes it to 3rd, they can revert to pitching around votto.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Yes pitchers will adapt, but they still have limited options........unless they are willing to let Hamilton steal at will, they will have to limit off-speed pitches and throw votto mostly fastballs......of course if hamilton makes it to 3rd, they can revert to pitching around votto.

That's presuming Hamilton's on base. As I said a couple of posts ago, unless he can improve his OBP (and it's too early to say whether he will or won't), it doesn't matter who's batting behind him.

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

That's presuming Hamilton's on base. As I said a couple of posts ago, unless he can improve his OBP (and it's too early to say whether he will or won't), it doesn't matter who's batting behind him.

Rajai Davis (ex Blue Jays, now Detroit) has the same problem. Will steal plenty of bases throughout the season, but his OBP needs to be better. He strikes out far too much.

jack presley

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/11493214/v32168139/must-c-classic-yankees-turn-a-triple-play-in-the-2nd/?c_id=mlb

You've gotta love the triple play*

* except if it's your team hitting into it!

rockonollie

Time to build momentum......Reds travel to Chicago where they have a .940 winning percentage in the last 2 seasons.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Time to build momentum......Reds travel to Chicago where they have a .940 winning percentage in the last 2 seasons.

Don't know if you listen to ESPN's Baseball Tonight podcast but the Reds manager was on today. Might be worth a listen for you.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

In his other starts, Gee has struggled the 3rd/4th time through the order after being unhittable the first couple of times through so maybe Collins was wary of that happening again

I guess that makes sense but handing a lead over to the bullpen, is that any better

I'm seeing on Twitter that Ike looks to be on his way and that Pittsburgh is his landing spot...

rockonollie

Probably tired of me posting about Billy Hamilton......but his speed continues to amaze me.

I don't think this hit would be a double for most players in baseball, but that isn't what caught my attention......it was the speed of Hamilton as he slid into 2nd (and the fact that he still somehow stopped on the base)

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_04_18_cinmlb_chnmlb_1&mode=video&content_id=32173235&tcid=vpp_copy_32173235

jack presley

Coeus wrote: »

I'm seeing on Twitter that Ike looks to be on his way and that Pittsburgh is his landing spot...

I like Ike and hope it works out for him. I think the change of scenery will do him good so hopefully he can rediscover his form from a couple of years back. Another player on a another club that I'll continue to check in on and root for (although my 'I like Ike' t-shirt will have to be retired now)

I know they did get some scrub in return but apparently the big part of the deal is the 'player to be named later'. Alderson said it's someone significant but can't say who at this stage which probably means it was someone taken in last year's draft who can't be moved for a year.

rockonollie

Who'd have thought when the season started, that after 3 weeks, Aaron Harang and Alfredo Simon would be the top 2 in NL ERA.......a veteran that wasn't really wanted by anyone, and a long reliever covering for an injured starter.

jack presley

498 for Albert Pujols. Him reaching 500 has kind of gone under the radar don't you think or do round numbers line 400, 500, 600 not mean anything anymore?

Morrison J

Another man going slightly under the radar - Ervin Santana.

Pitching better than ever this year. Hope he keeps it up.

MilanPan!c

Rough rough night for the Yankees...

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Who'd have thought when the season started, that after 3 weeks, Aaron Harang and Alfredo Simon would be the top 2 in NL ERA.......a veteran that wasn't really wanted by anyone, and a long reliever covering for an injured starter.

Morrison J wrote: »

Another man going slightly under the radar - Ervin Santana.

To be fair these pitchers have had the benefit in facing the Mets early in the season (twice for Harang and Santana) so it's not fair to the other pitchers in the NL who haven't had the pleasure of that yet!

jack presley

I know you're supposed to play the game hard and hustle etc. (and throw in all the other Baseball Tonight clichés) but surely Matt Williams was a bit over the top with the benching of Harper yesterday?

http://mlb.si.com/2014/04/19/bryce-harper-matt-williams-pulled-hustle/?eref=sihp

I know he's a new manager and wants to set out his stall early but I don't agree with what he did there.

jack presley

MilanPan!c wrote: »

Rough rough night for the Yankees...

Yeah, bad day at the office alright. One of the things I like about baseball is the way a team gets hammered one day then comes back and plays a new game the next day as if last night never happened.

MoyVilla9

MilanPan!c wrote: »

Rough rough night for the Yankees...

Two rough nights for Yankee pitching. I'm confident though. Tanaka, Pineda and Kuroda have looked very good.

Itssoeasy

Just seen the Yankee game highlights and that wasn't good.

MilanPan!c

"Ivan Nova Injury: Updates on Yankees Starter's Elbow and Return"

"The MRI on RHP Ivan Nova last night has revealed a partial tear of ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow. He will be placed on the disabled list today and will be further examined tomorrow in New York by Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2035431-ivan-nova-injury-updates-on-yankees-sps-elbow-and-return

"Sweeny Murti ✔ @YankeesWFAN

Nova used words "sad" and "devastating" but has not yet been told how long he will be out or if surgery is required."

'Nova: "it's hard. I don't even know what to tell you guys. I'm so sad right now that I'm not going to be pitching."'

Coeus

MilanPan!c wrote: »

"Ivan Nova Injury: Updates on Yankees Starter's Elbow and Return"

"The MRI on RHP Ivan Nova last night has revealed a partial tear of ulnar collateral ligament of his right elbow. He will be placed on the disabled list today and will be further examined tomorrow in New York by Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2035431-ivan-nova-injury-updates-on-yankees-sps-elbow-and-return

"Sweeny Murti ✔ @YankeesWFAN

Nova used words "sad" and "devastating" but has not yet been told how long he will be out or if surgery is required."

'Nova: "it's hard. I don't even know what to tell you guys. I'm so sad right now that I'm not going to be pitching."'

Same as Matt Moore, he will more than likely require surgery and be done for the year. Its crazy the amount of guys going down with torn UCLs (partially or otherwise) this season

MilanPan!c

Yankees/Tampa - tie game bottom of the ninth.

jack presley

Coeus wrote: »

Same as Matt Moore, he will more than likely require surgery and be done for the year. Its crazy the amount of guys going down with torn UCLs (partially or otherwise) this season

8 gone for TJ since 1 March apparently

MilanPan!c

After a challenge benefited the Yankees earlier, changing an out to a ground rule double and scoring their only run, another challenge has just "caught" Ichiro stealing second.

Top of the 11th - still tied at 1.

jack presley

This new 'highlights from MLB.tv' thing in between innings is getting very annoying. Especially when watching a game in the 14th and the same few highlights come on every few innings.

jack presley

At least the game should be over soon as Valverde's pitching

Itssoeasy

Can't believe the mets braves game is still on.

MilanPan!c

switch over to the Yanks game right now

jack presley

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Can't believe the mets braves game is still on.

Not anymore!

JONJO THE MISER

Boom shaka laka boom, yankees core in the 12th bases still loaded, nice bet in running:D

JONJO THE MISER

Also win my other bet over 3.5 which i thought had lost:D
i might open that nice bottle of jameson staring at me

jack presley

MilanPan!c wrote: »

switch over to the Yanks game right now

Any more updates Milan?

jack presley

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24533948/video-brewers-pirates-brawl-after-carlos-gomez-triple

Another bench clearer and surprise surprise, Carlos Gomez is at the centre of it again. Time to put the handbags away lads.

MilanPan!c

jack presley wrote: »

Any more updates Milan?

Sorry - stupid work.

Anna walked w/ bases loaded (after TB intentionally walked Ellsbury). Then Beltran hit a 2 run single.

After 12 innings the yanks win 5-1.

Crazy.

jack presley

http://deadspin.com/bartolo-colons-plate-appearances-are-baseballs-gift-to-1565211865

Kind of reminds me of Oliver Hardy for some reason.

jack presley

MilanPan!c wrote: »

Sorry - stupid work.

Anna walked w/ bases loaded (after TB intentionally walked Ellsbury). Then Beltran hit a 2 run single.

After 12 innings the yanks win 5-1.

Crazy.

I was worried about you Milan, thought you might have lost it when the Yankees scored 4.

Morrison J

Amazing game at Fenway. 5-0 down and win 6-5 with a walk off. Feels just like last year!

MilanPan!c

Morrison J wrote: »

Amazing game at Fenway. 5-0 down and win 6-5 with a walk off. Feels just like last year!

It was spectacular!

Benimar

MilanPan!c wrote: »

It was spectacular!

Not from where I was sitting

MilanPan!c

Benimar wrote: »

Not from where I was sitting

Come to the dark side.

jack presley

Morrison J wrote: »

Amazing game at Fenway. 5-0 down and win 6-5 with a walk off. Feels just like last year!

Looks like a replay is on now. What inning should I expect the comeback to start?

MilanPan!c

jack presley wrote: »

Looks like a replay is on now. What inning should I expect the comeback to start?

7th

jack presley

MilanPan!c wrote: »

7th

They might want to start the comeback earlier today as they've an extra run to get!

MilanPan!c

jack presley wrote: »

They might want to start the comeback earlier today as they've an extra run to get!

Considering that Baltimore tends to lose every one run game they're involved in, it might get take 10 innings today... :P