MLB 2015 Season Thread

MoyVilla9

http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/mlb-network-is-launching-live-authenticated-streaming.html

This probably won't help most of you, but MLB is now launching live streaming of the MLB Network. Unfortunately you do need a US Cable login, but maybe a few of you do have that. You also need to have a VPN running so it's awkward, but possible to get.
Just a heads up.

Waitsian

The Blue Jays on some tear at the moment. They've won 10 in a row and looks highly likely they'll soon win 11 (up 13-5 at Fenway, top of the 8th). There's not another team in the Majors anywhere near them for total runs scored.

jack presley

Tune into the Brewers/Nats if you can.

Edit - Ah well, scrap that. Scherzer's perfect game bid just broken up in the 7th

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

The Blue Jays on some tear at the moment. They've won 10 in a row and looks highly likely they'll soon win 11 (up 13-5 at Fenway, top of the 8th). There's not another team in the Majors anywhere near them for total runs scored.

Run Differential's about +40 for the past few weeks. Some run they're on alright.

Morrison J

Red Sox need to fire Farrell/Cherrington. Team a total mess.

Byron Buxton made his MLB debut earlier today! Scored the winning run for the Twins too. Excited by him. He's like a Billy Hamilton who can hit. So much speed.

InTheTrees

Morrison J wrote: »

Red Sox need to fire Farrell/Cherrington. Team a total mess.

The problem is that owners can make just as much money if their team is losing. Sometimes much more.

We've faced that for years here in Seattle.

If only american sports relegated losing teams to a lower division, that would shake things up a little.

8-10

InTheTrees wrote: »

The problem is that owners can make just as much money if their team is losing. Sometimes much more.

We've faced that for years here in Seattle.

If only american sports relegated losing teams to a lower division, that would shake things up a little.

Red Sox owners are not going to settle for making money and losing. Boston is very different to Seattle in fairness

I watched the game yesterday and it was woeful. 4th inning particularly. Hanley Ramirez in left field is a disaster, I'm going to go right out and say that that was a failure of a move right now. And the rotation is very very weak. The bullpen is average

During the game I even put a sum of money on the Blue Jays to win the division @ 31/10. They're scoring runs for fun and while I don't see them doing much in the playoffs I can definitely see them getting there and that division is very weak overall this year.

Sox have been depressingly bad. I wish I could bring myself to just not watch them.

jack presley

Will Farell be given extra time because of 2013? Although that didn't help Terry Francona but that was a collapse of epic proportions.

8-10

jack presley wrote: »

Will Farell be given extra time because of 2013? Although that didn't help Terry Francona but that was a collapse of epic proportions.

I would give Farrell more time than Cherington to be honest but neither will be there this time next year.

There's no way of being in contention this season which is just looking like more and more of a shame when you look at the opportunity that the East has given this year. Definitely a winnable division. However, the main complaint (deafening at times during the offseason) was that the rotation was being overlooked in order to stack bats. Moncada, Ramirez, Castillo, Cespedes, Sandoval all coming in for big big money in the last 12 months. And plenty of rumblings around the likes of Cole Hamels, David Price, James Shields and others but the Red Sox refused to give up a Blake Swihart or a Mookie Betts along with the cash to get them.

So now there's an over abundance of bats, a below-average rotation and an average bullpen. Even Allen Craig is still on the books, I think he should have been first person offered in a trade over the offseason, now that he's in Triple A there's pretty much no value in him anymore (I've given up on him being a productive outfielder for the Red Sox)

And the worst part is that we're trying to shoe-horn these bats into the lineup. Hanley Ramirez played his entire MLB career at shortstop and we put him in left field resulting in a ludicrous -13 defensive runs saved (if you're not aware of that stat, let me just say that -13 is by far the worst among all MLB players in 2015) and a negative WAR. So yes, he's productive at the plate, yay, but overall it's not working out for the team.

I'm interested in seeing what happens around the trade deadline, but not optimistic. In hindsight signing both Hanley and Panda to solve the third base issue and a non-existent left field issue looks to have been incorrect. At the same time though even if we'd signed just one of them and invested the remainder in an ace pitcher I don't think we'd get out of the division. It all screams to me like trying to win now with players who are not going to be playoff quality for 2-3yrs (Swihart, Castillo, Boegarts, Betts) by overpaying for offensive runs this year in other positions. You either play the long game with the core of the team or you trade them now to win now, both doesn't work. I'd much prefer to have not paid the big 'win now' contracts to Sandoval and Ramirez and the average 'innings-eater' acquisitions of Porcello and Miley, and played the longer game including supplementing the core of the team with more promising long-term pitching. Matt Barnes move from Starter to Reliever when he came up was strange but maybe best in the long run and Eduardo Rodriguez has been encouraging up until yesterday's outing but after that I think we're light in starting pitcher prospects.

But as I said in my previous post, Red Sox struggle with accepting losing in the short term.

jack presley

I know Toronto is on a roll at the moment but the ALE has been pretty average so 8 games isn't insurmountable, especially as it's only June.

As you say though they're not playing well and even 1 game is hard to get back if you're not any good but if things do click they could get back into it.

8-10

jack presley wrote: »

I meant to get back to you on this. How fast does facing a 65mph fast ball feel like. I'd love a go in a batting cage but never had the chance (apart from one time in the 'KidZone' at CitiField but they weren't coming at me too fast and they were only rubber balls to if I remember correctly) Did you ever face one in the 90's just to see what it was like?

Yep have faced 90MPH and to be honest there is no point unless you are practicing regularly. I got contact a couple of times but that's really only because the pitches are always at the same location more or less from a machine so it's only bat speed you need to time correctly. It was pretty much guessing when to swing initially and then once the timing is right (for me it was just as the ball was about to be released! My bat speed is obviously terrible) you swing and make contact and then through repetition you can rattle off a few hits (well, contacts at least!) in a row.

That was a few years ago though. When I did it recently I didn't bother with the 90MPH (had also had a few beers so wouldn't have gone well) so I gave the 55, 65 and 75 a go.

65 was my favourite, really got in a rhythm quickly with it. 55MPH is a bit slow and while you can hit them, you don't feel like the contact is as good because there is less speed in the pitch. With 65 you feel like you really connect, I enjoyed learning the speed and swinging correctly and also felt like my swing was really working well, at the higher speeds I always feel like I'm 'hacking' at the ball somewhat, but 65 was perfect as I could do the whole cocking the front foot to straighten it and swinging from the back foot with a proper follow through. I reckon with more regular practice 75 would have felt the same but I just gave it one go and was back to the hacking feeling so reverted to 65 again.

Was good fun anyway and definitely recommend it. Just don't wear a watch or a wedding ring or anything like that when you're doing it! I've gotten bad blisters that way! And maybe don't drink too much either.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

I know Toronto is on a roll at the moment but the ALE has been pretty average so 8 games isn't insurmountable, especially as it's only June.

As you say though they're not playing well and even 1 game is hard to get back if you're not any good but if things do click they could get back into it.

It is only June but the Red Sox will still be terrible in August. Just reading a few of the posts and I get what your saying 8-10 about Hanley but why with his negative WAR do they not move him to SS? They have outfielders to play with and I cant understand how they haven't just put him at short.

The rotation needs work but is not unsavable they just need more QS'. Some of the money spent on Panda and Hanley should definitely have gone on an SP.

We're having our own problems on both ends at National Stadium, the pitching with the exception of Scherzer has been terrible and without Harper we don't really have any bats! So it is the strangest feeling right now that we should have an almost unbeatable rotation but they are simply terrible right now!

8-10

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

It is only June but the Red Sox will still be terrible in August. Just reading a few of the posts and I get what your saying 8-10 about Hanley but why with his negative WAR do they not move him to SS? They have outfielders to play with and I cant understand how they haven't just put him at short.

Bogaerts seen as the long-term option at SS and he needs AB's. No point putting him anywhere else in the field as it won't be his position. Same with Betts who is good enough to play but with no middle infield position available he has to play OF

For Hanley he could have played 3rd but decision was made to bring in Sandoval so he has to play somewhere with Ortiz not able to do anything but DH. Left field is an easier gig than short but there is the green monster to contend with, however his defense has been poor on the road also. I just don't think anybody predicted he'd be this bad

Too many bats, poor defence, poor rotation. Play out the year and keep giving the youngsters the AB's I say.

8-10

So apparently the FBI are investigating claims that the St Louis Cardinals hacked a Houston Astros database

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/16/8789249/st-louis-cardinals-houston-astros-hack

jack presley

8-10 wrote: »

So apparently the FBI are investigating claims that the St Louis Cardinals hacked a Houston Astros database

http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/16/8789249/st-louis-cardinals-houston-astros-hack

Good IT Security by the Astros there. I like the line "Evidence apparently suggests the Cardinals officials were able to enter the Astros network by reusing a master list of passwords that Luhnow had used during his time at the Cardinals." I wonder were the passwords '123456' or 'password'.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

We're having our own problems on both ends at National Stadium, the pitching with the exception of Scherzer has been terrible and without Harper we don't really have any bats! So it is the strangest feeling right now that we should have an almost unbeatable rotation but they are simply terrible right now!

Bullpen's been a big issue too but there's still no way they don't win the division. They haven't played well at all and are still only 1.5 games back. They'll obviously be buyers as the trade deadline approaches and will pick up someone like Chapman from the Reds so once the bullpen improves and the bats heat up even a small bit, they should be too good for everyone else in the NLE.

Outside of starting pitching, the Mets have no depth and are even worse than Washington for hitting so it's not like they have to catch the '27 Yankees.

And then it's a crap shoot to see how far they go in the playoffs.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Bullpen's been a big issue too but there's still no way they don't win the division. They haven't played well at all and are still only 1.5 games back. They'll obviously be buyers as the trade deadline approaches and will pick up someone like Chapman from the Reds so once the bullpen improves and the bats heat up even a small bit, they should be too good for everyone else in the NLE.

Outside of starting pitching, the Mets have no depth and are even worse than Washington for hitting so it's not like they have to catch the '27 Yankees.

And then it's a crap shoot to see how far they go in the playoffs.

Oh yeah dont get me wrong i still think there is a good chance they break 90 wins but they need Strasbourg, Fister and Zimmerman to get their act together. They definitely have bullpen issues but I like Janssen and I think we dont necessarily need a Chapman, he would probably cost too much anyway. Funny but we could really have done with Clippard now.

As bad as out hitting has been your right its now where near as bad as the Mets! But that said ye keep winning ,I like the team this year but you need wright back fit.

jack presley

Old timers day in Toronto today. RA Dickey (40) facing Bartolo Colon (42). At least the DH is in play so they won't have to run the bases.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

Old timers day in Toronto today. RA Dickey (40) facing Bartolo Colon (42). At least the DH is in play so they won't have to run the bases.

Watching Colon Bat is just terrific man. I think they need to get rid of the DH. Pitchers should bat, it's part of the game.

On a side note was watching Ceuto at bat last week he laid though a terrific bunt up the first base line that just rolled foul but he had legged it to first, then he hits a cracking double into center field , by the time he got to second he looked like he was going to have a heart attack! Terrific stuff though!

On another side note, clever tactics by Tampa last night. They keep winning!

8-10

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Watching Colon Bat is just terrific man. I think they need to get rid of the DH. Pitchers should bat, it's part of the game.

strongly disagree. I'd be changing the restrictive rule in the NL that forces pitchers to bat

jack presley

I know we've debated this before on here and I do think it is only a matter of time before we get the DH in both leagues but I hate it. I much prefer pitchers batting.

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

On another side note, clever tactics by Tampa last night. They keep winning!

It's gas how things can change in a day isn't it? The Nats had 23 hits and 16 runs on Tuesday and 0 runs and 2 hits on Wednesday. They'll probably score a bunch tonight again.

Just goes to show how you should never get too excited or worried about one game as God only knows what will happen the next.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

It's gas how things can change in a day isn't it? The Nats had 23 hits and 16 runs on Tuesday and 0 runs and 2 hits on Wednesday. They'll probably score a bunch tonight again.

Just goes to show how you should never get too excited or worried about one game as God only knows what will happen the next.

It was interesting tactics last night by Tampa never seen it done before but could be something teams use in future.

Don't agree at all 8-10, pitchers grow up hitting why should it change when they go to the ML level?

jack presley

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

It was interesting tactics last night by Tampa never seen it done before but could be something teams use in future.

Don't agree at all 8-10, pitchers grow up hitting why should it change when they go to the ML level?

I have seen a the bullpen pitching the whole game before on a couple of occasions. Usually when they're down a starter or something and it's at short notice. Was it purely tactical last night or was there an injury to someone?

Like anything, it's great when it works.

8-10

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Don't agree at all 8-10, pitchers grow up hitting why should it change when they go to the ML level?

Class-A only has DH. I was at a Double-A Senators game a couple of weeks ago (Nationals AA team so NL farm team) and they played with a DH even though they were at home.

Here's the boxscore for National's Triple-A team Syracuse Chiefs yesterday, both teams using a DH even though it's an NL farm team playing at home.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2015_06_17_tolaaa_syraaa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb

So I disagree that it will change at MLB level because the NL farm teams are already using DH even at home sometimes and it's only at MLB level in the NL that this rule of forcing pitchers to hit is enforced, and that is down to tradition more than anything.

So if you're concerned at things changing when you get to ML level then DH should be allowed in the NL.

Remember DH is optional, if you're good enough to hit you can hit even as a pitcher, if there's a better player to hit then the manager can designate him instead. It's only the National League, and only at the MLB level that there is an enforcement of pitchers hitting. In the minors and AL you regularly see an a DH used and all of those managers retain the right and ability to use their pitcher as a hitter if they so wish - so even if you bring it into the NL the managers can still refuse to use them if they are traditional, but at least they have the same option as most of the rest of baseball

Waitsian

8-10 wrote: »

Remember DH is optional, if you're good enough to hit you can hit even as a pitcher, if there's a better player to hit then the manager can designate him instead.

I'd love to see a pitcher hit in a Blue Jays home game! Has it ever happened in the AL, I wonder, since the DH rule was introduced?

Edit: Wow, it happens far more often than you think. Aaron Loup (lefty reliever) hit for the Jays 3 years ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_hitter

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

8-10 wrote: »

Class-A only has DH. I was at a Double-A Senators game a couple of weeks ago (Nationals AA team so NL farm team) and they played with a DH even though they were at home.

Here's the boxscore for National's Triple-A team Syracuse Chiefs yesterday, both teams using a DH even though it's an NL farm team playing at home.

http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2015_06_17_tolaaa_syraaa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb

So I disagree that it will change at MLB level because the NL farm teams are already using DH even at home sometimes and it's only at MLB level in the NL that this rule of forcing pitchers to hit is enforced, and that is down to tradition more than anything.

So if you're concerned at things changing when you get to ML level then DH should be allowed in the NL.

Remember DH is optional, if you're good enough to hit you can hit even as a pitcher, if there's a better player to hit then the manager can designate him instead. It's only the National League, and only at the MLB level that there is an enforcement of pitchers hitting. In the minors and AL you regularly see an a DH used and all of those managers retain the right and ability to use their pitcher as a hitter if they so wish - so even if you bring it into the NL the managers can still refuse to use them if they are traditional, but at least they have the same option as most of the rest of baseball

If the DH rule comes in it to the NL it will take the pitcher hitting out of baseball altogether. It wont happen over night but in 20 years no pitchers will hit if they bring in the DH rule, IMO. I don't want to see that personally.

8-10

mod9maple wrote: »

I'd love to see a pitcher hit in a Blue Jays home game! Has it ever happened in the AL, I wonder, since the DH rule was introduced?

Yeah but not in a long long time, it's very rare because pitchers are generally not good enough. And that's fine with me. Wandy Rodriguez scored his 24th run yesterday from 510 career plate appearances. That doesn't serve the club, the league, the fans or the player at all in my opinion. Tradition is a weak reason to put Wandy in the batter's box at the highest level of professional sport.

8-10

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

If the DH rule comes in it to the NL it will take the pitcher hitting out of baseball altogether. It wont happen over night but in 20 years no pitchers will hit if they bring in the DH rule, IMO. I don't want to see that personally.

As pointed out in the post above yours it does happen, going all the way back 3 years but it did happen and is akin to position players pitching, should be an option but shouldn't be enforced. Only 1 league at 1 level still hasn't migrated from it, as I said the lower leagues still have it so why only when you get to the top level are you required to hit? What is the point when the pitcher has come through the minors without regular At Bats?

If he's good enough to hit, and some pitchers are, then they can still hit. It won't go out completely.

Edit: looked up Wandy's stats, he had 45 plate appearances in 2012 and a batting average of .000! A guaranteed out - what's the point? This is coming down to different personalities obviously because I have no interest in continuously watching a bad hitter hit. Occasionally yes, like a position player pitch (see last night's Indians), but if the AL enforced a rule to have 1 inning per night pitched by a positional player, I would be similarly dismayed. It's fine to be optional but when you enforce rules like that at the top level of sport you are compromising the competitiveness of the game. AL remains the more watchable league for this reason.

Waitsian

Just to clarify - a pitcher hasn't started a game hitting in the AL since the mid-70s. Those that have hit in an AL game since have done so for tactical or practical reasons eg defensive field replacements or injuries, usually late in a game.

MoyVilla9

I would have to agree with 8-10 here. Tradition is a weak argument to force someone, the pitcher in this case, to become a batter in the top level of professional sport. There is nothing more disheartening than seeing the pitcher come up with two-on, two-outs in a close game. Automatic out.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

I would have to agree with 8-10 here. Tradition is a weak argument to force someone, the pitcher in this case, to become a batter in the top level of professional sport. There is nothing more disheartening than seeing the pitcher come up with two-on, two-outs in a close game. Automatic out.

yeah to each their own, I prefer to see them hit like i already said.

Better start tonight for the Nats and Archer just struck out for the Rays with two on and two outs, love that pitchers must hit rule! :D:D

mmarch2

Blue Jays vs Orioles's should be a great series to watch this weekend. They've both been playing some great baseball and firing on all cylinders.

The O's made a controversial move and optioned lefty Wei-Yin Chen down to Triple-A even after his last dominating outting due to "fatigue". I think they just wanna keep him away from the lefty-mashing Jays.

I'm calling O's take the series 2-1.. but that might just be my hometown bias!

mmarch2

Blue Jays vs Orioles should be a great series to watch this weekend. They've both been playing some great baseball and firing on all cylinders.

The O's made a controversial move and optioned lefty Wei-Yin Chen down to Triple-A even after his last dominating outting due to "fatigue". I think they just wanna keep him away from the lefty-mashing Jays.

I'm calling O's take the series 2-1.. but that might just be my hometown bias!

jack presley

mmarch2 wrote: »

Blue Jays vs Orioles should be a great series to watch this weekend. They've both been playing some great baseball and firing on all cylinders.

The Mets managed to slow down the Blue Jays juggernaut for a couple of days in NY but normal service was resumed up in Toronto with two beat downs.

Edit - Just read as well that RA Dickey pitched last night after hearing that his father had passed away.

jack presley

Looks like the Simpsons know what the Cardinals were up to back in 1999

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxszN_1k6fQ

jack presley

Walk off Balk!

Was anyone watching this? Only seeing it now myself.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/06/19/dodgers-rangers-walk-off-balk-video-keone-kela

(I'd love to understand the balk. I know the rule but just not can't spot them)

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

Walk off Balk!

I'd love to understand the balk. I know the rule but just not can't spot them

He came set (still) with his foot on the rubber then twitched/moved/slightly turned his shoulder without taking his foot off the rubber. That's a balk. Once he comes set, he has to either pitch or take his foot off the rubber to fake out the runner on third or throw to third.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

He came set (still) with his foot on the rubber then twitched/moved/slightly turned his shoulder without taking his foot off the rubber. That's a balk. Once he comes set, he has to either pitch or take his foot off the rubber to fake out the runner on third or throw to third.

yeah, I know the rules but as I said I just can't spot them.

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

yeah, I know the rules but as I said I just can't spot them.

Sorry, I didn't realise.

I gotta admit myself, they're tough to spot watching on TV. Umpires are much closer to the pitcher, and they have him covered by 4 angles!

Waitsian

Anyone see the Orioles-Jays game last night? CB Bucknor with another clown show! How does this guy keep his job? Are umpires not evaluated constantly? Angel Hernandez and Joe West are two others who are forever mired in controversy. :rolleyes:

jack presley

Ah. What a way to lose a perfect game. 27th man hit by pitch.

jack presley

jack presley wrote: »

Ah. What a way to lose a perfect game. 27th man hit by pitch.

Scherzer settles for the no hitter.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Scherzer settles for the no hitter.

Wow. Tabata leaned in! He will not have to lean into one the next time he steps up.

jack presley

So in his last 2 games, Scherzer has faced 57 batters and given up one hit (a broken bat blooper), one walk and one hit batter. And struck out 26. I think he's kinda good!

jack presley

Bloody hell. I knew the Mets offence was struggling but the Nats scored 3 more runs in one inning today than the Mets did in their last 50.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

So in his last 2 games, Scherzer has faced 57 batters and given up one hit (a broken bat blooper), one walk and one hit batter. And struck out 26. I think he's kinda good!

No he's kinda unbelievable! of all the moves we made in the off season this one looks inspired now, he truly is a terrific pitcher. I cant understand Tabata leaning in, its just ridiculous.

Morrison J

I really don't think Kershaw is out on an island as the best pitcher in the big leagues anymore.

Kershaw, Scherzer and Sale. All in a class of their own. It's a struggle to separate them for me. Could make a case for each of them.

jack presley

Morrison J wrote: »

I really don't think Kershaw is out on an island as the best pitcher in the big leagues anymore.

Kershaw, Scherzer and Sale. All in a class of their own. It's a struggle to separate them for me. Could make a case for each of them.

A lot of good young arms coming through now too. Obviously it'll be a while before we can put them in the same category as the guys you mentioned. Jose Fernandez pitched in a game last night too so he'll be back in the majors soon enough too.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman

jack presley wrote: »

A lot of good young arms coming through now too. Obviously it'll be a while before we can put them in the same category as the guys you mentioned. Jose Fernandez pitched in a game last night too so he'll be back in the majors soon enough too.

Yeah I would include Bumgardner up there as well, doesn't get more clutch that him , he's arguably a better big game pitcher than Kershaw