May 2018 MLB Game Thread

sean1562

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So it appears as if Dansby Swanson doesn't completely suck now, making that Braves team the top contender for "which non playoff team from 2017 will make it this year?" Some of those players are def playing over their head, but they still have the makings of an entire elite pitching staff in the minor leagues, after calling up the majors best prospect. definitely starting to look less fluky and more "emerging". Looks like the Nats NL East reign could be over sooner that many expected, which i figure many expected at least through the end of this year.

The Phillies are definitely the front runners for Machado, I think, considering that JP Crawford can never stay on the field and hasnt been terribly impressive when he is on it. NL East should be a real division again here soon, which is good for baseball.
 

sean1562

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So gleybar looks like a fucking superstar. Here is to hoping devers heats up and starts hitting like that
 

Sad Sam Jones

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Tyler Chatwood has never been known as a control artist, but he's entering yips territory this season. He was pulled in the 3rd inning tonight following his 6th walk. That's 5+ walks in 6 of his 9 starts this year, and 40 total in 45.2 innings. He's still lucked his way into a 3.74 ERA.

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cromulence

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I hate the whole "don't even try to field the ball and just wave your arms helplessly" thing. I know it's technically the smart move and within the rules, but it just bugs me. Jump up and grab the damn thing. Same thing happened to the Yankees last week on a ball that was "stuck" (it could've easily been removed) between the bottom of the padding and the ground; it turned a triple into a double. I get it for the ivy at Wrigley, but if the ball can be retrieved, they should have to retrieve it. Luck is part of the game.
 

jon abbey

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Whoa, Toronto's starting shortstop today is...

Russell Martin (!).
 

Byrdbrain

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I heard them mention that on the radio earlier today. I guess he's wanted to do it forever and has played some there later on in games as well as at 3rd a few times.
They also mentioned that he told Team Canada earlier this year that he would only play for them if he could be the SS, when they told him they wanted him as catcher he didn't play.
I can't imagine someone with his build who has caught for all those years could have any kind of range.
 

sean1562

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Mark Reynolds with the go ahead HR in the top of the 9th, Nats win 4-1. He threw a man out at home from 1B the half inning before that as well.
 

sean1562

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what do you guys think of Bryce Harper so far this year? He is playing well, but with just average defense in RF and without an insane hitting season, is he really worth the numbers people are throwing around? Starting to look like his ceiling is Giancarlo(obviously a great player) but, with Robles/Soto/Eaton, do the Nats pony up for him? Obviously can heat up and throw himself into the MVP race, but I am starting to have doubts on if he is worth a massive deal, and if he will get anything close to the 400 mil everyone was throwing around previously
 

santadevil

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They also mentioned that he told Team Canada earlier this year that he would only play for them if he could be the SS, when they told him they wanted him as catcher he didn't play.
I can't imagine someone with his build who has caught for all those years could have any kind of range.
That SS comment of his really put me into hating Russell Martin territory. Like Team Canada should be so priviledged to have him play, he can say where he wants to play. He's a douche
 

Sad Sam Jones

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Francona is starting to look like an idiot in reaction to the Indians bullpen problems. Trevor Bauer was fantastic for 7 innings today (2 runs allowed, 13 K), but he was sent back out for the 8th inning after 110 pitches. He only retired 1 of the 3 batters he faced that inning, and Cleveland was forced to send Evan Marshall to the mound to face Jose Altuve (who now has 10 hits in his last 10 at-bats) with the tying and go-ahead runners on. Eight pitches and 3 hits later, the Astros lead 5-3.

EDIT: Make that 8-3, thanks for joining the bullpen hit parade Ben Taylor.

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jon abbey

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Francona is starting to look like an idiot in reaction to the Indians bullpen problems. Trevor Bauer was fantastic for 7 innings today (2 runs allowed, 13 K), but he was sent back out for the 8th inning after 110 pitches. He only retired 1 of the 3 batters he faced that inning, and Cleveland was forced to send Evan Marshall to the mound to face Jose Altuve (who now has 10 hits in his last 10 at-bats) with the tying and go-ahead runners on. Eight pitches and 3 hits later, the Astros lead 5-3.

EDIT: Make that 8-3, thanks for joining the bullpen hit parade Ben Taylor.

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This game is crazy, CLE has 7 hits in the bottom of the 9th and 5 runs off three Houston relievers, now tied at 8 and Ramirez is up trying to win it.
 

jon abbey

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Gurriel with a diving catch of a liner into foul territory to save the game, tied at 8 and going to extra innings.

HOU has a 1 PM start tomorrow in NY, feel free to play 15 innings today.
 

cromulence

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Damn, what a game. Just caught the recap (to this point) on MLBN.

127 pitches for Bauer? Doesn't seem smart.
 

Sad Sam Jones

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It started with a 17-pitch at-bat by Ramirez in which he doubled... I didn't time it, but Cleveland's PBP guy claimed it was an 8 minute at-bat.

The home plate umpire has been horrendous. Michael Brantley struck out looking in the 1st inning on a 3-2 pitch 6 inches off the plate. Ramirez hit Cole's next pitch into the seats. Indians should already be in the clubhouse celebrating a win.

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jon abbey

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HOU strands a runner at 3rd, Greg Allen hits the first pitch from Peacock out, ballgame. CLE 10-9.
 

Sad Sam Jones

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Allen with a double and home run today after 3 extra-base hits in his first 82 career at-bats. The pitching staffs combined for 33 strikeouts.

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Sad Sam Jones

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The Indians 5-run 5th inning today was nearly as crazy as their 5-run 9th inning yesterday. At one point the White Sox used 4 pitchers to face 4 batters... in fact they used 4 pitchers over the course of 5 pitches. They also committed 3 errors in the inning, which doesn't even cover the mental error that gave the Indians the lead when Edwin Encarnacion hit a short pop fly to right field for a 3-run double... Yoan Moncada chased after it until he got too close to Daniel Palka, distracting him enough to drop it on a sliding attempt.

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LogansDad

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Can't post link because I'm mobile illiterate, but what do you guys think about Rizzo's slide to take out the Pirates' catcher today?

I thought it was incredibly dirty, but apparently MLB disagrees with me....
 

Sprowl

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A no more than usually rotund Panda pinch-hitting for the pitcher after 5 innings drives in the go-ahead run.
 

Lowrielicious

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Can't post link because I'm mobile illiterate, but what do you guys think about Rizzo's slide to take out the Pirates' catcher today?

I thought it was incredibly dirty, but apparently MLB disagrees with me....
I agree with you and was surprised to hear the commentators on the video replay that I saw have no issue with it. Apparently because he "didn't deviate from his line" or "go out of his way". Which he clearly did.
He had a clear path to the back of the plate which was the side of the baseline that he was on. Contact was well in-field of the plate.
This isn't the first time Rizzo has done the same thing either.
Very similar to last time. started outside the line, came infield to target the catcher and lead with the knees again. But I guess if you don't get in trouble for it the first time around why wouldn't you do it again.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/anthony-rizzo-clearly-violated-the-posey-rule/
 

Average Reds

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I agree with you and was surprised to hear the commentators on the video replay that I saw have no issue with it. Apparently because he "didn't deviate from his line" or "go out of his way". Which he clearly did.
He had a clear path to the back of the plate which was the side of the baseline that he was on. Contact was well in-field of the plate.
This isn't the first time Rizzo has done the same thing either.
Very similar to last time. started outside the line, came infield to target the catcher and lead with the knees again. But I guess if you don't get in trouble for it the first time around why wouldn't you do it again.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/anthony-rizzo-clearly-violated-the-posey-rule/
If Rizzo's slide is legal, the new rules have no meaning.

Mr. Rizzo might want to prepare himself for some chin music from the Bucs for the rest of the year. And Joe Maddon needs to STFU.
 

DeadlySplitter

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the new rules have no point when the umps don't have the balls to ever call it.

we've seen several instances of blocking the plate before the ball arrives that teams are reluctant to challenge on because the way the umps rule
 

Cuzittt

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It was clearly an illegal dirty slide. It is also something that the Cubs under Joe Maddon have been doing for years.

MLB needs to reiterate what there rules actually say and mean... Or the Cubs (and Orioles) will continue to injure defenseless players.
 

dynomite

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Holy crap... without looking it up, did you all know which team has the best record in the NL?

Nope, not the Braves with their baby superstars. Nope, not the Nats with their prime years superstars. Nope, not the stacked Cubs, Dodgers, or Cardinals.

It's the Brewers. Weird.
 

VORP Speed

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Rays’ Eovaldi came back from the DL and threw 6 no-hit innings against OAK. Scrub reliever came in for the 7th and gave up a hit. Finished as a 3 pitcher combined 1 hit shutout.
 

DanoooME

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Absolutely dirty by Rizzo (again) and against the rules. The Cubs and Pirates have been made aware today by MLB that it should have been ruled illegal and a DP. What a joke. GJGE umps.
https://www.mlb.com/news/anthony-rizzo-slide-was-interference/c-278822572
Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove attempted a little revenge last night, trying to take out Javier Baez on a slide that Baez didn't appreciate.

https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-pirates-clear-benches-after-hard-slide/c-279047034

Fuck the Cubs. They should have expected something. Although a pitcher with a takeout slide is probably low on the expectation list.
 

cromulence

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Pirates pitcher Joe Musgrove attempted a little revenge last night, trying to take out Javier Baez on a slide that Baez didn't appreciate.

https://www.mlb.com/news/cubs-pirates-clear-benches-after-hard-slide/c-279047034

Fuck the Cubs. They should have expected something. Although a pitcher with a takeout slide is probably low on the expectation list.
I mean, sure, the Rizzo slide was bad, but so is this one and it also should've been a double play. He's way late and has no chance at keeping contact with the bag. If it was called correctly, that's an idiotic thing for him to do.