Dodgers Landing on Bay of Puigs

[SoxFanInCali]

Oh god the old white baseball writers are so angry about this

I saw tweets from Danny Graves and Greg Swindell both saying Puig will catch one in the ribs in Cincy for "showing up" the pitcher with the slide.
 
Oh, and after his teammates tore his jersey off him, Puig autographed it and threw it to a kid.  HE MUST BE STOPPED!
 
https://vine.co/v/hAP0LDLVFOW

 

[Orel Miraculous]

Oh god the old white baseball writers are so angry about this

 
Good.  The unwritten rules need to die, and it's no surprise that the Cubans are the ones doing the killing:  they come from the baseball Galapagos, a land untouched by all the bullshit that permeates the MLB empire.  This is now three years in a row where there's been a ridiculous dialogue about Cuban defectors "showing up" the opposition:  we had to discuss it when Aroldis somersaulted off the mound, when Cespedes styled one of the first homers he ever hit, and now when Puig does...every single thing that he does. 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Puig just missed homering to dead center off Pettitte by about a foot.  Ended up with a double.

 

[Bosoxen]

 
Good.  The unwritten rules need to die, and it's no surprise that the Cubans are the ones doing the killing:  they come from the baseball Galapagos, a land untouched by all the bullshit that permeates the MLB empire.  This is now three years in a row where there's been a ridiculous dialogue about Cuban defectors "showing up" the opposition:  we had to discuss it when Aroldis somersaulted off the mound, when Cespedes styled one of the first homers he ever hit, and now when Puig does...every single thing that he does. 

 
Seriously. The people beating the "play the game the right way" drum are the same people that want umpires fucking up the game left and right because they want the human element. Me, I'd be perfectly content with watching a computer calling balls and strikes and Puig styling his way through every game. As long as the game doesn't turn into the Futurama version, I'd be ok with a little evolution.

 

[Infield Infidel]

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

Injured his thumb tonight and is wearing a brace.  Says it isn't too bad and that he had a similar injury at AA this year that kept him out for 10 days, but was a little worse than this.
 
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130803&content_id=55788614&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

[seageral]

 
stud

 

[Bigpupp]

He's a stud regardless, but is that an out? How is the ball bouncing off that wall any different than a ball bouncing off the monster?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

He's a stud regardless, but is that an out? How is the ball bouncing off that wall any different than a ball bouncing off the monster?

 
It was ruled a foul ball.  Close call whether he first contacted it in fair territory or foul territory since there's not much of it there, but it was most definitely not an out.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Puig showed up Adrian Gonzalez for not scoring from first on Puig's double. Puig was visibly upset that he had to stay on second (after pimping his swing and getting out of the box slowly) since Gonzalez couldn't get around the bases. Later, Puig and Gonzalez got into what appeared to be a brief verbal argument in the dugout. For what it's worth, since Puig was slow out of the box, I think he would have been thrown out at third anyway.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

They seemed to be laughing about it later in the game.
 
15 straight road wins for the Dodgers, longest streak in the NL since the 1957 Reds.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

LA is 20-3 since the All-Star Break, 37-8 in their last 45.
 
They lead the West by 7.5 over Arizona, everyone else is at least 13 back.  This race may be over before September starts.

 

[VORP Speed]

 
They lead the West by 7.5 over Arizona, everyone else is at least 13 back.  This race may be over before September starts.

It's over now, honestly. Dodgers have a pretty easy schedule ahead of them. Arizona is not catching them.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

 
stud

He got Bartmanned by that Cubs fan reaching for the ball.
 
That evens out 2003, right Cubs fans?

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I know that wasn't an out since it hit the wall, but holy shit that is unreal.

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

I know that wasn't an out since it hit the wall, but holy shit that is unreal.

I've seen that play a few times. Until you mentioned that I never noticed he caught the ball. You're right, not an out but an amazing play nonetheless.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

The Dodgers are so hot right now, even Punto is hitting homers.
 
21 wins in 24 games since the break.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

The Dodgers are so hot right now, even Punto is hitting homers.
 
21 wins in 24 games since the break.

 
This will definitely make history's evaluation of the Punto Trade more complicated.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

 
This will definitely make history's evaluation of the Punto Trade more complicated.

 
Boston and LA have scored about the same number of runs since the ASB; Boston has allowed 50% more. And it's not because LA has Beckett on the mound.

 

[Plantiers Wart]

Slow roller up the middle turns into a double against the stunned Mets.  Then AG knocks him in with the winning run.  

 

[Orel Miraculous]

Slow roller up the middle turns into a double against the stunned Mets.  Then AG knocks him in with the winning run.  

 
Here.  What's amazing about this play is that Puig didn't really catch the Mets off guard but turned it into a double anyway.  As soon as the ball slipped by the shortstop you can see Murphy frantically gesturing to the centerfielder to hustle because he knows Puig is going to go for two.  The centerfielder does hustle in and gets to ball about as quickly as can be expected, but Puig makes it anyway. Amazing player.

 

[Orel Miraculous]

Oh yeah, he also managed to throw Marlon Byrd out at third, from the RF line, in the air, after charging in on the ball and completely changing his body position to make the throw.  One insane highlight per game apparently isn't enough.

 

[Infield Infidel]

The video at that link didn't work for me, but here it is with a handful of his other throws. 
 
Is it crazy that I think that throw is even more impressive than the infield double? he probably ran a good 80 feet before he picked it up and threw it. 

 

[VORP Speed]

In addition to having a cannon for an arm, he has an extremely quick release. He picks up the ball, cocks it up by his ear like a catcher and lets it fly. No wasted motion. A thing of beauty.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

What an awesome fucking baseball player.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I will watch a couple of Dodgers games a week now just to get a look at him.  This has a bit to do with having mlb.tv which actually gives me access to other teams, but I don't go out of my way to see Angels games for Trout or Nats games for Harper.  Puig is just too easy to root for.

 

[Lowrielicious]

 
Here.  What's amazing about this play is that Puig didn't really catch the Mets off guard but turned it into a double anyway.  As soon as the ball slipped by the shortstop you can see Murphy frantically gesturing to the centerfielder to hustle because he knows Puig is going to go for two.  The centerfielder does hustle in and gets to ball about as quickly as can be expected, but Puig makes it anyway. Amazing player.

Fantastic heads up hustle by Puig, but this one is on the centrefielder. Watch his first 4 or 5 steps he is just jogging in as he thinks either the SS will come up with it or it is a routine single. Then he realises its a slow roller and it's Puig and he puts the jets on but too late.
 
Point of contact bat on ball is the 0:03 second mark. Slides into 2 at 0:11. Impressive.

 

[DanoooME]

Oh yeah, he also managed to throw Marlon Byrd out at third, from the RF line, in the air, after charging in on the ball and completely changing his body position to make the throw.  One insane highlight per game apparently isn't enough.

 
I don't think there's anyone else in baseball right now that could have made that play.  It's not like Byrd got a bad jump on the play either, he was off and running right away.
 
Puig just has the best combination of speed and arm of anyone right now.

 

[The Gray Eagle]

Last August, Cherington should have said forget Webster, Dejesus and Sands, and give us Puig instead. :q: 

 

[Dan Murfman]

Quick look at the week a head it seems the Sox miss both Greinke and Kershaw.

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

Excellent. That will help.

 

[glennhoffmania]

LA about to go 18-3 in August.  What's the record for most wins in a month?  I did some googling but couldn't confirm.

 

[SumnerH]

LA about to go 18-3 in August.  What's the record for most wins in a month?  I did some googling but couldn't confirm.

 
1916 Giants went 29-5-2 in September.
 
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYG/1916-schedule-scores.shtml

 

[glennhoffmania]

I think that record is safe for a while.

 

[3rd Degree]

On June 22nd the then last place Dodgers were 9.5 games behind the then 1st-place D-Backs. Today, August 22nd, the 1st-place Dodgers are now 9.5 games ahead of the 2nd-place D-Backs.
 

 

[Sam Ray Not]

Greinke yesterday: 8 6 1 1 7
Kershaw today: 8 5 0 0 3 6
 
Thanks, scheduling gods. Bring on Nolasco, Ryu, and Capuano!

 

[Infield Infidel]

Ryu numbers are about the same as Greinke, and he's pitched 22 more innings. As good as Puig as been, Ryu is my NL ROY. 

 

[Lowrielicious]

Ryu numbers are about the same as Greinke, and he's pitched 22 more innings. As good as Puig as been, Ryu is my NL ROY. 

Absolutely. Ryu has been excellent and we don't exactly crush lefties.

 

[nattysez]

Clayton Kershaw's ERA now stands at 1.72.  His home park, horrendous division opponents and the PED crackdown should be factors when you consider how historically good he is, but 1.72 is damn impressive no matter how you slice it.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Ryu numbers are about the same as Greinke, and he's pitched 22 more innings. As good as Puig as been, Ryu is my NL ROY. 

 
What? If you're going to give it to a pitcher, it has to be Jose Fernandez. Fernandez would actually be my pick anyway, though I assume the Puig hype will win out.
 
Speaking of which, how has JoFer not gotten more attention this year? I mean, the obvious answer is that he plays in Miami. But still, we're talking about a high end prospect who had never pitched above A-ball before this year. He was 20 for most of the season and he's flat out dominated to the tune of a 2.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, and .189 BAA. Since May, Fernandez has a 2.00 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, and .182 BAA. And he just turned 21 less than a month ago.

 

[Lowrielicious]

 
What? If you're going to give it to a pitcher, it has to be Jose Fernandez. Fernandez would actually be my pick anyway, though I assume the Puig hype will win out.
 
Speaking of which, how has JoFer not gotten more attention this year? I mean, the obvious answer is that he plays in Miami. But still, we're talking about a high end prospect who had never pitched above A-ball before this year. He was 20 for most of the season and he's flat out dominated to the tune of a 2.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, and .189 BAA. Since May, Fernandez has a 2.00 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, and .182 BAA. And he just turned 21 less than a month ago.

Puig could possibly lose some votes at the expense of the crowd who prefer baseball being played "the right way" (not that I think that should come into it at all personally)?
 
Also the fact that he will have played less than 2/3 of all Dodgers games on the year. (side note - 7 steals but 6 caught stealing?! he really needs to tone down his base-running a few notches)

 

[SoxFanInCali]

With Nolasco throwing 8 shutout innings tonight, it was the 21st time in the Dodgers' last 27 games that the starter has allowed 2 runs or less.  In 11 of those games, the starter gave up 0 ER.
 
Kershaw and Greinke get the headlines, but the whole staff is throwing well right now.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

You must be psyched.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

I've been enjoying the Dodgers run for the last 2 months.  Tonight, not so much.

 

[LogansDad]

 
What? If you're going to give it to a pitcher, it has to be Jose Fernandez. Fernandez would actually be my pick anyway, though I assume the Puig hype will win out.
 
Speaking of which, how has JoFer not gotten more attention this year? I mean, the obvious answer is that he plays in Miami. But still, we're talking about a high end prospect who had never pitched above A-ball before this year. He was 20 for most of the season and he's flat out dominated to the tune of a 2.41 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, and .189 BAA. Since May, Fernandez has a 2.00 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 9.9 K/9, and .182 BAA. And he just turned 21 less than a month ago.

 
I know this is a Dodger thread, but I don't even feel like these numbers do Fernandez justice.  This dude just turned 21 and is must-see TV for me every time he is on the mound. 65+ pitches a game that are 96 MPH+, with a nasty change that is 12+ MPH off his fastball and a curve that is stunning.
 
Also, he threw "something" in his last outing that was at 57 (!!!!????) MPH.  Sure, it hit Andre Ethier in the leg, but WTF was it?
 
I have been watching him all season (I managed to end up with him in year one of the "casual" keeper league that Curll started), and he has been a ton of fun to watch since the day he came up.

 

[canderson]

Puig was pulled mid-game today. Mattingly repeated a billion times it gave LA the best chance to win (ha) and all issues will be dealt internally. Is there trouble in paradise?

A few players have said "he needs to learn to not be a distraction", he has been late, not sliding, etc.

 

[InsideTheParker]

Puig removed from today's game against the Cubs in the fourth for (apparently) failure to slide into second and nonchalanting outfield catches. 

 

[Al Zarilla]

MLBN's Quick Pitch had some pretty damaging clips of the above. He went into second standing up when it looked like he could have easily taken out the 2Bman to break up a DP. Hanram then homered, but Dodgers only got one run out of it because of the previous DP. The OF catches were even more blatant, Puig slumping over to catch two flyballs like he didn't give a sh*t. On the second, he flipped the ball into the bleachers with his glove. Mattingly or someone must have talked to him after the non-slide, and he was obviously pouting because of it. Then he got pulled. Guy's a beast of a player but he's pretty immature.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Puig was pulled mid-game today. Mattingly repeated a billion times it gave LA the best chance to win (ha) and all issues will be dealt internally. Is there trouble in paradise?

A few players have said "he needs to learn to not be a distraction", he has been late, not sliding, etc.

 
What was with that conference? Did he decide the best time to pop an Altoid was before speaking? Anyway, I think the easiest route was to say Puig seemed fatigued, so he pulled him but he'll be fine. Keep it in-house. That's no worse than saying a much inferior player would give them a better chance to win. That left more questions than were needed.

 

[VORP Speed]

Nolasco was quoted as saying what Puig did was "totally unacceptable." Has to be something more to it than just the slide and the lackadaisical shagging of the flies. As mt8 says above, they're doing a pretty lousy job of keeping it in house by dropping bread crumbs and hints.