MLB 2018

[Gaolee]

Another Mariner goes on the DL from a really bizarre injury.

 

[jimfist]

Man, that was a great Red Sox comeback yesterday! Down 7-2 until the bottom of the 8th (and I think two outs too). They rallied to socre 6 to make it 8-7. Then Kimbrel did it again. He has turned into quite the closer... a position I would have never figured him for.

I am trying to avoid getting too excited. If there has ever been a team that can go off the rails during a hot run it's the Sox.

I'm really interested to see their series against the Yankees this week. Sox and Yankees is kind of like the Redskins and Cowboys rivalry. It doesn't matter how the teams look or what the rankings are before THAT game. All bets are off. It's personal.

But the bats are hot. The pitching is actually getting more and more consistent. And the defense looks dang near acrobatic. The Sox are the only team in MLB with ZERO errors. You can't ask for better than that.

And with all that, Pedroia, the hardest working man in baseball, is in the minors recovering from injury. When he gets back he'll be chomping at the bit. He should take an already great defense to a "whole nuther level".

It's nice that the Sox are winning, but considering the absolute garbage that Tampa and the Marlins are fielding this year (to this point), the Red Sox SHOULD BE steamrolling them, and really should be undefeated if not for an epic bullpen collapse on opening day that ruined Sales' stellar effort. Boston hasn't faced a legit hitting line-up yet this year, so let's see what they look like after 3 games vs the Yankees this week.

The Sox have not committed an error yet this year, which is good. OTOH, they've made up for that by continuing to be the DUMBEST team on the bases, just like last year. If they get that straightened out and their pitching holds up, they should be in good shape. Not sure if any team other than the Yankees and Red Sox are legitimate threats this year in the AL East. Baltimore, Toronto, Tampa? Yuck!

 

[two fingers]

It's nice that the Sox are winning, but considering the absolute garbage that Tampa and the Marlins are fielding this year (to this point), the Red Sox SHOULD BE steamrolling them, and really should be undefeated if not for an epic bullpen collapse on opening day that ruined Sales' stellar effort. Boston hasn't faced a legit hitting line-up yet this year, so let's see what they look like after 3 games in NY vs the Yankees this week.

The Sox have not committed an error yet this year, which is good. OTOH, they've made up for that by continuing to be the DUMBEST team on the bases, just like last year. If they get that straightened out and their pitching holds up, they should be in good shape. Not sure if any team other than the Yankees and Red Sox are legitimate threats this year in the AL East. Baltimore, Toronto, Tampa? Yuck!

Yeah, agreed. That's why I'm going to he glued to the Yankees series. They will have to grab another gear to get past some real competition. But the fundamentals are there.

 

[MJ5150]

What the heck with this crazy weather?
The Pirates were scheduled to play the Cubs today, in the Cubs home opener, but Wrigley Field is covered in snow. After hoping just to delay the game an hour or so, the snow didn't stop, so it is rescheduled for Tuesday.

-Mike

 

[Bassball Fever]

What the heck with this crazy weather?
The Pirates were scheduled to play the Cubs today, in the Cubs home opener, but Wrigley Field is covered in snow. After hoping just to delay the game an hour or so, the snow didn't stop, so it is rescheduled for Tuesday.

-Mike

This weather is just terrible. We are experiencing 3rd winter right now in Milwaukee. I'm thankful for the retractable roof at Miller Park.

 

[GregC]

What the heck with this crazy weather?
The Pirates were scheduled to play the Cubs today, in the Cubs home opener, but Wrigley Field is covered in snow. After hoping just to delay the game an hour or so, the snow didn't stop, so it is rescheduled for Tuesday.

-Mike

It's been a really drawn out winter here. While we haven't had nearly as much snow as the Northeast, it has consistently stayed cold--no spring to speak of. It's supposed to warm up to the 50s starting Wednesday.

 

[toowrongfoo]

I'll ask again because I don't "remember" anyone answering before.

Are all games this badly Ump'ed? I mean, in the 9 games the gIANTS have played, I've seen more amazing errors than all of last year.

I'm not talking "I'm a fan so of course I'm going to complain" .... I'm talking about WAY OUT balls being called strikes, probably about 100 of them so far. It's ruining it for me.

 

[MJ5150]

I haven't noticed issues with the performance of umpires so far this MLB season.

-Mike

 

[the harp unstrung]

I watched chunks of the Brewers’ win today.
First time I’ve layed my eyes on a TV since 3/6.

 

[Bassball Fever]

I'll ask again because I don't "remember" anyone answering before.

Are all games this badly Ump'ed? I mean, in the 9 games the gIANTS have played, I've seen more amazing errors than all of last year.

I'm not talking "I'm a fan so of course I'm going to complain" .... I'm talking about WAY OUT balls being called strikes, probably about 100 of them so far. It's ruining it for me.

Some umps are influenced by where the catcher sets up. I've seen pitches in the other batter's box called a strike because the catcher set up way outside. In the next game, the ump wasn't fooled and those were called balls. Every ump has a different strike zone, and it's up to the players to adjust. I don't mind that so much, as long as it's consistent throughout the game.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Some umps are influenced by where the catcher sets up. I've seen pitches in the other batter's box called a strike because the catcher set up way outside. In the next game, the ump wasn't fooled and those were called balls. Every ump has a different strike zone, and it's up to the players to adjust. I don't mind that so much, as long as it's consistent throughout the game.

Since MLB started using that computer system to track and grade the umps, their zones have gotten much more consistent. There is no more of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine gradually getting the outside corner extended about 5 inches off the plate.

As someone who umps, believe me, it's a lot tougher doing it in person...

 

[Bassball Fever]

Since MLB started using that computer system to track and grade the umps, their zones have gotten much more consistent. There is no more of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine gradually getting the outside corner extended about 5 inches off the plate.

As someone who umps, believe me, it's a lot tougher doing it in person...

You'll never catch me umping a game. I don't have thick enough skin. I was a catcher for a long time, though, and all I ask for is consistency. I can figure out where an umps strike zone is and help my pitcher get the strikes. The worst is when the strike zone is some weird shape. And rotating.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You'll never catch me umping a game. I don't have thick enough skin. I was a catcher for a long time, though, and all I ask for is consistency. I can figure out where an umps strike zone is and help my pitcher get the strikes. The worst is when the strike zone is some weird shape. And rotating.

It could be worse. I also umpire vintage baseball (played by 1886 rules). Not only is there only one umpire for the entire field, but the plate is literally a 12" circle. Imagine trying to call the corners when there ARE no corners.

 

[the harp unstrung]

There is no more of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine gradually getting the outside corner extended about 5 inches off the plate..

Ahhhh...Those were the daze...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Ahhhh...Those were the daze...

Just like a Braves' fan ...

 

[Funky Ghost]

Man the Phillies are being ultra aggressive with advancing the basses this year. I knew they had some speed but I didn't expect them to be this efficient ( except you Rhys ... wth was that anyway? ) It's still early, and Kapler is absolutely making me nuts, but the Phillies are interesting to watch.

 

[GregC]

Speaking of baserunning, here's a two-game sampler of Baez from a couple days ago.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Some umps are influenced by where the catcher sets up. I've seen pitches in the other batter's box called a strike because the catcher set up way outside. In the next game, the ump wasn't fooled and those were called balls. Every ump has a different strike zone, and it's up to the players to adjust. I don't mind that so much, as long as it's consistent throughout the game.

Consistency is the last word I'd use to describe this. I've never seen it before and I've always been put off by the umps.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Man the Phillies are being ultra aggressive with advancing the basses this year. I knew they had some speed but I didn't expect them to be this efficient ( except you Rhys ... wth was that anyway? ) It's still early, and Kapler is absolutely making me nuts, but the Phillies are interesting to watch.

Lots of aggressive base running this year. I love to see it - I just wish they would stop it with the head first slides. How many good players end up on the DL every year with a torn thumb. not to mention the possibility of a spiked foot coming down on your head or hand, not to mention with a feet first slide you can pop up sooner, not to mention ...

 

[Gaolee]

You'll never catch me umping a game. I don't have thick enough skin. I was a catcher for a long time, though, and all I ask for is consistency. I can figure out where an umps strike zone is and help my pitcher get the strikes. The worst is when the strike zone is some weird shape. And rotating.

I got roped into calling balls and strikes when my son was 8 or 9 years old. The kids had just started pitching, and calling anything a kid threw was a bit of a stretch. The kid was playing on a team called the Cubs. They were playing a team called the Mets. This is important. I was wearing a Mets hat, because my wife and I had lived in New York and were Mets fans while we were there.

However many innings of kid baseball go by before it starts getting a bit dark had gone by, and the Cubs were behind by a few runs. Something like 28-25, but who can keep track, because that's how those games went. There were two outs, a couple runners on, and who comes up to the plate. My son, of course. Unlike most of the kids, the opposing pitcher could find the strike zone more often than not. A bunch of pitches later, foul balls, balls, and I don't remember what all else, it's a full count. The pitchers launches a beach ball right down the middle. There was no question it was a big, juicy strike to hit. And, the kid looked at it. I called him out looking. He's still not happy about that one, almost 20 years later. He won't forget the Mets hat, either, even though he demanded that I go out and get a Cubs hat immediately. Which I did.

Refusing to be an ump is completely reasonable.