MLB 2022

[thisheregiraffe]

I haven't looked at the numbers, but I expect that the rise in HBP has coincided with the sticky-stuff crackdown that the league got serious about a year or two ago. IMO either the balls need to be more grippy, or the league will need to approve certain sticky substances for pitchers to use so they can grip the ball and control their pitches better. Or pitchers need to throw a bit less hard--it's hard to imagine everybody getting on board with that idea though

 

[two fingers]

As An Owner, At What Point is Hosting a Game Not Worth It? — Forbes

I can't even see the article for all of the ads on the page. They are literally blocking the text.

 

[the harp unstrung]

I slogged through it…I thought it a worthwhile read.

Maybe it belongs over in the Things I Learned Today thread.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Mets DFAed Cano. I'm glad they made the hard/right call.

 

[Lowandfat]

Or maybe, just maybe, the pitchers could throw within their means to control, as they did for the previous century and a half?

 

[Lowandfat]

Bummer for Cano, but I selfishly look forward to seeing him play a bit in Syracuse.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I don't think Cano is going to the minors. Either someone will pick him up for MLB minimum or he will retire (or maybe Japan or PR).

 

[Gaolee]

Mets DFAed Cano. I'm glad they made the hard/right call.

He had a fantastic career, irretrievably marred by drugs. It's a sad end for him, but so it goes.

 

[Bassball Fever]

I don't want to hear anyone complain about the ball. It's no longer home run derby, the players are hitting the ball (to all fields) and hustling, and most games are close

Now just figure how to get a ball the pitchers can consistently grip so batters stop getting beaned, and we have a great game.

You will hear no complaints from me. I love the way the games are being played right now. It would be nice to see the pitchers have a little better control.

 

[JKos]

I like that some players are learning to beat the shift. You are a highly paid professional athlete, learn how you hit oppo or bunt.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Well, the evil, terrible Yankees have given the Jays their first series loss. They might go for the sweep tonight. But! Toronto has noted Yankee-stopper Yusei Kikuchi taking the mound! (I checked his splits vs. NYY--they're not good!--the sweep is inevitable )

Positives from the blowout last night:

1. Manoah had another strong start, sadly it was wasted by the bullpen.

2. There was a really nice moment in the stands after a Judge homerun:

 

[Fishheadjoe]

He had a fantastic career, irretrievably marred by drugs. It's a sad end for him, but so it goes.

Cano forfeited $36 mill as a result of being suspended... that's a lot of coin!
Fishheadjoe

 

[thisheregiraffe]

noted Yankee-stopper Yusei Kikuchi

Kikuchi tonight: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 K, 1 BB. Nice little surprise!

 

[Gaolee]

The Mariners just can't do anything about Houston in Houston. Playing there is like falling into the abyss.

 

[buldog5151bass]

This is the best baseball I've seen in years. Strike outs are down, swinging for the fences is down, home runs are down
(Teams are averaging 0.90 homers per game, down from 1.22 last year and 1.39 in 2019), hitters are hitting more to all fields, the ball is more dead, and runners are hustling. The game is exciting to watch.

And what a surprise - runs per game is UP. Tell all the Sabermatitians (however the @#&_#@$* you spell it) to go suck an egg.

 

[Lowandfat]

I agree, but the Sabermatitians actually agree with the small ball hustle. It's kind of the point isn't it? OBP and coming around to score over all else?

 

[Lowandfat]

And the Mets gave up a 7 run inning yesterday. A little less excitement, please.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I agree, but the Sabermatitians actually agree with the small ball hustle. It's kind of the point isn't it? OBP and coming around to score over all else?

Last decade they have said swing for the fences, even though the shift.

 

[Lowandfat]

Ahh, for the most part I stopped caring about that stuff the moment the credits started rolling at the end of the movie.

 

[Stewie26]

So I hear that players are complaining that the newer MLB hard balls are not traveling is well. One commentator said that there are two different vendors making the balls. One vendor's hard balls are traveling a little better than the others, but neither is as good as the old balls. I wonder if any on here have more on this.