The 2010 MLB Season Thread

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Or in the case of Atlanta tradition, surrounded by housing projects, one KFC, and churches offering discount parking

I went to to a Cubs/Braves game this year. (the same quick trip I saw that unbelievable High School on. I wish I'd had more notice or I would have met up with a lot of you guys in GA)

Anyway, we get to the park 1 1/2 hours early because I wanted to walk around it and go into some shops and see the sites around it.

One full trip around the stadium and there is a single bar/club. No stores. No clubs. Nothing.

By the time I thought of the Braves museum it was closed for the day. What a wasted hour and a half that was. Just a brutal location for a stadium.

[dawgfan]

Yeah, it's a nice park, but it's not well located.

[Sun Tzu]

Candlestick park is the same way, and so is Wrigley if I remember correctly.

The stick is in the middle of nowhere, with only two roads in and out. Can you say traffic?

Wrigley was right smack dab in the middle of a residential district. I think I remember seeing a bat across the street, but I don't remember much else.

[dawgfan]

Wrigley? Wrigley is in a great spot, right by the "El", right in the middle of an area that has totally catered to being right by the stadium - tons of bars and restaurants.

[Scoobz0202]

I want to punch the Dodgers-Reds home plate umpire in the fucking face.

[larrymcg421]

I always go to Braves games via the Marta shuttle at Underground Atlanta. Plenty to do in that area and the shuttle service is quick and reliable so you don't have to worry about getting in line for it insanely early.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

I want to punch the Dodgers-Reds home plate umpire in the fucking face.

that bad? It looks like a 7-1 game and while I generally encourage violence against people aiding the Dodgers, 6 runs is pretty immense.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

I want to punch the Dodgers-Reds home plate umpire in the fucking face.

Wendelstedt didn't give up homers to Manny and Andre.

[Scoobz0202]

My comment has to be taken in context, which I guess is hard to do when I didn't give any details. The Reds lost the game for sure.

But the Reds should have had bases loaded, no outs, down four. Instead the ump called a strike three at Rolen's ankles.

Turned out to be 7-1, yea, but at the time I was fucking pissed. Not often Rolen gets thrown out either.

[cougarfreak]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

My comment has to be taken in context, which I guess is hard to do when I didn't give any details. The Reds lost the game for sure.

But the Reds should have had bases loaded, no outs, down four. Instead the ump called a strike three at Rolen's ankles.

Turned out to be 7-1, yea, but at the time I was fucking pissed. Not often Rolen gets thrown out either.

No, the final was 6-2. And that was one of the worst strike calls I've seen in a long time.

[Scoobz0202]

Ah. I saw them mention above 7-1. I turned it off after that call. Couldn't watch it.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by cougarfreak

No, the final was 6-2. And that was one of the worst strike calls I've seen in a long time.

I just checked out the Gameday pitch f/x for that at-bat. A bad call to be sure, but not as awful as I was expecting to see.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index...lb_1&mode=wrap

[stevew]

consider this...

The Pirates are on a 10 game losing streak, and still are +7 for the season on the pythagorean record thingy.

[cougarfreak]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

I just checked out the Gameday pitch f/x for that at-bat. A bad call to be sure, but not as awful as I was expecting to see.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index...lb_1&mode=wrap

ehhhhhh I just looked at the same thing, that pitch fx is wrong. It was not near that close. Watch the video replay.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by cougarfreak

ehhhhhh I just looked at the same thing, that pitch fx is wrong. It was not near that close. Watch the video replay.

With all due respect, I'm going to trust pitch f/x results more than video replay - the angle of the camera can be deceiving, and it can also be hard to really know where the ball was when it crossed the plate vs. when the catcher caught it.

[TroyF]

For all of the people who posted Jimenez is going to come back to Earth and about how lucky he's been?

Today proves your case better than anything. He was solid, but he really, really lucked out in a lot of instances today. He had 4 double plays, including one in the 8th where Mauer just crushed a ball to the second basemen with men on 1st and 2nd and 1 out. (Ubaldo was up 5-1 at the time, so even a 3 run HR given up might have been a win anyway) He also picked off a guy who was on second base. He struck out 4 guys in 8 innings.

It was the 10th time in 14 starts he's given up 1 run or less in a game, but this was the first I have to admit that luck played a MAJOR factor in. In his defense, the other three double play ground outs were weakly hit balls. . . and he forces a ton of ground balls, so he deserves some credit for that.

[McSweeny]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

With all due respect, I'm going to trust pitch f/x results more than video replay - the angle of the camera can be deceiving, and it can also be hard to really know where the ball was when it crossed the plate vs. when the catcher caught it.

I'm going to agree with this. The majority of major league ballparks have the camera behind the pitcher offset at an angel which can give the illusion of a call being far worse than it actually is. The Red Sox use a camera directly behind the pitcher and when they go on the road you really get an idea how hard it is to tell exactly where a pitch is when a camera at an angel.

As an aside, I've always wondered why ballparks don't mount the camera so it's directly behind the pitcher. It makes watching a game so much better once you get used to it.

[DeToxRox]

Can I just say, as a Tigers fan, how much I love interleague play? Since 2006 Detroit is 59-22. Considering I don't think we're especially strong this season, these wins are at least keeping us in the chase with the Twins.

[JPhillips]

Miguel Cairo as DH?

Really, Dusty?

[Lathum]

I went to the Mariners game last night. Cliff Lee is absolutely filthy. I really hope the Mets do what it takes to get him.

[molson]

Nice to the Red Sox climb to within 1 game of 1st place in the East after much of their own fanbase mailed in the season last month (I'm sure they'll have no trouble jumping back on the bandwagon).

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by molson

Nice to the Red Sox climb to within 1 game of 1st place in the East after much of their own fanbase mailed in the season last month (I'm sure they'll have no trouble jumping back on the bandwagon).

I can say that I've only really passively watched the Sox thus far, BUT I think I was so sucked into the Bruins and Celtics for the past 2+ months, that I couldn't devote the rare off night to the Sox without the female friend killing me! I still caught a couple games a week, but now that it's just baseball season (with some World Cup sprinkled in), it will be much easier to catch the rest of the season.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Miguel Cairo as DH?

Really, Dusty?

I'd like to see Janish at short and DH cabrera personally

[k0ruptr]

YAY Chisox are .500 . Ok sorry I am just happy after such a disasterous start that we are starting to heat up a little. Who knows where we go from here, but I do know that after 68 games we finally got back to .500 and that we have a chance still.

[Tasan]

Just got back from the Rangers/Astros game this afternoon. It should have been about 10-2 Texas, but Vlad is horrible in the OF and the Rangers couldn't plate runners in scoring position in bunches. They kept plugging away and putting up a run here and there, though, and after the 2nd their pitching shut things down completely on the 'Stros. They are doing what they should and beating the weak teams. They could be up to 14 games in a row with 3 against the Pirates and 3 more vs the Astros this week. Go Rangers!

[stevew]

Rick Porcello is headed to Detroit’s Triple-A club in Toledo, the Tigers announced today.




The right-handed starter has struggled so far this season, particularly with his slider.


“We think it’s the best thing for him,” said Dave Dombrowski, Detroit’s general manager.


Porcello is scheduled to start Thursday for the Mud Hens. The team said there is no timetable for his return.


As for Porcello’s replacement in the rotation, Dombrowski said options were still being discussed.


One possibility could be Enrique Gonzalez, the right-hander who has been used in relief since being called up from Toledo a week and a half ago. Gonzalez, who pitched 3 and 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday night against Arizona, had been a starter in Toledo.


In 11 starts there he posted a 3.46 ERA and went 4-5.


Porcello, meanwhile, said getting optioned to Toledo would make it “a little easier to work on stuff in a game.”


His goal, he said, is “getting the slider to be consistent.”


Without that breaking ball, hitters have been sitting on his fastball. In 13 starts, Porcello was 4-7 with a 6.14 ERA. He showed improvement with his sinker ball Saturday night against Arizona, but didn’t show enough consistency, said Dombrowski.


Still, Porcello was confident he could straighten himself out.


“I’ll be back,” he said.

Obviously he is pitching pretty poorly. But I'll wager the "timetable for his return" will be at least 21 days from now, so they can control him for another full season.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Just got back from the Rangers/Astros game this afternoon. It should have been about 10-2 Texas, but Vlad is horrible in the OF and the Rangers couldn't plate runners in scoring position in bunches. They kept plugging away and putting up a run here and there, though, and after the 2nd their pitching shut things down completely on the 'Stros. They are doing what they should and beating the weak teams. They could be up to 14 games in a row with 3 against the Pirates and 3 more vs the Astros this week. Go Rangers!

It won't always be Astros & Pirates. Like I said in the FOOL forum, some day, your guys are going to have play us in Anaheim, and a lot.

Looking forward to it.

[Chief Rum]

BTW, how odd is that, with all the intradivisional games teams play? The Angels and Rangers have only played two games so far (a little two game stop a month or more ago; Angels lost both, unfortunately, right around when they were playing their worst stretch of the season).

I wonder if there are any other two divisional opponents whom have played each other less at this point of the season?

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by k0ruptr

YAY Chisox are .500 . Ok sorry I am just happy after such a disasterous start that we are starting to heat up a little. Who knows where we go from here, but I do know that after 68 games we finally got back to .500 and that we have a chance still.

Ugh. That game was miserably hot. And the series did not turn out well.

[Sun Tzu]

In what is surely a sign of the oncoming apocalypse, the Giants lead the N.L. in homeruns for the month of June.

[Travis]

Was watching the Giants for the first time this year during their set with the Jays. Was pretty astounded to hear that they're leading the NL in fielding % when you look at that roster.

Basically it looks like they're running out 3 catchers (Molina/Posey/Sandoval) along with a couple of guys likely best suited for 1B (Huff/Burrell). Certainly not saying that as a knock (as it seems to be working quite well for them), just was a bit stunned when I was looking at their lineups over the weekend relative to how well they seem to be doing in the field. I suppose to a degree it may make sense as the potential increase in range may mean fewer errors on difficult plays, but still, pretty impressive.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by Travis

Was watching the Giants for the first time this year during their set with the Jays. Was pretty astounded to hear that they're leading the NL in fielding % when you look at that roster.

Basically it looks like they're running out 3 catchers (Molina/Posey/Sandoval) along with a couple of guys likely best suited for 1B (Huff/Burrell). Certainly not saying that as a knock (as it seems to be working quite well for them), just was a bit stunned when I was looking at their lineups over the weekend relative to how well they seem to be doing in the field. I suppose to a degree it may make sense as the potential increase in range may mean fewer errors on difficult plays, but still, pretty impressive.

I've seen every game this year, and I can probably recite every error that's happened. They've been so few and far between that when they actually do happen it's noticeable. Torres in CF and Sanchez at 2B have been absolutely spectacular.

[Logan]

3 HRs given up by Burnett in the first inning, all with 2 outs.

[Scoobz0202]

Fantasy Baseball trade offer:

My team give up:

Clay Buchholz

I'd Receive:

Mariano Rivera


What do you guys think?

[Logan]

Keeper/nonkeeper? Other SPs? Other RPs? H2H/Rotisserrie?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

With all due respect, I'm going to trust pitch f/x results more than video replay - the angle of the camera can be deceiving, and it can also be hard to really know where the ball was when it crossed the plate vs. when the catcher caught it.

Originally Posted by McSweeny

I'm going to agree with this. The majority of major league ballparks have the camera behind the pitcher offset at an angel which can give the illusion of a call being far worse than it actually is. The Red Sox use a camera directly behind the pitcher and when they go on the road you really get an idea how hard it is to tell exactly where a pitch is when a camera at an angel.

As an aside, I've always wondered why ballparks don't mount the camera so it's directly behind the pitcher. It makes watching a game so much better once you get used to it.

I can understand the camera being wrong on inside/outside strike calls, but high/low calls you have a couple of good points of reference... the player, standing right next to the plate, and the ground. That pitch was barely more than a couple of inches off the ground.

Even though this is a week old, this was on par with the strike call on that Bryce Harper kid. It was the worst strike call I think I have ever watched live on TV. Please feel free to watch the video replay, if you like:

Rolen, Baker ejected for arguing same pitch | reds.com: News

[Scoobz0202]

Non keeper, H2H

Greinke
Silva
Jaime Garcia
Pelfrey


Capps
Rauch
Papelbon

[Chief Rum]

I would keep Buchholz, as long as he was taking his regular turn. I think keeping Buchholz adds more value to what you have in your rotation than adding Rivera would to your pen.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I can understand the camera being wrong on inside/outside strike calls, but high/low calls you have a couple of good points of reference... the player, standing right next to the plate, and the ground. That pitch was barely more than a couple of inches off the ground.

Even though this is a week old, this was on par with the strike call on that Bryce Harper kid. It was the worst strike call I think I have ever watched live on TV. Please feel free to watch the video replay, if you like:

Rolen, Baker ejected for arguing same pitch | reds.com: News

It was close to the ground when he caught it, but it was dropping. When it crossed the plate initially, it was low...maybe 3 inches? Hardly the worst call ever. That Bryce Harper strike was 2 feet wide of the plate.

[JPhillips]

Walt: It's time to fix the bullpen.

Thanks.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Quick update: The Royals aren't very good. You can tune in to the national telecast on Wednesday if you'd like more information.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Quick update: The Royals aren't very good. You can tune in to the national telecast on Wednesday if you'd like more information.

And watch Strasburg and the Nats!!

[Lathum]

So when is Strasburg going to pitch in the majors?

[sterlingice]

I'd be curious to see the line on that game. Sure, the Royals are awful, so you should have good odds on the wager. But it's Day Banny vs Strasburg so the odds on the Nats will be better than they should be and the Royals will perform better than expected as his day/night splits are insane.

SI

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I'd be curious to see the line on that game. Sure, the Royals are awful, so you should have good odds on the wager. But it's Day Banny vs Strasburg so the odds on the Nats will be better than they should be and the Royals will perform better than expected as his day/night splits are insane.

SI

Considering the run production from the Nats lately, it is likely to be close.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by Lathum

So when is Strasburg going to pitch in the majors?

Next week v. the braves.

[stevew]

I can't believe that Bruce Chen is still in the major leagues.

[DeToxRox]

Tigers called up last years second round pick Andrew Oliver to start on Friday. He's been pitching well in the minors but still pretty crazy. He has a mid to high 90's FB and a disgusting curve when it's on but hes basically a two pitch pitcher right now. Lefty though which helps.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Walt: It's time to fix the bullpen.

Thanks.

I'm glad I fell asleep before last nights ninth inning. Even with the 10th.

Stubbs and/or Haisey may be heading out if you ask me.

[JPhillips]

Hopefully they can get Burton and Bray back in the majors and Volquez would be a good fit in the pen this year as a sort of extended rehab. He's pitching for AAA tomorrow, so he may be ready by early July. Those three should provide a big upgrade, but I'd like to see one more arm come in through trade. Take out Rhodes and the numbers on the bullpen are terrible.