MLB Off-Topic

[CameRoN0407]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I feel so bad for Drew Hutchison. The man got KILLED tonight.

I don't...

[PhilliesFan13]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Wow. This is quite the beard.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/nats-fan-has-the-most-amazing-baseball-beard-you-ll-ever-see--photo-211646094.html

[BigBoi23]

re: MLB Off-Topic

As shifts suppress offense, time has come to consider a rule change - Sports Illustrated



This is coming from Verducci too, who I generally hold as a very good writer.

[Jr.]

re: MLB Off-Topic

As shifts suppress offense, time has come to consider a rule change - Sports Illustrated



This is coming from Verducci too, who I generally hold as a very good writer.

That's one of the dumber ideas I've heard. There's one major thing all of the guys Verducci listed have in common that he doesn't talk about (except Jay Bruce). They're all getting old. This is what happens when you aren't taking illegal substances to prolong your career... you lose bat speed and you make worse contact. Those hard ground balls become fieldable.

Hopefully the leaders of MLB consider lowering the mound again before they decide to handcuff what defenses can do.

[KMRblue1027]

re: MLB Off-Topic

As shifts suppress offense, time has come to consider a rule change - Sports Illustrated



This is coming from Verducci too, who I generally hold as a very good writer.

I would counter with that Fangraphs article if I could find it, you can easily increase offense by calling a proper strikezone to left-handed batters instead of the extra couple inches or so outside.

[AC]

re: MLB Off-Topic

The shift really wouldn't be that difficult to beat if hitters were less stubborn and tried to beat it.

[l3ulvl]

re: MLB Off-Topic

The shift really wouldn't be that difficult to beat if hitters were less stubborn and tried to beat it.

I know pride is a factor but I'd love to see guys bunt more to beat shifts

[AC]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I know pride is a factor but I'd love to see guys bunt more to beat shifts

Couldn't have said it better.

But then you get idiots like Colby Lewis complaining.

[Blzer]

re: MLB Off-Topic

As shifts suppress offense, time has come to consider a rule change - Sports Illustrated



This is coming from Verducci too, who I generally hold as a very good writer.

I'm two ways on this. I really think shifts are a good thing, but I also want offenses to go "Here's what I think of your shift" and bunt it, over and over and over until they stop shifting.

However, four years ago I did make that as one of my rule amendments. It's an 'integrity' thing above all else.

http://www.operationsports.com/forum...post2041025663

I back it up a little bit in the thread, and this was long before the increase of defensive shifts now. I just feel like there could be something better amended with this.

[SPTO]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I know there's a bit of a cult love for Kevin Seitzer here in Toronto so fellow Jays fans may cringe at me for bringing him up BUT he has preached the idea of hitting the ball up the middle or the other way in order to beat the shift.

My personal opinion is that the use of the shift is just TOO much sometimes. It's gotten to a point that the games produced by MLB-N now have a big honkin' shift bug on the upper right corner fer cryin' out loud! I feel similar to Blzer at times. I'd LOVE to see a team actually go out there and bunt their way on just to eff with the shift. I remember earlier in the season one of the Cubs hitters did that twice successfully and the third time he was up there was no shift at all.

[fatleg3]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I know pride is a factor but I'd love to see guys bunt more to beat shifts

All day , everyday. I would try and lay down a bunt everytime a defense shifted on me, and everytime I get thrown at, me and the pitcher would have a little face to face chat. Either on the mound, or right after the game in the clubhouse. It's ok for you to load up one side of the field but not ok for me to drop a ball to the side you vacated?

[Jr.]

re: MLB Off-Topic

All day , everyday. I would try and lay down a bunt everytime a defense shifted on me, and everytime I get thrown at, me and the pitcher would have a little face to face chat. Either on the mound, or right after the game in the clubhouse. It's ok for you to load up one side of the field but not ok for me to drop a ball to the side you vacated?

Honestly, I would imagine most teams would be okay with you bunting all the time. The extreme shifts are utilized against guys that are in the lineup to drive in runs. You won't be doing that when you're bunting.

It was funny when Rizzo bunted in consecutive ABs early in the year.. but he hasn't done it since because he's crushing the ball, and I know I would be pissed as a Cubs fan if he was up there bunting over and over instead of looking to drive the ball.

The pitchers that think it's bush league are ****ing idiots. They need to have a discussion with/about their manager, not the batter.

[SPTO]

re: MLB Off-Topic

Thanks for reminding me it was Rizzo.

[AC]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I know there's a bit of a cult love for Kevin Seitzer here in Toronto so fellow Jays fans may cringe at me for bringing him up BUT he has preached the idea of hitting the ball up the middle or the other way in order to beat the shift.

[Sportsforever]

re: MLB Off-Topic

I remember earlier this year listening to a discussion about the shifts and Brian McCann. The question keeps coming up about why he doesn't go the other way…well, when he does go the other way his slugging % is WAY down (basically, it's that much harder to drive the ball the other way so more often than not he gets a single). What teams are doing with the shift is forcing a hitter to settle for a single and sacrifice the chance at an extra base hit (generally anyway).

They pointed out McCann's slugging percentage on balls hit to left-left center is in the .300's while his slugging percentage when he pulls the ball (right center over) is well over .700! Throw in what Verducci mentioned about the second baseman playing short right field a difficult athletic feat (hitting major league pitching) is that much more difficult.