3/29 - 4/8 Game Discussion Thread

[Speedy]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Wait, did Kapler bring in a pitcher that he didn't even warm up?

The guy hadn't even thrown a pitch off the rubber in the bullpen yet, had just started long tossing off the mound and Kapler made the change. The ump stalled and gave him a few more pitches and Snitker blew a fuse.

[Master Live 013]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Ha, and here I took Kapler winning NL manager of the year based on the fact that the Phillies are a young team with nice pieces that added a good arm in Arrieta and they could take a shot at finishing around .500

But Kapler has to be on the hot seat already, he doesn't seem to know what he is doing. Turns out maybe, just maybe, a little bit of managerial experience isn't such a bad thing after all.

And while strictly speaking Kapler was in the wrong I won't loose my mind that the umpire did the decent thing and allowed the guy to warm up. But that's on Kapler. Kapler, you are on the clock.

[dubcity]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

I've done that in The Show and felt like an idiot. Kapler must be hiding his head in shame.

[Speedy]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Kapler is making decisions like he has no clue about baseball.

On Opening Day, in the 9th inning of a tie game and Markakis at bat, Kapler whistled to get the catcher's attention and pointed to his head as if to say "think". Next pitch, guy threw an off-speed that Markakis creamed into the seats for the walk-off...I'm not a ballplayer but I immediately said to the TV "breaking ball" and sure enough.

It's like the guy literally doesn't think ahead of the repercussions; there is no cause-effect analysis in his head and that HAS to be the most critical thought in an MLB manager's decision. If decision x is made, what will happen with y, z and aa? It's just baffling, honestly.

I mean, his 3-hole hitter didn't even play OD (Herrera).

[Master Live 013]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Shohei Ohtani will start tomorrow against the A's.

"Ohtani's two-way endeavor will carry historical significance, as the 23-year-old Japanese phenom will become the first Major League player to start as a non-pitcher on Opening Day and then start as a pitcher within his team's first 10 games since Babe Ruth with the Red Sox in 1919".

https://www.mlb.com/news/ohtani-makes-pitching-debut-in-finale-vs-as/c-270290856


Let me say, I think some may be already tired of this story, but I'm still in awe that this is actually happening.

Like, we all enjoy and get a chuckle the occasions a positional player gets to throw an inning in extra's or when a pitcher has a "hot streak" and hits a couple of homers.

But this, this is different. I never saw Ruth of course, but the fact that this kid is actually trying to both play the field and be a goddamned starting pitcher...this feels special.

[Jr.]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

I'm sending my resume to the Phillies tomorrow AM

[Sportsforever]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Kapler is making decisions like he has no clue about baseball.

On Opening Day, in the 9th inning of a tie game and Markakis at bat, Kapler whistled to get the catcher's attention and pointed to his head as if to say "think". Next pitch, guy threw an off-speed that Markakis creamed into the seats for the walk-off...I'm not a ballplayer but I immediately said to the TV "breaking ball" and sure enough.

It's like the guy literally doesn't think ahead of the repercussions; there is no cause-effect analysis in his head and that HAS to be the most critical thought in an MLB manager's decision. If decision x is made, what will happen with y, z and aa? It's just baffling, honestly.

I mean, his 3-hole hitter didn't even play OD (Herrera).

Everyone saw that...Markakis even said after the game he saw that and sat dead red on a slider.

It's only 3 games, but Kapler has looked WAY in over his head so far. I don't know how you go to the mound to replace a pitcher and not have anyone warmed up. You would think he would check with the pitching coach and say "is so and so ready" before going out there...and that's when the pitching coach would say "uh, we don't have anyone up and throwing". I get what the umpires were trying to do in protecting the pitcher, but then why the heck throw out Snitker? The entire thing was ridiculous.

[l3ulvl]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Isn't Kapler a steroid guy? Is there a provision to make him the first person suspended for performance decreasing drugs?

[kehlis]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Of all the dumb things he's done, pointing to his head to indicate "be smart" isn't one of them. He was right and we see managers do that all the time.

The pitch selection wasn't what was wrong in that scenario, it was the execution of the pitch that was bad.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Kapler's been nothing but hype his entire baseball career. I reiterate, I remember him being in TV commercials before he had done a single thing on a MLB field. And this was well before the whole prospect/rebuilding craze. Seems like he's had everything handed to him since he was prospect, was mostly a bust as a player, and is totally inept as a manager. I've never understood what people see in Gabe Kapler.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

From ESPN:

Kapler remained on the mound as Milner took extra throws before leaving the bullpen. Braves manager Brian Snitker came out of the dugout to argue about the delay, and was ejected by umpire Jerry Layne, the crew chief.

Layne said he was trying to protect Milner's health.

"For whatever reason the pitcher wasn't even getting ready," Layne told a pool reporter. "Who got crossed up, I'm not placing blame on anybody because I don't know. He just wasn't ready. Hadn't thrown a pitch. ... The last thing I want to do is get somebody hurt. It's already a messed-up situation."

Layne said a report would be sent to Major League Baseball.

"Whoever's at fault on the Phillies' side should have to answer to Major League Baseball," Layne said.

Kapler said Milner warmed up earlier in the game.

"Anytime we have a miscommunication, that miscommunication is my responsibility so I take full responsibility for it," Kapler said.

[Blzer]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

I have a solution to add excitement to extra inning games and save arms.

Take a page out of the NHL's book and every team has an emergency pitcher at every ballpark.. some rec league guy. When the game goes past the 12th inning, each team has to use their emergency pitcher.

Problem solved.

I've been voting for 28-man rosters since I was like four years old.

More lately though, I've been opting to 26-man rosters with a fixed 25 active players per series.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Is Gabe Kapler gonna last a week? lolol

[Speedy]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

Of all the dumb things he's done, pointing to his head to indicate "be smart" isn't one of them. He was right and we see managers do that all the time.

The pitch selection wasn't what was wrong in that scenario, it was the execution of the pitch that was bad.

He literally telegraphed that pitch was coming, bad execution or not.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Operation Sports mobile app

[Sportsforever]

Re: Opening Weekend Discussion Thread

I saw after the game where Kapler took full responsibility...that's good. He also said the Phillies are making the playoffs this year. Meanwhile, at Lehigh Valley Jake Arrieta is trying to see if he can get out of his contract.