Conveniently sweeping the great balk controversy under the rugHaving some issues loading the older thread, and other people told me the same via PM, so I locked it and started this one.
Watching TOR/SEA on AppleTV currently, 2-2 in the 9th.
Heh .. our posts crossed! There is no mundane subject I cannot beat into the ground.Conveniently sweeping the great balk controversy under the rug
I've been bullish all year on the Orioles being at least competitive within the next couple years. Their offense is deep and underrated, but I didn't think their pitching had it in them quite yet. I was wrong.Orioles just won their 7th in a row. 2 under .500.
The bullpen was the biggest problem for 2+ years and it's been one of the best in baseball since he was fired.Meanwhile in the NL, the Phillies are now up two for the final WC spot, so I guess Joe G. really was the problem?
I am so excited for Matt to be back up. I chatted with him a couple times last year, and he's a really nice kid. His stuff is electric when it is on, and he started the first no-hitter I've been to in person last season (it was combined, but whatever).I missed it, but evidently Brash and Gurriel had a 13 pitch AB in the 7th, finally Brash Kd him with 99. He was just in for one inning so his average velo was 98-99, up from 95-96 as a SP.
That seems rather specific. The game they won (on Thursday) during this stretch they got three runs but two of those were the Manfred Man.
Could it be that the Ms are showcasing him for a trade? Seems like they could use another starter (Montas, Castillo) as the offense and bullpen are strong. Gonzales may regress and Lewis will have innings limitationsI am so excited for Matt to be back up. I chatted with him a couple times last year, and he's a really nice kid. His stuff is electric when it is on, and he started the first no-hitter I've been to in person last season (it was combined, but whatever).
That at bat with Gurriel was so frustrating, but he never gave in and the pitch to finish him was filthy. Gurriel fouled off some really tough pitches.
Matt's control looked way better than it did back in April, and I am hopeful that we see him back in the rotation next season, but he also might be a guy whose stuff plays way up out of the pen, too.
As a fantasy owner, he can be a tough watch sometimes. But in a league full of guys with high velocity and electric stuff, he manages to stand out as a freak.Meanwhile in the NL, the Phillies are now up two for the final WC spot, so I guess Joe G. really was the problem?
I’m shocked to see Edman has accumulated so much WAR. Is that his defense?It's specific but also 44 innings is a long time, especially when it is the team with three guys who were 1/2/3 in MLB in WAR until recently.
Defense and baserunning, I guess, but yeah it’s confusing to see a guy with a .699 OPS somehow on track for a 8 bWAR season.I’m shocked to see Edman has accumulated so much WAR. Is that his defense?
My wife is a Baltimore girl and watches most O’s game. I will grudgingly acknowledge that they are vastly improved. They have a solid offense, and their relief pitching has been lights out. Being shitty for so many years has resulted in Baltimore drafting high and they have used those picks wisely. They are due for a slump and some injuries at some point, but right now, they are playing better than the Sox. Of course, missing 4 starting pitchers has something to do with that.Orioles now a game under .500
That rotation has been a pretty big disappointment. Berrios has gone from being a very solid pitcher to replacement level, and Ryu/Kikuchi pitched poorly before hitting the IL forcing Stripling into the rotation. Even Chapman's been a pretty disappointing pickup for them.Toronto, who a lot of people thought were the best team in the AL back in April, are now tied for the third WC and have to be considered the second-biggest disappointment in the AL so far (Chicago being #1). They’re certainly capable of turning things around and they’re aggressive with move-making, so I’m not about to count them out. But that team missing the playoffs seems just bananas to me.
Many said that last season too. Maybe the total is less than the sum of their parts, for whatever reason.Toronto, who a lot of people thought were the best team in the AL back in April, are now tied for the third WC and have to be considered the second-biggest disappointment in the AL so far (Chicago being #1). They’re certainly capable of turning things around and they’re aggressive with move-making, so I’m not about to count them out. But the possibility of that team missing the playoffs seems just bananas to me.
Santana's been in the top 10 in walks twelve years in a row.Carlos Santana goes deep twice today. Granted, I've always been a big fan*, but this was a really underrated pick up by the Mariners in exchange for some organizational garbage. I've said it several times before, but always ignore what Santana's batting line is in May.
*It was absolute robbery when Cleveland acquired Santana from the Dodgers by paying for the last couple of month's on Casey Blake's contract. Getting any actual prospect in exchange for one of my all-time most hated Cleveland players was good enough. Blake was a dolt who always came up small in big situations, ran the bases like Manny Ramirez and couldn't field grounders… and then would try to pass it all off with an "aw shucks" folksy attitude. The summer following the trade, I watched a lot of games at Akron where Santana was named Eastern League Player of the Year.
Montas would be the perfect get: Os have good offense & pen but lack reliable starters; his cost will be deflated a bit because of his injury; the Os can treat him with kid loves rest of year.Could the Orioles actually be buyers? They certainly have the farm system to make some significant moves.
Last season they had the (legitimate, IMO) "no real home games for half the season" excuse.Many said that last season too. Maybe the total is less than the sum of their parts, for whatever reason.
Better than the one last month with a 1-2 count.Tony LaRussa called for an intentional walk on an 0-1 count. Don't think I've ever seen that.
He did it with 2 strikes a month ago:Tony LaRussa called for an intentional walk on an 0-1 count. Don't think I've ever seen that.
On July 24, 2017, the Royals traded Esteury Ruiz, Matt Strahm and Travis Wood to the San Diego Padres for Trevor Cahill, Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer.
The Rangers' Bubba Thompson isn't at quite the same pace, but his efficiency (40 stolen bases...caught stealing twice) is incredible. I'd love to see one of these burners pan out and have someone out there stealing 60+ bases at the MLB level.Padres calling up Esteury Ruiz and staring him in CF tonight.
His numbers in 77 games at AA/AAA are Ricky Henderson-esque — .333/.467/.560 with 13 HR and… wait for it… 60 SB. Yes, you are reading that right.
This isn’t him just picking on AA catchers either. He’s got 23 steals in his 28 games at AAA. Insanity.
I feel like thats going to have a major impact on their trade value... (especially for an AL east team)