March/April MLB News and Notes
- Thread starter LogansDad
- Start date
I find the Astros start fascinating. I would guess that most of us think they'll turn it on at some point and this will be forgotten; but I do wonder if there's something more to it than just a slow start
Their team does seem good though, right? I'm reminded of the 2011 Red Sox. Dug a 2-10 hole to start the year but did climb out of it. Only going 7-20 in September really killed them (that team DID win 90 games). Maybe the Astros should stay away from chicken and beer as the playoff approach.
Behind the Marlins' decision to option No. 3 prospect Meyer
- 3 inning stints might cause a pitcher to air it out for that short period of time, instead of pacing himself.
- When he comes back to the majors in the second half, he might not be stretched out enough to be an effective 5 inning starter.
- If you are trying to win games at the major league level, sending your best pitcher down to the minors seems anti-competitive. Can't you just monitor his usage at the major league level?
The Marins have decided to option their best pitcher - Max Meyer (17 inning pitched, 3 walks, 14 strikeouts, 2.12 era) to monitor his usage and preserve his arm for the second half. Meyer is coming off a missed season due to Tommy John surgery. On the surface this seems reasonable, but I have a few thoughts.
- 3 inning stints might cause a pitcher to air it out for that short period of time, instead of pacing himself.
- When he comes back to the majors in the second half, he might not be stretched out enough to be an effective 5 inning starter.
- If you are trying to win games at the major league level, sending your best pitcher down to the minors seems anti-competitive. Can't you just monitor his usage at the major league level?
I did a double take when I checked the standings and saw they're 7-16, 4th worst in MLB! That's wild.
Still, with Verlander back and the Mariners and Rangers treading water, I fully expect the Astros to be in the thick of things in July, but there's always a chance this is just one of "those years" and the bottom falls out with underperformance/injuries/back luck, a little like the 2019 Red Sox who got off to a rough April (11-17) and never really recovered.
Not sure how significant this drop is with a week left, but IIRC league-wide HR are down while hard hit% and max exit velocities are in line with previous years. Points to changes with the ball.
Seems crazy that there are more changes with the ball, doesn't it? It's like the neverending story. Especially strange that they would do something that depresses scoring again.
Part of the issue is they aren't very good at manufacturing a consistent product, even if they aren't putting a thumb on the scale.
It's actually an aDDuctor strain.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/giants-blake-snell-placed-on-15-day-il-with-adductor-strain/ar-AA1nB4bk
As far as I can tell, the adductor muscles are in the hip, and serve to keep stuff in line.
Maybe that accounts for his 11+ ERA so far in the season.
p.s. Jordan Montgomery is pitching this afternoon on mlbn. I like him, b/c he seems sturdy. (Hope I haven't jinxed him.)
Good news is, the Sox already have tons of guys like that, so we can avoid that particular refrain.
