Random news and notes for MLB 2018

[TURBO]

Ridiculous.

 

Dozier thinks the Baltimore vets will address the situation? How so, by telling Sisco he did a great job trying to put the team in a position to win?

 

This is so out there it almost feels like a joke. If the defense is going to shift to do all they can to get you out, and you find a way to foil their plan, that is just brilliant.

 

Maybe the Orioles should be upset that the defense tried a shift, making it "unfair" for the offensive hitters?

 

It's crazy.

[Matt Breen]

I agree it's crap. You put on a shift and the guy took advantage of it. That's the Twins fault - not Cisco's.

 

If the Twins didn't like it, they shouldn't have put on the shift.

[Fear The Chorizo]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23001797/minnesota-twins-upset-chance-sisco-baltimore-orioles-bunted-vs-shift-9th

 

This is so annoying. So, you can shift to try to take away a hit, but he isn't supposed to bunt in that situation? If it wasn't an important situation to get an out, then why did you shift?

 

Yeah, pretty stupid. So now there are unwritten rules where you can't try to beat a shift? It's too early in the season for the red-rear ends to come out, particularly over something that's a non-issue.

 

Also, I know people by and large hate the bunt as a baseball play in today's game - but I think it's something that will become a better play to make after its frequency declines to the point where opposing defenses become poor at defending it. Even successful sac bunts are becoming far less routine, simply because the plays and throws corner IF's, P's, and C's have to make to get outs aren't required nearly as much - particularly when IF positioning due to shifts forces defenders to make plays they are essentially out of position to make because a 3B is closer to SS than his normal position when the pitch is made. I think a safety squeeze is a great play for a middle of the order hitter to attempt early in the count with less than 2 outs and a defense trying to employ some sort of spray chart-based shift.

 

If there's a market inefficiency developing in today's game that a small market team could take advantage of, it's over-reliance on defensive shifts and developing athletic players who can put pressure on a defense using small ball tactics - the mid 80's Cardinal teams would be a nightmare in today's game.

[TooLiveBrew]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23001797/minnesota-twins-upset-chance-sisco-baltimore-orioles-bunted-vs-shift-9th

 

This is so annoying. So, you can shift to try to take away a hit, but he isn't supposed to bunt in that situation? If it wasn't an important situation to get an out, then why did you shift?

 

Yeah, pretty stupid. So now there are unwritten rules where you can't try to beat a shift?

I mean... the Twins *did* just sign Lynn. Maybe Unwrittenrulesitis is an airborne disease?

[MadScientist]

After 4 games the Giants have as many wins as they do runs (2).

[jjfanec]

Lance Lynn gives up a grand slam in his first inning as a twin. Didnt want him as a Brewer. He may shut the Pirates out the rest of the game and be great all year but I feel alright seeing him struggle right away

[pacopete4]

Tomas to AAA

 

I think I wanted this guy at the time.

[AKCheesehead]

I just saw that there are going to be some upcoming games available on Facebook Watch via MLB Live.

 

Brewers games announced so far: 4/11 vs crads, and 5/30, again vs the crads.

 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Mets-Phillies-Game-Live-Facebook-How-to-Watch-Facebook-MLB-Baseball-New-York-478668513.html?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

[trwi7]

I hope I don't have to make a facebook account to watch these.

[TexasCheesehead]

Do you guys think Rickie Weeks and J.J Hardy are done or are either of them going to get another shot?

[FVBrewerFan]

I hope I don't have to make a facebook account to watch these.

 

Yes, and while watching the game you are required to post random pictures of your great kids/pets and pictures to verify to everyone that you had the best vacation imaginable.

[pacopete4]

Ohtani takes Kluber deep for his second homer. He didn’t do much in spring training but like most always, that doesn’t mean much.

[TexasCheesehead]

Pirates are off to a 2-0 start after a homer by Josh Bell. Bell is looking really good this year, 8-for-17 now following up on a pretty solid 2017 campaign. I'm still not at all worried about the Pirates, but they have looked pretty good through the first few games.

[Vgmastr]

I hope I don't have to make a facebook account to watch these.

 

You will need an account to watch.

[Patrick425]

Several teams with a scheduled day off today. Odd for a Friday.

[topper09er]

Several teams with a scheduled day off today. Odd for a Friday.

 

That is odd, I just checked and we don't have any thankfully

[jerichoholicninja]

Several teams with a scheduled day off today. Odd for a Friday.

 

Ya, I noticed that too and thought it was incredibly weird. Only 9 games today, 8 after a rainout. Meaning 12 teams aren't playing. I can understand that the first 6 days or so of the season but not anymore at this point. Then again a bunch of teams had off last Sunday too. I haven't looked at the schedule going forward to see if this is the new norm with more added off days.

[chuckiehacks]

I think there were several teams that had home openers yesterday, and for those teams without domes, I think MLB generally schedules an off day to use for a possible Opening Day rainout.

[Fear The Chorizo]

Up here in Minneapolis, thank God the twins have off after their home opener yesterday - it's like 15 degrees and blowing about 35 MPH from the north today...

[Fear The Chorizo]

So this Ohtani guy can hit a little bit...I know the hype really got tempered after sketchy results this spring training, but he's turning into a fantastic early season story.

[Jenkins5]

So this Ohtani guy can hit a little bit...I know the hype really got tempered after sketchy results this spring training, but he's turning into a fantastic early season story.

 

Now just have to see if he can pitch at mlb level. Even if he can’t, the bat should play!

[TexasCheesehead]

On a smaller scale than Ohtani, do y'all remember playing against Micah Owings? The man could hit and was often used as a pinch hitter with the Reds and a few other teams. He batted .283/.310 with 9 homers in 202 career at bats while being a solid back-end starter.

 

Just jogged my memory.

[jerichoholicninja]

Anthony Rendon got tossed today for dropping his bat after a called strike three. Never said a word to the ump. In fact he turned away from the ump and started taking his gloves and then was tossed. The strike call is whatever but tossing someone who did absolutely nothing is a joke. And like Redon said after the game, there are no repercussions for things umps do.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Yeah i saw that. Just ridiculous. Rendon is about the most mild mannered dude in the game.

[DuWayne Steurer]

https://deadspin.com/shohei-ohtani-is-very-clearly-not-from-this-planet-1825094229

 

Just a heads up, the author uses a bit of foul language in the article.

 

Ohtani is the first pitcher since Steve Woodard (!!!) to go 7 innings, strike out 12, and allow 1 hit or less and no runs in either his first or second major league start. Only Ohtani, Woodard, and Juan Marichal are now in this club.

 

If there was ANY doubt that Ohtan is the real deal.... wow. His first two weeks have been absolutely nutso.