Eye Black

So I realize this is the wrong game, but Ike Davis just his a Grand Slam to take the lead against the Reds. I think the Pirates like their acquisition so far.

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120921164818/dragonage/images/2/2a/Anchorman-well-that-escalated-quickly.jpg

So Carlos Gomez has transformed himself into one of the most valuable players in Major League Baseball over the past year, that part isn't really up for debate. But take Gomez elite offensive production and gold glove defense out of the equation for a minute. What I am wondering is do posters here love, hate, or fall somewhere in the middle regarding the way Carlos Gomez plays baseball? There was some discussion in today's in-game thread, but following the most recent incident involving Carlos Gomez I am curious what people think of his actions today, and in general how he carries himself on the field? From many Brewers fans perspective Gomez is generally celebrated for his maximum effort defensively and unyielding hustle around the diamond while maintaining a fun-loving, generally positive demeanor. Even when Gomez is overzealous on the bases or breaks a bat over his thigh following a frustrating at bat, it is generally chalked up to his great passion and desire for playing the game of the baseball. For some others, Gomez is viewed as a free swinger who is reckless on the base paths and at times comes across as a bit of a hot dog. When Gomez takes a swing that corkscrew himself into the batters box with helmet flying, or flips his bat after a HR, or tries to take an extra base that almost no other player in baseball would attempt it is construed as Gomez showing up his opponents. Some view Gomez overall approach to the game as laced with folly and antics. I typically fall in the category that enjoys watching Gomez play baseball and I'll take the good with the bad because even when he makes mistakes he is doing it at a 100%. A good friend of mine however, can't stand Gomez and thinks his actions not only have made him unlikeable across the league, but are potentially detrimental to his own team as his teammates are likely to grow tired of him over the course of six month season. Thoughts from BF.net?

Maybe saving him for a spot where he could do some damage, let Overbay lead the inning off and if Reynolds spot comes up and the brewers are threatening can bring in Aramis The radio broadcast said he wasn't feeling well earlier today. Edit: looks like he is feeling better.

Bartolo Colon at bats are one of my favorite things... http://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/bartolo-colon-second-swing-against-ervin-santana.gif?w=1000

I have tried to stay positive on Weeks for the past three seasons, but I am ready for his Brewers career to come to a close. I can't picture his bat ever getting to the point again to be able overcome his defensive liability.

If that is indeed the case, I am going to guess Jacoby Jones. IMO there is no way they would give up Meadows or McGuire. Could also be one of the lefties they picked up early in last year's draft, although if I was a Pirates fan I would be slightly disappointed in giving up either one of them.

Tough break on the Ramirez at-bat, he scorched the fastball. Khris Davis' at-bat was really poor, at times he looks totally overmatched at the plate.

The rule/article clearly states, "plays made around/near the bag".....the Outfielder example doesn't apply. Their requirements to making a catch are the same. If they bobble on transfer throwing it back to the infield, it's still an out. I think you stopped reading the article after the second paragraph. The article spans 20 paragraphs and 6 embedded video samples, and if you read/watch, it is pretty clear the rule is being applied to Outfielders transferring the ball. If you need further confirmation, the most recent Fangraphs podcast with Dave Cameron also goes into great detail about the negative impacts of the new interpretation on the OF catch rule and discusses that it is likely to be changed by next season, if not at the All-Star break this year.

That is a great question. The first selection seemed like a formality two months ago, but has certainly become much more intriguing recently. With Kolek and Aiken rising up draft boards, we could see the rarity of a HS arm going 1st overall this year.

How can a defensive player take advantage of this rule? The second half of the article explains it. With runners on 1st and 2nd, a player in the OF can catch the ball and wait for the runners to retreat to their bases then drop the ball from their glove to the ground, then pick it up and throw to the SS. It could result in a double play if they tag the guy who was on second and now needs to advance and then step on second base for the force out of the guy on 1st. Dave Cameron points out that the likely worst case scenario of trying it is you would still get atleast one out.

Matt Moore decided to undergo TJ surgery on his partially torn UCL. Link

Congrats to Wei-Chung Wang, becoming the 11th Taiwanese player to appear in MLB. Adds his name to this B-Ref page.

This is probably the most excited I have been to watch the 9th inning of a game when the Brewers are down 4. Come on Wang!

Well then, I guess there is at least one thing the entire country of Taiwan and BF.net have in common, they both think RR hates Wang.

Yep, same here.

To the point TheCrew07 made earlier in the tread, the NC State coaches are just abusing Rodon at this point. I realize they have strong incentive to make the NCAA tournament, but it appears they are risking Rodon's future in the process. I am sure Rodon is a competitor and doesn't shy away from the extra work, but someone has to be looking out for his long-term interests. From Keith Law:

Did he run through a stop sign? I was referring to Gomez rounding second in ridiculous fashion on the bunt. The gaffe that got the whole thing started. Gomez had his head down the entire time he was rounding second until he was a couple of steps past the base. He never bothered to look at the fielder to see if he might be in jeopardy, which seems like a very basic concept. I get that he plays with reckless abandon and that is an endearing quality in some respects, but I wouldn't mind seeing him tone it down a little.

The season is just past 1/16th complete, so I am going to temper any playoff expectations just yet. Still, it is reason to be optimistic any time of the year when you look at the division standings and see a 3.0 game lead on the Cardinals and Pirates, and a 6.0 game lead on the Reds.

He's being placed on the 15 day DL as of today according to TH. They have called up Rob Wooten.

Yep, from gold laces to Gold Glove.

He also had his eyes closed on the 3rd swing which would seem to make hitting the ball decidedly more difficult.

Wang for the save? Okay, probably not.

The ball beat Marte to home by quite a bit, so it would have been a terrible tag if he missed him.

That was incredible.