2014 Playoff Live Blog Extravaganza
| 9:33 |
: So there’s four games today, and we’re going to live blog all of them. Brad Johnson will be here for O’s/Tigers game, and will be joined by Carson, so you’ve been warned. Mike Petriello will take over for the Nats/Giants game, and then Eno will show up for Cards/Dodgers, with Swydan pulling the late shift and grabbing Angels/Royals. Prepare for 12+ hours of playoff live blogging. Baseball!
|
| 11:56 |
: Alright, let’s kick this off. The cable guy just left my apartment and I can now watch playoff games on all channels (previously ESPN and FS1 were dead).
|
| 11:56 |
Do front offices use fangraphs/b-ref or does MLB have its own historical database they keep for team use? |
| 11:57 |
: Each team has its own behind the scenes statistics, but I’ve spoken to mid-level executives in several front offices who have referenced stats from FanGraphs and BRef. I’ve also talked with them about specific FanGraphs and BPro articles.
|
| 11:58 |
i watched o’s game last night with a bunch of baltimore dudes. they kept sounding off about opposing pitchers “being scared of Schoop” all year. Really confused by this. What are your thoughts on him? peak line? |
| 11:59 |
: Hmm. This is never noticed, although I maybe watched 15-20 O’s games closely.
|
| 11:59 |
: I think Schoop has some specific holes, which might be what they’re referencing. Just an impression, I haven’t done any analysis on him.
|
| 12:00 |
Brad, I have no idea who you are but I count myself a infrequent reader of Fangraphs. What is your background? |
| 12:01 |
: Ok I’ll bite. Played through college (D-III), wrote for Hardball Times since 2010, started with FanGraphs last year but focused on RotoGraphs/other fantasy content during the season. I hosted one of these gigs last year and someone managed to dig up my (crappy) college stats. Good luck.
|
| 12:01 |
If you were Detroit’s manager, would you have left Scherzer in last night? I know hindishgt is convenient, but I think I would have let him face at least the next batter. |
| 12:02 |
: You know, Detroit’s in a tough spot. I was sitting there thinking that they have to get as many innings as possible from their starters because the pen is so shaky. I thought Soria would at least be a bright spot…
|
| 12:02 |
brad johnson, you were also QB of the vikings, eh? |
| 12:02 |
: Yes, I believe I was 11 at the time.
|
| 12:03 |
of course karma or destiny are silly concepts, but at this early stage of the playoffs, would you say that O’s-Giants WS matchup has a good vibe working? |
| 12:04 |
: Personally O’s/Pirates would have been my “destiny” matchup. I have Giants World Series fatigue. Let someone else get a shot.
|
| 12:04 |
: In that vein, perhaps Nats/O’s is the matchup and destiny.
|
| 12:04 |
: NOT THIS COMMERCIAL.
|
| 12:05 |
: Anyway, the winner of a Nats/O’s WS should get full control of MASN.
|
| 12:05 |
I meant based on their strong 1st game showing… |
| 12:05 |
: Oh, well in that case let’s let everyone play their first game before we declare the World Series of Joy contestants.
|
| 12:06 |
never mind. you don’t get the question perhaps… carry on |
| 12:06 |
: haha
|
| 12:06 |
Haven’t been able to get to a TV, yet. Is the game worth watching or is it pretty meh? |
| 12:07 |
: Well they are two of the very best teams in baseball, so on that front, yes. Also, the game is yet to start, so…
|
| 12:07 |
So, Verlander for game 2? Is Brad Ausmus afraid of harshing Verly’s mellow, or is there a justifiable reason to start him over Sanchez? |
| 12:08 |
: I’d go with Sanchez personally, I think he fits the stadium better. But neither pitcher affects the game odds greatly.
|
| 12:08 |
: Oh right…
|
| 12:08 |
anibal’s broked yo |
| 12:08 |
: He’s in the pen apparently. Not sure how I missed this.
|
| 12:09 |
When you sabermetric people say “watching the game” don’t you just mean the MLB.com gameday display? |
| 12:09 |
: For me, it means 4-8 games streaming at once. It’s made watching one game kind of hard actually.
|
| 12:09 |
Anyone else’s sound seem slightly out of sync? |
| 12:10 |
: Trolls 🙂 You have to feed them JUST enough sometimes.
|
| 12:10 |
Given Detroit’s RH-heavy lineup, are the Orioles going to have Gausman ready to take over just in case LHP Chen gets destroyed? |
| 12:11 |
: I’m guessing if destruction occurs, they’ll go with someone a little less critical – at least initially.
|
| 12:11 |
have the French communists banned the internet or something? where is Cistulli? |
| 12:11 |
: He’ll be by at 1:00. I’m looking forward to it.
|
| 12:12 |
: Also, I accidentally published Ralph’s comment. Too late to recover the moment.
|
| 12:12 |
What if all these comments were actually from Cistuli? |
| 12:13 |
: That would, actually, not be entirely unsurprising given sir Cistulli’s quirk’s (i.e. obfuscation)
|
| 12:13 |
by sanchez, you guys mean price, right? |
| 12:13 |
: Yes yes. Simmer down folks.
|
| 12:14 |
Defend leaving Torii Hunter in the 2-hole! Go! |
| 12:14 |
: But I don’t wanna!
|
| 12:15 |
: I mean in a given game, lineup construction isn’t too important. It’s not like it moves the game odds even half a percent.
|
| 12:16 |
: I’m thirsty. Entertain yourselves for a minute.
|
| 12:17 |
Didn’t the Royals bat Escobar second in the WC game? That by default makes Hunter hitting there look good |
| 12:17 |
: True. The Royals lineup is kind of wonky though…
|
| 12:17 |
What time zone are you in and is this your first libation of the day? |
| 12:18 |
: This year I’m in EST. If any of you were around last season, I hosted one of these from Dhaka Bangladesh. This is a lot easier.
|
| 12:18 |
Is it really that low? Hmm. Also, I actually liked Bob Melvin sitting Dunn to start the game. But the first time Sogard or Fuld came up with someone, I def would have pinch hit. Get your big bat in the game to do some damage. It was just so weird |
| 12:19 |
: Without getting too nerdy, leverage matters. So what you describe matters even if the pre-game lineup kind of doesn’t.
|
| 12:20 |
: Oh I forgot to answer the libation question. I foolishly forgot to stock any potent potables.
|
| 12:20 |
: Torii Hunter: ghost of his former self (yet still a viable major leaguer)
|
| 12:21 |
Is drinking on the job allowed? |
| 12:21 |
: This is FanGraphs. One of our writers runs BeerGraphs. Another of our writers is Cistulli. Does that answer the question?
|
| 12:22 |
So are you the best actual ball player on the FG staff? Would anyone else beat you out at one of the 5 tools? |
| 12:23 |
: Um…I can’t say for certain but I should be near the top. I’ll have to organize a game on our next group trip.
|
| 12:23 |
: I can’t run for crap
|
| 12:23 |
: But neither can most of my colleagues!
|
| 12:24 |
did Verlander just tell the ump to ring him up? cause his arm went up with the K symbol well before the umps did |
| 12:24 |
: I do think Mr. Verlander is fired up.
|
| 12:25 |
: Viagra count is at 2 for the record. The number is 2.
|
| 12:25 |
East Coasters get to complain about late West Coast games, but nobody cares about these early East coast games. |
| 12:25 |
: I lived in AZ for most of the season, it was fantastic!
|
| 12:26 |
: But then again, I’m a writer so I get to wake up and watch baseball all day.
|
| 12:26 |
is R. Davis playing at sub-replacement level due to his injury? |
| 12:27 |
: I’d need either a large sample or the ability to not pay any attention to this chat to analyze that. But I’m guessing he’s not too far above replacement.
|
| 12:27 |
Consider the replacements, though… |
| 12:28 |
: This of course is the key.
|
| 12:28 |
are you prepared for all the death threats that are going to happen in the comments when Carson gets here about NotGraphs demise? |
| 12:29 |
: Carson really hates NotGraphs fans, so I fully expect him to answer those death threats in kind.
|
| 12:29 |
why don’t we exterminate rotographs instead of notgraphs? |
| 12:31 |
: Don’t even start. Eno is a white Jamaican. Who can say what he’s capable of. I have your IP Address and by extension, your actual address.
|
| 12:31 |
Did you ever play against any notable players in HS or DIII that we’re now familiar with? What was that like? |
| 12:31 |
: Sean Doolittle was one year ahead of me in HS for a rival school. We trained together on a couple occasions, although I played against his brother Ryan more.
|
| 12:32 |
: Played against Pedro Alvarez when he was with the Bayside Yankees. He was dirty.
|
| 12:32 |
I played against Vin Mazarro, he was nasty in HS. |
| 12:32 |
: Other people also played against pros.
|
| 12:32 |
: O’s fans will recognize Billy Rowell, he played for another rival.
|
| 12:33 |
What in the world does it mean that Eno is a white Jamaican? That he smokes a ton of weed? That’s my assumption. |
| 12:33 |
: No one knows what it means. Anything, ostensibly.
|
| 12:34 |
I appreciate the great free content on a daily basis, but man…ads have been killing the site recently with all the autoplay videos and banners. Yard Barker, whatever that is, destroys my flash plugin (sorry for all the aggressive verbs) |
| 12:34 |
: Yea, those aren’t supposed to be happening. We’re working on it.
|
| 12:34 |
Is there any chance Arby’s smokes their meat for 13 hours |
| 12:35 |
: Actually, I have a question. Has anybody ever eaten at Arby’s?
|
| 12:35 |
: I’ve taken to asking people if they have, and I’ve yet to meet a single person who has.
|
| 12:35 |
google chrome adblock kills them all |
| 12:35 |
: Also this, re: ads
|
| 12:36 |
: Though I think that affects our site revenue, so I didn’t advocate that!
|
| 12:36 |
What are the odds that between this chat and the game running on my computer that I forget to join my conference call in 30 minutes and say “oh sorry I just got tied up for a minute” when I join late? |
| 12:36 |
: 82.1% pending score.
|
| 12:36 |
: Speak of which, is anything going to happen in this game?
|
| 12:37 |
Predictions (I think we should be voting on the best): Alex Avila will go hard |
| 12:38 |
is the strike zone bad on both sides or is Verlander getting a lot of benefits of the doubt? |
| 12:38 |
: I think the camera is particularly angled today, so it’s deceptive. Also I’m pretty sure the pitchtrax is off.
|
| 12:38 |
Any explanation as to why Verlander’s BABIP jumped from the .270s to .310s? |
| 12:39 |
: Probably velocity. Probably other things too. But mostly the velocity.
|
| 12:39 |
What does “go hard” mean in this context? (btw I’ve eaten at Arby’s and even recently tried their Meat Mountain secret menu item.) |
| 12:40 |
: Um, terrifying. Also, we can stop discussing Arby’s now. I am forever sorry for opening that door.
|
| 12:40 |
What is Verlander throwing velo wise today for those of us without the TV feed? |
| 12:40 |
: Let me snuggle up to my TV
|
| 12:40 |
: 93 on that last one.
|
| 12:40 |
: 91-94 on the game.
|
| 12:41 |
would you describe your playing style as late-career Matt Stairs or peak Omar Vizquel. Those are your only choices. |
| 12:41 |
: definitely late career Matt Stairs with Omar Vizquel’s bat
|
| 12:41 |
Prediction: The Announcing crew will gush over how important Power pitching is in the postseason while the Orioles sweep the series with an inferior starting rotation. |
| 12:42 |
I am torn. I want the Orioles to win, but I hate Peter Angelos. How do I reconcile 20 years of terrible with my love of the Orioles? |
| 12:42 |
: Alcohol? Drugs? The Wire?
|
| 12:42 |
and by hard I of course mean YARD |
| 12:42 |
: Are you sure you weren’t talking about an aroused catcher?
|
| 12:43 |
If you had to pick one baseball player to be a great lumberjack, it would have to be Matt Stairs right? |
| 12:43 |
: Maybe the duo of Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench?
|
| 12:43 |
Scouting report on the Fox announcing crew? |
| 12:43 |
: Anything is better than TBS.
|
| 12:44 |
: Of course, THIS game is on TBS, so we’re stuck with the worst.
|
| 12:44 |
I know this is off topic but are you BradGraphs on DK |
| 12:44 |
: Yep
|
| 12:44 |
: Though I don’t use the site terrible often, do most of my DFS on FanDuel
|
| 12:44 |
Russel Branyon! |
| 12:44 |
: yes! re: lumberjack
|
| 12:45 |
so you would do a platoon split at lumberjack… interesting |
| 12:45 |
: Of course. 24 hours of jacking. (wait…)
|
| 12:45 |
which of the 6 proposed ‘pace of the game’ ideas (if any) do you think has the best chance of being implemented in mlb? |
| 12:45 |
: Wrong person to ask, I think the pace of game is ideal. Just watch more games concurrently if it’s too slow for you.
|
| 12:46 |
We’re quite pleased to draw the ire of Cistulli (f**k that guy). Come at us. |
| 12:46 |
re: lumberjack -> Gabe Kapler duh |
| 12:46 |
: I think Kapler would explain to the tree why it must fall. And then it would.
|
| 12:47 |
What would the odds be for a team composed of 10 WAR players at every position against a normal MLB team in a single game? 5 game series? My blind guess says something like 70-30 for the single game and 90-10 for the series. |
| 12:48 |
: Anyone want to do the math? I have to manage this chat.
|
| 12:48 |
Is it true the phillies are firing Dave Montgomery and keeping RAJ? |
| 12:48 |
: Unknown. Talked it over with my MLBTR colleagues yesterday. We’re not ready to say anything from the mouth of Howard Eskin is real.
|
| 12:49 |
Gotta get some fantasy questions in since you are great at it. Who would you rather keep for 2015 only? Dickerson or Betts price the same. Thanks |
| 12:50 |
: Conditional answer: Dickerson for 2015, Betts if you can look further in the future or could use the utility.
|
| 12:50 |
: Minnix wrote some stuff about Dickerson yesterday, which I mostly agree with.
|
| 12:50 |
Travis Hafner – lumberjack extraordinaire |
| 12:51 |
: http://www.fangraphs.com/fa… (that article about Dickerson)
|
| 12:52 |
you know this is an uneventful game when were still talking about mlb players as lumberjacks |
| 12:52 |
: Seriously. Waiting for ANYTHING and/or Cistulli.
|
| 12:52 |
Apparently ex Cle players are the way to go for lumberjacks, Branyon, Hafner, Burnitz… |
| 12:52 |
Re: Cle player lumberjacks, How did we forget Thome!! |
| 12:53 |
: Seems to be a scouting profile…
|
| 12:53 |
John Rocker! |
| 12:53 |
: No.
|
| 12:53 |
tito francona http://www.google.com/imgre… |
| 12:53 |
: This upset me.
|
| 12:54 |
: “Who is the coolest cat on the TBS crew,” the TBS crew wonder aloud.
|
| 12:55 |
anyone else seeing lots of Fastballs down the middle from Verlander the O’s are popping up? Is that the Pitchtracks thing being inaccurate? or O’s just missing? |
| 12:55 |
: I think it’s just shifted quite a bit.
|
| 12:55 |
Do you think a lot of second baseman, such as Kinsler or Pedroia, could have been shortstops? |
| 12:56 |
: For a couple years maybe. Generally no. Arm strength seems to be the main issue, no?
|
| 12:56 |
Back-of-envelope math says a team of 10 WAR players (including a staff of 10 WAR pitchers) would win about 80% of its games against a league-average team. |
| 12:56 |
: That took about exactly as long as I expected. Which is why I crowdsourced it.
|
| 12:57 |
“Carson Cistulli is the coolest cat on all crews” we all wonder to ourselves privately. |
| 12:57 |
: The zone is EXPANDING
|
| 12:58 |
Verlander looks like he has more arm side run as compared to earlier this year? Anyone agree with this? |
| 12:59 |
: Yes. I think he’s been trolling the league, like Brandon Moss prior to the WC game.
|
| 12:59 |
wikipedia tells me that Kinsler and Pedroia competed for the same shortstop position at ASU. Pedroia beat him out, and Kinsler moved to second. |
| 1:00 |
Almost all infielders start as a SS in the minors, if they have the arm but not the range they move to 3B, if they have the range but not the arm they move to 2B. Obviously a huge simplifiction, but that’s how it usually works. |
| 1:00 |
Verlander is getting calls like he promised Kate to the umpire for 15 minutes after game |
| 1:00 |
: He just promised all the photos that aren’t on the cloud.
|
| 1:01 |
new baseball inefficiency. be crappy all season and then go boom in the playoffs |
| 1:01 |
: Exactly.
|
| 1:01 |
classic-> schoop gets the first hit for the o’s, after i mocked my friends for saying pitchers were scared of him |
| 1:01 |
: Fear the Schoop. That has absolutely no ring to it.
|
| 1:01 |
: Purpose pitches, aka I missed my spot but let’s play it off
|
| 1:02 |
I feel like if I was a scout, I’d be way to influenced by whether I liked a guy’s batting stance or not. |
| 1:03 |
: Yea, I’ve met some scouts and they do like orthodoxy. Any time someone has funk they come with all kinds of caveats
|
| 1:03 |
: But…how many funky hitters succeed in the majors?
|
| 1:04 |
: See ya. We have offense.
|
| 1:04 |
Carson is late due to organizing a rebirth of Napoleonic France. |
| 1:05 |
: Things that aren’t exciting. Calm discussions about whether a hit was a home run.
|
| 1:05 |
noooo you’re like 20 seconds ahead of my feed!! |
| 1:05 |
: Oooh soory
|
| 1:06 |
And to compound the issue, Verlander is already over 50 pitches after 2 2/3… bring on the bullpen! |
| 1:06 |
: Um, did you watch last night.
|
| 1:06 |
: To answer the question, the TBS crew has no idea what the ground rules are, so nobody knows what’s about to happen.
|
| 1:07 |
hot damn, i have no idea how the tigers ever win games that aren’t CGs from the starter |
| 1:07 |
: I know, right. That’s actually why they didn’t blow away the Royals.
|
| 1:07 |
: Home run.
|
| 1:08 |
Neil weinberg wrote about tandem pitchers for the tigers. do you like the idea and why won’t managers ever think outside the box? |
| 1:08 |
: The idea is good. But it’s a very big stage to run an experiment. Could look like a genius or lose your job.
|
| 1:09 |
I’m not usually Mr. PC, but I thought that comment about Verlander promising Kate to the ump after the game was really sexist and offensive, and I’m surprised you chose to publish it. |
| 1:09 |
: Apologies. I got caught up in the moment.
|
| 1:09 |
Why do the networks insist on having such bad announce teams for the postseason? They’re always so worried about declining TV ratings, and that improvement seems like such low hanging fruit. Would it be that hard to bring in someone like Len Kasper do the job? |
| 1:10 |
: It does seem like somebody needs to be grooming a new Vin Scully. Like knuckleballers, we need solo announcers who can just run a good broadcast by themselves.
|
| 1:10 |
Adding up the run values for the best defenders at each positions nets more total runs than the best overall team (114.4 for defenders, 100.3 for Dodgers). Does anyone actually believe that style of baseball would win more games than anyone else, though? |
| 1:11 |
: Belief or no, it’s not the game MLB wants to exist. Offense drives fandom
|
| 1:11 |
: Also, prepare yourselves…
|
| 1:13 |
: Bon damn jour. To Brad and to everyone.
|
| 1:13 |
: Ahoy
|
| 1:14 |
: Apparently, I’m not famous enough for some people. Time to pull your weight Carson
|
| 1:14 |
: Cabrera running is comical at times.
|
| 1:14 |
: Cabrera with the rare line drive to center and then slap of the second baseman.
|
| 1:14 |
: You don’t see that combination often.
|
| 1:15 |
Aint not party like a Cistulli party, because a Cistulli party dont stop |
| 1:15 |
: Or start, frequently. Mostly they never start.
|
| 1:15 |
The fact that this stupid seven nation army tune has invaded the sports world hurts my soul. |
| 1:16 |
: It’s amazing how ubiquitous it became so quickly.
|
| 1:16 |
: Most sports songs that occurred after my childhood hurt my soul.
|
| 1:16 |
: I’m just an old curmudgeon I guess.
|
| 1:17 |
I think the fans’ idea of what drives ratings and the networks’ ideas are fairly different, given they won’t stop doing $&#^ing dugout interviews |
| 1:17 |
: There Tigers answer quickly. Which is always made them so good at flash cards.
|
| 1:17 |
: You know they did focus groups on those dugout interviews. Never mind that the people in those groups had to ask what manner of sport they were watching
|
| 1:18 |
bullpen? |
| 1:18 |
: Hold on, I have to find one I didn’t publish
|
| 1:18 |
: I don’t know if this was posted before or after that JD Martinez home run. In either case: yes?
|
| 1:19 |
Martinez and Martinez getting things done. |
| 1:19 |
so what I learned from last night is that the Martinez step-brothers are going to hit back to back dingers next innings |
| 1:19 |
: That last one was from before the inning
|
| 1:19 |
: close enough
|
| 1:19 |
: Martinez and Martinez: among the very top law firms.
|
| 1:20 |
: wow, oppo bomb. Castellanos has looked good recently.
|
| 1:20 |
i typed that before thte JD homer |
| 1:20 |
: Well done, in that case.
|
| 1:20 |
guys i think wei yin chen isn’t pitching well anymore |
| 1:20 |
: mmm
|
| 1:20 |
Snap decision: If if the score stays the same through the 6th, is this lead still safe? |
| 1:21 |
: Absolutely not.
|
| 1:21 |
: Baltimore will score at least six runs is my prediction.
|
| 1:21 |
Time to bring in Gausman |
| 1:22 |
choose one minor league free agent ridiculous bargain: brandon moss, steve pearce, or JD Martinez |
| 1:22 |
: Martinez. He’s the real deal. Not sure about Pearce and Moss has some shortcomings.
|
| 1:22 |
: Choose them for what? Dinner and conversation? Brandon Moss, in that case.
|
| 1:23 |
ive taken poops longer than it took to get exciting |
| 1:23 |
: Notice the correlation with Cistulli #sabermetrics
|
| 1:23 |
: Which, note: I think the typical date night ought to be movie and THEN dinner. That way, when conversation inevitably falls into awkward silence, you can always say, “How bout that movie, huh?”
|
| 1:23 |
Carson: who was the leader of your fringe five this year? |
| 1:24 |
: Toronto’s Taylor Cole. Right-handed pitcher.
|
| 1:24 |
: So, that kind of answers the Rajai question from earlier.
|
| 1:24 |
Re date night, you also don’t want to have go #2 during the movie. |
| 1:24 |
So if that’s just a single for Rajai.. |
| 1:24 |
: He can’t do the thing he’s best at, run.
|
| 1:24 |
: Rajai Davis probably should have run.
|
| 1:25 |
don’t lie Cistulli, you had that non sequitur written on a note card. When the chat lagged, you pulled it off the top of the list. |
| 1:25 |
: Spurious! Very spurious!
|
| 1:26 |
Brad: just went to my daughter’s school book fair and kids were running wild. You would have been scared. |
| 1:26 |
Who digests food so quickly that they would have to go number two an hour after dinner? |
| 1:26 |
: Children are still taught of books?
|
| 1:26 |
: A very small dog, I can confirm. For one.
|
| 1:26 |
: Seconded re: dog. My dog poops 4 times a day now that he’s on healthy diet food.
|
| 1:26 |
Art, you’ve obviously never eaten at Panda Express… |
| 1:26 |
: it’s very healthy poop.
|
| 1:27 |
: bye bye Rajai. See you Sunday.
|
| 1:27 |
I would imagine your dog is not on a dinner date. |
| 1:27 |
: Imagine harder, Art Vandelay.
|
| 1:27 |
: It would probably help my odds, he’s deplorably cute.
|
| 1:28 |
: Kevin Gausman only threw his change 3% of the time? Allow me to regard his PITCHf/x info.
|
| 1:29 |
: Things we probably should have tracked more closely – the slopfest of stats trotted out by this TBS crew
|
| 1:29 |
: The Wild Card game in particular was a masterpiece is awful statistics.
|
| 1:30 |
jeff zimmerman is very down on gausman, do you guys agree? |
| 1:30 |
: Forkball, it’s classified as. 20-something percent: http://www.fangraphs.com/st…
|
| 1:30 |
: I think the broadcast said breaking ball. Also, I don’t remember. Also, I’ve stopped caring. I’m going to stop typing now.
|
| 1:31 |
: 98 with considerable life.
|
| 1:31 |
: yes and no. I think he needs to improve in some way to be a real force. I feel the same way as I did about Odorizzi prior to the season. But Odorizzi got better.
|
| 1:31 |
Mr. Vandelay, it’s not a matter of digesting your food so quickly, it’s a matter of essing out the food that’s already in your stomach. It’s called the gastrocolic reflex, the involuntary triggering of intestinal muscles by the presence of food in the stomach. Like all reflexes can be stronger or weaker. In its strongest form it’s called Post-Gastric Dumping Syndrome, which can be legit disabling, as in you can’t work. |
| 1:31 |
re: Art Vandelay. eating a large meal causes something called a gastrocolic reflex, which essentially is your stomach telling your colon to make room for new food. |
| 1:31 |
: Lot of gasto-talk in the comments over here.
|
| 1:32 |
Seems like he should be pretty good out of the pen though |
| 1:32 |
: 98 with Considerable Life: The Abe Vigoda Story
|
| 1:32 |
: I erroneously tabbed him as a possible O’s closer this year.
|
| 1:32 |
98 with Considerable life: cialis’ new marketing slogan? |
| 1:33 |
Are you surprised Verlander isn’t still good? All his pitches over than the fastball haven’t changed at all really. If you said you a a prospect throwing 92-94 with a plus plus curveball and a plus to plus plus changeup, you would be excited. |
| 1:33 |
: I think he has to learn away some of his old habits. The stuff still works for a mid-3’s ERA starter. Maybe better.
|
| 1:33 |
: I think that’s a reason to believe he probably WILL be quite good again. He needs to become accustomed to a reality in which he doesn’t have 98 to fall back on.
|
| 1:33 |
: Yes, what Brad Johnson said.
|
| 1:34 |
: Also, I don’t know what Jeff Zimmerman’s argument is in re Gausman. Zimm is usually pretty smart. But I 98 + excellent offspeed pitch is a pretty excellent combo. Wacha has made something like that work quite well.
|
| 1:34 |
Comparison is to Schilling. Had two down years at 32 and 33 when the velocity went down and then put it back together. |
| 1:35 |
: I like the comp, assuming health.
|
| 1:36 |
is Stephen Drew a good 1-year rebound candidate, or should everyone run away as fast as possible |
| 1:36 |
: His 2015 Steamer projection (now available) is NOT promising, actually: http://www.fangraphs.com/st….
|
| 1:36 |
: Better than 2014, but not stellar.
|
| 1:36 |
: Yea…I’d like to play wait and see were I a fantasy or real life owner
|
| 1:37 |
A’s look at brining Pennington back? |
| 1:38 |
: They gotta look at something like that. Lowrie isn’t a great fit to re-sign.
|
| 1:38 |
: Interestingly, Drew might work well for the A’s if his price tag is as cheap as it should be.
|
| 1:39 |
Worth noting Verlander had a 3.29 FIP in the 2nd half (driven by much better K and BB numbers). Yeah, half season stats can only mean so much, but it does seem like he’s made some good adjustments. |
| 1:39 |
For a team like Oakland with no SS options whatsoever, and Daniel Robertson waiting in the minors, seems like a great fit. |
| 1:39 |
: Right. It’s unlikely the A’s spend very much money on a shortstop. Where’s Dean Anna?
|
| 1:40 |
Schilling was sort of an exceptional case, though, wasn’t he? I recall reading an article (Szymborski maybe?) earlier in the year that had a table of guys who suffered a significant drop in K% at a similar age, and Schilling was the lone exception where basically every other guy was done after it happened |
| 1:40 |
We’ll trade them Marcus Semien |
| 1:40 |
: Good point. I also thought Roy Halladay would adjust like Schilling, but instead he immediately disappeared.
|
| 1:40 |
: Well, that was due to injury, too.
|
| 1:41 |
Any chance Kershaw takes the Lincecum path and sucks in a few years? |
| 1:41 |
: Yeah, but injuries happen to old workhorses, no? That’s what the glue factory depends upon.
|
| 1:41 |
: There’s always a chance a pitcher will spontaneously suck.
|
| 1:41 |
: There were never the concerns regarding Kershaw as there were regarding Lincecum in terms of size/mechanics. But yes, there’s always a chance a pitcher will fall apart.
|
| 1:42 |
: That said, Kershaw is one of those guys who’s continually adding more and more. I think he’ll prove to be exceedingly adaptable.
|
| 1:42 |
What kind of years/dollars do you think it will take to get Melky? |
| 1:42 |
: Kershaw also doesn’t look like a risk to lose command/control.
|
| 1:43 |
: 2/25, maybe?
|
| 1:43 |
: I think quite a bit more. 4/60 maybe?
|
| 1:43 |
: options would be involved.
|
| 1:43 |
: I have access to super secret projectiions, h/o
|
| 1:44 |
: never mind, it’s not where I thought it was and I’m lazy.
|
| 1:45 |
What will the Biggest contract (total value) given to a player this off season? |
| 1:46 |
: What do you think Scherzer clears? 170?
|
| 1:46 |
you are lazy. still no picture on your rotoworld column. beginning to think you look like a leper. |
| 1:47 |
: Knowing full well what he’s going to say…
Carson, do I look like a leper? |
| 1:47 |
: H Ramirez, Lester, Scherzer. Those are the top three. And yeah, Scherzer probably requires ca. 170 million.
|
| 1:47 |
is there a link a custom leaderboard of probably FAs? |
| 1:47 |
: Yeah, but only in the real beginning stages of leprosy.
|
| 1:48 |
Carson, why are you doing the early chat? You seem to be more the type to do the late night one, where everyone has tired of talking about baseball and would rather discuss nihilist philosophers. |
| 1:48 |
: MLBTR has one, which is related to my previous secret stuff. It occurs to me that I don’t have sufficient tenure to reveal state secrets
|
| 1:48 |
: I have an “obligation” this “evening.”
|
| 1:50 |
Who would you rather have playing third? Sandoval or Hanley? Assuming Hanley is willing to switch positions. |
| 1:50 |
: Tough question. Also I just spilled my water on the floor.
|
| 1:51 |
: It’s actually pretty close. In terms of signing one of them, I’d probably choose Sandoval, though, based on his relative youth.
|
| 1:51 |
: I think Sandoval’s “health” concerns me less.
|
| 1:52 |
Do you guys think Joc Pederson plays full time next year in majors? |
| 1:52 |
: Thankfully we have plenty of time to see what the Dodgers do, but my gut is no.
|
| 1:52 |
: Still probably not for the Dodgers, given that they’re outfield is full of outfielders.
|
| 1:53 |
: I expect he’ll start in the minors again, earn an early promotion, then start in a platoon.
|
| 1:53 |
Who would you rather have accompanying you on the path towards to the abyss? Sandoval or Handley? Assuming Hanley is willing to switch positions. |
| 1:54 |
Sandoval…you know he’s bringing snacks |
| 1:54 |
: Sandoval, I think. Largely because of his Falstaffian charm.
|
| 1:54 |
: Fastballs!
|
| 1:54 |
: nice tongue Gausman.
|
| 1:54 |
: My dog makes the same face.
|
| 1:55 |
: Oh my, double play. Based on Cabrera’s speed, but oh my.
|
| 1:55 |
: um, that double play was sweet but also probably not a double play
|
| 1:55 |
: we’ll see in a moment.
|
| 1:56 |
: nope, got em both
|
| 1:56 |
: Cabrera was NOT thinking he was getting double up.
|
| 1:56 |
I have no audio or video available, so I have to be content with Carson’s homely presence and ESPN Gamecast. |
| 1:56 |
Odds that the Phillies Red Sox Hamels trade goes down? What kind of return would that be |
| 1:56 |
: Life is miserable. What do you want?
|
| 1:57 |
Why are there no polls? |
| 1:57 |
: If the Phils sign Tomas, Hamels won’t be going anywhere. Otherwise, maybe something with Webster, Swihart, and a throw in? It’s hard to balance what’s “fair” with what the Phillies have to acquire.
|
| 1:58 |
: polls are communist. We’re socialists here.
|
| 1:58 |
: Because what’s the point?
|
| 1:58 |
: Actually, we’re socialites.
|
| 1:59 |
Any chance you’ll post a picture of the dog, Brad? |
| 1:59 |
: Nope, I’ve owed NBC a picture of my face for 4 months. They still ask once a week.
|
| 1:59 |
: Kevin Gausman fastball!
|
| 1:59 |
: Eat that Jeff Zimmerman
|
| 2:00 |
: Yeah, eat video of Kevin Gausman striking out batters, Jeff Zimmerman.
|
| 2:00 |
Carson, do we get our weekly Reggaeton horn & Kiley McDaniel podcast this week, or are preempted by the playoffs? |
| 2:00 |
: Later today. Although McDaniel showed remarkable restraint this week. No reggaeton horn, somehow.
|
| 2:00 |
Quick fantasy interlude – If you had Trout in a league where players are kept forever with no cost, would Braun+Ellsbury+Wainwright be a good price for you to trade him away? |
| 2:01 |
: No. nononononono
|
| 2:01 |
Seriously, is there anyone else besides Miggy who gets doubled off there? |
| 2:01 |
: Bengie Molina? Me?
|
| 2:01 |
You havent seen Billy Butler play? |
| 2:01 |
rajai davis |
| 2:01 |
: Yes. But the majority of them are catchers and/or not people who are compensated for their services as an athlete.
|
| 2:02 |
Kendrys Morales gets doubled up there. |
| 2:02 |
Jose Molina for sure gets doubled there. |
| 2:02 |
Billy Butler would have been doubled off without it being close |
| 2:02 |
pat burrell slowest player ever |
| 2:02 |
Nobody, not even Jonathan Schoop, has such small hands. |
| 2:02 |
: I don’t know who that’s referencing.
|
| 2:02 |
: So, yeah, catchers and DHs and bloggers.
|
| 2:02 |
: Johnson, you’re killing me.
|
| 2:03 |
: How are you ever going to survive socialite cocktail parties without references to modern literature?
|
| 2:04 |
: mmm, there’s no table of data. I don’t understand.
|
| 2:05 |
I have tickets to game 4 of the BAL/DETL ALDS and it’s going to be 42 and raining, but who cares PLAYOFFS |
| 2:05 |
: Yes, your unbridled enthusiasm is a joy for us all.
|
| 2:05 |
I always feel dumb after reading poetry because I never understand it. |
| 2:06 |
: Most poems (98-99%) are bad. And even the good ones are taught poorly.
|
| 2:06 |
: Right. Seriously, where is the table of data?
|
| 2:06 |
video seems like it would be low in nutritional value and taste bad. I don’t think Jeff should eat it. |
| 2:07 |
: Jeff lives in Kansas. It’s likely his diet isn’t entirely ideal to begin with.
|
| 2:07 |
: Jeff has an algorithm that can convert it into a nutritious foam.
|
| 2:07 |
: Oh here’s Anibal Sanchez warming.
|
| 2:08 |
How afraid is Ausmus about going to the ‘pen today? |
| 2:08 |
: I don’t know that, but having Anibal Sanchez back there isn’t so bad.
|
| 2:08 |
: He’s had an entire season to conquer his fears.
|
| 2:09 |
: Now he thrives on the unknown.
|
| 2:09 |
Any place where I can find all the Steamer 2015 projections in one place? |
| 2:10 |
: They don’t appear to be available yet, but I’d guess that Appelman will post them soon.
|
| 2:11 |
: Oh this is good. My broadcast is dying. I’m getting 1 second hiccups.
|
| 2:11 |
: My prediction of at least 6 O’s runs is looking better and better.
|
| 2:13 |
There was a feature in CiL that had the linescore of games available, which fangraphs used last year. Can you bring that back? |
| 2:13 |
: I will search for that.
|
| 2:13 |
DO people say ambush hitter? |
| 2:13 |
: TBS people perhaps.
|
| 2:14 |
: I feel like ambush hitter means “Pablo Sandoval before he was discovered to be Pablo Sandoval”
|
| 2:15 |
: Hark! There it is.
|
| 2:15 |
Sanchez in for the sixth? |
| 2:15 |
: Not now, I’d guess. But a short-ish leash for Verlander from now on.
|
| 2:16 |
: We’ll find out if he’s still warming. Guessing Sanchez has to go through his starter routine.
|
| 2:16 |
: Announcement: Please attach the phrase “but I don’t know what I’m talking about” to all the comments I mean that seem otherwise self-assured.
|
| 2:16 |
: More Gausman, more fastballs.
|
| 2:17 |
Crasnick just tweeted that Anibal sat down. |
| 2:17 |
: good that we have twitter
|
| 2:17 |
: This game should be broadcast by Siri reading select tweets
|
| 2:18 |
: More fastballs c/o Kevin Gausman.
|
| 2:18 |
: In a fight of power vs. power, power won.
|
| 2:19 |
: I’m still waiting for the map of social media mentions by state.
|
| 2:19 |
: The one where Rhode Island doesn’t count as a state.
|
| 2:19 |
: For the record: Gausman’s breaking ball DOESN’T seem to be his best pitch. Doesn’t appear — today, at least — to have the sort of bite you’d expect from someone with his armspeed.
|
| 2:19 |
Gausman 2015 closer? |
| 2:19 |
: That would be a waste, for the moment.
|
| 2:20 |
: Gausman would be a superb closer, but we believe a mediocre starter is often better than a closer.
|
| 2:20 |
: That was 99 from Gausman.
|
| 2:20 |
: Given that Britton is also a superb closer (in a very different way), it seems Gausman should start.
|
| 2:21 |
is Kevin Gausman elite? |
| 2:21 |
: 99 mph IS is an 80 on the 20-80 scale.
|
| 2:22 |
: Not elite, but he has the physical tools to be, which is something it’s impossible to say of almost everyone.
|
| 2:22 |
Is Ausmus going to blow this by leaving Verlander in too long because he doesn’t trust his pen? |
| 2:22 |
: If Sanchez is ready (and he appears to be warming up again) he shouldn’t have a problem making that particular switch.
|
| 2:22 |
: That’s a tricky question. By going to his pen too early, he could also blow it.
|
| 2:23 |
: Ausmus just needs to borrow the Phillies bullpen. They don’t need it.
|
| 2:23 |
What % of a players fame is based on having a disctinctive baseball appropriate sounding name? |
| 2:23 |
: That was Gausman’s forkball, I believe — and is pretty unfair in the context of his fastball.
|
| 2:23 |
: Not much. Case in point – Yhency Brazoban was not very famous.
|
| 2:24 |
I forgot Brazoban existed |
| 2:24 |
: Exactly. But his name is an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale
|
| 2:25 |
: #3 by my count.
|
| 2:25 |
: can anyone confirm?
|
| 2:25 |
Who do you think in the Tiger’s pen is the best suited for high leverage situations? |
| 2:25 |
: Anibal Sanchez, if he’s healthy. And then Joakim Soria, if he’s healthy.
|
| 2:25 |
: and I’m specifically referring to frequency of viagra commercials, not vomiting.
|
| 2:26 |
: Soria has me worried since his return. Not looking much better than the other wild cards in that pen.
|
| 2:26 |
Is it that difficult for a pitcher to develop a changeup? I saw in a chat the other day that Gausman needed a third pitch and they couldn’t figure what it would be. The suggestion was a cutter. But an elite fastball, forkball and a decent change-up (which with his fastball is all he needs) is good enough, no? |
| 2:27 |
: With the airing of every different ED commercial, I sigh with relief that I’m not watching this with my parents.
|
| 2:27 |
: Changeups are very mechnically dependent. It can take a LOT of work to find one, or it could come naturally.
|
| 2:27 |
Forkball and changeup serve largely the same purpose, no? |
| 2:27 |
: Also this is often true.
|
| 2:28 |
: But, yes, Gausman’s problem isn’t lack of a changeup. It’s the breaking ball. And, if a starter is going to lack a third pitch, probably better to lack the breaking ball.
|
| 2:28 |
Oh cool, since when was the boxscore thing a thing? I just got here, so I don’t know |
| 2:28 |
: It was the request of a reader.
|
| 2:29 |
: Where’s Rajai?
|
| 2:29 |
It seems that Gausman has that natural pronation judging from those fastballs and changeups. A slider would be a difficult pitch to throw, since it would need the arm to do something unnatural (for Gausman that is) |
| 2:29 |
: That seems like a reasonable explanation. I have no way of verifying its accuracy, but it seems reasonable.
|
| 2:29 |
anyone throw a spoonball |
| 2:30 |
in-chat boxscore is a cool idea but kinda problematic for those of us watching at work since it’s slightly ahead of the tbs.com livestream (for me at least) |
| 2:30 |
: You can minimize it with that triangle-icon button.
|
| 2:30 |
: yea that requires watching a LOT of video before we even attack the hypothesis
|
| 2:30 |
For those yearning for Rajai, remember he’s one of those rare speedy guys who is a terrible defender. |
| 2:30 |
: Yeah, relative to his footspeed he’s no great shakes.
|
| 2:31 |
: Also, he couldn’t run to first base.
|
| 2:31 |
Is quality starts the worst stat ever conceived to become somewhat popular? |
| 2:31 |
: They do annoy me. Worst is probably not accurate though.
|
| 2:31 |
: Wins are seemingly worse, no?
|
| 2:31 |
Saves are worse |
| 2:31 |
: Another arguable point.
|
| 2:31 |
Chances if the Nationals make the World Series, they wear Expos uniforms in honor? |
| 2:32 |
: Zero? It’d be fantastic, but zero.
|
| 2:32 |
: I believe that Anibal Sanchez will be very effective.
|
| 2:32 |
: Carson, before you got here, I suggested a winner-take-all scenario if the O’s and Nats met in the Series. “All” referring to control of MASN. thoughts?
|
| 2:33 |
: I would like to see you pitch it to MASN et al. That would be most amusing.
|
| 2:33 |
Does Sanchez finish the gaem? |
| 2:34 |
: “Gaem” is a word from Beowulf, isn’t it?
|
| 2:34 |
If Gausman is going to be in the pen from now on (might not be per se), think the Cubs could steal him too? Or has Baltimore learned their lesson? |
| 2:34 |
Sanchez slays seven thousand batters and fights the gaem hound. |
| 2:35 |
: RE: Gausman. Probably just the postseason. And only probably because he might still start. The Cubs won’t be getting him,
|
| 2:35 |
: Remember when the Rockies asked for Gausman in return for Jorge de la Rosa?
|
| 2:36 |
: Not what you’d call “hard” contact from Pearce.
|
| 2:36 |
GAEM is an acronym for GPS Anomalous Event Monitor. I’m not sure Sanchez is involved with that at all, but i can’t be sure. i don’t know his schedule |
| 2:36 |
: WE DON”T KNOW HIS SCHEDULE
|
| 2:37 |
: is that like not having a birth certificate? Should he be impeached? We’re talking about Obama, right?
|
| 2:38 |
: Health is a factor, of course, for Sanchez, but he’s an excellent starter and excellent starters become even better relievers, all things being equal.
|
| 2:38 |
The announcers seem to be suggesting that it was the Orioles plan to be down so they could have some sort of comeback story |
| 2:38 |
: Announcers do so love a good story.
|
| 2:38 |
: And protagonists always plan their hardships.
|
| 2:39 |
Why couldn’t batters destroy that kid in Rookie of the Year? He only threw fastballs. Even Aroldis Chapman goes to the slider. |
| 2:39 |
: Perhaps he worked up in the strike zone like Sean Doolittle.
|
| 2:40 |
Who would you take rest of career: gausman or Wacha? |
| 2:40 |
: Wacha, but not by a great deal.
|
| 2:40 |
: That’s a tough question. I like Wacha more, but Gausman is currently fully healthy.
|
| 2:41 |
I asked this last year, but nothing really changed. Wacha or COle? |
| 2:41 |
: Same answer.
|
| 2:41 |
If Sanchez does poorly here are we going to be in for an entire rest of the playoffs talking about how starters cant be relievers? |
| 2:41 |
: Perhaps, but it’s not happening yet!
|
| 2:41 |
: Woof, that glove side corner is tough this game.
|
| 2:42 |
Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that Octavio Dotel has retired from baseball. |
| 2:42 |
: This didn’t already happen?
|
| 2:42 |
What’s the correct pronunciation of Gausman? I’ve heard “Goss-man”, “Gows-man”, and “Gauze-man”, to mention a few. |
| 2:43 |
: Just say Gas Man. It’s descriptive.
|
| 2:43 |
what mph is sanchez at |
| 2:44 |
: the velocity reading is literally in 0.5 font from where I’m sitting. So I don’t know. Nor am I inclined to open up gameday
|
| 2:44 |
Fredi Gonzalez will be back next year with ATL. Thoughts? |
| 2:44 |
: Short leash possibly. That’s a weird roster as it is. They need to discover a JD Martinez.
|
| 2:45 |
: It’s hard to blame him for their struggles, but he’s not my favorite manager either.
|
| 2:45 |
what should be done to make baseball games longer? |
| 2:45 |
: Ball/Strike replays on close pitches.
|
| 2:47 |
7th inning stretch to include full yoga session |
| 2:47 |
So Ryan Braun had “cryotherapy”… is this the first step to having Robocop type players? |
| 2:47 |
: Performance Enhancing Bioenhancements.
|
| 2:48 |
you guys looking forward to the a-rod comeback tour? |
| 2:49 |
: I so love reading a thousand tortured stories about A-Rod.
|
| 2:49 |
Will Schoop improve with respect to contact rate, or is he destined for lowOBP wit some pop? |
| 2:49 |
: You know, this is something I plan to look into in more depth this postseason. His pop is exciting. But I’ve seen a lot of foul home runs, which isn’t always a good sign.
|
| 2:49 |
: by postseason I mean offseason
|
| 2:50 |
that play by hardy was not nearly as exciting as they made it seem |
| 2:50 |
: The excitement has consistently been about 50% higher than warranted.
|
| 2:51 |
: I mean sure, a leadoff single in the third is great, but let’s not announce it with the same verve as a grand slam
|
| 2:52 |
: So, perhaps Gausman should have started, as several of us initially hypothesized.
|
| 2:52 |
Why are foul HR’s not a good thing? |
| 2:53 |
: Could indicate some mechanical issues
|
| 2:53 |
: if their best power is 50 feet left of the pole
|
| 2:53 |
So Wily Mo Pena |
| 2:54 |
: Glen Allen Hill is another fun name to remember along that line.
|
| 2:54 |
to be fair, willy mo pena was great in some baseball video game i used to play |
| 2:54 |
: If you just take his tools, Pena should have been a stud. Didn’t all tie together.
|
| 2:55 |
4 years of josh donaldson for 6+ of Kris Bryant? |
| 2:55 |
: If Wily could ask for just belt-high fastballs like in the 1865 version of baseball, he would be among the game’s best hiters.
|
| 2:55 |
: The A’s probably wish. I’ve heard crazier ideas.
|
| 2:55 |
: *hitters
|
| 2:55 |
: Yes. He came to beisbol just a bit too late.
|
| 2:56 |
: Of course, the likelihood of a Dominican playing baseball in the US in 1865 is small.
|
| 2:56 |
You guys ever see this quote: Well, this year I’m told the team did well because one pitcher had a fine curve ball. I understand that a curve ball is thrown with a deliberate attempt to deceive. Surely this is not an ability we should want to foster at Harvard. |
| 2:56 |
: Yes! That regards Candy Cummings, I believe — who was NOT an adult film star.
|
| 2:57 |
CiL just told me Gausman pitching for Detroit and Kinsler batting for Baltimore |
| 2:57 |
: Go drunk, CiL, you’re home.
|
| 2:57 |
: Pena hit 31 home runs in Japan this year, as several commenters really want us to post.
|
| 2:58 |
Should Anibal sanchez just pitch the rest of this game? |
| 2:58 |
: Yes. Probably.
|
| 2:58 |
: In fact, Ausmus “needs to ride Sanchez” per TBS
|
| 2:59 |
Does this chat just smoothly segue into the next game? |
| 2:59 |
: No, we expect overlap and therefore much yelling.
|
| 2:59 |
:
 Here’s the Tigers bullpen sorted by projected FIP. Note the bump Sanchez gets from going to bullpen. |
| 3:00 |
: Oh, hey. Let’s baseball.
|
| 3:00 |
: speaking of overlap
|
| 3:00 |
: Mikey Baseballs.
|
| 3:00 |
The curveball quote is from Charles William Eliot. |
| 3:02 |
: The main problem with the Tigers bullpen, it would appear, is the allocation of the highest-leverage innings to Joe Nathan. And Soria not throwing like Soria. But mostly Nathan.
|
| 3:02 |
: AA and Joba are rather inconsistent as well.
|
| 3:02 |
: Also that their pitchers are bad at baseball.
|
| 3:04 |
This paleontologist is telling me to take some sort of pharmaceutical |
| 3:04 |
What is the requirement to be able to watch the fox1 games? |
| 3:04 |
: A TV that receives FS1?
|
| 3:04 |
: Or a relative who receives FS1 on his TV and also gives you his sign-in info?
|
| 3:05 |
Maybe I am just strange here, but I really don’t care if my team wins a world series. I just like watching good baseball. |
| 3:05 |
: Here’s a rundown of streaming options: http://awfulannouncing.com/…
|
| 3:06 |
No MLBTV option? |
| 3:06 |
: Is that a link to an ad for medication that will help with an enlarged prostate? Because such a medication would ALSO create streaming options.
|
| 3:06 |
: MLBtv never has game feeds in the postseason. Best you can do is postseason.TV, which is the alt camera angles.
|
| 3:06 |
Seems like Ausmus told Tiger beat writers (as opposed to Tiger Beat writers) that Sanchez would be available to pitch for 1, maybe 2 innings… and just like that, Joba is up. |
| 3:06 |
mlb.tv only if you’re overseas |
| 3:07 |
: And/or know how to set up a proxy server
|
| 3:07 |
Does Canada count as overseas? |
| 3:07 |
: No
|
| 3:08 |
: That’s only over a bunch of Great Lakes.
|
| 3:08 |
Right but even Postseason TV is blocked? |
| 3:08 |
: Oh good, in case you were sad about missing the Big Bang Threory, it’s on tomorrow at 7
|
| 3:09 |
Isn’t it kind of dubious for the MLB to sell the rights to playoff games to TV networks not everyone gets? Considering how much team revenue is local TV deals, aren’t they better off using the playoffs as a promotional opportunity for next season than alienating their customers by putting games on FS1, even if they have to take a little less money? |
| 3:09 |
: See, that last line is the answer to your question.
|
| 3:10 |
Worse move: Ventura instead of Finnegan, Collins instead of Holland, or Joba instead of Sanchez? |
| 3:10 |
: Ventura
|
| 3:10 |
: Stras starts with 97, 98, 98. That’ll work.
|
| 3:11 |
: The reader will note that currently TWO GAMES are being liveblog-ged.
|
| 3:11 |
: Cabrera shouldn’t have tried to score.
|
| 3:11 |
: No he should not have.
|
| 3:12 |
Liveblog 2: The Livebloggening |
| 3:12 |
: Not a bad pitch, really, by Gausman. Changeup low and just off outside corner of zone.
|
| 3:12 |
Is that a TOOTBLAN or just a solid throw? |
| 3:12 |
: Oh ha ha. Gausman runs out of gas.
|
| 3:12 |
: TOOT
|
| 3:13 |
: The N in that particular acronym might be the third-base coach.
|
| 3:13 |
Was Cabrera waved home or did he go on his own accord? |
| 3:13 |
: Anyone know yet? Or do we need more videos?
|
| 3:13 |
: That was not sufficiently investigated by the broadcast team
|
| 3:14 |
: So it turns out that having Stephen Strasburg in the playoffs is a thing you want.
|
| 3:14 |
: I’m upset. I’m used to paneling games on my screen. Now I can only watch one at a time.
|
| 3:15 |
Does Miguel Cabrera secretly think he’s Terrence Gore? |
| 3:15 |
: He wouldn’t reveal that secret in the DS, would he?
|
| 3:15 |
: Dave Clark “sending Cabrera,” according to broadcast.
|
| 3:17 |
: If anyone wants to calculate difference in RE24 between 2nd and 3rd, 0 out and just 2nd with 1 out, I’ll gladly post that.
|
| 3:18 |
: It would have been so weird to tell someone in July that Jake Peavy would be starting Game 1 of a playoff series.
|
| 3:18 |
NL games are only on FS1, right? |
| 3:18 |
: today, yes. Tomorrow, the LA/STL is on MLBnet
|
| 3:18 |
: If you had a time machine, would you use it to go back and tell Jake Peavy that, or kill Hitler?
|
| 3:19 |
: Could I send Jake Peavy to kill Hitler, then have Jeremy Renner make a movie about it?
|
| 3:19 |
It’d be easier to kill Hitler’s parents. Haven’t you ever seen Terminator 1? |
| 3:20 |
: that didn’t end up being easy at all
|
| 3:20 |
: Go to July, tell Jake Peavy he’d start in NLDS.
|
| 3:21 |
: Please recognize that Jake Peavy might decline the opportunity to time travel and kill Hitler.
|
| 3:21 |
Rendon or Harper next year only? |
| 3:21 |
Kill Hitler with a fastball btwn the eyes? |
| 3:21 |
: Rendon. I believe Anthony Rendon will be the NL MVP next year. This I believe.
|
| 3:21 |
: we didn’t send Kirk Gibson
|
| 3:22 |
MGL says RE change on the TOOTBLAN is 1.3 runs. And adds “Can there be a bigger mistake in a baseball game?” |
| 3:22 |
: Wow. That’s a lot of runs on a weird dalliance by Clark/Cabrera to see if he could score.
|
| 3:23 |
If you could send any active player back in time to kill Hitler, who would you be have most confidence in to complete the mission? |
| 3:23 |
: Donald Lutz
|
| 3:24 |
What if Jake Peavy already went back in time to kill Hitler?! |
| 3:24 |
: And is also a member of Wyld Stallyns now?
|
| 3:25 |
Come on guys, we all know Brad Pitt is the guy for this job. He also GM’s the A’s so it ties in. |
| 3:25 |
Zack Greinke! He wouldn’t even flinch at it. |
| 3:25 |
Miguel Montero |
| 3:25 |
I wouldn’t kill Hitler. Then Stalin would invade and conquer the rest of Europe. Source: Command and Conquer Red Alert |
| 3:25 |
: Fact: I played many, many, many hours of Red Alert II. DOLPHINS.
|
| 3:26 |
: Good on Peavy to work his way back from 3-0 to whiff LaRoche, there.
|
| 3:26 |
Silos needed. |
| 3:27 |
: The broadcast crew hated that breaking ball. I thought it was fine.
|
| 3:27 |
: “Go kill Hitler,” they’re chanting in Baltimore.
|
| 3:28 |
: Steve Pearce! Great success! Brothers hugging brothers!
|
| 3:28 |
: Right, and Ausmus is the problem.
|
| 3:29 |
: “that was when hitting was hitting.” And other tidbits of nonsense. Brought to you by TBS
|
| 3:29 |
Is Brad Ausmus the dumbest Ivy Leaguer Ever? Why Joba again why? |
| 3:29 |
: It’s only Dartmouth. Let’s not get carried away.
|
| 3:31 |
Fernando Perez would NEVER manage this poorly! |
| 3:31 |
I was in the car when it happened- did the 3b coach wave Miggy in or did he run through a stop sign? |
| 3:31 |
: Coach sent him.
|
| 3:31 |
Should have ridden Sanchez |
| 3:32 |
: Highest LI of the game right now: http://www.fangraphs.com/li….
|
| 3:32 |
: Joakim Soria wants no part of JJ Hardy.
|
| 3:32 |
: is the story
|
| 3:33 |
: ok, now he’s willing to take some parts of Hardy
|
| 3:33 |
: But not enough of the parts.
|
| 3:33 |
: Delmon Young sighting!
|
| 3:34 |
: Delmon Young is going to end the game now.
|
| 3:34 |
The quicker Delmon ends the game, the quicker he can go back and kill Hitler |
| 3:35 |
In case you were wondering what the most useless stat was, Joba got a “hold” for his performance. |
| 3:35 |
: a shutdown hold?
|
| 3:35 |
: Delmon Young, Hero. Like everyone said.
|
| 3:35 |
: smashed, bases clearing double
|
| 3:35 |
stop it. |
| 3:35 |
DELMON YOUNG |
| 3:35 |
: That was bananas. It was hundred-thousand bananas.
|
| 3:35 |
W. O. W. |
| 3:36 |
I would rather face 2004 Barry Bonds than Delmon Young in a clutch spot in the postseason. |
| 3:38 |
: So game story is plays at the plate? Cabrera out in a big spot, Hardy safe.
|
| 3:38 |
What are they chanting? |
| 3:38 |
So, Strasburg is kind of lights-out right now. |
| 3:38 |
: “Kill Hitler now!”
|
| 3:38 |
I feel bad for Ausmus. What is he supposed to do? There are literally no good options! |
| 3:38 |
: People forget this. Ausmus makes mistakes, but that BP is really, really bad.
|
| 3:39 |
“HIT-LER DIES! HIT-LER DIES!” It even has “Hit.” in it. |
| 3:39 |
: The citizens of Baltimore are united in their dislike for Adolf Hitler.
|
| 3:39 |
HOT TAKE: adolf hitler is bad |
| 3:39 |
: I burnt myself on that comment, owing to the heat.
|
| 3:40 |
: Stop trying to tell us what the fans are chanting. We already know it’s about hitler
|
| 3:40 |
: I wonder if it would have made a difference had Romine made the cut from left field instead of Kinsler. I’d assume that his arm is better.
|
| 3:41 |
They usually chant “Let’s go O’s” |
| 3:41 |
: “Let’s go O’s… keep objecting to the atrocities propagated by Hitler.”
|
| 3:42 |
Maybe next year MLB can start Stand Up to Hitler, a program which raises money to build a time machine. |
| 3:42 |
huh, tigers don’t actually have that many meltdowns, just the lowest amount of shutdowns |
| 3:43 |
: Trust us, it’s a bad bullpen. Part of the issue is that Joba and AA were really good for most of the year, then turned really bad.
|
| 3:44 |
: Bryce Harper was displeased about that pop up
|
| 3:44 |
Kinsler has been great on relay throws all year – I’m assuming that is why Romine let him have it. That throw was mediocre at best, though. |
| 3:44 |
I see this live baseball blog has again demonstrated the ubiquity of Godwin’s Law, thanks Carson. |
| 3:45 |
: I endeavor, at all times, to obey all laws.
|
| 3:45 |
I just got in what is up with all the hitler talk? |
| 3:45 |
Baltimore chant was “We won’t stop”, their postseason marketing slogan. |
| 3:45 |
: I actually missed the impetus too, as I sat editing a brief about abortion in Zambia.
|
| 3:46 |
: So, much cheerier, then?
|
| 3:46 |
: something like that.
|
| 3:46 |
Jake Peavy has vowed to build a time machine to go back in time and kill Hitler |
| 3:46 |
“We won’t stop……our attempts to end hitler’s atrocities before they begin.” |
| 3:46 |
: Peavy does not have pinpoint control today, and that’s worrisome for him.
|
| 3:47 |
What the hell happened to Soria in the past two months? He was having a top-10 relief season, and then absolutely imploded. |
| 3:47 |
I will allow you to reconsider: Ventura rather than Finnegan, Collins rather than Holland or Joba rather than Sanchez. |
| 3:47 |
: these all seem bad
|
| 3:47 |
: Injury, was iffy beforehand and never really came all the way back
|
| 3:47 |
: Left-hander throwing 97 mph. And guy dutifully noting it in scorebook before celebrating.
|
| 3:47 |
: I still say Ventura.
|
| 3:48 |
Why are baseball players such disgusting gum chewers? |
| 3:48 |
: I, for one, cannot play baseball whilst chewing gum. I can play while eating sunflower seeds, which is seemingly harder.
|
| 3:49 |
: Zach Britton: 13% swinging-strike rate on his fastball this year: http://www.fangraphs.com/pi…
|
| 3:49 |
: That’s high.
|
| 3:49 |
: Britton is pretty friggin awesome.
|
| 3:49 |
: His ground ball rate is about 122%. Also O’s win.
|
| 3:50 |
: So, that O’s / Royals ALCS should be fun.
|
| 3:50 |
: The people of Baltimore embrace each other. Hitler has been vanquished! We build a time machine!
|
| 3:50 |
: ok, it’s been fun, but that’s my cue to find the door. Enjoy Strasmas.
|
| 3:50 |
How you feeling about your O’s for 6 runs now, Brad? 😉 |
| 3:50 |
is the orioles bullpen *that* good? I have a bandwagon friend whos freaking out about them. i mean sndrew miller but who else.. |
| 3:50 |
: Zach Britton seems pretty good, you know.
|
| 3:51 |
: Seems like I was about spot on
|
| 3:51 |
I kind of wonder why Britton’s swStr is so high but his K% is kinda middling |
| 3:52 |
So when Detroit loses on Sunday how long will it take for Ausmus to get fired? 10 minutes? 5 minutes? 2 minutes? |
| 3:52 |
: he won’t be.
|
| 3:52 |
: That’s a reasonable query. Sequencing of swinging strikes, is the answer. But either it’s because of randomness or some inherent flaw.
|
| 3:53 |
What is considered an above average swinging strike rate? |
| 3:53 |
: 5.4% for two-seamers. This is a great post from Eno on that topic: http://www.fangraphs.com/fa…
|
| 3:54 |
Hey Mike, why in the world is Carlos Frias on the Dodgers’ playoff roster? |
| 3:54 |
: Mattingly likes his “versatility,” even though he isn’t good. Guess the uncertainty over Ryu lends itself to a multiple innings guy.
|
| 3:55 |
Is Frias the fourth starter? |
| 3:55 |
: No. Dan Haren is.
|
| 3:55 |
: I’d much prefer to write a bland, unsightful comment about Stephen Strasburg’s fastball than actually face it in a baseball game.
|
| 3:56 |
Challenge! |
| 3:56 |
: Looked safe at 2B to me.
|
| 3:56 |
: Yes, do that. Safe.
|
| 3:58 |
Are beards the next market inefficiency? |
| 3:58 |
| 4:00 |
: Lots of actual baseball writers talking about postseason ERAs over about 1.2 innings
|
| 4:01 |
You can draft Alex Rodriguez and control him for his entire career eleventy billion dollars or kick a small, innocent dog. Which objectionable choice inspiring the hatred of millions is yours? |
| 4:01 |
: At least you get *some* value out of A-Rod
|
| 4:02 |
Delmon Young, in 1 AB, had a WPA of .501. |
| 4:03 |
: Strasburg always looks like the most dominant pitcher around, and yet runs still come in.
|
| 4:03 |
: I don’t know what cognitive dissonance is, but I think that’s probably a way to describe Strasburgh conceding a run before Jake Peavy in this game.
|
| 4:04 |
: *Strasburg
|
| 4:04 |
: It’s the third inning of Game 1, and the broadcast is talking about potential series MVPs
|
| 4:05 |
You ever been to Strasbourg during your time in Farance, Carson? |
| 4:06 |
: Not, but one can find something called flammekueche there, I believe, and that food tastes good.
|
| 4:06 |
And the comment was that Panik’s four hits were more valuable than the Crawford HR. Suddenly there is a new contender for TBS’ title. |
| 4:08 |
Would you rather watch Barry Bonds have 27 outs against some triple a guy, or Pedro Martinez? Caveat, Pedro Martinez and Barry Bonds right now. |
| 4:08 |
: how about Bonds v Pedro, right now?
|
| 4:09 |
just got here and i am so happy that you are doing a chat idk why |
| 4:09 |
 It’s bacon pizza with creme fraiche, basically. |
| 4:10 |
: Surrealist Denard Span’s favorite saying: “It is what it ISN’T.”
|
| 4:10 |
is this a baseball chat? |
| 4:10 |
: in theory!
|
| 4:11 |
My favorite sports cliche is: It ain’t over until one team has more runs than the other and the required amount of outs has been recorded |
| 4:11 |
Carson, I don’t fully understand what your job is? |
| 4:11 |
: Let’s put this on Carson’s tombstone
|
| 4:12 |
Who let Carson’s parents into the chat? |
| 4:13 |
: Alternatively, on the tombstone: Never fully understood what his job was.
|
| 4:13 |
did joe mauer hit a ball into the yankee stadium corner, in the playoffs? |
| 4:13 |
: that was the one phil cuzzi botched the foul call on, no?
|
| 4:14 |
: Of note: Anthony Rendon will be the NL MVP next season.
|
| 4:14 |
Too many people outside of FGs are now talking about an Orioles sweep. They still have to face Price, Porcello, and Scherzer again. I’m still worried, just less so. |
| 4:14 |
rob too is logical |
| 4:14 |
What do commentators like more: shadows or anything else? |
| 4:15 |
Not trying to hate on the postseason managing…. but I’ve seen smarter decision making in a Sons of Anarchy episode thus far (in the playoffs) |
| 4:15 |
: I am watching this out of obligation. Should have ended two years ago.
|
| 4:16 |
I’m at a catholic wedding ceremony right now. Really appreciate this right now. Thanks guys |
| 4:16 |
: I asked Dustin Pedroia last year if the shadows at this time of year affected him. His amusing, if not entirely logical, response: “It’s El Nino. You gotta watch out for El Nino.” Something like that.
|
| 4:16 |
If Nats make the World Series, does Frank Underwood throw out the first pitch? |
| 4:16 |
: clearly, you didn’t see Kevin Spacey’s throwing motion in that ep
|
| 4:18 |
I’m with Sullivan on this, there has been poor managing but the onus in on the players, there have been some very poor performances in critical spots. |
| 4:19 |
Inexperienced managers is the new market inefficiency. |
| 4:19 |
: but they’re the hot trend!
|
| 4:21 |
If you’re Ausmus, do you remove your bullpen from the equation all together and try to go starter for 5, Porcello for 2, Sanchez for 2? |
| 4:21 |
: even if that made sense, we all know there’s no way a manager would do that.
|
| 4:21 |
Sandoval looks unathletic until he moves. Pence just the opposite. I find it strangely amusing watching them bat back to back. |
| 4:23 |
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think. |
| 4:23 |
: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
|
| 4:24 |
No guarantee Panda returns to SF? |
| 4:24 |
: why would that be a guarantee?
|
| 4:24 |
Who should Cle try to sign? |
| 4:24 |
: someone who can catch the ball would be nice.
|
| 4:25 |
Funny you should say that considering who Headley was traded for |
| 4:25 |
: Certainly, his better play w NYY helped his market a bit.
|
| 4:25 |
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think. |
| 4:25 |
: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
|
| 4:25 |
I can’t wait to see what Pablo gets on the FA market. Its could go any number of ways I think. |
| 4:25 |
: with him, Hanley, Headley, this is a great 3B market for teams.
|
| 4:26 |
Plus look for Donaldson to hit the trade market. |
| 4:26 |
: I would be very surprised by that.
|
| 4:27 |
will Hanley definitely play 3rd? |
| 4:27 |
: Nothing is definite, but why would any team let him still play ss?
|
| 4:27 |
Stephen Strasburg is going to finish his career with over 70 WAR and still people will say, “dang this guy was a let down” with a very sad tone of voice |
| 4:29 |
: If the Nats lose this, Strasburg is going to eat the blame, but the offense can’t let themselves get shut down by Peavy.
|
| 4:31 |
Am I right that the underdog has won every game of the playoffs so far (including wildcard games)? And on course for the same in the Nationals/Giants game. |
| 4:31 |
: depends how you define that. KC was the home team for AL WC.
|
| 4:31 |
The Giants might play the most boring good baseball I’ve ever seen. |
| 4:31 |
Donaldson on the market would be unsurprising given Billy B’s m.o. |
| 4:31 |
: Sure. But he’s cheap, productive in an offense that needs it, and in a 3B market that has other options.
|
| 4:32 |
: Hell of a play by 2015 MVP Rendon.
|
| 4:33 |
Strasburg can’t get a K to save his life |
| 4:33 |
: one K through 4, given the way he came out throwing, is surprising
|
| 4:34 |
I was able to get Rendon for K-Rod this year in my keeper league….so I’m loving this 2015 MVP Rendon talk. Just know I’m holding you personally responsible if he doesn’t get it. |
| 4:34 |
: I don’t play much fantasy anymore, but that seems like a criminal trade
|
| 4:34 |
As a Nats fan I can’t tell you how much it sickens me that most other Nats fans think of Harper as the superstar on this team, when Rendon is far and above the superior player. |
| 4:34 |
: Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t yet 22. Harper isn’t ye–
|
| 4:35 |
How much fantasy is “much fantasy?” |
| 4:35 |
: next year is probably 0 leagues. Maybe 1.
|
| 4:36 |
As a Nats fan I can tell you that it sickens me that most other Nats fans expect Harper to be better than Mike Trout |
| 4:37 |
as a nats fan it sickens me |
| 4:38 |
: What are you looking at there, Jayson?
|
| 4:39 |
i thought that was a ball, no? |
| 4:39 |
: perhaps, but tough to watch on 3-2.
|
| 4:39 |
: Adam LaRoche played the next-door neighbor in 1989 Tom Hanks vehicle The ‘Burbs.
|
| 4:40 |
Has there been any work done on whether certain counts are more susceptible framing effects? Feels like you see a 3-2 pitch like that successfully framed more frequently than on other counts. |
| 4:40 |
: I’m not aware of one, but I would love to read it if one exists.
|
| 4:41 |
: Seriously though, the Nats are going to get a hit at some point, right?
|
| 4:41 |
:
 LaRoche as Hans Klopek. |
| 4:42 |
I see the resemblance |
| 4:42 |
the strike zone expands in hitter-friendly counts and shrinks in pitcher-friendly counts |
| 4:43 |
: Yes, what Jayson said. I believe that’s what the research indicates. The influence of framing relative to those counts appears to be unexamined.
|
| 4:43 |
did everybody’s cable go out briefly there or just mine |
| 4:43 |
: here, too.
|
| 4:43 |
announcers always talk about shut down innings after your offense scores. don’t you always want not to give up runs, regardless of what inning it is? where did that cliche come from? |
| 4:44 |
: Only TBS ever says it, ever.
|
| 4:45 |
: You know what: I enjoy these Rob Lowe commercials. They’re entertaining.
|
| 4:45 |
: Players are pretty good at reporting the psychology of player-hood. It’s probably dispiriting to concede a run just after scoring one. How it influences wins/losses (beyond giving up a run) is probably not that much.
|
| 4:45 |
They talk about shutdown innings on blue jays broadcasts a lot too. It’s annoying |
| 4:45 |
Maybe Kershaw always thinks his team just scored and needs to throw a shutdown inning |
| 4:46 |
At what point should I just give up and welcome our satanic overlords now that the giants are winning again? |
| 4:46 |
: It’s Game 1.
|
| 4:47 |
thanks, mike |
| 4:47 |
: any time.
what’d i do? |
| 4:47 |
Jake Peavy looks like he was just in a huge fight |
| 4:47 |
: … all of the time.
|
| 4:48 |
Would you rather see the Giants or the Nats in the NLCS? |
| 4:48 |
: Giants / Dodgers would probably bring on the end of the planet.
|
| 4:48 |
The idea behind a “Shutdown Inning” is probably that you can better psychologically demoralize the other team if you crush their hitting after crushing their pitching. It is probably an extremely small effect, but possibly gets larger in certain situations (I imagine it is more demoralizing in, say, the 8th down by 1). It probably has a fairly small effect regardless. |
| 4:49 |
Jake Peavy was just in a huge fight, with Hitler. Please try to keep up with the chat. |
| 4:49 |
: Pizza Cutter did an analysis on shutdown innings at BP, and found, mostly, that they were useless.
|
| 4:49 |
: Except for how they prevented a run/runs, I assume.
|
| 4:49 |
I can’t help but wonder if Washington was overrated. After all, they were in the NL’s weakest division. |
| 4:49 |
: based on 4+ innings?
|
| 4:49 |
Do you think we’ll ever see a pitcher win all of his ~30 games in a given season? |
| 4:49 |
: of course not.
|
| 4:50 |
Were the Tigers remiss in not addressing bullpen issues via trade or was this a surprise development? |
| 4:50 |
: one might argue that they did get the best reliever moved this summer, via trade
|
| 4:51 |
: I’m glad I don’t have to broadcast this playoff game. The narratives one is compelled to generate and develop are tiresome. Plus: no beer.
|
| 4:51 |
Here is MVP Joe Panik |
| 4:52 |
: It’s entirely possible that someone on Panik’s father’s side of the family actually has the initials MVP.
|
| 4:52 |
Is the TIgers bullpen bad enough they should have gotten more than that best reliever? |
| 4:52 |
: don’t trade Fister, and maybe Smyly is in that bullpen.
|
| 4:52 |
: Marvin Victor Panik, for example. Or Milton Vincent Panik.
|
| 4:53 |
I still don’t understand WHY they traded Fister. What was the goal there? |
| 4:53 |
Seriously, was there ever a good explanation for letting Fister go like that?? |
| 4:54 |
is the tigers’ bullpen better or worse than the dodgers’ bullpen? |
| 4:54 |
: both bad, but Jansen > Nathan, so, there’s that.
|
| 4:54 |
: I believe it was a financial consideration. Fister was arb eligible.
|
| 4:54 |
: They also seemed to really like Robbie Ray.
|
| 4:56 |
: 97 mph, at the top of the zone, is a fun pitch.
|
| 4:56 |
But isn’t Detroit not really in need of cutting money? |
| 4:57 |
: They spend quite a bit, but they were looking to re-sign Cabrera, and probably also had thoughts of re-signing Scherzer.
|
| 4:58 |
: Lord, that Cabrera contract is so, so bad.
|
| 5:00 |
The Cabrera contract: twice as bad as the Howard deal, or worse? |
| 5:00 |
: Far better player, obviously, but so much longer.
|
| 5:00 |
Who was the best bad-ball hitter? I’ll put some money down on Vladdy. |
| 5:01 |
: Here’s how I’d find out, if I weren’t currently participating in an online chat: find the highest BABIPs on per O-Contact.
|
| 5:01 |
: Something like that.
|
| 5:02 |
Will washington get a hit this inning? |
| 5:02 |
: yes!
|
| 5:03 |
: Way to kill that rally, Ramos. And not in the good way.
|
| 5:04 |
: That appears to be something along the lines of what Jake Peavye is talking about.
|
| 5:04 |
Wait, how did I miss that Cabrera contract????? Some number of years in advance, for 8 years starting with his age 33, for 31MM AAV?!?!??! OMFG |
| 5:04 |
: *Peavy
|
| 5:06 |
: We’re not even halfway through baseball today. Best day.
|
| 5:07 |
: This is a sort of day that invites a net calorie surplus.
|
| 5:07 |
Didn’t have class today, so I woke up at 11:30, grabbed some lunch, got back in time for baseball, and will have it on until 1-2 tomorrow morning. Today is incredible. |
| 5:08 |
The thing about the Tigers bullpen is that at the start of spring training, it didn’t look a total dumpster fire. You figured Nathan at even diminished capacity would be solid enough. Bruce Rondon was looking like the answer to all the rookie fireballers every other team comes up with. Alburqueurque had more or less established himself as usually reliable. Ian Krol certainly seemed like he could lefties out, at least. |
| 5:08 |
: Sure. And Joba looked great in the first half. This wasn’t entirely due to lack of planning.
|
| 5:09 |
Question out of left field (Literally! Ha!): what do you two think will be Bryce Harper’s single-season career high fWAR? Will he ever get as high as Trout’s career high? |
| 5:09 |
: 7. No.
|
| 5:09 |
: This Stephen Strasburg is more vincible than the unreasonably talented one I’ve concocted in my mind.
|
| 5:10 |
Can Strasburg harness the power of echolocation with those ears? |
| 5:11 |
: Strasburg is more directly related to the fruit bat, or flying fox. They depend on scent and sight.
|
| 5:11 |
think the giants will try to re-sign peavy? |
| 5:11 |
: Maybe. Lots of questions about that rotation.
|
| 5:12 |
Exactly, Joba was a wild card who actually looked he had paid off. That’s why as tempting as it is to say Dombrowski screwed up putting together a bullpen, the bigger non-player issue in the postseason is Ausmus failing to adapt to facts on the ground that Dombrowski just can’t do anything more about at this point. |
| 5:12 |
: Ausmus’ choices are a huge problem, but Job turning back into a pumpkin doesn’t seem to be his fault.
|
| 5:12 |
Pick any single baseball player and ask will this player post a 10+ WAR season in the future. The answer is always no. Even for Trout. |
| 5:12 |
This is execution by BABIP |
| 5:13 |
Strasburg’s issue is that he couldn’t miss bats. He averaged 10.5 K/9. He had 2 today in 5+ innings. For whatever reason he couldn’t put guys away and even though they didn’t crush him by any stretch, the balls found holes. Don’t have to worry about BABIP luck if you whiff them. |
| 5:13 |
: Hard to argue with that.
|
| 5:13 |
: Try, though, Mike.
|
| 5:13 |
How much does “veteran presence” actually mean in the postseason? Can experienced players really tame their feelings and emotions that much? |
| 5:13 |
: I vividly remember the Angels losing the 2002 Series because rookie K-Rod couldn’t handle the pressure.
|
| 5:14 |
Will Trout post a 10+ WAR season in the future? |
| 5:14 |
: no.
|
| 5:15 |
Blevins? The last arm to make the roster? Is Williams conceding the game? |
| 5:15 |
: I wouldn’t think so. More likely trying to get Ishikawa out with runners on first and second.
|
| 5:15 |
.160 for LHH vs. Blevins |
| 5:17 |
: Blevins! Onions! Blevins!
|
| 5:17 |
Jerry Blevins: most old person name in the majors? |
| 5:17 |
: I don’t love letting Peavy hitting here.
|
| 5:18 |
: What DO you love, Mike? You’re as a cold as damn ice.
|
| 5:18 |
: I love bunts, obviously.
|
| 5:18 |
He loves 2015 MVP Anthony Rendon |
| 5:18 |
: 2015 MVP!
|
| 5:20 |
Mike, given Haren’s 2nd half production and Ryu’s injury, did the Dodgers make the right move in not pursuing Peavy? |
| 5:20 |
: Yes. No one saw Peavy pitching this well.. Also, I believe that deal was done before Ryu got hurt.
|
| 5:22 |
Ugh. Hard to question Bochy in the postseason but letting Ishikawa and Peavy face Blevins seems like a mistake. |
| 5:23 |
Zimm time? |
| 5:23 |
: I would guess he is saved for a higher leverage spot
|
| 5:23 |
Kershaw pitches on short rest in game 4 if needed. Haren back up Ryu in game 3. |
| 5:23 |
: We’ll see. That’s far from certain.
|
| 5:24 |
: This now concludes the portion of the chat including imbecile Carson Cistulli. Mike Petriello is now the sole chat-ista. Thank you and good day.
|
| 5:24 |
: BYE CARSON
|
| 5:24 |
: BYE MIKE
|
| 5:24 |
Thank you Carson! This was highly entertaining. |
| 5:25 |
: Ok, let’s get weird
|
| 5:25 |
Goat wants me to ask when the Dark Lord Satan will be taking over the world |
| 5:25 |
: TOO WEIRD
|
| 5:26 |
Mike, do you think Mattingly will go with a consistent lineup or will Turner or Van Slyke sneak a start in? |
| 5:26 |
: No LH starters for Cards allow him to sidestep that question.
|
| 5:26 |
Leading off the 6th, down 2, is quite high leverage |
| 5:26 |
: Less about what I would do and more about what I would expect Williams to do. He’ll want RZim with men on base.
|
| 5:27 |
How many people in the chat? |
| 5:27 |
: More than 1000
|
| 5:27 |
Why isn’t the Kershaw-Wainwright game on prime time Fox instead of FS1? I imagine it would draw very good ratings |
| 5:27 |
: None of the DS games are on broadcast TV.
|
| 5:28 |
What’s the prevailing theory on why pitcher performance declines with each time through the order? Batters become more familiar/comfortable, pitchers lose stuff/velocity, what? |
| 5:28 |
: all of the above? Fatigue isn’t just slower speeds, it’s less bite on pitches, slightly worse ability to hit spots, etc.
|
| 5:28 |
I have been watching on mute thus far, so how have the Fox announcers been? |
| 5:28 |
: probably the least objectionable of the playoffs so far.
|
| 5:29 |
Will Zimmerman start at all this series? |
| 5:29 |
: Think I saw Williams say he would consider getting him in against Bumgarner.
|
| 5:29 |
Are Olive and Pepper still getting along? |
| 5:29 |
: yes! and we’re going to be in a book about it.
|
| 5:30 |
MGL says familiarity, not fatigue, is the primary driver behind the times through the order penalty. |
| 5:30 |
: fair, but he didn’t discount fatigue entirely, i would think?
|
| 5:30 |
: Can’t imagine Peavy has much of a leash here.
|
| 5:32 |
Currently 51 degrees F in StL. 96 F in LA. |
| 5:33 |
: This has to be Peavy’s last batter. Still not sure why he hit for himself in the last inning.
|
| 5:34 |
If Peavy can’t make it through at least 6, it really amplifies the error of letting him bat with multiple runners. Shoulda tried to break the game open, with Jake relatively near his endpoint…. |
| 5:34 |
Given how smart teams are starting to understand the “times through the order penalty” would we ever see teams going with say, (just spitballing here) a 4×2 rotations, with two starters splitting up the day the way Chen and Gausman did today, so that no batter would ever see a pitcher 3 times? |
| 5:34 |
: Does that mean 8 “starters”?
|
| 5:35 |
Yes 8 starters. Each game would get two starters go through the batting order twice before any relievers. |
| 5:35 |
: That is fascinating and also not a thing I can see a team doing, ever. Players like doing things that get them paid, and that would not help.
|
| 5:35 |
: HI MIKE
|
| 5:35 |
: ENO!
|
| 5:36 |
MVP |
| 5:36 |
Bochy always does this. I can’t even count how many times over the years he’s let a starter hit in a leverage spot and then had a fast hook the next inning |
| 5:36 |
: Wouldn’t say this is a “fast hook,” though.
|
| 5:37 |
Am I the only one who wants the Twins to get to the WS in future years just to see outdoor baseball in Minnesota in late October. |
| 5:37 |
: Also for the good people of Minnesota.
|
| 5:37 |
Is this a beer chat now? |
| 5:37 |
: It is what we want it to be. I’m drinking an Evil Twin saison. You?
|
| 5:37 |
Hopslam |
| 5:37 |
: uh you win
|
| 5:38 |
: Wife rolled in last night with Lagunitas. Yay, wife.
|
| 5:39 |
: Finally taking Peavy out.
|
| 5:39 |
: Bruce Bochy appears to have had as much of a pulse as Ernie Johnson.
|
| 5:39 |
: Speaking of ludes.
|
| 5:39 |
: If this is Javy Lopez coming in, as I think it is, Zimmerman for LaRoche makes much sense.
|
| 5:39 |
Peavy is just a little upset. |
| 5:39 |
: POPPIN VEINS
|
| 5:40 |
What type of beer would you pair with Lobster pasta? |
| 5:40 |
: Not oyster stout, probably.
|
| 5:40 |
Joc Pederson for Francisco Lindor, who says no? |
| 5:40 |
: See I wrote a piece about that and people didn’t like it so I’ll abstain. (I’d trade Lindor)
|
| 5:41 |
: Dodgers.
|
| 5:42 |
: So you’re just going to let LaRoche against this lefty, eh?
|
| 5:42 |
If Detroit loses this series do we start describing their fan base as “tortured” or does having a huge payroll and free-spending owner void that possibility for them? |
| 5:42 |
: You can’t cry into your owner’s money.
|
| 5:43 |
Obviously Zimm doesn’t have the experience at 1B that Laroche does |
| 5:43 |
: defense doesn’t earn you the two runs you’re down.
|
| 5:43 |
Matt Williams is making the dumbest decision I’ve seen all day |
| 5:43 |
: Watch it work
|
| 5:43 |
: That is just inexcusable, Lopez.
|
| 5:44 |
: DBITLY
|
| 5:44 |
: 100 MPH ROOKIE ALERT
|
| 5:47 |
: Huge swing there, Ian.
|
| 5:48 |
Eno, what’s your answer to that poll question |
| 5:48 |
: Life is a cavalcade of miseries.
|
| 5:48 |
: That was a fun at-bat.
|
| 5:50 |
: How has there never been a movie, or movies, called “the Judge” before.
|
| 5:50 |
Life is a clavicle of miseries. |
| 5:50 |
The Nationals posted a team wRC+ of 99. That is pretty crazy given their offense. |
| 5:50 |
: that includes pitchers though, right?
|
| 5:51 |
A cavalcade of miniseries. |
| 5:51 |
What’s this thing with relievers coming in and runs not scoring? Is that allowed? |
| 5:52 |
: Oh the Tigers bullpen, forever the butt of our jokes.
|
| 5:52 |
Life is a marmalade of mysteries. |
| 5:52 |
Giants and Nationals each with a 107 non-pitcher wRC+ |
| 5:52 |
Like an autoclave of miniseries |
| 5:52 |
: EVERYBODY PANIK
|
| 5:52 |
Life is a cereal bowl of milkiness. |
| 5:53 |
: Probably should have had that, Span.
|
| 5:55 |
Sorry but the Giants offense is underrated. 107 non-pitcher wRC+ and missed Belt and Pagan for most of the year. |
| 5:55 |
: Morse wasn’t a terrible pickup, Panik doing the Scutaro, he cobbled together some runs when the pitching wasn’t really there for him. Sabes!
|
| 5:55 |
is there anything better than a leadoff triple? it almost guarantees you a run and it also means the pitcher is going to have to throw a ton of pitches. |
| 5:55 |
: I’ll still take the leadoff HR.
|
| 5:55 |
David Freese has at least 1 HR in 4 consecutive postseasons. |
| 5:55 |
: Delmon Young has been in every postseason ever.
|
| 5:57 |
Is Panik as good as he looks this season? His minor stats don’t seem to suggest this. |
| 5:57 |
: he’s not a star, no. Decent regular for a few years? Sure, I guess.
|
| 5:57 |
What is this from: odiously odiferous olfactory emanations |
| 5:57 |
: Totally reads like a Del the Funkee Homosapien lyric.
|
| 5:58 |
Why does a triple mean more pitches thrown than a dinger? |
| 5:58 |
: Trying to keep the guy from scoring from third?
|
| 5:58 |
Who ends up being the next Jayson Werth? As in a good player who’s contract was commonly viewed as a big overpay but ends up being worth it. |
| 5:58 |
: Pence?
|
| 5:59 |
One day I would like to see a player literally get on his horse and make a great catch |
| 5:59 |
: AND WHATS THAT AN APPALOOSA?
|
| 5:59 |
What kind of deal does Panda get this offseason (years/dollar)? |
| 5:59 |
: Too many/Too much. I wouldn’t give it to him but like 6/90 or something?
|
| 5:59 |
Panik’s career minor league line .768 OPS, and well over .800 in AAA. He had distinctly more power & patience than he’s shown in MLB. In other words, yes he can keep doing a .710 OPS for several years. |
| 5:59 |
: never a highly reviewed defender, though. A few years of 2 WAR is fine for the minimum salary, just not star-level.
|
| 6:00 |
:
|
| 6:00 |
Not sure Pence’s contract was ever viewed as an overpay |
| 6:00 |
| 6:01 |
What’s your least favourite baseball cliche? Following on from “gets on his horse” |
| 6:01 |
: anything that includes “productive outs”
|
| 6:01 |
Why do we still have God Bless America at every 7th inning? |
| 6:01 |
: America keeps sneezing.
|
| 6:02 |
Playing the game the right way- about stupid bunts and stuff |
| 6:03 |
 Do gifs work in CiL? |
| 6:03 |
Least favorite cliché: We’ll head ’em off at the pass! |
| 6:03 |
SHUT. DOWN. INNING. |
| 6:03 |
Veteran Leadership, or Postseason Experience |
| 6:03 |
: Veteran Presents.
|
| 6:04 |
BTW, odiously odiferous olfactory emanations is from Major League 2. The scene where Charlie Sheen is filming the ad for Right Guard Speedstick |
| 6:05 |
“Doesn’t play the game the right way” looking at you Puig |
| 6:05 |
: Pretty sure he plays it in the rightest way possible.
|
| 6:05 |
Oh my. |
| 6:05 |
: …wow.
|
| 6:05 |
Oh my God he killed that. |
| 6:05 |
Jesus, he hit that one to Bethesda |
| 6:06 |
Just a friendly reminder that he turns 22 later this month. |
| 6:06 |
: Major leaguers can hit fastballs. Wait did I just give an entry to our cliche contest?
|
| 6:07 |
: Is it too late to give Harper a 100 in our Player of the Year ballot?
|
| 6:07 |
I have never seen one hit that far in Nats Stadium. |
| 6:07 |
I’ve always thought Harper had potential |
| 6:07 |
There’s that leadoff HR you mentioned earlier. Definitely better than a leadoff triple |
| 6:08 |
Harper hit one that far against Brad Hand earlier this year |
| 6:08 |
: Thank you Mr. Hand.
|
| 6:08 |
Bethesda is the opposite direction – that one’s headed for Anacostia. |
| 6:08 |
: unless it circumnavigates the globe the other way
|
| 6:09 |
: We have not seen 1000 replays of this HR, and I am displeased.
|
| 6:10 |
Need a gif of the HR for us poor souls without FS1. |
| 6:10 |
: Now I’ve seen it, and I need a cigarette.
|
| 6:11 |
I honestly just want the broadcast team to replay that HR on repeat until the STL/LAD game |
| 6:12 |
Who’s the #2 best under-25 OF behind Trout now….Harper or Puig? (Stanton will be 25 in November) |
| 6:12 |
: right now, today? I’ll take Puig, but long-term, still Harper.
|
| 6:12 |
omg baseball |
| 6:13 |
If only Vasgersian put that much energy into his calls in MLB the show |
| 6:13 |
Ass Dribble wins the pimp your HR contest |
| 6:13 |
: Well, this just got a lot more fun.
|
| 6:13 |
The joint is jumpin now |
| 6:13 |
| 6:14 |
Small lead, disappears late in the game to a one run ballgame? Yep regular Giants game. |
| 6:16 |
:
Source: FanGraphs |
| 6:16 |
Is anybody obsessed with their Dodge Dart |
| 6:16 |
: Reminds me of my first car: a teal green hyundai accent with a spoiler and “Eno” on the license plate.
|
| 6:17 |
Eno got his comment chosen again!!!!!!! Why????? |
| 6:17 |
: in the words of Slick Rick, I “RUN THINGS”
|
| 6:17 |
I’m still not over that Harper bomb… |
| 6:17 |
: nor should you be
|
| 6:18 |
how much does a custom plate run you? |
| 6:18 |
: As soon as I started paying the bills, it was gone.
|
| 6:18 |
Is the food at Golden Corral edible, or purely ornamental? |
| 6:18 |
Harper’s homer just landed on my front lawn. |
| 6:19 |
That Harper homer was more effective than the Viagra commercial they keep playing. |
| 6:19 |
Someone told me you said you run things Eno…you know I run this town. Nice try. |
| 6:19 |
: Well Slick was first.
|
| 6:21 |
Who advises Harper on his hair? |
| 6:21 |
: James Kaan’s kid.
|
| 6:22 |
:
|
| 6:22 |
The only Slick Ric I recognize is a former world champion. Woooooo! |
| 6:22 |
This chat just got more silent than Cal Ripken during the royals game broadcast. |
| 6:22 |
: Having a moment of silence for that baseball that Harper hit.
|
| 6:23 |
It had to have been Heineken Light vs. nobody |
| 6:23 |
: Cause, woof, I can’t stand that beer. Green bottles usually mean skunked and I read something that said they like the skunked taste.
|
| 6:23 |
Panik was reading the chat in-between innings and saw the analysis of his defense. |
| 6:23 |
: he’s no Moss
|
| 6:23 |
Meanwhile, Puig and Ryu are rastlin in the Dodgers’ dugout. |
| 6:23 |
Do we have a Ball Velo for that HR..Heard 110 on the broadcast but lets just say i dont trust Fox. |
| 6:23 |
: light years per second?
|
| 6:23 |
Btw that reminds me. Can you guys quantify how boring of an analyst Ripken. |
| 6:23 |
: Like I don’t even know a single thing he said.
|
| 6:24 |
Brandon Crawford: Power threat |
| 6:24 |
: off a lefty no less. and he almost dinged Romo lol.
|
| 6:25 |
That HR made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs. |
| 6:26 |
: Gotta root for Duffy. Has a Duffman sticker on his bat.
|
| 6:26 |
DUFFMAN CANT BREATHE |
| 6:26 |
: I would like to see a StatCast route tracker on Thornton running towards the runner.
|
| 6:26 |
SO MUCH DEKE |
| 6:26 |
Great rundown between Crawford and a ghost there. |
| 6:26 |
Crawford had an insane reverse platoon split this year (152 wRC+ vs. lefties) I sadly know this due to a slate of Otteneu injuries. |
| 6:27 |
Did he tag him? (he fired the throw to 3rd rather quickly) |
| 6:27 |
: the call was out of the basepath
|
| 6:28 |
is this a shutdown inning? |
| 6:28 |
: where are we? who am i?
|
| 6:29 |
Jesus theres a Fox Sports 2 now. Thank god for Rogers Sportsnet |
| 6:29 |
: Eh, can’t be that surprising. I mean, Fox.
|
| 6:30 |
The Dodgers/Cards game will be shown on Fox Sports 8: The Ocho. |
| 6:31 |
I’d also like to see a player actually gobble up a ball |
| 6:31 |
: Still think this is in Hunter Pence’s future. Or Pablo Sandoval’s.
|
| 6:31 |
Oh God, it’s Joe Buck. |
| 6:31 |
: and Harold Reynolds!
|
| 6:33 |
: The best bestest that ever bested
|
| 6:33 |
If I were a MLB pitcher I’d name my daugher SIERA and my son FIP or maybe XFIP |
| 6:34 |
Pence’s eyes are small balls he once gobbled |
| 6:34 |
: Um.
|
| 6:34 |
I guess you can say that natural selection kept Darwin Barney from being on the Dodgers playoff roster. |
| 6:34 |
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand Harpers HR ball just landed |
| 6:35 |
: I’m told it’s approximately 400 degrees at Dodger Stadium right now.
|
| 6:36 |
I haven’t watched too many Giants games, but is Romo using a much lower arm slot? |
| 6:36 |
| 6:36 |
Hey guys whaaaAGJAKJKEJGKJEJK WGA PLAYOFF WEREWOLF |
| 6:37 |
Terrible decision to not let Vin Scully call Dodgers postseason games. |
| 6:37 |
: You, too, can mute the national guys by using your at-bat app and a little DVR work.
|
| 6:38 |
Ok everyone shut up, Kershaw is about to pitch. |
| 6:38 |
: Bye, friends. Be nice to Eno.
|
| 6:38 |
DVR? Do you have the VCR+ code handy? |
| 6:38 |
: It’s in my trapper keeper.
|
| 6:39 |
Parents are gone, post ludes |
| 6:39 |
: Y’all gotta make em for me to take em.
|
| 6:40 |
http://www.trapperkeeper.com/ The writing on this site is amazing. |
| 6:41 |
That Kershaw Curve is arguably the most beautiful thing in the history of the planet |
| 6:41 |
lude lude lude |
| 6:41 |
You just opened one hell of a can of worms. |
| 6:41 |
WTF is a can of worms? |
| 6:41 |
: solid but we need more velocity
|
| 6:41 |
: Like Kershaw’s 96.
|
| 6:42 |
HR Grichuk! |
| 6:42 |
: biggest surprise of the day
|
| 6:42 |
Over under K’s for kershaw? 10? |
| 6:42 |
: Cards actually 1 or 2 in K% in NL though.
|
| 6:43 |
The sportsbooks had the K O/U at 8.5 |
| 6:43 |
 Seems cromulent. |
| 6:43 |
Kershaw is effable? |
| 6:43 |
: Barely.
|
| 6:44 |
what channel in dodgers game on now? |
| 6:44 |
: FS2
|
| 6:45 |
and mlb network |
| 6:48 |
Cannot understand FG’s oral fixation on Kershaw. He’s good … and he’s never had an 8 WAR season. There are a dozen pitchers in the last twenty years who are his superior and whom he doesn’t figure to have as good a career as. |
| 6:48 |
: I just posted a poll in which you could say that he was just the best right now.
|
| 6:48 |
Trout’s still the better one guys. |
| 6:49 |
This game is setting up for a crucial 9th inning Asdrubal at-bat, and I think all of us Indians fans know how it’ll turn out (first pitch pop-out) |
| 6:49 |
i def made fun of the decision to start grichuk in the #2 spot, and cardinals devil magic made me look dumb |
| 6:50 |
Stan must not like men with beards |
| 6:50 |
: That eliminates… 65% of baseball?
|
| 6:51 |
Need some help finding the mute Harold Reynolds button on my remote |
| 6:52 |
All I’ve learned so far is worms are cold blooded. |
| 6:52 |
: That’s why you gotta burn em.
|
| 6:52 |
I keep hearing a Zippo on the KNBR broadcast. |
| 6:52 |
: just heard that myself
|
| 6:53 |
Krukow has a zippo on his person |
| 6:53 |
: and now it’s gone
|
| 6:54 |
how many beers deep are you Eno? |
| 6:54 |
: one, half of a bomber of 7% saison from Evil Twin. You?
|
| 6:54 |
Funny Mr. Wrestling says that, I shaved my beard last night and am hating myself for it. Beards are (sometimes) the greatest. |
| 6:54 |
0 unfortunately |
| 6:54 |
: I know the remedy. Gonna go the well myself. Enjoy By or Jai Alai.
|
| 6:57 |
Nothing better than enjoying some playoff baseball with your favorite craft brew but please fellow fangraphers don’t get behind the wheel afterwards! (working on some SN flipside myself) |
| 6:57 |
: I’m home. This is a must, anyway.
|
| 6:57 |
Can you write-off beer for work? |
| 6:57 |
: yes.
|
| 6:57 |
: I’m going to take you guys to the bathroom with me, is that okay.
|
| 6:58 |
Can we chat while we both go to the bathroom? I’ve been holding it for awhile. |
| 6:58 |
: done/doing
|
| 6:59 |
Eno, you’ve already been to the bathroom with me twice |
| 6:59 |
Only if you also leave the door open. |
| 6:59 |
In for pics |
| 6:59 |
Only if you promise not to GIF it. |
| 6:59 |
: Now I’m confused.
|
| 6:59 |
Never been more glad that we can use one hand to pee and the other to look at our phone to chat |
| 7:00 |
Why not provide a more detailed ‘play-by-play’ of your activities, Eno. |
| 7:00 |
: getting a beer out of the fridge. opening it now.
|
| 7:01 |
Eno’s personal grip pics |
| 7:01 |
Is somebody going to be on during the Angels game tonight? |
| 7:01 |
: I think maybe Paul Swydan!
|
| 7:03 |
Care to give a recap of the day’s action for those just getting off of work? |
| 7:03 |
: Tigers pen sucked, Strasburg was meh but could’ve won if Peavy’s vein didn’t pop out of his neck.
|
| 7:04 |
Do you get paid for doing this |
| 7:04 |
: Amazingly, yes. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED
|
| 7:04 |
Eno, heading to GABF tomorrow, anything I should try? |
| 7:04 |
: Cigar City, Cellarmarker, I’ll check back when I’ve seen more
|
| 7:05 |
Does a single person in the audience believe a game that happened 103 years ago is relevant to this Giants team? |
| 7:05 |
: Vs Team stuff is teh wurst.
|
| 7:06 |
Does Appleman ever undercover boss this ish? |
| 7:06 |
: He knows all about me. He okayed BeerGraphs after all.
|
| 7:06 |
Freindly reminder that yadi has the worst neck tattoo |
| 7:06 |
: good thing he can play baseball at a pro level
|
| 7:07 |
bigger pitcher/batter mismatch in the post season than Kershaw/Kozma? |
| 7:07 |
Is Kozma the worse hitter to start a game this postseason? |
| 7:07 |
: Kozma gonna make y’all pay for that.
|
| 7:08 |
I hate the “team wins % of the time when player does something good” stats more |
| 7:08 |
The Dodgers win 100% of the time when Kershaw registers a win. |
| 7:09 |
Like Wed when they said “Madison Bumgarner went 18-1 this year when the Giants score 3+ runs”? Well, make that 19-1 now… |
| 7:09 |
Harold Reynolds makes me miss Tim McCarver. Also, the groundhog-cam they are using might be worse than the behind-the-ump cam. |
| 7:10 |
Isn’t Kozma4 for 8 or soemthing like that vs Kersha |
| 7:10 |
: If he is, it means nothing!
|
| 7:11 |
When you want to hate on Cardinals fan, just remember they have to suffer through Tim McCarver doing a third of the local TV broadcasts now |
| 7:11 |
: oh
|
| 7:14 |
: Other GABF: Elysian, Faction, FiftyFifty, Fumnkwerks, Modern Times, NoDa, Pizza Port, RUSSIAN RIVER, SOCIETE, The Bruery, ThreeFloyds, Troegs,
|
| 7:14 |
Eno, how much longer will you be chatting for? I’m waiting to take over to run things. I’ve been nice and allowed you to have your fun but I’m getting impatient… |
| 7:14 |
: I RUN THINGS
|
| 7:14 |
Kozma stat means nothing but might mean it isn’t the mismatch that some think it may be – even bad hitters get a hit once in a while – not sure why people get so surprised when it happens |
| 7:14 |
The Red Sox did not win a single game this year in which Lester pitched and Cespedes reached safely. |
| 7:14 |
I think they’ve spent the entire game explaining / whining about the shadows. Hopefully the sun will explode and give them something new to talk about. |
| 7:15 |
if the shadows really change the look of the breaking ball that much why dont players throw it more in these situations or do they? |
| 7:15 |
: This sort of analysis is super impossible. When are there shadows?
|
| 7:15 |
To what extent to the Dodgers utilize advanced statistics? Just trying to find a reason to root for someone. |
| 7:15 |
: They’ve got a guy, and they listen to him, but also Colletti.
|
| 7:15 |
I think uribe is the kind of guy that could hurt Wainwright, just because you have no idea when he is going to swing? how do you approach that? |
| 7:16 |
I’m about to run over to the grocery store for some brew. Not a ton of selection there but what are some stouts I should keep an eye out for?? |
| 7:16 |
: Easy, always available is Old Rasputin. Deschutes’ stouts are decent. I don’t know where you live otherwise.
|
| 7:17 |
The Mayans should have done some sun related analytics |
| 7:17 |
Curveball in the shadow didnt bother me guys…hope that helps |
| 7:17 |
Is Nick ever gunna chat again im having withdrawls |
| 7:17 |
: Mondays next year but dunno why he didn’t put his name down for these mammoth super long chats
|
| 7:18 |
I’m in North Carolina |
| 7:18 |
: Here’s what the leaderboards say http://www.beergraphs.com/l…
|
| 7:19 |
Hooray NL strategrinessment! |
| 7:19 |
: Dee swung at the yakker in the dirt.
|
| 7:20 |
: Compton: same.
|
| 7:21 |
Why the Mayans? They were wrong about the Apocalypse. Everything you know about Astrology? You can thank us, we ran things back in the day. |
| 7:21 |
: Let’s not start any cultural warfare here. I got married in Mayan country.
|
| 7:21 |
Already at 40 pitches, how long will wainwright last? |
| 7:21 |
: I read inches. I have a problem. (into the sixth, at least)
|
| 7:21 |
What does Gordon have in his back pocket? |
| 7:21 |
: the oven mitt that protects his fingers when he runs
|
| 7:22 |
It looks like a mini trapperkeeper. |
| 7:22 |
Actually, it’s a mini jetpack to make me run faster…. |
| 7:22 |
Odds Gordon chases a 3-2 curve in the dirt? |
| 7:22 |
: dang we shoulda gotten odds on that
|
| 7:23 |
Correction, it’s a mini tank of NOS Vin Diesal gave me after fast and the furious 7 |
| 7:23 |
I’m supposed to trust someone who believed in a geocentric universe? Come on man. |
| 7:24 |
It’s the Continuum Transfunctioner. |
| 7:24 |
I have both Kershaw and Wainwright on my fantasy team….this is like watching my kids fight. |
| 7:25 |
Kershaw |
| 7:26 |
Kershaw |
| 7:26 |
Vic, I think for any parent it’s more like watching their kids play video games and argue about who’s better. Did it with my brother and pissed my parents off all the time growing up |
| 7:26 |
9 balls in that 10 pitch PA. And Gordon struck out swinging. |
| 7:26 |
: To be fair nobody ever said he had a great sense of the zone.
|
| 7:28 |
Do you think in their pre-show meeting the producer was like: “Shadows. We’ve got to hammer the shadows. People want to hear about the shadows.” |
| 7:28 |
: Shadows are trending, they’re hip.
|
| 7:29 |
STAN WINS COMMENT OF THE DAY! |
| 7:29 |
Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark; I was born in it, moulded by it. I didn’t see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but BLINDING! |
| 7:29 |
The shadows have taken themselves out of the game. Bold move. |
| 7:29 |
The shadows betray you, because they belong to me! |
| 7:29 |
: Shadow lude.
|
| 7:29 |
: SEE? SEE? Hanley can play short!
|
| 7:30 |
: As in physically, he can. But he MAY not, as your teacher would say.
|
| 7:32 |
Are Kershaw´s´last four years the most similar case to Koufax´s dominant era? |
| 7:32 |
: Kershaw: 25.8 WAR
Koufax: 37.3 WAR |
| 7:32 |
“One realized all sorts of things. The value of an illusion, for instance, and that the shadow can be more important than the substance. All sorts of things.” ? Jean Rhys, |
| 7:32 |
Was there a Greek god for shadow? Anyone? I may name my kid after that god if so! |
| 7:32 |
Shadows are the new market inefficiency. Beane is working on how to exploit it as we speak. |
| 7:32 |
: Okay. No more shadow luding.
|
| 7:33 |
Erebus — Greek god of Shadows. I paid too much attention in that class |
| 7:33 |
: Last one. Doesn’t quite roll of the tongue as a name tho.
|
| 7:34 |
My favorite Wainwright curve. http://i26.tinypic.com/hrlp… |
| 7:34 |
Fun fact: Delmon Young has played in each of the past 6 postseasons with 4 different teams. |
| 7:34 |
: Winning player.
|
| 7:35 |
: More fight than conference here.
|
| 7:35 |
Good old fashioned rabble rousing what is post season baseball without it |
| 7:36 |
oh god puig is going to murder someone |
| 7:36 |
Delmon Young’s signature is winning ~ Buck Showalter |
| 7:36 |
Molina kind of shoved the ump there he’s lucky he got away with that |
| 7:37 |
Quit with the lazy narratives. Puig and Wainright were just talking to each other reasonably. The one having a violent aneurysm was Yadi. |
| 7:37 |
: Gonzo was getting into it. And he must have said something.
|
| 7:38 |
What happened? (No FS1) |
| 7:38 |
: Puig hit. Gonzo said something to Yadi, yadi went nuts, everyone crowded around. Yadi looked like he pushed the ump a bit, but everyone was crowded around.
|
| 7:39 |
“There’s a lot of Spanish being spoken on the field right now” WTF? |
| 7:39 |
I maintain that the Cardinals are just as old school in their thinking/mentality as the Diamondbacks they just are smart and don’t advertise it. (And they are a successful team.) |
| 7:40 |
| 7:40 |
Almost every team is as ‘old school’ as the Diamondbacks. |
| 7:40 |
To be fair, Yadi’s shove was the most gentlemanly shove I’ve ever seen delivered while the shover was (presumably) shouting R-rated content. |
| 7:40 |
The ‘new school’ Pirates hit more batters than any other team, and it isn’t even close. |
| 7:42 |
i don’t understand that tweet |
| 7:42 |
: I think Puig just doesn’t want to be thrown out. Made sure he didn’t do anything that would be registered by the umps for later use.
|
| 7:42 |
Yeah, but the Pirates have Volquez, and control is not really his thing, to say the least |
| 7:42 |
: Also they want to establish the inside.
|
| 7:45 |
Puig is constantly being accused of instigating things. Bumgarner throws his glove down and picks a fight, but Puig is the hothead. Yadier Molina loses his mind, comments here say, “Puig is going to kill someone!” |
| 7:45 |
I’m deaf and am an expert at reading lips, someone post a GIF of Yadi’s conversation and I’ll try and understand what he said and post it to you all. |
| 7:45 |
: couldn’t find one
|
| 7:45 |
“establish the inside” is the “establish the run” of baseball |
| 7:45 |
: dunno. every hitter has a hole high and tight.
|
| 7:45 |
Hanley needs to shave that patchy beard is not working |
| 7:46 |
Eno, why are you getting slow with posting comments? Are you not getting enough comments from us? Do we need to send more? |
| 7:46 |
: I was looking for a GIF of the fight
|
| 7:46 |
How good is it that we’re gonna get 6 more innings of this?!! |
| 7:47 |
Do you pronounce gif like the peanut butter jif or like the word gift without the t? |
| 7:47 |
: peanut butter
|
| 7:47 |
Pirates HBP without Volquez HBP is still more than any other team. |
| 7:48 |
This has been a very exciting day for baseball. |
| 7:48 |
Gregg Zaun says that Wainwright acted too apologetic after he hit Puig and should have made Puig think he hit him on purpose. wat. |
| 7:48 |
: I don’t….
|
| 7:48 |
Charlie Morton is the main reason the Pirates lead in HBPs, he hits so many people each year. |
| 7:48 |
: Gotta keep em off the sinker away?
|
| 7:50 |
Just brush Wainwright back (no need to hit him) and I think the point will be made… it will also likely cause a warning from the umps which will prevent Wainwright from pitching inside. |
| 7:51 |
Pirates HBP without Morton HBP ties for most in MLB (in less innings than the other teams). |
| 7:51 |
A warning also prevents Kershaw from pitching inside… |
| 7:52 |
Mike Matheny is a handsome man. |
| 7:52 |
Kershaw can pitch wherever he wants |
| 7:52 |
Warnings already issued. Kershaw won’t risk ejection in this close of a game. |
| 7:55 |
I think it required no reading between the lines to say he was worried about wainos pitch count! |
| 7:55 |
if you were a hitter, Eno, what would your walk-up music be? |
| 7:55 |
: without the dude talking: https://www.youtube.com/wat…
|
| 7:55 |
Kershaw should throw a slider that looks like it’s gonna hit the batter, the batter ducks, and then it breaks right over the heart of the plate for strike three. |
| 7:55 |
Kershaw should throw a slider that looks like it’s gonna hit the batter, the batter ducks, and then it breaks right over the heart of the plate for strike three. |
| 7:56 |
I think warnings were not issued. At least, there was no warning issued to the Dodgers. Mattingly came out on exactly that point and you could tell he was satisfied with the answer. |
| 7:58 |
Are you all alone for this chat Eno? |
| 7:58 |
: All alone, here for you
|
| 7:58 |
I noticed that the phrase “shut down inning” was not used at all in that inning. Hopefully that plague can be contained to TBS broadcasts only. |
| 7:59 |
That was a real shut down comment Vic |
| 7:59 |
At least it’s better than hearing how every hit ball was “fisted” into the field somehow. Ah, Chip Carey |
| 8:02 |
Hanley is so rickety. It’s kind of unbelievable. |
| 8:02 |
You know what I love about this chat? The comments are hilarious and I think during games commentators should read them out loud. If Joe Buck did that, it woudl be the only time anyone unmuted the TV to listen to Joe. |
| 8:03 |
curveball |
| 8:04 |
Jay Mohr on Joe Buck: https://www.youtube.com/wat… |
| 8:04 |
I would love to hear Joe Buck talk about the quality of our ludes |
| 8:04 |
: come on people, curveball CANNOT WIN this one
|
| 8:04 |
In eastern Canada a curveball is called a chair |
| 8:04 |
I would have voted for “Yellow Hammer” if it was just “Hammer”. Yellow Hammer just sounds so…wrong. |
| 8:05 |
I’ve always called it the yakker |
| 8:05 |
: my vote
|
| 8:05 |
What is it called in western Canada? |
| 8:05 |
: a table
|
| 8:07 |
Chair is pretty great since you can “give him the chair” |
| 8:07 |
Jay Mohr on John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman is even better https://www.youtube.com/wat… |
| 8:08 |
Better name for curveball? Pete Top/Kevin Bottom |
| 8:08 |
I think “public enemy number one” is the best term for *Kershaw’s* curveball. |
| 8:08 |
Curveball = Mullet. Business in the front and party in the back. |
| 8:09 |
: 16 hours of baseball… it’s like cricket.
|
| 8:10 |
I love dropping a deuce in there |
| 8:10 |
: OH DAMMIT I KNEW I FORGOT ONE
|
| 8:10 |
Except that baseball doesn’t suck |
| 8:10 |
I think it’s more like a Fauhhawk than a mullet. |
| 8:12 |
Fauhawk because from the front it looks like a normal hairstyle, then looking from the back you’re like what the hell is that. |
| 8:13 |
PICK AN INCORRECT SPELLING AND STICK WITH IT. |
| 8:13 |
: Faughaque.
|
| 8:15 |
Whichone is your fav curve term? |
| 8:15 |
: Well yakker but I like deuce too.
|
| 8:15 |
Wow Eno, you’re allowed to curse in here? Pretty sure ESPN would fire their fantasy sports employees for saying “Dammit” in a chatroom |
| 8:15 |
: Did you read the Moss piece?
|
| 8:16 |
Uncle Charlie is such a good term for the curve |
| 8:16 |
: It’s good, but Yakker seems more … disgusting. And some curves are disgusting (Kimbrel). Some are reserved, like an Uncle Charlie (Waino).
|
| 8:17 |
Link us all to it pretty please |
| 8:17 |
| 8:17 |
Screw uncle Charlie |
| 8:18 |
Uncle Charlie sounds like a perv anyways |
| 8:19 |
HEY CRAIG: Worst commercial or worstest commercial? |
| 8:19 |
: Worstest. Although Jake From State Farm is getting there slowly.
|
| 8:19 |
I saw winter beers already |
| 8:19 |
: Pumpkin started in late July.
|
| 8:20 |
Matt adams more like a country breakfast than billy butler |
| 8:20 |
: Country Buffet
|
| 8:20 |
I voted Yakker because it reminded me back in college when a hot sorority girl pukes on their front lawn. From 5 feet high to the dirt 4 feet away. Taking shots of like 5 different types of hard liquor wasn’t a smart idea for her. The Yakker = Disgusting but still somewhat pretty to watch |
| 8:21 |
: Larry King on the phone GIF
|
| 8:22 |
Do the fangraphs live game odds know that Kershaw is pitching? Like, they have a ~90% chance of winning, but should that be bumped because of Kershaw? |
| 8:22 |
: Nope. Just about what all teams have done in past at that point with that score.
|
| 8:24 |
who throws your fav yakker? |
| 8:24 |
: Kluber, Kerhsaw, Waino. Kinda like the big hump on Waino’s, but Kluber’s gets more whiffs.
|
| 8:25 |
doesn’t the shadow line on the Win Probability graphs include the starting pitcher info? It had Dodgers at 60-40 to win at the start of the game. |
| 8:25 |
: There you go. We’ve got it all for you.
|
| 8:25 |
Legit question: Why Uncle Charlie? Like, it sounds good…just where did it come from? |
| 8:25 |
: Anyone know? I’ll do some light googling.
|
| 8:25 |
Like “he just dropped a deuce on him”? |
| 8:27 |
: ooh “Uncle Charlie” (also known as a “Lord Charles” or “Sir Charles”) is a curveball, a pitch that veers away as it nears the batter . Dickson dates the first use of “Uncle Charlie” to 1935, in a column by Walter Winchell in the Havana Evening Telegram. Unfortunately, the etymology of the term is stubbornly obscure. But Dickson suggests that the words “Uncle Charlie” themselves are onomatopoetically suggestive of a curve ball, presumably with the soothing “Uncle” evoking the initially bland course of the ball and the explosive “ch” of “Charlie” suggesting the moment when the ball swerves out of reach. It’s a plausible theory, though a bit unsatisfying. I did a bit of poking around and found that Charles Graham, owner of the San Francisco Seals minor league team in the 1920s, was known to players and fans of that era as “Uncle Charlie,” so perhaps there’s a connection there. In any case, “Uncle Charlie” is very much still in use today. Its superlative form, “Lord Charles,” was coined in 1984 in tribute to New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden’s curveball, considered to be in a different league than the average “Uncle Charlie.”
http://www.word-detective.c… |
| 8:28 |
I love the “Lord Charles” part. |
| 8:28 |
What’s going on with Wainwright? |
| 8:28 |
: Throwing a ton of Uncle Charlies today. Lots of out of the zone, lots of pitches.
|
| 8:30 |
Pitcher due up 2nd. Cards have to be hoping he can make it through the inning. Would suck to burn a relief pitcher for a batter or two in the 5th and then immediately lift him for a PH. |
| 8:30 |
Charlie is also old baseball slang for penis, so there’s that. |
| 8:30 |
: Um
|
| 8:31 |
It’s true. Bouton talks about Yogi Berra getting fined by the kangaroo court for leaving Charlie uncovered at the postgame buffet table. |
| 8:31 |
Soooo I’m gonna say the Sorority girls new nickname is Queen Yakker |
| 8:32 |
Stan just “blew me” away |
| 8:33 |
This is getting out of hand in here. |
| 8:34 |
Oh jeez, the Dodgers are ruining the integrity of the game again with those damned bubbles. |
| 8:34 |
: 97.1% WE
|
| 8:39 |
do you take Kershaw out earlier than usual so you can bring him back on short rest if needed? |
| 8:39 |
: not a bad idea, but you have to balance and not fall to hubris.
|
| 8:39 |
whens the wifey due? |
| 8:39 |
: Tuesday
|
| 8:39 |
Is that Larry King first row behind home plate? |
| 8:39 |
: Yes. Yes it is.
|
| 8:40 |
COBGRATS ENO |
| 8:40 |
: yeah, second boy. things going to get hectic
|
| 8:42 |
Larry King is probably telling everyone about the time he met Old Hoss Radbourn |
| 8:42 |
given the dodgers’ bullpen, they should probably ride kershaw for all that they can get |
| 8:42 |
How old’s the oldest? |
| 8:42 |
: 2.5
|
| 8:44 |
I’m currently reading a book entitled “Fifty-nine in 84.” It’s about Old Hoss Radbourn’s 59-win season. I highly recommend it to everyone in this chat for it has changed my life. |
| 8:45 |
Can he throw a yakker yet |
| 8:45 |
: he pitches to me in the back yard all the time.
|
| 8:45 |
Could Larry King be considered an Uncle Charlie? he seems old and pervy. |
| 8:46 |
Tixkokob is pretty nice this time of the year. |
| 8:46 |
: Oh man we’re coming back. Got married there. But we have to come during baseball season. And we have to make some money hah.
|
| 8:46 |
Is gordon for real? His bb% has gotten really bad the 2nd half |
| 8:46 |
: There’s some collapse there. But if they run him out there, worst case seems like .260/.300 with okay defense, not sure they’ll get better from Guerrero, who they’ve already moved off the position.
|
| 8:48 |
The Leones are pretty bad nowadays, but do tell when you plan on it, theres a little SABR friendly crowd over here who would love take you to a game. |
| 8:48 |
: Awesome! Merida is a really cool city, very underrated. Love the courtyards.
|
| 8:48 |
terrible twos |
| 8:48 |
: Yeah he’s gotten a little full body collapse whiny about his ipad or cars movie.
|
| 8:49 |
Why is there no option for “hook” |
| 8:49 |
: Because my brain doesn’t work after all this baseball all day.
|
| 8:49 |
No GABF for Eno this year? |
| 8:49 |
: Never been, but I did rec some breweries. BG needs to make some cash to send me.
|
| 8:49 |
Wait, where did they move Guererro off 2nd to, 3rd? |
| 8:49 |
: and LF
|
| 8:55 |
Is Arruburruena the SS next year and should he be |
| 8:55 |
: D replacement at best I’d guess. contact problems. No idea who it will be though.
|
| 8:55 |
Cards only hitting HRs. 4 more hits and the game will be tied. |
| 8:56 |
: GONZO SAYS WAKE UP
|
| 8:57 |
How many more questions are in the q than thursdays? |
| 8:57 |
: fewer. y’all aren’t at work looking at a computer screen, bored.
|
| 8:57 |
Card’s radio broadcast called that homerun like it was a routine fly ball. |
| 8:57 |
: To be fair, they were asleep.
|
| 8:58 |
My work computer only blocks the CIL live stream 🙁 |
| 8:58 |
: that sucks!
|
| 9:01 |
The Carpenter HR moved the WE needle less than 2%. |
| 9:01 |
Jansen pitches an inning. Kershaw gets two more innings? |
| 9:01 |
: One if things happen in it?
|
| 9:03 |
Hanley should reevaluate his helmet size |
| 9:03 |
: dread problems.
|
| 9:04 |
Woah you can edit? |
| 9:04 |
: discovered this today
|
| 9:05 |
Edit what? |
| 9:05 |
: posted posts
|
| 9:06 |
They’re making me hate the number 1 |
| 9:06 |
: better than going number 2
|
| 9:07 |
: Damn, 3.5 hours of chatting is not easy. Eyes starting to hurt.
|
| 9:07 |
I will now be referring to going number two as “taking an uncle charlie” |
| 9:09 |
Is a fresh Brian Wilson really better than a tiring Kershaw? |
| 9:09 |
: Fresh B Wilson can only hump it up there at 88 these days, so good point. But if someone gets on in this inning, I could see an 8th inning matchup play on a righty.
|
| 9:11 |
Bumgarner as top 5 fantasy SP in 2015? |
| 9:11 |
: I like how consistent he’s been. Haven’t really looked at it. We had him as the 9th best last year (Kershaw, Cueto, Felix, Kluber, Waino, Lester, Sale, Price). I could see him leapfrogging a couple.
|
| 9:11 |
I thought a “Fresh B Wilson” was the result of taking an “Uncle Charlie” |
| 9:11 |
: On a nasty toilet.
|
| 9:12 |
This game is providing some action now. |
| 9:12 |
That’s why you gotta put that liner down in public places |
| 9:13 |
: He’s human.
|
| 9:14 |
: Adams has been so bad against lefties too.
|
| 9:15 |
Are the O’s better without Davis? |
| 9:15 |
: Nah. I know he’s been a minus on O (94 wRC+) but he’s projected for 121 next year, and that’s closer to his expected output.
|
| 9:17 |
How is Pete Kozma playing in the postseason again? |
| 9:17 |
: trying to figure this out myself
|
| 9:18 |
But he had that one good month like 2 years ago! That means he’s good at baseball, right? |
| 9:18 |
: More than one good month.
|
| 9:19 |
Did you watch all the games today? |
| 9:19 |
: Yes! Did some work, that piece on curveball spin rates on RotoGraphs, wrote on my Hardball Times Annual piece on splitfingers, but also watched baseball.
|
| 9:20 |
Matheny has a man – crush on Kozma. Mozeliak has to keep him off the roster or Matheny will use him. |
| 9:20 |
WE 67.8% |
| 9:20 |
This is much late, but Jake from State Farm is also pretty annoying. I personally have developed ah ate for the King Hawaiian BBQ Burger commercial. |
| 9:20 |
What’s happening |
| 9:20 |
: All of the singles in a row. Even lefties.
|
| 9:21 |
If Lunhow didnt claim him when he was DFA’d, that should say a lot. |
| 9:21 |
Was Taveras L on L really the best option? |
| 9:21 |
: Should of been Bourjos
|
| 9:21 |
10 k’s=push |
| 9:22 |
Bourjos already pinch hit |
| 9:22 |
: That’s a problem with that theory. Clone him!
|
| 9:22 |
Should have ben Descalso |
| 9:22 |
Baseball sucks. Kershaw strikes out 29% of the batters faced this inning, doesn’t have control problems, gives up no deep flies, and is getting absolutely creamed |
| 9:22 |
Nifty way to get around that silly 25 man rule |
| 9:22 |
: It’s the same man!
|
| 9:24 |
#HowManyAltuve clones would you keep in your dugout if they all counted together as 1 man on the 25-man roster? |
| 9:24 |
: as many as I could fit, so probably like 50
|
| 9:25 |
Keep abusing the 25-man rules and you’ll lead to clone segregation in baseball, you monster. 🙁 |
| 9:25 |
: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES tears shirt apart
|
| 9:25 |
omg |
| 9:25 |
: tie mofo game no way
|
| 9:26 |
The Cards borrowed some of the Royals endless pixie dust. |
| 9:26 |
7-6 |
| 9:26 |
Is this real life? |
| 9:26 |
: Or is it fantasy
|
| 9:27 |
Card’s have their own secret supply probably. |
| 9:27 |
Any right fielders who catch that? Kemp looks so slow so I can’t tell. |
| 9:27 |
Is this postseason better than yrs past or is it just me? |
| 9:27 |
: Let’s see how the world series does.
|
| 9:28 |
Royals OFers might get to that. |
| 9:28 |
Aoki would have caught it, and taken an insane route in the process |
| 9:28 |
That was Kemp out there? Because I thought Billy Butler was playing RF. . . . |
| 9:30 |
At this rate, the World Series will have all the boring games. |
| 9:30 |
: Good games only meted out to us in predetermined serving sizes.
|
| 9:30 |
: Jesus, I turn off baseball for a half hour to watch the Brooklyn 99 premiere with my wife and the Cardinals turn this into a game? What’s up with that?
|
| 9:30 |
Pants are overrated |
| 9:30 |
: Pants SUCK
|
| 9:31 |
: Pants are the worst.
|
| 9:31 |
Brooklyn 99 premiered last sunday |
| 9:31 |
: Dude, I’ve still got the 7 episodes of Mad Men from like four months ago on the DVR.
|
| 9:32 |
Don’t eat too many good games before dinner or you’ll ruin your appetite. 🙂 |
| 9:32 |
Grichuk sounds like an alien from Star Trek. |
| 9:33 |
Paul’s here! |
| 9:33 |
: Four hours in hungry, tired, food is here…. I’m pretty happy about it.
|
| 9:33 |
: Yup, the only time people are happy to see me is when they’re desperate.
|
| 9:33 |
: Holy smokes, Matt Holliday.
|
| 9:34 |
Whoa. Holliday 3-run HR. 10-6 Cards. |
| 9:34 |
: Paul, I love you all the time! Just a little more now.
|
| 9:34 |
: My wife thinks Harold Reynolds said “wheel zone.” Is that right? I’ve already tuned Harold out.
|
| 9:34 |
Right in his wheelzone? Really Harold? |
| 9:34 |
: Guess so!
|
| 9:34 |
Where did these home runs come from? I thought the Cards were incapable of that. |
| 9:34 |
: One of the worst reg season ISOs for a postseason team.
|
| 9:35 |
@Eno the store didn’t have anything for stouts except Bell’s Kalamazoo. Any thoughts on it? |
| 9:35 |
: Bells’ kicks ass. You’ll be fine.
|
| 9:35 |
: Yeah isn’t that one of your favorites, Eno?
|
| 9:35 |
: If Paul’s ready, I want to eat food. Paul?
|
| 9:35 |
: Yup, I’m ready to rock. Thanks Eno!
|
| 9:35 |
Matt Holliday close to 50 WAR. He’s probably a long-shot for the HoF but he shouldn’t be. He’s better than a lot of recent OFs who’ve been inducted. |
| 9:36 |
: Awesome. You’re a real Uncle Charlie. See you guys later!
|
| 9:36 |
: The bar is set a little higher for corner types, even if Jim Rice’s supporters bullied him into the Hall.
|
| 9:36 |
: Guys, just so you know, the other game is starting too, so I’ll do my best to toggle back and forth.
|
| 9:37 |
Thanks Eno! |
| 9:37 |
Dammit. How am I supposed to watch both as a Missouri fan? |
| 9:37 |
: Or an LA person. Can you imagine the highways in LA tonight? Yeezus!
|
| 9:37 |
It’s the hall of FAME not the hall of most productive players…I don’t think Holliday has the star power |
| 9:38 |
: I think that’s not fair, but either way, he’s still a little short of deserving to be there.
|
| 9:38 |
There’s a real debate as to which broadcast to mute….the horrible Buck/Harold combo or whatever dreck TBS is trotting out |
| 9:38 |
This inning worth +.908 WPA for the Cardinals. |
| 9:38 |
: That’s a heck of an inning.
|
| 9:38 |
Empty because everyone is at home watching the game? |
| 9:38 |
: I doubt it, but you can only hope.
|
| 9:38 |
paul, would you have taken kershaw out earlier? |
| 9:39 |
: In general, I’m for taking out pitchers in the postseason at the first sign of trouble. As I said, I wasn’t watching, but looking at the box score, it’s hard to understand how you leave Kershaw in to give up 8 runs.
|
| 9:40 |
Speaking of fame, production, and HOF induction, is David Ortiz worthy? |
| 9:40 |
: I don’t believe so, no. But I would be surprised to see him excluded.
|
| 9:40 |
Kershaw “only” gave up 6 – the last two were to Baez |
| 9:40 |
: Well, he’s charged with 8. Either way, 6 is also too many.
|
| 9:40 |
It seems like you should at least prepare to maybe take Kershaw out sooner. |
| 9:41 |
: It’s not a position that Mattinglt has been in that frequently, so I get it.
|
| 9:41 |
: In general, this series features a managing duo akin to Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
|
| 9:41 |
: The KC-LAA series isn’t much better.
|
| 9:42 |
It was the bottom of the order of one of the weaker offensive clubs in the postseason but I agree. |
| 9:42 |
I’d also trust a tired Kershaw over pretty much anyone in the Dodgers bullpen |
| 9:42 |
: Yeah, I will give Mattingly that he doesn’t have a lot to work with. But still.
|
| 9:42 |
from a managing perspective, hows the nats and giants series? |
| 9:43 |
: Bochy has come a long way, and is now one of the stronger managers going. Williams I am not as familiar with, but Jeff Passan didn’t have very nice things to say about him when we discussed him.
|
| 9:44 |
Is there anything to a Beltway Series managerial matchup? They were trying to make something of Showalter having managed Matt Williams earlier. |
| 9:44 |
: I mean, I doubt Showalter can glean a lot from that, but who knows. Certainly I think Buck has done a masterful job these first two games.
|
| 9:44 |
donnie was probably afraid to go to the pen after watching the tigers implode these past two days |
| 9:44 |
: I’d be surprised if he watched either game.
|
| 9:45 |
what managers do you atcually like? |
| 9:45 |
: In this postseason? Basically just Showalter and Bochy.
|
| 9:45 |
: Ssssh, Kole Calhoun is up.
|
| 9:45 |
I also hate this iPhone commercial. Less than HEY CRAIG or Jake, though. |
| 9:45 |
: I like them both. Doesn’t say much about me, I guess.
|
| 9:46 |
That question was akin to “Why don’t you tell me what movie you want to see?” |
| 9:46 |
: Kramer?
Elaine? |
| 9:46 |
Who is the worst manager in your eyes? (In baseball not just the playoffs) |
| 9:46 |
: In all of baseball? Well, Gardenhire was just fired, so I guess Walt Weiss.
|
| 9:46 |
with analytics depts having a lot of influence in front offices, why haven’t they influenced dugout managers? |
| 9:47 |
: Oh, they are. But that revolution will happen much slower, because the manager needs to have a little bit of autonomy in order to command respect from his highly-paid charges.
|
| 9:47 |
What don’t you like about Gardenhire? |
| 9:48 |
: Mainly the part where he wasn’t good at his job. He is an ultimate “rub some dirt on it” manager, and I have no doubt that he cost Justin Morneau a good portion of his career.
|
| 9:48 |
The Taco Bell one featuring a senile old man throwing away a family heirloom because he saw an add for some shitty burrito drives me into an uncontrollable rage. |
| 9:48 |
: Yeah, it’s not good. But the first part of the story is pretty good, so you just sort of ignore the end.
|
| 9:49 |
And what makes you say you like certain managers? I just have no idea about how to properly assess them. |
| 9:49 |
Trout thrown out by a mile |
| 9:49 |
: Hey, your TV is way faster than mine!
|
| 9:50 |
: As for managers, it’s hard. Mostly it’s feel. Listening to them talk. They’re the one person on the team whose quotes I try to parse. GMs rarely say anything meaningful, and players are taught to be boring, but managers have to talk a lot, so I try to see how they react to certain questions.
|
| 9:51 |
Haha sorry man. I’ll try not to spoil any more of the action for you |
| 9:51 |
: All good. I live in the ‘burbs, it’s to be expected!
|
| 9:51 |
: But yes, he was out by a mile. That was pretty embarrassing.
|
| 9:51 |
So what do you think of the idea that the Cardinals are stealing signs? |
| 9:51 |
: I think that’s pretty insulting to the Cardinals.
|
| 9:51 |
Examples of good managers? |
| 9:52 |
: Showalter, Girardi, Francona, Melvin, Bochy all come to mind. Bud Black for sure.
|
| 9:52 |
Ron Darling and I went to the same high school. That makes me sad. |
| 9:52 |
: Does that mean you’re from Worcester?
|
| 9:52 |
Listen to the radio and use the TV as perpetual replay. |
| 9:52 |
: You want me to do that AND host this chat? I’m not an octopus, you know.
|
| 9:53 |
: This bottom of the 8th will be the Dodgers’ last good chance. As shaky as Rosenthal has been at times, I doubt he’s coughing up four runs in the 9th.
|
| 9:53 |
I think Girardi does a heck of a job but I’m afraid he’s going to be on the hot seat if they don’t bounce back next season |
| 9:53 |
: As Mike Axisa said at River Ave Blues, if anyone should be on the hot seat it’s Cashman.
|
| 9:54 |
Does anyone remember how Big Game James got his nickname? He’s usually pretty lousy in them, so I was wondering if anyone remembered which specific game it was. |
| 9:54 |
: Because Rays fans really wanted to feel special.
|
| 9:54 |
Do you not consider Maddon a good manager? |
| 9:55 |
: Joe Maddon is too cute by half. He’s completely bought his own hype, and ultimately I think all his tinkering does more harm than good. But he’s certainly better than guys like Yost and Scioscia and Ausmus. I just wouldn’t put him in my top echelon.
|
| 9:55 |
Agreed, but Cash did make a couple of nice moves during the year |
| 9:56 |
: Yeah, I don’t think they necessarily need changes, just … it’s not Girardi’s fault. Their roster has been a nightmare for two straight years, and he kept them relevant throughout.
|
| 9:56 |
Girardi doesn’t get any demerits for leaving the unproductive Jeter in the #2 spot all year? |
| 9:56 |
: No, he would have lost the clubhouse. He had to ride that out and make the best of it.
|
| 9:57 |
Beautiful play be Carp. |
| 9:57 |
: I thought you meant Mike Carp for a minute and was super confused about it.
|
| 9:57 |
Clint Hurdle? Seems to be a fine leader of men, if nothing else. |
| 9:57 |
: Middle of the pack. Clint does some things very well, and should be commended for his willingness to buy in on the shift in a big way. But he still does a lot of cringe inducing stuff.
|
| 9:57 |
do you despise the rays more than the yanks now? |
| 9:57 |
: I do, ya.
|
| 9:57 |
What about Lloyd McClendon? |
| 9:58 |
: Undecided.
|
| 9:58 |
Why do you hate the Rays? |
| 9:59 |
: Like I said, they’re too cute by half, and they’re the media darlings for no good reason. I really don’t see how they’re a competitive team next year, but hell if you can find anyone who wants to say that.
|
| 9:59 |
Thoughts on Redmond? |
| 9:59 |
: Don’t watch enough Marlins games to say one way or the other.
|
| 10:00 |
Farrell? He totally lost me in the playoffs last year with starting Gomes over Nava against RHP, based on his gut. |
| 10:00 |
: Farrell is middle of the pack at best. His tendency to play favorites with players who are the detriment to their team – like Stephen Drew – doesn’t look good on him.
|
| 10:00 |
KC up 1-0? What happened? |
| 10:01 |
: I don’t know, I was flipped to a commercial for no good reason. Do better, Paul!
|
| 10:01 |
I consider myself to be ugly, so I’m definitely not buying DirectTV. So offensive. |
| 10:01 |
: I can’t tell if you’re joking or not, but either way that ad is terrible.
|
| 10:01 |
: WHOOPS!
|
| 10:01 |
RBI single up the middle |
| 10:01 |
Hosmer double, Gordon single |
| 10:01 |
BTW it’s obviously not guaranteed, but who had a Kansas City-Baltimore ALCS before the season? Even a rampant homer would only have gotten that 1/2 right. |
| 10:02 |
: I still think Anaheim comes back and wins this series, but they’re not having a great start.
|
| 10:02 |
You don’t understand how the unluckiest team in baseball is competitive next year? Sounds more like bias |
| 10:03 |
: What are we talking about when we say lucky? Are you saying BABIP? Because the Rays had a higher BABIP than the A’s.
|
| 10:03 |
A Gone! |
| 10:03 |
TWO RUN GAME |
| 10:03 |
Adrian “Mas Churros Por Favor” Gonzalez 2-run HR. 10-8. |
| 10:03 |
Do you think Mattingly stuck with Kershaw for too long? |
| 10:03 |
: Yup.
|
| 10:03 |
: But it’s not over!
|
| 10:03 |
I get runtime error when I try and load the fangraphs homepage? |
| 10:04 |
: I have emailed David Appelman. He might be out at a bar though, since he doesn’t have children.
|
| 10:04 |
: I get it too, FWIW. It’s not just you.
|
| 10:04 |
When you catch up/ run out of questions in the queue, do you feel like Crowe in Gladiator? ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!?!?! |
| 10:05 |
: In our normal chats, yes, but in these live game blogs you never catch up.
|
| 10:05 |
Rosenthal sure can blow a 2 run game though! |
| 10:05 |
: Yeah, that’s not as guaranteed.
|
| 10:06 |
: Trout might have had a shot at that double play if he hadn’t spent so much time on the windup.
|
| 10:06 |
BTW – AGon’s walkup music… did he lose a bet? |
| 10:06 |
: What is it?
|
| 10:06 |
I dunno, Paul, the games are still going, but I don’t think I have any questions, so I will do my part to get you to the end of the queue and leave. |
| 10:06 |
: No! Keep asking questions.
|
| 10:06 |
Cards-Dodgers is back from commercial. |
| 10:06 |
: OK, switched back.
|
| 10:06 |
OK here is a question. |
| 10:06 |
: Yes?
|
| 10:06 |
Who will follow me on Twitter first, you or Eno |
| 10:07 |
: Hmmmmmm….I dunno?
|
| 10:07 |
Is Shoemaker really any good? |
| 10:07 |
: He’s at least decent.
|
| 10:07 |
I have to say, the fact that we get the chance to chat with experts during these games is a real treat. Fangraphs is awesome!! |
| 10:07 |
: Experts? (checks behind chair)
Hmmmm…. |
| 10:08 |
did person hscer just get lazy and cut his name |
| 10:08 |
: No, I actually got this out of him one time, the HSC is his college. I forget what it stands for though.
|
| 10:08 |
Prediction for the Turner AB |
| 10:09 |
: My prediction? PAIN.
|
| 10:09 |
: For the uninitiated:
|
| 10:09 |
when did the mlb playoffs become the Stanley cup playoffs with all these beards? |
| 10:09 |
: People are going to be copying Mike Napoli for a long time.
|
| 10:09 |
Prediction: Larry King will remain seated. |
| 10:10 |
: You mean the robot portaying elderly Larry King?
|
| 10:10 |
Thanks, Paul for bringing this blog back to baseball. Watching all day and finally quit reading it.Way too much content on how much everyone had drank, bathroom humor, penis,s and Hitler. |
| 10:10 |
: To be fair, it’s hard to keep things fresh all day.
|
| 10:10 |
: But, thank you!
|
| 10:10 |
I thought it was Jonny Gomes |
| 10:11 |
: Well, Jonny Gomes said sabermetrics wasn’t important, so I say his beard wasn’t important. BOOM!
|
| 10:11 |
I get the beard for October (well, I don’t, but I get it happens). But can’t these guys cut their hair, at least? Werth and Turner look awful. |
| 10:12 |
: Keep in mind that for most of these guys, educaton ceased being a relevant factor in their lives somewhere around sophomore year of high school.
|
| 10:12 |
I was actually “Person” for the chats and then someone stole that a couple times, so I added my everywhere-online handle to it, and I recently dropped the person in the chats because, eh |
| 10:12 |
: Boom, there you have it!
|
| 10:12 |
Whoa! I turn away for a real quick hour and a half to get a lecture on life and family and it’s 10-8 Cardinals?! What a game! |
| 10:13 |
: I know what you mean! When it was 6-1 I switched to watch some regular TV on my DVR, and when I was done it was 7-6!
|
| 10:13 |
Unless people decide that the beards are too Joba-like and abandon them post-haste. |
| 10:13 |
: That’s what I’m hoping for – they’ll go too far.
|
| 10:13 |
Eno was just going with the flow. We were all being very immature and he played to the crowd. |
| 10:13 |
Beards are vastly overated |
| 10:14 |
: Hey hey, let’s not say things we can’t take back. My beard is glorious.
|
| 10:14 |
What in the world happened to Kershaw and Wainwright? |
| 10:14 |
: Someone tweeted earlier today that this was the second-warmest start time for a game at Dodger Stadium in like a decade. I’m guessing that has a lot to do with it.
|
| 10:15 |
So you are a Red Sox guy correct? Do you think the Red Sox target a FA starter(s) or via trade (maybe with some of their OF surplus?) How many starters do they realistically need to get to be competitive (outside of their existing options) |
| 10:15 |
: I think they need at least two starters if good Clay Buchholz is around. So, three starters. And, I have no idea how they get them, but I prefer FA. Don’t trade Mookie!
|
| 10:15 |
Plus people like Werth might, you know, enjoy the way they look. |
| 10:16 |
: Yeah, that’s an issue. But this too shall pass.
|
| 10:16 |
semperty, Werth needs to be hairy he is make preparations to hibernate for the winter in the woods. |
| 10:16 |
A 90-minute lecture is not what I would call ‘real quick’ |
| 10:17 |
: See, now you’re just rubbing salt in the wound.
|
| 10:17 |
I’ve noticed another Brian S around these parts, but I’m the one with the #46 FGTG pitcher |
| 10:17 |
: Thanks for clarifying, Brian S!
|
| 10:17 |
Albert Pujols received top billing for the Angels on the show description of the Royals/Angels game. Trout is the third name mentioned |
| 10:17 |
: Oh, TBS.
|
| 10:18 |
In the case of ballplayers who dismiss sabermetrics, do they generally know what sabermetrics are? |
| 10:18 |
: Generally, no. People fear what they don’t understand, and, see my previous comment about education.
|
| 10:19 |
Anyone know the last team to make 4 straight NLCS appearances? I know the Cards could do it this time, and the Phils and Cards have both done it since 2000, but I can’t think of any to make 4 straight recently |
| 10:19 |
: Recently, I don’t think anyone. But go back a few decades and it probably happened a bunch. I’ll guess Big Red Machine as the lst time?
|
| 10:19 |
: Besides what you mentioned, I mean.
|
| 10:20 |
Bunting good decision there? |
| 10:20 |
: Nope. What you’re playing for here is a crooked number and to get to a 5 or 6 run lead. Going from 2 to 3 runs isn’t as big of a deal, because it doesn’t change how you manage.
|
| 10:20 |
: You’re still going to bring in your closer, in other words.
|
| 10:20 |
I like Ernie Johnson and all, but how is it a good idea to have a guy who does literally NO baseball all year call the most important games on your network?? |
| 10:20 |
: It isn’t.
|
| 10:21 |
Maybe it’s just me, but when I look at the swings of some of the top prospects in recent years (let’s take Harper, Trout and Taveras for example), the impression i got was that harper and taveras both have too big a swing and rather difficult to adjust to big league pitching. Trout has a very short and compact swing and a really good forearm strength to turn on most pitches. Is there any way to teach a guy a “good swing”? or is it purely talent and instincts? |
| 10:22 |
: I can’t say that I agree with Harper having a big swing, but I do on Taveras.
In general, once you draft a guy, you can tinker with his swing, but for the most part you can’t re-invent one. And usually, you wouldn’t want to. A sub optimal swing that a guy is comfortable with is much better than an optimal swing that he isn’t. |
| 10:22 |
Betances, Garner, Shane Greene, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez for Tulo who hangs up first? |
| 10:22 |
: The Rockies. Sorry, that’s nowhere near good enough.
|
| 10:22 |
So did Fox put the NLDS on Fox Sports 1 so that people would have to get Fox Sports 1? Because the regular Fox channel has had absolutely nothing of note on it all day. |
| 10:23 |
: The real crime was trying to show a bunch of it on FS2. Either way, I’m not a fan of this. If I was MLB, I would have taken less money to stay on network TV, but that’s a pipe dream.
|
| 10:23 |
A warm night might explain some of it, but man, the Cards were stringing hits together off Kershaw, too, not just hitting it over the fence. I didn’t actually see any of it, but that can’t all be warmth, I can’t imagine. |
| 10:24 |
: Obviously not all of it. But there was likely an effect.
|
| 10:24 |
: OK, someone tell me when STL-LA comes back from commercial!
|
| 10:24 |
Vic Romano is a great chat name. Someone should take Kenny Blankenship |
| 10:24 |
: I don’t get either reference. 🙁
|
| 10:24 |
Trying to figure out a good way to measure Tiger fans’ experience over the last near-decade — a lot of good times, but some truly awful times. Makes me wonder how they rank in the last 10 years for postseason WPA — both overall, and just looking at negative WPA. Seem like a good way for someone with the appropriate skills to measure this? |
| 10:24 |
: Oh, we could do that!
|
| 10:25 |
: That is actually a pretty interesting concept.
|
| 10:25 |
: Thanks!
|
| 10:25 |
To be fair, Albert Pujols is a pretty big name too. Who was the second name though??? |
| 10:25 |
: Yeah, that is curious. Shoemaker, because he’s starting? Kendrick?
|
| 10:25 |
: Oh, or Hamilton.
|
| 10:25 |
Maybe TBS meant Pujols, Hamilton and MIKE TROUT. |
| 10:25 |
Can Sal Perez please become a huge star? |
| 10:25 |
: I doubt he becomes a HUGE star, but he’s definitely pretty great.
|
| 10:26 |
They’re back from commercial |
| 10:26 |
: Thanks!
|
| 10:26 |
Awesome! It seems like the straight negative WPA has obvious contenders in the Rangers, Tigers, and Cardinals. Net WPA… maybe just Rangers and Tigers, though Cardinals sheer number of games might still work in their favor. |
| 10:26 |
: Well, I mean, I just use net WPA. I don’t really get why you would want to look at positive and negative WPA individually. But to each their own.
|
| 10:26 |
What did the ump just tell Rosie? |
| 10:27 |
: I think he’s just giving him the warnings from when Yadier got his panties in a bunch.
|
| 10:27 |
What channel is the Yankee game on? |
| 10:27 |
: Channel 666!
|
| 10:27 |
The origins of Vic Romano and Kenny Blankenship — http://en.wikipedia.org/wik… |
| 10:27 |
: OK, I never would have gotten that.
|
| 10:27 |
Cardinals played in 48 postseason games during 2011-13. |
| 10:27 |
Isn’t that Fox Sports 7? |
| 10:28 |
The Cardinals and Phillies both went to 3 straight NLCS in the 2000’s, but never 4. The Braves were the last, and they went to 8 straight in the 90’s. |
| 10:28 |
: Oh ya, the Braves, LOL. I’m an idiot.
|
| 10:28 |
How long ago was the Cubs’ 48th most recent playoff game? 1907? |
| 10:28 |
: Probably.
|
| 10:28 |
: Actually, they might not have ever played in 48 postseason games.
|
| 10:29 |
Copenhagen or Skoal? |
| 10:29 |
: Neither?
|
| 10:29 |
Yadi? I thought Puig was the one causing issues (I couldn’t watch, so I really don’t know). What actually happened? |
| 10:29 |
: I didn’t either, I was only half watching, but Yadier is an angry little boy.
|
| 10:29 |
Wouldn’t net WPA miss a lot of excitement? Like the 2004 ALCS might have a net WPA close to zero, but that doesn’t capture the excitement of the series |
| 10:30 |
: I guess that’s a fair point. Maybe I’m just a kill joy?
|
| 10:30 |
: Here we go, Ellis on first.
|
| 10:30 |
Not really feeling this Mcconaughey Lincoln commercial either |
| 10:30 |
: Yeah, I could do without that one. If you were really driving Lincoln’s that long ago, show us a picture. I don’t buy it.
|
| 10:30 |
Gross WPA would probably be the best measure. |
| 10:30 |
: There’s no need for name calling!
|
| 10:31 |
: Andre Ethier lives!
|
| 10:31 |
Uh Oh!! |
| 10:31 |
c’mon Dodgers you can do this! |
| 10:31 |
AJ Ellis is the Dean Norris of the Dodgers |
| 10:31 |
LETS GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 10:31 |
I was SURE Either was going to line into a double play there. |
| 10:31 |
Ellis had one more single than walk this year |
| 10:31 |
: I’m not sure I understand the Dean Norris comment. Can you elaborate on that one?
|
| 10:31 |
No love for the Mcconassance? |
| 10:32 |
: I love him. But that ad is straight out of the “hire a celebrity” ad, and as a marketing major, I need a little more than that.
|
| 10:32 |
It’d be pretty awesome if Puig literally ruined a baseball here. |
| 10:32 |
Close game hype! |
| 10:32 |
The look, the gumption |
| 10:33 |
: This is why we watch baseball right here.
|
| 10:33 |
: 100 mph right there. Cheesy.
|
| 10:33 |
Hypothetically, what would happen if Puig got beaned here? Would be interesting… |
| 10:34 |
: I would assume Rosenthal would be immediately tossed, since he was warned and all.
|
| 10:34 |
: Only 99 on that pitch. WEAK!
|
| 10:35 |
: The FS1 replay thing with the giant “1” is super annoying.
|
| 10:35 |
: I’m surprised his bat didn’t break there.
|
| 10:35 |
Tossed by the Ump or tossed by Puig? |
| 10:35 |
: Yes.
|
| 10:35 |
: My wife just recoiled in horror from Justin Turner’s beard.
|
| 10:36 |
K on a changeup would be great. |
| 10:36 |
: Nope, fastball. Oh wow.
|
| 10:36 |
or 100mph fastball… |
| 10:36 |
what a game |
| 10:37 |
: If this is what we have to look forward to all series, yes please.
|
| 10:37 |
The games today have been 3-for-3 so far in terms of being highly watchable affairs. |
| 10:38 |
only thing sweeter than dodger tears is puig tears! |
| 10:38 |
Oh boy rather than go straight to the Angels game lets hear Gregg Zaun stay stupid things |
| 10:38 |
and my fellow Nats fans are panicking about facing Hudson and Bumgarner. maybe this Dodgers-Cardinals Game 1 will calm them down. |
| 10:38 |
Those screaming idiots inevetably cost themselves more in damaged property than they saved on their bloody cell phone plan. |
| 10:39 |
: I don’t even know what ad you’re talking about, but I like the withering critique!
|
| 10:39 |
Why are we not skipping to the Royals game?????? |
| 10:39 |
: I am, I am.
|
| 10:39 |
: Only one run in this game so far. Let’s go guys.
|
| 10:39 |
I remember when I was a kid Josh Beckett throwing 97 was the craziest thing..Now I don’t even get excited when I see 100. |
| 10:39 |
: Yeah, that is kind of crazy.
|
| 10:39 |
You missed Moustakas bunt single before |
| 10:40 |
: No, I did see that, actually. That was pretty sweet.
|
| 10:40 |
Thanks for keeping me company since I had audio only for the Card’s game! Good luck with the rest of the chat! |
| 10:40 |
: No problemo, thanks Neil!
|
| 10:40 |
None of the teams I want to win are winning |
| 10:40 |
: Yeah but still.
|
| 10:40 |
: Wait, you’re not rooting for the Orioles? But they’re so snuggly!
|
| 10:40 |
really wish Puig would’ve homered. Bill Plaschke might’ve quit his job and become a hobo |
| 10:41 |
: Pretty sure he’s already a hobo…
|
| 10:41 |
So what? None of the teams I want to play are even playing but I’m still watching. |
| 10:41 |
: Yeah!
|
| 10:41 |
How–or rather, why, I guess–is it the only team with a good rotation in the AL has a crappy bullpen? |
| 10:41 |
: The why is because Dave Dombrowski is not as good at free-agent signings as he is at trades, and relievers are more frequently acquired in free agency.
|
| 10:41 |
Because….BASEBALL! |
| 10:41 |
Billy Butler looks like 95% of the guys on my softball team. |
| 10:41 |
As a Blue Jays fan, I refuse to root for the Orioles |
| 10:42 |
: Oh come on, if I can root for the Orioles, then so can you. It’s not the Orioles’ fault that Beeston and Co were too cheap to pony up for a real team.
|
| 10:42 |
I am rooting for the Orioles and Royals, since it isn’t like my favorite team(s) are playing (Blue Jays and Rockies.) Plus Nevada so I don’t have state allegiance. And I just love how absurd the Orioles/Royals runs have been. |
| 10:43 |
: Out of curiousity, how did you pick Rockies and Blue Jays/
|
| 10:43 |
as a cubs fan, i refuse to root for the cardinals |
| 10:43 |
: That’s legit.
|
| 10:43 |
Trout vs Kershaw is the optimal World Series |
| 10:43 |
: Trout vs Harper might be better.
|
| 10:44 |
Ditto the Cubs fan / Cards hate for me as well |
| 10:44 |
With the Giants rotations and some what beat up lineup with no Morse and Pagan do you think they will be able to take down the Nats? |
| 10:44 |
: I think it’s an uphill battle, but any non-Bumgarner win is huge. I think the Giants have a legit chance to pull off the upset.
|
| 10:45 |
Is Mulaney the crummy show that TBS tries to cram down our throats the next few weeks? |
| 10:45 |
: OK!
|
| 10:46 |
: Cardinals
|
| 10:46 |
As a Padres fan, I’m not supposed to root for the Dodgers and Giants but I am. It’s made into an outcast. |
| 10:46 |
: Well, you’re not an outcast here!
|
| 10:46 |
Mulaney leaves me longing for the days of Frank TV |
| 10:46 |
: Ouch.
|
| 10:46 |
Confirm or Deny: The Royals are the worst team, but by far the most entertaining team. |
| 10:47 |
: The former is true. The latter is to be determined, but they’ve been fun so far.
|
| 10:47 |
I picked the Blue Jays because Roy Halladay was one of my favorite players for a while and he waso n the Jays when I got into baseball. I root for the Rockies because Rocktober (Or that general run anyway) is one of the few great baseball things I got to watch a lot of when getting into baseball. |
| 10:47 |
Also since I forgot to mention, the Blue Jays were also the first team I ever used in a baseball video game. I choose them just because they were canadian. That might be why I bothered to look into them quick enough to love Halladay. (I also like the O’s for a similiar reason: Back when I had MLB2K8 I had an O’s franchise I loved and kept hearing about Nick Markakis.) |
| 10:48 |
: Wow, just getting into baseball in 2007. That blows my mind. Sorry, I know I’m old.
|
| 10:48 |
I’d like to see Royals vs. Dodgers |
| 10:48 |
: How would you tell which team is which?!?!?!
|
| 10:48 |
Mike Trout’s post season career is going to be more ARod than Jeter. |
| 10:49 |
: OK, let’s just settle down.
|
| 10:49 |
I think Trout’s postseason career will be most like Trout’s |
| 10:49 |
Paul, I can’t believe MVP 2005 isn’t everyone’s favorite baseball video game. Damon had 80 power in that game. 40 home runs was completely possible. |
| 10:50 |
: I never had it. I had MVP 2004. Does that count?
|
| 10:50 |
Why argue with the Big Dipper? He’s 22 — his career’s practically over. |
| 10:50 |
: Oh Marge, he’s five, his life is over. Lisa’s the wave of the future!
WAVE OF THE FUTURE! |
| 10:50 |
Wasn’t MVP 04 the one where lefties couldn’t homer? |
| 10:51 |
: Was it? I don’t remember that.
|
| 10:51 |
I always picked Ichiro first in MVP05 and always won the MVP with him with like 45 home runs and 80 steals. |
| 10:51 |
MVP 2005 was an amazing game. I stole 100 bases with Corey Patterson |
| 10:52 |
World Series Baseball 2k1 was the worst game ever but I still played it for hours every day |
| 10:52 |
Manny wasn’t on the cover. Doesn’t count. I’d love a poll, because I would bet 90% of the chat thing that is the best baseball video game easily. Ol’ Roy throw the Palmball in that game and Wakefield was impossible to hit. |
| 10:52 |
: Come on, I just made a poll!
|
| 10:52 |
Do you know the updated odds on the Giants winning the series against Washington? |
| 10:53 |
: I don’t, sorry.
|
| 10:53 |
Does Ventura’s follow-through on the curve look different than his fastball? I wonder if his arm action is the same (so it won’t tip it to the hitter) |
| 10:53 |
: Ideally, obviously, it would be the same, but no, I haven’t watched him intricately enough to pick up on that.
|
| 10:54 |
What do you think of the WSJ’s playoff “hateability” index? http://online.wsj.com/artic… |
| 10:54 |
: I liked it until they got to the subjective questions, which were obviously inserted to make the Cardinals the most hated.
|
| 10:54 |
: Which, in a sense, is great, because I hate them the most. But in a more real sense, it was embarrassing, especially for a great paper like the WSJ.
|
| 10:55 |
Prado at 2b, A-Rod at 3b, and a rotating DH orrrrr Prado/ Refsnyder at 2b, Prado/ A-Rod at 3b, Prado/ Beltran in Rf, and Beltran/ A-Rod at DH? Headley would obviously be the best option at 3b but I have a feeling that won’t happen. |
| 10:55 |
: Sandoval would be the best 3B option.
|
| 10:55 |
Salvy is nice |
| 10:56 |
Re. Hatability index – They forgot the category: Does the city have an arch in it. |
| 10:56 |
Prado A-Rod and Beltran? Are we still talking about old video games? |
| 10:56 |
: Ouch.
|
| 10:56 |
I have never been so sad over a baseball game |
| 10:57 |
: Sorry, Zach!
|
| 10:57 |
I feel like the hateability index was confirmed with the St. Louis Mayor’s response |
| 10:57 |
: Oh ya, that was amateur hour.
|
| 10:57 |
Can we please not do the “because baseball” thing anymore? I can’t stand how mimelicious our today culture has become |
| 10:57 |
: Agreed.
|
| 10:57 |
: I never do that, for the record. It’s smarmy at best.
|
| 10:57 |
ooh, what’d the STL mayor say? |
| 10:58 |
: Someone help me out with a link.
|
| 10:58 |
My friend in LA(lives 7mins away from Dodger Stadium) has made $300 so far doing Uber driving….before the game ended. Screw him especially after he did work on a video for Carmelo two weeks ago |
| 10:58 |
: Well the important thing is that you’re not bitter about it.
|
| 10:58 |
: But, remember, you got to watch the game, and he/she was in their car the whole time, and that totally sucks.
|
| 10:58 |
Can’t tell if you’re being sarcatic about the WSJ being a great paper. Fiscal conservative, Paul? |
| 10:59 |
: I wasn’t being sarcastic.
|
| 10:59 |
: I like the WSJ.
|
| 11:00 |
Talk about smarmy… |
| 11:00 |
: For liking a newspaper? Tough crowd!
|
| 11:00 |
This might be the funniest thing I’ve read all year… |
| 11:01 |
: The St Louis thing or me liking the WSJ?
|
| 11:01 |
Nope I’m sorry this is the best line “We’re sorry for our diverse community in that more Bosnians—over 60,000—call St. Louis home than anywhere outside of Bosnia.” |
| 11:01 |
: SO diverse.
|
| 11:01 |
st louis mayor response! |
| 11:01 |
: Just, just stop talking, St. Louis mayor. I’m not even going to refer to him by name.
|
| 11:01 |
Theres nothing wrong with Bosnians but using that as a selling point for your city is hilarious |
| 11:02 |
: Exactly.
|
| 11:02 |
Does Puig have the instructions for his bat flip tattooed on his neck. I swear I saw him with a mirror before that last AB. |
| 11:02 |
lol I stopped reading when he bragged about Budweiser |
| 11:02 |
: Don’t miss the action? What action? Come on Angels, do something!
|
| 11:02 |
why every castin’ shade |
| 11:02 |
: That’s not a complete sentence.
|
| 11:03 |
: There we go, Howie Kendrick.
|
| 11:03 |
neither are |
| 11:03 |
: What game are you playing at, Francis Slay?!?!?
|
| 11:03 |
Over the last three years Panda has a cumulative WAR OF 7.9 while Headley has 15.2. I know Headley’s outlier 2012 is in there and Sandoval’s younger but he will command a longer and more expensive contract. Give me Headley all day errday. |
| 11:04 |
: I dunno, Headley is older and has a habit of being brittle. I’d rather have Pablo.
|
| 11:04 |
what game are you sywndad |
| 11:04 |
Did you see the newsreel they recently found from the 1924 World Series? — http://www.washingtonpost.c… |
| 11:04 |
: I did, but haven’t watched it yet.
|
| 11:04 |
Sandoval missed huge amounts of time with freak injuries. Had both hamate bones removed. Has no more hamate bones to injure. |
| 11:04 |
: Key word “freak.” Whereas Headley just breaks down.
|
| 11:05 |
: OK, little no-out bingo here. Could be a big inning if Scioscia’s buntiness doesn’t get in the way.
|
| 11:05 |
I find all the sign stealing talk quite funny. |
| 11:05 |
: Sad is the better word for it.
|
| 11:05 |
“We’re sorry that at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis Richard Blechynden served tea with ice, thus inventing iced tea (although not the rapper/actor Ice-T).” Oh. My. God. |
| 11:05 |
: Wait did someone say that?
|
| 11:05 |
I think the fact that Headley doesn’t weigh 650 lbs makes up for the fact that he’s a year older |
| 11:05 |
: Well, I think it doesn’t, so there.
|
| 11:06 |
Hamate Bone sounds like a 30’s jazz singer. |
| 11:06 |
Paul, as a Sox guy are you already sick of Sox fans calling for them to sign Sandoval? |
| 11:06 |
: No, since I’m leading that bandwagon. Sign Sandoval! If Middlebrooks is good in Spring Training (he won’t be) then they can trade him.
|
| 11:06 |
holy crap the mayor wrote that Ice-T line. sigh |
| 11:06 |
: Hahahahahahaha.
|
| 11:07 |
What are your thoughts on Cecchini for 3B in 2015? |
| 11:07 |
: I think he’ll make a great backup third baseman if the team needs one of those. (Note: they won’t need one of those)
|
| 11:07 |
What about Cecchini, Holt, or Xander at 3B? |
| 11:08 |
: Xander is a shortstop, Holt is the utility guy and Cecchini is the guy at Triple-A who they call up if someone gets hurt.
|
| 11:08 |
you can’t have sandoval 🙁 |
| 11:08 |
: Oh, but we can!
|
| 11:08 |
: Also, stupid double play.
|
| 11:08 |
: I think Aybar might have been hurt more there than Escobar was.
|
| 11:08 |
Bogaerts or Profar? |
| 11:09 |
: Bogaerts.
|
| 11:09 |
Great double play. Why aren’t you rooting for the Royals? |
| 11:09 |
: I’m not not rooting for the Royals, I just want to see some excitement. That was a boring double play.
|
| 11:09 |
That’s not good |
| 11:09 |
uh oh |
| 11:09 |
Most damage Hamilton has done in a while! /rimshot |
| 11:09 |
If that was Yadi that got hit with the bat he’d attack Hamilton |
| 11:10 |
Josh Hamilton could not give less of a shit that he just bashed Perez in the head. |
| 11:10 |
Time for the that’s the first time Hamilton’s made contact all series jokes. |
| 11:10 |
Hamilton apparently doesn’t care that he just obliterated Perez’s head. What an ass. |
| 11:10 |
Headley has played in at least 135 games in five of the last six years. Panda? Four. Even when Headley plays injured he’s better. |
| 11:10 |
: I’m sorry, I don’t want a guy playing injured. I want him to either be injured or playing.
|
| 11:10 |
Is it my imagination or has Hamilton done this multiple times? |
| 11:11 |
: It’s probably not your imagination. Hamilton’s swing is long, and he swings at everything.
|
| 11:11 |
The concussion test is oddly adorable |
| 11:11 |
: It kind of is.
|
| 11:11 |
Anyone else notice Hamilton looked at Perez and then spit in that direction? Might’ve been the slow motion making it look worse, but that’s awful. |
| 11:12 |
sandoval would hit like 10 more home runs a year if he didn’t play at at&t park |
| 11:12 |
Pretty sure that spittle escaped from Hamilton’s mouth before he realized what happened. |
| 11:12 |
Hamilton is a constant spitter. In the OF its spit in hand, rub on grass, rub balls. Rinse (literally), repeat. |
| 11:13 |
When will people get over steroids? Players chose a slight boost in performance at a significant medical and personal costs? I mean if you present an average person with enchanced physical strength but told them they could develop breasts,impotence, infertility,acne,balding,liver damage…etc. They would probably deny it. People view it as cheating, but don’t understand how much these players might have to give up. |
| 11:13 |
: Blame Congress.
|
| 11:14 |
PLEEEASEE no steroid talk |
| 11:14 |
Wow Zaun just kind of accused Ventura of juicing |
| 11:14 |
: Is Zaun doing the radio broadcast?
|
| 11:14 |
I’d take Hanley in 120 and a replacement level in the other 42 over Brendan Ryan for 162. Bad analogy but you know what I mean. I get what you’re saying too. |
| 11:14 |
Gregg Zaun: “Ventura is really good and thats why they shouldn’t have used him out of the bullpen in the WC game”. |
| 11:14 |
: I don’t get that sentiment RE: Ventura. But OK?
|
| 11:14 |
What happens if a catcher snap throws into the batters head? |
| 11:14 |
: He’d probably hurt his arm?
|
| 11:15 |
He’s doing TV analysis for Canada and they cut to him after every few innings |
| 11:15 |
No one should take anything Greg Zaun says seriously. |
| 11:15 |
Zaun is a clown |
| 11:15 |
Question for someone who knows rules better than I: Does that play count as dead ball? |
| 11:16 |
: WHen Hamilton hit Perez in the head? Yes, because I’m sure the ump called time.
|
| 11:16 |
This commercial just identified Chili’s, Denny’s, and Outback Steakhouse as every viewer’s favorite restaurants. |
| 11:16 |
: Sounds about right. ‘Merica.
|
| 11:17 |
: OK, well that’s funny.I was envisioning more the catcher standing to throw out a runner.
|
| 11:17 |
The ump called it, just didn’t know if it was something automatic…if the players wanted to be unsportsmanlike, could they have run on it |
| 11:17 |
: Oh. Well, yes, but I think as soon as the ump calls time they have to go back to their base, no matter how far they were.
|
| 11:17 |
Everyone’s going nuts because Hamilton made a routine catch on the run. |
| 11:18 |
: Counts as excitement in this one.
|
| 11:18 |
I’ve always interpreted Beane’s comment from Moneyball.. “My sh*t doesn’t work in the playoffs” as applying to everyone, not just the A’s. In other words, playoffs are a crapshoot and no team or person can be guaranteed a championship no matter how they’re built. Case in point, Kershaw tonight. |
| 11:18 |
: Yeah. Blame Michael Lewis for not making that point more emphatically. Or blame Beane for swearing in a sentence.
|
| 11:18 |
If Perez is woozy, he absolutely should not stay in the game. I don’t care what he says or how many fingers he sees. |
| 11:19 |
: Well, how could he not be woozy, right? I mean, he got hit in the head.
But, they came right out and did a few minutes worth of tests on him. They did things right. If they say he’s not concussed, then OK. This isn’t a Michigan thing. |
| 11:19 |
So, has anyone else pointed out that Matt Shoemaker is simply Brian Wilson wearing an Angels uniform? |
| 11:20 |
: Uh, I don’t think so. Care to elaborate?
|
| 11:20 |
I thought it was made pretty clear that the playoffs were a crapshoot in Moneyball. In fact, I’m pretty sure he says that verbatim at some point in the book. |
| 11:20 |
: Yeah but was there a swear in that sentence?
|
| 11:21 |
: BTW, this seems like a good place to point out that one of the articles in the Hardball Times Annual this year is a piece on which book front offices think is more important – The Book or Moneyball. It’s gonna be cool. We queried front office peeps and everything!
|
| 11:21 |
The Padres held a private workout for Tomas today. Please tell me that’s serious. |
| 11:21 |
: Well, the one thing that A.J. Preller that I know is that he has a good reputation with international signs. So, maybe? That’d certainly be a nice change of pace.
|
| 11:22 |
: OK, brb, I need a snack.
|
| 11:25 |
: Back!
|
| 11:25 |
Snack? You beering, Paul? What kind? |
| 11:25 |
: I had my last Allagash White earlier tonight. So unprepared.
|
| 11:25 |
Poll: What snack will Paul bring back? Pringles, Doritos, Triscuits, Peanuts |
| 11:26 |
: None. I got a tiny bowl of walnuts and dark choc pieces.
|
| 11:26 |
Made a Rhode Island coffee milk. Love Providence. |
| 11:26 |
: I don’t know what that is.
|
| 11:26 |
Did you know that now you can mix the physical freedom of the car with the virtual freedom of Wi-fi? |
| 11:26 |
: That was in an ad earlier, wasn’t it? That was weird.
|
| 11:26 |
Marte for Cashner, who says no? |
| 11:26 |
: The Pirates. In a heartbeat.
|
| 11:26 |
Your thoughts on the Players Tribune? |
| 11:27 |
: I don’t know what that is.
|
| 11:27 |
Sheesh. I know I’d be beering if I were contractually obligated to deal with people like me trying to prove who knew more about a child’s game. |
| 11:27 |
: Well, I’m not contractually obligated. Neither Cameron or Appelman are paying attention at this point. If I called it a night, no one would say anything to me. I stay because I love you guys!
|
| 11:27 |
Do you have any good recipes for pulled pork> |
| 11:28 |
: Oooooo, no. You want Eno or Dave for that. I know how to make string cheese.
|
| 11:28 |
: Step one – take string cheese out of the wrapper. Step two – eat.
|
| 11:28 |
Pineda + a decent prospect for Castro? Too risky for the Cubs? |
| 11:28 |
: I could see this, but think the Cubs can get more.
|
| 11:28 |
I don’t know what a “Michigan thing” is, but forgive me if I’m skeptical when a team representative, who has an interest in keeping a good catcher in a playoff game, says “he guessed right when I asked him how many fingers and, by the way, our backup catcher is Erik Kratz. ” |
| 11:29 |
: The University of Michigan coach ignored his QB getting a concussion last week. It turned into a big thing.
|
| 11:29 |
: I mean, I don’t know what those tests were, but a medical expert could see them, as they were all filmed, and tell us if he was being above board or not. So, that leads me to believe that he WAS being above board.
|
| 11:30 |
What are the chances of 2 Rhode Islanders in a Fangraphs chat? Pretty slim. |
| 11:30 |
Why are health tests not supervised by neutral MLB doctors? |
| 11:30 |
: Because MLB is cheap?
|
| 11:30 |
Where does Ned Yost rank on your managers list? 29? 30? |
| 11:30 |
: Yes.
|
| 11:30 |
Ok let’s all watch Trout choke |
| 11:31 |
: I’m pretty sure I already told you to settle down RE: Trout.
|
| 11:31 |
: Don’t make me raise my voice!
|
| 11:31 |
If this pitch isn’t a high fastball, Ventura’s doing it wrong. |
| 11:31 |
That, the Michigan thing, is exactly my point. We’ve seen too often that these team representatives too often act in the short term interest of the team, to the long term detriment of the player. |
| 11:32 |
: But if I’m remembering that right, it was the coach who turned a blind eye on purpose. Here, there was no blind eye turning, they rushed out of the dugout and stopped the game. Far more transparent.
|
| 11:32 |
Lets watch The Big Dipper choke! |
| 11:32 |
: Come on people, we’re all in this together.
|
| 11:32 |
I actually like Trout a lot, I just have a feeling he’s going to struggle |
| 11:32 |
: Well, he is 22.
|
| 11:32 |
I’m no Yost fan, but he destroyed Bob Melvin Tuesday. |
| 11:33 |
: Destroyed is a strong word, but it wasn’t Melvin’s best game.
|
| 11:33 |
So how is it that the roster contstructed by a bad front office who hires a bad manager has this much success? |
| 11:33 |
: Every dog has its day?
|
| 11:33 |
: And also the front office did develop a bunch of good players.
|
| 11:34 |
: Trout didn’t choke, Big Dipper. What say you?
|
| 11:34 |
Curious why the analytics community doesn’t like the Royals. Poor plate discipline? |
| 11:34 |
: Hold one.
|
| 11:34 |
| 11:34 |
: The Royals, do however, play very good defense and have a very good bullpen. These things are very important in the postseason.
|
| 11:35 |
: So they’re not going to go away quietly.
|
| 11:35 |
I say good job Trout |
| 11:35 |
I think it is a bit unfair to call the Royal’s front office terrible. They had one of the best farms system of all time a couple years ago…..Just nobody really panned out, which seems to be more up to luck than anythung. |
| 11:35 |
: Do we really need to go over the Myers/Odorizzi trade again?
|
| 11:35 |
: Woo, tie game!
|
| 11:36 |
: Did Moustakas just sit on Trout? He had him pinned down.
|
| 11:36 |
Trout nearly TOOTBLAPed himself…. |
| 11:36 |
Does Yost wear that one? |
| 11:36 |
I am no a mcahine, I am just Albert |
| 11:37 |
: I don’t think so. Not like Pujols knocked the crap out of that one.
|
| 11:37 |
: Also, Ventura is only at 81 pitches, and the Royals are on their third high stress game in four days, with the other two both having gone long.
|
| 11:38 |
: They probably need as much as Ventura can give them.
|
| 11:38 |
they must have Ventura’s TJ surgery scheduled for November… |
| 11:38 |
: Getting a little chippy in here!
|
| 11:38 |
I keep seeing this Drew Fairservice article out of the corner of my eye and thinking it says “The Dodgers Surprising Offensive Tweet” |
| 11:38 |
If this Royals have ANOTHER game that goes extras…I won’t do anything about it, because I am ultimately powerless, especially in that scenario. |
| 11:38 |
: Agreed.
|
| 11:39 |
I think the Angels employ every ginger in baseball. |
| 11:39 |
: Did they sign Aaron Cook?
|
| 11:39 |
You wanted excitement….chippy = exciting |
| 11:39 |
: That’s true. You got me there.
|
| 11:39 |
Kendrick again makes the 3rd out with runners on. Did it 3 times last night. |
| 11:39 |
: Yeah, but still.
|
| 11:39 |
is there an easy way to get to the top of the chat?@ |
| 11:39 |
: No, I don’t think so. Sorry.
|
| 11:39 |
“Albert’s one of those older players, he doesn’t run well anymore.” Wait, aren’t there like eight years left on his contract? |
| 11:40 |
: Both things are true.
|
| 11:40 |
Ned Yost must really hate the 6th inning. |
| 11:40 |
: Hahahahahahahahahah
|
| 11:40 |
pull yordano now? |
| 11:41 |
: Aybar, Freese and Hamilton next inning? I’d let him start and give him until a runner reaches second.
|
| 11:41 |
: He’s still at just 84 pitches, and has cruised for most of the game.
|
| 11:41 |
The Angles have one of the highest payrolls in baseball and Kendrick is their cleanup hitter. |
| 11:42 |
: I’m pretty confused as to why he is the cleanup hitter though. It should be Iannetta or Hamilton or even Cron. I don’t get their lineup.
|
| 11:42 |
Did Albert ever run the bases well…? |
| 11:43 |
: He’s stolen between 14 and 16 bases in three different seasons. So, yes.
|
| 11:43 |
: Even with his recent foot problems, he still has a positive career UBR.
|
| 11:43 |
Vogelsong or Petit in Game 4 for SF? |
| 11:43 |
: Petit.
|
| 11:44 |
Given he isn’t going to be a Royal in 2015, the Royals should be absoutely abusing Shield, not Ventura. Even Holland, who they should probably trade away. |
| 11:44 |
: That’d be a pretty great way to make sure no free agents ever sign with your team.
|
| 11:44 |
Is Herrerra out? |
| 11:44 |
: Yes, he had a forearm thing. They hope he’s back for Game 3.
|
| 11:45 |
Angels have one of the highest payrolls in baseball, and are starting zero below average hitters |
| 11:45 |
Trout, Pujols and Hamilton are 1 for 20 so far |
| 11:45 |
: Is that good?
|
| 11:45 |
Estimate how much older is Pujols than his birth certificate says? |
| 11:45 |
: Less than 10 days.
|
| 11:46 |
what do the red dots on the win probability chart represent? |
| 11:46 |
: I think they’re just the most significant plays in the game, but I guess I don’t know for sure.
|
| 11:46 |
The man was worth 58.8 WAR from 2003-2010. No lower than 7.0, got up to 9.6. If that’s not a machine than neither was Arnold. |
| 11:47 |
: Chill out, dickwad!
Sorry, that’s a Terminator 2 quote when Arnold tries to seem more human. It’s appropriate, I swear. |
| 11:47 |
Peres is the anti Frank Thomas, if he doesn’t swing it can’t be a strike |
| 11:48 |
: We actually have an article coming up at The Hardball Times from Bradley Woodrum on this very topic, which he dubbed “The Tony Gwynn Effect.”
|
| 11:48 |
What are the chances for a Royals-Pirates World Series in the next 5 years? It would be bonkers. |
| 11:48 |
: I’m going to say very low.
|
| 11:48 |
Re. Pujols baserunning – He has always been slow, but he is an extremely smart baserunner. |
| 11:48 |
Do you think there’s still a decent number of guys in the league with falsified birth certificates? |
| 11:48 |
: I don’t, but maybe I’m just a dreamer.
|
| 11:49 |
How many people in chat? |
| 11:49 |
: Still over 650. We were up to 750 at the end of the STL-LAD game.
|
| 11:49 |
This high strike zone is a little ridiculous |
| 11:49 |
Paul. Don’t start with Terminator. Carson’s chat eneded up with a “time machine Hitler |
| 11:50 |
: Yeah but Carson is just making stuff up. I am quoting movies here, and those are totally real life.
|
| 11:50 |
: Quick question – does any still refer to the dude in Scandal as the dude from Terminator 2?
None of you watch Scandal, do you? Damnit. |
| 11:50 |
Is that a hedge, in the sense that any specific WS matchup is “very low”? Or is it relative to those participants? |
| 11:50 |
: Both!
|
| 11:51 |
who watches scandal : |
| 11:51 |
: Damnit.
|
| 11:51 |
Scandal has been on my watch list for like two years and every time I go to start it I find something I think will be better |
| 11:51 |
Petit (SFG) is pretty good, isn’t he? Sad that I have to clarify who I’m talking about. Guy came within one out of perfecto last year and this year set all-time record for consecutive batters retired. |
| 11:51 |
: He’s OK. He’s good considering what he almost was, which was a nobody.
|
| 11:52 |
According to EJ, it’s “amazing” that the Angels and Royals have the same hit total two nights in a row |
| 11:52 |
: Not amazing, but it’s worth noting.
|
| 11:52 |
What scandal? Is it called scandal-gate? |
| 11:52 |
: Ha.
|
| 11:52 |
Been watching Parks and Recreation straight through since I moved to Providence |
| 11:52 |
I watch Scandal and never realized until now that Olivia’s dad was Miles Dyson. |
| 11:52 |
: WHAT?!?!?!? I feel so betrayed.
|
| 11:53 |
: I’d like to point out that Ventura cruised through those two batters.
|
| 11:53 |
Actually I am not a fair person for TV or movie analysis. I only watch sports, Archer, and sometimes Jeopardy on TV. And there is on average 1 movie every 5 years that I want to see, none of which I end up attending. |
| 11:53 |
: I was with you up to the point where you said you never see movies.
|
| 11:53 |
If Pablo is older than his birth certificate suggests, then we can call him Pablo Scandleval |
| 11:54 |
You’re my new favorite fangrapher. I was tempted to wade through you reach down your throat and pull out your heart though. |
| 11:54 |
: Well, it’s still an option.
|
| 11:54 |
101 mph in the 7th by the starter is kind of insane. |
| 11:54 |
: Indeed it is.
|
| 11:55 |
Sorry! Does it help or hurt that the 5 year cycle has arrived with the ads for The Judge? |
| 11:55 |
: Rental.
|
| 11:55 |
I’m thinking this gun might be a little juiced though |
| 11:55 |
: Still tho.
|
| 11:55 |
: PitchF/X has a 100 and a 101 in this AB.
|
| 11:55 |
There aren’t more than 4-5 movies per year that are worth seeing. |
| 11:56 |
: No way. You guys need to lower your noses a little!
|
| 11:56 |
Remember when Verlander could do that? I’ll take Ventura though. Idea: only sign V-pitchers to start. Except Pat Venditte. |
| 11:56 |
: Could be limiting, but let’s see where it goes.
|
| 11:56 |
I’m looking forward to seeing The Drop…Gandolfini’s last movie |
| 11:56 |
: Don’t know too much about that one.
|
| 11:56 |
Movie worth seeing this year: The Giver. |
| 11:57 |
: I’ve heard good things.
|
| 11:57 |
Yeah, I forgot about classics like Terminator 2! Only snobs think that one sucks! |
| 11:57 |
: Are you insulting Terminator 2 or me? Or both?
|
| 11:57 |
Last movie I actually saw, want to or not, was Godzilla with some buddies this June. My review: the room was sufficiently dark but it was a little noisy. |
| 11:57 |
: Saw that in the theater as well. Enjoyed it.
|
| 11:58 |
People who think there are only 4-5 movies a year worth seeing are generally the idiots who put Transformers at the top of the box office every year. |
| 11:58 |
: I don’t think that statement applies to chuckb.
|
| 11:58 |
Just terminator 2. |
| 11:58 |
: Terminator 2 is a classic!
|
| 11:58 |
: 8.5 on imdb
|
| 11:59 |
: 92% on rotten tomatoes
|
| 11:59 |
“idiots” is a strong statement |
| 11:59 |
: Also this.
|
| 11:59 |
I think the people who think there are only 4-5 good movies a year are the people that only watch movies that are 90% or better on rotten tomatoes |
| 11:59 |
: Like Terminator 2?
|
| 11:59 |
Two things: The Judge is unrealistic because no judge faces criminal charges in the US. The Givers was flawded book and probably worse movie that didn’t address that various philosophical questions is presented. |
| 11:59 |
: Yeesh, who invited captain killjoy into the chat?
|
| 12:00 |
I recently watched Bill & Ted again. Another classic, and like So Crates, I also love baseball. http://s30.postimg.org/x7ro… |
| 12:00 |
: Hey, it’s a new day!
|
| 12:00 |
How long until moose is out of the bigs? .290 obp in 1800+ abs seems like a decent indication of true talent. |
| 12:00 |
: I think his homer last night bought him another two years.
|
| 12:00 |
Transformers is great if you are looking for giant robots and explosions. I don’t want that in every movie that I watch, but it is awesome. |
| 12:00 |
: Yes.
|
| 12:01 |
Didn’t make it to Transformers. I guess I’m just lacking Sean P’s appreciation of culture. |
| 12:01 |
: I guess that’s it.
|
| 12:01 |
I’m a pretentious film student, can we talk about Boyhood? |
| 12:01 |
: Sure, if you want. I didn’t see it yet though, because it sounded like a rental.
|
| 12:01 |
is this game really that boring? |
| 12:01 |
: You tell me.
|
| 12:01 |
: It’s the 8th inning and we’ve had 10 hits.
|
| 12:01 |
Boyz in the Hood? That’s a great one |
| 12:02 |
: Agreed.
|
| 12:02 |
Moose is the Terminator 2 of 3rd basemen! |
| 12:02 |
: ChuckB, let’s not say things we can’t take back.
|
| 12:02 |
So Paul, will I ever figure out how to hit high heat? |
| 12:02 |
: Most hitters can’t hit high heat.
|
| 12:03 |
: You do realize that, right?
|
| 12:03 |
Ron Darling just said it is easy to throw 100. Not sure he ever threw above 85 |
| 12:03 |
: Can we get someone to investigate that?
|
| 12:03 |
LOL, I think Ventura heard the TBS guy talking about him |
| 12:03 |
The Drop… Best movie I’ve seen in over a year. (I see about 15-20 movies a year. |
| 12:03 |
He was definitely above 85 |
| 12:03 |
: But not 100 though.
|
| 12:04 |
Have you given up on my comments about movies, Paul? |
| 12:04 |
: I’m trying to steer us back to baseball before ChuckB gets upset again.
|
| 12:05 |
: I feel like Joe Smith is sweating more than he should be, but 1-2-3, so whatever.
|
| 12:05 |
Ventura or Davis here? |
| 12:06 |
: Tough. Probably need someone new for Calhoun, so might as well get that new person in for a fresh inning.
|
| 12:06 |
Ventura is done. |
| 12:06 |
The Drop was good but it was hardly one of the best I’ve seen. Of course, I don’t go watch all the 90 superhero explosion movies that come out every year catering to 15 year old boys. |
| 12:07 |
: ChuckB, what are the movies you’ve seen this year. I’m legitimately curious now.
|
| 12:07 |
Congratulions, Ned Yost. You have reached the 8th inning and unlocked “Wade Davis.” — I wish I could remember who the guy I am stealing this from was. |
| 12:07 |
Do you buy into Hosmer or Moose being solid major leaguers? Incredible pedigree and skill set with terrible major league performances? |
| 12:07 |
: Hosmer is a solid player. Not great, but worth keeping around. Moustakas, not as much.
|
| 12:08 |
Did anyone see Gone Girl this morning before MLB started? I assume no one had work. |
| 12:08 |
: What’s work?
|
| 12:08 |
What’s Gone Girl? |
| 12:08 |
: Well that escalated quickly.
|
| 12:08 |
: Ned Yost is still smiling because he knows he can’t be criticized for bringing in Davis.
|
| 12:09 |
How do fans of other teams perceive the Giants? I take it it’s not quite Cardinals-level disdain, but are they a particularly dislikable team? Or do they just kind of exist and people don’t care? |
| 12:09 |
: I think it’s more that Giants fans are unlikeable. Most Giants fans are bitter and whiny. The Giants themselves are kind of fun. They’d be even more fun if Pagan was healthy.
|
| 12:10 |
stay classy, fangraphs |
| 12:10 |
: You can’t make us!
|
| 12:10 |
Fans trying to grab the ball. Amateurs! |
| 12:10 |
Transformers is horrendous and insulting, even if you want giant robots and explosions. The notion that in order to get giant robots and explosions you need everything else to be terrible is bs. |
| 12:11 |
: Transformers succeeded far more than I thought it would. I was excited for it because I grew up with it. But I didn’t think $1 billion worth of people did.
|
| 12:11 |
Wade Davis throws hard |
| 12:11 |
The Drop. I’ve seen a few on Amazon Prime. I saw American Hustle. That was good. Dallas Buyers Club was good. |
| 12:11 |
: I saw American Hustle, I thought it was like 30 minutes too long.
|
| 12:12 |
: I haven’t seen DBC yet. Or The Drop. Want to see DBC. I think it’s on HBO now. Need to DVR it.
|
| 12:12 |
Wait..so people actually dislike the Cardinals, but just dislike the Giants’ fans? What’s to hate about the Cardinals team? |
| 12:12 |
: Matheny
|
| 12:12 |
Yes, Ventura did hear him https://twitter.com/Lana/st… |
| 12:12 |
: Hahahaha
|
| 12:12 |
Okay, not you Paul, honest, but “bitter and whiny” always makes me think of Pats/Sox fans. |
| 12:13 |
: Well, OK.
|
| 12:13 |
: Oh WOW WOW WOW, that can’t happen if you’re the Angels.
|
| 12:13 |
: Ripken finally says something and it’s 100% wrong. Good times.
|
| 12:14 |
: Also, what’s up with that slide? That was WIllie Mays Hayes-esque!
|
| 12:14 |
Wow, Dyson! |
| 12:14 |
Did you see the doc Ellis doc? Pretty cool |
| 12:14 |
: Want to.
|
| 12:14 |
I’m a Cards fan. Loved Matheny as a player. Loathe him as a manager. |
| 12:14 |
Dyson is a man. |
| 12:14 |
: Not yet 40, though.
|
| 12:14 |
Cardinals fans hate Matheny, too. Next? |
| 12:15 |
I mentioned this the other night. It makes no sense that Aoki starts over Dyson. Super play. |
| 12:15 |
: Yeah, Dyson is a little underrated. I still like that they have both of them though.
|
| 12:15 |
Cowgill not even close. How are you out by that much? |
| 12:16 |
: The slide was really, really bad. Almost a belly flop.
|
| 12:16 |
runs like mays, hits like hayes |
| 12:16 |
what did ripken say? |
| 12:17 |
: That it’s a gamble worth taking, trying to get to third. Which it wasn’t. It was medium depth, and the Angels have had like 4 base runners the whole game. AND the top of the order was coming up. I can’t possibly think of a less defensible play to run on.
|
| 12:17 |
: What I’m saying is that Cal Ripken should just go back to being quiet.
|
| 12:17 |
oh, an I’m a man I’m 40 reference. nice. |
| 12:17 |
what’s the most runs kershaw gave up in any game this year? |
| 12:17 |
: I think 7 in 3 innings early in the season.
|
| 12:17 |
it wasn’t that good of a throw by Dyson |
| 12:18 |
: It was a pretty good throw though.
|
| 12:18 |
Where does Scioscia rank as a manager? |
| 12:18 |
: Definitely in the bottom half.
|
| 12:18 |
DBC is worth seeing just for McConaghey. He was fantastic. |
| 12:18 |
: Well, it’s worth seeing just for the scene with Adam Dunn, but yes, also because of MMc.
|
| 12:18 |
If this goes into extra innings, do you think all the extra playing time has any effect on the winner of this series in the ALCS? |
| 12:19 |
: I think it’d be hard to quantify that in any respect other than the bullpen, and the rosters can be changed in between series if a guy or two is really gassed. So, no.
|
| 12:19 |
Does anyone else wanna see Matheney and Ausmus brawl? guess thats Szymborki question |
| 12:19 |
: That is indeed!
|
| 12:19 |
I know they’re both lefties, but maybe you platoon them? Dyson v. RHP, Aoki vs. LHP? |
| 12:20 |
: It’s probably not that simple.
|
| 12:20 |
You would think that Cal would add value to the announcer role, but A. he doesn’t speak and B. when he does speak, he spouts cliches and incorrect information. What gives? |
| 12:20 |
: Cal Ripken has spent a lifetime saying nothing offensive. It’s hard to break that habit, especially since his little league does big business.
|
| 12:21 |
: I actually have a hard time thinking of a worse person to be a color guy.
|
| 12:21 |
Who do you think came out on top in the Greinke for Cain et al trade? |
| 12:21 |
: Well, certainly not the Brewers in the long term.
|
| 12:21 |
Jon, you’re in front of a computer. Just look up his game log. |
| 12:21 |
: Maybe Jon is on his phone?
|
| 12:21 |
The TBS booth slightly improves when Ripken falls asleep |
| 12:22 |
If there’s one constant in baseball…the better a man was as a player, the worse he is as an announcer. |
| 12:22 |
: Not true. Pedro is great at both!
|
| 12:22 |
: But that’s because Pedro gives 0 F’s. Ripken has something to lose.
|
| 12:22 |
Wage Davis’ contact% is 69.3 this year down from 83.0 last year. Can this be attributed to his move to the bullpen and uptick in velocity therefore making his other pitches less hittable? Or is it because he’s able to throw his best pitches more often? |
| 12:22 |
: All of that.
|
| 12:22 |
wait… adam dunn in DBC. Is that joke or serious? |
| 12:23 |
: Totally serious. He was one of the producers, and is supposedly in one scene as a bartender.
|
| 12:23 |
Can we just appreciate that Dyson’s throw was made cold? |
| 12:23 |
: Also that.
|
| 12:23 |
what did people think of The Lego Movie and Locke? |
| 12:24 |
: Well, I don’t know what Locke is, but The Lego Movie was the first movie we took my son to in the theaters, and both he and I and my wife loved it. We bought it when it came out on video and have watched it a bunch of times since.
|
| 12:24 |
Think Yost will still be reluctant to use Holland in a tie game, even in the playoffs? |
| 12:24 |
: Hope not.
|
| 12:24 |
What reason is there to assume any former player will be a good analyst? |
| 12:24 |
: People want to hear from players they recognize.
|
| 12:24 |
My two favorite movies of 2013 were Spring Breakers and The Spectacular Now. One of them was a gorgeous oneiric hellscape that was misinterpreted by the vast majority of its audience (although maybe that was part of the point) while the other was generally appreciated but kind of went unnoticed. |
| 12:25 |
: Didn’t see either, but Spectacular Now is on Amazon now, so it’s on my list.
|
| 12:25 |
Can you please tell me what the dugout reporter said about Ventura when he was right in front of him? |
| 12:25 |
: I don’t remember, GOSH!
|
| 12:25 |
Boy, mic-ing up Hosmer sure adds to the broadcast |
| 12:25 |
: I’d be willing to bet that was the one sequence during which Hosmer was not swearing.
|
| 12:26 |
Wow. The didn’t turn a DP on Billy |
| 12:26 |
: Little kick from Hosmer was kind of cheap, but it worked.
|
| 12:26 |
On the bright side, here comes Gore! Leggo! |
| 12:26 |
That reporter said meaningless dugout-reporter pablum about Ventura. As always. |
| 12:26 |
Hosmer couldn’t get near 2b on that play. Not at all close, Ron |
| 12:26 |
: Wow, Gore is fast.
|
| 12:26 |
: Wow wow wow.
|
| 12:26 |
I’ve never seen a guy get to 2B that far ahead of a throw, probably. |
| 12:27 |
Safe by 6 miles |
| 12:27 |
He’s so fast he almost always over-runs the base. Holy cow. |
| 12:27 |
Houston street is a free base for a fast guy |
| 12:27 |
: I mean, he’s a free base for a lot of guys, but that was ridiculous.
|
| 12:27 |
I think Gore could have stole that base standing up. |
| 12:27 |
Steal 3rd on IBB? |
| 12:27 |
: He might be able to.
|
| 12:27 |
So, will Gore steal 3rd? |
| 12:27 |
: Does he even need to? He probably scores on any ball that gets to the outfield.
|
| 12:28 |
: Already two outs, so the sac fly is not in play.
|
| 12:28 |
3rd always brings the WPBK scenario into play (Wild pitch-passed ball-balk) |
| 12:28 |
: I guess so.
|
| 12:28 |
: Doesn’t seem worth the risk.
|
| 12:28 |
4.5 steps before street let go of the ball |
| 12:28 |
: Wow.
|
| 12:28 |
According to Cal, it would be worth the risk. |
| 12:29 |
: Ha.
|
| 12:29 |
SO he can steal home. Duh! |
| 12:29 |
: Pretty sure it’s not a good idea to try and steal home with two outs.
|
| 12:29 |
According to Cal, licking a metal pole in the middle of winter would be worth the risk. |
| 12:29 |
: Even funnier coming from Ralph.
|
| 12:29 |
Kershaw info – The Cardinals took five consecutive at-bats with the bases loaded against Kershaw, who had faced only three batters with the bases full in his 27 regular-season starts. |
| 12:29 |
What risk? Doesn’t seem like stealing on Street introduces much risk. |
| 12:29 |
: You never know.
|
| 12:30 |
DO you think Gore has even used those batting gloves to hit with? |
| 12:30 |
: Yes?
|
| 12:30 |
: In BP maybe?
|
| 12:30 |
Let’s go back to Archer for a moment. Only 2 months away, right? |
| 12:30 |
: God I hope so.
|
| 12:30 |
RE: Kershaw, what do you think of the announcer’s claim that the cards were stealing signs? |
| 12:30 |
: I think the announcers should just call the game.
|
| 12:31 |
he almost beat freese to the bag |
| 12:31 |
Freese got lucky with the Roger Dorn |
| 12:31 |
Multiple games this week and all by your lonesome tonight. How tired are you of baseball chatting? Blink twice if the Dave’s are over your shoulder. |
| 12:31 |
: I was given a choice today. Write an article or do a chat. I chose chat, because it required less thought.
|
| 12:31 |
Who is the best defender in baseball? |
| 12:32 |
: Probably Lucroy.
|
| 12:32 |
What about a non-catcher? |
| 12:32 |
: Non catcher probably Simmons.
|
| 12:32 |
Hello Paul…. |
| 12:32 |
: Hello, you field like 1/16th the balls a catcher does, be quiet over there.
|
| 12:32 |
Is Alex Gordon close to the top? |
| 12:33 |
: Yes, as is Jackie Bradley Jr.
|
| 12:33 |
Nice to see Yost lose his #5 hitter on a 2-out pinch runner while also taking the bat out of his best hitter’s hands. He’s covering himself in glory. |
| 12:33 |
: I don’t see the problem. He still has Willingham on the bench, does he not?
|
| 12:33 |
: Gore came in and gave them the chance to get the go-ahead run.
|
| 12:34 |
: Oh no, Jason Frasor. Yosted.
|
| 12:34 |
Should be Holland or Davis here |
| 12:34 |
: Yeah I think leaving Davis in was the right play. He threw 12 pitches.
|
| 12:34 |
Matt Holliday, on the Cardinals “stealing signs”: We don’t do that. I’ve played 11 years, and I never once, in my whole career, got signs from 2B. I respect Harold, but that’s definitely not the case. |
| 12:35 |
: We’re going to miss Tim McCarver by the end of the postseason. My only hope is that Harold says something so egregiously stupid that they have no choice but to fire him.
|
| 12:35 |
Matt Holliday lost a lot of my respect by saying he respects Harold. |
| 12:35 |
Hello Paul… |
| 12:35 |
: Lucroy is better. And doesn’t have a stupid neck tatoo either.
|
| 12:36 |
So I timed Miggy on that DP earlier today, and he made it to first in 4.5 seconds. I just went back and timed Billy Butler on that almost-DP … also 4.5 seconds. I make no claims on my stopwatch technique however. |
| 12:36 |
: The fact that you have A technique is impressive though.
|
| 12:36 |
Announcing is hard. The sheer quantity of good vs. bad announcers should demonstrate this. |
| 12:36 |
: Doing anything is hard if you put no research into it.
|
| 12:36 |
Harold has made of career of saying egregiously stupid things. |
| 12:37 |
Your choice, huh? Does that mean you’re higher on the totem pole than the person who would have been here if you decided to write an article? |
| 12:37 |
: No it just means that Dave didn’t have anyone else to do this chat so he traded a day full of chatting for one dumb article that I would write!
|
| 12:37 |
The best player in baseball has been awful in these two games |
| 12:38 |
: And Ted Williams only hit 5-for-25 in his only trip to the playoffs because he was hurt. Stuff happens.
|
| 12:38 |
No mention of Yadi’s awful little ponytail? Taking the high road, I see. |
| 12:38 |
: Oh that’s me – always taking the high road!
|
| 12:39 |
: And the Angels can’t even capitalize on Jason Frasor. Pretty sad.
|
| 12:39 |
is that a marijuana reference |
| 12:39 |
: It wasn’t, but I like where your head is at.
|
| 12:40 |
Everyone knows that Ted Williams’ un-clutch play was unparalleled in the annals of selfishness |
| 12:40 |
: They do?
|
| 12:40 |
Really Cal? He’s looking for a ball over the plate? Engaging analysis as always, Cal. |
| 12:40 |
Yost is a genius |
| 12:40 |
This car ad just identified Miguel Cabrera as baseball’s best player. |
| 12:40 |
: Well it was made by a Detroit car company that didn’t think it was worth it to pay for the licensing to use his full uniform in the ad, so let’s not take what they say too seriously, OK?
|
| 12:41 |
“The correspondence columns of the Boston papers now and then suffer a sharp flurry of arithmetic on this score; indeed, for Williams to have distributed all his hits so they did nobody else any good would constitute a feat of placement unparalleled in the annals of selfishness.” |
| 12:41 |
: It’s also well known that every writer on earth hated Williams. So, let’s not go using quotes from newspaper columnists.
|
| 12:42 |
: Also, if you’re at this website, you know that referring to hits as doing nothing good is a laughable thing to say.
|
| 12:42 |
Probably stupid question, but why did they hate him so much? |
| 12:42 |
: He wasn’t very nice to them. Derisively referred to them as “The Knights of the Keyboard.”
|
| 12:42 |
I’m. So. Tired. Just score a run in a stupid way and call it a game, Kansas City. |
| 12:42 |
: I’m somehow less tired tonight then I have been the last few nights.
|
| 12:43 |
Re Ted Williams, 5/25 is 3 hits away from like .320. Also, trout IS the best player in baseball. But hitting like 5 pop flys, no hits, being caught stealing, and “losing the ball in the lights” is awful. No need to defend him or point out that “stuff happens.” I mean, sure, but it’s worth noting. |
| 12:43 |
: Well the tone of these comments is that this will be some sort of permanent thing.
|
| 12:43 |
: It won’t be.
|
| 12:43 |
: I remember in the 03 or 04 ALDS (I forget which – the one against Oakland) Manny didn’t do a damn thing until Game 5 and then he hit like 2 homers.
|
| 12:44 |
Remember, more ARod than Jeter |
| 12:44 |
: AROD WAS GREAT IN THE PLAYOFFS.
|
| 12:44 |
I believe he actually used the term “maestros” in place of “knights.” |
| 12:44 |
: No it was definitely knights.
|
| 12:45 |
“Pushing the envelope” = using one of your best relievers for a 2nd inning in extra innings in the team’s most important game of the season. |
| 12:45 |
: You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts!
|
| 12:45 |
“He glanced up at the press rows suspended above home plate. (All the Boston reporters, incidentally, reported the phrase as “knights of the keyboard,” but I heard it as “maestros” and prefer it that way.)” |
| 12:45 |
: Well I prefer it as knights, so there!
|
| 12:45 |
“maestros of the keyboard” just sounds stupid |
| 12:46 |
What I was quoting is on your side. You should read Updike’s column some time. He’s deriding the Boston press. |
| 12:46 |
: Oh OK. Sorry Adam.
|
| 12:46 |
If there’s a game 4, does Kershaw start it? |
| 12:46 |
: Yeah.
|
| 12:46 |
A-Rod playoffs .263/.369/.465 that is pretty damn good. |
| 12:47 |
: Moose DEFINITELY wanted a home run there.
|
| 12:47 |
A-Rod and Jeter have almost the same Playoff numbers.. one is clutch in the playoffs and one sucks |
| 12:47 |
Is Kershaw anything more than a reliever at this point? |
| 12:47 |
: Yes I think so.
|
| 12:47 |
fangraphs needs a mobile app with chat capabilities |
| 12:48 |
: Mobile apps are expensive. You can have a free website or you can have a pay site with an awesome mobile app with chat capabilities. I’ll let you think it over for a minute, you let me know which you’d prefer.
|
| 12:48 |
Fangraphs needs readers who aren’t just tablet tards. So does every other site. |
| 12:49 |
: Yes, well, to quote Burgess Meredith in “Grumpier Old Men,” you can wish in one hand and crap in the other, and see which fills up first.
|
| 12:49 |
: I read that as tablet nerds. Whoops. Sorry.
|
| 12:49 |
If you follow MGL on twitter, is there anything he isnt 100% right about? |
| 12:49 |
: Uh, yes. But he’s right more than he’s wrong.
|
| 12:49 |
I also misread it as tablet nerds. |
| 12:49 |
: Glad I’m not the only one.
|
| 12:49 |
what does tablet nerd even mean |
| 12:50 |
: I think someone who really likes their tablet?
|
| 12:50 |
Why would anyone read Fangraphs leisurely on a computer if they had a tablet? |
| 12:50 |
: I dunno. I don’t own a tablet, so I’m not the right person to ask.
|
| 12:50 |
I think tablet nerds is more complimentary than tablet tards. |
| 12:51 |
: Yeah, I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have posted that comment if I had read it correctly.
|
| 12:51 |
MGL = Multi-Grenade Launcher? |
| 12:51 |
: MGL is Mitchel Lichtman, co-owner of The Book, creator of UZR and UBR, and every once in a blue moon, a contributor at FanGraphs and/or THT.
|
| 12:52 |
I need the Angels to end this now. I need to go to bed. |
| 12:52 |
: It’d be nice, I’m not going to lie.
|
| 12:52 |
do you think mike trout retires from baseball if he goes hitless in the series? |
| 12:52 |
: Absolutely. He’d go the box, and he’d feel shame.
|
| 12:52 |
“You don’t want this game to end, and we don’t know that it will.” It will. It will end. They all end. Always. |
| 12:52 |
: Did Ernie say that?
|
| 12:52 |
Dammit. Finnegan. He’s good. |
| 12:53 |
Yup, he did say that |
| 12:53 |
: Well alright.
|
| 12:53 |
I wonder…has there ever been an MLB player with the initials MLB? Who actually, like, made it to the majors and everything. |
| 12:53 |
: Well, that question isn’t going to answer itself, Ruki. Get on it!
|
| 12:53 |
Milton “Loser” Bradley |
| 12:53 |
: I don’t think that counts.
|
| 12:53 |
Mookie Lyn Betts MLB |
| 12:54 |
: Is Lyn his middle name?
|
| 12:54 |
: Oh crap it is.
|
| 12:54 |
Mookie is a real name? |
| 12:54 |
: His real name is Markus, apparently. I think he made the right choice going with Mookie…
|
| 12:54 |
Mookie should just formally change his name to Major League Baseball and be done with it. |
| 12:54 |
also this guy http://www.baseball-referen… |
| 12:54 |
Gotta go. Thanks for doing the chat, it’s been fun! |
| 12:55 |
: Glad you enjoyed it!
|
| 12:55 |
Mookie Betts confirmed for Mr. MLB. That’s amazing. |
| 12:55 |
So, still no Holland. |
| 12:56 |
: Finnegan is good though.
|
| 12:56 |
Markus Lynn Betts and Myrl Lincoln Brown appear to be the only 2 |
| 12:56 |
: Wow.
|
| 12:56 |
My girlfriend asked me yesterday when Crispy Crunch was playing again (she was talking about Coco Crisp) |
| 12:56 |
: Eh, she was in the ballpark.
|
| 12:56 |
: That’s not as bad as when my mom asked me during the 91 NBA Finals if this was the game with Michael Johnson and Magic Jordan.
|
| 12:57 |
You want to use Finnegan, I guess, when Hamilton is coming to the plate. |
| 12:57 |
: Indeed.
|
| 12:57 |
Paul. Send thanks to your wife for this chat. She is surely great especailly if she lets you sleep in tomorrow. |
| 12:57 |
: Ah, but my punishment is that I don’t get to sleep in tomorrow. There are worse things.
|
| 12:57 |
Gore had the lowest wRC+ in the Carolina league (A+) this year |
| 12:57 |
: It matters not, he is your king!
|
| 12:57 |
Next time you meet your mom, very lightly whap her in the back of the head with two fingers. |
| 12:58 |
: Pretty sure I can never meet her again.
|
| 12:58 |
Is everyone in here pulling for the Royals? Poll the people Paul! |
| 12:58 |
: I think it’s a toss up right now between wanting the Royals to win and wanting the Angels just to end this.
|
| 12:58 |
: Good lord Josh Hamilton isn’t even trying.
|
| 12:59 |
so Hamilton is also not good at running? |
| 12:59 |
That was a very nice double play. |
| 12:59 |
: It really wasn’t though!
|
| 12:59 |
: Hosmer’s throw was terrible.
|
| 12:59 |
I agree with your tossup assessment. |
| 12:59 |
You’ve got a big day tomorrow. Going to Home Depot for some wallpaper, maybe some flooring. maybe Bed Bath and Beyond but idk if you’ll have enough time. |
| 12:59 |
: I have a big day of editing the THT Annual tomorrow!
|
| 12:59 |
Should the Royals let Gore bat? I’m sure he can just bunt it and make it to 2B by the time they throw it to 1B |
| 1:00 |
: Depends on the situation. If it’s a run scoring situation, they’re prob better off with Willingham.
|
| 1:01 |
Mostly meant, very nice recovery from Escobar to turn the DP. Also, I timed Hamilton at 4.25? |
| 1:01 |
: Yeah, Escobar did a good job. And yikes.
|
| 1:01 |
Am I the only one who wants the Angels to win so we get to (potentially) see Josh Hamilton against Brian Matusz again? |
| 1:01 |
: Yes?
|
| 1:01 |
the chat keeps deleting my text before i can send it |
| 1:01 |
: Maybe you’ve reached your quota?
|
| 1:01 |
If Gore could do that, he wouldn’t have had the 2nd lowest wRC+ in the Carolina League. |
| 1:01 |
: Ya, probably.
|
| 1:01 |
Winning a free copy of THT Annual in 2012 was the highlight of my life |
| 1:01 |
: Cool! I think.
|
| 1:02 |
I just recently read Eno’s article on the Royals and I kind of hate Hosmer now |
| 1:02 |
: Yeah Hosmer is kind of a jerk.
|
| 1:02 |
WHAT’S THE THT ANNUAL?! |
| 1:02 |
: The best baseball annual there is.
|
| 1:02 |
Big Dipper is a tablet nerd like me. Mine does the same thing. |
| 1:03 |
God damn you baseball! I need to poop. |
| 1:03 |
: You mean you don’t have a mirror system worked out? Come on now.
|
| 1:03 |
link to Enos Royals piece? |
| 1:03 |
| 1:04 |
: One of our best pieces this year in my humble opinion.
|
| 1:04 |
I have to rely on this chat when I’m pooping |
| 1:04 |
: Well, at least you have us.
|
| 1:04 |
Why hasn’t the Anaheim PA guy played “we’ll never be Royyyyy-als” yet? |
| 1:04 |
: Because that’d be amateur hour?
|
| 1:04 |
nice baserunning! |
| 1:04 |
: Yup.
|
| 1:04 |
: Oh wow, challenge?
|
| 1:05 |
: No, I think he got there.
|
| 1:05 |
Clearly safe |
| 1:05 |
About Hosmer being a jerk. I wonder if the all-time cool guys team would beat the all-time jerks team. I know Thome would be on the first, so thats a good start. |
| 1:05 |
: Let me know when you figure out which team should be which.
|
| 1:05 |
: Speaking of Hosmer!
|
| 1:05 |
HOSMER!!! |
| 1:05 |
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT |
| 1:05 |
I think Hosmer heard you guys. |
| 1:05 |
The 11th inning is Royals magic. |
| 1:06 |
Hosmer is such a jerk. Just look at how he treats baseballs. |
| 1:06 |
Wow. |
| 1:06 |
The Royals will win the World Series if they can get every game to the 11th inning. |
| 1:06 |
: They’re like the Rocky of baseball teams.
|
| 1:06 |
6th innings = no bueno for the Royals; 11th innings on the other hand… |
| 1:07 |
: Contrary to that billboard, I do not think that help is on the way for the Angels.
|
| 1:07 |
The Angels have to score 0 or 1 or 3. Anything but 2. |
| 1:07 |
: I’m going to take 0 for $800, Alex.
|
| 1:07 |
that canny old ned saved holland again |
| 1:07 |
If the Angels score 2, does chuckb riot? |
| 1:08 |
: If by riot, you mean “throw his hands up and just go to bed,” then yes.
|
| 1:08 |
: “There was no doubt” Ernie says as they show the whole Royals dugout frozen in doubt.
|
| 1:08 |
No doubt was Harper’s today. |
| 1:09 |
: Right. That one by Hosmer barely got out.
|
| 1:09 |
Paul this is a basketball/table tennis announcing team what do you want? |
| 1:09 |
: I want a baseball announcing team?
|
| 1:09 |
How far was Harpers HR? |
| 1:09 |
: I’ll let you know when it lands.
|
| 1:09 |
No team that was supposed to win is winning. |
| 1:10 |
: The Orioles are the higher seed in their series…
|
| 1:10 |
I think Harper’s HR actually left the atmosphere, and is now considered a meteor |
| 1:10 |
All the favorites in this divisional series have yet to win a game and it doesn’t look like the Angels are going to change that. |
| 1:10 |
: Again, I fail to see how the Tigers are the favorite. You guys watched their bullpen this year, right?
|
| 1:10 |
Harpers HR was 445 |
| 1:10 |
RE: Orioles, let’s be serious |
| 1:11 |
: OK, let’s. The Orioles are a better team.
|
| 1:11 |
: The Tigers don’t play defense and they don’t have a bullpen. And Verlander is damaged goods right now, as is Porcello.
|
| 1:11 |
Vegas had Tigers -150 favs |
| 1:12 |
: Las Vegas designs their odds to maximize bets, not accurately reflect the favorites.
|
| 1:12 |
How big of a role do sabermetrics play in Vegas handicapping? |
| 1:12 |
: They play a large role, but in the end their job is to get people betting.
|
| 1:13 |
Porcello damaged goods? Do explain. |
| 1:13 |
: Maybe damaged goods is strong, but he wasn’t as good in Sept.
|
| 1:14 |
I actually live in Vegas, though I’ve never talked to a bookie or anything. Sabermetrics almost certainly play a large role because of the fact that Vegas sports always want to be on top of things, but they set their odds according to a combination of public perception of statistics and actual statistics. |
| 1:14 |
FG depth charts have the Tigers over the Orioles by a mile, 41.6 WAR (over 162 games) to 29.9. |
| 1:15 |
: The Tigers are very good from players 1-7. The rest of their roster is almost complete garbage.
|
| 1:15 |
Royals are 30 outs away from the ALCS |
| 1:15 |
I understand if you don’t want to answer, but do you ever bet on games? |
| 1:16 |
: No. I used to bet on NFL and college basketball games, but I quickly realized it was a good way to go broke in a hurry.
|
| 1:16 |
: Or, more broke, I guess.
|
| 1:16 |
The Tigers are better as a whole, but I think Ausmus really let them down today. |
| 1:16 |
If Gordon now scores, chuckb must change his Angels scoring level requests |
| 1:16 |
That’s what Vegas gets for relying solely on FG depth charts! |
| 1:16 |
I have no sympathy for the rich people they show behind home plate. |
| 1:17 |
: Geez, that comment came out of left field.
|
| 1:17 |
Thanks for the link to Eno’s article. Very good read. |
| 1:17 |
: No problemo!
|
| 1:17 |
(If you’re wondering, this is also how “professional gamblers” tend to make money: When public perception and actual statistics are large enough, you can use the difference to make better odds than they give you. A lot of smart people made money in the first Pats/Giants SUper Bowl due to public perception thinking it would be a slaughter, while actual stats suggested +18 IIRC the number right would be amazing.) |
| 1:18 |
The NFL and NBA seem to prefer the term “playoffs” but I just noticed MLB is all about the “postseason,” everywhere |
| 1:18 |
: I go back and forth.
|
| 1:18 |
MGL made his money betting on baseball… |
| 1:18 |
: Did he?
Well, MGL is a LOT smarter than me. |
| 1:18 |
I want the Angels to lose just so the rich people behind home plate are miserable. I always root for the visiting team. |
| 1:18 |
: That’s so weird but I like it.
|
| 1:19 |
I’m pretty sure that you’re favored on HR Derby betting by just taking the guys with the longest odds. Vegas doesn’t care, they’re almost always dutch-booked so that as long as they get a decent distribution of bets they will make money. |
| 1:19 |
: I don’t know what dutch-booked means, but it sounds delicious.
|
| 1:19 |
Whose “we will change your life with our technologies” ads are more annoying, Google or Apple? |
| 1:19 |
: Tie.
|
| 1:19 |
: Also don’t forget Samsung.
|
| 1:19 |
“I can’t believe we’re talking about Kansas City defense again.” Ernie Johnson really never watched the Royals play…goodness TBS, fix this SNAFU immediately. |
| 1:20 |
I want the Angels to lose so I can keep messing with people about Trout in these chats |
| 1:20 |
When were ads not always annoying? |
| 1:20 |
: When people put real thought into them?
|
| 1:20 |
: Season on the line, and they have Efren Navarro up. Good thing they left Grant Green off the roster, huh?
|
| 1:20 |
I’ve definitely seen ads I remember fondly. Like that one Snickers commercial where he sings the happy peanuts soar song. |
| 1:20 |
: Or the “Chefs” great googily moogily one.
|
| 1:21 |
See, Paul, that’s how I feel about movies. |
| 1:21 |
Patrick Chewing |
| 1:21 |
Oh yeah, the Chefs one is great. How about the Got Milk one with the Trix Rabbit, where he finally gets the Trix but is out of milk? |
| 1:21 |
: Oh I don’t remember that one.
|
| 1:22 |
ok, now Trout is due up for 3 run homer |
| 1:22 |
they’re all tainted to me because capitalism |
| 1:22 |
: Interesting take.
|
| 1:22 |
Patrick Chewing was also great. |
| 1:22 |
Will be fun watching CJ try to walk Royals batter in game 3 |
| 1:22 |
Do the Angels get a ball out of the IF? (I figure asking about a comeback is kind of silly) |
| 1:22 |
: I’ll vote yes. One weak pop fly.
|
| 1:22 |
: Well, 0-for-1.
|
| 1:23 |
The Trix one is really old IIRC, I dunno if it even played during sports, but it is a great commercial. May I provide a link? |
| 1:23 |
: Sure.
|
| 1:23 |
Good friend worked for the Omaha Storm Chasers… said Hosmer is a really good guy (for arguments sake, did not say the same about the rest of the Chasers-now-Royals) |
| 1:23 |
: I mean, I can’t condemn based on one interaction with Eno. But he certainly didn’t come off well.
|
| 1:24 |
Start around 3:00 http://www.replacementlevel… |
| 1:25 |
: That ad was creepy but funny too.
|
| 1:25 |
People, if Calhoun reaches, Trout hits. |
| 1:25 |
: Could we have games ended by Puig and Trout on the same day? Wow.
|
| 1:25 |
moustakas just shot of a river of liquid out of his mouth |
| 1:25 |
: Good note, thanks for sharing.
|
| 1:25 |
The Royals IF just got the ball out of the infield. |
| 1:26 |
: Touche.
|
| 1:26 |
Infante with a step in the OF – does that count as getting out of the IF? |
| 1:26 |
: Nope.
|
| 1:26 |
man a lot happened in this chat while I was watching that Trix, I mean dairy industry commercial |
| 1:27 |
: Well that was a less impressive K than Puig’s. At least Puig struck out on 99.
|
| 1:27 |
you did a great job! good night |
| 1:27 |
: Thanks Adam.
|
| 1:27 |
For some reason I think Michael Chiklis when I see Trout. |
| 1:27 |
: That’s weird, Hank.
|
| 1:27 |
Missouri wins. Screw LA. |
| 1:28 |
Mike Trout fishing for a strike and hoping to reel it in! |
| 1:28 |
: He needed better bait.
|
| 1:28 |
Oh hey, I can go to bed now. |
| 1:28 |
Thanks for chatting, big guy!! |
| 1:28 |
No post game chat? |
| 1:29 |
: No postgame chat, sorry. But thanks very much to the 674 of you who are still hanging out. You guys rock.
|
| 1:29 |
: Have a great evening and/or sleeping time.
|
| 1:29 |
: Sleeping time? Wow, I need to go to sleeping time myself.
|
Dave is the Managing Editor of FanGraphs.
Still cant get over that Barney was left off the postseason roster
Lack of post-season savvy there: should always bring in an old vet or two for post-season, and few species are as old as Barney’s.
You meant the big purple dinosaurish costumed character, right?