All-Star Game Live Blog

4:34

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

The FanGraphs After Dark Chat is on hiatus for one week so that we can bring you the All-Star Game Live Blog!

Jeff Zimmerman will be here at 8 pm ET, I will be here at 9 pm ET and Chris Cwik may be around at some point, but then again maybe not. Either way, we’ll have you covered from start to finish, unless it’s a blowout or something.

I’ll get some polls up, and you get some questions in the queue. It’s a plan that’s just crazy enough to work.

See you tonight!

4:41

Paul Swydan: Also, here are some fun leaderboards that David Appelman whipped up for us:

AL All-Star team: http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=1857%2c9272%2c3269%2c3797%2c1744%2c10155%2c6368%2c1887%2c745%2c718%2c3543%2c2660%2c375%2c4817%2c13074%2c11827%2c4772%2c7196%2c13048%2c2038%2c1890%2c1122%2c8041%2c844%2c10603%2c3137%2c5279%2c8700%2c8722%2c7304%2c4613%2c9776%2c8370%2c7435%2c1738%2c11493%2c2434%2c5209%2c731%2c2151

NL All-Star Team:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=7007%2c4314%2c791%2c3531%2c3787%2c589%2c7287%2c11579%2c5524%2c10233%2c9323%2c11530%2c521%2c11713%2c2036%2c6655%2c1636%2c2929%2c4264%2c9817%2c2233%2c9884%2c4505%2c9166%2c4810%2c9218%2c3433%2c5361%2c8090%2c1555%2c8155%2c5933%2c2495%2c3154%2c1534%2c4881%2c9847

7:53	Comment From Mike Jeff, were you the guy who came out with the pitcher injury probability thing? If so, is there a Rest of Season version of that that is available? Thanks

7:56	Jeff Zimmerman: As you can see, I have begun taking questions and will blog once the game starts. On the previous question, I haven’t ever run mid season projections. The best I have is PAIN which I will go over in detail on Thursday.

7:56	Comment From Guest TELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW AWESOME CHEVY IS

7:57	Jeff Zimmerman: I had enough of that last night.

7:57	Comment From Shark Mapiro Things you didn’t expect to say in 2013: “I wonder if Bartolo Colon will be a factor in the All Star Game”

7:57	Jeff Zimmerman: Only with the pregame spread.

7:59	Comment From Nick Can you explain Trout’s projection for me. He currently has 5.7 WAR. He is projected for 3.3 ROS, but according to ZiPS and Steamer that only adds up to 8.7 instead of 9.0. Am I missing something here?

8:01	Jeff Zimmerman: Let me look.

8:01	Jeff Zimmerman: It looks like his defense off a bit, but not all of it. Let me ask the higher powers and will get back to you tonight or next week’s chat.

8:02	Comment From bdhudson I took the AL, because monetary interest is the only thing that will make this worth watching.

8:03	Jeff Zimmerman: One of the few reason, besides Paul threatening me.

8:03	Comment From Gregory Cliff Lee’s introduction.

8:03	Jeff Zimmerman: Missed it, seems he was mad.

8:04	Comment From zack More likely to make the all star team again: Jeff Locke or Brett Cecil?

8:04	Jeff Zimmerman: Cecil, Locke is a half season wonder.

8:04	Comment From Guest good lord Cliff Lee looks like an angry man

8:05	Comment From The Kudzu Kid Travis Wood has a higher SLG than Brandon Phillips, Marco Scutaro, and Everth Cabrera. Thanks, fun leaderboards!

8:05	Jeff Zimmerman: Now you know and know is half the battle.

8:05	Comment From zack Cliff Lee is probably really annoyed that the only thing people ask him about is getting traded

8:05	Comment From Jaack This is a pretty terrible National Anthem rendition.

8:06	Jeff Zimmerman: I have heard so much worse recently.

8:06	Comment From bdhudson cliff lee is probably annoyed to be a philly

8:06	Comment From Jaack Home field advantage in the World Series should be decided by a boxing match between the two managers.

8:07	Jeff Zimmerman: or survivor series ultimate fighting match.

8:08	Comment From Guest are there PAIN and HURT tables on the site?

8:08	Jeff Zimmerman: Here is the last time I ran them: http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/49320/

8:08	Comment From zack The NL leadoff hitter has a career wRC+ of 97. Great managing Bochy

8:08	Jeff Zimmerman: I try not to make fun of him after the 2nd World Series win.

8:09	Comment From Someone J.J. Hardy, ASG starter.

8:09	Jeff Zimmerman: SS is shallow in the AL

8:09	Comment From bdhudson actual baseball question: who do you like more long-term, j-zimm or ryu?

8:10	Jeff Zimmerman: j-zimm, I am totally biased.

8:10	Comment From Someone Why should I care about home field advantage again?

8:11	Jeff Zimmerman: It should be random, but some crazy percentage of the last W.S. have been won by the home team.

8:11	Comment From Jaack I don’t get why Phillips is batting lead off. Bochy always has his second basemen hit second.

8:11	Jeff Zimmerman: living on the edge.

8:12	Comment From bdhudson Joe Buck forgot his Clear Eyes for this one

8:12	Jeff Zimmerman: Too bad someone didn’t forget Joe Buck.

8:12	Comment From Guest Mo blown save. Calling it now

8:12	Jeff Zimmerman: Never bet against Mo.

8:13	Comment From hayzer13 Is this McCarver’s last ASG as well? To me that’s a much bigger deal that should certainly be celebrated.

8:13	Jeff Zimmerman: I will drink to that, one sec.

8:13	Comment From Someone An actual PITCHER throwing the first pitch? I thought the point of these was to laugh at non-pitchers making pathetic throws so we can better appreciate the greatness of pitchers.

8:14	Jeff Zimmerman: I have some new appreciation of Seaver, some good stuff on him in LaRussa’s new book.

8:14	Comment From Someone What’s the deal with Old Spice? I’ve never understood it.

8:15	Jeff Zimmerman: I don’t know, I will ask my father-in-law, he loves that stuff.

8:15	Comment From Jesse Hey Jeff can we take a little time to complain about your consensus rankings?!?

8:16	Jeff Zimmerman: I figured everyone has their fill of that over the last couple of days.

8:16	Comment From Someone Am I like the only one participating? It seems like half the comments are mine.

8:16	Jeff Zimmerman: Now over half.

8:17	Comment From no one How many times will Harvey hit 100?

8:18	Jeff Zimmerman: Depends how much the Mets juice the gun.

8:18	Comment From Someone Ok, there’s a game on, goodbye.

8:18	Jeff Zimmerman: What minor league game are you watching?

8:18	Comment From Phillip Least deserving all star in your opinion?

8:19	Jeff Zimmerman: I will go with Castro, but it is one the better years.

8:19	Comment From bdhudson Joe Buck – least deserving all star

8:19	Comment From FLOYD Least deserving all-star? Does Bochy count?

8:19	Comment From bdhudson Hey btw, fox deportes doesn’t have mccarver

8:20	Jeff Zimmerman: There is that.

8:20	Comment From Paul B. it would be quite awesome/hilarious if Joey Votto hit a pop up tonight

8:20	Jeff Zimmerman: to the pitcher.

8:21	Comment From Michael There are often young stars–but have we seen anything like Mach, Trout and Harper before? They really are something.

8:22	Jeff Zimmerman: Not that I can remember, 1987 is the last time I can remember with Canseco, Bo Jackson, Joyner, etc. Any other seasons?

8:22	Comment From bdhudson Matt Harvey – Assassin

8:22	Comment From Guest um. ouch.

8:22	Comment From Me Mike Trout. Tim Salmon. Mike Carp. Catfish Hunter would have struck these guys out every time. Or maybe beaned them.

8:23	Comment From Phillip The Met just had to nail the Yankee

8:23	Comment From Me And PUIG!!

8:23	Comment From Grand Admiral Braun To Michael – I believe Mantle, Mays and Snider all arrived within the same year.

8:23	Comment From no one Is there someone on the astros more deserving than Castro?

8:24	Jeff Zimmerman: The one player per team rule is the dumbest one. As a Royals fan see Ken Harvey make is just stupid.

8:24	Comment From FLOYD 2001: Ichiro, Rollins, Pujols, CC, etc

8:24	Comment From Jesse More shocking repeat performance of last years amazing season Trout or Cabrera?

8:25	Jeff Zimmerman: Trout by far, less sustained greatness.

8:25	Comment From bdhudson Jesse – is it shocking when really good players are really good?

8:25	Comment From Michael Is anyone else getting fantasy stats for tonight’s performance on Yahoo. That seems weird, but my avg just increased when trout got a hit.

8:26	Jeff Zimmerman: Take what you can get.

8:26	Comment From Grand Admiral Braun Over under 33% on Trout in the HoF:

8:26	Jeff Zimmerman: Over but he could pull an Andrew Jones.

8:27	Comment From ATrain stats show on your roster, but you get no credit for them

8:27	Comment From bdhudson Andruw*

8:27	Jeff Zimmerman: You are correct sir.

8:28	Comment From steve mcqueen Matt Harvey the “yankee clipper”?

8:28	Jeff Zimmerman: So good, yet so bad.

8:28	Comment From bdhudson If you weren’t doing this chat, would you be watching the game?

8:29	Jeff Zimmerman: Not early on, I may have watched later when the Royals may get in along with Rivera.

8:30	Comment From hayzer13 Why didn’t they bunt Cabrera with 1st and 2nd and no outs?

8:30	Jeff Zimmerman: LaRussa wasn’t managing.

8:30	Comment From bdhudson Matt Harvey and I share a birthday. He’s doing this and I’m eating nachos. I think tonight is the one night in which I have a better life than Matt Harvey.

8:31	Jeff Zimmerman: Maybe people know who you are: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0D8V0dCbf8

8:32	Jeff Zimmerman: Chevy commercial: Drink

8:32	Comment From bdhudson That, and not being a Met > being a Met, regardless.

8:32	Comment From FLOYD Here’s a nice sneak peek at all the commercials we’re gonna see all October

8:32	Jeff Zimmerman: Time to set up our drinking games.

8:33	Comment From Guest Jeff what are some good rules?

8:35	Jeff Zimmerman: We had some good ones the last few years. When we had the Nolan Ryan sighting rule, I about got alcohol poisoning.

8:35	Comment From Eddie Hey guys, remember that season when Bryan LaHair was an all star?!

8:35	Jeff Zimmerman: and now he is Japan.

8:35	Comment From Bobby Take a drink every time McCarver says something dumb

8:36	Jeff Zimmerman: We want to at least get to Paul in 24 minutes.

8:36	Comment From bdhudson I wish Angel Hernandez was calling the game. It would make things so fun!

8:36	Jeff Zimmerman: But Chipper Jones wouldn’t watch.

8:36	Comment From bdhudson The surgeon general warns against that, Bobby

8:36	Comment From Paul B. @Bobby im drunk already

8:37	Comment From Bobby I want Milton Bradley, Elijah Dukes, and Angel Hernandez…

8:38	Jeff Zimmerman: Don’t we all, don’t we all. Maybe a little Kyle Farnsworth thrown in.

8:38	Comment From Jaack For a sober All-Star drinking game, chug whenever Joe Buck sounds interested.

8:39	Comment From zack Can you remember a weaker crop of AL outfielders? I mean freaking Colby Rasmus is second in WAR.

8:39	Jeff Zimmerman: And they are all hurt in the NL.

8:39	Comment From zack Need to include Big Z

8:39	Comment From FLOYD Randall Simon and a racing sausage

8:39	Comment From juan pierres mustache Whats everyone drinking? Dales pale ale here

8:39	Jeff Zimmerman: PBR

8:40	Comment From Jesse I think Eno may show up an punch you for that Jeff

8:41	Comment From Joe Vodka

8:41	Comment From hayzer13 Yuengling

8:41	Comment From bdhudson heroin

8:41	Comment From bdhudson Holy crap Seaver really likes butterflies

8:41	Jeff Zimmerman: He must have lost a bet.

8:42	Comment From ap is he drunk?

8:42	Comment From Gregory he has the butterflies

8:42	Comment From bdhudson say butterflies, tom! say it!

8:42	Comment From Jay29 Tom Seaver has imaginary friends.

8:42	Comment From Jesse Seaver said butterflies – DRINK!

8:43	Comment From Bobby Please let me be that microphone

8:43	Jeff Zimmerman: I think that is a given.

8:43	Comment From bdhudson Thanks Joe, those were his numbers. For. the mets.

8:43	Comment From Joe Every time someone mentions Harvey’s spikes drink :p

8:44	Comment From anonycat Would you rather be a microphone that had the ability spontaneously fray a wire so you could electrocute Joe Buck?

8:45	Jeff Zimmerman: Tough call. I can mute Buck, so microphone.

8:45	Comment From zack I wasn’t alive when this happend so I’ll ask you: Whose debut was more electric: Doc Gooden or Harvey’s?

8:46	Jeff Zimmerman: To me it was Doc, he was Strasburg crazy

8:46	Comment From Bobby If McCarver thinks “ambassador” is the perfect word, then it sure as hell isn’t the perfect word

8:46	Comment From Mangus Every time they show a former cocaine user – CHUG.

8:46	Jeff Zimmerman: How may 80’s Mets are at the game?

8:47	Comment From bdhudson Is that worth having Buck-spit on you?

8:47	Comment From zack Very time they flash the camera to a retired met we drink

8:47	Comment From Bobby @Mangus Does Jeff Locke count??

8:47	Comment From Jay29 Jason Castro is 2nd in the AL in WAR behind Mauer. Can’t be that bad of a pick.

8:48	Jeff Zimmerman: Like I said, it was one of the better seasons for picks.

8:48	Comment From anonycat Is there anything on record about which cocaine users are indeed “former”, and not just “current”?

8:48	Jeff Zimmerman: I was trying to be nice.

8:48	Comment From juan pierres mustache We need MLB stars for a commercial! Lets get josh hamilton and cj wilson

8:49	Jeff Zimmerman: and we want to make it in LA.

8:49	Comment From bdhudson he just called you old, jeff

8:50	Jeff Zimmerman: I am though, Paul and I are the old ones at the FG gatherings.

8:50	Comment From bdhudson well, CJ and Josh weren’t busy practicing

8:50	Comment From bdhudson c’mon matt, own up to it, you drilled him for giggles!

8:50	Comment From Eddie This night won’t be complete until a drunken ex-Met tells Erin Andrews he “justttt wanths to kith you!”

8:51	Comment From HUMAN chris sale’s slider should be illegal.

8:51	Jeff Zimmerman: by following a team in the AL central, I agree.

8:52	Comment From bdhudson I so so so so so hope this game is tied in the 15th

8:53	Jeff Zimmerman: Don’t we all and shots of Selig would be drink.

8:53	Comment From zack Which was a better pitch: the big units slider or pedro’s changeup?

8:54	Jeff Zimmerman: I will take Pedro’s change because it was better against both handed hitters. Both were insane though.

8:54	Comment From Rootin Tootin Chris Sale is the only thing keeping the White Sox afloat.

8:54	Comment From Jay29 Is Chris Sale the best pound-for-pound pitcher in MLB history?

8:55	Jeff Zimmerman: maybe Pedro?

8:55	Comment From person hscer The White Sox are afloat?

8:55	Comment From bdhudson He keeps them from tipping to far to port side

8:56	Comment From juan pierres mustache The white sox are afloat? Hawk harrelson will be ecstatic to hear it

8:56	Comment From ljc I was thinking Bartolo Colon

8:56	Comment From Guest I was thinking Bartolo Colon …

8:56	Jeff Zimmerman: Guest and ljc are on the same wave length.

8:57	Comment From zack Bochy just put in the best pitcher on the face of the planet

8:57	Jeff Zimmerman: Agree with you 100%

8:57	Comment From bdhudson plot twist – guest is ljc is bartolo colon

8:57	Jeff Zimmerman: Mind blow

8:58	Jeff Zimmerman: Orange shoes mention: Drink.

8:58	Comment From ljc Guest actually is ljc … I forgot to put in a name first time and thought my comment wouldn’t go through because of it. Clearly it was so mind-blowing of a comment I just had to resubmit.

8:58	Comment From bdhudson I SORT OF WIN MY PLOT TWIST

8:59	Comment From bdhudson I think Buck just called scherzer ugly

8:59	Jeff Zimmerman: in a round about way.

8:59	Comment From Jaack Aren’t we all just thinking Bartolo Colon?

9:00	Jeff Zimmerman: We are still amazed he is in the league some how.

9:00	Comment From bdhudson was pedroia in ratatouille?

9:00	Jeff Zimmerman: He was too short.

9:01	Comment From Bobby How does Buck say that pitch is “up” and away?? It was at his knees….

9:02	Comment From David Appelman Some live leaderboards for the all-star game: http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2013&month=34&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0

9:02	Paul Swydan: Thanks Dark Overlord!

9:02	Jeff Zimmerman: The boss is checking in, I better behave.

9:02	Comment From bdhudson Are we all Bartolo Colon?

9:02	Paul Swydan: And also, hi everybody!

9:02	Comment From bdhudson are you really David Appelman? Or are you also Bartolo Colon?

9:02	Comment From Phillip Colon will end his career with 200+ wins

9:03	Paul Swydan: I’m on my second strawberry vodka lemonade of the night, so I’m in even more of a good mood than usual. And you know I’m always in a good mood to talk to ya’ll.

9:03	Paul Swydan: Jeff is gonna take a brief break. Let’s give him a slow golf clap for holding down the first hour.

9:03	Jeff Zimmerman: I am out for bit, enjoy Paul while I go find some chips and salsa.

9:03	Comment From bdhudson Welcome to chaos, Paul

9:04	Comment From HUMAN Kershaw has a 5.96 xFIP tonight. Overrated!

9:04	Jeff Zimmerman: and drink because of the old spice commercial.

9:04	Paul Swydan: He’s only human: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1tYZCieeyI

9:04	Comment From ljc Anyone in the room going to be at the Chicago drinking event on Friday? (I will be.)

9:05	Paul Swydan: I don’t think Jeff will be, and I know I won’t. Although I REALLY want to. Pissed I’m gonna miss R. Kelly headlining Pitchforkfest. And the FG/BG meetup, of course.

9:05	Paul Swydan: Actually, I may have details soon on a Boston FG meetup in August. Maybe. We’ll see. Keep your ear to the ground, etc.

9:06	Comment From Jaack Sharknado was better than Man of Steel and it wasn’t even close. That’s right Paul.

9:06	Paul Swydan: I missed Sharknado. I assume they’ll be replaying it approximately 4,304 times the rest of the summer?

9:07	Comment From Rootin Tootin Bell’s Lager of the Lakes is tasting good.

9:07	Comment From Eddie I assume Red 2 is a biopic on the life of Wedge Antilles.

9:07	Paul Swydan: I’m sure Jaack will be all over me for this, but I enjoyed Red. It didn’t try to be more than it was. It was kind of like the PC version of the Expendables. Good times.

9:07	Paul Swydan: Having said that, I don’t think we needed a sequel.

9:08	Comment From person hscer I’m listening to the game on radio. Shut up Colin Cowherd, even though it’s a prerecorded commercial. Just shut up.

9:08	Paul Swydan: That would be tough, but I’d allow it.

9:08	Comment From Ygybyt Genuine moment? More like awkward moment.

9:09	Paul Swydan: Agreed, though awkward moments CAN be genuine.

9:09	Comment From bdhudson “after cuddyer does something here” – Joe Buck, everybody

9:09	Paul Swydan: Pretty sure they ran interviews or otherwise focused away from the game during all three of the Rockies PAs. This is why people make claims of East Coast Bias.

9:09	Comment From Sgt. Pepper I’m drinking tea am I still allowed to stay?

9:10	Paul Swydan: Yes. Yes you are.

9:10	Paul Swydan: Speaking of tea, my new brother-in-law from North Carolina tried to order sweet tea at a diner in upstate NY this weekend. They looked at him like he had six heads. It was pretty funny.

9:10	Comment From Rootin Tootin I can’t get enough of Helen Mirren as an assassin.

9:10	Comment From Jaack I actualley enjoyed Red for what it was worth.

9:10	Comment From bdhudson awkward moments are usually genuinely awkward

9:11	Comment From Sgt. Pepper I’ll be the designated driver

9:11	Comment From anonycat What are the odds that the perfect game holds at this point?

9:11	Paul Swydan: I’ll say slim.

9:11	Comment From Joe Has there ever been a no-no in an all star game?

9:11	Paul Swydan: Not sure. I want to say no, but I’m not sure. Anyone else?

9:11	Comment From ljc YOU GUYS JINXED IT!

9:11	Comment From Ygybyt Mr. met is the lamest MLB mascot. (Stanford tree is the worst mascot overall.)

9:12	Paul Swydan: I think I have to disagree. There are a bunch of stupid mascots out there.

9:12	Jeff Zimmerman: Thanks for the break Paul, long enough to grab another PBR and make some salsa.

9:12	Paul Swydan: No problem Jeff!

9:12	Comment From bdhudson UCSB Banana Slugs – best mascot

9:12	Comment From Phillip Philliy Phanatic best in baseball!

9:13	Paul Swydan: I prefer the San Diego Chicken myself.

9:13	Jeff Zimmerman: Which college about went to the Ackbars?

9:13	Comment From bdhudson sorry, UCSC

9:13	Comment From Jaack No All Star No-No, but Carl Hubbell did strikeout Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in a row that time, which is just about as good.

9:13	Paul Swydan: Meh, Pedro was better.

9:14	Comment From Phillip No no hitters but 8 shutouts. http://www.kgbanswers.com/has-there-ever-been-a-no-hitter-in-the-all-star-game/4290947

9:14	Paul Swydan: Definitive.

9:14	Comment From filihok I’m over 8. I don’t need a mascot

9:14	Paul Swydan: Right. Never forget that they’re aimed for children. And that children love them no matter how stupid you think they are. Getting worked up about it is a pointless exercise.

9:15	Jeff Zimmerman: and the grown ups who do the wave.

9:15	Paul Swydan: Between the defense and the double, Miggy an early frontrunner for MVP.

9:15	Comment From ljc Bartolo Colon is clearly the best mascot, because he also plays.

9:15	Comment From person hscer Pedro was better only because you saw it for yourself 😛

9:15	Paul Swydan: Yeah but still

9:15	Comment From filihok Next year, All-Star bat flinging contest instead of HR derby

9:15	Paul Swydan: Can we has both?

9:16	Jeff Zimmerman: Agree, Cespedes had a good one for sure.

9:16	Comment From pissy p ole miss fighing ackbars

9:16	Comment From Shark Mapiro Ole Miss Running Rebels want to change the mascot to Admiral Ackbar

9:16	Comment From bdhudson Ole Miss almost did, but they nixed it. they’re the bears or something now

9:17	Comment From person hscer Would you ever leave the house just to spend less than $2 at the drive thru?

9:17	Paul Swydan: I’m fairly certain that I would, yes.

9:17	Paul Swydan: Unfortunately, I live in a town where drive thrus are not allowed. It’s like living in the 1940s. Very frustrating.

9:18	Jeff Zimmerman: yea, 4 Jack-in-the-Box Tacos was a staple of my navy years.

9:18	Comment From bdhudson beefy five layer burrito. QED

9:18	Paul Swydan: You had me at beefy.

9:18	Jeff Zimmerman: Me too.

9:19	Paul Swydan: And there is our first run.

9:19	Comment From Cobra Are you shitting us about the drive thru thing?

9:19	Comment From Phillip Sounds like a scary town

9:19	Paul Swydan: NO!

9:19	Paul Swydan: It even came up for a vote THIS YEAR and was voted down. When I found out I was kind of mad I didn’t go to the town meeting.

9:19	Jeff Zimmerman: It’s just Boston.

9:20	Comment From 23553 The Beefy Five Layer Burrito is indeed quite heavenly. I often find it takes two to truly satiate though, which brings you over 2 dollars.

9:20	Comment From Phillip Does the local pastor allow school dances in your town?

9:20	Paul Swydan: We’re weird. You couldn’t buy booze on Sunday’s here until like 2004.

9:20	Paul Swydan: Hey now. We don’t even have local pastors. You want Jeff’s neighborhood for questions like that.

9:20	Comment From filihok Drive-thru’s not allowed? We just barely got rid of alcohol drive-thru’s here in NM

9:21	Paul Swydan: I remember the first time I saw one of those. It blew my mind. And my wallet.

9:21	Comment From zack how clutch was that rbi by Joey Bats?

9:21	Paul Swydan: So.

9:21	Jeff Zimmerman: Totally.

9:21	Comment From Eddie Think the idiots with the mics were given EXPLICIT instructions not to mention Biogenesis tonight?

9:22	Jeff Zimmerman: Probably, unless Braun or A-rod is brought up.

9:22	Paul Swydan: You mean player-wise? Or the broadcasters? I doubt the players would talk about it, but Tim and Joe … maybe. And if so, GOOD! Let’s have a night where we can just focus on baseball.

9:22	Paul Swydan: I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty jacked up for Elysium.

9:23	Paul Swydan: I read today that Neil Bloomkamp (sp?) turned down Star Wars to keep doing original movies like Elysium and District 9. I like that decision.

9:23	Comment From Joe Still can’t buy booze on Sunday’s in most of NC 🙁

9:23	Comment From bdhudson you can’t buy hard liquor here on sundays

9:24	Jeff Zimmerman: I will watch it on video.

9:24	Comment From bdhudson Elysium does look sweet

9:24	Comment From bdhudson looks better than man of steel

9:24	Paul Swydan: LISTEN! Man Of Steel was awesome.

9:24	Comment From filihok Focus on baseball? Buck and McCarver have talked more about Scherzer’s shoes than about anything about baseball

9:24	Paul Swydan: I liked his shoes too!

9:24	Comment From bdhudson you’ll watch hard liquor on video?

9:24	Jeff Zimmerman: In KS, counties have to vote on it or a person can have a winery in stumbling distance from their house.

9:25	Paul Swydan: You say that like its a bad thing.

9:25	Comment From zack On the 20-80 scale, how excited are you guys for ARODs season debut? 90?

9:25	Paul Swydan: I’d be more excited if I was a Yankees fan. It’s pretty funny that they now really need whatever diminished production he can offer them.

9:26	Jeff Zimmerman: I just want him playing, not sure anyone else does, which is why I want him playing.

9:27	Paul Swydan: I say definitive yes, FWIW. Jeff?

9:27	Jeff Zimmerman: WTH, no need to describe McCruchen (sp?) to people in baseball.

9:28	Paul Swydan: Man, what an awesome throw and an even more awesome slide by McCutchen. That was an awesome sequence right there.

9:28	Comment From Gregory Felix can’t handle the pressure of New York

9:28	Comment From Sgt. Pepper If I voted “I think so” but don’t actually check, have I committed fraud?

9:28	Comment From zack Zips projects the pirates to finish at 92-70. Over or under?

9:28	Jeff Zimmerman: Totally choking.

9:29	Jeff Zimmerman: Under unless they make a trade or 2. I am not buying Locke one bit.

9:29	Paul Swydan: I think that sounds good. Our standings page, which is based on a ZiPS/Steamer ROS hybrid, also has 92-70.

9:29	Comment From bdhudson Joe Buck sounds so excited about Elysium. I bet he loved Man of Steel

9:29	Comment From ljc But Locke is an All-Star!

9:30	Paul Swydan: Joe Buck doesn’t know how to fun down. He probably didn’t even SEE Man Of Steel.

9:30	Paul Swydan: Miggy making inroads on that Gold Glove tonight.

9:30	Comment From bdhudson I found the secret to getting your questions posted! Man of Steel was bad! Or, alternatively, Man of Steel was good! That man, he was made of steel!

9:30	Paul Swydan: Damnit.

9:30	Jeff Zimmerman: With Paul in charge, yes.

9:31	Jeff Zimmerman: one sec, drinking.

9:31	Jeff Zimmerman: ok.

9:31	Paul Swydan: Why would you deliberately take your son that close to a cliff? Just sayin.

9:32	Paul Swydan: Also, I’m pretty sure that meeting Robinson Cano at a preordained meet and greet that he doesn’t want to be at is not a good incentive to get me to drink Pepsi.

9:32	Comment From juan pierres mustache It builds grit, Paul.

9:32	Comment From zack Another pirates question: Better ROS: Burnett or Liriano?

9:32	Paul Swydan: I’ll say Burnett.

9:33	Jeff Zimmerman: Burnett because I think he will start more games.

9:33	Comment From Jaack If this chat had to stop a second everytime someone was drinking, how many questions would get answered? Zero right?

9:33	Paul Swydan: Normally we’re not drinking, honest.

9:33	Comment From Sgt. Pepper The Robinson Cano Pepsi commercial is so much better since Harvey kneecapped him.

9:34	Paul Swydan: Yeah, don’t bother trading Cliff Lee, Phillies. You’re right on the cusp!

9:34	Comment From Phillip Mid season MVPs, Cy Youngs?

9:35	Paul Swydan: Apologies if Jeff already did this.

9:35	Jeff Zimmerman: No, not yet.

9:36	Paul Swydan: I’ll say Miggy and Felix, and CarGo and Kerhaw.

9:36	Paul Swydan: Kershaw

9:36	Jeff Zimmerman: Mig Cab, scherzer,

9:37	Jeff Zimmerman: With the NL, it could go down to who makes the playoffs.

9:37	Comment From Jay29 What if you factor in team record (like the sportswriters do)?

9:37	Jeff Zimmerman: I kind of do as a tie breaker.

9:37	Paul Swydan: I kind of am. The fact that CarGo kept the Rockies from falling apart with both Tulo and Fowler on the shelf is nothing short of remarkable.

9:38	Paul Swydan: Speaking of which, if Tulo just hurt himself on that half-assed dive, I swear.

9:38	Comment From Justin Tim McCarver can’t accurately subtract 13 from 2.

9:38	Paul Swydan: At least it’s his last year.

9:38	Comment From Sgt. Pepper What happens if the NL takes the lead and Mo hasn’t appeared after 8? Would they actually play the bottom of the 9th?

9:38	Jeff Zimmerman: I am trying not to listen.

9:39	Paul Swydan: They wouldn’t. But this is why Rivera should get the 8th if the NL is leading.

9:39	Comment From Paul B. Paul or Jeff, do U like all-star games when it’s low scoring?

9:39	Jeff Zimmerman: Mo with pitch the 8th no matter what.

9:39	Paul Swydan: I do, but it is a little more fun with some big hits.

9:39	Jeff Zimmerman: They usually are and yes I do

9:39	Comment From Jay29 But nobody’s going to vote for CarGo in October if the Rockies finish with 70 wins.

9:40	Jeff Zimmerman: Agree 100%

9:40	Paul Swydan: I don’t know that that’s fair. A-Rod won MVP on a last place team. And the Mariners weren’t really good when Felix won Cy Young.

9:41	Comment From Sgt. Pepper Gritty RBI by Hardy

9:41	Jeff Zimmerman: It depends if someone else is close. If the Orioles make it and the Tigers don’t, I think Davis get the MVP in the AL

9:42	Jeff Zimmerman: WHATT??!!

9:42	Comment From Eddie McCarver just lost his shit.

9:42	Paul Swydan: If Phillips had dropped that ball, McCarver would be killing him for hot dogging it. But he made it, so you gotta love him. OK, Tim.

9:42	Comment From Jay29 Sick play by BP!

9:42	Comment From Gregory for MVP though, A-Rod was clearly the choice. when there are a bunch of other NL candidates I doubt Gonzalez gets votes.

9:43	Paul Swydan: Who knows, CarGo may end up being the definitive choice. He’s one of only four NL players at break with 4.5 WAR or more. And he has gone on incredible tears before. Not likely, but it’s certainly possible.

9:43	Comment From ljc Just for fun or sorta helpful b/c Trout was running?

9:43	Comment From filihok McCackle

9:44	Paul Swydan: I’ll say just for fun.

9:44	Comment From Rootin Tootin Molina getting a lot of MVP love.

9:44	Comment From zack Molina will win MVP and deserve it

9:44	Paul Swydan: Molina is a good choice as well. WAR undervalues him.

9:45	Comment From bdhudson No Cwik tonight? Not that I don’t love you guys, but Man of Steel and stuff.

9:45	Paul Swydan: Chris may be by later.

9:45	Jeff Zimmerman: Holy cow the bullpen is huge.

9:45	Comment From someone Does WAR contain pitch framing numbers at the moment?

9:45	Jeff Zimmerman: No, not currently.

9:46	Comment From Denji GOOOOOOAAALLL USA

9:46	Paul Swydan: I think you want a different chat.

9:46	Jeff Zimmerman: The futures game happened Sunday.

9:46	Paul Swydan: Although, that is cool. Just not tonight. Not tonight.

9:46	Comment From person hscer MVP is the Beefy Crunch Burrito

9:47	Paul Swydan: Over the Cheesy Gordita Crunch? Not likely.

9:47	Comment From Ygybyt What about throwing out runners?

9:47	Jeff Zimmerman: McCrackle looks drunk in that image.

9:48	Comment From Sgt. Pepper Did they just f’ing compare Tim McCarver to Yadier Molina.

9:48	Paul Swydan: Have we really endured these two for 15 years? Man, I guess we can endure anything.

9:48	Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, yes they did.

9:48	Comment From Phillip How many more wins so you think Molina would have if pitch framing was in WAR?

9:48	Jeff Zimmerman: probably 2 over the course of a season.

9:48	Comment From someone How to win: score runs. Genius!

9:49	Paul Swydan: Two max. And he’d be on the high end of that spectrum. I think it is an important factor, but not one that would redefine how we think about the position.

9:49	Comment From zack Futures game comment: How awful was Tajuan Walkers hair?

9:50	Paul Swydan: Dave Cameron said the same thing on Twitter, and Walker was none too pleased about it: https://twitter.com/tai_walker/status/356530032564379648

9:50	Comment From ljc What a teaser! Jason Grilli interview … WHEN WE COME BACK.

9:51	Paul Swydan: I stood up to walk closer to the TV just so I could hear the whole thing!

9:51	Comment From Ygybyt Why did you post my question and ignore it?

9:51	Paul Swydan: I was hoping Jeff would answer it!

9:52	Jeff Zimmerman: No go and it would not be too high. I think Klaasen tracks it.

9:52	Paul Swydan: Thanks Jeff.

9:52	Paul Swydan: Side note – It pisses me ff that they’re running fantasy football ads during this game. There isn’t a second half fantasy baseball game that they could create and then advertise that instead?

9:52	Jeff Zimmerman: EEEEXXXXXPPPLLLLLODDDDEESSS

9:52	Comment From person hscer Would you rather your catcher focus on receiving and working with pitchers, or hitting. (If he had to make a choice.)

9:53	Paul Swydan: Probably the former.

9:53	Jeff Zimmerman: Helping the pitchers

9:53	Comment From Jacob will we ever get a fangraphs app for android?

9:54	Paul Swydan: I wouldn’t hold my breath.

9:54	Jeff Zimmerman: Probably not

9:54	Comment From Charlie Hustle Real Tajuan Walker question. My GF and I were watching the Future’s Game and we have no clue what Tajuan Walker is, ethnicity. Not that it matters. Just wondering

9:55	Paul Swydan: Wikipedia doesn’t say. Not sure either.

9:56	Comment From zack If Lebron played baseball would he dethrone King Felix?

9:56	Paul Swydan: I don’t think so. Soccer or football, on the other hand…

9:56	Jeff Zimmerman: I think he would be an outfielder.

9:56	Comment From filihok @Paul: advertising sports games to sports fans = pissed off?

9:57	Paul Swydan: I just wish tonight was only about baseball.

9:57	Comment From Eddie Jose Fernandez in the bigs is the worst organizational decision by any big league club this season.

9:58	Jeff Zimmerman: During the season, maybe. Some horrible off season decisions.

9:58	Paul Swydan: He has an 84 FIP-. He was clearly ready. And pitchers only have so many bullets in their arm. You don’t hold pitchers back for service time games. And even if it costs them a little more in the end, their payroll is so low that they will be able to afford it.

9:58	Comment From Sgt. Pepper The Giants signed Jeff Francouer. How’s that for an organizational decision.

9:59	Paul Swydan: That is, if they choose to. Which they clearly won’t.

9:59	Paul Swydan: I had no problem with the Frenchy signing. If it doesn’t work out, I don’t think he will hold a spot there like he did in KC. There is no emotional attachment to him in SF like the KC front office had.