One strike short of a no-hitter in Atlanta today for Sean Newcomb. Would have been some kind of day for a Braves fan if they’d gotten that plus the Chipper HOF induction on the same day.
Won’t somebody please think of the merchandising opportunities!?
So Archer is a Pirate. Dozier is a Dodger, Lynn is a Yankee, Ramos is a Phillie, the Cubs got a reliever, Zeigler is back with the D’Backs, Pham is a Ray.
I am surprised how many deals involve “International Bonus Pool Money” or something like that. I thought there was a change that limited that a year or so ago?
Also, Schoop is now a Brewer.
LOL at mlb’s Tampa Bay depth chart page
So if Schoop is a Brewer what are they going to do with Shaw? Moustakis is now on third base.
I love that the Rays are doing that weird all-the-games-are-bullpen-games thing. If someone would commit to it and build a pitching staff specifically for the purpose, it could be a revolution for small-market teams that can’t afford the giant top-tier starter salaries.
I think you can make it work for a short period but most pitching staffs require a a starter or two who can throw deep into games so bullpens can get some rest. If you stress your bullpen intentionally, and that is what that system does, and it breaks down for a few games you are in trouble.
That’s why I said you’d need to build for the purpose. You’d need several guys who get through the opposing order once each game, not just a bunch of one-inning (or worse, one-batter) specialists like we see in most bullpens these days. Granted, a top-tier starter who goes 7 innings average is always going to be better…but how many of those guys are out there?
The Rays kinda of do it both ways. I think their best starter (Snell) is on the DL now as well.
I haven’t seen them often but the last game I saw on TV Romo started and went one inning, then they brought a guy in by design who was supposed to go 3-4.
That must drive teams that platoon a lot crazy.
What, no comments about last night’s Nats game?
Too much violence for me. I’d rather watch people’s faces melt via a holy object on repeat.
Plus the game wasn’t on my TV.
I’m surprised they kept their starters in as long as they did. Could have subbed some of them out as early as the 3rd or 4th! Would have liked to have a couple Nats in my lineup for those stats.
So I guess there’s something called the Bluegrass World Series. It’s a bunch of recently retired major league ballplayers who get together, and play a pretty high quality of baseball. Jayson Werth, Nick Swisher, Adam LaRoche were all among hitters there.
And Rick Ankiel went down, and was coaxed into pitching. And he struck out the guy he faced. First time he’d thrown a fastball in a couple of years, hit about 89 on the gun. As he puts hit, he’s not really in shape, and not really strong yet.
And so, even at 39, he’s going to try one more comeback. He seems very clear-eyed about it, basically doing it because his kids have wanted to see him pitch. And he talks a lot to guys who have the same ailment that derailed his career and has become a go-to confidante and counselor for people who have the yips. And one of the things he tells them is put it all behind them and have no fear. And so he’s decided basically “What the hell?” As he put it, there’s nothing to lose for him, and even if this is just something he does at a low minor league level. He wants to take the rest of this season and the offseason to get on a throwing program, and then as he puts it, “We’ll see.” He’s going to put his arm where his mouth is, in regard to that “no fear” thing.
I mean, why not? I don’t think this is necessarily about getting back to the bigs, but if the arm is healthy, and he can throw strikes…and if he still has the Snapdragon…it could be kinda fun. Damn I’m rooting for him.
The Snapdragon was just pure evil in pitch form.
As a lefty somebody might take a flyer on him. Or at least sign him to a minor league contract to see what he has left.
I hate the move to so many 9am west coast starts this year. I am in a daily fantasy league and sometimes I just don’t check starting times, and as a result I get screwed with my pitcher selection.
Today I lost DeGrom and will have to go with Chacin.
Oh man, never ever ever move your best starter out of a daily lineup! I love the early games since I can follow them at work but I feel your pain.
I think this was a great idea that they started last year. Gives the players a bit more exposure, works nicely in the social media world, and it’s just fun. There’s a bunch of good ones in there:
Rhys Hoskins: “BIG FELLA”
Tommy Hunter: “BIGGER FELLA”
Chris Devenski: “THE DRAGON”
Andrew Triggs: “TRIGGONOMETRY”
Bryan Shaw: “GEEK”
But my favorite this year is Brad Boxberger from the Diamondbacks: “🎁🍔”
Apparently August 11 is baseball card day. When I was 12, that was every day.