That was one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen. Not that they need any help losing. The Yanks look awful at the plate, on the basepaths and in the field. If their starting pitching wasn’t better than expected they’d be done already.
Mired in an 0-39 slump and batting under .100, the M's finally sent Kelenic back down. I just hope they didn't destroy the kid's confidence with this trial. The kid was completely over matched by big league pitching.
I know how lucky I am getting to see Ohtani play every day, but for those of you who don't: He just keeps getting better. I don't think I've seen him hit a cheap HR, they're all monster, towering shots. Probably most have missed this, but right now he's tied for the MLB lead in XBH, and I'm sure most don't realize he's also got 9 SB. He's probably the fastest big man I've ever seen. And let's not forget he's also a #1 pitcher on top of being one of the top offensive players in the game. 2.85 ERA, 68 K in 47 IP. Amazing numbers. And the best part is as he gains confidence and establishes himself in MLB, he's becoming more animated on the field. The kid is out there having fun and that is so refreshing to see, a ballplayer having fun out there every day.
How cool would this be? Los Angeles Angels' Joe Maddon 'would have no objections' to Shohei Ohtani hitting and pitching for AL in All-Star Game
I would actually watch the All-star game if this were planned. Honestly, I always watch some of it. It’s lost some of it’s luster since inter league play started, but it’s still fun to watch some of the best in the game face off.
I want inter league gone completely. It completely took both the thrill and the mystique out of the All-Star game AND the World Series. No longer is there genuine excitement and suspense of seeing two entirely separate leagues (with different rules) play against each other. I don’t care to see the Blue Jays play Wrigley Field, unless it’s the finals. Bring back the old excitement.
Shohei Ohtani is having a good year batting and pitching, and he's a really good player. But, I don't follow why this is such a buzzworthy thing. Half the MLB starting pitchers pitch and hit every game already.
Are you confusing every start with every game? Because I don't know of another MLB pitcher who hits every game.
Yeah, I got that. I guess I was just thinking, it seemed to be reported as if it was some special novelty, when it happens in half the games every day. No, I meant every game. But, I didn't phrase it clearly. Every game in a NL park a starting pitcher bats. So, not the same player every game, but the starting pitcher every NL game.
Well that is what makes it a special novelty. He not only is an excellent starting pitcher. He is a good enough hitter that on days he isn't starting he DH's for them. That is unheard of in modern baseball. And roughly 80-90% of those NL starting pitchers that hit when they start are just guaranteed outs. Meanwhile Ohtani is tied for 3rd in MLB in homeruns. The guy he is tied with... Acuna Jr.
Oh, he's an absolute beast, right now, and I hope he's stays healthy, because it's fun for baseball. As I stated in my first post, I'm not knocking Ohtani at all. He's crazy good.
I just got back from watching the Oakland A's and LA Angels. Ohtani in his second at bat hit a home run in which there was no doubt it was going out. As Toytoy said" He does not hit gimmies". That was impressive, but in his next at bat, Ohtani laid down a bunt toward third base and legged it out for a infield single to open up the inning. He then stole second base. I think Trout is still the best position player in baseball, but Ohtani probably is the most exciting at the moment. If you get a chance to see him, do it.
Ohtani's HR last night was a bit different for him. A line drive, exit velocity 114.8, it got out in 3.4 seconds. That thing could've taken someone's head off. And the hell of it is, he makes it look so damn easy. That kid has some powerful wrists, I've seen him flick his wrists and hit it out over the left field wall. Amazing. Also, he was the first one to confirm for the HR derby. That ought to be fun.
Jomboy’s Instagram feed is gold tonight. Pitchers from all over the league reacting to the substance checks. Scherzer staring down Girardi, who then challenges Max to a fight. Sergio Romo on the A’s flinging his belt toward the ump and dropping trou.
Girardi is a fucking bitch and I wish Max threw it at his face. I hope he gets monstrous backlash for that bullshit.
Girardi was actually "challenging" Kevin Long to a fight, which makes it funnier that NOT having any substance and just pwning the Phillies batters got Girardi so riled up that he tried to save face by going little league parent on Kevin Long. The Ump rubbing Max's hair was gold.
It’s pathetic. I hope the pitchers make as big a deal as possible over this, and embarrass the league and its officials at every opportunity. And Girardi has the sportsmanship of a spoiled 6-year-old girl. I hope this crybaby display follows him.
…in the meantime, Wander Franco had a legendary first MLB game: ….he was born in 2001, by the way. My god we are ancient.