Only about a week and a half in, I know, but I LOVE the three new rules, especially how they're impacting the speed of the game. I have noticed in the last three or four games, though, that more batters are using their one timeout (usually on 0-2 or 1-2 counts), and that's slowed it just a bit. But, man, the increase in stolen bases and death of the shift is absolute joy. Reminds of the baseball I grew up watching. I still hate the fucking zombie runner in extra innings.
Oh, also I love the dugout celebrations, ridiculous hats and chains and whatever for homeruns. But the Orioles beer bong / funnel bit is not a good look. That needs to stop.
Also, the Silent Treatment. Fuck off. This stupid shit has ruined a lot of great moments, including Colon’s first and only home run.
lol Consequences! Because games are so much shorter, stadium revenue is down due to reduced alcohol sales. A lot of ballparks are now extending sales into the 8th inning instead of cutting off in the 7th.
My daughter is that the Jays game with her Aunt today. I knew exactly in the dome where she was sitting while watching on TV, and noticed Vladdy Jr hit a foul ball right into their area. I text her “Did that one almost get you?” Her reply:
KC Royals are doing a throwback Halter Top give-away night. I hope it's also 2 for 1 margarita night.
I love these overlay videos. A fraction of a second to decide to swing, location and 11 mph speed difference. Amazing that anyone can get a hit, much less hitting .300 https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1671297397379551235?t=AM2OdJDg48QDdzEMjI1NJg&s=19
This slide. Pretty slick. https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1673527094658072577?s=20 I saw this crazy stat the other day, too. You see a lot of pitchers today who get a batter 0-2, and then they throw trash, hoping to make the batter chase strike 3 . . . and instead, they then get it to a 3-2 count, which then favors the hitter. I heard an interview with Greg Maddux where he talked about that. He was saying that he thought that wasn't a good strategy. He was like, I just got 2 strikes on him, why wouldn't I throw another strike? Of course, his MO was never being a strike out guy - he just always wanted the batter to get himself out by grounding it or popping up. Anyway, here's the stat: Greg Maddux faced 20,421 batters in his career. 310 of them got to a 3-0 count. This was all before you could just wave 4 fingers to give them an intentional walk, and you actually had to throw 4 wide pitches for an intentional walk. 177 of those 310 were intentional walks. So, if he were pitching today, he wouldn't have thrown those pitches, and that stat would be he faced 20,421 batters and got to a 3-0 count on 133 of them. That's just crazy.
Domingo German throws a 99-pitch no-hitter for the Yankees, fighting for his spot on the roster, previously suspended for domestic violence, gave up 10 runs in his previous start. Baseball is weird. ETA: I should say, not just no-hitter, but perfect game.
You beat me to it. I watched the last 4 innings, dude was dealing. I know, it was the A’s, but he could be a damn good pitcher if he could just get out of his own way.
I know people are saying "it's just the A's" but they don't have zero hits and zero wins all year. They're still a Major League team. German is good. It's a shame he was also suspended this year for sticky stuff on his hands. You're right, he needs to get out of his own way. Stop it. Keep locating and changing speeds. He's not a 100mph flame thrower.
The Braves lost to the Red Sox last night. That game was very bizarre. It started over 1 1/2 hours late due to rain delay, then in the first inning, instead of the Braves being up 2-0 with the bases loaded, after a 10-minute, unreviewable umpire's conference, the Red Sox ended up with a double play, removing one of the Braves runs. Then the Red Sox pitcher only threw the first inning and Nick Pivetta came in, threw 5 shutout innings to get the win for Boston. Meanwhile, the Braves turned an 8-3-5 triple play, which has now happened twice in MLB history, the last time being in 1884, when the Beaneaters did it against the Grays. Alrighty then.
I, for one, am enjoying these games. Red Sox have been on fire for a month, and yet still only have a one-game lead over the last-place Yankees. I hate the AL East this year.
I know I mostly post Braves content here, but this is fantastic. https://twitter.com/ryandatkinson/status/1685131289895038976?t=56tVTFROLhp_6NkmmnB-Gw&s=19