MiddleCoastBias

So my question on this (and I know visa issues are probably very complicated), how was Cespedes able to play in the spring training B games but now can't play in Birmingham? Based on the earlier points, I just assumed it had something to do with having a visa to be paid a minor league salary not being sorted out so he could still play in ST for free but preventing him from joining the Barons as a paid player (taxes, etc). But now I'm going back to how were others not able to play in ST but he was*, but still can't play other games? (*I swear I remember seeing photos of him playing stateside in the spring unless I'm suffering from a major Mandela effect.)

And be smart about how and when to pitch to Cruz.

I think you're grossly underestimating the shelf life of a MLB manager. Even if Detroit burns under his watch, he'll get another shot... and another... and another. Might be a stint as a bench coach in there, but teams love "World Series experience" on the resume of managerial retreads.

Thanks for sharing this, helps some folks see that our run differential is made up of both a good offense AND good pitching. But this graphic is also killing me that the "best" quadrant is bottom-right, not positioned in the top-right. Creator needs to flip that X axis!

I can't remember if that "catchers on one leg" argument was in this thread is the Collins one, but thought this was pertinent

Here's to getting back to playing baseball and winning games so we don't need to worry about signing Pujols anymore

Oh, no, I meant I thought *I* was cherry picking by referencing one anecdote from the alternate site HR as my belief that's he's got power in him if he chooses to. I agree with you, I think he COULD be a 5-10 HR guy if he wanted to, but that's not what makes him a successful hitter.

This is cherry picking, but didn't Madrigal crush one off the scoreboard at the alternate site last summer? I remember reading reports that it was a no-doubter. But that might be the difference in his chosen style of play - he might be able to uncork some Mighty Mouse power in practice games, but he keeps his compact high-contact swing for the actual games. If that's the case, he might be able to loosen up and sacrifice a couple hits in the future for a little power that to keep the outfield honest.

You guys. Just you wait until LaRussa picks up the phone and convinces JR that we need more veteran leadership.

My update is "fuuuuuuuuccc--"

Reversed the curse!

I just want Grandal batting behind our lowest-OBP player to limit his GIDP on all of his ground outs to 2B.

Nice write-up highlighting Robert's improving contact ability on pitches in the zone. https://www.fantraxhq.com/statcast-standouts-in-zone-contact/

I imagine the "LaRussa managing" thread is going to see some action after tonight

This Detroit team is so bad. We need to convert and get some runs, don't give them a chance to steal a win. They're one mistake pitch away from tying this up when we should be winning by 5 by now.

Wow, way to jynx us.

Interestingly, the whole ESPN crew was discussing this for half an inning during the cubs/Braves broadcast tonight. Most were in agreement that 1. yes, some form of accountability and improved accuracy is needed and 2. we still like humans behind the plate. They were all discussing augmented reality (hat tip to someone else in this thread that suggested that as well) or a "Google glass thing" as they called it to assist umpires to make the live call. Still probably many years out with how slowly MLB adapts (see: universal DH), but it's definitely part of the national conversation. Also Tim Kurkjian was the only one that didn't like it, because he's a dinosaur.

Yep, it's definitely felt like that. I'm not one to cry "the umps are out to get us!" and that's why I suspect it'll all even out in the wash of a full season, but it's been frustrating early on.

I've seen a few games where we've been given a run disadvantage (the Gio game in Boston gave them a 1.5 run advantage, though it didn't matter after the early hole we were in). I'll be curious if whoever runs the account will compile each umpire's overall score/rating, and if they'll track total run advantage for each team. I'd imagine the run advantage +/- should even out to zero in a full season but curious to see if that's actually the case.

Can we get more excitement in here?? The game has been over for hours after the Sox just completed the sweep, and we have 4 comments. Collins looks like a catcher. "Slow, bad defender" Madrigal legged out a triple, turned a couple double plays, and looked sharp defensively. Abreu continues to drive in runs. Kopech threw a goddamn gem. No one has anything to complain about so everyone went quiet? That's a winning streak, folks! We've broken past that .500 barrier and there's no looking back. Let's go Sox!

Agreed, shook off the cobwebs getting crossed up a bunch in the 1st inning and then settled in nicely.

TIL that Kohei Arihara is not Koji Uehara

Collins and Kopech need to get on the same page, but more importantly our hitters need to be aware that this zone is going to be something today.

Can't use trigger words around LaRussa.