MLB POST SEASON 2018

[Zaxxon]

Ok so next season the Dodgers start Kershaw every single outing. Every one. Four outings he makes one pitch. Fifth outing he stays in the game. You guys have no problem with that. Really?

If they want to burn a roster spot, sure.

? No he can’t enter the game again but he wouldn’t anyway. Please explain how that’s using a meaningful roster slot.

You never know when a game's gonna go 18 innings...

[noxiousdog]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

[El Guapo]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

So if I understand this correctly, if the ball is landing out of play, it's legally impossible (rules-wise) for a fan to interfere? So even if the fielder is going to catch it (reaching over the fence), the fan can swat it away?

One other question - as you say the relevant camera was blocked by the security guard, but say Mookie Bett's glove was directly above the fence (above the yellow stripe). Is it interference in the fan gets in the way then?

[El Guapo]

Fortunately for Houston, though, Porcello's been pretty shitty tonight. I wonder if his 8th inning relief in game 2 is an issue? Don't expect him to be back out for the 4th.

[El Guapo]

Oof, the Astros definitely got screwed on that foul tip call on the JBJ at bat. Really didn't look like he foul tipped it (though maybe he *just* got it - maybe the ump heard it).

[noxiousdog]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

So if I understand this correctly, if the ball is landing out of play, it's legally impossible (rules-wise) for a fan to interfere? So even if the fielder is going to catch it (reaching over the fence), the fan can swat it away?

One other question - as you say the relevant camera was blocked by the security guard, but say Mookie Bett's glove was directly above the fence (above the yellow stripe). Is it interference in the fan gets in the way then?

If it's over the fence then you can't have fan interference.

Also, look! Another call that goes Boston's way. Bradley Jr. didn't touch that ball (on the 0-2 count) and winds up walking.

[El Guapo]

Dammit Cora, that's why I really didn't expect Porcello to go back out for the 4th. What the hell is he still doing in the game?

[El Guapo]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

So if I understand this correctly, if the ball is landing out of play, it's legally impossible (rules-wise) for a fan to interfere? So even if the fielder is going to catch it (reaching over the fence), the fan can swat it away?

One other question - as you say the relevant camera was blocked by the security guard, but say Mookie Betts' glove was directly above the fence (above the yellow stripe). Is it interference in the fan gets in the way then?

If it's over the fence then you can't have fan interference.

Also, look! Another call that goes Boston's way. Bradley Jr. didn't touch that ball (on the 0-2 count) and winds up walking.

What about the second question - what if it's directly above the fence?

But yeah, almost no question about the foul tip call.

[Lorini]

Ok so next season the Dodgers start Kershaw every single outing. Every one. Four outings he makes one pitch. Fifth outing he stays in the game. You guys have no problem with that. Really?

Of course not. Why would that be a problem?

Why do you think the Dodgers don't do that now?

Whatever, I'm outta here.

[El Guapo]

Ugh, I'm going to have to fly to Houston to take Porcello out of the game myself.

[noxiousdog]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

So if I understand this correctly, if the ball is landing out of play, it's legally impossible (rules-wise) for a fan to interfere? So even if the fielder is going to catch it (reaching over the fence), the fan can swat it away?

One other question - as you say the relevant camera was blocked by the security guard, but say Mookie Betts' glove was directly above the fence (above the yellow stripe). Is it interference in the fan gets in the way then?

If it's over the fence then you can't have fan interference.

Also, look! Another call that goes Boston's way. Bradley Jr. didn't touch that ball (on the 0-2 count) and winds up walking.

What about the second question - what if it's directly above the fence?

But yeah, almost no question about the foul tip call.

Not interference. If it hits the top of the wall it's a home run and therefore out of play. That's why there's a yellow line which indicates a homer/non-homer.

[El Guapo]

Crazy. JBJ has three hits all ALCS, but has 9 RBIs off of those three hits.

[noxiousdog]

Nothing makes me angrier than a bases loaded walk.

[El Guapo]

Ugh. Looks like this may be the game that Kimbrel finally blows. Bringing him in for the 8th is inexplicable.

[El Guapo]

Not yet, anyway. I'm praying that he doesn't come out for the 9th, although I know that he probably will.

[El Guapo]

Of course, if the alternative is Price for the 9th (which it seems to be)....not sure that's a huge improvement. Also really not sure who the game 5 starter would be then...Sale apparently isn't available, Eovaldi pitched yesterday. Maybe a reliever game?

[El Guapo]

Houston's defense is pretty good.

[noxiousdog]

7 walks, 2 Hit by pitch, 2 wild pitches. And a guy thrown out at second for no reason (who would have scored).

And of course it's a two run game, Joe West.

Maddening.

[El Guapo]

BRING IN PRICE

[El Guapo]

I wonder if Kimbrel will walk Kemp or hit him with the pitch.

[El Guapo]

Walk it is. This is water torture.

[noxiousdog]

Wow. Left him in for Bregman.

[El Guapo]

Holy shit. Thank god - amazing play by Benintendi.

[noxiousdog]

What a waste.

The defense has been great to watch. Pitchers and catchers... not so much.

[El Guapo]

The only good explanation I can find for Cora continuing to rely heavily on Kimbrel is that Kimbrel has some special god that he worships that causes game winning hits to be directed into gloves.

[Jaymann]

BRING IN PRICE

They should let Price get shelled for 35 runs against Verlander, then get serious for game 6.

[El Guapo]

BRING IN PRICE

They should let Price get shelled for 35 runs against Verlander, then get serious for game 6.

That's probably how that's going to go.

[stessier]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

The replays make a reasonable case those fans were over the wall. The only way they weren't was if they had T-rex arms.

[stessier]

I can't find any vids of the alleged JBJ strike/foul tip.

Nice to be up 3-1. Never thought there would be this many runs scored in these games.

And I see Price getting the ball in Game 5 the same as Wakefield taking the ball in Game 3 in 2004 - just need an arm to soak up some innings and try and come back and win the next day.

[stessier]

Ok so next season the Dodgers start Kershaw every single outing. Every one. Four outings he makes one pitch. Fifth outing he stays in the game. You guys have no problem with that. Really?

Of course not. Why would that be a problem?

Why do you think the Dodgers don't do that now?

Whatever, I'm outta here.

So assuming it was actually a problem, how would you legislate against it? The starting pitcher just has to feign an injury (elbow soreness for example) and leave after one batter. You get the MRI, it's declared not a problem, and he starts in 3 days on regular rest - just like in this case.

[noxiousdog]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

The replays make a reasonable case those fans were over the wall. The only way they weren't was if they had T-rex arms.

The Boston Sports Network thinks you're wrong. "Replays appeared to show that Betts' left arm stretched over the wall and into the sea of fans."

[stessier]

Wow, that was the anti-Bartman call.

I think it was in the stands, and of course the security guard was in the way of the camera.

Joe West made a bad call in game 1 also when he went to the replay on a non-replay call. (though it clearly should have been overturned.)

The replays make a reasonable case those fans were over the wall. The only way they weren't was if they had T-rex arms.

The Boston Sports Network thinks you're wrong. "Replays appeared to show that Betts' left arm stretched over the wall and into the sea of fans."

Heh. Yeah, they don't know what they are talking about.

[Zaxxon]

Speaking as someone who cares zero who wins this series, his glove is in the stands and it should not have been fan interference.

Speaking as a baseball fan, it's a terrible rule. If a fan interferes with a player who the umpiring crew believes had a good chance of making a play, it should be an out. Otherwise let's just make it uniform and disallow players from making catches outside the field of play. Why are we relying on fans choosing not to be douches?

[El Guapo]

I can't find any vids of the alleged JBJ strike/foul tip.

Nice to be up 3-1. Never thought there would be this many runs scored in these games.

And I see Price getting the ball in Game 5 the same as Wakefield taking the ball in Game 3 in 2004 - just need an arm to soak up some innings and try and come back and win the next day.

The replay showed no indication that the ball hit the tip of Bradley's bat. FWIW Bradley seemed insistent, and the home plate umpire made the call quickly and without evident hesitation, so *maybe* the umpire heard a ball-hitting-bat sound, but it definitely looked wrong. Didn't really have a big impact on the game, though - JBJ walked (on 4 more pitches, as the tipped pitch was an 0-2 pitch), then Mookie Betts made the final out of the inning.

[El Guapo]

Speaking as someone who cares zero who wins this series, his glove is in the stands and it should not have been fan interference.

Speaking as a baseball fan, it's a terrible rule. If a fan interferes with a player who the umpiring crew believes had a good chance of making a play, it should be an out. Otherwise let's just make it uniform and disallow players from making catches outside the field of play. Why are we relying on fans choosing not to be douches?

This is where I'm inclined to come out on this (obviously not as a disinterested viewer). From the replays (while they're not unambiguous) Betts's glove was probably at least above the fence (which I understand to be an interference-ok zone, per the rule). It does bother me that Betts was very likely going to make that catch (his glove was under the ball, and he clearly doesn't catch the ball because the fan's hand winds up pushing his glove closed (which the ball then hits). So fan interference makes logical sense to me applied here.

The potential trick is that if you do allow fan interference calls where the fielder's glove is outside the field of play, that's probably a harder rule to apply. You can't expect a fan in the first row to get out of the way of a fielder in order to let them make the call. But if the fan being in the way (without moving) is not interference, then it seems like you'd have to make some judgment about whether the fan was 'intentionally' interfering, or 'unreasonably' interfering, or something like that.

Anyway, it is what it is, I suppose.

[El Guapo]

[stessier]

This is the best sports argument because there is just no way to know (without further video evidence). Everyone wins/loses!

[El Guapo]

Ok so next season the Dodgers start Kershaw every single outing. Every one. Four outings he makes one pitch. Fifth outing he stays in the game. You guys have no problem with that. Really?

Of course not. Why would that be a problem?

Why do you think the Dodgers don't do that now?

Whatever, I'm outta here.

So assuming it was actually a problem, how would you legislate against it? The starting pitcher just has to feign an injury (elbow soreness for example) and leave after one batter. You get the MRI, it's declared not a problem, and he starts in 3 days on regular rest - just like in this case.

I don't see the faked injury thing is likely all that big a concern - it's hard to see players and managers going along with obviously faking injuries repeatedly (and MLB could sanction that).

I think the bigger issue is just that with "openers" getting more popular (per the Rays and the A's), how does one draw a line between an ok 'opener' and a forbidden 'starting pitcher decoy'? If it's ok to have a reliever pitch one inning to start a game before giving way to an extended-inning "starter", why would you disallow them from having a pitcher face just two hitters? Or just one?

"Fixing" this would seem to require an MLB rule that would mandate that the starting pitcher face X hitters, or throw Y pitches, or whatnot, and I just can't see MLB trying to legislate it to that specificity.

[El Guapo]

I bet that Astros security guard (I'm assuming he's on the Astros payroll) is taking some shit today.

[noxiousdog]

I bet that Astros security guard (I'm assuming he's on the Astros payroll) is taking some shit today.

Probably, but he was doing his job. He needed to make sure the fans didn't get too agressive with the wall, Betts, or each other.