2012 MLB Regular Season (now with Post-Season!)

[Exodor]

Voted for Bryce Harper and Broxton (let KC get their guy in their for a potential save) as the last man.

Have you seen Broxton pitch?

At least the game will be exciting if he gets in the game.

[Teggy]

Wright not starting at 3B in the All-Star game? Seriously what does he need to do walk on water? Stupid stupid stupid. Not that it really matters at the end of the day, but man that's silly.

What? When did this change? He's been leading the voting every time I've seen.

[Isgrimnur]

Pablo Sandoval took it with a late swing of 2 million votes.

Wright, who led Sandoval by as many as 400,000+ votes just days ago has lost the 3rd base vote by 1.6 million. We knew that Giants fans were a bit crazy but that just boggles the mind.

[Teggy]

Shameful.

[pr0ner]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

[Teggy]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that many votes sounds like hacking.

[LawBeefaroni]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that many votes sounds like hacking.

You're allowed at least 25 votes a day per email address. Get fans motivated enough and they could easily cast a hundred votes a day, "legally."

[El Guapo]

Seems like the kind of results one would expect from time to time with internet voting.

[triggercut]

Buster Posey starting ahead of Yadier Molina is also something of an injustice. Carlos Ruiz should be there ahead of Posey as well.

[triggercut]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that many votes sounds like hacking.

You're allowed at least 25 votes a day per email address. Get fans motivated enough and they could easily cast a hundred votes a day, "legally."

Or by having computer guys from nearby Palo Alto who are Giants fans setting up email bots to create accounts and cast votes automatically.

[El Guapo]

Is there any prospect of changing it back so that the All-Star game does not decide home field advantage in the World Series? If it didn't count then I wouldn't care about voting injustices or shenanigans.

Just make it so that if it's tied after 11 or 12 innings, or whatever, then you have each team nominate a player to compete head-to-head in a home run derby.

[LawBeefaroni]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that many votes sounds like hacking.

You're allowed at least 25 votes a day per email address. Get fans motivated enough and they could easily cast a hundred votes a day, "legally."

Or by having computer guys from nearby Palo Alto who are Giants fans setting up email bots to create accounts and cast votes automatically.

MLB.com is fairly secure. I think they's still need at least some peons to enter the captcha code. Of course they can outsource that for like a dime per 100 votes.

[triggercut]

Shameful.

There was a lot of ballot box stuffing going on in SF at the very end, it seems.

I'm no conspiracy theorist, but that many votes sounds like hacking.

You're allowed at least 25 votes a day per email address. Get fans motivated enough and they could easily cast a hundred votes a day, "legally."

Or by having computer guys from nearby Palo Alto who are Giants fans setting up email bots to create accounts and cast votes automatically.

MLB.com is fairly secure. I think they's still need at least some peons to enter the captcha code. Of course they can outsource that for like a dime per 100 votes.

Ah, the ever-elusive captcha conundrum. Good point.

[Exodor]

Buster Posey starting ahead of Yadier Molina is also something of an injustice. Carlos Ruiz should be there ahead of Posey as well.

Based purely on numbers Alcides Escobar is more deserving than Jeets (.310/.353/.417 vs .299/.349/.401 - and we won't even bring up defense) - but I know he won't start an ASG until he retires.


EDIT - Bleacher Report agrees with me - although they're pretty terrible so it's not much of an endorsement.

[Freezer-TPF-]

Is there any prospect of changing it back so that the All-Star game does not decide home field advantage in the World Series? If it didn't count then I wouldn't care about voting injustices or shenanigans.

Just make it so that if it's tied after 11 or 12 innings, or whatever, then you have each team nominate a player to compete head-to-head in a home run derby.

Impeach Selig. If it's tied after 11 or 12, then just call it a tie (or a short HR derby I guess).

[Octavious]

God I hate Selig. I'm not a fan of the all-star crap or all this wild card crap. One freaking all-star game gets screwed up and he decides he has to change the whole freaking system. F'n idiot.

[El Guapo]

Grantland's Power Rankings this week notes both the Red Sox's screw ups on big deals and how they've done incredibly well on picking gems up off the trash. I enjoyed this description of Daniel Nava:

And then there's Daniel Nava. His pedigree was so modest that he …

• tried out for his college team at Santa Clara as a walk-on

• didn't make it

• became the equipment manager

• left after two years because he couldn't afford tuition

• transferred to junior college

• went undrafted

• signed with the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League

• got cut by the Outlaws after a tryout

• came back a year later

• and finally got signed by the Red Sox on the say-so of assistant director of pro scouting Jared Porter …

• … for $1.

Nava is now the leadoff man for the Sox, hitting .294/.411/.462 and making the league minimum, after J.D. Drew's $70 million contract expired at the end of last season. The little things always matter. Even when you're a team as flush as the Red Sox.

You wonder who else is out there who would flourish in MLB, but for whatever reason hasn't gotten a shot.

[LordMortis]

You wonder who else is out there who would flourish in MLB, but for whatever reason hasn't gotten a shot.

Quintin Berry is the main reason to watch the Tigers today. To root for the guy who got his chance and shows it with heart and spirit on a team of guys who look like their collecting their share of the payroll.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quintin_Berry

And he seems so genuine and humble. It's gonna suck when pitchers figure him out but I'll be rooting for him anyway.

[Freezer-TPF-]

That's it--we need an American Idol-style show for baseball players so we can discover that unknown talent.

[LawBeefaroni]

That's it--we need an American Idol-style show for baseball players so we can discover that unknown talent.

And call it The Million Dollar Arm!

Oh...

[Pyperkub]

Nats - Giants this week in DC. The top two teams in the NL currently, so it should be fun and the Giants come in at the (theoretical) top of the rotation...

Hopefully the Tim Lincecum of his last two starts shows up, and not the one with the penchant for big innings and the ERA over 6.

[pr0ner]

I'm going to the Nats/Giants game Wednesday. Then I'm going to see Strasburg pitch again on Friday. Wooo.

[El Guapo]

Shame that the Nats weren't this good back when I had access to my old law firm's season tickets.

[pr0ner]

Shame that the Nats weren't this good back when I had access to my old law firm's season tickets.

I've been going to games since 2005. I've seen the good times, and the shit times.

[LawBeefaroni]

Down on the Reds farm, Billy Hamilton stole his 100th base. This season. In 78 games.

He got caught just 21 times and has a .417 OBP.

He's got fielding issues (.935%), but I bet he's a ton of fun to watch.


At baseball reference.

[triggercut]

Down on the Reds farm, Billy Hamilton stole his 100th base. This season. In 78 games.

He got caught just 21 times and has a .417 OBP.

He's got fielding issues (.935%), but I bet he's a ton of fun to watch.


At baseball reference.

Yeah, even though he plays for a rival, really want to see him in the Show, see how his game translates. It's easy to wonder about whether he could run on a guy like Yadi--but a whole lot of why it's tough to steal in the Bigs is that the pitchers are so much better at holding runners and being quick to the plate with slide-step moves than guys in the minors are. That said--if he can find a position it sure looks like he'll run wild no matter what level.

[ImLawBoy]

The numbers aren't quite the same, but my dad has been arguing that the Cubs should be putting Tony Campana out there every day to run like crazy and drive opposing batteries nuts. He's the most exciting part of the Cubs.

Of course, this was before The Savior was called up and displaced our All Star first baseman while getting the game winning RBI in three of his first five games and leading the Cubs to a 5-1 record. World Series here we come!

[triggercut]

The numbers aren't quite the same, but my dad has been arguing that the Cubs should be putting Tony Campana out there every day to run like crazy and drive opposing batteries nuts. He's the most exciting part of the Cubs.

Of course, this was before The Savior was called up and displaced our All Star first baseman while getting the game winning RBI in three of his first five games and leading the Cubs to a 5-1 record. World Series here we come!

If Tony Campana could just learn how to take walks--dude is listed at 5'8", and that's maybe stretching it--he'd be a devastating weapon. Drove the Cardinals nuts in the two series we've played, Yadi and all. Problem is, that .308 OBP just ain't gonna get it done. 16 walks in 320 major league plate appearances isn't gonna cut it, and looking at his career in the minors, he didn't walk there either.

[El Guapo]

The numbers aren't quite the same, but my dad has been arguing that the Cubs should be putting Tony Campana out there every day to run like crazy and drive opposing batteries nuts. He's the most exciting part of the Cubs.

Of course, this was before The Savior was called up and displaced our All Star first baseman while getting the game winning RBI in three of his first five games and leading the Cubs to a 5-1 record. World Series here we come!

Would you take Adrian Gonzalez straight up for Tony Rizzo?

[ImLawBoy]

The numbers aren't quite the same, but my dad has been arguing that the Cubs should be putting Tony Campana out there every day to run like crazy and drive opposing batteries nuts. He's the most exciting part of the Cubs.

Of course, this was before The Savior was called up and displaced our All Star first baseman while getting the game winning RBI in three of his first five games and leading the Cubs to a 5-1 record. World Series here we come!

Would you take Adrian Gonzalez straight up for Tony Rizzo?

That's like asking if I'd take my parish priest straight up for Jesus.

(I'm probably going to have to spend some time in purgatory for that one.)

[triggercut]

Wow, what the heck happened to AGonz this season? Is he maybe playing hurt?

[LawBeefaroni]

Wow, what the heck happened to AGonz this season? Is he maybe playing hurt?

No idea. He's started about 25% of his games in the OF so maybe with Youk gone full time at 1B will help him?

The big concern is his power outage.

[triggercut]

Wow, what the heck happened to AGonz this season? Is he maybe playing hurt?

No idea. He's started about 25% of his games in the OF so maybe with Youk gone full time at 1B will help him?

The big concern is his power outage.

Yeah, that .727 or whatever OPS is just odd-looking. Hmm. To fangraphs!

[triggercut]

Wow. Interesting.

In 2009, Gonzalez put up the best OPS of his career, .958. His chase rate was 23%. He hit 40 HR.

In 2010, Gonz's chase rate jumped to 31.8%. He hit 31 HR.

In 2011, it jumped again to an astounding 35.5%. How the heck did Gonzalez have 213 hits chasing that many pitches out of the zone?? My gosh, that's Vlad-like. His HR total dropped to 27.

This year, his chase rate is up to 37%.

It looks like his strike zone judgment is catching up with him. Maybe without Ellsbury in the lineup, he's pressing. What is normally true is that the higher your chase rate, the lower your BaBIP is, which suggests that Gonzalez hit in a lot of luck in 2011, but that's changed in 2012. I dunno, I haven't seen him play enough. Perhaps that's too simplified.

What is disturbing is that the drop in power isn't an overnight thing. 40 in 2009 seems like it might have been his ceiling, and that his real expectation for HR totals is 25-30.

(Having said this, like with Rasmus and Pujols, I now expect Gonzalez to enter September with 30 HR and an OPS of 1.025.)

[Exodor]

I love the Onion

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Dodgers were forced to stop play Sunday against the Chicago White Sox to allow the grounds crew to come out and pull a tarp over the unsightly Dodger Stadium crowd. "You hate to stop the game, but it was getting next to impossible for the guys to play in conditions like that," manager Don Mattingly said of the 38,000 hideous Dodger fans who filled the stands, nearly ruining the game by being clearly visible.

The specially made tarp used to cover Dodger Stadium attendees is the second-largest tarp in Major League Baseball behind that used by the Indians during home games to cover the rest of Cleveland.

[LawBeefaroni]

Ron Wash snubs AJ. 19-0 Sox in the 8th.

[stessier]

Wow. Interesting.

In 2009, Gonzalez put up the best OPS of his career, .958. His chase rate was 23%. He hit 40 HR.

In 2010, Gonz's chase rate jumped to 31.8%. He hit 31 HR.

In 2011, it jumped again to an astounding 35.5%. How the heck did Gonzalez have 213 hits chasing that many pitches out of the zone?? My gosh, that's Vlad-like. His HR total dropped to 27.

This year, his chase rate is up to 37%.

It looks like his strike zone judgment is catching up with him. Maybe without Ellsbury in the lineup, he's pressing. What is normally true is that the higher your chase rate, the lower your BaBIP is, which suggests that Gonzalez hit in a lot of luck in 2011, but that's changed in 2012. I dunno, I haven't seen him play enough. Perhaps that's too simplified.

What is disturbing is that the drop in power isn't an overnight thing. 40 in 2009 seems like it might have been his ceiling, and that his real expectation for HR totals is 25-30.

(Having said this, like with Rasmus and Pujols, I now expect Gonzalez to enter September with 30 HR and an OPS of 1.025.)

I've been catching up on the BS Report (Bill Simmons' podcast) and the one from spring training mentions an interview where Gonzalez says he is healthy for the first time since he left SD. He says he had a shoulder issue until this point and it's the first time he's been able to swing through the ball. Apparently that is not a good thing.

[El Guapo]

Wow. Interesting.

In 2009, Gonzalez put up the best OPS of his career, .958. His chase rate was 23%. He hit 40 HR.

In 2010, Gonz's chase rate jumped to 31.8%. He hit 31 HR.

In 2011, it jumped again to an astounding 35.5%. How the heck did Gonzalez have 213 hits chasing that many pitches out of the zone?? My gosh, that's Vlad-like. His HR total dropped to 27.

This year, his chase rate is up to 37%.

It looks like his strike zone judgment is catching up with him. Maybe without Ellsbury in the lineup, he's pressing. What is normally true is that the higher your chase rate, the lower your BaBIP is, which suggests that Gonzalez hit in a lot of luck in 2011, but that's changed in 2012. I dunno, I haven't seen him play enough. Perhaps that's too simplified.

What is disturbing is that the drop in power isn't an overnight thing. 40 in 2009 seems like it might have been his ceiling, and that his real expectation for HR totals is 25-30.

(Having said this, like with Rasmus and Pujols, I now expect Gonzalez to enter September with 30 HR and an OPS of 1.025.)

Yeah, hence the Rizzo joke (he was amongst the prospects that Boston traded for Gonzalez).

I'm assuming that since he is evidently health, his numbers will bounce back up. Ortiz came back from worse. Hopefully sooner rather than later, the way the Red Sox offense has been lately.

[Octavious]

Dickey got hit pretty hard today, but the Mets picked him up today. Nail biting finish.

[Exodor]

Do the Royals have the best young infield in the majors?

At third you've got Moustakas overcoming his freshman year struggles and putting up a .270/.333/.489 line (122 OPS+) while playing much better defense than anyone expected.

At short? Alicides Escobar. No one has ever questioned Shortstop Jesus' ability with the glove but I don't think anyone expected him to hit 307/.351/.410 (106 OPS+)

Second base is a wasteland currently occupied by the Yunigma (although I can't complain too much about his 90 OPS+)

First base is all Hos. Yes he's disappointing with a .230/.297/.378 this year but his .240 BABIP is one indication of his terrible luck so far. He hit .270/.340/.438 in June and I don't think anyone thinks his current numbers reflect his talent level.


But those guys aren't what makes me excited.

It's the return of Sal Perez. Last year I thought they made a huge mistake by rushing him to the majors - until he hit .331/.361/.473 (128+) and blew everyone away with his defense. He picked off two runners in his first game in the major leagues. He also endeared himself to fans and teammates alike and was seen as one of the leaders of the club heading into 2012.

The he hurt himself in Spring Training and the team went to shit.

He's finally back and so far, so good. He's only been back for 10 games but he's hitting.371/.371/.714.

And that doesn't include tonight's 4-5.


This team is going nowhere without rebuilding the rotation but the lineup they're trotting out every night makes me very, very hopeful for the future.




EDIT: I didn't get to see much of the game tonight so I assume the box score showing Billy Butler stealing a base (his second of the year) is some horrible misprint.