2022 MLB Thread

[MU82]

As I've said a couple of times, I'm rooting for Dusty Baker to win a World Series. I simply like him, and I think he's been a real good manager for a real long time.

But ...

Phillies reliever David Robertson was laboring in the 10th inning last night. He gave up a double to Bregman, walked Gurriel with 2 outs and uncorked a very wild pitch on the first offering to pinch-hitter Aledmys Diaz. Robertson then fell behind Diaz 3-0.

The one thing you don't do is give a cold pinch-hitter -- who was 1-for-14 this postseason -- the green light on 3-0 against a struggling pitcher.

But Dusty did give the green light to Diaz, who swung wildly and missed a pitch that was a foot out of the zone. And on the next pitch, Diaz grounded out weakly to third base, and the Phillies had a 1-0 lead in the World Series.

The next batter, Chas McCormick, might not have been able to tie or win the game for the Astros, but we'll never know because Dusty made a bad call.

And speaking of calls ...

Excellent call by home plate umpire James Hoye to deny Diaz first base after Diaz obviously moved his elbow into the path of Robertson's third pitch of the at-bat. Batters occasionally get away with this, but Hoye wasn't having it, and good for him. Two pitches later, Diaz was out and the Astros were down 1-0.

[wadesworld]

Astros cheating again. And, to nobody's surprise, it's by using Albert Pujols's bat, which is outside of MLB regulations. Some things make you say "hmm."

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Astros cheating again. And, to nobody's surprise, it's by using Albert Pujols's bat, which is outside of MLB regulations. Some things make you say "hmm."

Shoot hoops with an essay in
5
4
3
2
1
Boom!

[wadesworld]

Another reason the MLB waited to start the World Series: NFL Sunday is a travel day now.

[The Sultan]

Another reason the MLB waited to start the World Series: NFL Sunday is a travel day now.

Right. The NBA can be flexible with its schedule because it really isn't going up against anything. MLB doesn't have that luxury.

[Uncle Rico]

Astros cheating again. And, to nobody's surprise, it's by using Albert Pujols's bat, which is outside of MLB regulations. Some things make you say "hmm."

Pujols shouldn't be allowed into Cooperstown without a ticket

[MU82]

Another reason the MLB waited to start the World Series: NFL Sunday is a travel day now.

Reasonable.

[Dish]

Pedro Grifol your new Sox manager.

[Pakuni]

Pedro Grifol your new Sox manager.

I've read one article on him, so allow me to weigh in with my expert analysis ...
Kidding. Best I can say is that it's better than some of the retread options that had been linked with the job.
Also, Vote for Pedro.

[Dish]

I've read one article on him, so allow me to weigh in with my expert analysis ...
Kidding. Best I can say is that it's better than some of the retread options that had been linked with the job.
Also, Vote for Pedro.

Agreed, at least they went outside the organization.

Charlie Montoyo your new bench coach, Katz only leftover coach staying reportedly.

[Pakuni]

Agreed, at least they went outside the organization.

Charlie Montoyo your new bench coach, Katz only leftover coach staying reportedly.

And hopefully a new hitting coach. I'm a little meh on Katz, but the pitching staff seems to like him, so sure, why not.

[Jockey]

Pedro Grifol your new Sox manager.

I think that is a solid pick.

Bochy was probably their preferred choice, but he has a long relationship with Chris Young so that was never going to happen.

[MU82]

I guess the Phillies' momentum has been stopped.

[Silent Verbal]

Combined no-hitters don't do much for me.  A starting pitcher who's thrown 90-100 pitches trying to get the last 3-4 outs of a game on sheer guts to preserve the no-hitter?  That's some great sports drama.  A starting pitcher going 5-6 innings and then turning it over to three terminators to pitch the last three innings and none of them give up a hit?  Yawn.

[PGsHeroes32]

Combined no-hitters don't do much for me.  A starting pitcher who's thrown 90-100 pitches trying to get the last 3-4 outs of a game on sheer guts to preserve the no-hitter?  That's some great sports drama.  A starting pitcher going 5-6 innings and then turning it over to three terminators to pitch the last three innings and none of them give up a hit?  Yawn.

Idk that was pretty elite pitching.

And no reason to keep Javier going. His PC was high and they are gonna need him in game 7.

Only questionable thing is why he didnt pitch game 3 instead of McCullers. You could have him on full rest instead of 3 days if it happens.

Stros set up well now though. Verlander vs basically a phillies BP day(even if JV sucks in WS) and then Valdez. Bullpen has like all their bullets available too.

[JWags85]

Combined no-hitters don't do much for me.  A starting pitcher who's thrown 90-100 pitches trying to get the last 3-4 outs of a game on sheer guts to preserve the no-hitter?  That's some great sports drama.  A starting pitcher going 5-6 innings and then turning it over to three terminators to pitch the last three innings and none of them give up a hit?  Yawn.

I agree.  If it had been a starter going 8 or 7 and change, maybe.  But 6 SP innings and 4 pitchers total isn't that compelling.  Elite pitching performance to be sure, but mentioning it 5-6 times in short order with Don Larsen's performance is dumb.  At least call it the first combined no hitter in WS history, especially for a game that loves useless stat blurbs.

[tower912]

History making.   Not the same emotional impact, but history nonetheless.

[MUBurrow]

History making.   Not the same emotional impact, but history nonetheless.

Couldn't think of a better way to describe baseball as a whole lately.

[muwarrior69]

MLB is just lucky we are having a very warm November here in the East. It was 75 this afternoon and I live just 25 miles north of Philly.

[muwarrior69]

I agree.  If it had been a starter going 8 or 7 and change, maybe.  But 6 SP innings and 4 pitchers total isn't that compelling.  Elite pitching performance to be sure, but mentioning it 5-6 times in short order with Don Larsen's performance is dumb.  At least call it the first combined no hitter in WS history, especially for a game that loves useless stat blurbs.

My Dad's boss called him into his office. He though for sure some production line broke down and he would have to work through the night. Instead he told him he was going into the hospital for minor surgery and handed my dad his two WS tickets. We were 10 rows back behind the Yankee dugout and saw Don Larsen pitch his perfect game against the Dodgers.

One of those Father/Son moments you treasure. To this day I have a soft spot for my Dad's boss though they had this Jekyll/Hide work/personal relationship. At work he could be a real SOB, but he really liked my dad.

[tower912]

Pulling Thor after 44 pitches seems like an overreaction to me.

[Silent Verbal]

My Dad's boss called him into his office. He though for sure some production line broke down and he would have to work through the night. Instead he told him he was going into the hospital for minor surgery and handed my dad his two WS tickets. We were 10 rows back behind the Yankee dugout and saw Don Larsen pitch his perfect game against the Dodgers.

One of those Father/Son moments you treasure. To this day I have a soft spot for my Dad's boss though they had this Jekyll/Hide work/personal relationship. At work he could be a real SOB, but he really liked my dad.

Awesome you were at one of the most historic moments in baseball history with your dad.

[JWags85]

SHEESH high drama.

Harper up down 1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth is storybook stuff.  No way he should have seen anything remotely hittable.

Insane catch at the wall in center on Realmuto, my god.  And from a Philly kid too.

Castellanos was either going to hit that ball to New Jersey or make a quiet out.

[MU82]

I knocked Dusty the other day for mismanaging a situation, so let me give him props here for managing the bullpen superbly last night.

I watched from the 6th inning on and, as Wags said, that was some high-pressure, tension-filled stuff. Every single pitch had so much riding on it.

Yet another example of why content-providers are bidding bazillions to show live sports -- especially football, but all live sports. There is nothing else like it available to keep eyeballs on the screen and to provide a captive audience to advertisers.

[PGsHeroes32]

I knocked Dusty the other day for mismanaging a situation, so let me give him props here for managing the bullpen superbly last night.

I watched from the 6th inning on and, as Wags said, that was some high-pressure, tension-filled stuff. Every single pitch had so much riding on it.

Yet another example of why content-providers are bidding bazillions to show live sports -- especially football, but all live sports. There is nothing else like it available to keep eyeballs on the screen and to provide a captive audience to advertisers.

Abreu is such a weapon in that pen.

And Dusty went to Pressly at the right time. Montero was brutal last night. Saved the game.