2026 MLB Thread

[WhiteTrash]

Only 2 AL teams have a positive run differential. Crazy.

[lostpassword]

Wrong call though.

He looks clearly out to me.  The first tag is meaningless and he is awarded 2nd because of the walk.  He then leaves the base and is tagged (left hand) a second time.  Out.

Rule 5.09(b)(6) Comment:

PLAY—Runner on first and three balls on batter: Runner steals on the next pitch, which is fourth ball, but after having touched second he overslides or overruns that base. Catcher's throw catches him before he can return.

Ruling is that runner is out.

I was able to find a similar (but more extreme) example here with the same call:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ee-gjbWWQLU?is=1t-UitPvXN-pKcCD

[TallTitan34]

He looks clearly out to me.  The first tag is meaningless and he is awarded 2nd because of the walk.  He then leaves the base and is tagged (left hand) a second time.  Out.

Rule 5.09(b)(6) Comment:

PLAY—Runner on first and three balls on batter: Runner steals on the next pitch, which is fourth ball, but after having touched second he overslides or overruns that base. Catcher's throw catches him before he can return.

Ruling is that runner is out.

I was able to find a similar (but more extreme) example here with the same call:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ee-gjbWWQLU?is=1t-UitPvXN-pKcCD

I think it depends if 5.06(b) applies or not in this situation. 5.05(b) doesn't say "if he comes off the base" it says "if he slides past the base after touching" which I believe would be considered trying to advance beyond the base he is entitled to.

Essentially, if you are trying to advance beyond your entitled base you can absolutely be tagged out.

5.05(b):

A batter who is entitled to first base because of a base on balls, including an award of first base to a batter by an umpire following a signal from a manager, must go to first base and touch the base before other base runners are forced to advance. This applies when bases are full and applies when a substitute runner is put into the game.

If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and he slides past the base before or after touching it he may be put out by the fielder tagging him. If he fails to touch the base to which he is entitled and attempts to advance beyond that base he may be put out by tagging him or the base he missed.

5.06 (b):

A runner is considered to have passed a base if he has both feet on the ground beyond the back edge of the base or beyond the edge of the base in the direction in which he is advancing.

The direction the runner is advancing determines the edges of the base when defining when a runner has passed a base.

[The Sultan]

I mean, he is out by rule, but jeez...I don't think I have ever seen that called. I guess since the Mets challenge, they really have no choice but to go by the book.

[lostpassword]

I mean, he is out by rule, but jeez...I don't think I have ever seen that called. I guess since the Mets challenge, they really have no choice but to go by the book.

This is where I'm at as well.  Silly for that to be an out but no choice.

I think it depends if 5.06(b) applies or not in this situation. 5.05(b) doesn't say "if he comes off the base" it says "if he slides past the base after touching" which I believe would be considered trying to advance beyond the base he is entitled to.

I don't think the PCA situation is what was envisioned in these rules and ergo room for interpretation.  An argument could be made he slid past (at least the first arm did).  I do find it a lot easier to be pedantic and justify "why is he out" than explain why that tag doesn't count.

[The Sultan]

I think coming off the base IS sliding past the base after touching. Once you touch, and then lose contact, you are considered "past the base." Otherwise, how would be able to judge it?

The simple solution would be to have a rule that makes this case an exception.

[TallTitan34]

The simple solution would be to have a rule that makes this case an exception.

The addition of replay has added so many unique situations the rules could have never dreamed up.  Before replay, the second base ump would have simply told everyone it was ball four and that was that. 

Which is actually what the second base ump did.

Funny thing is had he not touched the base at all, he would have been ruled safe.

[cheebs09]

Could that have been ruled as interference? He shouldn't have been obstructed going to the base, right?

[TallTitan34]

Cubs need to fire their strength and conditioning team.

Cubs Starting Pitchers:

• Shota Imanaga
• Edward Cabrera 15 day
• Jameson Taillon 15 day
• Colin Rea
• Matthew Boyd 15 day
• Cade Horton 60 day
• Ben Brown 15 day
• Travis Steele 60 day

[cheebs09]

Cubs need to fire their strength and conditioning team.

Cubs Starting Pitchers:

• Shota Imanaga
• Edward Cabrera 15 day
• Jameson Taillon 15 day
• Colin Rea
• Matthew Boyd 15 day
• Cade Horton 60 day
• Ben Brown 15 day
• Travis Steele 60 day

I think Steele splitting his time between the Cubs and coaching Miami (OH) probably doesn't help.

[TallTitan34]

I think Steele splitting his time between the Cubs and coaching Miami (OH) probably doesn't help.

Haha damn it.  Had college basketball on the mind.

[tower912]

Cubs need to fire their strength and conditioning team.

Cubs Starting Pitchers:

• Shota Imanaga
• Edward Cabrera 15 day
• Jameson Taillon 15 day
• Colin Rea
• Matthew Boyd 15 day
• Cade Horton 60 day
• Ben Brown 15 day
• Travis Steele 60 day

Tigers fan can relate.

[MU82]

The Mariners have too many starting pitchers - 6 in the rotation now, 5 of whom are good to very good; and Luis Castillo, who was good as recently as last season but has mostly struggled this year. In addition, The Athletic says they have the two top pitching prospects in the minors, including one who is ready for a promotion but isn't getting called up because there isn't room in the rotation.

Meanwhile, they could use a right-handed bat. Either Suzuki or Shaw would probably work.

How 'bout it, Cubbieland ... Let's make a deal!

[TallTitan34]

Either Suzuki or Shaw would probably work.

How 'bout it, Cubbieland ... Let's make a deal!

I'm not opposed to this. 

Shaw would get a better return with his years of control while Suzuki would be a rental.  Suzuki has a no trade clause, however, the Japanese players do seem to enjoy the west coast being closer to home.

[GB Warrior]

Cubs need to fire their strength and conditioning team.

Cubs Starting Pitchers:

• Shota Imanaga
• Edward Cabrera 15 day
• Jameson Taillon 15 day
• Colin Rea
• Matthew Boyd 15 day
• Cade Horton 60 day
• Ben Brown 15 day
• Travis Steele 60 day

Injuries aren't excuses

[JWags85]

The Mariners have too many starting pitchers - 6 in the rotation now, 5 of whom are good to very good; and Luis Castillo, who was good as recently as last season but has mostly struggled this year. In addition, The Athletic says they have the two top pitching prospects in the minors, including one who is ready for a promotion but isn't getting called up because there isn't room in the rotation.

Meanwhile, they could use a right-handed bat. Either Suzuki or Shaw would probably work.

How 'bout it, Cubbieland ... Let's make a deal!

Cubs decide to trade for Peterson from the Mets instead.  He's been pretty bad, but the silver lining is he is a pitch to contact/ground ball pitcher, and the Cubs have a ton of above average fielders.  So maybe it is the right change of scenery for him

[MU82]

Cubs decide to trade for Peterson from the Mets instead.  He's been pretty bad, but the silver lining is he is a pitch to contact/ground ball pitcher, and the Cubs have a ton of above average fielders.  So maybe it is the right change of scenery for him

Cubs still need more pitching. And as long as they're open to mediocrity ... Luis Castillo is available!

[BM1090]

Cubs are a weird unnatural carnal knowledgeing team.

So grateful for this Brewers organization after watching them make the playoffs twice in the first 27 years of my life.

[TallTitan34]

Injuries aren't excuses

I agree.  The starting pitching they've thrown together wasn't the problem.  It was the offense.

[cheebs09]

Big series this weekend. Looks like the Cubs have some momentum. Hopefully the Brewers can take 2/3 and stop that a bit.

[TallTitan34]

Looks like the Cubs have some momentum.

Roller coaster of a season.

• March 25 to May 8: 27-12 (.692) Best in MLB
• May 9 to June 10: 7-22 (.241) Worst in MLB
• June 11 to Present: 10-3 (.769) Best in MLB

Source Chris Kamka

[MU82]

Stunner ... Mets fire Mendoza.

I guess when you give up 285 RBI to Dansby Swanson in one series, that's the last straw!

[Hards Alumni]

Stunner ... Mets fire Mendoza.

I guess when you give up 285 RBI to Dansby Swanson in one series, that's the last straw!

Stearns fighting for his job

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Roller coaster of a season.

• March 25 to May 8: 27-12 (.692) Best in MLB
• May 9 to June 10: 7-22 (.241) Worst in MLB
• June 11 to Present: 10-3 (.769) Best in MLB

Source Chris Kamka

Most teams that aren't Mets, Giants, and Rockies would go 9-2 against the Mets, Giants, and Rockies 

I think most of the Cubs roller coaster is a product of their schedule. Cubs are currently 20-24 against teams with a run differential higher than -20 (and 6-1 of that is against the Phillies before they changed managers). They're 24-13 against teams below that. Their schedule has featured two long stretches of soft teams where to their credit, they took care of business. Once the schedule picked up, they spiraled.

Cubs haven't won a series against a team with better than a -47 run differential since May 3rd. Gonna need to see more against good teams before I believe they are back.

Of course now that I've posted this, they are going to sweep the Brewers.

[TallTitan34]

All true.