Around Baseball 2015

[Boxcar]

Dragon Fruit's problem is not living up to appearances. This is also an issue with star fruit. They look awesome but they kinda suck.

 

Yeah, you kinda hope it ends up tasting like an easier to eat kiwi and its just a slightly sweet, mostly bland disappointment.

 

Never had starfruit. I've heard durian is pretty gross.

[Boxcar]

The Blue Jays dodged a giant bullet in having the Tigers outbid them for Victor Martinez. He's at -0.4 WAR and doesn't even project as an average regular going forward. Due $54MM after 2015.

 

SHUT IT plz

[Boxcar]

Durians taste amazing, take it from me.

 

Like a mix between strawberries and pupaya, but the texture is sooooo good.

 

Why do people say it smells like rotting garbage?

[Frag]

Why do people say it smells like rotting garbage?

 

Probably because it does? Certain cheeses smell bad, but still tastes pretty good (for most people, even though I'm not one of them), too.

 

Durian sounds pretty good.

[Captain Adama]

Why do people say it smells like rotting garbage?

 

Its mostly the outside shell that smells like s***, like leaving an unwashed load in the dishwasher and for like...2 weeks.

[glory]

The Twins are predictably falling apart, but now we have to worry about dem damn Orioles.

[Stangstag]

You'd have to buy 2 seats to enjoy a boomstick at the Rogers Centre because the dude next to you wouldn't want your sloppy onions on his lap. Then you'd probably drip melted cheese on someone's head directly in front of you when you take your first bite.

 

I have anxiety thinking about it.

 

Actually made me lol

[Governator]

Its mostly the outside shell that smells like s***, like leaving an unwashed load in the dishwasher and for like...2 weeks.

 

nom nom nom

[HERPDERP]

The Jays notified the Mariners/Rodney that he was tipping pitches. With good reason:

 

WARNING: STOETEN ARTICLE

 

http://andrewstoeten.com/2015/07/29/the-jays-told-the-mariners-fernando-rodney-was-tipping-his-pitches-after-their-series-ended/

[Brownie19]

Actually made me lol

 

Me too - awesomeness.

[jaysfan2014]

Well s*** why even bother playing then!!!!

 

We're done with Houston. We still have a series with LA, though.

[burlingtonbandit]

Archer had 24 swinging strikes in 101 pitches today. He might be my fav non Jays starter in the bigs.

[MagicMike]

I noticed Maddon and maybe another manager or two are batting the pitcher 8th (instead of 9th). From my understanding, the value of the 8th spot is still more than the 9th spot, even if the 9th spot is coming before the top of the line-up. Are Maddon and others trying too hard to be innovative and creative, to the point where it is more of a hindrance?

[Stangstag]

I noticed Maddon and maybe another manager or two are batting the pitcher 8th (instead of 9th). From my understanding, the value of the 8th spot is still more than the 9th spot, even if the 9th spot is coming before the top of the line-up. Are Maddon and others trying too hard to be innovative and creative, to the point where it is more of a hindrance?

 

Yes. 2edgy4me

[CJ-Freeway]

I noticed Maddon and maybe another manager or two are batting the pitcher 8th (instead of 9th). From my understanding, the value of the 8th spot is still more than the 9th spot, even if the 9th spot is coming before the top of the line-up. Are Maddon and others trying too hard to be innovative and creative, to the point where it is more of a hindrance?

 

Yeah I noticed that too... I don't get it.

[jayswin11]

Tony LaRussa did this for years in St.Louis, nothing new.

[admin]

A) Tulo best SS in the MLB.

Dickey was an 38 years old knuckleballer who won CY young

 

Exactly. I can deal with Hoffman becoming good because Tulo will have atleast a few years of well above average ball.

Dickey was a risky move from day one.

[admin]

I noticed Maddon and maybe another manager or two are batting the pitcher 8th (instead of 9th). From my understanding, the value of the 8th spot is still more than the 9th spot, even if the 9th spot is coming before the top of the line-up. Are Maddon and others trying too hard to be innovative and creative, to the point where it is more of a hindrance?

 

That's exactly what I think they're trying to do, be 'innovative'. Unless someone can show any possible reason for this to be a good idea, this is just retarded.

[BTS]

I think the idea is that they don't want an absolute black hole hitting in front of their best hitters. Hitting a decent guy 9th sets the table for the best hitters instead of being an automatic out, and if the pitcher comes up in a big spot you pinch hit for him.

[Muck Bartinez]

They mention that in "The Book" and say it is better to have a better hitter interacting with the top of the order, but the difference is negligible (~2 runs/season).

[Nightmaul]

Look at the last 10 years of production from the 8th and 9th spot (AL only):

 

8th spot:

 

Runs: 13191

RBIs: 13119

Total: 26310

 

Average wRC+ of 8th hitter: 84

 

Now 9th spot:

 

Runs: 12603

RBIs: 11217

Total: 23820

 

Average wRC+ of 9th hitter: 74

 

That's a 10.4% increase in production in the 8th spot.

 

But a 13.5% increase in wRC+ in that position.

 

So the 9th hole hitter is actually resulting in more production by wRC+.

 

If you ask me, Maddon and these other managers may just be on to something.

[Orgfiller]

So Verlander was good today, it's been a while. 8.0 IP, 10/0 K/BB, 2.32 xFIP.

[TwistedLogic]

lol Randy Johnson...

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/share.cgi?id=HLVSy

[Maahfaace]

lol Randy Johnson...

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/share.cgi?id=HLVSy

 

I think it's safe to say that we will never see a 37 year old strike out 372 batters in a season again. What a beast he was, at both baseball and in the looks department

[TwistedLogic]

[Maahfaace]

 

could adam rubin be more vague please

[North of 60]

 

Getting Dickey back?

[pickoff22]

 

Mets fans still love Reyes

[Jimcanuck]

 

Bautista + for Thor

[bronson44]