Brownie19

Would Nate be eligible for the playoffs?

Thank you friend - that makes me happy!

So how do I watch the game tonight? I have to have Apple TV or go to a bar?

This could certainly be true and would support the narrative that the players weren't surprised. I believe it was known the Jays were always worried that another would swoop in and steal Schneider - perhaps his voice was growing larger and larger in the clubhouse and the players and FO could tell it was time for him to lead the team.

Is there any evidence that managers who blow up and yell at umpires actually get better results than those who choose not to? I guess it may give the appearance to the players that the manager has their back when they feel they are getting the shaft.

We need to consider the possibility that the players simply got their head out of their ass after they saw that their efforts cost someone their job. I don't know how long that guilt effect lasts, but I believe that's one of the strongest reasons why teams often play better immediately following a managerial change.

Yeah I agree with this. Fans are fooling themselves if they 'know' there's now more accountability on the team. I also believe there's a good chance that what Laika said is true. Charlie was breaking script too often. I think there's a better chance that is true than the narrative that Charlie wasn't holding player accountable.

They seem to prefer JBJ over Merrifield right now, which I don't really understand. That said, he's good depth to have on a playoff bound team. He was obviously insurance for Springer in CF. Would I have preferred to give up someone other than Max? Yes, probably as he was good SP depth at the time.

I agree with all of this; however, I believe the setup of the catcher still matters because technically the catcher CAN block the plate still (provided he does A, B and C correct). The setup matters because the runner needs to be able to see where that catcher is so he can plan how he's going to get to home plate in the event the catcher is blocking it (ie hook slides). This rule needs to be changed this offseason. Enough with the BS of trying to still allow the catcher to block the plate to keep the boomers happy. If the player can't lower the shoulder (which he shouldn't be allowed to), then the catcher can't block the plate, period. Then the catcher can do whatever the f*** he wants as long as he doesn't impede the runner or block the plate - just like a 3rd baseman would do on a long throw from RF. This is such a simple fix. I have to think the only reason it's not in place is because of those who think blocking the plate is a great skill that should be left in the sport. Just f***ing punt those people to the moon and get on with it. They're the same people who complained about removing take out slides at 2nd base and literally nobody cares about that anymore.

Moreno since being sent back down to AAA 26 games 117 PAs .304/.393/.441 OPS .834 ISO .137 BB% 10.3 K% 16.2 wRC+ 128 Very solid from this young man.

Yeah - sure - I think that's correct. I just don't understand the rule at all. If someone stands in front of the plate waiting for the ball, I don't think it affects the runner at all - provided he moves out of the way by the time the runner arrives at the plate (which Kirk did). Oddly enough - John Schneider just said that Adley was actually safe on the play anyway, but Baltimore didn't challenge that component of the play.

Yeah that's how I took it man. I knew it wasn't your opinion on it. We're on the same page brother. Tomorrow's another day.

And I think that should be eliminated. It would make this rule very clear.....can't block the plate (or any base), but you can catch the ball and stand wherever the f*** you want at any point (just like you can at 2nd base)...

IMO, we ought to have won the game v. the Twins because Sanchez DID block the plate after catching it - which IMO, is BS. Can't block it at all if the player can't drop the shoulder on you. Kirk literally moved out of the way to apply a standard tag. All good BC - I'm not arguing with you, I was just playing off your "live by the block, die by the block" because IMO, Kirk didn't block anything because he moves out of the way before the runner arrives. Oh well - not a great game, time to put it behind us!

I'm not being a homer. I clearly don't understand the rule (which I said). A 2nd baseman is allowed to straddle the bag to catch the call, why can't the catcher as long as he doesn't drop and block the plate (with his armor on) after he catches the ball? I realize the rule may not allow for that - but that's what I think is stupid. If Kirk does what he did and then drops and blocks the plate, then I'm all for that being against the rules - but he moves out of the way and tags him like a middle infielder would. Seems like a standard baseball play to me. MLB needs to fix this.

but...he didn't block anything? He didn't put any body part in front of home plate.

I don't understand this rule at all. Kirk didn't block the plate at all. He fielded the ball and tagged him like he would if he was playing 2nd base. Isn't that the intent?

This man gets it.

I'm simply questioning whether the criticism (ie, this team is steaky, or this team's offense isn't good/consistent enough) is even true, of whether that's simply an individual's perception of what's happening. A lot of people get really upset when their perceptions aren't reality. Do you have any proof they've been less consistent than other teams in general (or even amongst teams with similar records)?

I have to think some of your concern is based off this rather poor expectation. The Jays pre-season projected win total (per Fangraphs) was 92 wins, which was projected to be 3rd in MLB. In reality, the Jays are projected for 91 wins (same as TB and Seattle), but perceptions are thrown off because the Yanks jumped out to an unsustainable pace and other teams like Seattle and TB are out preforming their projections (and we also now have 4 teams projected to win 100+ games). I'm not sure how many wins you expected from this team at the start of the season, but it sounds like that # was too optimistic and now you're pissed at this team, when in reality, they are performing right at the expected level.

Do you know whether this is true, or is this just your perception? What is streaky? Is streaky winning 8 of 10 and then winning 2 of the next 10? Do you expect them to win 6 out of 10 consistently all year long without variation? Have you looked into teams like TB, Seattle and Baltimore who are battling with the Jays and do you believe they are streaky or more consistent? Interestingly enough I found the following: Jays v. AL East: 29-24 (.547) AL Cent: 19-15 (.559) AL West: 15-14 (.517) Inter: 12-6 (.667) Home: 38-29 (.567) Road: 37-30 (.552) ExInn: 7-6 (.538) 1Run: 27-17 (.614) If you look at the sum of the parts, that seems pretty consistent for a team with a .560 winning %. The Jays are also 7-3 in the last 10, 14-6 in their last 20 and 17-13 in their last 30. By month the Jays are: April - 14-8 (.636) May - 14-12 (.538) June - 15-13 (.536) July - 14-12 (.538) Aug/Sept - 18-14 (.563) If you look at Baltimore (.532 winning %) you get this: AL East: 27-31 AL Cent: 15-15 AL West: 19-10 Inter: 10-8 Home: 39-27 Road: 32-37 ExInn: 8-4 1Run: 18-21 sub .500 v. AL East and on the Road this year, while crushing it at home and v. the AL West. Oddly doing great in extra innings, while not so good in 1 run games. Is this streaky? I think this streaky narrative is fiction. The reality of it all is that this team is probably exactly what you see today. Their a good team with a great offense that's going to win a Wild Card birth unless the Yanks continue to implode. Once in the playoffs, they'll be hard pressed to win, but stranger things have happened.

This is my perception was well. I don't think some fans understand just how streaky teams actually are (probably because they only follow the Jays and thus aren't exposed to all the ups and downs that other teams experience). Is there any site that tracks the variance of runs scored per game? It feels like there should be.

I think you mean Top 4. Seattle is stacked.

It's been great to watch Cavan dig his way out of the whole and back into the lineup. When Espy sits, we our lineup now features 9 batters with a wRC+ over 110...that's insane.

I have to think Romano's advanced stats suggest he's been quite a bit better over the past 1.5 months. Velo seems to be up, slider is harder and sharper.