Brownie19

That just means that statistically, we're due!

Blair talked about this today as obviously people are taking pot shots at her for finishing 13th on the day. She's a replacement ump (which I didn't know) who's filling in for a ML guy. Therefore, you should expect she's one one of the worst. She's a AAA ump. If she finished 5th overall, that would look bad on the ML umps as they should be better than her... otherwise, she's umpiring at the wrong level. Makes sense to me.

Interestingly enough - the Tigers did this with Troy Melton before he was called up to the big leagues. He made a couple relief appearances, during which he still threw innings/pitches like a starter would. The Jays may be doing this as an insurance policy (which would make a ton of sense). Or maybe they are considering a callup. Who knows. He'd have to be added to the 40 man by August 31st to be playoff eligible. I think there's a reasonable possibility that at least happens. Yesavage looks super polished.

It sounds like the playoffs are a crapshoot to me. The "favourite" in each matchup will likely be expected to win about 55% of the time.

To be clear, I wasn't suggesting the primary reason Hoffman wasn't pulled was "because he's your horse and you gotta trust him". I was just suggesting that's a secondary consideration. I do agree that depleting the bullpen and screwing yourself over should the game go to extras was also a factor. That's a good call. I agree with your detailed post below.

I'm not saying that managers shouldn't have a "feel" for the game, but I'd be curious to see which managers (if any) are consistently correct when they go with their "feelings" instead of playing the odds (ie, the spreadsheet). My gut tells me most aren't actually very good at it and they probably cost their teams as much as they help them. Likely no way of testing this though unfortunately. And of course, it's one thing to go against the odds, when the odds are 48% v. 52% or something marginal, v. going against the odds when they are 30% v. 70%. I wonder how many decisions like this they make per game...interesting topic.

Sorry dude, but that's not a good comparison at all. Those 2 situations aren't even remotely close.

I don't think I already said this previously? But yes, if you make that move after the first walk in the 9th, then I agree. Was it painfully obvious he ought to have been pulled there (I didn't watch the 8th or the start of the 9th)? Obviously some feel that it was, but he's supposed to be your horse, so I'm not sure everyone is pulling him after a leadoff walk (even if you do have the 2 walks he allowed in the 8th in the back of your mind). After he walks the 2nd batter - that's when the 3 batter rule becomes a major factor. Do you pray Hoffman finds it, or put in Nance, knowing that means he has to face Ohtani (if he doesn't get a DP). There's also a phycological aspect to this that plays some role. I believe most managers will give their "closer" more rope to instill that confidence in them. Anyway - I'm glad it worked out. I also just realized that Nance actually has reverse splits for his career, so maybe you do pull Hoffman after the 2nd walk and ride or die with Nance, even if he has to face Ohtani. Nance has been great this year, but he's a career journeyman. Journeyman or one of the best arms in your pen who on adjustment away (to find his release point) from being nasty again - that's the dilemma I guess. Fans aren't always going to agree with the manager in that situation, nor is a manager always going to get that decision right. That's baseball IMO. Even when he does make the change - and it works - and we win - the manager still takes sh*t from fans. Fans far too often believe they know best.

I thought that was explained yesterday by someone on here quite well. The 3 batter rule plays a huge role in it. You either had Nance facing Ohtani, or you hoped Hoffman found his release point (which RPers often do). I mean - pick your poison. Easy to criticize in hindsight.

That is probably one of the craziest stats of 2025. Naylor has 3rd percentile speed at 24.5 ft/s. For comparison, Kirk has 2nd percentile speed at 24.1 ft/s. Last year, Kirk's speed was better than Naylor at 24.7 ft/s and he's never even attempted a stolen base... Naylor has 11 SB's in 15 games in Seattle. That's insane. WTF is going on? Great catch to notice this jaysblue!

To be honest, I actually think the umpires do a pretty good job at this. I agree - it feels like it's just a guess because it happens so fast, but I'm always amazed at how accurate they seem to be once they show the replay. Obviously they still screw up (as they did last night), but they probably get it correct 90% of the time.

The rule is actually that you can't stand on the mound without the ball and my understanding is that any part of the dirt is considered the "mound"...

I think that's well said Grant. I don't think there's any doubt that Joe Carter is beloved by a huge % of the (older) population. He was incredibly popular when I was a kid. I do struggle with the reality that he wasn't nearly as good as I was lead to believe as a kid, but that's OK. Baseball evolved and we know more now. Most don't know the game enough to ever change their opinions and thus Jumpin' Joe will forever be one of the most famous and beloved Blue Jays.

That is unacceptable...

I'm late to the party - but that's a massive win. Gutsy performance from Fluharty. Dodgers are really good. Ohtani is next level.

Despite some recent struggles, the Dodgers look like they are up for this series. We had Kershaw on the ropes before that Straw double play. That was rough. What an incredible matchup to watch. Both the old boys were dealin' like it was 2012 again. Fun to watch. Tough loss - Little needs to be better, but it's baseball, can't win them all. Great game overall - and welcome back Buck!

I'd love to see the pitch ninja on a couple of those pitches by Treinen. He is filthy.

Exactly. Why do fans give up so quickly on this team? How many comeback wins do we have this year? You may be right tonight, but what a poor way to be a fan. Have some optimism.

Isn't it interference to kick the catchers arm/glove - even if he was going to be safe?

Dan certainly has improved the broadcast and made Buck more tolerable. Buck & Tabby was difficult at times.

I will always have a bit of an issue with Buck and his inability to adapt as the game itself has. There are new young fans listening to him that he has an influence on. I think there's some responsibility to at least try and understand the changes we've seen over the past 10-20 years and provide some insight into why they've happened and the pros and cons associated with it. Adapt or die. Instead, he's always take the opportunity to complain about changes that have been made - just blindly b*tching about them at every turn, even when there's all kinds of evidence of the benefits they provide (such as catchers on 1 knee). It's always "back in my day, when baseball was way better" - always inferring todays game is sh*t. There's no way the team would hire someone with the same approach/attitude today. He also regularly says things that are just wrong. As long as your a casual, you don't notice it, so it flies under the radar, but it's bad sometimes. I guess that makes me a tofu and unsweetened soy beverage person for not liking the "old man yells at clouds" approach. That said - I do enjoy the voice and it's become the voice of summer for so long now that I do miss it. I'll certainly enjoy hearing him back in the booth - recognizing those days won't last forever.

Varsho yes, but Santander adds a ton of pop without a huge K%. 44 HRs with a sub 20% K rate last year...he certainly fits the "don't K" mentality the Jays have adopted.

I think you'll hear media within baseball talk about it a lot - simply because most hate strikeouts and hate how much the game has changed. They don't like the mentality that strikeouts are OK/accepted because it's viewed as bad for baseball (which is probably is). I do think there's something to making contact in the playoffs. You're often facing the best pitchers and if you can't get the bat on the ball consistently, it's hard to have success. I think that was a big part of the Astros success (along with stealing signs of course). It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

She's a girl, so Max didn't seem appropriate. We like Scherzer or "Scherzy" for short. The link is also much more obvious this way.