MLB 2016 Thread

[troutman]

Opening Week!

Four games Sunday. Lots of games today.

Giants and Brewers about to go in afternoon game. Bumgarner vs. Peralta.

Span nearly homers in first at bat for Giants . . .

[troutman]

SI preview:

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/03/31/playoff-picks-awards-picks-mvp-cy-young-rookie-of-the-year

ESPN:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/seasonpreview_homepage/2016-mlb-season-preview

Sporting News:
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/4696955-major-league-baseball-season-preview-team-outlooks-fantasy-rookies-prospects

[CofR]

An even year... I assume the Giants will win it all.

[troutman]

An even year... I assume the Giants will win it all.

12 runs already today - I think they have an offence to rival the Jays, if they didn't play half their games at AT&T.

[troutman]

So many people picking the Cubs - I don't know about that, the Cardinals are always so tough in that division.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Syndergaard painting edges at 100 mph. Stoked that the Jays have Dickey instead.

[CofR]

David Price goes for 6IP, 2 ER, and 10K's in his Redsox debut

[East Coast Flame]

David Price goes for 6IP, 2 ER, and 10K's in his Redsox debut

And Papi with a dinger and a double! After a biiiiiiiiiiig lunch

http://cdn1.bostonmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NUP_171604_02041-e1448284643821-480x480.jpg

[SuperMatt18]

Anthopolis gets a lot of credit for the moves he made last year, but he really screwed up the Dickey trade when you think about what could have been with Syndergaard & D'Arnaud.

Luckily the Reyes trade turned into Tulo or else that one would be just as bad too (and still isn't the greatest).

[frodo_t_baggins]

Syndergaard gave up no runs in 6 against the royals today. As a Jays fan, I think giving him up for Dickey is going to haunt me infinitely more than letting Price walk. Hated the trade at the time, and it's just going to keep looking worse and worse.

[Finny61]

How about those Padres...yikes.:ph34r:

[Drake]

So many people picking the Cubs - I don't know about that, the Cardinals are always so tough in that division.

The Cubs on paper have the most talented lineup in all of baseball, downfall might be their 4/5th starters.

Syndergaard had 6 strikeouts on his slider today. He only had 11 all of last year on his slider.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Imagine Sanchez, Stroman, and syndergaard all under team control? I've hated the Dickey trade since day 1, but seein Syndergaard light it up makes me angrier by the game.

[mrkajz44]

I seriously think Dickey is the most underrated pitcher on the team by a mile. Yes, Syndergaard is looking like a stud, but lots of new pitchers in the MLB have early success and then drop off (mostly due to enough scouting and video being done on them).

Since coming to Toronto Dickey has put up 224, 215, and 214 innings in each season. ERAs for those seasons are 4.21, 3.71, 3.91. While not All-Star / Cy-Young material anymore, I think you'd be really hard pressed to find a guy that will give you 200+ innings every year with an ERA a bit below 4.00. He'll go out there and give you innings, give up a couple runs, and give your team a chance to win.

[Pagal4321]

Isn't that the whole trade off with swapping veterans for un-tested rookies? It could back fire in a big way or it could pay off huge.

The Jays went all-in with the Marlins/Dickey trades and it blew up in their faces, the more us fans pine about Syndegaard the more it's going to hurt.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I seriously think Dickey is the most underrated pitcher on the team by a mile. Yes, Syndergaard is looking like a stud, but lots of new pitchers in the MLB have early success and then drop off (mostly due to enough scouting and video being done on them).

Since coming to Toronto Dickey has put up 224, 215, and 214 innings in each season. ERAs for those seasons are 4.21, 3.71, 3.91. While not All-Star / Cy-Young material anymore, I think you'd be really hard pressed to find a guy that will give you 200+ innings every year with an ERA a bit below 4.00. He'll go out there and give you innings, give up a couple runs, and give your team a chance to win.

Dickey is a decent pitcher, but he's just too unreliable. If his one pitch isn't working, it's basically batting practice for the other team. He was setup for failure in the AL East. He was never going to replicate his numbers in the NL with a DH, a bunch of power hitters, and the small stadiums in the AL East. I bet Dickey would have continued on with All-Star type stats had he remained in the NL. Guaranteed out every 9 at bats and large fields that turn homeruns into pop flies is exactly what Dickey needs. I don't know the stats off hand, but I'm betting Dickey really excels at interleague play in his time with the Jays.

[CofR]

I'm looking forward to Saturday's knuckleball vs. knuckleball matchup

[frodo_t_baggins]

Another issue with Dickey is the need for Thole to catch him,who himself is a black hole offensively.

[troutman]

Giants and Dodgers play each other 7 times in the next 10 days.

[Scrambler]

This made big news in Japan today, super cool stuff:

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/170904758/dodgers-pitcher-kenta-maeda-homers-in-debut

[Hockey]

Wonder if the Padres score a run this year.

[Jiggy_12]

Rockies Trevor Story hit 2 more HR today.

Brings his total to 4 straight games to start his career with a homerun and 6 HR total in those 4 games. Insane.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Reyes is probably out of a job now, but he earned more for 4 games on suspension than Story will all year so there's that.

[CofR]

Stripling with a no-no through the 7th against the Giants in his MLB debut

[CofR]

Pulled from the game :(

[Hockey]

Pulled from the game :(


And of course the relief pitcher gives up a 2 run HR to the first batter he faced.

[flames_fan_down_under]

David Price only lasted 5 innings giving up 5 ER and then Kimbrel gave up 3 runs in the 9th inning. :)

Let me enjoy this moment of schadenfreude.

[troutman]

Week 1 Power Rankings:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/rankings/

[CofR]

David Price only lasted 5 innings giving up 5 ER and then Kimbrel gave up 3 runs in the 9th inning. :)

Let me enjoy this moment of schadenfreude.

:(

[mrkajz44]

Week 1 Power Rankings:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/rankings/

Glad to see the Jays didn't drop big time because of the blown leads in TB and BOS. I know some of the fan base was losing their minds over it (based on my Twitter feed), but baseball is a long season and I think they will pick up momentum going forward.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Syndergaard gave up no runs in 6 against the royals today. As a Jays fan, I think giving him up for Dickey is going to haunt me infinitely more than letting Price walk. Hated the trade at the time, and it's just going to keep looking worse and worse.

Thru six tonight, 1 run with 12 strike outs and 25 swinging strikes from his of 64 total strikes. He's a monster, and their staff is absurd overall. Just might not have enough offense.

[Machiavelli]

Ugh.....I hope that trade doesn't haunt us for years to come

[troutman]

Giants are crushing it - 3 HRs and 7 more runs tonight.

Posey takes the night off, and Brown hits 2 HRs.

I heard something about COL raised some fences to reduce HRs?

[Drake]

Syndergaard with 26 swing and misses on his 99 pitches tonight. That includes 10 whiffs on his 15 swings with his slider. Filthy!

[transplant99]

Something you dont see everyday.

The Reds are flying on the base paths, swiping five bases from the Rockies in the bottom of the second inning.

[troutman]

Power Rankings, April 18:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mlb/rankings/

[troutman]

ESPN Fires Curt Schilling For 'Unacceptable' Conduct

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/20/475049786/espn-fires-curt-schilling-for-unacceptable-conduct?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160420

Curt Schilling, the MLB pitcher turned analyst for ESPN, was fired by the network after sharing a post on Facebook that appeared to comment on North Carolina's law that bars transgender people from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

In a now-deleted Facebook post (captured by Out Sports (http://www.outsports.com/2016/4/19/11461618/curt-schilling-espn-transgender)) he wrote: "A man is a man no matter what they call themselves. I don't care what they are, who they sleep with, men's room was designed for the penis, women's not so much. Now you need laws telling us differently? Pathetic."

[CofR]

Took way too long for them to fire home

[Dan02]

Arrieta with a no no through 8.

[Sylvanfan]

Arrieta closes it out. Whatever this guy has taken in the past calendar year....I want some.

[mrkajz44]

Eh - he had 4 walks. I'm not really impressed by anything with more than 3 walks (even 3 is maybe too many). I'm more impressed with a 1 or 2 hitter with no walks.

[Drake]

Awesome recap....

@Reds: RECAP: #Reds draw four walks vs. Cubs. http://twitter.com/Reds/status/723340565807435777/photo/1

[Sylvanfan]

Eh - he had 4 walks. I'm not really impressed by anything with more than 3 walks (even 3 is maybe too many). I'm more impressed with a 1 or 2 hitter with no walks.

Yeah, but look at Arrieta's career up until the last year. He was mediocre at best in Baltimore. Even in Chicago, what he's done in the second half of last year and to start this year doesn't seem possible.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Prime candidate for PEDs obviously. This might be the greatest pitching run of all time. He's closing in on a full season with an ERA of 0.5. Doesn't seem normal for a guy who was an average at best pitcher before this run.

[flames_fan_down_under]

His WHIP is .677 for far this season. That is insane.

[Drake]

The White Sox execute baseball's first-ever 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/white-sox-execute-9-3-2-6-2-5-triple-play-1772604745

[CofR]

Jessica Mendoza is the best part of the SNB broadcast

[Cappy]

Because people don't want to talk about him in the Jays thread, there has been some interesting analysis of Syndergaard lately. Namely that he would most likely never have been the Thor today if it wasn't for the move to the Mets.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/noah-syndergaard-is-throwing-a-new-slider/

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/noah-syndergaard-brought-a-slider-to-the-playoffs/

Basically, as mentioned in some other articles, Syndergaard is throwing that Dan Warthen slider. He learned it from Dan Warthen. He didnt have it before last yr. and its changed his game

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-mets-are-throwing-the-dan-warthen-slider/

http://www.amazinavenue.com/2015/7/9/8924745/new-york-mets-dan-warthen-harvey-degrom-familia

Someone mentioned that Syndergaard had less than a 1% chance of being the Syndergaard he is today, without the move to the Mets.

Based on the way that Toronto builds hitters, though, d'Arnaud could've been a 30HR guy haha.

[Cappy]

The White Sox execute baseball's first-ever 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play.

http://screengrabber.deadspin.com/white-sox-execute-9-3-2-6-2-5-triple-play-1772604745

That is some pee poor base running there. What the heck was Desmond thinking on first?

bases loaded with none out - man.

[Drake]

Tonight might be the last night in Detroit for Tyler Collins. Flipped off the home fans after they booed him, as he lost a fly ball in the lights.

[Drake]

The Braves are an awful team. McCutcheon hit as many HRs (3) tonight as the Braves have hit all season.

[Finny61]

Was watching some old bloopers. This was a good laugh.
tZ209x5h6O0

[Dan02]

Dee Gordon 2015 NL batting champ just got busted for PEDs, same 80 games as Colabello.

[Hockey]

Dee Gordon 2015 NL batting champ just got busted for PEDs, same 80 games as Colabello.



Oh man this sucks. I own him in a baseball keeper league.

[CofR]

Pablo Sandoval having shoulder surgery and to be out for the season

[Trojan97]

Pablo Sandoval having shoulder surgery and to be out for the season

Hopefully for his sake he gets his life together and takes the shoulder rehab as a kickstart to do something about his weight. Red Sox or not, it's sad to see someone just completely give up on themselves like that.

[transplant99]

This might be the most remarkable stat i have ever seen...happened today.

Bryce Harper has walked 6 times, three intentional, and has been hit by a pitch in Sunday's game against the Cubs making him the first player in the last 100 years to reach base 7 times without an official AB

[GirlySports]

he walked 13 times in a 4 games series, also a record.

and it worked. Cubs swept the series.

[Dan02]

Jose Reyes suspension looks like it's coming down, estimated 60-80 games.

[GirlySports]

Every team who has played at Turner Field this season has won at least two games there, except the Braves.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sherzer has tied the record with 20 strikeouts and can go for 21 now on TSN2.

[CofR]

Didn't get 21, but what a performance. 119 pitches, 96 strikes

[Drake]

So far tonight Thor with 2 jacks....

[getbak]

Every team who has played at Turner Field this season has won at least two games there, except the Braves.
They finally got #2 tonight.

[Sylvanfan]

I'm disappointed that the Bartolo Colon home run didn't make it in here. Usually when a guy takes 30 seconds to run the bases in a home run trot someone's getting beaned in the next inning or two. This time...it legitimately took Bartolo 30 seconds to get around the bases as fast as he could.

Reminds me of the Movie The Babe where at the end in the minors he had to get someone else to run for him.

Pretty remarkable though...I don't think I could hit a batting practice home run in a MLB park...Colon who's older than me and appears to have a lot more body fat...can.

[habernac]

I'm disappointed that the Bartolo Colon home run didn't make it in here. Usually when a guy takes 30 seconds to run the bases in a home run trot someone's getting beaned in the next inning or two. This time...it legitimately took Bartolo 30 seconds to get around the bases as fast as he could.

Reminds me of the Movie The Babe where at the end in the minors he had to get someone else to run for him.

Pretty remarkable though...I don't think I could hit a batting practice home run in a MLB park...Colon who's older than me and appears to have a lot more body fat...can.

It was that perfect Homer Simpson swing where every ounce of his lard went through that bat and sent it out of the park. A beautiful thing :)

[Senator Clay Davis]

Bartolo is obviously on PEDs....Pasta, Enchiladas and Dumplings.

[flames_fan_down_under]

So two nights in a row I decide to pop on the Mariners game, and both nights they have given up a lead in the top of the 9th.

Both nights Cishek into the game to shut it down, both nights giving up the lead.

[Cappy]

So two nights in a row I decide to pop on the Mariners game, and both nights they have given up a lead in the top of the 9th.

Both nights Cishek into the game to shut it down, both nights giving up the lead.

Poop. have him in fantasy and he has been a saves machine. hopefully his job is safe. thankfully they traded carson smith,

[troutman]

http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-beat-Padres-complete-longest-road-sweep-7783519.php

The Giants flew to the Bay Area with their first undefeated trip of seven or more games since the 1913 team went 8-0 through Philadelphia and Brooklyn, three of those wins courtesy of Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson (http://www.sfgate.com/search/?action=search&channel=giants&inlineLink=1&searchindex=gsa&query=%22Christy+Mathewson%22).

[troutman]

Lincecum signs deal with the Angels.

[CofR]

I feel bad for doubting Hanley Ramirez playing 1st

[GirlySports]

MLB has approved no more throwing 4 balls for intentional walk starting in 2017, just give the signal and he walks.

people seem to be really mad about this.

[Machiavelli]

Anything to make the game quicker (although intentionals don't happen that frequently) is fine by me

[Dan02]

Awwww no more of these hilarious highlights?

-euNcCMy0CA

[psyang]

I always think of Johnny Bench's intentional walk fakeout. Go to 2:20 if you want to skip the game review.

2TPCNP4_qXo

[CofR]

I guess it's ok to speed up the game, but I'll miss the rare chance of a wild throw on an intentional walk

[GirlySports]

Ichiro is on fire. 13 for his last 16 and batting over .400.

He might get to 3000 hits by the all star break!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal
Rough news for #RedSox: Team announces that reliever Carson Smith will undergo Tommy John surgery today.

[CofR]

Sucks losing Smith... And having E Rod suffer a setback last week the pitching isn't getting help from injuries, that being said the pitching has exceeded my expectations... Except Bucholz, Bucholz still sucks.

In good news JBJ just extended his hitting streak to 28 games

[Hockey Fan #751]

MLB has approved no more throwing 4 balls for intentional walk starting in 2017, just give the signal and he walks.

people seem to be really mad about this.

I hate it, too. What next, not needing to run after you hit a home run?

Besides, then this would have never happened:

a6YzVvtxoaY

[troutman]

I hate it, too. What next, not needing to run after you hit a home run?



Hitters that don't have to play in the field.

[troutman]

Giants have won 13 out of 14. Only loss was Peavy vs. Arrieta.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/05/24/giants-hot-streak-johnny-cueto-madison-bumgarner

The Giants are 22–7 in games started by that duo [Cueto and Samardzija] and Bumgarner (2.17 ERA, 2.95 FIP) but 6–12 in those started by Matt Cain (5.37 ERA, 4.46 FIP) and Jake Peavy (8.21 ERA, 5.12 FIP).

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/118935/giants-finding-a-way-to-win-every-close-game

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/giants--free-agent-pitchers-turn-into-their-greatest-strength-152256496.html

[CofR]

JBJ's hit streak ends at 29

[flames_fan_down_under]

Kind of a crazy day in baseball.

You have Syndergaard getting ejected for throwing behind Utley. Utley then hits two home runs, one of which was a grand slam.

Then you have the Royals scoring SEVEN runs in the bottom of the ninth against the White Sox to win 8-7.

Then the craziness that was the Jays - Red Sox game.

[GirlySports]

lots of crazy stuff yesterday. Marlins center fielder misplayed 3 balls. Braves have 5 wins against the Marlins and 9 against the rest of the league. The Brewers pitcher threw at the Reds pitcher to prevent a guy stealing home. Then the Reds pitcher threw at him back and got thrown out. The Reds then won the game because the Brewers turned a double play without touching 2nd base by a millemetre. Neighbourhood play does not exist anymore.

[cavalera403]

Hitting the pitcher to create a dead play before the attempted steal scores is great heads up baseball and the only way to prevent the run from scoring. Heck another split second and Holt scores before the hit by pitch.

At least it was NL and the pitcher got to hit the guy who hit him my only problem with it was that the Reds pitcher got him so high

[CofR]

Last night the Twins had a 2-4-5-6 DP to end the game against the Mariners... Was a weird day in baseball indeed

[Jason14h]

The hit by pitcher on a steal rule needs to be changed . Jays got lucky with a guy stealing 3rd the other day too

If you are stealing you should be awarded the base

[CofR]

Just got a notification from MLB At Bat saying that there are 6 one hit games this season, teams are 3-3 in those games.

[CofR]

What the Royals did this weekend to the White Sox is amazing. Came back from 4, 6, and 2 run deficits all in the 6th inning or later.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I think the White Sox are going to be in tough for the rest of the season. They started pretty darned hot but I just can't see that offence producing enough runs for them to be consistently competitive.

[CofR]

Ya I'm not sure how much longer Robin Ventura will last as manager. In the final year of his contract and lost 14 of their last 18 now

[GirlySports]

Dodgers pulling Kershaw in the middle of an inning for a different lefty might be the dumbest move I've ever seen.

[Cappy]

Dodgers pulling a god in the middle of an inning for a mere mortal might be the dumbest move I've ever seen.

Kersh is unreal. His start to this season is top 3 best in the last 30 years. He's very close to Pedro's 1999 and 2000 seasons. Much funner to watch since he doesnt play in the AL too!

[troutman]

Dodgers pulling Kershaw in the middle of an inning for a different lefty might be the dumbest move I've ever seen.

Manger was probably thinking Kershaw was over 116 pitches, there was a man on first, and the new lefty should get that guy out 80% of the time. Didn't work out.

[CofR]

Mookie Betts has 5 home runs in his last 7 AB

[flames_fan_down_under]

Is that Red Sox game seriously only in the 4th inning still?

Sorry now its the fifth.

[CofR]

Yes... I'm so sick of Joe Kelly

[CofR]

And Joe Kelly gets optioned to Pawtucket after the game. Sox shouldn't need a 5th starter until the 18th so there's time to figure out what to do... Or they'll just stick Buchholz back in the rotation :(

[flames_fan_down_under]

I thought the Red Sox were in line to get James Shields but it looks like the Padres have stirred up a bit of a bidding war for his services.

[CofR]

Speaking of Shields he got torched by the Padres chairman in an interview today, the whole team did.

"To have a starter like (James) Shields perform as poorly as he did yesterday is an embarrassment to the team, an embarrassment to him," Fowler said.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/san-diego-padres-exec-calls-team-miserable-failures-060116

[GirlySports]

The Padres must be mad. They scored 14 runs. THE PADRES!

[GirlySports]

Matt Albers had not gotten a major league at bat since 2009. Doubles, goes to 3rd on a wild pitch, and sac fly run as the winning run. Then pitches the bottom half of the 13th.

If you enjoy seeing out of shape pitchers run...here you go
http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-sox/gifs-relive-matt-albers-magical-top-13th-white-sox-win

[Senator Clay Davis]

Obviously this stat needs to be taken with a box of salt, but still shows what a masher MadBum is.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cj-IWmrUUAAgNH6.jpg

[Dan02]

Sadly Bumgarner has a better OPS this year then Ryan Goins.

Even worse, that's been true for the last 3 seasons...

[flames_fan_down_under]

Trumbo with 2 home runs tonight, Ortiz with 3 in the series, Betts with 5. Wow.

[CofR]

Two teams that can mash, but the ball really flew out of Camden this series.

[GirlySports]

Padres have 12 runs and counting tonight, owner should speak up more often

[puffnstuff]

Scored 13 now, so far, but have given up 16

[CofR]

Mariners are the first team to erase a 10 run deficit since 2009. Padres can't catch a break.

[GirlySports]

Mariners are the first team to erase a 10 run deficit since 2009. Padres can't catch a break.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CkATfSaUkAE3jjU.jpg

[flames_fan_down_under]

Just watched the highlights from the Mariners-Padres game. Couple takeaways: 1) Mariners play by play guy, I think his name is David Sims, might be the biggest homer in history. 2) Holy Padres :(.

[CofR]

Shields to be traded to the White Sox

[TheAlpineOracle]

nm

[TheAlpineOracle]

nm

[TheAlpineOracle]

Ventura is such a little bitch. MLB really needs to send a message to this guy (and I hate Machado and the Orioles).

[CofR]

Ya, Ventura is a jerk. Machado wasn't messing around when he went to the mound either.

[puffnstuff]

How many games does/should Ventura get? As a pitcher that only plays every 5 games, does he get 10? 15? Which would be 2 and 3 actual games. MLB should have a different or better way to suspend these part time players ;)

And what does Machado get?

[TheAlpineOracle]

How many games does/should Ventura get? As a pitcher that only plays every 5 games, does he get 10? 15? Which would be 2 and 3 actual games. MLB should have a different or better way to suspend these part time players ;)

And what does Machado get?

Given he's a pitcher, he has multiple incidents like this, actually tried to hit Machado twice before he succeeded (and has plunked him before on purpose), I would say 25-30 is about right and goes down to 20 on appeal.

He didn't just hit him, he hit him with a 99 mph fastball. Baseball Tonight on ESPN said there are about 5-6 documented instances of him purposely hitting batters.

A couple of the Royals players actually said to the media today that they had no issue with Machado charging mound. Perez could have easily tackled Machado but he let him walk right out there and clock the pitcher when it was obvious what he was going to do it. It appears even Ventura's teammates are getting sick of him and having to stick up for him.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Just FYI Jameson Taillon is making his MLB debut right now against the Mets. He is born in the USA but he has a ton of connections to Canada.

He has Canadian citizenship and pitched for team Canada at the 2013 WBC

His dad lives in Calgary, they just interviewed him and he talked about flying down from Cowtown to see his son pitch.

[puffnstuff]

Shields first start for the White Sox did not go well. Official line was 2.0 innings, 7 earned runs and 3 HR given up.

[troutman]

Kershaw v. Cueto Friday. Good match-up. Giants have lots of injuries though - Cain, Pagan, Pence, Posey and Romo.

[CofR]

I think that game is tomorrow night

[CofR]

Machado gets a 4 game suspension for the brawl with the Royals

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-machado-suspended-four-games-role-brawl-royals/

[CofR]

And Ventura gets 9 games... Both guys are appealing

[KelVarnsen]

And once again MLB dropped the ball.

[TheAlpineOracle]

And Ventura gets 9 games... Both guys are appealing

What a joke. This clown gets basically 1 start. MLB is such a joke. It's too bad he didn't play in the NL, i'd love to see a guy like that take a fastball to the noggin.

[puffnstuff]

Shields second start was better. Still bad though, 5 innings, 6 earned runs and only one HR.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Congrats to Ichiro on becoming baseball's all-time hits leader today with 4,257 (and counting). One of the most enjoyable players to watch the past 15 years, and his rookie season is still one of the all-time greatest bursts onto the scene.

[CofR]

Freddie Freeman hit the first cycle of the season tonight against the Reds

[Senator Clay Davis]

Colby Lewis has a perfect game through 7 innings.

[GirlySports]

WALK.

Perfect game gone but no-hitter after 8.

[Dan02]

awe leadoff double, right fielder nearly made a fantastic catch too.

[CofR]

Sucky way to lose a no-no... Could have been a great catch.

[CofR]

Bartolo Colon just scored on a sac fly... Watching him run the bases is hilarious to me.

[CofR]

Just in case anyone was wondering, Clay Buchholz is still awful

[KelVarnsen]

Just in case anyone was wondering, Clay Buchholz is still awful

Good.

[Drake]

Big blow to Rangers with Colby Lewis going on DL for minimum 2 months with LAT strain, joining fellow starters Yu Darvish and Derek Holland.

[puffnstuff]

White Sox take the first 3 games against Boston, bad news for White Sox fans is Shields pitches tomorrow.
I missed an update on Shields last start against Cleveland; 1.2 innings, 8 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, 1 HR

[troutman]

Giants just reached 20 games above .500 with a week left in June.

If they stay healthy I think they win again in an even-numbered year. Who can beat Bumgarner and Cueto in the playoffs?

[flames_fan_down_under]

Giants just reached 20 games above .500 with a week left in June.

If they stay healthy I think they win again in an even-numbered year. Who can beat Bumgarner and Cueto in the playoffs?

Arrieta and Lester?

[SuperMatt18]

That would be a hell of a series.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Remember playoff Madbum is like 3 levels above any other pitcher. Any NLCS combination of Giants, Cubs and Nationals should be a terrific series though.

[CofR]

White Sox take the first 3 games against Boston, bad news for White Sox fans is Shields pitches tomorrow.
I missed an update on Shields last start against Cleveland; 1.2 innings, 8 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks, 1 HR

Big Game James had an ERA of 15.80 today. Crazy game this afternoon, still happening, tied in the 9th, on Sportsnet if anyone's interested

[puffnstuff]

Big Game James had an ERA of 15.80 today. Crazy game this afternoon, still happening, tied in the 9th, on Sportsnet if anyone's interested

LOL I caught some of the first few innings. He had no control, but somehow he was getting outs. The commentators were hilarious to hear talk about it.

This stretch of pitching, last game as a Padre and his first few with Chicago, have been historically bad.

[GirlySports]

nice to see the Astros crushing the Royals the last 2 days after that devestating collapse last year in the playoffs.

Yesterday Volquez gave up 12 runs in 1 IP.

[Drake]

Kris Bryant with quite the night. First player in MLB history to have 3 HRs and 2 doubles in a game. Youngest player in Cubs history to have 3 HRs in game. Also, his 16 total bases are the most by a Cub in a game.

[GirlySports]

Kris Bryant with quite the night. First player in MLB history to have 3 HRs and 2 doubles in a game. Youngest player in Cubs history to have 3 HRs in game. Also, his 16 total bases are the most by a Cub in a game.

On the flip side. Arrieta seems done. He's been awful lately.

[GirlySports]

Lol Rangers bullpen

[CofR]

Hahaha ya, just a disaster to cough up that game to the Yankees

[flames_fan_down_under]

Love seeing Sam Dyson choke.

[CofR]

I know everyone was watching soccer, including me, but the Rangers bullpen did it again today. They have to be close to be making a move for some reliever help

[GirlySports]

LOL Rays bullpen!

[GirlySports]

who needs a DH? Baumgarner is hitting for himself in Oakland.

and he's hit a double.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Big news from the MLB and it concerns the team that deserves nothing but misery and failure and that's the Red Sox!

The Boston Red Sox were banned from signing any international players for the next year and had five of their teenage prospects declared free agents on Friday after a Major League Baseball investigation showed they circumvented signing-bonus rules last year, a source familiar with the situation told Yahoo Sports.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source-red-sox-banned-from-signing-international-players-for-a-year-153432545.html

[CofR]

Big news from the MLB and it concerns the team that deserves nothing but misery and failure and that's the Red Sox!

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source-red-sox-banned-from-signing-international-players-for-a-year-153432545.html

Wish they could void the Rusney Castillo contract too, but keeping it is fitting punishment. Really sucks to miss out on the opportunity to sign prospects for a year, disappointed in the team for doing this. Pretty terrible that they did this and allowed the agents to distribute the money among the players.

I am somewhat glad that MLB is taking punishments seriously for this though. The international system is a mess, and nobody seems to know how to fix it.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Another mediocre game for Arrieta yesterday. I guess he is human after all!

[Senator Clay Davis]

The Yankees have an elite bullpen with Betances, Miller and Chapman, but they could be sellers at the deadline. Considering how many teams have crap bullpens, they could net big hauls trading two of those three.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I agree. Considering what the Astro's gave to the Phillies for Ken Giles the Yankees could end up with some nice pieces.

[GirlySports]

Marlins-Braves game on a military base looks really cool

[flames_fan_down_under]

So Syndergaard was taken out of the game with an apparent injury. How have the Mets handled this so poorly? He was dealing with an elbow issue for about three straight starts and they kept putting him out there. Seems like they handled him poorly.

[IceMan]

So Syndergaard was taken out of the game with an apparent injury. How have the Mets handled this so poorly? He was dealing with an elbow issue for about three straight starts and they kept putting him out there. Seems like they handled him poorly.
What were the Mets supposed to do? Noah said he felt fine. It was a minor bone spur in his elbow which Matz is going through as well. The plan was for Matz to get surgery in the offseason as his is more severe than Thor's.

Noah just came off a dominant outing against the Cubs and was most likely going to start the All Star game. We don't know what the issue is with Noah yet but I'm hoping for the best.

As a Mets fan, it's been a tough day. Harvey done for the year, Cespedes left the game tonight as did Noah. I'm hoping for some good news.

Update: Reports on Syndergaard is that he was removed due to arm fatigue. Not elbow related. I'd be shocked if he isn't replaced for the All Star game.

[troutman]

Power Rankings at the Break:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/2016mlbpowerrankings_week14/mlb-ranking-mlb-teams-14-weeks

[Hockey Fan #751]

Power Rankings at the Break:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/2016mlbpowerrankings_week14/mlb-ranking-mlb-teams-14-weeks

The Cubs have been consistently mediocre if not bad for over 50 games. How are they still third?

[troutman]

All Star Game starting rosters:

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2016-mlb-all-star-game-starting-lineups-start-time-tv-listings-live-updates/

Why are they using DH in a NL park?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5145694

[GirlySports]

cause pitchers don't hit anyways

[troutman]

Only since 2010 I found out.

[MRCboicgy]

Ok, so maybe this is more of a confession, but I always enjoy the Home Run Derby and want to go to one someday.

Having said that, this year's doesn't enthrall me much, and in a park where the ball dies...I'm not excited

[GirlySports]

Good start. 15 for Seager.

Those brown jerseys are ooogly

[puffnstuff]

Back, back, back....

[MRCboicgy]

Good Lord, Trumbo

[GirlySports]

Its dangerous out there in left field

[MRCboicgy]

I Take it back, Stanton is out of his mind.

[KelVarnsen]

Good luck Cano.

[GirlySports]

Jebus

[Hockey Fan #751]

I want one of those HR Derby caps. One that says Blue Jays on it please!

[Hockey Fan #751]

All Star Game starting rosters:

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2016-mlb-all-star-game-starting-lineups-start-time-tv-listings-live-updates/

Why are they using DH in a NL park?

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5145694

I remember hearing somewhere that the AL is the "home team" for this one because NL was home last year.

[GirlySports]

Aha that why the national league were in dark jersey

[Sylvanfan]

I'm surprised the Angels haven't got rid of Scoscia yet. They have an all time great in Trout and are dead last in their Division. They've been underwhelming for a few years now. Seems like ateam that needs to reboot themselves.

[GirlySports]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cm9CjjnWAAEZ5RY.jpg:small

[KelVarnsen]

That's embarrassing.

[CofR]

Ya, sucks to get injured shagging balls, isn't that what injured Mariano a few years ago?

[puffnstuff]

Worst Canadian anthem ever? Gotta be close

[GirlySports]

Ya, sucks to get injured shagging balls, isn't that what injured Mariano a few years ago?

It just says he was shagging

[nixon45]

Really wonder who's idea the anthem change was.. The Tenors or MLB?

If by chance it was MLB that told them to sing that then the outrage on Twitter is justified.

[Resolute 14]

Worst Canadian anthem ever? Gotta be close

Putting aside the disrespect of the anthem to use it for their own political views - which is fair game, I suppose but not worthy of respect - it is really quite offensive that they decided to use it to push the "all lives matter" narrative, which is in fact meant to belittle and trivialize "black lives matter" and entrench the status quo. Just shameful.

[Resolute 14]

Really wonder who's idea the anthem change was.. The Tenors or MLB?

If by chance it was MLB that told them to sing that then the outrage on Twitter is justified.

No chance in hell MLB knew about or approved of that. Especially since they already knew nobody in the US outside of the ballpark would hear it.

[nixon45]

No chance in hell MLB knew about or approved of that. Especially since they already knew nobody in the US outside of the ballpark would hear it.

That's what I am thinking as well. People are losing their #### at MLB for the change when it should be directed at the Tenors. Just tacky and tasteless.

[Dogbert]

No chance in hell MLB knew about or approved of that. Especially since they already knew nobody in the US outside of the ballpark would hear it.

I can absolutely see MLB approving whatever changes the Tenors wanted to make without bothering to check what they were, because it's the Canadian anthem and who gives a crap?

[puffnstuff]

I just had it on in the background while making dinner. At first it was just bad because they didnt seem to have the right melody, which always irks me. Then I heard the wrong words but couldnt really make them out. I thought they had just sung the French words in English, which would be lame in itself. I hit rewind and really listened, that was unbelievably disrespectful.
You want to make a personal statement like that, call a press conference. That is NOT where you try to make a statement. That anthem means something, its not yours to amend or adjust as you feel. Dam I am mad.

[Dogbert]

Kudos to the fans in San Diego for realizing something was wrong with the Canadian anthem and immediately reacting - albeit by turning to their friends and saying, "This don't sound nothin' like 'Working for the Weekend.' The ####'s goin' on here?"

[GirlySports]

EE the pinch runner!!

[nfotiu]

That's what I am thinking as well. People are losing their #### at MLB for the change when it should be directed at the Tenors. Just tacky and tasteless.

What an unfortunate thing to do. I am guessing that these Tenors guys probably didn't realize they were taking the white supremacist side and thought they were sending an altruistic let's all get along message. Hopefully it all blows over without much notice and doesn't end up making it look like Canadian's are standing with their white brothers.

[cavalera403]

I can absolutely see MLB approving whatever changes the Tenors wanted to make without bothering to check what they were, because it's the Canadian anthem and who gives a crap?

I have to believe this is true because if you have the MLB AT APP the video of the Canadian anthem is one of only 9 videos posted at the moment.

I missed it live but just watched it and they should get all the backlash but MLB isn't in the clear.

[Resolute 14]

The Tenors already put out a statement. They said the singer made his changes as a 'lone wolf', and the rest of the group didn't know he was going to do that. They've said he will no longer perform with the group "until further notice".

https://twitter.com/TenorsMusic/status/753048885912756224

[Dogbert]

The Tenors already put out a statement. They said the singer made his changes as a 'lone wolf', and the rest of the group didn't know he was going to do that. They've said he will no longer perform with the group "until further notice".

https://twitter.com/TenorsMusic/status/753048885912756224

Yeah, nobody's buying that. Hope they have good backup plans, because their careers in music are done.

[Resolute 14]

Maybe. The second tenor - beside the dbag - gives a pretty good "WTF are you doing, mate?" look when that butchered line is sung. I can believe he wasn't expecting it. But yeah, truth or not, The Tenors' brand has been greatly damaged.

http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/07/13/924234283/1468373079850/asset_2500K.mp4

[nfotiu]

Maybe. The second tenor - beside the dbag - gives a pretty good "WTF are you doing, mate?" look when that butchered line is sung. I can believe he wasn't expecting it. But yeah, truth or not, The Tenors' brand has been greatly damaged.

http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/07/13/924234283/1468373079850/asset_2500K.mp4

I agree. If it was a group statement, it wouldn't be the outside guy. Pretty ####ty thing to do with what is probably a pretty big spotlight for the group.

[KelVarnsen]

That "lone wolf" tenor is apparently a flat earth truther.

[Acey]

I read the headline and thought the guy just said the words at the end of anthem, Kanye style... which would still be bad, but not disrespectful. Pretty surprised he had the balls to actually replace lyrics in the middle of the anthem. Wow.

[GirlySports]

weeeeeeeee, Game 1 of the World Series at Rogers Centre :)

[KelVarnsen]

I read the headline and thought the guy just said the words at the end of anthem, Kanye style... which would still be bad, but not disrespectful. Pretty surprised he had the balls to actually replace lyrics in the middle of the anthem. Wow.

After reading his Facebook page, and seeing some of the #### there. I'm not surprised. Still mad as hell though.

[savemedrzaius]

Their careers are about to take off now...or at least the one guy who acted as a "lone wolf". I had never heard of The Tenors before but now they are being talked about in both Canada and the US. Plus this guy will become a sweetheart of the right down South.

[flamesfan6]

Yeah, nobody's buying that. Hope they have good backup plans, because their careers in music are done.

imothe other 3 did not look like they were taking any part in that. the guy next to him and farthest were a pretty PG "wtf"

[Resolute 14]

Their careers are about to take off now...or at least the one guy who acted as a "lone wolf". I had never heard of The Tenors before but now they are being talked about in both Canada and the US. Plus this guy will become a sweetheart of the right down South.
Believe it or not, they are already platinum selling artists in Canada. Only way to go here is down.

[jayswin]

Wait, this was the Canadian Tenors?

[Resolute 14]

Yup.

[jayswin]

Looks like the David Ortiz courting incident will be investigated as tampering.

[Da_Chief]

Looks like the David Ortiz courting incident will be investigated as tampering.

What a waste of money and resources. What's to investigate? Investigate if someone was holding a gun to his head and he was forced to make these comments?

Paying a measly fine to the MLB would be a joke. Both Marlins and Jays should get to pick a prospect out of Red Sox's system. Set a precedent.

[Resolute 14]

Actually, make it more simple: disqualify the Red Sox from trying to sign either Encarnacion or Fernandez this winter.

Though cheating is nothing new for the Red Sox. They've already been banned from signing any international free agents this year after breaking penalty rules put in place from the last time they broke the same rules.

[Jason14h]

Ortiz isn't an owner or GM. How can an employee tamper. He technically gets no say in any pursuit Boston makes for a player.

What a non-story

[Hockey Fan #751]

Ortiz isn't an owner or GM. How can an employee tamper. He technically gets no say in any pursuit Boston makes for a player.

What a non-story

You have to close that loophole because otherwise a GM or owner can simply ask a player to make a public pitch to another player who's under contract with another team.

[GirlySports]

sounds like Boston will get Pomeranz from San Diego.

Which is good for the Jays who kill left handed pitching.

[CofR]

Not exactly thrilled about the Pomeranz trade

[dying4acup]

Not exactly thrilled about the Pomeranz trade

Why not? The Jays will crush him at Fenway and at Rogers!

[CofR]

Why not? The Jays will crush him at Fenway and at Rogers!

... I'm not a Jays fan haha

[CofR]

The Giants lost tonight to the Padres on a walk off balk

[Violator]

Ortiz isn't an owner or GM. How can an employee tamper. He technically gets no say in any pursuit Boston makes for a player.

What a non-story

Because hes in the red sox organization so haters gonna hate

[nik-]

oh well, the Red Sox organization can go #### itself basically.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Because hes in the red sox organization so haters gonna hate
If Ortiz was a member of any other team and said that, the result would be exactly the same

[puffnstuff]

Torre wants no more arguing. I hope a memo went out to the umps entitled 'stop sucking'

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/17091239/joe-torre-tells-major-league-baseball-managers-managers-arguing-balls-strikes-stop

[CofR]

If Ortiz was a member of any other team and said that, the result would be exactly the same

Response from the league would be the exact same, response from fans of other teams though?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Response from the league would be the exact same, response from fans of other teams though?
I suppose the response from fans is worse because it's the Red Sox. Mostly because they've recently been caught and sanctioned for cheating.

[puffnstuff]

Response from the league would be the exact same, response from fans of other teams though?

I just clicked on your signature, thank you, best laugh in days.

[Karl]

Red Sox lose!

Jays back to being a game behind the Sox and 3 games behind the Os.

[GirlySports]

hahaha

A's down 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th with a man on. Coco Crisp thinks he's hit a game winning home run and trots around the bases. Except it hit the top of the wall and came back in. He got tagged out on his trot.

at least the runner scored, 3-3 now going to extras

[CofR]

Chris Sale has been scratched from his start tonight, trade about to happen?

[flames_fan_down_under]

Please not the Red Sox. Please god not the Red Sox.

[CofR]

Apparently Sale has been scratched following a clubhouse incident that happened before the game.

https://twitter.com/whitesox/status/756983172089384960

[CofR]

Please not the Red Sox. Please god not the Red Sox.

As a Redsox fan, do not want. Price will be too high.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Weird. Wonder what it could have been? He still mad about Laroche's kid not being allowed in the locker room.

[CofR]

The White Sox really need a reality show so we can see all of this weird #### that happens

[Hockey]

wow.







https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/691668155828047872/V8n0m8g__bigger.jpg Tommy Stokke ‏@StokkeTommy (https://twitter.com/StokkeTommy)

Not a joke: Source says Sale blowup was because he didn't want to wear throwbacks, so he cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them.

[GirlySports]

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--P-kpzJKd--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/usjyhgkvufv7awgenpvl.jpg

[CofR]

This is absolutely hilarious

[flames_fan_down_under]

Oh my god what a baby.

[Trolleydodger]

It was actually the 1976 atrocities https://imgur.com/a/dfe62

[CofR]

It was actually the 1976 atrocities https://imgur.com/a/dfe62

I actually like those, but I'm a sucker for throwback jerseys. Apparently Sale's issue wasn't the aesthetics of the jersey, but that it was uncomfortable to pitch in

[GirlySports]

It was actually the 1976 atrocities https://imgur.com/a/dfe62

They were going to wear the 1976 jerseys but Sale literally destroyed them so that the team couldn't wear them.

[Drake]

Lol.

@JulieDiCaro:
Finally, told Sale used a knife to do whatever cutting he did of uniforms. Which really shouldn't add to the story but somehow does.

[Machiavelli]

Wow, Sale. That's.....intense

[ben voyonsdonc]

It's obviously a huge problem for the White Sox but I can't help but laugh when I think of him furiously hacking up the jerseys.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's the funniest bizarre-o story in sports history. It also pretty much crushes any trade value he has because I'm not sure anyone wants to bring in a guy who can lose his sanity at a jersey that is bland and inoffensive.

[SportsJunky]

If the uniforms really didn't fit right and that made it hard to pitch in then maybe he gets a little leeway on this. Maybe not. Either way, I bet just about every team in baseball would still give a ton in a trade for Sale. He is elite.

[Senator Clay Davis]

His insanity level is also elite. You risk making your clubhouse a mess by acquiring him, so I doubt the White Sox get anything but lowball offers between now and the deadline.

[SportsJunky]

We shall see I guess.

[socalwingfan]

This Chris Sale gif is awesome

https://twitter.com/mikeaxisa/status/757025902203117568

[Violator]

If Ortiz was a member of any other team and said that, the result would be exactly the same
Highly doubtful

[Resolute 14]

His insanity level is also elite. You risk making your clubhouse a mess by acquiring him, so I doubt the White Sox get anything but lowball offers between now and the deadline.

lol, not a chance. The guy is a witch on the mound, and that is all nearly every team that wants to acquire him would be concerned with.