The boys of summer! (Baseball Thread)

[ACamp1900]

I don't think it's just the baseball, if at all... I know it's all in the news but Max Scherzer, among others, is out there swearing the ball hasn't changed. Strikeouts are way up too, pitchers who throw above 95 are way up too. Players with swings that are all or nothing home run hitters are WAY up, launch angle and all that.

If the ball has changed in any significant way it's just one of a long list of factors here imo. Harder throwing pitchers (ball carries further when contacted well), harder swinging batters with designed 'launch angles'... it's just the game today. Analytics brought us here more than the ball imo. I mean how many All Stars tonight are true spray/contact hitters??? Any of them??

 

[GowerND11]

I don't think it's just the baseball, if at all... I know it's all in the news but Max Scherzer, among others, is out there swearing the ball hasn't changed. Strikeouts are way up too, pitchers who throw above 95 are way up too. Players with swings that are all or nothing home run hitters are WAY up, launch angle and all that.

If the ball has changed in any significant way it's just one of a long list of factors here imo. Harder throwing pitchers (ball carries further when contacted well), harder swinging batters with designed 'launch angles'... it's just the game today. Analytics brought us here more than the ball imo. I mean how many All Stars tonight are true spray/contact hitters??? Any of them??

You're absolutely right about the analytics. It's driving a bunch of the sports now. Look at the increase in the 3, it's not just because of Curry. Golf is being heavily driven by numbers these days as well.

 

[Irish Joe]

I don't think it's just the baseball, if at all... I know it's all in the news but Max Scherzer, among others, is out there swearing the ball hasn't changed. Strikeouts are way up too, pitchers who throw above 95 are way up too. Players with swings that are all or nothing home run hitters are WAY up, launch angle and all that.

If the ball has changed in any significant way it's just one of a long list of factors here imo. Harder throwing pitchers (ball carries further when contacted well), harder swinging batters with designed 'launch angles'... it's just the game today. Analytics brought us here more than the ball imo. I mean how many All Stars tonight are true spray/contact hitters??? Any of them??

McNeil from the Mets is that type of hitter, got in due to his average.

You're absolutely right though, true "hitters" are harder to find these days. I forget who said it on the broadcast last night (Teixeira maybe??), he mentioned something along the lines of guys nowadays know they aren't going to string hits together on a guy like Verlander to score runs, so you have to swing for the fences with the hopes of making an instant impact.

 

[Rogue219]

Tony Clark wants to do away with the MLB Draft. Manfred said nothing has been done to the ball but if they do make future modifications they'll let us know.

I think there is going to be another strike based on what I've heard today. This next CBA is really going to be something if the two sides are where they are on just these particular issues alone.

 

[Rogue219]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNK1yzuq4g8


Two game suspension for this.

 

[ACamp1900]

First game back from the worst road trip in team history... everyone wearing Skaggs’ jersey and you drop a seven spot in the first inning!!! That’s how you do it Halos!!! Let’s Go!!!

 

[Irish2155]

First game back from the worst road trip in team history... everyone wearing Skaggs’ jersey and you drop a seven spot in the first inning!!! That’s how you do it Halos!!! Let’s Go!!!

Rally Monkey please...

 

[ACamp1900]

Crazy night, three outs away from a no no first game back from Skaggs passing,...

 

[ACamp1900]

I’ve never cried at an Angels game, I teared up just now

 

[ACamp1900]

Everyone wore 45 and everyone just dropped their jerseys at the mound straight Rudy style.... crying now

 

[ACamp1900]

LTBU 45

 

[Irish2155]

Everyone wore 45 and everyone just dropped their jerseys at the mound straight Rudy style.... crying now

RIP...shed a little tear myself

 

[arahop]

That was unbelievable! Combined no-no! I wish I would have been watching live.

 

[Irish2155]

Just re-watched the highlights....one of the most amazing things I've seen in sports.

Truly "Angels in the Outfield".

 

[Irishize]

Everyone wore 45 and everyone just dropped their jerseys at the mound straight Rudy style.... crying now

That’s awesome. I gotta go watch the replay on that.

ACamp, I know you’re not a Dodgers fan but you know the area well. Taking my wife & kids to Dodger Stadium next week for the first time. I assumed it would be family friendly but a buddy of mine from Cali thinks it can be pretty rough. Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.

 

[ACamp1900]

That’s awesome. I gotta go watch the replay on that.

ACamp, I know you’re not a Dodgers fan but you know the area well. Taking my wife & kids to Dodger Stadium next week for the first time. I assumed it would be family friendly but a buddy of mine from Cali thinks it can be pretty rough. Any suggestions or feedback is appreciated.

Oh it’s fine man, just do not go anywhere near the outfield bleachers,... that’s where all the fans who give Dodger fans bad names sit. Spend the extra cash and get field level seats behind one of the dugouts. Also beware that parking lot dude, it’s a nightmare. If you can transit to the stadium somehow (not easily done but possible) I’d go that route, or you just have to leave early... lol Dodger Stadiums parking lot can be nightmare fuel if you get stuck in the wrong part of it. I’ve literally sat in that lot trying to leave longer than I was at the game before,... I’ll stress not sitting in the bleachers. I’d never expose my girls to that crowd,... it’s everything your buddy is telling you about... they’re a bunch of hood rat cartoon characters. The best advice I could give you is just go see an Angel game.. DStadium is historic tho,... you just have to know where to sit and how to manage the parking lot.

 

[calvegas04]

First game back from the worst road trip in team history... everyone wearing Skaggs’ jersey and you drop a seven spot in the first inning!!! That’s how you do it Halos!!! Let’s Go!!!

They went 3-3 over the road trip... unless you are referring to Skaggs

 

[ACamp1900]

They went 3-3 over the road trip... unless you are referring to Skaggs

Seriously?... yeah man... and LaStella and LuCroy...

 

[ACamp1900]

Pretty Cool:

 

[Irish2155]

Pretty Cool:

Unreal.

They'll be a movie or documentary on NetFlix soon. Trout is right, can't make this stuff up. I wish I had the words to describe something as special as last night...I've never seen anything like it.

BTW, maybe a few years ago there was a conversation on who is better: Junior or Trout. At the time, I was pretty solid with Griffey. I think I've changed my mind.

Mike Trout is a first ballot 100% of the vote kind of Hall of Famer. If that doesn't happen, then shame on those who voted wrong.

 

[Irishize]

Oh it’s fine man, just do not go anywhere near the outfield bleachers,... that’s where all the fans who give Dodger fans bad names sit. Spend the extra cash and get field level seats behind one of the dugouts. Also beware that parking lot dude, it’s a nightmare. If you can transit to the stadium somehow (not easily done but possible) I’d go that route, or you just have to leave early... lol Dodger Stadiums parking lot can be nightmare fuel if you get stuck in the wrong part of it. I’ve literally sat in that lot trying to leave longer than I was at the game before,... I’ll stress not sitting in the bleachers. I’d never expose my girls to that crowd,... it’s everything your buddy is telling you about... they’re a bunch of hood rat cartoon characters. The best advice I could give you is just go see an Angel game.. DStadium is historic tho,... you just have to know where to sit and how to manage the parking lot.

Thanks man. We are staying fairly close so we thought we’d just Uber. I think they have an Uber drop point, no?

EDIT: I just saw the Uber drop zone map. Looks like you can be dropped at 5 different gates. Just need to allow time for the walk.

 

[ACamp1900]

Thanks man. We are staying fairly close so we thought we’d just Uber. I think they have an Uber drop point, no?

I assume so,... Angel Stadium does so I’d expect Dodger does too

 

[ACamp1900]

Love the way my boys have come out swinging in the second half... loved plugging Marisnick last night and Pujols' taking the lead on standing up to the 'Stros bench. I believe the odds of a brawl by series end are pretty high. Only thing that may stop it is Marisnick who seemed to tell his own bench to calm down as if he knew he deserved it...

 

[Rogue219]

I'm mostly a "things are just random" kind of person, but this Angels thing can't help but make you think.

There was more to that than a group of human beings rising to the occasion. At least I want to believe that's what it was.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm mostly a "things are just random" kind of person, but this Angels thing can't help but make you think.

There was more to that than a group of human beings rising to the occasion. At least I want to believe that's what it was.

 

[ACamp1900]

LOL Noe Ramirez just got hit with a three game ban for plucking Marisnick last night... Marisnick got a two game ban for breaking multiple bones in Lucroy's face and giving him a concussion....

 

[ACamp1900]

Dude just finished what would equal his rookie year,... he also has one of the best split finger fastballs I've ever seen. Gonna be fun watching him over the years.

 

[Rogue219]

Really looking forward to seeing what the Braves will do. They have the farm system to go get a starter and reliever, perhaps from the same team.

Have to think the Indians, Giants and Jays are all sellers they could deal with.

 

[ACamp1900]

If I'm Cleveland i'm not selling... they are only a few games out... just me.

 

[Legacy]

AL Wild Card standings

Top 4
Tampa Bay - 56 41 .577 -- 6-4 L1
Cleveland - 54 40 .574 — 8-2 W4
Oakland - 55 41 .573 — 8-2 W6
Boston - 52 44 .542 -- 7-3 W1

Tampa Bay is 6 games back of the Yankees.
Boston is 9.5 back.
Cleveland is 4.0 back of the Twins.
Oakland is 4.5 back of Houston.

The only trade acquisitions so far for those four is that:
Oakland acquired another starting pitcher, Homer Bailey, from KC. Bailey pitched yesterday - 6.0 innings, 7 hits, 2 Earned runs - in a 10-2 win over Seattle.
Boston acquired SP Andrew Cashner. In his first start for Boston, Cashner went 5 innings, 8 hits, 6 ERs in a 10-4 loss.

Trade deadline is July 31st.