# Finally Baseball is here! 2009 Edition, (April thread) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [April 5, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049 "2009-04-05T13:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/121 "2009-04-15T02:13:52Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > AJ Burnett is pitching lights out against the Rays tonight. Garza also pitched well, but not as masterfully as Burnett. Great game by Burnett. 8 innings, 2 ER, 3 H, 9 K, 1 BB. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/122 "2009-04-15T02:42:34Z")
I missed the Rays runs because my wife wanted to check out _Fringe_. It’s kind of a pity he couldn’t hold onto the no hitter. Both Burnett and Garza were throwing some nasty pitches. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/123 "2009-04-15T02:50:07Z")
Oh no. Carpenter just left the game after pitching three innings. The Cards are up on Arizona 3-0. Carp came out to warm up for the 4th and left clutching his ribs. \ Please, God, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let him be OK. Just a slight ab tweak or something. Pleasepleasepleaseplease \ Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/124 "2009-04-15T07:45:50Z")
Well, the Orioles won again in Texas, and are now leading the AL East at 6-2. Of course, even without looking at the numbers, everyone knows that it’s too early in the season to make meaningful projections based only on current standings. But already the stats show that Baltimore is more lucky than good, and that their reign at the top is unlikely to last. With only 8 games played, the Orioles are _already_ 2 games over their expected win-loss numbers, and are 2-0 in 1-run games, suggesting that once the luck evens out they will move back to their rightful place in the pecking order. Of course, i’d be very happy if the luck held out, and if the Birds continued to win the close ones and defy the odds despite getting hammered for over 6 runs a game. I’d love them to be a (somewhat lesser) version of the 2008 Angels, who ended up a whopping dozen games over their XW-L (maybe more, depending on which pythagorean formula you use). But i don’t think it’s gonna happen. It could also be that the Orioles will continue their recent trend of being merely mediocre in the first half of the season, and truly atrocious in the second. Over the past four seasons (before 2009), their April-May-June record stands at 158-166, or just under .500. Included in there is one season, 2005, where they started a hope-inducing 43-36. By contrast, their record after July 1 over the past four seasons is a hope-dashing 123-200 (.381), and their best second-half performance of that period was 2007, when they were _only_ 13 games under .500 for July-August-September. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/125 "2009-04-15T13:51:29Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Oh no. Carpenter just left the game after pitching three innings. The Cards are up on Arizona 3-0. Carp came out to warm up for the 4th and left clutching his ribs. > > \ > Please, God, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let him be OK. Just a slight ab tweak or something. Pleasepleasepleaseplease > \ > > Fuck. Well, damn. They’re saying it’s a ribcage injury from swinging the bat. How the hell does that happen? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/126 "2009-04-15T14:19:00Z")
Easy. He’s not Carlos Zambrano. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/127 "2009-04-15T14:47:34Z")
Nothing to do with the majors, but a [local kid has now thrown three no-hitters in a row](http://blogs.tampabay.com/preps/2009/04/schuster-tosses-3rd-consecutive-nohitter.html). He’s signed to play for the Florida Gators next year, but apparently there were a lot of scouts with radar guns and clipboards at this last game, and speculation that he’ll go high in the draft. I know it’s only high school, but it’s still a pretty cool feat. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, damn. > > They’re saying it’s a ribcage injury from swinging the bat. How the hell does that happen? You pull a muscle when swinging. It happens. Last year Carl Crawford messed up his wrist swinging. There’s a lot of force involved. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/128 "2009-04-15T16:41:13Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, damn. > > They’re saying it’s a ribcage injury from swinging the bat. How the hell does that happen? He’s heading to the 15-day DL. I fear this will turn into an extended stay. At least it wasn’t his arm or shoulder. Crap. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/129 "2009-04-15T18:19:46Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Nothing to do with the majors, but a [local kid has now thrown three no-hitters in a row](http://blogs.tampabay.com/preps/2009/04/schuster-tosses-3rd-consecutive-nohitter.html). He’s signed to play for the Florida Gators next year, but apparently there were a lot of scouts with radar guns and clipboards at this last game, and speculation that he’ll go high in the draft. I know it’s only high school, but it’s still a pretty cool feat. > > You pull a muscle when swinging. It happens. Last year Carl Crawford messed up his wrist swinging. There’s a lot of force involved. Kirk Gibson screwed his wrist up badly just swinging. He played baseball instead of football mostly due to the potential injury factor, then had a baseball career with injuries. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/130 "2009-04-15T18:50:10Z")
Carpenter makes Harden look Ripken-esque. Sure glad I drafted him instead of Felipe Lopez(my sleeper pick for the year) and thus leaving me with no real SS. Also, bonus, I didn’t even remember to plug him into my line up for his first start, but just in time for this one. Hor-fucking-ray for fantasy baseball. :smack: At least the M’s have looked good so far. With Chavez doing so well, I’m not actually not in all that big of rush to see Ichiro back, well almost. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/131 "2009-04-15T19:21:34Z")
Armando Galarraga had a helluva game against the White Sox today. Good to see that he can keep the momentum going from last year and that he may be the real deal. Very impressive looking outing today. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/132 "2009-04-15T20:32:54Z")
Harden looked like Nolan Ryan out there - 8 Ks in 3 IP. But he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and 4 BBs while doing it. And as a Royals fan, I say - goddammit, Farnsworthless! Why are you even in this league?!? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/133 "2009-04-15T20:39:47Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > And as a Royals fan, I say - goddammit, Farnsworthless! Why are you even in this league?!? Seeing that makes this Yankees Fan happy. Farnsworthless drove me nuts the entire time he was a Yank. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/134 "2009-04-15T20:41:56Z")
Diamondbacks getting spanked 6-0 in the 3rd. Not a lot of people at the game on this very cool and windy day in Phoenix. Kinda funny, I stopped at Circle K to get a case of beer and you get a pair of upper level D-backs tix for free! Hey, with the new light rail here, makes for a cheap trip to the ballpark. Strange to see empty seats at the Rays/Yankees game this afternoon as well. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/135 "2009-04-15T21:08:41Z")
Tim Wakefield has a no-hitter through 7 in Oakland. The only baserunner reached on a fielding error by Mike Lowell at third. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/136 "2009-04-15T21:12:03Z")
Rays just went up 2-0 on two out doubles from Upton and Crawford off Pettit. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/137 "2009-04-15T21:15:49Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Diamondbacks getting spanked 6-0 in the 3rd. Well, it’s turning into quite the pitcher’s duel. 7-4 after 3 1/2 innings. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/138 "2009-04-15T21:34:28Z")
Yankees knot it up in the top of the 4th on a Robinson Cano homerun. Then Carlos Pena responds with a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th. They had a ceremony before the game for Pena’s golden glove award, btw. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/139 "2009-04-15T21:37:55Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Tim Wakefield has a no-hitter through 7 in Oakland. The only baserunner reached on a fielding error by Mike Lowell at third. Oakland took care of that. Still, looks like an ugly hangover game for the A’s after the extra inning win last night. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049/140 "2009-04-15T21:39:20Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Yankees knot it up in the top of the 4th on a Robinson Cano homerun. Then Carlos Pena responds with a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th. They had a ceremony before the game for Pena’s golden glove award, btw. Rays 3 Yanks 2. I love the new mlb tv online. One click of the mouse. Watching Rays game online and the D-backs on the big screen. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-baseball-is-here-2009-edition-april-thread/492049.md?page=8)