# MLB: April 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 1, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712 "2011-04-01T02:42:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/361 "2011-04-29T16:41:31Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > When St. Louis signed Lance Berkman, there were questions as to whether Berkman still had it in him or whether the Cardinals were making a mistake. The season is still young, but so far, it sure doesn’t look like a mistake. Latest piece of evidence: last night, Berkman hit two home runs (one from each side) against his old team. How’s he looking in the field? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/362 "2011-04-29T16:49:40Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > How’s he looking in the field? Made a great running catch two nights ago, then misplayed a fly ball in the ninth that almost led to a blown save. In my opinion - better than I expected, and probably at or slightly above league average for right fielders. He really does appear to be in terrific shape. ETA: I also think that the very public futility in NY somewhat shaded people’s memories of just what a phenomenal baseball player Lance has been in his career. The man’s a 5-time All-Star with a career OPS+ of 146. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/363 "2011-04-29T17:18:57Z")
Derek Lowe just got popped for DUI. If he drives as slow as he pitches, how did they tell? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/364 "2011-04-29T17:50:11Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > ETA: I also think that the very public futility in NY somewhat shaded people’s memories of just what a phenomenal baseball player Lance has been in his career. The man’s a 5-time All-Star with a career OPS+ of 146. Best player ever from Rice University. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/365 "2011-04-29T18:06:37Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > hey **RickJay** , that was a pretty nice little drag-bunt by Patterson to put Toronto on top in the 9th. I heard it on the radio, and didn’t see it. Surely Texas knew it was coming? How didn’t they stop that? When they said Patterson was coming up, I was like “Patterson is batting against Oliver? Seriously? Surely the only play here is to bunt… but the Rangers will see that coming, won’t they?” But the bunt caught them totally by surprise. It seemingly hadn’t occurred to them at all that Patterson, an overmatched, weak lefty hitter with speed, would try that. ---
**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 29, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/366 "2011-04-29T19:17:08Z")
Yeah, it was pretty surprising how unprepared they were, especially in a tied game in the 9th inning, with a man on third. Surely the ideal time for a squeeze. The TV commentators noted, after the play, that Texas seemed more concerned with holding the man on at first base than with guarding against the bunt, and it’s certainly true that the first baseman wasn’t moving in at all as the ball was pitched. He only darted in after the bunt was laid down, and not in anywhere near enough time to get the runner coming home. To make matters even worse, the pitcher got to Patterson’s bunt in time to at least get an out at first, but second base didn’t make it to the bag in time. I guess he had been playing closer to second, in order to guard against a stolen base. Surely, in a tied game in the ninth inning, the guy on third is the one you need to be most worried about, not the guy on first. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/367 "2011-04-29T19:22:15Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Yeah they do this at Indians games (at least last season, maybe the season before too) and I can’t imagine getting my dog to the ballpark from the parking garage, then getting her to not freak the fuck out during the game. She might enjoy the walk around the field but that’s about all. > > However, there are plenty of dogs who weigh 50# or less who probably have the right disposition to hang out at a ball game. They’re probably the same dogs that enjoy dog festivals and dog parks. I’ve never had one of those dogs so I wouldn’t know how that goes 🙂 We’ve done this several times at the Akron Aeros and it works fine, even though our dogs are on the timid side. I think it’s a good promotion for minor leagues, not so much for the majors. It’s a very short walk from the parking deck, far less big-city-type traffic, etc. Plus, you’re right, we can easily carry our dogs if they were to freak out, and they can sit in our laps. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/368 "2011-04-30T16:07:32Z")
Yeah I think the key is being able to carry your dog and have it sit on your lap and stuff. It just does not work with gigunda-dog 😛 We’ll see tonight if the Indians win the April thread, or if the Phillies win or if they tie for April WINNING! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/369 "2011-04-30T16:08:53Z")
What, erm, sanitary measures do the clubs make for Dog Night? Plastic baggies and wipes at every seat, or something like that? ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/370 "2011-04-30T21:49:34Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > It’s so nice to have Sandoval out of his sophomore slump. Pablo Sandoval out 4-6 weeks with broken hamate bone. The Baseball Gods giveth and they taketh away. Last year was pretty remarkable for the lack of devastating injuries. But damn. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/371 "2011-05-01T00:46:46Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > What, erm, sanitary measures do the clubs make for Dog Night? Plastic baggies and wipes at every seat, or something like that? I believe they relegate the pups to one section, and I’m sure they have baggie stations about the section. They probably hose it down after (can’t pick up pee in a baggie!) ---
**Author:** ![Invisible\_Chimp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f05b48/32.png) [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/372 "2011-05-01T02:20:18Z")
Mariners win five in a row, which is a nice way to end the month. King Felix will make the first start of May, so there’s a good chance for six wins in a row. I can’t remember the last time they looked this good. This season might be watchable, unlike last season. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/373 "2011-05-01T02:36:44Z")
Tribe wins 18 in the month of April, 12 in a row at home, two walk-of wins in a row. Tonight was the debut of Alex White, our top draft pick pitcher. He gave up two homers, like most of our staff does, and struck out 4. The game was tied into 13. Michael Brantley (batting lead-off in place of Grady) got to third, and even though Choo and Santana have two of the lowest batting averages on the team, the Tigers knew they were dangerous (Santana, batting .198, has five homers including a walk-off grand slam last night) so they got walked. No good reason to walk those two because our lineup is DEEP. I had no doubt that either Orland Cabrera or Jack Hannahan would win the game. And Cabrera did. And it was good. See you in May! ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/374 "2011-05-01T04:00:33Z")
Okay, the Cardinal offense has been way better than I would have expected. And I know that San Diego’s offense wasn’t expected to be much. Still. As of the right-at-this-moment ESPN team stats, the Cardinals have a higher \*\*batting average \*\*than the Padres have \*\*on base percentage \*\*(.299 BA for STL, .291 OBP for SD). And the Cardinals have more \*\*hits \*\*(275) than the Pads have \*\*total bases \*\*(271). In the same number of games (26). Ouch. It won’t last on the St. Louis end of things, though as a longtime Cardinals fan I’m enjoying it while I can, but \*\*mhendo \*\*and others who follow the Padres, can their hitting really be anywhere near this awful?? ---
**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:** [May 1, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712/375 "2011-05-01T13:13:46Z")
May Thread: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13749797#post13749797](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13749797#post13749797) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april-2011/576712.md?page=18)