# MLB: April **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 31, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986 "2014-03-31T14:13:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/121 "2014-04-07T13:49:33Z")
It’s been interesting to see how the instant-replay challenge system is working out. Watching some highlights this weekend, I wondered if the system would do away with the “neighborhood play” around second base. But no, it’s specifically excluded: [Instant replay exclusions.](http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/instant-replay-review-faq?ymd=20140326&content_id=70189582&vkey=news_mlb) I can’t decide if I’m for this. After all, the whole point is to get calls right. On the upside, letting it go means less risk of injury for the infielder. But sometimes it’s ridiculous when the fielder misses the bag by several feet. And why not tag ups? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/122 "2014-04-07T14:03:53Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > Braves picking up where they left off last year against the Gnats. Close game, but they get the W. > > And, in the “who cares” department, The Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez is 2 for 2 so far this year on replay challenges. > > 😃 Yeah, the Friday game was a good game, but Saturday was embarassing. Ryan Zimmerman makes a throwing error and Strasburg has a meltdown, deja vu all over again. Sunday was a fun game, especially the part where the good guys won.🙂 ---
**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 7, 2014, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/123 "2014-04-07T22:51:19Z")
Astros slip below .500 again, I’m guessing they don’t make it to or above for the rest of the season. ---
**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 7, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/124 "2014-04-07T22:58:43Z")
For the first season in 10 years since I moved from NJ to NC, I did not buy the [MLB.tv](http://MLB.tv) package to watch Yankee games. As much as I have been happy with their technical improvements over the years, the MLB-dictated blackouts always made me so angry (no Yankee-Oriole games! In Charlotte!) I decided to forego it this year. After 1 week I broke down and compromised with the audio Game Day package. I love baseball on the radio (yes, even with John Sterling and Suzy Waldman) and $19.99 for the season with no blackouts seems a bargain. Listened to my first game today. Sigh… I love baseball. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/125 "2014-04-08T02:27:43Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Yeah, the Friday game was a good game, but Saturday was embarassing. Ryan Zimmerman makes a throwing error and Strasburg has a meltdown, deja vu all over again. Sunday was a fun game, especially the part where the good guys won.🙂 So did Zimmerman really injure himself on that throw? Even though he is a Nat, I still cringe in empathy whenever a grounder is hit to him and he has to make a throw. I bet his self talk is a study in self psych-out. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/126 "2014-04-08T13:24:06Z")
Zimm isn’t on the DL, he had an MRI and the Nats report there is not structural damage. Yesterday, Matt Williams mentioned that Zimm has arthritic shoulder. He’s 29 and people are talking about him like he’s washed up. I still remember when Zimm was the only good thing happening when the Nats took the field. His first at bat in the majors and he hits a double. The first game at the new Nats park and he hits a walkoff HR. When the Nats sucked, he never complained in the press. He’s a local guy, went to UVA, met his wife at Nats park and says he wants to play his entire career for DC. I’m really rooting for the guy. I guess long term the plan is to move him to first base, but we have Laroche there this year. ---
**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 8, 2014, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/127 "2014-04-08T16:34:23Z")
Dodgers just lost their starting catcher for the foreseeable future. AJ Ellis is going in for knee surgery and will be out for a bit. The injury parade just keeps on coming. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/128 "2014-04-08T21:04:03Z")
I’m at Nats Park right now, bring on the Fish! ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/129 "2014-04-08T21:13:27Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Zimm isn’t on the DL, he had an MRI and the Nats report there is not structural damage. Yesterday, Matt Williams mentioned that Zimm has arthritic shoulder. He’s 29 and people are talking about him like he’s washed up. > > I still remember when Zimm was the only good thing happening when the Nats took the field. His first at bat in the majors and he hits a double. The first game at the new Nats park and he hits a walkoff HR. When the Nats sucked, he never complained in the press. He’s a local guy, went to UVA, met his wife at Nats park and says he wants to play his entire career for DC. I’m really rooting for the guy. > > I guess long term the plan is to move him to first base, but we have Laroche there this year. He’s going to try using the sidearm throwing motion all the time, and the hope is he’ll start tomorrow. I doubt he’ll be playing third next year. I feel bad for him, but I also feel bad when he airmails one to the tarp. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/130 "2014-04-09T03:10:42Z")
Well this is a definite improvement. The Mariners gave up 3 runs to the Angels in the top of the 1st, then scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, **with 2 outs** , to take the lead. Nice 3-run homer by new acquisition Corey Hart. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/131 "2014-04-09T03:13:45Z")
And James Paxton just struck out the side in the top of the 4th! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/132 "2014-04-09T04:37:28Z")
Oy vey…Reds lose yet again after posting a four run lead…now with the second worst record in baseball. It’s early, the pitching by and large has been very good, but it’s far from an auspicious start. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2014, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/133 "2014-04-09T06:37:36Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > And James Paxton just struck out the side in the top of the 4th! Unfortunately he left the game hurt. I hope it’s not serious. They already have Iwakuma and Walker on the DL, although both should be off it by May. > [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Nice 3-run homer by new acquisition Corey Hart. He hit a solo shot in the 7th. He looks like he did with the Brewers a few years ago. I learned on Twitter, the M’s are planning the obligatory “Sunglasses at Night” promo in September. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/134 "2014-04-09T11:54:11Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > now with the second worst record in baseball. What’s today’s date? 😉 Chillax, bro. ---
**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 9, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/135 "2014-04-09T14:15:00Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Oy vey…Reds lose yet again after posting a four run lead…now with the second worst record in baseball. It’s early, the pitching by and large has been very good, but it’s far from an auspicious start. Well, 62.5% of their games have been against the Cardinals. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/136 "2014-04-09T15:14:03Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Well this is a definite improvement. The Mariners gave up 3 runs to the Angels in the top of the 1st, then scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 3rd, **with 2 outs** , to take the lead. Nice 3-run homer by new acquisition Corey Hart. Was he wearing his sunglasses? 😃 ---
**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 9, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/137 "2014-04-09T16:04:10Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Was he wearing his sunglasses? 😃 Wrong smiley. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/138 "2014-04-09T16:24:41Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > What’s today’s date? 😉 > > Chillax, bro. I said it’s early! 🙂 > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Well, 62.5% of their games have been against the Cardinals. Yes, and how we long to beat thee…losing to the Cardinals is one thing…it’s the WAY we’ve been losing to them…ugh. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/139 "2014-04-10T00:30:54Z")
Holy Shit! Pretty amazing sac fly run from 3rd to home on a VERY shallowly hit ball by Billy Hamilton…now we just need him to hit… [http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v31940121/cinstl-hamilton-races-home-on-shallow-sac-fly](http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/6479266/v31940121/cinstl-hamilton-races-home-on-shallow-sac-fly) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986/140 "2014-04-10T02:49:54Z")
Josh Hamilton is the biggest idiot in Major League Baseball. 8 year olds know you don’t try to slide into 1st base. Now he’s out for probably 2 months. Million dollar body , ten cent brain fried by all the drugs and Jesus worship. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-april/684986.md?page=8)