# MLB: August 2011 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 1, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049 "2011-08-01T15:17:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/41 "2011-08-10T23:47:31Z")
Actually, I just checked, and Bautista has hit more homers on the road than at home. So the Sign Stealin White Shirt Man doesn’t help Bautista much. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/42 "2011-08-10T23:59:35Z")
In a sign of how bad the Dodgers are this season, or how good the Phillies are, or both, the Dodgers managed to blow a 6-0 lead today, ultimately losing 9-8. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/43 "2011-08-11T00:58:22Z")
Kipnis! ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/44 "2011-08-11T04:27:17Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Actually, I just checked, and Bautista has hit more homers on the road than at home. So the Sign Stealin White Shirt Man doesn’t help Bautista much. Well, he’s gone now after he got called out (at least according to that article), so no wonder he’s no help. I find it perfectly plausible that the Jays were stealing signs even though it wasn’t statistically helpful. Baseball teams do plenty of dumb stuff based on things they _think_ should help but actually don’t, based on the numbers. Like sacrifice bunting in the 3rd inning. Or setting up a lefty-lefty matchup despite the fact that this particular batter is 9 for 14 against this particular lefty. Or magic necklaces. So that doesn’t necessarily eliminate the possibility. I guess what it comes down to is, I don’t see what else White Shirt Guy could have been doing. Semaphore? ---
**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:** [August 11, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/45 "2011-08-11T11:35:46Z")
Cincinnati is a black hole where pro sports go to die…:mad: ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/46 "2011-08-11T12:34:12Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Kipnis! Indeed! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/47 "2011-08-11T14:33:41Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > Well, he’s gone now after he got called out (at least according to that article), so no wonder he’s no help. the problem with that claim is that Bautista was “Called out” in a series against Chicago in early April of LAST YEAR. At the time he was called out, he was hitting like Mario Mendoza; I believe he had only one home run at the time, and he did not homer in that series. So why would the Chicago players be yelling at him THEN about home run exploits that hadn’t happened yet? Why would they be yelling “oh, it’s not so easy now, is it” at a guy who at the time was a no-name scrub? It’s after he was allegedly called out that he went insane and hit 53 more home runs. > [@](#): > > I guess what it comes down to is, I don’t see what else White Shirt Guy could have been doing. Semaphore? The problem is we have no evidence White Shirt Guy existed or was relaying signs accurately. The alleged witnesses won’t come forward, there’s no photographic evidence, and the story has a number of gaping holes at it. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/48 "2011-08-11T15:46:35Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Kipnis! > [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Indeed! 🙂 Thirded. This guy is really fun to watch! If I have my wish, the Indians will wind up taking on the Angels in the ALCS so I can go to all of the games out here, followed by taking on SF in the World Series so I can sneak up that way for a game or two. Oh, sure – a lot has to happen between now and October for that, but a man can dream! ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/49 "2011-08-12T18:05:51Z")
Indians activate Shin-Soo Choo, designate Austin Kearns for assignment. Sweetest thing I’ve heard all week. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/50 "2011-08-13T06:28:12Z")
A small bright spot for the Dodgers this year – they’re 6-0 in extra innings this year. Took them 10 innings to score a run tonight, but it was the only one they needed. Of course, that came after having the bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the 9th and failing to score. _sigh_ And the Dodgers are 4-5 in games I’ve attended this season. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/51 "2011-08-14T00:12:29Z")
John Lackey has uncorked his head. Apparently all the discussion a month ago, in all the local media, about _how_ to get rid of his worthless, “I felt pretty good out there”, league-trailing-ERA ass (not \*whether \*to get rid of him, that was beyond question) embarrassed him into giving a professional effort, even if he won’t admit it. Five straight wins, 3.53, and he’s looked just fine. But really, Boston fans, it’s \*just \*a bit early to have the debate about who the third starter in the playoffs should be. Let’s lighten up a bit on that, kthxbai. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/52 "2011-08-14T00:43:33Z")
I was disappointed to get to the park today and find Jose Bautista was not in the lineup. And Jared Weaver pitching for the Angels? Oh, man. My disappointment did not last long. Afterwards my 5-year-old got to run the bases - it’s a Saturday thing at the Dome - which was fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/53 "2011-08-14T01:01:40Z")
> **[Tigers' Al Alburquerque released from hospital after suffering concussion](https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2011/08/tigers_al_alburquerque_release.html)** > > Alburquerque is resting at the team hotel and will be driven back to Detroit on Sunday. Alburquerque of the Tigers was playing catch with a teammate before the game yesterday. The Orioles batter hit a line drive off A’ls head. He was taken to a hospital where he was released today. The team will drive him back to Detroit because he can not fly with a concussion. He is on a 7 day concussion can not play list. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/54 "2011-08-14T01:05:42Z")
And…in other news, Carlos Zambrano is ejected from last night’s game, cleans out his locker and intimates that he’s retiring, and the Cubs then suspend him for 30 days without pay. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/55 "2011-08-14T01:16:08Z")
Looks like Posada’s little rest did him well. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/56 "2011-08-14T02:02:19Z")
Tigers won 6 to 5 over Baltimore. Their last 8 wins have been by one run. No worries. ---
**Author:** ![Fred\_Garvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c67d28/32.png) [@Fred\_Garvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fred_Garvin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/57 "2011-08-14T04:15:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > John Lackey has uncorked his head. Apparently all the discussion a month ago, in all the local media, about _how_ to get rid of his worthless, “I felt pretty good out there”, league-trailing-ERA ass (not \*whether \*to get rid of him, that was beyond question) embarrassed him into giving a professional effort, even if he won’t admit it. Five straight wins, 3.53, and he’s looked just fine. > > But really, Boston fans, it’s \*just \*a bit early to have the debate about who the third starter in the playoffs should be. Let’s lighten up a bit on that, kthxbai. Lackey is far from “fine”. He doesn’t have 5 straight wins, he had a no decision last week against the Indians. He’s 5-0 since the break, but other than the game against the Mariners in July (7 innings, 1 ER), he hasnt impressed. Since then, in his 4 starts, he’s 3-0 but with an ERA of 5.55. Even if you include the Mariner’s start, he still has an ERA of 4.62 since the break. The only thing that has saved him (both his record and with the press/public) is the run support average of 8.5 per game. Without the benefit of the Sox bats, he’d be getting crucified by now. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/58 "2011-08-14T13:16:53Z")
> [@Fred\_Garvin](#): > > Lackey is far from “fine”. He doesn’t have 5 straight wins, he had a no decision last week against the Indians. He’s 5-0 since the break, but other than the game against the Mariners in July (7 innings, 1 ER), he hasnt impressed. Since then, in his 4 starts, he’s 3-0 but with an ERA of 5.55. Even if you include the Mariner’s start, he still has an ERA of 4.62 since the break. The only thing that has saved him (both his record and with the press/public) is the run support average of 8.5 per game. Without the benefit of the Sox bats, he’d be getting crucified by now. Lackey’s numbers are sort of this way that way, though. He’s getting lit up in terms of hits, but his control is certainly better than it used to be. Since his July 4 disaster against Toronto, Lackey has struck out 34 and walked 7, a ratio that usually suggests you’re going to get better. But he just gets ripped on the base hits, night after night. Lackey was so awful on July 4 I couldn’t really tell if anything specific was wrong, because on that day everything was, but if you look at his numbers as compared to past years the only difference is that he’s giving up an unusual number of base hits - he’s not giving up a huge number of homers or walks and he’s still striking some guys out. That suggests he’s just been unlucky in where the balls are dropping. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/59 "2011-08-14T15:10:48Z")
Just pointing out that he made a step change in his performance after that start - something that averaging his stats over the whole year would obscure, if that’s all you were to look at. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049/60 "2011-08-14T18:41:45Z")
What’s the point of sending Logan Morrison to the minors? Do the Marlins really think that a couple of weeks in AAA are going to help? Are they just being spiteful because of his Twitter feed? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2011/591049.md?page=4)