# MLB: August 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 1, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950 "2018-08-01T22:42:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/121 "2018-08-17T19:54:12Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Don Mattingly, however, should be tossed for a month. > [@silenus](#): > > At least. He either called it or condoned it. What’s your evidence for that? Can you cite similar behavior by Mattingly previously? I also think that Mattingly giving instructions to injure an opposing pitcher would be our of character. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/122 "2018-08-17T20:07:59Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > What’s your evidence for that? Can you cite similar behavior by Mattingly previously? > > I also think that Mattingly giving instructions to injure an opposing pitcher would be our of character. I’m a believer in absolute liability in these circumstances. That said, in retrospect, I misthought the period; if they had the guts to apply an absolutely liability policy, you wouldn’t need long suspensions. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/123 "2018-08-17T20:09:51Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m a believer in absolute liability in these circumstances. That said, in retrospect, I misthought the period; if they had the guts to apply an absolutely liability policy, you wouldn’t need long suspensions. Do you think Mattingly gave instructions to drill Acuna? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/124 "2018-08-17T21:01:36Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Do you think Mattingly gave instructions to drill Acuna? That’s the word on the street. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/125 "2018-08-17T21:56:24Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > Why did they need to tag the final runner out? Was the 2nd base ump under the misapprehension that it was a caught fly rather than a ground ball? They didn’t. The third baseman tagged third base for out #1, tagged the runner at third when he fell off the base for out #2, then threw to the second baseman standing on second for out #3. The tag of the runner was unnecessary, though I’m not sure if anyone on the field really knew in the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/126 "2018-08-17T22:30:35Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > That’s the word on the street. Which is worth exactly zero. Does Mattingly have a history of dick moves like this? ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/127 "2018-08-17T23:20:45Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > Why did they need to tag the final runner out? Was the 2nd base ump under the misapprehension that it was a caught fly rather than a ground ball? They didn’t. Indeed, they didn’t tag him, once they realized that they already had the third out from the force at second. Not shockingly, not even the fielding team was quite exactly sure what was going on as it happened. Notice the third baseman (I believe), pointing to each of the outs and counting with his fingers to emphasize the point. Pretty amazing event. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2018, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/128 "2018-08-17T23:24:24Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > So you think Urena’s goal was to injure Acuna? I don’t buy that. Maybe he meant to hit him. Maybe. But the elbow is not something you aim for. That pitch, if intentionally thrown that far inside, was meant for Acuna’s backside. And for me, my HBP fastball and my brushback fastball are the same speed. Granted, I never got it up to 97, but the point of the pitch is “don’t get too comfortable up there.” No, I think his goal was to hit Acuña with a really fast pitch. He doesn’t have to WANT to injure the batter; the fact that he’s being recklessly dangerous with what he’s doing is enough (in soccer, that’s sufficient to earn a red card). Acuña’s elbow just got unlucky as being what was hit. But the pitch was in no way a brushback pitch. It was always intended to intersect the space inhabited by the batter, with precious little chance at 97 mph that the batter would be able to avoid it. ---
**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 18, 2018, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/129 "2018-08-18T00:29:38Z")
I may have asked this earlier in this thread and didn’t see it but…is this the best Red Sox team…ever? They look pretty inhuman. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/130 "2018-08-18T01:00:25Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I may have asked this earlier in this thread and didn’t see it but…is this the best Red Sox team…ever? They look pretty inhuman. Would you settle for best in the last 100 years? Check the 1912 & 1915 clubs to make your own decision. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2018, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/131 "2018-08-18T10:57:54Z")
I don’t think there is any chance of repeating the 2011 collapse, but it sure would be entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/132 "2018-08-18T13:14:06Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I may have asked this earlier in this thread and didn’t see it but…is this the best Red Sox team…ever? They look pretty inhuman. They were saying pretty much the same thing about the 2017 Dodgers late in August, before they lost 16 of 17 games. I don’t see the same thing happening to the Red Sox this year, but even if they cooled off significantly it might not affect their postseason chances (the Dodgers after all righted the ship and wound up narrowly losing the Series). ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/133 "2018-08-18T19:08:53Z")
Sale back to the DL. Another rest? > **[Ailing shoulder sends Sale back to DL](https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-sale-placed-on-disabled-list-c290874588)** > > BOSTON -- With the Red Sox getting ready to power through the final six weeks of what is likely to be their best regular season ever, the last thing ace Chris Sale wants to do is miss any more starts.But a recurring bout of mild left shoulder... ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/134 "2018-08-18T22:39:56Z")
[Cubs turned seven double plays yesterday.](https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1030666978082676736) Third team to do it. First team to do it and win! Apparently, allowing base runners almost every is not a recipe for success. Also of note this game was the second of back to back 1-0 wins for the Cubs. Ninth time in franchise history. First time ever with a pair of solo homers. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/135 "2018-08-18T22:48:10Z")
Because naturally we expected Alex Cobb to pitch a complete game while the Orioles beat the Indians > **[Orioles 4, Indians 2 Final Score (08/18/2018) on MLB Gameday](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/orioles-vs-indians/2018/08/18/531250#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=531250)** > > Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Orioles vs. Indians at Progressive Field ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/136 "2018-08-19T06:21:54Z")
Well, that was disappointing. Dodgers at Mariners. Dodgers tie it at 4-4 with a homer in the 9th. Tenth inning, Mariners load the bases with one out, Kyle Seager comes to the plate. I’m hoping for a hit or at least a long flyout. Instead he doesn’t even get a pitch. A balk-off. I’m happy the Ms won, but disappointed that it was in such a backdoor manner. BTW, does anyone get credit for an RBI when a run is balked in? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/137 "2018-08-19T13:55:17Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > I’m happy the Ms won, but disappointed that it was in such a backdoor manner. BTW, does anyone get credit for an RBI when a run is balked in? No nor if a run scores on a wild pitch or passed ball or because of an error\* or if the batter grounds into a force or reverse-force double play. _The run has to score_\* because \*\*of the error to eliminate the RBI. If an outfielder drops what would be a sacrifice fly, or the infielder throws wildly to first and the runner from third is already running home, the batter would get an RBI. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/138 "2018-08-19T18:40:54Z")
Darvish lasts just one inning in a rehab start, I’m following the South Bend Cubs on Twitter and they’re not saying anything, just reported a pitching change. This doesn’t sound good. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/139 "2018-08-19T20:22:47Z")
Since it’s only a couple of weeks until roster expansion and the Angels are out of it, is it safe to assume that Ohtani won’t pitch again this season? I had to drop him as a pitcher in the SDMB big league as I need to try anything to try to get out of 3rd place. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950/140 "2018-08-19T21:57:32Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I may have asked this earlier in this thread and didn’t see it but…is this the best Red Sox team…ever? They look pretty inhuman. Ask again in late October. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2018/818950.md?page=8)