# MLB: August 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [August 1, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019 "2019-08-01T19:14:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [August 1, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/1 "2019-08-01T19:14:37Z")
Dodgers till leading the league, Padres not in last place. Life is good. (Shoe drop) Who gained by Trade Day? The Astros, of course. But who else? July thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878012). ---
**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 1, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/2 "2019-08-01T19:26:52Z")
Yanks & Astros lead the AL, Astros just got better. Yanks are counting on the reinforcements from the DL to improve. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/3 "2019-08-01T19:33:17Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Yanks & Astros lead the AL, Astros just got better. Yanks are counting on the reinforcements from the DL to improve. To be fair, what they have on the DL is one of the best teams in baseball… All on the DL. They get healthy and they get crazy scary. ---
**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 1, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/4 "2019-08-01T20:10:42Z")
Yanks IL that will probably help this season. \*\*Expected back in August: \*\* Dellin Betances (RP) Luis Severino (SP) CC Sabathia (SP) Brett Gardner (OF) (Maybe this week) Gary Sanchez © Luke Voit (1B) \*\*Probably not until September: \*\* Stanton, Giancarlo (LF) Montgomery, Jordan § Hale, David § Not to mention LeMahieu, DJ (IF) should be playing again soon. \*\*Those not expected to help: \*\* Andujar, Miguel (3B) out for season Bird, Greg (1B) if he got better, he would get injured again Ellsbury, Jacoby (CF) never, ever will help again. Loaisiga, Jonathan § \*would be available come September call-ups, so maybe he will help. \* ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/5 "2019-08-02T01:27:59Z")
Question for the MLB experts. In tonight’s Astros game, Josh Reddick was at bat with two strikes. It appeared that he hit a foul ball that went off to the right of the line, but he was called out. The box score on Gameday MLB says he was out on “Swinging Strike (blocked)” which Google reveals is Gameday’s way of scoring a swinging strike at a ball in the dirt. So Reddick was out on strike 3. It sure looked like he hit the ball but I guess it’s remotely possible the ball was in the dirt, hit the edge of the plate and bounced off toward the dugout. I’d think Reddick would have known if he hit it or not, but who knows. He was mad and got evicted. Couple of things I don’t get. I Googled around but nobody will tell me what the “blocked” part of that is. Blocked by who? the dirt? Google also returns a bunch of info on “dropped” or “uncaught” swinging strikes which is a different thing altogether, as far as I can tell. Can anyone clear this up for me? Did anyone see the play? ---
**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:** [August 2, 2019, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/6 "2019-08-02T01:44:18Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Question for the MLB experts. In tonight’s Astros game, Josh Reddick was at bat with two strikes. It appeared that he hit a foul ball that went off to the right of the line, but he was called out. The box score on Gameday MLB says he was out on “Swinging Strike (blocked)” which Google reveals is Gameday’s way of scoring a swinging strike at a ball in the dirt. So Reddick was out on strike 3. > > It sure looked like he hit the ball but I guess it’s remotely possible the ball was in the dirt, hit the edge of the plate and bounced off toward the dugout. I’d think Reddick would have known if he hit it or not, but who knows. He was mad and got evicted. > > Couple of things I don’t get. I Googled around but nobody will tell me what the “blocked” part of that is. Blocked by who? the dirt? Google also returns a bunch of info on “dropped” or “uncaught” swinging strikes which is a different thing altogether, as far as I can tell. Can anyone clear this up for me? Did anyone see the play? I didn’t see the play, so maybe I’m completely wrong. Best guess, judging from Gameday’s description: the ball was in the dirt, Reddick swung and missed. The “blocked” part means blocked by the catcher. Since the ball hit the dirt the catcher could not make a clean catch, which means that Reddick is entitled to run to first (as long as there are 2 out or nobody on first). That means the C is forced to tag Reddick or throw to first to retire him. (Did he tag Reddick?) My impression is that Gameday doesn’t report it if a catcher tags the batter (though I always record it on my scorecards, it doesn’t actually make any difference b/c the catcher is given the putout on a K), but Gameday certainly does report it if the throw went to first. So, best guess, pitch is in the dirt, Reddick swings and misses, catcher tags him. Reddick insists it was fouled off, insists too hard, ump dismisses him from the premises. Does that square with what you saw? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/7 "2019-08-02T01:59:26Z")
Thanks for your reply, **Ulf**. What I saw was that the catcher had to chase the ball down. He didn’t block it, that I saw. Haven’t been able to see a replay, though. I think you are right about what the call was based on, and I think maybe the catcher did come over to touch Reddick, and it sort of seemed the ump told him to somehow. However, it sure did look like Reddick hit the ball, and he sure thought he did, so there’s that. ---
**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:** [August 2, 2019, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/8 "2019-08-02T02:09:41Z")
Sure, glad it’s helpful and hope I’m right! I believe “blocked” doesn;t mean “catcher stopped the ball entirely” so much as “ball did not go to the backstop.” I think that these are very difficult calls for an umpire–ball hits dirt, ball kicks up dirt, ball maybe hits bat, grazes bat, just misses bat, very hard to tell–and especially so if it’s a breaking ball, which may bounce in somewhat unexpected ways, so it would not be shocking if an umpire gets it wrong. I don’t believe this type of play is reviewable, but I could be wrong about that…did the Astros ask for a replay? I’m guessing not… ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/9 "2019-08-02T03:52:24Z")
For anyone interested, video of the strikeout is [here](https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-indians/2019/08/01/565371?#game_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=565371). Reddick obviously thought he hit the ball, but it looks to me like it bounced in the dirt and then off of the catcher’s chest protector. “Blocked” just means that the catcher prevented the ball from going to the backstop. Since there were runners on first and third with two outs, Reddick had the option to run to first base, but he didn’t run because he thought it was a foul ball. He was wrong, so he stood there and the catcher retrieved the ball and tagged him out. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/10 "2019-08-02T14:31:03Z")
Thanks **Freddy**. I learned something new about baseball rules out of all this so that’s good. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/11 "2019-08-02T14:36:11Z")
The Rays are now 8-1 at Fenway this year, and pulling away from Boston. “But they don’t \*have \*anybody!” goes the cry. “How are they \*doing \*it?” Maybe there’s something to this Opening Pitcher idea. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/12 "2019-08-02T17:20:33Z")
I can’t remember ever seeing teams with scheduled off days on a Friday in August. Very weird scheduling. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/13 "2019-08-03T00:39:05Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Dodgers till leading the league, Padres not in last place. Life is good. > > (Shoe drop) > > Who gained by Trade Day? The Astros, of course. But who else? > > July thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878012). Tonight in Dodgertown this may become a bit more evident, when one of the prospects we didn’t trade opens on the hill for the Blue. I hope he’s the stud we didn’t trade for. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/14 "2019-08-03T04:32:46Z")
Insanity in Philadelphia: The Phillies run out of pitchers in a 15-inning game, so an outfielder has to pitch, which means that a pitcher has to play the outfield. Pitcher Vince Velasquez takes over in left field and flashes Gold Glove form, throwing out a runner at the plate, coming within an inch of throwing out another, and making an excellent shoetop catch, all in two innings. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/15 "2019-08-03T13:54:17Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I can’t remember ever seeing teams with scheduled off days on a Friday in August. Very weird scheduling. Don’t you just _love_ interleague play? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/16 "2019-08-03T16:19:15Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Don’t you just _love_ interleague play? I actually do, yes. I’ve been a strong supporter of interleague play for many years. Now that I live in Chicago, I’ve got both the NL and AL here, but most cities only have one league. Imagine if you’re a baseball fan in Seattle and never get a chance to see NL players. Where’s the closest NL park to Seattle? I guess San Francisco and that’s not exactly close. ---
**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 4, 2019, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/17 "2019-08-04T03:59:23Z")
> [@MLB: July 2019](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/184): > > No doubt Aaron Sanchez will see an increase in velocity and spin rate while posting a 1.75 ERA in August/September. [Bloody Hell.](https://www.espn.co.uk/mlb/story/_/id/27317879/four-astros-spin-magic-mound-combine-no-hit-mariners) 😛 This weekend has started out much better than the last with the Yankees returning the favor by taking the first three games in a four game series. Oh hey, where did **Annie** go? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/18 "2019-08-04T05:34:16Z")
And now Encarnation is out with a broken wrist. Can the Yankees overcome this problem? ---
**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 4, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/19 "2019-08-04T13:02:24Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > And now Encarnation is out with a broken wrist. Can the Yankees overcome this problem? DJ plays first until someone gets back. Or do you mean the injury bug? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2019, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019/20 "2019-08-04T13:10:02Z")
The injury bug. I know it’ll balance itself out, but it seems like it’s been a bigger problem for them than for other teams. Then again, it’s the Yankees, so the media plays it up more than if it were, say, Kansas City or Tampa or Miami. That’s not a criticism, by the way [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-august-2019/838019.md?page=2)