I’m seeing some really nice tributes to Vin. Joe Posnanski wrote a wonderful article on him that I recommend. I also check a fantasy website that focuses on closers, and he updated the hierarchy for Heaven’s broadcasting team, adding Vin to the top tier above Carey and Harwell.
you know i just realized the dodgers plan with juan soto :
you know the dodgers were smart on this one , they know he’s going to be the NL version of Ohtani in san diego so after his price has cooled off a bit and he’s tired of being there after the padres fade out every year like they always do they’ll offer him a reasonable contract in free agency
It’s even more puzzling because Bader has been out sinnce June with plantar fasciitis, is currently wearing a walking boot, and isn’t expected to be able to play until at least September. The Cardinals did include the Crackerjack prize of a Player to Be Named Later depending how Bader heals, but the bottom line right now is that the Yankees traded a starting pitcher for a question mark.
OTOH, Bader is a Gold Glove center fielder is signed through 2024, and has tremendous upside for the Yankees if he gets healthy.
It is my considered opinion as a Nats fan that Bell should have been our All-Star, not Soto.
The Mets have had an odd couple of days.
Yesterday was the first day for the Nationals without Soto and Bell, and was also the return of Jacob deGrom for New York. Red meat, right? Yet, as Gary Cohen said, the Mets’ offense seemingly “took the day off” and they lost.
Today, back to normal. Home runs, taking advantage of errors, etc. Except for a little difficulty getting the final out, a much more typical day for the Mets. Plus the Braves lost, which now tees up a showdown in New York over the next few days. I suspect the outcome will largely determine who’s on top in the NL East down the stretch.
Just to provide a quick follow up, but apparently Devin Williams wasn’t too pleased with trading away their closer during a playoff run. And now the Brewers have blown leads in the last two days against the lowly Pirates.
Tonight Quintana goes for the Cardinals for the first time, and if they win it’s a tie for 1st place in the NL Central.
ETA: I’m not necessarily saying it’s not a smart trade, just that there are some intangible things that you should probably consider as well. I’m sure Williams will turn it around and be his usual nasty self again, but if he or the team was even a bit distracted this last few days those are very important wins you gave away.
Yeah, and the Brewers managed to post two blown saves in one game today. Ugh!
And lost the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the tenth. Ouch.
Tonight, the Los Angeles Angels tied a dubious honor when they hit 7 home runs in one game–all solo shots-- and still lost. That’s only happened once before in MLB history.
I work with some ChiSox fans and they’re definitely on the fire La Russa now bandwagon.
Mets’ hitters “taking the day off” when deGrom pitches is an old story. An ESPN account from April of '21 noted:
“…the 33rd time in deGrom’s career he allowed one run or no runs and failed to pick up the win – easily the most in the majors since he debuted in 2014.”
Do Mets’ hitters slack off and lose concentration because they know a shut-down pitcher is on the mound for them? Seems that way.
Quintana gave up one hit in six shoutout innings and the Cardinals won. Welcome to St. Louis, Jose!
It’s bizarre that there’s apparently evidence for it in DeGrom’s case, but I can’t see how it happens. There are too many incentives for players to try their best, regardless. Beyond the fact that they’re professionals - the best in the world. It would seem to go against their very nature not to make every effort when at bat.
I wonder - is there any correlation between when DeGrom pitches and fielding errors?
I’m just unable to believe there’s a pervading attitude of, “We have a good pitcher today, so I’m just going to phone it in.” That cannot be true.
Anyway, the Mets had an important win over the Braves last night. Some interesting gamesmanship, including using Edwin Diaz in relief for two innings instead of one, which is unusual.
Watching the last couple of innings I never relaxed. Atlanta is too good a team. The weather in NY is iffy the next couple of days. Wouldn’t be surprised to see some game delays or postponements.
It wasn’t an issue last year or 2020, but in 2018 and 2019 he started 64 games and won 21 while winning the Cy Young. But there is no explanation for it, just one of those weird things that happen in baseball
Perfect game in progress and of course it’s one of the Apple TV exclusive games. Washington vs Phillies and Kyle Gibson is perfect through 6.
And the Nats got a hit in the 7th to end the perfect game.
I recall Felix Hernandez of the Mariners having a seemingly continual lack of run support.
But the Mariners were bad for much of that time, which wouldn’t help for any pitcher, but when you looked at how good Felix was most of the time scoring 2 or 3 rubs was often enough it seemed and often didn’t happen.
Looks like Holmes is in the Chapman part of the season- blow every save opportunity he gets. Yanks definitely needed that hot early part of the season, those dog days are getting pretty rough.
Predictions for how many runs the Mets score for Scherzer and deGrom combined over the next couple of games? I’ll say four, but I might be overly generous.
Well, they’ve scored three for Scherzer tonight, through five.