You should have seen what Tony LaRussa pulled late in last night’s game (after the Cards came back to make it competitive after being down 8-0). I’m pretty sure after pinch hitting for a pitcher, 5 different players switched defensive positions for the next half-inning. Only the catcher, SS, RF, and 1B remained in their spots.
“But…but…that’s *real *baseball, the way God created it! Strategy! A *real *fan wants to watch managers make double switches, not watch the best pitchers pitch and the best hitters hit!”
It’s been 38 years. Time to cut the shit and move past the dead-ball era, people.
And another Pronk Slam wins the ballgame! Helluva comeback (or collapse, depending on your perspective) in the Indians-Jays game! Indians score five runs in the ninth to win 5-4!
God, Frank Francisco sucks goat nuts.
But he’s the CLOSER! You have to use the CLOSER in the ninth! IT’s the LAW!
One more and he ties Manny’s franchise record of 13.
I draw the opposite conclusion; this is why baseball without the DH is better, because more interesting. (And I’m a fan of an American League team.)
Agreed. Let’s adopt one set of rules, mix the leagues, and pull postseason seeding from overall record.
Astros still terrible, news at 11. Basically the only interesting question about them this season (other than when the sale will finally go through) is what they might be able to get for Wandy Rodriguez, who looks to be the best starting pitcher available right now. Maybe the Pirates will trade for him.
The Tigers are apparently talking to the Astros as well.
Wandy could be huge for the Tigers. He is a lot better than he gets credit for being. Who would he replace in the rotation?
Charlie Furbush, a fellow lefty. Either way, there’s only one lefty in the rotation, even when Phil Coke was in the rotation.
Andre Ethier just got named to the All Star team in place of Shane Victorino. Andrew McCutchen still hasn’t found his way onto the roster. I know the All Star Ballot is always a bit screwy, but this is insane…and I am an Ethier fan.
Our radio announcer, Tom Hamilton, is very much against the “no DH in a NL park during inter-league” play. We saw the results last weekend when Fausto Carmona took a header over 1st base and is now on the DL.
It’s one thing to do your crazy have-pitchers-bat thing (which is pretty boring to me, so is the substitutions) but making AL pitchers do it is just asking for trouble. See: Fausto.
Nine days on the road in NL parks really fucked us up - losing Travis Hafner for 9 games (no, he doesn’t play defense. At all.) and then actually losing Fausto, and having to add shitty pitchers to our lineup…I’m really glad we’re home.
Asimovian I’ve never heard anyone say they were glad to be an Indians fan 
I have to admit I find the decision completely mystifying, and I’m not even an NL fan. How on earth do you pick Ethier over McCutcheon?
McCutcheon isn’t just better than Ethier, he’s a lot better. He isn’t just a lot better, he’s the best player on a team with a winning record, while Ethier is not even the best outfielder on a dreadful team.
I’m baffled.
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ]
Asimovian I’ve never heard anyone say they were glad to be an Indians fan 
[/QUOTE]
Oh, I suspect many people are and have been glad to be Indians fans. I think, though, that few have ever been relieved to be.
You know, I don’t think Ethier is some third-rate player, but I get what you’re saying about McCutchen. I was under the assumption that Ethier was an automatic bid off the final ballot because he finished second in the voting. I didn’t realize Bochy got to choose the replacement. Weird.
Yes, we all *love *watching shit like backup catchers playing second base in the 13th because the last infielder is in pitching. And pitchers getting hurt running the bases, or even just cooling off out there so they suck when they get back on the mound. If that’s more interesting to you than watching the game played at the best level it can be, then you’re welcome to it.
Thanks to MLB for scheduling interleague games, Ortiz is now off his stride. And why the fuck do the Sox have to play Philly more than Cleveland? Is that really for the good of the game?
My record is up to 4-4 in Dodger games I’ve attended as of tonight. For two pitchers who started the evening with ERAs over 4, it was quite the pitching duel. I almost feel bad that Latos had to take the loss in a 1-0 game.
Almost.
Reward for the hitting streak? Not saying it would be right, but it may be the reason?
See, you just need to go to more games! You go to games and we get them playing .500 ball again.
In other Andre Ethier news, rumors are now circulating that he wants to be traded to Boston next season. Pedroia is his best friend in baseball, and he is officially embarrassed by the Dodgers. I’ll be sad to see him go, but honestly, if the Sox give LA something quality back I would be in favor of the move. 2 top prospects who can come up soonish would be very welcome.