# MLB: July 2016

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [July 1, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862 "2016-07-01T12:59:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 5

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 11, 2016, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/81 "2016-07-11T05:09:38Z")

</div>

> [@Superdude](#):
>
> Buster Posey is so talented, he threw the ball into Jake Peavey’s [glove](https://www.facebook.com/baseballisfun/videos/982799771840618/) without Peavey actually seeing it.

To be fair, Jake Peavy has trouble seeing much of anything at all.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/82 "2016-07-11T12:02:47Z")

</div>

What a brutal series of 24 straight games for the Cubs. The All Star break couldn’t come soon enough. Hopefully, they’ll get Fowler back soon enough , although he suffered a setback in a rehab assignment. Soler should be able to start a rehab assignment soon as well which will allow Almora to be sent back to the minors. I think Contreras stays up, he’s shown he’s the real deal.

Jason Hammel needs to be kept an eye on, he left his last start with a cramp in his hand, and this is the second time he’s left with a cramp, although the previous cramp was in his hamstring. A conditioning issue or just a fluke?

The first week of the schedule after the ASG is brutal, with the Rangers and Mets, but then the next couple of weeks should be much easier. No need to panic, but that cushion the Cubs built up in early in the year is a real nice thing to have right now.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 11, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/83 "2016-07-11T12:18:20Z")

</div>

Not just is the All-Star Break very welcome right now, it’s extremely fortuitous because the Cubs don’t play until Friday, so they get an extra day of rest.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/84 "2016-07-11T12:28:07Z")

</div>

No teams play until Friday, MLB changed that a couple of years ago, eliminating the few games played on the Thursday after the ASG.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 11, 2016, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/85 "2016-07-11T12:38:59Z")

</div>

The Indians have a 6.5 game lead in their division, and the Dodgers are leading the wild card race, with the potential for a much more solid rotation to start the second half. I’m going to say I’m fairly content with how things are at the break.

And I might actually get to _watch_ the All-Star Game, for once.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 11, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/86 "2016-07-11T13:37:25Z")

</div>

> [@dalej42](#):
>
> No teams play until Friday, MLB changed that a couple of years ago, eliminating the few games played on the Thursday after the ASG.

I dunno why I didn’t know that. I was listening to Len Kasper while streaming the game yesterday, and he mentioned Friday like it was unusual.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/87 "2016-07-11T15:42:33Z")

</div>

Weird story in the Tigers organization. Anthony Gose was demoted to AAA and has now got into a dispute with his manager there, banished from the dugout, and cleaned out his locker. He no-showed a game Sunday. I had this guy as a fantasy sleeper last year which blew up in my face.

> **[Tigers' Anthony Gose didn't show up for Sunday's Triple-A game - MLB | NBC...](https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/07/10/tigers-anthony-gose-didnt-show-up-for-sundays-triple-a-game/)**
>
> Anthony Gose got into a heated argument with Triple-A manager Lloyd McClendon and reportedly cleared out his locker and didn't show up for Sunday's game.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/88 "2016-07-11T16:53:39Z")

</div>

Anybody watching the HR derby tonight? Me either. I do plan to watch the ASG, though.

I gotta give Dave Dombrowski credit for getting a decent solution in the bullpen before it was even announced that Craig Kimbrell will have knee surgery. Apparently he’ll only miss 3-6 weeks, so it could have been a lot worse. And the guy Boston got, Brad Ziegler, is one of those “how does he do it” pitchers where his stuff is just Ok, his K/9 and WHIP are nothing spectacular, but damned if he doesn’t get the job done.

Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, though. Porcello, Price and Wright have been fine lately, but the back end of the rotation is patch work at best. I’d say they’re lucky to be only 2 games behind Baltimore.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/89 "2016-07-11T19:25:14Z")

</div>

Won’t be watching the HR Derby, not even to whine about Chris Berman. It’s ridiculous that I got a bracket challenge email for the HR derby.

I am going to watch the ASG, it’s been a few years since I’ve been able to see a whole game, I’ve either been working or had plans the past few ASGs

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [July 12, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/90 "2016-07-12T00:11:16Z")

</div>

> [@Asimovian](#):
>
> And I might actually get to _watch_ the All-Star Game, for once.

I won’t. I don’t think I’ve ever watched the whole game, and I haven’t bothered with even a part of it in a long time. No purpose. With MLBTV, interleague play and ESPN/SportsCenter/Dodgers.net I can see any player/team I want any time I want. The ASG is an even more meaningless joke than it ever was. The days off are nice, though.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/91 "2016-07-12T03:17:12Z")

</div>

> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#):
>
> Still waiting for the other shoe to drop, though. Porcello, Price and Wright have been fine lately, but the back end of the rotation is patch work at best. I’d say they’re lucky to be only 2 games behind Baltimore.

If there’s a lucky team in the division, it’s not Boston. It’s Baltimore.

Fearless prediction; the Orioles will finish third.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/92 "2016-07-12T16:38:56Z")

</div>

You’re probably right with the Jays coming on strong now. I guess I should say the Sox are lucky that \*someone \*hasn’t run away from them at the top of the East. If they trade for Julio Teheran today, does he switch dugouts tonight? Has an All Star ever been traded during the break but the before the ASG?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/93 "2016-07-12T20:30:05Z")

</div>

Anyone else think the All-Star game is getting way over the top?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/94 "2016-07-12T22:34:42Z")

</div>

Just a reminder: Ichiro is 10 hits away from 3000. Need a little love for our Mariner icon. Gambatte, Ichiro-san !

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/95 "2016-07-13T01:33:03Z")

</div>

Ugh, looks like politics got involved in the Canadian National Anthem with the performers altering the lyrics at the ASG

> **['Lone wolf' Tenors singer changes O Canada lyrics to include 'all lives...](https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/canadian-national-anthem-all-lives-matter-change-1.3676477)**
>
> The Tenors say member Remigio Pereira will no longer perform with the Canadian vocal quartet until further notice, blaming him for altering the O Canada lyrics at the MLB all-star game on Tuesday by including the phrase "all lives matter."

Can’t we have 3 hours without hot button political issues?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/96 "2016-07-13T02:41:13Z")

</div>

How is the AL the “home” team if the game is in San Diego? Did they change a rule recently?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/97 "2016-07-13T02:47:27Z")

</div>

> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> How is the AL the “home” team if the game is in San Diego? Did they change a rule recently?

This is the fourth straight National League park to host the ASG. So they threw the AL a bone. The next two are in National League parks, too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/98 "2016-07-13T02:50:17Z")

</div>

> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> How is the AL the “home” team if the game is in San Diego? Did they change a rule recently?

Yes. Because there are four consecutive ASGs in NL parks, the home slot is alternating. The AL will bat last in Washington in 2018, as well.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/99 "2016-07-13T02:50:25Z")

</div>

> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#):
>
> How is the AL the “home” team if the game is in San Diego? Did they change a rule recently?

Because the NL was home team last year when they played in Cincinnati. They decided they’d alternate home team, but not necessarily parks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862/100 "2016-07-13T03:05:40Z")

</div>

Somehow it just looks wrong to have the AL at home in San Diego. If they’re going to allow that, they may as well just let the side of the defending MLB champ be the home team the following ASG. Or even the winner of the prior ASG, as defending champ.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862.md?page=4)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2016/758862.md?page=6)
