# MLB: July 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 1, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345 "2019-07-01T14:30:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/101 "2019-07-16T00:34:49Z")
If a lefty batter steps out of the box, does that count as a steal attempt? He’s headed ‘towards’ first base… ---
**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:** [July 16, 2019, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/102 "2019-07-16T00:44:58Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > In other news, [the Atlantic league is experimenting with stealing first base.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/07/15/first-came-robot-umps-now-an-atlantic-league-batter-stole-first-base) On any count, if the ball gets away from the catcher, the runner can “chose” to steal first. I haven’t been able to figure out if the hitter can change his mind and run back. Does the batter’s box become a base? > This sounds like another dumb idea, like putting a guy on second in extra innings. Pitchers fearing balls in the dirt on all counts would probably lead to even more home runs. Is that an earthquake? Oh, no, it’s just dozens of dead baseball players rolling over in their graves. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/103 "2019-07-16T03:21:00Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > If a lefty batter steps out of the box, does that count as a steal attempt? He’s headed ‘towards’ first base… You make a compelling point in favour of the change. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/104 "2019-07-16T16:30:39Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > More strikeout/home run weirdness: Josh Hader has 82 strikeouts in 45 innings (16.4 SO9) and has only given up 17 hits. A 0.667 WHIP. Dominant stuff, so it’s a little surprising his ERA is 2.40. He’s given up 12 runs…all via the home run, of course. Hader’s numbers are so bizarre that had you shown me a line like that ten or twenty years ago I’d have assumed it was a mistake. ---
**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 17, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/105 "2019-07-17T00:27:22Z")
After putting catcher Willson Contreras on the IL with a foot strain, the Cubs acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for LHP Mike Montgomery. > **[Cubs land Maldonado, deal Montgomery to KC](https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/martin-maldonado-cubs-royals-trade)** > > CHICAGO -- Willson Contreras has solidified himself as the Cubs' everyday catcher, and he does everything he can to remain in the lineup. > But after an MRI on Monday revealed that he has a strain of the arch muscle on the inside of his right foot --... ---
**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 17, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/106 "2019-07-17T01:02:44Z")
Chris Taylor of the Dodgers is out until September with a fractured left arm after he got hit by a pitch Sunday. Luckily he was shifting to a bench role with the return of Pollack and Seager. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/107 "2019-07-17T01:20:47Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Chris Taylor of the Dodgers is out until September with a fractured left arm after he got hit by a pitch Sunday. Luckily he was shifting to a bench role with the return of Pollack and Seager. I like Taylor, ever since he was a rookie in Seattle (where he played with Seager’s brother). But that kid’s got glass arms, he broke his wrist in 2015 hit by a pitch. He should wear full medieval plate armor on his arms when batting. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/108 "2019-07-19T01:43:37Z")
One day after losing to the hapless Orioles, the Nationals are destroying the Braves tonight. Baseball can be a funny game. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/109 "2019-07-19T01:47:36Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > After putting catcher Willson Contreras on the IL with a foot strain, the Cubs acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for LHP Mike Montgomery. > > [Martin Maldonado Cubs Royals trade](https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/martin-maldonado-cubs-royals-trade) Montgomery screwed himself with his horrible performance after Cole Hamels had his injury. If you’re the designated long man and spot starter, you’ve got to be ready to go. The Cubs could have gotten some drunk from Murphy’s or the Cubby Bear to pitch better than Montgomery did that night ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/110 "2019-07-19T10:21:33Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Hader’s numbers are so bizarre that had you shown me a line like that ten or twenty years ago I’d have assumed it was a mistake. This is a product of pitching in 2019, with power pitchers either blowing fastballs right by batters or batters timing pitches right and teeing off. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/111 "2019-07-19T10:28:28Z")
It’s after the All-Star game, in the dog days of summer – time for some good old fashion baseball rage. The Dodgers were apparently none too pleased after the Phillies closer hot dogged it after finishing off the Dodgers to cap a comeback. > **[Dodgers fuming after Phils' Neris curses them out](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27217739/dodgers-fuming-phils-neris-curses-out)** > > The Dodgers are irate with Philadelphia Phillies reliever Hector Neris, who celebrated his save against them Thursday with a fist pump and then a stare-down into the Los Angeles dugout. > [@](#): > > “Neris got the save and looked right into our dugout and screamed as loud as he could, ‘F— you!’” Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy told reporters after the game. And then there was this beauty from Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who got tossed for telling a rookie home plate ump how to do his job: > **[Boone tossed after rant: My guys are savages](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27217865/boone-tossed-rant-my-guys-savages)** > > Yankees manager Aaron Boone went on a profane rant Thursday after rookie umpire Brennan Miller called Brett Gardner out on strikes in the second inning of a doubleheader opener against Tampa Bay. > [@](#): > > “My guys are f—ing savages in that f—ing box, right? And you’re having a piece of s— start to this game. I feel bad for you, but f—ing get better,” Boone said, going on to repeat his thoughts several times. He told Miller to “tighten it up right now, OK?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/112 "2019-07-19T14:27:47Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > One day after losing to the hapless Orioles, the Nationals are destroying the Braves tonight. Baseball can be a funny game. It’s especially funny when Stephen Strasburg has 5 RBIs, including a 420-foot, 3-run homer. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/113 "2019-07-19T14:52:55Z")
After going 9-1 the Giants are now 2.5 games out of the wild card slot but they are 6th in the wildcard standings , many teams have similar records. I don’t expect them to make the playoffs especially after they trade some players away at the deadline. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/114 "2019-07-19T15:39:45Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It’s after the All-Star game, in the dog days of summer – time for some good old fashion baseball rage. > > The Dodgers were apparently none too pleased after the Phillies closer hot dogged it after finishing off the Dodgers to cap a comeback. > > [Dodgers fuming after Phils' Neris curses them out - ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27217739/dodgers-fuming-phils-neris-curses-out) I like to see emotion in MLB players. I feel like the culture in that league is too deadpan. But that’s way too far, and especially low class for a guy facing a suspension after throwing at one of their players in a temper tantrum. There are personalities, and then there are grown-up “professionals” acting like spoiled children. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/115 "2019-07-19T16:17:48Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I like to see emotion in MLB players. I feel like the culture in that league is too deadpan. But that’s way too far, and especially low class for a guy facing a suspension after throwing at one of their players in a temper tantrum. There are personalities, and then there are grown-up “professionals” acting like spoiled children. This is the time of year when MLB starts to become more compelling. Some teams are on the verge of being knocked out of the playoff race for good. Others trying to make their move from mediocrity to contender. Players trying not to get sent down to the minors. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2019, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/116 "2019-07-20T04:49:26Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > It’s especially funny when Stephen Strasburg has 5 RBIs, including a 420-foot, 3-run homer. Strasburg had two hits in one innings, including the homer. How many PITCHERS active today have done that? Bet that is a short list. Strasburg is a career .147 hitter so he’s maybe not the likeliest candidate. Strasburg turns 31 today… He’s been a good pitcher his whole career, and yet it feels like he never really became the star he was supposed to, because he’s really only ever pitched one complete season. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/117 "2019-07-22T13:48:20Z")
[Mike Yastrzemski](https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2019/7/21/20702984/2019-mlb-scores-giant-beat-mets-walk-off-mike-yastrzemski-conner-menez-zach-green) scored the wining run in the Giants game? MIKE Yastrzemski? I saw his grandfather play in Fenway Park about a hundred times. I feel ancient. ---
**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 22, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/118 "2019-07-22T16:29:27Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Strasburg had two hits in one innings, including the homer. How many PITCHERS active today have done that? Bet that is a short list. Strasburg is a career .147 hitter so he’s maybe not the likeliest candidate. > > Strasburg turns 31 today… He’s been a good pitcher his whole career, and yet it feels like he never really became the star he was supposed to, because he’s really only ever pitched one complete season. Strasburg was the most hyped pitching prospect since Todd Van Poppel. By comparison he’s a Hall of Famer. In truth, Strasburg has been very, very good and very consistent when healthy. But he would have had to be Roger Clemens to live up to the hype. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/119 "2019-07-24T19:53:31Z")
As noted by[Angels beat writer Jeff Fletcher on Twitter](https://twitter.com/jefffletcherocr/status/1153879644191391744?s=21): Mike Trout has hit home runs in three consecutive games, three separate times this month. He’s hit 11 home runs in his last thirteen games. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/120 "2019-07-25T02:16:04Z")
For whatever reason I was looking at the active leaders in WAR on bbref. Albert Pujols is number one, by a pretty wide margin, but number two is now Mike Trout. Already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345.md?page=7)