# MLB: July 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 2, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430 "2023-07-02T01:00:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/101 "2023-07-24T00:28:38Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > Why not, just did a little (probably futile) math. I think the Mets, with everyone perfoming well, are a 95 win team. Technically, isn’t any team a 95-win team if everyone performs well? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/102 "2023-07-24T00:38:45Z")
> [@Mike\_Mabes](#): > > Scherzer continues to be a disaster for the Mets. About every 3rd game. Kind of like Carlos Carrasco. His line tonight against the Red Sox: 2 1/3 innings pitched, allowed 10 hits, 2 walks and 5 earned runs. Time to sell a few veterans for whatever prospects they’ll bring you while eating some salary, and reload after the season’s over. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/103 "2023-07-24T01:35:40Z")
Aside from the fake quotes, nothing in that article was wrong. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/104 "2023-07-24T12:07:14Z")
Saturday’s KC/NYY game had a classic example where the broadcasters didn’t really know the rules. There was a bunt ruled fair which was [the correct call.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQNEP6lqhHo). A ball coming to rest or touched between home and first or third is fair if any part of the ball is above any part of the baseline. So the ball can be just under a ball radius away from being on the line and still be over the line. A very close call in this case but correct. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/105 "2023-07-24T13:20:40Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > A ball coming to rest or touched between home and first or third is fair if any part of the ball is above any part of the baseline. Thanks for sharing this. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this call before. And, yes, the call was correct. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/106 "2023-07-24T16:33:18Z")
While I know anyone can say anything on the internet, I’m seeing a lot of Cardinals trade rumours about Wilson Contreras. What a disappointment he’s been for the Cards in a very disappointing year for the team ---
**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, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/107 "2023-07-24T19:48:55Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > What a disappointment he’s been for the Cards in a very disappointing year for the team I’m curious, to what extent, Contreras has been disappointing, other than the fact that he’s being paid a lot of money to be an OK player on a sub-.500 team. Looking at his stats, his BA, OBP, and SLG are all pretty comparable to what he posted in 2020-22 with the Cubs. His bWAR is tracking lower than it was in '21 and '22, particularly on defense (or so it appears), so maybe that’s part of it? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/108 "2023-07-24T19:56:51Z")
I think it’s to do with being hired on as their primary catcher and only play at the position 2/3 of the time. ---
**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 24, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/109 "2023-07-24T20:34:15Z")
I addressed this [upthread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/3). Allow me to quote from the article I linked to in my first post in this thread: > [@](#): > > “I found out something, I was talking to a lot of the Cardinal people. The reason that they took Contreras out from behind the plate, he was calling pitches that the pitcher on the mound didn’t have… He would be calling for a cutter, for a pitcher that didn’t throw a cutter. The pitchers were going crazy.” ---
**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, 2023, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/110 "2023-07-24T20:35:57Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Allow me to quote from the article I linked to in my first post in this thread: Thank you; I do remember you sharing that, now that you mention it again. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/111 "2023-07-24T20:48:25Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I’m curious, to what extent, Contreras has been disappointing, other than the fact that he’s being paid a lot of money to be an OK player on a sub-.500 team. @Superdude already addressed this, but I’ll add that, as of right now, the Cardinals have 3 catchers on their 30-man roster, which was almost unheard of during the Yadier Molina years, and may be a sign that they’re less than confident in Contreras behind the plate. This years’ Cardinals aren’t all that different from the team that was doing pretty well during at least the second half of 2022, but they’ve been performing a lot worse, especially pitching-wise, and I can’t help thinking that a major part of the explanation is that they replaced Molina, who was a great game-caller, with Contreras, who… apparently isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/112 "2023-07-24T22:10:58Z")
Another sign the Cardinals are jinxed this year. 41-year old Adam Wainwright, who started the year on the injured list, racked up a 7.66 ERA in 11 starts, and went back on the injured list on July 6, was activated yesterday and will be the starting pitcher tonight, despite not having pitched a rehab game, or even a batting practice during his recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/113 "2023-07-25T00:03:48Z")
The way [Viva El Birdos](https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2023/7/24/23805317/the-cardinals-will-fry-in-the-phoenix-sun-but-not-at-chase-field-against-the-arizona-diamondbacks) explained it makes sense to me: > [@](#): > > Now that the season is effectively considered over from a playoff perspective - though I’m sure Wainwright and the players wouldn’t say that - there truly is no real downside to Adam Wainwright pitching. If anything it’s a win/win. [If] Wainwright is good, there’s a good chance he gets 200 wins and we have a more positive memory of him when he retires. If he’s not good, well, there’s an argument to be made that once the playoffs are out, _more losses_ might be a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/114 "2023-07-25T00:20:11Z")
But management says Wainwright will be limited to 65 pitches. It’s going to be really hard for someone who hasn’t thrown to a live batter in three weeks to throw five 13-pitch innings to get a win. This is a bullpen game, no more, no less. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/115 "2023-07-25T01:00:40Z")
I don’t understand why teams just don’t go with an opener for a situation like that. Burn through the lineup once, then send Waino out there. It sets the team and Wainwright up for success (or at least, a greater chance of success). ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/116 "2023-07-25T12:07:14Z")
Elly De La Cruz is becoming one of my favorite players and definitely a reason to watch the Reds. > **[Elly De La Cruz unloads a 456-foot HR - ESPN Video](https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38065393)** > > Elly De La Cruz hits one over the stands out in right-center field for a mammoth home run. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2023, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/117 "2023-07-25T12:39:13Z")
It seems like there has been an abundance of monster, 450-feet plus home runs this season. Am I imagining it or is Manfred messing with the balls again? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/118 "2023-07-25T12:44:20Z")
Well, home runs overall are up a little bit. Maybe eight percent or so. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/119 "2023-07-25T15:56:51Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I don’t understand why teams just don’t go with an opener for a situation like that. Burn through the lineup once, then send Waino out there. That was originally the plan, but the Cardinals had to use their long reliever after a rain delay on Saturday. Wainwright said he was healthy enough to pitch, so the team essentially planned to use him as the opener. It almost worked. Wainwright got as far as two outs in the fifth inning and then seemed to run out of gas. (The team originally planned to hold him to 65 pitches, and he ended up throwing 75.) After a hit and a walk he got the third out, and left the game with the Cardinals leading. Unfortunately the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead, and Wainwright was denied the win. Maybe next time they’ll be able to open with their long reliever, then send Wainwright out for the middle innings. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430/120 "2023-07-25T18:46:37Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Elly De La Cruz is becoming one of my favorite players and definitely a reason to watch the Reds. > > [https://www.espn.com/video/clip/\_/id/38065393](https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/38065393) If you stop that video at the 3-second mark, you will notice on the big screen in center field with De La Cruz’s picture and stats, the operator also posted this tidbit: “ALMOST HIT A HOME RUN IN THE FIRST INNING…BUT DIDN’T” De La Cruz was robbed at the wall in his first at-bat, but made up for it in his second plate appearance. Not a good idea by the video guy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2023/986430.md?page=7)