# MLB: June 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 1, 2018, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250 "2018-06-01T12:01:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/121 "2018-06-15T16:52:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The assigned division thing is interesting. You’re setting up a lot of 4-game series but oh well. It’s a little better than present where a guy like me in Michigan only sees the Yankees in Detroit for 3 games a year. This would increase it 33% and if you rotate the assigned divisions, they’d come to town 6 times a year every third year. As for interleague, other than the marquee Cubs/Sox, Yanks/Mets, Angels/Dodgers, and Giants/As, most don’t really care about it. 2 games a year should be enough. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/122 "2018-06-15T17:10:42Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m going to be in Washington DC on September 24, and the Nationals are at home against the Marlins. How difficult are tickets going to be? As of now, there is good availability. Is there any particular part of the ballpark I should sit in? Usually, I like to sit along the third base line. As of today, I don’t know how many of us there will be, it could be just me or as many as 3. > > I know there were articles about public transit not running late at night during some of the Nationals playoff games, is this still an issue? I haven’t picked a hotel yet and I’d prefer not to have a $50 (or more) cab ride because the train isn’t running. I’ve found that stubhub is good for Nationals tickets. Tickets shouldn’t be too hard to get against a team like the Marlins. Above 3rd base is a good place to sit at Nats games. The Metro trains stop running around 11:30, so if the game runs long you could have to take a cab or Uber. They won’t extend the train hours for a regular season game. It’s a nice ballpark, have fun! ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/123 "2018-06-15T17:35:48Z")
Commissioner Manfred open to the idea of banning the shift: [https://www.apnews.com/205ef69e349548c89df4265994bfdb87](https://www.apnews.com/205ef69e349548c89df4265994bfdb87) Although I bemoan the decline in offense created in part by the wider use of the defensive shift, I hope the rules can be tweaked in other ways to avoid changing the game so fundamentally. ---
**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:** [June 15, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/124 "2018-06-15T21:49:01Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Commissioner Manfred open to the idea of banning the shift: > > [MLB may consider limits on pitching changes, shifts | AP News](https://www.apnews.com/205ef69e349548c89df4265994bfdb87) > > Although I bemoan the decline in offense created in part by the wider use of the defensive shift, I hope the rules can be tweaked in other ways to avoid changing the game so fundamentally. The powers-that-be seem forever intent on “fixing” that which is not broken. If something needs to be banned, it’s the infernal replay reviews, which delay the game far longer than IBBs, pitching changes, or anything else imaginable. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/125 "2018-06-15T22:41:41Z")
In the game against the Yankees a couple nights ago, the Nats’ Juan Soto got 4 RBI, including a three-run and a solo HR. I’m loving the way this kid handles the bat. And he’s great on defense, too. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/126 "2018-06-15T22:43:24Z")
I agree, I HATE replay. It’s making all sports harder to watch. ‘Get it right’ has replaced the use of replay to overturn the most hideous incorrect calls. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/127 "2018-06-16T11:49:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You’re setting up a lot of 4-game series but oh well. 19 4 game series does seem like a lot\*, but you could use it to bring back double headers. Either Saturday (if the visiting team needs to get out early on Sunday) or Sunday (if they don’t). My personal scheduling suggestion would be to make sure that one game is played around 4:30-5p ET every weekday during the season. Call it the Happy Hour game and put it on the MLB channel. Give me something to watch at the pub after work! - I see all 16 series against the “other 2 divisions” as 4 game series, but in Division it would be 4 3-game series and 1 4-game series against each team. Alternatively, for in Division games, you could go 2 2s where it fits the schedule Mon-Tue or Tue-Wed. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/128 "2018-06-17T05:29:02Z")
At last night’s not-quite-MLB game against the Indianapolis Indians in Columbus, the Clippers’ Francisco Mejia tied things up with a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth - then during the ensuing pitching change [this tune](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sjGBXckGB4&t=0m46s) blared over the loudspeakers. Quite a retro moment. Is it coming back into fashion at other ballparks, or are the Clippers unique in deciding that nostalgia should overcome negative vibes? ---
**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:** [June 17, 2018, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/129 "2018-06-17T12:04:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > At last night’s not-quite-MLB game against the Indianapolis Indians in Columbus, the Clippers’ Francisco Mejia tied things up with a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth - then during the ensuing pitching change [this tune](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sjGBXckGB4&t=0m46s) blared over the loudspeakers. > > Quite a retro moment. > > Is it coming back into fashion at other ballparks, or are the Clippers unique in deciding that nostalgia should overcome negative vibes? Glitter will most likely die in prison, but I wonder if the Clippers know they are paying royalties to a convicted child molester. Even after the NFL dumped him in 2006, Glitter was still raking in hundreds of thousands from royalties in the U.S. He even made a big score when a trailer for _Silver Linings Playbook_ used _Rock n’ Roll Part 2._ ---
**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:** [June 18, 2018, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/130 "2018-06-18T01:25:41Z")
Astros have now won 11 straight, including all 10 of a 10-game road trip. They play 26 more games through the all-star break, all 26 of them against teams with a .500 or lower record. Their pitching has fallen off a bit from the ridiculous early-season results but their offense has improved. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/131 "2018-06-18T02:37:21Z")
I’ve been a Yankees fan for a really long time but I’m seriously considering switching my allegiance to the Mets just because [this video is so amazing.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn28Dz4RUxc) I laughed my ass off for about 2 hours. “OUR ASS IS IN THE JACKPOT!” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/132 "2018-06-18T23:27:07Z")
[Today’s Instant Trivia:](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23835840/juan-soto-hr-washington-nationals-continued-game-recorded-pre-debut) > [@](#): > > Add time travel to the list of Juan Soto’s accomplishments. On Monday, the Washington Nationals rookie crushed a pinch-hit homer against the New York Yankees in the continuation of a game that started May 15 – five days before his big league debut. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Soto’s blast will not be considered his first major league homer, but it will be counted as a home run hit on May 15. ---
**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:** [June 19, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/133 "2018-06-19T00:11:30Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [Today’s Instant Trivia:](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23835840/juan-soto-hr-washington-nationals-continued-game-recorded-pre-debut) The Nats should send Harper down to take Soto’s place in Double A. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/134 "2018-06-19T01:59:23Z")
You sure don’t want a guy who hits homers and gets on base on your team. Got to see the Father’s Day game between the Jays and Nats with my Small One. And what a game it was; close all the way and the Jays hit four home runs and won it late. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2018, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/135 "2018-06-19T03:27:09Z")
Cubs get postponed due to the rain as well as electrical problems at Wrigley. Now they’ve scheduled a split double header with the first game starting at 12 noon tomorrow? That’s got to suck for the people holding tickets for tonight’s game, I’m hoping they still have the policy that you can also exchange your ticket for another game as there can’t be many people that can just take a day off on a Tuesday to go see a ballgame unless you’re a retiree. ---
**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:** [June 19, 2018, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/136 "2018-06-19T10:50:16Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You sure don’t want a guy who hits homers and gets on base on your team… Except he hasn’t been doing that for weeks. See this cite: [http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2018/06/martinezs-key-for-harper-to-break-out-of-slump-less-work.html](http://www.masnsports.com/nationals-pastime/2018/06/martinezs-key-for-harper-to-break-out-of-slump-less-work.html) The Nats are loaded with outfielders, Bryce needs some time on the pine til he can figure out what’s wrong. It’s not that much fun watching a .217 hitter strike out with consistency. He refuses to bunt up the first-base line against the shift, which would be a guaranteed hit every time, or to choke up and try to punch singles here and there. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/137 "2018-06-20T00:49:00Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > He refuses to bunt up the first-base line against the shift, which would be a guaranteed hit every time Objection, Your Honor! Assumes facts not in evidence. Bryce doesn’t run out possible singles. He’s a SUPERSTAR and such things are beneath him. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/138 "2018-06-20T02:29:06Z")
So anyone have any minor league guys on your favorite team who you’d like to see purely because of the name? The Astros have a pitcher at AAA named Cy Sneed. I think maybe they’ll allow him to pitch from 50 feet with a run-up based purely on the name. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/139 "2018-06-20T14:08:13Z")
Mike Trout has racked up 6.5 WAR (6.3 fWar.) That’s just stupid. The guy is a modern day Mays or Mantle, and even though the stat geeks love him, it still feels a little under the radar. Probably because the Angels have been non-contenders for most of his career. Also, Gleyber Torres has 14 homers. Ohtani better hurry back or he’s going to steal his ROY award. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250/140 "2018-06-20T15:00:51Z")
Devers has 12. Don’t get too excited; we’re not even at the break yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-june-2018/815250.md?page=8)