# MLB: March/April 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 29, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387 "2018-03-29T01:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/141 "2018-04-11T12:16:39Z")
I’m starting to get a bit nervous about Stanton. First game was great. Since then, not so much. In fact, not at all. Is he trying too hard? I think he should cut down on the swing until the average improves, looks like every swing he’s going for way beyond the fences. I’m starting to think it’s time to peddle Sanchez. Romine is better defensively, though his arm isn’t as good. I’d rather have Romine as the primary and Hagasioka as backup, trade Sanchez for some outfield/DH help. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/142 "2018-04-11T12:41:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m starting to think it’s time to peddle Sanchez. Romine is better defensively, though his arm isn’t as good. I’d rather have Romine as the primary and Hagasioka as backup, trade Sanchez for some outfield/DH help. This is a joke, right? You want to trade a potential MVP, a guy who has hit 53 homers in his first 177 games, and replace him with Austin freaking Romine? The guy with a career slash of .223/.266/.314 that translates to a 56 OPS+? Romine isn’t even the superior defender, aside from blocking. I know Gary has had a miserable start, but it’s only early April. The Yankees got clobbered by the Red Sox last night, but there was one tiny silver lining for New York fans. After going 0 for 12 with 10 strikeouts against Sale, Aaron Judge was 3 for 3, with a long home run. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/143 "2018-04-11T13:00:47Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > This is a joke, right? You want to trade a potential MVP, a guy who has hit 53 homers in his first 177 games, and replace him with Austin freaking Romine? The guy with a career slash of .223/.266/.314 that translates to a 56 OPS+? Romine isn’t even the superior defender, aside from blocking. I know Gary has had a miserable start, but it’s only early April. > > The Yankees got clobbered by the Red Sox last night, but there was one tiny silver lining for New York fans. After going 0 for 12 with 10 strikeouts against Sale, Aaron Judge was 3 for 3, with a long home run. I hope I’m wrong and you’re right, but I’m starting to think Sanchez’s success when he first came up could have been a fluke. There have been other flashes in the pan. As to defense, I’ll gladly take the catcher with a mediocre arm who can at least keep the ball in front of him. I know Gary has worked a lot in the offseason on his blocking bad pitches, IF his hitting comes back I’ll tolerate his defensive shortcomings. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/144 "2018-04-11T14:03:16Z")
I’m starting to think the Mets are for real. This is usually when my balls get kicked into my sternum, but… They’re actually doing all the little things I’ve complained about them not doing for years, like taking extra bases and scoring from first base on a double, and hitting for contact / going the other way with 2 strikes at the plate. Despite the frontline starting pitchers not actually pitching nearly to expectations (deGrom and Syndergaard), Cespedes struggling (he’s almost tied with Stanton for Ks!), and the top prospect Amed Rosario at SS looking extremely raw at the plate, the Mets are 9-1, showing a resiliency and - I’ll use the overused sports term “grit” - I have not seen in a Mets team in a long time. Sure, the bullpen can’t be THIS good all year, but neither will deGrom and Syndergaard leave the game in the 5-6th inning all year, either. Even in 2015, they won 90 games by basically beating up on bad teams like the Phillies and Marlins and played .500 ball against everybody else. This Mets team, early on, shows every sign of being loose, hanging together, and having players picking each other up. I hope this continues! ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/145 "2018-04-11T16:18:32Z")
Sometimes I wonder if Rob Manfred was ever even a baseball fan. According to [this article, there was a list of ideas leaked 3 years ago that](https://www.sbnation.com/2018/4/11/17219496/mlb-pace-of-play-changes-pitch-clocks-rob-manfred)MLB may have been kicking around to improve the pace of play. Pitch timer Limitation on pickoffs Starting extra innings with a runner on base Mercy rule Raise strike zone to top of knee Require relievers to face a minimum number of batters Limit number of relievers on a roster Limit defensive shifts Allow managers to reset the batting order in the 9th inning With some of these rules having come to fruition, the article suggests the list may be legit. I really like this analogy. > [@](#): > > Manfred is pulling out Jenga pieces and stacking them because he wants to make the tower taller, and it might work. But there’s also a chance that he’ll find himself ankle deep in a pile of wooden blocks and desperate to go back to the simple tower that was there in the first place. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/146 "2018-04-11T17:49:59Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Sometimes I wonder if Rob Manfred was ever even a baseball fan. According to [this article, there was a list of ideas leaked 3 years ago that](https://www.sbnation.com/2018/4/11/17219496/mlb-pace-of-play-changes-pitch-clocks-rob-manfred)MLB may have been kicking around to improve the pace of play. > > Pitch timer > Limitation on pickoffs > Starting extra innings with a runner on base > Mercy rule > Raise strike zone to top of knee > Require relievers to face a minimum number of batters > Limit number of relievers on a roster > Limit defensive shifts > Allow managers to reset the batting order in the 9th inning > > With some of these rules having come to fruition, the article suggests the list may be legit. I really like this analogy. Never thought I’d miss Bud Selig. Jeez, these are terrible. When was the last time you went to a baseball game and said, “Boy, I spent too much time at the ballpark”? Seriously, there are a few minor tweaks that could make the games a wee bit shorter, but they refuse to address the long commercial breaks. I can get behind limiting mound visits or making the batter stay in the box. But once you use up your pickoffs you’re going to allow the runner to get a ridiculous lead. Mercy rule is ridiculous, we pay money to see nine innings and dammit you’re going to give us nine innings. Reset the batting order? Fuck that shit. You’ll get your leadoff man up when he gets up there. Putting runner on base in extra innings? Maybe for the special situation of the WBC, but not for a real game that matters. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/147 "2018-04-11T17:57:59Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Mercy rule is ridiculous, we pay money to see nine innings and dammit you’re going to give us nine innings. Not only that, but if your team is up (or down) by 8 runs in the 7th inning, and you’re willing to gamble that there won’t be a miraculous comeback, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from leaving the ballpark. It’s not like we’re hostages in the seats, forced to stick around until the final out. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/148 "2018-04-11T18:09:46Z")
Pitch timer and strike zone to top of knees are the only thing on that list that are tolerable. The top of the knees in fact has been used before. I’m not sure it speeds up games though. Strike outs speed up games, walks and needing to “groove” pitches do not. One change I’d not mind is to say after 12 innings a tie is a tie. It counts as 1/2 win 1/2 loss in winning percentage. I’m not really in favor of it, but I’d not mind it. If one team ended at 100-62 and another 99.5 62.5 so they lost the division by half a game not a problem. It’s not at all like a game not played. I say 12 innings as that assures every batter bats in extras, but different a different number could be used. 12 innings is what they use in Japan. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/149 "2018-04-11T18:58:21Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > S > Pitch timer > Limitation on pickoffs > Starting extra innings with a runner on base > Mercy rule > Raise strike zone to top of knee > Require relievers to face a minimum number of batters > Limit number of relievers on a roster > Limit defensive shifts > Allow managers to reset the batting order in the 9th inning How would shrinking the strike zone improve the pace of play? Obviously I think most of these are imbecilic, and several would make no noticeable difference; the weird obsession with avoiding extra innings baffles me. I am not absolutely, positively opposed to the idea of limiting pickoff moves. That was suggested by Bill James many years ago. I thought the idea had merit them and I think it does now. I’d have to know the proposed details, but don’t think it might not be cool. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/150 "2018-04-11T19:48:14Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Not only that, but if your team is up (or down) by 8 runs in the 7th inning, and you’re willing to gamble that there won’t be a miraculous comeback, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from leaving the ballpark. It’s not like we’re hostages in the seats, forced to stick around until the final out. Plus, no matter what the score, there’s always the chance you’ll see a great play. A great catch, a play at the plate, or even a grand slam or a triple play, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/151 "2018-04-11T20:09:06Z")
Anyone catching the Brewers/Cardinals game on Facebook? I’m watching it while working so I’m not paying a HUGE amount of attention to it, but it seems to run like a regular over-the-air broadcast to me, except no commercials and a scrolling comments section. Seems kinda fun. I’d never watch unless my team is in it, but it’s an intriguing prospect. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/152 "2018-04-11T21:53:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > How would shrinking the strike zone improve the pace of play? > > Obviously I think most of these are imbecilic, and several would make no noticeable difference; the weird obsession with avoiding extra innings baffles me. > > I am not absolutely, positively opposed to the idea of limiting pickoff moves. That was suggested by Bill James many years ago. I thought the idea had merit them and I think it does now. I’d have to know the proposed details, but don’t think it might not be cool. The only way I’d be in favor of tinkering with extra-inning games is with roster spots. It’s baseball, ffs. It ain’t broke so stop trying to fix it. Every single “solution” is bush league, weekend softball garbage. It’s part of the game. I’m not familiar with any of proposals for limiting pick-offs. How could it work without giving a huge advantage to the runner? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/153 "2018-04-11T22:05:45Z")
Lost 14-1, holy crap. Not sure the last time the Yanks got spanked that bad. Team looks lost. In the old days of the Boss (70s & 80s), Boone would already be gone. Not his fault, but terrible way to start your managing career when you have 0 experience. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/154 "2018-04-11T23:14:42Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Lost 14-1, holy crap. Not sure the last time the Yanks got spanked that bad. Team looks lost. In the old days of the Boss (70s & 80s), Boone would already be gone. > > Not his fault, but terrible way to start your managing career when you have 0 experience. I’m not worried at all. Even a Boston sweep wouldn’t worry me. We’ve got some Dominicans who hate cold weather who will heat up with spring, we’ve got Bird coming back, Gleyber in a few weeks and Hicks due in a few days. My only worry is starting pitching, which is always a concern. Yeah, and Joe didn’t deserve being showaltered. There is no good reason he shouldn’t be running this team. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/155 "2018-04-11T23:20:41Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’m not worried at all. Even a Boston sweep wouldn’t worry me. We’ve got some Dominicans who hate cold weather who will heat up with spring, we’ve got Bird coming back, Gleyber in a few weeks and Hicks due in a few days. My only worry is starting pitching, which is always a concern. > > Yeah, and Joe didn’t deserve being showaltered. There is no good reason he shouldn’t be running this team. There seems to be a feeling that Girardi did not get along well with some of the young Hispanic players. Particularly mentioned are Sanchez & Betances. But yeah, that seems to be just writer conjecture. I think after 10 years, they just wanted to go a different direction. I’m just not sure I agree. ---
**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:** [April 12, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/156 "2018-04-12T00:11:37Z")
Sanchez homers and Stanton triples in the first inning. Sanchez adds a double in the third. Have a little faith, guys. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/157 "2018-04-12T00:19:59Z")
Price has something wrong with his hand and has left the game. That’s a factor. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/158 "2018-04-12T02:52:03Z")
Interesting game tonight in Miami. Jarlin Garcia, making his first major league start, had a no-hitter against the Mets through six and had thrown only 77 pitches. Don Mattingly pulled him, the Marlins bullpen promptly coughed up the Marlins tiny lead, and the Mets won (10-1! They’re 10-1, you guys!). Not that I’m complaining, but unless Garcia was hurting I’m not sure why he was taken out of the game; he was absolutely cruising, didn’t seem to be fading, and it’s not like the Marlins have a lights out bullpen or had a huge lead. ---
**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:** [April 12, 2018, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/159 "2018-04-12T11:57:59Z")
Little rumble at Fenway last night. I didn’t think Austin was coming in like Ty Cobb and purposely trying to cut up anyone’s legs. Seems to me that the Red Sox overreacted to it but of course I’m not without bias. Finally Sanchez and Stanton show a little life in their bats. Maybe they just needed me to bitch about them. ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/160 "2018-04-12T14:02:04Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > Interesting game tonight in Miami. Jarlin Garcia, making his first major league start, had a no-hitter against the Mets through six and had thrown only 77 pitches. Don Mattingly pulled him, the Marlins bullpen promptly coughed up the Marlins tiny lead, and the Mets won (10-1! They’re 10-1, you guys!). **Not that I’m complaining, but unless Garcia was hurting I’m not sure why he was taken out of the game; he was absolutely cruising, didn’t seem to be fading, and it’s not like the Marlins have a lights out bullpen or had a huge lead**. It’s because he’s a young pitcher converted from relief who had already thrown more pitches - approaching 80 - than in any career outing. He was never going to be allowed to go 9 innings, so he pinch hit for him. Not actually terrible [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387.md?page=9)