# 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:** 9
**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 12, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/161 "2018-04-12T17:41:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > 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. The slide was “legal” as it was over the base, but it was late and he definitely stuck the leg out there. [Here’s video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_Y8VuiQNM). I can see why Brock Holt didn’t like it and would say something, and if Austin would not have tried to argue about it, maybe they would have left it alone. Maybe not. At least Kelly hit him in the back and didn’t throw at his head. ETA: Vasquez (the catcher) needed to get the hell out in front of Austin a lot faster. It was clear he was pissed and going to charge. ---
**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, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/162 "2018-04-12T17:52:32Z")
Throwing at a batter costs, what, five games? Kelly shouldn’t even bother to appeal. Throwing a punch is three, right? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/163 "2018-04-12T18:27:15Z")
Austin aimed right for the ankle. That’s a dirty play. There is no double play possibility and that doesn’t help him be safe. The play had no purpose other than to injure his opponent. It wasn’t really worth a brawl, but it would not have come to that had the umpire done the right thing, which was to immediately eject Austin. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/164 "2018-04-12T19:35:08Z")
His bat slam was a bit childish. Did he seriously not know he’d be a target? If he didn’t, he’s as dumb as he looks. Hopefully this is the end of it and it doesn’t drag on like the Machado BS last year. Let them figure out something else to fight over. ---
**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, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/165 "2018-04-12T23:23:22Z")
Boston has a long history of punk pitchers starting shit. Austin’s slide was awkward, that’s about it. Why would he want to intentionally spike Holt? This brawl was entirely avoidable, just like when that doofus Dempster kept trying to plunk A-Rod. Like it was his issue. Yeah, that turned out well. The City of Losers needs another 86 years in the wilderness to understand their place in the baseball world. 😃 ---
**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 13, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/166 "2018-04-13T01:00:13Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Boston has a long history of punk pitchers starting shit. Austin’s slide was awkward, that’s about it. Why would he want to intentionally spike Holt? This brawl was entirely avoidable, just like when that doofus Dempster kept trying to plunk A-Rod. Like it was his issue. Yeah, that turned out well. The City of Losers needs another 86 years in the wilderness to understand their place in the baseball world. 😃 Oooh, harsh. The same icky widdle baby A Rod that pulled this chicken shit move? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyY-azd2vk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyY-azd2vk) ---
**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 13, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/167 "2018-04-13T01:45:43Z")
Yankees fans and Red Sox fans arguing about which team has the biggest babies. It’s the sporting equivalent of Donald Trump versus Kim Jong Un. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/168 "2018-04-13T02:46:33Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The slide was “legal” as it was over the base, but it was late and he definitely stuck the leg out there. [Here’s video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml_Y8VuiQNM). I would argue that the slide was not legal. The current requirements are: 1 He begins his slide (i.e., makes contact with the ground) before reaching the base; 2 He is able and attempts to reach the base with his hand or foot; 3 **He is able and attempts to remain on the base (except home plate) after completion of the slide; and** 4 He slides within reach of the base without changing his pathway for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder. He certainly did not do 3. Per the rule, the batter should have been called out (regardless of whether the play could have been made. If the umps had done this, I suspect there would have been no later incident. ---
**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 13, 2018, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/169 "2018-04-13T10:55:54Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Oooh, harsh. The same icky widdle baby A Rod that pulled this chicken shit move? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyY-azd2vk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQyY-azd2vk) That wasn’t the only bush move by Rodriguez. On another occasion he yelled “I got it” while running to third as an infielder was tracking a pop up. Oh, but I forgot to mention that Dempster, after drilling A-Rod, should have whipped one into the dugout at Ortiz. 😛 ---
**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:** [April 13, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/170 "2018-04-13T16:08:26Z")
To say that the Giants have had ‘pitching woes’ so far this season would be a bit of an understatement. [ul][li]2 of their top 3 starters (Bumgarner, Samardzija) have been on the DL all season.[/li][li]The third (Cueto) missed his last start and is currently on the 10-day DL.[/li][li]Their supposed closer (Melancon) hasn’t pitched all season, and may or may not ever actually come back.[/ul][/li] Luckily, the schedule so far has had enough off-days that they’ve been able to get by with a 4-man staff…of course, that staff currently consists of 3 AAA pitchers, and Derek Holland. They had two starters making their MLB debut in consecutive games this week. So all things considered, a 6-6 record isn’t all that bad. And being a game and a half up on the Dodgers is icing on the early-season cake. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/171 "2018-04-13T16:10:23Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > That wasn’t the only bush move by Rodriguez. On another occasion he yelled “I got it” while running to third as an infielder was tracking a pop up. I recall Ty Cobb bragging about yelling “Tag him!” while running the bases, to successfully confuse an infielder. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/172 "2018-04-13T18:41:53Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Boston has a long history of punk pitchers starting shit. Austin’s slide was awkward, that’s about it. Nothing about the slide looks awkward to me. He appears to be sliding in precisely the manner he planned. > [@](#): > > Why would he want to intentionally spike Holt? Who cares? He spiked him, and there was no reason to, nor did it appear to be an accident. He wasn’t pushed or obstructed. He’s responsible for his actions. > [@](#): > > This brawl was entirely avoidable… It certainly was. The ump should have promptly thrown Austin out of the game for attempting to injure an opposing player. That would have put a stop to it. ---
**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 14, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/173 "2018-04-14T01:29:21Z")
Puhleeze. If Holt moves his ass like a proper major league infielder, nothing happens. Instead, he just stands there while the guy slides into him. Every other MLB infielder steps out of the way after making the throw. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/174 "2018-04-14T03:13:45Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Puhleeze. If Holt moves his ass like a proper major league infielder, nothing happens. Instead, he just stands there while the guy slides into him. Every other MLB infielder steps out of the way after making the throw. I’m neither a Yankee nor a Red Sox fan. I am a baseball fan. (Indians if that’s relevant.) Did you even see the play? Holt didn’t make a throw. He had no time to. He got the ball on the base and was just lifting his foot off the base as you say every other MLB player would do. His foot was off the base and in the air when Austin slid it. Austin left foot never touched the base with his leading left foot; it can clearly be seen to be wide on the third base side from the center field view. As he slides he then raises that foot catching Holt in the ankle apparently spiking him as his curled under right leg touches the base. (I don’t know that he was spiked but that is what was said.) There was no reason not to slide with the left foot touching the base. That would have been the fastest way to reach the base. Ausitn then overslid the base and made no attempt to remain on the base. Whether or not the contact was intentional or not, by the rule I quoted earlier, the batter should have been called out. (If the umpire believed it was intentional, there should have been an ejection as well.) If the umpire had called the double play, I’ll bet there would have been no further incident. At least the chances would have been greatly reduced. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2018, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/175 "2018-04-14T03:29:48Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > I’m neither a Yankee nor a Red Sox fan. I am a baseball fan. (Indians if that’s relevant.) > > Did you even see the play? Holt didn’t make a throw. He had no time to. He got the ball on the base and was just lifting his foot off the base as you say every other MLB player would do. His foot was off the base and in the air when Austin slid it. Austin left foot never touched the base with his leading left foot; it can clearly be seen to be wide on the third base side from the center field view. As he slides he then raises that foot catching Holt in the ankle apparently spiking him as his curled under right leg touches the base. (I don’t know that he was spiked but that is what was said.) There was no reason not to slide with the left foot touching the base. That would have been the fastest way to reach the base. > > Ausitn then overslid the base and made no attempt to remain on the base. Whether or not the contact was intentional or not, by the rule I quoted earlier, the batter should have been called out. (If the umpire believed it was intentional, there should have been an ejection as well.) > > If the umpire had called the double play, I’ll bet there would have been no further incident. At least the chances would have been greatly reduced. Cubs fan here. You described the situation perfectly. Austin went for him. Out at second (and tossed), out at first. Would have been the correct call and it would’ve ended there. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/176 "2018-04-14T18:56:11Z")
Not a good Orioles debut for Alex Cobb. Ten hits, 8 earned runs in 3.2 innings. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/177 "2018-04-14T22:01:48Z")
Cubs staging a comeback, were down 10-2, have a 9 run inning on 3 hits in the bottom of the 8th. Baseball is a funny game. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/178 "2018-04-15T01:22:54Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Cubs staging a comeback, were down 10-2, have a 9 run inning on 3 hits in the bottom of the 8th. Baseball is a funny game. And all 9 runs with two outs. I was only following the score online, so I didn’t watch the game, but, man, that Braves bullpen performance. Five walks? Two HBP? A wild pitch? Yipes. Sounds like something the Cubs of yesteryear would do. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/179 "2018-04-15T01:37:28Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > And all 9 runs with two outs. I was only following the score online, so I didn’t watch the game, but, man, that Braves bullpen performance. Five walks? Two HBP? A wild pitch? Yipes. Sounds like something the Cubs of yesteryear would do. Admittedly, the weather was absolute shit, with incredibly strong winds and whipping cold rain, but that was a breakdown of epic proportions. ---
**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 15, 2018, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/180 "2018-04-15T19:21:40Z")
Went to my first game of the season last night, and saw the Padres beat the Giants 5-4. I had friends visiting from Australia, and it was the first baseball game for them and their two boys. It was a pretty exciting game for someone who hasn’t watched before. There were two lead changes, three home runs, a triple, a couple of bases-loaded situations, and a crucial out made on a runner coming home to the plate. They had a great time. Six people at the baseball is a pretty damn expensive night out, though. Tickets were $60 each, plus the cost of hot dogs and beers and assorted snacks, and $25 for parking. The whole thing was over 450 bucks by the end of the night. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387.md?page=10)