# MLB: March/April 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 27, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604 "2019-03-27T13:17:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [April 15, 2019, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/181 "2019-04-15T05:02:54Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Ah, more of a Valenzuela/Sandoval thing going on with VG. An amoeboid blob off the old block, sadly. Yeah, he seems to be built more like a young Prince Fielder than Kirby Puckett. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/182 "2019-04-15T13:04:14Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I think you would have to compare that to what a starting pitcher would have done in a certain situation to see whether it was good odds or not. I mean, most half-innings are scoreless, right? Archer pitched 6 out of 7 scoreless in that game, so I’m not sure how putting Rodriguez’s stats up there make the point that the _change_ was proper. If you want to say that Rodriguez is normally a fine pitcher, I don’t disagree, but it does not support the argument that he was the better choice in the 8th than Archer on that day. > > Oh, and screw the 100 pitch limit. These guys are young athletes and paid handsomely to play a kid’s game. Players are babied. Doug Drabek would throw 145 pitches and still not lose anything off of his fastball. Of course, Doug Drabek’s arm started to go out on him when he was just 33 years old, so that may not be a stellar example. I’m really not sure if pitch limits help avoid injury; it is not my perception that pitchers are getting hurt any less. However, there is good reason to think pitch limits save runs. A pitcher who has already thrown 90-100 pitches just isn’t as effective as a fresh pitcher, not even close. It makes no sense to leave Chris Archer or anyone else in if they’re tired and you have fresh major league pitchers ready to go. > [@Guest-starring: id!](#): > > Was hoping for at least a bit more out of Grichuk, who’s hitting a sobering .192. Hopefully he’ll start to put his recent 5-year signing to good use. Not sure if I’m hearing right that Stroman, Sanchez, and Smoak might be moving pieces as well. I realise the Jays are trying to go young, but, well, I don’t have any answers. I’d trade Justin Smoak in a heartbeat. I mean, I like the guy and he can hit a ball a long way, but the value of a 32-year-old first baseman whose career high in WAR is about three and a half is, shall we say, limited. If you can get anything for that when you’re three years from contention, you should take it. Stroman and Sanchez are a bit different in that they’re young, and frankly it’s hard to guess where you are with those guys. They’re great when healthy, but haven’t always been healthy. Stroman is off to a good start this year, though he’s already 0-3 because the Blue Jays have only scored one run in the 23 innings he’s pitched. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2019, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/183 "2019-04-17T22:40:47Z")
Well, Joey Votto’s streak is over. 6827 straight plate appearances without a foul popout. First time in his career. ---
**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 18, 2019, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/184 "2019-04-18T12:29:31Z")
Gardner hits a grand slam to sweep the Bosox (well, 2 game series). Doesn’t get any better than that. Frazier looking good, but I’m sure they’ll send him back to Scranton when the regulars get off the IL, just like they always do. Pleasant surprises: 1- Clint Frazier making the best of his time 2- Luke Voit continues to shine, handling the pressure of playing in NY 3- Judge continues to mature, laying off pitches that used to get him every time 4- Urshela is one heck of a fielder. Leaves Andujar in the dust 5- Bird lasted two weeks before getting injured ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/185 "2019-04-18T12:31:31Z")
How bad are the Marlins? At one point during their opening losing streak, the Cubs had the second worst team ERA in baseball, but they just finished a three game sweep of the Marlins with back to back shutouts of a team that looks like it could lose 110 games. ---
**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 18, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/186 "2019-04-18T20:16:00Z")
I really thought the Red Sox were too good to succumb to another post WS championship slump. Guess I was wrong. They are awful and to hear the players talk they have no idea why. Mookie Betts, Chris Sale, they’re like, “I don’t know, I just need to play better.” David Price thinks if the team can’t turn it around they’ll trade Betts and JD Martinez. I guess he’d know, he’s seen teams blow up rosters. ---
**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 18, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/187 "2019-04-18T20:55:11Z")
If the Red Sox trade Betts and Martinez, I’ll eat my hat. Price likes to run his mouth and sometimes he makes sense. Sometimes. Come September, I fully expect Boston to be in the hunt for a playoff spot. ETA: They’re going to need some bullpen help, though. Otherwise, they have all the pieces required to put together some long winning streaks. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/188 "2019-04-18T21:23:38Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Well, I lost this bet. Dodgers only hit 6 home runs over the weekend but scored 29 runs over the three games. I’m still concerned that they’re allowing 4.8 runs per game. The defense needs to improve if we’re going to survive the inevitable slump in the offence. like what happened since I posted about their winning? there back on top by 1 game by winning their last 4 so like I said its gonna be a pull ya hair out yo-yo season …did the Padres so something stellar offseason or is this just the results of a rebuild coming to fruition? cause I clearly missed something they did ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/189 "2019-04-18T21:36:03Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > …did the Padres so something stellar offseason or is this just the results of a rebuild coming to fruition? cause I clearly missed something they did They’ve got Manny plus one of the best young talents in the game in Fernando \ Tatis, Jr. They are definitely a better team than they were last year. I wouldn’t assume it’ll be enough for the division, though. ---
**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 21, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/190 "2019-04-21T16:33:15Z")
Today’s NY Yankees line-up; DJ LeMahieu Luke Voit Brett Gardner Clint Frazier Mike Tauchman Gio Urshela Mike Ford Austin Romine Tyler Wade This is a split squad, spring training game, right? ---
**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 21, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/191 "2019-04-21T16:36:04Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Today’s NY Yankees line-up; > > DJ LeMahieu > Luke Voit > Brett Gardner > Clint Frazier > Mike Tauchman > Gio Urshela > Mike Ford > Austin Romine > Tyler Wade > > This is a split squad, spring training game, right? Sad thing is it barely qualifies as that even. It could be argued the Yanks only have one regular in and get to 2 with Paxton. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2019, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/192 "2019-04-21T20:19:25Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Today’s NY Yankees line-up; > > DJ LeMahieu > Luke Voit > Brett Gardner > Clint Frazier > Mike Tauchman > Gio Urshela > Mike Ford > Austin Romine > Tyler Wade > > This is a split squad, spring training game, right? The latest casualty: [Aaron Judge suffered an oblique injury yesterday](https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/04/20/aaron-judge-oblique-injury-yankees-royals), and was placed on the injured list. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2019, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/193 "2019-04-21T22:11:33Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > and was placed on the injured list. Why did the DL become the “injured list”? I’m having a hard time getting used to that. The other day I saw a headline about “…(some player) to IL” and my first assumption was that the player’s team had a minor league affiliate in Illinois. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/194 "2019-04-21T22:13:49Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Well, Joey Votto’s streak is over. 6827 straight plate appearances without a foul popout. First time in his career. That’s really an amazing streak if you think about. I mean…not even ONE? Until now? Crazy game indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/195 "2019-04-21T22:23:07Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Why did the DL become the “injured list”? I’m having a hard time getting used to that. The other day I saw a headline about “…(some player) to IL” and my first assumption was that the player’s team had a minor league affiliate in Illinois. Yeah, I thought at first it was the International League. I wondered why they were being so specific. Why not just “… to the minors”? I don’t know why the change but I wonder if the implications of the word “disability/disabled” plays a role. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/196 "2019-04-21T22:33:26Z")
you know except for the Dodgers no one leading their division atm was expected to be doing anything this year? especially in the al … i mean that could change and theres some slim leads but wow … ---
**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:** [April 21, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/197 "2019-04-21T23:18:29Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > I don’t know why the change but I wonder if the implications of the word “disability/disabled” plays a role. That is, in fact, exactly [why they changed it](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/02/07/mlb-disabled-list-injured-list/2806018002/), as of this season. > [@](#): > > Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem said Thursday the change is being made at the suggestion of advocacy groups. > > “In recent years, the commissioner has received several inquiries regarding the name of the ‘Disabled List,’” Pfeifer wrote in a memo. "The principal concern is that using the term ‘disabled’ for players who are injured supports the misconception that people with disabilities are injured and therefore are not able to participate or compete in sports. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/198 "2019-04-21T23:21:13Z")
wow … just wow … ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/199 "2019-04-21T23:25:35Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > That is, in fact, exactly [why they changed it](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2019/02/07/mlb-disabled-list-injured-list/2806018002/), as of this season. Cool! Thanks for the info. ---
**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 21, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604/200 "2019-04-21T23:46:31Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > That’s really an amazing streak if you think about. I mean…not even ONE? Until now? Crazy game indeed. It was actually the first time he ever popped out to the first baseman. He’s popped out foul before. He’s been on a crazy run: only seven pop-ups from 2010 to 2018. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2019/831604.md?page=11)