# MLB: May 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 3, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529 "2018-05-03T18:11:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/121 "2018-05-23T12:30:41Z")
If it were the end of the season, and somehow one team had played fewer games than the other, they would be required to make up the games until everyone had played a full 162. If there was some giant catastrophe that somehow forced the baseball season to end in May, I don’t think it would be relevant how they decided the tie-breakers. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/122 "2018-05-23T13:00:55Z")
Rankings are by percentage, GB is just an aid that helps clarify what each team has to do. It can happen, early in a season with lots of rainouts, to lead the division while still being games back of the 2nd place team. The 1972 Tigers won the AL East by playing, and winning, one more game than the Red Sox. The season started late due to a strike, and the missed games were not made up even though the result was an uneven schedule. Special circumstances, I know. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/123 "2018-05-23T15:36:55Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Braves release Bautista. Time to retire? > [Braves release third baseman Jose Bautista](https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-release-third-baseman-jose-bautista/c-277528920) And now [he’s a New York Met.](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23574766/new-york-mets-sign-jose-bautista) This guy is having the strangest nine lives. I thought if he had any chance to hang on it would be as the DH for an Al club. The third base experiment in Atlanta was just bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/124 "2018-05-23T16:55:08Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I am sure this idea has never once occurred to anyone in the major leagues. And yet, there he is, a multi-million dollar…paperweight. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/125 "2018-05-23T17:19:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Hill told reporters yesterday… that he is hopeful of a quicker return from this injury, though he is still looking for a more long-term answer to the blister problems that have plagued his career in recent years. Hill even raised the idea of **petitioning the league to allow him to wear the tape on his finger** during a game — MLB rules prohibit a pitcher from wearing an “attachment to his hand, finger or wrist,” though Hill argues that **it wouldn’t be any different than a hitter wearing a batting glove.** Somehow I don’t think MLB is going to buy that argument. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/126 "2018-05-24T03:15:58Z")
Lenny Dykstra arrested for possession of coke, ecstasy and weed after allegedly threatening an Uber driver with a gun (at 3 AM). Cite: [Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra arrested on allegations he threatened Uber driver](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23585880/former-mlb-player-lenny-dykstra-arrested-threatening-driver-possession-drugs) ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/127 "2018-05-24T03:37:18Z")
Not a nail gun, I imagine? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/128 "2018-05-24T03:56:11Z")
Wellington Castillo to get an 80 game suspension for PEDs. > **[Report: White Sox' Castillo to receive 80-game suspension for PEDs](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/report-white-sox-castillo-to-receive-80-game-suspension-for-peds/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=zCST%20Breaking%20News%20Ver%202%20%28Theme%20API%20Only%29&utm_term=Everyone%20%28Auto%29)** > > White Sox catcher Welington Castillo will be suspended 80 games for failing a PED test, according to a report. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/129 "2018-05-24T09:49:49Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Lenny Dykstra arrested for possession of coke, ecstasy and weed after allegedly threatening an Uber driver with a gun (at 3 AM). > > Cite: [Former MLB player Lenny Dykstra arrested on allegations he threatened Uber driver - ESPN](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23585880/former-mlb-player-lenny-dykstra-arrested-threatening-driver-possession-drugs) Hard to believe there actually was a gun, the way the story played out in the ESPN article, and the cops not finding a gun at the scene. If he did have one, he’s really lucky the cops couldn’t find it, given Dykstra’s a felon, and this all happened in NJ. A gun charge as a felon in Jersey would have made the time he’ll get (if any at all) for the drug possession seem like nothing. I wonder if he was still on paper for any of his prior convictions? EDIT: And since this is a baseball thread, Verlander gave up an earned run yesterday in the Astros’ 4-1 win over the Giants, raising his ERA to…1.08 per ESPN. LOL. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/130 "2018-05-24T12:39:58Z")
Since joining Houston, Verlander has allowed 55 hits in 108.2 innings, a rate of 4.6 hits per 9. In case anyone cares, if Verlander could do that over the course of a season he would shatter the single season record, which is 5.26, by Nolan Ryan. I remain convinced that pitching is a bit too dominant right now, in particular regarding strikeouts. There have still been more strikeouts than hits in 2018, an entirely new phenomenon in MLB history. The MLB K/9 rate is 8.6, which is an incredible number, about 50% higher than it was 30 years ago. 8.6 used to be a standard of excellence, something only really dominant pitchers had; now it’s just normal. The numbers of runs being scored is pretty much in line with historical averages; I think it sits around 4.5 per game per team, but batting averages are low and strikeouts super high; the only reason run scoring remains normal is that the number of home runs being hit is really high. Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 80s, but I do not find it super appealing to watch baseball that basically just consists of home runs and strikeouts. My team, the Blue Jays, have scored a pretty decent number of runs - 4.76/g, fourth I nthe AL - despite the fact that the team is visibly terrible at everything EXCEPT hitting home runs. I like home runs as much as the next guy, but I also like high average hitters and stolen bases and stuff like that. Ridiculous strikeout totals just aren’t good for baseball. I know I’m the only person talking about this, but it makes the game duller. Baseball with variable skillsets and strategies is interesting; monotonous baseball where everyone plays the same is boring. The 1982 World Series matchup between the Brewers, who hit a massive number of home runs, and the Cardinals, who hit maybe 15 home runs in a good month, was really cool. Now every team plays the same way. Furthermore, more strikeouts reduces the importance of defensive skill, which further reduces how interesting the game is. I’m not sure how they could fix this, but I think it’s a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/131 "2018-05-24T13:04:23Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I do not find it super appealing to watch baseball that basically just consists of home runs and strikeouts. My team, the Blue Jays, have scored a pretty decent number of runs - 4.76/g, fourth I nthe AL - despite the fact that the team is visibly terrible at everything EXCEPT hitting home runs. I like home runs as much as the next guy, but I also like high average hitters and stolen bases and stuff like that. > > Ridiculous strikeout totals just aren’t good for baseball. I know I’m the only person talking about this, but it makes the game duller. Baseball with variable skillsets and strategies is interesting; monotonous baseball where everyone plays the same is boring. The 1982 World Series matchup between the Brewers, who hit a massive number of home runs, and the Cardinals, who hit maybe 15 home runs in a good month, was really cool. Now every team plays the same way. Furthermore, more strikeouts reduces the importance of defensive skill, which further reduces how interesting the game is. > > I’m not sure how they could fix this, but I think it’s a problem. I agree. My team is the Orioles, and Earl Weaver long ago gave credit to three-run homers winning games. But they used to also be famous for their infield defense, which depends on ground balls being hit. Sure, I like to see Machado, Trumbo, Jones and Davis hit home runs (I wish Davis was hitting home runs), but the game is more interesting with doubles, triples, steals, etc. I don’t know that I would credit pitching with the current strikeout situation. It seems to me it’s the hitters swinging harder and upward, hence the current fascination with launch angle and exit velocity. I suppose everything goes in phases, and defense still matters, but I agree there is too much emphasis on homers. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/132 "2018-05-24T15:17:26Z")
Ohtani’s next start has been pushed back. And I was really looking forward to this matchup, after an unbelievably stressful work week, all I wanted to do was watch baseball. [http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20180524&content\_id=278112564&vkey=news\_ana&c\_id=ana](http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20180524&content_id=278112564&vkey=news_ana&c_id=ana) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/133 "2018-05-24T16:53:03Z")
WTF! The Angels/Blue Jays game is being live streamed on Facebook, but it is blacked on [MLB.TV](http://MLB.TV) which i pay for! Plus, Facebook, won’t even let me stream the game to Apple TV so I can actually watch it on the big screen. If MLB wants to experiment with livestreaming, that’s fine. But, they shouldn’t black out a game being played in Toronto for those of us watching in Chicago. Because of my screwed up work schedule, I’m stuck watching too many games on the iPhone, when I’m home, I want to watch games on a real TV. And, yes, I know this is a first world problem, but I pay about $200 or so for the MLB package because I love baseball and want to see teams other than the Cubs and the White Sox. I haven’t seen much of the Angels or Blue Jays this year. The only other day game today is Reds vs Pirates, two teams I’m pretty familiar with. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/134 "2018-05-24T21:04:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Since joining Houston, Verlander has allowed 55 hits in 108.2 innings, a rate of 4.6 hits per 9. > > In case anyone cares, if Verlander could do that over the course of a season he would shatter the single season record, which is 5.26, by Nolan Ryan. > > I remain convinced that pitching is a bit too dominant right now, in particular regarding strikeouts. There have still been more strikeouts than hits in 2018, an entirely new phenomenon in MLB history. The MLB K/9 rate is 8.6, which is an incredible number, about 50% higher than it was 30 years ago. 8.6 used to be a standard of excellence, something only really dominant pitchers had; now it’s just normal. The numbers of runs being scored is pretty much in line with historical averages; I think it sits around 4.5 per game per team, but batting averages are low and strikeouts super high; the only reason run scoring remains normal is that the number of home runs being hit is really high. > > Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the 80s, but I do not find it super appealing to watch baseball that basically just consists of home runs and strikeouts. My team, the Blue Jays, have scored a pretty decent number of runs - 4.76/g, fourth I nthe AL - despite the fact that the team is visibly terrible at everything EXCEPT hitting home runs. I like home runs as much as the next guy, but I also like high average hitters and stolen bases and stuff like that. > > Ridiculous strikeout totals just aren’t good for baseball. I know I’m the only person talking about this, but it makes the game duller. Baseball with variable skillsets and strategies is interesting; monotonous baseball where everyone plays the same is boring. The 1982 World Series matchup between the Brewers, who hit a massive number of home runs, and the Cardinals, who hit maybe 15 home runs in a good month, was really cool. Now every team plays the same way. Furthermore, more strikeouts reduces the importance of defensive skill, which further reduces how interesting the game is. > > I’m not sure how they could fix this, but I think it’s a problem. My all time favorite player is Wade Boggs. So, yeah, I’m right there with ya. I had this discussion recently with a college baseball coach. How much of this strikeout epidemic is based on the modern hitting approach and how much is based on better pitching? He noted, same as you, that overall run production has remained pretty flat. So if we tilt the rules to favor the hitter, it stands to reason that run production would increase beyond what we’ve ever seen. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/135 "2018-05-24T21:20:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > This is what gets me. He’s known he is prone to blisters for years Would it be mean if they played [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUq2Da7d5c) over the loudspeakers in the opposing team’s ballpark when Hill comes to bat? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/136 "2018-05-25T00:46:38Z")
[This works too.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6clD-dT2Uw)[Or this.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YdQBkxf4kU) ---
**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:** [May 25, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/137 "2018-05-25T15:18:00Z")
MLB Network is reporting that Hanley Ramirez is to be DFA. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/138 "2018-05-25T15:27:27Z")
Yup, just got an alert on my phone. [http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20180525&content\_id=278245918&vkey=news\_bos&c\_id=bos](http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20180525&content_id=278245918&vkey=news_bos&c_id=bos) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/139 "2018-05-25T15:58:37Z")
You sure they didn’t misspell “Swihart”? I mean, wow. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529/140 "2018-05-25T16:18:15Z")
He was getting too much playing time. If he reached 497 plate appearances, his $22 million vesting option for 2019 would have kicked in. He already had 195 PAs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-may-2018/813529.md?page=8)