Do you need a doctor’s note? I’m not a licensed medical professional, but they don’t have to know that.
Yeah, lets see how this plays out. Splitting on the road is always the goal.
Quite a game in San Diego last night. I only wish I would have been able to stay awake to watch till the end.
Dodgers scored a run in the top of the first. Padres exploded for six runs in the bottom of the second. Dodgers answered with four in the top of third.
After the top of third, there was a grand total of four baserunners the rest of the game, three by the Padres and just one by the Dodgers. Both starting pitchers threw five innings and both bullpens were lights-out the rest of the way. Dodger relievers pitched 3 perfect innings, and Padre relievers pitched 4 innings, allowing a single hit and no walks.
All four series play again today; the Mets and Padres both have the opportunity to move on to the LCS.
A couple of interesting “baseball rules” plays in the first few innings.
In the 1st, Mookie Betts hit a HR just over the right field wall, which Profar almost brought back. Whether Betts had flashbacks to Game 1 or just thought it was caught, he rounded first and then headed towards his team’s dugout. He got maybe halfway across the infield (near the mound), and then saw the base coach signaling HR and ran back to the baseline and then around the bases. Play here: Field View: Mookie Betts' home run | 10/08/2024 | MLB.com
Technically, it seems to me that he could have been called out for “abandoning the bases”. I’m glad he wasn’t, but that was definitely a situation I hadn’t seen before. “If a runner leaves his base path and heads for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, he may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases. “
Apparently it happened in college back in 2022: Abandonment Issues During a Home Run | Close Call Sports & Umpire Ejection Fantasy League
I’m happy with a no-call here, but it would have been funny.
Then, in the second Machado was on first and ran towards second on a sharp grounder to 1B Freeman. Freeman had to go to his knees and as he threw towards second Machado veered well into the grass and got in the throwing lane. The throw hit him in the back and went into the OF. That kicked off a very big inning for the Padres. Play (in the middle of some reactions) here: Reactions to Machado's play at second base | 10/08/2024 | MLB.com
Interference requires that the runner “intentionally interferes with a thrown ball”. It’s not clear to me whether what Machado did was intentional, but I could definitely see it called. The postgame crew seemed to think it was a missed call, but I’m not convinced.
It should be. It was clearly his intent to break up the throw - there’s no reason to take that route otherwise.
But I don’t believe Manny is required to run in any particular path between first and second. There is no “base path” unless a tag play is being made on a runner. (Note: this is distinct from the running lane towards first base).
So yeah, he took that path because he wanted to make the throw harder. But I think he’s allowed to do so, at least by my reading of the rules.
I guess it depends on what “interfere with” means. I think it’s more strictly for things like jumping into the way of a thrown ball or knocking the ball down with your hand or something. Just taking a path that is likely to put your body in the way isn’t interference. Especially since he couldn’t even see the throw.
Some discussion here: Runner Touched by Live Ball - UmpireBible
Reminiscent of Reggie Jackson’s hip interference play in the 1978 World Series:
Upon reading more, I think you’re correct. It could have been called, but it’s certainly not a slam dunk (to mix metaphors). But I think this is a place where the rules could be tightened up to make it an illegal play by the runner.
Which was an obviously intentional move by Reggie, and should have been called. As I recall, it was a big play in the game. It also helped to solidify my hatred of the Yankees, who had just completed their third consecutive LCS win over the Royals.
What a heads-up play by Thurman Munson to get back to the base but immediately head for third.
Tigers and Padres both one win away from their LCS. I would love to see a rematch of 1984.
When both Juan Soto and Bobby Witt Jr. are frustrated by the strike zone, maybe it’s time to bring in the robots.
What say you, @discobot ?
Umpires are really effecting the game already.
The replays are so worthless its a joke.
I’m surprised at how bad the replays are in these games. Shouldn’t there be a zoomed in shot on ball hitting the ground? Weird.
So frustrating.
And to make things worse, they spend an entire half inning yapping with George Brett instead of paying attention to the freaking game.
TBS is terrible. But in general, national coverage keeps getting worse.
On that note, the camera work on that run was terrible.
But, yes! Finally a lead.
Thank you - I was just going to gripe about that, but didn’t want to be the only one. There’s no excuse for having absolutely no idea where the runner is, where the fielder is, OR where the throw is going. Just abysmal coverage.
Here are words I’ve never said before: I miss Michael Kay. Costas is insufferable.
ETA: Yeah, what was that? C’mon, TBS.
Royals have gotten two huge breaks–the throw to first by Witt in the third inning should have been challenged and I think would have been overturned, and the foul ball certainly looked like it hit the line. Yanks have left 6 runners on base through six innings.
2-2, bottom of six.