# MLB: September 2010 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 1, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254 "2010-09-01T14:03:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/21 "2010-09-02T21:06:40Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > > [@RickJay](#): > > > > Well, the Jays aren’t making the playoffs again, but > > > > 1. They’re way, way better than expected, and > > > > 2. Jose Bautista. > > > > Bautista needs 5 homers to set a new club record, presently held by George Bell (47, in 1987). > > His HR total is far, far greater this year than any of his previous years. 16 was the max (albeit in only 117 games) before this year. What do you attribute that to? A lot of analysts have gone into this in detail, but it boils down to four things (none of which appear to be steroids): 1. He’s getting full playing time, which obviously helps, not only in giving him more at bats but it might well have helped him relax and concentrate on his game. 2. The Jays brain trust changed Bautista’s swing quite substantially late last season and he immediately began hitting home runs. **This started last September, not this year, precisely when he changed his swing; he hit 10 home runs last September.** There is an excellent explanation here: [http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/24/altered-swing-mechanics-key-to-jose-bautistas-home-run-binge/](http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/08/24/altered-swing-mechanics-key-to-jose-bautistas-home-run-binge/) Bautista’s new approach is causing him to hit FAR more fly balls than he used to; he now has one of the highest fly ball percentages in the major leagues, whereas prior to changing his swing he hit many more grounders. And since he’s starting earlier, he’s hitting the fastballs that result in home runs when you get around on them. 1. Bautista was rushed through the minor leagues and wasn’t especially well handled as a young player. He was shuffled around an amazing amount - in 2004 he was employed by FIVE major league organizations, which is an all time record, and actually appeared in the majors for four of them - so although he’s 29, it may simply be that we’re seeing the sort of dramatic increase in production we often see in players, but usually around 25-27. Bautista was a power prospect in the minors, famous for tremendous bat speed; maybe he’s finally been given a chance to develop into what he always could have been. 2. There’s probably a large element of flukiness. Maybe he’s just getting more meatballs than usual. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/22 "2010-09-02T21:36:23Z")
Interesting info, **RickJay** , thanks. ---
**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:** [September 2, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/23 "2010-09-02T22:26:54Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > > > What are you so angry about WRT the Reds? Boo the Reds? Why? > > Did you somehow miss this a few weeks ago prior to the series (and fisticuffs) in Cinci? > Or that Johnny Cueto (who is starting one of these games) gave Jason LaRue a concussion (that put him out for the year) by kicking him in the head with his cleats? > > Also, > > [QUOTE=NL Central Standings] > Cincinnati 78 55 .586 - > St. Louis 69 62 .527 8.0 More than enough reasons to be mad at, and boo, the Reds (save Scott Rolen, who I will love forever, in a platonic manly way). [/QUOTE] Ah, you’re a Cardinals fan. You could have just said so. Also, Cueto will not be starting any of that series…he pitched last night. Brandon Philip’s comments were stupid (but I suspect somewhat true), but Molina started that crap, and then just when it seemed to be settled down, Chris Carpenter had to run over and say a bunch of crap to Dusty Baker, causing him to promptly get served by Rolen, whom up until that point was acting as a peacemaker. Then all hell broke loose. Cueto was pinned up against the backstop wall. He shouldn’t have kicked out like he did. The whole thing shouldn’t have happened. I blame Phillips, Molina and Carpenter. Anyway, being swept by the Cards then was supposed to be the turning point for them, not the Reds. Also: Tony LaRussa is a little bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/24 "2010-09-03T00:03:16Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Ah, you’re a Cardinals fan. You could have just said so. I thought my first comment pretty much did, what with the “season ended after the Cards swept the Reds” comment. > [@](#): > > Also, Cueto will not be starting any of that series…he pitched last night. True enough. Not sure how I missed that, since I actually watched most of the Reds game at the bar - I blame the beer. > [@](#): > > Brandon Philip’s comments were stupid (but I suspect somewhat true), but Molina started that crap, and then just when it seemed to be settled down, Chris Carpenter had to run over and say a bunch of crap to Dusty Baker, causing him to promptly get served by Rolen, whom up until that point was acting as a peacemaker. Then all hell broke loose. I’m just gonna say “I’m gonna have to disagree with you on that”. If someone calls me a bitch and then tries to tap my shin-guard all friendly-like the next day (even if he does that to everyone else), he knows that he’s starting trouble. If he does it a second time after I’ve kicked his bat away, he’s looking to get punched. And if you injure a player in a brawl you should be out as long as the player is (especially something as dangerous as kicking in the face). That suspension was ridiculously light. > [@](#): > > Also: Tony LaRussa is a little bitch. Also, third in managerial wins all time. Just saying. Anyways, enjoy the run in and good luck in the post-season. But not this weekend. ---
**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:** [September 3, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/25 "2010-09-03T00:25:47Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > > > Ah, you’re a Cardinals fan. You could have just said so. > > I thought my first comment pretty much did, what with the “season ended after the Cards swept the Reds” comment.True enough. Not sure how I missed that, since I actually watched most of the Reds game at the bar - I blame the beer.I’m just gonna say “I’m gonna have to disagree with you on that”. If someone calls me a bitch and then tries to tap my shin-guard all friendly-like the next day (even if he does that to everyone else), he knows that he’s starting trouble. If he does it a second time after I’ve kicked his bat away, he’s looking to get punched. And if you injure a player in a brawl you should be out as long as the player is (especially something as dangerous as kicking in the face). That suspension was ridiculously light. > > > [@](#): > > > > Also: Tony LaRussa is a little bitch. > > Also, third in managerial wins all time. Just saying. > > Anyways, enjoy the run in and good luck in the post-season. But not this weekend. It was this: _Oh trust me, I care about the Reds. I’m just too damn angry and disappointed to talk about baseball right now. Chapman was pretty damn amazing last night (caught it in a sports bar where everyone was transfixed, even though it was mainly despondent Cards fans)._ from you that made it sound like you were talking from a Reds fan’s perspective. Sorry for the confusion on my part. And about the brawl: again, it should have never escalated beyond some word exchanges at the plate, tops. Even after the benches cleared and everyone was jawing, everything was calming down and appeared to be under control and Carpenter comes running in from nowhere and acting like a crazy man. That’s a fact. It was about to be over and Carpenter ran over and started shit again. Watch it again. It doesn’t excuse Cueto’s actions, but that’s what happened. ---
**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:** [September 4, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/26 "2010-09-04T15:29:28Z")
Man the Cardinals are in the Reds’ collective heads! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/27 "2010-09-05T02:28:51Z")
Apparently not today. The Cardinals had to sweep the series to have a realistic shot. ---
**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:** [September 5, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/28 "2010-09-05T05:14:40Z")
Padres have gone from free fall into kamikaze mode. 9 straight losses. The end of the season is going to be ugly. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/29 "2010-09-05T17:32:36Z")
Two losses to the Twins and Hamilton and Andrus are out for a few games. This doesn’t look good for about to be going into a series with the Yankees. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/30 "2010-09-06T02:52:35Z")
Fucking Dodgers. Fucking Padres. I hate this fucking game. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/31 "2010-09-06T03:41:07Z")
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! 10 straight losses. In 7 of those 10 games, they’ve scored 2 runs or fewer. Their hitting has been mediocre all year, but right now it’s truly dire, and their pitching hasn’t been able to make up for it over the past couple of weeks. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/32 "2010-09-06T12:18:38Z")
Things are getting dicey in the NL West! ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/33 "2010-09-06T13:51:15Z")
Cards get the series win, and pick up a game on just about everybody in the WC standings. Only to have the big story being their 3rd best hitter asking for a trade a few months ago because he and TLR can’t get along. What a season… ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/34 "2010-09-06T15:41:58Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Two losses to the Twins and Hamilton and Andrus are out for a few games. This doesn’t look good for about to be going into a series with the Yankees. Crazy way to lose the third game… ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/35 "2010-09-06T22:20:28Z")
Aroldis Chapman just came in vs. the Rockies. First pitch was at 99 mph, every other fastball was 100+, with one at 103 and four or five at 102. He threw one right past his catcher. We can go decades without anybody seriously challenging for a Triple Crown, but this year the NL has three legitimate contenders. Votto .321 32 HR 98 RBI C. Gonzales .340 31 HR 97 RBI Pujols .309 35 HR 97 RBI Pujols leads the league in HR, Gonzales in AVG, and Votto in RBI. That trade the Rockies made with the Angels for Matt Holliday is looking like a steal. They got Gonzales and closer Huston Street. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/36 "2010-09-06T22:45:02Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Cards get the series win, and pick up a game on just about everybody in the WC standings. Only to have the big story being their 3rd best hitter asking for a trade a few months ago because he and TLR can’t get along. What a season… The Cards have a long way to go and The Reds would have to really melt down for them to take the division. Aaron Harang has pitched his last for the Redlegs. He just can’t cut it anymore. We stake him a 4 run lead against Ubaldo Jiminez and he promptly gives it away in the 3rd inning. The guy just sucks anymore, and is making a shit-ton of money. Like 15 million this year. I’m a little worried about the Reds glaring weakness: the inability to play well versus the better teams in the NL. If/when we make the playoffs, well…we’ll have to play more of them! > [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > Aroldis Chapman just came in vs. the Rockies. First pitch was at 99 mph, every other fastball was 100+, with one at 103 and four or five at 102. He threw one right past his catcher. > > We can go decades without anybody seriously challenging for a Triple Crown, but this year the NL has three legitimate contenders. > > Votto .321 32 HR 98 RBI > C. Gonzales .340 31 HR 97 RBI > Pujols .309 35 HR 97 RBI > > Pujols leads the league in HR, Gonzales in AVG, and Votto in RBI. > > That trade the Rockies made with the Angels for Matt Holliday is looking like a steal. They got Gonzales and closer Huston Street. Chapman’s a keeper, but a little wild. When his slider is on, he’s unhittable. And, I hope Votto wins the Triple Crown. Its been a long time since anyone’s won it, I want a Red to get it, and Votto is the quietest, most unassuming guy you’ll ever want to meet. ---
**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:** [September 7, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/37 "2010-09-07T12:58:02Z")
What’s the word on Josh Hamilton? Is he day to day or heading for the DL? ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/38 "2010-09-07T13:24:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > What’s the word on Josh Hamilton? Is he day to day or heading for the DL? Players don’t generally go on the dl in September. With 40 man rosters their is usually no need. Given Texas comfortable lead and the fact that he said it felt like a car crash, I would suspect he won’t play again for a couple of weeks. ---
**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:** [September 7, 2010, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/39 "2010-09-07T14:24:10Z")
Good point. This will probably hurt his MVP bid. Someone else might sneak in now with a hot September. ---
**Author:** ![joew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/34f0e0/32.png) [@joew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joew)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254/40 "2010-09-07T14:39:27Z")
go reds, go cats. i cannot believe that the reds have been so good the one year i have been unable to pay attention. if i was one of those fans i would say something stupid like it has something to do with me [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-september-2010/552254.md?page=3)