2015 MLB Thread

[icehog3]

At least they're better than the Tigers, Nate, talk about a fall from grace. I'm pulling for the Cubs. Short of that, anybody in the National League besides the Cardinals.

[jonumberone]

Does anybody have any opinions about the Chase Utley slide into Ruben Tejada?

For me, I definitely think the slide was late but I don't think it was dirty.
To me a dirty play is one where there is intent to injure. I don't think that was the case here.
I think the injury was caused by Tejada turning his back on the play.
It's the postseason, Utley knows his job is to break up the DP at all costs, so that run scores.
If this was a game in May, I still wouldn't call it dirty, but I would call it over the top.
This is October baseball. If you don't break up this DP you might not be playing long enough to try and break up another one.

What are your thoughts?

[CRIMPS]

Heading to Game 3 of the Rangers/BlueJays game, today. :noon

I still can't believe the Rangers are up 2-0.

[kelmac07]

Does anybody have any opinions about the Chase Utley slide into Ruben Tejada?

For me, I definitely think the slide was late but I don't think it was dirty.
To me a dirty play is one where there is intent to injure. I don't think that was the case here.
I think the injury was caused by Tejada turning his back on the play.
It's the postseason, Utley knows his job is to break up the DP at all costs, so that run scores.
If this was a game in May, I still wouldn't call it dirty, but I would call it over the top.
This is October baseball. If you don't break up this DP you might not be playing long enough to try and break up another one.

What are your thoughts?

Definitely a late slide...while not a fan of losing Tejada, it was a hard nosed playoff baseball play. It was also the turning point/key point in this game. If Utley is out, next guy pops out...game is still tied...but Utley being safe turns it around and Reed chokes. At least we split in LA...now Harvey needs to do his job in game 3.

[jonumberone]

Utley suspended 2 games by MLB.
He will appeal and likely have his case heard later today.
To me, this is a bad job by MLB.
I personally don't recall anybody getting suspended for late slide.
I think it's hard to set the precedent in the playoffs.
If you want to change the rule, the same way they changed the rule about running over the catcher, change it in the spring.
I'm curious, if Tejada doesn't get injured, would they still have suspended him?
Why wasn't Chris Coghlan suspended when he broke Kang's leg with a slide that was basically sideways?
Thoughts?

[The Poet]

Utley's was definitely a hard take-out slide to break up the DP, and he was way off the bag. Is that dirty, or is that baseball? I say "Yes." :D

I don't like it when anyone gets hurt, for whatever reason. Some think Utley should face no suspension at all. Some think he should be banned from the playoffs completely. Old Testament justice would have us break HIS leg. What do I think? Does it matter what I think? :r

[kelmac07]

Not sure I agree with this suspension. In doing so, MLB has admitted that this was an illegal slide...meaning the runner is out and the run doesn't score. Thinking about this continues to piss me off. I just hope we go out tonight and take care of business at home.

[jonumberone]

Reports are the Utley appeal won't be heard today and he will be eligible to play tonight and any other games that happen before the appeal is heard.
Reports are that the MLBPA asked for time to prepare for the hearing.
The hearing must take place within 14 days.

[yourchoice]

Not surprisingly, I'm a big fan of Utley's. So take this with a grain of salt, but I agree it was a hard baseball play that has been performed multiple times before and not worthy of a suspension.

This might seem to some as "blaming the victim", but Tejada needed to do a better job protecting himself. Doing a pirouette while a player you darn well know is going to try to take you out is just a really bad idea.

For what it's worth, I also always felt Posey did a poor job putting himself in a position to protect himself too. If the rule change was made more for the protection of both the runner and the catcher (considering head injuries that we're still learning about), fine...but like Tejada, Posey's injury was a "lower body injury" and avoidable if he protected himself better.

If Utley plays tonight, or even if he doesn't, the atmosphere should be electric. Harvey and Utley have a history to boot. Earlier this year, Harvey pegged Utley in response to two Mets having been hit by a Phillies pitcher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcwMTg7esZc. Not much came of that, but regardless, adds a bit to the story.

[shilala]

I think the whole argument here is about the force Utley threw into the slide. He hit Tejada HARD.
I watched it about 10 times.
Mind ya, I have nothing in any of it.

MLB needs to say "Oops, sorry. Wrong memo. Carry on."
It's a stupid suspension.
I'm excited to see how many times Utley gets hit tonight, and how hard.
About 93mph on the chin should be even. :tu

[The Poet]

With two out and nobody on, Utley WILL get plunked. Otherwise, it's too important a game just to put a guy on base.

[icehog3]

Does anyone feel a slight chill in Hell? :r

[dman4505]

It is cooling off a bit

Don

[The Poet]

Cubbies are due. More power to them.

Sorry, Mac. :D

[icehog3]

Bandwagon Cubs fan here, though in my defense I root for them in the National League every year.

[kelmac07]

Cubbies are due. More power to them.

Sorry, Mac. :D

No worries Thomas. Let's Go Mets!!

[Dave128]

No worries Thomas. Let's Go Mets!!

Ditto.

[Tio Gato]

Sorry Cubs fan.:(

[jonumberone]

Great game last night.
Started off terrific with the inside the parker.
Loved the back and forth. And who doesn't love a game tying homer in the ninth?
I didn't think there was anything crazy done by either manager.

Some first guesses:
I was shocked to see Harvey out after only 80 pitches. It didn't factor into the game, just surprised me.
After Zobrist doubles to lead off the 8th, I'm not sure I have Cain try and bunt him over.
I understand that's how they play, manufacturing runs, but he's still your #3 hitter and I'd like to think he'd find a way to get him over or drive him in.
Also, they had to be the two most horrific attempts at a bunt I've ever seen.
I also thought Collins was too quick with the hook for Niese. Looked to me like he was mowing them down. Again, it didn't really factor in.

[kelmac07]

Great game last night.
Started off terrific with the inside the parker.
Loved the back and forth. And who doesn't love a game tying homer in the ninth?
I didn't think there was anything crazy done by either manager.

Some first guesses:
I was shocked to see Harvey out after only 80 pitches. It didn't factor into the game, just surprised me.
After Zobrist doubles to lead off the 8th, I'm not sure I have Cain try and bunt him over.
I understand that's how they play, manufacturing runs, but he's still your #3 hitter and I'd like to think he'd find a way to get him over or drive him in.
Also, they had to be the two most horrific attempts at a bunt I've ever seen.
I also thought Collins was too quick with the hook for Niese. Looked to me like he was mowing them down. Again, it didn't really factor in.

Agreed that it was a great game and awesome opener to the Series. Just sad that Familia blew his first save since July 30th. Would have been nice to win game #1 on the road. Tonight is a must win for the Mets. Hoping deGrom has his A game this evening.

[kelmac07]

Well, seems my Mets have dug themselves quite a hole. Down 0-2, our two top starters beaten...but at least we're heading home for three.

[Stephen]

Well, seems my Mets have dug themselves quite a hole. Down 0-2, our two top starters beaten...but at least we're heading home for three.
Was lucky enough to go to the K last night. Was also lucky that DirecTV Johnny Cueto showed up, and not cable Johnny Cueto. :)

[kelmac07]

Mets gave another game away and now find ourselves down 3-1 in the series. Not pleased that we gave Game #1 and Game #4 away. We could have easily been up 3-1 and on the brink of winning the World Series. But instead, we find ourselves on the brink of elimination at home.

[The Poet]

Not exactly a Bill Buckner moment, but close.

[jonumberone]

Well, I'm glad that's over.
Nothing would've ruined my holidays more than knowing the Mets won the World Series.
Congrats to KC, well deserved.

Terry Collins really blew it last night.
I agree with sending Harvey back out, but once he walks Cain, Terry has to pull him.
It's not like he got nibbled by the ump for the walk, all 4 balls were well out of the strike zone.
I was thinking Familia's poor outing's were what had Collin's gun shy.

Harvey has to take a huge hit here too. He likes to talk the talk, but he doesn't always show up.
I thought he had a miserable World Series. Game 1 was sad. He blows a 2 run lead and comes out after 80 pitches.
I had an argument with a co-worker about it. I don't care how many scoreless innings you throw, if you give it away at the end, it doesn't matter.
I think I have more of a problem with him because he likes to come off as a Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax type ace, but doesn't back it up.
If you're going to say " I'm not coming out of this game" , an elimination game, you have to get the outs.

And lastly, Sandy needs to take a hit as well. If you're going to build your team around pitching, you need to have a team that can field the ball!
The Mets booted everything this series. Somewhere back in spring training I made the comment that the Mets had the worst double play tandem in baseball. Was I that far off?
The Mets were dreadful in the field this series, from the first inning when Cespedes kicked the ball for the inside the parker, til the last, when Murphy kicked a routine grounder.

Congrats to KC. They really took it to the Mets.
They hung in against the starters and went to work against the pen.
You have to like that team. They never give up!

[Remo]

Anyone checked on Mac?

[Dave128]

Nuts.

[jonumberone]

Could the Nats have made a worse hire for manager?
You have a franchise that has trouble winning in the postseason so you go out and get a manager that has done a terrible job in the postseason?
Baker will get them there practically every year, but any half way decent manager could pull that off with the talent the Nats have.
How many bad managers does Mike Rizzo get to hire?

[Stephen]

Could the Nats have made a worse hire for manager?
R.I.P. Stephen Strasburg's arm.