MLB 2021 season: Corn-Driven Humidity

[Worf factor9]

If you don't run on the catcher, then why is CS% one of the key metrics in evaluating catchers?

(As a former pitcher myself, you absolutely run on the catcher. The pitcher has a role in it, most notably in the speed of delivery, but the catcher's ability to hop out of a squat and fire to the base--see the way Willson Contreras snipes people at first like ten or fifteen times a year--is where the rubber meets the road on stolen bases.)

Holding a runner on, not being totally invested in the next pitch. I have been a pitcher as well--my curve-ball sucked outloud.

btw, did you miss...

To add: having a Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk or a Yadi squat behind the dish every day sure as Hell helps.

arms all.

 

[Timby]

Holding a runner on, not being totally invested in the next pitch. I have been a pitcher as well--my curve-ball sucked outloud.

btw, did you miss...

I missed nothing, because you contradicted yourself, immediately rendering your point moot.

In other, less fortunate news, Vlad Jr. has decided to opt out of the Home Run Derby this year. I understand why--Sammy Sosa used to say that it would take two to four weeks to re-discover his swing after the HRD--but given that it's at Coors, I was looking forward to Vlad hitting 600-foot moon shots all night long.

 

[Jim Klag]

If you don't run on the catcher, then why is CS% one of the key metrics in evaluating catchers?

(As a former pitcher myself, you absolutely run on the catcher. The pitcher has a role in it, most notably in the speed of delivery, but the catcher's ability to hop out of a squat and fire to the base--see the way Willson Contreras snipes people at first like ten or fifteen times a year--is where the rubber meets the road on stolen bases.)

For proof of this you need look no farther than Jon Lester. Everyone knew he would not throw to first and yet few ran on him. The reason? Willson Contreras. Nuff said.

 

[Timby]

For proof of this you need look no farther than Jon Lester. Everyone knew he would not throw to first and yet few ran on him. The reason? Willson Contreras. Nuff said.

Absolutely. Although Contreras occasionally has me reaching for the antacids with his snap throws to first, because every so often he airmails it into the right field corner and all of a sudden that guy on first base is 90 feet away from home.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Absolutely. Although Contreras occasionally has me reaching for the antacids with his snap throws to first, because every so often he airmails it into the right field corner and all of a sudden that guy on first base is 90 feet away from home.

Like with a certain SS, his impossible plays are sometimes offset by the failed routine plays.

 

[Timby]

Like with a certain SS, his impossible plays are sometimes offset by the failed routine plays.

Yeah, Baez's mental breakdowns frustrate the hell out of me, and they usually happen because he's too busy trying to hotdog a play instead of just making a simple throw. That, plus his devastating strikeout problem and his severe allergy to walks, makes me very glad that the Cubs almost certainly won't re-sign him this winter (if there isn't a work stoppage, that is). I remain convinced that the only one of Bryant, Rizzo and Baez they'll keep is Rizzo, just because he'll be the cheapest ... but it pisses me off, because Bryant is finally fucking healthy and he is terrorizing every pitcher in baseball right now.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Yeah, Baez's mental breakdowns frustrate the hell out of me, and they usually happen because he's too busy trying to hotdog a play instead of just making a simple throw. That, plus his devastating strikeout problem and his severe allergy to walks, makes me very glad that the Cubs almost certainly won't re-sign him this winter (if there isn't a work stoppage, that is). I remain convinced that the only one of Bryant, Rizzo and Baez they'll keep is Rizzo, just because he'll be the cheapest ... but it pisses me off, because Bryant is finally fucking healthy and he is terrorizing every pitcher in baseball right now.

Isn't Contreras also due to be signed? And some say Bryant is only now trying because it's contract time. His issues go back further than last year's injury plagued season.

 

[Timby]

Isn't Contreras also due to be signed? And some say Bryant is only now trying because it's contract time. His issues go back further than last year's injury plagued season.

Contreras is a free agent after the 2022 season.

I disagree with you (or "some," whatever ) about Bryant, though. His shoulder had been nagging him ever since 2018, ever since he completely wrecked it sliding into second, and he also had wrist and hand problems that he never properly allowed to heal. By all accounts, he used this past offseason to actually get better, and he also stopped using his dad as his primary hitting coach. He's back to his 2016 MVP form.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

4 Cubs pitchers combine to no-hit the Dodgers. 8 walks tho, if there were a couple hits, we probably lose that game.

Tepera to Chafin to Kimbrel is getting pretty epic. Like a pitcher's murderers row.

 

[Timby]

4 Cubs pitchers combine to no-hit the Dodgers. 8 walks tho, if there were a couple hits, we probably lose that game.

Reminds me of fifteen or twenty years ago, when a Marlins pitcher--AJ Burnett, I think?--had a no-hitter but walked nine, which set a new record.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Reminds me of fifteen or twenty years ago, when a Marlins pitcher--AJ Burnett, I think?--had a no-hitter but walked nine, which set a new record.

For a single pitcher no-no? White Sox had a combined no hitter in 1978(?) and walked 11. That SP had 9 walks I believe.

 

[Timby]

For a single pitcher no-no? White Sox had a combined no hitter in 1978(?) and walked 11. That SP had 9 walks I believe.

Yeah, it was a record for a single-pitcher no-hitter. I looked it up, it was exactly 20 years ago, May 2001.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Still glad it was "good" Davies that cam to the ballpark instead of the guy that gave up 6 earned the last time out.

Any lead you can get to that bullpen is practically a lock. But getting a lead has been iffy. Seems like we're back to home run or famine.

 

[Timby]

Any lead you can get to that bullpen is practically a lock. But getting a lead has been iffy. Seems like we're back to home run or famine.

That's an understatement. For the month of June, the Cubs are dead-last in the majors in both batting average and OBP.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Aaron Nola (Phillies) just tied the all-time MLB record of 10 consecutive strikeouts...set by Tom Seaver, 51 years ago.

 

[Spider]

That's an understatement. For the month of June, the Cubs are dead-last in the majors in both batting average and OBP.

Astros are number 1 in team batting average and runs scored. And they got new pastel colored garbage can lids! Go Stros!

 

[Worf factor9]

Astros are number 1 in team batting average and runs scored.

Has Bill Belichick loaned a few spy cameras to the 'stros again?

 

[Spider]

Has Bill Belichick loaned a few spy cameras to the 'stros again?

Belichick? Naw man, we're in Houston. We use NASA's cameras.

 

[Worf factor9]

Belichick? Naw man, we're in Houston. We use NASA's cameras.

 

[Timby]

First Vlad Junior, now Fernando Tatis, Jr., has dropped out of the Home Run Derby; in this case he's citing nagging shoulder issues and says he needs the rest.