MLB 2015 Season Thread

Igotadose · 11-10-2015 09:09AM

Dirty play by a career dirty player. Decisive, too -> if he's out through interference, maybe that's the end of their rally with a tie game.

Bart got the ground ball, Murphy's throw was o.k., Utley said he was going after the fielder and he did. Umpiring call was absurd, interference without question.

Flores'll be fine at SS, Tejada's out, and I expect they'll add Dilson Herrera as a very capable backup at SS or 2b. And Kelly Johnson's around for that too.

Mr. Utley, meet Mr. Harvey on Tuesday. Can't wait.

jack presley · 11-10-2015 09:34AM

That's 2 serious injuries at second base in the past month or so with the Korean bloke for the Pirates getting taken out in the Cubs game.

I know Buster Posey is a star and neither of these 2 are but they changed the home plate rule in part after he got injured so I wonder will they do something with the slid into second base.

Waitsian · 11-10-2015 10:15AM

jack presley wrote:

I know Buster Posey is a star and neither of these 2 are but they changed the home plate rule in part after he got injured so I wonder will they do something with the slid into second base.

They should. It's as ridiculous a rule as the old take-out rule at home plate.

jack presley · 11-10-2015 10:22AM

I'm robbing this from someone on Twitter

"In baseball trying to break someone's leg on purpose is fine but you better not celebrate after a home run"

sportstar583 · 11-10-2015 10:48AM

That slide should definitely be illegal. In the current state of the rules it is legal as it wasn't at home plate but at 2nd base. I don't understand why it's illegal to do that at home but legal to do it at other bases. I think they will change it by next season but they should change it right now.

jack presley · 11-10-2015 11:30AM

Another view of the Utley slide

https://twitter.com/BrianPickett/status/653056115643650048/photo/1

Thidp · 11-10-2015 11:16PM

Rasmus just hit a ball in the... ROOF

Probably never gonna see it happening again hahaha

krustydoyle · 11-10-2015 11:57PM

I'll have whatever rasmus is on

circular flexing · 12-10-2015 01:41AM

Utley suspended for 2 games - kind of surprising.

Waitsian · 12-10-2015 03:11AM

Tuuuullllooooo!! :-)

Fingers crossed. Interesting to see Price warming up in the pen. Not used though. Will be available tomorrow too, pen or even a start.

Looks like Stroman might start a possible game 5?

circular flexing · 12-10-2015 03:43AM

mod9maple wrote: »

Tuuuullllooooo!! :-)

Fingers crossed. Interesting to see Price warming up in the pen. Not used though. Will be available tomorrow too, pen or even a start.

Looks like Stroman might start a possible game 5?

Gibbons was adamant that Dickey would be starting tomorrow, but I can see him being given a very short leash and possibly Price coming out of the pen.

jack presley · 12-10-2015 07:37AM

circular flexing wrote: »

Utley suspended for 2 games - kind of surprising.

I reckon it was because of the outcry rather than the offence. I still think it was a dirty play as he deliberately went out of the lines to take out Tejada but I never thought he would get suspended. I thought it would be old fashioned on the field justice.

jack presley · 12-10-2015 07:41AM

circular flexing wrote: »

Gibbons was adamant that Dickey would be starting tomorrow, but I can see him being given a very short leash and possibly Price coming out of the pen.

Dickey in a must win game is very risky. As I've said before, when the knuckler is on, it's great to watch as hitters don't know what to do and are made look stupid at the plate but when it's not moving, it turns into batting practice.

I agree that a short leash is required and if he gives up 2 runs or so early, get him out of there quickly. Even if it is the first or second inning.

Waitsian · 12-10-2015 08:22AM

That's the plan, for sure. And Price is a hell of an arm to take out of your bullpen! That's playoff baseball.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 08:23AM

My own opinion on the Utley slide, it's what happens in baseball. He did not mean to break Tejeda's leg and he only got suspended because he admitted going for the player (as all players do.) It was a terrible slide though but on a side note Tejeda put himself in that situation and is definitely partly to blame by his terrible positioning.

On a side note : Kershaw chokes again, Mets have the chance now to win it in NY and they better do it as Greinke will be back if there is a game 5 and you don't want that.

Texas and the Knuckleball could be interesting. Still think the BJays have the bats to damage Texas and I'm completely surprised by how well the Astro's are handling the Royals. Momentum is huge in baseball and the Astro's have it.

zuutroy · 12-10-2015 08:36AM

Totally agree about Dickey. Need to be overpowering these guys for the next 2* games.

jack presley · 12-10-2015 08:48AM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

My own opinion on the Utley slide, it's what happens in baseball. He did not mean to break Tejeda's leg and he only got suspended because he admitted going for the player (as all players do.) It was a terrible slide though but on a side note Tejeda put himself in that situation and is definitely partly to blame by his terrible positioning.

On a side note : Kershaw chokes again, Mets have the chance now to win it in NY and they better do it as Greinke will be back if there is a game 5 and you don't want that.

Texas and the Knuckleball could be interesting. Still think the BJays have the bats to damage Texas and I'm completely surprised by how well the Astro's are handling the Royals. Momentum is huge in baseball and the Astro's have it.

Tejada was away from the bag and out of the running lane so in theory, out of the way so Utley had no real right to slide at him so I don't agree that his positioning was to blame.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Kershaw. He pitched quite well and was unlucky to come up against de Grom who was amazing on the night. With a bit of luck he could have gotten out of the seventh only giving up 1 run and most teams would jump at that if offered to them before a game. As I said before, tonight's the time for Harvey to pitch like an ace and show us that he's worth all the drama. Get a win tonight and put all the pressure back on LA. As you said, it's all about momentum in the playoffs and after Saturday, LA have it in this series

The Astros have been great so far. They could be this year's Royals/Giants and get to the WS from the wild card. Keuchel was so cool last night getting out of trouble on numerous occasions. I was surprised to see him come out for the seventh but he got it done.

Great playoffs so far.

Igotadose · 12-10-2015 09:05AM

MLB's suspended Utley. He's appealing so probably will be in the game tonight.

The game in LA: Weak umpiring - how can MLB suspend him, and he not be declared out? Joke joke joke.

Tonight should be epic, hopefully Harvey's got one of _those_ starts in him. Advantage Mets tonight. Tomorrow's a 'pick-em', might see any and everyone available on both teams.

Lets Go, Mets!

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 09:06AM

jack presley wrote: »

Tejada was away from the bag and out of the running lane so in theory, out of the way so Utley had no real right to slide at him so I don't agree that his positioning was to blame.

I think you're being a bit harsh on Kershaw. He pitched quite well and was unlucky to come up against de Grom who was amazing on the night. With a bit of luck he could have gotten out of the seventh only giving up 1 run and most teams would jump at that if offered to them before a game. As I said before, tonight's the time for Harvey to pitch like an ace and show us that he's worth all the drama. Get a win tonight and put all the pressure back on LA. As you said, it's all about momentum in the playoffs and after Saturday, LA have it in this series

The Astros have been great so far. They could be this year's Royals/Giants and get to the WS from the wild card. Keuchel was so cool last night getting out of trouble on numerous occasions. I was surprised to see him come out for the seventh but he got it done.

Great playoffs so far.

I don't agree on LA having momentum simply because they won the last game. If you offered the Mets 1-1 going back to NY they would have bit your hand off , also Utley's slide has now given the Mets something to be pissed off about. You can guarantee that someone gets hit tonight probably Gonzalez or Turner.

this one is a strange situation though, I don't understand how MLB can justify a suspension on Utley. Very tough to explain it and if Utley plays tonight we all know he's getting nailed but he'll take it move to first base and carry on. Unwritten rules in baseball etc etc

jack presley · 12-10-2015 09:13AM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

I don't agree on LA having momentum simply because they won the last game. If you offered the Mets 1-1 going back to NY they would have bit your hand off , also Utley's slide has now given the Mets something to be pissed off about. You can guarantee that someone gets hit tonight probably Gonzalez or Turner.

this one is a strange situation though, I don't understand how MLB can justify a suspension on Utley. Very tough to explain it and if Utley plays tonight we all know he's getting nailed but he'll take it move to first base and carry on. Unwritten rules in baseball etc etc

The funny thing is if you had asked me on Friday would I take a 1-1 split I'd have bitten your hand off. But after seeing how game 2 played out I was king of disappointed that it wasn't 2-0. But that's probably just greed on my part.

As for hitting Utley or someone else if he doesn't play, that could get dodgy. Do you really want to put men on base in game 4 of a 5 game series where runs have been scarce? I wouldn't do it. I'd prefer if the old school unwritten rules were in place where it's saved into the memory bank until they meet in the regular season next year. I'd throw a pitch high and inside to keep him thinking though but I wouldn't give anyone a free pass in such an important game (unless it's 7-0 in the eight or something!).

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 09:51AM

jack presley wrote: »

The funny thing is if you had asked me on Friday would I take a 1-1 split I'd have bitten your hand off. But after seeing how game 2 played out I was king of disappointed that it wasn't 2-0. But that's probably just greed on my part.

As for hitting Utley or someone else if he doesn't play, that could get dodgy. Do you really want to put men on base in game 4 of a 5 game series where runs have been scarce? I wouldn't do it. I'd prefer if the old school unwritten rules were in place where it's saved into the memory bank until they meet in the regular season next year. I'd throw a pitch high and inside to keep him thinking though but I wouldn't give anyone a free pass in such an important game (unless it's 7-0 in the eight or something!).

Tonight is a game breaker. Obviously you don't just hit someone in the playoffs but scaring the **** out of him with the first pitch would be a decent idea. I don't think Utley meant to break Tejeda's leg so I cant see how he should be suspended. But the tension will be high tonight.

Am absolutely loving the playoffs this year even without the Nats in it I don't think I've watched so many games. Keuchel was immense last night.

jack presley · 12-10-2015 10:08AM

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

Am absolutely loving the playoffs this year even without the Nats in it I don't think I've watched so many games. Keuchel was immense last night.

I'd love to be able to sit down and watch the 4 games today (damn you sleep and having to work...!!!)

You got 2 eliminator games in the AL with Ventura and Dickey fighting for survival. Then Arieta takes the mound which is always a must watch situation and then the NYM/LA drama.

Going to be a fascinating day/night, just a pity I won't get to see a lot of it.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 11:04AM

jack presley wrote: »

I'd love to be able to sit down and watch the 4 games today (damn you sleep and having to work...!!!)

You got 2 eliminator games in the AL with Ventura and Dickey fighting for survival. Then Arieta takes the mound which is always a must watch situation and then the NYM/LA drama.

Going to be a fascinating day/night, just a pity I won't get to see a lot of it.

I'm going to be doing exactly that. I wont catch all of the first game but I plan on watching all the other games

I might not make it through the Mets game but I have the morning off just in case its a nail biter!

jack presley · 12-10-2015 03:05PM

Utley appeal not going to be heard today so he's free to play. He'd better pack some extra padding!!

Seriously though, having read more about this I think MLB's lack of enforcement of the wandering off the base paths in preventing a double play is the problem and it would be unfair to single him out for a suspension just because there was an injury in this case.

It was still a dirty play and not just 'playing the game hard' (one of the most annoying clichés in baseball) but if the game allows you to be a dick, so be it.

I can definitely see the rule changing on the off season and had it been Carlos Correa or one of the Cubs young stars and not a below average shortstop, the rule would have been changed before the next pitch had been thrown.

Uncle_moe · 12-10-2015 03:39PM

If mlb do suspend Utley it will have to add another nonsensical rule like the homeplate collision one. The game is fine as it is, people will get hurt but that's part of it. Look at what has happened to football. Players are no feigning injury to get an advantage. Hate to see that kind of crap happen in baseball.
I personally loved the play, it was hard but no different to everyday slides we see to break up double plays. If his leg wasn't broken this wouldn't be an issue.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 03:46PM

jack presley wrote: »

Utley appeal not going to be heard today so he's free to play. He'd better pack some extra padding!!

Seriously though, having read more about this I think MLB's lack of enforcement of the wandering off the base paths in preventing a double play is the problem and it would be unfair to single him out for a suspension just because there was an injury in this case.

It was still a dirty play and not just 'playing the game hard' (one of the most annoying clichés in baseball) but if the game allows you to be a dick, so be it.

I can definitely see the rule changing on the off season and had it been Carlos Correa or one of the Cubs young stars and not a below average shortstop, the rule would have been changed before the next pitch had been thrown.

It takes baseball forever to change these rules man, you know that. I mean they didn't change the home plate rule for a couple of years after Buster's terrible injury. There have been at least 4 plays at second though in this years playoff so I think they will do something next year.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 03:58PM

Uncle_moe wrote: »

If mlb do suspend Utley it will have to add another nonsensical rule like the homeplate collision one. The game is fine as it is, people will get hurt but that's part of it. Look at what has happened to football. Players are no feigning injury to get an advantage. Hate to see that kind of crap happen in baseball.
I personally loved the play, it was hard but no different to everyday slides we see to break up double plays. If his leg wasn't broken this wouldn't be an issue.

Originally I agreed with your view, but having looked at it a few times today I do have a problem with the play, Utley doesn't slide till he gets to the bag. That is why it's dirty in my opinion. It's not a hard play, its a late and dangerous one.

Uncle_moe · 12-10-2015 04:00PM

I absolutely get your point that it was late but don't we hear it all the time from commentators "the player did what he was supposed to, break up the double play"
Whether you slide late or not, i don't see the difference when your goal is still the same thing.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 12-10-2015 04:14PM

Uncle_moe wrote: »

I absolutely get your point that it was late but don't we hear it all the time from commentators "the player did what he was supposed to, break up the double play"
Whether you slide late or not, i don't see the difference when your goal is still the same thing.

The thing was if you watch it again he doesn't slide. He almost charges Tejeda, he actually doesn't hit the ground before the bag he barely hits it before he hits tejeda .. that's not just late its a terribly dangerous play.

And I have to apologise to Jack for earlier saying it was just a hard play. I only got the one look during the game and didn't think it was as bad as it was. Either way he starts tonight. Does Harvey blast him with a 100mph fastball?

Thidp · 12-10-2015 04:37PM

The only "good" thing about all this is that the game today will be really tense, even more with Utley playing.

I guess there is a big chance of benches clearing, Utley involved or not...

MLB 2015 Season Thread

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